Tomorrow (sat.) 10 am is cleanup and mulch party. Help is needed, even for just an hour.
Tomorrow 10-1 is Clothing Closet
Sunday is our festive worship with communion and Children's Church as we celebrate the resurrection and availability of new life in Christ. 10 am. Who are you bringing?
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Thank God I'm Forgiven and this Good Friday is how it all started! PTL for being our suffering Savior and Redeemer! Meditate on all this day means to you and worship!
Good Morning Saved by Grace, Made New in Christ, Redeemed of the Lord! Yes, worship! What a loving, mighty God we serve! he is Love and Love that saves! he took our punishment and paid the ultimate price for our sins. Think about that today as you engage with our devotionals below and as you open your Bibles and meditate on what all transpired for our salvation and eternity with God. Yes worship with much thanksgiving!
ODB
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Several legends surround the naming of the beautiful five-petaled flower the forget-me-not. Among those stories is one from a German legend. According to the story, as God named all the plants He’d created, one little flower worried that it would be overlooked. So the flower called out, “Forget-me-not, O Lord.” And that’s the name God gave to it.
Though this is only a story, the forget-me-not has become a symbol of love and remembrance. Yet all of us have experienced what it feels like to be forgotten. To be remembered—especially to be remembered by our God—is our heart’s true desire. We find just such a story in the account of the crucifixion of Jesus. Luke tells us, “Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with [Jesus] to be executed” (23:32). As they were being crucified, one criminal next to Christ suddenly understood. He said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (v. 42). Christ’s response was unforgettable: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (v. 43).
What an amazing moment! In his darkest hour, that criminal learned what it meant to be remembered by the Son of God.
We too are remembered in our hour of need. The God who loved us enough to die for us will never forget us.
By Bill Crowder
REFLECT & PRAY
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When have you felt forgotten? How will you turn to Jesus today and permit Him to turn your lament into praise?
Dear Father, in those moments when I may feel forgotten, please remind me of Your abiding, loving presence in my life and encourage me with Your grace.
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
As Jesus hung on the cross, He made several statements that are now referred to as “The Seven Last Words (Sayings) from the Cross.” Three are found in Luke 23: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (v. 34); “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (v. 43); “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (v. 46). The other four sayings are found in Matthew 27:46 and John 19:26-27, 28, 30. Jesus didn’t lose perspective during His distress, pain, and agony. He remained focused on His Father and His mission. Though the voices around the cross were many, including the criminals crucified with Him (Luke 23:39-42), Christ’s words were clear, focused, and intentional. His conduct under duress remains the standard for those called to endure suffering. “Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21).
Arthur Jackson |
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TWFYT
Connection Blog
April 18 - Prayer and Suffering
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To pray with a will surrendered to God is to risk our lives for God. Too many in this generation seek comfortableness. Too many use prayer as an escape from what is difficult.
Often prayer and suffering go hand in hand. Suffering ushers us into a new realm of dependence upon God. In our sufferings we experience His sufficiency.
Prayer can accomplish four major tasks in suffering. First, prayer delivers us from that which we suffer. God will on occasion work a mighty victory in our lives. We find freedom from our suffering by the power of God obtained in prayer. Second, prayer delivers the grace of God to us in our suffering. That grace enables us to endure the suffering. Third, prayer delivers us into the hands of God’s comfort. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). Finally, prayer delivers the character of God into our lives when we suffer.
Compassionate Father, You have said clearly that the Christian walk will include suffering, but somehow I often feel entitled to a life free from pain and difficulty. Yet, it is in those times when life is hard that I seem to seek You more often and more passionately. Give me the grace to endure whatever will draw me into deeper intimacy so that my dependence will never be upon anyone or anything other than You. Help me to walk with courage as my prayers deliver me “into the hands” of Your comfort.
--Adapted from The Prayer Factor: Adventures with a God who Hears and Answers by Sammy Tippit. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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