Wednesday, April 8th, 2020

Photo-a-Day Challenge Word for today is: LOOK

Hebrews 12:2

“Looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Psalm 121:1-2

“I lift up my eyes (LOOK) to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

Merriam-Webster Dictionary: LOOK

• to ascertain by the use of one’s eyes

• to exercise the power of vision upon

• to direct one’s attention

• to gaze in wonder or surprise

The photo above is significant to me because I was visiting a friend, I had not seen in several months. We were celebrating at Universal Studios Florida. It’s a fun photo because we were ask to pose with our hands out with an expression of looking surprised! I think it turned out pretty good. Such fond memories.

As we continue our journey through this Lenten season, looking has become a daily adventure for me. Looking at photos especially for this particular activity my church is hosting online. The other “looking” I am pursuing is inward at myself and my relationship with God and others. I’ve also been looking through my bible at favorite scripture verses as well as looking up passages in my new Bible Commentary. The season of Lent is a journey we take for ourselves and is extremely personal. It is also a communal journey with other believers, as we RELIVE Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Every year we make this pilgrimage and though the scripture verses and the story remain the same, it is we who change with each passing year. I have celebrated many seasons of Lent, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday services and not a single one was like another. Jesus remains “The Good Shepherd,” we the sheep of His flock return again and again, each year with new insights and a renewed spirit. I pray that you have heard the voice of your Shepherd this Lenten season. He is calling for you, be still and know!

~ Blessings to you!

ειρήνη – “Peace” in Greek, reference listed the below. 

~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️☀️

References:

https://disciples.org/

https://www.biblegateway.com/

https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm

Wednesday, April 8th, 2020

Have you ever been betrayed?

Have you ever been the betrayer?

The few verses for today provides us with a lot of information. We have an opportunity to RELIVE the story of Jesus being with His disciples and he foretells them of His betrayal. As I was reading my Bible commentary today, I grasped something that’s always been there in the scripture but I had never given pause to it. *Judas, God did not love him less for being his betrayer.

Jesus was celebrating the Passover meal with His disciples, as we practice communion today. The breaking of the bread and the passing of the wine is an integral part of the Christian Faith and traditions. At my church, we say, “All Are Welcomed at the Table.” The communion table is remembering the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross, it’s a reconciling of ourselves, with others and with God.

Jesus’ Ministry is filled with examples of spending time with sinners, the forgotten and marginalized people of his time. Should we not be surprised that Judas, the betrayer was welcomed at the Passover meal with Jesus.

Jesus knew that Judas would be the one to betray him and he still breaks bread with him. Jesus also washed the feet of the disciples including Judas, John 13:14, “So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

Reading these verses today, opened my eyes to a clearer vision of the Communion Table. Jesus, did not love Judas less because he was going to betray him, in fact I believe it broke Jesus’ heart. Jesus love for us is not dependent on what we can and cannot do. His love is not conditional. He loves us because we are his children, he created us, he gave us purpose and a plan. “All Means All, All Are Welcomed at the Lord’s Table.”

The Good News of Jesus Christ is this: Psalm 86:5

“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.”

Practice:

Write a note or seek out a reconciling conversation. Without justifying your actions, own and apologize for your side of things.

ειρήνη – “Peace” in Greek, reference listed below. 

~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️

References:

https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm

https://www.biblegateway.com/

https://johnchristersopenheart.wordpress.com/2013/03/27/humble-servanthood-jesus-washing-the-disciples-feet/amp/

Thoughts on Judas Iscariot

https://wellspringchristianministries.org/john-13-21-26-27/amp/

http://www.jesuswalk.com/john/22_glorified.htm

https://www.abingdonpress.com/

But who do you say that I am? Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of …

April 7th- But who do you say that I am?

Thank You is the least we can say For giving us another beautiful day. Sing and be grateful for the gift Of life & love & all who give us a lift!

A Dozen Thanks; 2 NOT

Tuesday, April 7th, 2020

Photo-a-Day Challenge fo today is: GREAT

Merriam-Webster Dictionary: GREAT

• of a kind characterized by relative largeness

• remarkable in magnitude, degree, or effectiveness

• in a great manner

ειρήνη – “Peace” in Greek, reference listed the below. 

~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️☀️

References:

https://disciples.org/

https://www.biblegateway.com/

https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm

Dear friends, I posted the video below because it’s fun and its message about God is indeed true, God is GREAT, if you are offended by dancing and drinking alcoholic beverages please pass it by. It is not my place to approve or disapprove either for you. I can only be responsible for my own actions. I thank you for you support of this space, I believe in God and His GREATNESS. He is my Lord and Savior and I’m striving to share His Love to YOU! ♥️

Tuesday, April 7th, 2020

John 12:27-30

“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine.”

Dear friends, I am once again touched by the power of God speaking to me and the world when we most need it. Rev. Sam with the power of the Holy Spirit has opened up our hearts and minds to the struggles of this life. Rev. Sam did not know when she wrote today’s devotional just how it would feel so personal and piercing as COVID-19 ravages its way around the globe. People all over the world are experiencing vulnerabilities off the chart, with fear and grief at the top of the list. The scripture verses for today tells us that Jesus’ soul was troubled. But Jesus did not pray to be saved from the hour (his death), no Jesus prayed that his Father would be glorified. Jesus wanted to fulfill the Will of God, and God answered Jesus in verse 28 of John chapter 12,”…Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

Jesus is with us during these troubling times of COVID-19, feelings of the unknown, unable to be with family and friends is causing great stress. People are missing their friends and loved ones, worse yet of those individuals hospitalized they too are alone because of risk factors for them and visitors. Alone, is a misrepresentation because God is always with us. This virus is highly contagious and leaves much destruction in it wake. The guidelines to stay in is as much for your own safety and protection as it is for others. Please try to abide by the guidelines set up for you in your particular areas. Doing so will lessen the spread to you and others not to mention the possible loss of life. Please be mindful that some people are required to put themselves in harms way in order to provide needed care and services for those infected by the virus.

Words from Rev. Sam, “I find these vulnerable feelings from Jesus comforting. Jesus understands and stands with us as we face situations that cause us to deeply question whether we have the strength or courage to get through them. Jesus knows what it feels like to not want to walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” *Or in our current situation stay in and let the shadow of death/evil pass by.

My prayer for you,

“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.” ~Philippians 4:6-9

Practice: Read Psalm 23

ειρήνη – “Peace” in Greek, reference listed below. 

~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️

References:

https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm

https://www.biblegateway.com/

http://www.jesuswalk.com/john/22_glorified.htm

https://www.abingdonpress.com/