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Michelle Gaddi 10/2/23 Michelle Gaddi 10/2/23

Matthew 28 - 10.2.23

Scripture

Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT

“Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.”

Observation

After Jesus’ death, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to visit the tomb where Jesus’ body was. It was then they were met by an angel of the Lord, who rolled the huge stone aside from the tomb, and told them that Jesus isn’t there anymore. He is risen! Just like He said He would.

Application

What does Jesus conquering death mean to me? 🤔

“I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”-Revelation‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬

Jesus’ death and resurrection is the the whole foundation of Christianity and my faith as a believer in Christ. I mean, if Jesus didn’t die on the cross, and rise again, then we all would still be dead in our sins.

“And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.”-1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭

But we know from this passage that Jesus DID rise again! He did exactly what He said He would do. It just shows me that Jesus is trustworthy. He is faithful to do what He says and promises. Meaning, for those of us who put our faith in Jesus, we too are forgiven from our sins. We too will conquer death. We too will spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”-John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭

So I want to encourage anyone out there who may be struggling with their faith and having doubts. Take heart! Jesus died for you and me. He rose again! Know that your faith isn’t for nothing. If we are willing to continue to fight and push through these tough times, Jesus has better things in store for all who endure for His name’s sake.

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”-1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭55‬-‭58‬ ‭‬‬

Prayer

Father God, thank You for giving me my faith in Jesus. Thank You for being faithful to Your Word. Thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. Thank You for raising Him from the grave, giving all who believe, that same hope that we too will conquer death and be reunited with other believers, having fellowship with You in Heaven. I pray that whenever I have struggles and doubts, that I remember Your promises, and stay strong to stay the course. May Your Word always remind me why I do the things I do, and why I believe what I believe. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi

Matthew 27 - 9.29.2023

Scripture - Pick one verse that stood out to you.

Matthew 27:51-53

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

Observation - What about this verse stands out to you?

As I get older my body seems to react more to the events which led up to the death of Jesus Christ. I was reading this morning and I felt my gut and teeth clenching as if in response. Just trying to imagine any human being enduring what Jesus had to go through is enough to make me feel weak but when I read verses 51 to 53 all weakness fled from me and I could only think, ”That is so incredible!”

Application - How will you apply this to your life?

I feel like God was trying to teach me this morning and remind me that when the Lord went through what He went through (I almost don’t like to say crucifixion because it makes me feel so weird)…some truly fantastic and amazing stuff happened as a result – like Him triumphing over sin and death, the veil being torn between us and the Father, the temple now residing in us, as well as a mass resurrection that very same day!

Prayer - Write out a prayer.

Lord, I feel like you highlighted this verse for me today for a reason. May I never forget all that You accomplished, while I read about all that you had to endure to achieve it. I am so grateful that you are more than a Savior, but that you are also a loving Father, and Teacher as well. Help me to continue to chew on this word today. I praise you and I worship you. In the name of Jesus! Amen.

-kenneth lee

Matthew 26 - 9.28.23

Scripture

Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭39‬ ‭NLT

“He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Observation

The night Jesus was going to be betrayed by Judas, Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him to the olive grove called Gethsemane. Jesus tells them to keep watch while He goes somewhere to pray. It is then the human sides of Jesus cries out to God. Jesus was distressed of His future fate that awaited Him. He knew the physical brutality that His body was going to take. He was so stressed, Scripture said, that Jesus was sweating droplets of blood.

“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭44‬ ‭

It was then that Jesus asked his Heavenly Father if it was possible to take away this HUGE responsibility that was weighing on him, and lift it from His shoulders. But at the end of Jesus’ prayer, Jesus shows us His great example by putting God’s ways over His own by saying, “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Application

Prayer is about us bending to God’s will, and not God bending to ours.

We are all guilty of it. When we pray and ask God for something, and if our prayer requests aren’t met, we may get mad at God for not getting our way. We may take it as a snub, that God is mad at me. We will allow it to ruin our relationship with Him because we can get so hurt because God doesn’t give us what we want, that we turn away from Him. Sounds kind of childish right?

Now imagine if Jesus acted that way. You think he wanted to get chained, flogged, beaten, and crucified (especially when he was completely innocent and sinless)? What if Jesus decided to say, you know what God, I think what You are asking me to do is unreasonable right now, I think I’m just going to sit this one out. Imagine if that played out. This world will still be dead in our sins. This world will still be in desperate need of a savior.

But thankfully Jesus didn’t act like that. Instead Jesus was humble enough to submit to the Father’s will. He set the example for us by putting aside his needs for the needs of others. His love for this world kept him on that cross so he could fulfill God’s purpose. He was the sacrifice that God needed him to be. And at the end of it all, by putting God’s ways above his own, Jesus was glorified at the right hand of the Father in Heaven, God’s perfect will was fulfilled, and it allowed the world to be saved from their sins.

So the next time I find myself in need, praying for something, I am reminded today of Jesus’ example for us, and will end my prayer with, “not my will, but Your will be done in my life Lord.” Because I know His ways are above my ways. And I know His ways are perfect.