Matthew

Day 36 Jesus: Walks in the Spirit 

Mat 14:14-18 And he went out, and he saw a large crowd, and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. 15 Now when evening had come, the disciples came to him, saying, “This place is desolate, and the hour is already late. Send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food.” 16 But he said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 And they told him, “We only have here five loaves and two fish.” 18 So he said, “Bring them here to me.”

Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus has love and compassion for us.   It’s not all ” spiritual,” but He cares for our body, soul, and spirit.  He cares about all our needs.  Now, the Apostles brought to Jesus a need.  Their only logical solution was to send them away.  The Apostles couldn’t meet their needs.  The Apostles were walking after the flesh.  They could only believe what they could see and do in the flesh by their own human resources. 

Dear Jesus!  You showed us that nothing is impossible with God.  Nothing is impossible to those who believe.  You didn’t walk after the flesh.  You would ignore what the flesh was saying.  You walked after the Spirit.  You knew that You could feed the hungry because You saw in the Word.   Pro 10:21  The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

When we follow You,  we also must walk in the Spirit.  See the answer not by our own abilities but by the Word of God.   To all the unrest throughout the world, we declare Shalom/ Peace on earth and goodwill to all in Jesus’s name, Amen.   Shalom 2U 

Day 37 Keep looking at Jesus 

Mat 14:26-33 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It’s a ghost.” and they screamed with fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying “Cheer up. It is I. Do not be afraid.” 28 Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.” 29 He said, “Come.” Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the water and went toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he yelled, saying, “Lord, save me.” 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got up into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “You are truly the Son of God.”

It looks like another example of “Walking in the Spirit ” and ” Walking in the flesh.”  Jesus appears to the Apostles walking on the water.  This can only be done by walking in the Spirit.  The Apostles are fearful because they are walking in the flesh.   They allowed what their flesh told them instead of what God’s Word says.  Peter has a moment of faith, but the moment he took his eyes off of Jesus, he was back in the flesh. 

Dear Jesus!  You are the author and finisher of our faith.  The more we see You, the more our faith grows.  The more we meditate on Your Words,  the more we grow in faith.  Today’s service was all about faith in You.  We thank You for all that are preaching faith.  Without faith, it is impossible to please God.  We pray that You continue to send more workers into Your Vineyard, filled with the knowledge and grace of God.    II Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, In Jesus’s name Amen.   Shalom 2U

Day 38 Out of the Mouth

Mat 15:12-20 Then the disciples came, and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 But he answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted. 14 Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15 And answering, Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” 16 So he said, “Do you also still not understand? 17 Do you not understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly, and then out of the body? 18 But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the person. 19 For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile the person; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the person.”

Back then, in the Old Testament and even today,  we hear a lot about the Law.  Jesus rebuked them for their strict interpretation of the Law.  He emphasizes the importance of what comes out of one’s mouth. One’s heart is most important.  Jesus didn’t condemn those that were breaking the Law.  He didn’t condone it either.  He brought salvation and deliverance to the sinner.  

Dear Jesus!  We thank You for Your Good News and those who preach the Gospel.   Many of us were beating down under the Law,  trying to save ourselves.  When we heard Your Good News, we were set free and by Your grace enabled to live righteously.  You said that it’s important what comes out of our mouths.  We shall continue to pray for the lost and declare Your Good News to them.   The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.  Shalom/Peace to all in Jesus’s name, Amen.   Shalom 2U 

Day 39 Don’t give up 

Mat 15:22-28  And look, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders and started shouting, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David. My daughter is severely demonized.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. His disciples came and pleaded with him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting at us.” 24 But he answered, “I was not sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 But she said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith. Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.

Jesus is now approached by a non-Jew, a Gentile.  It seems that He isn’t interested in Gentiles, but He is only testing her faith.  Even though Jesus was tough on her, her faith would not quit.  In the end,  her daughter was delivered, and Jesus commented on her great faith.  Note:  Daughter:demon possessed. 

Dear Jesus!   There are many that have heard about You but just can’t believe that You would care about their needs.   Sometimes,  we have to be at the end of trying all the things that we have tried before coming to You.  We thank You for Your Word that is continually going out.  Your Word goes out, calling on all to hear and come to You.   Once again, we call forth Your Word that many would come to You and be made whole.  Acts 16:31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”   II Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In Jesus’s name, Amen.  Shalom 2U 

Day 40 Grace and Truth 

Mat 16:6-12 Jesus said to them, “Watch out and guard yourselves against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “Because we took no bread.” 8 But Jesus, becoming aware of this, said, “You of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand, or remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up? 10 Nor the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up? 11 Why is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Jesus speaks to the Apostles of having little faith.  You would think that after seeing so many signs and wonders, they would have great faith.  There is too much teaching about what we have to do and not enough about believing what Jesus has already done for us.  It all sounds good, but if Jesus and Grace are left out,  it’s not the full Gospel. 

Dear Jesus!  Moses brought the law, but You came with Grace and Truth.  John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.   It’s all about believing all the wonderful things that You did for us by Your sacrifice on the cross.   We shall continue to declare that we are righteous in You.  We are a New Creation in You.  We are a child of God by faith in You.  It’s nothing that we did but just believe in You.  We pray for those who are still working to become righteous.   The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus’s name, Amen.  II Corinthians 13:14.  Shalom 2U 

Day 41 Jesus: The Son of God 

Mat 16:15-19  He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this Rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. 19 I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Peter answered Jesus’ question by revelation by the Holy Spirit.  This is waking in the Spirit, not in the flesh.  Jesus tells him that flesh and blood did not reveal it to him but our Father in heaven. 

“Upon this Rock ” is very controversial.  I believe that it is talking about Jesus is the Son of the living God.  This has to be the foundation of our faith. 

Every time we lead someone to believe in Jesus as their Savior,  their sins are forgiven. 

Dear Jesus! Again, we thank You for those who are declaring Your Good News.  For me, it was hearing the Gospel of Grace from Pastor Joseph Prince.  I know that You have raised many more.  Because You are the Son of God, the Savior of the world, You have redeemed us from all our sins.  You have set us free!  We pray for those who need Your Salvation.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus’s name, Amen.  II Corinthians 13:14  Shalom 2U 

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, I Timothy 2:5 

Day  42 Die to self, give your life to Jesus 

Mat 16:21-25  From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord. This will never be done to you.” 23 But he turned, and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan. You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God but on the things of humans.” 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it. 

Now, in the previous verses, Jesus praised Peter because he stated what God had revealed to him.  Now Jesus is condemning Peter’s words.  Peter is listening to Satan. He is walking in the flesh.  He reasons with his mind and is focused on things below instead of above.  When we reason things with our minds, we are open to hearing from Satan.  

The next thing that comes up is to deny ourselves.  Logically,  with our minds, one would think about giving up something to make us more righteous.  God wants us to die to our own self efforts, which leads to self-righteousness.  Dying to self is receiving Jesus and all that He has for us, His grace by faith.  Jesus gets all the glory. 

Dear Jesus!  You are the Savior of the world.  You are the Bread of Life and the Light of the world.  We die to our own self efforts and abide in You so that we can receive the grace to become more like You.  The world’s way is by our own self efforts.  ” You can do it “, This is the voice of Satan.  Instead we hear and believe Your voice: Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Jesus, there are many still trying by their own strength to be like You.  We pray that they receive Your grace:    The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus’s name Amen.  II Corinthians 13:14   Shalom 2U 

Day 43 Jesus: God’s Beloved Son

Mat 17:1-5 After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. 2 He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. 3 And look, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him. 4 Peter answered, and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let us make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, look, a bright cloud overshadowed them. And look, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”

At the end of the last chapter,  Jesus tells them that some present would not die until they saw the Kingdom of God.  This is what is happening now.  Jesus is transfigured from the Son of man into the Son of God.  This is confirmed when God’s voice says, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.   

Dear Jesus!  You were always the Father’s beloved Son.  He was always pleased with You. You and the Father are one.  You were now going to do what pleases Him, no matter what the cost.  The Father wanted a family, but Satan corrupted those plans.  So, you became the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.  Now, all that believe in You can become a child of God.  John 1:12‭-‬13 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

We pray for those who need to receive You and become a child of God.   The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus’s name, Amen. II      Shalom 2U 

Day 44 Faith in Jesus 

Mat 17:16-20 So I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him.” 17 Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation. How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked him, the demon went out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?” 20 So he said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” 

Now we hear about someone who needs healing, but the Apostles couldn’t heal them.  This happens often in our lives.  You would think that the Apostles would have enough faith, but they didn’t.  Jesus makes it sound so simple; just a little faith as a grain of mustard seed, and it would be done.  

Dear Jesus!  We believe that all Your great and precious promises are Yes and Amen.  You are the author and finisher of our faith, and so we will continue to grow in faith through You.  We will continue to fight the good fight of faith.   Thank You for our helper, the Holy Spirit.  We pray for that gift of Faith to come upon us so that we can declare Your Word in faith.   Help us, Holy Spirit, as we pray for those in need.   The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.   We command that the blind see, deaf hear, lame walk, unclean be made clean, and the captives set free in Jesus’s name, Amen.  Shalom 2U 

Day 45 God’s Children 

Mat 18:1-7 In that hour, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child to himself, and set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea. 7 “Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks. For there will always be something to cause people to stumble, but woe to the person through whom the stumbling block comes. 

God is the Supreme Father.  He longs to have a family after His image and likeness.  Jesus was the first that came from the Father.  John 3:16  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

The Father and the Son wanted a large family, and so God created Adam and formed Eve to start a family.  Unfortunately, Adam and Eve weren’t like little children.  They failed to believe that the Father had their best interests.  This is what our Father is looking for; children that will have complete trust in Him.  Those who show God’s love for children will be honored, and those who lead children away from God will suffer judgment. 

Dear Jesus!  It’s no wonder that our Father is so proud of You.  You constantly declared the Father’s love for us.  Like the Father, You gave Your best, You gave Your life so that we could become a child of God.  Many children are being led astray by those in the kingdom of darkness.  Your Kingdom reigns, and You are raising many to declare the Father’s love.   

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus’s name, Amen.  II Corinthians 13:14. Shalom 2U 

Day 46 Set the captives free 

Mat 18:18-22  Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you lose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 Again, truly I tell you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” 21 Then Peter came to him and said, “Lord, how often can my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not tell you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 

The Apostles are given authority to bind and lose.  The Church, the Body of Christ, is giving authority also.  1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

This “Holy Nation ” is a spiritual nation.  It is the Kingdom of God.  In it,we all have the authority to bind and lose.  As kings, we should be binding the kingdom of darkness.  There are people in the kingdom of darkness who are praying for evil things to happen.  It doesn’t make sense, but that is why so many bad things happen that don’t make sense.  We have to bind the spirit, but as priests lose the person.  Set the captives free.   God wants everyone to be saved.  Keep praying for the sinner but come against the evil spirit.  For example,  there seems to be a profound spirit of lust.  As soon as we allow people to print anything that they want, the world of lust has increased.  Many children of God have been caught in it.  The results are many: rape, murder, incest, slavery for sex, divorce, etc.   At the end of each devotional,  we pray for the loss.  I believe that God is raising up many groups to do the same.  The more this happens,  the less darkness and more light will shine on the earth. 

Dear Jesus!  You went about praising the goodness of God.  How He wants all to be saved.  Your sacrifice enables all to be redeemed, all to be saved.  You bound the evil spirit, and you set the captives free.  You call on us to do the same.   We command that the blind see, deaf hear, lame walk, unclean be made clean, and the captives set free.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.  Light Be and Shalom/ Peace on earth and goodwill to all in Jesus’s name, Amen.   Shalom 2U 

Day 47 One needs to see Jesus in us 

Mat 19:2-6 Great crowds followed him, and he healed them there. 3 And Pharisees came to him, testing him, and saying to him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce a wife for any reason?” 4 He answered, and said, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife; and the two will become one flesh?’ 6 So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What, therefore, God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Jesus is healing a great multitude of people.  Instead of believing,  Pharisees have to test Him.  It’s the same today.  I love it when a man of God that has the gift of wisdom is tested by today’s Pharisees.  He comes up with a brilliant answer and leaves them speechless.  This is one of many times that Jesus uses the gift of wisdom.   Jesus talks about marriage and it being between a man and a woman.  It should be obvious that it should be between a man and a woman. However, no matter how logical or what God’s Word says, there are many spiritually blind that need to see. 

Dear Jesus!  You did many great and mighty works in Your time.  You have given many today to do the same, but still, many don’t believe.  Lord, You set us free and give us eternal life.  This is our testimony.  As we declare what You have done; we pray for Your Grace for them to believe.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus’s name, Amen.  II Corinthians 13:14.    Shalom 2U 

Day 48 Jesus Fulfills the Law for us 

Mat 19:16-21 And look, someone came to him and said, “Teacher, what good thing must I do that I may have everlasting life?” 17 He said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? No one is good but one. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “‘Do not murder.’ ‘Do not commit adultery.’ ‘Do not steal.’ ‘Do not offer false testimony.’ 19 ‘Honor your father and mother.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 20 The young man said to him, “All these things I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Jesus is asked, ” What must I do ?  Many ask the same question.  Jesus basically gives him the Law,  the ten commandments.   This is the answer that most people hear.  First, the young man was wrong saying that he had kept them all his life.  All have sinned, and there is none righteous, no not one.  He is declaring his own righteousness.   So Jesus tells him to give his money away and follow Him.   The New Testament tells us over and over again that we are saved by Grace not works.   

Dear Jesus!  Thank You for Your sacrifice and fulfilling the Law.  You have fulfilled the Law for us, and now we are declared righteous in You.  As we follow You,  believing that You are working in us we can fulfill the Law and even more.  We are complete in You.  (  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:4 )  We pray for those who are trying to fulfill the law on their own.   

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus’s name, Amen.   II Corinthians 13:14.  Shalom 2U 

Day 50 Called to Serve 

Mat 20:23-28  He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it is for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 When the ten heard it, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It will not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you must be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Chapter 20 is a lot about serving.  Jesus first talks about the parable of working in God’s Vineyard.   Then He talks about how He will suffer,  be crucified, and then raise on the third day. ( Jesus prophesied here )  After being told all the suffering that will happen to Jesus; some are more concerned about how great their position will be.   Now, Jesus tells them that whoever serves the most will be the greatest. 

Dear Jesus! You are the greatest in the kingdom of God and in the world.   It’s hard for us to believe that the Son of God would serve us instead of demanding us to serve You.   By Your sacrifice, You have served us and continue to serve us.  As You serve us,  we are more equipped to serve others.  Yes, many suffer in many ways trying to serve the needy.  Great will be their reward in heaven.  Our greatest reward is seeing Your Kingdom grow, for You deserve all the Glory.   Holy Spirit,  we again pray that You fall upon us so that we can fully serve the needy.   The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all in Jesus’s name, Amen.  Shalom 2U 

Day 51 Jesus serves the needy 

Mat 20:29-34 As they went out from Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 And look, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, shouted, “Have mercy on us, Lord, son of David.” 31 The crowd rebuked them, telling them that they should be quiet, but they shouted even more, “Have mercy on us, Lord, son of David.” 32 Jesus stood still, and called them, and asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They told him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” 34 Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes; and immediately their eyes received their sight, and they followed him.

Jesus continues to go through the land, seeking the needy so that He could serve them.  Of course, there is always someone who has heard about Jesus.  The blind man calls out to Jesus, and Jesus responds to him.  

Dear Jesus!  It was not hard to see and hear about You and all Your glorious works.  Many tried to stop and silence You, but they could not.  There are many ministries today following Your path, seeking to help those in need.  The harvest is great, but we still need more workers in Your Vineyard.   We pray that You send many more workers, filled with the Holy Spirit to give life to the needy.   

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.  Shalom 2U in Jesus’s name, Amen.   

Day 52 Word of Knowledge 

Mat 21:1-6 When they drew near to Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village that is opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them, and bring them to me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you are to say, ‘Because the Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, 5 Say to the daughter of Zion, “Look, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” 6 The disciples went, and did just as Jesus directed them,

First, Jesus is giving a ” word of knowledge ” to the Apostles.  One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that is still being given to whoever the Holy Spirit chooses to give.  ( But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.  I Corinthians 12:11 )  ( for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, I Corinthians 12:8 )  A word of knowledge is usually proclaim to someone or someones so that they can believe what God wants to do in their life.   If you ever watch the 700 club, it’s not unusual for someone to give a ” word of knowledge.”  It’s also not unusual for someone or more to write that they received that word and were healed or whatever was spoken.  This is also the fulfillment of a Prophecy.  

Dear Jesus!  You were truly filled with the Holy Spirit.  You had all the gifts of the Holy Spirit.   You gave the Body of Christ the Holy Spirit to distribute as He wills the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  There is a tremendous need for You Holy Spirit to continue to Anoint the Body of Christ to reach the needy.   We pray that You will now fulfill the Prophecy in us today.  Acts 2:17  ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. In Jesus’s name, Amen.   Shalom 2U 

Day 53 Pray for the hard hearted 

Mat 21:12-16  Jesus entered into the temple, and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers’ tables and the seats of those who sold the doves. 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.” 14 The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the son of David.” they were indignant, 16 and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of children and infants you have prepared praise?’”

Jesus is justified in being angry.  Those who are supposed to be helping the people are cheating them.  They turned a house of worship into a corrupt business.   We should seek a place where God is truly worshiped and the needs of the people are met.   We need to get justly angry wherever people are oppressed.  Get angry about the situation and pray for those who are causing it.  It’s only by the grace of God that we aren’t doing the same thing. 

Dear Jesus!  It seems almost impossible for some to see the truth.  You kept on loving and ministered to all that came to You.  You were saddened by their hard hearts.   We will continue to praise and worship You for Your disciples are going about doing Your will.  We pray that the unbelievers, the hard hearted, will see and believe in You.   

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.  Shalom 2U in Jesus’s name, Amen.

Day 54 Speak Faith Words

Mat 21:19-22  Seeing a fig tree by the road, he came to it and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to it, “Let there be no fruit from you forever.” Immediately, the fig tree withered away. 20 When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, “How did the fig tree immediately wither away?” 21 Jesus answered them, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith, and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you told this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it would be done. 22 All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” 

So Jesus spoke to a fig tree, and it dried up.  First, we see the power of Your Words.  What we really believe will come out of our mouths.  Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.  This is why we need to guard our tongues and hearts.   Too often, we speak against what we are believing.  In another Gospel, it says that Jesus went by the next day, and the Apostles saw the fig tree dried up.     Mark 11:20   Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.   It did dry up the first day, but one didn’t see the outward appearance until the next day.  That’s why we need to keep on believing.  Fight the good fight of faith!   The fig tree represents Israel.  It should have been producing good fruit.  Now, it is under a curse until the end times.  I believe that the time is now.  More Jews are being saved and having visions than ever before.   I believe that this is why I was led to name this group ” Shalom2u.”  

Dear Jesus!  You showed us how real faith works.  Time after time, you spoke, and it came to pass.   We pray that the “Gift of Faith ”  would fall on more believers so that You would be glorified.  You are the author and finisher of our faith, so we will keep our eyes on You.  Now, by faith in You, we pray for the lost.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Shalon 2U in Jesus’s name Amen.

Day 55 Receive Jesus & have Eternal Life 

Mat 21:42-46  Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner. This was from the Lord. It is marvelous in our eyes?’ 43 “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and will be given to a nation bringing forth its fruit. 44 He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it will fall, it will crush him.” 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke about them. 46 When they sought to seize him, they feared the crowds because they considered him to be a prophet.

Jesus first talks about the parable of the two sons.  One said that he would not go but changed his mind and went.  The other son said that he would go but didn’t.  Jesus was referring to the Pharisees who should be doing the will of the Father but wasn’t.  Again, Jesus tells them that the Kingdom of God would be taken away from them. 

Now, Jesus talks about a stone.  This stone represents Jesus.   Act 4:11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

If one falls down on this stone,  they will be broken to pieces.  This is what happens to us when we surrender to Jesus to be saved.  The “Old Man ” dies. It is destroyed.  We become a “New Creation.”  Praise God! 

The second part represents a person who will not surrender their lives to the LORD.  A day will come when this one will be found guilty and utterly destroyed. 

Dear Jesus!   These are hard words.  You time and time again tell us to come to You and be saved and have eternal life.  We thank You for the grace to believe and come to You.   Your wish that none would perish,but come and receive Your Amazing Grace.   The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In Jesus’s name.  Shalom 2U Amen.

Day 56 Accept the Invitation & the Free Gift 

Mat 22:8-14 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited weren’t worthy. 9 Go therefore to the intersections of the highways, and as many as you may find, invite to the marriage feast.’ 10 And those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all they found, both bad and good, and the wedding was filled with those reclining. 11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who did not have on wedding clothing, 12 and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here not wearing wedding clothing?’ He was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; there is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Jesus is telling a parable about a king inviting people to His Son’s wedding.  Many were invited but made excuses and did not come.  Of course, this made the King mad and punished those for not accepting the invitation.  Now the King tells His servant to go out and invite everyone,  the good and the bad.  Now, at the wedding feast,  the King finds someone not wearing a wedding garment.  The King then has the person thrown out into outer darkness.  It ends with,  many are called but few are chosen.   You see, the wedding garment was freely given.  There was no good reason for one not to have it on.   The Gospel is about everyone being invited to become the Bride of Christ.  Those who believe and accept the invitation are freely given the robe of righteousness.  2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Dear Jesus!  As the scripture clearly states:  You became sin for us.  You on the cross were declared unrighteous so that we could freely by faith in You receive the robe of righteousness.  Many are still trying to make themselves righteous instead of accepting Your free gift of righteousness.   We pray that they would accept Your invitation and Your free gift of righteousness.   The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Shalom2U in Jesus’s name, Amen.

Day 57 Jesus full of Wisdom

The Pharisees continue to test Jesus. 

Mat 22:21 They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Mat 22:29-32 But Jesus answered 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 the angels in heaven. 31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, Have you not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?’ God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” 

Mat 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” 37 He said to him, “‘You are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 A second likewise is this, ‘You are to love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The whole Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Now Jesus asks the Pharisees a question. 
Mat 22:42-46  saying, “What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “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 on my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet’? 45 “If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” 46 No one was able to answer him a word, neither did anyone dare ask him any more questions from that day forth.

Dear Jesus!  You truly are the Son of God.  You are full of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Not only are You full of love but wisdom and understanding.  Everything that You are, You want to share with us.   Pro 2:6  For the LORD gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.   When we hunger for You and Your life given Words, we grow more like You.   We pray for those who are still trying to test You.  May You open their eyes to see.   The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Shalom 2U in Jesus’s name Amen.    

Day 58 Justice, Mercy, Faithfulness 

Matthew 23 is about Jesus talking to the crowd about the Pharisees.  There is a lot of hard talk here that has to be rightly divided. 

Mat 23:4-5 They tie up heavy loads, hard to carry, and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing even to lift a finger to move them. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by people, for they make their phylacteries wide and their tassels long.   Note: Just because someone looks Holy and great doesn’t mean that they are doing the will of God.  Jesus came to help us carry the burden through Grace. 

Mat 23:8-11 But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher and you are all brothers. 9 And call no one your ‘father’ on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one teacher, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant.  Note: We are called to respect our fathers.  Paul even used it when writing :   1Co 4:14-15  14 I am not writing these things to shame you, but to correct you as my dear children. 15 For though you may have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers because I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Mat 23:23  “Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You give a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, yet you neglect what is more important in the law – justice, mercy, and faithfulness! You should have done these things without neglecting the others. Note: Jesus didn’t go around condemning people for breaking the Law, except for the hypocrites. He forgave and empowered sinners to live right. 

Mat 23:34  “For this reason I am sending you prophets and wise men and experts in the law, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town,   Note: There has been and still are, many declaring the Good News and being persecuted for it. 

Mat 23:37-39  37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would have none of it! 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate! 39 For I tell you, you will not see me from now until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’”    Note: And so the chapter ends. The Lord is greatly saddened and displeased by rejecting Him and the salvation that He came to bring. 

Dear Jesus! In the Old Covenant, it was hard to see Your love and grace.  Many leaders were too proud of themselves.  They claim that they were keeping the Law but were not.  When You came,  You revealed the heart of the Father:love, justice, mercy, and faithfulness.  We thank You for all that declared Your Good News, no matter what the cost.  You are raising many followers, declaring Your Amazing Grace.   Your light is shining brighter and brighter. Many are coming to You because of Your grace.   The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.  In Jesus’s name,  Shalom 2U Amen.

Day 59 Jesus the True Prophet 

Mat 24:1-5 Now, as Jesus was going out of the temple courts and walking away, his disciples came to show him the temple buildings. 2 And he said to them, “Do you see all these things? I tell you the truth, not one stone will be left on another. All will be torn down!” 3 As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Watch out that no one misleads you. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many.

Jesus first gives a prophecy about the temple being torn down.  This happened about 70 A.D..  Some prophecies take time to be fulfilled.  We are still waiting for some Old Testament Prophecies to be fulfilled.  Now, today, there are some very interesting prophecies that I have been waiting to see come to pass.  I’m surprised that it hasn’t happened by now.   I’m just almost patiently waiting.  Next, Jesus is talking about false prophets, coming in His name.  We hear a lot of fake fortune-tellers, but they are not speaking in the name of Jesus.   We are to be careful what we hear  in the name of Jesus.  We are told to test them so that we are not misled. 

Dear Jesus!  We don’t know what our future will bring, but we put our faith in You.   You said that there will be tribulations in the world, but You have overcome the world.  We shall continue to declare:  Psalms 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.   We pray for those who haven’t received You to deliver them out of their darkness and into Your marvelous light. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Shalom 2U In Jesus’s name, Amen. 

Day 60 Pray: Be a Faithful Servant 

Mat 24:36-37 “But as for that day and hour, no one knows it – not even the angels in heaven – except the Father alone. 37 For just like the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be.    Note:  Jesus is talking about the last days.  Many will be doing whatever they want to,  not realizing that their destruction is upon them. 

Mat 24:40-42 Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 There will be two women grinding grain with a mill; one will be taken, and one is left. 42 “Therefore stay alert, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.  Note: Jesus is now saying some will be taken, and some will be left behind.  I believe that this is the Rapture of the Church.  The faithful will escape the tribulation that is coming. 

Mat 24:45-46  “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his lord finds doing so when he comes. Note: We want to be faithful servants.  We all don’t have to be prophets, evangelists, or missionaries.  God wants us to pray for those who are doing all these bad things.  The movie just released, ” Sound of Freedom,” exposes many atrocities happening to children and others.  I believe this is being revealed because of prayer.  These crimes will only lessen as we pray for the innocent and guilty.  Come against the evil spirit but pray that the captives be set free.  

Dear Jesus!  It’s an honor to serve in Your Kingdom.  You gave us Your name and authority.  You gave us Your Holy Spirit.  We pray for the Holy Spirit to fall upon us to help the needy and set the captives free.  We thank You for the Revival going on as the Holy Spirit:  

When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:  John 16:8   We pray for the grace that is needed for the lost to repent.   May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Shalom 2U in Jesus’s name, Amen. 

“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.  Luke 6:27‭-‬28 

Day 61 Buy without money 

Mat 25:6-12 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

This is about the 10 bridesmaids waiting for the groom.  Five were prepared, and Five were not. The foolish ones are told to buy oil for their lamps. So, what is the currency to buy oil? It’s not money.  Isaiah 55;1 tells us that we can buy without money – “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  Here, it talks about coming to the LORD and fellowship with Him.   Now, here in Ephesians, it talks about being filled with the Holy Spirit.  If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we should have plenty of oil for our lamps. 

Ephesians 5:18‭-‬20 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Dear Jesus!  We pray that we would never hear those words, ” I know you not.”   We should never forget Your sacrifice for us.  We give You praise and thanksgiving for who we are in You. Glory to the Father!  Glory to the Son!  Glory to the Holy Spirit!  Glory to the Lamb! Faith in You is the currency that we need to receive Your grace,  to receive all Your great and precious promises. As we praise and worship You, we are filled with Your anointing oil.  We pray that all would come and see You in all Your Glory and continually give You praise.The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Shalom 2U in Jesus’s name, Amen.

Day 62 Use Your Talents For The Kingdom Of God 

Mat 25:14-18  For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

Jesus is telling us here that we all are given talents to be used for the Kingdom of God.  We all know a lot of talented people, but not all using it for the Kingdom of God.  I always saw myself as having 1 talent. All my brothers and sisters were smarter than I.  I just about passed one grade to another.  It took me over 60 years to believe that I was anointed.  If you are born again Christians, you are anointed.  Christians are ” Anointed Ones.”  The church that I used to attend many years ago needed teachers for the children’s class.  I was okay, nothing deep.  How could I be any better since I was reading and studying the Bible only.  It wasn’t until I started meditating on the Word that I started to really grow in my faith and anointing.  I say this to encourage you to meditate on the Word. 

Dear Jesus!  It’s only You living in us and working through us that we can bear good fruit for Your Kingdom.  Thank You for drawing us to Yourself.  You sanctity, redeem, give us righteousness, wisdom, and understanding.  I Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—     We pray for the grace needed for You to say to us:  ” Well done you good and faithful servant.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Shalom 2U in Jesus’s name, Amen.

Day 63 Feed on the Good Shepherd 

Mat 25:31-36 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Now we have the comparison of sheep and goats.  I’m thinking that the goats are the ones that are independent and don’t give.  Sheep are dependent on the Good Shepherd.  They receive from Him, which enables them to give to others.  There are so many ways to give to others.  The important thing for me is to do it in Jesus’s name and for His honor and glory. 

Dear Jesus!  You did everything for us.  You left Your Kingdom to bring the Kingdom of God here on earth.  All those that receive You, You allowed them to enter Your Kingdom.  Many of your disciples have gone throughout the world seeking the lost.  They have cared for with their whole being, given glory to Your name.  We thank You, Lord, for feeding us so that we can also care for the lost.  Like You,  we will not only pray for them but feed their bodies, souls, and spirit.   The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Shalom 2U in Jesus’s name, Amen.

Day 64  Prophecies 

Mat 26:2-4 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” 3 Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas. 4 They took counsel together that they might take Jesus by deceit and kill him.  Note: Jesus is prophesied about His death.   Of course, it was Prophesied long ago.   Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes, we are healed.

Mat 26:14-16 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him to you?” So they weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From that time, he sought opportunity to betray him.   Note:  Zachariah 11:13 And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord for the potter.

Mat 26:18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”’”    Note:  Jesus has ” a word of knowledge ” and tells His disciples what to do. 

Dear Jesus!  It’s been over two thousand years since You were crucified.  With God, a thousand years is like a day, and a day like a thousand years.  Like You suffered and was raised up on the third day; I believe that the Body of Christ is getting ready to be raised up.  The Church, Your Body,  has been persecuted for over two thousand years.  Many have suffered and been betrayed.  It’s time for the Glory of the Lord to appear.  You have prophesied it and it surely will come to pass. Act 2:17  And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams: Yea and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.

We pray, do it now according to Your Word.  Let Your glory fall. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Shalom 2U in Jesus’s name, Amen. 

Day 65 The Body & Blood of Jesus

Mat 26:26-29 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it again with you in my Father’s kingdom.

There is a lot of symbolism here, but it shouldn’t be taken for granted or ignored. The bread is a symbol of Jesus’ body and His flesh. Bread is very important to us. It nourishes our body. The Word became Flesh. Jesus said to eat His flesh and drink His blood. Jesus was born in Bethlehem: the house of bread. He was laid in a manger. A manger was used to put food in to feed the sheep. Jesus, our Good Shepherd feeds His sheep. There is also a lot of symbolism between blood and wine. Good grapes take years to grow. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, so He certainly was aged enough. Grapes have to be crushed to produce wine. Jesus was whipped and beaten. He shed His blood for us.

Dear Jesus! The Last Supper was a special time for You. It was the beginning of all that You would sacrifice for us. You gladly did this, for You knew that someday we would be with You for all eternity. You told us to partake and do this in remembrance of You. Every day I take a piece of bread and I remember You. I remember how You are the Alpha and Omega, the King of kings, Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace, the Light of the world. You are our peace, joy, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. The Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. As I take a sip of wine, I remember Your Blood. Your Holy Blood, life given Blood, redeeming Blood. Only by Your Body and Blood could we ever be saved. We pray that many will come and know and believe all that You have done to redeem us. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Shalom 2U in Jesus’s name Amen

Day 66 God’s will be done 

Mat 26:36-41  Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Now, Jesus goes to the garden of Gethsemane.  The name Gethsemane means: oil press.  It’s how they get olive oil from Olives.  It is a picture of what Jesus is going through.  He is about to give up His free will no matter what the cost, to see the Father’s will be done.  On the one hand, He is happy to do it because the reward is great.  On the other hand, His suffering will be great.  He asked His disciples to pray with Him.  It seems that when it comes to prayer, we face physical and mental attacks that try to keep us from praying.  The Apostles are having the same problem. 

Dear Jesus!  You did all the physical work by Your sacrifice.  Now, you ask us to go and preach the Good News,  the Gospel of Grace.  This also requires much prayer and help from the Holy Spirit.  Many have suffered and died like You, trying to spread the Good News.  Many prayers have gone up, and still, many are going up.  As we continue to pray for the lost, we will see the largest harvest of souls being brought into Your Kingdom.  We pray Your blessings on the world.   The Lord bless you and keep you.  May His face shine upon you and give you His amazing grace and His Shalom/ Peace in Jesus’s name, Amen. 

Day 67 Trust in the Father 

Mat 26:52-56 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I can not now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? 55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. 56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

Jesus is being betrayed by one of His disciples.  One that saw all the amazing works that He had done.  How easily can one be led astray. 

God’s will is not easy at times.  Jesus could have stopped this persecution, but then God’s will would not have been done.  In life, we face many trials.  God might let them happen.  It could be our own doing or someone like the devil behind it.  The important thing is to keep believing and declare that something good is going to come out of it. And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28  

Dear Jesus!   You were greatly persecuted, but You knew that in the end, all things would work out for the good of the Kingdom of God.  In the end, many would come to believe in the Father’s love and Your love for us.  You showed us how to keep trusting no matter how bad the situation gets.  Many believers and non-believers are going through trials that ultimately the devil is behind it.  We pray that all will keep their eyes and hearts on You.  We declare that Your name is Jesus: Jehovah Saves.  No matter how dark the situation is, we declare “Light Be.” No matter how much turmoil there is, we declare “Shalom/ Peace.”  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. In Jesus’s name, Amen. 

Day 68: Let’s Not Deny Jesus 

Mat 26:69-75 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

We are well aware of how Jesus told Peter that he would deny Jesus three times.  The Pharisees denied Jesus in spite of all the Prophecies that He had fulfilled and the miracles that were done.   How about us?  Do we deny Jesus?  I hear a lot of Church leaders talk more about their church than Jesus.  I hear more condemnation about their sins instead of talking about Jesus, the Savior.  If we talked more about Jesus saving us, we probably have more people being saved.  

Dear Jesus!  We thank You for coming to save us and not condemn us.  Thank you for all those anointed ones that are declaring You as the way to salvation.  Without Your grace,  without the free gift of righteousness, we all would be lost.  Grace  Grace, Grace, Your Amazing Grace how sweet it is!  We pray that You would be declared as the Savior of the world and may all receive Your grace.   The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Shalom 2U in the name of Jesus Amen. 

Day 69 Receive Jesus’s Forgiveness 

Mat 27:1-9 When the morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. 3 Then Judas, who had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, “What is that to us?” See thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. 6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. 7 And they took counsel and brought with them the potter’s field to bury strangers in. 8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. 9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;

First, we see Judas feeling sorry for his sins and repents.  All he had to do was to ask Jesus to forgive him, and Jesus would have.  Instead, he went out and hanged himself.   The next part is where, once again, prophecy about Jesus is fulfilled. 

Dear Jesus! We thank You that You are always ready to forgive us.  You will forgive us 70 times 7 times a day because this is what You told us to do.  You not only are willing to forgive us, but You want to empower us to sin no more.  When we receive You as our Savior, Our spirit is righteous in You.  Now, when we know, believe, and declare our righteousness in You, our flesh will act righteous through the power of the Holy Spirit.  We pray for sinners to come to You and be forgiven and receive Your gift of righteousness.   The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.  Shalom 2U in Jesus’s name, Amen. 

Day 70 Jesus suffered for us 

Mat 27:24-31  When Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but that instead a riot was starting, he took some water, washed his hands before the crowd and said, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. You take care of it yourselves!” 25 In reply, all the people said, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas for them. But after he had Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified. 27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the governor’s residence and gathered the whole cohort around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe around him, 29 and after braiding a crown of thorns, they put it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand, and kneeling down before him, they mocked him: “Hail, king of the Jews!” 30 They spat on him and took the staff and struck him repeatedly on the head. 31 When they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes back on him. Then, they led him away to crucify him.

The Jews in their blindness, condemn themselves when they said let His blood be on us and are children.  They have been suffering persecution from the devil all these years.  Now Jesus is suffering great persecution, and the devil is behind it all.  The good news is that He suffered it all for us.  

Dear Jesus!  We can’t imagine and really find it hard to watch all the suffering that You went through.  You were mocked so that we could be blessed and not mocked by others.  You suffered a lot in Your head by those crown of thorns so that we could receive Your peace and healing in our minds and heads.  You suffered all over Your body so that we could become whole.   There are many that are being persecuted today that need You to raise them up. It’s been over two thousand years that Israel has been persecuted.  I believe it’s time for them to experience Your salvation.   We pray for them all:   ‘ “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”   Shalom 2U in Jesus’s name, Amen! 

Day 71 Let Jesus help you carry your cross 

Mat 27:32-33  As they were going out, they found a man from Cyrene named Simon, whom they forced to carry his cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”)

After all that Jesus had already suffered,  they made Him carry His cross.  Eventually, they made Simon help Jesus.  I believe that this happened for our benefit.  Too often, we think that we can carry our cross alone.  

Years before this, young David defeated the giant Goliath.  He cut off his head and buried it on this mountain.  Now, Jesus, by His crucifixion, has defeated all the evil giants in our land. 

Dear Jesus!  You revealed Your humanity by having someone help You.  Now, you reveal Your Divinity by helping us carry our cross.  It’s You living in us and working through us that gives us victory.  We are more than conquerors in You. (  Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.) ( Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. )  (Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.)   There are many still trying to carry their cross without Your Amazing Grace, we pray for them to receive You.   The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Shalom 2U in Jesus’s name, Amen.

Day 72 Die to self 

Mat 27:37-44 Above his head, they put the charge against him, which read: “This is Jesus, the king of the Jews.”     

Note: This is the best that they could find against Jesus.  I see this happening in the world today.

[38]Then are crucified with him two robbers, one on the right hand and one on the left.

 Then, two outlaws were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Note: One of these outlaws repented, and Jesus saved him.

39 Those who passed by defamed him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who can destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are God’s Son, come down from the cross!” 41 In the same way even the chief priests – together with the experts in the law and elders – ĥe cannot save himself! He is the king of Israel! If he comes down now from the cross, we will believe in him! 43 He trusts in God – let God, if he wants to, deliver him now because he said, ‘I am God’s Son’!” 44 The robbers who were crucified with him also spoke abusively to him.

Dear Jesus!  We know that you could have saved Yourself.  You could have said no to the Father’s will, but then You wouldn’t be able to save us.  Now You ask us to die to self, so that You can save us.  We need to declare that the old man is dead and declare who we are in You.  For all those that have received Jesus, let’s declare: Galatians 2:19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 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. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”    Now we pray for those that Jesus died for but haven’t received His righteousness.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.  Shalom2U in Jesus’s name, Amen.

Day 73 Jesus was forsaken for us 

Mat 27:46 And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?  Note: This is the only time that Jesus calls out to God instead of Father.  Jesus is now representing us and our sins.  By Jesus taking on our sins, God had to depart from Jesus until the sacrifice was completed.  Now God is our Father, and we can come boldly unto Him.  Heb. 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Mat 27:50-51 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;   Note:  In another Gospel it says that Jesus cried out ” finished  “. Afterward, the veil that separated the Holy of Holy ‘s from the rest of the temple was opened up. This represents that the real Lamb of God was sacrificed, and no other sacrifice was needed. 

Dear Jesus!  You truly are the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.  There is no sacrifice that we can make to take our sins away.  It’s all faith in You.  We believe in Your sacrifice and therefore receive grace and declare that we are righteous in You.   We pray that You continue to pour out Your grace on the lost so that they also can be declared righteous in You.   The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Shalom2U in Jesus’s name, Amen.

Day  74 Declare the Good News 

Mat 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshiped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Now, Jesus appears to the Apostles, and some still have doubts.  Jesus told them before that all these things were going to happen to Him.  They saw many miracles, and yet they still have doubts.   Jesus tells us many things that we can do through Him, and yet we still have doubts.  It seems like we have more faith in the Law,  then faith in Jesus Christ.  It’s the grace of Jesus Christ that saves us, not the Law.   Jesus told them to teach all things that I have commanded you.  Jesus didn’t teach them the Law.  He taught them to believe in Him and go out and set the captives free, cast out demons, command the deaf to hear and the blind to see.  We see so little of this happening in the last two thousand years.  

Dear Jesus!  We hear about grieving the Holy Spirit.  I am sure that we grieve the Holy Spirit by sinning, but it grieves the Holy Spirit more by not receiving His power for us to overcome our sins. The Holy Spirit gives life to our bodies, so we won’t sin. The Holy Spirit is our helper when we declare who we are in You.   Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.  We pray for those who haven’t believed in the Good News that one is saved by grace, not works.   May they allow the Holy Spirit to give life to their flesh.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Shalon 2U in Jesus’s name Amen.