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.
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.
Solitude is the state or situation of being alone. Sometimes we all need solitude. We all need time to be alone with God to process and pray. Time alone with God gives us rest and renews us.
Today is Finish Friday. Have you had a busy week? Are you tired and weary? Do you need some time alone to rejuvenate? Even Jesus realized the value and importance of solitude.
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”” Mark 6:31 NIV
“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.” Matthew 14:23 NIV
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35 NIV
“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” Luke 6:12 NIV
As you finish the work week, make a plan to step away from your busy schedule at some point this weekend. Be intentional in choosing a block of time that you can spend talking and listening to God. Where can you go or what can you do to have some solitude? You could take a walk, sit on your porch, or simply go in a room by yourself. It doesn’t have to be a large block of time. Often we feel we can’t take the time to be alone when we have a long to-do list. Just remember, even Jesus recognized the value of solitude. Finish this week with some solitude so you are prepared to walk through next week’s Holy Week by the side of Christ.
