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Descent from the cross

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By Rembrandt   Joseph of Arimathea, though a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus.” — John 19:38 “Nicodemus, who had first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes… They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices.” — John 19:39–40 “Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate…” — Mark 15:43 People described Joseph of Arimathea in many ways. “ A respected leader. A member of the council. A rich man. A secret disciple. A man who was waiting for the kingdom of God.” The Bible records what others saw in him. But we do not fully know how he saw himself. Yet his actions speak clearly. At the moment when no one dared to stand near the cross, he stepped forward. He could have lost everything—his honor, his position, his safety. Still, he went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus,...
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We have no king but...

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"Pilate said to the Jews, 'Behold your King!' They cried out, 'Away with him, away with him, crucify him!' Pilate said to them, 'Shall I crucify your King?' The chief priests answered, 'We have no king but Caesar.' So he delivered him over to them to be crucified." (John 19:14-16) There is a profound irony in this scene. A Gentile Roman soldier identifies Jesus as the King of the Jews, yet the Jewish leaders reject Him, claiming instead that their only king is Caesar—the very Roman Emperor who oppressed them. It is often difficult to understand why the priests and religious leaders could not accept Jesus as their Messiah. The evidence was overwhelming: His miracles, His wisdom, and His words. If they had maintained a truly intimate relationship with God—like Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, or even the High Priest Caiaphas, who once (unwittingly) spoke a true prophecy—they would never have claimed a ruthless oppressor like Caesar as their king. ...
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The full armor of God, not missing a single piece!

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  Ephesians 6:13-17 "Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet, put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. With all of these, take up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." ( Ephesians 6:13-17 ) Revised Prayer Lord, we recognize that we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but in the Spirit. Help me to remain aware that the powers of evil are constantly trying to attack Your children and me. Keep me awake and vigilant. Lord, help us to wear the full armor of God, not missing a single piece. Sometimes I feel as though I have lost part of my armor, but Lord, make me ready again for the fig...
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Pleasing God through His Presence

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"And He who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him." (John 8:29) Jesus said that God sent Him into this world, and He did not send Him alone. The Father is always with Jesus. It is because of this constant presence that Jesus always does what pleases God. God wants us to be with Him, too. That is the core of it. He doesn't need my "help" or my "hard work" as if He were lacking; He simply wants me . If I am with Him, I can please Him. How many times do I confess my sins each night? I make mistakes, and I see my sinful nature clearly—my narrow-mindedness, my unkind words, my temper, and my judgments. Yet, while I was in agony over my mistakes, I received a letter. A sister shared how God has worked in her life through me. In that moment, I realized: That wasn't me. That was the work of the One who is with me. I am just a simple sinner. Lord, let me walk with You and talk with You always. Ma...
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Glorifying God through our testimony

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Galatians 1:18–2:2 "Then after three years... I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days... Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up because of a revelation and set before them... the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles..." Paul’s conversion was dramatic. Afterward, he did not immediately consult with others or go to the apostles in Jerusalem. He didn't seek other people's help. He needed time to be with God before starting ministry. Instead, he went into the wilderness of Arabia for three years. What did he do during that time of silence? He likely reflected on his entire life and prayed for God’s next steps. After those three years, he was still largely unknown to the apostles and the Christians in Jerusalem. However, his transformed life became a powerful testimony that glorified God. Fourteen years later, he returned to Jerusalem and shared his ministry with ot...
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To Know, To Experience, and To Widen the Circle of Grace

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  "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water. " (John 4:10)  The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things." Jesus said to her, I who speak to you am he." (John 4:25,26)  So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?"(John 4:29)  They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world." (John 4:42)  The Samaritan woman did not realize at first what a great Gift was speaking to her. She didn’t know who Jesus was—the very Source of living water. However, she did know that the Messiah was coming; she had hope and was waiting for Him....
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Daily Pressure, Divine Prayer

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"And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." (2 Corinthians 11:28-30) Even Paul struggled with daily pressure and anxiety for all the churches. I can feel how deeply he thought of them, prayed for them, and poured his heart out for them. He used his anxiety for the glory of God; he boasted of his weakness and let God be God in all things. I am struggling with daily pressure, too—anxiety, grief, and fear regarding our churches, my children, and this new season of life. Lord, take my anxiety and turn it into prayer. Make it an instrument for glorifying You. Let us see who You truly are!   
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