The Thoughts of those that saw Jesus Die on the Cross

Verses: Psalms 137: 1 - 9

Song inspired by the chapter:  Song has been uploaded from YouTube.com and is not my original.

My thoughts about the verses:

This Psalm is referring to the way people felt as the temple was destroyed.  They were in great sorrow and pain.  Their minds were filled with worry and stress.  They were seeing the destruction of those that had held them exile.  Yet, their pain was still very strong.

I want us to think on this a moment.  These feelings could be the same as those that saw Jesus died.  Imagine seeing your savior losing the battle with life and dyeing on the cross.  The sorrow and anguish had to be almost unbearable to handle.  Your fear that everything that Jesus was doing is coming to end.  Your hopes are being devastated because of the death of your Messiah.

Haven’t we all been there at some point in our life?  We have someone that we look up to for guidance.  Then all of a sudden they pass away.  Their death leads to agony and pain.  You wonder if things will ever be the same.  You see yourself without the leader that was guiding your life.

I had this happen to me less than a year ago.  My mentor died after a long valiant battle against cancer.  She taught me so much.  She showed me the right way of reaching out from the church into the community.  She taught me how to become respected by others.  She showed me how to put my full trust in God.  Even as she was fighting her battle she took time to call me just to make sure I was okay.

The moment that I heard that she had passed was very devastating.  It is one of those times that Facebook wasn’t in existence.  I had to piece together different post to come to a semi conclusion that she had passed.  I called a different mentor in my life and asked if she had heard.  She ended up calling around and then called me back and said yes.  N those moments when I wasn’t sure what was going on and it was bit and pieces coming across the web I was in extreme denial.  Maybe they were referring to someone else.

Then the phone rang and I was told that yes she had passed away.  My hopes were destroyed in that moment.  I wondered what I would do without her prayers and her bits of wisdom.  I even missed her teacher’s look.  I did not know what I was going to do. 

Then I remembered the one thing that she taught me as she was battling cancer to not give up.  I learned that I needed to teach others about God.  To walk around in the peace that God was there.  To accept that I had learned what I needed to learn.  I was ready to go on and serve God with a spirit of love and maturity.

I wonder what the disciples thought for those three days.  Were they struggling with the death like I was?  Were they afraid that they would be laughed at?  Would they be the next to die?  Would they have to go in hiding?  Just what would happen in those days to come?  Their hearts had to be gripped with despair.  They never thought their master would leave.  They thought the Messiah was meant to save the world.  How could he do that from the grave?

You can almost see their faces filled with joy and relief when Jesus rose from the grave.  They were not by their self.  Jesus was still there to guide them.  They finally understood what God wanted out of the life.  They finally learned what Jesus had taught them their whole life.  They were ready for the next feat.  There were to go out in the world spreading the word of salvation.  They were to go beyond the walls of the community into the world.  They learned what they were truly ready to go on without Jesus.  That the teaching that they thought was incomplete is truly complete and they were ready to be the leaders Jesus really needed.

Prayer:

Dear God we bless you for the way you show we love.  We praise you for teaching us through our pains.  Help us accept the task that you have placed in our lives.  Help us reach out beyond the walls of our comfort to reach those that truly need to feel your love.  In the name of our Messiah we pray.  Amen

Questions:

Do you accept the mission you are called to do?  Are you willing to accept that Jesus has called you and has prepared you for great things?  Have you accepted that even though Jesus passed away we have strength to move on?  Do you have a mentor that has passed?  Are you willing to honor their memory by serving God with all of your heart and soul?

God’s Nurturing Love Last Forever and Ever

Verses: Psalms  136: 1 - 26

Song inspired by the chapter:  Song has been uploaded from YouTube.com and is not my original.

My thoughts about the verses:

God loves us more than anyone else can ever love us.  We need to embrace the fact that God created us to be who we are.  We are created in God’s image so we are all perfect the way we are.  God’s love does not pick and choose who is loved and who is not.  God loves us it is our decision to return God’s love.

We were so important to God that the world was created to be just what we need to survive.  We are blessed with just the amount of all essential vitamin and mineral that we need to exist.  We are blessed with water and food.  God loves us and nurtures us throughout our entire life.

Yet, how do we interact with God?  We have the choice to return God’s love.  We have the choice to accept that God as our creator is also our nurturing parent.  We also can decide that we are not worthy enough to have God’s love.  We can choose to believe that God has abandoned us and we have to face the world by ourselves.

Though we have choices to make there are some that are healthy and other unhealthy.  When we choose to accept the love of God and return it we have a healthy relationship with our creator.  Yet, if we decide that we are not worthy of the love of God and that God has abandoned us then we are choosing to have an unhealthy relationship with God.  God’s love is always healthy.  It is our choice if we want to make that relationship healthy or unhealthy.

Think about this a moment many of us came from a loving home.  I know that a lot of came from unhealthy home situations.  Which would we have preferred to be raised in?  The answer is simple we all would prefer coming from a nurturing healthy home.  Yet, what we need to realize is that even though this might have not been our situation growing up.  We can now have that healthy relationship we need.

Having a relationship with God brings you a relationship like none other.  God will nurture you.  Love you no matter what you have done in the past.  God will love you no matter what you do in the future.  God doesn’t care about your orientation, sexual identity, race, disability.  All God cares about is sending you love.  That love can come from those around you.  That love can come during times when you worship with God.  In fact, the love is always there for you to reach out and grab.   

God solves all our problems and leads us down a path of health and maturity.  Look back at all the things that God has done for you or others.  God is the strength that gets you through struggles.  God is the power that never fails.  God is the guide that will lead you to the great things that you need to do in your life.

Prayer:

We praise you God for you nurturing love.  We thank you God for your love that has no end.  We praise you for never letting us down even in our times of struggle.  Help us right now God be the people that you need us to be.  Help us show love to others no matter whom they are or where they have come from.  Help us be Jesus for someone today.  In the name of the Loving Creator we pray.  Amen

Questions:

So there is only one question.  You need to think upon this one before saying yes are you ready for the journey.  Are you ready to ask God into your life and help you live a nurturing loving healthy life?

Praise God Almighty the Redeemer and Salvation

Verses: Psalms 135: 1 - 21

Song inspired by the chapter:  Song has been uploaded from YouTube.com and is not my original.

My thoughts about the verses:

God is to be praised.  God is our redeemer.  We find our salvation in God.  God is the protector.  God is the wisdom.  God is the strength.  In all things lift your voices up in praise to the Almighty God.

What we have to come to understand is that God is almighty and has the strength for us to persevere.  God’s love and strength keeps us protected.  We need to turn over our fears to God.  God will help us through our struggles and we should have no fear because of this understanding. 

We need to spread that truth to all individuals.  We need to show people by the way we live our life.  We need to show the world that we have strength because of God’s love.  When we show people the love of God we see that their life changes.  Through this strength people discover that God is always there for them.

God’s redemption love is for each and every one of us.  We have to remember that we need to show people that love is obtainable to people if they will accept God.  Imagine a world where everyone accepts God for their personal Savior.  A world filled with love and peace.  We would live in a world in which all people react harmonically with each other.

Let us remember that we are to praise God.  We need to show God’s love in all that we do.  We need to praise God in our entire life.  We need to understand that when God is shared to the world we are in fact praising God.  The sharing of love and peace is a beautiful way of thanking God for our own salvation.  Praising God in this way is the most important thing that we can do in our life.

Prayer:

We thank you God for you power of salvation.  We praise you for the power of redemption through your sacrifice on the cross.  Help us to remember to show others love.  Help us to remember to praise you forever.  In the name of the Redeemer and Savior we pray.  Amen

Questions:

Are you lifting your praises up to God?  Are you showing others love?  Are you showing others Gods saving and loving Grace?  Do you understand that when you show others love you are praising God?

Praise God both Night and Day

Verses: Psalms 134: 1 - 3

Song inspired by the chapter:  Song has been uploaded from YouTube.com and is not my original.

My thoughts about the verses:

Take one moment and think about the time you are most apt to worship God.  How many of our church or religious gatherings happen early in the day?  Look around your city and see how many churches are locked up with a simple security system be on guard during the night.  Things get crazier when you realize that most churches are only open on Sundays and Wednesdays.   The rest of the time the buildings doors keep shut.

See what we need to do is open our doors.  We need to provide ministries that open our churches to the community.  We need to open our lives and religious institutions to the service of God both day and night.  We need to make sure that we open our hearts and minds all the time for the opportunity to minister to others.

See the lesson that we learn from these small verses is that God doesn’t rest in his love for us.  We in turn need to open our hearts both day and nights in service to the world.  We are the instrument that God wants to share the Gospel.  We are the tools that spread the good news.  We need to open our arms to those that need the love of God.

Imagine if we opened our doors at night for the homeless to have a place to sleep.  Imagine what would happen if we allowed our churches to be a safe place for children and teens that need a place where they could trust in.  Imagine if we started food banks so that people could have a place to go to get the essential food to survive.  Imagine if we opened our doors so that people could have bible studies several times throughout the week.  Imagine if we offered support group meetings for example AA. 

I will tell you what would happen our congregations would not be struggling.  People would be led to the Savior.  Our lives would be filled with peace.  God would give us more than our hearts could ever imagine for.  Our churches would be filled with love and peace.

Yet, are we ready to accept what God really wants for us?  Are we ready to open our doors and lives to service to God?  Look at your life and open your arms to the world.  We need to come to the place that we put other people before ourselves.  We need to allow ourselves to become the instruments of God.  It doesn’t matter what time of the day is we need to open our arms and churches to those that need a place to find the peace that we have found.  We need to take down the close sign and put up the open sign.  It is time that we open ourselves and our churches to the overlooked parts of society.  We are the servants of God and it is time that we truly serve God with all of our heart, body and soul.

Prayer:

Dear God we praise you for loving us.  We thank you for being there for all.  We praise you for never turning away people.  We thank you for being there no matter the time of the day so that we can have someone to help us make it through our struggles. Help us be your instrument in this world.  Help us to never turn people away.  Help us become the servants that are there no matter the time or day.  Help us show love to others by finding ministries that help us grow and also share peace to the world.  In the name of the Almighty God we pray.  Amen

Questions:

Are you opening your hearts to all people both day and night?  Are you dedicating your life in service of God?  Are you helping your church provide ministry to those that are marginalized in society?  What can you do today to sow others the love and peace of God?

Unite in Peace and Brotherly Love

Verses: Psalms 133: 1 - 3

Song inspired by the chapter:  Song has been uploaded from YouTube.com and is not my original.

My thoughts about the verses:

Reading this Psalm I think about the sixties.  This decade was a time when people were united by peace and brotherly love.  I didn’t live in the sixties but it is probably the decade I most connect with.  The sixties were about uniting and not separating from each other. A decade when people stood united to tear down walls and break stereotypes.

I lived in a time when people started excluding themselves into different groups.  The wealthy and the rich were at odds with each other.  We fought with people that had different religious beliefs.  We waged war with people that looked different from us in any way.  We chose to separate ourselves because we thought it would make things easier.

Instead it broke the heart of God.  God wants us to all live in peace and harmony.  We are to forget our differences.  We are to forget what separates us and concentrate on what makes us the same.  We are to unite in peace and joy.  WE are to proclaim love to God with all humankind.  We are to forget the things that make us unique and different.  It is in our humbleness and acceptance of each other that we found peace. 

When we decide to love people no matter what they look like we are closer to truly loving God.  We soon come to see the presence of God in all humankind.  We can come to see people in a much different light.  We can love people because they are also a part of God’s family.  We can unite in peace and love because we are rejoicing with those that love the Risen Savior.  We will rejoice like we never have because our life has been harmonically reunited with our friends our family and the beloved Savior.  We need to thank God for loving us just the way we are.  We need to praise the one that loves us more than life. 

Brotherly love is the essence of peace and love.  Never deny the love of others.  Stand with them and lift your life and theirs up in praise.  Unite your soul with those that are different so that you may find peace and love in all things.

Prayer:

Dear God we praise you for loving us all.  We thank you for allowing us the precious peace of love.  Help us forget the differences of people.  Help us love all like you love us.  In the name of Jesus the Prince of Peace we pray.  Amen

Questions:

Do you treat people differently?  Do you pick and choose who you will love?  Do you pick and choose who you will worship with?  Is today the day that you put that all away and start loving as the example God has shown us?

The Gospel Church is Now the Home of God

Verses: Psalms 132: 1 - 18

Song inspired by the chapter:  Song has been uploaded from YouTube.com and is not my original.

My thoughts about the verses:

In the times of David and Solomon the location of the Ark of the Covenant was the home of God.  The Ark was important because it contained the very presence of God.  God had written on the tablets and therefor wherever the Ark lived the Spirit of God lived.

Yet, times have changed the Presence of God lives in the people of the Gospel Church.  Those that have accepted Christ in their life have the very Presence of God living in them.  We have become the temple that David dreamed for a Solomon built.

Yet, how do we live our life.  Do we live our life reflecting the honor of God? Do we love others as much as God loves us?  As the presence of God in the world we need to look our lives showing love.  Yet, how many times do we look at people and decide that they do not deserve love from us?  I believe that God wants us to love others just as much as God loves us.

We are not to decide who deserves to feel the love of God.  As the presence of God in this world we must not be prejudice.  We need to look as others as if they need the love that we feel deep within.  We need to show love to all.

We have talked so much lately about the discrimination that is happening today between races, sexual orientation, religious beliefs.  Yet, I want to take us back to a moment in history that many people today are ashamed of in our American heritage.  The time of slavery in which people thought they had the power to own people of another race.  They felt that they did not have the right to freedom because they were less than them.

Yet, there were those that felt that this was against the law of God.  They felt that God loved all people of the same time.  They opened their door to help hide those that were on the run from slavery.  They showed the compassion and the love for God that people were missing.  They showed loved to all people by risking their own lives because of their desire to get African Americans out of slave states.

So what does this show us that we should do today?  We need to forget about the differences that we have between us.  Instead we need to open our lives so that people can see and feel the love of God.  We need to stop discriminating.  We need to show all people love. We need to imagine what would happen if others didn’t show us love. 

We always need to remember that God loves us.  Because of that love we need to love others.  We need to share our love without choosing who we will share it with.  We need to be the opening arms of God.  We need to show that Jesus’s love for all.  We are the presence of Jesus in the world and we need to live our lives with that in mind.

Prayer:

Dear God we praise you.  We thank you for your enduring love.  We thank you for not putting obstacles up between your loves.  Help us tear down the walls that we have built.  Help us show love to all people.  Help us be the true presence of your love to the world.  In the name of the Holy One we pray.  Amen

Questions:

Are you showing your love to all people?  Are you being the true presence of God in this world?  Have you chosen to love with open arms?  What do you need to do today to be a stronger presence of God?