Jesus Wants You To Know...

"Ponder this glorious truth: I am alive within you! Just as sap flows from a vine through its branches, so My Life flows through you. I am infinite and perfect, yet I choose to live inside you. This intimacy you have with Me is wondrously rich. I read your every thought. I’m aware of all your feelings. I know how weak you are, and I stand ready to infuse you with My strength."

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." - John 15:5

- "Jesus Always" by Sarah Young

Mark 12:30

Meme: Lay it Down

Sermon: God's Got Your Back

 

Holding On to God When Life Feels Messy and Unclear

 ...“Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel;
for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

Genesis 32:28

“When God is doing a deep work, there is a lot you can’t explain. There’s a knowing yet no plan. There’s unshakable hope yet endless tears. There’s gratitude while learning grit. You don’t know what comes next, but you do know this: Whatever He is doing, you’ll never be the same.”

I wrote those words in the middle of a season that felt impossible. I felt God calling me away from a job I loved, yet I had no idea what came next. In the days after, I felt stuck and painfully uncertain. I held on to God with all I had, but His plans seemed hidden. I craved clarity, but all I had was the faint sense that He was still at work - despite my panicked heart.

Maybe you’re in your own in-between season where God’s plan feels hard to grasp. And yet you’re determined to hold on to Him. These are the moments when we wrestle with Him.

When you wrestle with someone, it’s up close and personal. It’s messy and exhausting and demands all you have.

Consider the way God came to wrestle Jacob in Genesis 32. Jacob found himself stuck between leaving his past and stepping into God’s call for his future. God could have intervened in any way, but He chose to wrestle. For Jacob, this was an act of clinging to the One he struggled with while releasing the outcomes he had tried to control his whole life.

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

But the wrestling itself wasn’t the point. After a long night of grappling, Jacob demanded a blessing - and God gave it to him: “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel;
for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” (Genesis 32:28).

When the struggle ended, Jacob walked away with a limp but also with a new identity. Jacob wanted God to remove the challenge, but God wanted him to be changed.

Your wrestling isn’t wasted. Like Jacob, your struggle will mark you - not with defeat but with God’s transforming work. I know this because I’ve lived it.

The season that once left me feeling lost and unsure was the very place where God met me. I didn’t get the clarity I wanted, but I got something I needed: a deeper trust in Him. The wrestling was never about where I was going; it was about who I was becoming.

You may not know what comes next, but you can trust this: God’s not just working on your circumstances. He’s also working on you. Your struggle isn’t proof of God’s absence but a sign of His nearness. Hold on! When you come through this, you’ll see you were never alone.

Lord, I believe I’m in a season of wrestling, and I don’t understand what You’re doing. Help me to hold on to You, even when it’s hard. Change me through this process, and remind me that Your work in me is always good. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Ashley Morgan Jackson
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Psalm 66:20

Q&A: What Does It Mean That Christians are Not of This World?

 

The phrase not of this world is found in John 18:36 where Jesus says that His kingdom is “not of this world.” The context of Jesus’ statement is His interrogation by Pontius Pilate during one of His trials. Pilate had summoned Jesus into the palace and, in trying to ascertain the charges against Him, basically asked Jesus to incriminate Himself. The conversation went like this:

Pilate asked, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus responded with a question of His own: “Is that your own idea, or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?”

Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (John 18:33–37).

When Pilate asked Jesus if He was a king, Pilate was thinking of a political position and that Jesus was possibly guilty of sedition against Caesar. In saying that His kingdom is “not of this world,” Jesus denied that He was a king in that sense - and His words were proved by the lack of any subjects fighting to release Him (John 18:36).

But Jesus does not deny His kingship wholly; He has a kingdom, but it is “from another place” (John 18:36). He says He had “come into the world” (John 18:37), with the clear implication that He was from some place other than this world (John 3:3). His kingdom is heavenly and extends over the hearts and minds of His subjects. It does not originate in this world: “His royal power and state are not furnished by earthly force, or fleshly ordinances, or physical energies, or material wealth, or imperial armies”.

As His followers, Christians are members of His kingdom, which is “not of this world.” We know that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). As a result, we “put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12). We wage spiritual battle, but “the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world” (2 Corinthians 10:4). We “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). And we rest in the knowledge that our King gives us eternal life: “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17).

We are on earth for now, but our earthly lives are nothing but a vapor in comparison to eternity (James 4:14). “This world in its present form is passing away” (1 Corinthians 7:31). The sufferings and trials of this world are part of life. But, in remembering that we are “not of this world,” we know that such things are just for a little while (1 Peter 5:10). The knowledge that we are not of this world gives Christians hope even in the darkest times (1 Peter 1:6–9). This broken place is not where we ultimately belong, and it is not where we will stay (Hebrews 13:14). “We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28).

Christians, as part of Jesus’ kingdom, are not of this world. We have been adopted as heirs of heaven by God Himself, and that is where our citizenship is (Titus 3:7). Until our King returns, we wait (Titus 2:13), and we hope (Romans 5:5), and we do what we can to bring others into the “not of this world” relationship with Jesus Christ.

- Provided by "Got Questions Ministries"

Meme: ...God Is With Me

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"Walk with Me in holy trust, responding to My initiatives rather than trying to make things fit your plans. I died to set you free, and that includes freedom from compulsive planning. When your mind spins with a multitude of thoughts, you cannot hear My voice. A mind preoccupied with planning pays homage to the idol of control. Turn from this idolatry back to Me. Listen to Me and live abundantly!"

"Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails." - Proverbs 19:21 - "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young

Even Jesus Pushed the Pause Button

"...and behold, angels came and ministered to Him."

Matthew 4:11

I shuffle into the kitchen, every movement weighted by a slurry of invisible cement. Leaning against the wall to prop myself up, my heart pounds, and a heavy fog muddles my thoughts. I’ve become a snail, barely able to move while life races around me. I try to harness the motivation that once empowered my actions, but I can’t. My energy tank is depleted. I need help; I can’t keep pretending I’m OK.

My diagnosis is double edged. The good news is I’ll get better with time. The difficulty is I must take a break and rest to heal. Not a three-week sojourn but a complete stoppage of activity for an extended period.

I groan and struggle - this is not easy, nor am I very willing. It feels wrong. An inferno of questions swirls in my mind. What about my family, work and ministries?

But then it's like Jesus asks me, What about you? You matter too.

Pausing my tirade as the churning within me calms, I sense the heart of Jesus. Each of us matters to Him. However, it seems impossible to prioritize rest. Our hectic lives are demanding, and in many ways, productivity is glorified while slowing down is shunned. Is it possible that it’s different with Jesus? Is it safe to push the pause button? To help me understand the value God puts on rest for His children, Jesus draws my attention to His personal story.

After Jesus’ 40 days of testing in the desert, the Gospel of Matthew documents a divine intermission: “angels came and ministered to Him.” (Matthew 4:11). Intriguingly, in the space of these words, there is no recorded movement on Jesus’ part.

Instead, Jesus seems to have pushed the pause button on His activity, not rushing through this holy interruption. Jesus prioritized rest so He would be refreshed. He purposefully stopped to accept the divine nourishment sent from heaven rather than receiving His sustenance on the run as He raced to the next thing. In this sweet interlude, Jesus experienced the tender care of God the Father for the Son He loves.

God's Word assures us that we can do all things with the strength He gives us (Philippians 4:13). This “all” can include rest. In our active lives, there are moments when we need unhurried pauses to breathe. In some seasons, we need interludes of unrushed days or weeks to be refreshed. Other times, we require an extended hiatus to heal.

As God’s beloved children, we matter to Him. Through holy interruptions, God expresses His love and care for us. Indeed, we can follow Jesus’ example. If He pushed the pause button, it is OK for us to do the same.

Dear God, thank You for loving me and creating spaces for me to be refreshed. Help me see and understand when You position these spaces before me so I may enter them without worry and find rest as I receive Your tender care. Help me believe that I can safely push the pause button with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Leanne Esau
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Music: "Come Jesus Come"

The Mind of Christ

 

Scripture:

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

- 1 Corinthians 2:14-16

 

Reflect:

How do we as believers in Jesus Christ have “the mind of Christ”?

 

Hundreds of years before Paul wrote today’s verse, the prophet Isaiah wrote the words that Paul was referencing: “Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as his counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?” (Isaiah 40:13-14, NIV). Isaiah was saying that wisdom, knowledge, and understanding are completely from God. God was not taught these things by anyone and no one knows better than He does.

 

In today’s verse, Paul says that the “natural person” views things of God as “folly” and they are “not able to understand”. Why? Because they have not accepted Christ and therefore, the Holy Spirit is not in them. Without the Holy Spirit, they are not able to discern spiritual things.

 

So who is able to discern the things of the Spirit of God? Those of us who are in Christ Jesus! In 1 Corinthians 2:11-12, Paul explains, “So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God” (1 Corinthians 2:11-12, ESV).

 

As believers in Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God dwells within us. Because we have His Holy Spirit, we are able to discern spiritual matters. The Holy Spirit illuminates our minds so that we are of one mind with Christ.

 

So how do we access this understanding that God has given us? One way to understand the mind of God is through His Word. But even unbelievers can read the Bible. In order to rightly interpret and understand the Scriptures, we need the Spirit of God to enlighten us. In Luke 24:45, it says that Jesus “opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” right before He ascended to heaven.

 

Friends, in Christ, you are filled with the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit lives in You. You have the mind of Christ and have been given wisdom and discernment. As Christians, we are not “natural people” who view the Word of God as “foolishness.” We are spiritual people who view the Bible as the Truth of God. Whenever you read the Bible, ask the Holy Spirit to shed His light on His Word so that you can correctly understand and interpret what He said.

 

Pray:

God, I want to be of the same mind as You. Open my mind to Your Word. Thank You for Your Spirit that dwells in me and gives me wisdom and discernment so that I can understand Your ways and Your Word. Amen.

- Nat Crawford (Provided by "Back To The Bible")

Jesus Wants You To Know...

Though My blood has fully redeemed you, your mind is the last bastion of rebellion. When My Spirit is controlling your mind, you are filled with Life and Peace.

"The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace."

- Romans 8:6

- "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young

1 Peter 1:3

What Is Easter Sunday?

Easter Sunday, or Resurrection Sunday, is one of the most significant Christian holidays on the calendar. The day commemorates the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, who showed Himself alive after three days in the tomb. The first Easter Sunday changed everything, and every Easter Sunday after that reflects the joy, amazement, and worship those early disciples had when they first saw the risen Lord.

Luke gives the account of what transpired that first Easter Sunday as the women followers of Jesus discovered the empty tomb: “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!’” (Luke 24:1–6).

The Bible teaches that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was a physical raising of His body back to life (see Luke 24:39). Easter Sunday proved Jesus’ deity, confirmed His prophecies, validated the Scriptures, triumphed over the forces of evil, provided for our justification (Romans 4:25), and guaranteed the resurrection of all who trust in Christ.

Easter always roughly corresponds to the Jewish celebration of Passover, since Jesus was slain at Passover time (Luke 22:15; John 13:1; cf. 1 Corinthians 5:7) and rose again three days later. Indeed, Easter is sometimes called Pascha, a word derived from the Hebrew pesach, meaning “Passover.”

Easter Sunday marks the end of Holy Week, the end of Lent, and the last day of the Easter Triduum. Easter always falls on a Sunday. All of the Gospels state that Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1, 19). And that event is foundational to all we believe as Christians: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. . . . And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17).

Jesus’ resurrection is certainly worthy of being celebrated (see 1 Corinthians 15). Whether we use the term Easter or Resurrection Day or Pascha, it is good to commemorate the event that sealed our salvation and changed the world forever.

However we choose to celebrate Easter Sunday, we should not allow the associated fun and games to distract our attention from what the day is truly all about - the glorious resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Christ Himself should be celebrated every day, not just Easter Sunday. He is the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25), and He is worthy of praise more than once a year.

- Provided by "Got Questions Ministries"

What Is Holy Saturday?

 

After His crucifixion, Jesus was laid in a nearby tomb, and His body remained there the entirety of Holy Saturday (Matthew 27:59-60; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53-54; John 19:39-42).

Indeed, without the resurrection of Christ, we would be in dire straits. If Christ had never been raised, “your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). The disciples had scattered when Jesus was arrested (Mark 14:50), and they spent the first Holy Saturday hiding for fear of also being arrested (John 20:19). The day between Christ’s crucifixion and His resurrection would have been a time of grief and shock as the stunned disciples tried to understand the murder of Jesus, the betrayal of Judas, and the dashing of their hopes.

The only biblical reference to what happened on Holy Saturday is found in Matthew 27:62-66. After sundown on Friday - the day of Preparation - the chief priests and Pharisees visited Pontius Pilate. This visit was on the Sabbath, since the Jews reckoned a day as starting at sundown. They asked Pilate for a guard for Jesus’ tomb. They remembered Jesus saying that He would rise again in three days (John 2:19-21) and wanted to do everything they could to prevent that. As we know, the Roman guards were inadequate to prevent the resurrection.

- Provided by "Got Questions Ministries"

He Chose The Nails

Come with me to the hill of Calvary. Watch as the soldiers shove the carpenter to the ground and stretch his arms against the beams. One presses a knee against a forearm and a spike against a hand. Jesus turns his face toward the nail just as the soldier lifts the hammer to strike it. Couldn't Jesus have stopped him? With a flex of the biceps, with a clench of the fist, he could have resisted. Is this not the same hand that stilled the sea? Summoned the dead?

But the fist doesn't clench...and the moment isn't aborted.

The mallet rings and the skin rips and the blood begins to drip, then rush. Then the questions follow. Why? Why didn't Jesus resist?

"Because he loved us," we reply That is true, wonderfully true, but - forgive me - only partially true. There is more to his reason. He saw something that made him stay. As the soldier pressed his arm, Jesus rolled his head to the side, and with his cheek resting on the wood, he saw:

A mallet? Yes.

A nail? Yes.

The soldier's hand? Yes.

But he saw something else. He saw the hand of God. It appeared to be the hand of a man. Long fingers of a woodworker. Callous palms of a carpenter. It appeared common. It was, however, anything but. Between his hand and the wood, there was a list. A long list of our mistakes: our lusts and lies and greedy moments and prodigal years. A list of our sins.

The bad decisions last year. The bad attitudes from last week. There, in broad daylight for all of heaven to see, was a list of your mistakes.

He saw the list! He knew the price of those sins was death. He knew the source of those sins was you, and since he couldn't bear the thought of eternity without you, he chose the nails.

- An Excerpt from "He Chose The Nails" by Max Lucado

Music: "Exchange"

 

What's So Good About Good Friday?

 
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!”
And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

John 19:30

On a Friday morning, in a city bustling with Passover preparations, Jesus was bruised, bloodied and abandoned. The night had been long: He’d been betrayed by a friend, dragged through unjust trials, mocked and beaten. Early that morning, He was sentenced to die.

If anyone knows what it means to be broken, Jesus does.

Our world is filled with sorrows, yes. But Jesus didn’t just see our brokenness; He offered Himself to be broken for us on the cross. There, as He hung nailed to a tree like a criminal, He cried out “it is finished” before exhaling His last breath and giving up His spirit (John 19:30).

These are the very words a Hebrew priest would declare after killing the sacrificial lamb to cover the sins of the people on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). Jesus, the Lamb of God, took on the senseless violence of this world through His death, and as our High Priest, He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

In Hebrew, the word for “finished” shares a root with “shalom,” meaning peace, wholeness, restoration and completion. As Isaiah 53:5 explains, Jesus “was pierced for our transgressions … the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” . The peace of God came through the piercing of Jesus.

What’s so good about Good Friday? It’s this: By His death on the cross, Jesus broke the power of death and sin in this world. So Good Friday reminds us of the good work Jesus accomplished on the cross, leading to His resurrection and healing of this fractured world.

But before we rush to Resurrection Sunday, let’s sit with the weight of Jesus’ sacrifice today. Let us sit with the pain of the Man of sorrows (Isaiah 53:3), who endured the wrath of God at the cross. Let us ponder the injustice of the spotless Lamb of God punished for our sins. Let us marvel at the astounding death of the Creator of life. Let us worship the King of glory who let go of the splendor of heaven to become flesh and blood, to humble Himself, to hunger and thirst, to suffer and hurt, to be betrayed and rejected, mocked and humiliated - all for love.

Let us worship the Maker whose death brings life. Let us bring to Him all that’s heavy on our hearts, knowing He sees, He knows and He cares. And someday soon, He will finish restoring all that’s broken in this world - and in our lives too.

Jesus, we worship You for Your sacrificial love on the cross. Help us surrender to You those broken parts of our lives, and fill our hearts with hope that You will finish what You started: You will return to make all things new. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Asheritah Ciuciu
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Note:
To learn more about the meaning of Good Friday and why Jesus’ death on the cross is so important to you visit "Got Questions Ministries".

John 5:39-40

 

Knowing Christ

"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life;
and these are they which testify of Me.
But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”

John 5:39-40

Bible study will not give you eternal life. You could memorize the entire Bible and be able to discuss minute issues of biblical scholarship and yet fail to experience the truths found in its pages. It is a subtle temptation to prefer the book to the Author. A book will not confront you about your sin; the Author will. Books can be ignored; it is much harder to avoid the Author when He is seeking a relationship with you.

The Pharisees in Jesus’ day thought God would be pleased with their knowledge of His Word. They could quote long, complicated passages of Scripture. They loved to recite and study God's Law for hours on end. Yet Jesus condemned them because, although they knew the Scriptures, they did not know God. They were proud of their Bible knowledge, but they rejected the invitation to know God's Son.

Can you imagine yourself knowing all that God has promised to do in your life but then turning to something else instead? You may be tempted to turn to substitutes. These substitutes aren't necessarily bad things. They might include serving in the church, doing good deeds, or reading Christian books. No amount of Christian activity will ever replace your relationship with Jesus. The apostle Paul considered every “good” thing he had ever done to be “rubbish” when compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8). Never become satisfied with religious activity rather than a personal, vibrant, and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

- Excerpt from “Experiencing God Day-By-Day” by Henry and Richard Blackaby

What Is Holy Thursday?

Holy Thursday, also known as “Maundy Thursday,” is the day before Good Friday (the Friday before Easter). Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples. It was also the day of His betrayal and arrest. Maundy Thursday commemorates the actions of Jesus associated with the Last Supper.

Two important events are the focus of Maundy Thursday:

The first event is Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s Supper, or communion (Luke 22:19–20). This is one of the ordinances of the church. Some Christians observe a special communion service on Maundy Thursday to commemorate Jesus’ Last Supper with His disciples.

The second event that remains the focus of Maundy Thursday is Jesus’ washing the disciples’ feet. His act of humility and service set an example for us to love and serve one another in humility (John 13:3–17). Today, some Christians observe a foot-washing ceremony on Maundy Thursday to follow the example of Jesus’ washing the feet of His disciples.

The Gospel of John details what happened that night of the Last Supper: “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him” (John 13:3–5). He then told His disciples that “you should do as I have done for you” (verse 15).

The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word mandatum, meaning “mandate” or “commandment.” So, Maundy Thursday could be thought of as “Commandment Thursday.” The specific mandate is the new commandment Jesus gave the disciples that night. Before He was arrested, Jesus said,

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. (John 13:34–35)

Should Christians observe Maundy Thursday? The Bible neither commands nor forbids it. It is a good thing to remember the Last Supper and the Lord’s example of service and humility. At the same time, we should avoid ritualistic observances of holidays unless they are truly focused on God and our relationship with Him.

The very best way to observe Maundy Thursday, is to make sure we are following the mandate: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).

- Provided by "Got Questions Ministries"

Jesus Prayed For You

I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one,
and that the world may know that You have sent Me,
and have loved them as You have loved Me.

John 17:23

In John 17, we find the last words Jesus shared at His final meal with His disciples on Thursday during Holy Week.

Even though I treasure reading about the last moments of Jesus’ earthly life with His friends, at the same time, my heart aches. He knew all that was about to happen to Him. Within hours of this last time together, He knew:

One of His friends would betray Him …

The others would not stand with Him …

He would soon endure extreme brutality all alone …

And yet, somehow, He was focused enough to stay very present in this moment instead of living in dread of the horrific moments to come.

It astounds me how present and giving Jesus was during the Last Supper. Jesus and the disciples ate, drank and talked together. He washed their feet. He watched Judas walk out the door.

Then He prayed. For Himself, for the disciples … and for you and me.

The fact that Jesus thought of and prayed for us in these final hours also astounds me. I need to read what He prayed. But even more importantly, I need to live what He prayed: “that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (John 17:23).

Of all the many things He could have prayed for us, it was unity and love.

This feels a bit complicated in our world that is divided on issues where many have loud opinions, express strong objections, and feel very justified in getting offended by almost anything.

I get it. There’s a lot of wrong that should be addressed, justice that should be defended, and evil that should be stopped. There’s also so much we don’t understand or have answers for.

But when I reflect on Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, I wonder if there’s a more unified way we, as Christians, are supposed to be doing this. We have an enemy, but it’s not each other. In light of Jesus’ last prayer for us before He went to the cross, I wonder if we all need to remember this: While we can be divided in our opinions, we can be a little more united in our compassion for one another.

After all, so much of what shapes the opinions and objections we express comes from some deep pain we’ve felt or walked through with someone we love. Hurt shapes us for better or worse.

Jesus knew this. He had all the answers, and yet He still wept (John 11:35). Maybe that’s why He prayed for unity. Maybe it’s not the kind of unity where we all agree about everything but where, in the middle of disagreements, we can remember we are all carriers of pain and sorrow. Even if we don’t see eye to eye, surely we are so very alike in what makes us cry.

Even if we are completely divided on some opinions and ideas, we can remember we’re so very united in our tears and our love for Jesus. And in that shared commonality, believers show the world that with Jesus, unity and peace are possible.

You see, when there is that kind of unity between us, the world looks a lot more beautiful around us. And others will know by our unity and love that Jesus was sent by God to redeem the world.

Today, may we each choose to embrace a God-honoring unity and love in our lives. We honor Him most when we live His prayer.

Father God, You long for me to receive and live out the love of Jesus. For me to walk in unity and love. Help me tear down barriers of judgment and hatred. Help me hold to Your Truth and walk in Your grace while sincerely loving others. Through Your healing, help me to connect with others, human to human, no matter where I may be on my journey. May my heart be softened and my life be changed by Your call to unity and love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Lysa TerKeurst
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Application Of God's Word: Mark 9:24

 
Verse: Mark 9:24
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears,
“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

If you are struggling to believe that God can take care of your need, it is because you don't know Him as He wants you to. Go to Him and allow Him to convince you of His ability to meet every need you will ever face.

The attitude of trust and confidence that the Bible calls belief or faith (Hebrews 11:1,6) is not something we can obtain without help. Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8,9). No matter how much faith we have, we never reach the point of being self-sufficient. Faith is not stored away like money in the bank. Growing in faith is a constant process of daily renewing our trust in Jesus.

Application:

Faith does not come from ignorance. Faith is based on what we know.

Before we will trust others with something precious to us, we first try to find out if they are trustworthy. This father was asking that he might come to know God in such a dimension that he could trust Him to cure his son.

His son had been possessed by an evil spirit since early childhood. The father did not know Jesus well, but he had heard and seen enough to convince him that if there was any hope for his son, it lay with Jesus. In desperation he cried out to Jesus for help. Jesus’ response was to heal his son. The desperate father had correctly gone to Jesus with his problem even though he was struggling with his faith.

When you are struggling to believe, that is not the time to avoid Christ or to be ashamed of your struggle. You will never increase your faith by not going to Jesus! Rather, Jesus wants to help you with your belief. He can not only meet your need, but He will also give you faith to trust Him to provide for you.

What Is Holy Wednesday?

According to the traditional interpretation of the Bible, Holy Wednesday is the day on which Jesus was anointed with spikenard during a meal (Matthew 26:6–13). The day is sometimes called “Spy Wednesday” since it is traditionally commemorates the moment when Judas, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, conspired with the religious leaders to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. (Matthew 26:14–16).

The Bible does not mention Holy Wednesday or Spy Wednesday. The traditional name for this day, "Spy Wednesday," comes from the idea of Judas acting as a spy among the disciples. He plotted in secret to turn Jesus over to the authorities, a decision that ultimately led to the events of Good Friday and the Crucifixion.

The importance of Holy Wednesday lies in its invitation for personal reflection. Just as Judas turned away from Christ, believers are challenged to consider the times they may have distanced themselves from their faith or acted in contradiction to the teachings of Jesus.

This day also emphasizes themes of:

• Free will vs. divine purpose
• Temptation and betrayal
• Preparation for the Passion of Christ

It serves as a spiritual checkpoint before the Easter Triduum, which starts the evening of Maundy Thursday and continues through Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.

Holy Wednesday is more than just a day in the liturgical calendar - it’s a mirror. It asks each of us to look inward and examine our faith, loyalty, and spiritual readiness. As Holy Week moves toward its most solemn moments, this day reminds us that betrayal and grace, sin and redemption, are part of the same sacred story.

Let Wednesday of Holy Week be a time of soul-searching and renewal as we prepare to walk with Christ through the cross and into the resurrection.

- Provided by "I Love DepEd"

Worshipping the One Who Truly Matters on Holy Wednesday

Then Mary took about 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

If you’re anything like me, your to-do list can feel overwhelming. I often find myself saying, “I need to do this,” as though everything will fall apart if I don’t. The truth is, much more often, I need to check my heart, remember who Jesus is and realign my priorities.

Sometimes I let my schedule, work, possessions, pursuits or social status take precedence. But when my focus shifts from Jesus to these things, I lose sight of true purpose and peace.

For instance, I remember a time in my life when work consumed me. Hitting numbers and meeting goals became my sole focus. At first, it seemed productive, even admirable. But gradually, without realizing it, I let it define me. I stopped prioritizing Jesus and began worshipping my work instead. I became less loving, less gentle, and definitely less like Jesus.

With worship in mind, Holy Wednesday invites us all to remember two pivotal events from the Bible:

1. Judas agreed to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16).

2. Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus with expensive perfume, showing her devotion to Him (Matthew 26:6-13).

On the same day Judas decided to betray, Mary chose to worship.

John 12:3 says, “Then Mary took about 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.”

We face a similar choice daily: Will our priorities be selfish or holy? True purpose comes from devoting time to humbly being with Jesus. When we prioritize anything else, like Judas, we lose sight of who we are meant to be.

Mary’s example shows us what it means to live with holy purpose. She worshipped Jesus, sat at His feet, and humbly surrendered her most valuable possession to Him.

This Holy Wednesday, I invite you to prayerfully reflect: In what ways have you prioritized the wrong things? Are you living like Judas, trading eternal joy for temporary gains, or like Mary, finding peace and purpose in worship?

We will never find lasting peace and purpose until we sit at our Savior’s feet. Every day is an opportunity to offer ourselves to Him.

Dear Jesus, this Holy Week, help me to remember Mary’s example. I confess I’ve often prioritized the things of this world over You. I know I’ll miss a truly rich life if I forget to sit at Your feet. Lord, I humbly worship You as my Savior and my Friend. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

- Grace Valentine
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"Come to Me and let Me shelter you under My wings. You are completely safe with Me. Put aside your fears and worries. Remember, I can use crazy days to do wonderful things in your life. You may have a chance to do something for Me that wouldn’t have happened on an ordinary day. So instead of complaining about an out-of-control day, say yes to what I am doing in your life."

"I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings." - Psalm 61:4 - "Jesus Calling for Kids" by Sarah Young

What Is Holy Tuesday?

According to common interpretation of the Bible, Holy Tuesday is when Jesus was issued various challenges by the Pharisees and Sadducees over subjects such as marriage in heaven, paying taxes to Caesar, and the source of His authority.
(Matthew 21:23-23:39; Mark 11:27-12:44; Luke 20:1-21:4)

By this same interpretation, this is the day Jesus commented on the widow’s donation (Mark 12; Luke 21) and was approached by a number of God-fearing Greeks (John 12:20–36).

Tuesday would also be the day Jesus spoke His seven “woes” against the Pharisees (Matthew 23:13–36) and the evening on which He delivered the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24—25; Mark 13; Luke 21:5–36).

Depending on the denomination, this day may or may not be celebrated at all. Those that do observe Holy Tuesday, typically mark it with readings of particular passages of Scriptures and the singing of relevant hymns.

- Provided by "Got Questions Ministries"