Easter
Verse for today: “There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.” Matthew 28:2-4 NIV
Reflection: When you have read a story a hundred time s before, something new can stick out to you that you hve walked past a hundred times before, so it is with this one… So, one of the top Angels comes down from heaven at Dawn when the 2 Marys come to the tomb, no one else, just them… Then there is this violent earthquake and then the Angel rolls away the stone. So, either the earthquake happens to lend some credibility to the event or it was done to help the angel with the rolling away of the stone, doubtful… And then what does he do? He sits on top of it, not beside it or in front of it, but on top of it, clearly to show that the several ton stone was no match for the God of the Universe’s messenger… So he doesn’t have to roll it away to let Jesus out, He was well gone already, he did it to show the 2 Marys what had happened… Lots of times God has to create earthquakes and stone rolling to show us what he has already done. No point in confusing the explanation with the event. Celebrate it today!!!
Good Friday
My verse for today: “Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.” 1 Corinthians 11:28-29 NIV
Reflection: my focus on this today comes from the Good Friday communion service we went to last night. The focus on the evening being the remembrance of the crucifixion. Jesus didn’t make a specific command regarding the regularity of this celebration, just that when we do it, do it right, a pretty common theme throughout the Bible… Paul says “unworthy manner,” not “unworthy individual.” To examine oneself means to examine one’s compliance with the covenant as reflected in their ways of relating to other members of the community and to discern the body of Christ must include recognizing that those other members of the community represent Christ himself (since they have also been united with him) and must be treated as people for whom Christ chose to give up his life and to shed his blood. The Corinthians were failing at this, as is the Church today. There were consequences then as there are today… However the symbol of the cross is the love and forgiveness of one who died for us…
Day 4
Day 4 finishes with the answer to the “what next” question we all have…
Devotional Point 4 today: My prayer is that that hope will inspire us all to do our most exceptional work for the glory of God…
Scripture 4 today: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” Revelation 21:3 NIV
Reflection 4 today: on good Friday the focus of the church and most people is on the future. Once Jesus was crucified, the biggest question was: what’s the next? Unfortunately, whilst He told them about the resurrection, they had no real capacity to understand what He was talking about. But the real truth is that we are moving to a place where God will dwell among his people, what we are to pray for every day with the Lord’s Prayer…
I wish everyone a very happy Easter, however you are celebrating this most important event in our lives, the resurrection… We are going to have a break for 2 days and start again on Monday with a new 8-day devotional called “Kingdom Men Rising” by Tony Evans, invites out later today…
Day 3
https://youtu.be/C9pD2oz-lmg
Devotional Point 4 today: The resurrection of Jesus is the reaffirmation of the goodness of creation,” and I would argue, work itself.
Scripture 4 today: “He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” John 20:15 NIV
Reflection 4 today: So, the next morning, the only person looking for Jesus is Mary, she is the only one who has the financial resources to give Him the proper burial required in their tradition, but it is unnecessary. She had been told he would rise from the dead, but just did not actually believe it. Why? Who knows and who cares??? But Jesus didn’t rebuke her, he understood she was heartbroken and spoke through her pain. He will speak through our pain if we let Him…
Day 2
Day 2 delivers the real picture of Jesus contemporaries view of him…
Devotional Point 4 today: Remember that that little baby would grow up to roll up his sleeves and remind us of the goodness of work.
Scripture 4 today: “Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.” Mark 6:3 NIV
Reflection 4 today: It is interesting to note that at 30, Jesus had spent half his life as a carpenter, of as a “creator of things” as the word actually translates. he did things with his very own hands. We also need to remember that Paul was a tent maker, he too worked with his hands to make things and earn money so that he was never a burden. So, there is great honour in making things with your hands, and that encompasses a lot of actual activity out there…
Day 1
Day 1 gives us some insight to the power of possibility that our new life in Him means…
Devotional Point 4 today: Work is central to who God is…
Scripture 4 today: “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:16 NIV
Reflection 4 today: not only is work central to who God is, it is central to the work he is doing to each of us when we accept him as our Lord and saviour. He is not interested in “modifying“ my behaviour, He is only interested in total new re-creation. You cannot sleep your way to Total re-creation, it is very hard work. However, we have the full measure of the Holy Spirit inside us to 1st of all make the journey possible and 2nd to be there for every step of the way.
