Regalia

This was the day before Jesus was crucified. He was going to spend time with His close friends, who He had discipled, for almost three years. Now He was going to show them the full extent of His love. He begins by washing their feet like a lowly servant. Mind you, this is the King of the universe. Then He broke the bread and said, "Take, eat, this is My body, which was broken for you." And then, after dinner Jesus took the cup and said, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for the remission of sins." It was a critical moment which was to define the end of the old covenant and the beginning of the new. Why was Jesus eager to eat the Last Supper with His disciples? It was Jesus' last opportunity to tell the apostles the significance of His death which would bring eternal life to many.

Would you like Jesus, be eager to share this good news with those around you?

I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Genesis 49:18 ‘Our LORD, I am waiting for You to save us.’ 

Sometimes, between our prayers and the answer, there is a waiting period. Noah had to wait for the flood to pass. David had to wait until the threat on his life was removed. Joseph had to wait in prison until he was summoned by the pharaoh. Hannah had to wait until God opened her womb and she could conceive. So let us keep on believing, keep on trusting and keep on seeking Jesus while we wait. 

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the

weak. Isaiah 40:29

Even the strongest and the bravest find ourselves broken and weary at some point in life. It isn't so hard to believe and follow Jesus when things are going fine. Often the toughest time to keep our faith vibrant is when we are trying to keep putting one foot in front of the other while not fainting. In those moments of absolute powerlessness, weakness, and brokenness the Lord is often most real.

In the green fields of South India, you will often see oxen that are yoked to a wooden plough, ploughing the fields under the scorching sun. They are often weighed down by the yoke, an exhausting task indeed, even for a strong ox.  

The burdens of life weigh us down and wear us out. Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

- Matthew 11:28-30

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and  I will bring you back to this land, I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:15

Notice, God says “I am with you…” He doesn’t say “I was with you” or “I will be with you,” but “I am with you.”  Yahweh … the great “I am” is with you! 

God not only says “I am with you,” but that, “I will watch over you.”  Psalm 121:7-8 says: The LORD will keep you from all harm -- He will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

He also says, “I will not leave you.” Imagine, the God of the Universe is in you and He accompanies you wherever you go. 

So, even as you go through this new month, remember,

•  The Lord is with you

•  He will watch over you.

•  He will never leave you.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor. ~Romans 12:10

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the desires that battle within you? You want something but you do not get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want.” (James 4: 1-3)

Power struggles are like intentionally hurting your mate. Power struggles are a way of saying:

“I insist on you agreeing with me. I insist that my point of view is right. I know the correct way to do things, and you must do them my way.”

"God will make a way." "Don't worry everything will be alright. " I have been hearing these words of encouragement for far too long. But nothing seems to be changing. I am in the same old dark hole I have been in, for years now. "Lord, have you forgotten me?" Is that your heart-cry?

God has not forgotten you. He says, "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."Isaiah 43:19

Beware of light thoughts of sin. It is sadly true, that even a Christian may grow by degrees so callous, that the sin which once startled him does not alarm him in the least. By degrees men get familiar with sin. Take heed lest you fall by little and little. Sin, a little thing? Is it not a poison? Who knows its deadliness? Do not the little foxes spoil the grapes? Do not little strokes fell lofty oaks? Will not continual droppings wear away stones? Sin, a little thing? It girded the Redeemer's head with thorns, and pierced His heart! It made Him suffer anguish, bitterness, and woe. Look upon all sin as that which crucified the Saviour, and you will see it to be "exceeding sinful."

C H SPURGEON