Month: April 2017

Thursday of Easter Week, 20 Apr – Luke 24:35-48 ~ dumbfounded disciples

Thursday of Easter Week

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Prayer

Almighty God and Father, Jesus died for us on the cross and you raised him from the dead.

I have not seen the marks of the nails in his hands nor touched the wound in his side, but I believe that he is alive and present here among us. Open my heart to his word and let me touch him in the bread of the Eucharist, that he may raise me above my sins and change me into his likeness. May I thus bear witness to your risen Son, Jesus Christ my Lord.
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Reading: Luke 24:35-48 (NLT)

Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!

“Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.

Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched.

Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things.
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Reflection & Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Thank you for this season of Easter; the more I reflect on the appearances of Jesus to his disciples, the more I understand their “disbelief, filled with joy and wonder.”

+ Open my heart and mind that I might understand the startling reality they confronted – Jesus of Nazareth is the Risen Christ.
+ Fill me anew with the joy and wonder of it all – Jesus has triumphed over sin and death and is present now with me as I live and breathe.
+ Jesus – I receive your reconciling love and forgiveness through repentance of my sins and belief in your name – you are my Savior and Lord.
+ Jesus – you alone can make the world right with God through the forgiveness of sins; you alone can bring peace to the nations.

Holy Spirit: Strengthen my faith, keep my eyes focused on the Risen Christ, and give me the boldness and courage to bring to others the Good News of peace.

Soli Deo gloria!
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“Who Am I” – Casting Crowns


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Concluding Prayer

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? – Psalm 8:3-4 (NLT)

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Wednesday of Easter Week, 19 Apr – Luke 24:13-35 ~ walk with me

Wednesday of Easter Week

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Prayer

God our Father, you are a God not of the dead nor of those paralyzed by their fears and limitations but the God of the living. Raise us up and make us walk forward in joy and hope as companions on the road of him whom you raised from the dead, Jesus Christ, our risen Lord for ever.
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Reading: Luke 24:13-35 (NLT)

That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him.

road-to-emmaus-lelio_orsi.jpg

He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”

They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”

“What things?” Jesus asked.

“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.

“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”

Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.”

Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread.

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Reflection & Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ: walk with me – especially when I’m feeling hopeless and fearful, lacking in faith. Lord, I need you to walk with me.

+ I need your presence, Lord, when things go terribly wrong, my hopes dashed on the rocks of despair, and my natural inclination is to run away.
+ I need your presence, Lord, when events and circumstances overwhelm me, challenging my world view, and I don’t know what to do or how to respond.
+ I need your presence, Lord, to open your Word for me, to give me wisdom and understanding, and to remind me of all I have learned since childhood.
+ I need your presence, Lord, to return to the fray with courage and conviction that you rule over all of human history and in the end – you win.

Lord Jesus Christ: walk with me, be my companion along the way. And use me to introduce others to you that they too might find peace and rest for their souls – in you, the Savior of the world.

Soli Deo gloria!
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“Walk with Me” – Jesus Culture (Kim Walker-Smith)


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Concluding Prayer

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. – Psalm 105:1-2 (NLT)

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Tuesday of Easter Week, 18 Apr – John 20:11-18 ~ “I have seen the Lord!”

Tuesday of Easter Week

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentences

God of life, I profess my faith in Jesus and recognize him as my Lord and Savior. May I be attentive to him when he speaks his Good News to me for it is a message of life. And, may I also hear his voice when he cries out to me in people in need or, simply, when he speaks to me in people who express their joys and hopes, their love and their faith. I ask this through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Reading: John 20:11-18 (NLT)

Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her.

“Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”

She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?”

She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”

“Mary!” Jesus said.

She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).

“Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.
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Prayer:

Lord Jesus: the world seems to be crumbling around me; I am surrounded by news of death and disasters, pain and suffering, disillusions and betrayals. Break through all this noise and speak to me a word of life, of hope, of help, and of healing.

+ Call me by name that I may hear your voice and see your handiwork around me.
+ Increase my understanding that I may discern the movement of your spirit in new ways.
+ Give me persistence as I seek your presence, your loving-kindness, your mercy and grace.
+ Lift me out of the mud and mire – set my feet on solid ground and steady me as I press on.

Lord Jesus: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to receive the heavenly prize for which you are calling me. Make me a messenger of the Good News of the Kingdom – the time of the Lord’s favor has come – our God reigns!

Soli Deo gloria!
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“Your Eyes” – Darlene Zschech

Turn my eyes to You | I turn away from the things of this world | God I look to You | I run towards the prize of my heart

I know Your eyes are on me | You won’t turn Your face away | Only love within Your gaze

And all my heart is on You | I will rest under Your shade | All my hope is in Your Name

I lift my hands to You | Bring the purest worship l have | For I’m at home in You | I soar upon the wings of Your love

As I live and, as I move | All of my hope it, is in You God | There is nothing, I can bring | Only Jesus, to You I cling

For You are risen, and I am with You | You have spoken, and I am whole | In every fiber, of my being | Will declare that, You are Lord

You are Lord, You are Lord | For You are Lord, You are Lord | For You are Lord, You are Lord | For You are Lord, You are Lord
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Blessing

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone. – Psalm 33:20-22 (NLT)

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Who Was Paul Revere and Why Should You Care? | Prager U – Eric Metaxas

paul-revere-9456172-1-402

Do you know who Paul Revere was? He is one of America’s key historical figures. Want to know what he did? Eric Metaxas, New York Times #1 bestselling author, shares the remarkable story.

Monday of Easter Week, 17 Apr – Matthew 28:8-15 ~ witnesses debunk fake news

Monday of Easter Week

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentences

Living God, my heart is glad and rejoices and I am confident that I have a living person to believe in, Jesus Christ, who is risen from the dead. Show me the path of life, that I may live in the joy of your presence and give me the grace to make my whole life a witness that proclaims Jesus is my risen, living Lord now and for ever. Amen.
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Reading: Matthew 28:8-15 (NLT)

The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.
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Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ: Emmanuel (God with us) you were born to us, and Emmanuel (God with us) you are to us until the end of time. I have nothing to fear.

+ In the rush of my day, meet and greet me, Lord; call me by name.
+ Fill me with joy in your presence that I might glorify your name.
+ Replace my fears with the security of your perfect love for me.

Lord Jesus Christ: you are the living God who has overcome sin and death once and for all. Give me a spirit of power, love and self-discipline that I might confidently tell others that you are alive and well… and that you have changed my life… forever.

Soli Deo gloria! Amen.
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Forever – Kari Jobe


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Blessing

I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. – Psalm 16:7-8 (NLT)

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!