Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: bible

Holy Wednesday

Encouragement

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭14‬-‭15‬

After a long day of teaching and speaking in the temple on Tuesday, Jesus must have rested on Wednesday. Each evening He and the disciples journeyed to Bethany.

There is not much Scripture referring to events on Wednesday except the fact that Judas conspired with the chief priests and sought opportunity to turn Jesus in to the authorities.

Judas was used by Satan to betray Jesus and he paid the price for it. We know that after Judas did what he did, he went outside the city and hung himself.

Satan still tries to use people to do his work. We must be careful that we are not led astray by Satan. Even the smallest opportunity Satan can get he will try to get you to do evil things. We all must be aware.

We can overcome the devil and his evil schemes by staying rooted and established in a close walk with the Lord. However, we must always be on guard. Satan will seek and devour when we least expect it.

We have the power to overcome the devil and any temptation we face. In the name of Jesus we have all authority to rebuke Satan and temptation. Just call on the name of Jesus.

Pray

Lord, I call on You to guide and protect me today. Keep me from evil and give me strength to overcome the devil. I seek righteousness and holiness today.

Holy Tuesday

Encouragement

Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭12‬:‭42‬-‭44‬

Tuesday was a long day for Jesus. It began with the disciples noticing the Fig tree being dead. They understood the power He had over nature.

After cleansing the temple on Monday Jesus was able to sit and talk with those inside. Many chapters of the gospels account for Tuesday of Passion Week. Jesus spoke many parables, gave the 7 “woes” directed toward the Pharisees, and taught about the kingdom of heaven.

Part of Tuesday’s teaching, Jesus sat and watched how people were giving their money. He noticed the rich putting in according to their abundance but also noticed the widow give all she had. Jesus said she put in more.

Obviously Jesus wasn’t referring to the amount of money she gave but rather He noticed how she gave. The rich give wanting to be noticed but this poor widow gave with faith in God. She trusted God would provide for her.

Widows were not always taken care of by the religious leaders. They would take advantage of them. But this special widow was proof that she put her trust in God.

What does your giving, tithing, or offerings speak about you? Your generosity reflects your view of God. If you fully trust that God will provide then you will have no issues of giving unto the Lord with a cheerful heart.

Pray

Lord, help me to trust You in all circumstances. Teach me to be generous and to look out for the needs of others instead of storing treasures here in earth.

Holy Monday

Encouragement

Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21‬:‭14‬

On Palm Sunday Jesus went into the temple, looked around, shook His head, and went back to Bethany where He stayed for the night.

On Monday Jesus renter Ed the temple but this time He did so with righteous anger. He overturned the money changers’ tables and cleansed the temple. He warned them His Father’s house was to be a house of prayer.

Once the temple was cleared out He began to do His great work. The Scripture says the blind and the lane came to Him to be healed. The mighty power of God worked through the temple.

The house of God should be a place of healing for those who are sick and hurting. It should be a hospital for those who are needing healing. The church should be a place where people go to be restored.

What would it take for the church house to become a place of rescue? If Jesus were to stand before us and speak He would instruct us to have faith in God. He would tell us to have faith and watch what happens.

Does your heart need to be restored or healed? Have you come to Jesus and asked Him to restore your joy and strength? Make today count by bowing before the Lord and asking God to give you what you need.

Pray

Lord, You have everything I need. You are my Healer and my Restorer of all things. In You I have faith. Help me Jesus.