Tag: faith

My Top Books Read in 2025

In 2025, I read 106 books. While some of those books deserve much attention and hoopla, some deserve no mention at all. With that in mind, I’m sharing my list of those I actually recommend…

Fiction

  • The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis 
  • Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis
  • How To Stop Time by Matt Haig 
  • The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
  • The Tenant by Freida McFadden 
  • The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
  • None of This is True by Lisa Jewell
  • Son by Lois Lowry
  • My Friends by Fredrik Backman

Ministry

  • Church for Everyone: Building a Multi-Inclusive Community for Emerging Generations by Dan Kreiss and Efrem Smith
  • Insider Outsider: My Journey as a Stranger in White Evangelicalism and My Hope for Us All by Bryan Loritts
  • In Church As It Is In Heaven: Cultivating a Multiethnic Kingdom Culture by Jamaal E. Williams and Timothy Paul Jones
  • Ethnic Blends: Mixing Diversity into Your Local Church by Mark DeYmaz and Harry Li.
  • Story Shaped Worship: Following Patterns from the Bible and History by Robbie F. Castleman
  • The Color of Church: A Biblical and Practical Paradigm for Multiracial Churches by Rodney M. Woo

Spiritual

  • One Year Bible
  • Get Your Life Back by John Eldridge
  • The Hour that Changes the World: A Practical Plan for Personal Prayer by Dick Eastman
  • New Morning Mercies by David Paul Tripp

Leadership/Growth

  • Hero on a Mission: A Path to a Meaningful Life by Donald Miller
  • David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcom Gladwell
  • Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guildara
  • The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell

Biography

  • When Life Gives You Pears: the Healing Power of Family, Faith, and Funny People by Jeannie Gaffigan

Travel

  • Five Finger Feast: Two Years in Kazakhstan by Tim Suchsland.
  • On the Hippie Trail by Rick Steves

*Image Courtesy of Tom Hermans

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Christmas is a Time for Reconciliation Sermon

This sermon outline was the fourth in Celebration Church’s CHRISTMAS UNWRAPPED series. I hope you find it helpful as you prepare a Christmas sermon. Merry Christmas.

CHRISTMAS IS A TIME FOR RECONCILIATION

  • “So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” (Romans 5:11)
  • Through Jesus, we can be reconciled to God. 
  • “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Luke 2:14)
  • The angel’s words were more than a heavenly announcement; they were an invitation to peace between God and humanity, and subsequently, peace among individuals. 
  • Christmas is a time to celebrate the restored relationships we can have with God and one another. 
  • What does “unwrapping” the gift of baby Jesus mean to us this Christmas?

Because Jesus Came at Christmas We Can Have Peace With God

  • “ All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)
  • We have all been separated from God because of our sin, yet God showed us His immense love by sending Jesus to bear our sins and restore the broken relationship between us and Him. 
  • Charles Wesley/George Whitefield – Hark the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King: Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”
  • “For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” (Romans 5:10-11)
  • Christmas is the celebration of our restored relationship with God through all that Jesus is and has done for us. 

Because Jesus Came At Christmas We Can Experience the Peace of God

  • “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!” (Isaiah 26:3)
  • The peace of God is not the absence of conflict, but a deep, abiding tranquility that comes from keeping our hearts and minds focused on God. 
  • “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And He gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)
  • This reconciliation is the heart of Christmas-when God came to us in the form of Jesus and did what was necessary to offer us a restored relationship with Him. 
  • “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to Me, all of You who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
  • By taking the yoke of Jesus and learning from Him, we discover rest for our souls that permeates every aspect of our lives. 

Because Jesus Came At Christmas We Can Extend Peace to Others

  • Christmas is a season to celebrate our reconciliation with God AND a time to seek reconciliation with others. 
  • “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
  • When we work for peace, we will be identified as God’s children. 
  • “And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to Himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:18)
  • God took the initiative to mend the broken relationship between Himself and humanity by giving His Son; His divine act of reconciliation places the responsibility on us to become agents of peace in our own lives and community. 
  • Christmas Song by Jill Jackson Miller – “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”
  • When we make peace with God it leads us to encounter the peace of God which is the ammunition to extend peace to others. 
  • How do we go about seeking reconciliation with others this Christmas?
  • We extend peace to others by Praying For Them.
  • “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matthew 5:43-44)
  • We extend peace to others by Prioritizing Confidentiality. 
  •  “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense.” (Matthew 18:15)
  • We extend peace to others by Pursuing Connection Over Correction.
  • “Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.” (Proverbs 19:11)
  • The willingness to make peace with others will position us to receive God’s greatest gift this Christmas – an encounter with God’s presence.
  •  “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” (Matthew 5:23-24)
  • What broken relationships do I need to work at reconciling this Christmas?

*Image courtesy of A.C.

**Special thanks to Pastor Trevor Truitt and his contributions to this sermon outline

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Christmas is a Time for Love Sermon Outline

This sermon outline was the third in Celebration Church’s CHRISTMAS UNWRAPPED series. I hope you will find it helpful if you’re planning a Christmas sermon.

CHRISTMAS IS A TIME FOR LOVE

John 1:1-5, 14, 3:16; 1 John 3:16, 4:9-10

  • “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it…So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” (John 1:1-5, 14)
  • “No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is Himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.” (John 1:18)
  • Jesus, the unique One, full of unfailing love and faithfulness, came to earth on Christmas, to reveal to us all how much the Father loves us. 
  • “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8)
  • The announcement of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds was a message of love and hope to all people.
  • “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” (Matthew 1:23)
  • No matter how the world may define Christmas, it has always been, first and foremost, about Love.

Christmas Is A Time To:

REMEMBER THAT GOD LOVES US

  • “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
  • Christmas is filled with reminders of God’s generous love for humanity. 
  • For a Child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
  • “But the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord- has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!’” (Luke 2:10-11)
  • Jesus’ birth, first proclaimed to humble shepherds, shows that God’s love and the gift of His Son bring hope and peace to all who believe, regardless of status or background. 
  • “Look! The virgin will conceive a Child! She will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” (Matthew 1:23)
  • By sending Jesus, God shows that He is not a distant deity but a loving God who wants to be involved in our lives. 
  • “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:5)
  • Jesus’ birth is a beacon of unending love and hope which comes with a promise that the darkness will never overcome us. 
  • Question – When was the last time you thanked God for His love for you?

Christmas Is A Time To:

RESPOND TO GOD’S LOVE

  • “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10)
  • Our worship is a natural expression of gratitude for the amazing love that was given to us which is further seen in Jesus’ humble birth. 
  • “Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.” (Philippians 2:6-7)
  • “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.” (Romans 12:1)
  • When we worship, we align our hearts with the humility of Jesus, acknowledge His sacrifice, and respond with lives that reflect His love.
  • “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.” (Philippians 2:5-7)
  • “When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with His mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:10-11)
  • Christmas is just the beginning of God showing how much He truly loves us.
  • “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8)
  • Question: What are some ways we can show our love for God this Christmas season?

Christmas Is A Time To:

SHARE GOD’S LOVE WITH OTHERS

  • Christmas is more than just a festive season; it’s a time for us to reflect on and extend the love we received from the Lord to others.
  • “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16)
  • “Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)
  • At Christmas, we can follow the example of Jesus by sharing the selfless love of God to others by giving time, help, and encouragement to those around us. 
  • “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35)
  • When we show love for one another, others take notice that we are fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. 
  • “Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)
  • Question: What are some ways we can show our love for others this Christmas season?
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Christmas is a Time for Salvation Sermon

This sermon outline was the second in Celebration Church’s CHRISTMAS UNWRAPPED series. I hope you will find it helpful if you’re planning a Christmas sermon.

  • “This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. ‘Joseph, son of David,’ the angel said, ‘do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she (Mary) will have a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:18-21)
  • The first Christmas was a pivotal moment for Salvation, fulfilling God’s promise to humanity to redeem us.
  • “But when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children.” (Galatians 4:4-5)
  • Christmas is the celebration of God’s perfect timing in sending His Son into the world exactly as prophesied, so salvation could be accessible to all. 

Because Jesus Came at Christmas, We Can:

RECEIVE FORGIVENESS FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR SIN

  • Every person, despite their best efforts, falls short of God’s standard.
  • “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23)
  • “For ____________ has sinned; ____________ falls short of God’s glorious standard.” (put in your own name here)
  • We are actually the source of most of our own problems. 
  • “People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.” (Proverbs 19:3)
  • “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
  • C.S. Lewis – “The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.”
  • Jesus came specifically because we cannot achieve salvation on our own. 
  • “But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9)

Because Jesus Came at Christmas, We Can:

FIND FREEDOM FROM OUR HURTS, HABITS, AND HANGUPS

  • “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for He has anointed Me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free.” (Luke 4:18)
  • The story of Christmas is the story of freedom – Jesus was born not to simply live among us, but to liberate us from our deepest struggles. 
  • “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)
  • “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
  • Jesus invites us to bring our hurts, our habits, and our hangups to Him, and He promises to walk alongside us as we journey through our healing and restoration.
  • Christmas is the perfect time to embrace the new life Jesus offers, letting go of the past and stepping into the freedom of His transformative love. 

Because Jesus Came at Christmas, We Can:

EXPERIENCE FULFILLMENT THROUGH CHRIST

  • “The thief’s purpose is to kill and steal and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10)
  • Helping us transform our existence into lives that are meaningful and abundant is at the core of Jesus’ mission.
  • “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” (Colossians 2:9-10)
  • The birth of Christ symbolizes the fullness of God wrapped in human skin,  accessible and ready to fill every voice in our hearts. 
  • “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him.” (Romans 15:3) 
  • Our trust in God allows us to embrace joy and peace, reshaping our lives with a new perspective and purpose. 

Because Jesus Came at Christmas, We Can:

LIVE FOREVER IN HEAVEN WITH THE LORD

  • “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
  • God’s immense love was manifested in the gift of His Son, born so that all who believe in Him can enjoy eternity with Him.
  • “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14:2-3)
  • Because Jesus was born, lived a perfect life, died to pay the price for our sins, and rose again, we can have an eternal future with Him in Heaven.
  • “For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down…we will have a house in Heaven, an eternal body made for us by God Himself and not by human hands.” (2 Corinthians 5:1)
  • Heaven is a place where all of our stress, anxiety, fear, depression, disease, hurt, and agony is replaced by peace, patience, fulfillment, freedom, and joy forever.
  • Our assurance of Heaven should always lift our spirits, reminding us that our earthly existence is simply the beginning of an eternal journey with God. 
  • “He who sits on the throne will give them shelter. They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:14-17)

“Joseph, son of David… do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she (Mary) will have a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21)

*Image Courtesy of Jack Chambers

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Christmas is a Time for Celebration Sermon

This sermon outline was the first in Celebration Church’s CHRISTMAS UNWRAPPED series. I hope you will find it helpful if you’re planning a Christmas sermon.

Luke 2:8-14

Angel – “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” (Luke 2:8-14 NKJV)

  • The announcement of Jesus’ birth is a cause for great joy for all people.
  • Isaac Watts – “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King!”
  • Jesus’ birth wasn’t just a message of joy for the privileged or powerful but was intended for all people because God’s love and salvation is available to everyone.
  • “And she will have a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
  • The presence of Jesus brings a fullness of joy that is unmatched, a divine companion that transforms our lives forever.
  • “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.” (Psalm 16:11)
  • We should always celebrate the Lord and His goodness, but we should especially do so on Christmas.

Christmas is a Time To:

CELEBRATE THAT GOD LOVES US

  • God’s Love Is Demonstrated to Us Through Jesus’ Birth
  • Jesus – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16, NKJV)
  • The Birth of Christ Embodies God’s Love For Us Because Through Jesus we have eternal life, everlasting hope, and life transformation.
  • “God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love-not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10)
  • Christmas is a Celebration of God’s Love for Us Through His Gift of Jesus.
  • “God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8)
  • Karl Barth – “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
  • Question – How does the realization that God loves you change your perspective of Christmas?

Christmas is a Time To:

CELEBRATE THAT GOD IS WITH US

  • “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” (Matthew 1:23)
  • When we understand that Jesus, who is Immanuel, is God dwelling with humanity, it transforms the meaning of Christmas from a historical event to a living reality. 
  • “So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” (John 1:14)
  • God is not distant from us but is always with us, even in the darkest times and most challenging situations.
  • “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2)
  • Jesus – “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
  • Just as He promises to be with us through deep waters, His presence provides hope and strength during life’s struggles. 
  • Question – “How does the promise of “God being with you” change your perspective of Christmas?

Christmas is a Time To:

CELEBRATE THAT GOD IS FOR US

  • God has great plans for our lives and they are always good.
  • “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)
  • “This is what the Lord says: ‘You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.” (Jeremiah 29:10b)
  • God’s presence means we have His support, guidance, and love no matter what challenges we may be facing.
  • “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
  • Even in trying times, we can live in the confidence and peace that comes from knowing that the Creator of the Universe is on our side. 
  • Question – How does knowing that God is for you change your perspective on Christmas?
  • “The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” (Psalm 118:6)

Because God loves us, we are wanted.

Because God is with us, we are never abandoned.

Because God is for us, our future is secured.

* Image courtesy of Tomos Tokos

•• Summary quote courtesy of Dr. Page Brooks catching

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Mannequins in the River

On the afternoon of December 14, 1996, the bulk cargo ship Bright Field lost power and collided with the Riverwalk Marketplace in New Orleans. The vessel was fully loaded with grain, making it a heavy object with a significant impact force. With no engine power, the ship rode the currents and bore down on the crowded mall. Those dining in the elevated food court looked up from their red beans and rice and shrimp poboys to see the massive bow of a ship looming over them with its sirens blaring. The physical damage to the Riverwalk, including the pier, condominiums, shops, and hotel, totaled an estimated $15 million. Sixty-six people were injured, but there was no loss of life.

Several years later, I met a police detective who was on duty that day. “My chief called and told me to get to the Riverwalk right away,” he said, “because there were dozens of dead bodies floating down the river. When I arrived, what I actually saw were multiple mannequins in the water that had fallen from the shopping center.” He smiled and said, “I had never been so relieved in all of my life.”

Fortunately, nothing like this has ever happened to me, but there have been many times when I was relieved to discover that what I believed to be true actually had no basis in reality. Once, I was convinced I was going to get stuck in an elevator when I had to go to the bathroom. Another time, I couldn’t remember a person’s name when I was praying for them. I made it through the prayer, but I was so worried they would realize I couldn’t remember their name and not just get mad at me but reject the Lord as well. 

People everywhere worry about the strangest things: running out of phone battery, looking awkward on a Zoom call, falling in public, forgetting where we parked, and not getting enough likes on social media. Why do we do this? Could it be that we have come to accept worry as a normal part of life? Even people in the Bible acted on their worries. Moses was worried about his ability to speak in public. After watching God defeat the prophets of Baal, Elijah was afraid that Jezebel was going to kill him. Jonah ran from God because he was worried that the Ninevites would repent. Even Mary, the mother of Jesus, was initially worried about how the virgin birth would impact her relationship with her family and with Joseph. Worry is a common human experience, even for those who have great faith. 

But the Lord doesn’t want us to wallow in worry. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:6-7, wrote, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Worry is so common amongst all people that it’s easy to forget that instead of worrying, we should be praying and seeking the Lord. But when we do, God’s peace, which truly is bigger than anything we can conceive, will protect our feelings and our thoughts as we trust in Christ Jesus.

* Image courtesy of Marco Bianchetti

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Holy Saturday

The Guards Secure the Tomb

The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while He was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent His disciples from coming and stealing His body and then telling everyone He was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.” Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it. (Matthew 27:62-66)

It had been a long week. On Sunday, Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem. On Monday, He cleansed the temple. On Tuesday, He debated with the Jewish leaders. On Wednesday, He was anointed by Mary, the sister of Lazarus. On Thursday, He washed His disciples’ feet at the Last Supper. On Friday, He was crucified at the place of the skull. And then came Saturday. 

On Friday, Jesus cried out, “It is finished!” But on Saturday, when His body lay still and the stone was in place over the entrance of the tomb, Jesus was silent. Sunday may be coming, but for now, everything is quiet. Even the Lord was quiet. Max Lucado writes, “He (God) made Himself heard on Friday. He tore the curtains of the temple, opened the graves of the dead, rocked the earth, blocked the sun of the sky, and sacrificed the Son of Heaven. Earth heard much of God on Friday.” However… there is “Nothing on Saturday. Jesus is silent. God is silent. Saturday is silent.” 

Because of its silence, Holy Saturday doesn’t get much attention in the life of the church. Christians often observe Maundy Thursday with foot washing, Good Friday with Communion, and Easter Sunday with an explosive celebration. Good Friday marks the day when Jesus paid the price of redemption, and Easter Sunday marks the day of His glorious resurrection, but there in between is Saturday, and on that day, He is silent. It’s in this type of silence that we often feel the sting of death the hardest and sense the deepest sadness, which, until the quiet, we’ve hidden away inside ourselves. 

Sometimes God is silent on Saturday. In life, we experience many silent Saturdays. We might even endure a week or a month or even a year of Saturdays when we’re just waiting for God to speak. In those days, we must remember that Saturday’s silence is never God’s final word. He has not abandoned us. He is hard at work in our lives for our good and for His purposes. 

Yes, it can be deathly quiet on Saturday, but Sunday is on the way.

Prayer: Lord, in times when You seem silent, help us to always remember that You have not abandoned us and that You still have wonderful plans for our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Followup Activity: Today, write out a prayer list of those people you would like to see God transform, specific needs you would like to see Him meet, and for guidance and patience in your own life as you wait for Easter Sunday. If you are leading your family through this devotion, lead them to do the same.

*Photo courtesy of Sincerely Media

**This devotion is part of RENEWED, a Holy Week Devotional from Celebration Church in New Orleans available for free download at http://www.celebrationchurch.org/library

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Maundy Thursday

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

Scripture – He (Jesus) got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel He had around Him… After washing their feet, He put on His robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you… So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” (John 13:4-5, 12-15, 34)

Maundy Thursday. It’s a strange name for the day when the disciples had their last evening with Jesus – the day before He was arrested, beaten, and crucified. The word “maundy” comes from the Latin word “command” or “mandate.” It was on this day that Jesus commanded His disciples not to fight with Him to the death but to love one another as He had loved them. His command would lead them to a whole new way of living filled with love, unity, and forgiveness. 

Prior to speaking these words, Jesus knelt down to wash His disciples’ feet, a model of love for the disciples that they were not expecting. For the sandal-wearing disciples, foot washing was a common practice, but washing the dirt from another person’s feet was something else altogether. It was a task reserved for the lowest-ranking servants. In a household without slaves, everyone was expected to wash their own feet. And yet, Jesus willingly dropped to His knees to wash the feet of His disciples, who were probably shocked and even embarrassed by Jesus’ act of humility and service.    

The love Jesus wanted His disciples to have for one another was radical. That is why He felt the need to command them to love each other. In fact, Jesus said this type of love would be the sign that a person was truly His disciple. More than being known for its correct theology, great music, phenomenal preaching, or online platform, the church should be known as a community where love is felt by everyone.   

Prayer: Lord, on this Maundy Thursday, help us embody the love You showed in service and sacrifice. As we grow closer to You, help us grow closer to one another, all the while with kindness and compassion in our hearts. Guide us to follow Your example, and may our love reflect Your own across this world. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Followup Activity: In your journal or on a piece of paper, make a list of 3-5 people you find difficult to love. Then, beside each name, write a simple way you could show them love today. From your list, choose one person to whom you can show kindness today. If you are leading your family through this devotion, guide each family member to complete the same exercise.

*Photo courtesy of Agustin Fernandez

**This devotion is a part of RENEWED, a Holy Week Devotional from Celebration Church in New Orleans. This 8-Day Devotional is available for free download at http://www.celebrationchurch.org/library

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Spy Wednesday

Jesus Anointed At Bethany/Judas Agrees To Betray Jesus

Scripture – Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While He was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over His head. The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”

But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus. (Matthew 26:6-16)

Devotional Thought: The first three days of Passion Week were awash in drama – Sunday’s triumphal entry, Monday’s temple cleansing, and Tuesday’s temple confrontations. But then Wednesday enters like the calm before the storm. But Jesus wasn’t fooled by the seemingly peaceful day. He understood that evil was lurking about in the shadows, waiting to rear its ugly head. Wednesday of Passion Week is often called “Spy Wednesday” because it’s when the dark conspiracy against Jesus takes a giant leap, when a traitor, or spy, from within strikes a deal. It is on this day that the key pieces come together in the plot for the greatest sin in all of history, the betrayal and murder of the Son of God. 

However, on this day, a great kindness was also done for Jesus. A woman, believed to be Mary, the sister of Lazarus (John 12), anoints Jesus with expensive perfume. Critical remarks arose from Judas (John 12), saying Mary’s act was wasteful when it could have been sold with the proceeds given to the poor. But Jesus sees Mary’s anointing as an act of extravagant worship, preparing Him for burial. But to Judas, this extravagant anointing is the last straw. Allowing Satan to influence him, he goes to the chief priest and agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. From the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, the disciples have been at His side. They’ve traveled with Him, ministered in His name, and have been His earthly companions. But now, as Judas initiates his betrayal, Jesus is reminded that His death is something He must bear alone for the redemption of the world. 

Prayer: Lord, as I remember the happenings of Spy Wednesday, help me to be like Mary, the sister of Lazarus, who worshiped You with extravagance and abandon. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Follow-up Activity: Pray today, asking the Lord how you might worship Him with extravagance and abandon, just like Mary, the sister of Lazarus, did. If you’re leading your family through this devotion time, pray the same thing, either individually or as a family, then discuss any responses anyone may have received from the Lord.

*Image courtesy of Francesco Alberti

**This devotion is part of RENEWED, an 8-day devotional by Celebration Church of New Orleans. The entire devotional is available (in English and Spanish) for free download at http://www.celebrationchurch.org/library

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Holy Tuesday

Jesus is Challenged by the Religious Leaders

When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and elders came up to Him. They demanded, “By what authority are You doing all these things? Who gave You the right?”

“I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?”

They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, He will ask us why we didn’t believe John. But if we say it was merely human, we’ll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.” So they finally replied, “We don’t know.”

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.” (Matthew 21:23-27)

Palm Sunday was filled with the pageantry of Jesus’ triumphal entry. Holy Monday was filled with surprise as a righteously angry Jesus turned over the merchants’ tables in the temple because they were hindering God’s worship. Some might have believed and even hoped for a quieter day in Jerusalem on Holy Tuesday. Instead, it was filled with drama, with Jesus experiencing a direct, verbal showdown with the Jewish leaders.

These leaders were learned men. Everyone in Jerusalem knew it, and as they approached Jesus in the temple, every eye must have looked to see what they would do while every ear certainly listened to hear these leaders lower the boom and put Jesus in His place. But, as everyone could see, they failed miserably. Instead of being mentally intimidated, Jesus responded with smarter questions and gave clearer answers than they did. They tried to question His motives, but He exposed their hearts. 

Everyone knew Jesus had defeated the Jewish leaders at their own game. But, as these “holy men” walked away, they must have muttered under their breath, “This isn’t over, not by a long shot.” Their hand, in their way of thinking, had been forced. If they wanted to reduce Jesus’ influence, they couldn’t rely on verbal warnings or mere strength. They were going to have to take Him out because it was crystal clear to them that He was not going to yield to their way of thinking. Jesus stood His ground and spent the rest of the day teaching in the temple. It was the last time He would teach in the temple. When Jesus left the temple, the Jewish leaders conspired about how they might have Him arrested and executed. But Jesus knew their plans would actually fit into the will of the Lord.  

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for standing up to the Jewish leaders and fulfilling Your mission, making a way for us to be forgiven of our sin. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Followup Activity: In your journal or on a piece of paper, write a prayer thanking God for His determination in fulfilling His plan for our salvation. If you are leading your family through this devotion, encourage each member to compose their own prayer. Help them write if necessary.

*Photo courtesy of Jonny Gios

**This devotion is a part of the 8 Day RENEWED Holy Week devotional available for free download at http://www.celebrationchurch.org/library

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