The LORD God is the Creator of the ends of the earth. He has established laws in nature which govern all the processes of life–planting, growth, cultivation and harvest. These principles give us insight on how to conduct our lives, families, churches, and societies (to continue reading this essay, click on image above).
Jesus is Risen!, Luke 24.1-49
The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the foundational truth of Christian faith, confirming his divine identity and the efficacy of his atoning sacrifice for humanity’s redemption. Christ’s resurrection validates all his teachings and promises, offering assurance that death has been conquered, and eternal life is available to all who believe. The disciples’ journey from confusion and disbelief to understanding and conviction demonstrates how encountering the risen Christ transforms our perception of Scripture, history, and personal purpose. As modern believers, we are called to follow their example by allowing the reality of the resurrection to illuminate our understanding of Scripture, shape our worldview, and empower us to bear witness to this transformative truth in our daily lives.
Our Focus Today
The Road to Emmaus.
Two disciples encounter the risen Jesus on the road without recognizing him, and he explains how the Scriptures foretold all that had happened to the Messiah, Luke 24.13-27.
Invocation
Risen Lord Jesus, draw near to me as you did to those disciples on the Emmaus Road, though I may often fail to sense or immediately recognize your presence. Open my eyes to see you in the Scriptures and in my daily journey, especially in moments of confusion or disappointment. Illuminate my understanding, that every passage of your Word might reveal better to me your redemptive purposes and transform my perspective on the circumstances I face in my life today. Amen.
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen.
Chronological Scripture Readings for Today
These Scriptures allow us to read through the entire Bible in one year in chronological order.
Monday: 1 Kings 7; 2 Chron. 3.15-4.22
Psalms and Proverb for Today
These Scriptures allow us to read through the Psalms and Proverbs each month.
Monday: Psalm 21, 51, 81, 111, 141 and Proverbs 21
The Road to Emmaus.
Two disciples encounter the risen Jesus on the road without recognizing him, and he explains how the Scriptures foretold all that had happened to the Messiah, Luke 24.13-27.
Reflection
The Emmaus Road encounter reveals how Christ himself illuminates Scripture, transforming our understanding by showing how all biblical narrative points to his redemptive work. In our moments of disappointment and confusion, Jesus often walks beside us unrecognized, patiently addressing our questions and reorienting our perspective through his Word. The disciples’ experience teaches us that genuine biblical understanding comes not merely through intellectual analysis but through Christ-centered interpretation that connects all Scripture to its fulfillment in Jesus’ death and resurrection. We are called to approach Scripture with hearts open to Christ’s guidance, allowing him to correct our misunderstandings, reveal his presence in our journeys of doubt, and demonstrate how all of life’s experiences—even apparent defeats—can be understood properly when viewed through the lens of God’s redemptive plan.
Engaging God’s Word Today
In what areas of your life might Jesus be walking alongside you unrecognized? How might intentionally engaging with Scripture’s Christ-centered message help you see him more present in your current circumstances, disappointments, or confusion from God’s redemptive perspective?
Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, The Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.
We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Begotten Son of God,
Begotten of the Father before all ages,
God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God,
Begotten not created, of the same essence as the Father,
through Whom all things were made.
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became human.
Who for us too, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried.
The third day He rose again according to the Scriptures, ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and His kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and life-giver,
Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
Who together with the Father and Son is worshiped and glorified.
Who spoke by the prophets.
We believe in one holy, catholic, and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sin,
and we look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the age to come. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen.
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Benediction
May you, risen Lord and Savior, come and walk beside me in every journey I take, opening my eyes to recognize you, both your working and your presence, in unexpected places and moments of my life. Cause my heart to burn within me as you speak to me through your Word, transforming my understanding of both Scripture and my personal circumstances. Lead me on with renewed vision, knowing that you, the One who interprets all things according to the Father’s redemptive plan, accompany me always, even to the end of the age. Amen.
Scripture Memory for this season
Psalm 1.1-3 (ESV):
1 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.
4 In all that he does, he prospers.”
Scripture Engagement
As disciples of Jesus, the Churches of Christ the King strongly seek to engage the Scriptures to discover the centrality of Christ and his Kingdom in the prophetic and apostolic writings. You will find a rich treasure of resources on engaging Scripture at the Center for Scripture Engagement of Taylor University.
Book Reading and Reflection
“If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don’t want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Focusing on the overall system, rather than a single goal, is one of the core themes of this book. It is also one of the deeper meanings behind the word atomic. By now, you’ve probably realized that an atomic habit refers to a tiny change, a marginal gain, a 1 percent improvement. But atomic habits are not just any old habits, however small. They are little habits that are part of a larger system. Just as atoms are the building blocks of molecules, atomic habits are the building blocks of remarkable results.
Habits are like the atoms of our lives. Each one is a fundamental unit that contributes to your overall improvement. At first, these tiny routines seem insignificant, but soon they build on each other and fuel bigger wins that multiply to a degree that far outweighs the cost of their initial investment. They are both small and mighty. This is the meaning of the phrase atomic habits—a regular practice or routine that is not only small and easy to do, but also the source of incredible power; a component of the system of compound growth.”
~ Clear, James, Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. Penguin Random House UK, 2018. Electronic Edition, Location 392.
Seedling Focus for the Season: The Tree Planted by Streams of Water
Description: A spiritually mature believer bears fruit in all circumstances and seasons of life, Psalm 1.1-3.
On Eagles Wings Prayer Focus: A Long Time Comin‘
Worthy Is the Lamb Who Was Slain, Revelation 5.11-14.
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