Author: lhbcmoody

The Easter Two-Step: Proving the Resurrection (audio w/slides)

On By lhbcmoodyIn Easter, History, Wednesday Evening

On Wednesday, April 8th, we took a brief look at the historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus and how it demonstrates the truth of the resurrection in 2 easy steps.

The quality of the video from Wednesday’s lesson was less-than-desirable. This video puts the audio from the presentation with the presentation slides on screen in stead of the choppy, grainy video.

 

Honoring Christ (Holy Week Devotionals, Saturday)

On By lhbcmoodyIn Easter1 Comment

 

Scripture: John 19:38-42

“38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.”

 

Reflections:

  • Praise God that He is capable of reaching the hearts and minds of people who we often would never think would believe in and honor Him.
  • In what ways do you presently honor Christ in your life? What could you do differently to honor Him more?

New Life in Christ (Holy Week Devotionals, Resurrection Sunday)

On By lhbcmoodyIn Easter1 Comment

 

Scriptures:

  • Romans 6:1-11, ““What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

  • Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

 

Reflections:

  • One of the most certain facts of life is that mankind has within us the potential for truly dark deed, from the smallest to the greatest, and yet God gives us mercy and grace, and a chance to leave behind a life marked by pride and sin.
  • Sadly many of us who have been given a new life in Christ will return to our old life’s ways of thinking and behaving. What are some ways that you need to leave behind the old life, and walk in the new life which you have been given?

No Greater Love (Holy Week Devotionals, Good Friday)

On By lhbcmoodyIn Easter

 

Scriptures: 

  • John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
  • Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Reflections:

  • What are the things in life that stir your affections for Christ, and help you to see more clearly the great love which God has shown for you? Music? Friends? Church? Art? Nature?
  • And how can you do to make those things a bigger part of your life and stir those affections so that you can return the love which God has so graciously given us?

Seeking Gods Will (Holy Week Devotionals, Thursday)

On By lhbcmoodyIn Easter

 

Scripture: Luke 22:39-44

 39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

 

Reflections:

  • How amazing is it to think that Jesus knowingly, willing went to cross, enduring the shame and humiliation and scorn, for you and I?
  • Christ, who is our example of holy living, faced even with the horror of the cross submitted His will to The Father. In what ways do you still seek to have our own will done rather than God’s?

Making Time for Rest (Holy Week Devotionals, Wednesday)

On By lhbcmoodyIn Uncategorized

 

Scripture: 

Luke 9:1-2,10, “Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. … 10 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.

 

Reflections:

  • Think of all the wonderful and amazing blessing that God has given in this life? All the wonders of nature, relationships, and different abilities that we have.
  • What are some ways that you can slow down and get the rest that you need and praise God for (and enjoy) the many blessings He has given?

Asking the Right Question (Holy Week Devotionals, Tuesday)

On By lhbcmoodyIn Uncategorized

 

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-46

“15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. 16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. 17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the tax money.”

So they brought Him a denarius. 20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”

21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.

23 The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, 24 saying: “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 25 Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. 27 Last of all the woman died also. 28 Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.”

29 Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. 31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” 33 And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.

34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?”

They said to Him, “The Son of David.”

43 He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying: 44 ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool” ’? 45 If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?” 46 And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.

 

Reflections: 

  • Despite our questions and doubts and excuse-making, Jesus still offers us grace and patience as we wrestle through issues and seek answers.
  • What secondary issues or questions do you allow to influence how you think about the main question, “Who is Jesus Christ?”