Good morning, Lord Jesus. Good Shepherd, let me hear Your voice in my spirit, as I begin my day in the deep communion of contemplative prayer with You--embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit.
"Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked Him, 'Are You the King of the Jews?' Jesus answered, 'Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about Me?' Pilate replied, 'I am not a Jew, am I? You own nation and the chief priests have handed You over to me. What have You done? Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not from this world. If My kingdom were from this world, My followers would be fighting to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, My kingdom is not from here.' Pilate asked Him, 'So You are a king?' Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice'" (John 18:33-37).
Lord Jesus, Your kingdom is not of this world. Yours is the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God. Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. All authority in heaven and on earth has been give to You (Matthew 28:18). And Your name is "the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11). You are "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16). You reign forever and ever, "and of (Your) kingdom there shall be no end" (Luke 1:33 fulfilling Isaiah 9:7).
Today is the first of 3 days of remembrance that are at the heart of the Christian faith: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. We remember complete obedience, self-sacrice and suffering of love that demands all humanity to drop to its knees before You in praise. So King of kings, be King of my heart. Lord of lords, be Lord of my life. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, here in me and my domain, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). I claim you as my King this morning. King Jesus, come take Your throne of authority and power, of majesty and glory, in every area and every moment of my life. Come rule and reign in me, as I bow my knees and my heart, as I confess with my mouth and my actions that You are Lord to the glory of my Father. "Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all!" (Acts 10:36) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My Family, I pray you experience all the authority and power, the majesty and glory, of the One who is the King of kings and Lord of lords, the One who is the King of the kingdom of God and the Lord of all, in every area and every moment of your life, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!
Please share your reflections as well in the comment box below. Thank you!
I really want to encourage all of you to prioritize and set aside time to attend Holy Week services this week at your church. Whatever you do weekly on these evenings will be there next week. Don’t skip over to Easter. If your church does not have these services, seek out and visit another church for tonights and tomorrows services.
If you are in the Madison/Huntsville area, and your church does not have Holy Week services of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, here is the list of services I will be leading and ALL our welcomed! For questions or more information please email me at garyl@onedirection.community. Or post it in comments box below.
Thursday, April 6, 6:30pm-8:00pm: Maundy Thursday Service: Maundy” comes from the Latin word “mandatum” meaning mandate or commandment. On his last night before his betrayal and arrest, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples In John’s Gospel and then gave them a new commandment to love one another as he had loved them (John 13:34). He instituted the Lord’s Supper in Mark, Matthew and Luke and the commandment to “Do this in remembrance of me.” Jesus in John’s Gospel also instituted the washing of feet. Service will be held at 135 Harpers Hop Drive, Madison Al.
Friday, April 7, 6:00pm-7:30pm, Good Friday Service: This service remembers God’s loving and redeeming the world through the passion and the saving works of the cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Gathering will be held outdoors at Indian Creek Greenway located in Creekwood Park off Slaughter Road in Madison just north of the Farrow Rd / Slaughter Rd intersection. 392 Harvest Wood Ct.Huntsville, AL 35806. We will be outside so dress appropriately for the weather that evening.
I could use your financial support for One Direction Community, my family, and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please commitment to partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.