April 2019 Passages
April 1, 2019
When defeat brings you to your knees, still praise the One, the Lord of all creation, whose power and wisdom will help you to rise in victory.
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.
April 2, 2019
In the twists and turns of life, the unexpected happenings can bring immense sadness and wounding of the heart. God does not sit idle.feeling sorry for you. He is actively reaching for you to pick you up, dry your tears, and heal your heart.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
April 3, 2019
When hatred, opposition, or slander surrounds you, be assured God knows exactly what is going on. Don't panic. Quiet yourself in prayer. Listen. Do what he tells you. If God is for you, who can be against you?!
With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.
April 4, 2019
Temptation is part of daily living. Some are subtle and hard to recognize such as how you respond in situations. Other temptations can be more evident and costly if acted upon. We have to remember Jesus gets it. He was tempted and knows how it feels. He is the key to resisting. Be open to respond to his direction.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
April 5, 2019
Your rescue from the giant that holds you hostage has it's foundation in the relationship between you and God. As with David, he knew beyond all doubt that God's power would prevail against Goliath because he walked with God, had a history with God which deepened his faith in what God would do. Make history with God to prevail against all odds!
And David said, "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you!"
April 6, 2019
Jesus was troubled. Jesus felt anguish and was despised. He felt complete humanness. He had a choice and could have changed his mind to escape the brutal death he endured. But thankfully, he did not because where would we be? We would never have been redeemed. Jesus is our role model. In your struggle choose faith, choose the will of God and not your own.
"Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour?' But for this purpose I have come to this hour.
April 7, 2019
The unbelief in Jesus continues today. Maybe some of the people you know. Despite evidence from creation, his faithfulness, mercy, love, scripture; people still choose to love this world and life now than Jesus and eternal life. Pray that the light of Jesus in you will change someone's mind.
While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him,
April 8, 2019
Over stepping bounds. We do it to correct others, fix others, prove we are right, gain control, be heard. Interestingly, Jesus could have chosen to give into those same desires. He could have chosen to fix or correct all he encountered that was wrong. But, instead, he chose to do what was commanded of him by the Father. Pray for awareness to stay in bounds.
For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment - what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me."
April 9, 2019
Like flipping a switch to turn on a light to see where you are walking to avoid falling or hurting yourself, so it is to choose the light of Jesus. Belief and trust in him sheds light to the traps of the enemy. Flip the switch to follow Jesus.
I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.
April 10, 2019
You and I were made by God with the intention to return to God. Lay aside pride, envy, need to be right, and the need to control and serve family, friends, coworkers, teammates, strnagers as Jesus served.
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
April 11, 2019
Embrace forgiveness; being washed clean from sin. It had to be. Jesus had to come and serve, to make a way for us to be reunited with God; washed clean. Faith in Jesus erases our sin.
Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with me."
April 12, 2019
Being betrayed or betraying someone happens to most people during life's journey. Judas was a part of Jesus' inner circle, yet betrayed him. Jesus was unsettled by it. Jesus knew the pain of a friend to turn against him. Betrayals are the work of the enemy. He will enlist those vulnerable to carry out his wicked work. But the reality is Satan has no power over those in Jesus. None! The Holy Spirit in you will provide you strength to resist betraying and to forgive those who betray you.
After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me."
April 13, 2019
Actions identify allegiance. To respect others when it is difficult, to care for someone when exhausted, to listen patiently when frustrated, to show compassion when irritated, to pray earnestly for those who hurt and despise you. To love the unlovable... Actions identifying allegiance to Jesus.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
April 14, 2019
Denial - we deny what we don't understand, what we don't like, what hurts and when afraid. We deny because we can't see what Jesus sees.. pray to trust Him even though you don't know all the details.
Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
April 15, 2019
Jesus's whole plan was to return to the Father. And, so is ours. The purpose for His first coming; to show us the way. Whatever is chosen to do or to go, your life is ultimately about the journey home to Jesus in Heaven. Each experience you have offers the choice to follow Him.
And you know the way to where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
April 16, 2019
This Easter Season be reminded and live knowing how powerfully and lovingly you are layered in protection. Jesus inside you, you inside him, and Jesus in the Father. Packed in tightly, do not be afraid by what you see, be courageous, in what you know!
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
April 17, 2019
Abide: to submit daily to Jesus in all areas of your life: decisions, questions,work,learning, confrontations, tasks, sadness, joys, and social times. In this, a tight relationship builds to follow Jesus with courage and your life growing exponentially.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
April 18, 2019
Live this Holy Thursday confidently knowing Jesus had you in mind for a personal relationship with him; to bring you to himself, when he prepared to die on the cross.
"When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do."
April 19, 2019
Remember today to praise and thank Jesus. For every word spoken and every action committed that goes against God you are washed clean because he took the punishment.
"Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.
April 20, 2019
Jesus could not be bound - bound by linen, bound by customs, bound by people, death, or even bound by the enemy. Nothing is too big for Jesus and thank goodness for that! Because he can't be bound, we will live!
So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
April 22, 2019
Over and over Jesus reminds us peace is freely given. So much seen and experienced is disturbing, but as the Father sent Jesus, Jesus sends you in his name to a busy and chaotic unsettled world to offer his peace.
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
April 23, 2019
Thomas called " doubting Thomas" one of the inner circle of Jesus had to see for himself to believe. He is not alone. Recall times your faith has been tested and doubt crept in. Just, don't let it take hold. Pray, step out, take the risk, journey with Jesus, and be blessed.
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."
April 24, 2019
Jesus is the new and different perspective on life. We often struggle doing it "my way" yielding the same empty results. Have you changed course to cast your net to the other side?
He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.
April 25, 2019
You have the power of the Holy Spirit in you to resist evil and giving in to acting on how you feel and being driven by pride. By doing this you show the unbelievers Jesus.
He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
April 26, 2019
Jump, Sing, Shout with great excitement! This is how to demonstrate thankfulness for the power of God alive in you; healing, transforming, doing what you know you are not capable on your own. Go fill someone with amazement!
When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
April 27, 2019
Astonishment, amazement, and surprise- people's reaction to the power of God through you - the perfect segway to give God all the glory and an opportunity to speak of him in your life.
While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?
April 28, 2019
Be assured the work you do in Jesus name is hard and will come with opposition. People will be annoyed. Arm yourself with the word of God; confident he goes before you. Stand firm in your faith and be blessed!
The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
April 29, 2019
Courage and wisdom pour forth from the Holy Spirit when met with opposition. You will know what to say and what to do when you pray earnestly for help.
They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
April 30, 2019
Relief! Isn't it a relief to know our eternal future is not in the hands of people but of a merciful, gracious, faithful, fair, tender - hearted One; our Lord Jesus!
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”