John 13:34 A new commandment I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so must you love one another.
Davinci Last Supper
Father God, Let us love each other as you have loved us. Thank you for your grace and the redemption that was brought to us through this sacrafice.
The journey begins. The week that changed the world as we know it starts today. It is the journey to the cross.
Palm Sunday is a celebration. We look from our perspective today, and 2000 years ago Jesus rode into Jerusalem. People laid down their cloaks, and palm branches and celebrated the spirit of God made known to us. We sing songs. We rejoice.
There was great excitement as Jesus entered the city. People crowded around and watched and cried out “Hosanna”. Some understood the Messiah had come without a doubt. Some had heard rumors, some were curious, some were skeptics. No one knew that day what would happen in a week.
It is a different perspective for us today, as we know what is in store. We know there will be trials, betrayal, suffering, pain, and death. There will be a resurrection.
My friend and teacher Rev. Randy Jessen asks, “Would you lay down your cloak? What would you lay down? Would you go back later and retrieve what you had laid down?”
With joy we come before the most Holy God. Let us lay down our pain and suffering. Let us release our anger and heavy burdens. Let us keep moving forward with you Father God, so that we do not return to retrieve those things we laid down and need to leave behind. Let us know the spirit of God. Let us sing new songs to you and celebrate. The celebration of our blessing of redemption is a week away. Help us find comfort, truth and grace. Amen.
I like Lent. My husband says it appeals to my minimalist side. It is a time of preparation. It is a journey of the spirit.
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, gird your minds for actions, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1:14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 1:15 but like the Holy one who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior.
Father God, help me be holy. Help me to be as Peter says with my mind ready for action, sober in spirit (steady, reliable) and my hope completely on the grace brought by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Yes, let me be completely about the grace.
This is a time of preparation for Easter, for the symbol of sacrifice. It is a journey to discover the mystery of you and you loved each of us first, even before we loved you. It is good to travel the path with other seekers of holiness. It is good to go to Lenten studies and share a humble bowl of soup, to sing, to read and especially to pray. It is good to feel called and loved and be part of the body of Christ. Thank you God. Amen.
The main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing.
As Christians we have many examples of what is important in life when we look at the life of Jesus.
He said to be “fishers of men, and cast your nets upon the sea”, “Heal the sick.”, “Have faith, your faith has made you well.” In Mark Chapter 25 he tells us about the kingdom of heaven.
Mark 25:34 – 36 Come you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in; naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison, and you came to me.
Grace and compassion for others, is the main thing. Prayer and keeping our spirits whole is also important. God will give us the nudge and whisper to our spirits the ways we can be part of the kingdom. It isn’t always some huge difficult thing. It is often something simple for us, but can be life changing for the recipient. Go into the world today. What do you have to offer?
God, help us to all find the beautiful gift we each have to share with the world. Let us touch another life with joy and encouragement. Let us alleviate human suffering. Let our love shine for our neighbors. And let us love you God, with all our hearts and all our souls, and with all our minds. Keep us from loosing track of what is important. Let us not be distracted with unimportant tasks, gossip, and planning for things outside of our control. Guide us, be with us. Amen.
I have been thinking about Advent and Christmas and how it is such a powerful symbol for us in terms of reconciliation. God sent his only son, as a tiny baby to reconcile us to him. He sent a baby to save the world. My friend Michael David Severson was writing about this the other day and I told him how honored I would be to post his thoughts as a guest on this site. Enjoy. Thank you Michael for joining us today. What a blessing to have you here!!!
By Michael David S. Severson
Reconciliation – A much-needed work of healing for today
Jesus declared that it was impossible for offenses not to come. Jesus experienced this in the course of His ministry, and most painfully in the final hours of His life. His ultimate example of how we should respond to offenses can be found among the final words He spoke as His battered, bleeding and abused body hung nailed to a cruel cross:
“Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing!” (more…)
Photo by Chrissy Oldham
We have all been there, in a place where regardless of how admirably we performed, it was never good enough. The doors to success and encouragement were closed to us.
What causes us throw roadblocks up for each other? Why must we never let the other person feel they are special or extraordinary? Do they deserve it? Have you heard someone discourage “undeserved praise”.
Christ made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. He brought redemption to this pain filled world. We are children of God. We are joint heirs with Abraham. Do we deserve it?
When we give of ourselves, our gifts, our talents, our encouragement to another person, whether they deserve it or not, this world becomes a better place. The world can be a better place because we are here. Another person can live up to their fullest potential because of a helping hand or an encouraging word.
Today, Father God, help us to reach out to others. Let us live in the light you shined before us. Let us shower blessings and encouragement to each other as you have blessed us; whether we deserved it or not. Let us see the greatness in each other as radiant children made in your image. Amen
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