Monthly Archive

While walking back from Jerusalem to Emmaus, two friends were joined by the risen Jesus.  The seven mile journey over rocky dusty roads probably took several hours to complete.  You would think by spending that length of time with Jesus, hearing his familiar words, noticing common mannerisms, they must have noticed something familiar.  After all, they had just spent the last couple of years following Him, listening to His words, and seeing His works.

It was only when He gave thanks and broke bread that their eyes were open to who he really was.  I know that as I walk through life with Jesus as my traveling companion there are many times I am clueless to His presence.  None the less, His promise to never leave or forsake me is not dependent on my observing the obvious.

I’m praying that the eyes of my understanding would continually be open to His powerful presence.

From Pennsylvania,

Mike

I’m finding this weeks readings so intense, like reading the build up of the end of an excellent novel.  The only difference is……we know the rest of the story, and the end is only the beginning with Jesus.

I also find that at times when I read very familiar passages in the Bible I struggle to avoid breezing through because I’ve heard it so many times before.  Today when I was reading I was thankful for an insight that had never popped out at me before.

First, I noticed that Jesus left the upper room and went as usal to the Mount of Olives.  He went there to pray.  It hit me today that, he had a usual place to pray.  Then I also thought of the times in scripture when Jesus would go on the boat to pray and rest, or go from the city to a place to pray.  I visualized the picture of the rhythm and pattern of prayer in Jesus life.  Out of that pattern the angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him when he needed it most. 

I want to make the rhythm of prayer a pattern in my life.  I’m going to find my own ‘mount of olives’ and I’m also going to learn to ‘get into the boat, or walk out from the city’ to hear from my heavenly Father.

Sherri

I love the verses in today’s reading, 31 and 32.  “Simone, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.  But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail.  So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”

First it reminds me of Hebrews 7:25, where we learn that Jesus is always making intercession for us before the Father.  Just like Peter Jesus, the Son of God, the Risen Saviour is in heaven pleading our case, before the Father.  Be encouraged!  As if that wasn’t enough these verses give me such a wonderful picture of Christ’s love mercy and grace.  Jesus knew Peter would fail but also knows that Peter will repent and turn to Him again, and He entrusts Peter by asking him to ’strengthen his brothers’.  That’s the Kingdom of God, His glorious mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation.  We just can’t keep something so good to ourselves.

From Pa,

Sherri

I was reading today about the day Jesus watched people give in the offering, Luke 21.  After observing the wealthy and then a poor widow, here’s what Jesus had to say: “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

I was struck by Jesus’ statement and immediately began to do inventory of my own giving patterns.  Whether it be my money, as in this story, or other things, like my time, my attention, my prayers, my care… I wonder how often I measure what I give to Jesus and others by the ’surplus’ in my life… rather than giving all freely.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with living with budgets and good time management skills… however, we need to watch the heart attitudes that drive our decisions.  Budgets and calendars shouldn’t define our lives and limit our generosity.  They are tools that we use, which should facilitate more generosity rather than selfishness.  

There’s an area of grace that we tap into, when we give from our whole lives, rather than just the surplus.  As Paul says in Philippians 4, Hands empty, hands full, I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.  I can live in plenty and want, and nothing really changes, because it all is His and everything I am is His.   

Blessings,

Becky

I found today’s reading in Luke 16:19-17:10 so challenging.  But it felt like a relay race……how do I treat the poor right in front of me?

Then, “If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.”  Ouch Lord, give me ears to hear.

And as always forgiving again, and again, and again.  I’m glad that faith the size of a mustard seed can accomplish much in God’s kingdom, because I need it to keep forgiving!

Then right at the end of today’s reading it was summed up for me.  It doesn’t matter, who gets what credit, who sins the worse, but what matters is our heart to obey Jesus words, and then the simple response.  “We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.”

Lord, by the power of your Spirit help us to simply do our duty.

~Sherri

April 1st reading has the disciples on a mountain top, and back on level ground in no short order. I was struck by a few things in this passage. One is the name of Jesus, ‘God’s Son, his Chosen One’. Jesus tells us again to be as children, that simple trusting faith, and also puts welcoming a child in the same passage as welcoming Him. “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” Simple, yet powerful words.

Then later the disciples are ‘upset’ because someone is using that powerful name of Jesus to cast out demons, and they aren’t in their group! Jesus put John in his place. I felt the sting myself, asking……am I welcoming Jesus, into my life, my brokenness, am I using his name to set captives free, or am I wasting His power by keeping it hidden? Come Lord Jesus, and set us free!