The LORD is Our Portion—We Have Hope

The Scripture writer in the Old Testament book of Lamentations, describes GOD as his “portion” in whom he has hope. In modern day language we use the term “portion” most often to describe food quantities, especially when we are on a diet and restricting food intake. But in Biblical terms “portion” is used frequently in the Old Testament in the context of sacrificial offerings, the share of a soldier’s bounty, or as someone’s inheritance. However, the term is also a powerful metaphor for GOD the Father who initially gave the name to Himself.

When GOD allocated parcels of the Promised Land to the tribes of Israel, He made an exception with the Priesthood, the tribe of Levi, to whom He said, “You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel.” Numbers 18:20. GOD’s command that the priesthood of Levi relinquish all claim to their inheritance is recorded on other occasions in the Old Testament by Moses regarding the giving of the Law to Israel:

•  “Therefore Levi has no portion nor inheritance with his brethren; the Lord is his inheritance, just as the Lord your God promised him.”  Deuteronomy 10:9
• “Therefore they shall have no inheritance among their brethren; the Lord is their inheritance, as He said to them.” Deuteronomy 18:2

The Priesthood of the Old Testament was to remain for all time as sanctified unto GOD; without worldly entanglements to entice and distract them from holiness and dedicated service to GOD on behalf of GOD’s people.  

Is GOD our Portion today?

All believers are the Lord’s CLERGY; and as they are His portion, so He is theirs.” Bishop Robert Leighton (1611-1684)

Children of GOD are the new priesthood – “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God,.” 1 Peter 2:9-10.

As the Levitical priesthood was to remain unencumbered by worldly goods to focus on giving their all to the Father, so too are we to relinquish the world’s pleasures and be satisfied with the LORD alone as our Portion, and heaven only as our inheritance. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:16.

GOD who made, upholds and governs the world alone is our PORTION when we become His through CHRIST. The world can no longer satisfy us when all that GOD is and all of His fullness become ours. Every attribute of GOD’s is forever at our disposal – His holiness, power, faithfulness, goodness, patience, grace, mercy, and His loving kindness, to name a few. If all that isn’t enough, GOD gave us Himself in the person of His SON, JESUS CHRIST who redeemed us to bring us into the Father’s righteousness.

GOD as our Portion is all-sufficient for all our needs. To exchange the things of this world for a Kingdom inheritance and all the glory of that promise puts GOD’s children ahead of the rest of the world by unfathomable lengths. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:26

Psalmists and the Prophet Jeremiah cried out to GOD their “Portion” in the midst of their hardships – war, sickness, persecution, oppression: 

• Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
• The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. Psalm 16:9
• I cried out to You, O LORD; I said, "You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living. Psalm 142:5
• The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words. Psalm 119:57
• "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." Lamentations 3:24

These are our reminders that no matter how dire our circumstances are, we possess something that is bigger and more powerful than our difficulties every day of our natural lives and beyond.

GOD, who is our PORTION.

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, YOUR goodness, loving kindness and mercy never runs out. We thank YOU for being our PORTION and our inheritance and for all that comes with that promise. As YOU remind us, we have no one else in heaven but YOU and we should desire nothing in this world other than YOU, our all-sufficiency. Thank you that even when our hearts and our flesh fail, even in our old age, YOU are our strength and our portion forever. Thank you for making it so easy for us to give up earthly portions for we receive YOUR faithful promise of a Heavenly one with all its glory. You are forever our all-sufficient, all-satisfying, and everlasting PORTION to WHOM we give all honor, dominion and power forever and ever.  We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Does GOD Actually Promise Us Long Life?

Today we celebrate a birthday in my family – number five this month! Like other families, ours is grateful for the gift of life GOD granted to our loved one and are praying that she is blessed with many more years.

A long and happy life is what most of us desire for ourselves and our loved ones, but do we know that for certain that GOD actually promise us long life? The answer we find in GOD’s WORD is unquestionably, “YES!”

However, because GOD is sovereign in everything concerning all humanity, how or when any of us will die is still His sovereign choice. A child of GOD and a non-believer can both have long or short lives. GOD knows all of our futures and determines what is in our best interest, according to His providence. You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer Job 14:5. GOD directs and controls every aspect of our lives.

Who is the promise for?

Although we cannot predict when we will depart from this life, GOD’s promise for a long and productive life still holds true for His chosen, if we do not violate the conditions of His promise.  

The promise of long life is for believers – the children of GOD; there is no place in the Scriptures where GOD says otherwise. In both the Old and New Testaments, GOD’s promise of long life is spoken to and about His chosen people, never about nonbelievers...but with stipulations.

I found this quote recently, attributed to the French Philosopher Voltaire,  God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well. While this is a nice sounding and clever concept, it is not Biblical. GOD gives us both the gift of life and the gift of living well. A child of GOD is fully aware that, left to our own devices, we can do a poor job with life.

Once we make the decision to accept JESUS into our lives He must be LORD as well as Savior we must surrender to Him with total obedience – body, soul and spirit. With JESUS as LORD we have divine guidance, divine protection, and divine healing, if and when we need it. We get full access to and enjoyment of GOD’s divine promises when GOD has full control of our lives.

When JESUS isn’t LORD in our lives we make the same poor choices non-believers do and are unable to fulfill our true destiny, as GOD designed it for our lives. By our disobedience, we remove ourselves from under His maximum protection and, quite possibly, miss out on the promise of a long and fruitful life.

What are the conditions for a long and fruitful life?

GOD’s WORD lays out exactly what the Father is looking for and expecting from His children – all are spelled out emphatically in both the Old and New Testaments. As children of GOD, we are entitled to all of the same blessings that our Father promised to Israel in the Old Testament. We are of the seed of Abraham and “joint heirs” to all because of our belief and faith in GOD the Father and the shed blood of His SON, JESUS CHRIST. The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God. Galatians 3:5

Love the Lord and obey His voice

• “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days …” Deuteronomy 30:1
• My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. Proverbs 4:10
• “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16

Keep His commands and His Law and walk in all His ways

• “If you obey all the decrees and commands I am giving you today, all will be well with you and your children. I am giving you these instructions so you will enjoy a long life in the land the Lord your God is giving you for all time.” Deuteronomy 4:40
• “…and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life.” Deuteronomy 6:2
• “Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.” Deuteronomy 5:33
• “My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.” Proverbs 3:1-2

Live by GOD’s wisdom and with integrity

• Yes, always use honest weights and measures, so that you may enjoy a long life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 25:15
•  “(Wisdom) offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left.” Proverbs 3:16,
• “Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.” Proverbs 9:11
• For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.” 1 Peter 3:10

Honor your father and your mother

• “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12
• “Honor your father and mother, as the Lord your God commanded you. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 5:16
• “If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:3

These Scriptures confirm that long life is a reality for GOD’s chosen people who completely surrender their lives to His will and have a true personal relationship with Him.

Two main reasons GOD gives us long life are:

To complete the work for which He created us.

• We are the Father’s masterpiece…created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10.) GOD wants us to shine as brightly as we can for as long as we can – to be a bright light to a dark world and to glorify His NAME.

To enjoy the fruit of our labor, and His creation.

• It is GOD’s nature to care for all that He has made; it gives Him enormous pleasure to richly give us all we need for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17.) He tells us He will give us all that we need for a good life, to enjoy right here on earth and before we go home to be with Him in heaven.

For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. Psalm 84:11

Long life included!

Happy birthday to the lovely Najah; may you live with joy all the days the LORD ordained for you, and prosper in HIM!

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, YOUR goodness and mercy endure to all generations and YOUR love never runs out.  We thank YOU that not one word of all the wonderful promises YOU gave throughout Scripture has failed but all continue to be “yes” and “Amen”. Thank you LORD that you are with us now as YOU were with our ancestors and that YOU will never abandon us unto ourselves. Give us the desire to do YOUR will in everything and to obey all the commands, decrees, and laws that YOU gave to us through our ancestors. Remind us to teach these to our children so they too can experience the promises that are ours from generation to generation, until YOU return to take us home. Father, we are just grateful to be among YOUR chosen and we entrust our length of days to YOUR sovereign will. May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in YOUR sight…YOU are our GOD, and our REDEEMER.  We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

The Gift of Unity

Children of GOD, regardless of church affiliation or denomination, race or ethnicity, have the ability to live in harmony and unity. We do not have to agree on everything but if we profess to love GOD and accept CHRIST JESUS is our SAVIOR and LORD we must obey GOD’s instructions to treat each other with a sincere kindness and tenderness – to love, honor and respect each other (Ephesians 4:32).

Our shared devotion to CHRIST is what identifies us as children of GOD, rather than church denomination or organization, heritage, nationality, or something other. 

CHRIST JESUS is the head of the Church of the Living GOD and His followers, individually and collectively, are part of His Church. We are all the Church Body of Christ.

Before JESUS returned to His Father, He prayed a farewell intercessory prayer (His High Priestly prayer,) for His disciples during which He appealed to the Father for a specific favor on behalf of the Church to come (John 17:20-23):

• First JESUS asks that the Father extend the favor of His request to include, not just the disciples of that day, but also “all who will ever believe in me through their message.” Jesus petitioned the Father on behalf of the future children of GOD, we who would become the Church because of our belief in CHRIST;
• Then JESUS asks that the present and future Church be granted the same type of unity as He shared with His Father – “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.” JESUS wants His Church to operate as a single unit, that we have no division among us;
• JESUS then gives a reason why unity among the Church body is vital – “so that the world will believe YOU sent me.” He wants the Father to grant to all of us a special gift of unity to confirm and testify to the world the legitimacy of CHRIST’s ministry as the SON of GOD;
• JESUS then reminds the Father that He will bestow on His Church all the glory that He Himself was given to accomplish His ministry to enable us to accomplish ours – “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me.”
• Every good and perfect gift comes from above, and so JESUS describes the type of unity we will have as the Church – “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.”  The unity we can experience as a Church has to be perfect as the Father and Son are perfect. Since the source of the gift of unity is our Heavenly Father our ability to comply with all that it entails is unquestionable.

For good measure, our Father equipped others throughout the New Testament WORD of GOD with knowledge and wisdom that would further aid us in our understanding of how we ought to conduct ourselves as the unified Church. Overwhelmingly, we are told, basically, to have the mind of CHRIST – be united in purpose and objective, humble, genuinely affectionate, kind, encourage and show compassion to each other:

• …for you have only one Teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. Matthew 23:8
• Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 1 Peter 3:8-12
• So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Philippians 2: 1-3
• I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 1 Corinthians 1: 10
• Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:9-10
• There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
• Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.  For there is one body and one Spirit,…each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.. Ephesians 4:1-16
• Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. Colossians 3:13-14
• You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. 1 Peter 1:22

Additional scriptures include: John 17:23; 1 Peter 3:8; 1 John 4:12; Romans 12:16; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

We can see a common theme throughout is “love.”

Pastor and author John Piper says this about the role of love and affection in Christian unity: “…unifying love in the body of Christ includes a rugged commitment to do good for the family of God whether you feel like it or not. But, as difficult as it is for diverse people, the experience of Christian unity is more than that. It includes affectionate love, not just sacrifice for those you don’t like. It is a feeling of endearment. We are to have affection for those who are our family in Christ.”

The body of Christ has perfect unity – a gift procured for us through ardent supplication to the Father who could refuse nothing to the SON He loves, nor to those whom He gave into His SON’s loving care.

Our unity is our CHRIST-stamped identity badge; it is what separates us, the Church of the Living GOD, from other religions.

Christian unity is evidence to the world of the Father’s love and CHRIST’s sacrifice.

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy GOD and Father, YOUR goodness and mercy endures forever and to all the generations and YOUR love never fails. We thank YOU once again for sending YOUR SON to die for us, for it is by His sacrifice that every child of GOD is united as one. Father, YOUR WORD reminds us no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female but are all one in CHRIST. Thank you for always providing all that we need in YOUR Word and through the Holy Spirit to help us obey and do your will. Let us never forget that we exist to fulfill YOUR calling, to show the world by our unity that JESUS is SAVIOR and LORD and YOU are Sovereign in the Earth and in the Heavens; teach us to love our brothers and sisters as YOU command us. To YOU belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

True Faith Cannot Be in Our Sinful Human Effort, Only in CHRIST

My faith rests not in what I am, or shall be, or feel, or know, but in what CHRIST is, in what he has done, and in what he is doing for me. Charles H. Spurgeon.

Every true child of GOD must share Mr. Spurgeon’s sentiments, true faith can only be in what CHRIST has done and is doing for us and nothings of ourselves.

That the SON of GOD left His Father in Heaven and the glory that was His as part of the Godhead to take the form of weak humanity for our sake ought to be more than enough reason.

• Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 2: 6-8
• For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

CHRIST JESUS did all this to ransom our sick souls back to GOD our Father because we were incapable of doing so for ourselves and no one else in heaven or on earth could either. …the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

Scottish Evangelist and Missionary William Chalmers Burns (1815–1868) put it this way: The wrath of God was suspended over us all, and though all creatures in heaven and earth would have tried, even by their own death, to save us from it — they could no more have done so, than the least worm could support the mighty globe! But when all hope was at an end, Emmanuel interposed Himself in human nature, between the wrath of Almighty God above — and us, poor guilty perishing sinners, below! That wrath descended on Him — it mangled His body, it pierced and tortured His soul, until He, “the Prince of life,” “the Lord of glory, died!”

King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived describes all of human achievement, effort and desire as useless “vanity” and all human beings as evil –

• “For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.” Ecclesiastes 7:20,
• “Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.” Ecclesiastes 9:3

….we are incapable of saving ourselves through our own efforts and our only hope is to, “Fear God and keep His commandments…” Ecclesiastes 12:13. If we are to keep the Father's commandments, we must have faith in the SON alone, and His finished work on the cross. He is enough!

As children of GOD, our faith and hope for this life and beyond must be fixed firmly and completely on CHRIST alone. Nothing of “what I am, or shall be, or feel, or know,” will have one jot of influence now or for eternity. A faith built on our own efforts instead of one that is “Looking to JESUS, the founder and perfecter of our faith,”(Hebrews 12:2) is empty and futile.

Our only hope is to consider only CHRIST, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy GOD and Father, YOUR goodness and mercy endure forever to all generations and YOUR love never fails. We could never thank YOU enough for leaving the dignity, authority and glory YOU enjoyed in heaven to take on the weakness of humanity and save sinful mankind from eternal damnation. Father, please remind each of us daily that we have nothing good in ourselves apart from CHRIST, that our faith and trust for life and godliness can only be in Him and what HE has done and continues to do for us. Forgive us for every prideful moment and our vain imaginations that cause us to believe that we could work to atone for our sin-sick and broken souls. Let us not forget that, as sinful creatures apart from YOUR righteousness that CHRIST ransomed for us, our faith can only be in HIM and never in ourselves. To YOU belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Holy Week Timeline – Resurrection Sunday - It Is Finished!

After JESUS’ death His body was hastily placed in a tomb on Friday afternoon without proper preparation with spices and ointments, as is the Jewish custom for burial. No work could be done on the Sabbath, so the task had to be postponed until Sunday. But GOD had a different plan.

Resurrection Sunday 

JESUS’ mother, and other women followers of His ministry, go to the tomb at dawn to anoint Him with spices for burial and find the tomb empty. Instead they are met by angels in dazzling white clothes who told them that JESUS was risen and they should go and tell His disciples. The women are understandably frightened and puzzled by these events but they leave.

• …the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him….” Matthew 28:1-8

JESUS Himself appears to Mary Magdalene outside the tomb. She did not recognize Him at first until Jesus spoke to her. 

• Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” John 20:15-18

JESUS joins two disciples later in the day as they were walking to a village called Emmaus. They were discussing events surrounding His death and their disappointment that the one who they believed to be the Messiah come to rescue the Jewish people from oppression by Rome had been crucified. They did not recognize JESUS as He walked along with them for miles explaining from the scriptures why JESUS had to die. It wasn’t until He broke and blessed the bread during supper with them that they knew Him.

• When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.  And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. Luke 24:13-35

JESUS also appears to the apostles that same Sunday evening. Most of them were together in a locked room because they were afraid that the religious leaders would crucify them next. Suddenly, JESUS appeared among them. At first the apostles thought He was a ghost and were afraid until He showed them the scars from the nails that pierced His hands and feet. And JESUS ate with them and explained the meaning of His death and resurrection.

• Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”  But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet...  They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. … Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations....  Luke 24: 36-49

JESUS shows up a second time in the locked room where the apostles are still hiding out. The apostle Thomas wasn’t there for the first visit and doubted the others’ story but now he had proof and he believed.

• Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”  Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:24-29

Jesus remained on earth for 40 days after He was resurrected from the dead on that Sunday morning (Acts 1:3). He appeared again to the apostles several times and also to more than 500 others (1 Corinthians 15:6). Before He ascended into heaven to return to the Father, JESUS blessed the disciples.

• And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God. Luke 24:50-52

Christians celebrate the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST from the tomb on the third day after his crucifixion, traditionally on Easter Sunday. This celebration is the fulfillment of the Isaiah 53 prophecy of the Messiah who would be persecuted, die for our sins, and rise on the third day.

A child of GOD ought to remember the resurrection of JESUS daily – it is how we can renew our hope that we do have victory over sin.

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, ...these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30-31

Scripture references from Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy GOD, Father and LORD, we lift our hearts in awe, adoration and praise. We thank YOU that YOU loved the world so much, that you gave your ONE and only SON so we may be called your children too. Father, help us to live each and every day in the joy of YOUR righteousness and the grace through which we received it. May our hearts always be filled with thanksgiving for YOUR inexpressible love and sacrifice so we can live godly lives daily and never grieve YOUR Holy Spirit. Help us to use every opportunity we get to share the good news of JESUS CHRIST and never be intimidated or ashamed; YOU have done great things for us and we are filled with JOY!!  To YOU belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Holy Week Timeline – Thursday and Friday

We are mid-way through the Holy Week calendar. The stage is set for the grand finale of JESUS CHRIST's  ministry on earth, an event for which every child of GOD ought to be deeply and eternally grateful – JESUS' resurrection. This one event in history changed the course of humanity for all eternity.

The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem are determined to crucify JESUS and neither He nor His Father, who have the power to do so, will stop them. It is the Father’s plan for the redemption of Mankind foretold in the Old Testament, beginning in Genesis 3.

JESUS CHRIST, the SON of GOD in human form, must suffer and perish on the behalf of humanity. Isaiah 53, JOHN 3:16-17.

Holy Thursday –

JESUS celebrates the Passover with His disciples. Known as the Last Supper, here JESUS symbolically offers Himself as the sacrifice, His body and His blood. The Holy Communion.

• And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Luke 22:7-23

JESUS washes the disciples’ feet, as an act of humility and service, to set an example for all time that we should love and serve one another in humility.

• If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant^[c] is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. John 13:3-17 

Good Friday –

JESUS is put through a mock trial; He is beaten, humiliated and eventually crucified on the cross.

• And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.  And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23

On the surface, the events of this day cannot be called “good”, so why do Christians refer to the day of the week, recognized as the day of JESUS’ crucifixion, Good Friday?

Episcopal priest and theology professor Justin Holcomb explains it this way in an article written for Christianity.com: Good Friday is “good” because as terrible as that day was, it had to happen for us to receive the joy of Easter. The wrath of God against sin had to be poured out on Jesus, the perfect sacrificial substitute, in order for forgiveness and salvation to be poured out to the nations. Without that awful day of suffering, sorrow, and shed blood at the cross, God could not be both “just and the justifier” of those who trust in Jesus (Romans 3:26.) Paradoxically, the day that seemed to be the greatest triumph of evil was actually the deathblow in God’s gloriously good plan to redeem the world from bondage…. The cross is where we see the convergence of great suffering and God’s forgiveness… Good Friday marks the day when wrath and mercy met at the cross. That’s why Good Friday is so dark and so Good.

To this every child of GOD ought to throw up their hands, lift their heads toward heaven and should a lusty Hallelujah, PRAISE the LORD! 

But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:12-14

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our FATHER in Heaven, you are our SAVIOR and LORD, REDEEMER and KING. We thank you for the events of that first Good Friday with awe and gratitude. Father, may we never cease to hear the echo of JESUS’ anguished cry on the cross asking why you were forsaking Him and may our hearts be pierced by the knowledge that those words rightly belonged to us but we will never have to ask them of YOU since CHRIST bore the burden of our sin and depravity in our place.  Father forgive us for daring to question YOUR goodness when we experience minor afflictions as no trial we go through can compare to what YOUR SON suffered, for us. Remind us to trust YOU like little children in ALL things, that YOU are always near and to approach YOU always with praise and thanksgiving as YOU allow every trial for our good. Teach us to bear all things with patience and perseverance and keep close to our hearts the reasons why Good Friday is “good.” To YOU belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Holy Week Timeline – Sunday to Wednesday

On the Christian calendar Holy Week observances begin with the Palm Sunday celebration of CHRIST’s “triumphant entry” into Jerusalem as Savior and King: “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”  Matthew 21:9.

These final eight days of our SAVIOR’s ministry on earth conclude with His arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection, Easter Sunday!

Monday –

• JESUS clears out the temple when He observes people using it for dishonest trading in sacrificial animals rather than for prayer and worship: He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” Matthew 21:13
• JESUS curses a fig tree and by the following day it had withered; He uses the event to teach us and His disciples about what we too can achieve by faith – “Have faith in God.  Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.” Mark 11:22-23
• JESUS identifies those who will accept Him and His sacrifice when the priests and Pharisees challenge His authority. He uses two parables, the Two Sons and the Evil Farmers to make His point that the promise of the Messiah will be extended to the Gentile Nation – to anyone who believes the CHRIST.  I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit. Matthew 21:43

Tuesday –

• JESUS teaches in the temple for the last time and the religious leaders try to entrap Him into making seditious and blasphemous statements about state and religious laws but He is not deceived and surprises them with His understanding. “…give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”; And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Mark 12:13-44
• JESUS discusses His second coming and warns us to be ready and on constant watch. “…no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!” Mark 13:33-34
• JESUS gives an invitation to all mankind to accept His sacrifice at the cross. He uses a parable in which the invited guests of honor offends the host by making silly excuses and the host extends the invitation to “anyone” willing to come: And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ Matthew 22:8-9

Wednesday –

• JESUS visits the home of Simon the leper in Bethany where a woman He had healed previously anoints Him with an expensive oil. People there expressed disapproval but JESUS commended the woman: “I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” Mark 14:9
• JESUS betrayal is set in motion by Judas. Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them. Mark 14:10-11

Scripture references are from Matthew 21-22; Mark 11-14.

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our FATHER in Heaven, YOU are our SAVIOR, LORD and KING. We tremble to think that the betrayal of YOUR SON’s was by one of His own friends; a person who knew Him intimately and who broke bread with him. Father, we pray that YOU give us strength to walk faithfully with JESUS, even when the road is rough. Teach us to honor the message of the cross even when it may seem like foolishness. Thank YOU that YOUR covenant with us will never be broken. Remind us that betrayal is not in YOUR nature, LORD, that YOUR faithfulness and goodness are steady and sure. Forgive us when we stumble and drift and feel lost by our own sinfulness and give us the grace to endure our troubles. Father, may we keep our focus always on the revealed glory of your kingdom, through your SON, JESUS CHRIST, who lives and reigns with you forever. To YOU belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile