Resurrection 2018

By Sherma-Jacqueline Felix

It seems like it was just yesterday that we were singing Christmas carols in celebration of Jesus’ birth in December 2017, yet here we are again celebrating Jesus’ resurrection this coming Sunday!  I am always excited about anything that has to do with Jesus, and this celebration is no exception.

I was reading through the last couple chapters of Matthew, looking at the crucifixion and resurrection, and I began to pray over leaders, male leaders.  It reminded me of revelation I received a while back about 1 Timothy 2:1-3.  I have always looked at that scripture as one to be prayed over Presidents, Prime Ministers, Cabinet Ministers, Senate Leaders, Judges, and other leaders in authority over this and other nations, but recently I saw it in a different light.

As I was reading and praying over the scripture, I saw it as scripture that could also be referring to the men in our lives.  Our men. Our sons, husbands, brothers, and friends, have tremendous pressure placed on them as men, to perform and to live up to a certain standard.  There is an expectation from some wives, that their husbands will stand up and be their protector, father to their children, friend, lover, provider, and “head of household”.

Sometimes, when women get together, we talk about our children, our workout sessions, our businesses, recipes, (for those unlike me, who love to cook), shoes, men, tv shows, chocolate, etc.  But when men get together, a lot of their conversations revolve around what they do.  For the most part, what they do, equals who they are.  And most men don’t mind being identified by their job description either.  They love sharing information about what they do, how long they’ve been on the job, the importance of the job, what they expect to achieve in the coming years, or how they got to help someone.

So, in reading the above scripture, I suddenly saw The Apostle Paul urging us to pray petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving, on behalf of all men, for kings and those who are in positions of authority or high responsibility!  The men in our lives do hold positions of authority, especially in the home.  We know that God is our Protector, Healer, and Provider, but in the home, these natural responsibilities fall on the men in our lives.  Even though these men may be seeking God daily and receiving the necessary wisdom to take care of their families, there still is a tremendous amount of pressure that could be alleviated as we pray for them.

Satan is aware of the position men hold in the home, and his plan is to destroy families one marriage at a time.  He uses simple things, small, unimportant arguments, that turn into huge blowouts that can sometimes last for weeks or months.  Add to that, the stress a man can receive on the job, plus a bleak financial picture, and there you have it, a receipt for disaster.  Before you know it, couples are talking about separation, divorce, or something equally devastating and debilitating.

Jesus places great importance on the family unit, and as we celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of the greatest man that ever lived, it’s a good time to remember those men in our lives who work so hard to make things happen.  Whether the man has a great job, no job at all, has his own business, or is in school, he still holds a place of high responsibility in your life, simply by virtue of him being, a man!

This message is for all men.  Men of God, or men who don’t yet have a relationship with God, men who claim that they don’t want to know God, single fathers, dads who take care of their kids, and dads who don’t, brothers, cousins, friends.  If you are of the male species, you are very important to the women in your lives.  We recognize that you hold a place of authority and high responsibility as evidenced in God’s conversation with Adam in the Garden of Eden, when He gave Adam his duties and responsibilities, (Genesis 1:26-31].  We promise to pray fervent prayers for you frequently, and to be ever mindful of the place you hold in our hearts and homes.  For that, we salute you!

Now, more than ever, we also lift our hands, raise our voices, bow our knees, and surrender our hearts to the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the One Who holds all power and authority ~ Jesus The Christ!  We acknowledge Who He is in our homes, and in our individual lives, and we extend our heartfelt prayers for His sacrifice on our behalf!  Jesus how we love and adore you!  We’re grateful that you changed the course of history just for us.  You paid the ultimate price so that we can be free, thank you Jesus, we bless Your Holy name!

 

About the author:                                                                                                                                   

Sherma-Jacqueline is a Bible Teacher, Conference Speaker, Mentor, and Passionate Writer.  She has always enjoyed writing, and started off by keeping a diary in her teens.  She began prayer journaling over 18 years ago and began teaching on Prayer 12 years ago.  Her desire is to see the women of God rise up and be all that they’re called to be: Bold, Strong, Courageous and overflowing with His Word!

Visit her at: shermajacqueline.tumblr.com

 

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