Tag: Jesus Christ

Morning Reading: Luke 22.39-46 NLT – your will

Reading: Luke 22:39-46 NLT

Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives.

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There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.”

He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him.

He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief.

“Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father – Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil. Thy will be done… in me. In Jesus’ name, I ask it. Amen.

Hymn: “Go to Dark Gethsemane” – James Montgomery (1825)

Morning Reading: Luke 22.35-38 NLT – armed and ready

Reading: Luke 22:35-38 NLT

Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?”

“No,” they replied.

packing light“But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one! For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the rebels.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.”

“Look, Lord,” they replied, “we have two swords among us.”

“That’s enough,” he said.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – I understand packing and getting ready to travel. And I understand the counter-culture threat your followers pose to prevailing societal norms. But I don’t understand arming myself… except with the “sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”  So give me both wisdom and and innocence… that I might be a faithful bearer of your Good News – fully clothed in your heavenly armor… and prepared to go when you call. Amen.

Hymn: “Song for the Nations” – Chris Christensen

2013 Orthodox Easter Sunday – Καλό Πάσχα — Χριστός έχει αυξηθεί

Peanut Gallery: Today is Easter Sunday for millions of Christians around the world. Happy Easter – Christ is risen!

Message from John Kass –

Message from Coptic Pope Tawadros in Egypt –

Holy Fire in Jerusalem –

Orthodox Scouts Celebrate Easter in Jerusalem –

6th Sunday of Easter: Revelation 21.10-14, 22-27 NLT – new Jerusalem

Reading: Revelation 21.10-14, 22-27 NLT

new-jerusalem-coming-down-out-of-heavenSo he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty— but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – deliver me from evil and write my name in your Book of Life. For your name’s sake, I ask it. Amen.

Spiritual: “Twelve gates to the city / I bid you goodnight” – Robert Plant & Band of Joy

Morning Reading: Luke 22:31-34 NLT –

Reading: Luke 22:31-34 NLT

The Farmer Winnowing Wheat, Wind separates the chaffs from the seeds.
The Farmer Winnowing Wheat,
Wind separates the chaff from the seed.

“Simon, 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.”

Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.”

But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Sift me… my heart, my mind, my spirit. Keep what pleases you… and remove all else. And strengthen me… to keep me faithful to the end. For your name’s sake. Amen.

Hymn: “O Jesus, I have Promised” – John E. Bode (1869)