Jesus paid for our freedom not with corruptible or perishable things but with His precious blood. Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot -1 Peter 1:18,19.
Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and so we need to honor God with our bodies as we are not our own but bought at a price. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
Let us praise God who already paid and bought us with a price by His precious blood and glorify God with our bodies. Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God - 1 Peter 1:23. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God - 1 Corinthians 10:31. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven - Matthew 5:16.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, We were bought at a price. We thank You for redeeming us by Your precious blood. Let us honor You by doing everything for Your glory. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb and they saw that the tomb was rolled away and an angel sitting on the top. But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” - Matthew 28:5,6. The angel told them that the Lord is risen as He had promised and the tomb is empty. He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee - Luke 24:6. Death is swallowed up in victory. “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ - 1 Corinthians 15:54-57.
The angel instructed the women to go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead. The risen Lord met them as they went to tell His disciples about His resurrection. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you. So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me" - Matthew 28:8-10.
We live in the power of resurrection as the same mighty power and the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us and raise us by His power. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you - Romans 8:11. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power -1 Corinthians 6:14. What is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places - Ephesians 1:19, 20.
Let us thank our resurrected Christ and walk in the newness of life just as He was raised from the dead. Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life - Romans 6:4.According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead - 1 Peter 1:3-5. I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live - John 11:25. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God - Hebrews 12:2.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are the resurrection and the life. Let us walk in the newness of life and go quickly and tell others about You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life - John 3:16.
The Cross is the place of divine exchange where the Lord Jesus Christ tasted death for everyone. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone - Hebrews 2:9. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us - Romans 5:8. Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! - John 1:29.
Jesus was punished that we might be forgiven
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace - Ephesians 1:7.
Jesus was wounded that we might be healed
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed - Isaiah 53:5.
Jesus tasted death for us that we might share His life
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone - Hebrews 2:9.
Jesus was made a curse that we might receive the blessing
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith - Galatians 3:13-14.
Jesus endured our poverty that we might share His abundance
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich - 2 Corinthians 8:9.
Jesus bore our sins in his body on the cross for us to live for righteousness
He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness - 1 Peter 2:24.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him - 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Jesus bore our shame that we might share His glory
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God - Hebrews 12:2.
Jesus endured my rejection that I might have His acceptance with the Father
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved - Ephesians 1:3-6.
Jesus was cut off that we might be joined to the Lord
For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken - Isaiah 53:8.
Our old Man was put to death in Him that the new Man might come to life in us
Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin -Romans 6:6.
We can live a life full of favor, grace, blessings, and closeness with God because of the divine exchange at the cross!!
PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for all You have done on the cross for us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left - Luke 23:33.
1. First Word of Jesus
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” - Luke 23:34.
2. Second Word of Jesus
And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” - Luke 23:43.
3. Third Word of Jesus
When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” - John 19:26.
4. Fourth Word of Jesus
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” - Matthew 27:46.
5. Fifth Word of Jesus
After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” - John 19:28.
6. Sixth Word of Jesus
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit - John 19:30.
7. Seventh Word of Jesus
And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last - Luke 23:46.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for Your finished work on the cross. We thank You for bearing all our sins, pain, sicknesses, grief and shame on the cross for us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
The Lord's supper is instituted by Jesus during the Last Supper where Jesus ate with His disciples before His betrayal and arrest. And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you" - Luke 22:19,20.
Remembrance
The Lord’s Supper is a time to remember that Jesus gave Himself for us on the cross. We eat the bread in remembrance of His body and drink the cup in remembrance of His blood.
When He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” - 1 Corinthians 11:24, 25.
Proclamation
We proclaim the Lord's death till He comes as we eat this bread and drink this cup.
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes - 1 Corinthians 11:26.
Fellowship
It is a holy communion, to have a fellowship with each other.
For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread - 1 Corinthians 10:7.
Self-examination
We need to self examine ourselves prior to partaking of the Lord’s supper.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep - 1 Corinthians 11:28-30.
Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Supper is a time for remembering and offering thanks for God’s great Sacrifice for us.
When He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” - 1 Corinthians 11:24.
Expectation
When we observe the Lord’s Supper, we look forward to a living Savior’s return.
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes - 1 Corinthians 11:26.
Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb! - Revelation 19:9.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for Your body that is broken for us and for Your precious blood that is shed for us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
God makes all things new in our life for His glory. All things become new in our life as God gives us new heart, new life, new mercies and new things for us. We are a new creation and so let us be transformed and walk in the newness of life just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God - Romans 12:2.
New creation
God wants us to be a new creation in Christ reflecting His righteousness and holiness.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new - 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness - Ephesians 4:24.
New heart
God gives us a new heart and a heart of flesh. We need a new heart as our heart is deceitful above all things and out of the abundance of our heart, our mouth speaks.
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh - Ezekiel 36:26.
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? - Jeremiah 17:9. For out of the abundance of the heart, mouth speaks - Mathew 12:34. The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking - Proverbs 15:28.
New life
God wants us to walk in newness of life just as He was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father.
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life - Romans 6:4.
For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God - 1 Peter 1:23.
New Mercies
We need to receive God's mercies everyday as His mercies are new every morning in our life.
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning - Lamentations 3:22,23.
New Things
God will do new things in our life by making a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert of our life.
Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea And a path through the mighty waters, Who brings forth the chariot and horse, The army and the power (They shall lie down together, they shall not rise; They are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick): Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert - Isaiah 43:16-19.
May everything become new in our life!!
From fear to faith
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind - 2 Timothy 1:7.
Do not be afraid; Just have faith - Mark 5:36.
We walk by faith, not by sight - 2 Corinthians 5:7.
From sorrow to joy
Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning - Psalm 30:5.
Your days of sorrow will end - Isaiah 60:20.
your sorrow shall be turned into joy - John 16:20.
From sickness to health
'But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord" - Jeremiah 30:17.
Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth - Jeremiah 33:6.
From curses to blessings
The Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you - Deuteronomy 23:5.
From poverty to prosperity
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich - 2 Corinthians 8:9.
From captivity to liberty
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed - John 8:36.
From weakness to strength
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me - Philippians 4:13.
From slavery to freedom
For freedom Christ has set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery - Galatians 5:1.
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you - Romans 8:11.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for making all things new in our life. Let all old things in our life pass away and let us walk in the newness of life. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray” - Mark 14:32.
Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane the night before His crucifixion and prayed for the will of the Father to be done. And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” - Luke 22:41. He submitted to the will of Father as He came down from heaven to do His will and not His will. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me - John 6:38.
Jesus prayed more earnestly in the garden of Gethsemane in agony. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground - Luke 22:44. Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear - Hebrews 5:7.
God strengthens us as we wait upon Him in prayer. Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him - Luke 22:43. But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint - Isaiah 40:31.Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand - Isaiah 53:10.
Let us submit ourselves to the will of God and pray earnestly in all situations like Jesus. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God - Psalm 143:10. I delight to do Your will, O my God - Psalm 40:8. Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak - Mathew 26:41. Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus - Philippians 4:6-7.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross - Philippians 2:8.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us not be anxious about anything but bring all our requests to You in prayer and submit everything to Your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.