Devotionals

The word transformed brings along very powerful connotations; we experience the feeling or assurance that something has happened internally, as well as the literal meaning of change that will be externally evident at some time. The Greek word metamorphosis “to transform” is best seen in the change from an immature caterpillar to an adult stage of a butterfly. To be transformed, according to Scripture, is to experience a change in form internally that is worked out in our external appearance; to be transfigured.

According to Jesus, salvation is connected to spiritual transformation which is connected to renewal and physical transfiguration that comes from being born again with a heavenly birth. We are being changed internally as our minds are renewed and one day when Jesus comes for us, in the twinkling of an eye, we will grow beyond the limitations of these natural bodies. Transformation is about overcoming! No more sin, sickness, or weakness! Jesus makes it all happen in the Spirit! YES!!!

Yesterday, in Jen’s devotion, she lead us to remember Jesus is the first fruit of the resurrection or the transformation that God has in mind for his children. Because Jesus was fully human as well as fully divine—a life-giving Spirit—he had the resurrection of his physical body. The Life of Christ is in believers which makes us fully human with the Spirit of the divine presence. We will be the fruit of the resurrection that will one day follow Christ into being completely transformed in his likeness, so we can inherit the Kingdom!

In our passage today, we continue with the Apostle Paul’s message to the church at Corinth. He desperately wants the people to understand the power of the resurrection and the process they will be experiencing in the transformation. Through our fruit production of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—acts of love for God and others—we are being transformed on the inside and appearing more and more like Jesus (Gal 5:22-23). According to Scripture, even having the right attitude and the actions of how we treat people is all part of the transformation process that takes us from an immature likeness of Christ to get us ready for a mature likeness. We need this supernatural work to be ready for Jesus’ return.

1 Corinthians 15:50-58 NLT
50 What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.
51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory. (Isaiah 25:8)
55 
O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting? (Hosea 13:14)”

56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the promise that one day when the final trumpet is blown, believers will follow you in the resurrection and receive glorified bodies. In the meantime, Holy Spirit, please help us to look at each day with a heavenly perspective, so we will be bearing righteous fruit that makes us mature in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our passage today about “The Resurrection Body” follows on the heels of yesterday being Easter Sunday. As Christ’s followers, you and I know that our eternal existence is made possible because Christ not only laid down His life, taking with Him the sins of the world, but three days later He overcame death when He rose from the dead, on Easter Sunday.

Within today’s passage we see that Paul is addressing questions about believer’s resurrected bodies. Paul makes it clear that because Christ rose from the dead, that one day all believers will also rise from the dead in new bodies. Believers will be transformed just as Christ was transformed. Paul stands firmly on this claim because his salvation came from meeting the resurrected Christ. Remember, Paul did not meet Jesus “in-person”, rather they met after Jesus had died. So, Paul knows the resurrected and transformed Jesus, and He wants to make sure that all believers do not get caught up in the world’s culture or ways, but rather we all stand firm on the Word of God and do not waver.

During the time of this passage the believers in Corinth were mostly Greek, and so there was a great influence by Greek culture and philosophy. Many believed that Jesus’ body rose from the dead, but that their bodies would not rise from the dead. Although this was going on at that time, Paul was not only addressing the believers in Corinth, but Jesus was using him to address you, me, and all who would hear this, message of Truth. We need to stand firmly by our faith on the Word of God and believe all that it says, not give in to current worldly trends, philosophies, or cultures. Paul tells us that we will rise, and we need to believe that we will rise. He tells us that we will have new bodies, and we need to believe that we will have new bodies. How our all-powerful God will do this, is not something we can begin to understand, but it should leave us in a state of awe, excitement, and wonder as we wait to experience it. I love that Paul uses the seed and plant to guide our understanding, to accept that one thing needs to “die” in order for the another to grow. I also love that he uses the celestial bodies (i.e. moon, stars, sun, etc.) as example because he understands his experience with the resurrected Jesus was beyond this world, fiery, gloriously glowing, and transcendent. Finally, I love the contrast he provides us of our human bodies now, which will be planted in the ground to die, are broken, and weak versus our spiritual bodies which will be raised to live forever, in glory, and in strength alongside of Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:35-49 (NLT)

The Resurrection Body

35 But someone may ask, “How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have?” 36 What a foolish question! When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first. 37 And what you put in the ground is not the plant that will grow, but only a bare seed of wheat or whatever you are planting. 38 Then God gives it the new body he wants it to have. A different plant grows from each kind of seed. 39 Similarly there are different kinds of flesh—one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.

40 There are also bodies in the heavens and bodies on the earth. The glory of the heavenly bodies is different from the glory of the earthly bodies. 41 The sun has one kind of glory, while the moon and stars each have another kind. And even the stars differ from each other in their glory.

42 It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. 43 Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. 44 They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.

45 The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit. 46 What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. 47 Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven. 48 Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. 49 Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man.

Prayer: Jesus, I am not going to pretend to know what it will look like when You resurrect Your Church. I just pray that my heart is ready and that You will welcome me with open arms. I am excited for a new body. However it happens, I trust that it will be wonderful because it is part of Your plan. Help guide me, Holy Spirit, more and more each day to grow closer and closer in relationship with You. I ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Let’s remember from the beginning of time, God’s first act of bringing order out of chaos in the world was to use his Word to separate the Light from the dark!

Genesis 1:1-5a NLT The Account of Creation

1

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

3 

Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw 

that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness.  

5 God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.”  

And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.

John 1:1-5 NLT The Word Became Flesh 

1

In the beginning the Word already existed.

    The Word was with God,

    and the Word was God.

2 

He existed in the beginning with God.

3 

God created everything through him,

    and nothing was created except through him.

4 

The Word gave life to everything that was created,

    and his life brought light to everyone.

5 

The light shines in the darkness,

    and the darkness can never extinguish it.

Out of the darkness, the Light of the World came to reveal the heart of Creator God for his creation, but not everyone wanted to receive him. Wicked humanity thought the cross was an instrument of death, but God made it a symbol of LIFE that would bring LIGHT to those who wanted to see!

John 3:13-19 NLT 

13 Jesus said, No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life [in Him].

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.

Luke 12:49-51 VOICE

49 Jesus said, This is serious business we’re involved in. My mission is to send a purging fire on the earth! In fact, I can hardly wait to see the smoke rising. 50 I have a kind of baptism to go through, and I can’t relax until My mission is accomplished! 51 Do you think I’ve come with a nice little message of peace? No way. Believe Me, My message will divide.

John 19:28-30 NLT  The Death of Jesus  28 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. 30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

John 19:38-42 NLT The Burial of Jesus 38 Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. 39 With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. 40 Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. 41 The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. 42 And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Jesus, the Son of God, lived to help us see God’s mission. He died to fulfill it, because we are sinners—we struggle to believe God exists and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him. Faith initiates a fight with our human flesh. The name Israel means “One who struggles with God.” For those who hate Israel—God’s people—they have simply allowed the message of Christ’s commands of love–Love God wholeheartedly and love our neighbors as we love ourselves–to divide them. There is a lot of power involved in this one CHOICE!  

God did not make the choice to divide, human beings who want to be their own God by rejecting Christ have done it themselves. When we judge our sin and choose to live in the light with the Son rather than the dark, God does not judge us. Remember, throughout Scripture, every biblical character struggled at some point to believe God, but many turned to ask for help with their unbelief. Please don’t let God’s division find you on the wrong side of the Son, because Sunday is coming…

Prayer:  Lord, you have made your plan clear for those who have eyes to see. The sin of the world was placed on you, so humanity could be free to choose a righteous life with you! We spiritually wait in that tomb with you, because much like Lazarus…we want to walk out of dead living and into life in the power outflowing the resurrection!

Please plan to join us Easter Sunday @ 9:45 A.M. for the musical celebration… “Resurrection!”

Jesus’ time with his disciples celebrating the Passover was complete. He would now suffer from the rejection of his very own people. The betrayer was in place and Jesus knew the cross stood before him. Jesus turns to the disciples and says, “Pray, that you will not give in to temptation. In a little while you won’t see me anymore, But a little while after that, you will see me again.” You will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. No one can rob you of that joy! (John 16:16,19-20, 22).”

After midnight, Friday morning, Jesus walked to the Mount of Olives with his disciples, found a quiet place, and prayed alone in the Garden of Gethsemane. He shared a prayer only a true High Priest would pray when facing such agony. Who was on Jesus’ mind? His disciples…you, me, and the ones who would come after him and choose to follow.

John 17:1-26 NLT 1 Jesus knelt down and prayed, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. 2 For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. 3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. 4 I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

6 “I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, 8 for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.

9 “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. 10 All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. 11 Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. 12 During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.

13 “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. 14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

25 “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

The temple guards came and arrested Jesus; they led him to the house of the Jewish high priest. Peter and the rest of the disciples had all fled. But, Peter lingered in the dark and follow from a distance. He watched as the guards mocked Jesus, spit upon him, cursed and slapped him. The words Peter utter about not knowing Jesus haunted him; he denied his Christ just as Jesus told him he would do!

Later in the day, Jesus would be put through 6 trials and found guilty of sedition—attempting to lead an insurrection. The trials were filled with illegal maneuverings. There was to be no night council meetings, but their hatred drove them to abandon the truth and their leadership responsibilities. When humans hate a person so deeply they lie, connive and seek to silence him or her, they have become a host for Satan—the love of God is not in them.

Jesus was led to Golgotha where he was nailed to the cross on Friday around 9 A.M. for crimes he did not commit. At noon darkness fell; the sun was not allowed to shine. Jesus died at approximately 3 P.M. on the 9th watch. In less than twenty-four hours, Jesus found himself arrested, tried, and executed. He came a long way from Bethlehem’s manger.

Prayer: Lord, there are not enough ways to thank you for taking our sin upon yourself and dying in our place. The prayer of unity and protection you prayed over us as your disciples is so loving, beautiful, and selfless. We know the joy you were referring to is the privilege given to believers; of being able to directly approach the Father through the Son and in the power of the Holy Spirit. We are One as you, Jesus, are One. Please hear our hearts of gratitude, Lord. May honor and glory be given to you for all you have done to offer salvation to your fallen world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lenten Series: In Need of The Helper

Lent is a liturgical observance and season of reflection; not a biblical mandate. It is simply a time to remind ourselves and appreciate the abundant grace of Christ’s saving work on the cross. It is a time to press in deeper in submission to Christ’s authority as we prepare our hearts to celebrate, with exceedingly great joy, the resurrection that awaits every believer and follower.

In our Lenten daily devotionals, we will focus on our spiritual needs and desires and how the Helper is our Gift for strength and success if we will bow in greater submission to the authority of our King and the terms of His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit.

Reflection: He is Worthy!

Digging for Truth: According to Leviticus, the Passover [Pesach] begins on the 14th day of Nisan (the first month of the Hebrew calendar) and the seven-day festival called the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins sundown on the 15th day of Nisan (23:5-8). This holiday celebrates the liberation of Israel from 400 years of Egyptian slavery and God’s pure care of his people against all odds. Countless miracles from the Lord, during this time in history, interrupted the work of Satan to destroy God’s people. Let’s never forget God always has the last Word and we see that in our Christ!

Over the generations of celebrating the Passover, the Jewish people were instructed to eat unleavened bread, but the whole week was filled with prayer, rest, sacrificial giving, special shared meals, and holy gatherings. Annually, recounting this story and sharing it with family/friends was put forth in the Old Testament as a command from God.

Although the date of the Passover falls differently depending on the twelve-month calendar being used (Hebrew/lunisolar vs. Gregorian/solar), the feast is important to God and should be important to us, because it reveals the Truth and depth of God’s love to redeem his creation. Jesus would have always honored this celebration, because he is Lord and the Center of it all! The Passover points to God’s salvation and leads us to understand the redemption process more clearly.

On the first Passover, a lamb was to be killed and the blood of that sacrifice was wiped over the door posts of the people’s dwelling in order to protect everyone within from God’s judgment against the world’s sin resulting in physical death. During his final earthly Passover, Jesus would offer himself as the Lamb to save God’s people from internal slavery to sin and spiritual death. When King Jesus returns for his people, the Passover will be complete: God will judge the world and the spiritually dead and call those covered by the blood of Jesus living life in the Spirit of righteousness into his glory; we will never deal with any attacks from Satan, again! Wow! Thank you, Lord!

On this Thursday of Holy Week, we will honor the beauty of the Passover meal called the “seder” (meaning order), by observing what we call the Lord’s Supper. The seder’s food elements are symbolic of Israel’s external slavery. Jesus shared a Passover seder with the disciples prior to his crucifixion but takes them farther in their understanding; he concludes the meal with leading his disciples to partake in him as the Bread of Life (Lamb w/o sin) and the Cup of Salvation (covered by his blood). Each time we come to Christ’s table, we remember what he has done for us to redeem us and draw us to himself.

Grace for the Heart: There are many ways we observe the grace, goodness, and humility of God; to remind us of Jesus and the love he shared with his disciples before he placed himself on the cross to die for our sins. Holy Week simply provides us a time to thank the Lord for his mercy, saving grace, and freedom to walk in righteousness.

This evening, Connect2Christ Church will observe the Lord’s Supper at a special Maundy Thursday gathering; 6:30PM. For us, Maundy (Latin for command) is simply a time to remember the Passover work of our King to deliver us from sin and death! May he reign and rule in our hearts!

Acts 2:1-4a GW: “When Pentecost, the fiftieth day after Passover, came, all the believers were together in one place. Suddenly, a sound like a violently blowing wind came from the sky and filled the whole house where they were staying. Tongues that looked like fire appeared to them. The tongues arranged themselves so that one came to rest on each believer. All the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit…”

Challenge: The Passover work of the Lamb saves us from physical death and spiritual death. The work of the Holy Spirit—our Helper—leads us to live by the power of the Bread and Cup of Life! What is happening in heaven? Millions of angels around the throne sing, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:12).

Prayer: Lord, thank you for such an extravagant method and plan to save us from the work and plan of Satan to destroy us. Thank you for your mercy and grace working all the time to deliver us from evil and to vindicate us as your children. We look for your love to fill us and an awareness of your presence to overwhelm us. You are good and we humbly declare our love and devotion to you! In Jesus’ name.

Lenten Series: In Need of The Helper

Lent is a liturgical observance and season of reflection; not a biblical mandate. It is simply a time to remind ourselves and appreciate the abundant grace of Christ’s saving work on the cross. It is a time to press in deeper in submission to Christ’s authority as we prepare our hearts to celebrate, with exceedingly great joy, the resurrection that awaits every believer and follower.

In our Lenten daily devotionals, we will focus on our spiritual needs and desires and how the Helper is our Gift for strength and success if we will bow in greater submission to the authority of our King and the terms of His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit.

Reflection: The Miraculous

Digging for Truth: Ideas can come to us from every direction: The Lord of Truth, this sinful world, our rebellious flesh, or Satan the liar. The latter is always trying to find a host who will listen and obey his lies. We must never forget Satan was a liar from the beginning; Jesus called him the father of lies (John 8:44). He is a pro at twisting the word of God in order to get people to listen and become sympathetic to his cause of selfishness. Satan twisted and restated the word of God in the Garden and we know he was very convincing; so much so it blurred the Truth of what is good and what is evil for as long as the world remains.

On this Wednesday of Holy Week, we are going to reflect on Judas’ plan to betray Jesus—an idea Satan placed in Judas’ heart. As Jesus began to share about his death, he knew Judas was the instrument Satan would be able to use. Jesus knew Judas was stealing money from the disciples shared resources (John 12:6). Maybe Judas thought he could make more money from what he “borrowed” from his fellow disciples. After all, Judas along with the other disciples heard Jesus teach about the bags of silver given to the three servants; five bags to one, two bags to another, and one bag to the last servant (Matthew 25:14-30). At the very least, Judas knew how to selfishly fend for himself before he met Jesus, so if necessary he could do it again.

Judas, as well as many others, wanted Jesus to be the Messiah who would overthrow Rome, but it was beginning to look like that was never going to happen. Satan placed the idea into Judas’ soul to take matters into his own hands. Maybe if Jesus faced more pressure, he would take more aggressive action. “Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus” (Matthew 26:14-16).

Grace for the Heart: The greatest miracle the world would ever experience was about to happen and Judas found himself on the wrong side of faith. He was so focused on worldly ways, he did not realize Satan came to harvest his soul. All the miracles the disciples witnessed; things that were impossible in human strength and power, did not convince Judas that Jesus would be victorious in bringing forth his Kingdom no matter how he chose to do it.

If acting religious had the ability to bring us redeeming power, Jesus would not have needed to die. No matter how much piety we practice in our flesh, it will not make us godly in heart. We need the blood of Jesus to cover us and the Helper who developes us in righteousness and gives us spiritual eyesight! Those who are led by the Spirit are the sons and daughters of God (Romans 8:14).

2 Timothy 3:5a NLT They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.

Matthew 28:18 NLT Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

Challenge: We must sort our ideas very carefully, because our minds can be Satan’s playground. God’s ways are not our ways; we think in earthbound ideas and God is supernatural. As well, we must allow the Word of God to cleanse us from unrighteous desires, because our flesh will put up a fight to get its way. Therefore, we must ask the Helper to reveal Truth to us about the ideas that float through our souls. Jesus—the Living Word—has all authority and the Helper empowers the Word. We have been saved to live the resurrected life!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for helping us understand your miracles are made of the supernatural substance of heaven and we must gain a higher perspective to comprehend your plan. Judas could not see it, because he cared more about himself and the power of the world; but Jesus could see it all and still love the sinner. Despite our sinful inclinations, please help us to discern good from evil, Lord, because we desire to live with you as our King. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lenten Series: In Need of The Helper

Lent is a liturgical observance and season of reflection; not a biblical mandate. It is simply a time to remind ourselves and appreciate the abundant grace of Christ’s saving work on the cross. It is a time to press in deeper in submission to Christ’s authority as we prepare our hearts to celebrate, with exceedingly great joy, the resurrection that awaits every believer and follower.

In our Lenten daily devotionals, we will focus on our spiritual needs and desires and how the Helper is our Gift for strength and success if we will bow in greater submission to the authority of our King and the terms of His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit.
Reflection: Preaching without Barriers

Digging for Truth: The pure language of Christ’s Love is very practical and effective; there should be no opposing barriers. We note throughout Scripture, Christ’s words bring life, are powerful, and remain relevant to bring understanding by revealing God to his listeners seeking the Truth. Typically, Christ’s words were meant for his disciples, sometimes the crowds, and repeatedly for the religious leaders. Yet, although Christ is God—who is Love—people did not always translate Jesus’ words as motivated by Love.

Sometimes there was an internal barrier that hindered the understanding of the people listening; there must be a desire to “hear” the pure language of Love. For example, the Pharisees had a very difficult time dealing with Jesus, because they did not want to hear what he had to say. In their minds, Jesus did not represent their reality; their perspective became their god. When they listed to the preaching of Jesus, they were convicted by his words of authority, so they built barriers in their hearts and they could not receive wisdom from him.

On this Tuesday of Holy Week, I thought we would spend a few minutes looking at the altercations, between Jesus and the religious leaders that more than likely took place only days prior to his crucifixion. The Truth Jesus shared fueled these leaders’ hatred for him and motivated them to plot his destruction.

After his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus went to the Temple. When he got there he was disgusted to find the money-changers gouging the people with their services [selling animals for sacrifice] and using the worship of God to make a profit. Therefore, he cleared the Temple and set the record straight: “My Temple will be a house of prayer, but you have turned it into a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:12-13).

Later, Jesus was talking with his disciples and the crowds about the teachers of religious law, as well as the Pharisee leaders. He urges the people not to practice what they were teaching, because they “crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. Everything they do is for show” (Matthew 23:2-5).

Then Jesus speaks directly to these leaders. “Sorrow awaits you…Hypocrites! You shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either” ((Matthew 23:13-14). “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matthew 23:27-28).

Grace for the Heart: The Holy Spirit brings answers to the barriers believers may face as we witness and share the gospel story. Scripture teaches the Helper bears witness to the Truth, so if we keep our hearts open, call upon the name of the Lord, and desire to hear the pure language of love we will enter the Kingdom and the anointing of the Spirit. If we are going to allow our lives to reveal and preach the gospel, we must guard our hearts and pay attention to the tone of our love for God and others. Outwardly and inwardly we must practice Christ’s pure love.

Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart above all else,
    for it determines the course of your life.

Challenge: The Spirit motivate us and moves us into divine assignments. Not only does the Helper stir our hearts and motivate us, he excites the hearts of others through the Word of God we share. “ And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths” (1 Corinthians 2:12-13).

Prayer: Lord, we ask for you to break any barriers within us that would oppose or hinder the work of the Helper. Please give us an open heart and an obedient will that longs to live in a way that preaches the gospel of your pure love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lenten Series: In Need of The Helper

Lent is a liturgical observance and season of reflection; not a biblical mandate. It is simply a time to remind ourselves and appreciate the abundant grace of Christ’s saving work on the cross. It is a time to press in deeper in submission to Christ’s authority as we prepare our hearts to celebrate, with exceedingly great joy, the resurrection that awaits every believer and follower.

In our Lenten daily devotionals, we will focus on our spiritual needs and desires and how the Helper is our Gift for strength and success if we will bow in greater submission to the authority of our King and the terms of His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit.

Reflection: Peace

Digging for Truth: Friends, the context of John 14 is all about the assurance that you and I have of eternal live through our salvation in Christ Jesus, and His promise of the Holy Spirit to His followers. If this does not fill you with His shalom (God’s perfect peace) there is nothing or no one else who can ever offer you this ultimate level of supernatural peace. The peace that most people in this world seek is a state of freedom from which they can escape anxieties, troubles, worries, etc., but the world can only offer temporal peace. When we look for worldly fixes to our unrest, we need to continuously look, and we find ourselves left even more empty than when we began our hunt for peace in the first place. But, when Jesus promised to leave us with a gift, the gift He spoke of was His supernatural peace of mind and heart to completely fill us, and it is nothing the world can ever offer us (John 14:27). You and I do not need to hunt for peace, because we know the One Who is Peace, His Name is Jesus, we welcomed the work of His Holy Spirit within us when we turned our lives over to Him, and the Holy Spirit reminds our souls (our minds, wills, and emotions) that we do not need to be troubled or afraid, because Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins when He laid down His life so that we might be forgiven and have His peace, His shalom, within in us for all eternity.

Grace for the Heart: Jesus knew the disciples would face challenges after His death, and He did not want them to fear, so He told them about the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) so they would know that the Helper would guide them and bring His supernatural peace to their hearts. Friends, Jesus knows our challenges, and He offers us the same Helper Who guided the disciples to guide our lives. Paul reminds us to not worry about anything, but instead to pray about everything, to tell Jesus what we need, to thank Him for all that He has done, and then we get to experience His peace, which exceeds all things and cannot be fully understood by our mere human minds (Phil 4:6-7).

John 14:27 (NLT)

27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Philippians 4:7 (NLT)

7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Challenge: Friends, as long as you and I live in Christ Jesus, He extends His peace to guard our hearts and souls. All we have to do is ask for His peace. Ask God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in prayer to fill us with His peace. Cry out in prayer to the Holy Trinity that heavenly angels may surround us with their peace and that all of heaven may join us in prayer as we need God’s shalom to fill, surround, and fill us.

It has been such an honor to walk through this Lenten season with all of you and to learn more about our Great Helper, the Holy Spirit. I look forward to the remainder of this week’s Lenten devotionals from Pastor Mary, our time together on Wednesday night at 7 pm Bible study at church, the Maundy Thursday service at 6:30 pm at church, and worshiping with all of you on Easter Sunday at the 7 am Sunrise service (location details are in the newsletter) and 9:45 am service at church. Shalom, Shalom my dear friends.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your peace. Each of us so desperately needs it at all times. Forgive us when we seek worldly ways to cover our anxieties, fears, and troubles. You are the only One Who brings us peace, Your shalom, which is the wholeness we seek. Holy Spirit, help us to stay the course as You know what is best for us. We trust You to fill us with Jesus’s supernatural peace. Thank You! We ask all of this in Your Holy and Precious Name, Jesus. Amen.

Lenten Series: In Need of The Helper

Lent is a liturgical observance and season of reflection; not a biblical mandate. It is simply a time to remind ourselves and appreciate the abundant grace of Christ’s saving work on the cross. It is a time to press in deeper in submission to Christ’s authority as we prepare our hearts to celebrate, with exceedingly great joy, the resurrection that awaits every believer and follower.

In our Lenten daily devotionals, we will focus on our spiritual needs and desires and how the Helper is our Gift for strength and success if we will bow in greater submission to the authority of our King and the terms of His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit.

Reflection: Healing

Digging for Truth: When we pray for healing either for ourselves or for our loved ones, I believe God begins something very miraculous, but healing is not always instantaneous. Granted, I would like for every healing to bring immediate change, but is that always God’s plan? No; I can testify to the fact that I was very ill in my thirties and God touched me and brought healing through a sense of hope, peace, and spiritual well-being, but it would be a gradual process for my restoration. Was this a lack of faith on my part? I don’t think so. God chooses to heal us as we stand in faith and persistently pray. Sometimes, God calls us, as a Body, to be praying for the ongoing healing of a person in order to engage more people in his work and to increase our faith and witness.

Grace for the Heart: Grace and healing always go together, because salvation is by grace through faith in our Healer and really has nothing to do with our efforts; it’s a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). God is always first interested in our spiritual healing—making us holy—because then we can open ourselves up to receive emotional and physical healing. For this reason, some times we get stuck thinking God hasn’t healed us or others physically, yet all the while God is healing and bringing wholeness. Who are we to measure his wholeness or where he needs to start? I believe in the power of grace to heal us and use us to heal others. How that is done, is up to God!

Luke 11:9 NLT “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”

Mark 16:17, 18b CEV: 17 Everyone who believes me will be able to do wonderful things. By using my name they will…heal sick people by placing their hands on them.

Challenge: Be persistent in prayer each day. Place your faith before the Lord. Pray and ask…and keep on asking. Be specific to pray for the Spirit to bring wholeness to the person’s spiritual health as he brings wholeness to emotions and physical health, as well. Every child of God is an instrument of healing, so pray for people. Lay your hands on them and ask God to begin the miracle of healing in them.

Prayer: Lord, you are the Healer and we are instruments of grace. Help us to use faith in order to place ourselves in your work of salvation and healing. Salvation is a miracle, so every healing emerges from the Spirit who brings new life. Thank you, Lord, for helping us place ourselves under your mighty hand to be blessed, as well as using us to be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lenten Series: In Need of The Helper

Lent is a liturgical observance and season of reflection; not a biblical mandate. It is simply a time to remind ourselves and appreciate the abundant grace of Christ’s saving work on the cross. It is a time to press in deeper in submission to Christ’s authority as we prepare our hearts to celebrate, with exceedingly great joy, the resurrection that awaits every believer and follower.

In our Lenten daily devotionals, we will focus on our spiritual needs and desires and how the Helper is our Gift for strength and success if we will bow in greater submission to the authority of our King and the terms of His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit.

Reflection: Vitality

Digging for Truth: It is the Spirit who brings the believer and follower of Jesus the necessary vitality to approach each day for the glory of God. We should all spend time taking care of our physical bodies by eating right, getting fresh air, exercising, and resting for the proper restoration of our physical strength; however, we desperately need the rejuvenating life of the Spirit to give us the energy we need to live in victory. If all we did was operate in our own reserve of physical strength and effort each day, it would be like trying to drive a car around town from morning till night with a flat tire! We need the resurrecting power of the Spirit to breathe vibrant eternal life into us. If we do not pause daily to receive that life, we will be ineffective in living the gospel everywhere we go.

Grace for the Heart: One of my favorite verses to remind me of this Truth comes from the Apostle Paul and his words of wisdom and grace to the believers in Rome. “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you” (Romans 8:11). I cannot answer for you, but I crave this life of vitality only the Spirit can provide for me. Living for the glory of God is always under attack by Satan. If we are just trudging along in our own human strength, we are going to become weary in the work of Christ’s Kingdom before the day is done. Grace is poured out by the Holy Spirit and we need our bodies to be like “full cups” ready to share Christ.

John 6:63 NLT The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Challenge: We do not serve a God who has created us to meagerly get by; rather, he has called us to be more than conquerors in life. Understanding our great need for the work of the Helper is wisdom that shines the way to the life we were created to live. “But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). Ask the Spirit to fill you and help you “run” the race, today!

Prayer: Lord, you have brought us the revelation that your Spirit is manifested in our human bodies. So, we call for the vitality only the Spirit can bring us, today. We have grace for today and we desire every drop you have set aside for our journey. Help us navigate today for your glory, by depending upon your strength and vibrancy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.