I’M SO GLAD PAIGE IS GOING TO TEACH ON THE MOST GLORIOUS DAY!
Here is the link for Paige — it’s wonderful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BzZdEjJWXs
SUNDAY:
- Share a way you’ve experienced the goodness of the Lord this week.
MONDAY: FAVORITE VERSES FROM THE RESURRECTION FROM THE SYNOPTICS & WHY!
Here are a few of mine:
But these words to them seemed like nonsense, and they did not believe them. (Luke 24:13)
I love it because Luke the physician uses a medical term translated as “nonsense” or “idle tale,” which means the delirious talk of the very ill.
Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days? (Luke 24:18)
This shows this was not done in a corner. Everyone knew for the fame of Jesus was great. And I love the humor when Jesus says, “What things?”
YOUR TURN:
TUESDAY: MORE FAVORITE VERSES FROM THE RESURRECTION FROM THE SYNOPTICS & WHY!
So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy. Matthew 28:8)
We usually don’t think those emotions go together, but I can certainly see why they did for the women. Can you even imagine?
YOUR TURN:
WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY: SHARE WHAT STANDS OUT TO YOU FROM PAIGE
SATURDAY:
What’s your take-a-way and why?
101 comments
SUNDAY:
1. Share a way you’ve experienced the goodness of the Lord this week.
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21
We had our monthly Parents’ Night Out this past Wednesday, and we helpers have our plan set for the 2-hour evening. While waiting for their supper, some of the older kids helped with changing our decorations inside and outside the building. Two of the young ones were playing outside within the sight of their older sister. A neighbor girl approached them and asked if she could play with them. They know each other from being in the same school. We invited Lexi to stay and join us, and after she had permission from her mother, she did! We had to change a few things to accommodate her learning needs, but I knew God brought her there for His purposes. This girl is in one of the classes I volunteer for. I am acquainted with her mother, who is also a nurse (works nights), and I have had a pleasant interaction with her in the past.
I think Lexi had a good time because she brought her two older siblings to church today. Their father brought them to church, and he had to go back home for some reason. He did come back to get them and to say thank you.
And to think that they have been in the church’s neighborhood for a few years now!
I was reminded of what Paige said in her lesson on using our talents. It is as if God were telling me that we, as a church, have this opportunity to fully use the resources which He has given us to reach out to this family. May they experience God’s love through us.
I love this Bing. Putting your gifts to use. 🙂
“May they experience God’s love through us.”
Bing, I am confident they will. 💕
Bing, I love the way you are so warm and welcoming to the families in your church neighborhood. What a blessing for these families. I hope the parents come too, one day.
I think it is great to have a Parents Night Out — what fruit it is bearing.
SUNDAY:
Share a way you’ve experienced the goodness of the Lord this week. The Lord is working on my heart right here. I was limited on study time this week and will be again this week, but reading your comments and listening to Paige is so helpful. I also was very surprised at the impact our sermon had this morning. The message was on chapter 5 of Song of Solomon. I have never heard this preached on in this way-with the gospel brought in. The main take away is that Jesus is waiting for us. The message focused on tension in relationship (and how we handle that the world’s way versus the Jesus way)- the beloved left after his love gave excuses to not open the door, but Jesus would never leave us. He will still be there when we are ready to open the door, so to speak. I’ve been struggling with tension in my marriage for years. I don’t know the answer, but the idea of Jesus not leaving is so comforting. It’s a hard walk in this life. I did get out for a long walk in the woods and enjoyed some very bright sunshine today ☀️
A long walk and some bright sunshine are truly good gifts from the Lord. 😊💕
Chris, the song “The Savior is Waiting” came to mind. He would never leave us-He is just waiting outside the door of our hearts.
Thank you, Bev and Bing. You are always so kind. I will look up the song. I’ve been feeling very sad for our son and remembering hard times from my parents divorce. The sad times in life can overwhelm. I am trying to overwhelm with my Savior and His gifts to me. Thank you for your help 🙂
Chris, here is a good rendition of it from an a cappella group. I hope the link will open for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk887Iw4Sm4&list=RDvk887Iw4Sm4&start_radio=1
Dear Chris, I will be praying for our Savior to comfort you and overwhelm your heart with His great love. It is so hard when memories of sad times overwhelm. I love it when Tim Keller says “we don’t always understand why these sad things happens, but we know it is not because He doesn’t love us.”
Chris — do you have a link to that sermon? I’d love to hear it.
Thank you all for your love and prayers. This community is so wonderful.
the sermon link: https://youtu.be/Ej8JbHwTNts?si=2EDIQV2iGYncbS1q
I’d love to know what you think. He speaks about relational tension and I love the contrast between the world’s way and Jesus way. The end is the best where he brings in the gospel.
SUNDAY:
Share a way you’ve experienced the goodness of the Lord this week
—God has blessed me with a sweet friend Sarah down here in Texas who has served to encourage my heart with thoughtful godly counsel as I seek to walk through the mine field of relationships with family. We ride on the edge of an unhealthy family culture here between our son, his wife, our 3 married grandchildren, their spouses and the great grandchildren.
The adults all give lip service to Jesus but he is not the center of or the guiding presence in their lives. So in some ways it would seem desirable to just go back home to the comfort of familiarity and routine. But Terry and I both know God has us here for a purpose and we try not to lose perspective when we get tired.
Sarah has been a listening ear and a calm sweet voice of reason. She brings me reprieve from the noisiness of the family down here. She is definitely God’s goodness in my life this past week and I am blessed by her.
Bev, what a sweet blessing the Lord has given you in Sarah. “A listening ear and a calm voice of reason.” I get what you said about trying not to lose perspective. We have to fight against the enemy’s ploy of discouragement, especially when he touches our family—prayers for you and Terry to stay rooted in Christ and to continue loving well.
Bev, you so encourage me! I am glad for you to have this sweet friend. It is amazing how a generation can slip away from the Lord, but it is also amazing how the Lord can lead them back. Praying this for your family, that the Lord will work in their hearts to draw them close to Him. Praying they will choose to follow Him over comfort, selfishness, and the sin in their lives. I have a daughter who loves the Lord, but recently faced the sin in her life at 32 years old. She realized her home was chaotic and difficult because of her own selfishness in wanting to not prioritize the management of her home over other pleasurable things she was choosing. To the outside world she was “keeping up”, but those of us who knew her better could see she was not. It’s so good to see this change in her and it’s all the work of the Lord and her response to finally kick sin to the curb. I love that you and Terry can see the Lord has a reason for your presence and that you are willing to stick it out.
Bev, I so agree with Bing and Chris. What a blessing you and Terry are to your family, though they might not realize it right now. Your example of how you live in the Lord, is a message in itself. I pray for the Lord’s strength and guidance, during your time in Texas. It is a sweet gift the Lord has brought to you in Sarah.
Bev — that’s wonderful that God has given you a friend to support you in this hard journey.
The goodness of the Lord has been the blessing of hearing spirit inspired message fro Paige and my pastor. Both message exalted Jesus and emphasized the grace of God. Thank God for His Word that we can hold in our hands and hearts!
Amen, Cheryl!
MONDAY: FAVORITE VERSES FROM THE RESURRECTION FROM THE SYNOPTICS & WHY!
Okay, let me see. I have never thought of this before.
Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything…” I have a story from my great great grandmother who had to write an essay in elementary school about salt. She wrote on this verse saying that “the Christian that have lost their influence are like the salt that has lost its strength.” It is true and makes me think of my own family who though brought up in the church began to fall away and neglect the Word to the point that I was never told about Jesus until I attended VBS. The Lord saved this testimony for me, from my great great grandmother to show me that HE is faithful and that WE are responsible to pass our knowledge of the Lord onto the next generation. I am so thankful for the Word of God and for the Spirit that leads us.
Matthew 12:30 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” This verse is important to me because it leads me to be motivated in my faith and speaking the Truth in Love. I do not want to be a detriment to anyone’s faith. We must speak about the Lord and share the good news.
Matthew 13:31 the parable of the Mustard Seed…This is special to me because of the times I taught this in Children’s Worship and helped the kids to understand that the kingdom of heaven (and our own faith) starts from a very small seed, but grows into the largest of garden trees which many birds can come to perch on for refuge. Again, I have an heirloom from my grandmother of a mustard seed necklace. This was given to her in Sunday School, I believe, which makes the parable even more special to me. It is strange that this grandmother never spoke to me of her faith except in stories of her youth and sometimes ways she sought comfort from the world’s troubles, but never in how I should also believe.
I would say there are more, but alas I am out of time. Blessing dear friends and I look forward to hearing your favorite verses. This was a fun reflection.
Chris, Thank you for sharing these verses and why they are so special to you. I love your great great grandmother’s story of the salt! I love the mustard seed necklace, that kept your grandmother’s story of faith in your heart, even though she never spoke to you about the gospel. Yet, God spoke to your heart through them. It shows the importance of sharing our faith with our children and grandchildren.
What a beautiful voice from the past.
I love these stories of your grandmothers. I just received a pearl ring from my sister that was our grandmother’s ring. It is so special to me. I have lots of writings from my mom. I need to find time to read them all. I love that I have them in her handwriting. Many are prayers and scriptures.
What treasures to see the Lord’s work from the past 💕 He is faithful and we can trust Him.
1. Share a way you’ve experienced the goodness of the Lord this week.
I am reminded daily of God’s loving care. Through the crazy snow storm here, I was safe and warm. The plowing crews and dear people, who helped me shovel out three feet of snow, were so kind. The plowing crews were out all night long and I am so grateful for the Lord’s protection of these hard working men and women. The Lord truly is my Shepherd.
So glad for the Lord’s protection of you, Patti.
I love how you were cared for in this stressful situation.
Monday: FAVORITE VERSES FROM THE RESURRECTION FROM THE SYNOPTICS AND WHY:
I love Luke 22:31-32
”Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Jesus knew how Peter would deny Him, He told Peter in detail; yet, He trusted Peter’s heart to return to Him, and to strengthen His brothers. What Satan meant for Spiritual ruin, became the cornerstone on which the church was built.
Jesus knows all our weaknesses, yet He allows to let Satan sift us all at times, because Jesus also knows our hearts. I found this a great encouragement. It seems we all have been sifted a bit recently. Jesus is our strength. Thank you Lord, for seeing through my messy life to my heart.
I love this, Patti
Monday: Favorite verses from the resurrection and why
Matthew 24 the end of verse 5 and beginning of verse 6, “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen..” This is favorite because it brings joy after the horror of the crucifixion. It’s a declaration by the angel and I know what’s coming afterward! There was fear and confusion in theose present, but I’ve read the book! Hallelujah!
Another favorite portion is Jesus tender encounter with Mary Magdalene in John 20:13-16, especially His tender concern in vs. 15 “Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?” She answers thru her tears, and then He says her name in vs. 16 “Mary.” Mary;s sorrow was turned into joy. This speaks to my heart because it shows such loving concern, and I know Jesus has the same for me. He is MY savior, MY Lord, and MY God; MINE.
Such tenderness…I love it. This shows our need and His provision. Thanks for bringing it out, Cheryl.
1. Share a way you’ve experienced the goodness of the Lord this week.
Well, to be honest, I’m pretty much of a mess these days. My life is way too busy and I am exhausted. I’m reading everyone’s blessing for the week and trying to figure out if I had anything memorable. It’s probably the report from our Belize mission trip yesterday during our service. We were supposed to go on this trip and ended up not being able to. I was blessed by the stories of how our church extended a hand to people in need.
Our family needs a lot of prayer right now. I know that many of you pray often for us, and I appreciate that. I can’t imagine more people having to pray for us… but, our situation just doesn’t ever seem to end. The pain. I understand what Chris is saying about her marriage, and that’s how I feel as well. We are being stretched beyond measure. God doesn’t seem to answer my prayers or the prayers others have for us. It seems hopeless. Please pray for my husband, our marriage, and the grands. Please pray for our daughter. Please pray for our SIL. We are all very broken people right now.
I will pray for all of you, dear Laura. I know it feels like being underwater when we get a tsunami of pain and hurt. I am so sorry for all your pain.
Lord, please give Laura a small window of light on this very sad and stressful situation. We trust You and we pray for a sign of Hope from you.
Dear Laura, I am sorry for your pain. I do understand what that can be like and I’m praying God gives you a ray of hope. I love that you find joy in your churches missions trip. I’m praying that the Lord comes in to help ease the tension in relationships and restore your family to fellowship with Him. May he make you aware of His presence and show you His love. He knows your needs even better than you do. May you see how He has been with you both yesterday and today. Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him. May you see the kindness of others in your life and be able to respond likewise. May you be encouraged, guided and blessed today by the Lord. May the Lord show you how to move forward from this place of pain.
Oh Father,
We don’t know what is going on with Laura, and she doesn’t sense Your presence. Please comfort this broken child and show her Your love. In Jesus Name I pray!
Thank you all. We are just experiencing all the backlash from all sides (including the kids) from this hard situation. It is hard to take when arrows are constantly thrown at you. I pray for patience and kindness for myself and my husband. I pray for gentleness and self-control for the kids. I pray for softened hearts and humility for our daughter and SIL. Thanks again. ❤️
Praying these things as requested. Lord, let Laura see Your hand moving in these areas this week and have praise report.
Laura, praying for you, for your family. Praying the fruit of the Spirit will continue to grow in you as you have requested.
TUESDAY: MORE FAVORITE VERSES FROM THE RESURRECTION FROM THE SYNOPTICS & WHY!
Matthew 28:2-4 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.
I don’t know that this is my favorite, but it stood out to me this morning. That an angel of the Lord caused a great earthquake when descending from heaven seems amazing. I’m not sure I have ever taken note of this. A great earthquake would be frightening enough, but then the guards see the angel and are so afraid they become like dead men. It must have been quite a sight! Are earthquakes common in this area that it did not make the news? Mark makes no mention of the great earthquake, only that the women look up and see the stone is moved. The same account is found in Luke and John, only the stone has been moved. Interesting.
My favorite passage is the Road to Emmaus, Luke 24:25-27 “And he said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”
I think this is my favorite because the Lord Jesus is so patient with his disciples here as he calls them out for being foolish and yet begins again with the prophecies and leads them once more to an understanding. Also, there is a beautiful painting of this scene that I love. It shows the intimacy and excitement of the little group walking on the road as they share their love for one another and the Lord. It brings me to tears as I know my own foolishness and the patience the Lord must have with me.
Road to Emmaus is my favorite too!
Dee, I did leave a link to the sermon back in the comments from Sunday. 🙂
Thank you, Chris!
Chris, This sermon is excellent! I love how the pastor compares The World’s Way and The Way of Jesus. The Way of Jesus crucifies pride! Powerful sermon. Thank you for sharing.
Tuesday :Favorite verses from the Resurrection from the Synoptics and why.
Matthew 26:32 “But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee. (Jesus) (at Last Supper)
Matthew 28:7 “Go quickly and tell all the disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold I have told you.” (Angel) to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary at the empty tomb.
Mark 16:7 “ But go, tell His disciples and Peter, He is going ahead of you to Galilee, just as He told you.” (Angel)
‘Luke 24:6 “He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee?” (Angel)
This Angel in Luke is reminding them what Jesus told them while He was in Galilee.
Matthew 28:10 “Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see me.” (Jesus) after Mary Magdalene and the other Mary left the tomb
Jesus is doing exactly what He told them at the Last Supper; the angel in Matthew and Mark also tell them to go to Galilee. They must have all been in a bit overwhelmed and in a state of unbelief and did not seem to remember where Jesus told them He would be.
MONDAY: FAVORITE VERSES FROM THE RESURRECTION FROM THE SYNOPTICS & WHY!
Here are a few of mine:
But these words to them seemed like nonsense, and they did not believe them. (Luke 24:13)
I love it because Luke the physician uses a medical term translated as “nonsense” or “idle tale,” which means the delirious talk of the very ill.
Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days? (Luke 24:18)
This shows this was not done in a corner. Everyone knew for the fame of Jesus was great. And I love the humor when Jesus says, “What things?”
YOUR TURN:
I love the passage from John 20:14-17, the story of Mary Magdalene and her encounter with Christ. And because I remember the last part of this song (hah, it seems like I often remember a song), “The God Who Sees” by Nicole Mullen. And I love that Mary knew that it was Jesus, the way he called out her name. Hearing Jesus call me by name would be such a thrill! But have I been spending much-needed time with Him that I would always know it is His voice while living here on earth with so many siren calls clamoring for my attention? Rabbit trailing…
Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).
Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’
I will check out that song!
I love the story of this encounter too, Bing. It makes our heart smile, when someone calls our name….can you imagine seeing Jesus and having Him say our name! And I love that Nicole Mullins video and song. It is so meaningful!
TUESDAY: MORE FAVORITE VERSES FROM THE RESURRECTION FROM THE SYNOPTICS & WHY!
So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy. Matthew 28:8)
We usually don’t think those emotions go together, but I can certainly see why they did for the women. Can you even imagine?
YOUR TURN:
Mark 6: 3-4 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large.
Death could not hold our Lord! There is nothing impossible with God.
Monday and Tuesday –
“Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.”
Matthew 28:1 NLT
I love the idea of the women being together and it being dawn.
“It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened.”
Luke 24:10 NLT
I remember what Tim Keller said about this account. He said it must be the truth because women were not those whom others would ask, and were characterized as “hysterical and marginalized.” So, the fact that it was written must mean it was what they saw. Here it is,
“ If Mark and the Christians were making up these stories to get their movement off the ground, they would never have written women into the story as the first eyewitnesses to Jesus’ empty tomb. The only possible reason for the presence of women in these accounts is that they really were present and reported what they saw. The stone has been rolled away, the tomb is empty and an angel declares that Jesus is risen.”
Tim Keller, Relevant Magazine, April 15, 2022
I do love Tim Keller’s perspective on the Bible.
Love that quote from Keller, Laura. Are you feeling any more peace?
Yes Dee, I am feeling better. Thank you for checking in. God is in charge, not me.
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
Psalm 62:8
As we have all been experiencing hard things of late, I thought you all might appreciate this verse, shared by Joni Erickson-Tada. She shared this verse alongside a short devotional which I have a small quote from here:
And the best time to trust God is when your feelings are telling you to do otherwise. Elisabeth Elliot said, “If you dwell on your own feelings about things rather than dwelling on the faithfulness, the love, and the mercy of God, then you’re likely to have a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Our feelings are very fleeting and short-lived. We cannot depend on them for five minutes. But dwelling on the love, faithfulness, and mercy of God is always safe.” Today, if your mood is dark, you go tell your feelings to trust God.
My feelings do get the best of me at times, as they did on Sunday. I was in a dark mood all day and struggling to lift myself out of it. I do think pouring out my heart to the Lord can be so helpful, along with coming here to the voices of sweet fellowship. I also have never forgotten the message we heard from Michael Reeves on Psalm 42-Why are you downcast oh my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.
Blessings to you all today and I look forward to hearing Paige.
Thank you for sharing these beautiful thoughts today, Chris. How I needed this today! I am on my way to get laser surgery on my left eye…it is a simple procedure, but it makes me anxious. This helped me to take a deep breath and give it back to God and trust Him. He has never failed me. Resting in Him.
Patti, I will pray for a successful surgery and calm spirit for you. Our eyes are so important, but we can trust God with his great care of us.
Thank you for your prayers, Chris. My doctor decided I do not need the surgery right now. She did my right eye in November, but my left eye can wait for later time. I was relieved! Thank you Lord!
I so love Reeves, Paige and Keller! I learn so much from each of them!
Oh fantastic surgery can wait!
Patti I didn’t know you were in the midst of all this. I’m sorry. I’m glad to hear you are able to put it off! It scares me so much to think of having that surgery. I’m bad with medical things!
Laura, I had it on my other eye last November. It was not bad at all. The doctor is kind and she is very good. I get terrified about it too.
Love that Reeves stayed with you.
In truth, I love that this group can handle Reeves, Paige, and Keller — several in our little church struggle yet I also see them growing though it is hard for some.
I am just now catching up on all the comments from yesterday, and was stopped in my tracks with this one, Chris. How I needed to see this! I won’t go into detail, but I’ve had a terrible, no good, very bad day. “Feelings, go trust God.” I cannot do this alone, but then I am not alone, am I?
Awe. I love that we all need this. We are not alone and it’s what I live most about this community 💕
Cheryl, I am so sorry for what you are going through. I will pray for you to sense God’s presence with you. Some days are so so hard. Praying for answered prayer for you.
Thank you, Chris. This really helped me today.
Hi Laura 😊, I’m glad. Me, too.
You are all so dear.
Paige’s last talk was sooooo good.
Amen to Dee! Paige’s last talk is so good!
I love how she points out the Earliest Christian Creed is “HE IS RISEN!” The Resurrection means IT IS ALL TRUE.
There is so much in this lesson that shows me how much like the disciples I am. They are so fully and deeply in need of deliverance from themselves.
We don’t need selective submission. We need to fully submit to Him and to His Holiness.
They do not expect a suffering Messiah, even though the prophets had told them that.
The Lord is in the business to fix what is broken.
It is about my focus. God’s WORD is not “me centered” or self help, it is HIM centered ~Christ centered. Move my focus Lord.
The Lord has More love than we have sin and needs. He values us. He gave His life for the love He has for us.
The women were First to know. The women hear and they believe. Jesus came for crushed people.
They were filled with love for the Lord, loyalty and trust. They really listened to Him.
Lord, God our Father, I believe in You. Help me to fully believe You! Oh, Lord how I need that deliverance! Please give me a clean heart that is fully for you.
Help me to fully submit to You and not to have selective submission. Help me to love You above all the things of this earth. Help me to live with open hands, which I so need right now. Help me to let go of what I cannot hold on to. I love You Lord. Help me to live that Love.
So good, Patti!
Patti, this is beautiful. I just love your heart for the Lord.
Selective submission is what stood out to me. How am I being selective in submission? After listening to this, I know I need to evaluate. Paige has really brought out many things to think on. I need to go back and take notes in the morning.
I led small group last night and have been thinking all day about a prayer request from a member who is a nurse. She was heading home from working in the ED and witnessed a woman attempting suicide on the highway bridge near us. She stopped her car and was able to get emergency personnel to come and take the woman into custody but it was a 9 minute ordeal waiting for them to get there. In the mean time, she was praying for the Lord to protect this woman as she hung from the bridge but did not drop, and then walked into traffic trying to get hit. It can only be her prayers and attempt to save this woman that truly did save her. Only one other person stopped and it was another hospital employee. When it was over, they both cried. We discussed the reality of God’s sovereignty in this traumatic event and the way that my friend was motivated by her faith and knowing the right thing to do was not drive past but to stop and help. God is glorified in the hard things we choose to do because of our faith.
Chris, what an experience! Praise God for your friend being there at that time. I love the sharing on this blog. Iron sharpens iron. I so needed this lesson this week.
Oh Chris — what an intervention!
I’ve listened to the first half hour so far. I like when Paige began saying that this was not the end but the beginning of the rest of history into eternity. The two men on the road to Emmaus are so immersed in their conversation about Jesus and what has happened. Paige asks us, “What do we talk about?” She mentions the “shower effect,” which made me chuckle. I yearn to talk about Jesus and discuss Him, but sadly I have not found many with the same desire.
One great exception is this blog. Everyone here loves to talk about the Lord, and not just theological discussion, but His love, interest, and faithfulness in our daily lives. We talk about the Word and it’s influence on our minds and daily living, through all the ups and downs of life. We talk about our need and dependence on Jesus as we grow together in His grace.
The disciples, 11 apostles, and others did not believe that Jesus was alive when the women told them, they wanted more proof. But the women believed without having seen Him, the first ones to hear the news. And we believe, because He lives in us. He.Lives.In.Us. Praise the Lord, Hallelujah!
The shower effect-how is it that we ALL know what this is? So funny and yet so sad. I’m guilty as well and why is it that this blog is different? I do find my heart burning at times and feel compelled to share about the Lord even in places where I am not comfortable or do not know people well. There are times I feel more intimidated.
I found it surprising that the disciples knew Jesus and yet did not believe all that the prophets said about Him-but I can be blind as well and have been. I do tend to hear what I want to hear. Makes me want to be more careful.
Cheryl, I love your entire post. I love that we all share openly and deeply. I sense a closeness because of our love of and trust in the Lord. I agree with you and Chris about the “shower effect”. I am so very grateful for this group, loving the alone and growing together in Him. Thank you, Dee, for this blog. I know it takes a lot of energy. You are blessing so many.
I too loved what do we talk about? How out of the overflow of our hearts the mouth speaks. I didn’t quite understand “the shower effect!”
Thoughts on the first 36 min of Paige.
”When God looks at you He sees a thief, a murderer, a liar. Why don’t we talk about Jesus now?” something like that…
Wow that made me really think. Thank you Jesus for making me perfect in front of God by dying for me.
The men on the way to Emmaus said “ …we had hoped…” they didn’t really believe that God could do more now that Jesus was crucified. They didn’t understand that the crucifixion meant they were saved. I wonder, in my family situation if I “ had hoped” that, God would do something and do I truly believe he’s still working?
I wonder that same thing, Laura. Trusting the Lord through disappointment and heartache is hard.
I love your last paragraph, Laura! I had those same thoughts….am I really trusting what He said He would do!
Laura, food for thought, indeed: “we had hoped”-three words that stopped me while I was listening. We do have expectations, don’t we? It is easy to think that our ways are God’s ways also! Oh, that I would trust Him! It was a joy that Jesus did not give up on them, but showed himself to them when he took the bread and gave thanks. Let’s talk about Jesus while we wait for Him to open our eyes!
Laura, this is so good. Yes, believe He is still working. I’ve been struggling to understand the work of God in my son’s divorce, but I do know that we are drawn to love Him more in our struggles. As Tim Keller says, “Suffering is actually at the heart of the Christian story.” So as we suffer these emotionally draining struggles in relationships and battle for our loved ones souls in prayer, we must remember He is still working and in fact THIS is the work He has for us.
I listened to the first 36 minutes of Paige’s message:
The earliest Christian creed was “He is risen!” I loved her story about Bob, who told her he was good and added, “He is risen.” How would I have responded to that response? This ties up to her comment about the 2 men walking to Emmaus and being engrossed in talking about Jesus. They might not have understood what was going on, but she emphasized that they were talking about Jesus, and that was important.
The illustration of the shower effect was hilarious but sobering. Is Jesus the center of my conversations and my own personal musings? If Jesus is central in my heart, He should be central to my conversations.
HE IS NOT HERE. Women were the first to hear about the resurrection. Their joy could not be contained as they hurried to the men and told them. Even if they were thought of speaking nonsense, who could take away their joy?
To be tutored about resurrection by the resurrected Lord on Resurrection Day! Wow, these two ordinary men were special to Jesus in that He took the time to reveal Himself to them. They were “ripe” for Jesus to come and enter their lives. Although this was a time of devastation for them, Jesus came to them in their hour of need.
We don’t know we are in a bigger bondage, just as the two men thought they were in bondage to Rome. Yes, they were, but their bigger bondage was to sin, from ourselves. The crucifixion was bad news for them, but Jesus brought good news because of it! The difference was in their perspective.
Paige’s question to ponder: What do I do when my perspective is different than Jesus’?
As always, Paige’s message is so good!. I can’t wait to finish it!
She told the story about Bob years ago but didn’t admit she was wrong to dismiss him. I understood how that might make me feel negative too. I had a good friend with a similar reaction when an early e-mail was signed by the would be prospect as “Have a good and godly day.” She ended it. But I suspect both these guys were trying a little too hard to prove they were godly. Cynical? Maybe.
Good point, Dee, now that you mentioned that. I would need to be discerning of the other person’s motives behind their words. Yeah, I guess both guys could be just trying too hard to impress the ladies. I have met some of those in the past.
Bing, It was so unexpected how Jesus revealed Himself to the two men. I love that Jesus always does the unexpected thing in His unique way. I so build up my own answers to prayers, the way I envision them….instead of trusting God to answer in His way and His time.
Yes, Patti: “I love that Jesus always does the unexpected thing in His unique way.” And when He does, we can’t help but smile and may respond in a way as the two did, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32 I find myself looking up a correlation to the Scripture amid the circumstances He favored me with, and it didn’t have to be a “yes” to my desires, but definitely His better will.
What I have heard from Paige so far encouraged my heart as I pray for a very good friend of mine, Julie, her husband, Mark, and their oldest son. This son has had so many setbacks with his knee injury a couple of years ago. Just when they thought it was healing properly, something came up that would cause him a lot of pain. He has been in and out of consultation with specialists and finally found an excellent surgeon in Dallas. He had exploratory surgery today, which revealed that his knee is full of infection. The surgeon advised them to prepare for a long haul of a few surgeries after getting the infection taken care of. He would also need physical therapy. Would you please pray for Julie’s family-they need a place to stay in Dallas, possibly for 6-9 months. As you can just imagine, the total cost of his treatment and care is staggering. And I could go on and on about other specific needs, but I will not. I know God will take care of this family. Mark was our former pastor, and his family means a lot to Richard and me. Thank you for your prayers.
Dear Bing, I am praying now for your friend Mark and his son’s needs. Sounds like a situation the Lord will show himself in. Whenever all is dire and we are overwhelmed, this is when the Lord steps in and shows His power. Your friend, being a believer, surely knows this. May the Lord comfort them in this health challenge and give them a place to stay as well as manage the financial end of things. May their faith grow abundantly in what they see the Lord can do for them and may He be glorified in it all. May they have peace in this trial and trust the Lord with all their heart. Praying the doctors are wise as well as they treat this difficult case and follow any direction the Lord leads. Thanking the Lord now for his great plan for your friends.
Thank that their son has finally gotten a correct diagnosis of the root problem and now has a clear plan for treatment. I will pray for the housing concern and the finances. God is faithful.
Bing, Amen to the prayers of Chris and Cheryl. I pray that Mark, Julie and their son will find a place to stay and that God will take care of all the details, housing, financial and everything. Thanking God that they got an excellent diagnosis. Praying for total healing for their son, from this infection. May God give the doctors wisdom and direction. Praising God for all He is going to do on behalf of your dear friends.
Thank you, Chris, Cheryl, and Patti, for your prayers. My heart was so heavy for my friends, and I am thankful for this blog where I could feel safe to share.
So much stands out to me:
He calls them foolish-morally. They are slow hearted, not ignorant but unwilling to see. The women believed. They should have known from the beginning and he teaches them from Moses and the prophets. Their perspective is skewed, there is not a question about the events. The question is not do you believe in God-but do you believe God? Do you believe he died for YOU, He wants the best for you, His free gift is for YOU, holy living does lead to Joy.
Because of my own unwillingness to see the Truth at times, I fail to live fully for Him. It is sad but true. There is much in this world we do not want to see. Things that if we see, we must respond to. For instance, my friend from small group who stopped to help the woman attempting suicide. My friend was very upset and bewildered that no one else was stopping. Traffic just kept going around her or flying by as if this was someone else’s problem. Maybe they didn’t want to believe the woman needed help or that they were obligated to help. Maybe they were in a hurry and didn’t believe they had time to help. No matter what it’s something they maybe didn’t want to see for what it really was. In the past, I have prayed when I see someone on the side of the road and looked for whether it was something I needed to respond to. There are times I have not seen trouble and it was because I didn’t want to see it, when it should have been plain. I did try to see what was happening so I can only conclude that the Lord kept it from me for his greater purposes. The hard things come and we cannot stop them. The most important lesson is that we see Christ for who he is and respond to Him with joy.
We also need to see Him in the scriptures. Not just searching the scriptures for self-help, the me centered way, but we need to seek the Christ Centered way. The whole tension of the OT is what is God going to do to save his rebellious people and keep his promises and Jesus is the answer. He must die for our sin. The only thing bigger than our sin is our value. This is what Jesus was teaching on the road to Emmaus. Jesus is throughout scripture and the OT included-we need to see this to study correctly. Jesus has to be our focus. It reads differently when we have Jesus in mind. This long walk was to help them know it.
I have definitely been guilty of reading the scriptures in a self-centered way. I love the story of the dating seminar and yes, we can look at the scriptures differently. I LOVE that the only thing bigger than our sin is our value. THIS was his teaching on the road to Emmaus. They missed the scripture that said Christ had to suffer. The messiah would come for THEM. THEIR sin was in need of redemption.
Jesus will be the only scarred body in glory. He was in glory before but did not have our relationship until he left glory and died and rose again. He now rules with and for us.
This is something I never thought of before, but so true. He came for US. He had everything in glory, except us.
Now they are commissioned to take the gospel to the entire world. There is no one who is not qualified. The qualification is that they are witnesses and it is to be taken to the world. They cannot do it on their own but need to wait for the Spirit. After all the failures of the past week, denying Christ, running away, failing to pray and now they respond with JOY. All of them go to the temple and worship. This news cannot be moderately true. We must have a full and complete response to Him.
This part about —
there is no one not qualified. Haven’t we all felt unqualified? We have evangelism seminars and gospel hacks for sharing our faith. We are WITNESSES. We only need our story and the Holy Spirit along with the Word. Why do I get nervous and think I need to add something to this?
Great message from Paige. She brought out so many things that I have not paid attention to in this road to Emmaus story. I love it even more now.
Gleanings from Chris.
There is no one not qualified. Haven’t we all felt unqualified? We have evangelism seminars and gospel hacks for sharing our faith. We are WITNESSES. We only need our story and the Holy Spirit along with the Word. Why do I get nervous and think I need to add something to this?
I finished listening to Paige and then read all of Chris’s recent comments. I wholeheartedly agree with what she said. Such a good synopsis. When Paige talked about the disciples as eye witnesses and the commission, my mind immediately went to 1 John 1:1-4, a passage I have memorized that gives me chills: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
I can just imagine the scenariors: They heard Him, stopped to look at Him, fixed their gaze upon Him, came close and touched Him. Then they declared what they saw and heard, so that others would believe and have fellowship with them and with the Lord. All so that we would have JOY, sweet JOY in Jesus.
One other thing I thought about is that we can’t just stop at the resurrection and have the complete story of what happens. We need to further and realize all the truth about the Body of Christ and that Jesus not only is alive, but that He is living IN us. Eph. 1:19,20
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Such good thoughts, Cheryl. Sorry to be slow to approve — have traveled to Albany to see my daughter Sally.
Cheryl, love your last thought about Jesus living in each of us and the verse from Ephesians 1:20. So powerful!
The verses you reference are powerful. Thank you. ♥️
He didn’t have us. He already sat on the throne and had all the power and glory but He didn’t have us. He had to come to earth and be with us, die, and be resurrected to have us.
The idea that His body was flesh and bones after the resurrection. I have always thought of Him as a sort of “ghostly” figure. Paige describes Him as real and still the same.
She made me cry.