Today’s Community Scripture – 4/30/2025

Moses said, “If your presence doesn’t take the lead here, call this trip off right now. How else will it be known that you’re with me in this, with me and your people? Are you traveling with us or not? How else will we know that we’re special, I and your people, among all other people on this planet Earth?” GOD said to Moses: “All right. Just as you say; this also I will do, for I know you well and you are special to me. I know you by name.” Moses said, “Please. Let me see your Glory.” GOD said, “I will make my Goodness pass right in front of you; I’ll call out the name, GOD, right before you. I’ll treat well whomever I want to treat well and I’ll be kind to whomever I want to be kind.” GOD continued, “But you may not see my face. No one can see me and live.” GOD said, “Look, here is a place right beside me. Put yourself on this rock. When my Glory passes by, I’ll put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand until I’ve passed by. Then I’ll take my hand away and you’ll see my back. But you won’t see my face.”

Exodus 33:15–23 (MSG)

Key Verse – GOD continued, “But you may not see my face. No one can see me and live.” Exodus 33:20 (MSG)

– Reflection:

We’re made for fear. We’re made to live with fear, not without it, as we’d like. It’s just, as so often happens, we get preoccupied with things we can see and hear and touch. But these aren’t what we’re supposed to fear—not people, nor circumstances. About such things, our King, Jesus Christ says, “do not fear”. No, we’re meant to fear a fearsome God.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”.

But what does it mean to fear God? Mostly it means keeping our thinking straight. It means seeing God, in all his power, in proper relation and proportion to the people and problems in this world. Though we sometimes act as if he were, God isn’t smaller than financial hardship, difficult work situations, difficulties with children. He’s not equal to them. He’s so much bigger, so much more powerful, even comparing doesn’t make sense. He’s alpha and omega. He’s the beginning and the end of everything.

Where do we go from here?

Name your biggest fears. Write them down. Look at them. Imagine them as God sees them. How frightening are they now? The truth is that the things we can see, hear, and touch are never our ultimate threats, especially not when God is around—and He always is. Our ultimate threat is choosing to live as if these things are bigger than He.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for covering us as you moved to protect us from witnessing your full power. You know what is best for us, even when we think we know what we want. You understood that Moses couldn’t grasp the full vision of who and what you are. And you continue to protect us each and every day, too. Amen.

Today’s Community Scripture – 4/29/2025

Regarding Zion, I can’t keep my mouth shut, regarding Jerusalem, I can’t hold my tongue, Until her righteousness blazes down like the sun and her salvation flames up like a torch. Foreign countries will see your righteousness, and world leaders your glory. You’ll get a brand-new name straight from the mouth of God. You’ll be a stunning crown in the palm of God’s hand, a jeweled gold cup held high in the hand of your God. No more will anyone call you Rejected, and your country will no more be called Ruined. You’ll be called Hephzibah (My Delight), and your land Beulah (Married), Because God delights in you and your land will be like a wedding celebration. For as a young man marries his virgin bride, so your builder marries you, And as a bridegroom is happy in his bride, so your God is happy with you.

Isaiah 62:1–5 (MSG)

Key Verse – You’ll get a brand-new name straight from the mouth of God. Isaiah 62:2 (MSG)

– Reflection :

There are many negative labels that the enemy would like to give you: average, not talented, not good enough, unattractive, inferior, washed up, a victim. From an early age, he’ll try to change your name through disappointments, through people who attempt to bring you down, through your own mistakes and failures. But when you learn to reclaim your name as the person he created you to be, as the individual he calls you, all the forces of darkness cannot stop you.

– Where do we go from here?

Allow your Heavenly Father to define who you are—not society, not your errors, nor your past experiences. He identifies you as exceptional, redeemed, and forgiven. He sees you as healthy and free. He acknowledges you as unique, a change-maker, and a giant slayer. He refers to you as a son of strength and a daughter of purpose. Your new identity is blessed, prosperous, confident, capable, and victorious. You are a child of the Most High God. Now, it’s essential to align with God’s perspective. Let His designation for you take precedence over any others. Continually affirm what God says about you.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, we thank You for having the right to name us. We appreciate that Your names for us takes precedence over every other label we’ve received and the errors of our past. We will identify ourselves as You do and grow into who You claim we are. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Today’s Community Scripture – 4/28/2025

While they were saying all this, Jesus appeared to them and said, “Peace be with you.” They thought they were seeing a ghost and were scared half to death. He continued with them, “Don’t be upset, and don’t let all these doubting questions take over. Look at my hands; look at my feet—it’s really me. Touch me. Look me over from head to toe. A ghost doesn’t have muscle and bone like this.” As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. They still couldn’t believe what they were seeing. It was too much; it seemed too good to be true. He asked, “Do you have any food here?” They gave him a piece of leftover fish they had cooked. He took it and ate it right before their eyes.

Luke 24:36–43 (MSG)

– Reflection:

I believe this will wrap up Luke for us right here. This is my perspective on what I read and how I viewed him as the ultimate friend by not holding each apostle accountable for what happened during his torture and execution. This is just a personal interpretation for me, and I would have understood if something like this had happened. You have one of your guys come and turn you in to the police by kissing you on the cheek, then your rock(Peter) says he didn’t know you and had never seen you before, while the others just scattered. I think they never truly believed until he rose from the dead. I know Jesus was GOD made flesh so that he could walk among us and experience life as we do. Having done so, only he could have come back and accomplished what he did. For us as people, we would have called each of them out and let them know how we felt about what they did in our time of need. Again, only GOD can do what was done.

– Where do we go from here?

We must continue to follow Jesus’ ways, just as the disciples did after he left and went home. They stood in the fire and later were able to make up for what they did against him on that fateful night. All of them sacrificed themselves for Jesus and the way he moved while on earth. For us, though, we don’t have him, yet we still believe and honor him with each day we awaken in great health, carrying the responsibility to make the world a better place for all. Let’s walk our paths, family, and continue being the light that the world needs.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for not being a vengeful person and burning the world for what was done to you. You knew what was written and what your task was from your father. You were strong in your obedience; now we will step up and do the same. Honoring you every day is a true blessing that we are happy to strive for. Amen.

Today’s Community Scripture – 4/21/2025

Then Pilate called in the high priests, rulers, and the others and said, “You brought this man to me as a disturber of the peace. I examined him in front of all of you and found there was nothing to your charge. And neither did Herod, for he has sent him back here with a clean bill of health. It’s clear that he’s done nothing wrong, let alone anything deserving death. I’m going to warn him to watch his step and let him go.” At that, the crowd went wild: “Kill him! Give us Barabbas!” (Barabbas had been thrown in prison for starting a riot in the city and for murder.) Pilate still wanted to let Jesus go, and so spoke out again. But they kept shouting back, “Crucify! Crucify him!” He tried a third time. “But for what crime? I’ve found nothing in him deserving death. I’m going to warn him to watch his step and let him go.” But they kept at it, a shouting mob, demanding that he be crucified. And finally they shouted him down. Pilate caved in and gave them what they wanted. He released the man thrown in prison for rioting and murder, and gave them Jesus to do whatever they wanted. As they led him off, they made Simon, a man from Cyrene who happened to be coming in from the countryside, carry the cross behind Jesus. A huge crowd of people followed, along with women weeping and carrying on. At one point Jesus turned to the women and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children. The time is coming when they’ll say, ‘Lucky the women who never conceived! Lucky the wombs that never gave birth! Lucky the breasts that never gave milk!’ Then they’ll start calling to the mountains, ‘Fall down on us!’ calling to the hills, ‘Cover us up!’ If people do these things to a live, green tree, can you imagine what they’ll do with deadwood?” Two others, both criminals, were taken along with him for execution. When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they’re doing.” Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them. The people stood there staring at Jesus, and the ringleaders made faces, taunting, “He saved others. Let’s see him save himself! The Messiah of God—ha! The Chosen—ha!” The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him, making a game of it. They toasted him with sour wine: “So you’re King of the Jews! Save yourself!” Printed over him was a sign: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. One of the criminals hanging alongside cursed him: “Some Messiah you are! Save yourself! Save us!” But the other one made him shut up: “Have you no fear of God? You’re getting the same as him. We deserve this, but not him—he did nothing to deserve this.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom.” He said, “Don’t worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise.” By now it was noon. The whole earth became dark, the darkness lasting three hours a total blackout. The Temple curtain split right down the middle. Jesus called loudly, “Father, I place my life in your hands!” Then he breathed his last.

                            Luke 23:13–46 (MSG)

– Reflection:

                  A Dark Day; Also Uplifting

The passage above is long and determined to show us that even in torture and pain, the love Jesus had for us was real. The scene of what that day looked like, smelled like, and the emotions, energy, and the ability to be in the true presence of GOD himself made flesh is profound. Now he is being taken from the world, and moving forward, what is this going to look like without him? We know now, but back then, the anxiety of having him taken from us must have been incredibly tough. When I get to this part of the Bible, I often wonder how we got here. For three years, this man traveled around and helped many people through touch and his words, which allows some people today to have this experience as an oral auditor. He was everything to all of us who follow GOD, especially as his son Jesus Christ. He spoke to everyone, regardless of caste or class. He made it his business to make the world a better place, reaching hearts, bringing them to GOD, and showing them a better way to live life- without all the toiling and blowing in the wind.

– Where do we go from here?

Yesterday was Easter Sunday; Jesus rose from the grave for us. He did all of this for us. What have we done with his image other than tear one another down or use his words as a narrative to control how we move in this world? Each year at this time, there is always pageantry in the appearance of Easter, but not much in terms of what it truly means or meant at that time. We, as people, complain a lot about how things aren’t as good as they used to be, but those imparting knowledge are often told that nobody does that anymore. I, for one, love the old stories; they give me a sense of where I come from, so when I am on this path, it sets me straight. It is hard to talk to today’s youth sometimes, but every now and then there is a moment where we can reach them. Look for those moments; their futures depend on it.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, yesterday was a beautiful day in ceremony for what you gave up for us. It gives me a better outlook everyday for how to treat people and how I look to be treated. The messages I receive each and every morning while reading the words written all those years ago still hit hard, and have meaning and find a place in my spirit each and every morning. Thank you for lives we have and help us continue to walk the paths you have laid before us. Amen.

Today’s Community Scripture – 4/21/2025 

Jesus told another story to the people: “A man planted a vineyard. He handed it over to the farmhands and went off on a trip. He was gone for a long time. In time, he sent a servant back to the farmhands to collect the profits, but they beat him up and sent him off empty-handed. He decided to try again and sent another servant. That one they beat black-and-blue, and sent him off empty-handed. He tried a third time. They worked that servant over from head to foot and dumped him in the street. “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘I know what I’ll do: I’ll send my beloved son. They’re bound to respect my son.’  “But when the farmhands saw him coming, they quickly put their heads together. ‘This is our chance—this is the heir! Let’s kill him and have it all to ourselves.’ They killed him and threw him over the fence. “What do you think the owner of the vineyard will do? Right. He’ll come and clean house. Then he’ll assign the care of the vineyard to others.” Those who were listening said, “Oh, no! He’d never do that!”  But Jesus didn’t back down. “Why, then, do you think this was written: That stone the masons threw out—It’s now the cornerstone!? “Anyone falling over that stone will break every bone in his body; if the stone falls on anyone, it will be a total smashup.” The religious scholars and high priests wanted to lynch him on the spot, but they were intimidated by public opinion. They knew the story was about them.

Luke 20:9–19 (MSG)

– Reflection:

In the passage above, the chief priests and Pharisees were questioning the reasoning of the story he had just told. Did they think he was speaking of GOD leaving the vineyards with those who had protected them up to that point? The farmhands, if they were listening, were evil and only looking out for themselves. They had laid claim to a land that wasn’t even theirs and claimed it as their own, even though the owner was asking for the profits from it. Surely they didn’t think that GOD was going to give more grace to those who killed the son of the owner of the vineyards. Even today, as we see leaders in our country and others, some people can only see the greed in their own minds, which they attribute to themselves. Think about it; this is before Christ went to the Cross. He had performed all these miracles and great acts of healing and soul saving up to that very point, and they pulled what they wanted out of the story he told. Amazing.

– Where do we go from here?

This story raises the question: how do we see ourselves in this world, as owners or tenants? Faith teaches us that GOD is the owner, and we are simply tenants, stewarding what has been entrusted to our care. Are we faithful tenants, managing all that has been entrusted to us, returning to the owner what rightfully belongs to them? This is ultimately what the life of faith is all about.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, grant us the strength to recognize when our blessings are right in front of us, even when we struggle to do so. Keep us on the path you have set for us. Provide us with the ability to see the wrongs we are doing to others and the strength to correct them immediately. It is with all the grace and mercy within me that I ask for these things for myself and for others. In Jesus’ name, we are allowed to say. Amen

Today’s Community Scripture – 4/17/2025

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than a crowd showed up, Judas, the one from the Twelve, in the lead. He came right up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said, “Judas, you would betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” When those with him saw what was happening, they said, “Master, shall we fight?” One of them took a swing at the Chief Priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. Jesus said, “Let them be. Even in this.” Then, touching the servant’s ear, he healed him. Jesus spoke to those who had come—high priests, Temple police, religion leaders: “What is this, jumping me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal? Day after day I’ve been with you in the Temple and you’ve not so much as lifted a hand against me. But do it your way—it’s a dark night, a dark hour.” Arresting Jesus, they marched him off and took him into the house of the Chief Priest. Peter followed, but at a safe distance. In the middle of the courtyard some people had started a fire and were sitting around it, trying to keep warm. One of the serving maids sitting at the fire noticed him, then took a second look and said, “This man was with him!” He denied it, “Woman, I don’t even know him.” A short time later, someone else noticed him and said, “You’re one of them.” But Peter denied it: “Man, I am not.” About an hour later, someone else spoke up, really adamant: “He’s got to have been with him! He’s got ‘Galilean’ written all over him.” Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” At that very moment, the last word hardly off his lips, a rooster crowed. Just then, the Master turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered what the Master had said to him: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” He went out and cried and cried and cried.

Luke 22:47–62 (MSG)

Key Verse – When those with him saw what was happening, they said, “Master, shall we fight?” One of them took a swing at the Chief Priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. Luke 22:49–50 (MSG)

– Reflection:

Have you ever been tempted to defend Jesus? It’s unlikely that you have wielded a sword to cut off anyone’s ear but perhaps you have found yourself irate about some cultural shift that impacts your faith. I remember when I had read the bible the first time and was starting to understand a few things and what some of it meant. The doorbell rang and it was a group that likes to minister in the local neighborhoods. So I allowed them in and the conversation went somewhere I didn’t expect. I felt like I was defending the bible, because only small pieces were being used to tell me a story of what happened at a certain point in the Bible. So I was finishing the story and asking why they weren’t. That was a while ago though; now I know what my place is, and what path I am on.

– Where do we go from here?

What if Jesus doesn’t want to be defended? Actually, he doesn’t need to be defended; it is our arrogance that puts us in the position to defend him. When it was written for it to happen just as it does at that moment. When he was arrested in the garden, one of his disciples cut the ear off a slave. Jesus reacted, saying, “No more of this!” He then touched the slave and healed the ear. Even when being arrested, Jesus responded with love. Jesus met violence with love. Jesus met his enemies with love. Jesus went to the cross with love. May we follow as he leads us.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, transform us with your loving power so that we may live in a way that honors you. When we are tempted to fight back on behalf of our faith, remind us to take up our crosses and follow you. Grant us courage. Grant us strength. Grant us resolve. Amen.