Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” They kept heaping many other insults on him. Luke 22:63-65 And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they … Continue reading »
Posted in March 2012 …
The Fifth Station of the Cross (by Gary Roberts)
Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for … Continue reading »
The Fourth Station of the Cross (by Gary Roberts)
Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. W hen they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and … Continue reading »
The Third Station of the Cross (by Gary Roberts)
When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” He replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer. But from … Continue reading »
The Second Station of the Cross (by Gary Roberts)
While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?” Luke 22:47-48 In Jesus‘ day a kiss was a … Continue reading »
The First Station of the Cross (Gary Roberts)
He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you … Continue reading »
The Stations of the Cross (by Gary Roberts)
He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34 I love the Stations of the Cross – it makes the last days of Jesus life so real. I love looking at and … Continue reading »
Recycled Press
Dear friends, A friend of mine, Ricky Maye, has started a publishing company called Recycled Press. If you have been working on a book or if you would like to contribute to a community book that we are working on called Ordinary Weaklings check out http://www.recycledpress.com. May the Lord bless you all richly today, Len … Continue reading »
Why I Worship (by Gary Roberts)
For he loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever. Psalm 117:2 Every now and then I need a basic reminder of why I worship God. Psalm 117 brings me back to the center of worship. Why should I praise the Lord? Because God’s love for me is unfailing and God’s faithfulness never … Continue reading »
Seize My Heart Lord (by Gary Roberts)
So I’ll seize the hearts of the house of Israel, whose idols have made them all strangers to me. Ezekiel 14:5 Ezekiel 14 begins with a revelation to the prophet concerning the elders of Israel. They have chosen to set up idols rather than to worship God and God alone. Their hearts wandered away from … Continue reading »
The Gift of God (by Gary Roberts)
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 I love giving gifts more than I like receiving gifts – I guess I need to be more of a gracious receiver. That’s what God wants – God wants me to be a … Continue reading »
Compassion In Spite of Sin (by Gary Roberts)
While they were attacking, I was left alone. I fell on my face, and I cried out, “Oh, LORD God! When you pour out your wrath on Jerusalem, will you destroy all that is left of Israel?” Ezekiel 9:8 As far as I’m concerned there is nothing worse than being part of a dysfunctional family … Continue reading »
I Am Content (by Gary Roberts)
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether … Continue reading »
Not to Me Lord but Glory to You (by Gary Roberts)
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1 As you can imagine most preachers want people to like them. I know I do. Most want their congregation to be more positive than negative – for the most part a … Continue reading »
In Prayer Trust God and Do Good (by Gary Roberts)
We should lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven. Lamentations 3:41 My goal for 2012 is to trust God and do good. Someone asked me what it is that enables me to keep on trusting in God’s unfailing love. I’ve pointed to the encouragement I get from Scripture and from my walk … Continue reading »
Satisfaction (by Gary Roberts)
The fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil. Proverbs 19:23 I’ve found that nothing feels better than being satisfied. Satisfaction comes from doing a job well – I did my very best and left the rest to God. When … Continue reading »
Compassion In Spite of Sin (by Gary Roberts)
While they were attacking, I was left alone. I fell on my face, and I cried out, “Oh, LORD God! When you pour out your wrath on Jerusalem, will you destroy all that is left of Israel?” Ezekiel 9:8 As far as I’m concerned there is nothing worse than being part of a dysfunctional family … Continue reading »
Enjoy the Good (by Gary Roberts)
Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. Ecclesiastes 5:18 What family doesn’t have a … Continue reading »
Naked (by D.A. Cobb)
Don’t panic! This is a clean and humorous story. It came from a neighbor who told me this tale about her four year old niece. It was Easter morning and this little sweetheart awoke to find the Easter bunny had left a beautiful basket filled with the traditional jelly beans and other mouth watering treats. … Continue reading »
Faith In Action (by Gary Roberts)
No unbelief or distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God. Romans 4:20 Words of faith along with prayers of faith make for works of faith and this will keep one active and filled with new life. … Continue reading »
Feeling Loved (by Gary Roberts)
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. … Continue reading »
Intentional Living (by Gary Roberts)
I appeal to you … by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Romans 12:1 One of the things I love about my computer is spell check. I used to be not a very good speller but over the years I’ve gotten a lot better … Continue reading »
God Does Glorious Things (by Gary Roberts)
Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Isaiah 12:5 I knew of a doctor in his late 80’s who still went to the office every day. He loved what he did even though his friends and family tried to get him to retire. He … Continue reading »
To Know Jesus (by Gary Roberts)
Jesus went away with his followers to the lake. Many people from Galilee followed him. Many, many people also came … from the area across the Jordan River … These people came because they heard about all the things Jesus was doing. Mark 3:7-8 I don’t know a time in my life when I didn’t … Continue reading »
