Climbing Higher~ EASTER SUNDAY

Is. 25:6-9:Prophecy of what Jesus would do & on which mt. that he would do it. 

or

Acts 10:34-43: Peter preaches of who Jesus is and what he did and how that brings salvation. 

or

1 Cor. 15:1-11: Paul speaks to those who witnessed how Jesus suffered, died and rose . He tells people to preach this Good News to everyone. 

Ps. 118:1-2,14-24:Give thanks to the Lord for his mercies lasts forever; The Lord has corrected me , but showed mercy when he did not kill me for my sins, but has become my salvation.: the stone that the builder threw out has become the corner stone.  

John 20:4-18: The first hours after it is known that Jesus has risen.

 

or

Mark 16:1-18:Jesus speaks of being faithful in small things. Then speaks to the Pharisees of their hypocrisy.

Challenge of the Day & week:

As you read through these verses, take the time to thank Jesus for going through all that he did to pay for your sin & conquer death for you. Then go and tell others about it. 

Accomplishment of the day & week:

How did the celebration help your walk of faith? 

Climbing Higher~ Easter Eve

Is. 25:6-9:Prophecy of what Jesus would do & on the mt. that he would do it.

Ps. 114:Song of how God took the Jewish people from Egypt to the promised land. 

1 Cor. 5:6b-8:Speaks of how the leaven and unleaven breads were symbols of our souls. 

Luke 24:13-49:Jesus shows himself to some of his followers.

Psalms 114 could be a song that is sung during Passover. In Passover they eat unleaven bread. Paul speaks of how the leaven & unleaven breads where symbols of our soul 

(1 Cor. 5:6b-8). Many years before Jesus came, Isiah prophesied of what Jesus would do and what Mountain he would do it on (Is. 25:6-9). After Jesus rose from the dead he showed himself to some of his friends. They then spread the news that he had risen from the dead (Luke 24:13-49).

Challenge of the night:

Tonight, let us check ourselves and see if we have any sin in us that needs to be taken care of. Let us go to God and take care of any that is there. In this way, we will make sure we are ready to go int Easter Sunday with joy. 

Accomplishment of the night:

Did you find that you needed to go to God to ask for forgiveness? If so, what for? How has that made you ready for Easter?

Climbing Higher~Good Friday

Lam. 3:1-9,19-24: No matter what bad things comes to us. We can have hope in God.

Ps. 22:Prophecy of what Jesus would go through for us. 

Heb. 10:16-25:Speaks of the fulfillment of God's promise to give us a High Priest that is eternal. 

Heb. 4:14-16: Jesus our High Priest understands our weaknesses. Go to him for help.

Heb. 5:7-9:Jesus was obedient to God's will and died for us. 

John 18:1-19:42:Jesus being betrayed, arrested, trial, beaten, hung on cross and buried. 

Challenge of the day:

As you read these verses and remember what Jesus did for us on good Friday. Let us find hope in Him. Let us also thank Jesus for suffering for our sin. 

Accomplishment of the day:

How did today's challenge bring you closer to God?

Climbing Higher~Thursday of Holy week

Ex. 12:1-4,(5-10), 11-14: God tells Moses to start their year at the time he saved them from slavery: God told Moses how to remember that they were saved from slavery (Passover).

Ps. 116:1-2,12-19:These verses speak of what Jesus was going to do to loose our bonds.

1 Cor. 11:23-26: Paul shares what happens when Jesus did the last supper with his disciples before he was arrested. As well as the fact that they were to continue to have the communion until Jesus comes back again to remember what he did for us. 

John 3:1b-35:Jesus tells Nicodemus how to be born again spiritually: John speaks of Jesus being the Christ that was coming after him. 

After God had freed the Jewish people from slavery, He told Moses to not only start the year at that point.But to also how He wanted them to remember each year that God had saved them from slavery. This is called, "Passover" (Ex. 12:1-4,(5-10), 11-14). Jesus was keeping that Passover when he had his last supper with his followers. He took the time to also give them a way to remember him until he came back. We call it, "Holy Communion or Eucharist (1 Cor. 11:23-26). 

There was a prophecy of what Jesus would go through in Psalms 116:1-2,12-19. John the Baptist also prophesied of Jesus in John 3:1b-35). 

Challenge of the day:

Today, let us take the time to remember what Jesus went through for us to free us from the slavery of sin. Let us also share the good news of that freedom to others. 

Accomplishment of the day:

How did today's challenge help you prepare for Easter?

Climbing Higher~ Wednesday of Holy Week

Is. 50:4-9:Prophecy of what Jesus would go through.

Ps. 70: Prayer for deliverance from enemies. 

Heb. 12:1-3: Seeing the great cloud of witnesses lay aside and every thing in our path and consider what Jesus did for us. then  live worthy of it. 

John 13:21-32:Jesus prophecies of being portrayed and then Judas goes to do so. 

This is the day that we remember that Jesus was betrayed by one who was one of his 12 disciples (John 12:21-32). Isiah prophesied of what Jesus would go through for us (Is. 50:4-9). In Psalms we see a prayer that could easily been said by Jesus at this time (Ps. 70). Paul tells God's followers to consider what Jesus did for us & what those who have gone before us suffered for Christ (Heb. 12:1-3).  For when we do we are sure to lay aside whatever is in our way to follow in Jesus' footsteps willingly.

As I see it. We are on a field running the race of life, and those who have gone before us, is in the grandstands cheering us on as we run. They know what it takes to run this race. they understand what it can cost to run for Jesus. But they also know what rewards there are at the end of that race and they cheer on... keep going... you are doing fine... get up and run... (Heb. 12: 1-3). Let us listen to them and keep running towards Jesus and the prize that he will give at the end of the race. 

Challenge of the day:

Today, let us lay aside anything that is keeping us from running the race of life victoriously. 

Accomplishment of the day:

What did you lay aside today? 

Climbing Higher~ Tuesday of Holy week

Is. 49:1-7: Prophecy of Jesus being sent to the Jews & Gentles to give a light and salvation to them. 

Ps. 71:1-14: A prayer for deliverance and salvation from the enemy.

1 Cor. 7:18-31: You were bought with a price; the price of Jesus blood: so live a life worthy of that price. 

John 12:20-36: Jesus prophecies of his coming death. 

In Psalms 7:18-31, we read a prayer for deliverance and salvation from the darkness of sin. In Isaiah 71:1-14, we read a prophecy of how Jesus would come to bring that light and salvation of both Jews and Gentles. Today is the day Jesus continues to tell his followers that is is going to fulfill that prophecy by dying (John 12:20-36). Paul tells the Christians that since Jesus paid such a high price to buy them out of the slavery in Darkness. that we should do all we can to honor that price by living Godly lives (1 Cor. 7:18-31).

Challenge of the day:

Today, work hard to live in such a way that it honors the high price Jesus paid for your freedom from sin. 

Accomplishment of the way:

How did it go?

Climbing Higher~ Monday of Holy Week

Is. 42:1-9:  God had Isiah give the people a promise of prophecy that he could bring his servant that will bring righteousness and light to the Gentiles. This light was to help them out of the prison of darkness into the freedom of light. 

Ps. 36:5-11: In God's mercy and righteousness, he brings his people to his light. 

Heb. 9:11-15: Christ became our sacrifice for our sins for eternally. 

John 12:1-11:Mary anoints Jesus feet: The men are mad about it: Jesus says that she is preparing him for his death. 

Challenge of the day:

Today as we walk through Jesus last week with him. Let us thank Jesus for being coming our perfect sacrifice for us. Also for being the light that lead us out of the darkness of sin into the light of freedom.

Accomplishment of the day:

How did your challenge bring you closer to God?

Climbing Higher~Palm Sunday

Ps. 118:1-2, 19-29:Give thanks to the Lord for his mercy: The stone which the builders refused has become the headstone of the corner: Rejoice: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. God... shows us light: bind the sacrifice.

Mark 11:1-11/John 12:12-16: Jesus ride into Jerusalem while the [people sang, " Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."

In Psalms 118 we read the prophecy of Jesus (Ps. 118:1-2,19-29). Jesus fulfilled this prophecy for he was the stone that made the leaders of his time stumble. Also when he rode into Jerusalem and the people sang the words that is prophesied in Psalms (Mark 11:1-11/John 12:12-16). within a week he is crucified and raises from the dead. Which showed God mercy that will last forever. Praise his name!

Challenge of the day:

Today, take the time to see Jesus as your King and praise him. 

Accomplishment of the day:

How did today's challenge bring you closer to God?

Climbing Higher~ 5th week of Lent

Jer. 31:31-34: I will make a new covenant with them. I will put in in their inter most parts, and I will remember their sin no more.

Ps. 51:1-12: Please forgive my sin. You desired truth in my inter most parts. Please cleanse me from my sin. 

Heb. 5:5-10: Speaks of how Jesus was glorified by being obedient to death, and was made the high priest of our salvation.

John 12:20-33: Jesus speaks of his death Then prays asking the Father to glorify him. A voice came from heaven telling him that it would happen.  

David cries out to God asking Him to cleanse his inter most parts from sin (Ps. 51:1-12). This is the cry of many. Jeremiah prophesies of the new covenant that God would be making with his people in the future, and how it will be printed into their inter most parts of them (Jer. 31:31-24). In John, we read of Jesus' prayer to God the Father asking that he will be gloried because of what he was about to do (John 12:20-33).  In Hebrews, we read of how Jesus brought that covenant to mankind and how it will bring salvation them. This was the fulfillment of that promise to Jesus and mankind (Heb. 5:5-10).  

Challenge of the week:

This week, let us like David cry out to God for forgiveness for our sin. Then let us thank & praise God for this great gift. Then go and tell others about it.

Accomplishment of the week:

What did you accomplish this week? How did it get you closer to God?

Climbing Higher~ 4th week of Lent

Num. 21:4-9: The Jews complained against God and Moses. God sent snakes that bit them. They went to Moses and asked him to ask God to take the snakes away. Moses did so. God told Moses to make a brass snake on a pole. Lift it up and all who looked on it would live. 

Ps. 107:1-3,17-22:Give thanks to God for his mercy is forever. He took his people from their enemies & placed them on a land. Though they sinned God healed them. Let them give unto God their sacrifices of thanksgiving.

Eph. 2:1-10: We all were once dead in our sin, but we were brought to life through Jesus. The way we act and live shows others that we are no longer children of evil, but children of God.this great salvation came as a gift of grace to us from God only. so none of us can be proud and say that we did it on our own.

John 3:14-21:And like when Moses lifted up the snake in the desert the man of God must be lifted up. Any who believe on him will be saved. The light came into the world, but men lived the darkness more than the light.But those who love the light will do good, but those who hate the light does evil.

Sin is an illness of the soul that can kill our forever. The snake is often used to show Satan. Satan is the Father of sin. Like the snakes that bit the Jews, Satan brings sin & illness to our souls. But we can have our souls healed. How? Just like looking to the image of the snake healed the Jews(Numbers 21:4-9). Looking to Jesus who was raised up on a cross to pay for our sin will heal us (John 3:14-21). When we do that we are no longer children of the world and evil, but are now children of God (Eph. 2:1-10). We should give God thanks and praises for doing that (Ps. 107:1-3,17-22).

Challenge of the week:

This week, look back over your life seeing what Jesus saved you from. Then praise and thank Him for that. Then go and tell someone else how God healed your soul's illness of sin.So that they too can be healed also. 

Accomplishment of the week:

How did the challenge make you stronger in your faith? Who did you tell about God's healing? Did they accept it? Pray for their walk if they did. Pray for their healing if not. 

Climbing Higher~ 3rd week of Lent March 4

Ex. 20:1-17: Ten commandments.

Ps. 19:The heavens speak of God's glory,power, and wisdom: God Word gives us this wisdom: Prayer for forgiveness and asking for help to live right in God's eyes.

1 Cor. 1:18-25: The Jews Looked for a sign. The Greek wanted wisdom. So God in his wisdom brought salvation to all through preaching. God wisdom is higher than man's. His power is stronger than man's too. 

John 2:13-22: Jesus makes a whip and drives the money changers out of the temple. All awhile, declaring the the temple is a house of prayer. The Jews asked for a sign. He told them that they would destroy this temple & I will raise it up in 3 days. They did not understand that he was speaking of his own body: When all this came to pass, his followers remembered. 

The theme: Looking to God for wisdom. 

In these verses we see that we should seek God's wisdom as to how he wants us to live our lives. God gave his people the ten commandments as a guide on how he wanted us to live. But since sinful man can not follow them on his own. He sent Jesus to come and live the life he wanted us to live. Then he died for those sins.So that we could be forgiven of those sins. But he did not stay dead. After 3 days he rose from the dead. All we have to do is say that we are sorry for our sins & ask Jesus into our hearts. Then read his Word to see how we are to live. Lastly, share share this wisdom with others. 

This wisdom is too high for those whose hearts are not open to it. But we should share it anyhow. Then let God use what we share to call them to Him. 

Challenge of the week:

If you have not yet.Tell Jesus that you are sorry for your sins. Then start reading His Holy Bible to see how you are to live. Start in the book of Mathew to get to know Jesus. If you have already done that, read the Bible starting with Mathew , Mark, Luke to get to know Jesus. Then share what you have learned with others. 

Accomplishment of the week:

What did you and God accomplish this week?