Good Friday, April 10th, 2020

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

Merriam-Webster Dictionary: FEAR

• an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger

• to be afraid of

• anxious concern

• profound reverence and awe especially toward God

Fear, this is a emotion I have long wrestled with. I have learned that this emotion can be both good and bad. It’s good to have strong instinct to warn you of possible dangers. It is bad if you allow it to overwhelm you to the point of inaction. I have found, though I do not consistently apply said knowledge…I try to understand why I’m afraid, scared or fearful of something. Power is knowledge!

If you find yourself in fear of something, I encourage you to search for the reason why, after finding the facts you may well still be in fear but you will know why.

I know that darkness itself cannot harm me, it is the items and/or persons in the darkness that are potentially harmful to me. But I would still rather have the lights on!

The Bible gives us many examples of the word FEAR:

Proverbs 1:7

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Isaiah 11:2-3

“The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.”

Isaiah 35:4

“Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.”

John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

Psalm 34:4

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

Prayer:

Grant me Peace, Oh Heavenly Father. Let this fear just fall away, as my heart desires to seek You. For You are the rock of my life, my fortress, and my strength, even when I am weak.

~In Jesus Name Amen

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

~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️☀️

References:

https://disciples.org/

https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/knowledge-power-quotation

https://www.biblegateway.com/

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

Maundy Thursday, April 9th, 2020

Hello friends—

I have just listened to the Maundy Thursday service that my church posted online. I found it to be extremely moving and motivating, personal and spiritual.

Blessing you during this Easter weekend!

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

~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️

Could you not stay awake with me one hour? Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go…

Maundy Thursday- Could you not stay awake with me one hour?

Maundy Thursday, April 9th, 2020

So, what is Maundy Thursday and why is it important?

Some people call it Holy Thursday, others as Maundy Thursday. But what does the “Maundy” in “Maundy Thursday” mean? It’s certainly not a commonly-used word or something you’re likely to hear outside the context of Easter. What did this term mean, and where did it come from?

Etymologically, the consensus is that “Maundy” comes from the Latin word Mandatum (itself from the verb Mandare), which is translated “commandment.” * https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2011/04/what-does-maundy-thursday-mean/

If you have never experienced a Maundy Thursday service, you are missing out on a truly humbling experience. It is a service usually consisting of washing one another’s feet, although I have experienced the washing of one another’s hands as well. Both form feelings of vulnerability, at least they did for me. It is uncomfortable because most people are not at ease letting someone else touch their feet; let alone wash them. And, yet this is exactly what Jesus did for the disciples. The King of Kings, became a servant to them and washed their feet.

In this act of humility, Jesus was teaching the disciples. Jesus gave them a new commandment recorded in John 13:34-35

Maundy Thursday is important because Jesus showed us how to be his hands and feet in this world. Just as the disciples spread the word of Jesus and His Kingdom, we too are called to continue the work.

“And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.” ~Matthew 24:14

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” ~Mark 16:15

“…and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” ~Luke 24:46-47

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” ~Acts 1:8

Practice:

Whose feet do you need to wash? Sing or listen to “The Servant Song” (The Faith We Sing). Consider finding a Maundy Thursday service to watch or listen to during this time of “shelter in place” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trust in God during these difficult days.

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

~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️

References:

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

https://www.biblegateway.com/

What Does “Maundy Thursday” Mean?

https://www.abingdonpress.com/