Happy Resurrection Sunday
Showing posts with label Easter Week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Easter Week. Show all posts
March 27, 2016
April 05, 2012
Day Six- Good Friday
Day Six- Good Friday
Jesus's death was a violent torturous and terrifying death. There are no words that can fully describe His sufferings and the great price He paid for our redemption. The scourging, the beatings, and the mocking He endured, Oh!, I could hardly look at the pictures of what His bloodied body may have looked like. I had to turn away from some of the most gruesome pictures I have ever seen. I prayed about what to say and kept coming back to the song, "The Old Rugged Cross". I will "cherish" and "cling" to "The Old Rugged Cross", all the days of my life. It will lead me to eternity where I will be with the One who really loved me.
"The Old Rugged Cross" in Spanish there is part of the verse that says:
"O yo siempre amare esa Cruz"
Translation:
O' I will forever love that Cross.
Translation:
O' I will forever love that Cross.
Friend, I will always be thankful for what the Lord did for me. I wasn't worth it, my friend, but to Him, I was. Thank you, Lord, for loving me to death.
The Old Rugged Cross
By George Bennard, 1873-1958
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.
Refrain
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.
Refrain
for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.
Refrain
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I'll share.
I love the Lord.
God bless you as we continue toward Resurrection Sunday.
xox
Resources:
April 04, 2012
Day Five- Maundy Thursday
Day Five- Maundy Thursday
or The Day of the Last Supper
Jesus and His disciples are all together in one room to take part of the Passover meal when one of the greatest living dramas was about to come to light. To show the extent of His love to the disciples, He, Jesus, wrapped Himself in a towel and set to wash the feet of His disciples. He took the role of a servant and gave the example of how they should love one another. It was a lowly role, a humiliating role to wash another's feet, but a role Jesus performed to show one of the greatest lessons the Lord showed us; to have a servant's heart; His example has endured the ages of time.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
He (Jesus) riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself.
After that He poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded.
He began to wash the disciples feet; and Judas was among those whose feet He washed. What? Wait a minute. Do you mean that Jesus showed Himself to be a servant to Judas as well as the other disciples? Knowing Judas was going to betray Him?
Yes, my friend. The Lord did not show respect one over the other. He was humble, meek and lowly and He showed one of the greatest signs of love to the one who set out to betray Him. The Lord showed no offense toward Judas. Instead He bent in front of Judas and with a basin of water began to wash his feet.
Then cometh He to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto Him, Lord, dost Thou wash my feet?... Peter saith unto Him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me…
…He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
For He knew who should betray Him; therefore said He, Ye are not all clean.
So after He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, and was set down again, He said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
John 13:35
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
1 Thessalonians 4:9
...for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
There is part of a song, "Jesus Use Me", I would like to share with you,
...Even tho it's humble,
Lord, help my will to crumble...
Another song we sing, "To Be Like Jesus",
To be like Jesus,
To be like Jesus,
On earth I long to be like Him
All through life's journey,
From Earth to Glory,
I only ask,
To be like Him.
I want to reflect that song when I sing. I hope I reflect that song when I sing.
Thank You, Lord for the example You gave us in loving one another and becoming a servant in our heart towards each other. I want to be like You. I love You, Lord.
God bless you as we continue toward Resurrection Sunday.
xox
Blessings,
Resources:
April 03, 2012
Day Four- Betrayal Wednesday
Day Four- Betrayal Wednesday
There is no greater hurt than the hurt that comes from being betrayed. You give yourself without reservations to someone only to find that you do not matter to them. To find that all the years of developing trust and a relationship are cast aside and trampled upon as if it were considered of no worth. Crying oneself to sleep hearing the words replayed over and over in your mind, "I don't love you. I never loved you." Seeing the betrayal and the attitude of "So what!", regardless of who gets hurt. "Auughhh" Such anguish, there's so much pain, the hardship of rejection, it is a suffering of heart. Some may never recover, others find themselves responding to rejection with actions, behaviors, and a "Persona" they never intended to become, and then there are those who by the grace of God can go forward.
Rejection:
Rejection:
To throw out as useless or worthless; to discard.
Judas, the Betrayer
There was never a worse betrayer in history than Judas Iscariot.
Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.
Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver Him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
And from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.
...And after the sop Satan entered into him (Judas). Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
Judas begins to conspire against the Lord. How does he know where Jesus will be at the time he surrenders the Lord to those who want to take His life. He knows much of the Lord, such as, His time of prayer and where He goes to pray. How does Judas know this? The years of walking with Jesus as a disciple provided Judas an opportunity to know the ways of the Lord. Alas, Judas saw the Lord as little worth. Jesus was no benefit to Judas except for thirty pieces of silver so he rejected the Lord. We read that his heart was opened to the enemy of our soul as he goes to the Chief Priests and made an agreement with them to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. We see the evil demise of Judas Iscariot as he begins to plot the betrayal of the Lord, Jesus.
Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
How it must have hurt the Lord knowing Judas had already took the thirty pieces of silver. The hurt and the anguish He must have felt. Aauughh! Knowing that Judas had rejected Him. Knowing that in Judas, was the heart of one that would betray Him in a few hours. The day of His death was drawing near and He must bare it. The Bible says that, "He opened not His mouth, but as the Lamb being led to the slaughter".
The Lord will face more rejection in days to come as those before Him will cry out, "Crucify Him and give us Barrabas". He suffered rejection and betrayal. It had built up each day, the rejection day after day that just before He died He cries out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Rejection, He faced rejection for you and me.
Jesus, I love You, Lord. I love You. How You bore it all, my Sweet Savior? Ohhh, God, I love YOU!!!
How it must have hurt the Lord knowing Judas had already took the thirty pieces of silver. The hurt and the anguish He must have felt. Aauughh! Knowing that Judas had rejected Him. Knowing that in Judas, was the heart of one that would betray Him in a few hours. The day of His death was drawing near and He must bare it. The Bible says that, "He opened not His mouth, but as the Lamb being led to the slaughter".
The Lord will face more rejection in days to come as those before Him will cry out, "Crucify Him and give us Barrabas". He suffered rejection and betrayal. It had built up each day, the rejection day after day that just before He died He cries out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Rejection, He faced rejection for you and me.
Jesus, I love You, Lord. I love You. How You bore it all, my Sweet Savior? Ohhh, God, I love YOU!!!
God bless you as we continue toward Resurrection Sunday.
xox
Blessings,Resources:
April 02, 2012
Day Three- Holy Tuesday
Day Three- Holy Tuesday
or the Day of Authority
Growing up in our house (the Espinoza's) when some started a sentence with, "Mom said..." or "Dad wants you to...” Honey, those words got the attention of the listener because there was a lot of weight in those words. Things were done and accomplished even though the message came from a third party, we knew we would be addressed if we did otherwise. Authority is something I am so glad my parents taught me to respect. It kept me from straying during my childhood, my school years and in my adult life as well. It is a wonderful thing, "Authority"; it is truly a wonderful thing. I love submission and the person to whom I am submitted too provides me the opportunity to give respect and to be given respect in return.
Now, as the parent of three wonderful children, I tried to instill in them a love for authority. Not demanding but honoring. Honor the person who has authority over you, for you will come to love and appreciate that person. And with that comes a trust to both you and your children. Hopefully, I was successful in that endeavor.
Mark 14
…His disciples said unto Him, Where wilt Thou that we go and prepare that Thou mayest eat the Passover?
…and He saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.
…say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the Passover with My disciples?
...And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.
…And His disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as He had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover.
The man of the upper chamber was there just as Jesus had said, they followed him to a room already furnished and prepared, and they made ready for the Passover. Authority spoke and the third party delivered the message and it was just as the Master said it would be, because "Authority" spoke and it was so.
Just a quick note: Notice how the Lord said, "There shall meet you a man...", in this case the word "Meet" means "a meeting" or an "appointment". A man will be there to meet with you. He is already in place and is waiting for your arrival. God has a plan for everything. The man did not just happen to be there, God sets everything in motion. The voice of authority commands, "Let there be light and there was light. And God saw that it was good" Genesis 1:3.
The Master saith, "There shall meet you a man...", and there was.
God bless you as we continue on our journey toward Resurrection Sunday.
xox
Blessings,Resources:
April 01, 2012
Day Two "Holy Monday"
Day Two of the Holy Week is called Holy Monday. I did some research on Holy Monday and it is considered the day of anointing and cleansing. It tells of the story where Mary took from the alabaster box the precious oil and poured it on Jesus and wiped His feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. The bible tells us,
Not just today but every day is as unto the Lord. I offer to Him the praise from my own alabaster box, my heart. Sometimes life's situations make me feel my heart is not a box of alabaster but perhaps more along the lines of plaster. Just quickly poured and pressed together to hold everything up then set to dry. Sometimes it can overwhelm me. But, I cannot be pressed in my praise just to hold everything in place and my praise cannot be quickly poured for it will become dry, my friend. I need to pour my praise unto the Lord and not be in a hurry. Some of the best times in prayer is when I lingered in the presence of the Lord. And those "Life Situations", well, I let them go and give it to the Lord and I can see what He will do and how He will answer my prayers.
You said in Your Word...,
…but they that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
I worship You, Lord. I love You, God. Thank You for all that You have done for me. Let my praise be as the anointing that is poured on You as Your anointing falls on me. I lift You up and magnify Your Holy name, Jesus. I love You, Lord.
Matthew 26:12
For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
It took a long time to gather and save enough oil that would secure her future. It was kept in a container that would keep the oil in it's longevity of being stored. The disciple stated that it was costly and could have been sold for quite a sum of money. But the time that it took to get the oil nor the monetary value mattered much when she came to Jesus. She took time in pouring the oil as she wept at his feet and with her own hair wiped his feet that had been sandled while he walked the town's dirt road to Simon's house. How do I know she took time at Jesus's feet and was not in a hurry? It was enough time for all to see and murmur against her. She did not enter the room and quickly leave in case some might see her; they all saw her. And Jesus said, "Leave her alone." She had the attention of the Lord as she poured out her praise.
It took a long time to gather and save enough oil that would secure her future. It was kept in a container that would keep the oil in it's longevity of being stored. The disciple stated that it was costly and could have been sold for quite a sum of money. But the time that it took to get the oil nor the monetary value mattered much when she came to Jesus. She took time in pouring the oil as she wept at his feet and with her own hair wiped his feet that had been sandled while he walked the town's dirt road to Simon's house. How do I know she took time at Jesus's feet and was not in a hurry? It was enough time for all to see and murmur against her. She did not enter the room and quickly leave in case some might see her; they all saw her. And Jesus said, "Leave her alone." She had the attention of the Lord as she poured out her praise.
artist unknown
I open up my box of oil and offer the fragrant scent of praise to You, Lord. I love being in Your presence. And Lord, I am not in a hurry in my praise to You. I know You are the Maker of time and the reward-er of those who diligently seek You.
You said in Your Word...,
But they that wait upon the Lord Shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint...
(Lord, I am not in a hurry in my praise to You.) …but they that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
(Lord, I am not in a hurry in my praise to You.)
song by Cece Winan
The room grew still
As she made her way to Jesus
She stumbles through the tears that made her blind
She felt such pain
Some spoke in anger
Heard folks whisper
There's no place here for her kind
Still on she came
Through the shame that flushed her face
Until at last, she knelt before his feet
And though she spoke no words
Everything she said was heard
As she poured her love for the Master
From her box of alabaster
[Refrain]
And I've come to pour
My praise on Him
Like oil from Mary's alabaster box
Don't be angry if I wash his feet with my tears
And I dry them with my hair
You weren't there the night He found me
You did not feel what I felt
When he wrapped his love all around me and
You don't know the cost of the oil
In my alabaster box
I can't forget the way life used to be
I was a prisoner to the sin that had me bound
And I spent my days
Poured my life without measure
Into a little treasure box
I'd thought I'd found
Until the day when Jesus came to me
And healed my soul
With the wonder of His touch
So now I'm giving back to Him
All the praise He's worthy of
I've been forgiven
And that's why
I love Him so much
As she made her way to Jesus
She stumbles through the tears that made her blind
She felt such pain
Some spoke in anger
Heard folks whisper
There's no place here for her kind
Still on she came
Through the shame that flushed her face
Until at last, she knelt before his feet
And though she spoke no words
Everything she said was heard
As she poured her love for the Master
From her box of alabaster
[Refrain]
And I've come to pour
My praise on Him
Like oil from Mary's alabaster box
Don't be angry if I wash his feet with my tears
And I dry them with my hair
You weren't there the night He found me
You did not feel what I felt
When he wrapped his love all around me and
You don't know the cost of the oil
In my alabaster box
I can't forget the way life used to be
I was a prisoner to the sin that had me bound
And I spent my days
Poured my life without measure
Into a little treasure box
I'd thought I'd found
Until the day when Jesus came to me
And healed my soul
With the wonder of His touch
So now I'm giving back to Him
All the praise He's worthy of
I've been forgiven
And that's why
I love Him so much
I worship You, Lord. I love You, God. Thank You for all that You have done for me. Let my praise be as the anointing that is poured on You as Your anointing falls on me. I lift You up and magnify Your Holy name, Jesus. I love You, Lord.God bless you as we continue toward Resurrection Sunday
xox
xox
Blessings,
Resources
Palm Sunday
As A child, I did not understand what Palm Sunday was about? I would hear kids at school talk about the palm branch they received at their church but I didn't know the "Why" they were given a palm. Now that I am grown and understand the scriptures, I know it is the first day in the path to the Passion of the Christ. The road that led to the Cross.
They laid the palms down so the mule He rode did not tramp on dirt nor stone. Today, we use the term "Rolled out the Red carpet", as someone being honored. He deserves all the Honor!
God bless you, this Palm Sunday,
xox
Please click on the button below to view other posts of similar thought and devotion at
With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart.
Blessings,Please click on the button below to view other posts of similar thought and devotion at
With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart.
Resources:
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