He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
Psalm 37:4-6 NKJV
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Please join me in praying this week for the Holy Spirit to fill us with unconditional trust in our Father, and to remind us that He's always there for us. Please pray for His sovereign guidance through the good times and the bad. Pray for wisdom and strength. Praise Him for His countless blessings.
This is one of my favorite verses because it serves as a reminder to me to focus on what's most important: the Lord.
Since the stay-at-home order, I have been blessed to have this time to slow down and do just that. I wish I could have/would have dedicated even more time and energy toward my time with God.
I feel centered, focused. All of that may fly out the window when I return to work, but I just want to praise the Lord for this blessing.
I would like us to pray for the sick and dying, for our front line workers, their families, those who are isolated. Everyone has been affected by this pandemic and I think we won't know the residual outcome of our mental and emotional health for quite some time, so it's just really, really important that we meditate on this.
No matter what's going on in the world, in our lives, we can rest in knowing that God is in complete control and we'll get through this, and it will bring Him honor and glory. Take time to be still.
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:10 ESV
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Please join me in praying this week for the Holy Spirit to fill us with unconditional trust in our Father, and to remind us that He's always there for us. Please pray for His sovereign guidance through the good times and the bad. Pray for wisdom and strength. Praise Him for His countless blessings.
for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 ESV
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Please join me in praying this week for the Holy Spirit to fill us with unconditional trust in our Father, and to remind us that He's always there for us. Please pray for His sovereign guidance through the good times and the bad. Pray for wisdom and strength. Praise Him for His countless blessings.
My heart has just felt so light the past few days and I've felt so blessed and at peace. I want to share that with everyone. I think it mostly comes from giving everything up to Him because on the days I'm able to do that, I feel like this, but on the days I can't seem to let go of what's bothering me or worrying me, I feel bleh.
So, I would like to pray this week for God to fill each one of us with that security and trust in knowing that He's got our back. No matter what's going on in our lives, we can give it up to Him.
This is my life verse (again). It's just so perfect <3
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
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Please join me in praying this week for the Holy Spirit to fill us with unconditional trust in our Father, and to remind us that He's always there for us. Please pray for His sovereign guidance through the good times and the bad. Pray for wisdom and strength. Praise Him for His countless blessings.
Yesterday was such a blessing. I was able to spend most of my time working on the book that God has prompted me to write. I got to interview a woman from church who I've been missing <3 and whose story inspired me to start capturing testimonies. It just fills me with peace and joy to have this project from God. Some days I don't feel like He wants me to work on it; the words don't seem to come. Some days I'm pretty sure Satan keeps me away from it. Other days, like yesterday, everything just seems to flow freely.
I need to abandon all thoughts and cares (as in anxiety or worrying) about what others are doing and just focus on the Trinity and what they want me to do. They will handle everyone else; they'll handle what's going on in the world. They'll guide and direct me and they'll never leave me or forsake me. It fills me with peace and love for everyone.
Monday, Ohioans find out what "the plan" is for our state beginning May 1st. So, many of us will start adjusting to yet another "new normal" and it will be hard and anxieties will rise, tempers may flare, and tears may even fall. We just need to keep in mind that everything happens for a reason and all things work according to His plan and happen in His time.
If you aren't feeling this way, maybe take some time this morning and find an encouraging bible verse that fills you with hope. Meditate on God's words. Here are just a few that may help:
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
And in His word I do hope.
Psalm 130:5 NKJV
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
1 Peter 5:10 NKJV
Finally, I want to share this passage which I believe, reveals the answer to our prayers for the week:
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For“He who would love lifeAnd see good days,Let him refrain his tongue from evil,And his lips from speaking deceit.Let him turn away from evil and do good;Let him seek peace and pursue it.For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,And His ears are open to their prayers;But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
1 Peter 3:8-18 NKJV
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Please join me this week in praying for how we, as individuals of the Church, deal with the unsaved. Pray that the Spirit will guide us to portray the characteristics of Christ when our own human instincts are to act and react in a not-so-Christian way sometimes. Let’s also pray our hearts are softened toward those who test our love and patience.
Please join me this week in praying for how we, as individuals of the Church, deal with the unsaved. Pray that the Spirit will guide us to portray the characteristics of Christ when our own human instincts are to act and react in a not-so-Christian way sometimes. Let’s also pray our hearts are softened toward those who test our love and patience.
Both of these verses are good ones to have framed and hung in my office, my home, and probably in my car, too. The photo I chose doesn't necessarily go with either verse, I just saw it and it made me smile.
According to this verse, I've often been a fool, but its good to know that I've also been a wise (wo)man many times.
A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
but a wise man quietly holds it back.
Proverbs 29:11 ESV
Know this, my beloved brothers:
let every person be quick to hear,
slow to speak,
slow to anger;
for the anger of man
does not produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20 ESV
I've been praying for a softened heart, and I feel God working in me, reminding me to be patient and kind and slow to frustration. Praise God.
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Please join me this week in praying for how we, as individuals of the Church, deal with the unsaved. Pray that the Spirit will guide us to portray the characteristics of Christ when our own human instincts are to act and react in a not-so-Christian way sometimes. Let’s also pray our hearts are softened toward those who test our love and patience.
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander
be put away from you, along with all malice.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another,
as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV
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Please join me this week in praying for how we, as individuals of the Church, deal with the unsaved. Pray that the Spirit will guide us to portray the characteristics of Christ when our own human instincts are to act and react in a not-so-Christian way sometimes. Let’s also pray our hearts are softened toward those who test our love and patience.
I think this verse says it all; I have allowed the evil in someone to overcome me. I've allowed it to affect me, how I feel, how I think.
The bible that I copied this from has the heading for this section: Behave Like a Christian. You can't ask for a clearer sign that that. God is good!!
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:9-21 NKJV
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Please join me this week in praying for how we, as individuals of the Church, deal with the unsaved. Pray that the Spirit will guide us to portray the characteristics of Christ when our own human instincts are to act and react in a not-so-Christian way sometimes. Let’s also pray our hearts are softened toward those who test our love and patience.
As I deepen my relationship with Jesus, learn more, and pray more I feel at peace, for the most part. However, I know what it feels like to not have that peace. This bible verse reminds me of that period of my life. Even though I wasn't what I would consider "wicked", I was trying to handle everything without God.
So understand that even though someone's life may seem ideal, like they have it all, if they don't know Christ then they have nothing, and they need our prayers, our intercession. Satan can distract them with riches, or material possessions, but he can't fill that void that keeps them searching and wanting more. It's hard to understand what we're searching for until God removes the veil.
I know the bible says that no one seeks God, but I believe since He put His existence on our hearts, that we know something is missing when we don't have Him in our lives.
I didn't feel like writing yesterday; it was just a roller coaster of emotions for some reason; maybe because I didn't sleep well, or maybe because there's something else going on with me that I don't know about, but anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is that there's no peace for those who have evil thoughts and feelings (like what I'm going through right now), even if they are a believer. In order to have peace and joy, we need to be free of these negative thoughts and emotions. So, I'm still trying to give it all up to God.
“There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”
Isaiah 48:22 NKJV
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Please join me this week in praying for how we, as individuals of the Church, deal with the unsaved. Pray that the Spirit will guide us to portray the characteristics of Christ when our own human instincts are to act and react in a not-so-Christian way sometimes. Let’s also pray our hearts are softened toward those who test our love and patience.
Bear with me on this one...there is a person who I feel just drips, even reeks of pure evil. What scares me or concerns me are the feelings just hearing his voice brings out in me. It teeters on hatred because, in my mind, not only is he evil, but he gets away with everything. I get angry that there doesn’t seem to be any justice; that evil sometimes does seem to win out over good, which fills me with resentment and even fear. I feel like others are blind to his evilness and even aide him instead of standing up to him. A large part of it is probably that he’s a bully, and I absolutely despise bullies.
I couldn’t keep on living with these horrible feelings, so I started exploring scripture and have come up with a lot of good stuff! (Don’t you love God’s word???) Hopefully, some of you can relate to these feelings and don’t think I’m horrible for having them. If you don’t have any connection with what I’m talking about, then maybe you can pray for me to have a softened heart?
So, the question I was seeking answers to was: how to deal with evil people? First, I wanted to define evil biblically, and I think I’ve found the most inclusive answer (let me know if you have a better one, please):
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity.
They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Romans 1:29-32 NIV
Then, I looked for answers as to what to do. I’ll share the verses throughout the week, but you know it all comes down to the same thing: the only thing we can control or change is ourselves. I should’ve known. I can’t change another person, only how I react to that person (or that situation, place, event, etc ...) All of the verses helped me, but the one that really grabbed me was:
The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
Exodus 14:14 ESV
I constantly have to be reminded to take everything to the Lord, and He will take care of it. I’m so thankful for that ability, and life is so much easier when I do that—feeling blessed.
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Please join me this week in praying for how we, as individuals of the Church, deal with the unsaved. Pray that the Spirit will guide us to portray the characteristics of Christ when our own human instincts are to act and react in a not-so-Christian way sometimes. Let’s also pray our hearts are softened toward those who test our love and patience.
The YouVersion app sent out an email this past week (& you can also find this on their app). It says, in part:
"Something historic is happening...we're experiencing a season of great spiritual awakening. All over the world, people are searching for answers and hope." They continued to write that they have seen "the largest engagement increase ever."
Just like after the tornados hit our area, I've witnessed an incredible support system form. During this pandemic, people are donating their stimulus checks to others who need it more. Neighbors are reaching out to neighbors who they didn't really know before. Companies are stepping forward to meet the immediate needs of our healthcare system even re-tooling their existing setup and stopping production of whatever they made before the virus. I've heard of an out-of-state hospital that has prayer time over the PA system, and nurses are being asked about what they know about God. Just one incredible story after another.
After five (?) weeks of a new normal, we've come to grips with the changes and adapted. In two weeks when things start to reopen, we'll adapt again, and again, and again.
Yes, this virus is a horrible enemy and it's taken so many innocent lives, and so many people have sacrificed so much already, but it has produced some good, as well. I wrote in my journal that Tyler Perry said, "Times like these either bring out the best in people or the very, very worst." (I can't verify it, though, and I didn't write down where I heard it). I try to focus on the best, even if I have to look deeply to find it. My faith is in our Heavenly Father, and it has been so inspiring to read all of the encouragement people have posted from His word during this time. The fact that He uses all situations for His good should help us through even the darkest of times. People don't usually look for help when everything is going well. It's only during the valleys that people raise their eyes and search for someone greater than themselves. That Someone will lift us up and carry us through.
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21 NKJV
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Join me this week in praying for those who are spiritually dead that they might come to know the free gift of God which is eternal life in our Lord Christ Jesus.
Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”;
the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
1 Corinthians 15:45 ESV
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Join me this week in praying for those who are spiritually dead that they might come to know the free gift of God which is eternal life in our Lord Christ Jesus.
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:20-21 NKJV
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Join me this week in praying for those who are spiritually dead that they might come to know the free gift of God which is eternal life in our Lord Christ Jesus.
being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
1 Peter 3:18 NKJV
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Join me this week in praying for those who are spiritually dead that they might come to know the free gift of God which is eternal life in our Lord Christ Jesus.
These two verses were included in what our Pastor spoke about yesterday and they were the verse of the day on the YouVersion app, so I felt like we should pray on them today.
While they are directed at believers instead of the unbelievers we are praying for this week, we need to be continually growing in our spiritual lives, in our knowledge, striving to become more Christlike in order to be able to effectively share with unbelievers.
I read prayer requests from the mission field each day, and the main requests are for God to work in the hearts of those being ministered to and for Him to present opportunities to share the gospel. Often the missionaries share their successes and the reason they're able to be so effective is that the people see Christ in them. The more spiritually alive we are, the more influence we'll have on the spiritually dead. They can see the characteristics of Christ through us and know that we speak the truth concerning Him.
And this is my prayer:
that your love may abound more and more in knowledge
and depth of insight,
so that you may be able to discern
what is best and may be pure and blameless
for the day of Christ,
Philippians 1:9-10 NIV
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Join me this week in praying for those who are spiritually dead that they might come to know the free gift of God which is eternal life in our Lord Christ Jesus.
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
Ephesians 2:1, 4-5 NKJV
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Join me this week in praying for those who are spiritually dead that they might come to know the free gift of God which is eternal life in our Lord Christ Jesus.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 NKJV
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Join me this week in praying for those who are spiritually dead that they might come to know the free gift of God which is eternal life in our Lord Christ Jesus.
On the third day, Sunday, around the break of dawn, the earth shook around Jesus' tomb, just as it had when He gave up His last breath on Friday. The soldiers standing guard at the tomb awoke to see the large rock rolled away from the tomb opening and there was no one inside. They ran to tell the priests.
The priests bribed the guards and told them that if anyone asked, they were to say that Jesus' disciples had snuck in during the night, rolled away the stone and took Jesus. The guards were threatened so they took the bribe.
Meanwhile, Mary Magdalene had gone to the tomb with spices and fragranced oils to anoint the body of Jesus, but seeing the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, she was alarmed and ran to tell Peter. He and John ran to the tomb to find that Jesus was indeed gone. They didn't understand about Jesus rising from the dead on the third day, so they each went home.
Mary stood outside the tomb and two angels were inside; one seated at where the head of Jesus had been and the other at the place where Jesus' feet had been. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that He had spoken these things to her.
John 20:13-18 NKJV
Ten of the disciples were gathered in one place, hiding from the Jews (only Thomas was missing. Judas had hung himself for betraying Jesus) when Jesus appeared to them. Even though He was able to appear to them without using an opened door, He was flesh and blood. He showed the disciples His hands, feet, and side, and they believed. When Thomas got back, they told him about Jesus but Thomas didn't believe them (this is where we get the term/phrase "doubting Thomas"). He said, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” John 20:25b NKJV
The next time that Jesus appeared to them, Thomas was there. Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:27-29 NKJV
This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
John 21:24-25 NKJV
The "disciple who testifies of these things..." is John. John usually refers to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved;" he was there as an eyewitness to all of it, from Jesus' ministry, to His arrest, trials, and even His crucifixion. John was there to inspect the tomb after Jesus arose and he was there when Jesus ascended into Heaven.
Before Jesus ascended, He told His disciples: And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV
This is our job, our purpose for living, and our hope.
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Please join me in praying for our Lord and Savior, remembering what He did for us nearly 2000 years ago. Pray with thanksgiving. Testify what Jesus has done for you, what He continues to do for you, and what it means to have Him in your life.
I participated in "A Day to Fast and Pray" on April 4, 2020; an event put together by The Gospel Coalition.
Morning prayer - This was time to pray alone and reflect on Psalm 27.
Midday prayer - This was time to pray together with others; either family, neighbors, and/or friends.
Evening prayer - This segment was streamed live online so that the entire world could share this time together in prayer.
The morning prayer.
I was really excited about setting this time aside to spend alone with God, my Heavenly Father. Although I realize that I can do this anytime I just felt like it was scheduled and therefore I would definitely use that time period for that purpose. I usually spend the drive to and from work with God, telling Him about me, praying for others, asking questions, but since I'm home now, I haven't gotten into a daily routine of doing that and it needs to be a priority. So my hope was that this would jumpstart my prayer time at home. This whole week is going to be an experiment in how best to accomplish things each day and how to schedule and prioritize while I'm stuck at home. I do like all of this time at home, but I just feel the need to make the most out of it before I have to go back to the way things were (if that's even going to happen; I believe everything will be very different after this). Unfortunately, that's putting a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself and that gives me anxiety which leads to a whole bunch of other stuff. So, I need to find a balance.
So, back to what I was intending to write here...my morning prayer time was wonderful and my big takeaway from this was love and compassion for others. This wasn't the time to talk to Him about me. This was a time to talk to Him about everybody. One of the topics was to pray for specific fears and the first thing that came to me was that this very well could be the end times and so my fear is for my loved ones who aren't saved. I can't imagine them spending eternity in hell. It worries me so much; I just plead with the Father that He chooses them for salvation and send someone to them who will be able to lift the veil.
I'm also fearful for those who are persecuted. Times like these can bring out the worst in people.
Lastly, I fear for those who have no money right now who are waiting for unemployment to work out the glitches and for the stimulus checks to be distributed.
I also prayed and thought about, if these are the end times (and we might as well imagine they are) what's most important in our lives? Money and possessions aren't important except to provide necessities for life. Like I read once, you never see a U-Haul hitched to the back of a Hearst. (In other words, you can't take it with you). Therefore, what's most important? If you knew that today was our last day on Earth, what would you do? Personally, I'd spend that time with my loved ones, emphatically preaching that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, that if they had any inkling of the great sacrifice Jesus made for each and every one of us, they would fall to their knees and cry out to Him.
Only God our Father knows the time of Jesus' return and so we need to treat each day as if it could be our last one here. We should be all about gathering more souls for heaven.
I wrote at the end of my personal prayer time:
Being isolated, it's easy to focus on me. Through prayer, devotionals, being in His Word, I've worked through my anxieties (not completely) and anger/frustration and am turning outward to focus on others and to deepen my relationship with the Lord.
The midday prayer
I was able to join with some of my church family through Zoom. We talked about what's going on in our lives, how all of this world stuff has affected each of us. We laughed together and cried together. We prayed.
What I took away from this experience is that no matter what we're going through, we as Christians see all of this struggle as an opportunity to draw closer to Him. We see it as a time when our Father is pulling His children closer to Him; He's holding onto us, loving us. He's also tightening relationships among His Church as we reach out to one another and try to meet needs. He's allowing the world to see His character through us by allowing us to reside in this difficult situation and yet we share messages of hope and love and trust in Him.
The evening prayer
My husband and I watched the simulcast along with millions of other Christians around the globe. I felt a connection to the church body. The people who prayed shared heartfelt desires and pleas and praises trusting in the sovereignty of the one true Living God. We know we'll get through this. We know that God is using this for His purposes and it will end in His time. He is good and just. He loves His children deeply and wants us to love Him with every fiber of our being. We need to hold onto each other, hold onto Him. He is our hope.
Challenge
At the end of the evening prayer segment, Jeremy Treat encouraged everyone to make a video with the hashtag #JesusChangedMyLife to share during Holy Week. Jesus is constantly working in my life and constantly changing my life as I grow in Him. So, this may seem like it's full of rabbit trails, and I'm sorry it's so long, but here goes (you may have already seen it since I posted it alone on social media):
If you want to talk to me, you can reach-out through any of my social media accounts or email me at archadia7@yahoo.com and we'll set up a way to talk either on the phone or WhatsApp or Zoom, etc...
Or you can reach out to our church's helpline: 937-770-9875. Leave a message and one of our Pastors will call you back.
If you're in search of a church service for this upcoming Resurrection Sunday, visit TheRidgeChurch.net
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:16-17 NKJV
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Please join me in praying for our Lord and Savior, remembering what He did for us nearly 2000 years ago. Pray with thanksgiving. Testify what Jesus has done for you, what He continues to do for you, and what it means to have Him in your life.
Jesus was hung on the cross around 9 am. The soldiers cast lots for His clothes; they hung the sign over His head that read "This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews", in three different languages. The people who had gathered to watch Him, including the elders, priests, and even the two criminals crucified with Him, mocked Him and blasphemed against Him. They taunted Him with accusations that if He was who He said He was then surely He could come down from the cross or have God rescue Him.
After a while, one of the criminals repented. Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43 NKJV Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour (around noon to 3 pm), there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!”
Matthew 27:45-48 NKJV
None of Jesus' disciples were there except for John. With him was Jesus' mother Mary, her sister, another woman, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus, therefore, saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
John 19:28-30 NKJV Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Matthew 27:51-54 NKJV
About this time, the Jews asked the Governor to have the legs broken of those being crucified, so they would die quickly. It was Preparation Day, the day before the Sabbath and so all work had to be finished by 6 pm. Pilate allowed it. The guards broke the legs of the two criminals but when they got to Jesus, they saw that He was already dead, so one of them pierced His side to be certain.
A councilman, the one who had dissented in Jesus' trial, Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body so that he could bury Him. Joseph had a new tomb hewn into the rock. He and Nicodemus took Jesus' body and wrapped Him in strips of fresh linen prepared with spices, laid Him in the tomb and rolled a large stone across the opening.
The next day, the priests got permission from Pilate to seal the tomb and set a guard there because Jesus had claimed that after three days, He would rise.
* Please note, I'm reconciling the four gospels in order to present a picture of what Jesus endured in his final hours. He did this for you. He did this for me.
The entire Sanhedrin council (approximately 70 men) with the exception of one man, Joseph of Arimathea, delivered Jesus to Pilate to stand trial in the Roman court since the Romans had final authority over death sentences. So Jesus had two types of trials: one with Jewish authorities, and one with the Romans. The Jewish council ruled over the laws of the covenant while the Romans ruled over the laws of the state. Therefore, the Sanhedrin needed to show that Jesus violated Roman law. They couldn't do this without lying.
They told Pilate that Jesus was "perverting the nation" and that He forbid people to pay taxes to Caesar because He Himself was a King. When the council mentioned that Jesus was from Galilee, Pilate figured this was his opportunity to get out of the situation because Galilee was under Herod's jurisdiction. Herod was also in Jerusalem at that time and was excited to meet Jesus hoping he could see a miracle. He questioned Jesus but Jesus didn't respond, which angered him greatly. Herod and his guards mocked Jesus regarding the Jew's accusations against Him. They dressed Jesus in a purple robe and sent Him back to Pilate.
While he (Pilate) was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”
Matthew 27:19 NKJV
So, Pilate was going to release Jesus as it was customary to release one prisoner before the feast but the Sanhedrin got the crowds worked up calling for the relase of Barnabas, a murderer instead. When Pilate asked what should be done with Jesus, they chanted "Let Him be crucified." (Matthew 27:22b NKJV).
When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”
And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”
Matthew 27:24-25 NKJV
Pilate had Jesus scourged and his garrison of soldiers (approx. 600 men) stripped Jesus, spat on Him, and beat Him. They clothed Him with a scarlet robe (Matthew) and twisted a crown out of thorns which they put on His head. They placed a reed in His right hand to imitate a scepter and then kneeled before Him, making a mockery of Him.
The soldiers made a sign that read "This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews", in three different languages, Hebrew, Greek and Latin so that everyone could read it. After hanging the sign around His neck, they led Him to be crucified.
Jesus was expected to carry the crossbeam of His own cross (approximately 100 lbs.) over 2000 feet to the site of His execution but when it was obvious that He wouldn't make it, the soldiers ordered a man named Simon to bear His cross.
When they arrived at the crucifixion site, Golgotha, or "Place of a Skull" they offered Jesus a drink of sour wine laced with "gall" which was a bitter-tasting narcotic they offered those being crucified to help deaden the pain. However, when Jesus realized that, He refused to drink it, not wanting to dull His senses for what He must do.
* Please note, I'm reconciling the four gospels in order to present a picture of what Jesus endured in his final hours. He did this for you. He did this for me.
After The Lord's Supper, Jesus and His disciples went to Gethsemane. He asked the disciples to sit there and wait for Him while He, Peter, James, and John walked a little further. Jesus was troubled and asked His friends to keep watch while He went to pray.
He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
Matthew 26:39 NKJV
Jesus returned to find the three sleeping. He woke them up and told them to keep watch and pray. He went off to pray a second time and then returned to find them asleep again. He prayed a third time. When He returned, He woke the disciples and told them the time had come. His betrayer was approaching along with a multitude of armed men. Judas kissed Jesus on the cheek, signaling to those with him that He was the one they sought after.
Jesus was arrested and taken to the house of Annas, the former High Priest, and father-in-law of Caiaphas, the present High Priest. (John is the only one of the gospels that mentions this first interrogation.) Annas questioned Jesus about His doctrine.
Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”
John 18:20-21 NKJV
One of the officers didn't like Jesus' answer and struck Him.
Meanwhile, Caiaphas gathered the Sanhedrin at his house. Annas sent Jesus to him bound. There, the Sanhedrin questioned Jesus and brought in false witnesses to testify against Him. All of this was done in the middle of the night. Jesus kept silent, not answering their questions or accusations. Then the priests found two witnesses who said that Jesus claimed He was able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ” (Matthew 26:61b NKJV) But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” (Matthew 26:63-66 NKJV)
The Sanhedrin blindfolded Jesus spat on Him and beat Him. They decided to take Him to Pilate for sentencing. However, since it was still night, they had to wait until the break of day in order to render a legal verdict so they re-interrogated Jesus in the morning.
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Please join me in praying for our Lord and Savior, remembering what He did for us nearly 2000 years ago. Pray with thanksgiving. Testify what Jesus has done for you, what He continues to do for you, and what it means to have Him in your life.
