Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Read Philippians 2:1-11 MSG

Often we don’t feel comfortable with testifying and witnessing to strangers. However, by building relationships with others we can share Christ simultaneously. Those around us will see the way we respond and react to life. Through our words and actions others have the opportunity to see Christ. 

Be sure to click the link above to read today’s featured scripture. 

Are you a deep-spirited friend? How do you “put yourself aside and help others get ahead?” How do you “forget yourself long enough to lend a helping hand?” How are your relationships a reflection of Christ? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the relationships I have and the opportunity to show Christ through my words and actions. Help me to be ever mindful of my responses and reactions so that I am a true reflection of You, Amen.

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Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Philippians 2:5-8 NIV —  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God,   did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing   by taking the very nature of a servant,  being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man,  he humbled himself   by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!

One definition of relationship is the state of being connected. Spend some time thinking about your relationships and connections. Do you have the mindset of Christ in your relationships with others? How do you humble yourself within your relationships? In what ways do you use your connections to take the nature of a servant? 

As you go throughout your day, step out of your boat of comfort and walk on water as you  look for opportunities to relate with others and share Christ. Listen for common situations, burdens, or valleys and use those as a way to share your experiences of Christ with others. Use servanthood to connect and reflect the nature of God.

Let’s pray. Dear Holy Father, thank You for sending Your only son to show us how to live. Show me opportunities to serve others and be a witness of Your love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Philippians 2:1-4 NIV — Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

This past Sunday was Easter. We have just walked through the death of Jesus for our sins and His resurrection which promises us everlasting life. In today’s featured scripture Paul tells early Christians that they should be “like-minded” and “one in spirit and of one mind.” How does that apply to you and I today and what does that look like? Paul goes on to explain that Christians should put others first. Does this not echo Jesus’ commandment in Matthew 22:39 NIV to “Love your neighbor as yourself?” As we walk through this week and move farther away from Easter Sunday, may we not forget the value Jesus placed on relationships. May we each give thanks for the opportunities we have to witness to others by serving Christ through our relationships. Let’s trust the Holy Spirit to guide us as we put others first.

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessing of relationships. Help me to be mindful today to put the interests of others above my own. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Spend some time reading and meditating on the scriptures for this week.

Philippians 2:1-11 NIV

Philippians 2:1-11 MSG

Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ —- Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

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Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Matthew 28:2-7 NIV — There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

Spend some time celebrating the risen Savior while listening to these songs. 

Christ the Lord is Risen Today by NCC Worship

Graves Into Gardens by Elevation Worship

Grave Clothes by TRIBL and Maverick City Music
Still Rolling Stones by Lauren Daigle

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27‬:‭41‬-‭42‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.”

This week we are sharing Holy Week. Today is Holy Saturday, Easter Eve. As we wait in quiet reflection and anticipation, let’s look at the story with a wider lens. Jesus could have easily come down from the cross to prove it all. In today’s key verse, He was mocked to save Himself, yet Jesus remained on the cross so that we might truly believe: the prophecies and foreshadowing had to be fulfilled. 

Once we have asked Jesus to live in our hearts and forgive us of our sins, it is our job to declare and share that Jesus is Lord. We read in Romans 10:9 NIV — If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

We are children of God, chosen, loved, blessed, adopted, forgiven, redeemed, strong, and accepted. How often do we sacrifice our titles because of indiscipline, pride, and hate? We let our sins come down from the cross instead of keeping them nailed. On this Surrender Saturday, we must be reminded to daily nail our sins to the cross. In doing so we can find our Easter hallelujah.

Let’s pray. Dear Lord, thank You for remaining on the cross so that my sins could be forgiven and so that I can daily remain in You! In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

Matthew‬ ‭27‬:‭54‬ ‭NIV — When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”‬

This week we are sharing Holy Week. Why is today called Good Friday? Today shows the greatest love you and I will ever know. Jesus’ death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. We have the joy knowing in three days the stone will roll away and the grave will let Him go. Thanks to Jesus washing our sins clean, we are blessed to walk in God’s favor as His children. 

Are you mourning the loss of Jesus? Do you feel the anticipation and excitement of Sunday? This day tends to be an emotional day for many. Do you have stones in your life that need to be rolled away? Don’t know where to start? We can start rolling stones by practicing gratitude. One way of practicing gratitude is keeping a daily gratitude journal and daily writing five things for which you are grateful. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for sending Your son to die on the cross for my sins. Thank You for rolling away the stone and emptying the grave. Help me to roll away the stones in my life so that I can remain close to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

You can read about Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection in Matthew 27: 45-66; 28: 1-10 NIV.

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