Below you will find a template to help you get clearer on your vision for Greater.  The thought provoking questions allow you to take your vision to the next level. 

Single events can change the course of your entire life. From devastating breakups to  college acceptance letters, little moments have big impacts. This is true in our lives, but it's  also true in human history. At the center of universe-shifting moments, there is one  supreme event.  
The resurrection of Jesus reigns as the most extravagant and significant event ever to  happen. All of history hinges on that single Sunday morning in ancient Jerusalem. Faith  movements were sparked. Kingdoms began to crumble. All of humanity was gifted a direct  connection to God.  
Reinforcing this truth, Paul cuts right to the chase when he explains, "If Christ has not been  raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith" (1 Corinthians 15:14). The resurrection  isn't just a significant event. It's the central event. Our entire faith firmly holds to this  foundation. Without it, we have nothing.  
Let's be honest. A dead person coming back to life is difficult to comprehend or even  believe. I agree. I have been there and processed that. However, the Bible authors basically  dare people to disprove the resurrection. This wasn't something that happened thousands  of years ago to their audience. It was trending news. Thus, it would have been relatively  easy for Rome to disprove the resurrection. So why didn't they?  
This brings us to our discussion today. Here are three reasons to trust the validity of the  greatest moment of human history - the resurrection.  
Jesus Definitely Died & Was Buried 
The Romans bragged about their ability to torture and execute their criminals. They didn't  just invent crucifixion, they perfected it. After his brutal beating and crucifixion, which was  enough to kill anyone, they plunged a spear into his ribcage. The Bible explains that water  poured out, which modern doctors attribute to fatal blood loss. There is no way someone  
could have survived such suffering and trauma.  
After Christ was pronounced dead, soldiers lugged his lifeless body to a little tomb on the  outskirts of town. They didn't just shut the door; they built a fortress. Public officials were  warned that the body might go missing because His followers predicted a supernatural  resurrection. Thus, dozens of skilled centurions rolled a massive boulder over the entrance  of the cave. Twenty-four hours a day, a squad of battle-ready soldiers guarded the tomb  with shields and weapons. Rome didn't just want Jesus dead. They wanted Jesus' corpse  protected by immovable boulders and military force.
Some people try to claim that the body was stolen by the disciples. But how on earth  could they pull off this mission-impossible-level heist? It's impossible to comprehend how  a few fishermen from the suburbs could successfully steal a 160-pound human body being  protected by the strongest military in the world.  

The Tomb was Definitely Empty
We can be assured that Jesus publicly died before a highly-protected burial. However, we  can also affirm that His body went missing. When rumors of resurrection swept through the  city, Rome wanted to shut it down.  
There was one simple solution -- show people Jesus’ dead body. Rome was notorious for  putting deceased criminals on display in public courtyards. This gruesome practice was  designed to intimidate criminals and prevent further rebellion. If Jesus was still buried, they  would have simply drug his body through the street or put it on display downtown. They  didn't do this because His body was nowhere to be found.  
Jesus grew in popularity after his execution. The resurrection was the big news story in the  Roman Republic. Hundreds of people shared supernatural stories of Christ encounters in  the following days. Christianity spread to thousands of people in just about two months  after the resurrection. The world-changing reality of the resurrection initiated this explosion  of faith. If Rome could have proved it false, they would have. The only logical explanation is  that the tomb was empty, and Jesus was alive.  

If It Was a Lie, Why Did They Die?
If Jesus' resurrection was a hoax, then the disciples must have been involved. Why would they all sacrifice their lives for a scam? History tells us that Peter was crucified upside  down. He wouldn't be willing to die if He didn't speak to Jesus after His resurrection.  Thomas was stabbed to death in Syria. He wouldn't have preached the gospel to a hostile  crowd if He hadn't touched the wounds of his risen friend, Jesus (John 20:28). John was  imprisoned on the island of Patmos during the rule of the Dominion. He went for months  without food or clean water. He could have easily denied Jesus to be sent home, but He  didn't. This is because He sat at the foot of the cross while Jesus died, then He had  breakfast on the beach with Him a few days later (John 21:2).  
So many of these early followers went all the way to their deaths to defend Jesus' life,  crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Their experiences with Jesus were so real that  execution was the least of their concerns. Not a single person would die for a sham they  fabricated — let alone dozens of people.  
Doubt is inevitable. However, doubting the resurrection takes more faith than believing in it.

READING PLAN  
READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY  

• 1 Samuel 17:1-18 
• Psalm 4:8 
• Daniel 1:3-7 
• Luke 24:1-12  
• 2 Corinthians 5:3-7  
• Hebrews 11:1-4  
• Hebrews 11:39-40 

Do the following with each passage:
ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present.  Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.  
READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you,  reading them a second time if necessary.  
REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and  experiences?  
RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways  to live out what you’ve uncovered.

A high school senior gently knocked on my office door one Tuesday morning. She was  the top student in my Comparative Religions class, so I was excited to chat. After  sitting down, she gulped, "I am starting to doubt my faith." Her face appeared  ashamed as she shrunk into her chair. "That's amazing news," I announced. Shame  morphed into relief. She responded, "Wait; I thought you'd be concerned. What do you  mean?" Optimistically, I explained, "This means you are thinking for yourself. Let's  talk!” 
Doubt, within itself, isn't a bad sign. It's often a great one. It means that you are  thinking for yourself, wrestling with your beliefs, and taking ownership of your faith.  People don't abandon faith because of doubt. They leave because they never took true  ownership of their faith. While doubt seems dangerous, it can be significant. It is often  the first step to wisdom, growth, and understanding. Doubt, when properly  approached, can lead us to deeper faith.  
Faith can fluctuate in our lives. Sometimes faith flows like a fountain. Other times, faith  feels like a fight. I'm sure you've been there. You're wrestling with complex questions  while God seems silent. If you've ever felt this way, then you are not alone. Meet a  fascinating figure in Mark's Gospel. A caring father is in the middle of a faith crisis, so  he approaches Jesus with his doubts.  

READ: Mark 9:17; 20-27
"Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of  speech”… So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the  boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.  Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he  
answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do  anything, take pity on us and help us." "If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible  for one who believes.”
The young boy in this story was mentally tormented for his entire life. His family must  have been mentally tormented as well. Imagine going through every day knowing your  son could attempt suicide at any moment. Most parents get to watch their kids  develop, grow, and thrive. In desperation, these parents saw their son experience  suffering, torture, and darkness. The distress developed into doubt.  
This doubting dad pleads, "Help me with my unbelief" (9:24). These aren't the words of  a devout, happy-go-lucky, faith-filled follower of Jesus. Nope, this discussion drips  with desperation and doubt. He's asking for two miracles. First, he wants his child to  be rescued. Second, he wants his faith to be restored.  
Without hesitation, Jesus moves in power. The boy convulses on the ground as a  plume of red dust rises around him like steam from a kettle. Suddenly, the madness  becomes motionlessness. After an uncomfortable stillness, he rises to his feet, dusts himself off, and smiles wide. The son encountered restoration, and the father's faith  experienced resurrection.  
What do you do when doubt seems daunting?  

Pray: "God, Help my unbelief."
This is a phrase we will all pray at one point or another. Questions will become too big.  Life will become too hard. Doubt will become too dark. Jesus didn't tell this man,  "Sorry pal, you're out of luck! You don't believe, so you're stuck." Instead, Jesus  encouraged this man to begin with the little bit of faith he already had. It was small, but  it was a start.  

Start With The Little Faith You Have 
We must follow this father's lead. Start with the faith you have, even if it's only a little.  Take inventory of all the ways you've seen Jesus move in the past, then write them  down. Look at all the good things in your life and thank God for them. Place your hand  on your heart and count your heartbeats. Know that each pump is proof of God's  purpose for you. You don't need to have faith the size of a mountain; you just need  faith the size of a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20).  
What are some places where you're struggling to trust Jesus? Tell Him right now. Are  you questioning the correlation between faith and science? Bring that to God. Are you  losing sleep because God has seemed silent? Tell that to your loving Father. Are you  questioning God because your experience didn't match your expectation? Go to God  instead of running the other way.  
If you have doubts, pray this today. "God I have a little bit of faith, but I have doubts  too. Can you help me with my unbelief?" You don't need supersized faith, just some  faith. Take that fragment of faith and apply it to a conversation with God. The Apostle  Paul encourages you to walk by faith. He doesn't teach you to sit by faith, think by  faith, or rest by faith. It's a verb. It encourages us to move forward in faith. Faith isn't an  idea, it's an action. Faith formation can require a journey, discussion, or a wrestling  match.  
We eclipse our doubts when we walk in faith. That's your calling today. Walk forward in  the faith you have, even if it's small.

READING PLAN  
READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY  

• Psalm 136:1-5 
• Psalm 136:6-10  
• Exodus 14:14 
• John 14:27  
• 1 John 4:16-19  
• Matthew 5:14-16  
• 2 Corinthians 5:14-16  

Do the following with each passage:
ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present.  Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.  
READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you,  reading them a second time if necessary.  
REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and  experiences?  
RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways  to live out what you’ve uncovered.

This statistic both blows my mind and breaks my heart. I have always had a roof over  my head, a refrigerator full of food, and functioning central heating. Thus, I have a hard  time wrapping my head around the severe reality of this statistic. One day, my whole  perspective on the topic was shattered. These numbers took on new meaning when I  learned someone's name.  
"The name's Tony," a bearded man said with a smile while petting his black and white  dog. Tony was one of the thousands of homeless people living on the streets of San  Fransisco, California. Tony used to live in the city next to mine in North Carolina. He  served on the Air Force base I used to visit on class field trips. Bad luck and illness  snowballed until he couldn't afford rent. Now, he was homeless. His kindness was  contagious and his stories were hilarious. Befriending Tony gave me a whole new  perspective on the homelessness statistics you see printed on posters in the subway.  These statistics represent thousands of stories. These numbers represent thousands of  names.  
"Seeing is believing," people often proclaim. I believed that homelessness existed, but  my understanding shifted when I met Tony. There is a huge difference between  knowing something and experiencing it. Let's examine the life of someone who got to  experience something He couldn't explain. Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus,  struggled to believe in something he couldn't see. Everything changed when Jesus  showed up.  

READ: John 20:26-27
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though  the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with  you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your  hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 
This exchange in John chapter twenty takes place in the middle of sheer madness. A  killer named Barabas was recently released to the streets, so people were frightened  for their lives. Jesus was publicly beaten, murdered, and buried. His public execution  triggered earthquakes and plague-like darkness. 
After that, his closest friends all scattered. Can you blame them? They were followers  of a convicted criminal so they had a target on their backs. Fear led them to hide in  terror. After a grim experience on Friday, they couldn't imagine the glory of Sunday.  Jesus wasn't just speaking metaphorically when He talked about resurrection. His eyes  open wide, his deflated lungs filled with air, and life entered His body as he broke out of  that borrowed grave!  
Can you imagine the disciples' shock and celebration when Jesus appeared before  them on the first Easter (John 20:19). Filled with joy, they took turns hugging their rabbi.  

They could feel the scars on His arms and see the bruises on his face. Everyone got to  celebrate with Jesus, except for one (John 20:24). Thomas was probably out fishing,  applying to jobs, or waiting in line at the market. Thus, He missed Christ's holy  homecoming.  
When Jesus was executed, it undoubtedly shook Thomas to his core. Jesus, his friend  and mentor, was beaten to death while the public applauded. He couldn't look away as  Jesus was nailed to a cross. His stomach turned as soldiers stabbed a spear through  His ribs. Thomas, the doubting disciple, was convinced that Jesus was going to  change the world. Then he watched Him die a criminal's death. Thomas gave up  everything to follow Jesus, and his entire world was falling apart after the tragic events  at Golgotha.  
Suddenly Thomas was told, "Jesus is alive! Everything He said was true!" But Thomas  had his doubts, saying, "I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his  hands" (20:27).  
We often give Thomas a bad wrap, but I can relate to him. It's hard to believe  something so marvelous during the worst weekend of your life. Everything changed  when Jesus walked through the door. Let the strangeness of this situation sink in. A  murdered man stood in Thomas' house. Sensing skepticism, Jesus calmly replied, "Put  your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop  doubting and believe."  
How did Jesus respond to Thomas? He didn't lash out at him. He didn't teach him a  lesson. Nope, Jesus just loved him. Christ gave Thomas exactly what he was asking  for -- evidence. Thomas ran his hands across cuts, scabs, and bruises. His touch  turned into an embrace when reality hit him. "Stop doubting and believe," Jesus  repeated. It's important to see that Jesus said this after giving Thomas the evidence he  sought.  
Jesus is bigger than your doubts. He's not afraid of your questions or intimidated by  your confusion. Instead, Jesus joins us in our investigation. It's pivotal that we let our  doubts lead to development.  
How do we develop through our doubts? Here are three pieces of advice.  

Don't doubt in silence.  
It's impossible to get answers without asking questions. Thomas let his questions be  known. He started an open conversation about his doubts, which ultimately put him in  the perfect place to grow in his faith. When you doubt in silence, you struggle. When  you doubt in the open, you develop.  

Bring your doubts to your friends.  
We get a glimpse of Thomas sharing his questions with his close friends. Together, they  worked towards closure. Doubt is completely natural, but it's crucial that your doubts  start discussions. Ultimately, those honest discussions will fuel your faith. If your mind  is filled with questions, please be open and honest about your doubts. Speak to a  trusted friend or mentor.  

Bring your doubts to Jesus.  
We can learn a lot from Thomas. He told Jesus directly that he was struggling to make  sense of it all. Jesus was ready to help him see and experience the truth. His doubts  brought him closer to the divine. The same is true for you. When you have questions,  bring them to Jesus. Pray that God increases your faith.  
God won't always give you a crystal clear answer. However, He will always help you  contextualize your questions. Your goal isn't to know all the answers. Rather, it's to  grow closer to the One who does.  

READING PLAN  
READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY  

• Isaiah 43:1-7 
• Matthew 6:25-34  
• Psalm 121  
• Genesis 50:20  
• Hebrews 13:8  
• Ephesians 6:10-18 
• Psalm 4:8  

Do the following with each passage:
ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present.  Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.  
READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you,  reading them a second time if necessary.  
REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and  experiences?  
RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways  to live out what you’ve uncovered.

"Maybe I have been wrong about God for my entire life," I scribbled in my journal late  one night. "Is God even real?" I sighed to myself at the beginning of another sleepless  night.  
Don't get me wrong. I loved Jesus. Faith was the foundation of my upbringing. My  mother worked sixty hours a week for a church the size of a shopping mall. This meant  that I spent more time in a church building than I did in my own house. Christianity was  the nucleus of my life — the central hub that powered everything around me. I listened  to Christian CDs. I wore Christian t-shirts with cheesy slogans across the chest. I  fervently took color-coded notes while listening to three sermons a week. In that same  black notebook, I silently wrestled with my belief in God.  
As a teenager, my faith morphed into a facade. I carried around a big leather Bible, but  I questioned its validity. I listened to praise music, but I struggled through the lyrics. I  publicly prayed to God, but I privately doubted His existence.  
I didn't doubt God due to philosophy or science. My doubt took shape as I suffered  through debilitating depression. Every day I was haunted by dark thoughts and a  nagging lack of interest in life. It wasn't just despair; it was a disease. "Pray it away,"  seemed to be the summary of sermons. I prayed and prayed and prayed.  Regardless, my mental illness remained. As the cycle repeated, my doubt developed.  
Doubt often happens when our expectations don't match our experiences. We  expected our teenage years to be the best years of our lives, but every day breeds a  new struggle. We expected God to heal our grandfather, but now we are sending out  funeral announcements. We expected God to make His plan crystal clear, but we are  feeling lost and directionless.  
Here is a message I wish someone shared with me while I was wrestling with my faith.  Doubt is natural. Doubt is normal. Doubt is inevitable. So what do we do when we face  uncertainty, questions, and doubt? Let's examine the simple advice of Jude.
 

READ: Jude 22  
"Be merciful to those who doubt."  

It's easy to hide your true self from your friends, but it's much harder to hide from your  family. Your siblings know your shortcomings and secrets better than anyone else.  When we are reading Jude, we are reading the words of Jesus' brother. This should  speak volumes about the legitimacy of Christ, as his own brother fought for his  message. Some of your siblings wouldn't even write you a job reference.  
Jude wrote this little letter to warn Christ-followers about false teachers. Nomadic  prophets made a good living traveling around Palestine to spread a distorted  perspective of Jesus. Wanting to ensure the truth of his half-brother's message was  crystal clear, Jude wrote this epistle to encourage faith in the midst of doubt.
Jude says, "be merciful to those who doubt" (22). This short verse packs a strong  punch. What is our response to doubt? It's not arguments, anger, or aggravation. Not  at all! We are called to mercy. It's easy to think God would be harsh on those who  doubt, but that's far from the truth. Jude encourages us to be merciful when we  encounter doubt. The same is true for our Father. God's heart harbors mercy, not  hostility, towards doubters.  
We see this throughout scripture. The Bible is packed full of godly people who wrestled  with doubt.  
John the Baptist had doubts. After being locked in prison for teaching others about  Jesus, He sent people to investigate the legitimacy of Jesus. "Are you really the  Messiah?" they asked. Jesus didn't lash out at them; He lovingly reassured them.  
Jesus' dear friend Thomas is likely the best-known doubter in scripture. After hearing  rumors of resurrection, he announced, "I won't believe it until I place my hands in the  scars on his arms!" Jesus came to him, allowed him to feel the wounds on his hands,  and embraced him with open arms. There was no judgement, just love.  
Abraham, the father of the Jewish faith, wrestled with debilitating doubt for most of his  life. He and his wife were promised many children and descendants, but their struggles  with infertility made this hard to believe. Sarah, Abraham's wife, was nearly ninety  years old. The mere thought of having a child made her burst out laughing, but God  had the last laugh. He blessed their family with a beautiful, healthy baby named Isaac.  (His name even means laughter.) Doubt didn't disqualify them from God's promises.  
Extend mercy to people who doubt. Especially when that person is you. You aren't  alone in your questioning. Your doubts will never disqualify you. Your doubts will never  prevent God from pursuing you. Your doubts will never stop God from loving you. Your  doubts aren't evil, they're natural.  

It's human to face doubt, but it's not healthy to live in doubt. When big questions keep  you up at night, address them head-on. Let questions lead you to seek answers. Let  confusion invite you into a bigger conversation. Let frustration push you towards faith.  Doubt is natural, but it's also deceitful. When you encounter hard questions, be sure to  examine them. Your doubt will inevitably make way for deeper belief.  

Doubt your doubts.

READING PLAN  

READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY  
Philippians 4:4-7 
Proverbs 3:5-8 
Psalm 46:1-6 
Psalm 46:7-10  
2 Timothy 1:7 
Pslam 56:1-4

Do the following with each passage:
ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present.  Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.  
READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you,  reading them a second time if necessary.  
REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and  experiences?  
RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways  to live out what you’ve uncovered.

Scripture: 1 Cor. 15: 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? A conscious, intentional decision to abstain for a time from the pleasure of your choice, this fast has been marked by 40 days of repentance, fasting, reflection, and ultimately celebration. It has not changed God, rather it should have changed us and our prayers. Seeking God while putting him first should have to some degree, created an environment for prayer which allows us to intercede for others in a way that can be pleasing to God. According to Isaiah 58, the ideal fast is being consecrated and committed to God, fasting while having the right priorities, lifting people’s burdens, having the heart of a giver, showing love to others, and having a burden for souls. The less desirable fast is one of fasting while treating others with injustice, quarreling and strife and pursuing our own pleasures rather than God’s will.  CELEBRATE!!!!!!!!!!! Points to Ponder: We no longer seek the living among the dead for He has risen, just like He said. Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, give us the strength to lay the burdens of our sins at the foot of Your Cross and to leave them there.

Scripture: Luke 13

1. Were you there when they cru-ci-fied my Lord?(were you there?)
2. Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? (to the tree?)
3. Were you there when they pierced Him in the side?(in the side?)
4. Were you there when the sun re-fused to shine?(were you there?)
5. Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? (in the tomb?)
Chorus….
Were you there when they ____(see stanzas)_________my Lord?(were you there?)
Were you there when they ___(see stanzas)__________my Lord? Oh!........
Some-times it caus-es me to trem-ble, trem-ble, trem-ble,
Were you there when they _____(see stanzas)_________?

Point to Ponder: Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
Whether deserving or not so much, have we forgiven anyone during this Lenten season?

Prayer: Our Lord and our God, when we think of your nailed hands, we know that You really do love us all. We give You our hands to be used for good.

Scripture: John 13:1-17
 
Now it was the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that the hour had come when He should depart from this world to the Father.  And when the meal (Last Supper) was ended, He rose and laid aside his outer garments, and took a towel and wrapped it about Him.  After that He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel.  After He had washed their feet, and had taken his garments and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you.  And a new commandment I give you now, that as I have loved you, so you shall also love one another.”
Only in the book of John, Jesus performs a simple act of feet washing with his disciples during His last few hours on earth. It reveals not only His true character but the character He wants all believers to develop. One of humility and servanthood.

Point to Ponder:

• Can we give something or someone due respect—even exalted respect—without lauding it for its superior qualities?
  

Prayer: Father, our heart cries out in joy at Your wondrous gift and in sorrow at Your wrenching sacrifice.

Scripture: Matthew 26

At Bethany, Jesus and His disciples were entertained in the home of Simon the Leper when a woman enters the house and anoints Jesus with expensive perfume. The disciples reasoned, the perfume could have been sold to help feed the poor. Jesus responded, “The poor you will always have with you, but I will be with you only a little while longer.” Wherever the gospel is preached, so will what this woman did be told, in memory of her.”

Point to Ponder: Let’s assume we all have “Well Done” memories….Claim yours!

Prayer: Lord, You received the gift of precious ointment with love, and You gave Your life with love.  Help us to honor all Your gifts this day.

Scripture: When Jesus enters Jerusalem, he teaches and is immediately confronted by the religious authorities with, Who gave you the authority to do these things? Luke 20:2

Jesus has no official religious training nor does He hold any official religious office.  Yet, He’s stirring up the people with His revolutionary ideas and actions.
During the day, He points to a widow, placing her offering (two mites-the smallest of coins) into the Temple treasury and tells His disciples that this poor widow gave more than anyone.  Others give from their surplus, but she has given out of her poverty all that she had to live on (Luke 21:3).  
The same day, He also teaches about things to come (worldwide famines, natural disasters, and wars and rumors of war).

Personal Points to Ponder:  

• By what authority do you act the way you do?
• 2000 years later, what inspires your giving?
  
• What “end time” event have you witnessed? Do you really believe Jesus is coming back?
  

Prayer: Father, help me to remember each day to offer a magnificent gift to You.

Scripture: Mark 11:12-19
 
When He and His disciples came to Jerusalem Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves, and He would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple.
He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.”

Points to Ponder:
Do we hide from Christ, the shameful closets reserved for self, areas of resistance to His love. Unless Christ is allowed in for a cleansing that heals and frees us, we will resort to life-draining alternatives. God of Mercy is also God of Correction.

Prayer: Lord, my body is your temple. Search me, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Scripture: Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. Matthew 25:13

If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two -
If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do.
Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honored Guest,
And all the food you'd serve to Him would be the very best.

But when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door
With arms outstretched in welcome to your heavenly Visitor?
Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in?
Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been?

Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out?
Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?
And I wonder - if the Savior spent a day or two with you,
Would you change plans or go right on doing the things you always do?

Point to Ponder:
•When was the last time we invited the Lord into our space and submitted to His life changing renovations.

Prayer: Lord, let our life show You to somebody today.

Scripture: Psalm 34: 19-22

•Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
•Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

Point to Ponder:
•In the end, God lifts up those who choose Him and brings down those who do not.

• Is our respect and reverence for God a part-time or full-time activity? Going forward, how are we going to properly fear the Lord?

Prayer: Dear Father, help us to follow You without fear of cost or consequence.

Scripture: Psalm 34: 15-18

•The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry.
•The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
•The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
•The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Point to Ponder:
•The Lord is always present regardless of how we are living. Do you fool yourself into thinking that God is not always watching, not always listening, or not always near?

Prayer: Lord, You said that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters we do for You. Help us to see You in everything we do in our everyday lives, even in the tiniest details.

Scripture: Psalm 34:8-14

•O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
•O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
•Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
•What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
•Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Points to Ponder:
•All the actions of personal obedience. If we’re in the right place (taken refuge in Him), of the same mind (brought our wants and desires in alignment with His), our life’s actions and choices are brought into obedience to complete us.
•To fear the Lord is reinforced by living according to the knowledge of always being in His protection, and bringing one’s place, attitude, and heart into obedience to Him.

Prayer: Dear Father, help us to use our actions today to show others how much we love them.

Scripture: Esther 4:15-17
Mordecai heard that the Jews were to be exterminated from the kingdom of Ahasuerus (India to Ethiopia). The reason for the genocide was because one man, Haman, did not like Mordecai and his family. He felt that Mordecai did not show him proper respect.
Queen Esther was a Jew but Haman did not know this. Mordecai came to his cousin Esther to ask her to petition the king to spare the Jews. Because of royal tradition, it was not appropriate for Esther to enter the king’s court without an invitation. Even as queen she could be executed.
Mordecai told Esther that God may have given her the position in the kingdom that she had for the sole purpose of saving the Jewish race.
She agreed to approach the king, but she asked Mordecai to spread the word to the Jews that they should fast for 3 days without food or drink. She fasted in the same manner.
Thankfully Esther was accepted into the presence of the king and the Jewish people were saved.
Point to Ponder: 

• It is good to know who is on the Lord’s side. What is the focus of your fast?

 
Prayer: Lord, lead me through this week with new insights, new honesty, and new hope in Your love.

Lesson Objective: HE HEARS . . . A Personal Favorite to Recite
Scripture: Psalm 34:4-7

•I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
•They looked unto Him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
•This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
•The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.

Points to Ponder:
•We are always in the center of His protection.
•How can we not respect and revere He Who answers, delivers, hears, saves, and rescues us?
Prayer: Lord, let us find quiet time to meditate on the most important words ever spoken: Yours

Scripture: David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground. 2 Sam. 12:16 
 
King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, had her husband executed, married her and they had a child. He repented before God, but there were still consequences for his actions. The prophet Nathan told David that the child would die. When the child became very ill, David refused to eat and immediately went into prayer and fasting, hoping that he might find grace in the eyes of God.
After 7 days of praying and fasting before God, the child died. David got up, washed, put on lotions, changed his clothes, went to church and worshiped, went home and ate.
Point to Ponder: 

• During this lenten period of fasting, praying, repenting, and remembering, what will we do after our fast?

Prayer: Bless us and keep us, Lord. Let Your face shine upon us, uphold us, and give us peace.

Scripture: At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Mathew 18:1

Some followers brought young children to Jesus, so that He might put his hands upon them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.  But Jesus said, “Let the little ones come, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” And He took them up in his arms and blessed them.  
Children are the only people in the story that do and say nothing. They are brought by their parents, blocked by the disciples, called and welcomed by Jesus. They are simply obedient and humble participants.

Point to Ponder:
•We are not in charge. God is. Like children, we must humbly accept our place and do our best to please the Father.

•The parents brought their greatest treasure to Jesus. What do we take to Jesus for blessing?

Prayer: Lord, You said that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters we do for You. Help us to see You in everything we do in our everyday lives, even in the tiniest details.

Object lesson: PRAISE THE LORD - A Personal Favorite to Recite (Over the next 7 days, Ps. 34 will be explored in 5 parts: Praise the Lord, He Hears, God’s Got It!, Omni-Presence, and Omnipotence
Scripture: Psalm 34:1-3

•I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
•My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
•Magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

Point to Ponder:
•To fear the Lord first begins with an attitude of praise, which is the most visible sign of our respect and fear of the Lord.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.

Scripture: And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Luke 18:9  

Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee, and the other a humble tax-collector.  The Pharisee stood proudly and prayed thus: God, I thank you that I am not as other men are, unfair, unjust, wicked, or even simple like this tax-collector.  I fast twice a week, and I give to the temple a tenth of all I possess.  The tax-collector, standing some distance away, would not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner.  
And I tell you (said Jesus) this man prayed the good prayer, rather than the Pharisee.  For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled. And he who humbles himself shall be exalted.

Point to Ponder: Humility leads to exaltation. When we are fully aware of our own unworthiness in the sight of God and ask for mercy, God forgives our sins and saves us through his Son.

Prayer: Dear Lord, show us the hidden places inside of us where we need your mercies every morning, so we can live better days for You.

Objective: Let Go of Fear

Scripture: Psalms 34:4 NIV
I sought the Lord, and he answered me, he delivered me from all my fears.

God is always with you. Today turn your fears over to God. He will give you strength and help you on your journey. Hold on to His unchanging hands. He will not leave you.

Face your fears, anything that once held you back and release them over to God. Walk by faith and not by sight. Fear not because God is with you. Face your fears and rejoice knowing that you can overcome all the doubts that once scared you. Take a leap of faith, laugh in the face of fear. God will give you the tools you need to withstand the storm.

Objective: Refocus on Positivity

Scripture:Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.

We can’t always control our surroundings or situations but we can change our focus. We are all going to reach barriers in our lives but one thing we can do during these times is to keep our focus on the positive things in our lives. Positivity outshines negativity. A positive thought, word, or action can change your entire day.

You control your thoughts, even when you can’t control your circumstances. You’re the author of your mind so why not add happy thoughts. Today if any negative thoughts come into your mind replace them with things that make you smile, make you happy, and bring you joy.

Objective: Stay consistent

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8 NLT
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

In a world full of uncertainty, with everything constantly changing, God is still the same. Hold on to God’s unchanging hands. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is a man of His word. God has never failed us and he won’t start now. If He said he’ll do it He's going to do it.

Praise God for everything he has brought you through. The best is yet to come. We serve a God that will do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ever hope or imagine. God’s doesn’t change. Great is His faithfulness.

I encourage you to take a moment and reflect over your life. How can you be more consistent in your walk with Christ? Don’t give up on God because He won’t give up on you. Stay consistent on your journey. God’s got you!

Objective: Don't seek other people for validation

Scripture: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

Oftentimes we seek approval from other people instead of seeking God’s approval. God’s approval is the only opinion that matters. Today I encourage you to look deep inside yourself and make sure your actions are pleasing to God. Don’t be ashamed to stand firm on the word of God. Don’t sway away from his word because of what others may say or think.

Learn the word of God for yourself. Spend time in his presence and continue to build a relationship with him. We want to live a life pleasing to God not man. Today I encourage you to keep seeking God first in everything you do.