May is National Mobility, Vasculitis and Foster Care Awareness Month Dr. Diane Dike has all Three Covered

Press Release
Vail, Colorado - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Key to Happiness and Transforming Lives!

We all need a hero! Someone who takes time to care, reaches out and inspires us. In spite of overwhelming challenges that someone provides incentive and makes a difference.

That someone is, Dr. Diane Dike. She has the only foster/adoption home available in Eagle County providing a safe place for children to heal. She's been nominated a "Local Hero for National Mobility Awareness Month."

A local hero is defined as someone who "Volunteers, Educates, Advocates, Achieves and Perseveres." Volunteering 24/7, Diane does all that and more. 

In spite of a painful blood disease that she has suffered with for over 24 years, she's never given up. She has so much enthusiasm for helping others that she makes the energizer bunny look like a sloth. 

“Life is a roller coaster, and we’re riding it with arms stretched high!” Dike said. "No one ever said life would be easy but we can still live a life of impact, purpose and victory if we think of others instead of ourself. And focusing on all we do have instead of what we do not. It's the key to happiness for me." 

She founded the world’s first Cryoglobulinemia Vasculitis Organization (CVO).  CVO's mission is to champion advocacy programs regarding the care, treatment, research, diagnosis and the use of service dogs for those suffering from cryoglobulinemia and associated conditions. CVO educates patients, healthcare professionals and the public to bring about greater awareness and to help provide support to patients, their families, and those who love them.

She rescued a broken Italian greyhound (IG) from a local hospital, nurtured her back to life and now they save each other daily. Gracie is the world's first IG service dog helping a woman live with cryoglobulinemia. Diane hasn't been hospitalized overnight since they became partners 11 years ago. 

Diane is regularly featured on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Mystery Diagnosis TV show in an episode called, ‘The Women Whose Legs Turned Black.’ 

Miracles Happen Diane’s legs were almost amputated when they filled with blood, swelled and turned black, but a miracle occurred. Her legs returned to normal size and color, however due to the resulting damage and permanent need to keep her extremities warm and elevated, she now uses a wheelchair with special leg extensions.

Diane is unable to drive more than a few miles at a time until she has a vehicle that's been modified with hand controls. If she wins, she will get a modified minivan. 

“No matter what I'm so grateful! Being more independent is a BIG goal for me personally as well as for our outreach work. The van will be used for speaking events, to run the foster/adoption children to appointments and so much more!"

Over 18 million people in North America are living with mobility issues. This is your chance to change Diane’s life and give her the opportunity to help more children. 

Volunteers Make A Difference
You can make a difference, just like Diane who is triumphing in the face of adversity.

Laurie Thomas, a volunteer for 4 years who lives in Arizona nominated Diane by submitting one of her YouTube awareness videos. Laurie is inspired to volunteer for Diane’s nonprofit organizations Second Chance with Saving Grace (SCwSG) and CVO. 

“Diane isn’t just a local hero, she is an international one,” says Laurie choking back the tears. “It’s amazing how she overcomes the challenges of living with disability and still helps people who are hurting, broken animals and children in need. I want to encourage everyone to vote for Diane, she is truly deserving of this honor.” Laurie was a school teacher, like Diane, but suffered a stroke yet Diane offered her hope and possibilities by welcoming her as a volunteer with the SCwSG/CVO team.

Brokenness
Diane born on her mother Joan's birthday, lost her Feb. 18, 2012, to Multiple Myeloma cancer. Two days later, Diane's best friend lost her battle with Huntington's Disease. Feeling sad and alone, Diane thought more intensely about her efforts to help children,

especially orphaned.

She and Paul have no children of their own, but she spent 15 years as a professor and school teacher, teaching all grades and subjects to students who were severely disabled, blind, deaf, autistic, down syndrome, cocaine babies, severely abused and juvenile delinquents.

In all her spare time, she coached swimming and track and continued her education earning a Ph.D. in human services and counseling psychology.

In November 2012, she talked with Paul about becoming foster parents. Paul is a sensible man and had many excellent reasons why this was not a good idea. Not the least of which was Diane's health and of course finances.

They prayed about it and one day Paul finally said, "OK, go for it!"

So they did.

They say it's been everything they thought it would be: Time-intensive, painful, costly, emotional, wonderful and memorable while filling their home with life!

"One day when I'm gone, our children, those we foster for a while or those we give forever homes to, will know their mom loved them, and they will pass that transforming love on," Diane said.

Voting closes on May 9, 2014 at midnight. 

Diane needs your help to get votes in. Voting is open daily to all. One vote per a day with an extra vote awarded if you answer a disability question correctly. The top three winners will be awarded a minivan. With a little help from her friends, Diane and her family can win! 

Tax deductible donations are always welcome. 

Contact: Dr. Diane Dike

P.O. Box 673, Eagle, CO 81631

303-225-2717; www.DianeDike.org

Click Here to Vote Now

The Dikes are unable to post pictures of the children in foster/adoption care for their protection and privacy.

Praise and Peace

Philippians 4:6-7


New King James Version (NKJV)

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Throughout the Old Testament we see examples of this scripture being lived out. Moses was hesitant when God called him but once he accepted his commission he never doubted God's awesome power. Even when the Red Sea was before him and the Egyptian soldiers were behind him he knew God would deliver His people. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego showed the same resolve vowing not to ever bow to a man or his statue, praising God's power and glory no matter the out come. Daniel was just as courageous as he faced the lion's den because of his faith.

The New Testament records the same in steadfastness in Stephen, Peter, James, Paul, Silas and John as they faced death, persecution and imprisonment because of their faith.

How can anyone praise God when they are being stoned or are chained in a prison? It takes focus and resolve! I was reminded of the importance of focus as I was driving on a narrow mountain road with an S-curve. I have driven on that road many times. Sometimes I experience anxiety and hit the brakes and sometimes I have complete peace, leaving the cruise on. What makes the difference? It is my focus! If I allow my gaze to look too far into the distance I lose sight of where the road goes and become anxious about the size of the road and possible oncoming traffic, even if there is none. If I am looking to close to the front of my car I become anxious about the degree of the turn and decide the posted speed is not safe after all. But if I keep my focus where it should be I am not anxious or afraid. Peter had the same experience when he got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. As long as his focus was where it should be, on Jesus, he was fine. But as soon as he lost focus and looked at the storm he became anxious and started to sink.

We have the ability to praise God in good times and in storms if we do not take our eyes off of Jesus, then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus!

Father, Creator, You are my strength and my peace! Help me to keep my eyes firmly focused on You and too praise You no matter what! I would rather face any storm with Your peace than to receive any blessing without You in my life! Today I surrender all to be in Your presence! Thank You for calling me Yours! In Jesus powerful name, amen.

Great is My Faithfulness?

Micah 6:8
Amplified Bible (AMP)
8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?


Hebrews 11:6
New King James Version (NKJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

James 2:21-23

New King James Version (NKJV)
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”[a] And he was called the friend of God.




Because of God's great love, faithfulness, kindness and mercy toward me I desire to please Him. Exactly how do I do that? How do you give God a gift that will please Him? He has everything and if there were ever anything He needed or wanted it He could certainly create it! Isaiah tells me that all of my righteousness is like filthy rags so how can I please God?

Micah 6:8 tells us God has already shown us how to please Him. He requires that we act justly, be honest in our dealings with friends, family, neighbors and others; to love kindness and mercy, to extend grace and forgiveness to those who offend or injure us and to treat everyone with the same love, forgiveness, patience, understanding, and mercy that God treats us with and we are to do theses things in order to bring glory to God, not ourselves.

The writer of Hebrews says that it is impossible to please God without faith. What is faith? According to Webster faith is allegiance to duty or a person, belief and trust in and loyalty to God. Seems simple enough until the next crisis hits and I scramble, worry and fret about how "I can fix" the situation. Oops, that doesn't show trust in God! Trusting in God would give me peace that no matter what happens He is in control and is caring for me. Okay so maybe my faithfulness isn't perfect, but it can be great with God's help! In those times that my faith falters He is just and good to remind me of Who He is and what He is capable of! When I repent and turn back to Him, He is quick to forgive. Through every failure, God draws me closer to Him and my faith is strengthened! He will continue to work in me and give me opportunities to work with Him so that my faith may be made perfect!

Father You are the Author and Finisher of my faith! I desire to please You above all things! So great is Your faithfulness to me! Forgive me when my faith falters! Help me to do all that pleases You! Strengthen my faith! In Jesus Name, amen!

Today's Devotional brought to you by Prayer Warrior Michelle Simpson

* Conversion - by Julie Ackerman
2 Corinthians 12:14-21
New King James Version (NKJV)
Love for the Church

14 Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! 17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?

19 Again, do you think[a] that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. 20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 21 lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.


Before my husband and I travel, we go to the bank and trade in our US dollars for the currency of the country we’ll be visiting. We do this so we can pay for expenses while we’re away from home.

When we become Christians, another kind of exchange takes place. Our lives are like currency that we convert from one medium to another. We trade our old life for a new one so that we can begin “spending” ourselves in a different kingdom. Instead of spending ourselves for the causes of this world, we are able to start spending ourselves for the cause of Christ.

The apostle Paul is a good example of this difference. After his dramatic conversion on the way to Damascus (Acts 9), he began spending his life in a dramatically different way. Instead of pursuing Christians to imprison and kill them, he began pursuing non-Christians to convert them. Then he spent the rest of his life for their welfare. He wrote to the church at Corinth, “I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls” (2 Cor. 12:15). Everything he did was for the edification of his spiritual children (vv.14,19).

Conversion is far more than just changing our final destination. It’s changing the way we spend each day of our lives.

Lord, help me to spend myself on what will last,not on what will fade away one day.I give my life to You that I might spend and be spentfor others and Your will. Amen.Conversion takes only a moment—transformation takes a lifetime.

 * Taken from Our Daily Bread May 24, 2012

Today's Devotional brought to you by Prayer Warrior Michelle Simpson

Isaiah 49:15-17
New King James Version (NKJV)
15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child,
And not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Surely they may forget,
Yet I will not forget you.
16 See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
Your walls are continually before Me.
17 Your sons[a] shall make haste;
Your destroyers and those who laid you waste
Shall go away from you.

Genesis chapter one tells us how God created the heavens and the earth. From nothingness God spoke the world into existence. He lovingly and painstakingly created everything to sustain, nourish, and delight us. His hand holds every star and planet in place. Daniel chapter two tells us that God is the one who changes the times and seasons. Job chapters 37 and 38 tell us that God has treasuries of snow and tells the snow to fall and no two snowflakes are the same.
This is the same God who created you. No one else is like you! No one else can do the things you do the way you do them! No one else can reach another person in the same way you can! Just like the snowflakes you are unique! But God knows everything about you. He knows where you are at all times (Psalm 139)! He cares so deeply about you that He has numbered every hair on your head and inscribed your name on the palm of His hands! Amazing!!!

Father God, Creator, I am amazed at how great You are! Who am I that You care so deeply for me? I feel small and insignificant. I may have never done anything the world will remember but You promise You will never forget me! Thank You Jesus! Amen!

And They're Off.....

Daily Devotion brought to you by Shelley Brandon, Grief and Encouragement Coach

 

Hebrews 12:2 MSG

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!”

We live in a race.  Some call it a rat race, some call it a maze.  Either way it’s a lot of energy expended on doing things that don’t need to be done.  Don’t sweat the small stuff, right?

I don’t know about you, but I can get so caught up in the small stuff that I lose sight of my destination, my goals.  This happens in my day to day activities as well as long range objectives.  I can get on the computer to send encouragement to a friend and get so caught up in everyone’s Facebook status updates that I completely forget what it was that I started out doing in the first place.  For me cleaning house should be a marathon event.  I spend so much time walking back and forth after the supplies that I thought I already had with me that I’m exhausted before even one room is done. 

Getting caught up in day to day activities prevents me from keeping my focus on what I’m supposed to be doing for Christ.  I allow the busyness of life to weigh me down and drag me under to the point where I’m completely useless as His ambassador.   We’re talking lead blankets on all my limbs type of weighted down.  Dragging the lead blankets against the current of a mighty river weighted down.

That is not what Jesus wants us to do.  Paul tells us that we are to strip down and start running.  Pretty sure he didn’t mean our clothes here, but rather all of the stuff of living that just doesn’t matter.  I love the Message version of scripture.  No spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.  Your sins have been forgiven, leave them behind you and keep running.  Don’t get so caught up in religion that you lose sight of the Savior. 

Read the Gospels and get back to the important tracks of the race.  Embrace Easter and live!

Eagle Colorado Adoption/Foster Home Needs a Vehicle

Our mission is to help hurting people and animals and provide opportunities for volunteers to do the same while using their gifts and talents to live a life of impact and purpose. We offer a safe place for all to be a part of a family that cares and is making a difference.

We've added fostering and adopting children to our outreach efforts. We are a safe place for little hearts to heal! When Paul and Diane found out that there are approx. 6,800 foster children in Colorado and 550 needing adoption AND that there was not a Foster Home available in Eagle County they immediately made plans to get re-certified, ready to open their hearts and home.  

Duties and Responsibilities  There are nearly half a million young people living in foster care in America. The goal is to return the children to their homes but when that is not possible they need long term care and/or adoption. 
It's been an intense process but the Dikes are ready. Duties include: parental guidance, upkeep of CPR + First Aid training, Love & Logic training, they've passed several background checks, have a bed and dresser for every child; they are prepared for: face to face time with birth parents, addressing medical and dental needs, transportation to and from activities, school, medical or therapeutic appointments, participation in treatment decisions, creating clear and consistent behavioral boundaries, providing financial, emotional and educational support, providing meals, clothing... and a stable, consistent, culturally sensitive and nurturing home environment. 

Outreach Wish List

* 3 Twin Mattresses 
* 4+ Twin Sheet Sets/Comforters
* Clothing (Slippers, Shoes, Undies, Socks) all sizes  
* Face Cloths, Shampoo, Tissue, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes...
* Boxes of SNACKS

* Doorway Rugs/Mats
* Bean Bag Chairs

* Small Veggie Chopper

* Backpacks - School Supplies
* Lap-Top Computer
* Lg. Flat Screen TV for Family movie night
* Tents-Camping Stuff

* A Whiteboard 
* A Fire & Carbon Dioxide Alarm
* Gift Cards or Monthly Donors
* Patio Furniture 
* Surge Protector Multi-Plug & Safety Outlet Plugs
* Christmas Stuff - Dress Up Costumes
* Twister, Bibles, Christian/Educational videos/books
* Musical Instruments
* Big Wheels-outside bikes, chalk, balls, toys 
* Discovery Swing Set (backyard)  
*** Vehicle - to fit 8 or more, wheelchair room, (Minivan, SUV, Van ~ type) ...  

Help collecting used or new items is appreciated!! (This list updated 5-04-12)

Every child will have a Love Kit, Blanket and Bear
waiting to welcome them home!

Mail items to: 

SCwSG 

PO 673 

Eagle, CO 81631 

or drop off at Eagle Headquarters ANYTIME! 

Tax donation receipt form:

THANK YOU! If you are interested in being a part of the team, please contact: Diane@SCwSG.com


Stay Strong & Courageous!

Your SCwSG Volunteer Team

Enjoy pictures on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/DianeDikee

www.DianeDike.org

http://www.youtube.com/user/DianeDike

"Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope." -Eph. 3:20

James Nettles and the Diagnosis-Cryoglobulinemia!

CVO Featuring James's Cryoglobulinemia Journey...

My husband James Nettles was always a healthy, hardworking person, but in November of 2008, when the weather in Virginia became cold, he began experiencing pain in his hands and feet. His fingers and toes had begun to turn a dark color. His hands and feet swelled to unimaginable proportions. The pain was excruciating. Thinking he had severe rheumatoid arthritis, the doctors' gave him prednisone. He was taking 60 mg a day. His swelling did diminish somewhat, but the ever-darkening coloring in his toes and fingertips worsened.


Frustrated, we tried a new rheumatologist who also sent us to a hematologist. They both agreed that he should start Cytoxin a chemotherapy drug given by IV. They hoped the immune system would stop attacking itself.


Over the next couple of months, his toes and fingertips became necrotic (dead cell tissue), and the pain was almost more than he could bear even with the strong narcotics. Now, July 2009, the vascular surgeon said the toes would have to be amputated as he was in great risk of infection.


After the amputation things started to improve, and James began taking a new drug for the arthritis. In November of 2009, he again started experiencing the same symptoms. This time however, his toes went necrotic much faster than the previous year. Shocked, we tried a new vascular surgeon. Again James went back in the hospital for a second amputation. The surgeon removed his remaining three toes on his left foot. We left the hospital in mid January of 2010, thinking perhaps this time things would work out better.


A few weeks went by, the wound did not heal and we were desperate for answers. The stress of not being able to keep his heating and air conditioning business going took it's toll on us even while we were afraid he would lose more of his extremities. I decided to e-mail the world famous Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.  The surgeon agreed that they may have seen this condition, and, if we could manage, we should go there.


In early February of 2010, we boarded a flight to Minnesota. James could barely stand and was in unbearable pain even with the narcotics. Much of this he doesn’t remember.


We had an appointment with vascular surgeon and the vascular “wound” clinic. One look at his “black” toeless foot and they told us he needed to be admitted as he was in risk of going septic and possibly even dying. After 10 days and endless tests, including a angiogram and a bone marrow biopsy, we returned home. Finally we had a diagnosis: Cryoglobulinemia type 1 and Multiple Myeloma, neither of which we had ever heard of.


A week later, we returned to our local vascular surgeon. Clearly, the wound had not healed from the first two amputations. They admitted him that afternoon. The surgeon again tried to take off the necrotic skin, which was the remaining top part of his left foot. Two weeks passed and still no healing. It was now early March. The determination was made to go higher up the leg in hopes that the larger blood vessels would have better circulation and the wound would heal. Now his fourth amputation, the surgeon took off his left leg below the knee.


Having read information on cryoglublinemia, I requested that the surgeon warm up the operating room and the tools he would use. We are not sure if that was a key factor, but this amputation finally healed.


In all we spent 14 months searching for answers and visited numerous doctors. In September of 2010, James underwent a stem cell transplant and high-dose chemotherapy. The team of doctors at the Medical College of Virginia thought that this procedure would also put the cryoglublinemia in remission. We are happy to report the stem cell was a success and the cancer is now in remission.  As for the cryoglublinemia, we are cautiously optimistic.


We now live in the greater Atlanta, GA. area with our high-school-age son, Derrick, and three dogs.


Anne Nettles, wife CVO Team Members

Today's Devotional

Brought to you by Prayer Warrior Jon Vasgar

                                                                                          "You Want Me To Do What??!"
                                                                                         aka The Story of Abraham: Part 1


(All verses from NKJV unless otherwise noted)
Verses: Genesis 12:1-4 'Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram [was] seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.'

Have you ever had to make a change in your life? I have, and quite frankly, I hate change. Sometimes it turns out great, but there are other times when it really, really just blows. I think when we meet Abram, it was one of those times. He's grown up in Ur, it was his country. Not only that, but do you realize the first time we hear about Abram, he's 75 years old! He's no spring chicken. Now you may say, "Well, people lived to be old in those days," and that's true, but not that old!

That's not the only strange thing, God promised to make him into a great nation. Notice, this man had NO children as yet. There was no one to carry on his legacy, but Abram, being faithful, picked up his home, his wife, and his nephew and off they set.

Notice this too, they had NO IDEA where they were going. None. No game plan. Can you imagine if your spouse said, "Honey, we're getting an RV and we are just going to drive off and leave everything cause God told me too." You'd probably have nice men in white coats come examine their health! But, that is what God told him to do, so that's what he did. Hebrews 11:8 points out: "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going."That's bold, that's faith, that's what we're so desperately missing in our lives today.

I'm not saying you have to go buy an RV, give up your life, and go drive off. No, but I am saying you should be more open to what God has for you, even when it doesn't make sense. After all, God doesn't have our mind. Isaiah 55:8 '"For My thoughts [are] not your thoughts, Nor [are] your ways My ways," says the LORD.'

How are you living for God? Are you putting yourself out there or shying away when it's just too hard? Have you asked God what you can do to serve Him more or do you just sit in your pew every week because that's easier? Are you willing to give Him more of your time or are a few hours a week enough to squeak by? Works don't get you into Heaven, but they do prove you love your Saviour.

This week, I want to examine Abraham's life. His was a life filled with, "Say What Now?" moments where God put him to the test. His response is what earned him a place in faith's hall of fame in Hebrews 11. Do you have the reckless faith of Abraham? Let's hope in our spiritual RVs and take off.

Prayer: Father God, lead us in Your ways. Our ways are misguided, foolish, prideful, and often, fearful. Give us Your wisdom and the guts to go where You want us to go. Give us the strength and point our feet the direction we should walk in. Then, move us Lord. Move Second Chance! Move in our churches, in our families, in us. Bring back the fallen, rise up the leaders, and draw us nearer to reckless faith in You. We are willing Lord, light our fire and send us to where we can best be used by You.

Amen

Song:

Today's Devotional

Brought to you by Prayer Team member Bobbi Heffel

Oh the feeling of getting all those things on your to-do list accomplished and checked off. And before lunch too! The rest of the day is before me and all the must do things are accomplished, what a victorious, freeing feeling. I am a little tired though, that took a bit of effort. It has me wondering. When Christ was there on the cross and declared “It is finished” what did that feel like? He had been beaten and physically depleted. But in that instant when he left that body behind and went to the Father with EVERYTHING completed…what that must have been like? It is Finished the Victory is Won!

The Death of Jesus
John 19:28-30
28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

The Death of Jesus
Matthew 27:50-54
50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. 52 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” (NIV1984)

PRAYER
Thank you Lord that it is finished! The victory is won! We don’t need to do anything because You have completed it! We only need to accept what You have done for us and live. Live for You alone. As we stand with the tasks of daily life around us and troubles that pull at us, help us to stand in the victory You have accomplished. Thank you for the fresh breeze of freedom that you bring into our lives and the knowledge that you will never leave nor forsake us.

Hebrews 13:4-6
4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”[a]
6 So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?”[b]
Footnotes:
Hebrews 13:5 Deut. 31:6
Hebrews 13:6 Psalm 118:6,7