Tag: christianity

Morning Reading: Luke 9:43-45 NLT – foreboding

Reading: Luke 9:43b-45 NLT

foreboding cloudsWhile everyone was marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Listen to me and remember what I say. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies.”

But they didn’t know what he meant. Its significance was hidden from them, so they couldn’t understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – I know how the story ends… with you as our risen Lord and King of Glory. But there was no easy way to get there… for you, or for those around you. The truth is… I want to jump ahead to Pentecost and share in the power of your resurrection. But that’s not the way you chose – the way of the cross – betrayal, suffering, death and then resurrection. Give me a willingness to share in your suffering during this Lenten season of reflection… that I might fully enter into the joy of Easter. Amen.

Hymn: “Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross” – Fanny Crosby (1869)

Jesus, keep me near the cross / There a precious fountain / Free to all, a healing stream / Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain. / In the cross, in the cross / Be my glory ever / Till my raptured soul shall find / Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul / Love and Mercy found me / There the bright and morning star / Sheds its beams around me.  / In the cross, in the cross / Be my glory ever / Till my raptured soul shall find / Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God / Bring its scenes before me / Help me walk from day to day / With its shadows o’er me. / In the cross, in the cross / Be my glory ever / Till my raptured soul shall find / Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross I’ll watch and wait / Hoping, trusting ever / Till I reach the golden strand / Just beyond the river. / In the cross, in the cross / Be my glory ever / Till my raptured soul shall find / Rest beyond the river.

Morning Reading: Luke 9.37-43 NLT – power displayed

Reading: Luke 9.37-43 NLT

After Jesus was transfigured, He healed a demonized boy (Matthew 17:14-20; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43).
After Jesus was transfigured, He healed a demonized boy (Matthew 17:14-20; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43).

The next day, after they had come down the mountain, a large crowd met Jesus. A man in the crowd called out to him, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, my only child. An evil spirit keeps seizing him, making him scream. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It batters him and hardly ever leaves him alone. I begged your disciples to cast out the spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”

Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you and put up with you?” Then he said to the man, “Bring your son here.”

As the boy came forward, the demon knocked him to the ground and threw him into a violent convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and healed the boy. Then he gave him back to his father. Awe gripped the people as they saw this majestic display of God’s power.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Woe is me! I am a faithless corrupt person living among a faithless corrupt people. Forgive me, cleanse me, heal me, empower me… to soar with you in the power of your love… as your Spirit leads me on. To you be all honor and glory – now and forever. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “The Power of Your Love” – Hillsong (YouTube)

Morning Reading: Luke 9:28-36 NLT – listen to him

Reading: Luke 9:28-36 NLT

About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly, two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem.

Mosaic of the Transfiguration, in the apse above that altar at St. Catherine’s Monastery on Mt. Sinai, c. 550. Kurt Weitzman, Jan 1964 National Geographic: “…hanging like a veil.”
Mosaic of the Transfiguration, in the apse above that altar at St. Catherine’s Monastery on Mt. Sinai, c. 550. Kurt Weitzman, Jan 1964 National Geographic: “…hanging like a veil.”

Peter and the others had fallen asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus’ glory and the two men standing with him.

As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, “Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But even as he was saying this, a cloud overshadowed them, and terror gripped them as the cloud covered them.

Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.” When the voice finished, Jesus was there alone. They didn’t tell anyone at that time what they had seen.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Open my eyes to see your glory… not just in the big things, but also in the little – even ordinary – things of life. Open my ears to hear you… to really listen when you speak to me. And give me the courage and will to live out your Kingdom purpose for my life… today and always. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Show Me Your Glory” – Third Day (YouTube)

Morning Reading: Luke 9.23-27 NLT – via dolorosa

Reading: Luke 9.23-27 NLT

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.

In the old town of Jerusalem, paving the way of Jesus Christ, the traditional Way of the Cross took place on the Good Friday towards Saint Sepulchre.
In the old town of Jerusalem, paving the way of Jesus Christ, the traditional Way of the Cross took place on the Good Friday towards Saint Sepulchre.

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?

If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.

I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – you call me to let go of my life… to give up anything that gets in the way of my relationship with you. Forgive me for clinging to the things of this sinful and dying world… trying to drag them along with me on the via dolorosa. You are my Lord and my God. Give me the courage to drop my baggage.. take up the cross you give me to bear… and follow you today. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Take Up Your Cross” – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir (YouTube)

1st Sunday in Lent: Romans 10:9-11, 13 NLT – saved

Reading: Romans 10:9-11, 13 NLT

Jesus came to see us freeIf you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced….”

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”

Prayer:  “Lord Jesus Christ, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. I ask your forgiveness and now turn from everything which I know is wrong. Thank you for dying on the cross for me to set me free from my sins. Please come into my life and fill me with your Holy Spirit and be with me forever. Thank you Lord Jesus, Amen.”

(For more on steps to peace with God – click here.)

Spiritual Song: “Name of Jesus” – Chris Tomlin (YouTube)