Do you remember…? Have you ever had someone ask you that and you can’t remember the event or person or day that they are referring to? (You might say that happens everyday for you!) We have awesome minds to remember items, but sometimes we forget some things.

What memories do we often choose to dwell on? Many times it is negative, guilty, frustrating memories. Why not remember the good times? Today may you remember great times of Jesus’ faithfulness to you. Remember the goodness of God’s love. May you remember His peace. Has God ever provided for you when you didn’t think he could? Sure he has, remember those times and rejoice that you have those.

Praise the Lord! Jesus is risen from the dead! You may enjoy traditions for Easter such as an egg hunt or a special meal. On this day pray for those who need God’s saving grace. Pray that they will remember April 4, 2010 as a day when God worked mightily in their life.

My son experienced seizures as a small child. It was horrifying for me to watch my little boy tossed around helplessly because of the seizure. The first one occurred while I was on a missions trip to Guatemala. During each episode, the only thing I could do was to keep him safe, talk to him and wait for the seizure to stop. It was excruciating for me as a dad to watch and not be able to do anything.

The disciples and these ladies experienced the same feeling as they could only sit back and watch Jesus die on the cross. For a long time I thought Jesus died “On a hill far away” meaning He was pretty much alone on the cross. But now I know that people were nearby, watching, waiting for something to happen. This was Jesus right? He could do anything! This wasn’t how it was supposed to be was it?

And then He died. Joseph came and took his body. I wonder the thoughts going through his mind. I can only guess that he wept as he removed Jesus’ battered body from the wooden plank. Each of those who followed Jesus, either from a distance or up close, surely wondered what was really happening.

There are people around us experiencing their own “Black Saturday.” Some of the things going on in their life are from their mistakes and some come from nothing they have done themselves. Regardless, pray that they would see the “Next Day”—Resurrection Sunday—even through their darkest moments.

If this is you, stay on course and look towards Jesus. He allows some days such as this, but He is still on the throne.

I wonder what Jesus’ demeanor was during this last week of his life. I have my own specific things which cause me fear, anxiety, frustration. These emotions can well up within me well ahead of the actual event that precipitates them. Have you ever been this way? You worry about something hours, days, weeks, years in advance?

What was Jesus feeling? He was completely human so the physical pain must have been horrifying! His mind must have raced thinking of his future hanging on the cross. He knew he had to die—but he persisted through all the torment, agony and frustration.

What can we say but thanks?

From early society to now, people tend to group together in communities which we call towns and cities. The people in the verse above lived in Ephesus. Do you know much about this town? It had good things and bad things associated with it, kind of like the towns we live in today!

Rapid City and the surrounding communities make up our “town.” Isn’t it nice to have running water, electricity, trash pickup, sidewalks, snow removal, leaders, community events, etc. There are many things that we enjoy when we are a part of a community.

Thank the Lord for the good things around your neighborhood. And thank Him for the many items we enjoy because of the city that we live in today.

We have a marvelous group of believers at FWC, don’t we? I am thankful for each of you. I am fully aware that I stand on the shoulders of lay people and pastors who have paved the way for where we are as a church today. I am truly thankful for the “great cloud of witnesses” that have poured their time and effort into our church.

Now we have a different group of people leading the charge. What a privilege it is to be one of those people. Our weekly ministries involve a lot of people. We desire to be a body of believers steeped in prayer, performing God-oriented services with a mentality that always seeks to serve others.

Thank the Lord today for the people in our church. If you have a directory, pick it up, flip through it and thank the Lord for each person and the way they touch your life. Pray further for new believers to come into our fellowship and to share with us for Christ’s sake and the generations to come.

My dad, a minister in small churches, invited evangelists periodically to bring a special message to his parishioners. Chester Wilkins was one of the traveling evangelists that visited our church when I was a boy. My parents taught me many things about God at an early age so the Bible stories were familiar to me. But even so, I remember Rev. Wilkins preaching about David and Goliath. His words left an impact on my life. I will never forget him or his message.

We each have our stories don’t we? Who introduced you to God? Thank the Lord today for His workers who strive to share God’s love each day in our community and overseas. Pray that He will raise up more leaders to answer the call. And what about you? If God brings someone to your mind today will you be obedient to share Christ with him or her? Ask God for courage and sensitivity so you don’t miss out on your own opportunities. See who intersects your path today. Further, would God be calling you to some type of ministry? Listen for that today.

All of us work. Whether it be paid or volunteer, each person living on planet earth must work. Some work jobs, some work at relationships or to better the lives others and the ailing work just to breathe. Some work is enjoyable and fulfilling and then again, some work is drudgery and obligation. Some people would work even if they weren’t paid and some wouldn’t work even if they were!

As you spend time praying today, God may bring someone to your mind that needs a job or a different outlook on his/her job. Pray that God would reveal that to them. Maybe it is you, yourself, that needs to remember that God created work as a good thing, as a way to help accomplish God’s kingdom on earth.

And then there is the whole business of relationships and the work involved in them. Maybe a family member needs a divine touch from God. Keep that name on your mind throughout the day. Would there be a neighbor that needs to know God’s love? Throughout this week, pray for your neighbors by name that God will allow you an opportunity to speak to them about who God is in your life.