Mark 14:12-15:47

As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.” And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many.” Mark 14:22-25 NLT

This is such a familiar scene that I can miss the significance of it. Images of paintings come to mind of Jesus sharing an intimate meal with the disciples before his death. He is inviting me to the table as well. To sit in His presence and remember His sacrifice. To feast on His goodness.

“And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!” Mark 15:37-39 NLT

Dear Father, thank you for making a way for me to enter your presence. You love me with an everlasting love. I pray that I would live from the place of being your Beloved. Amen.

Jesus said, “I Am.” And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Mark 14:62 NLT

Amy(amyctanner)

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Exodus 1-3; Galatians 5

Moses is the walking definition of an outsider. To the Egyptians who took pity upon him as helpless baby, he is Hebrew pet. To the Hebrews, he is the indulged recipient of their master’s capricious favor and viewed with envy and suspicion. The pain of not belonging is palpable; he is a man without a home.

So he flees. He is a refugee attached to a family and people foreign to him. In the dark and lonely “far side of the desert,” Moses comes to the mountain where God speaks and reveals himself. How is it that in our loneliest places, God appears and the course of history changes?

God calls Moses and the people of Israel into a relationship with him:

“I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you:  When you brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” Exodus 3:12

For the first time in history, God reveals his Name:

I AM WHO I AM. Exodus 3:14.

And with that, the fate of the people of Israel is sealed. No longer will they be Egyptian slaves. They are a people freed by their God. They are a people “close to his heart.” Psalm 148:14.

Centuries later, Paul speaks of freedom once again,

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

Because of God’s great love, because of Christ’s death on the cross, I am no longer a slave. I am no longer a refugee. I have a home. I have a place of belonging and it is near the very heart of God.

Lord,  thank you for the freedom you have bought for me at the cost of your Son. Holy Spirit, help me to walk in this freedom today.  May gratitude and joy rise up from the deepest parts of me.  Father, I ask that my thoughts, words and actions today, somehow make you smile.  Your goodness towards me is overflowing. Amen

klueh

Numbers 1, Psalm 35, Ecclesiastes 11, Titus 3

Say to my soul, “I am your Salvation.”

Psalm 35:3b NIV

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Lord Jesus,

When things in this life do not seem to make sense, say to my soul, “I am your Salvation.”

When I stumble and fall over the same issues time and again, say to my soul, “I am your Salvation.”

When doubtful, anxious or negative thoughts persist, say to my soul, “I am your Salvation.”

When I feel lost and beyond hope, say to my soul, “I am your Salvation.”

“Out of all the voices calling out to me, I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth.” (Casting Crowns)

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My soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in His salvation. My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like You, Lord?”

Psalm 35:9 & 10 NIV

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, who He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.

Titus 3:4 – 8a NIV

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Father,

You are so good! Who is like You Lord? The Almighty I Am, the Warrior of my enemy, the Comforter of my sorrows, the Encourager of my spirit, the Gentle Shepherd who leads and guides, the Savior of my soul. Oh how the list could go on. Please help me to always hold fast to you, to keep my hope and my trust in You, even when I don’t understand. You are trustworthy!

Amen.

– Beckie (look2thehills)