Saturday, April 3, 2010

Day Forty – Final Day of Lenten Devotionals 2010


Word of God: “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

He Arose! The Shout that Changed the World

They gathered round the market square, in clusters great and small.

In vain they tried their very best to comprehend it all.

Some pointed back to Calvary’s hill, some lingered near the tomb,

While others cried to God above to lift this cloud of gloom.


The hours went by, some went on home, no answers for their grief.

Some felt deceived, some felt betrayed and drowned in unbelief.

That Saturday was worst of all, for they were sure He’d died.

Their friends had stopped their mocking now; they’d proved that Jesus lied.


By Sunday morning all had changed and shouting filled the air,

“Jesus arose just as He said, And He’s no longer there!”

The women ran from house to house and banged upon each door.

“He is not dead! Our Savior lives! Just like He was before!”


The gathered round the market square, they sang, they danced, they prayed,

They peered into the open tomb where Jesus once had laid.

To Thomas, Jesus showed His hands to help his unbelief.

Five hundred hovered near Him as He took away their grief.


The empty tomb, the risen Lord, the Cornerstone He laid;

Upon those words our faith depends, for us the price He paid.

All praises go to Jesus now and evermore shall be,

For He arose! He conquered death, for me eternally! - Mariane Holbrook


Prayer for today: Dear Lord, I thank today for the last day for forty days of Lent season. Thanks for helping me to discover deeper understanding of your words and your love. Help me to restart a new beginning with a new power of your love. Amen.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Day Thirty Nine – Lenten Devotionals 2010 (Good Friday Meditation)


Meditate on Scripture Texts: When they came to the place called the Skull, 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.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar  and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 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.” It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” (Luke 23:33-47)

Safely Home: Eric Barker, a missionary from Great Britain, spent over fifty years in Portugal preaching the Gospel, often under adverse conditions. At the beginning of World War II, the situation in Europe became so difficult that he was advised to send his wife and six children to England for safety. His sister and her three children were also evacuated on the same ship.

Although his family were forced to leave, Eric remained behind to carry on the work. The Sunday following their departure, Pastor Barker stood before his congregation and said, "I've just received word that all my family have arrived safely home!" He then proceeded with the service.

Later, the full meaning of his words became known to his congregation. He had been handed a wire just before the service informing him that a German submarine had torpedoed the ship with his family. Everyone on board had perished.

Eric Barker knew that because all his family were believers they had reached a more desired home." Although overwhelmed with grief, he managed by the grace of God to live above his circumstances and to give God the glory for bringing his family safely home. The knowledge that his family was with Jesus in Heaven comforted his heart.

This bit of history tells the importance of Jesus crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. Without a sinless sacrifice who willing took the punishment for each of the individual sins of each of Eric Bakers family members he would not have had the assurance that they had arrived safely home.

If the enemy sinks your ship where will you go to spend eternity? If you are safe in the ark of His covenant made possible by Jesus, the Lamb of God, you will ascend to heaven. - Harvey and June Schneider

Prayer for today: Today pray for confession of your sins, give thanks for salvation through Jesus’ death, surrender your life to Him, and dedicate your life for His Kingdom.

Go to Church for “Good Friday” Worship service to show you faith and love to the Lord.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Day Thirty Eight - Lenten Devotionals 2010

Three Crosses

Three crosses on a lonely hill,

A thief on either side,

And, in between, the Son of God …

How wide the gulf—how wide!

Yet one thief spanned it with the words,

“Oh Lord, remember me”;

The other scoffed and turned aside

To lost eternity.

Forsaken is the hilltop now,

And all the crosses gone,

But in believing hearts of men

The center cross lives on.

And still, as when these sentinels

First met earth’s wondering view,

The presence of the Lord divides—

Upon which side are you? Helen Franzee Bower

Legend of the Cross Maker: A touching legend tells us that when Jesus was a boy at Nazareth He met a Roman lad by the name of Fidus, who confided this desire: “I am looking for Joseph, the carpenter. From him I want to learn the arts of his craft.”

“I can lead you to him,” answered Jesus, “for I am called the Son of Joseph.”

As Fidus watched and learned from Joseph, Jesus told him of a great King who would one day be raised upon a throne so high that all the world would see.

Fidus exclaimed:

“Would that I might build the exalted throne of the great King!” “Fidus,” said Jesus, “you will be the one to build the throne of the great King, the throne from which He shall rule the nations. I promise you.”

Years passed, Fidus went home to Jaffa and practiced his trade with honor. He happened to return to Jerusalem on a day when the Jewish capitol was in an uproar. He could hear cries of: “Crucify Him! He makes Himself a King.”

As he passed the gate of Pilate’s palace, a Roman soldier who knew the skill of Fidus greeted him: “You are especially welcome, Fidus. Three are to be crucified today, and only two crosses are prepared.”

Fidus was assigned the task. He put all his skill into its making, and viewed his finished product with pride. Later he followed the crowd outside the town and up a hill. He heard a voice, a voice he could never forget. Looking closely he saw a figure, a figure he could never forget. Yes, it was the Boy of Nazareth, now a Man, but writhing in agony on the “throne” Fidus had made. His eyes were opened. Selected