40 day of Grace 2016

Quest for Hope

Hallelujah! Hope is Found 3-27-16  

John 20: 1-23

Yesterday, was a day of quiet separation and contemplation as Jesus’ physical body laid lifeless in the tomb.  All of creation reacted to Messiah’s death; yet it was planned from the beginning.  During this time of darkness, Christ’s Spirit was working to release us from death, our bondage to sin, and to transfer us to the work of righteousness in his kingdom through the Holy Spirit.  Christ the Lord is risen, today!  He is our Risen Hope!   Hallelujah!  We have been forgiven and the work of the Holy Spirit has begun.

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Quest for Hope

It is Finished 3-25-16  

John 19:17-30

In Jesus’ example of serving and washing the disciples’ feet, we find God reaching out to serve us in a way we cannot serve ourselves; we need a relationship with Christ.  So, please connect to Christ. Jesus loves and forgives us, humbly takes our place, makes us clean, and then fills our hearts with His perfect love so we can serve others.  The depth of God’s love and commitment to have a relationship with us is revealed as we read our passage for today. 

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Quest for Hope

Washed to Serve 3-24-16  

John 13:1-15, 34-35

Yesterday, we read about Jesus and the turmoil in his soil; he knew within days he would be returning to the Father and completing his mission to lay the foundation for redemption.  Today, on our quest for hope, Jesus will model for his disciples the heart of God for His children.   Read the passage slowly and please note the revelation of such love and provision; to be washed and served by God.  We have nothing to do with cleaning ourselves in a presentable fashion; it is God’s doing when we place our Hope in the work of Grace.  

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Quest for Hope

A Soul in Turmoil 3-23-16  

John 12:27-36

Yesterday, on our quest for hope, we read Jesus’ instructive words that his followers must die to self in order to live for God.  Today, Jesus applies that specific teaching lesson to his own life.  His soul is in turmoil as he faces his upcoming physical death to save humanity, as well as humanity’s increasing distrust and misunderstanding of God’s real redemptive purpose for him as Messiah.

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Quest for Hope

Producing True Life 3-22-16  

John 12:23-26

Yesterday, in our quest for Hope from the Word of God, we could empathize with David and Jesus as they both looked for God to lift them from very hard places in life, only to feel somewhat abandoned by God.  God was present but silent.  When we feel that way, we must stay the course like Jesus, because God fulfilled everything that was planned for his life.  He is the exalted and glorious Stairway to eternity; the Way, the Truth, and the Life to the Father (John 14:6).  Today, Jesus affirms that truth through a parable when he tells his disciples to follow, remain connected to him, and be ready to serve at a moment’s notice.  It’s a picture of finding and producing true life with God, but it means setting down our own desires, interests, rights, and agendas in exchange for a higher purpose.

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Quest for Hope

Looking for God 3-21-16  

Psalm 22:1-8

On Saturday, we read about Zacchaeus and how he reveals a truly surrendered life.  In fact, Zacchaeus shows us grace in action as he seeks the Lord and puts his hope in Jesus to save him.  Zacchaeus demonstrates the power of grace as he climbs down from the tree to receive and fellowship with God’s Love.  He goes from being separated from the love of God in Christ to enjoying Christ as a guest in his home.  Truly, only God could have brought this about in Zacchaeus’ life.  Today, we will continue our quest for hope as we turn to the Psalter and visit David’s song in Book 22.  He sang about how he continued to look for God (like Zacchaeus), but at times he felt abandoned by Him.  Have you ever prayed, “Where are you, God?”  David did.  Jesus did.

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Quest for Hope

A Surrendered Life 3-19-16  

Luke 19:1-10

Yesterday, we studied a passage from Luke about God’s great love and value for humanity.  Today, we will read about Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus and how a person who surrenders his or her life to Christ and truly repents is willing to embrace change in order to glorify the Father of Love.

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Quest for Hope

Valuable to God 3-18-16  

Luke 15:1-7

Yesterday, we read a great passage quoting Jesus about counting the cost of discipleship and remaining committed to his passion to redeem all of humanity.  Today, we will invest time on our quest for hope in reading about the parable of the Lost Sheep.

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Quest for Hope

Count the Cost 3-17-16  

Luke 14:28-35

Yesterday, we read about the narrow gate who is Jesus and the need to remain committed to God’s commands of love.  Today, we will read about Jesus’ advice to count the cost before choosing to become his disciple. Jesus invites us to be ready to live out what it takes to make him Lord; it will have an impact and he wants us to be prepared.  

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Quest for Hope

A Narrow Gate 3-16-16 

Luke 13:22-27

Yesterday, we read about the religious blindness that hinders humanity from taking a posture of repentance before God.  When we repent, we are choosing to turn to God’s way of doing things.  God’s way and purpose for us is for grace to cause us to bear fruit.  Today, in our quest for hope, we will explore a statement from Jesus about the “narrow gate” that leads to the Kingdom of heaven, as well as the difficulty humans encounter trying to enter.

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