‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
John 15:1-8

Five times in this passage, Jesus says: “Abide in me.”  But it’s rooted in a promise: “Abide in me”, he invites, “as I abide in you.”  This is not about being in the same place.  It’s about a mutual sharing.  Jesus declares his sharing in our lives and invites us to share in his.

This gift, however, isn’t forced on us.  It is offered, again and again.  

Lord, we admit that our faith is very small at times. When the impossible is staring us in the face it so easy to be distracted by how big the impossible presents itself. Thank you for giving us opportunities to exercise our Faith muscles. Our faith grows as we experience more of You. We rejoice in knowing that we will see our small seed of faith blossom and grow in the miracle that only you can bring to our life. Abide in me as I abide in you Lord. If i abide in you and your words abide in me, I can ask for whatever I wish, and it will be done for me. In Jesus name.

I’m thanking you this morning and every morning! In Jesus name, Amen!

Is your life being controlled by fear of what might happen because something is happening?

There is nothing too big for God. There is no obstacle, circumstance or situation that can’t be moved by the supernatural power of His spirit. Take heart! Pray in faith believing that whatever needs to change in your life is to the Glory of God.

The Road to Pentecost

Jesus was teaching thousands of people who flocked to hear him. Nobody seemed to have planned ahead and it becomes obvious that people are getting hungry. The only food available seems to be a small boy with a lunch of five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus sees this as an opportunity to demonstrate his power in a way that will be obvious to everyone present. 
 
Can you imagine being there on that day? If you are a disciple, you are worried but then become cynical as Jesus says, I have a plan! Imagine their attitude as they watched the bread and fish being distributed to the people who are there. I wonder when it dawned on them that they were not running out of food. Can’t you just see them when their cynicism and embarrassment turns to joy as they distribute this food. People eat until they are full and still there is food left over.

I like to focus on the attitude as they watched the bread being distributed. In order to have a change in attitude they had to do something. They had to obey. Obedience is always better than sacrifice. We may not understand everything we are asked to do but do it anyway and watch all of your doubt turn to joy.

Read John 6

The Road to Pentecost

Jesus healed a boy who was demon-possessed. Those demons caused epileptic-like seizures in the boy. These seizures would actually throw the boy into open fires or toss him into bodies of water. We can only imagine how his family’s lives were controlled by their fear of what might happen to this young boy. Jesus is actually a bit disgusted at his disciples whose prayers seem to have little effect on the boy. He tells them that they lack faith and even a little faith is the most powerful thing on earth.

Is your life controlled by the fear of what might happen?

Jesus reminded his disciples that even a little bit of faith is powerful.  It’s like the small mustard seed that grows into a huge plant. Jesus said, that kind of faith can remove obstacles in our lives, even those that are huge like mountains.

There is nothing too big for God. There is no obstacle, circumstance or situation that can’t be moved by the supernatural power of His spirit. Take heart! Pray in faith believing that whatever needs to change in your life is to the Glory of God.

Live as if Christ died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back again tomorrow.

Read Matthew 17

The Road to Pentecost

It doesn’t take much to see that, around the world, followers of Jesus will need boldness as we face the challenges that seem to arise daily and threaten the spread of the Gospel. The early disciples prayed for boldness as they faced opposition to the preaching of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The response from God was a mighty display of His power that shook the room where they were praying. 

Not only do we need boldness to meet challenges, we need boldness to get out of our routines and safety zones to spread the Good News.

Lord, stir me by the power of your Spirit to be bold like those early disciples in Jerusalem who boldly proclaimed the Gospel. Give me boldness to speak the Good News to those nearby who still need to hear the Gospel that transforms lives.  Give me the courage to be steadfast concerning my family. Help me to be more purposeful about leading my family to You and living out life examples that are holy and acceptable to You. Empower me Lord to give my family something to look at as I represent You. Display your power in my home, on my street and in my neighborhood. In Jesus name, Amen.

Read Acts 4

The Road to Pentecost

“When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Friendship and persistence in prayer were the common threads in the book of Mark. Just as Jesus honored the persistence of friends as they tore through a roof to lower their sick friend in front of Him, so the prayers of us and our friends receives the same powerful response. Healing, transformation and hope can fill each story of our lives and testify to us the promise of Pentecost. Jesus is doing the very same things today as were recorded in the Gospel of Mark.

You have a choice to make. Doubt and do without or believe and receive! The same question Jesus asked the teachers of the law is the same question He is asking us today when we choose to doubt Him. “Why do you question this in your hearts?” Do you find yourself questioning the promises, power and authority of God? Just because you haven’t seen it or never heard it doesn’t mean it’s not true or it can’t happen in your life. “Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’?” It’s all easy for Him! He can do it all! He wants us to believe that He is the source of all things not a resource. When Jesus Christ resurrected He proved His source of power. His response is the same to you today. “So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Did He prove it? Yes, He did! So believe!

Live as if Christ died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back again tomorrow.

The Road to Pentecost

Paul tells the story of his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus years earlier. I can only imagine, in this unique setting and with the royalty present, how Paul leaned into a full retelling of the encounter with Jesus that turned his life upside down. He recalls the conversation he has with Jesus and the very words spoken to him, that had guided the life mission of Saul, the religious fanatic, who became Paul the Apostle.

The proclamation of the Gospel is a powerful transaction where eyes are opened, and darkness turns to light. So powerful is this encounter that the power of Satan is overcome by the power of God. What happened to Paul motivates him for the rest of his life. He lives to proclaim the Gospel to those who have never heard it. The result of this encounter with the Gospel also includes the freedom of receiving forgiveness and a place in the community of people who have been set apart to give visible demonstration of what it means to be a child of God.

Paul’s retelling of the words of Jesus today, still describe the power of the Gospel. It is a proclamation of the story so powerful that a person can literally move from utter darkness into light. A person can be removed from the death grip of Satan, receive forgiveness of sin and be placed into a life empowering relationship with God. What happens when you retell your story? Is it full of you or is the power of God on display? Does what happened between you and Jesus motivate you to stay the path?

Live as if Christ died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back again tomorrow.

Read Acts 26

The Road to Pentecost

“Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.”
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭16‬:‭6‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The book of Acts is filled with accounts of the clear guidance of the Holy Spirit to the apostles, as they obediently follow the direction the Spirit gives. Paul’s missionary efforts are specifically guided by the Spirit. Paul is even given clear direction in a dream one night about people in Macedonia who plead with Paul to come and preach the Gospel in their region.

Christians look and sound different depending on the church, unfortunately. Some Christians scoff at God speaking through dreams. Yet in other parts of the world we regularly hear of people coming to Christ through dreams and visions. The Holy Spirit leads and guides. We must believe this. This is the gospel truth. We never have to be surprised by life when the Holy Spirit is our compass. The Holy Spirit reveled where to preach the gospel. If He did it then He does it now. Wait on the Holy Spirit for the next set of instructions.

The Road to Pentecost

The picture of Paul and Silas singing praise to God in the middle of the night has always amazed me. They had been accused of disturbing the peace, had been beaten severely and placed in the most secure part of the jail. The truth is, they had cast the demons out of a slave girl. She was a lucrative possession for her owners because she was a fortune teller. The owners were not very happy at the loss of their cash machine.

In the middle of this bad day for Paul and Silas, an earthquake opened all the doors to the jail. The jailor knew that the loss of prisoners could mean he himself might be killed. But Paul and Silas calm him, and he responds by asking the most important question any person can ask: “What must I do to be saved?” That day the jailor was saved and his entire household (everyone he was responsible for in his house) came to the Lord.

Entire households still come to Christ today. What’s the status of your household? Are they asking you, “What must I do to be saved?” It’s the most important question they could ever ask. Calm the people you love with the love of Christ and knowledge of who He is. Testify of his goodness everyday. Leave no doubt in the mind of your household. Jesus is alive and oh how He loves!!

Live as if Christ died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back again tomorrow.

Read Acts 16

The Road to Pentecost

As Jesus awakens he speaks to the waves and the water immediately becomes still. The disciples are now as surprised about the stillness as they have been fearful of the waves. It’s as if they are saying to themselves, who is this person and what have we gotten ourselves into?

We look at this story and we are drawn to how the  waves immediately respond to Jesus command and, like the disciples, we are amazed at such power over nature. But shouldn’t we also be amazed at a promise fulfilled? That promise was in verse 35 when Jesus simply said “Let us go over to the other side.” His guidance to get in the boat and row him away from the crowds of people is clear: what is just as clear is that Jesus has made a simple declaration, with a promise. The promise was as they started across the water, they would surely make it to the other side.

We can expect God to show up in those moments where we are simply overwhelmed, overmatched and out of strength. But we also need to hear the promise from this story in God’s word. His empowering Holy Spirit is here before our needs arise and is with us, even in life’s most painful moments when we think the waves are about to take us under!

Live as if Christ died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back again tomorrow.

Read Mark 4

The Road to Pentecost

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Holy Spirit has the power to break the prisons in our mind that our world can confine us to. The culture we live in has a way of shaping us to its desires, which are always to control us. But the renewing power of the Holy Spirit frees us to consider the goodness of God. We are given a “chance to dream” as the Lord fills us for the role and place that He has assigned to us.

Read Romans 12

The Road to Pentecost

Paul and Baranbas disagree on who should be a part of their team. The person in question is John Mark who has deserted them on their first journey. Paul felt John Mark was not useful for ministry and Barnabas disagreed.

Barnabas took a chance and discipled John Mark. We don’t read what Barnabas did, but we do know the result. If you read the passage in 2 Timothy, you will see that Paul obviously has had a change of mind about John Mark. While Paul is under house arrest and very alone in Rome, he says that he would like John Mark to visit, because this young man had become “useful to me and my ministry.”

It can be hard for us to see the potential in kids or other people who come from tough circumstances; whose lives begin with a huge deficit. We tend to see disaster, not success, in their futures. Nevertheless, God uses people and situations, like Community LIFE, to transform adults and kids into useful vessels for Christ’s ministry and service in His Name. God is restoring the Joy!

Read Acts 15 and 2 Timothy 4

The Road to Pentecost

After Saul had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and the days of blindness and spiritual guidance, Saul returned to testify of his experience to the disciples in Jerusalem. Their initial response to Saul was filled with fear and cynicism. Who could blame them? No doubt, most of their families had been threatened by the aggressive tactics of Saul to eradicate followers of Jesus.

But Barnabas seeks out Saul, listens to his testimony and brings Saul before the apostles and stands up for the validity of his testimony; he is now Paul. This results in acceptance by the apostles and the initial bold preaching that Paul started in Jerusalem. Death threats start up almost immediately and Paul is taken to Caesarea for protection. He then proceeds to his hometown of Tarsus.

Scripture says that the church, “walked in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.” In the middle of all that violence we read that the church multiplied.  We can all relate to living in tough times. Our world can overwhelm us daily. The question is whether we will let anxiety and pressure rule, or will we follow the example of our brothers and sisters over 2000 plus years ago?

To walk in the fear of the Lord is simply to acknowledge that whatever may be the world’s current situation, we have a God who is above and beyond it all. Our world crises are contrived by humanity’s desire to live by their own rules and we all suffer the consequences. In that world, to fear the Lord is to acknowledge He is the Creator of the Universe and no humanly created crisis is a threat to the fact He is in control. Also, to walk in the comfort of the Holy Spirit is to have a deep sense of peace in the middle of chaos. This is peace that only the presence of the Holy Spirit can bring.

Live as if Christ died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back again tomorrow.

Read Acts 9

The Road to Pentecost

Remember that the One who gave us power over danger and the demonic, also has the power to give us eternal life. We are blessed to see the power of God displayed in such extraordinary ways. There are people of earthly power who lust after even more power. Jesus cautions his disciples that the kind of transforming power that He brings can never be seen by people who want power for their own advancement.

In our world we increasingly see the pursuit of power as a high profile goal. Corporations seek power to market their products more effectively. People seek power to influence others toward their perspective or opinion. All of us are experienced in the power struggles that cause tensions in relationships. The 21st century is no different than the time in which Jesus lived. Position and power are natural human goals that people strive to achieve.

Remember, the One who writes our name in heaven, is something to treasure and only God Himself can give that gift to us! That’s real power!

Read Luke 10

The Road to Pentecost

Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” 12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.
Acts 12:6-17

This account is actually humorous and sobering at the same time. It’s humorous because this series of events shows believers who are simply shocked at the actual answer to their prayers showing up at the door. It is sobering in that people fervently praying, don’t have the capacity to acknowledge that God could answer their prayer for Peter’s release.

Would we be as surprised as the people Peter went to visit after his miraculous release from jail?

Pray like it already happened. The Spirit of the Lord is with you.

The Road to Pentecost

After more than three years with the disciples, they still seem to be rather unsure of what Jesus had really come to do. They ask him questions about when Israel would be rid of their invaders and finally experience the long anticipated promise of God’s Kingdom rule. Jesus is quite gracious in His response to them as He focuses on the next phase of the plan He has come to fulfill. Jesus promises His disciples that they will be given “power” to be “witnesses” to the Gospel wrapped up and fulfilled in His life. We make a huge mistake when we disconnect the power of this promise from the purposes of this promise. This is the promise of Pentecost.

We can not disconnect the power of Pentecost from its purpose (to be witnesses). Power not connected to its primary purpose inevitably turns destructive. 

The power of the Spirit is not to fulfill our personal vision but His vision. The empowerment of the Spirit is to do the work of the ministry. The work of the ministry is to spread the Good News and save souls. So let’s do what we have been empowered to do by way of the Holy Spirit.

Read Acts 2

The Road to Pentecost

Pentecost is the Greek name for the Feast of Weeks. This festival occurred 50 days (7 weeks) after the Passover. In the Old Testament, Pentecost (Feast of Weeks), along with the Passover and Feast of Tabernacles, was one of the 3 annual pilgrimages for God’s people. It was a harvest festival that marked the time that people brought offerings from their annual harvest. This rich Old Testament background serves as a foundation for the coming of the Holy Spirit. What was now emerging was the fulfillment of promises that the Old testament had foretold.

When Peter preached there was a broad spectrum of people who were in Jerusalem, specifically because this was one of the three annual festivals that was so central to their spiritual journey. Peter preaches and connects the promise of their spiritual heritage with its fulfillment.

As we approach our yearly recognition of the Day of Pentecost, I am reminded of the words of Peter’s sermon. Those words should still strengthen us today. No one is left out of the outpouring of God’s Spirit: men and women, young and old are all part of God’s plan to empower an army of witnesses. Since we are now part of God’s eternal purposes, we are given power from God Himself to continue His redemptive ministry. So continue to do ministry.

Read Acts 2

The Road to Pentecost

Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit and they died. I love when we can read scripture and apply it right away. It would seem that they lied to Peter. They were talking to Peter. But Peter says that they lied to the Holy Spirit. Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever more.

Following the tragic story of deceit by the husband and wife team of Ananias and Sapphira, there is a clear testimony of regular miraculous events done in the public ministry of the apostles. This ministry attracts people from the entire region who need the transformative power of God.  

There is no need to lie to the Holy Spirit. Never allow yourself to be arrogant enough to believe that when you lie it’s situational and for or towards a certain person. Peter makes it clear who we are offending. Allow the Holy Spirit to be alive and active. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom and transformative power. Tell the truth.

Live as if Christ died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back again tomorrow.

Read Acts 5

The Road to Pentecost

The healing of the lame man at the temple gate causes a big stir resulting in the arrest of Peter and John. They respond to the authorities arresting them by saying that, given what they had heard and seen of Jesus ministry, they were simply following His example. The arresting authorities are confounded by Peter and John’s response and release them from jail.

As they report to their friends what has occurred, Peter and John clearly see that they are facing some sturdy opposition. But their response is not fear but a fervent call upon God to give them boldness to face the approaching storm of opposition. Not only do they pray for boldness but a clear manifestation of signs and wonders. Their prayer results in a powerful outpouring of God’s presence with subsequent boldness in their preaching.

Are you facing sturdy opposition in your life? Your response does not have to be a response of fear but of faith. Confidently call on the name of the Lord. The Holy Spirit provides boldness to do the things you are called to do.

Live as if Christ died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back again tomorrow.

Read Acts 4:23-31

The Road to Pentecost

God’s presence in any situation results in an obvious shift in the way we look at the facts of the moment. The story of Peter and John at the temple gate is a clear indicator of what happens when we have encountered the power of the Holy Spirit. Having walked through this gate on many occasions, Peter and John have likely seen this beggar before in what was probably his regular spot to beg. Why did Peter and John choose this day to stop and respond to his plea for a “donation”? I think this encounter is a small glimpse into the simple fact that we see things with different eyes after our encounter with Jesus Christ.
 
Following the day of Pentecost, the empowering Holy Spirit gave them insight into the hope that was represented in the continuing ministry of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. So, they stop and look at the man and tell him they don’t have what he wants (money), but they do have what he needs (healing)! The day of Pentecost and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit gave them what I sometimes call “illumination.” They saw this situation, not for its obvious hopelessness represented in the man’s lameness, but with eyes of hope that came from the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit. They look at the lame man with confidence that Jesus will continue His healing work in that very moment!

Read Acts 3:1-10

The Road to Pentecost

Acts 1:1-3 tells us that from the time that Jesus rose again from the grave (Resurrection) to the time that He ascended into heaven (Ascension), it was a period of 40 days.  And while we do not have a detailed account of everything that Jesus did with His disciples over the course of those 40 days, we do know this time was significant.

We are on the road to Pentecost. A fifty day count to the release of Holy Spirit power!

Pentecost is a biblical event that all too often gets lost among the “biggies” like Easter and Christmas. The truth is that all three events are interwoven together in the Bible. While the birth of Jesus and His victorious resurrection from the dead (following His crucifixion) are central to the Gospel story, Pentecost is the guarantee that Jesus is doing the same ministry today as He did 2000 plus years ago.

We need the power of Pentecost to thrive in places where hope seems to be a commodity in short supply. The guarantee we have with Pentecost, is that Jesus is continuing His ministry to this very day, with signs and wonders. That guarantee provides us with eternal power to do the eternal business of saving the lost at any cost. We can do the work of the ministry of Jesus Christ by providing compassion, education and transformation with the power of Pentecost.

We are on the Road to Pentecost

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.
Psalm 24:1

 “When the Israelites escaped from Egypt— when the family of Jacob left that foreign land— the land of Judah became God’s sanctuary, and Israel became his kingdom. The Red Sea saw them coming and hurried out of their way! The water of the Jordan River turned away. The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs! What’s wrong, Red Sea, that made you hurry out of their way? What happened, Jordan River, that you turned away? Why, mountains, did you skip like rams? Why, hills, like lambs? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob. He turned the rock into a pool of water; yes, a spring of water flowed from solid rock.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭114‬:‭1‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Psalm 114 serves as a poetic recounting of Israel's liberation from slavery and the split of the Red Sea. It reinforces the transformation of Israel from slaves to "God's sanctuary”. We are reminded that his divine presence was among them.

His divine presence is among us. God the Creator came in the person of Jesus to live with his people and set his creation free.
When Jesus came to earth to save his people, all creation responded. At his birth, the heavens leapt for joy according to Luke 2:13-14. At his presence, chaotic seas turned into a calm pool according to Matthew 8:24-26. At his word, legions of demons retreated into the waters according to Mark 5:12-13. When Jesus visited his people in Jerusalem on Passover, he said the rocks could cry out in response to his coming to save his people according to Luke 19:40. And on the cross, the mountain Jesus was crucified on trembled as the waves of death swallowed up his life. But on the third day, an earthquake shook the ground once again. Jesus rose from the grave, bringing life out of the ultimate place of death according to Matthew 28:2-6.  This is Good News!!

Welcome to Holy Week!!
Happy Passover
Chag Sameach

Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them.” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.”
Exodus 3:13-14

This Psalm is all about Yahweh, the name God revealed to his covenant people as he saved them.

“Praise the Lord! Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord now and forever. Everywhere—from east to west— praise the name of the Lord. For the Lord is high above the nations; his glory is higher than the heavens. Who can be compared with the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high? He stoops to look down on heaven and on earth. He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, even the princes of his own people! He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Praise the Lord!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭113‬:‭1‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Psalm 113 serves as an introduction to the Exodus story by praising God's majesty and his work of raising the poor from the dust. This sets the stage for the detailed story in Psalm 114. Psalm 113 is traditionally sung before the Passover meal as it focuses on God’s love for the humble and his active role in saving them.

We can celebrate, rejoice and have peace that God is not “watching us from a distance,” curious and interested, but uninvolved. His hand is on our life. He has stooped low to help us through his mercy and grace. This is Good News!

Welcome to Holy Week!!
Happy Passover
Chag Sameach

For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.
Jeremiah 2:13

We all wander, at times, looking for answers to whatever challenges we encounter. It can feel like an endless journey, as our temporary solutions never fully fix our problems. God identifies our problem in Jeremiah 2:13; His people have turned their backs on Him, the true source of life. Not only that, but God says His children have a second problem. We look for what we need for life, water, in places that regularly run dry. But Jeremiah 2:13 also gives us the solution: God Himself is “the fountain of living waters.” While
a tank for storing water may become empty, a fountain has its own source and continuously flows with fresh water. Seek out the source of life; his name is Jesus.

Welcome to Holy Week!!

Pray by using your own words that reflect your unique journey with God. This week is Holy Week! As we remember the journey of our Messiah reflect on your journey with our Messiah. Pray as He instructed us to pray.

“Our Father in heaven.” Pray to the Father who is in heaven. Remember that He is in control. This leads to peace and confidence.

“Hallowed be Your name.” Worship God for who He is. Thank God for His love, grace, forgiveness and sacrifice. Focusing on His attributes puts your circumstances into perspective and reminds you of why you can trust Him.

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Pray for God’s will
to be done by surrendering your plans to Him. Pray for His power, position and presence to be evident on earth.

“Give us today our daily bread.” Ask God for the things you need. Share with Him your deepest desires and longings. He is your provider, protector and sustainer. Trust Him with what you need today. Trust Him with your unmet desires. You don’t need to worry about tomorrow. He will be there to care for you.

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Confess your sins to God, turn from them, and ask for forgiveness. Forgive others as God has forgiven you. Release your pain to Him for justice and experience the freedom of forgiveness.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Pray for victory over temptation and protection from the attacks of Satan. God can break every addiction or sin in your life.

For yours is the kingdom of power and glory forever, Amen

Welcome to Holy Week!

How can we be aware of and replace negative thoughts with what is true about us, about God and about reality?

Paul reminds us:

“for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Those who have accepted Christ “have
the mind of Christ.” With Christ’s Spirit, we have the ability to think like Him. We can begin to recognize lies we’ve believed
by comparing our thoughts and beliefs with God’s Word. Confess the things that cramp your mind. Bring them into the light of God’s Word, we can experience freedom; so pray.

This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’” Matthew 6:9-13

God longs for you to engage with and enjoy your relationship with Him. As you pray — and experience how He answers — your relationship with Him grows in trust, and you can have peace in whatever challenges you’re facing. There are six important steps to personalize your prayers, all found in Matthew 6:9-13. These steps include worshiping, surrendering, requesting, confessing and inviting protection. Communicate with your Heavenly Father; He wants to answer you.

40 Days of Purpose