Good Friday is a somber day as I sit and think about all that Jesus endured. Take a moment to think about Jesus’s mother Mary as she stood at the cross; “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” John‬ ‭19:25‬ ‭NIV‬‬. I am sure if you are a parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, sister, brother, or friend, you have watched a child suffer in some way. Whether physical or emotional pain, it is not easy to endure. I still can’t fathom what Mary went through the day of crucifixion and the days to follow. I can only hope that knowing Jesus suffered for everyone’s salvation got her through the pain.

It is a somber day because we are in the lineage of Jesus. We are His chosen people. We are His sons and daughters, witnessing our Heavenly Father suffer. When I read 1 Peter 2:4-9 NIV, I am so thankful that Jesus chose you and I; “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

Although it is a somber day, I can find the bright side looking at this beautiful image by Ray White. I can see Jesus bringing us from dark to light. I can see the unconditional love poured out for you and I. As a child and parent I can see that God is smiling. God must have been so proud of Jesus that day.

“The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.” Psa‬ ‭118:24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me

Today is not only Thankful Thursday but it is also Maundy Thursday. Today Jesus and His Disciples gathered together at the last supper. I can only imagine how weary Jesus is at this point. We know after his evening spent with the Disciples, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to retreat and pray.

For us today we have this beautiful image of retreating through hope in Isaiah 40:31 NIV; “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” There is nothing like the word of God to renew our spirits when we are physically and mentally tired.

When the sun goes down, think about Jesus in the Garden. I encourage us all to find a quiet place to retreat in prayer tonight. May the hope of Jesus renew our spirits.

If you don’t have a Maundy Thursday service to attend and your in the area, you can join us at Herbert Memorial United Methodist Church at 6:00pm tonight. It is located at 84 Forest Avenue in Georgetown SC.

On Sunday shared this verse from Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV. His love never fails and His mercies are new every morning; “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lam‬ ‭3:22-23‬ ‭NIV

Like this photo, the journey to the water might be long. We might Stumble along the way and fall short. We can confidently keep walking, knowing God still loves us. Last week I heard a leader say, “I can’t walk on water. I am sure you can’t too. We learn best from our mistakes”. We may physically not be able to walk on water like Jesus. We can still get out of the boat! Your boat may be fear of failure, or consumed by sin. Good news, God’s love and compassion for us can pull us out of our boats.

On this Water Walking Wednesday let’s get out of the boat no matter the surroundings. Let’s not forget that God’s love never fails.

On Sunday I shared how God’s word is our guide; “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psa‬ ‭119:105‬ ‭NIV‬‬. We should be able to take God’s word and be blessed for our confidence is in Him; “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” Jer 17:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬.

Last night I ran until the sun went down. I was able to get this beautiful picture of the cross that transforms throughout Holy Week. This purple drape symbolizes Jesus royalty and kingship as he entered into Jerusalem. Even though I know how the story goes, every year this week is a new transformation process for me. Our Pastor Charles Wilbanks asked us on Sunday; do we understand the sacrifice that made the Joy of Easter possible? I would like to say my answer is yes. As I grow as a Christian and understand more about that sacrifice, my Joy becomes greater.

I encourage us all today to pick a verse or passage and meditate on God’s word throughout the day. Let’s allow God’s word to be our guide. We are all going through different seasons in our lives so I imagine we would pick different verses. For me I am going to make Rom 8:28 NIV my guide today; “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” I am confident that God will bring something good out of my current season.

What verse will you meditate on today?

Yesterday’s blog post I listed several verses for us to take a moment and thank God for His word. On this Mindset Monday I want us to look closer at Isaiah 55:11 NIV; “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

When we think about all the events of Holy Week; Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, we’re prophecies fulfilled. God’s word has and will accomplish the purpose for which it was spoken and written. I never thought about it until yesterday’s sermon by our Pastor Charles Wilbanks, if the people hadn’t praised Jesus as He entered into Jerusalem, the stones would have shouted; ““I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”” Luke 19:40 NIV.

On this Mindset Monday, I encourage us to stand on God’s word in confidence. Are you waiting on a prayer to be answered? Keep circling God’s promises! Are you in a valley? Keep praying! Are you experiencing trials? Keep praising!

Last night Deborah lit a candle to invite the Holy Spirit to guide and direct her thoughts. I have lit the candle for us this morning as we share God’s word together.

Today is Palm Sunday, the day Jesus and His Disciples made their journey to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Holy Week is one of the most important weeks in the Bible. Thankfully we have this week recorded in all 4 Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I want to take a moment to thank God for his word. His word has purpose and does not return void. His word is our guide to light our path. His word is unending and his mercies are new every morning. His word renews us and gives us strength. His word is our lineage, for we are His chosen people.

His word has purpose; “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

His word is our guide; “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:105‬ ‭NIV‬

His word is unending; “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:22-23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

His word renews: “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

His word is our lineage; “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Just like this candle is reflecting a light on the table, God’s word is reflected in, through, and around us. On this Spiritual Sunday as we begin Holy Week and throughout the week, I pray we can shine God’s light. It is our Great Commission to spread the Gospel so all will know Jesus’s journey to the cross is everyone’s redemption story. Let’s shout Hosanna in the Highest for all to hear!

Click here for Deborah’s See You Saturday on Christian Community.

Welcome to “See You Saturday”. Click the link to watch today’s video.