Wednesday - Week of Challenge

Have you recognized how 'things' come at you when you are trying to walk in a more peaceful, contemplative walk with God? They just seem to bombard you and giving up and giving in appears to be an option. It is not an option.

On this day of that week Judas conspired to hand Jesus over for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14).  This day in Holy week has been called "Spy Wednesday." But there was another happening - one of love and adoration for Jesus at the Bethany home of Simon the Leper. The Mary (John 11:2) with her alabaster jar of perfume poured it on Jesus' head while he was reclining with the disciples. Jesus said wherever the gospel is preached what that Mary did will be told (Matthew 26:6-13).

Ponder the two actions: the betrayal of Judas or the adoration of Mary. Where are you? Are you betraying Jesus by your words? your thoughts? your deeds? Or are your actions of praise, adoration, love of what you have received from Jesus? Just asking. You have received your freedom - freedom from those lies, those dysfunctional behaviours that you thought you could not let go of.  Jesus freed you.

Judas? Mary? You?  Where are you? Walk it out as Holy Spirit guides you. You can. This is your moment. enough for now.

Tuesday- Week of Challenge

Tuesday of Holy week. Jesus is confronted by the leadership of the Temple. Jesus continues teaching using the parable of the vineyard (Matthew 21:33-46); the wedding banquet (Matthew 22:) and others. Reread those parables and hear what Holy Spirit is saying to you. Recogize that you are invited, you have a place at the table.

People are waking up to the horror of the bombing at the airport and metro stations in Brussels. Let our prayers collectively surround those hurt, maimed, and in shock.

From your place at the table, pray for God's peace to permeate, to restore, to release those held captive by the lies they have falsly held. Pray for a release of fear in your heart. Watch what odis doing in yourlife this day. enough for now.

Monday- Week of Challenge

Our week began with the celebration of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. According to Mark 11:11, after Jesus' entry He returned that evening to Bethany.  I don't know what He thought, perhaps He considered the difficult days ahead. What are your days like? You do know that your days are so much easier because of the events of this week- no because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. 

Today Jesus returns to Jerusalem and cleanses the Temple. Read Matthrew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19.  What do you see? Jesus cleanses what mars our connection. Remember we are contemplating our own walk. Where is your faulty connection?  Allow yourself to release it today, and rest. My church in Detroit celebrated this week by naming it "Week of Challenge." What are you challenges? One at at time. Peace this week. enough for now.

Week of Contemplation

Come into this week contemplating this last walk of Jesus. He was celebrated, yet condemned. Crudcified, yet rose again. But for now walk with him. Walk your life out in a contemplative way. What does Palm Sunday mean to you?  Take time to think about the awesome sacrifice -for you, and for me. enough for now.

No Greater Joy

This is my devotional today from God Calling. Read out loud, let it permeate the space around you. Feel it and then rest in it.

No Greater Joy
   "Withdraw into the calm of communion with Me. Rest- rest in that calm and Peace. Life knows no greater joy than you will find in converse and companionship with me.
   You are mine. When the soul finds its home of rest in Me, then it is that its real Life begins. Not in years; as man counts it, do we measure in My Kingdom.
    We count only from his second birth, that new birth of which I spoke to Nicodemus when I said, "Ye must be born again." We know no life but eternal Life and when a man enters into that, then he lives.
   And this is Life Eternal, to know God, My Father and Me, the Son sent by Him. So immature, so childish, so empty is all so-called living before that. I shower Love on you. Pass Love on.
   Do not fear. To fear is as foolish as if a small child with a small coin, but a rich father, fretted about how rent and rates should be paid, and what he or she would do about it. Is this work Mine or not? You need to trust me for everything." enough for now.

How Are You?

How is your breathing? It feels good doesn't it? I mean to begin to feel more alive. To breathe out the craziness and receive the peace of God.  As you breathe out and in verbalize the bad you are breathing out. Watch what God does with that and watch what God is doing in your life even now. There is even more for you as you receive what God has.  enough for now.

Your Time

Sit up.  Take a good deep breath. Now breathe out fear, breathe in peace. Breathe out worry, breath in quiet. Breathe out doubt, breathe in joy. Now get up. Look around. There is a reason you are where you are. Ask Holy Spirit to guide you in this place, at this time. Don't worry about how you got here, but now hear what you are to do, to learn, to be- in this place, at this time. This is your time! Take it! enough for now.