Our Cross

April 16

John 19:30

“Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

Because He died, we can live. Because He obeyed, we can be forgiven. Because He was condemned, we can be saved. Following Jesus is not about better, faster, stronger, higher. It is about recognizing our helplessness, admitting our guilt, and receiving His sacrifice on our behalf. Everything depends on the crucifixion and resurrection. Everything. That means nothing is left to depend on us. Grace is something we receive, not something we earn. We do not come to the cross as worthy people, promising to do better. We come as desperate beggars, acknowledging our need and seeking God’s empowering grace. Herein lies the tremendous hope: since nothing depends on us, since everything depends on God, victory is certain! We have an ironclad guarantee of forgiveness, grace, and eternal life, if only we will receive Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf. If you have never taken that step received Jesus as your Lord and Savior you can right now by saying this simple prayer. – Prayer for salvation. For those who are already believers, we want to give you the opportunity to “nail to the cross” the sins that weigh you down. Do this as a reminder that Jesus has paid the cost for those sins, so you don’t have to. Jesus has borne their burden, so your conscience need no longer be weighed down. Jesus will carry us to heaven, so we need not try to “earn” our way there. Identify those sins that seem to stick to you like glue. Also think about those memories that just don’t seem to go away, that come back mentally to condemn you. Then nail it to the cross, and hear Jesus say, “It is finished.” Prayer Jesus, You are my only hope. Realizing all that You have done for me on the cross brings great joy and peace to my life. I can count on You. My access to the Father, assurance of forgiveness of my sins, entry into eternal life – all depend on You. I trust You, I give You my life anew, I worship You for what You have done.

“HIS” Cross

April 12

John 19:17

“They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.”

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

Wood is one of the most common elements on earth. So abundantly found, it is burned for warmth, sliced to make paper, joined to build houses. Yet two very common pieces of wood, once drenched with rain, and perhaps even gnawed at by insects or animals, would soon absorb the sweat and blood of our Lord as He was crucified. Meditate on the pieces of wood that composed Christ’s cross. Imagine such a rough surface jammed against your back. His cross was not padded. It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t custom-fitted for His body. It was just a normal piece of wood, plucked out of a forest, suddenly made holy through the touch of the Messiah. Think long and hard about what it meant for Jesus to accept these pieces of wood. As He began carrying the cross, every step took Him closer to the horrors of Golgotha. He knew where this journey ended; He was not ignorant of the physical, spiritual and emotional suffering that lay ahead. At any moment, He could turn around and walk away. He could command the angels to slay the soldiers who “guarded” Him. He could ascend to heaven and take His rightful throne. He could avoid every drop of blood, calm every screaming nerve, reject every sin that was about to be laid on His shoulders. But Jesus kept walking, carrying the common wood on which He would be crucified, to accomplish His mission. He did it so that you wouldn’t have to. Prayer Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times when my life doesn’t turn out exactly how I had hoped and I begin to question Your love accordingly. Visualizing the wood of Your cross, remembering how You knew it would be the tool of Your crucifixion, I have no right to question Your commitment or care for me ever again. Thank You for giving me a glimpse of how great a price was paid for my salvation. • AMEN •

Lenten Solitude and Prayer

SOLITUDE

Prayer

My glorious God….I choose to be with You alone, as I enter into your Holy Passion Week. I seek to be in constant prayer and to accompany you on your journey to the Cross. In solitude, I will find total peace…..there with you. Amen

Lenten Reflection – Fifth Week – Evening

BE COMPASSIONATE, NOT COMPETITIVE

Let us not allow competitiveness to enter into our togetherness with others, because in the center of this, we end up loosing our compassion for others  Being compassionate can be frightening to our ability to cross over dividing lines and giving up our differences. We become afraid. Afraid we might loose ourselves in this process and loose our identity…..who we are.

Mark 10: 41-44

When the ten heard this, they began to become angry with James and John. So Jesus called to them and said to them….Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to he first amount you must be lovers of all.

Prayer

God my protector, my own competitiveness can sometimes keep me separate from others. I can become a lone soul rather than a companion and a human being in complete unity with others, especially those I love. Help me to live my life where I can set differences by the side, and help me to become a compassionate lover of all….rather than a lover of myself.

Fifth Sunday of Lent

SPEAK GOD’S WORD BOLDLY

I sometimes need to put a distance between myself and the world as it is. I have to give myself a “time out.”  Help me to speak to others about You.

Prayer

My Holy God….give me strength and courage to think clearly, and to speak in complete freedom. Please give me the character to act with determined words in service to You. Help me to voice The Good News…in my own bold way with complete assurance. Thank you Father for your love and thank you for giving me the strength I need to remain solid in my walk…..while I spread the news of your goodness.

*AMEN*

Lenten Reflections

CLAIM YOUR BLESSINGS

Good Morning my Holy God…..help me to recognize your glory in every blessing you have graciously given me. Help me notice your blessings especially in others, no matter what they may be going through. I want to notice the light of the Moon, the growing flowers, fruits and vegetables, the clear blue sky and puffy clouds. Slow me down and give me gratitude for all your many blessings. May I show you gratitude for all your gifts. I want to savor every moment you have given me. I wish to make my home in your generous spirit today.

Thank you my Father God for a new day. 

•AMEN•

Sunday Lent Reflection

 

LIVE THE PLAN

Today I reflect on my wounds. Am I living them for Christ or just thinking of them inside of me?

Jesus set an example for us; it is better to feel your wounds deep in your soul than to talk about them. In silence you absorb them into your heart. You can write about them, talk to yourself about them, and try to figure them out and “why.” This will not give you any true healing. You need to let your wounds go down into your innermost heart. Then you can “live through them” and you will see that they will not destroy you.

1 Peter 2:21

If you endure (being beaten) when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered wounds for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.

Prayer 

My God of healing. I am afraid of pain, suffering and hurt. Help me to avoid accepting my wounds. I ask that you help me to graciously accept your mercy to help me heal my wounds; your mercy to help me live through the pain, and journey with me as I receive your JOY on the other side.

•AMEN•

 

Saturday Lent Reflection

 

TRUE LISTENING

Often I am surrounded by so much noise that I don’t truly hear God when he is speaking to me. If I tune out and don’t truly listen, I miss the direction that he is calling me to. I have become deaf. I need to develop a discipline for listening,  or I may wonder off track and miss what He is telling me. He is always with me and speaking to me, but I don’t always hear. If I truly listen, I develop an obedience and I listen.

PRAYER

Dear Holy God….I believe that you have given my soul your grace. When I don’t hear your voice I feel  alone. Help me to always listen for your voice…..in the silence of my own soul. Lord I am here to listen. Come to me soon. I am present and I am listening. AMEN  

Acknowledge God’s Love

God loves me not because of anything I have done to earn it, but because in total freedom He has decided to love me. It is difficult to comprehend getting something for nothing.

Prayer

My Most High God, please take me into your love, the love that I can never earn. I confess that I fail…..and I do not deserve your forgiveness. My human self believes that this love is something I earn. I believe that others will only love me if I act as if I love  them. Your love for me has no bounds, and cannot be withdrawn. I am in awe. My Father God….. grant me the grace to accept this gift from You.   AMEN

Lenten Reflection – Seek Your True Home

Jesus spoke to the disciples. “Here is where you belong.” 

“In my Father’s house there are many places to live in….I am going now to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2) became very real. The Risen Jesus who dwells with the Father welcomes me home after a long journey.  

Do i have  a deep desire to be with Jesus? This scripture brings my whole life together and holds me lovingly in the arms of His Love. This is my true homecoming. This scripture is my true return to the womb of my God.

Prayer

My Holy Father….. you know me even before I was formed in my Mother’s womb. You know my thoughts even before I form them. You welcome me home into the warmth of your love, even when I do not know that I am lost. I know myself little and yet you know me so well. I cannot imagine my future. Give me your Grace to accept the present in your heart, which is the place where I belong. Thank you my Father God for my loving home with You. Amen.