It is difficult for us to truly understand how Jesus’ disciples must have felt after his crucifixion. I am sure it was the epitome of despair. They had put their confidence in what they thought he was telling them, that he was the Messiah, but they did not understand what it would take for the Messiah to fulfill his role.

Their feeling is described in Luke when Jesus appeared to two men, though they didn’t know it was Him, the story known as “The Road to Emmaus.” In Luke 24:18-21, “Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.” “What things?” Jesus asked. “The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel.”

But we know the rest of the story, and their hope was not misplaced.

Dear Lord, What joy it brings to know that there is no need to despair about ourselves on earth, or our future in heaven, because you are the hope of the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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If you have seen the movie The Passion of the Christ, or one of the few others that depict the brutal treatment of Jesus Christ, you may find it hard to watch the treatment of any human that way. It is unimaginable that the most Loving and Powerful human that ever existed allowed himself to experience this.

Why? For you.

Paul writes in Philipians 2:6-9, “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

Today, Good Friday, we remember this ultimate sacrifice Jesus gave so that we may be saved. Let us take some time to appreciate the magnitude of this blessing.

Dear Lord, We are eternally grateful for the sacrifice you made for our Salvation. Help us never forget the words of Paul in Romans 5:8, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” In Your most holy name we pray. Amen.

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Have you seen those cartoons showing the character sawing a tree branch while sitting on the branch, cutting on the trunk side of where he is sitting? After a couple cuts, he saws through the branch, but falls along with it.

This is similar to what happens when we do things we know we shouldn’t. By doing things we know are wrong, we undermine our faith and begin distancing ourselves from God. When we do, the devil, described at times as “the accuser” works on us with guilt, trying to make us feel unworthy of reconciliation with God. In contrast, when we exercise our faith, by doing what we know is right, even when it is difficult or scary, we are relying on God and making our faith stronger.

In his letter to Timothy, 1 Timothy 1:19, Paul writes, “Cling tightly to your faith in Christ and always keep your conscience clear, doing what you know is right. For some people have disobeyed their consciences and have deliberately done what they knew was wrong. It isn’t surprising that soon they lost their faith in Christ after defying God like that.”

Dear Lord, help us choose to do the right thing, led by the conscience that you gave us. Help us remember that it is always better to do the difficult right thing than the easy wrong. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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The book of Exodus tells the story of the Jews after God brought them out of captivity in Egypt. God was leading them to a new land, but even though he was there with them the entire time in the form of a pillar of cloud in the daytime, and a pillar of fire at night, they still had problems keeping their focus on him and his direction.

Just like the Jews in the desert, God wants us to look to him for our direction and strength and he will guide us.

In Hebrews 3 Paul recounts this story, and explains how God was leading them, showing them the path. In Hebrews 3:9-10 he writes, “But God was patient with them forty years, though they tried his patience sorely; he kept right on doing his mighty miracles for them to see. “But,” God says, “I was very angry with them, for their hearts were always looking somewhere else instead of up to me, and they never found the paths I wanted them to follow.”

God also has paths he wants us to take, but we need to look to him for guidance to know where they are.

Dear Lord, help us have the faith to look to you for guidance. Show us the paths you want us to follow. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Do you sometimes wake up in the morning with negative thoughts; negative thoughts about a bad experience, or someone who mistreated you, or a problem you have?

I believe that often times these thoughts are being placed in our heads by the enemy, trying to get our day started with a sour and defeated attitude.

I have a technique that I use to overcome these negative influences.

When I wake up with these negative thoughts, before I get out of bed, I try first to remember the words Jesus used in Matthew 16:23, when Peter comments about Jesus upcoming suffering and death. Jesus said, “get behind me satan.” Or the words Jesus used when tempted in the wilderness, He tells the devil “away with you satan”. This shows we recognize the deception and in Jesus’ name we are sending it away.

Second, In my mind I recite the common doxology,
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Alternatively, I remember David’s words in Psalm 118:24 “this is the day that The Lord Has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Finally I say a quick prayer, thank God for a new day, and ask for his guidance.

If you experience this negative ambush in the morning, give these techniques a try.

Dear Lord, protect us from the undermining influence of the devil, and help us live our lives as positive, cheerful, advocates for you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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