Day 6...

Morning Meditation, Day 6:

“But we have the mind of Christ” (I Cor. 2:16b)

In our natural state, it is almost normal for us to buck against God’s word. In Isaiah 55:8, God, through the prophet, tells us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” We are of the earth and think earthly thoughts, but God has chosen to reveal Himself to us by sending His word.

The first phase in knowing God has been fulfilled, but we need more if we are to truly comprehend His words. Just reading what God has said is not enough; we need Him to open our understanding. The story of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-40, comes to mind as evidence. He sat reading from the prophet Isaiah in the desert when Phillip, the evangelist, approached him and asked if he understood what he read, to which he responded, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” We need help to understand it too.

In Ephesians 1:17, Paul prayed that God would give us “the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ.” We need to know not only what God thinks, but how He thinks. We need to understand the logic of God to make sense of His word. We need to be transformed from our carnally minded perspectives and reasonings. We have to become a people that are spiritually minded. We have to be on God’s wavelength.

Paul explains this transformation in I Corinthians 2:11-16. He teaches, “...In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned... For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”
To the world, the word is foolishness. Because we understand the logic of God by the Spirit (we have the mind of Christ), we know God and understand His ways.

To Consider:

Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Are you fulfilling the royal commandment of love? (James 2:8; Gal. 5:13-15)
a) Are you forgiving others freely? (Matt. 6:12-15; 18:21-35; Eph. 4:31-32)


Evening Reading, Day 6:

Psalm 119:41-48
ו Waw
41 May your unfailing love come to me, LORD,
your salvation, according to your promise;
42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
for I have put my hope in your laws.
44 I will always obey your law,
for ever and ever.
45 I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings
and will not be put to shame,
47 for I delight in your commands
because I love them.
48 I reach out for your commands, which I love,
that I may meditate on your decrees.

Day 5...

Morning Meditation, Day 5

“So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17)

There are few things as important as faith in our lives. Of the three things that the Apostle Paul assured us that will remain, faith is found among them (I Cor. 13:13). Among the three things Jesus notes as the “weightier matters” of the Law faith is present (Mt. 23:23). The writer of the Book of Hebrews tells us that, it is impossible to please God without faith. We must believe that God is and that he rewards those who seek Him (Heb. 11:6).

Since, as the Bible teaches us, faith is essential to life, we ought to know how to get it and keep it. Faith, Paul teaches us, cometh by hearing and hearing by God’s own word. It is the material that produces faith in the heart and the oil that keeps it burning brightly within us.

Faith does not stay aglow by “having heard”. We are often of the opinion that having heard the word once, we have no further need for it. The grammatical tense (present continuous) Paul uses, in Romans 10:17, indicates that we need to hear God’s word over and over again. “Oh, I’ve heard that message before”, is not the posture we ought to maintain before God’s word. It is not a one-time experience. Faith grows and understanding sharpens as we continue to hear what God has spoken.

To Consider:

Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Are you actively pursuing God each day? (Psm. 27:4; 42:1-2; 61:1-4; 63:1-5)

Evening Reading, Day 5:

Psalm 119:33-40
ה He
33 Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.[b]
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.[c]
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life.

Day 4...

Morning Meditation, Day 4:

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Lk. 2:19)

How sloppy we can be with the words God speaks to us! How little we value what He says. We fail to keep the “living bread” alive in our hearts. We forget entirely too easily, and we let slip the very thing He has provided for our direction, comfort, and spiritual nourishment.

Mary, whether it was the angel who spoke to her or Elizabeth, her cousin, prophesying blessing upon her or the shepherds declaring the wonders of the child she held in her arms, stored all of God’s words securely in her heart and thought upon them always.

God’s words are seldom fulfilled in a day; He brings them about in His time, which is almost always unknown to us. Harbor His words until they come to pass. Mary held on to astonishing words, which brought her into repute (virgins do not have babies) and pierced her heart when the Romans pierced His hands and side. She saw God’s words played out in history because she guarded them diligently in her heart.

Mary received guidance, strength, and courage at every turn in the road because God’s word took deep root in her heart. If we will be as tenacious as she was with respect to God’s word, He will do the same for us.

To Consider:

Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Are you exercising living faith in your daily life despite your situation? (Rom. 4:17-22; II Cor. 4:17-18; 5:7; Hebrews 11:1-40)





Evening Reading, Day 4:

Psalm 119:25-32 (Read, meditate, and pray the passage)

ד Daleth
25 I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
31 I hold fast to your statutes, LORD;
do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.

Day 3...

Morning Meditation, Day 3:

“And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.”
(Luke 10:39)

There is a time for everything else to stop. There are moments when even legitimate responsibilities should be put on hold. When the Lord draws us unto Himself (Psm. 27:8), when He stands at the door of our hearts and knocks (Rev. 3:20), how do we respond to Him? Do we drop our routine and dine with Him?

Mary was criticized severely by her overly anxious sister, Martha, for not helping to clean and prepare dinner. Martha did not get it; Mary did. She understood what was “needful” (Lk. 10:42) and gave herself to drink in every word that Jesus spoke. She, by conscious choice, untangled herself from all that was around her, and filled her heart and soul with the living word that absorbed her.

Jesus taught Martha discernment. You, he said, are overwhelmed with the temporary issues of life. Mary, however, has grasped the exceeding value of the eternal word, and it will not be taken from her. She made the right choice; Jesus confirmed it.

Martha was not bad, but she did fail to appreciate the time of His visitation. Her heart was overcharged with daily concerns leaving no room for Jesus to speak His word to her. It was a blown opportunity. Jesus intends that we learn from these examples and make the right choices at the right times. Grab a chair next to Mary.

To Consider:

Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Are you giving thanks to God in every circumstance of life? (I Thes. 5:17; Phil. 4:6-7; Psm. 100:4)

Evening Reading, Day 3:

(Psalm 119:17-24) (Read, meditate, and pray the passage)

ג Gimel
17 Be good to your servant while I live,
that I may obey your word.
18 Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing
for your laws at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,
those who stray from your commands.
22 Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
for I keep your statutes.
23 Though rulers sit together and slander me,
your servant will meditate on your decrees.
24 Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors.

Day 2...

Morning Meditation, Day 2 :

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...” (Col 3:16a)

Great things come in small packages. Our verse today is brief, but it is power packed. Let’s dissect it to get at its riches.

“Let” speaks of the attitude of our heart. If we want God’s word to live in us, we have to have the right mind-set. In James 1:21, the Apostle teaches us that we must be holy and humble for the word to find a place in our heart.

“The word of Christ” refers to God’s fullest and final revelation of Himself, and His plans and purposes for the ages. “In whom (Christ)”, said Paul in Colossians 2:3, “are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Jesus is “the word made flesh” (Jn. 1:14). He is God’s communication to all men (Heb. 1:3). When we have the word of Christ, we have the fullness of God.

The idea that the word is to “dwell” in us reveals the fact that the word is alive. A living heart needs and receives a living word. The writer of The Book of Hebrews says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

“In you” tells us how personal the communications of God are. His words are not to be bound-up in our bibles on dusty shelves for others to appreciate. God’s words only do us good when they are in us.

“Richly” indicates amount. God’s word is not to be in us in scanty measure; there must, of necessity, be an abundance of it. It is to fill our hearts and minds. God intends it to be our primary “food for thought”. It is to be the dominant object of our concentration. The Lord told Joshua, “meditate on it (God’s word) day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

To consider...

Psalm 139:23-24:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Are you seeking constantly to walk in a manner that pleases God? (Col. 1:10; Eph. 2:10; Phil. 2:13; Heb. 13:21)
a) Are you crucifying the desires of the flesh and living according to the Spirit? (Gal. 5:16-26; Rom. 8:5-9)

Evening reading, Day 2:

Psalm 119:9-16 (Read, meditate, and pray the passage)
ב Beth
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, LORD;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.

2011 Fast...Things to Consider

The following list is a compilation of "things to consider" that will be included with each of the daily meditations...

Things to Consider: Fast 2011

The following themes have been compiled with the hope that you might be better able to examine your life before God in the light of His word. They should serve as a mirror to help you discover where you are in life and where God wants to take you. There are twenty-one themes; you can consider one area each day of our fast or whatever best suits you. Please read the biblical references that accompany the themes to get a better idea of the subject. The subjects are not listed in order of importance.

This is our prayer from Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Day 1: Are your priorities in order according to God’s plan for your life? (Mt. 6:19-33)

Day 2: Are you seeking constantly to walk in a manner that pleases God? (Col. 1:10; Eph. 2:10; Phil. 2:13; Heb. 13:21)
a) Are you crucifying the desires of the flesh and living according to the Spirit? (Gal. 5:16-28; Rom. 8:5-9)

Day 3: Are you giving thanks to God in every circumstance of life? (I Thes. 5:17; Phil. 4:6-7; Psm. 100:4)

Day 4: Are you exercising living faith in your daily life despite your situation? (Rom. 4:17-22; II Cor. 4:17-18; 5:7; Hebrews 11:1-40)

Day 5: Are you actively pursuing God each day? (Psm. 27:4; 42:1-2; 61:1-4; 63:1-5)

Day 6: Are you fulfilling the royal commandment of love? (James 2:8; Gal. 5:13-15)
a) Are you forgiving others freely? (Matt. 6:12-15; 18:21-35; Eph. 4:31-32)

Day 7: Are you fulfilling your responsibilities in the kingdom of God? (Matt. 25:14-30)
a) Giving faithfully (Malachi 3:6-8; II Cor. 8:1-15; 9:6-11; Phil. 4:10-19)
b) Serving others willingly and in love (Gal. 5:13; Rom. 12:11)
c) As a peacemaker, actively seeking the unity of the Spirit (Matt. 5:9; Eph. 4:3)
d) Do you respect and love your Christian leaders and support them? (I Tim. 5:17-18; I Pet. 1-5

Day 8: Are you aware of unconfessed sin in your life? (I Jn. 7-9)
a) Are you willing to repent and change your lifestyle? (James 4:8-10; Psm. 51:10)

Day 9: Are you actively involved in the process of renewal and transformation? (Rom. 12:1-2; II Cor. 3:17-18)

Day 10: Is the fear of the Lord, expressed by reverence, obedience, trust, and worship evident in your life? (Deut. 10:12; Josh. 24:14; Psm. 33:8; 103:7; Pro. 14:27; Acts 9:31)

Day 11: Are you engaged in intercessory prayer for others (Ezekiel 22:30; II Chron. 7:14; Eph. 6:18-19)

Day 12: Are you constantly aware of the need to share the gospel with those who do not know Christ yet and take advantage of the opportunities God gives you to share your faith? (Mark. 1:17; 16:15; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8)

Day 13: Are you diligently seeking God by reading, studying, and meditating in His word day and night? (Josh. 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3; II Tim. 2:15)
a) Are you doing your best to put God’s word into action in your daily life? (Matt. 7:24-28; James 1:22-25)

Day 14: Are you honoring God by constantly seeking His direction for your life? (Pro. 3:5-6)

Day 15: Are you lovingly fulfilling your responsibilities to your spouse, children, and extended family? (Eph. 5:22-6:4; I Tim. 5:3-8; James 1:27 I Pet. 3:1-7)

Day 16: Are you using the resources God has given you faithfully? (I Tim. 6:17-19; Eph. 5:15-20)

Day 17: Are you diligently seeking to fulfill the known will of God for your life? (Matt. 26:36-46; Jn. 4:34; 5:30)

Day 18: Are you constantly filled with the Spirit and joy in your relationship with God and in His service? (Acts 2:1-4; 4:31; Eph. 5:15-20; Phil. 4:4)

Day 19: Does your work ethic at home or in the job reflect the Christian spirit? (Eph. 6:5-9; Col. 3:22-4:1; I Pet. 2:18-23)

Day 20: Are you living a sober life prepared for the trials, temptations, and afflictions your are or might suffer? (James 1:2-4; I Cor. 10:13; James 1:12-16; I Pet. 1:13)

Day 21: Are you demonstrating compassion to those who are in need, affliction, suffering, incarcerated, discouraged, lonely, or experiencing physical complications?
(Lk. 10:25-37; Lk. 16:19-31)

Day 1...

Morning Meditation, Day 1:

“Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” (Deut 8:2-3)

What is the lesson worth? How can we even put a price tag on it? What are we willing to pay to learn how to live by every word that God breathes? More important, what is God willing to allow us to go through to bring us to the place where we accept His ways above our own?
Our verse today teaches us that God, because the Children of Israel did not know how to hang on His word above all else, was willing to humble them for forty years in the desert to make the message crystal clear.
Jacob, the son of Isaac, learned the lesson as he wrestled with the angel in the wilderness. Joseph, Jacob’s son, learned to hold to God’s word as he bounced from favored son to slave to prisoner, and finally to the throne of Egypt. They persevered as they struggled to live by every word of God, but they broke through the barriers and entered into the power, freedom, and rest that come from it.
What “deserts” will God engineer for us to teach us to rely upon His word fully and obey it joyfully? While we may not like it initially, if we trust Him and endure, He will show Himself just and true, and we will know the wonders of His word for ourselves.

Evening Reading, Day 1:

Psalm 119:1-8 (Read and meditate the passage, and then pray back to God the parts that strike you the most. Ask Him to give you understanding.)
א Aleph (Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The symbol to the left is the actual Hebrew letter.)

1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart— 3 they do no wrong but follow his ways. 4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. 5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! 6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. 8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.

January Fast

The annual January fast will "officially begin on Sunday, January 2nd and will end on Sunday, January 23rd. We invite all congregants to prepare their hearts to seek the Lord through fasting and prayer. The prayer meetings are as follows:

1. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays (6am to 7am) in Legacy Jr. High
2. Friday Nights (normal time 7pm) in Legacy
3. Sunday Mornings (normal time 9:15 am) in Legacy Jr. High

Glory to God...

Psalm 33

1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

2 Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.

3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.

4 For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.

5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.

6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars [a] ;
he puts the deep into storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the people of the world revere him.

9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.

10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.

13 From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;

14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth-

15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.

16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.

17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.

18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.

20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.

21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.

22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.

Glory of God...

...to be overwhelmed by God's greatness and Glory...

...when His hand can be seen in the little things as well as in the big things...

...when His presence is un-deniable, and His glory is all around...

...when thoughts of Him leave you speechless...

...words can not describe it...

Food for Thought...

"A real Christian is a person who can give his pet parrot to the town gossip."

-Billy Graham

Easter Reflection: Victorious One!!!

John 20
The Empty Tomb
1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"
3So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
10Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"

"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." 14At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

15"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."

16Jesus said to her, "Mary."
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).

17Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' "

18Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her.


Isaiah 65:17-25
New Heavens and a New Earth
17 "Behold, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight
and its people a joy.

19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem
and take delight in my people;
the sound of weeping and of crying
will be heard in it no more.

20 "Never again will there be in it
an infant who lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not live out his years;
he who dies at a hundred
will be thought a mere youth;
he who fails to reach [a] a hundred
will be considered accursed.

21 They will build houses and dwell in them;
they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

22 No longer will they build houses and others live in them,
or plant and others eat.
For as the days of a tree,
so will be the days of my people;
my chosen ones will long enjoy
the works of their hands.

23 They will not toil in vain
or bear children doomed to misfortune;
for they will be a people blessed by the LORD,
they and their descendants with them.

24 Before they call I will answer;
while they are still speaking I will hear.

25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox,
but dust will be the serpent's food.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,"
says the LORD.


Psalm 118
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

2 Let Israel say:
"His love endures forever."


Psalm 118:14-24
14 The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.

15 Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
"The LORD's right hand has done mighty things!

16 The LORD's right hand is lifted high;
the LORD's right hand has done mighty things!"

17 I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the LORD has done.

18 The LORD has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.

19 Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.

20 This is the gate of the LORD
through which the righteous may enter.

21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.

22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone;

23 the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Galations 2
20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 Peter 4
Living for God
1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. 5But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
7The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

...

anointed one...chosen one...betrayed one...humble & loving one...persecuted one...victorious one!!!

Passion Week - Saturday Reflection

John 19:38-42
The Burial of Jesus
38Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. 39He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.[a] 40Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.


Lamentations 3:19-24
19 I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.

20 I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.

21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."


Psalm 31
1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.

3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

4 Free me from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.


Psalm 31:15-16
15 My times are in your hands;
deliver me from my enemies
and from those who pursue me.

16 Let your face shine on your servant;
save me in your unfailing love.

Good Friday Reflection: Persecuted One

John 19
Jesus Sentenced to be Crucified
1Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face.
4Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him." 5When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!"

6As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!"
But Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him."

7The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God."

8When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, 9and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10"Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"

11Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."

12From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar."

13When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). 14It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour.
"Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews.

15But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!"
"Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked.
"We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.

16Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.

The Crucifixion
So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
19Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read:sc JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."

22Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

23When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

24"Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it."
This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said,
"They divided my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing."[c] So this is what the soldiers did.

25Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," 27and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

The Death of Jesus
28Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 29A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
31Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken,"[d] 37and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."[e]


Isaiah 52:13-53:12
The Suffering and Glory of the Servant
13 See, my servant will act wisely [a] ;
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him [b]—
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness—

15 so will he sprinkle many nations, [c]
and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand.

Isaiah 53
1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.

8 By oppression [d] and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken. [e]

9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes [f] his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.

11 After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life [g] and be satisfied [h] ;
by his knowledge [i] my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, [j]
and he will divide the spoils with the strong, [k]
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.


Psalm 22
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, and am not silent.

3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the praise of Israel. [a]

4 In you our fathers put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.

5 They cried to you and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not disappointed.

6 But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by men and despised by the people.

7 All who see me mock me;
they hurl insults, shaking their heads:

8 "He trusts in the LORD;
let the LORD rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
since he delights in him."

9 Yet you brought me out of the womb;
you made me trust in you
even at my mother's breast.

10 From birth I was cast upon you;
from my mother's womb you have been my God.

11 Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.

12 Many bulls surround me;
strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.

13 Roaring lions tearing their prey
open their mouths wide against me.

14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted away within me.

15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me [b] in the dust of death.

16 Dogs have surrounded me;
a band of evil men has encircled me,
they have pierced [c] my hands and my feet.

17 I can count all my bones;
people stare and gloat over me.

18 They divide my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing.

19 But you, O LORD, be not far off;
O my Strength, come quickly to help me.

20 Deliver my life from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dogs.

21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions;
save [d] me from the horns of the wild oxen.

22 I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the congregation I will praise you.

23 You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!

24 For he has not despised or disdained
the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help.

25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
before those who fear you [e] will I fulfill my vows.

26 The poor will eat and be satisfied;
they who seek the LORD will praise him—
may your hearts live forever!

27 All the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him,

28 for dominion belongs to the LORD
and he rules over the nations.

29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.

30 Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.

31 They will proclaim his righteousness
to a people yet unborn—
for he has done it.

>

Passion Week - Thursday Reflection: Humble & Loving One

John 13
Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
2The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"

7Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

8"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

9"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"

10Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.


John 13:31-35
Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
31When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. 32If God is glorified in him,[a] God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
33"My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."


1 Corinthians 11:23-26
23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.


Psalm 116:12-19

12 How can I repay the LORD
for all his goodness to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.

14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.

16 O LORD, truly I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant [a] ;
you have freed me from my chains.

17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the LORD.

18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,

19 in the courts of the house of the LORD—
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD.

Passion Week - Wednesday Reflection: Betrayed One

John 13:21-32

21After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."

22His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."

25Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"

26Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. 27As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

"What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, 28but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. 30As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
31When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. 32If God is glorified in him,[a] God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.


Isaiah 50:4-9

4 The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

5 The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears,
and I have not been rebellious;
I have not drawn back.

6 I offered my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;
I did not hide my face
from mocking and spitting.

7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.

8 He who vindicates me is near.
Who then will bring charges against me?
Let us face each other!
Who is my accuser?
Let him confront me!

9 It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me.
Who is he that will condemn me?

Psalm 70

1 Hasten, O God, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.
2 May those who seek my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.

3 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
turn back because of their shame.

4 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"Let God be exalted!"

5 Yet I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD, do not delay.

Passion Week - Tuesday Reflection: Chosen One

John 12:20-36
Jesus Predicts His Death
20Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." 22Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
23Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

27"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name!"

Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." 29The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

30Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." 33He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

34The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ[a] will remain forever, so how can you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this 'Son of Man'?"

35Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them



Isaiah 49
The Servant of the LORD
1 Listen to me, you islands;
hear this, you distant nations:
Before I was born the LORD called me;
from my birth he has made mention of my name.
2 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow
and concealed me in his quiver.

3 He said to me, "You are my servant,
Israel, in whom I will display my splendor."

4 But I said, "I have labored to no purpose;
I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing.
Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand,
and my reward is with my God."

5 And now the LORD says—
he who formed me in the womb to be his servant
to bring Jacob back to him
and gather Israel to himself,
for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD
and my God has been my strength-

6 he says:
"It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."

7 This is what the LORD says—
the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel—
to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation,
to the servant of rulers:
"Kings will see you and rise up,
princes will see and bow down,
because of the LORD, who is faithful,
the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."


Psalm 71
1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.

2 Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness;
turn your ear to me and save me.

3 Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

4 Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of evil and cruel men.

5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.

6 From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother's womb.
I will ever praise you.

7 I have become like a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.

8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.

9 Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

10 For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together.

11 They say, "God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him,
for no one will rescue him."

12 Be not far from me, O God;
come quickly, O my God, to help me.

13 May my accusers perish in shame;
may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.

14 But as for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.

Passion Week - Monday Reflection: Anointed One

John 12
Jesus Anointed at Bethany

1Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages.[b]" 6He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. " It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."

9Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.

Isaiah 42

1 "Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him
and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.

3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;

4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his law the islands will put their hope."

5 This is what God the LORD says—
he who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:

6 "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,

7 to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

8 "I am the LORD; that is my name!
I will not give my glory to another
or my praise to idols.

9 See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you."

Psalm 36:5-11

5 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.

6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.

7 How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men
find [a] refuge in the shadow of your wings.

8 They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.

9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.

10 Continue your love to those who know you,
your righteousness to the upright in heart.

11 May the foot of the proud not come against me,
nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.

...thank you, Lord, for what you've done, what you're doing, and what you're going to do...

Prepare the Way...

Isaiah 40:3-5

A voice of one calling:
"In the wilderness prepare
the way for the LORD;
make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

...listen to Sunday's message HERE.

Flashback....

Remember this??? I just did...

“but he (Jesus) said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (II Corinthians 12:9-10)

read HERE for more...