Friday's Forgiveness - the choice

 "... there they crucified Him, along with the criminals ‑ one on His right, the other on His left. Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.'.. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him... But the other rebuked him... Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.'" Luke 23:33‑43

It's Friday

Jesus, weak and nearly unrecognizable from the lashings, could not drag His cross up the rocky path. Help came from a stranger, not His followers nor His disciples. The women followed in tears; the men scattered in fear.
  
Jesus' last walk on earth shook the ground with raw emotions, not with cheers but jeers... the people expected more. But hold on!  The Last Act is yet to come. It will not only bring down the house but will rip the temple's curtain in two from top to bottom!

Even at the very last minute on the cross, one criminal chose to acknowledge and accept Christ. One went to paradise, the other didn't. It's all about forgiveness. It's what Jesus was born to do. It's God's greatest gift and sacrifice to man.

We, like the criminals, are either on the right or left side of Jesus. With our speech and/or actions we are denying or accepting Him.  He humbly gave His all, so we may live. God is willing, waiting, and wanting to receive all into His Kingdom.  May we remember and honor His love for us by loving Him and others.

we are loved and chosen by God,

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

Tearful Thursday - by the light of the moon

 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
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... 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

Willful Wednesday - just take Him

 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?

The evening performances for our school play this Spring, sold out in just a few days. The money paid for necessities -- costumes, props and other items. Not all sellouts are as honorable.

Judas sold out the whereabouts of Jesus for the mere price of a slave. Realizing Jesus' kingdom was of a spiritual nature and not of 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.
  

Are you still holding on to Jesus' Hand? Tomorrow the path we travel down is dark, difficult and necessary. And one He chose, so we could have eternal life.

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

Turbulent Tuesday - cleaning up

 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 the number of this year's school days dwindling, we are engulfed with required duties and deadlines. 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. 

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

we are loved and chosen by God,

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

Monday's madness - on a mission

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.  The Army wants a few good men, but God wants ALL to come Home -- to His amazing, saving grace and eternal life.  

Thank You, Father!

we are loved and chosen by God,

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

personal note:  The past few weeks have been difficult, confusing and turbulent, and a peaceful end is nowhere in sight. Refocusing on God's incredible love is exactly what we need now for direction, restoration and strength.  As in the past years, all my devotions this week will center on God's Easter gift of eternal life made possible for you and me through His Son, Jesus.  It's what we need... He's what we need.

the beginning of our most important week

"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

(In light of what is going on in our world, remembering and celebrating Easter is critical.  Where i am struggling in hope and faith in worldly concerns, i remain unshakably confident and thankful for our hope and faith in God. Keeping praying.)

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, 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 shouts of "crucify Him!" by the same lips.

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.

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

it's a wrap!

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

Mrs. Ginger was in the library early printing needed materials from the computer. As i walked over to turn the computers on, she told me, "I don't know what's wrong with this computer, i couldn't get..."  As i clicked the monitor on she laughed, "Oh! You must turn that on too?"

Life even during normal times can be quite tiring, demanding, stressful and full of planned and unplanned activities. As the curtain and week closes on an overflowing full play week, there are many signs we desperately need Spring Break. Aren't you thankful we have God and each other to lean on for support, help, guidance, encouragement and laughter.  I know i am!

Wherever your Spring Break takes you, i pray it provides rest, refreshment, restoration as it refuels the hope we have in our Father.  You deserve it.  It's been a very sweet and productive week!

we are loved and chosen by God,

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

veneal