Holy Week continues….

On Wednesday many scholars do not see any mention of Jesus’ activities.  Since Thursday was such a busy day, let’s look at one of those happenings.  On Thursday we have the Last Supper, the Upper Room comforting, Gethsemane and the arrest in the garden.

For today’s scripture I chose a portion from the Upper Room discourse and supper.  Jesus broke bread with the disciples,  confronted Judas and foretold Peter’s denial (Matthew :17-29, Mark 14:3-9, Luke 22:7-30 and John 13:1-38) , then gave these words of comfort to his faithful disciples (John 14:1-16:38).

John 14:1-7 “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.”    Thomas said to him, “Lord we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”    Jesus answered, ” I am the way, and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well.  From now on you do know him and have seen him.” (NIV)

Jesus knew that these words would bring comfort to believers then and long into the future.  He gives us hope of a future with Him in heaven, hope of continual communion with Him right now in our lives and hope that He is the way to know God.  Do you know these hopes personally?  Do you know where you are going after you die?  Do you have that hope that comes from a relationship with Jesus?   Do you know how to come into a relationship with God?    If you don’t, talk to God right now and ask Him to reveal himself to you and give you faith.  Knowing God gives hope, peace and assurance of a future that will be filled with the presence of God.

Be comforted by Jesus’ words today,

Linda

 

 

Holy Week continues….

On Tuesday scholars think Jesus was at the temple and was questioned about His authority Matthew 21:23-27, Mark 11:27-33 and Luke 20:9-21:4.   He was also teaching important doctrines in the temple in Matthew 21:28-23:39, Mark 12: 1-44 and Luke 20:9-21:4.  Then Jesus was anointed and His betrayal was unveiled  in Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, and Luke 22:3-6.  This last event took place in Bethany so it would seem that Jesus was staying in Bethany and went into Jerusalem each day.

Matthew 22: 34-40  Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.  One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:  “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’   This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the  second is like it:  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself;  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.'”  (NIV)

Today’s portion from Matthew is just a small bit of the wonderful teaching Jesus did on Tuesday.  I chose it because it reminds me where my focus and prioity needs to be in life.  God wants me to love Him with my very being and essence.  He is to have my number one love and devotion.  Then with loving Him in the right place I can reach out to love everyone around me.  I like to think of my neighbor as someone I like but often that is not the  case.  I am called to love, with godly love, those around me both near and far.  I am to win them to Christ with my love.  Jesus also stated this in John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another, As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 

How are you doing in loving your neighbor?  Sometimes it can be really hard, but knowing that it is God’s will for us is to love others sacrificially gives us the courage and strength to strive to do as Jesus would through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Step out today in love, make it a conscious effort and see the fruit Jesus will  bring.

Looking to love,

Linda

 

Many scholars think that on Monday following His triumphal entry into Jerusalem Jesus cleansed the Temple (Matthew 21:12-17 and Mark 11:15-18) and cursed the fig tree (Matthew 21:18-22 and Mark 11:12-14) before returning to Bethany for the night.   You might want to read both of these in the gospels of Matthew and Mark.

Matthew 21:12-17  Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there.  He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.  “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.'”  (NIV)

Jesus was facing mighty opposition from the Pharisees that  were plotting to kill Him,  so why would He confront these merchants that were selling doves to be used as sacrifices and call such attention to himself?  Jesus was righteously angry at the evil He saw before Him.  He could not stand still and allow His Father’s house to be desecrated or demeaned.  These men were making unlawful gains off the needs of others, and they were in need of judgment.  Jesus called them robbers and condemned their activity.  He rightly wanted to see His house used for prayer and worship not for unlawful gain, greed and dishonoring activity.   What about you – when was the last time you got really angry when you saw someone misrepresenting the Lord, using His name in vain or taking advantage of others to satisfy their own greed?  Just like Jesus, we need to stand up and stand firm when confronted with evil.   This is easier said than done, but God desires that we stand up in His name when we see injustice that is ungodly.   In those circumstances we need to pray and seek God’s guidance, strength and courage.  God desires us to be righteous and walk with Him in righteousness.

Will you pray and stand firmly with the Lord, seek His guidance and strength when you see evil practices that are an affront to God?

Living for Jesus demands strength and courage,

Linda

 

Matthew 21:1 and 7-11   As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives…..They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.  A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”  “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”  ” Hosanna in the highest!”   When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”  The crowds answered, “This is Jesus the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Last March I had the privilege of walking the Palm Sunday Road that Jesus rode down on his donkey.  The view that Jesus had of Jerusalem and the temple mount is breathtaking.  The descent down the Palm Sunday Road takes you  into the Kidron Valley.  Jesus entered the Eastern Gate that is now blocked.   The Jews today desire to be buried on this hill as they believe that Messiah will come and enter triumphantly through this gate into Jerusalem.  They want to be ready.  They are right, Jesus the Messiah did enter that Eastern Gate but they missed His coming.  The Muslims who now occupy the temple mount with their mosque have blocked this entrance to keep Messiah from entering.  They too missed Him when He came humbly on a donkey.

As you journey down this hill,  do you see the great need of the city for a Savior?  Jesus loved Jerusalem and its people just as He loves you and me.  Knowing what lay before Him, He must have been filled with love and compassion for us as He came down that road.  Don’t miss Him like the Jews and Muslims did, know Jesus and love Him today.  Praise Him with shouts of “Hosanna!”  ” Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Join the crowd in proclaiming Him your Savior today!

Shouting with praise,

Linda

Be open to Jesus, our Savior, today!

John 12: 1 “Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived in Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 

This was the night before Jesus’ Palm Sunday entry into Jerusalem.  That night Lazarus’ sister Martha served dinner and their sister Mary took a jar of expensive perfume and anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair.  Judas was upset as he looked at the cost and his own greed but Jesus said “Leave her alone,  It is intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.  You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me”.  (John 12:7-8)  The very next day Jesus mounted a donkey and entered the city.

As we prepare to enter Jerusalem with Jesus and journey this next week towards the cross, let our hearts be open, seeking and filled with thanksgiving for His great sacrifice.  What is your response to the Savior?   Are you filled with love and devotion like Mary?  Are you willing to sacrifice things of great value for the Lord?  Or do you count the cost of service like Judas and think of what else you could be doing?

Come and be ready to enter Jerusalem and journey with me and our Savior this next week.  Seek to meet the real Jesus and partake in the great love and devotion He showed us at the cross.

Walking with Jesus towards the cross,

Linda

 

 

 

Psalm 145: 1-2   I will exalt you, my god the King;  I will praise your name for ever and ever.  Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

Psalm 145: 21  My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.  Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.  (NIV)

The psalmist begins and ends this beloved psalm with praises.   He reminds us that God is to be praised  and exalted by our words.  Every creature on earth by their very existence gives praise to God the creator.   Do you make a conscious effort to praise God by the way you speak?  Do you give credit and honor to God for the things He does in your life both big and little or do you say ‘that was lucky’ or  ‘that was just a coincidence’?   After studying the book of Esther, I realized that there are no coincidences in God’s economy.  There is only God’s providence.  Providence is the care or benevolent guidance of God.  God promises to guide and protect us so why should we be surprised when things happen, doors open, we meet the right people, we are in the right place at the right time or just miss an accident.  God loves us and we have great value to Him.  Matthew 10:29-31 reminds us, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father,  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”   

So open you mouth and speak praise to God.  Thank Him and praise Him for all that he does for you.  You are loved and valued by God so show Him your devotion, fear and awe today!

Praising God,

Linda

Psalm 145: 17-20  The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.  The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.  He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.  The LORD watches over all who love him, but the wicked he will destroy.

Our righteous, loving God tells us in these verses to fear Him.  This fear is best translated in our lives as awe, devotion or reverence.  The result of godly ‘fear’ is rewarded by God in many ways.  These verses describe a few of those rewards:   love, His nearness, fulfilling of my desires, being heard, salvation, and being constantly watched over in love.  To receive those rewards God tells us we have to call on Him in truth.  How truthful are you in your devotion, prayers and worship of God?  Are you just going through the motions or is He real to you?  God promises in Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”    Do you believe?   Are you earnestly seeking Him?  One must believe to receive the great rewards God has promised.  Step out in faith today and call upon Him.  He will surely answer you!

Calling on our faithful God,

Linda

Psalm 145: 13b-16  The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.  The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.  The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.  You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.  (NIV)

God is so good and gracious.  He is faithful, a promise keeper, loving to all His creation, upholds all believers and provides for our nourishment.   He is open to us and fulfills the desires of all His creation.  At this season of Lent, thank Him for His gracious provision and knowledge of all our needs.  He knows our needs even before we ask.  What a great and loving God we serve.  Thank Him for his spiritual provision through His Son Jesus and remember the great sacrifice Jesus made to bring us into a complete relationship with the Father.  When I see what He has done, I know how unworthy I am.  I will praise Him today for His goodness, mercy and faithfulness.  How about you?

Lamentations 3:21-23 comes to mind “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:  The steadfast love of  the LORD never ceases;  his mercies know no end;   they are new every morning;   great is your faithfulness.  (ESV)

Loving our faithful God,

Linda

Psalm 145: 8-13a  The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.  The LORD is good to all;  he has compassion on all he has made.  All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you.  They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may know  of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.  Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.  (NIV)

This psalm is rich in descriptions of our LORD and His wonderful character.

God is gracious.  Psalm 84: describes this attribute this way “For the LORD God is sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”   Are you trying to walk in His grace?

God is compassionate.  Psalm 103:13 “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;”  Who can you have compassion towards today in Jesus’ name?

God is slow to anger and rich in love.  Psalm 86:15 “You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”  Do you abound in love towards others?

Considering the magnitude of God’s character we are to praise Him and bring Him glory.  His kingdom is eternal and filled with His majesty and splendor.

What will you say or do today that will bring God glory?  Who can you tell of His mighty deeds and acts done for your good?

Looking to Jesus,

Linda

Psalm 145: 1-7     I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.  Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.  Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.  One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.  They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.  They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. (NIV)

It is hard to read this psalm sitting down and in a quiet voice.  It was probably sung in the temple during worship and praise to God.  Our praise songs today often reflect the same adoration and thanksgiving to God, as He is worthy of our praises.   The psalmist says that he is thinking about all the things God has done for him in the past, meditating on them and telling the next generation- his children and grandchildren about his wonderful God.  When was the last time you spoke to your spouse, children, friends and neighbors about the greatness and goodness of God and what He has done for you?

All Israel was familiar with Deuteronomy 6:4-7 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to  be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road. when you lie down and when you get up.”   God is to be the central person in our life, and we are to proclaim what He has done for us all day long.  Will you strive to make Him a part of each moment today and tell others of His great work in your life?

Have a blessed day with your mouth wide open in praise!

Linda