Prayer

by Rev. Latt Yishey

April 19, 2003 (Final day of Lent Season)

Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross)

FOURTEENTH STATION: Here Jesus is laid in the tomb.

Text for today: “Taken Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the Place where Jesus was crucifies, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.” (John 19:40-42)

Thought for today: “Unless a kennel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (John 12:24)

Prayer of Dedication:

Dear Lord, we have walked with you through “the way of the cross” and I now realized that you are the Savior of the world who is worthy to be worshipped and praised. We thank Thee for the spiritual blessings and lesions from your words through forty days of Lent Season. Now I dedicate my life into your hands:

I Surrender All

“All to Jesus I surrender.

Lord I give myself to Thee.

Fill me with Thy love power,

Let Thy blessing fall on me.

I surrender all- I surrender all,

All to Thee, my blessed Savior

I surrender all.”

April 18, 2003 (Day Thirty Nine of Lent Season)

Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross)

THIRTEENTH STATION: Here Jesus is taken down from the cross.

Text for today: “Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Pilate agreed.” (John 19:38)

Thought for today: “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26)

Commitment for today:

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

April 17, 2003 (Day Thirty Eight of Lent Season)

Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross)

TWELFTH STATION: Here Jesus dies on the cross.

Text for today: “It was now about sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shinning. And the curtain of the church was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “ Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When He had said this, He breathed His Last.” (Luke 23:44-46)

Thought for today: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lays down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Prayer for today:

Dear Lord, I thank you for filling me with your agape love through your crucifixion texts. Help me to be able to follow your footsteps throughout my life. In Jesus Name. Amen.

April 16, 2003 (Day Thirty Seven of Lent Season)

Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross)

ELEVENTH STATION: Here Jesus is nailed to the Cross.

Text for today: “Then they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified Him.” (Mark 15:23)

Thought for today: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.” (John 4:14)

Story for today: “An American missionary one day overtook one of his converts in the woods, and after some conversation asked him, "Tell me what your heart says of Jesus." The Native American stood still, paused awhile, and then replied, "Stop, and I will show you." Stooping down, he gathered some dry leaves into a circle, in the middle of which he left an open space, and dropped a worm into it: he then set fire to the leaves. The flames quickly ran round them, and the poor insect, beginning to feel the heat, writhed and wriggled about in all directions, seeking in vain some way of escape from the torment. At last, exhausted with its fruitless efforts, it sank motionless. The native stretched out his hand, lifted up the worm, and laid it on the cool ground, beyond the reach of its place of torture. "This Jesus did for me," said the native; "and this is what my heart tells me I owe to him."

Prayer for today:

Dear Lord, help me to realize each day about your crucifixion on the cross in my place so that my commitment will be renewed each day. In Jesus Name. Amen.

April 15, 2003 (Day Thirty Six of Lent Season)

Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross)

TENTH STATION: Here Jesus is stripped of His garments.
Text for today: “They took His clothes, dividing into four shares. One for each of them, with the undergarment remaining.” (John 19:23)

Thought for today: “If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into the hell.” (Matthew 5:29)

Prayer for today:

Dear Lord, I ask for your Holy Spirit to reside in me each day as I learn new blessing of your love through the last steps of your footprints. In Jesus Name. Amen.

April 14, 2003 (Day Thirty Five of Lent Season)

Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross)

NINETH STATION: Here Jesus falls third time.
Text for today:

· “We had all gone astray like sheep, each taking his own way, and Yahweh burdened him with the sins of all of us.” (Isaiah 53:6)

· There will be more rejoicing in heaven over the sinner who repents than over ninety nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:7)

Story for today:

Some of you might have heard of the late Malcolm Muggeridge. He was a British journalist and a noted atheist for many years of his life. But in his sin, in the very midst of about to commit yet another vile act of wickedness, he came face to face with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He repented and turned to Christ. At the end of his life, Muggeridge said:
"All I have cared about is the living presence of Christ; the life He lived, and the death He died; and the unique salvation He offers to a distracted world today."
Prayer for today:

Dear Lord, help us to stay closely with you on the journey of cross as we are approaching into Holy week. Help us to praise you only “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest” and not “Crucify Him, Crucify Him.” Lead us to the way of cross. In Jesus Name. Amen.

April 13, 2003 (Sixth Sunday of the Lent)

April 12, 2003 (Day Thirty Four of Lent Season)

Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross)

EIGHTH STATION: Here Jesus meets with women of Jerusalem
Text for today:

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)

Thought for today:

A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for Him. Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children… For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry.” (Luke 23:28)
Prayer for today:

	Please pray for the Easter celebration next week at our Church and around the world to be more meaningful.
	Pray God to grant His peace on earth.

April 11, 2003 (Day Thirty Three of Lent Season)

Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross)

SEVENTH STATION: Here Jesus Falls Second Time
Text for today:

“Yet He was pierced through for our faults, crashed for our sins. On Him lies a punishment that brings unpeace, and through His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

Thought for today:

	“It is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick… I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12-13) Prayer for today:
	Dear Lord, help us to know the heavy weight of cross you had carried and help us to realize your love for sinners. Heal our broken hearts with your wounds as you had promised in Isaiah. Help us to love more to you daily. In Jesus Name. Amen.

April 10, 2003 (Day Thirty Two of Lent Season)

Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross)

SIXTH STATION: Here Veronica Wipes the face of Jesus

Text for today: “I am the vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bears fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:1-2)

Thought for today:

Without beauty, without majesty, no looks to attract our eyes; a thing despised and rejected by men, a man sorrows and familiar with suffering, a man to make people screen their faces; He was despised and we took no account of Him.

Prayer for today:

Please pray today peace within us, peace among us, and peace on earth.

April 9, 2003 (Day Thirty One of Lent Season)

Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross)

FIFTH STATION: Here the Cyrenean Helps Jesus carries the cross.
Text for today: “As they led Jesus away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.” (Luke 23:16)

Thought for today:

No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. (John 15:20)

Prayer for today: Dear Lord, Help us not to ignore your suffering. Help us not to be audience of the arena of the spiritual battlefields. Help us to face the spiritual war with faith as you had shown us on the way of cross. In Your mighty Name. Amen.

April 8, 2003 (Day Thirty of Lent Season)

Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross)

FOURTH STATION: Here Jesus meets His Mother

Text for today: “This child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.” (Luke 2:34-35)

Thought for today:

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

Prayer for today: Dear Lord,. The scripture says that we are overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of our testimony. In the name of Jesus, I am committing my life into your hand. Show me the path of life for me and my family. In Your mighty Name. Amen.

April 7, 2003 (Day Twenty Nine of Lent Season)

Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross)

FIRST STATION: Here Jesus is Condemned to death

SECOND STATION: Here Jesus Carries His Cross

THIRD STATION: Here Jesus Falls under the weight of the Cross

· At this station Jesus fell under the weight of the cross. Two stone pillars mark the station.

Text for today: “And yet ours were the suffering he bore, our sorrows He carried.” (Isaiah 53:4).

Thought for today:

Watch and pray do that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak. (Matthew 26:41).

Prayer for today: Dear Lord,. I thank Thee for your love that you had carried heavr cross of mine on your back. You had fallen under the heavy cross and suffered pain in my place. Help me to realize each day about your unconditional love. In Your mighty Name. Amen.

April 6, 2003 (Fifth Sunday of the Lent)

April 5, 2003 (Day Twenty Eight of Lent Season)

Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross)

SECOND STATION: Where Jesus carries His Cross

· At this station, Roman soldiers beat Jesus and crowned Him with a crown of thorns and started carry the heavy cross on His back.

Text for today: “So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying His own cross, He went out to the place of the skull (which is in Aramaic is called Golgotha).” (John 19:17)

Thought for today:

	“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24).
	“And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:39)
	This is the best day for us to restart take up our cross and to follow Jesus if we have laid aside our crosses. Carry cross again and walk with Jesus daily.

Prayer for today: Dear Lord, grant me wisdom to understand your sacrificial love for me and for the world. Grant me also the strength of willingness to deny myself and to carry the cross every day as you did for me. In Your mighty Name. Amen.

April 4, 2003 (Day Twenty Seven of Lent Season)

Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross)
FIRST STATION: Where Jesus is condemned to death
· Roman governor's palace, site of the trial. In this site, the Roman governor put Jesus on trial and asked: "Are you the king of the Jews?"
Text for today: "Then Pilate released Barabas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified." (Matthew 27:26)
Thought for today: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." (Matthew 5:11)
Prayer for today: Dear Lord, take me along with you to this holy route you once walked to your death for me. Help me to see what once you did for love of me and for the entire world. In Your Name. Amen.

April 3, 2003 (Day Twenty Six of Lent Season)
·        "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and has professed a good profession before many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:11-12)
Thought for today from the text:
We have three things to do in our Christian lives;
      FLEE: Run away from ungodly things,
      FOLLOW: Follow after godly things,
      FIGHT: Fight for our faith.
Sometimes, we are running away from God instead of follow, sometimes we are follow after evil things instead of running away, and sometimes we are fighting each others instead of fighting with Satan. Let us examine ourselves today and ask God to correct our spiritual journeys if we are in the wrong directions. Let us keep serving God and walk with our Lord if we are on His way which He had commanded us. God bless you all.

April 2nd 2003 (Day Twenty Six of Lent Season)

· “The Lord said, “I live in a high and holy place, but with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isaiah 57:15)

· “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)

Inspirational story for today: ”The interview was with Mother Teresa of Calcutta, India. Mother Teresa gave her life to feed starving people and later to minister to the dying. In this article the writer asked Mother Teresa about her feelings of being used of God to minister to the poor, then the world. Her little work was known world wide, even the President of the USA knew her and her Love Labor. She answered, "But it is His work, I think God wants to show His greatness by using my Nothingness." She was asked later, " You feel you have no special qualities?" Mother Teresa replied, "I don’t think so. I don’t claim anything of the work. It is His work and I am like a little pencil in His Hand. That is all. He does the thinking, He does the writing. The pencil has nothing to do with it. The pencil has only to be allowed to be used." What a beautiful story of this little woman using her talent to cook and feed others....” (Wade Hughes, Sr.)

April 1, 2003 (Day Twenty Five of Lent Season)

The Lord said, “See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand.” (Deuteronomy 32:29)

Food for thought for today:

· “It’s possible to be a follower of Jesus without being a disciple; to be a camp-follower without being a soldier of the king; to be a hanger-on in some great work without pulling one’s weight. Once someone was talking to a great scholar about a younger man. He said, "So and so tells me that he was one of your students." The teacher answered devastatingly, "He may have attended my lectures, but he was not one of my students." There is a world of difference between attending lectures and being a student. It is one of the supreme handicaps of the Church that in the Church there are so many distant followers of Jesus and so few real disciples.... “ (William Barclay).

· We are entering into beautiful springtime today. Everything looks new and fresh by the grace of God. The trees, the flowers, the raindrops, and the grass on the fields are renewing. The beautiful and meaningful month of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. I do not start April with “fool,” I start April with “freshness.” Let us renew our nature into true disciples of Jesus.

March 31, 2003 (Day Twenty Four of Lent Season)

“Do not have two differing weight in your bag – one heavy, and one light. Do not have two differing measures in your house – one large, and one small. You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.” (Deuteronomy 25:13-16)

Food for thought for today:

· As we are very careful about balance nutrition for the health of our bodies, we also need careful balance living between our bodies, minds, and spirits. It is also integrity issue in our lives as we involve in the community and in God’s ministries. Proverbs 20:23 also says, “The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.” Please read this story and learn something as we are focusing our journey with Jesus toward the outside the gate.

Inspirational story for today: “But Dad, your crew already finished that floor,” I complained as I helped him load the truck with flooring supplies. “It’s not finished unless it is done right,” was his quiet reply. I had been helping my father every summer with his flooring business. I had installed floors in countless houses all over the city. I began to feel like I had lived on every street in town. All I wanted to do today was to head off with my friends. Yet here I was riding back to a job site with my dad. As we entered the home, I looked around carefully to try and see just what exactly needed our attention. The owners had hired us last week to install hardwood floors throughout the main level and I was more than tired of piecing together little planks of wood. As we entered what looked to be a home office, I guess he saw the puzzled look on my face. “Look here,” he pointed near a built in bookshelf, “There is a warped plank that is beginning to crack. If we leave it the way it is, it will cause problems for the owner down the road.” As we finished replacing the defective plank, I finally realized why my father’s business was so successful… and why I had so many floors to install. (Source: Foundation for a better life)

March 30, 2003 (Fourth Sunday of the Lent)

March 29, 2003 (Day Twenty Three of Lent Season) &

March 28, 2003 (Day Twenty Two of Lent Season)

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid before the eye of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrew 4:13)

Inspirational story for today:

· “A small boy was in his sand box playing and digging in the sand. He finally struck a rock as he dug in deeper. He kept on digging and found it to be a huge rock that he could barely move. He struggled and fought to get the rock out of the box. With one final effort he used all his strength to get the rock out of the box. All it did was roll back and smashed his fingers. So he just sat there and cried. All of a sudden he felt a big shadow come over him. As he looked up through his tear filled eyes he saw his dad. He explained to his dad that he used everything he had to get the rock out of the box but failed. His dad said, “You did not use everything you had. You did not ask me to help”

· “God knows our every heart cry and our every thought” whether they are good or bad. We can never cover anything from God. One day it will be uncovered. Preparation for the judgment day will give us the life of pure disciples.

March 27, 2003 (Day Twenty One of Lent Season)

“We know that we have come to know the Lord if we obey His commands. The man who says, “ I know Him,” but does not do what He commands is liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys His word, God’s love is truly made complete in him.” (1 John 2:3-5)

Thought for today: Yesterday, we were reading about to “live a life of love.” Let us test our lives today whether we are living in the life of love or “living the lives of liar.” Today’s text simply tells us how to live the life of love. It is based on the obedience to the commands and word of God. Reading, meditating, applying to our situations, and practicing in our lives with the word of God will give us the life of love and truth.

March 26, 2003 (Day Twenty of Lent Season)

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2).

Thought for today: To “live a life of love” is a beautiful thing to hear. But it is a difficult to carry out throughout our lives. It is requirement for all the followers of Jesus Christ. We are imitators of God’s love. If we do not possess the fruits of the Holy Spirit, then we cannot have perfect love because love is the fruit of God’s Spirit.

Prayer for today: Pray God to grant His love into our hearts through His Holy Spirit so that we will be able to love and serve Him with joy.

March 25, 2003 (Day Nineteen of Lent Season)

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22

Thought for today:

· To endure until the end of our live is not the journey to be saved but it is the evidence of our commitment.

· Persistence is not a means to earn eternal live, but the by-product of our devotion.

Prayer for today:

Lord, I base my life on your eternal being. No storm or fire can destroy that which is built upon such an eternal, unshakable foundation.

March 24th 2003 (Day Eighteen of Lent Season)

· “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield.” (Genesis 15:1)

· “You, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12)

· “He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” (Psalm 18:30).

Thought for today: “During this age of terrorism and warfare, we hear a lot about armor, bulletproof vests, and riot shields. One company has developed a “ballistic blanket” that will protest soldiers from pipe bombs and hand grenade fragments.

Have you ever thought of the Lord as your “body armor,” your “ballistic blanket” or your “bullet-proof”? The bible repeatedly speaks of God as our “shield.” Think of Him surrounding you, preserving you, protecting you, defending you, and keeping you.” (Devotional reading from Dr. David Jeremiah’s writings).

March 23, 2003 (Third Sunday of the Lent)

March 22, 2003 (Day Seventeen of Lent Season)

“Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdom of the world, and the glory of them; And said unto him, All these things will I give you, if thou will fall down and worship me. Then said Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve”
(Matthew 4: 8-10)

Thought for today: The power of temptation was over. Satan handed Jesus the globe, and Jesus handed it back. Christ had scored a great victory for human dignity, one soul at a time. Rededicate our lives to worship our God and serve Him only, like Jesus told to Satan.
Prayer for today:

· The spiritual awakening in us and in our church.

· The unity and growth of our church.

· Pray for peace on earth.

March 21, 2003 (Day Sixteen of Lent Season)

“And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:3-4)

Thought for today: Christ rejected the bread of Lucifer. It was not the bread that he rejected so much as self-gratification. If he makes bread out of one stone, he may create wine from the next and so on, till his self-denial is literally swallowed up in gluttony.

Prayer for today: Lord, I am so often guilty of giving my heart too much license. My appetites feed too long on imagination before I order them from my life. I want to love you until I see your face of every possible moment of moral betrayal. In Jesus Name. Amen.

March 20, 2003 (Day Fifteen of Lent season)

"Then the devil taketh him up into the Holy city, and setteth him on pinnacle of the Temple, and said unto him, if thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, it is written again, Thou shall not temp the Lord thy God. (Matt. 4:5-7)

Thought for today: Whenever you are facing temptation, return and meditate to the story of Jesus and Satan in the desert where Jesus was fasting and praying for forty days.

Prayer for today: Lord, there is a correlation between glitz and ego. I know that the temptation to be star in arena of my life has a lot of pitfalls. Maybe it would be best if I learn those limits and spend my life saving values that matter. In Jesus Name. Amen.

March 19, 2003 (Day Fourteen of Lent Season)
“Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the
Spirit He gave us.” (1 John 3:24)
Time to pray: · I hope that you are already on your knees to pray about the situation of war against Iraq.
       We need to pray for the guidance from God to have peace on Earth.
     · Pray for our President and the leaders of US Government.
     · Pray for the troops at front line those who are serving the country and away from their families.
     · Pray also for the security of the country and the families.

March 18, 2003 (Day Thirteen of Lent Season)

“I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.”(1 Corinthians 10:33)
Inspirational story for today: “There were two friends in World War I who were inseparable. They had enlisted together, trained together, were shipped overseas together, and fought side-by-side in the trenches. During an attack, one of the men was critically wounded in a field filled with barbed wire obstacles. He was unable to crawl back to his foxhole. The entire area was under enemy crossfire, and it was suicidal to try to reach him. Yet his friend decided to do just that. The sergeant told him, "It’s too late. You can’t do him any good, and you’ll only get yourself killed." But the man went anyway. He returned a few minutes later, carrying his friend. But he himself had been mortally wounded. The sergeant was both angry and deeply moved. He blurted out, "What a waste! He’s dead and you’re dying. It just wasn’t worth it." With almost his last breath, the dying man replied, "Oh, yes it was, Sarge. When I got to him, the only thing he said was, ’I knew you’d come, Jim.’"

March 17, 2003 (Day Twelve of Lent Season)

“As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)

Thought for today:

· Thank God today for he has chosen you and became “Chosen People.”

· We were chosen not because of our ability, power, wealth, or our practices.

· We became chosen people only by the grace and love of God through faith.

· As chosen people, we must have compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. If you do not have these characteristics of chosen people of God, put on one at a time, start today.

Related texts for today:

	“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10)
	“Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14)
	“A man’s pride bring him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor” (Proverbs 29:23)

March 16, 2003 (Second Sunday of Lent Season)

March 15, 2003 (Day ten of Lent Season)

“Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in His ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.” (Psalm 25:8-9)

Prayer for today: “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an individual heart, that I may fear your name” (Psalm 86:11).

March 14, 2003 (Day nine of Lent Season)

“This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your soul.” (Jeremiah 6:16)

Thought for today: “Opportunities have time limits. We are all aliens on this earth and our alien residence card is fast expiring. Use it while you can....” So, ask God for the good way and walk in it. Let us walk faithfully with Christ on his journey toward Calvary in our lives especially at this Lent season.

March 13, 2003 (Day eight of Lent Season)

“O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below – you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way” (1 Kings 8:23)

Thought for today: Along the way, we may encounter with hardship and trials, temptations and hindrances, which are blocking the way of our final destination. Remember, “there is no God like our God in heaven and on earth” who is with us always on our side. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

Quote for today: Joan of Arc said, when she was abandoned by those who should have stood by her, “It is better to be alone with God. His friendship will not fail me nor His counsel nor His love. In His strength I will dare and dare and dare until I die.”

March 12, 2003 (Day seven of Lent Season)
“Let us go to him outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he endured” (Hebrews 13:13)
Thought for today: On the Australian coat of arms is a picture of a emu and a kangaroo. These animals were chosen because they share a characteristic that appealed to our forefathers. Both the emu and kangaroo can move only forward, not back. The emu’s three-toed foot causes it to fall if it tries to go backwards, and the kangaroo is prevented from moving in reverse by its large tail. Those who truly choose to follow Jesus become like the emu and kangaroo, moving only forward, never back.
Is there anything holding us back from complete loyalty to follow Jesus?

March 11, 2003 (Day six of Lent Season)
“Verily, Verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go unto my Father” (John 14:12)
Thought for today: A quotation by E.B. Meyer gives me new energies to fulfill the vision of my life, my family, and my ministries. I would like to share with you today, it says, “You never test the resources of God until you attempt the impossible.” We have fears and worries to face the difficult tasks. Most people got discouraged to face the future when they saw the rough journey ahead. But we have to remember what God had promised to us, “Is there anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).
Strength for today: Then this scripture text will be meaningful for us; “I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me” (Philippians 4:13)

March 10, 2003 (Day five of Lent Season)
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did not sin, neither guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripe ye were healed.” (1Peter 2:21-24).
Thought for today: Jesus is our model for the journey of Christian life. Are we truly following his footsteps? To take up the cross and follow after him is too hard for most of us. To follow on his steps also is difficult walk for us too. We cannot do these by ourselves. We need help. We will really need help from the Holy Spirit. With the power of the Holy Spirit, everything will be done joyfully and God’s name will be glorified. Meditation on God’s words and prayer will change our lives to be spirit-filled disciples.

March 8, 2003 (Day four of Lent Season)

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all.” (1Timothy 2:5-6).

Thought for today: Just say “Thank you Lord” for so great salvation that we could never earn by ourselves. Then renew commitment to follow after Him daily.

March 7, 2003 (Day three of Lent Season)
“If any man will come and follow after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
Commentary of the text: "When Jesus used this picture of his followers taking up their crosses to follow him, the disciples knew what he meant. Crucifixion was a common Roman method of execution, and condemned criminals had to carry their crosses through the streets to the execution site. Following Jesus, therefore, meant a true commitment, the risk of death, and no turning back.” (From Life Application Bible)
Thought for today: We had made lifetime commitment to follow Jesus as his disciples. Are we denying ourselves or still the kings and lords of ourselves? Are we taking up our crosses or are we laying aside our crosses? Are we following Jesus daily or only Sundays? It is good time to renew our commitments at this Lent season. The union of true disciples will change the world faster then before.

March 6, 2003 (Day two of Lent Season)
Scripture reading: “As they walked along, Peter spoke up boldly: I will never be offended by you Lord. Jesus answered him and said: In this day, even in this night, before the rooster crows three times, you shall deny me. Peter spoke bolder now: I will not deny you, even if I should be killed with you. All the apostles agreed with Peter.” (Mark 14:29-31)
Food for thought: At the beginning of the journey to Jerusalem, Peter made a strong statement to Jesus Christ. He also gave a vigorous response to the Lord. Read the text again and see how strong Peter’s commitment was.
What is our commitment to the journey with Christ?

March 5, 2003 (Ash Wednesday)
Today is the beginning of the Lent season and it is Ash Wednesday. What is “Ash Wednesday”? “Ash Wednesday has its origins in the early Christian Church – somewhere between the sixth and eight centuries. Originally, the idea was that a Christian, as a sign of repentance, would sprinkle ashes on his or her head. In the Bible, ashes were always associated with humility and mortality, fasting and remorse. If you had sinned against God, and you felt remorse about that sin, and you were repenting of that sin, then sometimes, in the Bible, you would sprinkle ashes on your head as a sign of sorrow and repentance. Ashes were supposed to remind you that you were mortal, that you will eventually become ashes after you die. We’re only ashes, and we need to repent of our sins now while God gives us a time of grace. ”Lent season for 2003 starts on March 5 (Ash Wednesday) and ends on April 20 (Easter Sunday). It is a period of 40 days excluding Sundays, because Sundays are the days to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the time to concentrate on the suffering, crucifixion, and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Suggestions for meditation are, fast and prayer, daily scripture reading, helping the needy, witnessing for Christ and so on.
Scripture Reading for today: Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? (Joel 2:12-14) Let’s start our 40 days of meditations on our Lord’s journey by prayer of personal repentances commitment to walk His will.