40 Days in the Word - Day 40!

Today, our last day of these 40 Days in the Word, our theme word is Mission - to carry God's mission of love and redemption to all with whom we come in contact!  I'm looking forward to seeing many of you in worship tomorrow on Easter Sunday, or I hope you can listen in to our online service - it should be a spectacular day!  Today just take some quiet time and reflect on these past 40 Days in the Word, the Season of Lent, the Crosses of Lent, and how you might have grown in your relationship with Jesus - and how you are called to be On Mission in all you say and do!  Blessings to you, and thanks so much for joining me on this journey!

And what a better way to end this journey than with Handel's Hallelujah Chorus!  Enjoy!  See you in church tomorrow for Easter Sunday!

 40 Days in the Word - Day 39!

Today our theme word is Wellspring, like the water given to the woman at the well at high noon in Samaria.  It's so interesting that in this unlikely meeting that Jesus would first reveal himself to a woman, to a Samaritan, and not to his disciples.  Yes, he made reference to it with others, but he is explicit for the first time here.  Yes, Jesus is the Messiah - the One sent to die on the cross.  That's so important to always remember, but especially today, on Good Friday.

Though the cross is about Jesus giving himself for us, it is also through the cross that He raises us up.  A good time to listen to this wonderful song - You Raise Me Up.  Sing along! 

 40 Days in the Word - Day 38!

Today our theme word is Wolves - as in Jesus is sending us out and reminding us to be aware of false prophets who come to us in sheep's clothing, but actually they are wolves seeking to devour us.  And today is also Maundy Thursday, where we gather for the meal that Jesus shared with his disciples to remind them that he came to serve, and not to be served.  Anything that we hear that draws us away from that servanthood of Jesus is a word from a wolf - so beware!  And keep ever and always, close to Jesus!

Our song today is Listen To Our Hearts by Casting Crowns.

 40 Days in the Word - Day 37!

Today our theme word is Created - as in "We are God's Workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."  Because we are made in God's image to dream, create, serve, love, and walk in the things that God prepared beforehand for us to do.  And that's such a wonderful thing to remember, especially this Wednesday in Holy Week!

Here's a great song I think you'll enjoy:  I Speak Jesus!

40 Days in the Word - Day 36! 

Our theme today is Set Free, Part 2!  And Jesus heals another woman who had been ill with a flow of blood for 12 years.  She had been to doctor after doctor, and nothing worked and she continued with that malady.  In one of the very interesting parts of the story of Jesus, she just touched the hem of his garment and she was set free, because Jesus felt that power had gone out from him.  A fascinating story and a great devotion!

And, though a few days early, here's an Easter Hallelujah that I think you'll enjoy!

 40 Days in the Word - Day 35!

Today our theme word is Set Free, Part 1 - Jesus heals a woman who was bent over for 18 years and could not stand straight.  Perceiving her need to be set free, Jesus did just that, and tells her that she is one of God's chosen ones, and that he came to set us free.  Us - meaning yes, you and me - are set free!

And this song fits well with our theme today:  Chris Tomlin - I lift my hands.

 40 Days in the Word - Day 34!

Our theme word today is Precious - as in Precious in His sight are those who believe in Him.  And precious in his sight are the children who come to him, with bright eyes and open hearts.  That's what Jesus calls forth in us - an openness to what he has to teach us.  Enjoy the devotion today!

And our song for today is Even If by MercyMe.  Enjoy!. 

 40 Days in the Word - Day 33! 

Today our theme word is Perceive.  As in being able to perceive the light in the midst of the darkness of this world.  Kind of like a park ranger with a large flashlight to lead you in a deep forest campground, the light of Jesus leads us through this dark world.  We just need to be able to perceive it!  

And our song today is by Casting Crowns - The only scars in heaven.  It's a wonderful new song!

 40 Days in the Word - Day 32!

Today our theme word is Believe - and Promise - and Covenant - the kind of promise and covenant that God gives us in Jesus, and asks us to believe in him.  Because God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  That's the promise - the covenant - that we're asked to believe.  Great devotion today!

And our song today is I Feel Jesus - Holy Ground by Steven Mactezume.  Enjoy!

 40 Days in the Word - Day 31!

Today our theme word is Power - as in the power that Nicodemus had over the Jewish people to follow everything he interpreted from the Old Testament for them to do.  The Sanhedrin (Jewish Supreme Court) dictated what people could and couldn't do down to the most minute detail!  But somehow the heart of Nicodemus was warmed to Jesus, who saw Jesus' humility as the real power that he wanted in his life.  It's one of those great and grand reversals of Scripture!

And here's something you probably haven't heard before - Amazing Grace played on 200 bagpipes!  Enjoy - even if you don't enjoy bagpipes!

 40 Days in the Word - Day 30!

10 days left in our 40 Days in the Word devotions!  And our theme word today is Light - the light that shines in the darkness that the darkness could not overcome.  The light that Nicodemus avoided when he came to Jesus.  The light that Jesus is in our lives, giving us guidance that wakes us from our slumber.  Enjoy!

And "I Can Only Imagine" is a very familiar song, and I think it's a great time to listen to it again!

 40 Days in the Word - Day 29!

Today our theme word is Presence - Part 2!  Continuing from yesterday, Jesus explains more about the sabbath rubbing grain and eating, and explains more about the connection to King David eating the Bread of the Presence.  And today's devotion calls for us to put aside everything that would cause us to miss the presence of God in our lives.  Good devotion!

And here's a wonderful song by Alisa Turner - This is my prayer for you.

 40 Days in the Word - Day 28!

Today our theme word is Presence - Part 1.  And the Gospel reading is about Jesus and his disciples getting in trouble with the Pharisees for rubbing grain in their hands on the Sabbath, which put the Pharisees through the roof!  And Jesus responds with the first part of an elaborate argument about why it was OK for his disciples to do that.  God's Presence - Part 1.  Stay tuned for Part 2 on Day 29!

And here's a wonderful song entitled "I will rescue you" by Lauren Daigle.  Enjoy!

40 Days in the Word - Day 27!

Today our theme word is Poor - as in Blessed are you poor, or blessed are the poor in spirit.  There were all kinds of poor people around Jesus, which caused the disciples some consternation because they wanted Jesus to be more Royal!  But Jesus kept the poor around him because they were ready to receive what He wanted to give.  That's such an important point - when we're poor and needy and helpless, we are ready to receive what Jesus wants to give.  So - may we be poor.  And may we receive!

Here's another great song that I know you'll enjoy - so sing along! 

 40 Days in the Word - Day 26!

Today our theme is Blind Eye - as in the blind eye that the Pharisees turned when there was a man with a withered hand - they turned a blind eye.  Seeing that, Jesus chose to heal the man's hand, and give him his life and vitality back again.  It's so easy to turn a blind eye when we see need around us, and today's devotion is a good reminder to see those in need around us!

I hope you enjoy this song - What have I done to deserve love like this - by  Lauren Daigle.

 40 Days in the Word - Day 25!

Today our theme word is Rise - as in Rise, take up your pallet and walk.  It's a great devotion about the healing of the paralytic man who was lowered through the roof to see Jesus, when the crowds kept him away.  Jesus forgave his sins, and then healed him to show the power of his love.  Power, love, and grace, all in one!

And here's just an amazing version of Amazing Grace that I know you'll enjoy!

 40 Days of Prayer - Day 24!

Today our theme word is Trust - and it's the wrenching story of Jesus healing the leper.  It's a well written and fairly graphically descriptive devotion about how devastating it must have been to live with leprosy.  And still, Jesus touched - touched - the leper.  Wonderful devotion today - I hope you enjoy it!

And here's a wonderful song - He Already Sees the Rainbow.  Trust Jesus - because he already sees the rainbow.

 40 Days in the Word - Day 23!

Today our emphasis is on Relationship - as in God wants a relationship with you that's real and personal and is willing to go to the ends of the earth to search for you until you're found.  And that should cause us - like the one leper who returned to give thanks - to live lives of gratitude for all God has done for us.  This day, just begin and end the day with a prayer of gratitude for that relationship with our living and loving God!

And here's a wonderful version of You Raise Me Up by the Celtic Woman group.  Enjoy!

 40 Days in the Word - Day 22! 

Today our theme is "All Y'All" and talks about Jesus at a dinner party where the Pharisees challenged the disciples of Jesus about who he was eating with - the scoundrels of society.  They thought it was beneath Jesus' dignity to eat with such riff-raff.  Jesus rebukes them, of course, and says that reaching out to the riff-raff was why he came - he came for all y'all!  And that's good news for us!

Here's a beautiful choral arrangement of the classic Pie Jesu by the Bel Canto Choir.  Enjoy the soprano voices in this beautiful song!

 40 Days in the Word - Day 21!

Today our theme is Useful - as in being useful to God by being filled with God.  And it's an important reminder that what God is looking for is not our ability, but for our availability - being available to be fill with God to share God.  We are vessels that are designed and created for the purpose of containing God!

And since I took this video in the Sunday School room with the "I Am A Child of God" theme behind me, this is a great song that also reminds us that "I Am A Child of God!"