HOLY WEEK... tearful Thursday

Jesus prayed -
"My prayer is not for them (the disciples) alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You." John 17:20

It's THURSDAY

Early in the day, Jesus washed the disciple's feet. Jesus portrays to His disciples genuine leadership starts in humbleness and in serving others.

Later they head to the Garden of Gethsemane. With sweat rolling down His back and legs and tears spilling from His eyes, the dirt on His knees change to mud. The fury of the week left the disciples too exhausted to stay awake in the Garden. Three times Jesus wakes them... and later, three times Peter denies Him. Under the full moon, Jesus is alone on the path to the Cross.

The brilliance and beauty of a full moon is mesmerizing. So full and bright, it is breathtaking. How can anything so beautiful, hold so much sorrow too?

It was under that same moon, over 2,000 year ago, Jesus prepared to be betrayed and disowned by His own, and unjustly accused by others. In the Garden after the Last Supper, He committed His final act before captured -- He prayed.

He prayed for Himself and the ability to be obedient...Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done. He prayed for His disciples and their strengthening. And He prayed for you and me. His final prayer -- for us to be one in Him.
May you see the moon in a different light tonight, as His eternal Light for all. The sorrow of this night will fade as His path fills with believers. Victory over darkness is guaranteed. Thank You, Father!

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live, love and do like we believe it,
veneal

HOLY WEEK... willful Wednesday

And Judas said...

"'What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?' So they counted out for him thirty silver coins." Matthew 26:15

SOLD OUT

It's Wednesday

Jesus relentlessly pushes onward His final days -- performing miracles, praying, reaching people for God's Kingdom. The sweet perfume oil from Mary's fingers, drips from His head and puddles in the dirt. His disciples grumble over the waste.

Is Jesus making a difference, just what is His real mission, is His time almost over for good?

Judas sold out the whereabouts of Jesus for the mere price of a slave. Realizing Jesus' kingdom was purely a spiritual nature and not of earthly power or money, he sold Jesus' life for the immediate short-term security of a few coins... coins offering temporary pleasure in place of eternal joy.

We read and shake our heads at Judas, his lack of faith, his weakness, his frustrations, his personal desires/gains ... yet, truth be told, there is some Judas in all of us.

Are you still holding Jesus' Hand? Tomorrow the path we travel down is dark, difficult and necessary. And one He chose, so we could have eternal life. Despite our shortcomings and disappointments in following Him and His ways, Jesus would do it all over again for us. What did we do to deserve such an immense, unconditional love? Nothing......

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live, love and do like we believe it,
veneal

HOLY WEEK... turbulent Tuesday

    Jesus said --

"... Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world." Matthew 25:34

It's Tuesday
He's rattled the temple, He's called the Chief Priests out, He's comforted the prostitutes. It's fair to say Jesus kicked up dust on the path to the cross. Are you still holding on to His Hand? It's total turmoil, but with God, peace will fill our soul.

With so many economic and worldly uncertainties and the number of school days dwindling, we are engulfed with required duties and deadlines and the need for unshakable faith. Each day's tasks must be completed in order to wrap up our job on time.

Jesus found Himself with significant life-changing deadlines, His last week on earth. Knowing His days were numbered, He unleashed many lessons --

To His followers He encouraged them to choose rightly and righteously.

To His critics, the religious leaders, He scolded them for misguiding His sheep.

 
To the unbelievers, He gave warnings. 

To the believers, He reminded them about being ready and watchful, as He

    instilled in them the hope of things to come. 

What is your plan? Through all the commotion and chaos, will you follow Him? Do you trust Him with all your heart?  No one has ever stood up for me like Him.

Jesus holds nothing back for He has nothing to lose, and everything to gain... another believer, joining His family. He did it for you, for me, and will do whatever it takes to reach just one more. 

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,
veneal

HOLY WEEK... Monday's madness

 As we leave behind the glorious entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem on Sunday, the palm branches and cloaks scattered on His path are also gone.  The bare dirt and pebbles along the path now squeeze between His toes.

Monday
Jesus' first stop in Jerusalem, the Temple...

Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there.  He overturned the table of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves... He said, "My house will be call a house of prayer, but you are making it a den for robbers." Matt. 21:12-13

Later that day, He tells His disciples...

"I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt,... you can say to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea, and it will be done.  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."  Matt. 21:21-22

Jesus' last week on earth was not a walk in the park; it was filled with difficult and trying work. His plan was not for some quick moments of peace and happiness, but for an everlasting peace with a sustaining power that transcends any and all earthly trials and tribulations. The Army wants a few good men, but God wants ALL to come Home -- to His amazing, saving grace and eternal life. He has a plan. And for you, He will lay down His life.   

Thank You, Father!

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,
veneal

the beginning of the most troubling week on earth EVER!

 "They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, 'Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!'" John 12:13

THE countdown is on...

Nothing supersedes the magnitude of the countdown of Jesus' final week on earth.  The countdown that sealed forever my future and yours. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for sin, our sin,  purchasing for ALL who believe in Him, eternal life in Christ Jesus.

I wonder how Jesus felt His last week on earth?  After His triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, life took a dramatic turn.  Did He understand what would happen? Yes.  Did His disciples? No. On Sunday, the palm branches are swaying with shouts of "Hosanna", in anticipation of Jewish independence, and by the end of the week harsh shouts of "crucify Him!" pierced out of the same lips.

The Jesus they celebrated on Sunday, then condemned a few days later... they were disappointed in Him... He was not who they thought He was nor doing what they expected... they wanted an earthly revolution, not an eternal one. They jumped to conclusions not understanding all the facts.  When we are tempted to be disappointed in Jesus, may we draw closer into His Arms and trust Him for what is best.  

With joy comes tears. With thanks comes humbleness.  Let's walk down the  rocky, dusty path in hand with Jesus this week with grateful hearts, as we remember His sacrifice and unconditional love for us.  He knows what He is doing, Satan would love for you to doubt Him.

Hosanna, to God in the highest! Thanks be to God!

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

Lent day 9

 "For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body." James 3:2

I confess, i lied to you in the face of God.  I failed to do what i said.

Today is not the ninth day of Lent, that was yesterday.  I stumbled and fell short of my plans to post for Lent everyday.  Thanks be to God for His unending grace and mercy and understanding.  Today i get to strive to do, be and speak better. Thank You, Jesus.  Confession is good for the soul,  and truth is too.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love, do and speak as we believe it,

veneal

Lent day 8

"Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding." Proverbs 17:27

Father, May i remember unless i have walked in the same shoes, gone down the exact path or sat in the identical seat of another, my understanding of their heart or pain is incomplete.  

On such occasions, keep me from judging or exerting more pain or harm in their life with my actions and words.  Understanding and a kind tongue are powerful tools in healing.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love, do and speak as we believe it,

veneal