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

Lent day 7

"Know this, my beloved brothers and sisters: let every person be 

quick to hear,

slow to speak, 

slow to anger." James 1:19

Have you ever heard one out of three isn't bad?  It might be true for some things, like hitting  a baseball or eating meals, but i don't think it applies to the verse above.  Consider if we only do one of the three....

BE QUICK TO HEAR and then quick to speak and quick to anger.

Be slow to hear, and then SLOW TO SPEAK and quick to anger.

Be slow to hear, and then quick to speak and SLOW TO ANGER.

All the above scenarios are flawed with shortcomings. Some would even say God's Word in James 1:19 is flawed as well.  I've committed all four examples and been criticized for all four.  But if i'm going to err, i pray i aligned myself with the Word of God.  He never lies nor does His Word. He desires the best for us as we stride to glorify Him in all we say and do.

Father, when i am perplexed on how to speak and act in fear of disappointing or hurting others, i pray for the obedience and strength to look to You first. 

we are loved and chosen by God,

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

veneal

Lent day 6

 "A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit." Proverbs 15:4

When we water the tree of life with Living Water, feed it on the Word of God and speak to it with gentle, loving kindness, ALL benefit.  And God is glorified.

Father, guide us in not breaking the soul and spirit of those You have created.  To do so is grim disobedience to You.

we are loved and chosen by God

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

veneal

Lent day 5

"The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse." Proverbs 10:31-32

Father, it's been a testy past 24 hours, i feel lucky to still have my tongue intact.  Today is Sunday, and i'm less than a week into Lent.  I'm confessing my shortcomings with my speech and reaching out to You. Please bring calmness to mind and soul, restore trust in my heart and slap a heaping of salve on my sharp tongue.  I really do believe You are in control of all things... help me to act accordingly.

amen.

we are loved and chosen by God,

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

veneal