Gimme Some Sugar Book Review

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In Linda Kozar’s 90-day devotional, Gimme Some Sugar, she spoons out encouragement with a bit of humor alongside Biblical truth.

Each entry begins with a Bible verse, moves to a brief devotion, and closes with an application containing questions to ponder.

The sayings in Gimme Some Sugar come from diverse sources such as Billy Graham, Vincent van Gogh, Rodney Dangerfield, and Dr. Seuss. Some of the sayings are lighthearted. Some of the sayings are thought provoking.

If you are looking for a quick devotion to sweeten your day in a godly way, then Gimme Some Sugar may be the 90-day devotional you’re looking for.

Have you read this book? If so, what was your impression of it?

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.

I wish you well.

Sandy

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My April post is up at Inspire a Fire. Please stop by and read it.

What Do You Choose in Waiting? Psalm 13

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PsalmsToday’s guest post, What Do You Choose in Waiting? Psalm 13, written by Anthea Kotlan, first appeared on antheakotlan.com.

The printed factory recall letter slipped out between two pieces of junk mail. Typically, these multi-page documents with perforations along the side are rather tricky to open. As the owner of an older car, this is not my first notification. I slipped it open and read the fine print indicating the need to take my car to the local dealership for a replacement part. After making an online appointment about a week in advance, I was frustrated with waiting for a day. I will spare you the play-by-play, but after keeping my car all day, I was told the part needed will not arrive until next week. I have accomplished nothing at the end of a long day of waiting. I finally brought my unfixed car home. I must now wait to hear when the part comes in, and then we may begin the process again. Sigh.

No one likes waiting.

Does knowing how long you have to wait make the waiting any easier? In Psalm 13, the Psalmist cries out with the question, how long?

1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? (Psalm 13:1 ESV)

An unknown waiting period feels unbearable.

Have I been forgotten? Does anyone even know I’m here? These questions haunt the psalmist. His despair grows, and he suggests the Lord is hiding from him. In times of deep sadness, I think everyone feels abandoned and alone.

2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? (Psalm 13:2 ESV)

A season of prolonged suffering can lead to an echo chamber forming around me. What counsel do I have for myself? Indeed, it is limited. I don’t know what I don’t know.

Sorrow’s grip pulls me into the depth of depression and further limits my perspective.

 3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, 4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. (Psalm 13:3-4 ESV)

Have I been considered?

Have you ever had a text from someone simply checking in on you? It feels fantastic to be considered by someone else. Even if that person cannot fix the problem, or end the suffering, just knowing someone thought about you. This information can ease the feelings of isolation.

Falling into a pit of despair can lead me to consider all the worst-case scenarios. A temporary illness triggers the conclusion that I might be dying, or all is lost, or there is no hope for a remedy.

Is this what the psalmist is struggling with?  

The psalmist has come to the end of his resources and declares that he is shaken. He’s tired of waiting. What can he do?    

5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me. (Psalm 13:5-6 ESV)  

The final two verses of this psalm reveal an abrupt change in the tone. Why?

The psalmist decides to try a new strategy. He will choose to trust when it is still dark and uncertain. This is a brave course of action. He will choose to trust when he doesn’t see the provision. He will take the next step when he can’t see the path. He chooses to rejoice before he receives the healing or victory.

Why? In verse 6, He says that God deals with him bountifully.

I am not sure where you find yourself today, but perhaps you are sitting in a time of struggle or suffering. Or maybe a loved one is. Can you take a step toward trust? Can you sing a song of rejoicing right where you are?

Prayer

Lord, help me trust in your steadfast love. Fill my heart and mind with songs rejoicing in my salvation. Help me sing to you, Lord, because You have dealt bountifully with me. You will again because it is in Your nature. I will choose to count the bounty and seek to see more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Anthea KotlanFor over thirty years, Anthea Kotlan has served as a women’s ministry leader in the church and community. She has a passion for discipleship and encouraging women to walk confidently in their God-given calling. She designs women’s retreats, teaches Bible studies, writes, and enjoys speaking at events. Recently, she began serving on a church plant team in Conroe, Texas with her husband, a bi-vocational priest. Every chance she gets, she spends time laughing with her two adult daughters or snuggling her two grandchildren. Check out Anthea’s blog for weekly soul-tending devotionals from the Psalms. antheakotlan.com 

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Photo courtesy Pixabay.

Pause for Poetry–I See You, Lord

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meadow lake courtesy pixabayThe following poem, I See You, Lord, was written by my writer-friend, Frances Gregory Pasch.

I See You, Lord

I see You in the flowers,

I hear You in the trees.

I feel Your awesome presence

In the cool and gentle breeze.

I see you in the smile

Of a peaceful, joyful face.

I feel that You are with me,

As I bow my head for grace.

Help me, Lord, to rest in You

And treasure all my days,

For if I get too busy,

I’ll miss Your choice bouquets.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Frances Gregory Pasch’s devotions and poems have been published hundreds of times in devotional booklets, magazines, and Sunday school papers since 1985. Her writing has also appeared in several dozen compilations. Frances’ latest book, Greater Than Gold is available on Amazon. Her first book, Double Vision: Seeing God in Everyday Life Through Devotions and Poetry, which was published when she was eighty years old, is also available on Amazon. Frances has been leading a women’s Christian writers group since 1991 and makes her own holiday greeting cards incorporating her poetry. She and her husband, Jim, have been married since 1958. They have five sons and nine grandchildren. Contact her at http://www.francesgregorypasch.com.

Photo courtesy Pixabay.

Forgetting What’s Behind

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cabin in the mountainsI Press On

Forgetting what’s behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on (Philippians 3:12).

I’ve always loved this verse from the third chapter of Philippians. After giving all the reasons Paul had to boast, and saying he considered them rubbish compared to the greatness of knowing Jesus, Paul said he made a point of forgetting what was behind him.

Instead of dwelling on the past, Paul decided to press on toward the goal for which God called him heavenward. He decided to look forward to what God had in store for him.

Forgetting and Remembering

In preparation for a trip to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to celebrate a milestone birthday last fall, I checked the projected weather weeks ahead of time. Each time I checked, the temperatures kept dropping. At one point, the projected lows went from upper 30s to low 20s.

If you were with me at the beginning of 2023, then you may remember a post I wrote describing the trip Pilot and I took in January 2023 to Dinosaur Valley State Park in north Texas. The trip where the weather turned fierce with freezing rain and sleet, and dropped 40 degrees before it was all said and done. The turn in the weather on that trip was unexpected for us, but not for God.

While I continued to check the temperature projections for our Colorado trip, my anxiety climbed. Lower 20s at night was not what I had in mind when I prayed for good weather for this trip.

That’s when I thought of Paul’s words in Philippians. Forgetting what is behind…forgetting the bad weather of the previous trip to Dinosaur Valley State Park, I press on toward the Colorado trip…reminding myself how God took care of us then, and would take care of us now.

So instead of allowing the projected temperatures to cause me to conjure up all kinds of negative scenarios full of what ifs, I chose to remember God is the one who created the weather. Not only is God in control of the weather, he is also in control of how it affects me.

Man Plans But God Is In Control

Plans continued. Excitement for the trip mounted. Concerns over weather predictions were pushed aside.

Then.

Even after receiving our annual flu shot, Pilot and I both came down with Type A flu. Yeah. So much for carefully laid out plans. We had to cancel our trip.

I am not going to sit here and tell you I was okay with having to cancel the trip. Nope. Because I wasn’t. I wanted this trip. I looked forward to this trip. Disappointed? You betcha. Did I pout? A little.

Paul’s Cure for Anxiety

Moving on to the fourth chapter of Philippians, Paul explains what we should do with those anxious thoughts that cause us to think, what if. He suggests we rejoice in the Lord always. We aren’t to be anxious about anything. Instead, we are to present our requests to God with thanksgiving. And the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:4-7).

Finally, we are to think about whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, pure, lovely, admirable, or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

Those are the thoughts we allow to occupy our minds. Not the imaginary what ifs we can’t control.

Your Turn

Anything disappoint you recently? Anything turn out in a way you wish it hadn’t? Like me, when have you made plans that fell through?

Forgetting what’s behind, let’s press on. Let’s look forward to what God has in store for us. Remembering, he’s the one in control, not us.

P.S.

Once again, plans are being made for a trip to the same Colorado destination for this upcoming fall. We’ll see how it turns out. But regardless of how it turns out, I press on toward the goal to which Christ has called me.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 TLB

I wish you well.

Sandy

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My April post is up at Inspire a Fire. Please stop by and read it.

These Tangled Threads Book Review

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Although I found the historical detail of the weaving industry of the Biltmore Industries interesting in These Tangled Threads, by Sarah Loudin Thomas, I found the book confusing and difficult to read at times.

Despite the confusing timelines, there’s much to like in These Tangled Threads. I would have enjoyed this book more if it was written as the events took place, though.

The story, mostly set in North Carolina, with West Virginia and Tennessee thrown in, is told from three different timelines and three different point of views; Lorna, Arthur, and Gentry. Their stories are intertwined throughout the book. By the end of the book, they all come back together again. 

There’s also the addition of a character who seems to take one of the main characters in a major, life-changing direction. Only the character is dropped from the story two chapters later, without the life-changing event taking place.

Have you read this book? If so, what was your impression of it?

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Nuggets From A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23

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nuggets, pen and paper, cup of coffeeIn 1970 W. Phillip Keller wrote a small book titled, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. In this book, Keller draws on his personal experience as a shepherd to share insights into the life and character of sheep. And of the Good Shepherd who cares for them that the psalmist David wrote about in Psalm 23.

I’ve pulled nuggets from A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 to share with you today.

The Lord Is My Shepherd

According to Keller, the Lord is my shepherd implies a profound yet practical working relationship between a human being and his Maker.

David knew from first hand experience that how well sheep thrived depended on the type of person who owned it.

Keller reminds us that the behavior of sheep and humans is similar in many ways. Yet, despite these less than desirable characteristics, Christ chooses us, purchases us with his very blood, calls us by name, and delights in caring for us.

I Shall Not Want

According to Keller, I shall not want is the sentiment of a content sheep utterly satisfied with its owner.

As Christ’s sheep, we can be completely satisfied with Christ’s management of our life because no trouble is too great for him. He delights in seeing his sheep contented, well fed, safe, and flourishing under his care.

He Makes Me Lie Down In Green Pastures

In discussing this aspect of Psalm 23, Keller says it is almost impossible for sheep to lie down unless four requirements are met.

  • Free of all fear.
  • Free of friction with other sheep.
  • Free from pests.
  • Free from hunger.

Only the shepherd can provide release from these anxieties. The knowledge that our Shepherd has things under control, even when they appear disastrous, should give us great peace.

He Leads Me Beside Still Waters

The shepherd knows where the best drinking places are.

Jesus knows where the still water is that can satisfy his sheep and keep them healthy.

He Restores My Soul

Why are you downcast, O my soul? (Psalm 42:11). A downcast sheep has turned over on its back and cannot right itself. If the shepherd doesn’t arrive within a reasonably short amount of time, the sheep will die.

Keller goes into great detail on how a sheep might become downcast and compares it to humans, which I found rather interesting.

He Leads Me in Paths of Righteousness

Comparing sheep and humans, Keller says that just as sheep will blindly, habitually, stupidly follow one another along the same little trails until they become ruts that erode into gigantic gullies, we humans also cling to habits that can ruin lives.

Jesus came to give abundant life, but many of us don’t want to follow him.

Even Though I Walk Through the Valley

The shepherd doesn’t take his sheep where he himself hasn’t been before. He is familiar with the dangers ahead.

Every mountain has valleys. Keller emphasized that David wrote, I walk through the valley. Not stop or die in the valley.

Your Rod and Staff Comfort Me

In explaining the purpose of the shepherd’s rod and staff, Keller says the rod is a symbol of the shepherd’s strength, power, and authority. It is what he relies on to safeguard his flock.

The staff draws sheep together, guiding them into a new path, or through an open gate.

You Prepare a Table Before Me

In his interesting discussion of the different locations a shepherd takes his flock through various seasons, Keller said the shepherd makes preliminary survey trips and considers the best place for his sheep.

He prepares the tableland by spreading salt and minerals for the sheep to eat. He also checks for poisonous weeds and eliminates them.

You Anoint My Head with Oil

The first time I read about how and why shepherds anoint their sheep’s head with oil, I found it fascinating to consider in our relationship with Jesus, our Good Shepherd.

Keller compares the need to anoint both sheep and humans to ward off annoying pestilence, prevent contagious diseases, and to glance off each other when sheep, especially rams, butt heads.

Because my Shepherd has all knowledge and understanding of every situation in my life, I should be satisfied because my cup overflows with his benefits.

Surely Goodness and Mercy

Keller says that no matter what comes, sheep can be sure goodness and mercy is in the picture.

For the one in Christ’s care, no difficulty, problem, or disaster can come at us without our Shepherd’s awareness, and control.

I Will Dwell in the House of the Lord

In conclusion, Keller said our Shepherd is ever-present in our lives. The alertness, awareness, and diligence of our Shepherd assures us of excellent care. It is the Shepherd’s presence that guarantees there will be no lack of any sort.

Jesus, our Good Shepherd, is conscious of every circumstance we encounter. He attends us with care and concern because we belong to him. This will continue through eternity.

Your Turn

There is much more to glean from Phillip Keller in his book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. I’ve only touched on a few nuggets which I hope encourage you to read the whole book, as they’ve encouraged me.

Do any of these insights resonate with you? I appreciate Keller pointing out that when David wrote Psalm 23, he said we walk through the valley. Not stay in it.

We are the sheep of God’s pasture, and the people of his flock. As such, we have a good and loving Shepherd who cares for us very much. So much, that he laid down his sinless, perfect life on the cross of Calvary to pay the debt for our sin. A sin which we could never pay.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:4 NLT

I wish you well.

Sandy

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My March post is up at Inspire a Fire. Please stop by and read it.

Photo courtesy of Ralphs_Fotos on Pixabay.

Gluten-free Cabbage Rolls Recipe

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cabbage rollsAlthough this gluten-free Cabbage Roll recipe is delicious, be forewarned, there are multiple steps to create it. So grateful Pilot is our amazing chef!

  • 1 small head of cabbage

Meat mixture:

  • 1 1/2 lb ground chuck
  • 1 package dry onion soup mix
  • 1 egg
  • 2/3 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp garlic salt
  • dash of pepper

Sauce:

  • 1 can gluten-free tomato soup (If you are making this with condensed soup, add 1/4 cup water.)
  • 1/4 cup catsup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Remove the core from the cabbage and separate the leaves. Boil the cabbage until leaves become transparent and pliable. About 5 minutes.

Mix meat mixture while the cabbage boils.

Put an egg-sized portion of meat mixture on each leaf and roll up jelly roll fashion. Put leaves in rows in a 9 1/2 X 9 1/2, or similar,  casserole dish.

Pour sauce over cabbage rolls.

Bake at 350 degrees F about 1 hour.

Enjoy!

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Tandem

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Tandem

Several years ago, Pilot and I spent an enjoyable evening paddling a kayak in Galveston Bay. This was our second time in a kayak; our first time in a tandem kayak together.

Apparently, from what we were told, there are challenges when people share a kayak. The instructor of our paddle tour told us being in a tandem kayak often strained relationships, and asked if we were sure we didn’t each want our own kayak.

Later, when I told our veterinarian that Pilot and I spent the evening on the bay in the same kayak, he said, “Oh, no.” There was a reason he and his wife each have their own kayaks.

Going Solo

The youngest member of our group, I’ll call her Ariel, wanted her own kayak. She insisted on going solo.

After watching this 12-year-old in her kayak, that’s probably a good thing. I seriously doubt she would be able to share a kayak with anyone.

Ariel wasn’t one to listen to the instructor. Instead, she believed she knew everything there was to know, even on her first time in a kayak.

Who Sets the Pace?

If you’re unfamiliar with tandem kayaks, the person in front sets the pace and direction. The person in the back follows what the person in the front does. Whether they agree or not, does not matter. Since I am shorter than Pilot, I was told to sit in the front.

While navigating a tricky stretch of sea grass, I noticed kayakers ahead of us getting stuck, so I called out the strokes for Pilot to follow. Left. Left. Left. Right. Left. Right. Right.

We made it through the difficult bends and turns with no problem. The guide behind us even complimented me saying, “You know what you’re doing. You’ve kayaked before.” I smiled, and told him I had. Once.

Out of Control

During the return leg of our trip, Ariel was determined to beat everyone back to shore; including the guides. At one point, her paddle windmilled through the air furiously, sending her on an erratic path our direction.

Because I saw this disaster in the making, I yelled out strokes. Left. Left. Left. But Pilot, unable to see Ariel’s approach, kept paddling Left, Right, Left.

Realizing Pilot wasn’t following along with my attempts to get us out of Ariel’s way, I turned to him and told him to put his paddle down.

Maybe it was my tone. Perhaps it was the volume of my voice. Or it could have been the slit of my eyes. Whatever it was, Pilot put his paddle down.

Once safely out of Ariel’s way, we watched her continue in her erratic direction, get stuck in the process, and flail her arms about in a frenetic flurry until the guide came to her rescue.

Tandem With God

All this kayaking business got me thinking about the times God gives us instructions in the way we should go. Left. Right. Left. Left. Left.

He is the one who sits in the front of the tandem kayak. He sets the pace. God is the one who give us the directions.

Sometimes we listen to God’s directions. Sometimes we don’t.

We may not understand why we need to change course when God tells us to, but God does.

We may not agree with the direction God sends us, but he knows the dangers up ahead, and wants us to avoid them.

When God tells us to put our paddles down, sometimes we just keep right on paddling towards disaster.

Not a New Problem

The Israelites of the Old Testament had a problem with going off on their own way, much like Ariel did. The believed they knew better than their instructor. As a result, they got stuck in the process, arms flailing about in a frenetic flurry.

They refused to listen to God’s direction. That headstrong refusal of theirs got them into trouble time after time.

In the first verse of Isaiah chapter 30 we read, “Woe to my rebellious children, says the Lord; you ask advice from everyone but me, and decided to do what I don’t want you to do.”

Fearing the Assyrians, the Israelites went down to Egypt and sought Pharaoh’s help, instead of depending on God.

Ignore or Listen

The Israelites ignored God’s prophets. They ignored God’s word. They did what they wanted, and went their own direction. In reply to their disobedience, God said, “Because you despise what I tell you and trust instead in frauds and lies and won’t repent, calamity will come upon you.” Only in listening to God’s truth and repenting would they be saved.

I’m learning that if we want to avoid the whirling windmills of the Ariels of life, avoid calamity, and stay in tandem with God, we must listen to God’s voice. And as we listen, we paddle as he directs. Left, Right, Left. We also put our paddles down when he tells us to.

Your Turn

Tandem is defined as two people or pieces of equipment that work together to achieve a result, or a team of two people or animals. Tandem is how we must work with God. Making sure he’s in the lead.

Any kayaking experiences you’d like to share?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, “This is the road! Now follow it.”  Isaiah 30:21 CEV

I wish you well.

Sandy

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My March post is up at Inspire a Fire. Please stop by and read it.

Image by Dave Wilson from Pixabay.

What Happened Next?

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wavesWhat Happened Next?

By the last chapter of John, John tells us what happened next. Jesus has been crucified, resurrected, and appeared before Mary Magdalene at the tomb.

He suddenly appeared in the locked room where the disciples, minus Thomas, hid. He appeared again eight days later in that same locked room when Thomas was present. To prove he wasn’t a ghost and really was alive, Jesus had Thomas place his fingers in the wounds on Christ’s hands and side.

Then what happened next?

The Road to Emmaus

Jesus met two disciples on the road to Emmaus as they discussed what took place in Jerusalem, saying, “We were hoping it was he who would redeem Israel.” Their hope in the future seemed lost.

That is, until Jesus came alongside them and explained the Scriptures more completely. He showed them how everything pointed to him as God’s Son, the Messiah.

Then they understood. No longer feeling lost, their saddened hearts burned as Christ spoke. They had witnessed the crucifixion. Now they were part of the resurrection.

Then what happened next?

Breakfast on the Seashore

Later, Jesus waited for the disciples on the shore beside the Lake of Galilee as the men fished. What was Jesus doing while he waited? The King of kings and Lord of lords was bent over an open fire preparing a breakfast of fish for those he loved.

We may remember this as the scene where Jesus pointedly asked Peter if he loved him. Three times. And each time Peter answered that he did.

No Condemnation

Something I believe is important to remember in this conversation, is that nowhere do we see Jesus condemning Peter. We don’t see Jesus reminding Peter of the night he denied he knew Jesus three times.

Jesus was within hearing distance of Peter that night when he was betrayed and arrested. He heard when Peter denied him. Every single time.

But in Jesus’ words, there is no resentment. No bitterness. No unforgiving spirit. Jesus didn’t go around bad-mouthing Peter to the other disciples. He made no hateful insinuations.

Instead, what we see is Jesus lovingly burying Peter’s unfaithfulness under Christ’s merciful forgiveness.

He does the same for each of us, you know. Christ’s forgiveness knows no bounds or limits. He can forgive even THAT if we sincerely come to him in repentance.

Jesus forgave Peter. He did not throw Peter’s denial back in his face. How about us? We are supposed to emulate Christ, how are we doing with that?

What About Us?

When someone offends us or harms us in some way, are we ready to fight back and get even, or do we allow God’s Spirit to work in us, reminding us we’re been forgiven, so we need to forgive?

Do we let petty arguments set us off in a major huff with the plan to retaliate? Do we remind others of all the ways they’ve been wrong? Or do we follow Christ’s example and forgive?

After Jesus told Peter to “feed his little sheep”, and predicted the kind of death Peter had in front of him, Peter turned, saw John and asked, “What about him? What sort of death will he die?”

Jesus replied, “If I want him to live until I return, what is that to you? You follow me.”

Peter was given his commission, but behind the one question he asked, I believe a multitude more where in his mind. What about John?

What was going to happen to him? Was he going to suffer as Jesus predicted Peter would, or would John skate through life untouched?

Was John’s ministry going to be bigger than Peter’s? Was he going to receive more pats on the back? More awards? More atta’ boys? Was John going to be more popular than Peter?

I’ve always wondered if Peter’s question was part jealousy.

If so, that’s an emotion I believe each of us can relate to. I know I sure can. Maybe we’ve had similar thoughts about those we work with.

What about them? How come they got the promotion, the raise, the praise and I didn’t?

We compare. We compete. We wonder if maybe, just maybe, God loves them more than he loves us. Which, by the way, is absolutely ridiculous. We’re each beloved by our Father God.

Your Turn

These last verses in John tell us Jesus has a plan for each of us, and that plan is not cookie-cutter sameness. How could it be? We are all different. We don’t think alike. We don’t work alike. We don’t communicate in the same way. We have different abilities and personalities.

If Jesus wants someone else to win the awards, get the promotion, receive the atta’ boys and atta’ girls, what’s that to us? He’s called us to follow him. And that’s exactly what he expects us to do.

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”  John 21:21-22 NLT

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Image by Tiffany from Pixabay.

The Passover Plot

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stained glass last supperThe Plot

The Passover plot may have surprised many people, but it did not surprise Jesus, the Messiah, the Passover Lamb of God.

The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction.

 Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around. (Luke 22:1-6 NLT)

The Preparation

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.”

“Where do you want us to prepare it?” they asked him.

He replied, “As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At the house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there. (Luke 22:7-13 NLT)

The Meal

When the hour for the Passover meal came, Jesus and his apostles reclined on cushions around a low table. Although usually a joyous celebration, this Passover meal would be a somber occasion. It would be a time of revelation, a new covenant, and the request for remembrance.

Jesus told the twelve he eagerly desired to eat this meal with them before he suffered. His statement held both an eagerness in eating the meal, and a sense of finality.

Once again, he told the disciples, his closest companions, his time of suffering neared. Jesus told them there would be a time when he would eat with them again.

Later.

When the kingdom of God came.

When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”

Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.”

He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:14-19 NLT)

The Final Cup

While offering the final cup of the Passover meal, Christ told his followers the cup was a new covenant in his blood poured out for them. It was a new agreement between God and his people. This covenant was superior to the covenant under the law handed down to Moses.

After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.” (Luke 22:20 NLT)

The Betrayer

As soon as Jesus offered the bread and cup to his disciples, he revealed a betrayer was in their midst. He knew Satan would enter the one had who had walked with Jesus for the past three years.

Jesus knew the traitorous plot would unfold quickly in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew whose hand would receive blood-money from the high priest. Jesus also knew his betrayal would come with a kiss.

“But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.” The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing. (Luke 22:21-23 NLT)

The Servant

While Jesus knew all of this, the disciples wondered who the betrayer could be. Jesus prepared the disciples for what would soon take place that evening and the next day, yet they didn’t understand the gravity of his words.

Instead, in their need to prove they weren’t the betrayer, they argued over who was the most loyal. They argued over who was the greatest in the presence of the One who truly is the Greatest.

Jesus reminded his disciples they were not to be like those in the world who boast and try to outdo each other. He told them the greatest should be like the one who serves.

He reminded them greatness in God’s kingdom is found in serving others instead of serving self. As an example, the Son of God stooped and washed his disciples’ feet.

The Truth

We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

Through Christ’s sacrifice God justifies the ungodly. (Romans 4:5)

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

We aren’t to take God’s grace lightly by continuing to sin. (Romans 6:1)

The wages of sin is death, but God’s gift is eternal life through Jesus. (Romans 6:23)

God has mercy on those on whom he will have mercy. (Romans 9:18)

Your Turn

Thirty pieces of silver.

The price the leading priests and teachers of the Jewish law paid Judas Iscariot to hand Jesus the Messiah over to them to be killed. Money Judas accepted to betray the man he’d lived with and learned from for three years. Coins he tried to return once he understood the impact of what his betrayal actually meant to Christ and to himself.

Thirty pieces of silver.

We may look at Judas and wonder how anyone who knew Jesus could do such a thing. Sometimes, though, I think we tend to overlook the times we’ve betrayed Jesus through our sins. I’ve heard it said that every time we sin, we crucify Christ all over again. Because it was for our sins he died.

Amazing love.

Undeserved grace.

Forever grateful.

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Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around. Luke 22:3-6 NLT

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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