This morning, while making last minute preparations for a "Sunrise Service" where I serve as pastor, I thought of the scripture in Matthew 28 where it makes the following statement:
"He is not here, He is risen. Come, and see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead, and behold, he goeth before you..."
After hearing these words Matthew's writing tells us it was "Mary Magdalene and another woman named Mary" that ran quickly to tell Jesus' followers what had happen. Matthew 28:8 (NCV) tells us that "The women left the tomb quickly. They were afraid, but they were also very happy. They ran to tell Jesus' followers what had happen."
Talking about mixed emotions! The women were afraid but also very happy. This is not exactly what they expected to find when they arrived at the tomb but they were very glad to know that Jesus was no longer in the tomb and that He lives.
Today as you celebrate Easter remember what Easter is about, remember that He is no longer in the tomb, and that He lives today. My prayer is that all of us will have a real sense of urgency to tell others that Jesus is alive!
I rejoice today because my Lord and Savior lives!
He lives, He lives, I know He lives. He lives within my heart!
BLESSINGS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ON THIS EASTER SUNDAY!
Scriptures for today: John 20:1-31 Luke 24:1-12
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER?
One of my friends once stated that he used to have a pretty good memory but was now to the point that he could hide his own Easter eggs. Memory is a funny thing. Some things seem to be imprinted on our mind while other things we forget immediately.
During Holy Week, the day after the crucifixion of Christ and the day before his Resurrection we see several things that have been imprinted on the minds of many.
Matthew 27:55 (NCV) says, Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee to help him were standing at a distance from the cross, watching. I am sure that what they saw on Friday was still imprinted on their mind Saturday morning.
On the next day the leading priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. They remembered the words of Jesus when he said, "in three days I will rise from the dead (Matthew 27:63)." I am sure this was imprinted on their mind.
Then we have the disciples that had followed Jesus but we find in John 20:19 that on the evening of the first day of the week, they were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the elders. These disciples probably had spent most of the weekend together with imprinted on their mind the many teachings of Jesus.
During Holy Week, the day after the crucifixion of Christ and the day before his Resurrection we see several things that have been imprinted on the minds of many.
Matthew 27:55 (NCV) says, Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee to help him were standing at a distance from the cross, watching. I am sure that what they saw on Friday was still imprinted on their mind Saturday morning.
On the next day the leading priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. They remembered the words of Jesus when he said, "in three days I will rise from the dead (Matthew 27:63)." I am sure this was imprinted on their mind.
Then we have the disciples that had followed Jesus but we find in John 20:19 that on the evening of the first day of the week, they were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the elders. These disciples probably had spent most of the weekend together with imprinted on their mind the many teachings of Jesus.
What is it that you remember the most about this week? What event or words lay heavy in your mind and on your heart? What is it that leaves a lasting impression on your mind? Today, may we remember the events of this week and at the same time look with expectation of great things to happen on Easter Sunday!
Scripture for today: Matthew 27:62-66; Luke 23:56
Friday, April 6, 2012
WHAT HURT JESUS THE MOST?
I wondered what hurt Jesus the most. Was it when they tied him and led him to Pilate, the governor? Was it when he heard that Judas had hanged himself? Was it the cry of the people to "crucify him, crucify him"? Was it the beating with whips? Was it the crowning with a crown of thorns? Was it when the people bowed before Jesus and made fun of him, saying, "Hail, King, of the Jews!" Was it when someone spit on him? Was it when some of the soldiers "cast lots" for his clothing? Was it the insults from the people that walked by and said, "You said you could destroy the Temple and build it again in three days. So save yourself! Come down from that cross if you are really the Son of God!" Or was it the nails being driven through the hands and feet of Jesus that hurt Him the most?
Unlike many of us, Jesus did not dwell on His hurts. No where in scripture do I hear Jesus saying, "What hurt me the most is..." What Jesus did think about while on the cross was what came forth out of his mouth, "It is finished!" Triumph, not defeat, was on his mind.
My prayer today is: "God help me not to dwell on my "hurts and disappointments" but help me to dwell on the victories in my life." For the "The sufferings we have now are nothing compared to the great glory that will be shown to us" (Romans 8:18).
Scripture for today: Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 22:66-23:56; John 18:29-19-37
Unlike many of us, Jesus did not dwell on His hurts. No where in scripture do I hear Jesus saying, "What hurt me the most is..." What Jesus did think about while on the cross was what came forth out of his mouth, "It is finished!" Triumph, not defeat, was on his mind.
My prayer today is: "God help me not to dwell on my "hurts and disappointments" but help me to dwell on the victories in my life." For the "The sufferings we have now are nothing compared to the great glory that will be shown to us" (Romans 8:18).
Scripture for today: Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 22:66-23:56; John 18:29-19-37
Thursday, April 5, 2012
WHO IS POURING INTO YOUR LIFE?
It is Thursday evening and Jesus sat down with his disciples for the Passover meal. During the course of the evening Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. Then he did a very symbolic thing in taking a cup, probably pouring into the cup, thanked God for it and gave it to His followers. Another part of that passage of scripture tells us that Jesus "poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciple's feet" (John 13:5). Jesus also had spent the last three and a half years "pouring into" the lives of his disciples his teachings and about righteous living.
Think about it for a moment. Who are those that have "poured" into your life? Who are the people that have invested time, money, and patience into your life? People that when you did foolish things, they didn't give up on you.
The one single person, besides Christ, that I believed poured more into my life then anyone in my entire life was my dad. He kept pouring and even though sometimes I did very foolish things, he didn't give up. He just kept pouring. Like a dad would, he saw possibilities in me that no one else saw. Many others have poured into my life, and are still pouring. Thank God for those that will invest in others!
Jesus saw potential in his disciples that no one else saw. Our heavenly Father sees potential in you and me that no one else can see and will pour into our lives, if we will allow Him to do so. I encourage you to read the bible daily and pray and allow our heavenly Father to pour His Word and His love into your heart. Also, connect with godly people that can pour into your life the things of God.
Who are you allowing to pour into your life and what are they pouring?
Scripture for today: Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; John 13:1-30
Think about it for a moment. Who are those that have "poured" into your life? Who are the people that have invested time, money, and patience into your life? People that when you did foolish things, they didn't give up on you.
The one single person, besides Christ, that I believed poured more into my life then anyone in my entire life was my dad. He kept pouring and even though sometimes I did very foolish things, he didn't give up. He just kept pouring. Like a dad would, he saw possibilities in me that no one else saw. Many others have poured into my life, and are still pouring. Thank God for those that will invest in others!
Jesus saw potential in his disciples that no one else saw. Our heavenly Father sees potential in you and me that no one else can see and will pour into our lives, if we will allow Him to do so. I encourage you to read the bible daily and pray and allow our heavenly Father to pour His Word and His love into your heart. Also, connect with godly people that can pour into your life the things of God.
Who are you allowing to pour into your life and what are they pouring?
Scripture for today: Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; John 13:1-30
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER
"During the day, Jesus taught the people in the Temple, and at night he went out of the city and stayed on the Mount of Olives. Every morning all the people got up early to go to the Temple to listen to him." Luke 21:37, 38
Some believe that Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, that Jesus spent time going into the temple teaching. It is clear that despite the wrong that was in the temple that Jesus did not desert the temple but continued to go and teach each day. The routine seem to be that Jesus would spend time in prayer at night and early every morning he could be found in the temple teaching.
At night he did not stay at any of the local inns but "stayed on the Mount of Olives." This is the same place that:
Before leaving the scene of the temple Jesus address the "religious leaders" of that day as hypocrites. He calls them "snakes" and asked them the question, "How are you going to escape God's judgment?" I can hear someone saying "Why don't you really tell them what you think of them?"
Both physically and spiritually the next couple of days of the life of Christ will be rather demanding for him. Jesus spent time in the garden praying and talking to the Father about this and concluded his prayer with "...Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup (suffering) from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt."
This week as we prepare our hearts for Easter weekend think about the sacrifices that Jesus made for us and then write down any sacrifices you have made for him in the past week, month, or year. When I think about what he has done for me, then things that I use to consider a sacrifice is no longer a sacrifice. It becomes a blessing and a honor to live for the one that died for me.
Scriptures for today: Matthew 23:1 - 24:51 Mark 12:35- 13:37 Luke 20:41 - 21:36
Some believe that Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, that Jesus spent time going into the temple teaching. It is clear that despite the wrong that was in the temple that Jesus did not desert the temple but continued to go and teach each day. The routine seem to be that Jesus would spend time in prayer at night and early every morning he could be found in the temple teaching.
At night he did not stay at any of the local inns but "stayed on the Mount of Olives." This is the same place that:
- Jesus often resorted (Luke 22:39)
- Jesus often spent the night when in Jerusalem (John 7:53-8:1)
- Jesus preached a great sermon on the end time (Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:3)
- Jesus' Triumphal Entry began (Luke 19:37)
- Jesus' terrible agony in the Garden of Gethsemane took place (Mark 14:26-42)
- Jesus' ascension took place (Acts 1:12)
Before leaving the scene of the temple Jesus address the "religious leaders" of that day as hypocrites. He calls them "snakes" and asked them the question, "How are you going to escape God's judgment?" I can hear someone saying "Why don't you really tell them what you think of them?"
Both physically and spiritually the next couple of days of the life of Christ will be rather demanding for him. Jesus spent time in the garden praying and talking to the Father about this and concluded his prayer with "...Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup (suffering) from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt."
This week as we prepare our hearts for Easter weekend think about the sacrifices that Jesus made for us and then write down any sacrifices you have made for him in the past week, month, or year. When I think about what he has done for me, then things that I use to consider a sacrifice is no longer a sacrifice. It becomes a blessing and a honor to live for the one that died for me.
Scriptures for today: Matthew 23:1 - 24:51 Mark 12:35- 13:37 Luke 20:41 - 21:36
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
WHICH CHALLENGES DO I ACCEPT?
The last week of Jesus' ministry on earth, before his crucifixion, he spent a lot of time teaching and a lot of time dealing with confrontation. On one of these days during this week Jesus was challenge by the chief priests and the scribes, along with the elders of his day with the question, "Who gave you this authority?" Jesus was teaching in the temple when the "religious people" of his day brutally interrupted him and questioned his rights to be teaching in the temple. Imagine, someone challenging Jesus and his right to teach while in the temple!
Several years ago I was preaching when a visitor stood up in the middle of the church service and claimed that God had given him the other half of my sermon. Needless to say this confusion was not of God and disrupted that particular church service. I felt at that moment that my authority to preach the word had just been challenge. To this day I am not for sure that as a young pastor I responded wisely to the challenge.
But Jesus knew how to answer every challenge of life. When Jesus was asked the question "Who gave you this authority?" Jesus in returned asked, "When John baptized people, did that come from God or just from other people?" The religious leaders fearing if they said, "It came from God," then Jesus would say, "Then why didn't you believe him?" And if the religious leaders said that it came from people they were afraid of the crowd, because the crowd believed that John was indeed a prophet.
The religious leaders answered, "We don't know!" Jesus said, "Then I won't tell you what authority I have to do these things." It seems that Jesus always had the right answer for every challenge, and sometime Jesus just didn't answer the challenge at all!
I learned years ago that I do not have to answer every challenge; Jesus didn't. Some challenges are nothing more than a distraction and is not worth the energy that we invest in the fight. If Jesus had answered every question and accepted every challenge, he never would have made it to the cross and died for my sin. I am glad that Jesus was wise enough to see that some challenges was no more than an attempt from the enemy to cause a distraction.
Don't feel pressured into accepting every challenge in life. You too need to make it to the foot of the cross and some challenges will hinder your vision of the place that Jesus died for you. There are some things I know I have to confront with God's help, but I believe there are some things that I hear God saying, "Let me take care of this for you."
Thank you Lord for the challenges of life that I never have to confront because you have my front and my back side!
"But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard." (Isaiah 52:12 NIV)
Scripture for today: Matthew 21:23-46; Matthew 22:1-46;Luke 20:1-40
Several years ago I was preaching when a visitor stood up in the middle of the church service and claimed that God had given him the other half of my sermon. Needless to say this confusion was not of God and disrupted that particular church service. I felt at that moment that my authority to preach the word had just been challenge. To this day I am not for sure that as a young pastor I responded wisely to the challenge.
But Jesus knew how to answer every challenge of life. When Jesus was asked the question "Who gave you this authority?" Jesus in returned asked, "When John baptized people, did that come from God or just from other people?" The religious leaders fearing if they said, "It came from God," then Jesus would say, "Then why didn't you believe him?" And if the religious leaders said that it came from people they were afraid of the crowd, because the crowd believed that John was indeed a prophet.
The religious leaders answered, "We don't know!" Jesus said, "Then I won't tell you what authority I have to do these things." It seems that Jesus always had the right answer for every challenge, and sometime Jesus just didn't answer the challenge at all!
I learned years ago that I do not have to answer every challenge; Jesus didn't. Some challenges are nothing more than a distraction and is not worth the energy that we invest in the fight. If Jesus had answered every question and accepted every challenge, he never would have made it to the cross and died for my sin. I am glad that Jesus was wise enough to see that some challenges was no more than an attempt from the enemy to cause a distraction.
Don't feel pressured into accepting every challenge in life. You too need to make it to the foot of the cross and some challenges will hinder your vision of the place that Jesus died for you. There are some things I know I have to confront with God's help, but I believe there are some things that I hear God saying, "Let me take care of this for you."
Thank you Lord for the challenges of life that I never have to confront because you have my front and my back side!
"But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard." (Isaiah 52:12 NIV)
Scripture for today: Matthew 21:23-46; Matthew 22:1-46;Luke 20:1-40
Monday, April 2, 2012
STAYING FOCUS (Monday)
Read: Matthew 21:1-17
Palm Sunday was a very emotional time for Jesus. He entered Jerusalem and multitudes followed him crying Hosanna to the Son of David. Great rejoicing happened in the streets as they witness Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. Later in the week some of these same people possibly cried, "Crucify Him, Crucify Him!"
On Monday morning Jesus enters the temple to find men that had made His house a hiding place for thieves. Jesus turned the tables over and rebuked the activity happening in the temple. Jesus literally ran out the thieves from the temple!
But something else more significant happened in Jerusalem.
"Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and he healed them."
As we take this journey this week through Jerusalem and the surrounding areas I encourage you to notice three things:
- Jesus provided a safe place for people to come to worship Him.
- The blind and the lame came to Him and He healed them.
- The children sing praises to God and it was noticed by the rulers of the city.
This week let's provide that "safe place" for people to join us in worship. Let's pray and believe for miracles this Sunday. Let's sing out a song of praise so that others may hear.
It is my prayer that this Easter Sunday is the best yet in your place of worship.
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