We desperately need the Holy Spirit

S - Scripture     

Matthew 28 v. 16-17  Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted.    

 

O - Observation 

Desperate. These verses just show me how desperately we need the Holy Spirit to come into our lives. Here, the disciples after seeing all the miracles, seeing and talking to Jesus , worshiping with him; but yet... some doubted. If those guys who were there (live) had doubts, how possibly can we believe? Great news!!! Matthew 19 v. 25-26; "Who then can be saved?... But Jesus looked at them and said to them, 'With men this is impossible, but with GOD all things are possible.'" And... Acts 1 v.8; "But you shall receive the power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you."

 

A - Application  

Do I realize how desperately I need the Holy Spirit in my life? 

 

P - Prayer      

Heavenly Father, Make the impossible possible in my life. Fill me up with a triple dose of the Holy Spirit. Love Will.  

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Be aware of making selfish decisions

S - Scripture     

Matthew 28 v. 11  When they were going (the women were going to tell the disciples what they had seen) behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place.

 

O - Observation 

Decision time. So the guards, who thought they had probably the cushiest job, realized they

have failed. Failure would most certainly mean ridicule and some sort of punishment in the Army ranks. Especially for guarding a dead guy. Thus the conspiracy is hatched. The need for them to save face. So instead of going to their captain or Pilate, they went to the chief priests since they knew that the priests couldn't do anything to them. Motivation for selfish purposes is a dangerous road to travel. Their decision on who to go and tell, and how to protect themselves, had and has an impact on the world today. See verse 12-15.  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2028:12-15;&version=31;

 

A - Application  

When making decisions, am I traveling down the dangerous road of selfishness?  

 

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Help me to always make God pleasing decisions.  Love Will.  

Go!!!

S - Scripture     

Matthew 28 v. 7  Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. Lo, I have told you so.    

 

O - Observation 

Prepared for us. This verse is the Angel's final comments to the woman of the EMPTY tomb. There's a lot of parallels between this event and our lives. The women were told to Go; quickly and tell. We are instructed by Jesus to Go and Tell. Matthew 28 v. 19; "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations." Then the women were told that Jesus was going to be at Galilee. He was preparing for them a chance to see and talk to him. To have him open their eyes. Today, Jesus has gone to prepare for us a place, Heaven. He did not disappoint then, he will not now.

 

A - Application  

Am I following the command of Jesus and GOing? 

 

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Thanks for preparing an amazing thing for me.  Love Will.  

Investigate God's word

 S - Scripture     

Matthew 28 v. 5-6  But the angel said to the woman... "He is not here; for he has risen as he said. Come, see the place where he lay."   

 

O - Observation 

Investigate. Once the angel of the Lord calmed down the women. (Ummm.... Its not every day one sees an angel!!) He provided them with the facts, (he's not here, he has risen) and then he encouraged them to investigate. Its really, as I think about it, the same pattern he wants us to have. He lays out the facts thru the Bible, the historical accounts in the Old Testament, Jesus' ministry, death and resurrection, the prophecy of John (Revelation). Then he invites us to investigate. To dig into his word. To check out the facts. To study the Bible. Proverbs 8 v. 35; "For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord."

 

A - Application  

Am I investigating God's word? 

 

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Guide me, inspire me to "come and see" what you have done for me.  Love Will.  

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Actions plus words - a great combination

 S - Scripture     

Matthew 28 v. 2  And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from Heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.

 

O - Observation 

The complete task. Action and words. Its interesting that God sent the angel of the Lord to come down and roll away the stone (Action) and then he sat around and waited. Why? Because God knew that people would be coming to visit the tomb. He needed to have someone talk to them about what happened. About what he just did. Its a great model for out lives. I've seen it on the mission trips I have been on. Lots of Action, physical work, then lots of words. Sharing our Faith, praying for them, encouraging them. Action plus words. A GREAT COMBINATION!!!

 

A - Application  

Am I doing and sharing? Do I do the complete task? 

 

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Give me the opportunity to do the complete tasks that you give me to do. Love Will.  

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Don't scheme - plan!!!

 S - Scripture     

Matthew  27 v. 65  Pilate said to them, "You have guard of soldiers; go make it as secure as you can."  

 

O - Observation 

Schemes. The Pharisees couldn't let killing Jesus alone as good enough. They had to make sure he stayed "dead". They were worried that the disciples would steal his body and then claimed he rose. So they schemed and had the Romans guard the tomb and seal it. I find it interesting on how they manipulated the Roman Government to get what they wanted with out ever having to get their own hands dirty.  Schemes. It is defined as an underhand or secret plan. Thanks be to God who does NOT scheme. His plans are well published, he wants all to be saved. There's nothing underhanded about Jesus dyeing and rising again for our sins!!!

 

A - Application  

Do I scheme? Or do I plan? 

 

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Thanks for executing the ultimate master plan for me and my family and my friends.  Love Will.  

Image by Oleg Gamulinskiy from Pixabay 

 

Repentance

Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - Scripture:

Joel 2:13 Amp version: Rip your heart to pieces (in sorrow and contrition) and not your garments. Now return (in repentance) to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving kindness (faithful to His covenant with His people); and He relents His sentence of) evil (when His people genuinely repent).

O - Observation: 

When one repented in the Old Testament, ripping one’s garment was often an outward sign. Here the prophet Joel is talking NOT about an outward (for show) type of repentance, but rather a deep inward heart wrenching type of humble sorrow. So sincere and painful that we would try

by the grace of God, not to ever repeat the offense. By God’s Grace, His Spirit will come into our heart and reside there, and evil will be replaced by the fruits of the Spirit Galatians 5:22.

A - Application: 

As we’ve been talking about 2 Chronicles 7:14 and God’s people seeking to humble ourselves and pray as in our special prayer times, this is not a going through the motions endeavor, but rather this is a gut-wrenching time of laying it all before a Holy God Who is actually as anxious to forgive us as the father of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. When we repent he removes our sins “as far as the East is from the West” Psalm 103:12.

P - Prayer: Our Father, please hear our heartfelt cry of repentance and in Your Grace and Mercy, and for the sake of Jesus death on the cross, heal our land. In Jesus Name, Amen 

Rejoice in Jesus victory over death

S - Scripture     

Matthew  27 v.50  And Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded his spirit.

 

O - Observation 

Jesus understands. This verse tells me that Jesus understands what we all must face. Death. Some people are lucky and die in their sleep, some die in an accident, some slowly rot away thru cancer or some other disease. Jesus understands. He cried out in a loud voice. Both Matthew and Mark don't say what he said, but Luke quotes Jesus last words in Luke 23 v. 46; "Father into thy hands I commit my Spirit."  And John 10 v. 30; "It is finished." Jesus died trusting, believing in God and his plan for him. It still wasn't easy. He still had to face death. He understands our fears about this. But, there's GREAT NEWS!!! Jesus rose again. He conquered Death. 1 Corinthians 15 v. 55; " O Death where is thy Victory? O Death where is thy Sting?" Jesus understands and delivers.

 

A - Application  

Am I prepared for Death? Do I rejoice in Jesus victory over Death? 

 

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Thank you, thank you for DYEING and RISING for me.  Love Will. 

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Recognize and avoid the deceptions in life

S - Scripture     

Matthew  27 v. 34 They offered him wine to drink, mingled with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it.

 

O - Observation 

Realization of Deception. That's what comes to me on this verse. Jesus, while hanging on the

cross stated that he was thirsty. So they offered him this "special" drink. It was NOT as it appeared. Once Jesus tasted this, he wanted no more. Perhaps, God in his sovereigness let this happen for us to learn from. Some things may look good in our lives (wine) but the reality is its rancid (gall). The definition of Gall is: rancid, bile, bitterness. Nothing in that sounds good to me. Notice, the second Jesus recognized the deception he stopped. Even though he was thirsty.

 

A - Application  

What are the deceptions in my life? Am I drinking the gall with the wine, or am I quitting the drink? 

 

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Help me to recognize and avoid the deceptions in my life. Love Will.  

Image by Hans Braxmeier from Pixabay 

Be aware of the dangers of worldly group think

S - Scripture     

Matthew  27 v. 27  Then the soldiers of the Governor took Jesus to the praetorian, and they gathered the whole battalion before him.

 

O - Observation 

Group Think. You know the old adage, idle time is Devil's time. Here's a classic case. The soldiers were instructed to have Jesus crucified. He had just been scourged. The soldiers could have just took him to Golgotha and had him crucified, but no. They had some idle time. What did they do with it? First, they got the WHOLE battalion to have sport with Jesus. I'm sure this is a study on Group Think. Someone obviously had an idea to give Jesus crap about being a King. Thus they stripped Jesus of his clothes and put on a scarlet robe like a King. Then in trying to outdo one another, they escalated the abuse. Crown of thorns. Spitting on him. Whopping Jesus on the head with a reed. Mocking him as the King of Jews. When time was up, they put Jesus own clothes back on him.

 

A - Application  

What am I doing in my idle time? Have I gotten caught up in Group Think or impulsive actions?

 

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Help me to stand up for what is right even in the various groups that I'm in.  Love Will

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Make good choices

S - Scripture     

Matthew  27 v. 17  So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you, Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?"

 

O - Observation 

Choices. In this case, the people had to choose between Barabbas, (described in the bible as a notorious prisoner, a rebel who had committed murder in the insurrection and a robber.) vs. Jesus (who had cured many, fed thousands, taught many the things of God.)  Darkness or Light? Individually, it was a no brainer. But when inspired, the people made the wrong choice.  Again it was the choice of who the people  listened to. The Chief Priests worked up the crowd to choose Barabbas. God tells us a very true axiom in 1 Corinthians 15 v. 33, "Do not be deceived! Bad company ruins good morals."  

 

A - Application  

So what choices am I making? Who is the company I hang out with? Am I choosing Light?

 

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Help me to make the right choice in life and friends. Love Will.  

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay 

Go to God when we need to Fix the sins in our life

S - Scripture     

Matthew  27 v. 3  When Judas, his betrayer, saw that he was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of Silver to the chief priests and the elders.   

 

O - Observation 

There's only one. That's what this verse is telling me. Judas recognized that he had sinned, done wrong, made a huge mistake. And this directly effected Jesus, the Son of God. So he went to the Chief Priests to try to fix it. Remember, there is no honor amongst thieves. They didn't care. Judas in the end, throws the money at them and hangs himself. I wonder what would have  happened if Judas would have approach Jesus for forgiveness instead of the Chief Priests? Would it have been a different story for Judas? Perhaps he would have not taken his life. Perhaps he would have been a great disciple? We need to repent to Jesus before we try to "fix" anything on our own devices. He is the only one that can remove our burdens and sins.

 

A - Application  

How do I handle things when I sin against God? BTW any sin, even the little ones are against Jesus. Do I go to Jesus for forgiveness, or do I try to fix them on my own?            

 

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Forgive me for all that I have done to you. Love Will.  

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You have to trust God's timing

S - Scripture     

Matthew  26 v. 63  But Jesus was silent, and the High Priest said to him, "I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."  

 

O - Observation 

When its time. This verse speaks to me about God's perfect timing. Jesus was being "tried" by Caiaphas, the high priest. Many questions, comments, false testimonies were issued. But Jesus was silent. Interesting to note, he "sparred" with them earlier on in the week (See Matthew 21 & 22).  At this time he chose silence. I can learn a lot from this in my relationship with Jesus. There will be times when I feel like he's really talking to me. And there may be other times when it feels like silence. That's OK. It's God's (Jesus) perfect timing on when he speaks. We just need to remember, Matthew 28 v. 20; "Lo. I am with you always."

 

A - Application  

Do I get frustrated when it seems like God isn't listening or talking to me? Do I remind myself that he's with me always?           

 

P - Prayer      

Jesus, I trust your timing!!! Guide and lead me.  Love Will.  

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Prayer

 Prayer

guest blog by Gary Riedel

S - Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 5:17; Pray without ceasing!

O - Observation: 

So, I guess it’s not enough to just pray at church on Sunday mornings or once a day at bedtime or at the evening meal. But without ceasing, what’s that about? I believe God wants us to always be aware that He is omnipresent, present everywhere in every situation, always available to hear our prayer of either need or thanksgiving. I believe He wants us to learn to synchronize our thoughts and actions with His will. Everything we do and say should pass muster with God. Like David, we should have a heart after God, He wants us to trust Him and communicate 

with Him about everything, after all He is our Father.

A - Application: 

My life needs to be more God centered, the world is not about me, but it’s about God first, (Thou shalt have no other God’s before me Exodus 20:3). It’s about the needs of others, “thou shall love your neighbor as yourself” Mark 12:31. Prayer is the way we talk to God, what a privilege,

what a blessing to “take it to the Lord in prayer.” To grow a relationship we must communicate!

P - Prayer: 

Gracious Father, teach us to pray at all times, there is never a situation too delicate or too private for You. We want you in our lives! “What a friend we have in Jesus!”

In His Name, Amen

Pray for wisdom and strength in tough times

S - Scripture     

Matthew  26 v.  39  And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nether less, not as I will but as thou wilt."  

 

O - Observation 

Desperation. Jesus knew what was coming. He knew what earthly pain he was about to take. He knew that God the Father, would forsake him. He knew what unearthly pain he was about to take. He knew he was screwed!!! So instead of being bitter or angry or plotting how to get out of it, he approached his Heavenly father humbly, (face to the ground) and asked to be relieved of the events, but still had the trust and faith that God the Father knew best.

 

A - Application  

How am I handling my desperate times? Am I relying on my own devices, or am I approaching Jesus and my Heavenly Father for help?           

 

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Give me wisdom and strength in these tough times. Love Will.