Luke 23:1 "The Whole Company of them arose" - the whole company of followers accused Jesus of misleading the nation, stirring up all of Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem. What happened overnight? These are the same 2 million people welcoming Him into Jerusalem, watching Him raise Tabitha from the dead, stunned at seeing Lazarus alive again, witnesses of lepers healed fully, partakers of a meal that fed way over 10,000 that came from 5 fish and 2 loaves, and present as Jesus woke up the Centurion's dead daughter. Same people. Different hearts. Oh so different than before.
And here's Herod, greatly pleased that Pilate sent Jesus to him. A silent Jesus Christ. No more miracles for King Herod. Beggars and blind men and lepers and widows and the lame never had their requests turned down, did they? The poorest of the poor saw His Hand laid on them. The richest of the rich, nobility himself, couldn't even get Jesus to answer him. Nothing for the braggy king of Jerusalem.
So what do you walk away from today's reading with? Proverbs 29:25 ~ "The fear of man lays a snare but those who trust in the LORD are safe." Am I safe this day? Or do I entertain the thoughts of what appears to be safe but really isn't---the opinion of others---what our family wants, what our world wants. Who is standing up in the crowd?
Would love for you to visit one of yesterday's comments---from Angie. I'm going to jump in here and ask that we pray for Ang over the next 48 hours. She's a beautiful girl who so wants to honor her LORD. She needs our prayers right now for strong faith. She faces somewhat of a battle on Friday (Satan is always messing with us) and pray that she would be steady until Friday's sunset and on. In Exodus 17:12, Aaron and Hur held Moses' hands up in Moses' own battle and Moses was "steady til sunset." We love you so Angie and are praying for you a victory in God's Eyes! Our Love & Prayers, Bev
ReplyDeleteP.S. I teach school today, then off to a banquet, then on my way to Dallas for the counseling conference at The Village. Would you pray that I make it? My pathfinder broke down last week & we can't get it fixed --- the repair shop estimate was out of the roof of the car---ha! So, I am in our fender bender with no a/c headed to Dallas. It has seen a ton of miles. Maybe it won't be so hot. It's been so nice. I'm so thrilled to be able to attend this conference as the culmination of an 8-week counseling class I just completed. That God would provide is unbelievable. Thanks for praying that I make it safely as my arrival in Dallas will be really late Thursday. Hope everything goes all right with posting this weekend. Thanks for your patience with it.
ReplyDeleteAng, you are being lifted up in prayer. You are surrounded by His grace and mercy. I will continue to pray for you through this ordeal.
ReplyDeleteEphesians 6:16-18:
"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."
Bev, as you travel in the fender bender without air conditioning, I pray for the coolness of the Holy Spirit to envelop you like a cloud and to give you safe travels. I smile when I think of you, brave leader. You have been given a heart for Him, that I don't even think you realize how you emulate Him in your words. You are so greatly loved.
First a praise. My young friend delivered her baby boy, Drew, yesterday. Weighed 4 pounds 14 ounces...and he was not due till June 20. He came out screaming..answer to prayer and she got to hold him before they took him off to NCIU.....she starts the strong chemo this coming Monday.
ReplyDeleteAngie< I lift you up to the throne of mercy and ask that God cover you with His beautiful wings of grace and mercy. I pray that you are able to stand tall and strong and know that God is your strength. May He be glorified and honored in your life tomorrow and everyday.
Bev...praying for your safety and for you to be cool without the a/c. Blessings on your trip and IF the readings should not be posted, He will be honored because of your obedience and dedication to serve Him on so many different levels.
Mary Lou ~ I'm so thankful for her healthy baby boy. That was the first of many miracles I pray this family sees. Let us know how we can continue to lift up Sally and her family.
ReplyDeleteBev ~ Glad you will get to attend this conference in Dallas. Praying for smooth travel and a dependable car for you as you venture away from home. May you be blessed a hundredfold for your investments in Him! Love you.
Ang ~ You are and will be in my prayers tomorrow for much wisdom, closure, and the peace that passes understanding, for Jesus to hold you. He has been "your King of Glory" Now may He be your "Prince of Peace" as the Mullens song goes. Know I'll be thinking of you tomorrow!
Today is my youngest daughter's 25th birthday. Would you all mind praying for her to respond well to her husband's new-found faith in Jesus, for her to grow with him as they journey together in Christ? She is such a joy to me. I am celebrating one of the best blessings I have had the joy of knowing today.
Love you guys!
Pilate's people-pleasing politics and lack of a backbone is what stops me in my tracks this day.
ReplyDelete"I find no guilt in this man." But they were urgent..."
Pilate had the power to stop the atrocity, but he didn't go with his conscience. I often doubt my own convictions when others disagree. I wonder if Pilate was basically a good man, as we say? Could be any one of us, succumbing to peer pressure...We must be on our toes. The enemy prowls around like a roaring lion..
Lord, save us from careless decisions, insulate us from caring too much what someone else may think, guide us to upright living as You transform us more and more into Christ's likeness. In the Mighty Name of Jesus, Amen.
Bev, I'm praying you get to your conference safe and sound. It's hard to even imagine from Michigan how uncomfortable it would be without air conditioning! Thank you for bringing attention to my "issue." Tomorrow this time it should be over! I'm probably making it way bigger of a deal than I need to, but I so appreciate your prayers and concern!
ReplyDeleteMary Lou, I'm Praising God and praying for your friend and baby, Drew! I love how you Praise first! I need to remember that! Thanks also for your prayers!
Jan, thank you for lifting me in Prayer. I feel sort of like a drama queen, but I need to remember everything will turn out the way it is supposed to.
Annette, I know you will believe me when I tell you I haven't stopped listening to the song you shared with me. It's on my blog and I've been clicking on it like crazy. Thank you also for not judging me and for encouraging me to handle it the way that feels best. Oh, and for sharing James 3:13-18 with me. I'm going to read it again tonight and tomorrow.
I'm overwhelmed by the love shown on this blog. I've seen some of you face to face but not all of you. I wish I could give every one of you a hug right now!
Love you all,
Angie
Righteousness on trial.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I see in today's reading.
And there He stood. No word of defense. The sinners like vultures picked his bones clean with their words and actions.
And He was righteousness on trial.
In this world we will have tribulation, but He has overcome! His righteousness defeated sin and generation after generation of mankind has had to accept or reject the gift of grace, freely given to all who believe on Him.
Can you imagine for just one moment how you would respond before a judge if you were innocent of all charges?
It was His finest hour...
You know I'll be praying for you, Ang and Bev. Mary Lou, I am so thankful baby Drew arrived safely and mom will be going through her treatment. May God's healing course through her treatments and bring healing. I pray also that she will endure with no drama. No nausea. No mistakes. No fear. God is in control.
ReplyDeleteAnnette, I'm so very glad to hear about your son-in-love's salvation! Praying for them to be of one accord in the Lord. And a very happy birthday to her, too!
Ang, thank you for the prayer. I've been praying Psalm 25 today for America.
Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses, for they have been ever of old...verse 6 from Psalm 25.
I love that word...lovingkindnesses. I feel that here this week. You all are the fragrance of Christ here. God bless.
My deep gratitude to each of you---I made it safely. Bob had my car "fixed."
ReplyDeleteSo grateful for the news on Drew! Like wow!
And Ang, let us hear how you are doing! Praying for you as the sun sets over here in Dallas.
Happy Birthday to the little one, Annette. Pretty exciting about her hubs. Can't believe Linds is 25. Praying for your girl!