The Crux of It All!
Note from Jesus Dear Child of God, After the apostle Paul spent years opposing My followers and My message, I revealed Myself to him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19), and he was changed forever. He took the good news message of My death, burial, and resurrection all over the Roman empire. Thousands upon thousands of people were transformed as a result of Paul’s conversion and influence, and his influence continues through his writings in the Bible. Paul could plumb the depths of theology. He could connect My coming to the promises of God in the Old Testament. This great teacher could also make things very simple and clear. Paul summarized “what was most important” about the gospel into three clear truths (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NLT): Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried… [H]e was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. Paul also tied this saving faith to baptism, which he connected to these three truths (Romans 6:3-4 NLT): [W]hen we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death. [W]e died and were buried with Christ by baptism. [J]ust as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. At the heart of your new life in Me is what I did on the cross, in the tomb, and in My resurrection from the dead. My victory opened the way for you to share in My saving grace and also eventually in My glory: For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, Who raised Christ from the dead. … Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 2:12 NLT; Colossians 3:1-3 NLT) What happened with My death, burial, and resurrection is the essential core of salvation. Do you believe these truths? Have you shared in these saving events with Me through your baptism? I want your life to be fresh and new. I want your faith to be full of hope! Therefore, if anyone is united with the Anointed One, that person is a new creation. The old life is gone — and see — a new life has begun. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Verses to Live Notice all the ways Paul emphasizes that this saving faith is essential, what is most important, and what are the essential truths necessary for you to believe if you are going to be saved! Let me remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I preached to you when we first met. It’s the essential message that you have taken to heart, the central story you now base your life on; and through this gospel, you are liberated — unless, of course, your faith has come to nothing. For I passed down to you the crux of it all which I had also received from others, that the Anointed One, the Liberating King, died for our sins and was buried and raised from the dead on the third day. All this happened to fulfill the Scriptures; it was the perfect climax to God’s covenant story. Afterward He appeared alive to Cephas (you may know him as Simon Peter), then to the rest of the twelve. If that were not amazing enough, on one occasion, He appeared to more than 500 believers at one time. Many of those brothers and sisters are still around to tell the story, though some have fallen asleep in Jesus. Soon He appeared to James, His brother and the leader of the Jerusalem church, and then to all the rest of the emissaries He Himself commissioned. Last of all, He appeared to me… (1 Corinthians 15:1-8) Response in Prayer Father, thank You for the future glory promised me as one who has trusted Jesus and shared with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection. In His name, I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2024, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Daily Prayer for April 3
In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” Isaiah 2:2-3a, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we thank you that we have you and the light of your Spirit, which always gives us new determination for the tasks you ask of us. We thank you that we may live not just in the passing moment but also in eternity, looking with joyful hope to the future meant for us and for all humankind. Keep us in your Spirit, and open to us truth after truth. May we be part of that people who carry a light within them, a light which will show them the way through all the struggles and temptations of life; then each one of us will know day by day that you can help us and everyone on earth to a better life through your Holy Spirit. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Gripped by the Infinite Annemarie Wächter How did a young woman who once rejected all claims of absolute truth find her way to faith and a meaningful vocation? Read now The PloughCast 80: The Technology of Middle-Earth Sebastian Milbank, Matthew Scarince and Susannah Black Roberts Matthew Scarince and Sebastian Milbank discuss Tolkien and Technology. Read now An Octopus, a Septuagenarian, and a Millennial Amy Parilee Rickards Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures portrays how rich life can be when we nurture meaningful connections with one another. Read now The First Need of the Church John Stott On the evening of the first Easter day, the disciples heard a word of promise. Read now Christ Is Victorious Johann Christoph Arnold May the miracle of Easter fill us with hope and love. Read now
Today’s Verse – Ephesians 4:2-3
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. —Ephesians 4:2-3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Effort, sweat, and dedication seem to have become the profanity of Western Christianity. To our age of grace-abusers and grace-cheapeners who don’t see acts of obedient faith as necessary to authentic discipleship, the Holy Spirit reaches out with his truth. The Spirit reminds us that relationships on earth, even those in Jesus’ family, require patient effort, gritty love, personal sacrifice, gracious forgiveness, and rigorous determination. If we read Jesus’ prayer for unity in John 17:20-21, how could we not make every effort to keep his Body unified and be loving and patient with each other? Since Jesus purchased our salvation with his sweat, grace, and blood, how can we balk when our passionate efforts are required to preserve the unity and peace of Jesus’ family? My Prayer… Dear Heavenly Father, forgive my impatience with others and my lack of forgiveness for them. Holy Spirit, change my heart to do better in these things. Stir your Spirit within me to curb my tongue, soften my heart, and extend more effort to others who need your blessing. Please, dear Father, use me to be a peacemaker in your Kingdom. I ask this, O LORD, in Jesus’ name. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
02 Apr 2024
We have celebrated Easter and I’m sure we took time to thank the Lord for His love. Just in case you didn’t, 😉 please take time do so. His sacrifice on the cross was the greatest sacrifice for all mankind to redeem the lost and restore us back to Himself. 1 Chronicles 16:7-10.
Receive the Breath of Heaven
Note from Jesus Dear Disciple, Mary Magdalene, Peter, John, and a couple of disciples on the road to Emmaus weren’t the only ones to meet Me on that first day of My resurrection. Whether I met them at the tomb, along the road, or over a meal, they saw that the inexplicable and seemingly impossible was true. There were more surprises as I showed Myself alive to those closest to Me. Many were startled and even terrified when I showed up among them as they were locked inside the upper room. My proof of life was very simple. I asked the people to look at My scars. I also asked them to give Me a bite of their broiled fish. Fear gradually gave way to joy. This joy was so rich and full that they could still scarcely believe. It was simply too good to be true. Except it was true! My resurrection was incredible for them. I wanted them — and I want you — to know that this good news of My life, crucifixion, and resurrection is not news to hoard or hide. This news is not for a few faithful followers tucked away and withdrawn from the doubters. This joy was not to be fearfully locked up and hidden from the everyday world of real people. I want the good news of My life, death, and resurrection to be shared with everyone. So I drew My disciples close to Me and spoke words to them that I also want you to hear: I give you the gift of peace. In the same way the Father sent Me, I am now sending you. The mission of testifying to My resurrection wouldn’t be easy — not for My first disciples and not for you. So I drew My disciples close to Me and let My “breath” fall on them. I told them, “Welcome the Holy Spirit of the living God.” (The same word in the languages I spoke was used to mean both “breath” and “spirit.”) I reminded them about the Spirit Whom I had promised to send to them when I returned to the Father. In this moment of tender and joyful closeness, I wanted My disciples to know that I would be present with them and within them through the Holy Spirit, the Breath of heaven. My presence in them through the Holy Spirit would empower them to fulfill their mission of testifying to My resurrection. Over the next few weeks, I will share with you some of those things I had originally spoken to My disciples on the night I was betrayed. I talked to them about the coming of the Spirit, their great Helper that I would send to be with them and to live within in them. Today, I want to remind you of two truths about the Holy Spirit, the Breath of heaven. First, the Holy Spirit is not just about power and presence; the Spirit is also the holy and cleansing fire of heaven that I send to cleanse you (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Titus 3:3-7) and to give you the power to forgive others. Second, the Holy Spirit will be in you as an endless blessing of grace. You cannot exhaust the supply of My presence, grace, and power within you. Remember My earlier promise about the Holy Spirit: On the last day, the biggest day of the festival, Jesus stood again and spoke aloud. Jesus: If any of you is thirsty, come to Me and drink. If you believe in Me, the Hebrew Scriptures say that rivers of living water will flow from within you. Jesus was referring to the realities of life in the Spirit made available to everyone who believes in Him. But the Spirit had not yet arrived because Jesus had not been glorified. (John 7:37-39) Now that I had been glorified, they were about to experience the powerful work of the Spirit. As you read the verses below, please know that My presence and power are also available to you through the Holy Spirit today. So come close to Me. Lean in and let Me share the Breath of heaven with you so that you can answer My call: In the same way the Father sent Me, I am now sending you. Go and please share My grace by the power of the Spirit! Verses to Live Today we have sections of scripture from two of the Gospels. The first section, from Luke’s Gospel, begins with the last few verses from yesterday. It continues to recount My joining the disciples in Jerusalem and interacting with them. The second section from John’s Gospel also gives an account of My interaction with some disciples. Things are recorded in both sections to demonstrate that I was really alive, raised from the dead. I was really present with them in My resurrected body, interacting with them and telling them about the coming of the Holy Spirit to help them fulfill their mission to tell others about Me. So they [the two disciples Jesus met on the road to Emmaus] get up immediately and rush back to Jerusalem — all seven miles — where they find the eleven gathered together — the eleven plus a number of others. [The followers had gathered together behind locked doors in fear that some of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem were still searching for them.] Before Cleopas and his companion can tell their story, the others have their own story to tell. Other Disciples: The Lord has risen indeed! It’s true! He appeared to Simon! Then the two men report their own experience — their conversation along the road, their moment of realization and recognition as He broke the bread. At that very instant, as they’re still telling the story, Jesus is there, standing among them! Jesus: May you have peace! They’re startled and terrified; they think they’re seeing a ghost. Jesus: Why are you upset? Why are your hearts churning with questions? Look —
Daily Prayer for April 2
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. Isaiah 51:6, NIV Lord our God, in you we want to find our strength, in you we want to hold out even in these times. We rejoice that the end is coming, the end you are preparing, when your salvation and justice will come on earth according to your promises. Be with us and with the believing circle given to us through Jesus Christ. Make us alert and give us fresh courage again and again, however difficult life may be. We want to continue to live and find strength in the grace of Jesus Christ, holding on in joy without grumbling and complaining. Lord God, may your name be honored, your kingdom come, and your will be done in us according to your plan. Amen. Recent articles on Plough An Octopus, a Septuagenarian, and a Millennial Amy Parilee Rickards Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures portrays how rich life can be when we nurture meaningful connections with one another. Read now The First Need of the Church John Stott On the evening of the first Easter day, the disciples heard a word of promise. Read now Christ Is Victorious Johann Christoph Arnold May the miracle of Easter fill us with hope and love. Read now The Path from Death to Life Cardinal Kurt Koch Our Christian faith stands or falls on the belief that Christ destroyed death and brought about new life. Read now Calling Upon the Vanished God George MacDonald On Good Friday God withdrew, that the perfect will of the Son might arise and go forth to find the will of the Father. Read now
Today’s Verse – Psalm 4:1
Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. —Psalm 4:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… At first, this cry for help seems very demanding by those of us who are praying to God. Closer inspection shows that this is really a cry of desperation — Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. Have you been there? I surely have, and I regularly hear from folks who are there right now. But, dear friend in Jesus, read this whole psalm. What is the secret to surviving a long agony? I believe three things are important, and they are found in this psalm: Honesty in our prayer life with God (Psalm 4:1-2). Confidence that God hears and cares even when our prayers sizzle with pain and frustration (Psalm 4:3-5). Genuine praise for God that is included in our prayers even when things seem bleak, others oppose us, and God feels distant (Psalm 4:6-8). Such an approach to prayer is not a magical formula but a Spirit-inspired one — check it out in Psalm 4:1-8! My Prayer… O God, please hear our cries for relief and the relief of all who are yours in agony from their burdens and suffering because of their faith. Please answer in amazing and miraculous ways so that we may not only be relieved but may also glorify you. We pray that those who see you working in the lives of ordinary and desperate people will come to find refuge in you, too, even if they have mocked us. Please, dear LORD, don’t let those who mock your people and seek false gods triumph over those seeking to honor you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Beyond Bread
Note from Jesus Dear Precious Disciple, Today, I hope you realize that everything is different because of what we celebrated together yesterday. Resurrection Sunday changed everything for all of time! On Sunday afternoon after My resurrection, I caught up with a couple of disappointed and confused disciples walking back home to Emmaus. The disciples didn’t recognize Me when they spoke these words that were poignant reminders of crushed hopes, yet they were still waiting to see what the rumors of My resurrection would actually mean: We had been hoping that He [Jesus] was the One — you know, the One Who would liberate all Israel and bring God’s promises. Anyway, on top of all this, just this morning — the third day after the execution — some women in our group really shocked us. They went to the tomb early this morning, but they didn’t see His body anywhere. Then they came back and told us they did see something — a vision of heavenly messengers — and these messengers said that Jesus was alive. Some people in our group went to the tomb to check it out, and just as the women had said, it was empty. But they didn’t see Jesus. So I stepped into their disappointment, confusion, and weariness. I gave them the sacred blessing of My presence and My grace through the ordinariness of a simple meal, a prayer of blessing, and an explanation about My work on earth. I broke bread with them — something that I had repeatedly done throughout My ministry. Luke was very good to show you how often I shared a meal with precious people. Some of these people were opposed to Me, some were seeking something more than they had found in their staid religious practices, some were passionate disciples who loved Me, and some were just hanging around with me. Regardless of the reason, each of them was precious to Me. For Me, beginning My passion with a meal and celebrating My resurrection with a meal were natural. My meal with two disappointed disciples was very simple and ordinary, except… they recognized Me in the breaking of the bread. So as you continue this week, I want to remind you of one very simple, and I hope very exciting, promise that I made: For when two or three gather together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) And this promise is fully true when you share a simple meal, call on My name, talk about Me, think about the Scriptures, and share in the love you have for each other. In your busy and harried lives, you often try to segment life into sacred and secular, holy and ordinary. As your resurrected Lord, I hope you will receive My presence with you at meals as an incredible gift with the simple and gracious joy that I give to you. Anytime and anywhere that you gather with fellow believers and eat food, share in fellowship, and call on My name, you have carved out an especially sacred space in ordinary life. After all, isn’t that part of what My life was about? Wasn’t I the Holy One of heaven Who came to earth to be your human host Who makes all meals in My name into an especially sacred moment of shared grace! So join Me on the road or at the family dinner table or the communion table. Each of these is an especially sacred place of grace when you gather in My name to remember, reflect, and renew our friendship. More than just giving thanks for your meals, invite Me into the moment and let’s share together in an ordinary, yet especially sacred, space of grace! Verses to Live This story that Luke provides is very precious to Me. Enjoy your reading. Begin anticipating when we will sit at the table of grace together with your friends and family of faith. Blessings to you as you read! Picture this: That same day [resurrection Sunday], two other disciples (not of the eleven) are traveling the seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus. As they walk along, they talk back and forth about all that has transpired during recent days. While they’re talking, discussing, and conversing, Jesus catches up to them and begins walking with them, but for some reason they don’t recognize Him. Jesus: You two seem deeply engrossed in conversation. What are you talking about as you walk along this road? They stop walking and just stand there, looking sad. One of them — Cleopas is his name — speaks up. Cleopas: You must be the only visitor in Jerusalem Who hasn’t heard about what’s been going on over the last few days. Jesus: What are you talking about? Two Disciples: It’s all about the man named Jesus of Nazareth. He was a mighty prophet Who did amazing miracles and preached powerful messages in the sight of God and everyone around. Our chief priests and authorities handed Him over to be executed — crucified, in fact. We had been hoping that He was the One — you know, the One Who would liberate all Israel and bring God’s promises. Anyway, on top of all this, just this morning — the third day after the execution — some women in our group really shocked us. They went to the tomb early this morning, but they didn’t see His body anywhere. Then they came back and told us they did see something — a vision of heavenly messengers — and these messengers said that Jesus was alive. Some people in our group went to the tomb to check it out, and just as the women had said, it was empty. But they didn’t see Jesus. Jesus: Come on, men! Why are you being so foolish? Why are your hearts so sluggish when it comes to believing what the prophets have been saying all along? Didn’t it have to be this way? Didn’t the Anointed
Daily Prayer for April 1
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:5, RSV Lord God, our Father, we thank you for all the light you give us and for all your loving help in outward things as well. We come into your presence and ask you to give us your light and your constant guidance for the path we must follow. Grant that what is of heaven may be revealed on earth, that we may rejoice in the good and beautiful things you give to all people. Our Father, reveal what is of heaven, and free people from their sin and darkness so that at last they recognize your glory. Strengthen our hope for this goal. Rule and work in the hearts of many people, that through them your glory may be proclaimed to all. Amen. Recent articles on Plough An Octopus, a Septuagenarian, and a Millennial Amy Parilee Rickards Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures portrays how rich life can be when we nurture meaningful connections with one another. Read now The First Need of the Church John Stott On the evening of the first Easter day, the disciples heard a word of promise. Read now Christ Is Victorious Johann Christoph Arnold May the miracle of Easter fill us with hope and love. Read now The Path from Death to Life Cardinal Kurt Koch Our Christian faith stands or falls on the belief that Christ destroyed death and brought about new life. Read now Calling Upon the Vanished God George MacDonald On Good Friday God withdrew, that the perfect will of the Son might arise and go forth to find the will of the Father. Read now
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 3:31-32
Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence. —Proverbs 3:31-32 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… While many are seeking a cure for the rampaging violence in our cultures that is destroying lives, threatening schools, destroying nations, and making our streets unsafe, why has no one bothered to remind us what God’s wise servant taught us centuries ago? Let’s not let any person, real or fictional, be our hero if their fame is built on violence. “Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways…” I can hear some of you saying, “Wow, Phil, that’s not a popular position based on what we see on TV and in the movies!” Please realize this is not me saying it, but one of God’s inspired writers. “Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways…” The son of Israel’s most famous warrior understood the dangers of violence in any form. Indeed, the Son of the Most Powerful on High said it best: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” My Prayer… Almighty God, save us from the violence of our culture. Save us from the violence of the wicked. Save us from the worship of violent power that permeates our world. Please, dear Father, give us heroes who are strong, noble, and are true peacemakers. In addition, dear Father, please give us eyes to see them and the courage to honor them. In Jesus’ name, I pray for your peace in our world. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.