Read Matthew 26:26-29
Today, we worship and celebrate the Lord’s Supper much as Jesus did with His Disciples. We will do so knowing the entire journey that Jesus went through, unlike the disciples who were about to experience both unspeakable tragedy and disappointment only to experience joy like they could not have imagined. Come to the Lord’s Table hungry for His Mercy and thirsting for His Joy!
Brett Spalding, Pastor
Read John 14:1-6
After predicting His betrayal and death, Jesus seeks to comfort His disciples with the words of this passage. He lets us all know that He has gone to prepare a place for us. When Thomas raises the question, Jesus reminds Thomas and us that all we must do is follow Him. For Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. Don’t be deceived by those who would have you believe that there is another way to our Father in Heaven. As Jesus said, “Trust in God, trust also in me…”
Brett Spalding, Pastor
Read John 12:20-26
This metaphor reminds us of what is required of us if we want to live like Jesus. Jesus had to die for the kingdom to multiply. The disciples in turn had to give up their lives to share Jesus with others for the Kingdom to multiply. Likewise, our life will not produce fruit unless we give it over to the Lord. A seed can sit on a shelf for years, dry, dusty, and seemingly useless, but at the same time, full of potential. Take that seed, place it in the soil and water it and it can produce a crop 30-fold or more. In faithfulness to God, Jesus gave up His life and by faith we are called to do the same. Share the seed, share the Good News of Jesus with others, and pray for it to grow and produce fruit.
Brett Spalding, Pastor
Read John 12:12-19
Today Jesus rides into Jerusalem to the cries of Psalm 118:26; “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” The people see Jesus coming into Jerusalem and want to make Him their King. Jesus will be their King and our King, but not in the manner they expected. I go back to the passage we read on March 22nd (Mark 9:35), “if one wants to be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, one must be servant to all.” I’m humbled when I think about what must have been going through Jesus’ mind as He rode into Jerusalem knowing He would be crucified in a few days and many who shouted Hosanna would soon shout Crucify Him…
Brett Spalding, Pastor
Read Ephesians 2:1-6
“It is by grace we have been saved.” Paul reminds us that we don’t work for new life in Jesus Christ. On our own, we can do nothing to earn this new life anymore that those who Jesus chose to raise from the dead earned their new life. Like them, we are given new life through His grace. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be at work in the lives of those who have not committed their lives to Jesus Christ. Our passage tells us the Holy Spirit proclaimed that work in us and seeks now to work in others.
Brett Spalding, Pastor
Read Psalm 91:1-4
I encourage you to grab your Bible and read this entire Psalm. The author of this Psalm (probably Moses- because verse 14 contains similar language to Deuteronomy 7:7), clearly understands and wishes to share the peace that is found in God. God will protect us and rescue us; He will be with us in times of trouble. Let us all find peace in the refuge of His wings.
Pray today for God to grant you His peace and for the opportunity to share His peace with others.
Brett Spalding, Pastor
Read Romans 6:1-5
Today’s passage is yet another example of new life in Jesus Christ. When we were baptized, we were buried with Him and then raised to new life. Jesus died on the cross and was raised to from the dead to new life. Know that through our baptism and belief in Jesus Christ that when we die, we will be raised to new life as well. This is the promise of the Gospel; this is the foundation of our faith!
Brett Spalding, Pastor
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17
There is no better passage to follow up on yesterday’s story than this one. When we accept and believe in Jesus Christ, we are a new creation, the old is gone, the new is here. Paul tells us in this one sentence that the change will not be in question. Reflect on how Jesus has changed your life, how has Jesus made you a new creation.
Brett Spalding, Pastor
Read Mark 5:1-20
This is one of my favorite stories of the Bible and another story of one raised from the dead by Jesus. We may not think of this man as dead, but he truly was. So filled with demons he would always be alone since everyone feared him. This passage is a clear reminder that evil fears Jesus and evil must obey Jesus. When one calls out in Jesus’ name for demons to go, they leave in fear. This man, Legion, went from uncontrollable to sitting dressed and in his right mind in a matter of moments. When the man was told to go back to his hometown and tell his story, he did just that. We are called to do the same. We don’t need to tell someone the whole Gospel story; we just need to tell people how Jesus has healed us and made us more peaceful in this life.
Go and share your story of how Jesus has made you whole.
Brett Spalding, Pastor
Read Luke 7:11-17
In response to Jesus’ compassion to the mother and the raising of her son, the people were said to be filled with awe and praised God. Are we filled with awe when we think about Jesus or has He just been compartmentalized into our life? Do we praise God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit like we are in awe, do we make a joyful noise to the Lord? Are we afraid to sing out; to cry out for fear someone might laugh at us? As the people exclaimed, God has come to help His people and the only appropriate response is to be in awe!
Let us always praise God for Who He is, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Savior to us all.
Brett Spalding, Pastor