Jesus – Abba's Prayer Warrior Princess

Resurrection Sunday or Easter

Posted on April 9, 2023April 9, 2023 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

He is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah! Today is Easter. Lent ends. Have you prepared your body, mind, and spirit for worshipping our risen Savior? We have talked about why He came, what He did, what He expects of us, and learned many things this past week, but the most important thing about Holy Week is what happened at the end. Jesus arose from the dead. He conquered sin and death for us.

Churches have all types of Easter services that started on Good Friday night and go through tonight. One of the most popular is the Sunrise Service. Have you ever worshipped at sunrise on Easter watching the sun rise and imaging Jesus Christ rising from the dead? The sky can be breathtaking. It doesn’t matter when or where we worship, just that we do. Easter is a time filled with awe, joy, gratefulness, and gratitude. I think it is an exciting time.

Early that first Easter morning, a group of women who followed Jesus went to the tomb. The Bible says Mary, mother of James, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Salome went and found that the large stone had been rolled away from the entrance. They said an angel proclaimed “Don’t be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen.” (Mt. 28:5-6, NLT). When the women looked in the tomb it was indeed empty. The shroud covering Christ’s body was neatly folded and placed where his body had been.

Jesus had accomplished what was foretold in prophesy. God’s Son was beaten, falsely accused, crucified, placed in a tomb, and He arose on the third day. He had done what He said He would. He conquered sin and death. Our sin debts have been stamped “paid in full” because of our Savior. He gave everything for our salvation, but what have we given in return? Do I give Him my love and devotion? My service and obedience? Have I submitted my will to His? If not, I will start today.

Take time this Easter to really worship and think about the great sacrifice Jesus made for you. He didn’t just die on the cross for the disciples and people from that era. We are included in the covenant, too. He died for TJ, Cheri, Kyla, Cindy, Den, Vanessa, Jason, and even me. Yes, He died for us, but He also arose. He paid the price so that we may reign in Heaven as heirs of the true King. He died so that we might live. Life after death is real when you choose Jesus as your Savior. Rejoice! He is alive. Worship Him. He will return as promised. Let’s rejoice, worship, and stay ready.

Do you have a favorite Easter Hymn or Praise Chorus? Many hymns and choruses have been written about the sacrifice Jesus willingly made for us. Some people like Christ Arose or He Lives. Others may say I know that My Redeemer Lives, The Old Rugged Cross or Because He Lives. Whatever your favorite might be, sing it to the Savior with gusto today while remembering our debt is paid in full by Him.

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you that He would be turned over to sinful men, be crucified, and rise again on the third day!” – Luke 24:6-7

“Jesus said: I am the resurrection. Anyone who believes in Me, even though that person dies, will live,” – John 11:25
Do you believe? Have you shared the Good News with your family and friends?

Happy Easter! Share a blessing or prayer request in the comments.

My Mammaw’s Easter Lesson Cookie Recipe

Posted on April 8, 2023April 8, 2023 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Easter Sunday is tomorrow. It is the time to turn our hearts and minds to Jesus and His Resurrection. Being raised in a Christian family, Easter was much more than egg hunts and baskets for me. It was about Jesus and the empty tomb.

I remember my maternal grandmother teaching me and my cousin, Mark, the Easter story over a cookie recipe one year. Mammaw was a Sunday School teacher, woman of faith, loved her family and Jesus. She was also a fabulous baker and cook. The cookies were delicious, but the story has stayed with me for decades. Precious memories made in the kitchen are priceless and stick with us.

You might want to do an activity like this for yourself, children, grandchildren, or kids’ group. The message could be as simple as planting a seed that will grow into a bountiful plant. Sometimes a visual makes the Easter story a little more memorable for young children. Years down the road your littles might recall time spent with you and lessons from your kitchen. Seeds you plant in their minds could result in a harvest of their salvation.

Mammaw’s Forgotten Easter Cookies

2 egg whites

1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

2/3 c. sugar

1 c. nuts or chocolate chips

pinch of salt

1 tsp. white vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place pecans in resealable plastic baggie. Crush pecans into small pieces with a rolling pin. Read John 19:1-3

“Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged Him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe, And said, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and they smote Him with their hands.”

Sprinkle salt into egg whites. Read Luke 23:27, 33

“And there followed Him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented Him.”

“When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals—one on His right, the other on His left.”

Put vanilla into a bowl. Read John 19:28-30.

“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, ‘I thirst.’ Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to His mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, ‘It is finished’ and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.”

Right now this mixture doesn’t look like we’d want to eat it. Add sugar slowly. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Beat with mixer until frothy and add cream of tartar. Then beat on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Add in vanilla close to the end. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with Him.’ Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto parchment paper lined baking sheet. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

“When the night was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and departed.”

Place cookies in the oven, close the door and turn the oven off. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

“Pilate said unto them, ‘Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.’ So they went, and made the tomb sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.”

Go to bed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.”

“And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”

In the morning open the oven and take out the cookies.

Read Matthew 28:1-9.

“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the tomb. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, ‘Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and, behold, He goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him: lo, I have told you.’ And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, ‘All hail. And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him.”

When you bite into the cookies notice they are hollow inside, empty, just like Jesus’ tomb. He arose!

Holy Tuesday Activities

Posted on April 4, 2023April 3, 2023 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

On Tuesday Jesus returned to the Temple and the religious leaders were upset at Jesus for establishing Himself as a spiritual authority. Jesus had a large following now. He evaded the traps the leaders set for Him with their questions. He scolded them in Matt. 23 and compared them to tombs – beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people.

Jesus took His disciples to the Mount of Olives and told them parables about end times and His return. Those who wait for the Master’s coming—the wise and faithful servant (Matthew 24:45-51), the five wise virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), and the good servant who uses his resources wisely (Matthew 25:14-30) are a few of the ones He spoke.

Do you remember any of these parables from Sunday School or Vacation Bible School? The point is to have faith and be ready for Jesus. He is coming back just like He promised. When? Well, some people say it is going to be soon because of the way thing are in the world. What we do know is it is not for us to know. We are just advised to be ready at a moment’s notice. Jesus is coming in the blink of an eye.

After they left Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples stopped on the Mount of Olives. He wanted to teach again about the future and end times. Jesus cautioned against false teachers and the evil that would rise up. Oh, can you imagine hearing Jesus preach?

The Pharisees, Sadducees, and other religious leaders of Jesus’ day constantly sought to entrap him. They refused to acknowledge that Jesus was God’s Son, the Messiah. It is unbelievable how relentless those religious leaders were toward Jesus. Have you really considered how much God loves us? He cared enough to let His Son go through shame, humiliation, testing, betraying, pain, crucifixion, and death all to save our souls. Don’t ever forget the price our Saviour, Jesus, paid for us.

Holy Monday of Holy Week

Posted on April 3, 2023April 3, 2023 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

After Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday did you ever wonder how he spent His final week in ministry? What did He do until His crucifixion? On Monday, He taught His disciples a parable about faith when He cursed a fig tree that did not produce fruit. Do you remember that one?

They had been out walking and were hungry when they saw a fig tree with many leaves. After they looked for the fruit, none could be found. It was barren. Many believe the tree being cursed represents God’s judgment on those that are spiritually dead.

The story of what Jesus also did might be more familiar. Jesus went into the temple, was angered and disgusted by the dishonest money changers. They were cheating people and making a mockery of the temple. He left and made a whip before he came back. Then Jesus went through where the money hangers were with their animals, overturning tables and saying: “Scripture says ‘My Temple will be a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” The money changers and their animals were all driven out restoring order and respect.

What has stayed with me about this story is that Jesus stopped and braided a whip so that He could think about what He was going to do before just charging into the temple. He didn’t fly off the handle but took time to think about the situation. Maybe He prayed. I would imagine He did. I have never made a whip, but wouldn’t you think it took quite a while?

“So He made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.” John 2:15

Could you do this? Wait to tell people they were doing wrong, especially to your father? Jesus had righteous anger. I can’t tell you how many times I have flown off the handle in rage. Acted quickly without thinking things through. Not so with Jesus. His indignation toward what was happening in the temple was just. It needed to be done, but he waited to think clearly and make certain it was done correctly. How many times have I wished that I had done things like that? Many!

Jesus had one week left with his disciples before his crucifixion and resurrection. Everything was done in the right way without rushing. Even in a time of deep anger He still slowed down and gave Himself time to cool off and think with a clear mind. What a beautiful example for all of us. We, too, have the ability of self-control. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Let’s learn from Jesus and use this mighty gift.

Happy Palm Sunday, Holy Week Begins

Posted on April 2, 2023April 2, 2023 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Today is Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. This celebrates the day Jesus triumphantly entered the city of Jerusalem. It marks one week before Easter. Here in Southern Indiana Palm Sunday can be a beautiful sunny day or it can be cold and snowy. The weather is very unpredictable. What isn’t unpredictable and remains unchanged is the Palm Sunday message. “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!” John 12:12-13.

Scripture tells us that Jesus rode into the city on a young donkey. The streets were lined with people who threw clothes and palms or small branches, in front of him as a sign of homage and respect. This was what people did for kings. They treated Jesus like royalty. Using palm branches symbolized peace and victory. Jesus came in peace, triumphantly. The crowd of people shouted “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

This was foretold in the Old Testament Zechariah 9:9, “Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Historically horses were ridden during times of war, rulers rode donkeys during times of peace as a sign of humility toward the people. Old Testament prophets spoke of the coming Messiah.

Can you imagine what it was like to be in that crowd? Jesus had come to save the lost, to secure their eternal life and salvation. He was the Messiah, long awaited. Hearts must have been beating wildly at the anticipation of seeing Him. Thoughts were surely running all over wondering what to do – stand, bow, wave, kneel. Did tears fill many eyes? My eyes get glassy thinking about it.

How amazing it must have been to see Jesus, God’s Son. He was the one that raised the dead back to life and healed the sick. He was the teacher that many spoke of so highly. Jesus changed lives. He taught love. He was love.

What would we have done in that crowd? Maybe try to touch his robe or hand? Would we be brave enough to make eye contact with Him? Perhaps His presence would mesmerize us. How blessed those people were to be in that crowd. Did they know that He was the Lamb of God?

This week we will take a walk through what happened on the very first Holy Week. Today, rejoice. Lift up your voices and sing: Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Imagine yourself in Jerusalem then. Are you waving palms or putting them on the streets? Are you praising Him? Let’s remember to do it today.

Jesus Can Give You a New Life…..Book Re-Launch Party Tonight

Posted on May 5, 2022May 5, 2022 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

We’d love for you to join us tonight, Thursday May 5, at 7pm CST for our relaunch party on Facebook of Jesus Can Give You a New Life. It will be a live event on our Facebook page:

Date & Time: May 5, 2022, at 7 PM CST
Where: Our Facebook business page – https://www.facebook.com/christianwriterscollective

Invite your family, friends, and contacts to enjoy the fun, low prices, and specials that will be featured only at our Relaunch Party for Jesus Can…Give You A New Life!

If you are a Christian writer, there are spaces available to be included in future books. Get your questions answered and apply tonight.

Date & Time: May 5, 2022, at 7 PM CST
Where: Our Facebook business page – https://www.facebook.com/christianwriterscollective

Let’s Agree to Disagree Nicely

Posted on October 18, 2020October 18, 2020 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Friends. We all have them and want to be one. Do you know what the definition of a friend is? Let me ask our buddy Webster:

“…definition of friend: 1: a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another person. 2 : a person who is not an enemy or foe.”

That sounds correct. Don’t you think? It is fairly cut and dried. Friends are people you really like, trust, and that are not enemies.

The Bible has something to say about friendship, too. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)” Isn’t it comforting to know that a true friend loves at all times? Not just in good times, but also bad? Friends are supposed to always be friends, even during election year. So what is happening?

Are we allowing someone or something to come between us and our friends? Friendship takes work. Each friend needs to be respectful and considerate of the other. For me, friendship is like a safe haven in a storm. A place where I can always go to feel happy and unthreatened. True, we will not always agree on everything, but our tone will be respectful and loving. There will not be any degrading remarks. We will just agree to disagree and go on.

Unfortunately of late, I have noticed friends that are normally respectful and sweet take on a different persona. Snide comments are left on Facebook posts, hateful things are said about others, including friends, and the need to respond viciously overtakes normal caution. Is that because we can type a response without looking the commenter in the eyes? Our comment may “yell” back in all caps or contain offensive words our lips never speak. Our words cut deep without us having to witness the pain we inflicted.

It breaks my heart to see friend pitted against friend and family member against family member. I still choose to love each one, but their behavior troubles me. Are they succumbing to a plan that has blinded them? Why would these naturally loving and caring people become so callus and cold?

Maybe we should all think about what our words and actions are saying about our souls. Are they in line with the teachings of Jesus? When someone looks at me will they see a member of a political party or a member of the family of God? Will I be a friendly safe haven or a downgrading place of battle for my friends?

The solution? First, take inventory of yourself. Are you proud of how you are representing Jesus? Second, pray. Pray for our friends, our nation, and ourselves. Romans 3:11-12 says: “None is righteous, no, not one;
¹¹ no one understands; no one seeks for God.
¹²All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good, not even one.”

Someday this world will all be over. It will not matter which political party was our preference, only that Jesus was our King. Are we living as peacemakers and beacons for Him? I hope I am.

The best news is that we all have a friend that will be there for us. He died on the cross so that we might have eternal life. Scripture says in John 15:13-24 “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”

Using His example, let’s pray for each other and be kind. Let’s be good friends and agree to disagree.

Holy Saturday, When Jesus was Gone

Posted on April 11, 2020April 11, 2020 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Today is the anniversary of Holy Saturday, Easter Eve or Black Saturday. It is the name given to the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It is the seventh day of Holy Week. When Jesus died, He called out, “It is finished!” He had completed His job. Now what?

Where was Jesus on this day so long ago? He was dead. My heart breaks to write this. Jesus was away from God and descended into hell. Isn’t that what the Apostles Creed says? All of what was done was for us. The price was paid for us so that we would not owe it.

This day is traditionally a time of reflection and waiting like Lent. Jesus’ followers spent this day waiting after his crucifixion on Good Friday. He had said He would rise from the dead so they would be watching for Him. Most likely they would be recalling every word He said to them. I would. Wouldn’t you go over every detail?

Roman governor Pontius Pilate instructed guards to be posted at the tomb to prevent Jesus’ followers from removing the body to claim that He had risen from the dead. Pilate sealed the tomb, secured it, and posted guards. No one was getting in. Jesus’ body would not be taken.

Easter or Resurrection Sunday is tomorrow. I know the ending of this heart wrenching account. I also know this was God’s plan, but it still hurts. For those of us baptized, when we were we died with Christ (going down under water) and arose with Him (rising up again). Symbolic but not close to what my precious Savior endured.

Scripture tells us this in Romans 6:3-11 King James Version (KJV):

^”Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

So, while we await Resurrection Sunday, take a moment to reflect. Just as we were baptized and died with Jesus, we died to sin. We should sever the bond sin has over us and sin no more. After He died for us, let us live for Him.

Holy Wednesday or Spy Wednesday

Posted on April 17, 2019April 17, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Spy Wednesday is an odd name for a day during Holy Week or at least it seems to be for me. There is no secretive or symbolic meaning. It is just what it says it is about – a spy or traitor among Jesus and a His followers.

Judas, we all know, was the one that betrayed Jesus to the Sanhedrin. Luke 22:3-6 tells us:

“Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray Him unto them in the absence of the multitude.”

Did you realize that Satan entered Judas? Of course, Satan always has his hand in bad things. He uses people. Twists words and situations around until evil doesn’t sound bad. He is the master deceiver.

Did you ever wonder why the Sanhedrin decided on paying Judas thirty pieces of silver? In the Old Testament, Exodus states that the price for a slave that accidentally dies by an ox is thirty pieces of silver. The Sanhedrin were paying the price of a dead slave to Judas for his deception. It was an insult to Jesus that they thought Him worth only what a dead slave was. Obviously Judas thought that, also. Our Redeemer and precious Savior, whose value is beyond measure, was sold out for the price of a dead slave.

There is something else that happened on Holy Wednesday. It is the anointment of Jesus at Bethany. Scriptures tell us that while Jesus was at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came in with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume. It was made of pure Spikenard. She anointed Jesus with this expensive oil and dried his feet with her hair.

Matthew 26:6-13:

“While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Judas did not approve of this at all. He thought the oil should have been sold and the money put in the treasury for helping the poor. Satan used Judas’ love of money to gain a foothold in Judas’ life. Don’t let that happen to you.

I hope today’s blog has blessed you and given you a little more insight into Wednesday of Holy Week.

Holy Tuesday, Jesus Teaches in Parables

Posted on April 16, 2019April 14, 2019 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Tuesday the disciples walked back by the fig tree from yesterday that Jesus cursed. It was now withered and dead. Jesus used that to teach them about faith, true faith. A person or nation that does not produce fruit for God (do His work) will wither and die all the way down to its roots. The tree had leaves so by first sight it looked like it was producing. A closer look revealed no fruit. Then Jesus cursed it so it withered and died.

Are you producing fruit? Are you leading people to God? Helping them find salvation? Does the light of Jesus shine through you? Are you loving, kind, selfless, good, joyful, and have the fruits of the spirit? Don’t wither away. Grow tall and produce fruit. Increase in your faith. Flourish in your love for Jesus. You will be amazed at the things that will happen when you believe and have faith!

“Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then He said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.” Mt. 21:19

“Jesus replied, ‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Mt. 21:21-22

They returned to the Temple and the religious leaders were upset at Jesus for establishing himself as a spiritual authority. He had a large following now. Jesus evaded the traps the leaders set for Him with their questions. He scolded them in Matt. 23 and compared them to tombs – beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people.