Galatians 1:10 NIV — Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

What God-given titles do we share? 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. Are we trying to please people? Or seeking the applause of One. The Apostle Paul gives us clear instruction in today’s key verse.

Is people pleasing a stumbling block? Consequences can include, it may not be an assignment from God or overwhelmed to the point that important areas of our lives get neglected. If it is for our own applause, we can be left disappointed. We should seek to please no one other than the creator of this beautiful beach displayed in today’s photo. 

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, I call upon Your name and humbly come before You. I surrender my Earthly titles over to You and ask that You help me to walk in the titles You have given me, child of God, chosen, loved, blessed, adopted, forgiven, redeemed, strong, and accepted. In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Jesus was given a written title for His charge against him before he hung on the cross for our sins. In Matthew 27:37 NIV it was “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” In Mark 15:26 NIV it was “The King of the Jews.” In Luke 23:38 NIV it was “This is the King of the Jews.” In John 19:19 NIV it was “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” His title was on trial that day.

Jesus could have easily come down from the cross to prove it all. He was mocked to do so in Matthew 27:42 NIV — “‘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.’” 

In order for us to testify and truly believe His title, the scripture had to be fulfilled. The soldier that pierced his side after death testified to His title in John 19:35 NIV — The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 

Our sins were nailed to the cross that day. Once we have asked Jesus to live in our hearts and forgive us of our sins, it is our job to declare and share our new titles as 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. 

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, I call upon Your name and humbly come before You. I surrender my Earthly titles over to You and ask that You help me to walk in the titles You have given me, child of God, chosen, loved, blessed, adopted, forgiven, redeemed, strong, and accepted. In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

Easter Sunday is a day of celebration that Jesus has risen and is alive. How do you celebrate? Gatherings have changed over the years as the family has gotten older and many have passed away. For many years now we have gathered in a family member’s home for an early evening potluck with all the family favorites. 

Take a moment to think about what an empty grave personally means to you. How is this a celebration in your life? The following verses are a personal invitation to see Jesus’ empty grave in Matthew 28: 5-6 NIV —  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.” 

Take a moment to enjoy Ray’s photo. With every rising sun, we are blessed to receive an invitation to celebrate our Risen Lord. I encourage you to worship and celebrate with the following songs:

Empty Grave by Zach Williams

No Body by Elevation Worship, ft. Jonsal Barrientes

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭MSG — Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?”

Jesus has just told His disciples that He would suffer and die. In today’s key verse, He is instructing the disciples that they should take up their cross and follow Him. Did you know Jesus was about 33 when He died. This would mean that everything He accomplished in His ministry was done in three years. Think about those three valuable years spent with His disciples and how devastated they must have been to hear Jesus share that He would suffer and die.

The Message version of this verse brings to mind my word for 2025, Humble. Matthew says self-help is no help at all. Daily we try to take hold of the driver’s seat, when we should be denying ourselves and submitting to God’s Will. Jesus’ ministry was the perfect example of self-sacrifice. What do you need to surrender to God?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for leading me to the cross. I humbly come before You, seeking Your perfect will. I surrender the driver’s seat to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

In today’s key verse, Jesus asks His disciples who they say He is. Simon Peter, who questioned Jesus on the water and who will eventually deny Jesus, responded in ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭16‬ NIV — Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus knows this, yet He still gives us the keys to heaven. In the song shared Sunday, Found A Love by 7 Hills Worship, the lyrics sing how God loves us so hopelessly. Thankfully we live on this side of the cross, where Jesus has already died for our sins. It is up to us how we respond to Jesus’ ministry. Will you share the good news so that others will know that love of God? Will you profess that Jesus is the Messiah?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for loving me so hopelessly. I desire to share Your love so that everyone will know You as their personal savior. Equip me to respond to Your call. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV — But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.””

Jesus’ ministry started with His disciples. Jesus spoke parables to them. He performed miracles in front of them. Just before Peter walked on the water to Jesus, they witnessed Jesus feeding the 5,000, a miracle where He fed a large crowd (estimated at 5,000 men, plus women and children) with a few loaves of bread and two fish, leaving many baskets of leftovers. In reading today’s key verse, Peter still needed proof. 

Our ministry here on Earth starts with those closest to us, our children, extended family, and friends. Just like Jesus’ ministry is an example to follow, we can show others through our words and actions. Like Peter needed proof it was Jesus, people today want something tangible. Often it is those whoare closest to us that we have the hardest time ministering to. 

Our relationship with Jesus is uncomplicated. It is our Earthly relationships we tend to complicate. It is never too late to be a witness to others. What ministries are you involved in? Will you take a step of faith and walk on water?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for my family and friends. Help me to be a witness for Your glory even when it is difficult. Equip me to walk on water toward the ministry You have for me to do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.