1 Peter‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — 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.

It is so good to be back together! Join us on our YouTube Channel as we wrap up our week on Titles:

We encourage you to worship with, Hello My Name Is by Matthew West.

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.’”

Today’s key verse takes place in the temple leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross. Jesus was upset that the temple was being used for commercialization and corruption with the exchange of money and selling of doves at inflated prices versus its intended purpose of worship. Due to inflated prices some were unable to afford to enter and experience God’s presence. Jesus clearing out the temple is like His sacrifice of dying on the cross for our sins for all to enter. 

This week we have been sharing our Earthly titles, God-given titles, people-pleasing, and corruption. Are you ready to surrender and worship in God’s Temple? Take a moment to listen to Resurrender by Hillsong Worship. Some of the lyrics sing: “You’re turning over tables and calling for return to our lives upon the altar. The things we did at first. You’re clearing out the temple. You’re cleaning out the dirt. For we are Your territory. Lord, we are Your Church.”

Take a moment to review your list of Earthly titles, as well as your God given titles: child of God, chosen, loved, blessed, adopted, forgiven, redeemed, strong, and accepted.

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

Let’s take a moment to thank God for His word. His word is our lineage, for we are His chosen people. His word renews us and gives us strength when we grow weary of our Earthly trials. His word is our guide to light our path and remind us of who we are in Christ Jesus. His word is unending and thankfully his mercies are new every morning. 

His word has purpose: ‭‭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.

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

His word is unending: ‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:22-23‬ ‭NIV — 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.

His word renews: ‭‭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.

His word is our lineage: 1 Peter‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — 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.

As a response to the Easter season, 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 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

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