WATCHWORD:
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
How is it possible to obey this instruction to give thanks in all circumstances, especially when our circumstances are defined by isolation and the grief of thousands of individual deaths. What fuels thanksgiving when life seems to herald discouragement, disease and death? There is only one way (I am the way and the truth and the life… John 14:6) and shows the way. –Jon Bloom, desiringGod.org Continue reading
WATCHWORD:
13-16 That same day two of them were walking to the village Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem. They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their talk and questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were not able to recognize who he was.
17-18 He asked, “What’s this you’re discussing so intently as you walk along?”
They just stood there, long-faced, like they had lost their best friend. Then one of them, his name was Cleopas, said, “Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard what’s happened during the last few days?”
19-24 He said, “What has happened?” Continue reading
WATCHWORD:
“Dear Theophilus, in the first volume of this book I wrote on everything that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he said good-bye to the apostles, the ones he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. After his death, he presented himself alive to them in many different settings over a period of forty days. In face-to-face meetings, he talked to them about things concerning the kingdom of God. As they met and ate meals together, he told them that they were on no account to leave Jerusalem but “must wait for what the Father promised: the promise you heard from me. John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon.” Acts 1:1-5 The Message Continue reading
Meditation and Prayer:
Happy Easter, everyone. It is a Happy Day. It’s a day to remember important stuff: The Easter bunny. The decorating of eggs, the hiding of eggs and the thrill of children searching for those eggs. Baskets with the green shredded paper in which nestled jellybeans, those choice Cadbury eggs, and who could forget the Peeps (I have a daughter who still can’t get enough of them, and she is a grandmother! How so like all of us.). And, there, just beside the basket, a chocolate bunny, so large as to boggle our young eyes!
Of course, we are called away from the Easter egg hunt, and the basket of candy, to attend the Easter service, praising the Lord, and saying with conviction; He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed! The church was so beautifully, decorated with lilies, white lilies everywhere. And the choir singing all those wonderful Easter hymns: ‘Crown Him with Many Crowns’, ‘Blessed Assurance’, and ‘Up From the Gravy He Arose’, I mean Grave! And maybe, throughout this wonderful praise service, in your young mind, you might be thinking of what would be coming next, or, when will this service be over? Impatient for what’s next. Continue reading
WATCHWORD:
“Jesus said … ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.’” John 11:25–26 Continue reading
Meditation:
Good Friday?
Friday – All through the night Jesus has been locked in the dungeon of Kishle Prison, the Citadel, Jerusalem. Early this morning he was brought before Pilate who transferred his case to Herod. Herod sent him back to Pilate, who, sometime in the middle morning, bowed to the pressure of the Temple leadership and the crowds, and condemned Jesus to a horrible death by crucifixion. In the late morning, Jesus was taken by the soldiers through the city and up the hillside of Golgotha. By noon, he is nailed to the cross where he hangs in agony for some three hours. He dies around three in the afternoon. Continue reading
WATCHWORD:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:
Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34 Continue reading
WATCHWORD:
Wednesday of Holy Week. Jesus and many of his disciples had returned to Bethany and were at the home of Simon, a man that Jesus had cured of the leprosy. With him were Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Following a meal, Mary anointed Jesus, which angered Judas, as a waste of costly perfume. The Last Supper was later that day, back in Jerusalem, when Jesus took bread and wine, blessed it and gave it to the disciples, telling them he would die, but would return to life. Judas slips out of the room, and goes to the high priest, Caliphas. Wednesday of Holy week, also referred to as “Spy Wednesday”, the day that Judas betrayed Jesus.
14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So, they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. Matthew 26:14-16 Continue reading
WATCHWORD:
Via Dolorosa
11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. 15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. Continue reading
WATCHWORD:
Barabbas replied, “I’ve thought a lot about this since Calvary. That encounter with Jesus transformed me. In a real sense, it killed my old self. I believe that God’s love means Calvary.” (Exerpt from A Life for Barabbas)
“And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull.” Matthew 27:33.
“And then they were come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.” Luke 23:33 Continue reading
WORD, MEDITATION & PRAYER:
Call to Worship: We gather separate, isolated, but together, as church, worshiping our Lord. Let us focus our minds, our hearts, and our attention on Him.
Opening Prayer:
Humble and riding on a donkey, we greet you;
Acclaimed by crowds and caroled by children, we greet you;
Moving from the peace of the countryside to the corridors of power, we salute you, our Lord and Savior.
Hosanna! Blessed is He one who comes in the name of the Lord! Amen. Continue reading
WATCHWORD:
God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. Psalm 23, Message. Continue reading
