NewHeartCOF

Jesus used the Greek gregoreo to call His disciples to keep watch, 3x's at the end of ch.13 & 3x's in the garden in ch.14. He exhorts us to be aware of the dangers, temptations, & trials before us which can threaten our faith & conduct. We prepare for this awareness through keeping His word in our minds, His followers as spiritual comrades, & His presence ever before us.

Jesus told a parable about a Samaritan who helped a Jewish victim of crime in order to expose the lies of the enemy which seeks to divide us. We CAN be compassionate toward those in need regardless of our differences. It reminds us of our common humanity...a humanity which Jesus came to save & to restore with our God-intended connectedness.

The tearing of the temple veil recorded in the Synoptic gospels reveals God's proclamation that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross fulfilled what He had foreshadowed in His redemptive story from the first days after the fall and through the Mosaic law. Jesus' blood provided the life for life atonement God required to reconcile us to Himself.

Life if full of questions. They can turn us from God or propel us into His presence. Over the season of Lent, we will ask some important questions which will help turn our eyes to the cross of Jesus. The first question comes from Genesis 3, Where are you?

As we experience chaos without and trials within, we engage this war through the Holy Spirit by prayer & praying God's word

Unsheath the sword of God's word to get geared up for the battle before us.

Jesus, our King & High Priest, has redeemed us through His blood and will, in the Father's timing, return to complete this epic redemptive love story of God.

Just as David, Paul, & Silas, we too can offer endless praise to God even in the midst of adversity. He is worthy!

How can we have courage & confidence even in the midst of trials and troubles? David entered into the presence of the Lord. So can we through the blood of Jesus!

David's declaration that we are fearfully and wonderfully made should inspire us to share our stories in a way that will assist others along this journey of life toward a walk with God and offering His praises!