Thoughts by Julie Wicker

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

This week we are sharing Holy Week. Today is known as Holy Monday, when Jesus cleansed the temple courts. Although Jesus was physically cleaning out the temple courts, I think of how our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit and how we should strive to keep clean from idols as we read in 1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Meditate on today’s verse. The four gospels are narrative accounts of Jesus’ life, each viewed through a unique lens. Through Matthew’s lens he sees Jesus as king, Mark with Jesus as servant, Luke with Jesus as man, and John with Jesus as God. In addition to our key verse reading from Mathew, take a moment to read what Mark, Luke, and John recounted this day.

‭‭Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭45‬-‭46‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

‭‭John‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts, he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves, he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

Take a moment to worship with Resurrender by Hillsong Worship.

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Today’s thoughts by Julie Wicker

Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭38‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

This week we are sharing Holy Week. Today is referred to as Palm Sunday with Christ’s entry to Jerusalem. Jesus rode in on a donkey, which symbolized peace. One of Christ Jesus’ many names is the Prince of Peace.

I love how he wept over the city in ‭‭Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭41‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.

As Jesus’ entered the city, the people waved their palm branches which were a symbol of triumph and victory. We can experience peace through worship. Take time today to worship with Hosanna by Gracie Binion.

The four gospels are narrative accounts of Jesus’ life, each viewed through a unique lens.Through Matthew’s lens he sees Jesus as king, , Mark with Jesus as servant, Luke with Jesus as man, and John with Jesus as God. In addition to our key verse reading from Luke, take a moment to read what Matthew, Mark, and John recounted this day as.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

‭‭John‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!”

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Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

We are finishing a week of taking a closer look at David, who later became a great King. I pray that this week as you have read the scriptures, you have a little more knowledge about David’s early days after being anointed. Did you know that David’s great grandmother was Ruth? Ruth and Boaz’s son was Obed. Obed’s son was Jesse and Jesse’s son was David. 

As you read, study, and learn more about King David, you will learn that he made mistakes and had flaws just as you and I. However, his desire was to please God. As we close this week together, spend some time prayerfully listening to Your Heart by Chris Tomlin. The song is written as if it is being sung by David. The chorus states, “At the end of the day, I wanna hear people say my heart looks like Your heart. When the world looks at me, I pray all they see is my heart looks like Your heart.” 

I, too, desire that others see the heart of God when they look at me. Yet I realize for me to reflect the heart of God I must surrender to His will and not insist on my own. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, guide and direct my words and actions. May all that I say and do reflect Your heart. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

1 Samuel 21-24 NIV

Psalm 27 NIV

In today’s chapters of 1 Samuel, David is again fleeing for his life. David continues to turn to God for guidance and direction as he flees. In Psalm 27:5 David writes — For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.

When David refers to God’s “sacred tent” he is referring to the Tent of Meeting which in Old Testament times is where the presence of God dwelled. David desires to dwell in the presence of God. Do you? What is your response when you are in the throes of the hustle and bustle of life, when obstacles and giants stand in your way of progress, or when you are fleeing for your life? Do you desire to dwell in the presence of God? On this Fruit Friday, let’s remember Galatians 5:22-23 — the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  

Are you allowing God to develop the fruit of the spirit in you by abiding in His presence? 

Pray with me. Dear God, thank You for the presence of Your Holy Spirit. May I always desire to abide in Your presence and allow You to develop the fruit of the spirit in me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

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Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

1 Samuel 18-20 NIV

Psalm 59 NIV

Today’s featured scripture in 1 Samuel tells of David being sought after by his enemies. David wrote Psalm 59. In verse 8 David says God “you laugh at them” and “you scoff at all those nations.” David had complete trust in God, even when he was fleeing for his life. Can you say the same?

You and I may not be fleeing for our lives in the same manner as David. However, in some ways we are fighting to stay focused on God and not be distracted by the evils of this world. How do you stay focused on God and trust His path? On this Thankful Thursday, thank God for His guidance, direction, and protection.

Let’s pray. Dear Father, thank You for Your guidance, direction, and protection. May I stay focused on You and trust Your path. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

1 Samuel 17 NIV

Are you familiar with the story of David and Goliath? Read today’s featured scripture to learn about David slaying a giant with a few rocks and a slingshot. David was a water walker. He stepped out in faith. David focused on God instead of the giant in front of him.

At first you may think you may not be able to relate to the story of David and Goliath. However, each of us have giants in our lives. We each have obstacles, situations, difficult people, etc. that may present problems and predicaments. To slay those giants we must rely on guidance and direction from the Holy Spirit. We must rely on God’s strength and not our own. 

Examine the giants you are facing. How will you approach the giants? Will you follow David’s example and walk on water to slay the giants in your life?

Join me in prayer. Dear God, thank You for the example David set as he slayed Goliath. May I always focus on You instead of the giants in front of me. Guide and direct my steps as I walk on water toward the giants. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

1 Samuel 16:1-13 NIV

Are you familiar with the story of the anointing of David? If you haven’t already, read today’s featured scriptures to learn about the anointing of David. 

In today’s reading we learn that David was the son of Jesse, a shepherd, and “ruddy” in appearance. David was not the image Samuel thought God would choose to be a king. However, God reminded Samuel that He wasn’t looking at outward appearance, but instead He was judging the heart. 

Only you and God truly know what is inside your heart. Society tells us to invest our time and money improving and fine tuning our outward appearance. God tells us to spend time developing and growing our inward appearance. How are you investing in the growth of your heart? 

Join me in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for getting caught up in what others think of my outward appearance. Guide and direct me as I invest in the growth of my heart. Draw me closer to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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