Journey to Easter: From Waved Palms to Pierced Palms, Part 2

March 22, 2016

Journey to Easter: From Waved Palms to Pierced Palms, Part 2

This Holy Week is the most significant, most meaningful for us Christians. As much as I have prayed about what to write to inspire you, to help strengthen your faith, the Lord said, “From the mouths of babes.”

Please click on this link below to receive the purest Gospel message and “Pure Inspiration” from these precious children.

The sweetest Easter Story

Stay tuned for a special Easter installment of “Pure Inspiration” this week. Happy Easter, friend.

Reflect:

–How comfortable are you with telling others about Jesus?

–What can you learn from Levi and Lia in this video?

Renew:

–“‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.” –March 10: 14-16 NIV

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” –John 3:!6 KJV

Recharge:

–How may we live more deeply for Jesus and show love to others?

–How will we tell more people the Gospel message?

March 15, 2016

Journey to Easter: Waved Palms to Pierced Palms, Part 1

As we approach Palm Sunday this week and Holy Week next week, my heart is tuned to the vignettes leading up to the most significant event in human history–the death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ.

What a week. What a Holy Week. Isn’t it amazing that the first half of the Gospel of John covers the first 33 years of Jesus’ life, and the last half covers one week?

Just six days before the Passover and Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Palm Sunday, Jesus was invited to attend a dinner in Bethany in His honor, hosted by Mary, Martha, and their resurrected brother Lazarus. Can you only imagine what a fun party that would be? For Jesus to have supper with Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, AND Lazarus’ two cool sisters?

“Then Mary took a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John 12:3 NIV.

Of course it was disciple Judas who complained that her gift to Jesus at the party was wasteful and too expensive. Judas was the treasurer and thief-disciple who would betray Jesus in just a few days.

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended, that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me.” –John 12:7-8 NIV

Jesus was so patient with His disciples, who didn’t understand. Mary got it; she understood perfectly. Jesus had been trying to tell the disciples that He would die and be raised. (John 10:15-18).

Mary gave Jesus the most valuable possession she had. As we prepare for these days leading up to Easter, what valuable possession of yours are you willing to pour out for Jesus and His Kingdom? Whatever we give to Him, He gives much more back to us. The world may think you’re crazy to give so freely to God and His people. It’s Okay. Be encouraged.

People had heard of all of Jesus’ miracles. Crowds followed Him. They were ready to greet Jesus as a celebrity. On that famous Palm Sunday, Jesus was welcomed like a rockstar into Jerusalem with people waving lush green palm fronds and singing:

“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21: 9b NIV).

Palm Sunday was and still is a joyful, respectful celebration of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Jesus entered Jerusalem not on a military stallion as the world and its paparazzi may have thought, but on a lowly donkey colt, perfect for the humble, servant Savior He was, is and is to come.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of “Waved Palms to Pierced Palms” next week.

Reflect:

–With whom can you relate the most in this story–Martha, Mary, Lazarus or Judas? Please comment.

–What are you willing to sacrifice as a beautiful love offering for Jesus this week and for your whole life?

Renew:

–“Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘ Teacher, rebuke your disciples!’ ‘I tell you,’ he replied, ‘if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.'” –Luke 19:39-20 NIV

Recharge:

–How may we live more deeply for Jesus and show love to others?

–How will you embolden your Christian faith, even if you aren’t in a crowd or in the majority?

March 1, 2016

No More Puny Prayers

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I am guilty of praying puny prayers. Sure I pray for my family, friends, coworkers, loved ones with health issues, and those I know who haven’t yet accepted Jesus as their Savior. These, I believe, are precious prayers to God.

A life-changing question was posed to a group of us recently. If God said He would answer every prayer you prayed in the last week, just as you had asked Him, would your prayers have been too small?

God is so much bigger than my little brain can even comprehend. Why don’t I pray bigger? He can handle it.

I read a Bible passage that confirmed the question asked of us. Maybe you have heard of King Ahaz of Judah. I had not.

Isaiah was a prophet. In Isaiah 6, Isaiah had actually seen the Lord seated on a throne the year Ahaz’ s grandfather King Uzziah died. Fast forwarding a few years into Isaiah 7, Uzziah’s grandson Ahaz was now King of Judah. He was afraid to march with the King of Israel and the King of Aram to fight against Jerusalem.

The Lord told Isaiah to tell King Ahaz to stay calm, not to be afraid and not to lose heart. It seemed like Ahaz may not have believed Isaiah. So the Lord then said to Ahaz:

“’If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.’ Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, ‘Ask the Lord Your God for a sign. Whether in the deepest depths or the highest heights.’ Isaiah 7:9b-11

Guess how King Ahaz responded?

“But Ahaz said, ‘I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.’ “ Isaiah 7:12

Ouch. I am so guilty of not asking because I am afraid to bother God or put Him “to the test.”

“Then Isaiah said, ‘Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of MY God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.’” Isaiah 7:13-14.

The Lord and the prophet Isaiah were trying desperately to tell this stubborn King Ahaz that the Savior of the whole world Jesus was going to be born from his tribe of Judah, from David’s lineage!

The Lord wanted Ahaz to pray for anything, from the lowest of prayers to the highest, the biggest prayers.

Jesus’ birth would be the answer to all his problems! Jesus is the answer to all of our problems.

God doesn’t promise that our problems go away. He does promise that He is with us, just like He was with King Ahaz. After all, Immanuel means “God with us.”

God wants a relationship with us. He desires for us to talk with Him about everything on our heart. That’s what He wants—our heart.

So let’s pour our hearts out to God in prayer. Tell Him anything. Ask for anything.

He will answer all of our prayers, big or small, in one of three ways: 1) Yes; 2) No; 3) Not now.

Our life is altered when we go to the altar.

Pray Big. Put God to the test. He is ready. Expect miracles.

Reflect:

When is the last time you prayed big? Please comment.

How will your prayers change now? Please comment.

Renew:

–“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. “ –Romans 8:26 NIV

–“Pray continually.” –1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV

–“…The four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” –Revelation 5:8b NIV

Recharge:

–Plan each day to set aside intentional prayer time with the Lord. Then pray throughout the day.

–Set aside a “War Room” or prayer space (closet, a “Prayer Chair,” the bathroom, etc) where you can be more focused and less distracted.

–Remember, “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”