Prepare For Life

On this Maundy Thursday, let us remember that our journey of faith is not one of earning God's love through acts of righteousness but of receiving His unmerited favor with open hands and a grateful heart. Let us kneel at the feet of Jesus, allowing Him to wash us clean to serve us in His love so that we might rise and do likewise for the world around us.In the quiet reflections of this Holy Week, may we hear His gentle whisper, beckoning us to lay down our crowns at the foot of the cross, to embrace the beauty of humility, and to walk in the fullness of His grace and truth. For in His service, we find true freedom, and in His sacrifice, we discover the depth of love unfathomable.

Join us as we explore Luke 19:28-40, which captures the moment of Jesus's triumphant yet humble entry into Jerusalem. This journey challenges us to shift our perspective from what we expect Jesus to be to embracing the path He has chosen for us. It's a reminder that His way may not align with our desires or expectations, but it is always exactly what we need. Together, let's commit to following in Jesus's footsteps—prioritizing service over our significance and drawing strength from His example of humility.

As Jesus approached His most challenging moment—the path to the cross—He confronted the shame and bore the unbearable, carrying the weight of humanity's sins. Nonetheless, a profound joy ahead inspired His steps: the joy of liberating the bound, ensuring our redemption, and, most importantly, celebrating victory with His Father. We encourage you to join us in contemplating the strength of persistent love and the assurance of joy that overcomes sorrow.

In this enlightening episode, we delve into one of the most profound events in the New Testament: The Transfiguration of Jesus. As described in Matthew 17:1-9, we witness an extraordinary moment where Jesus reveals His divine glory to Peter, James, and John atop a high mountain. This event not only emphasizes the majesty of Christ but also offers us incredible insights into the nature of God's glory and how it transforms us.

Today's podcast delves into the heartwarming Parable of the Prodigal Son, exploring themes of repentance, forgiveness, and the boundless love of our heavenly Father. Set against the backdrop of Lent, underscoring the compassion and patience of a Father who eagerly awaits the return of those who have wandered off. We unravel the profound truths in this parable—free will's role in our spiritual journey, the pivotal moment of coming to our senses, and the joyous reconciliation that follows true repentance. Whether you've strayed far or need a reminder of God's unfailing love, "Rediscovering God's Unfailing Love" invites you on a transformative journey back into the arms of the Father, who celebrates every soul reclaimed from the shadows. Join us as we explore the essence of being lost and found and the endless grace awaiting all who turn back home.

In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 Jesus describes life in His coming kingdom juxtaposed against life in this present world. Jesus gives us practical application for how to put His word into our lives. He encourages us to get our lives cleaned up and whole heartedly live in a way that pleases God in everything we do. In short He urges us to live for the age to come. 

In this week's devotional, we are exploring the powerful model of Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness, as depicted in Matthew 4:4-11. Join us as we delve into the temptations faced by Jesus, his steadfast faith, and how we can apply these lessons to our own lives. Let's learn together to submit to God, resist the devil, and draw nearer to God during this Lenten season.

It is very appropriate that this year, Ash Wednesday falls on February 14, the day we celebrate Valentine's Day. Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love. Lent is a time to reflect upon the ultimate love of God, who sent His son to die for us so that we could be reconciled to enter into a relationship with Him. The dual significance of Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday underscores the greatest love the world has ever known. As you participate in the daily devotions, may your heart be drawn closer to the essence of divine love and the call to live out his love in our broken world.

As we enter the year 2024, I want to share with you the words that have been placed on my heart. The first word is "steadfast" - a reminder to stay firmly fixed, constant, and resolute in our pursuit of following the Lord. The second word is "shield" - a symbol of God's protection, covering us from danger and securing us from harm.In this new year, my prayer for each and every one of you is to have a steady and steadfast spirit. May you be firmly fixed on following the Lord, walking with constancy and resolution. Just like the wise man who built his house on the rock, let us listen to the words of Jesus, heed them, and allow them to shape our lives. By doing so, we will stand strong amidst the storms of life and remain unshaken.I also want to remind you that the Lord is our shield. He surrounds us and defends us, covering us from the assaults of the enemy. Psalm 3 says that He is our glory and the lifter of our heads. So, as we embark on this new year, let us trust in His protection. May He surround us from a

In a world filled with endless needs and demands, figuring out how to make a meaningful impact can often feel daunting. However, as we journey through Tabitha's narrative, we'll uncover a valuable lesson about leveraging what we have to make a difference.Tabitha is remembered for her acts of kindness and charity and the tunics she sewed for those in need. Her life illustrates that our contributions, regardless of their size, can significantly influence others. Whether it's through sewing like Tabitha or writing uplifting notes like my dear friend, each one of us possesses unique gifts we can use to serve and elevate those around us.

"Paul, The Hidden Years" delves into the lesser-known period of Apostle Paul's life, following his profound conversion on the road to Damascus. Despite his extensive knowledge of Jewish scriptures, fluency in Greek, Roman citizenship, and brilliant intellect, God decided that Paul was not yet ready to embark on his mission to spread the Gospel. Instead, Paul underwent a transformative 14-year journey marked by solitude, learning, and trials. From his spiritual 'bootcamp' in Arabia to his dramatic escape from Damascus, from his cold reception in Jerusalem to his return home to Tarsus, these years were instrumental in molding Paul's character and deepening his relationship with God. This formative period, often overlooked in traditional narratives, is crucial in understanding Paul's subsequent impact as one of Christianity's most influential figures.

This podcast encourages believers to tune their spiritual ears to hear God's voice, offering insights into practices that nurture an intimate connection with Christ. Join us as we unlock the mysteries of prophecy and divine guidance in our modern faith journey.

Whether you're new to the faith or a seasoned believer, "The Beautiful Feet of Philip" promises to enrich your understanding of evangelism, inspire you with Philip's unwavering faith, and challenge you to step out in your own journey of sharing the Gospel. Tune in, and let's follow in the footsteps of Philip together!

Peter's story teaches us that we need to lean on God, not ourselves. It reminds us of the importance of saying sorry, accepting forgiveness, and embracing the restoration that comes from it. And it shows us that amazing transformation can happen when we let the Holy Spirit into our lives. Isn't that just something to shout about?

Luke, a devoted follower of Paul and a physician by profession played a critical role in the early church despite never meeting Jesus during his earthly life. His enduring legacy lies in his significant contribution to the New Testament, where he penned the longest of the four Gospels and the book of Acts. Through meticulous research and thorough verification of facts, Luke provided us with an accurate and sequential account of Jesus' life, the resurrection, and the birth and growth of the church. Go Deeper into the life of Luke at our website. www.prepareforlifebiblestudy.com/luke

May you have a wonderful 2023 as you carry the lessons learned from my sink cabinet into your new year. 

The Day of Atonement, also called Yom Kippur, is perhaps the highest holiest day of the year on the Jewish calendar. The protocols for the day were set up by God some 3500 years ago in Leviticus 16. The day was to be a solemn Sabbath day of fasting. It was a call to repentance and cleansing from sin committed in the past year. Atonement means reconciliation. Yom means day in Hebrew and Kippur comes from the root word that means cover. Listen and learn more.

The final culmination of the seven feasts set up by God some 3500 years ago is the Feast of Tabernacles. The Hebrew word for tabernacle, booth or hut is Sukkot. It is also called the Feast of Ingathering since it marks the harvest of the fall crops. This year this feast will be celebrated from the evening of October 9th to the evening of October 16th.

I admit it. I feel sorry for the Feast of the Unleavened Bread. This feast doesn’t get much individual attention even though it is one of the seven feasts established by God some 3500 years ago. In the books I have read on the feasts, it rarely gets the mention I believe it deserves. Even in the Bible, the Feast of Unleavened Bread only receives short references and these are often coupled with the Feast of Passover. I want to give the Feast of Unleavened Bread some much deserved time and focus.

I want to focus on the first of the fall feasts, Rosh Hashanah which literally means head of the year. It is also called the Feast of Trumpets and is always celebrated in the fall in September/October. This is the only feast celebrated on a new moon, which obviously we cannot see, so this feast is shrouded in mystery. In ancient times two witnesses who independently saw the outline of the new moon reported this separately to the Sanhedrin. Once the new moon was confirmed the Sanhedrin officially announced the beginning of Rosh Hashanah. Runners were sent out to light bonfires on hilltops. With this signal the word went out to the world that Rosh Hashanah had begun. The feast was celebrated over two days so that those who lagged behind learning of that Rosh Hashanah had begun would not miss the feast. It came to be called the Hidden Day, the Day of Concealment or One Long Day.