My Favorite Part of the Easter Story: The Theif

And one of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!"

But the other answered, and rebuking him said "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?

"And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."

And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!"

And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."

Luke 23:39-43 (NASB)

I think why I love this passage is because it shows that you can be saved even in the last hour of your life, no matter what you have done.

God's Plans -- Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. "

Jeremiah 29:11

This verse has sort of followed me for a little while. It was in a book I read -- I confess that I have a love of Love Inspired novels -- and in literature from an adoption agency when I was researching the possibility of adoption (which I'd still like to do someday) and in my daily devotional email that I receive from Proverbs 31 Ministries.

This verse comforts me. God has plans for me. I wish I knew what those plans were and sometimes not knowing drives me crazy, but He has plans.

One of the hardest things about being a Christian and one of the things I struggle with on a daily basis is giving everything to God and trusting that He has plans for me.

Proverbs 31:30

This verse spoke to me so much that I had the book, chapter and verse inscribed via a tattoo on the inside of my left wrist. It was done in flesh colored ink, so its barely visible, even when I point it out to people. But I know its there. And since I had it done for no one but myself, that's all that matters. And all I have to do is look down to be reminded of what's important in life.

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised."

Why this verse speaks to me -- it tells me that charm and beauty aren't important. Loving God is. I think this is a truth that all women need to hold close to their hearts. While I do like to dress up and look pretty, I know its all surface gloss. What really matters is on the inside. What really matters is my love and fear of the Lord.