Matthew 27: 65, "...You have a guard of soldiers. Go make it as secure as you can." The religious leaders were coming face to face with the reality of JESUS' Resurrection. They were beginning their conspiracy to guard the tomb so the Disciples could not take the body and claim HE was Resurrected. Then after the Resurrection, paying the guards money to lie and say that HIS Disciples stole the body. All of this was to preserve their religious and political influence. Do we seek the Truth, or do we use excuses, deception or lies to "cling" on to our earthly "treasures" of Pride, Influence and Self? The Resurrection of JESUS is the closure that makes EVERY WORD of the Bible True. THAT'S MY STORY, AND I'M STICK'N TO IT!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD!
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Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am GOD." Silence can be deafening and yet powerful. May we just devote ourselves to reflect upon JESUS in prayer and quite devotion. Maybe we will see HIS "reflection" in us. JUST BE STILL.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! John 18:38, "...What is Truth?...he went back outside to the Jews and told them; I find no guilt in HIM." The Jewish Supreme Court (the Sanhedrin) examined JESUS and found HIM innocent. Not satisfied, the Sanhedrin "appealed" to the World Supreme Court (Herod's Roman Court) and again HE was found innocent. JESUS, after exhaustive examination, was found innocent twice and sentenced to death! How many times have we complained to GOD that "this or that" isn't fair. Isn't it ironic that JESUS was found innocent in the two highest courts and was sentenced to death on the Cross; and we are guilty daily and we are offered Eternal Life? Now that my friend, is Mercy over Justice! PRAYER - FATHER, I pray that the love that is in JESUS, is in me. MEDITATION - I will treat my dinner and beverage as the Sacraments tonight; dinning with JESUS. THOUGHT - Before they went to Gethsemane (the garden) they all sang a hymn (Matthew 26:30). WRITE - I am so grateful for GOD'S MERCY and not JUSTICE!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! John 12:23, "...The hour has come for the SON of Man to be glorified." Yes, this was the day the Sanhedrin plotted to kill JESUS and Judas agreed to betray JESUS, but really how does this apply to us? JESUS knew that HE would take the journey to the Cross alone. We as disciples of CHRIST will also take our journey to the Cross as we follow HIM. This is the last place any of us wants to go, but it is the only way we experience the reality of JESUS in our lives. This is not a journey with family and friends. It is a journey that strips away everyone and everything we have ever depended on, so we will learn to depend on JESUS. While we are at the Cross we become contrite (broken to absolutely nothing; ground up like the finest powder), self-deception is peeled away layer by painful layer until we begin to see ourselves as JESUS does. We no longer excuse our inadequacies, failures and sinful pride, that have not only tried to destroy us but those we love. If we hang on to our lives and refuse to take the journey; we will not die to ourselves and never bear much fruit. PRAYER - FATHER, take my hand and walk with me to the Cross where I can see the heavens open up. MEDITATION - If I give JESUS my worries, fears and pain, I don't have as much to carry; If I share my joy with HIM, I have HIS double portion. THOUGHT - JESUS said, "I will never leave you". WRITE - It is painful but the rewards far out way the suffering.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Matthew 24, "...See that no one leads you astray." How many times do we wake up "running late" and run off on our daily business. Would you leave the house without clothes or brushing your teeth? Then why do we think we can have an orderly day without prayer and time alone with GOD. On this day before HIS Crucifixion JESUS confronted many controversies in the Temple; dealt with the question of resurrection; gave the Two Great Commandments and took time to teach and answer HIS disciples. Then HE returned to Bethany. JESUS' life was a constant prayer and nothing overwhelmed HIM. Haven't we all experienced (however so seldom) a time when we prayed about a major circumstance in our lives, came into agreement with GOD as to what needed to be done; then actually doing it was the easiest thing to do? This was because the battle was already won. Did you not have time to pray today and hear the LORD'S voice? What kind of day did you have? PRAYER - FATHER, I will give thanks and ask YOU to guide me throughout each day and I will wait expectantly for each directed thought, word and action. MEDITATION - No one and no thing will lead me astray. THOUGHT - When I can't give anymore, I will give all. WRITE - GOD first, I am not that busy.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! John 12:39, "Therefore they could not believe." John 12:42, "...many did believe in HIM, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it..." Can you imagine the "high fives", "body bumps" and shouts of "Hosanna" as JESUS entered Jerusalem? A lot of "emotion" and very little (if any) "Passion"! Passion? Yes, the intense conviction that surpasses emotion; the state or capacity of being acted on by an external force. This week is Passion Week, the week of JESUS' suffering. JESUS not only suffered physically; HE was scorned and hated by those HE came to save. HIS unconditional love was denied and thrown back at HIM with such hatred. To be a Disciple of CHRIST we immerse ourselves in HIS WORD, culture, language and make sacrifices (some of which are beyond our own abilities). A Disciple is a changed person and he is forever altered with the Passion of CHRIST. A Believer can say the right things, do the right things and still not be a Disciple! A Disciple follows and imitates JESUS, and can experience great faith no matter the circumstances. PRAYER - FATHER, thank YOU for revealing the difference of "talking" Praises and "Performing" Praises. MEDITATION - This day, 1,979 years ago, JESUS knew me and my sins and still loved me unconditionally. THOUGHT - I Pray to have the Passion of CHRIST FOR CHRIST. WRITE - Changing how I think and dream, changes how I live.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Mark 11:8-10, "And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, Hosanna! Blessed is HE who comes in the name of the LORD." It was not just a Triumphal entry, JESUS came with a purpose this day. HE drove out those who bought and sold in the temple and over turned tables of money changers. Then HE began to teach and everyone listened and the chief priests and the scribes heard and began to find away to destroy HIM. JESUS taught that the temple was a house of prayer for all nations. The entrance had been blocked to the Gentiles because of those who bought and sold in the temple, and the money changers were conducting business. The people shouting HOSANNA were wanting a King to destroy their enemies and give them security. JESUS came to give them true peace and security but not in the way they thought or wanted; THERE WAS SO MUCH MORE TO IT! PRAYER - FATHER, we pray that the HOLY SPIRIT guides us to wisdom in understanding the scriptures that are GOD breathed. MEDITATION - Am I just asking JESUS to give me what I want? THOUGHT - Do I stand in the crowd shouting praises; or do I perform praises? WRITE - Palm Sunday, THERE IS JUST SO MUCH MORE TO IT!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Mark 14:9, "And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her." Mary did not help Martha cook; then she put expensive oil on the head and feet of JESUS and in addition, she broke the flask and the rest of the oil spilled. Some of the disciples were offended of such "waste" and they scolded her. JESUS let there be no "misunderstanding"; HE emphasized that GOD and man view the same visible acts differently. The disciples regarded Mary's act wasteful and regarded it worthy of rebuke. But to JESUS it was an action that was to be kept in everlasting remembrance as a model of conduct for future generations throughout the world, and accordingly decreed it to be so. PRAYER - FATHER, teach me to see others' actions and words through YOUR eyes. MEDITATION - Let us not compromise our thoughts or actions when lead by the HOLY SPIRIT. THOUGHT - It is not how long we are here, it's how long we're remembered for our love for JESUS. WRITE - I am going to do something today so that others don't see me; but they see JESUS in me.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! |
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December 2015
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