Good morning! Have you ever seen someone struggle to carry something? Maybe it was a heavy bag or something else. Did you offer to help that person or hold a door because the person’s hands were full? Well sisters and brothers, today is a new day. The Lord is speaking and He is making himself known throughout the world. Join me as we continue reading Matthew 27. Have a wonderful day.

BIBLE VERSE – Matthew 27:32-34 NLT
“³² Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. ³³ And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). ³⁴ The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it. 

Some significant moments in these verses were:

• Simon of Cyrene carrying Jesus’ cross. What a honor and privilege it must have been to help Jesus, after Jesus had been beaten and abused. Do you think Simon understood the depths of his actions? Do you think Simon accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior? I wonder.

• The drink – wine with bitter gall was offered to reduce Jesus’ pain. Yet, Jesus rejected the drink and took on the pain of our sins all the way to the cross.

Today, we could ask ourselves,

• Self: are you willing to help carry Jesus’ cross in the world today?

• Self: are you willing to experience discomfort and maybe mockery for following Jesus?

• Self: are you willing to reject addictions and other vices (e.g., drugs, alcohol, sexual addiction, etc.) that cover up pain (from your past or current) that Jesus wants to heal you from?

• Self: are you ready to be and live free from the things that Jesus took care of at the cross?

REFLECTION
Sisters and brothers, Jesus came to set you free. In Isaiah 61:1-3 it says:

“¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.[a]
² He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,[b] and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
³ To all who mourn in Israel,[c] he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

In Luke 4:21, Jesus says,“Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!””

Again, sisters and brothers, Jesus came for us. He came to set us free. Do you want to be free?

PRAYER
Father God, in the name of Jesus we come to you today in awe and wonder of your grace and mercy in our lives. Lord, we don’t deserve anything from you, but yet you freely give to us the opportunity to be forgiven and set free. Lord, we come with a humble heart and a willing spirit to accept you as Lord of our lives. Lord, no one knows us like you know us. Lord, we believe and ask that you lead us today and each day after to live an abundant life in you. Lord, when we feel hopeless remind us of our hope in you. Lord, when we are in despair remind us that you have come and that your Holy Spirit is here to comfort us. Lord, when we feel trapped or bound or bitter by this world remind us that you have set us free. Lord, help us to keep our eyes affixed upon you. Stretch us in our faith and knowledge, and transform us to be more like you. In Jesus name, amen.

Today, sisters and brothers as you know we are not guaranteed to live another minute, hour or through this day. However, you have an opportunity to secure your life for all eternity in Christ Jesus as the Lord and Savior of your life. Are you willing to accept Christ Jesus as your Lord and savior or recommit your life to Christ?

The Bible says, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 NLT

If you believe this, pray with me:

“Father God, thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ to save us. Lord, we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts that Jesus Christ is your son, and that he died on the cross that we may be forgiven and have eternal life. Father God, we believe Jesus rose from the dead and we ask you to come into our lives to be our Lord and Savior. Father God, we repent of our sins and because your word is true we confess that we are born again believers and cleansed by the blood of Jesus.” Amen.

If this is the first time you prayed this prayer, I want to welcome you to the family of God. I encourage you to get involved in your local Bible believing and teaching church to surround yourself with a healthy body of Christian believers. Also, send me an email so that a member of my team or I can connect with you. Email: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

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PRAYER REQUEST
Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. Send your prayer request to: contactus@maryewhiteministries.com

Bible Reference: http://biblegateway.com

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