‭‭Mark 15 NIV

Take a moment to read this article by Christianity.com titled What Is So Good About Good Friday? for an explanation.

Today I encourage you to spend some time mourning the death of Christ. Reflect on the reality that Jesus suffered and carried your sins to the cross. What does that mean for you? Do you live your daily life in a way that exhibits your appreciation for this gift from Jesus? Have you shared the gift of Christ with someone else? Without Good Friday there would be no Easter Sunday. Watch this video for a Good Friday Prayer. Be sure to finish out Holy Week by joining us on Sunday for the resurrection of Christ.

Dear God, Thank You for Good Friday. Thank You for sacrificing Your only Son for me to have eternal life. Keep the image of the draped cross in my mind today so I may experience a small portion of Your grief. May all that I say and do today reflect the love of the cross. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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In John 13:34-35 NIV Jesus said to His disciples — A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Today is Maundy Thursday. Have you heard this term before? Do you know what it means? Take a moment to read this article from Christianity.com titled What Is Maundy Thursday? for an explanation. Watch this video for a Maundy Thursday Prayer.

As you go about your day, reflect on the events that happened thousands of years ago. Remember the promises Jesus made to us and hold on to the hope we have in Him.

Dear God, Thank You for the hope I have in Christ. Guide my thoughts today as I remember the events of the Last Supper. Continue to usher me through the events of Holy Week that ultimately lead me to eternal life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬ ‭NIV — But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

What is Holy Week? Holy Week is the week leading up to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Over the next few days we will walk with Jesus through the events that led up to His crucifixion, death, and resurrection. I invite you to be looking closely at the face of Christ as He walks towards the cross to die for you. Seek God’s insight and wisdom as God also watches His only Son suffer. As you give thanks, step out of your personal comfort zone and share the Good News with someone in your life. As you walk on water today, be looking toward the cross of Christ for courage and strength.

Dear God, may I always be looking toward You. Thank You for what this Holy week means to me as a Christian. May I continually seek Your strength as I step out and share Your love and mercy with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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John 12:12-19

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!”

Sunday we celebrated Palm Sunday in Christian churches across the world. Take a moment to imagine the scene the day Christ entered Jerusalem. Think about the sights and sounds. Imagine the excitement. What a day of rejoicing it must have been!

As we walk through this week together I encourage you to examine your response to Christ. Do you meet with him each day with excitement? Are you rejoicing as He enters into worship with you? Joy is the bookends of Holy Week. As we travel with Jesus through His last week on earth, let’s be sure to meet Him daily with praise and thanksgiving.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the opportunity to read and learn about Holy Week. Prepare my heart to be open for new insights and may I respond to Christ with praise and thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Let’s begin our week together by reading the scriptures that will be featured in the upcoming daily posts. Allow God to speak to you through His word.

John 12:12-19 NIV

Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬ ‭NIV — But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

In John 13:34-35 NIV Jesus said to His disciples — A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

‭‭Mark 15 NIV

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Today is Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. Spend time praising God and worshipping the King of Kings by listening to The King Is Here by Corey Voss and Glorious Day by Passion.

‭‭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.

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