Why this is called "Holy Week..."

Hello Youth Group Peoples & Friends,

This week should focus a sharp spotlight on Jesus Christ, and Him alone.

 

Actually, every day should. 

 

Really. 

 

When you remember the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews Ch. 11, we are encouraged in Hebrews 12:1-3 as follows:

 

 ¹Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ²fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.   ³For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

 

Fourteen of us spent our weekend at the Planet Wisdom Student Conference learning about "A God you can Know."  And, I want to challenge you to go back over your study books.  When you read through all the excellent reminders of Who God is, ask yourself this question, "Do I have a relationship with God?"  Knowledge of God is not the same as having a relationship with God, made possible by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

 

Big difference.

 

Knowledge about someone only gets us so far.

 

That is why this week in the course of human history is so incredibly important.

 

Jesus Christ.

The Messiah.

It is ALL about Jesus Christ.

Today and every day.

 

What will you do with Jesus?  Will you trust Him today?

 

The time is short.  As Pastor Phil taught yesterday, "we are one day closer to the return of Jesus."  When we hear about end times, it is suppose to prick our hearts and instill within us a sense of urgency and devoted desire to share the Gospel, always ready and alert.

 

Rejoice in what Jesus has done in my place and yours.

And, if you don't have a relationship with Jesus Christ, trust Him today!

Why This is the Most Important Week of the Year

Faith posted by Erin Davis on 04/18/11

Yesterday marked the beginning of the seven days leading up to the resurrection of Jesus. It's called Holy Week because there's never been a more sacred seven days. 

Something huge and important happened every day this week more than 2,000 years ago, and all of it pointed to the two most significant events in all of history—Jesus' death and resurrection. As believers, this should be the most important week on our calendars. Here's a day-by-day guide to the events of the week as recorded in the gospels.

Sunday—Jesus makes His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The way that He was worshipped on this day gives us a glimpse of heaven, but the fact that those worshippers would soon turn on Him and call for His death shows us that He was a king who was deeply misunderstood.

Matthew 21:1–11, Mark 11:1–10, Luke 19:28–44, John 12:12–15

Monday—Jesus curses the fig tree.

Matthew 21:18–19, Mark 11:12–14

Jesus clears the temple.

Matthew 21:12–13, Mark 11:15–17, Luke 19:45–46

Tuesday—The disciples see the withered fig tree. Jesus takes the opportunity to teach them about faith.

Mark 11:20–25

Jesus has conflict with the Jewish leaders.

Matthew 21:23–23:39

Wednesday—The chief priests, elders, and scribes plot to kill Jesus.

Matthew 26:3–5, Mark 14:1–2, Luke 22:1–2

Judas betrays Jesus.

Matthew 26:14–16, Mark 14:10–11, Luke 22:3–6

Thursday—Jesus observed the Passover with the 12 disciples. That meal has become known as The Last Supper.

Matthew 26:20–29, Mark 14:17–23, Luke 22:14–30

Jesus washes the disciples' feet.

John 13:1–17

Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was honest with His Father about His anxiety but surrendered to the Father's will. He asked His friends to pray with Him, but repeatedly found them sleeping.

Matthew 26:36–46, Mark 14:32–42, Luke 22:40–46

Friday—Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested.

Matthew 26:47–56, Mark 14:43–52, Luke 22:47–53, John 18:2–12

Jesus stood trial.

John 18:13–14, 19–24, Matthew 27:11–14, Matthew 26:57–68, Mark 15:2–5, Mark 14:53–65, Luke 23:1–7, Luke 23:6–12

Peter denies Jesus.

Matthew 26:69–75, Mark 14:66–72, Luke 22:55–62, John 18:15–18, 25–27

Jesus is condemned to die.

Matthew 27:15–26, Mark 15:6–15, Luke 23:13–25, John 18:28–19:16

Jesus is crucified.

Matthew 27:27–54, Mark 15:16–39, Luke 23:26–49, John 19:16–37

Saturday—Jesus lay dead in the tomb.

Sunday—Jesus' resurrection was announced by angels to Mary Magdalene, Jesus' mother, and Salome.

Matthew 28:2–7, Mark 16:4–7, Luke 24:2–7

The women give the first reports that Jesus is alive.

Mark 16:10–11, Matthew 18:8

Jesus appears to the women and then to His followers.

Matthew 28:9–10, Luke 24:13–43, John 20:19–23

There's never been a more important series of events. From His triumphal entry that fulfilled prophesies about the Messiah to His object lessons about true service to His death and return to life, the events of this week should dramatically impact you. I hope you won't rush through this week, like every other week. I hope you will take the time to think about, pray about, and thank God for the historical events of this week that ultimately led to your dramatic rescue from sin and death.

This week is holy because it represents the death of a holy God in the place of unholy people. Sunday is about a coming kingdom. Monday is about the power of God. Tuesday is about faith. Wednesday is about betrayal. Thursday is about service. Friday is about sacrifice. Saturday is about resting on God's promises. Sunday is about a hope that only Jesus' followers can know and the rest of the world is dying to hear about.

How will you mark the most sacred seven days of this year?

--
Mary E.Hickcox
www.CalvaryBaptistSM.org
http://mary-neotes.blogspot.com/

Time creeps up on you...

The Garfield cartoon today accurately reflects my mood this year (so far).

 

There just doesn't seem to be enough sleep in a day any more.  Ish.

 

Bleh.

Doubt...

I feel a lot like Peter right now.  NOT the Peter who stepped out onto the water to walk to His Lord, but the Peter who looked away from Jesus and onto the crashing waves around him, thereby sinking quickly.

 

I confess I am struggling right now.  My body is acting like an alien hormone cohort has waged war upon my psyche....nerves...emotions....muscles...and skin.  And that battle colors everything else going on in life around me. 

 

I watch with deep, helpless alarm as my dad seems to fade in his memories and abilities right before my eyes.  It is like the dad I knew is slowly vacating the dad who remains.  It terrifies me.

 

Oh, and, I've caught some bug going around...to boot! Woe is me. Poor Mary. Whine, whine, whine.   

 

I used to be the "hide in a corner, immerse myself in a book for escape and avoid everyone for a while until my mental storm blew over."  In my pride, I thought I had the right medicine to assuage the deep despair of doubt, fear and "other-ness" I was feeling: avoidance.  Take it from one who knows, avoidance heals nothing.  It leaves you cold, alone and despairing in a deep pit of selfishness.  And, it hurts deeply.

 

When I was a child I'd climb trees, dig in the mud and roll down grassy hills.  Perhaps I was a girlie-tom-boy as Barbie would often accompany me on these outdoor adventures in dirt.  On one such occasion, tree sap dripped onto my head.  I tried to rub it out.  However, the more I rubbed, the more embedded it became on my scalp and in my hair folicles (of which I had more than most, as I was a tow-headed blondie back then - nod to Pastor Phil's sermon a few weeks ago).

 

Every day, Mom would draw a bath for me, but I was old enough to be left unattended to wash, shampoo my hair, etc.  Except, I didn't do as thorough a job as Mom would've done.  So, it was probably a week or two before she discovered the growth on my scalp.  She'd usually brush my hair for me, but I'd been avoiding her and doing my own hair brushing/styling.  Lopsided ponytails eventually grabbed my mother's attention.  To her horror and my pain, she discovered the sticky, hardened mass (which was about the size of a pecan praline, according to my Mom).  After much yanking, cutting away of hair and scraping, I was freed from the gooey growth of hair, dirt, sap and miscellaneous debris.

 

"If you'd told me about this right away, it wouldn't have gotten this bad," Mom would scold me.

 

Then I was just a silly, tow-headed child.  At times, I still act like that child.  And, so do many of you.  Pride assures us we can handle whatever is going on, on our own.  We don't cry out to God.  And, we don't share our struggles with other Christians.  We try the lone wolf approach...and fail. Utterly.

 

To find comfort and solace, I've been reading through Psalms.  King David, and others, inspired by the Holy Spirit, do an incredible job of relating metaphorically with fear, despair, loneliness, etc.  David always cries out to God, his Rock and Salvation, Redeemer and Friend.  Even David wanted to run away at times - check out Psalm 55!  Regardless of what was going on around him, David concludes:

 

Psalm 55:22 - Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

 

I Peter 5:5-7 reminds us to humble ourselves before God and to cast all our worries upon Him, because He cares for us.

 

Many times, sharing your burden with another stronger Christian helps as well.  Which is exactly what I did yesterday with Debbie.  I emailed her a cry for prayer as I wander through this valley of doubt, fear and struggle in my faith and with my circumstances.  And, as a true, cherished friend, she had compassionate words of hope and understanding, and gently pointed me to our Refuge and Help in a time of trouble, our Abba.  My burden was lighter!

 

Whatever is going on in your life, where-ever you are in your struggle called the Christian life, don't try to go it alone.  Are you doubting God?  Are you stuggling in your faith?  Are you afraid?  Are you overwhelmed?  Cry out to God! Blurt out all that is festering in your soul.  Share your struggles with a stronger Christian friend who can encourage you with Truth and not empty, worldly epithets.

 

This article from "Lies Young Women Believe..." was just for me today! :o)  (Maybe it was for you too!).  Read on. Be encouraged.  And, if you'd pray for me, I'd appreciate it.  Do you need prayer too?  Let me know.

Is doubting God a sin?

Faith posted by Erin Davis on 04/05/11

Definition of doubt: 

1. To lack confidence in
2. To consider unlikely
3. To be uncertain

Many of you have commented lately that you are wrestling with feelings of doubt and discouragement in the area of faith. Some of you mention doubt casually as if it's a companion you've always known. Others of you seem practically panicked when doubts hit you as if your faith has always been rock solid and your doubts about God have caught you off guard.

We're going to be talking about doubt all week on the blog. It's an important subject, and one that requires us to look through the biblical framework rather than our emotions. One of the most important questions to consider when it comes to doubt is, "Is doubt a sin?" Let's see how God's Word answers that question.

We get a clue about God's attitude toward doubt when we take a look at how He responded to doubters during His time on earth. Pay close attention to these passages. Notice how Jesus consistently responds to followers struggling with doubt.

"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

"Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" (Matt. 14:28–31).

God didn't let Peter drown simply because he had a moment of doubt. He reached down, pulled him up, and then called him out for his weak faith. Jesus didn't specifically label Peter's doubt a sin here, so does that mean that doubting is okay with Him? Let's keep reading.

In Luke 24:36–39, Jesus appeared to His disciples after the Resurrection. Were they wrestling with doubt? You betcha! Even though He had promised them He would rise again, they doubted the promise and had a hard time accepting the truth even when He stood right in front of them. Check it out:

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."

He didn't yell at them for doubting. He didn't stomp out and take His resurrected body elsewhere. Instead He took the time to help them see why they could be confident that He was who He said He was and that He had done exactly what He promised to do. Check out verses 40–43:

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

Do you think Jesus was really hungry? I doubt it. He'd been feasting at the banquet tables in heaven for three days before this happened. But He knew what was in the hearts of His followers. He knew they were doubting that He was really there in the flesh, so He ate some fish. He tenderly took the time to give them reasons to doubt Him less and trust Him more.

We will look at a few more encounters that Jesus had with doubters tomorrow. But for now, I think it's important to note that Jesus didn't equate doubt with sin. That doesn't mean He likes it. He called the doubters out in theses passages. But if you are having feelings of doubt, you can feel safe running toward Jesus for answers instead of away from Him because you think He will be disappointed in you.

And you don't have to have all of your doubts eliminated before God can use you. In Matthew 28:16–19, Jesus is with 11 of His disciples. Verse 17 tells us that some of them doubted He was the real deal. He certainly knew their doubt, and yet He proceeded to give them the Great Commission. If we look at how Jesus responded to doubt, we see that He never says, "Resolve your doubts before you do what I'm asking you to do." Instead He gives the disciples permission to take their doubts with them as they go. He makes us the same offer.

Here's one more passage that helps us understand God's attitude toward doubt.

Jude 1:22 simply says, "Be merciful to those who doubt."

How does the Bible command us to respond to doubt in other's hearts? With mercy. We can be confident that God will respond to our doubt in the same way.

If you're a doubter, I hope you are encouraged that God's shoulders are big enough to handle your questions. Having doubts is not a sin. But allowing those doubts to hinder your walk with Christ isn't the answer. And using doubts as an excuse to break God's commands is never okay.

We'll keep talking about doubt here on the blog. In the meantime, I want to hear from you. What has God taught you today that makes you want to trust Him more and doubt Him less?

--
Mary E.Hickcox
www.CalvaryBaptistSM.org
http://mary-neotes.blogspot.com/