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Have you ever gotten a jury notice in the mail? Were you excited or did you think “oh man, this is not what I want to do”? Most people aren’t too keen on getting a jury duty notice, but it is our civic duty and we get paid. Have you ever volunteered to judge someone for free? Many people have, including me, but not in a courtroom.

When my daughter and son-in-law decided to speed up getting married the gossip mills were working overtime. There were many judges that pronounced them both guilty. Guilty of being pregnant out of the sanctity of marriage. Pregnant out of marriage. They were wrong. Anyone that knew, really knew, my daughter would never have said that. If they had thought with their hearts they would know why. Her fiancé was active in the Marines and just received word he would be deployed soon. Within three months they were married in a beautiful service.

The gossip about my daughter hurt me. Some of the people that asked me if she was “having a shotgun wedding” were close friends or family. My daughter kept her focus on the wedding, her sweet fiancé, and I’m sure the honeymoon. She just calmly said “well, they’ll see the truth in the months to come.”

How often do we, do I, reach a wrong, judgmental conclusion about someone? The world thinks one way and I get swept away with its worst case scenario negativism. It happens often. When my sister and her hubby were engaged they bought their first house. Gossips began circling to ask if they were going to live together before the wedding. No, they were not. She would still live at home until after they were married. They wanted to buy a house and not rent an apartment.

It is easy to jump to wrong conclusions about anyone, even people we know are good Christians. Judging and finding faults with others makes us feel better. “I never did that.” Or “I knew she wasn’t all that good.” We want to celebrate and share to others what we think is a fault or failure. What is the real fault here?

Judging has always happened and always will. I guess it is our nature. The Bible tells stories about it. It also says it is wrong. Don’t do it. We have a High Judge that died to pay for our sins. Let’s leave the judging to Jesus. The next time you are tempted, think of it as jury duty. If that doesn’t help, picture the person you are chatting with Jesus. That should stop the conversation. It does for me.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37

Over a year ago my husband was struggling with health issues that had been escalating for a few years. It was hard on me watching him change physically and emotionally. No one could possibly understand what I was going through or so I thought, but God provides. He provides even when we don’t know what or who we need.

I am a member of a Christian reading group that review’s books. Once a month we have an online meeting or chat. If you attend you are in a drawing for one of three door prizes. One Monday morning last May as I was praying to our Father in Heaven I heard Him speak to me. “You will win a door prize tonight. When Hollie (not her actual name) calls, ask her to pray for your husband, Dennis.”

Being a private person, I hadn’t shared with the group that my sweet hubby was struggling with thyroid and parathyroid issues along with a long list of other things. Two aneurysms, emphysema, osteoporosis, and depression are just a few. The day went on as usual. My hubby was feeling sick and stayed in bed. I tried to work on the deck in my flowers and plants but kept being distracted. Would Den ever get better? Should I be inside with him? Is this my life forever now? What can I do to help Den?

Eight o’clock finally rolled around and I logged into the chat. Later my phone was ringing as Hollie called to tell me I had won. The conversation went like this:
“Hi, Is this Nyla Kay?”
“Hi, Hollie. I knew you’d call me tonight,”
“You did? How did you know that?”
I told her about my prayer time earlier and God speaking to me.
Hollie said:
“What’s wrong with your husband?”
After I explained she said: “My husband has dealt with that thyroid issue for nine years. Let’s pray now. The others can chat among themselves for a minute.”
We prayed and I immediately felt better. Like a weight was lifted off of my shoulders. I could feel God’s Spirit among us.

We made plans to chat on the phone later in the week. I enjoyed talking to hear. It was amazing hearing how I was chosen for the prize and call. It seems that the first three people drawn for the prizes could not be reached, wrong number, no answer, and disconnected. Hollie was exasperated and asked her daughter to just look at the list and pick a name. She chose mine because it rhymed with hers. Totally God’s hand in this.

Jehovah Jireh. God provides. How awesome is that? He sent me someone that fully understood the turmoil and trial I had in my life. We speak on the phone often and email everyday. Now I have a new Sister in Christ and a new prayer partner. We have a friendship that has only grown stronger and deeper because of our love for Abba and that He is in our relationship. He orchestrated having His two faithful daughters, hundreds of miles apart, getting connected. We encourage each other, pray for and with each other, and share things. Hollie has become one of if not the best friend I have.

God provides. Continue to take your concerns to Him. I didn’t ask Him to send me someone that would listen, encourage or understand. He knew I needed that so He provided Hollie. Certainly I have many Christian friends, but this one is different. Abba provided more than I would have asked for in a friend. He knows better than we do what we need and when we need it. He blessed me. Jehovah Jireh, my Father God, provides.

Psalm 115:11 “All you who fear the LORD, trust the LORD! He is your helper and your shield. The LORD remembers us and will bless us.”

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”. Ecc. 4:9-10

Do you have family stories that are a testament to the blessing of God on your family? Can you children say they know a time God specifically placed His hand on an ancestor? Those stories are precious and priceless.

My husband has a story that my sister and older niece would always ask him to tell. This story intrigued them and spoke of God’s love, providing, and explained why my sweet husband loved being outside and nature. It is about his 8th great grandfather. Quite a long time ago this event happened, but the family still remembers it.

It was in 1700’s Appalachian Mountains on the North Carolina side. My husband’s ninth great grandparents had a farm homestead. They raised crops as well as a few animals. Unfortunately they did not have any living children. Everyone in the area liked the couple including the Cherokee Indians that were in the area and occasionally came to their home for food. In autumn on year everyone was trying to get as much food as possible put up for the winter. It was forecasted to be extremely cold and snowy. The summer had been brutally hot. Crops and animals were scarce. The couple shared what they could from the little they had. The Cherokee would be moving to their winter home in hopes of less harsh weather.

The husband was in his field gleaning whatever last remnants he could find and plowing it for the year. He heard the clanging of the big dinner bell announcing lunch so he quickly made his way back to their barn and cabin. He unhitched the horse, and hung the collar and empty feed bag up. He washed off at the pump, went inside and ate lunch with his wife. They always thanked God before each meal even if it was a meager one. When he went back outside to hitch up his horse, he found a big surprise. Inside the horse’s feed sack was a papoose, a little baby boy. Before the Indians migrated to their winter camp, they left the small, weak baby with the Christian couple that often helped them. The baby would probably not make it through the harsh winter without extra food, warmth and care. The Indians knew how much the couple wanted a child and left him for them. Waiting in the woods, watching was the mother. She wanted to make sure her child was found. Like Moses in the basket, the papoose was.

The man shouted for his wife to come. The laughed and cried happy tears, knowing exactly what had happened. As the new mama cradled her son, the new father looked around and saw the Indian mother. He signed “thank you” and she left. They never again saw the Indians. The baby was named Osceola. After receiving this great gift from God, the couple was blessed with four more living children of their own.

My husband’s ancestors helped what most in the area called enemies. They continued to pray and give thanks throughout a bad harvest and bad summer. They continued to share and give to others like the Cherokee even though they hardly had anything. Never did they turn from God when their pregnancies ended in miscarriage. This was a faithful Christian couple and Abba remembered that. Our reward might not come immediately or soon, but stay the course. The reward will come. If not on this side of Heaven then the other. Keep telling of His love, protection, and blessings for your family. Let your children know about their Christian heritage.

“Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation.” Joel 1:3 NLT

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 NIV

Are you a Christian? What church do you attend? Are you prejudice toward other churches? Do you believe that you attend the only correct, approved, right church? The only one whose members are going to Heaven? I am not talking New Age or other religions. I am talking within the mainstream Christian denominations where Jesus is God’s Son and our Savior.

One sunny summer afternoon in my bookstore, Heaven Help Us, a young woman came in with an adorable little girl. She looked about four years old and was beautiful. We began to chat about various things. I asked what her favorite book was and she asked if I had any pets because she didn’t. Did I have a favorite fruit because she loved strawberries, the sweet ones. I asked if she had a favorite song and she answered “Jesus Loves Me”. She wanted to know what animal Noah had on the ark I liked best. Hers was monkey and mine was koala bear. We were having fun learning about each other. Just as her mother joined us she asked what church I attended. After I answered her she turned that angelic face up to her mother and asked “is that one of those bad places, Mommy?” Her mommy grimaced and the little girl quietly asked “is that a question I am only supposed to ask at home with you and Daddy?” Her mommy curtly replied “yes”, grabbed the girl’s hand, and drug her out of the store. The sweet girl was looking over her shoulder telling me goodbye. The pile of merchandise left unpurchased on the counter.

For me it is heartbreaking when Christians influence sweet, innocent children to be prejudice. Children learn prejudice. It isn’t born in them. They can tell deep down it isn’t right. It is also disturbing when Christians judge other Christian churches. Doesn’t that contradict what those people are saying? Aren’t they not abiding by scripture and judging others, wrongly, too.

I cannot pretend to know the mind of God, just what His Word says. It tells me to love others. It tells me that He sent His Son for everyone that believes and not part of the denominations or one denomination. The Bible says that God loves me and you. He wants us to share that love with others. He wants us to tell others about Him and the way to salvation. It says not to judge others.

How do you treat other Christians? Do you love them? Do you teach your children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren to honor and respect them all or only the members of your church? Do we live and act like Jesus? We need to try. Today’s a great day to begin.

“A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

“Judge not, that you be not judged.” (Matthew 7:1)

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:5-6)

He is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah! Tomorrow is Easter. Lent will be over. Have you prepared your body, mind, and spirit for worshipping our risen Savior? We have talked about why He came, what He did, what He expects of us, and learned many things these past forty days, but the most important thing about Lent is have we prepared ourselves for Easter and worship? Are we ready?

Churches have all types of Easter services starting on Friday night and going through Sunday night. One of the most popular is the Sunrise Service. Have you ever worshipped at sunrise on Easter watching the sun rise and imaging Jesus Christ rising from the dead? It doesn’t matter when or where we worship, just that we do.

Easter morning very early a group of women that followed Jesus went to the tomb. The Bible says Mary, mother of James, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Salome went and found that the large stone had been rolled away from the entrance. They say an angel that said “Don’t be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen.” (Mt. 28:5-6, NLT). When they looked in the tomb it was indeed empty. The shroud covering Christ’s body was neatly folded and placed where his body had been.

Jesus had accomplished what was foretold in prophesy. God’s Son was beaten, accused, crucified, placed in a tomb, and He arose on the third day. He had done what He said He would. He conquered sin and death. Our sin debts had been stamped “paid in full” because of our Savior. He gave everything for our salvation, but what have we given in return? Do I give Him my love and devotion? My obedience? Have I submitted my will to His?

Take time this Easter to really worship and think about the great sacrifice Jesus made for you. He didn’t just die on the cross for the disciples and Bible people. We are included in the covenant, too. He died for Cheri, Janice, Joyce, Tom, Donna, Den, Vanessa, Jason, and even me. Yes, He died for us, but He arose. He paid the price so that we may reign in Heaven as heirs of the true King. He died so that we might live. Life after death is real. Rejoice! He is alive. Worship Him. He will return as promised. Let’s rejoice, worship, and stay ready.

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you that He would be turned over to sinful men, be crucified, and rise again on the third day!” – Luke 24:6-7

“Jesus said: I am the resurrection. Anyone who believes in Me, even though that person dies, will live,” – John 11:25

Good Friday. Where did that name come from for the awful day our Lord Jesus was falsely accused, condemned, beaten, and crucified? Good? How was that day good? Scholars say the word “good” comes from the Old English “good” meaning holy. Yes, this was definitely a holy day. Others argue that the good comes from Jesus sacrificing himself for us. Obviously something good came from that – our salvation.

Here’s what happened. Early Friday morning, Judas realized what he had done and was overcome by guilt. With a heavy heart he hanged himself on a tree, not being able to live with what he had done. Around 9:00 a.m. Jesus was in the midst of being mocked, accused falsely, shamed, and horribly beaten. Still our precious Lord did not cry out. He endured. Then after a corrupt trial He was sentenced to be crucified, which is one of the most agonizing, painful, and disgraceful deaths of that time.

Still the soldiers would not leave Jesus alone. They placed a crown made out of pointed, sharp thorns on His head and pressed it down. Hard. Can you imagine the pain of just that one act? Then they mocked Him, spat on Him, and made Him carry His own heavy cross. He was still being tormented. Even as the soldiers hammered the nails in His precious body to the wooden cross, He was being insulted and mocked. Did He respond in kind? No. Through it all He remained silent.

His followers were clustered at the foot of the cross. They were mourning, grieving, and suffering. Did Jesus finally say anything? What did Jesus say? He told Mary and John there were now mother and son. He lifted His head and asked: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34, NIV). He asked for forgiveness for those crucifying and tormenting Him. Then, the soldiers divided His clothes among themselves. They continued to mock Him and baited Him saying if He was truly God’s Son, then save Himself. One of the thieves hanging beside Him asked Jesus to remember him for surely He was God’s Son. Jesus told the thief he would be in Paradise with Jesus.

Around noon it became very dark and gloomy. The sun stopped shinning. Around 2:00 Jesus asked “My God, why have You forsaken Me?” And then Jesus realized to fulfill scripture one more thing must be done, so He said “I am thirsty.” They gave Him some sour wine on a sponge and held it up with a branch. After tasting it, Jesus said “It is finished.” He then said in a loud, clear voice with head lifted “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit.” Then he died. This was about the ninth hour or 3:00 p.m. This literally shook the world. There was an earthquake, rocks broke, the temple curtains were torn in half, and tombs opened and bodies of Holy people were raised to life.” Wow! Can you imagine being there?

Joseph of Arimathea asked for the body of Jesus so that He could be buried in a tomb on his land. Then before 6 p.m. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, took Jesus down from the cross and lay His body in a tomb. They were both members of the Sanhedrin but now convinced that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. His body was guarded in the tomb all day Saturday (the Sabbath) by Roman soldiers. Then at 6:00 p.m. when the Sabbath ended His body was ceremonially prepared for burial with spices bought by Nicodemus. The tomb was sealed with a large, heavy stone that took more than one soldier to move. More soldiers were posted to guard overnight.

Did I take you to Good Friday and Saturday? I hope you were able to walk there and envision it. It is unbelievable the pain of that day, isn’t it. He did it for us. You and me.

“He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth.” (John 19: 39-40, NLT)

“For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.” (1 Peter 1:18-19, NLT)

Maundy Thursday is the day before Good Friday. It was the evening of the Passover Feast that the disciples had in the Upper Room. After sunset, the disciples and Jesus gathered in that upstairs room that Peter and John had found for their meal. Don’t you wish you had been there? Jesus began by first washing the feet of the disciples. This was done to demonstrate His great love. He wanted to show them that we are all to love and serve each other. No one is too great to serve another or show love.

After the foot washing it was time for the meal. A typical Passover or Seder meal is symbolic in the reselling of the first Passover. It consisted of roasted lamb, (symbolizing the sacrifice), a roasted egg (renewal, new beginning), bitter herbs (the bad experience the Hebrew slaves had), haroset, recipe below (mortar the slaves used to build for the Egyptians), and green leafy vegetables like parsley or celery (green of Spring). The table must also have three pieces of Matzah, unleavened bread.

This is what Jesus told his disciples before they ate: “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before My suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:15-16, NLT) Then He took the bread that was on the table, held it up, and gave thanks for it. Instructing His disciples “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”* This was when the first communion service began. After they had eaten the bread He took the cup and held it up saying: “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.”* (*Luke 22:19-20, ESV).

Our precious Savior, the Lamb of God, was hours away from fulfilling the true meaning of Passover. He would be giving His body and shedding His blood in sacrifice for our sins. We are instructed to take communion in remembrance of this great sacrifice. How could we forget? No one else has taken my sins upon himself, been beaten, or died for me. How could I ever forget for one day? I do, unfortunately. Life gets busy and things happen. Whether at home or at church Communion is a vital part of worship so that we do remember. We must partake, repent, and give thanks for His grace, mercy, and sacrifice. It is a sacred, holy moment – a time to spend in close fellowship with Jesus and remember what He has done for you. Will you remember? I will.

Haroset, a Maundy Thursday recipe

1/2 cup almonds, chopped finely
1/2 cup apple, chopped
3 tablespoons grape juice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup dried fruit, chopped finely (date, fig, apricot, cranberries, etc.)
1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped finely
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
pinch of ginger

Mix together nuts and fruits. Add spices. Add grape juice.

Serve as a salad, appetizer or eat on crackers or matzah. This Passover recipe is an Easter favorite, too.

Traditionally this day is called “Spy Wednesday” because on this Wednesday before the crucifixion Judas conspired to give Jesus to the soldiers. Judas became a spy, an agent for those wanting to hurt and kill Jesus. He made a deal to betray Jesus. Judas was paid, given silver, to hand over Jesus. Hard to believe but true.

Scripture doesn’t say what Jesus did on that Wednesday. Scholars speculate He probably spent the day in Bethany resting up from the busyness of the past few days. Most likely they were exhausted and Passover was soon. He might have spent it with His friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Earlier Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead and the people of Bethany believed He was the Son of God. Then Mary of Bethany went to Jesus and anointed Him with costly perfumed oil. Judas, the treasurer of the group, objects to the extravagance saying that the money could be used to help so many poor people, hungry people. Jesus rebukes Judas and says Mary has anointed Him for His burial.

The disciples are saddened to think about Jesus dying and leaving them. They believe He is God’s Son, but they love Him. They don’t want anything bad to happen to Him. Scholars believe Judas was trying to force Jesus into claiming His kingdom now. That Judas didn’t believe anything bad would actually happen to God’s Son. I don’t know. It is sad to see a follower betray his leader, especially when that leader is Christ.

Have you sold Him for something? Do you take payment in exchange for Him? Is there something you believe in instead of Him? Something that has taken His place? Maybe you treat Him like royalty and the Son of God that He is. Sometimes it is easy to let things get in the way of worshipping Him. It is easy to put our own wants before what we really need to do. Me? I need to worship our Savior. The One that suffered, was beaten, crucified, died, and rose from the dead so that I might claim eternal life with Him is the One I long to worship. My soul needs to sing His praises more than my body needs an extra hour of sleep. I need Him to know He is my priority since I was His. His love is priceless. It is worth more than I could ever say – much more than thirty silver coins.

“Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him over to you?” So they counted out for Him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand Him over.” Matt. 26:14-16