2014 mgefc easter devo

8/12/2019 2014 MGEFC Easter Devo

1/44

UNBELIEVABLEA 40-DAY LENTEN DEVOTIONAL

Easterat MAPLE GROVE

EVANGELICALFREE CHURCH


2/44

Idid not grow up in a church tradition thatcelebrated Lent. My understanding of Lent

was limited to the observation of my catholic

friends eating more fish sticks than normal

in the school cafeteria. As I grew in faith,

however, I also grew in my desire to properly

make ready for the celebration of Easter.

Lent's intention is to prepare for Easter.

Traditionally, Lent prepares the believer

through prayer, penance, repentance,

almsgiving and self-denial. Lasting for 40

days, Lent commemorates the 40 days Jesus

spent fasting and enduring temptation in the

desert before the beginning of his public

ministry. In most western traditions the Sundaysdo not count as part of Lent, as Sundays

commemorate the weekly anniversary of the

Resurrection. So, although the period from

Ash Wednesday to Easter contains 46 days,

Lent only counts the 40 non-Sunday days.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a significantelement of our faith. As part of your journey

toward Easter, we created this 40-day

devotional for you. I would like you to consider

using this devotional to help you personally

prepare for Easter.

He is risen!

Pastor Jon Platek

LENT: PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR EASTER

Easterat MAPLE GROVE

EVANGELICAL

FREE CHURCH

Palm SundayAPRIL 13

9:30am

11:00am

Good FridayAPRIL 18

7:00Pm

Easter SundayAPRIL 20

8:15am

9:30am

11:00am

2014


3/44

I

n 1 Corinthians 15:13-14, Paul writes,

"If there is no resurrection of the dead, thennot even Christ has been raised. And ifChrist has not been raised, our preaching

is useless and so is your faith."

It is not an overstatement to say that it's

not Christ's death that has saved us, but his

resurrection. With him literally rising from the

dead, he demonstrates his power over sin anddeath, both globally and specifically in our

lives. Christ didn't come to make bad people

good, he came to make dead people alive.

We were once dead in our sin, but Christ

"rescued us from the dominion of darkness"(Colossians 1) and made us "alive in Christ!"

For the next 40 days, as a church we will

prepare for the celebration of Christ's

resurrection on Easter Sunday. We ask that

as you make ready your heart for Easter,

you start by recalling how you died in your

sins and how Christ has made you alive. He

literally died, became alive and rose from the

dead. Your faith is not useless!

DAY 1

YOUR FAITH IS NOT USELESS

A S H W E D N E S D A Y M A R C H 5

Notes:


4/44

Because Christ rose from the dead, hemade us alive in Christ. One of the many

things we receive from God when we

are made alive is peace with God.

In John 14:27, Christ tells us, "Peace I leavewith you; my peace I give you. I do not give

to you as the world gives. Do not let yourhearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

What kind of peace is this? It's the kind that

can let you sleep during the storm. Do you

recall this story from Mark 4:35-41? The story

titled "Jesus Calms the Storm" could also be

called "Jesus Demonstrates Peace During the

Storm."

The kind of peace that Christ gives us lets us

restfully sleep during the stormeven in the

midst of a sinking ship. Now that's peace.

Had Christ not been raised from the dead,

we wouldn't have this kind of peace. Theresurrection of Christ means, not only new life,

but a peace that really doesn't make sense

one that brings a deep calm. As you prepare

for Easter, prepare for being at rest when you

celebrate Christ's resurrection.

T H U R S D A Y M A R C H 6

DAY 2

BECAUSE OF CHRIST'S RESURRECTION,WE HAVE PEACE

Notes:


5/44

Recently, Stanford University releaseda study on the differential factors

between meaning and happiness. In

the pre-publication summary, the authors

wrote, "One crucial advantage of meaning

is that it is not limited to the [present]Purpose,

one important component of meaningfulness,

entails that present events draw meaning fromfuture onesMeaningfulness may therefore

often involve understanding one's life beyond

the here and now, integrating future and past."

As Christians, we integrate the past, present

and future in our faith. We integrate what

Christ did on the cross, how his resurrection

makes us alive and the fact we will spendeternity with him. Proverbs 23:18 says, "Thereis surely a future hope for you, and your hopewill not be cut off."

When we celebrate the resurrection of Christ

on Easter Sunday, we will celebrate not only

what happened in the past, but what thatevent means to us in the present and for the

future. Come join us as we celebrate our

future hope that is grounded in the one who

was raised from the dead.

DAY 3

BECAUSE OF CHRIST'S RESURRECTION,WE HAVE MEANING

F R I D A Y M A R C H 7

Notes:


6/44

M

ost evangelicals don't put much thought

into the notion that one day we willreign with Christ in eternity. Yet, the

Scriptures do allude to this very idea.

2 Timothy 2:11-12 says,

"Here is a trustworthy saying:If we died with him,we will also live with him;if we endure,

we will also reign with him."

For our purposes today, we need to see that

there is a connection between Christ's death

and resurrection, our death to self and life

with him and reigning with him in eternity.

Because Christ demonstrated his power over

sin and death, he is able to reign over theearth. When we come to life through the Holy

Spirit and then endure to the end, we can be

assured that his resurrection means that we

will also reign with him in eternity!

S A T U R D A Y M A R C H 8

DAY 4

REIGN WITH CHRIST IN ETERNITY

Notes:


7/44

The 1986 film Hoosierstells the storyof a small-town Indiana high school

basketball team winning the state

championship.

Most people think of this movie as only a

sports movie because the plot takes us from

the disappointing losses at the beginning ofthe season to the Cinderella win at the state

championship game.

Yet, in an interview, Spyridon Stratigos, the

technical director of the movie, said,"There's

the whole theme of redemptionit's the same

story you've heard a million times; it's the

David and Goliathit's about how you getthere. The story was really about the journey."

And he's rightHoosiersisn't primarily a sportsmovie, it's a movie about second chances.

Each and every character in the movie gets

a second chance.

When Christ was resurrected and conqueredsin and death, each of us were given the

second chance at life. "For by his grace youhave been saved,"Paul wrote in Ephesians 2.Our second chance is that grace saves and

makes us alive in Christ. Christ gives us the

ultimate second chance to live free from

the bondage of sin and to have an intimate

relationship with him. Praise God! He is theGod of second chances!

DAY 5

THE RESURRECTION MEANS WE GETA SECOND CHANCE

M O N D A Y M A R C H 1 0

Notes:


8/44

In Daniel 12:1, we read, "At that timeMichael, the great prince who protects yourpeople, will arise. There will be a time ofdistress such as has not happened from the

beginning of nations until then. But at that timeyour peopleeveryone whose name is foundwritten in the bookwill be delivered."

We don't know the precise combinations of

events that will fulfill this passage, but you

can rest assured that whatever you're facing

today, God can deliver you from it even if it's

in ways you don't expect. Put your faith, trust

and confidence in the one who has already

demonstrated his authority and power over

death and sin. You won't be disappointed!

T U E S D A Y M A R C H 1 1

DAY 6

THE RESURRECTION MEANS WE WILLBE DELIVERED

Notes:


9/44

C

harles Wesley wrote the hymn "Christ

the Lord is Risen Today" in 1739,less than a year after his evangelistic

conversion. The first recorded singing

of this song occurred at the foundry meeting

house, an old building in London, that Wesley

converted for religious purposes. Try to imagine

an eighteenth century chorus bellowing out

this song.

Wesley's original version had eleven stanzas,

but did not have the Alleluias that distinguish it

today. Read the words from the hymn below.

It is impossible not to want to shout Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heav'ns, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!

Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now thy sting?

Alleluia!

Dying once he all doth save, Alleluia!

Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led,Alleluia!

Foll'wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies,

Alleluia!

DAY 7

CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY

W E D N E S D A Y M A R C H 1 2

Notes:


10/44

D

uring an evangelistic crusade, Reverend

Alfred Ackey (1887-1960) was tryingto persuade a young man to give his

heart to Christ, when the man said,

"Why should I worship a dead Jew?" Ackey

then stated, "HE LIVES! I tell you, he is not

dead, but lives here and now! Jesus Christ

is more alive today than ever before. I can

prove it by my own experience, as well as

the testimony of countless thousands." Laterthat evening the young man gave his heart to

Christ. Through this experience Ackey wrote

not only the words but also the tune for the

hymn "He Lives."

I serve a risen Savior, he's in the world

today;I know that he is living, whatever men may

say;

I see his hand of mercy, I hear his voice of

cheer,

And just the time I need him he's always

near.

He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!He walks with me and talks with me along

life's narrow way.

He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know he lives?

He lives within my heart.

T H U R S D A Y M A R C H 1 3

DAY 8

I SERVE A RISEN SAVIOR (HE LIVES)

Notes:


11/44

What is death? What is resurrection?People who have had near death

experiencesthose who have

clinically died and come back to

lifetell of an experience beyond our reality.

Yet the total time between their death and

return to life is, at most, a few hours.

The Bible has a number of resurrection stories

of individuals who remained dead for more

than a few hours before coming back to life.

For example, Elijah raised a boy after he

had died (1 Kings 17:8-24); Elisha raised the

Shunammite's son (2 Kings 4:18-37); Jesus

raised both Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:35-43);

and Jesus raised Lazarus (John 11:17-44).

Yet, Christ died and was dead for three days.

Moreover, he came back to life by himself.

Every other story in the Bible involves another

person bringing the deceased back to life.

The unique aspect to Christ's resurrection

is this: his resurrection was performed byGod alone. And best of all, his resurrection

conquered sin and death for all eternity.

As we celebrate Christ's resurrection, let's

remember that while others have had near

death experiences, only Christ's resurrection

can give us life that endures forever!

DAY 9

IS THE RESURRECTION OF CHRISTDIFFICULT TO BELIEVE?

F R I D A Y M A R C H 1 4

Notes:


12/44

I

n John 16:21-22, Christ encouraged his

disciples in what is known as the UpperRoom Discourse. "A woman giving birth toa child has pain because her time has come;

but when her baby is born she forgets theanguish because of her joy that a child is borninto the world. So with you: Now is your timeof grief, but I will see you again and you willrejoice, and no one will take away your joy."

While our world has tragedy, it is also replete

with examples of how God brings people to

the point of severe pain and then gives them

incredible joy. Out of pain and tragedy he

brings something new and fresh.

During this season, we think of the pain thatChrist endured. His pain enables us to have

the joy of a personal relationship with him, but

the pain that he went through is unbelievable.

Yet "for the joy set before him"(Hebrews 12:2),Christ endured it to secure our eternal home

with him.

S A T U R D A Y M A R C H 1 5

DAY 10

LIFE IS BIRTHED FROM TRAGEDY

Notes:


13/44

R

eleased in 2004, The Passion of the

Christtook our society by storm. This rawportrayal of Christ is a brutal, traumatic,honest look at the intense suffering Christ

endured for us on his way to the cross. In the

movie, we get a visual glimpse of his love

for us. In his beating and crucifixion, Christ

suffered on our behalf.

Be warned, however, this R-rated movie is adifficult movie to watch. Yet it reminds us of

the pain and suffering Christ endured so that

we might have a personal relationship with

him and eternal life in heaven. You were

bought with a price. Find ways this Easter

to truly understand the price that was paid

for you and celebrate his resurrection moredeeply and humbly on Easter morning.

DAY 11

THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST


Notes:


14/44

A

s a kid did you scale mountains, fight

monsters or jump over hot lava? Ofcourse you did! Do you remember your

craziest dreams? Do you ever allow

yourself to marinate in your wildest hopes?

In Ephesians 1:18-20, Paul reminds the church

in Ephesus that the power that raised Christ

from the dead is the same power at work in

believers.

Imagine the breadth and scope of that power

and imagine praying prayers that tap into

that power. "Now to him who is able to doimmeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,according to his power that is at work withinus"(Ephesians 3:20). We might not always

understand God's plan or the bigger picture,but we serve a BIG God: a God who raised

Christ from the dead, a God who can

abolish our sins, and a God who loves the

whole world.

"To him be glory in the church and in ChristJesus throughout all generations, for ever and

ever! Amen."(Ephesians 3:21)


DAY 12

IMAGINE THE POWER OF GOD

Notes:


15/44

On a humorous website sellingdemotivating posters, one particular

poster, both funny and true, reads,

"When you earnestly believe that

you can compensate for a lack of skill by

doubling your efforts, there's no end to what

you can't do."

Trying harder does not guarantee that you

can do anything. We all have limits.

It is also not within our capacity to make

ourselves good enough to be accepted by

God. This is why Ephesians 2:8-9 is so vital

to bear in mind.

"For it is by grace you have beensaved, through faithand this is notfrom yourselves, it is the gift of Godnot by works, so that no one can boast."

Through the resurrection, Jesus Christ proved

his power over sin and death and because

of who he is, he gives grace to anyone whowill accept his forgiveness. That grace cannot

be earned. Salvation is a gift from God. No

matter how hard we try, we cannot make

ourselves more acceptable, lovable, likable

or eligible for God's grace. Fortunately, his

resurrection has made it all possible. Take

time to thank God today because he has

done for you what you could not do foryourself.

DAY 13

GOD DID FOR US WHAT WE COULDNOT DO FOR OURSELVES


Notes:


16/44

D

aniel Defoe coined the well-known

phrase, "Nothing is certain but deathand taxes!" Surrender to the inevitable

don't fight itbecause you won't win.

In physical death, it is true we are forced to

surrender to something that we can neither

control nor avoid. It is entirely in the hands of

God. However, there is another death that

we can avoidit is the eternal separation fromGod. Christ conquered this death through his

resurrection. Therefore, for the Christian, after

death comes a new life. This is why we find

Paul referring to us dying and living with

Christ. "If we died with him, we will also livewith him"(2 Timothy 2:11). We surrender

our old selves to Christ, experience a deathof who we were to be reborn and made new

in Christ. When we do this, we participate in

the resurrection of Christwe are given a new

life that continues on to eternity!

As you prepare for our celebration on Easter

Sunday, take time to pray through Christ's

full surrender to God at Gethsemane(Luke 22:39-46; Matthew 26:46-46;

Mark 14:32-42). Let the Holy Spirit teach

you about the full surrender of Christ and

what that means for you today. And then let

God build into you something new which

only he can do. Let him resurrect you!


DAY 14

THE FULL SURRENDER

Notes:


17/44

W

hy is the Easter story so unbelievable?

In the story of Lazarus, Jesus comfortedand challenged Martha. "I am theresurrection and the life. The one

who believes in me will live, even thoughthey die; and whoever lives by believingin me will never die. Do you believe this?"(John 11:25-26)

Today, few believe in resurrection, exceptwithin the biblical text. Even in the culture

surrounding the Gospel of John, resurrection

was highly disputed: Pharisees believed in

it, while the Sadducees didn't. Presently, few

people think resurrection can still occur, and

scholars still debate a resurrected Jesus.

In the verse, Jesus ends asking Martha,

"Do you believe this?"He is not only askingif she believes the unbelievable, that he

is going to resurrect Lazarus, but Jesus is

also asking if she trusts that he alone is the

resurrection and the life, that he alone can

grant eternal life. This text holds the same

meaning today as it did 2,000 years ago.Christ is still the resurrection and the life, and

whoever believes in him will not die a spiritual

death, but live forever. For the believer, this

unbelievable truth is the groundwork of faith. It

provides hope, a hope of a life better than this,

and this hope motivates people to press on.

As Paul says many times, we are not of this

world, and we need to live with eternity in

mind.

DAY 15

UNBELIEVABLE


Notes:


18/44

I

n Matthew 28:6, Mary arrives at the tomb

of Jesus and an angel greets her, explainingthat Jesus has risen from the dead. This

account gave rise to Annie Herring's Easter

song, in which she penned these glorious

lyrics:

Hear the bells ringing; they're singing that

we can be born again.

Hear the bells ringing; they're singingChrist is risen from the dead.

The angel up on the tombstone said

"He is risen just as he said.

Quickly now, go tell his disciples that

Jesus Christ is no longer dead!"

Joy to the World! He is risen, Alleluia!

He's risen! Alleluia!He's risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

These few lines capture well the wonder and

thrill of the moment: "He is risen, just as he

said." Let the wonder and the thrill fill you this

season. He is risen! Alleluia!


DAY 16

HE IS NOT HERE

Notes:


19/44

T

hinking he was the gardener, she said,

'Sir, if you have carried him away, tellme where you have put him, and I willget him.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary.' She

turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic,'Rabboni!'"(John 20:15-16)

C. Austin Mills, a pharmacist and amateur

photographer, was working in his darkroom

in March 1912. At the prompting of the HolySpirit, he opened his Bible to John 20 and

read the account of this meeting between Jesus

and Mary. Within minutes, he wrote the words

of this hymn and later that evening wrote the

music that has since warmed the hearts of

millions.

As you read this hymn, remember the close

relationship Jesus desires to have with you.

Because of his resurrection, you will one day

experience his presence, face-to-face, with

nothing between us!

I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses,And the voice I hear falling on my ear,

The Son of God discloses

Refrain:

And he walks with me, and he talks with me,

And he tells me I am his own,

And the joy we share as we tarry there,None other, has ever, known!

He speaks and the sound of his voice,

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,

And the melody that he gave to me,

Within my heart is ringing

DAY 17

IN THE GARDEN


Notes:

"


20/44

O

ne of the hymns that depicts Christ's

passion and resurrection is thetraditional hymn "Were You There?"

The hymn's author is unknown, but

the words are based on the New Testament

account of Matthew 27:31-28:15.

Were you there when they crucified my

Lord?

Were you there when they crucified myLord?

Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble,

tremble, tremble.

Were you there when they crucified my

Lord?

Were you there? Obviously, no one alivetoday was physically present. However, Paul

says in 1 Corinthians 5:22, "For as in Adamall die, even so in Christ all shall be madealive."

While we may have not been physically there,

our sin was. All of the punishments, for all the

sin, of all of humanity was put on one man,Jesus. Our sin was there, and in that sense

we were also there.

As we prepare for our Easter celebration, this

hymn will take you back to Christ's suffering

and resurrection. We were there! Let's rejoice

that in him, we have been resurrected to anew life in Christ!


DAY 18

WERE YOU THERE?

Notes:


21/44

I

n John 16:33, Christ tells us that "I have told

you these things, so that in me you may havepeace. In this world you will have trouble.But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Trouble, turmoil, unfairness and inconsistencies

can permeate life, robbing us of hope and

challenging our faith. Yet Christ reminds us to

take heart. Not only does his sacrifice offer

us strength in this life, but hope of eternitywith God. Christ has overcome the world!

Because of his resurrection we can find peace

in the midst of the worst that life can throw at

us. Take a moment to praise God and thank

him for this gift of hope.

DAY 19

I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD


Notes:


22/44

R

ecently, Jay Leno ended his successful

20-year run of hosting the TonightShow. Garth Brooks sang two songsduring the show, the first of which had

these lyrics:

Looking back on the memory of

The dance we shared 'neath the stars

above,

For a moment all the world was rightHow could I have known that you'd ever

say goodbye?

And now I'm glad I didn't know

The way it all would end, the way it all

would go.

Our lives are better left to chance.

I could have missed the pain, but I'd havehad to miss the dance.

Yes, my life is better left to chance.

I could have missed the pain, but I'd have

had to miss the dance.

It seemed as if Jay had little to look forward

to. Like his predecessor, Johnny Carson, Leno

left on top, but by his own admission, his "bestyears" were in the past. A life better left to

chance is likely to end like thishappy for the

past, but uncertain about the future.

For the Christian, our perspective is exactly the

opposite. We look in the past and realize that

because of Christ and his resurrection, whilewe have many good years behind us, our

best years are yet to come. Because of him,

no matter what our circumstances, our best

yearsour best lifeare ahead of us.


DAY 20

DON'T LOOK BACK!

Notes:


23/44

W

hat do you find strikes fear in your

heart? We all face fear. Many ofus face fear every day. It is striking

when the psalmist says, "The Lord ismy light and my salvationwhom shall I fear?"(Psalm 27:1)

Our present sufferings and turmoil in this world

might seem insurmountable and unending.

Fortunately, the Lord as our light can provideguidance and strength through our present

afflictions. His death and resurrection confirms

his sovereignty over the most evil circumstances

and deliverance from the forces of death. We

serve a risen Savior! And we serve without fear!

DAY 21

WHOM SHALL I FEAR?


Notes:


24/44

I

n Exodus 33, we read the story of how the

Lord would talk with Moses face-to-face inthe Tent of Meeting "as one speaks to afriend"(verse 11). In verse 12, Moses asked

the Lord why he hadn't provided another to

accompany him in leadership as he moved

the Israelites to the promised land. The Lord

replied to Moses with this moving promise

in verse 14: "My presence will go with you,

and I will give you rest."

We always have the presence of God going

with us. The Holy Spirit comes to us and makes

his home with us (John 15), going with us

wherever we go. And in his presence, we

find resta rest that includes a peace only

Christ can give.

Through the death and resurrection of Christ

we are now at peace with God. We can,

therefore, experience the presence of God.

The presence of God and the peace of Godthese are two gifts we receive as soon as we

accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. Duringthis season of Lent, take time to enjoy the

sweet, tender rest and presence of God.


DAY 22

I WILL GO WITH YOU

Notes:


25/44

E

aster separates Christians from other

monotheistic faiths: the belief in Christ'sdeath and resurrection. Yet it becomes

easy to say "sure I believe that" and

simply live life. Hebrews 3-4 reminds us of the

Israelites who followed God to the promised

land and then shut their ears. "Today, if youhear his voice, do not harden your hearts asyou did in the rebellion."(Hebrews 3:15)

Faith doesn't guarantee open hearts and

minds. Easter serves as a powerful reminder

of the core of our faith, but it should also serve

as a prompt: "today if you hear his voice, donot harden your hearts." Ask yourself, am Ilistening? Am I present with Christ? Or am

I filling my life with distractions, avoiding thevoice of God? Unlike the Israelites whose

disobedience prevented them from finding

rest with God (Hebrews 3:16-19), Christ

enables us to find rest. Yet our faith shouldn't

be passive. "For the word of God is aliveand active. Sharper than any double-edgedsword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and

spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughtsand attitudes of the heart. Nothing in allcreation is hidden from God's sight. Everythingis uncovered and laid bare before the eyesof him to whom we must give account."(Hebrews 4:12-13)

If God is calling you, knocking on the door ofyour heart, listen.

DAY 23

IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE


Notes:


26/44

I

n Philippians 3:12-14, we read, "Not that

I have already obtained all this, or havealready arrived at my goal, but I press onto take hold of that for which Christ Jesus

took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do notconsider myself yet to have taken hold of it.But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behindand straining toward what is ahead, I presson toward the goal to win the prize for which

God has called me heavenward in ChristJesus."

Paul wrote that he "pressed on" to take hold

of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of him,

a personal relationship with him. Think about

the suffering, death and then the resurrection

of Christ. He did all that so that he could"take hold" of us.

Entering into a personal relationship with

Christ is just the beginning. After that, we need

to press on to deepen our relationship with

him. Let us not grow weary in pressing on.

Christ endured more than we ever will to take

hold of us. So keep going and press on!

T U E S D A Y A P R I L 1

DAY 24

PRESS ON TO TAKE HOLD

Notes:


27/44

W

hen Simon saw that the Spirit

was given at the laying on of theapostles' hands, he offered themmoney and said, 'Give me also

this ability so that everyone on whom I laymy hands may receive the Holy Spirit.'"(Acts 8:18-19)

Simon thought that the things of God could be

bought. He saw the power of God and in hisarrogance, thought he could secure it without

having to fully surrender to God.

Let's remember that the things we really desire

in life cannot be purchasedno matter the

price. Consider:

Money can buy excitement, but it cannotbuy satisfaction

Money can buy medicine, but it cannot

buy health

Money can buy access, but it cannot buy

acceptance

Money can buy companionship, but it

cannot buy intimacy

Money can buy protection, but it cannotbuy security

Money can buy advice, but it cannot buy

wisdom

The things we desire most in lifeacceptance,

intimacy and forgivenesscannot be bought

with money, but they have been purchasedby the blood of Christ in his death and

resurrection. You need not be rich to have

it all. What each of us really desires can

only be found here and in the person of

Jesus Christ.

DAY 25

SALVATION IS NOT FOR SALE

W E D N E S D A Y A P R I L 2

Notes:

"


28/44

I

n Philippians 3:8, Paul writes, "I consider

everything a loss because of the surpassingworth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, forwhose sake I have lost all things. I consider

them garbage, that I may gain Christ"

Have you ever considered that in his death

and resurrection, Christ lost everything so that

he could gain our hearts and our love? In his

humanity, he gave up position, status, wealth,powereverythingso that he could gain you

and I.

This is what Frances Havergal, a singer with

the Philharmonic Orchestra, learned throughout

her life. At one point in her life, she committed

herself to singing only what would directlybring glory to God. Later on, she gave away

her wealth, including all her jewelry, to a local

Christian charity. She remarked in a letter to

a friend "I don't think I need to tell you never

have I packed a box with such great joy!"

While her name is not familiar to us, her work

certainly is. Out of her growing commitmentand dedication to Christ, she wrote the hymn

"Take My Life and Let it Be." This hymn reflects

not only what was in her heart, but also the

hearts of millions of Christians who deeply

desire to consider everything a loss when

compared to the surpassing greatness of

knowing Jesus Christ!

T H U R S D A Y A P R I L 3

DAY 26

A FAIR EXCHANGE?

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But we have this treasure in jars of clayto show that this all-surpassing poweris from God and not from us."(2 Corinthians 4:7)

Jars of clay implies something inferior and

expendable. Paul calls himself as an ordinary,

everyday vessel carrying an invaluabletreasure. Such an image underscores his

weakness. An earthen vessel is fragile, prone

to breakage, easily chipped and cracked,

offering little protection for the treasure. The

image emphasizes the contrast between

Paul's own pitiful weakness and the great

power of God.

Why put treasure in an earthen jar, and divine

treasure at that? To show that the treasure is

not the jar, in other words, to show that this

all-surpassing power of new life in Christ is

from God and not from us.

We are basically cracked pots. We are jarsof clay. You may not feel particularly special,

smart, witty or useful today, but God will shine

his love through you.

DAY 27

F R I D A Y A P R I L 4

Notes:

"

A SIMPLE JAR FOR THE GREATESTTREASURE


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H

ave you ever stretched a rubber band

until it broke? Have you ever felt likeyou were that rubber band being

stretched beyond your limits, on the

verge of breaking?

Yesterday we learned that God chose fragile

jars to show his regenerating power. Paul

continues this analogy to give suffering meaning

and an eternal context."We are hard pressedon every side, but not crushed; perplexed,but not in despair; persecuted, but notabandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."(2 Corinthians 4:7-9)

Consider more observations in this passage:

Perplexity is real, but does not lead todisillusionment.

Persecution is fierce, but you are not alone.

You may be knocked down, but you can

get up.

How can Paul write this with such confidence?

Jesus was crushed so you won't be.

Jesus was abandoned so you won't be. Jesus was in despair so you can have

peace.

Jesus was knocked down in death and

an Easter morning he got up again.

S A T U R D A Y A P R I L 5

DAY 28

STRETCHED, BUT NOT BROKEN

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Wealways carry around in our bodythe death of Jesus, so that the life of

Jesus may also be revealed in ourbody."(2 Corinthians 4.10)

It's through our mortality and fallibility

that Christ's light is revealed. Later in this

chapter, Paul will write that our "momentaryand light afflictions"will achieve for us an"eternal glory"that will far exceed whateversuffering we're presently enduring (verse 17).

If you're going through trials and turmoil today,

be encouraged to lean into the arms of Christ.

Your trials may leave you weary, but let the

life that only Christ can give shine throughyou. Doing so will encourage others and give

you an inner strength and endurance that you

would not otherwise have had.

DAY 29

LIVING DAILY THE RESURRECTION OFCHRIST

M O N D A Y A P R I L 7

Notes:

"


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I

n 1876 Frances Havergal caught a severe

cold inflaming her lungs. Even though thedoctors told her she would probably die,

she expressed peace, knowing she would

soon be with the Lord. Ironically, earlier that

year she had written the hymn "Like a River

Glorious," which sings of the peace that only

Christ can give.

Havergal's hymn highlights our experience ofGod's peace in a tender and poignant way.

Like a river glorious is God's perfect

peace,

Over all victorious, in its bright increase;

Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day,

Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way

Refrain:

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully

blest.

Finding, as he promised, perfect peace

and rest.

Hidden in the hollow of his blessed hand,Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;

Not a surge of worry, not a shade of

care,

Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there

Every joy or trial falleth from above,

Traced upon our dial by the sun of love;We may trust him fully all for us to do;

They who trust him wholly find him wholly

true

T U E S D A Y A P R I L 8

DAY 30

YOU WILL FIND HIM WHOLLY TRUE

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R

ead Matthew 8:1-4. In this story, amidst

the large crowds following him, Jesuspays attention not to the crowds, but to

society's outcasts. Not only does Christ

touch the man and make him clean, but he

wants to do this.

When you consider all Christ endured on the

cross and his resurrection, does it ever occur

to you that he wanted to do this? Christ cameto heal the sick and save the lost. He didn't

come because God forced him. No, he came

willingly. He came wanting to cleanse us. And

he still wants to do this todayto cleanse us of

our sins and offer us an eternal life with him that

far surpasses anything we could ever hope for

or experience on this earth.

Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior? You

can, right nowjust by asking him into your

life. You can start a new life by praying this

prayer or something similar to itput it in your

own words if you'd like.

God, I admit I am a sinner. I have sinnedagainst you. Would you please forgive my

sin and cleanse me? Since you gave your

life to save me, I'll give you the rest of my

days on this earth. Please come into my

life and be my Savior and Lord. I ask this

in the name of your son, Jesus Christ.

If you have just asked God into your life,

would you please tell someone today? And

start growing in your relationship with Christ

by attending church this Sunday. Christ is

willing! Be cleansed!

DAY 31

HE IS WILLING! BE CLEAN!

W E D N E S D A Y A P R I L 9

Notes:


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T

he show Extreme Makeover, equated

a total makeover of the outside withan experience that changes "lives and

destinies." With a new hair cut and

fresh makeup, it's easy to change the outside.

However, the inside (our hearts): now that's a

different matter!

When we accept Christ as our Savior and

Lord, we receive a new nature, not just anew exterior. Christ gives us lasting, effective

changes that can happen only through the

supernatural power of Jesus Christ. Ephesians

chapter 2 begins:

"As for you, you were dead in yourtransgressions and sinsBut because of

his great love for us, God, who is rich inmercy, made us alive with Christ evenwhen we were dead in transgressionsitis by grace you have been saved. AndGod raised us up with Christ and seatedus with him in the heavenly realms inChrist Jesus."

Only Jesus Christ can take that which is deadand make it alive. Rejoice over the spiritual

makeover that belongs to each of us because

Jesus rose from the dead and shares his life

with us!

T H U R S D A Y A P R I L 1 0

DAY 32

THE ULTIMATE MAKEOVER

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R

ead Matthew 21:12-15. Our gentle King

goes directly to the temple after enteringJerusalem and drives out those buying

and selling religious artifacts.

Our humble King who rides into Jerusalem on

a donkey is also mighty. Our loving prophet is

also zealous for the purity of his church and a

healer of those who cannot heal themselves.

These paradoxes are captured wonderfullyin Graham Kendrick's song "Meekness and

Majesty."

Meekness and majesty, manhood and

deity,

In perfect harmony, the man who is God.

Lord of eternity, dwells in humanity,Kneels in humility, and washes our feet.

Father's pure radiance, perfect in

innocence,

Yet learns obedience, to death on a cross.

Suffering to give us life, conquering

through sacrifice,

And as they crucify, prays: "Father forgive."

Wisdom unsearchable, God the invisible,

Love indestructible, in frailty appears.

Lord of infinity, stooping so tenderly,

Lifts our humanity, to the heights of his throne.

O what a mystery, meekness and majesty.Bow down and worship, for this is your

God, this is your God.

Amen. Let us bow down and worship the

humble King who is the mighty Prophet.

DAY 33

THE MIGHTY PROPHET

F R I D A Y A P R I L 1 1

Notes:


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M

atthew 21:1-11 accounts Jesus' triumphal

entry into Jerusalem, five days beforehis crucifixion. We celebrate this arrival

on Palm Sunday, named for the people

waving palm branches to hail Christ's entry

into the city.

Yet that's not a triumphal entryinstead, the

King of Kings arrives on a donkey. Matthew

quotes Zechariah 9:9:"Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!'See, your king comes to you,righteous and victorious,lowly and riding on a donkey,on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'"

Matthew wants us to focus on this: Christ

comes into Jerusalem riding on a donkey.

Don't gloss over this. A donkeythe most

earthly of the work animalsbears a king as

he rides into Jerusalem. Jesus is Emmanuel

(God with us) and arrives in a truly human

way: God on a donkey.

On this Palm Sunday, reflect on the one who

humbled himself so he could give his life to

save you. And consider bowing in worship to

the one who humbled himself so he could give

his life to save you.

S A T U R D A Y A P R I L 1 2

DAY 34

THE MODEST ENTRY

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W

hen Jesus had finished saying all

these things, he said to his disciples,'As you know, the Passover is twodays awayand the Son of Man

will be handed over to be crucified.'"(Matthew 26:1-2)

Jesus plainly tells his disciples that he will be

handed over to be crucified. The greek word

used for handed over is the same word usedno less than 14 times in Matthew 26-27.

Everybody, it seems, is handing Jesus over to

somebody else: Judas hands Christ over to the

high priests; the high priests hand him over to

Pilate; Pilate hands him over to the soldiers;

and the soldiers hand Christ over to death.

Above, beneath, behind and within, thehandover of Christ becomes the Passover

of the world!

Where once the angel of death passed

over the blood on the doorposts of believing

Israelites' homes, the blood and resurrection

of Jesus shields the doors of believing disciples'

hearts. We learn the depth of Christ's loveand the fullness of his forgiveness. And so,

we hand over our hearts to him so that he

can pass over our sin and bring us into his

kingdom. This is the essence of the Gospel!

DAY 35

THE PASSOVER OF THE WORLD

M O N D A Y A P R I L 1 4

Notes:

"


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The stage is set. In Matthew 26:20-35,

Judas, disillusioned with Christ, has

already set into motion his betrayal

and we witness Christ's last meal before

going to the cross. In Judas, we see someone

who was close to Christ for three years and

yet found him lacking. Jesus didn't fulfill his

expectations, so Judas betrayed him.

Have you found yourself disillusioned with

God? Have you found yourself disappointed

by him? You are not alone. Just as Jacob did

in Genesis 32:22-31, we can wrestle with

God. Don't ignore your frustrations, rather

bring them before him. Wrestle with him and

let him transform you on the inside, turningyour disillusionment and disappointment into

clarity and excitement.

Ask him to help you find in his resurrection

the fulfillment of all your expectations. Let him

melt your misgivings into a confidence and

faith that transforms you into one who is fullycommitted to him. Let him do a work in you

that is beyond anything you could imagine.

You will not be disappointed in the outcome.

T U E S D A Y A P R I L 1 5

DAY 36

TRANSFORMING DISILLUSIONMENT INTOCOMMITMENT

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A

t Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46),

Christ takes his disciples to be with himwhile he prays. He knows the betrayer

is coming and he knows the suffering

that awaits him. So he prays.

Christ asks his disciples to keep watch with

him (verse 38). Three times Christ goes away

to pray and three times he comes back only

to find his disciples asleep.

Peter claims to have strength (verse 35),

yet at the first test of strength, in the unlikely

battlefield of sleep, Peter and the other

disciples fail. Christ warns them "watch andpray so that you will not fall into temptation.

The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak"(verse 41). Soon, Peter will deny Christ three

timesthree denials in the courtyard, following

his three naps in the garden.

If we are not in prayer, then we cannot resist

temptation or align our hearts and minds with

God's will. If we do not pray, we cannot

receive God's direction or be led by the HolySpirit. Prayer centers the Christian life. Give

yourself wholly and fully to prayer.

Put down this devotional guide and go pray

right now. Don't wait. And let God bring your

heart and mind in line with his.

DAY 37

WATCH AND PRAY

W E D N E S D A Y A P R I L 1 6

Notes:


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T

he moment Christ gave up his life on this

earth, the curtain of the temple tore intwo from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51).

Described in Exodus 26:31-33; 36:35;

2 Chronicles 3:14, the inner curtain, separates

the Most Holy Place from the Holy Place.

Strands of blue, purple and scarlet are woven

together to form a group of cherubim, the

guardian angels of God's holiness symbolically

barring the way into the Holy of Holies. Onlythe high priest, and only once a year, could

enter the Holy of Holies and be in God's

presence.

The death of Christ broke apart that barrier

to God's presence making the Old Testament

sacrificial system and the Levitical high priest-hood obsolete. The tearing of the veil signifies

the obsolescence of the temple ritual and law.

Jesus himself is the New Temple, the meeting

place of God and man!

Our sin acts as the curtain that keeps us from

the presence of God. When we confess our

sins we experience Christ's presence. Youget to be in the presence of God. Because

Jesus bore the burden of your sin, the barrier

between God and man is gone. No matter

what your sin, you can enter and be in the

presence of God.

T H U R S D A Y A P R I L 1 7

DAY 38

THE TORN VEIL

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I

n Matthew 28:1, the Marys visit Christ's

tomb only to find it empty and the stonerolled away. The angel sitting on top of the

stone said to the women, "I know that youare looking for Jesus, who was crucified. Heis not here; he has risengo quickly and tellhis disciples: 'He has risen from the deadand is going ahead of you into Galilee. Thereyou will see him"(verses 5-7). Not only did

the women receive the news that Christ hadrisen, but they had the hope of finding him.

Imagine their disappointment if the angel had

told them "Christ is risen, but you can't see him."

Instead, the angel gave them clear instructions:

tell the disciples, head to Galilee. They

just needed to trust the angel and obey,believing they would find Jesus.

Did you know that you can find Jesus, right

now? Do you realize that he wants to be

found? If you'll look, you will find him. "Askand it will be given to you; seek and youwill find; knock and the door will be opened

to you."(Luke 11:9)

DAY 39

SEEK AND FIND

G O O D F R I D A Y A P R I L 1 8

Notes:


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T

hroughout the Scriptures, there is a

process repeated several times whena man of God is taken away, leaving

the ministry to his protg. We see this

when the leading of Israel passes from Moses

to Joshua. We see this when the prophetic

ministry passes from Elijah to Elisha. And

we see it when Christ leaves and passes his

ministry to the disciples and ultimately to us.

The effects of Christ's resurrection are felt

through our service to him, reaching the world

with the good news of Christ's redemption

and forgiveness of sin. We tell others about

his regenerating power. We offer the lost,

broken and lonely the opportunity to be

found, forgiven and accepted.

The flame of the gospel transferred 2,000

years ago to the disciples when Christ left

this world and sent his Holy Spirit to make

his home with us (John 14:23). Through

successive generations, it has since transferred

to us. And one day, if the Lord tarries, we will

transfer this flame to younger generations.Consider to whom you can pass the flame

of the gospel to. He is risen! Hallelujah!

S A T U R D A Y A P R I L 1 9

DAY 40

THE FLAME IS TRANSFERRED

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MAPLE GROVE EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

8585 Rice Lake Road Maple Grove, MN 55369

Palm SundayAPRIL 13

9:30am

11:00am

Good FridayAPRIL 18

7:00pm

Easter SundayAPRIL 20

8:15am

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