Power of the Cross

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God - 1 Corinthians 1:18.

               Jesus came to the world to save us as we all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23. And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness for by His wounds you were healed - 1 Peter 2:24. All our sins were nailed to the cross. Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross - Colossians 2:14.

              Jesus who was the king of glory endured shame on the cross for us. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, who for the joy 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. Paul said that he would never boast anything other than the cross of our Lord. But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world - Galatians 6:14.

             The power of the cross is not in words but in action on how we live our life. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me -Mathew 16:24. Let us take up the cross and follow God by denying ourselves. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect - 1 Corinthians 1:17.

                                                          

PRAYER: We thank You for the power of the cross that brought us forgiveness of sins and hope. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Crucified With Christ

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me – Galatians 2:20.

              When we are crucified with Christ, our old life is put away and we become new. 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. All our sinful nature will be crucified when we belong to Christ. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have been crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires - Galatians 5:24.

               As we are crucified with Christ, it is no longer we live but Christ lives in us. We are made alive by Christ. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord - Romans 6:10,11. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him - Romans 6:8. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive - 1 Corinthians 5:22.

               God loved us and gave Himself for us. We live this life in the body by faith in the son of God. The apostle Paul wrote, “To me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:20). If anyone obeys my commandments, my Father will come and dwell with him, and we will live with him - John 14:23. Let us learn​​ to crucify​​ our life with Christ so that we can live in the faith of the Son of God who loves us and died for us. He must increase, but I must decrease – John 3:30.

                                                        

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for loving us and giving Your life for us. We no longer live as You live in us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Obedience

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them - John 14:23.

                Jesus is our model of obedience. He came to save us by obeying the plan of God. Jesus said, “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). The night before Jesus was to be crucified, He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, “Not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Jesus Christ laid down His life for us as He became obedient to God. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross - Philippians 2:8.  

             As Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death, God exalted Him to the highest place. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father - Philippians 2:9-11. We will obey the commands of God if we truly love God. If we truly love God, we will obey His commands. If you love me, keep my commands – John 14:15.

              Obedience is better than sacrifice. Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams - 1 Samuel 15:22. Let us obey God as obedience opens the door for His greatest blessings in our lives. Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did - 1 John 2:6.

                                                            

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to obey Your word and follow Your steps. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Humility

And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted - Mathew 23:12.

                Jesus was exalted high because of His humility. 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. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father - Philippians 2:8-11.

              God will lift us up when we humble ourselves in His sight. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up - James 4:10. Humility comes before honor. God gives grace to the humble. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble - 1 Peter 5:5.                   

                  Let us value others above ourselves in humility. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves - Philippians 2:3. God’s favor will be with us when we are humble in spirit. These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word - Isaiah 66:2. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?  - Micah 6:8.

                                                                     

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to walk in humility. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Self-control

Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control - Proverbs 25:28.

           Self-control leads to perseverance. To knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness - 2 Peter 1:6. He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city - Proverbs 16:32. Jesus exercised self- control and learned obedience by His sufferings. Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered – Hebrews 5:8.

               We must guard our hearts by controlling what we allow into our hearts. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it - Proverbs 4:23. We must control our thoughts. Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ - 2 Corinthians 10:5. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil - 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

               We should discipline our body as well as it is the temple of the Holy spirit. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? – 1 Corinthians 6:19. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified - 1 Corinthians 9:27. When we exercise self-control, we can pursue a holy life that is glorifying to the Lord.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to exercise self-control in our life. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Gentleness

Let your gentleness be known to everyone - Philippians 4:5.

               We are called to imitate the gentleness of Jesus. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls - Matthew 11:29. Jesus was gentle even when the religious leaders falsely accused Him of blasphemy. Proverbs 15:4 urges us to remember that a gentle tongue is a tree of life. Your gentleness has made me great - Psalm 18:35.

              Let us be gentle with one another. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger - Proverbs 15:1.  In 1 Thessalonians 2:7, Paul gives us a glimpse of how he treated others: “We were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.” The unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight - 1 Peter 3:4.

               Walk in gentleness to lead a life worthy of calling. Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love - Ephesians 4:1-2. Let us do the task of evangelism with gentleness and reverence. But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence -1 Peter 3:15.

                                                       

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to be gentle with others. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Faithfulness

The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one - 2 Thessalonians 3:3.

                      Our God who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood is faithful. Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood - Revelation 1:5. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord - 1 Corinthians 1:9.

                     God is faithful in keeping His covenants. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands - Deuteronomy 7:9. When we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. In 1 John 1:9 we are told that, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

                    God’s Word is true and He is faithful in all He does. For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does - Psalm 33:4. Hebrews 6:18 says God cannot lie, nor can He break an unconditional promise that He says He will fulfill. He is faithful to all His promises. The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made - Psalm 145:13.

                                                            

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for Your faithfulness and love towards us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Goodness

Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You - Psalm 31:19.

                  God demonstrated His goodness towards us by sending His only son for us. We see that the goodness of God is manifested in His desire to forgive our sin. Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? - Romans 2:4.

                 The goodness of God is also manifested in His grace. Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." God does not withhold anything that is truly good for us. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly - Psalm 84:11.

                  God is good to all. The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works - Psalm 145:9. Unlike man, God is eternally good and His goodness never changes. In Malachi 3:6, we read, For I am the Lord, I change not. He will be good forever. Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for his mercy endureth forever - Psalm 106:1.

                                                  

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for Your goodness in our life. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Kindness

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:32).

               God’s kindness is revealed to us as He gave His one and only son to save us. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy (Titus 3:4-5). In Psalm 63:3, David praised God saying, “Your loving-kindness is better than life.” Nehemiah said, “You are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness.” (Nehemiah 9:17).

             Kindness is the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22). It is the quality which can be shown in our speech and action. It is a characteristic of true love. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud - 1 Corinthians 13:4. God’s kindness is shown in provision to us. He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy - Acts 14:17.

              Paul tells us to be kind and gentle, tender-hearted toward one another (Ephesians 4:32). As we are God’s chosen people, let us cloth ourselves with kindness. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience - Colossians 3:!2.       

                                                                 

Prayer: Dear Lord, We thank You for Your unfailing kindness. Help us to follow Your steps of kindness. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Longsuffering

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth – Isaiah 53:7.

             Christ bore great pain and sufferings on the cross with patience. Though He was beaten, mocked and scourged, He did not open His mouth. He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth - Acts 8:32. He exhibited perfect patience during His suffering. knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing - James 1:3,4.

                God’s patience waited in the days of Noah (1 Peter 3:20). God is patient towards us as He wants us not to perish. Count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him - 2 Peter 3:15. It is the will of God that all should be saved. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance - 2 Peter 3:9.

            Longsuffering is indeed a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain - James 5:7. When we love others as Christ loved us, we can endure others as He endured. Christ has suffered for us leaving us an example to follow His steps. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer – Romans 12:12.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to follow Your steps by being patient with others. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Peace

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid - John 14:27.

                   God made peace with us through His blood. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross - Colossians 1:19,20. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ - Romans 5:1.

                God has promised us that He will never leave nor forsake us. So, let us not be anxious about anything as God's peace will guard our hearts and minds. 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. Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble - Psalm 119:165.

                     God’s perfect peace will be upon all those who trust in Him. You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you - II Thessalonians 3:16. Let the peace of God flow through us like a river. Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river – Isaiah 66:12. There is peace in Christ!!

                                                      

PRAYER : Dear Lord, You are the Prince of peace. We thank You for giving us Your peace. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Joy

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full - John 15:11.

            Jesus endured the cross to experience the joy of saving us from sins. 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. The joy that was set before Jesus was a joy for us too.

                Let us rejoice in the Lord always as joy of the Lord is our strength. The joy of the Lord is my strength - Nehemiah 8:10. Rejoice in the Lord always. again I will say, rejoice - Philippians 4:4. May we be always filled with an everlasting joy.  Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs - Isaiah 61:7.

                May God restore us the joy of salvation. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit - Psalm 51:12. The psalmists write, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5b) and “Shout for joy to God, all the earth” (Psalm. 66:1). To produce joy which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, let us be connected with Christ. The joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22). Let us live an abundant life with an everlasting joy that Christ brought us from the cross.

                                                  

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for filling us with an everlasting joy. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Reckless Love

God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).

               God’s love surpasses our knowledge. That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God - Ephesians 3:17-19.

            God’s love finds us no matter where we go. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?  If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me - Psalm 139:7-10.

                God’s love for us is unconditional. unfailing and never ending. He gave His one and only son out of His love for us. By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us - 1 John 3:16. As we experience God’s love, let us become channels of that love to the world around us. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God - Ephesians 5:2.

                                                                   

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for Your reckless love. As You loved us, may we love one another. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Paid In Full

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him -John 3:16-17.

                Jesus paid the highest price for us because He loves us more than we could ever imagine. He sacrificed His life by dying on the cross to pay the price for our sins. He paid the debt for us which He did not owe. 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.

                 God came to this world to save us. The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many - Matthew 20:28. He came to seek and save those who were lost (Luke 19:10). The Lord, has taken on our debt and paid it all for us so that we can live in righteousness. Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed – 1 Peter 2:24..                     

               Jesus sacrificed his life to bear our sins. So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many – Hebrews 9:28. He paid the full price to redeem us. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men - 1 Corinthians 7:23. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God – Hebrews 10:12.

                                                      

Prayer: Dear Lord, We thank you for dying on the cross and paying the debts for us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Mocked, Beaten And Crucified

For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again - Luke 18:32.33.

                 Jesus’ greatest agony did not start only on the cross. It began at Gethsemane itself where God laid on His Son the sins of the world. 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. Isaiah 50:6 says “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting “.

                     Jesus was mocked, beaten and crucified. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified - Mathew 27:27-31. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, scourged Him.  So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him - Luke 19:1.

                Jesus did not even open His mouth when He was oppressed and afflicted. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth - Isaiah 53:7. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do -Colossians 3:12,13.

                                                              

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to be patient and bear with one another. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Christ Suffered For Us

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps - 1 Peter 2:21.

                  Isaiah predicted the sufferings of Jesus. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed - Isaiah 53:3, 5. Jesus suffered for our transgressions, healing and to bring us peace.                

                   Jesus suffered severely throughout His trials, torture, and crucifixion. He suffered physically. Isaiah 52:14 declares, “There were many who were appalled at Him - His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness.” His suffering was emotional. All the disciples deserted him and fled - Matthew 26:56. He was rejected by religious leaders, government and people. His suffering was spiritual. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us - 2 Corinthians 5:21.

                 Jesus did not commit any sin throughout his sufferings. Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously - 1 Peter 2:23,24. Jesus had the weight of the sins of the entire world on Him - 1 John 2:2. Christ had left an example for us by suffering for us. Let us follow His steps in our life.

                                                            

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for leaving an example by suffering for us. Help us to follow Your steps. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.  

Mary At The Cross

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene - John 19:25.

                   Mary rejoiced when the angel announced her about the child to be born. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior - Luke 1:47. Mary thanked and praised God after Jesus was born. My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant - Luke 1:46-48.

                  Simeon's prophecy to Mary given at Jesus' dedication comes to pass: "And a sword will pierce your own soul too." (Luke 2:35b). Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ who bore him to the world watched the sufferings of Jesus on the cross. She stood at the foot of the cross and her heart was broken.

                 Jesus cared for his mother even when he was suffering on the cross. John was at the cross with Mary, the mother of Jesus. When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household - John 19:26,27.

                                                               

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for giving Your life for us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

A Man called Pilate

Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.” - Mark 15:2.

                Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea from A.D. 26-36, serving under Emperor Tiberius. He is most known for his involvement in condemning Jesus to death on a cross. He declared Jesus to be not guilty several times. Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.” - Luke 23:22.

                While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”- Mathew 27:19. Pilate struggled with his decision. But as the Voice of the Crowd was in conflict with his conscience, he wanted to please the crowd. “Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified” (Mark 15:15).

               As soon as Jesus died, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus in order to bury Him, and Pilate granted the request (John 19:38). Pilate assigned guards for the tomb of Jesus. Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how” - Matthew 27:65. As Pilate wanted to please people, he handed Jesus for crucifixion. Let us always favor God by making right choices without any fear.

                                                                     

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to make right choices that pleases You. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Simon of Cyrene

Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross - Mathew 27:32.

                 Simon is a man from Cyrene, a major city of Lybia in Northern Africa. He came to Jerusalem during the Pass over. As Jesus was too weak to carry the cross, the soldiers compelled Simon to carry His cross. Though Simon would not have thought of it, he willingly carried the cross for Jesus. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me - Matthew 16:24.

                As soon as Jesus was arrested, all the disciples left Him and ran away. Simon Peter who followed Jesus at a safe distance just to see what would happen denied Him three times. And whoever does not bear His cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple - Luke 14:27. As Simon of Cyrene walked behind God, he was asked to carry the cross. He fulfilled the work of carrying the cross even though his dreams and plans might have crushed.

               Like Simon, let us also understand the purpose of God and follow Him to fulfill it. Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus. His dedication brought his whole family to serve God. And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross - Mark 15:21. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine - Romans 16:13.

                                                                

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to take up Your cross and follow You by denying ourselves. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Peter's Denial

                  But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” - Luke 22:57.

              In the last supper, Jesus told his disciples that all will stumble because of Him this night. But Peter proudly proclaimed that he will never leave Jesus even if everyone leaves Him. Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”- Mathew 26:33. But Jesus told Peter that he will deny Him three times.

              Jesus also told him that he had prayed for him that his faith should not fail. Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” - Mathew 26:34,35. Peter who said earlier that he was ready to die for Jesus, denied Him three times because of fear for his life. He failed even though he courageously followed Jesus into the high priest’s court yard.    

             Peter went out and wept bitterly. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So Peter went out and wept bitterly - Luke 22:61,62. As Peter was not able to overcome the weakness of his flesh, he failed. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall - 1 Corinthians 10:12.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Reveal us the areas of life where we have been denying you. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

The Fall of Judas

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows - 1 Timothy 6:10.

                Judas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus betrayed Jesus. He had the love of money. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it- John 12:4-6.

                  Satan gained foothold on Judas as he had the greediness for money. Scripture tells us that "Satan entered Judas" (Luke 22:3) and the devil "prompted Judas to betray Jesus" (John 13:2).  Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What will you give me if I betray him to you?' They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him - Matthew 26: 14-16.

                      Judas betrayed Jesus for just thirty pieces of silver. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. We cannot serve both God and money. No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon - Mathew 6:24. Let us not love anything more than Jesus in our life. Do not give the devil a foothold - Ephesians 4:27.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to stay away from the love of money. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

By His Stripes We Are 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.

             We never have to be sick in our life as Jesus had carried all our sicknesses on the cross. His body was broken so that ours can be whole, and by His stripes, we have been healed. He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness - by whose stripes you were healed -1 Peter 2:24. God is good and He came to give us an abundant life.             

             When Jesus was on earth, He healed many sick people. When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses” - Mathew 8:16,17. He is our healer. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases - Psalm 103:2,3.

              God’s will for us is to be in complete health. He wants us to prosper in body, soul and spirit. Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers - 3 John 2. God heals us emotionally, physically and spiritually. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds - Psalm 147: 3. Sickness has no place in our bodies as we were healed by His stripes. “For I will restore health to you, and heal you of your wounds, says the Lord” - Jeremiah 30:17.

                                                                

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are our healer. We thank You for carrying all our sicknesses on the cross. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Gethsemane

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 spent His time in prayer in the garden of Gethsemane the night before His crucifixion. 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. Jesus was strengthened after his prayer. 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.            

               There will be times that we must enter into the garden of Gethsemane to pray for the will of God in our life. 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. When we yield ourselves to the will of God, He will strengthen us and do great things in our life.

               Prayer helps us to overcome temptation and connects us with God. When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation - Luke 22:45. Like Jesus, let us pray for the will of God and overcome temptations in our life. Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak - Mathew 26:41.

                                          

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to watch and pray and yield to Your will. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.