It is amazing occasionally to think about the history of Christianity. Through the years many have tried to stamp it out, from the Jewish leaders, Greek, Roman and Ottoman Empires, the Communists, and many others. Today from many other directions Christianity is being attacked. But from the original 12 disciples who followed Jesus, Christianity has grown to over 2 billion people; the largest religion in the world.

We know that those opposing Jesus will never succeed, as Isaiah prophesied and Peter repeated in 1 Peter 1:24,25, “..the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” Until the Lord returns, we know that God’s word will endure.

Dear Lord, thank you for growing your church throughout the world. Help us be a part of spreading your good news. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Today is Good Friday, when we remember Jesus’ suffering and death. Imagine this, your coworker steals from the company you work for and you get fired, or your classmate cheats and you are suspended because of it, or worse yet, someone murders your friend and you are arrested and sentenced to death.

That is essentially what Jesus Christ endured. He was perfect and blameless, but took the punishment for people’s disobedience to God, in order to give us the opportunity to be right with God.

The Message translation says in Romans 5:7-8, “We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.”

NIV translation says in verse 8. “While we were still sinners Christ died for us.” This is the foundation of the Christian message. Jesus took the punishment for us, so we can be reconciled with God forever.

Dear Lord, Thank you for this undeserved and unearned gift of salvation. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Prior to being betrayed and arrested, Jesus prays as recorded in the gospels including John 17. He prays asking that God’s will is done, he prays for his disciples, and He also prays for each of us.

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” John 17:20-21

He prays that we would be one with him, and be a way to bring the world to believe in Jesus and the salvation he brings.

Dear Lord, as Jesus prayed, make we be in you so that the world will believe you are the Savior. Amen.

You have probably seen small children hold on to their parents leg when they are afraid or uncertain; or when they have a nightmare, will climb into bed with their parents. Being close to their protector gives them a sense of safety and comfort. It is a bit more complicated to overcome fears when we grow up.

James 4:7 gives us a great formula for dealing with fears in life. James, in writing to the followers of Christ says. “So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” NIV

There cannot be anything more peaceful and powerful than to have God, the ultimate power and the source of love, “near us,” and James explained how.

Dear Lord, we submit our “to do list” to you. Guide us. Give us the strength to resist the temptations of the devil and the world. Draw near to us so we may experience the peace and comfort of being close to You. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Have you ever said, or heard someone say, “who’s going to know?” just before doing something they would be embarrassed to have their friends or family see.

We have to realize that the most important evaluator of each of us sees everything we do. In Hebrews 4:13 Paul writes, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

I heard some good advice somewhere along the way. “Don’t do anything that you aren’t prepared to have printed on the front page of the newspaper.” In a way everything we do is on the front page of God’s newspaper. We would be better off if we thought about that regularly.

Dear Lord, we cannot keep anything from you. There is no hiding, rationalizing, or making excuses. You know what we have done, and our motives for doing it. Help us remember you are watching. We have no chance of meeting your standard of perfection, but if we confess and repent, Jesus’ perfection stands in our place. What an incredible gift. Help us go forward striving to do better. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.