A huge thank you to my dear friend Jamie who offered up this thoughtful guest post for Holy Week this year!
Hello everyone! Thank you Wesley for having me on the blog, it's always so much fun and especially on such an important week. This week, leading up to Easter Sunday is such a reminder and encouragement for me. Easter is so much more than Spring, bunnies and candy (although I can eat more Cadbury Mini Eggs than anyone out there. Trust me).
Hello everyone! Thank you Wesley for having me on the blog, it's always so much fun and especially on such an important week. This week, leading up to Easter Sunday is such a reminder and encouragement for me. Easter is so much more than Spring, bunnies and candy (although I can eat more Cadbury Mini Eggs than anyone out there. Trust me).
It's a week where I am able to focus on the greatest gift of the Gospel; where Jesus conquered death in Jerusalem and rose on the third day! So today, I thought I'd share with you a roundup of some devotionals (and my favorite quotes) and music that have all helped me to focus on what we celebrate this week and I pray y'all are encouraged as well!
“He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.” Matthew 28:6
Joy at Easter
“Jesus went to the cross for joy: to buy joy, create joy, and offer joy.
As the world celebrated the savage killing of God, out of this sea of foaming rebel hostility emerged a blood-bought, inextinguishable joy.
As we have seen this week, the unquenchable joy of Easter was birthed in the greatest trauma and tragedy and evil the world has ever unleashed — the murder of the Son of God. Death, the Devil, demons, and the coordinated rebellion of mankind all allied together cannot stymie this joy. Persecutors cannot steal this joy away. No power, no event, no enemy, can sequester the resurrection joy of Jesus Christ that burst out of the tomb with him.”
“But if death is dead, and if the dead are raised — if Christ is risen from the dead! — brothers and sisters, let us feast and celebrate, for the dawning light of our inextinguishable and inexhaustible eternal pleasures have broken into the darkness, offering us a life of joy in Christ that cannot fade or rust or be stolen away!
Today, delight in the resurrection joy of Christ, pray it bigger in your life, and treasure it for all eternity.”
“Forever” by Kari Jobe
If this song comes on, I tend to get teary-eyed. I love the truth this song proclaims and this stanza especially - it is perfect for Easter.
The ground began to shake
The stone was rolled away
His perfect love could not be overcome
Now death where is your sting
Our resurrected King has rendered you defeated
Forever, He is glorified
Forever, He is lifted high
Forever, He is risen
He is alive
“The Donkey” by G.K. Chesterton
Y’all may be wondering what in the what does this poem have to do with Holy Week? This short poem is from the point of view of the donkey Jesus rode on during Palm Sunday and is a reminder that Jesus can and does use all of us! With all our stupidity, missteps and all the other things we do, the Lord still choose to use us. I’m so thankful for that.
“At The Cross (Love Ran Red)” by Chris Tomlin
This is the Easter message in a worship song - I’m reminded of where my hope is found.
There's a place where sin and shame are powerless
Where my heart has peace with God and forgiveness
Where all the love I've ever found
Comes like a flood
Comes flowing down
“What an Easter Monday Faith Looks Like” by Ann Voskamp
“The fullest life itself dawns from nothing but Calvary darkness — and out of tomb-black breaks the radiance of Easter morning.
Out of the darkness of the cross, the world transfigures into new life.”
“This Glorious Grace” by Austin Stone Worship
I’m a little biased since this is my church, but I love the message of Glorious Grace!
God Your grace, like rising seas
Has swallowed death and sin in me
God Your grace like rising seas
Has swallowed death and sin in me
Glory to my God who saves
Jesus Christ, my glorious grace
Glory to my God who saves
Jesus Christ, my glorious grace
“He is Risen!” By Beth Moore
“I cherish the next five words of the angels: "Remember how He told you" (v. 6). Beloved, have you forgotten something He told you? Christ, our Lord, is faithful to His promises. If you're not presently "seeing" Him at work in your situation, do not live as if He's lifeless and you're hopeless.
Believe Him and expect Him to reveal His resurrection power to you!”
“Trust In You” by Laura Daigle
This song reminds me that I can fully trust Him because of the cross. Amen!
Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings
There’s not a day ahead You have not seen
So, in all things be my life and breath
I want what You want Lord and nothing less
And just because here’s one more song:
“Break Every Chain” by Tasha Cobbs
I love this song. That is all.
There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
To break every chain
Break every chain
Break every chain
If interested in more resources, here’s a free download to Holy week devotionals from Desiring God. You can download different formats here.
May you be blessed this week and especially this coming Sunday!
“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.” Numbers 6:24-26
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you so much for your comment. I'd love to talk books with you!