March 2018 Passages
March 1, 2018
Where Jesus may ask you to go or what he may ask you to do could be unsettling, but, do not let fear take hold. Instead, impress upon your mind and heart the desire to do the will of God for His glory.
"“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”"
March 2, 2018
Fear of people is evident today as was during the time of Christ. Truly following Jesus is risky- you could be made fun of or excluded- Is it people's approval or Jesus' you seek? Focus on eternal life for the answer.
"Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God."
March 3, 2018
Our faith foundation, the Holy Trinity, is a profound mystery more clearly revealed through Jesus who by his life on Earth gave us a concrete understanding of how to live and who we worship
"Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.""
March 4, 2018
Because the spirit of the living God lives in you- there insight on how to respond in a situation, see who he chooses for your circle of influence and be shown behaviors, attitudes, and thoughts that must change in order to grow.
"I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness."
March 5, 2018
To love Jesus is to imitate him. Serving others out of Love especially when difficult allows them to see him at work in you.
"When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."
March 6, 2018
Fullness of life is marked by how we spend our time. A time to learn and a time to teach, time to serve and time to receive, time to work and time to rest, time to speak and time to listen , time to lead and time to follow.
"Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
March 7, 2018
People can be placed in our lives to show us where we are to go, what we are called to do/ learn, or what we need to change. Allowing the Holy Spirit to use them to speak life into us will be the reward.
"Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”
March 8, 2018
The betrayal of Jesus by Judas Ischariot illustrates the brokenness of people and how sin will take root when there is unbelief and disobedience to Jesus. Sin is betrayal to Jesus.
After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant."
March 9, 2018
Our sight can be blinded by what we see and think we know. When the struggle is immense and the issue seemingly out of control, let faith in the all powerful God reign in us and be shown through our obedience
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
March 10, 2018
When life throws a curve ball and you find yourself flat on your back looking up thinking , what just happened? Immediately pray: Pray for wisdom, pray for next steps, pray for strength and courage. To believe is to ask him and trust his ways.
Also remember what Jesus has said, "“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me."
March 11, 2018
Each moment; how we speak and how we act, the direction we take and how we go are steps on the journey toward eternal life. Faith in Jesus and following his commands will bring us home to him.
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
March 12, 2018
To be quiet in spirit allows you to know the direction Jesus is leading. This trust to go and do as he directs deepens your relationship with him and thus your heavenly Father.
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
March 13, 2018
When our God given dreams and desires face challenges and obstacles, looking to and asking Jesus for direction, help, and perseverance will be granted.
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
March 14, 2018
One of the greatest things we can do to contribute in our world is to listen because life truly is about the One who created us and what His plans are for us.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
March 15, 2018
We have access to peace when everything around us is spiraling out of control. Not that we become unaffected, but we are able to think well under pressure because we trust in God.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
March 16, 2018
We grow and change through the study of God's word, scripture, which prepares us for challenges and opportunities which faith is tested. We learn God is our life-line.
"“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener."
March 17, 2018
God knows everything about us: our thoughts and attitudes toward him, ourselves, others, and life. Scripture is his word which reveals our sinful nature and shows our complete need for him.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
March 18, 2018
We are rendered ineffective when we take matters into our own hands. But, our actions under the influence of the Holy Spirit and submission to Jesus accomplishes what otherwise could not be done.
"He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you."
March 19, 2018
The fullness of the Holy Spirit in us is like a rushing river with endless supply of water- we overflow with God's goodness and love reaching out to those who are in need.
"“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
March 20, 2018
Extend grace, forgive, offenses,show mercy, correct and discipline with love. All of this is given to us from Jesus so we in turn are to give this to others.
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
March 21, 2018
A time will come when we will stand before God and give an account for all we have thought, said, and done. This Easter Season is a celebration for us who choose Jesus as Lord because he took our punishment and so now we will stand clean of all our sins- we are forgiven!
"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."
March 22, 2018
Whatever the challenge, obstacle, trial, or change you encounter; God is not surprised by it. He knows the outcome and guides you through it. Call upon Him with confidence.
"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
March 23, 2018
Jesus has shown us by His example in humility how to stand before God in prayer presenting our deep desires, requests, and telling him of our pain.
"During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission."
March 24, 2018
Jesus teaches us life lessons and obedience to him each time we experience pain whether from a loss, making a wrong decision, being betrayed, going through a rough time, being challenged, or when deeply hurt.
"Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered"
March 25, 2018
Happy Palm Sunday! Raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus demonstrated the power of God over death by foreshadowing his own death and resurrection.
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
March 26, 2018
Even today God's word will not be silenced! Despite not being able to pray in public schools and speaking about Jesus in many work places and public venues, Jesus continues to reach those desperate for Him.
Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”
March 28, 2018
Just as in the time before the death of Jesus, today there are those who believe and others who are afraid to believe because their fear of people is greater than fear of God.
"Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”
March 29, 2018
Today is Holy / Maundy Thursday and we celebrate the Last Supper where Jesus teaches us that God's word is our spiritual food and blood Jesus shed marks the forgiveness of our sins.
"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them."
March 31, 2018
Blessed the finality of the crucifixion was not the tomb. How empty the followers of Jesus at that time felt. So, today we wait with anticipation for Easter!
"It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.