Who likes commands?
“While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:4-5, NRSV

And, what are we waiting for?
“So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord,is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Verses 6-8 of Acts 1

Have you ever focused so much on times and epochs that you forgot what you’re waiting for? Maybe missed the Spirit of empowerment while looking in the wrong direction? I’m thinking, now what?

Welcome spring by visiting the Monroe Technology Center’s annual Spring Plant Sale. There are lots of beautiful annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, hanging baskets (over 500!), vegetables and fruiting plants to choose from this year. Our students, wearing black ‘Plant Sale’ T-shirts by our favorite T-shirt company, CustomInk, will be glad to help you with your plant selections. Proceeds from the sale help support scholarships for program seniors.
And this year you will find more than just plants and plant products for sale. We will feature ‘Faithful Friends’ Stitches by Patti; beautiful hand sewn slip-on collar scarves for your dog or cat.
Additionally, Monroe’s Culinary Arts Department will be selling a variety of their delicious creations.
Hours are Wednesday, April 29, 10am-8pm; Thursday, April 30, 10am-6pm; and Friday, May 1, 10am-5pm. We are located at 715 Childrens Center Rd, Leesburg, VA.

Hope to see you, Debi Chaves

“For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), and His ears are attentive to their prayer…”
(1 Peter 3:12, AMP)

“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1, NRSV

Let us pray as Jesus taught us, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” Amen (Luke 11:2-4, kjv).

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”

1 Peter 4:12-19

“…The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, NIV)

” O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.” Psalms 107:1

1.Let love be genuine.
2.Abhor what is evil;
3. hold fast to what is good.
4.Love one another with brotherly affection.
5.Out do one another in showing honor.
6.Do not be slothful in zeal,
7. be fervent in spirit,
8. serve the Lord.
9. Rejoice in hope,
10. Be patient in tribulation,
11. Be constant in prayer.
12.Contribute to the needs of the saints
13.and seek to show hospitality.
14.Bless those who persecute you;
15.bless and do not curse them.
16.Rejoice with those who rejoice,
17.weep with those who weep.
18.Live in harmony with one another.
19.Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.
20.Never be wise in your own sight.
21.Repay no one evil for evil,
22.but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
23.If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
24.Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
25.To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
26.Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12:9-21 ESV