Thoughts on the Way to the Cross

To Be Free or Crucified?

“Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"
John 19:10-11 (NIV)

Scripture Thoughts: Pilate’s power over Jesus did not threaten Him. He knew and accepted that God was the one who had authority over what was to happen.

Who or what has power over your life?

Please journal your comments on this scripture.

Thoughts on the Way to the Cross

Jesus Predicts His Death

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Matthew 16:21 (NIV)

Scripture Thoughts: Jesus predicted His own death. The time came when Jesus knew He had to prepare His disciples. He began teaching them what was ahead so they would not be surprised by the coming events. He had to suffer and be killed “and on the third day be raised to life.” He knew that the “elders, chief priests and teachers of the law” would oppose Him. These people should have recognized Him and led the people to rejoice in His, the Messiah’s, arrival.

When and how did you come to know Jesus as your Messiah?

Please journal your comments on this scripture.

He Lives With You and In You

The Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:17 (NIV)

Talk it! The world doesn’t look for God. It doesn’t recognize that God exists. Jesus wasn’t accepted by the world in the same way that the Spirit is not accepted. But we, as believers, know Him because “he lives with [us] and will be in [us]”. Anyone who sincerely and humbly reaches out to Jesus, can experience the gift of the Spirit.

Live it! What will you do beginning today to live more in the Spirit? God, His love, His desire to have a relationship with you and help you live in this world in preparation for things to come is clear. Do you know Him? Do you know He lives with you and in you? Meet Him in prayer and scripture daily to grow in your knowledge of the extent of His love and His will for you. Keep focused on living your life in God’s spirit.

Pray it! Heavenly Father, help me live in Your Spirit. Renew my heart. Fill it with more faith, hope and love to give out more fruit. Help me to live according to your will. Thank you for daily transforming me. Help me be aware of the fruit I bear, that I may bring honor and glory to you. [Continue praying in your own words.]
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

I pray that you have been blessed while looking at the fruit of the spirit and living a life in the spirit during the past 10 weeks.

Next Discussion: Thoughts on the way to the Cross

Please post your thoughts

Keep in Step With the Spirit

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 (NIV)

Talk it! Every part of our life is transformed when we are under the control of the Holy Spirit. We are pleasing to God when “we live by the spirit”. To resist falling into the desires that lead us into living sinful lives we must keep “in step with the spirit”.

Live it! Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and walk in step with the spirit. Pursue a closer relationship with God so you will know when you are in step with Him. Examine your life and get rid of sins and situations that keep you from following and including more of God in your life. Persevere in making time each day for getting to know Him through prayer and His Word (reading and studying). Take the steps necessary to live it in your life!

Pray it! Thank God for all He has done to keep you from falling off the path. Ask that he help you never forget that He is by your side to guide and direct your steps, to protect you and to provide for you. Confess that sometimes you forget to look to Him and keep in step with Him. Pray that you guard your time to meet with Him daily in prayer and His Word. Ask Him to help you keep your eyes focused on Him and where He wants you to go.

Please post your thoughts.

Live by the Spirit

[Life by the Spirit] “So I say, live by the spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

Galatians 5:16 (NIV)

Talk it! Living “by the spirit” should be a daily undertaking by Christians. We should be in touch with Him and focus on His guidance, direction and correction daily. When we do this, we do not “gratify the desires of the sinful nature”. We, as sinners are transformed when we are under the control of the Holy Spirit. Our success in overcoming our sinful selves depends on how much we are willing to “live by the spirit”. This involves many decisions throughout a Christian’s day.

Live it! How much are you willing to “live by the spirit”? Do you seek God’s direction for your life? Take action to follow the spirit’s leading and direction. Check your life. Take steps to remove those areas that take you places God doesn’t want you going. Draw God close through prayer and His Word (reading and studying). Desire to be transformed to live by the spirit!

Pray it! Thank God for His blessings and presence in your life. Ask Him to strengthen your faith, to help you remember to rely on Him to provide what you need when you feel overwhelmed and uncertain. Pray that your words and actions show your gratitude for what Jesus did for you on the cross! Ask Him to help you forgive others as you have been forgiven. Pray for a life lived in faith, hope and love; a heart that desires to live under the control of the spirit within you.

Please post your thoughts

Guard the Truth With the Help of the Holy Spirit

Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
2 Timothy 1:14 (NIV)

Talk it! Paul told Timothy to guard the truth that had been entrusted to him. Timothy was to teach it to others who would teach it to others and on and on. Centuries later we have the true gospel because Timothy and others guarded the truth. We are likewise commanded to entrust the truth to others. Only “with the help of the Holy Spirit” is the truth passed on and protected.

Live it! Let your life reflect the joy and hope you have in God. As others see the peace and comfort you have in Him it will draw them to Him. Pass it on! “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you”. Choose to take every opportunity to share the truth about God’s love, what He has done in your life, with others. Share especially with those in your own family. Make every effort to spend more time with God in prayer and in studying His Word. Take steps to live it and pass it on!

Pray it! Praise the Lord for who He is and what He has done in your life. Ask Him to equip you with what you need to step out in faith and obedience. Pray that the Spirit will open your eyes, ears and heart to the opportunities God sets before you to share and pass on the faith and trust you have in Him. Ask Him to help you grow and change in ways you can be more useful to Him. Ask Him to help the desire on your heart to be a reflection of more of Him in your life each day in a way that brings honor to Him.

Please post your thoughts

Live in the Spirit: Talk it! Live it! Pray it!

For the past nine weeks we have focused on each fruit of the spirit…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The fruit of the spirit separates believers from the godless world. The Holy Spirit lives in every believer and this should show in our character and the way we live our lives. As believers, the Holy Spirit controls our lives and produces fruit. The fruit of the spirit takes time to grow in our lives and requires our attention to keep in step with the Holy Spirit. This is a power that helps us become more Christlike in our daily lives. As we walk with the Holy Spirit we seek His direction through prayer, daily reading of Scripture, and obediently following God’s commands.

This week let’s look closer at living in the Spirit.

Monday - The Holy Spirit Lives in You

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV)

Talk it! Paul was talking about the character of the church or Christian community. Corinth had pagan temples but Corinthian Christians, themselves, were the only temple for God. Every believer is a temple for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives in every believer and this should show in our character and the way we live our lives.

Live it! Look at where God is at work in your life. Where is the fruit of the spirit growing? Are you growing more patient, kind and good toward others? Do faithfulness, gentleness and self-control guide your life? Examine your life. Determine where you need to grow and change to allow more fruit to develop. Take steps to Live it! Choose to spend more time in prayer and in studying His Word.

Pray it! Thank God for his Holy Spirit and praise Him for the fruit that is already growing in your life. Ask God to continue to renew your mind and heart with more love, joy and peace and all the other fruit He wants to bless you with. As His temple, ask that you grow each day in honoring Him in the way you live your life.

Please post your thoughts.

Focus on God

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Titus 2:11,12 (NIV)

It may be difficult to focus your attention on a God-centered life during these difficult times. Pray to God and thank Him for the grace of his salvation. Pray that you will be more able to experience the self-control that God promises. Pray that He will help you keep focused on Him each day.

Post Comment: What thoughts come to mind regarding our focus on self-control this week?

Next Week: Living Life in the Spirit

Self-Control and Broken Down Walls

Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)


We usually think of anger when we think of self-control. However there are many other situations requiring self-control. Recent examples of the US and world-wide financial problems are being traced to individuals with uncontrolled greed. Michael Phelps lacked self-control when faced with choices during a night with friends. We assume these people knew what was right but lack of self-control caused their lives to break down. Alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct, in the news almost daily, are other situations that require self-control. Lacking self-control usually takes people places where they don’t want their lives to go…where God is not leading.

Post Comment: Self-control is very hard to achieve. Where in your life might there be a “broken down wall”? What will you do to gain more self-control?

Self-discipline is a Gift of God

“God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

Timothy experienced a lot of difficulty as a leader. Paul encouraged Timothy to be bold, not timid. God’s Spirit would give him the power, love, and self-discipline he needed. Some people, especially leaders, have seized power without love and self-discipline. Without the love and self-discipline from God’s Spirit the leader becomes a tyrant and his leadership hopeless.

Post Comment: Sometimes criticism is warranted and helpful. Sometimes criticism comes out of fear, jealousy or anger. It can be insulting and hurtful. How can you be successful, exercising self control no matter what form criticism comes in?

Give Everything to God

“When they hurled their insults at Him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:23 (NIV)

He controlled His tongue when He could have hurled insults. He could have responded against the lies and shown His power on the cross. He “entrusted himself” into God’s hands rather than control the situation on His own.

Post Comment: Losing control when you feel bullied, insulted, threatened or when you are suffering happens. How can you give everything to God without trying to control the situation on your own?

This Week's Topic: Self-Control

“But the fruit of the Spirit is…self-control”
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

Why focus our discussion on the fruit of the Spirit? As Christians, we strive to live by being led by the Spirit within us. It is the key to living as we should be living. Looking closely at each fruit of the Spirit can show you your strengths. It can also show you if you need to make some changes in your life to allow God’s gift of the Spirit to grow stronger within you.

Do you need to hold on to more self-control in your Life?
This week we will look at the fruit of the Spirit: Self-control

Jesus' Example of Self-Discipline

On the night Jesus was betrayed, he knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. Luke 22:41-42 (NIV)

Jesus dreaded what was coming, but His mission was clear. He wasn’t trying to get out of what God was asking Him to do. Though He was going through overwhelming suffering, tremendous self-discipline kept Him committed to “not my will, but yours be done”.

Post Comment: How does Jesus’ acceptance of God’s plan in the crucifixion apply to your life?

"Rejoice in the Lord"

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all.
The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:4-5 NIV

Every day...all day long celebrate the Lord!

Post Comment: What are ways that you "rejoice in the Lord"?

Need Help? Ask for Him to fill you to overflowing with gentleness.

Next Week's Topic: Self-control

Because of Your Love

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”
Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)

Post Comments: What are some ways that you have made allowance for other people’s faults?

Keep Your Words Gentle

“A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

Post Comment: Everyone has experienced a situation that escalated out of bounds because of something that was said. What are some ways you have found helpful to keep your words gentle?

Jesus, Humble and Gentle at Heart

“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11: 28-30 (NLT)


When we are overwhelmed, tired and struggling, we can come to gentle Jesus and He will give us true, beyond understanding, rest. He will teach us and encourage us in a way no one or anything else can.

Post Comment: When has Jesus given you real “rest for your soul”?

Week of March 9-13: Gentleness

“But the fruit of the Spirit is…Gentleness”
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

Why focus our discussion on the fruit of the Spirit? As Christians, we strive to live by being led by the Spirit within us. It is the key to living as we should be living. Looking closely at each fruit of the Spirit can show you your strengths. It can also show you if you need to make some changes in your life to allow God’s gift of the Spirit to grow stronger within you.

Do you need to hold on to more of God’s gentleness in your Life? This week we will look at the fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness.

Jesus, "gentle and riding on a donkey"

"Say to the Daughter of Zion,
'See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "
Matthew 21:5 (NIV)

Post Comment: Comment on the gentle Jesus you know.

Praise God for His faithfulness

"Praise God, everybody! Applaud God, all people! His love has taken over our lives; God's faithful ways are eternal. Hallelujah!"
Psalm 117:2 (MSG)


Post Comment: Write words of praise for God and His faithfulness.

Next week’s topic: GENTLENESS

Personal Faithfulness

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4 (NIV)

Post comment regarding the expectations of personal faithfulness in this scripture.

Your Faithfulness

"But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast." Hebrews 3:6 (NIV)

Post your comments on this scripture.

Jesus' Faithfulness

"A green Shoot will sprout from Jesse's stump, from his roots a budding Branch.The life-giving Spirit of God will hover over him, the Spirit that brings wisdom and understanding,The Spirit that gives direction and builds strength, the Spirit that instills knowledge and Fear-of-God. Fear-of-God will be all his joy and delight. He won't judge by appearances, won't decide on the basis of hearsay. He'll judge the needy by what is right, render decisions on earth's poor with justice. His words will bring everyone to awed attention. A mere breath from his lips will topple the wicked. Each morning he'll pull on sturdy work clothes and boots, and build righteousness and faithfulness in the land." Isaiah 11:1-5 (MSG)

Post Comment: What are your thoughts on our Lord God’s faithfulness?

Topic for March 2 - 6: Faithfulness

"But the fruit of the Spirit is…faithfulness"
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

Why focus our discussion on the fruit of the Spirit? As Christians, we strive to live by being led by the Spirit within us. It is the key to living as we should be living. Looking closely at each fruit of the Spirit can show you your strengths. It can also show you if you need to make some changes in your life to allow God’s gift of the Spirit to grow stronger within you.

Do you need to hold on to more of God's faithfulness in your life? This week we will look at the fruit of the Spirit: faithfulness.

Monday - God's Faithfulness

"God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:9 (NLT)

"Just think—you don't need a thing, you've got it all! All God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that."
1 Corinthians 1:7-9 (MSG)

Post Comment: What does God’s Faithfulness mean to you?