Steps of Faith~ Holy Saturday

Job 14:1-4: man lives and dies Ps. 31:1-4, 15-16: I put my trust in you rescue me from my enemies.  1 Peter 4:1-8: How a Christian should and should not act. Have the mind of Christ. Mat. 27:57-66: Jesus was placed in a tomb, & sealed. Guards placed there to guard it.  Jesus died so that we could be rescued from our enemy, Satan(Mat. 27:57-66/Ps. 31:1-4, 15-16).As humans, we all will live and die (Job 14:1-4). so we should make sure that our lives count for Christ. We can do that by having the mind of Christ (1 Peter 4:1-8).  Challenge of the day: Today think on a way you can make your life count for Christ. Think of one area of your life that you need to take to God and give to him, so that you will be more able to have the mind of Christ. Accomplishment of the day:  What did you do today to help make your life count more for Christ? What did you hand to God today that will help you have more of the mind of Christ? Click here to Reply or Forward 0.68 GB (4%) of 15 GB used Manage Terms - Privacy Last account activity: 40 minutes ago Details

Strps of Faith~ Maunday Thursday

Ex. 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14: Passover ritual prescribed. How to sacrifice a spotless lamb for sins.

Ps. 116:1-2, 12-19: I will offer a sacrifice of Thanksgiving.

1 Cor. 11:23-26: Jesus took the bread and wine, "Do this in remembrance of me".

John 13:1-17, 31b-35: Jesus washes the feet of his disciples, does communion, prophecies that he will die, and gives a new commandment.

In the Old Testament, they had to take a spotless male lamb and sacrifice it to cover their sins (Ex. 12:1-14).They also did sacrifices of thanksgiving for having their sins covered (Ps. 116:1-2, 12-19). Just before Jesus gave himself as the final spotless lamb for our sins, Jesus washed his disciples feet, spoke of his sacrifice to come and showed them how to remember Jesus sacrifice by showing them hoe to remember his sacrifice by taking the communion. Then he gave them a new commandant to love one another (John 13:1-17, 31-35/ 1 Cor. 11:23-26). 

Challenge for the day: 

Today, take the time today to thank Jesus for being your final sacrifice for your sins. 

Steps of Faith~Good Friday

Is. 52:13-53:12: He gives his life as an offering for sin. Ps. 22: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? They divide my garments among them for my clothing they cast lots. Heb. 10:16-22: We can come to God because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. John 18:1-19:42: Jesus' arrest, trials, & Crucifixion. We read the prophecies of what Jesus would go through in Isiah 52:13-53:12 & Psalms 22. In John 18:1-19:42 we read the fulfillment of those prophecies. In Hebrews 10:16-22: we are told what it all means. Challenge of the day: Today, take the time to really see and understand what Jesus went through to heal and save you from your sins.

Steps of Faith~ Holy Tuesday

Is. 49:1-7: The Lord called me from birth from my mother's womb he gave me my name....the Lord... formed me as his servant from the womb...I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth. Ps. 71:1-14: On you I depend since my birth; from my mother's womb; You are my strength, my mouth will be filled with praise. 1 Cor. 1:18-31: Consider your calling...God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count as nothing, to refuse those to nothing those who are something, so that no human might boast. Whoever boast, should boast in the Lord. John 12:20-36:Whoever serves me, must follow me, and where I am, there also my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me. Walk in the light, so that you may become children of light. Jesus was called and named before he was born. Jesus also depended on God from birth (Ps. 71:1-4). He was made God's servant from the womb, & was the light of the world while he was on earth (Is. 49:1).  As followers of Jesus we are... 1. Called from birth and should depend on God all our lives. 2. He has called us though we maybe lowly and despised of the world and those who count for nothing (1 Cor. 1:18-31), and those who feel as though we have toiled in vain & for nothing (Is. 49:1-7). 3. We are called to be God's servants (Is. 49:1-7). 4. We are called to follow Jesus as children of light taking that light to the nations (Is. 49:1-7/1 Cor. 12:20-36).   Challenge of the day: Will you follow Jesus' example where ever he calls you to go and tell? Remember God the Father honors those who follow Jesus. Accomplishment of the day: What was your answer to God today?

Steps of Faith~ Wednesday of Holy Week

Is. 50:4-9a: Prophecy of what Jesus would go through in his hours before he was crucified. The Lord my help.

Ps. 70: Help me Lord from those who wants my disgrace & life. Let those who seek you, rejoice.

Heb. 12:1-3: Let us run the race while keeping our eyes on Jesus who with joy endured the cross for us.

John 13:21-32: Jesus prophecies of Judas' betrayal.

Jesus knew that he would be betrayed (John 13:21-32). There had bee prophecies of the fact that his enemies tried to disgrace Jesus and kill him (Ps. 70/ Is. 50:4-91a). We too should run this race called life while always keeping our eyes on Jesus who with joy went knowingly to endure the cross (Heb. 12:1-3).

Challenge of the day:

Today think about all that Jesus did for you. Then think about what you can do for him.

Note from Author for Holy week

Hi!

 I am posting everything for Holy week ahead of time in case you wish to use any of the information to write your sermons, teachings, or devotionals for it a head of time.

I pray that you all have a blessed Easter season!

Toni

Steps of Faith~ Monday of Holy Week

Is. 42:1-9:Prophecy of what Jesus would do. Ps. 36:5-11:Why are you so down cast my soul? Heb. 9:11-15:Jesus became the perfect and final lamb sacrificing himself for our sins once and for all. John 12:1-11:Mary anoints Jesus' feet to prepare him for burial. Today is the day after Jesus rode into Jerusalem. At this point in Jesus ministry, he had fulfilled for the most part what Isiah had prophesied that he would do(Is. 42:1-9). Now it was time for him to prepare his followers for what was ahead as he strives to walk towards God's will for him and mankind.   In John 12:1-11, we see Mary anointing Jesus' feet to prepare him for burial.Jesus uses this to help prepare his followers for what was to happen come the end of the week. For Jesus knew that he was to become our perfect and final lamb that would sacrifice himself so that we might be saved (Heb. 9:11-15). We should not be sad for what Jesus did (Ps. 36:5-11) but rejoice in the fact that he loved us enough to go to the cross for us.  Challenge of the day: Think about the fact that Jesus loved you enough to choose to walk every day of his last week on earth knowing that he was going to die for your sins. Then thank him for doing so. Click here to Reply, Reply to all, or Forward 0.67 GB (4%) of 15 GB used Manage Terms - Privacy Last account activity: 45 minutes ago Details

Steps of Faith~ Palm Sunday/Passion

Luke 19:28-40: Jesus' ride into Jerusalem Ps. 118:1-2, 19-29:"Blessed is he who comes in  the name of the Lord. ..The Lord has given us light. Join in the procession with leafy branches... I offer you praise." Is. 50:4-9a:I gave my back to those who beat me, my checks to those who plucked my beard. My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.... I have set my face like a flint". Phil. 2:5-11: Have the same mind as Christ Jesus who humbled himself, and died on a cross. Luke 22:14-23:56:The Last Supper  or Luke  23:1-49: Jesus' trial, beating, way to the cross, and crucifixion Jesus' ride into Jerusalem was foretold in Ps. 118:1-2, 19-29. Jesus fulfilled that prophecy when he did that ride (Luke 19:28-40). Isiah foretold of what Jesus would have to go through during the hours before his Crucifixion (Is. 50:4-9a). Jesus fulfilled that prophecy in his last days and hours of his life (Luke 23:1-49). Jesus knew the prophecies, yet he too "set his face like a flint( Is. 50:9). yet we see him doing that in his last days and hours(Luke 22:14-23:56/23:1-49). Paul tells us that we should be like Jesus and set to do what God has called us to do no matter how hard it might be for us. Even if we must follow Jesus into death (Phil.5-11).  Challenge of the day: Take the time to thank Jesus for what he did for you. Then ask him to show you what he wants you to do, then become willing to follow him, no matter what happens to you. Accomplishment of the Day: How did thinking on what Jesus did for you change you today? What has he asked you to do for him? (write down) Click here to Reply, Reply to all, or Forward 0.67 GB (4%) of 15 GB used Manage Terms - Privacy Last account activity: 44 minutes ago Details

Steps of Faith~5th Sunday of Lent/2 ed Sunday in March

Is. 43:16-21 :Forget the formal things and see that I am doing a new thing! Then I will be praised.

Ps. 126: The Lord will restore Zion's fortunes and the people will be joyful and sing, the Lord has done great things for us".

Phil. 3:4b-14: I count all that I am or have had as loss, next to knowing  Jesus Christ.So I will forget what was in the past to strive towards my calling in Jesus Christ.

John 12:1-8: Mary anoints Jesus' feet with oil to prepare him for his burial.

In Phil. 3:4b-14, Paul says that For Jesus' sake he would forget all that was behind him and strive to move to do what he was called to do. I believe that is what Jesus was doing when Mary came and anointed Jesus' feet with oil. For he spoke of how she was preparing him for his burial. You see, by dying and raising from the dead, Jesus was restoring a way for mankind to get back to God. This was a new thing in the Jewish way of thinking. But once mankind realizes what Jesus has done for them, they can't help but sing praises to him (Is. 43:16-21/Ps. 126). 

Challenge of the week:

How about you?  What do you need to leave behind, so that you can go forward into what Jesus has called you to do?

Accomplishment of the week:

What did you leave behind this week? What are you walking towards for the Lord?

Steps of Faith~ 3rd Sunday in February /First Sunday in Lent

Deut. 26:1-11-When you go into the land which the Lord gave you... and you have your fist harvest... Take first fruits of what you grow to the place of worship: sing praises and thanks to God for saving  your people, yourself & family. 

  

Ps. 91:1-2, 9-16- Whoever dwells under God's protection , He will protect and care for because they have called to Him. 

Rom. 10:8b-13- Anyone who believes and calls upon the Lord will be saved.

Luke 4:1-13- Jesus is tempted, but does not fall for Satan's tricks, but uses the Word of God to fight him. "You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve." Jesus said.

In Luke 4:1-13, we see how Jesus was tempted by Satan. Satan lost because Jesus knew that he was precious in God's eyes, and used verses in the Bible to fight him.This saved him from sinning. We too can have that reassurance of God's saving grace and protection. Rom. 10:8b-13, tells is that if anyone calls upon the Lord will be saved. This means that if you call upon Gd asking him to forgive and save you, he will. When you are saved, you are reassured that whoever dwells under God's protection will be protected and cared for(Ps. 91). And when we know that we are saved and cared for by God, we cannot help ourselves, but to sing praises and thanksgiving to Him for what he has done for us(Deut. 26:1-11). 

Challenge of the Week:

This week, think of all the good things that God has done for you, write it down, Than thank him in your own way. 

Accomplishment of the week:

Did thinking on God's goodness help you feel more thankful? 

Steps of Faith~ 2ed Sunday of March/4th Sunday of Lent

Josh. 5:9-12:I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you...they kept the Passover and then ate the produce ofthe land...the manna ceased on that day.

Ps. 32: I acknowledge my sin to You.... I confess...and You forgave my sin.

2 Cor. 5:16-21:If any man is in Christ Jesus he is a new creation, old things are passed away.

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32:Parable of the lost son.

In Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, we see a picture of how God the Father sees us when we are out of his will and sin. It is also a good picture of how when we go to God and ask for forgiveness, he will forgive us and make us a son or daughter. Ps. 32 tells us that id we acknowledge our sin to God and confess it then He will forgive us. In 2 Cor. 5:16-21,we are told that if any man is in Christ Jesus, he is a new creation, old things are passed away and all things become new. Just as the Israelites had a new life in Josh. 5:9-12, and they ate in rejoicing when  their reproach was taken from them, and the Father had a dinner rejoicing on the return of his son. So there is is rejoicing in heaven when we become a new creation in Christ Jesus. 

Challenge of the week:

Who will you share the Good News of God's great love, grace, forgiveness and salvation this week?

Accomplishment of the week: 

So who did you share the good News with this week?

Steps of Faith~First Sunday in March/3rd Sunday of Lent

s. 55:1-9:Do not spend money on that which does not satisfies. Seek the Lord who satisfies.

Ps. 63:1-8:O God, You are my God...my soul thirst...my flesh longs for you...My soul shall be satisfied.

1 Cor. 10:1-13:Our fathers...ate spiritual food...drank that spiritual drink...Christ...we should not lust after evil things... we have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

Luke 13:1-9: Fig tree gave no fruit, but the keeper of the vineyard tended to its needs and then waited to see if it would bear fruit. If it did it lived, if not, it was cut down.

Paul speaks of how the Israelites ate of the spiritual food and drank of the spiritual water~ Jesus (1 Cor. 10:1-13).  We too should thirst and long for the spiritual food that God has for us, and not lust after the evil things of this world (Ps. 63:1-8). For they do not really satisfy us. 

How can we stay in this way? When we go into a store and lust after things that are not good for us .Isaiah 55:1-9 says, that If we give way to that lust, we will be waisting our money on things that will not satisfy us. If we continue in that we will not be productive for the Lord. God, the keeper of our soul is being patient with us, as the keeper of the vineyard was patient with the fig tree that did not produce fruit. But he will not wait forever for us to be productive(Luke 13:1-9). So we need to examine ourselves and see where we may need to change, so that we can be spiritually productive for God. Only then will find that we are satisfied. 

Challenge of the week:

What can you do this week that will help you be more productive for the Lord and be more satisfied in your life?

Accomplishment of the week:

What did you do this week to become more productive for the Lord? 

	Nov 1

Steps of Faith~ 4th Sunday February/2ed Sunday of Lent

Gen. 15:1-12, 17-18- God made a covenant with Abram.... I will give this land to your descendants.

Ps. 27 I have seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Phil. 3:17-4:1- Our citizenship is in heaven. 

Luke 13:31-35- Jesus mourns over Jerusalem.

As Jesus was getting ready to leave Jerusalem, he looked over it. I believe that his mind went back over the years to when God has promised Abram this land to his descendants. Then to all the years that God had kept that promise and had cared for Abraham's descendants.  Even to the time when King David has sung of how he had" seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (Ps. 27). But at last, these people had not accepted Jesus, so he would go and do the work that would start to build the kingdom that was not of this world. So that those who did accept him could have their citizenship  in heaven. We too can be citizens of heaven, if we accept him as our Savior, Lord, and King of our lives and the kingdom of heaven. 

Challenge of the Week: Will you pray for Jerusalem this week? What will you do this week to help others around you know about Jesus' gift of salvation and how they too can become a citizen of heaven?

Accomplishment: What did you do this week to help God's chosen people, or grow the kingdom of heaven?

Steps of Faith~ Ash Wenesday

Joel 2:1-2,12-17:Call all the people together to come to God's house to repent for your sins.

Ps. 51:1-17:God, have mercy on me and forgive my transgressions;cleanse me of all my transgressions.

2 Cor. 5:20b-6:1:Be ye reconciled to God.

Mat. 6:1-6,16-21:Give alms and fast in private and God will reward you.

Ash Wednesday is a day for God's people to come to God house to repent of their sins (Joel 2:1-2, 12-17). It is a time to ask for God's forgiveness and mercy, so that we may be cleansed from our transgressions (Ps. 51:1-17). When we do this we will be reconciled with God again (5:20b-6:1). But as we do this day of fasting and alms giving, let us not do it in public but in private so that we may receive our reward from God, and not man (Mat. 6:1-6, 16-21).  

Challenge for the day: What sins will you take to God and leave there? What alms will you do to God to show him that you are truly thankful for his forgiveness?

Accomplishment of the day: What did you end up doing today? How did that make you feel?