Ellenwood Oaks Community Church

PAUSE. Dear Rescued One, pause for a moment, something too fantastic to invent, something so incredibly God. The Creator of All in the womb of a woman, conceived by the Holy Spirit. The King of kings, Lord of lords, Almighty God was born of a woman, laid in a manger, walked in our shoes, lived a perfect life, and died in our place. He overcame sin, death, and despair and in exchange gave us His righteousness,... His hope, and His grace. Let us be humbled by this amazing love and mercy in light of our terrible sin and rebellion. Let us be compelled by this amazing compassion in view of our tremendous weakness and frailty. PONDER. TAKE THE TRUTH TO HEART Moment by moment may we thank Jesus for Calvary. May we love Him with of our lives exalting Him above all. May we be more than willing to put our flesh to death and live for Him. In deepness of gratitude may we joyfully and faithfully fix our eyes upon Him and pick up and carry our cross in the power of His grace. As a result, may others see their Savior, look to Calvary's cross for their redemption, and receive His righteousness, His hope, and His grace! PRAY. Lord Jesus, I thank you for dying for us for taking our sin and the penalty it deserved so that we might live.I praise you for your great mercy and your wonderful, extravagant grace! Where would I be without you? Help me live each day with this in mind. Help me be full of grace and gratitude. In your name I pray, Amen

w/ Pastor Steve

Wednesday of Holy Week PAUSE. Judas was a man who followed Jesus, went to synagogue, gave alms, and said his prayers, but in the end his heart betrayed him. Jesus asked him would he betray the Son of Man with a kiss?... Charles Spurgeon wrote: "Let me be on my guard when the world puts on a loving face, for it will, if possible, betray me as it did my Master, with a kiss. Whenever a man is about to stab religion, he usually professes very great reverence for it. Let me beware of the sleek-faced hypocrisy which is armor-bearer to heresy and infidelity. Knowing the deceitfulness of unrighteousness, let me be wise as a serpent to detect and avoid the designs of the enemy. The young man, void of understanding, was led astray by the kiss of the strange woman: may my soul be so graciously instructed." We don't want to be found guilty of the sin of Judas. If we have been baptized into the name of Jesus, is He our Lord? If we say that we are a follower of His, are we following Him? If we say that we believe the Word of God is our authority, do we obey it? If we say we love Him, we don't want to betray Him. We don't want to betray our Master with a kiss. Let me ask you this. Do you love Him? How do you act upon that love? Even a child is known by the choices he makes, how he behaves, and what comes from his mouth. (Proverbs 20:11). Do you worship the Lord on Sunday and then disregard His commands on Monday? Do you keep your tongue from gossip? Do you keep yourself pure? Do you honor the Lord with your first fruits? Do you speak the truth? Do you keep your word? If we love Jesus we will honor and obey Him. We do not want to deceive ourselves. PONDER. TAKE THE TRUTH TO HEART Are any of us religious but not rescued from the fires of hell? Are any of us religious but not a true friend of Christ? Do we know of anyone who thinks that they are a Christian because they go to church, say their prayers, participate in communion, confess their sins, or do good deeds? Are you convinced you are devoted because of your outward devotion? Don't let your heart deceive you. Don't be fooled by your feelings. Be careful. Take time to pause, ponder, and pray. The Lord loves you and doesn't want you to be deceived. This is holy week. It can be a very special time in your relationship with the Lord. Take extra time in His Word. Pray and fast for holiness for yourself and those you love. Pray that you would love the Lord with your all. Ask the Lord for His mercy and His grace. Ask Him for the strength to be obedient to whatever He may ask of you. Ask the Lord for His grace to help you to be found fully faithful. PRAY. Lord, please produce in me true holiness of heart. Give me a persevering and abiding faith. I want to walk so nearly and so closely with you. Never let me betray you. I do love you, Jesus. Help me love you more. It is in your name I pray, Amen

Reminded me of yesterday’s sermon about the importance of prayer - the work that prepares the soil.