Daily Scripture - Apr 30

2 Corinthians 4:10-12
(Memorization Scripture 10-12)
10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.

Daily Scripture - Apr 29

2 Timothy 4:2-5
（Memorization Scripture 3-4）
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Daily Scripture - Apr 27

Romans 8:28-30
（Memorization Scripture 28）
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Daily Scripture - Apr 26

1 Corinthians 2:1-5
（Memorization Scripture 1-2）
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Daily Scripture - Apr 25

John 1:9-14
（Memorization Scripture 14）
9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Daily Scripture - Apr 24

John 11:25-26
(Memorization Verses: 25-26)
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

Daily Scripture - Apr 23

Acts 3:15-16
(Memorization Verses:15-16)
15 and (you) killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. 16 And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Daily Scripture - Apr 22

1 Peter 2:4-10
(Memorization Scripture9)
4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,
“Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who [b]are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.”They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
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; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Daily Scripture - Apr 21

Luke 3:4-6
(Memorization Scripture 5-6)
4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough ways smooth;
6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”

Daily Scripture - Apr 20

Galatians 2:20
（Memorization Scripture 20）
20 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.

Daily Scripture - Apr 19

Ephesians 2:4-10
（Memorization Scripture 5-7）
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Daily Scripture - Apr 18

Hebrews 12:10-13
(Memorization Scripture 10-11)
10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

Daily Scripture - Apr 17

Luke 4:18-19
(Memorization Scripture 18-19)
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Daily Scripture - Apr 16

Scriptures:
“Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit."(Luke 23:46)

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” (John 10:17-18)
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:19-23)

Psalm 31:1-8

Message:
As we stand at the foot of the cross and hear this final saying, we realize this is not any ordinary death. Jesus had earlier told us that he would not die at the hands of men but by his own obedient volition (John 10:17-18). For Jesus, death is no out-of-control enemy. No matter how bleak the moment, he knows his Father is present with Him and there to accept, protect, and will soon resurrect Him and so into God’s loving hands our Lord Christ entrusts His spirit. Jesus both trusts His redemption and glorification into the Father’s everlasting arms as well as knowing that the Father accepts and approves of Jesus’ whole earthly life.

These words have been called Jesus’ entrance-greeting to Heaven. Jesus, who had been with the Father in glory from eternity past, is going to step back into his full glory (John 17:5) in honor, power, and authority at the Father’s right hand. This amazing turning point in the earthly life of Christ and the pinnacle of all human history was actually visible: the sky turned an ominous black in the middle of the day and the heavy, thick temple curtain was torn in two (the new reality in the heavens and on earth that the sacrificial system of the temple was at a close). A new era had begun.

It is here through Jesus’ cross-work that we are both drawn to Christ and redeemed before our Father. At this moment our Lord Jesus is restored to His full glory and we are given the chance to enter into that glory, into the very presence of God. As the temple curtain that had separated mankind from the holy of holies is removed, so too is the separation between our lives and God’s presence through Jesus Christ’s final sacrifice and imparted righteousness. We have the confidence to enter the holy presence of God by the blood of Jesus.

Meditation:
Paul said in II Timothy 1:12, ""I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to Him until that day."" Meditate on the absolute security you have in Christ’s salvation and imparted righteousness. Think too on the fact that you can now confidently enter into the holiest of holies, standing before the Lord with no condemnation -- all because of the new and living way Christ has opened up (Hebrews 10:19-23)! This news is not too good to be true but the wondrous gospel that now you have no obstacle stopping you from coming to the Father. Nothing can tear you away from God’s love, nothing can forfeit Christ’s redemption, and nothing can ever steal away the Spirit’s presence in your life. If this is true, think about the spectacular security, intimacy, and fellowship with God that is yours today and for eternity.

What we can do:
Jesus here quotes from Psalm 31, when David in distress expressed full confidence in the Lord’s deliverance. Today pray Jesus’ words as the truth of your salvation and ask the Lord to ground your trust in His deliverance from any overwhelming distress you’re suffering in your career, marriage, family, friendships, finances, and relationship with God.

Ask the Spirit to examine your heart today--is your trust primarily and exclusively in God? Psalm 31 contrasts entrusting our lives to God with trusting in idols. Spend 3-5 minutes before God, asking the Holy Spirit to show you where you are putting your security in things other than Christ. If yes, then humbly ask the Holy Spirit to turn your heart to trust fully in Christ.


Draw near to God knowing Jesus’ blood has paid it all. No guilt or shame should keep you from the sweet fellowship of the Father as most assuredly Jesus cleansed you from sin in His death on the cross. Is anything disturbing your faith, any sin hindering you from drawing near to God, or any evil troubling your conscience today? Christ is faithful to forgive you today, washing you clean, so that you might draw near to God with a pure heart.

Song: Amazing Love

Daily Scripture - Apr 15

Scriptures:
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. (John 19:30)
Message:
“Calvary is the very pivot of the world's history. All prior things pointed forward to it; and all subsequent things point back to it. Even the future rests upon it, for the redeemed in heaven find it the center of heaven as they behold a Lamb in the midst of the throne, ‘standing as though it had been slain.’” - Mrs. Jessie Penn-Lewis

“It is finished,” is probably the most critical sentence out of the seven last sayings of Christ from the cross. When Jesus said, "It is finished” (Tetelestai - “τετελέσται” in Greek), it was not a dying groan of pain, but rather Jesus speaking of the glorious truth that He had completely accomplished what the Lord had given Him to do (John 17:4). The work of the Incarnate Word had been completed:
Satan was defeated;
Every requirement of the Law was fulfilled and God’s holy wrath against sin has been satisfied;
By simply believing in Christ and receiving Him as Savior, not only are sinners reconciled with the holy God, but they are also united with Jesus Christ. They are called children of God and made co-heirs with Christ. Their joy is in the Lord.

Perhaps what is even more worth noting is that the original Greek word Tetelestai - τετελέσται actually means "it has been now and forever finished.” The word was also written on business receipts in New Testament times to indicate that a bill had been “paid in full.” Since Jesus proclaimed that God’s salvation plan is now and forever accomplished, we have the full assurance that our redemption is eternally secured. He left no unfinished business behind.

Hallelujah! It is finished …… indeed!
Meditation:
Try to recall the related prophecies from the Old Testament and teachings from the New Testament concerning what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Give praise and thanks to God as you meditate on them. Here are a few examples
:
Hebrews 10:12-14: But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
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.
Genesis 3:15b: He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.
Romans 3:24c-25a: ...Jesus Christ, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness.
Romans 6:10: For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.
Hebrews 2:14-15: Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Our response:
Write out words of thanksgiving and praise for your salvation in Jesus Christ. Put it in your Bible so that it can remind you to be grateful for God.

Knowing that you stand in Jesus’ victorious position, look at your present circumstances and difficulties from a new perspective. Write down how looking at your present situation from a new perspective changes how you approach life. Share with another person.

Song: Amenl.

Daily Scripture - Apr 14

Scripture:
“After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” (John 19:28-30)

Message:
I thirst. Yes, Jesus was thirsty. He, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, is the Son of God. He was betrayed, was arrested, was struck, was insulted, and suffered in an illegal, rigged trial by the Sanhedrin. He was later brought to Golgotha and was crucified. For a day and night, He had been experiencing the excruciating torment and brutal punishment of the cross. He thirsted as His human body went through such anguish. When talking about Jesus, Paul says, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8).” How great is the love of Jesus! The Son of God was willing to die for me. He laid down his life and shed his blood for the forgiveness of my sin.

Yes, Jesus was thirsty. However, no water was given to him. A soldier ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. This also witnesses that Jesus is the Messiah who was predicted in the Old Testament, as it fulfills what was written in Psalm 69:21: “They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” The Son of God, who personally suffered so greatly, cried out to the world, “if anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38). The Son of God is the living water, which never dries up. Jesus, our Lord, we thank you for You have laid down Your life for us and filled those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Meditation:
Come to Jesus with a faithful and grateful heart. Think about the reason why Jesus would suffer on the cross for us and feel the love of Jesus, our Lord. Today, if he says to you, “I thirst,” what will be your response?

What we can do:
Pray that God helps us to care for and help people who are in need through our love for Jesus Christ today. Matthew 25:34-40 “... for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; ...Assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

Song: O Come to the Altar

Daily Scripture - Apr 13

Wednesday 4/13
Scriptures:
The LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah53:6b)

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:45-46)

Reflection Message:
This is the most painful moment for Jesus! Jesus, the Holy Lamb of God, never sinned, yet bore the iniquities for the whole world, and is the propitiation for our sins. The Father forsook the Son because the Son took upon Himself all of our iniquities. Jesus Christ not only bore man’s sin but actually became sin on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21), in order that those who believe in Him might be saved from the penalty of their sin. He is the substitute for you and me, and for all mankind. Without this substitute, we would not be able to be reconciled with the Father. Yet, this “substitution” caused such excruciating pain in Jesus - for He had to be separated from Father! The holy God can never coexist with sin! If God the Father even forsook Jesus, His only begotten Son, because sin was on Him, how is it possible that we can run away from God’s wrath if we sin? Yet, wonderfully, we are all sinners now saved by grace.

Meditation:
1) What is my attitude toward sin after I understand that God can not tolerate sin?
2) Have you ever been wrongly accused for something that you did not do and have to suffer greatly for it? Think today of how great a price Jesus has paid for you.
What we can do:
“Father God, please let me see sin the way you see it. Please help me not to take it lightly. If there are any sins in my life right now, I promise to cut off all ties to them. May the Holy Spirit who testifies for Jesus Christ convict me of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement. In the victorious name of Jesus I pray.”

The last seven words of Jesus on the cross(4) (including the song:Worship Song: How Deep the Father’s Love for Us)

Key Issues:
In the Four Gospels, there is no detailed record of Jesus’ words or acts (on the 4th day).

Daily Scripture - Apr 12

Tuesday 4/12
Scriptures:
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!”27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. (John 19:25-27)

Reflection Message:
Today’s scripture is the third saying spoken by Jesus on the cross. We will dive into its precious meaning from two angles.

A) It fully expresses the beautiful humanity of Jesus
After Jesus, who is the Word, became flesh, not only did He obey God’s will in His human body and thus fulfill what God had entrusted to Him, but His life spoke to glorify God in the flesh. In His everyday life and speech, we see the most glorious of humanity. As John testifies, “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:18). The author of Hebrews states, “[Christ] being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person” (Hebrews 1:3). The Bible has a great number of depictions of Jesus’ kindness, gentleness, humility, love and empathy; all of them illustrate His perfect humanness. Here, as Christ is about to endure the cruelest of trials and the deepest of sufferings, He still thinks of His mother’s pain and needs, and He entrusts her to His beloved disciple. In this account, it is as if the Holy Spirit cracked open a small window for us to peer through, and we witness His most attentive love and perfect humanity. Not only is He the true God but also the true human. He is the only one that can live out perfect humanity, and He alone is able to understand all of our weaknesses and needs - “for we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:15).
Meditation:
Try to recall and meditate on every description of Jesus’ beautiful humanity in Scripture. Give praise and give thanks to God for each of them.

What we can do:
Imitate Christ. Please spend two to three minutes and pray for your parents or your closest family. Write down your prayer.

B) “We are a family” in Christ
Not only did the blood of Christ show His great love for us, but through these words, we see that in Christ, through His glorious life and love, we have become His family. The cross not only abolished all enmity, but it also removed all dividing walls (Ephesians 2:14-15). We “are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19). This is just as Jesus reminded us when He was on earth, “For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:50).

Meditation:
Why is the cross of Jesus Christ necessary for us to become a member of the household of God?

What we can do:
In this week, as a member of God’s household, please express your love to one member in church as you would express such love to your own parents or own children.

The last seven words of Jesus on the cross(3) (including the song:Worship Song: Hail to the King)

Key Issues:
1.Jesus talks about the effectiveness of faith Location：On the way to Jerusalem Matthew 21:20‐22 、Mark 11:20‐26
2 .Jesus talks about his authority Location：Jerusalem Matthew 21:23‐22:
a.answer the question of the chief priests Matthew 21:23‐27, Mark 11:27‐33，Luke 20:1‐8,
b. the parable of the two sons receiving their father’s order Matthew 21:28‐32,
c. The parable of the wicked vinedressers Matthew 21:33‐46, Mark 12:1‐12，Luke 20:9-19
d.The parable of the Wedding Feast Matthew 22:1‐14
3. Jesus talks about paying taxes Location：Jerusalem Matthew 22:15‐22 ,Mark12:13‐17,Luke 20:20‐26
4. Jesus talks about the Resurrection Location：Jerusalem Matthew22:23‐33 ,Mark12:18‐27 Luke 20:27‐38
5. Jesus talks about the first commandment of all. Location： Jerusalem Matthew 22:34‐40 ,Mark 12:28‐34 , Luke 20:39‐40
6. Jesus talks about the relationship between Christ and David Location:Jerusalem Matthew 22:41‐46,Mark 12:35‐37, Luke 20:41‐44
7. Jesus talks about the situation of the hypocrites Location：Jerusalem Matthew23:1‐36,Mark 12:38‐40 , Luke 20:45‐47
8. Jesus laments over Jerusalem Location：Jerusalem Matthew 23:37‐39
9. Jesus commends on the widow’s two mites Location：Jerusalem Mark 12:41‐44, Luke 21:1‐4
10 .Greeks come to see Jesus Location：Jerusalem John 12:20‐36
11 .The last public talk of Jesus Location：Jerusalem John 12:37‐50
12. Jesus talks about the things to come The mountain of Olives Matthew24:1‐25:46, Mark 13:1‐37, Luke 21:5‐36
a. Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple
b. The signs of his second coming
c. Exhortation on being alert
d. The Parable of the wise and foolish virgins
e. The parable of the talents
f. The parable of separating the sheep and the goats.
13 .Jesus mentions his death for the fourth time Location：Jerusalem Matthew 26:1‐2
14 .The chief priests and others plot to arrest Jesus Location：Jerusalem Matthew26:3‐5,Mark 14:1‐2, Luke 22:1‐2
15 .Judah agrees to betray Jesus Matthew 26:14‐16,Mark 14:10‐11 , Luke 22:3‐6

Daily Scripture - Apr 11

Monday 4/11
>Scriptures:
Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)

Reflection Message:
Have you ever realized that all of us once despised and rejected Jesus, not knowing Him, and were even enemies of Him (Colossians 1:21), just like the first robber in this passage? We are all destined to be perishing sinners. However, the second robber confessed that he was a sinner and believed that Jesus was the holy lamb of God, acknowledging Jesus as his savior. As a dying criminal who sinned his whole life, it must be his ultimate joy and hope to hear Jesus say “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise”. At the same time, the repentance of this robber was also a great comfort to Jesus, as He got to see the fruit of His labor.

The same sacrificial love on the cross is still there for everyone of us today. It’s never too late to accept Jesus as our savior no matter how broken, filthy, or sinful we are. Any time we can make a U-turn to our Heavenly Father, who always welcomes us home with open arms.


Meditation:
Think of how Jesus restored and encouraged us when we were in our spiritual valley, and offer thanksgiving and praises to Him for that. Search your heart to see if there is still any sin that makes you fear or keeps you from the joy of your perfect salvation. Commit yourself completely to the Lord through prayers and repentance.

What we can do:
Pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal and cleanse all our presumptuous and secret sins (disobedience, pride, addiction, enslavement to Satan, and the lust of the flesh). Embrace the peace of salvation through prayers.
Tell at least one seeker that Jesus loves him/her and share with him/her your testimony.

Worship Song: Shout to the Lord (Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise)

Key Issues:
1 Jesus curses the fig tree Location ：On the way to Jerusalem Matthew21:18‐19 Mark11:12‐14
2 Jesus cleans the temple for the second time Location：erusalem Matthew21:12‐16 Mark11:15‐17 Luke19:45‐46
3 the chief priests want to kill Jesus Location ：Jerusalem Mark11:18 Luke19:47‐48
4 Jesus spends the night on the Mount of Olives Location：the Mount of Olives Mark11:19 Luke21:37‐38

Daily Scripture - Apr 10

Palm Sunday 4/10
Scriptures:
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Reflection Message:
Today is Palm Sunday. In this upcoming week when we remember and honor the passion of Jesus Christ, we recall once more the complete salvation that Christ has accomplished through his suffering on the cross. On Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the crowd shouted, “Hosanna” (which means “save us”), in hopes that Jesus would deliver them from being subjugated by the Gentiles of Rome. No one knew, however, that Jesus came into Jerusalem to obey the will of God and to give Himself as a sin offering so that people everywhere can be set apart from sin, death, and eternal judgement. As Christ was nailed to the cross in His bare flesh, He withstood pain and shame, and with His face covered in blood, he looked to the heavens and prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” This is the first sentence spoken by Christ on the cross. Let us consider that Jesus was not only referring to the Jews and Roman soldiers who put in the nails, but it is our sins too that have nailed Jesus to the cross. He forgave the sinners standing before Him and He too forgives us our sins from the inside out. His forgiveness is for all of time, unconditional, and complete.

Meditation:
Let us spend a little time today to repent and be still before the Lord. Meditate on: 1) It was for my sins that Christ was nailed to the cross, and through entering His suffering on the cross, may I become more sensitive to my own sins. 2) His forgiveness is always present, unconditional, and complete.

What we can do:
Confess that I am a sinner and thank God for the riches of His grace, so that I have the redemption in Christ through His blood and the forgiveness of sins. (Ephetians.1:6)

Accept in my heart His complete forgiveness. Allow the Lord also to prune me through the work of the cross, and rid me of everything, including hobbies and habits, that do not please Him, so that the life of Christ may reign in me and that I may bear much fruit for His glory.

Worship Song: Lord I Need You

Key Issues:
1 Jesus rode the donkey’s colt to Jerusalem Location:Bethany to Jerusalem Matthew 21:1‐11 Mark11:1‐10 Luke19:29‐40 John12:12‐19
2 Jesus cried for Jerusalem Location:Jerusalem Luke19:41‐44
3 Jesus stays in Bethany Location:Bethany Matthew 21:17 Mark11:11

Daily Scripture - Apr 9

1 John 4:8b-10
(Memorization Scripture 10)
8 ... God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Daily Scripture - Apr 8

John 8:10-19
(Memorization Scripture 12)
10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”
11 She said, “No one, Lord.”
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go [k]and sin no more.”
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.”
14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. 17 It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”
19 Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?”
Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”

Daily Scripture - Apr 7

Matthew 12:18-21
(Memorization Scripture 18-21)
18 “Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen,
My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!
I will put My Spirit upon Him,
And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel nor cry out,
Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed He will not break,
And smoking flax He will not quench,
Till He sends forth justice to victory;
21 And in His name Gentiles will trust.”

Daily Scripture - Apr 6

1 Timothy 1:15-17
(Memorization Scripture 15-17)
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Scripture - Apr 5

Psalms 62:5-8
(Memorization Scripture 5-8)
5 My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.
8 Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah

Daily Scripture - Apr 4

Romans 11:33-36
(Memorization Scripture33-36)
33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has become His counselor?”
35 “Or who has first given to Him
And it shall be repaid to him?”
36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Daily Scripture - Apr 3

Galatians 5:1-8
(Memorization Scripture 1)
1Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.

Daily Scripture - Apr 2

Habakkuk 3:17-19a
(Memorization Scripture17-19a)
17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19a The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.
...

Daily Scripture - Apr 1

Job 36:5-16 (Memorization Scripture15-16) 5 “Behold, God is mighty, but despises no one; He is mighty in strength of understanding. 6 He does not preserve the life of the wicked, But gives justice to the oppressed. 7 He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous; But they are on the throne with kings, For He has seated them forever, And they are exalted. 8 And if they are bound in fetters, Held in the cords of affliction, 9 Then He tells them their work and their transgressions— That they have acted defiantly. 10 He also opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they turn from iniquity. 11 If they obey and serve Him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures. 12 But if they do not obey, They shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge. 13 “But the hypocrites in heart store up wrath; They do not cry for help when He binds them. 14 They die in youth, And their life ends among the perverted persons. 15 He delivers the poor in their affliction, And opens their ears in oppression. 16 “Indeed He would have brought you out of dire distress, Into a broad place where there is no restraint; And what is set on your table would be full of richness.