GREAT GOD. GREAT FAITH. GREAT WORD.
FALL FEASTS 2018
PRAYER & STUDY GUIDE
30 DAYS OF VICTORY!
VOLUME 1
WEEKS 1-2
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
● Introduction to Our Special Edition Prayer & Study Guide…………………………………………………………………..5
● Prayer & Study Guide WEEK 1
Day 1: God, the Father is Our Victor…………………………………………………………………………………………..7
Day 2: Our Victory as God’s Image Bearers………………..................................................................11
Day 3: Victory through Creation Care………………………………………………………………………………………..15
Day 4: God, the Son is Our Victor……………………….......................................................................19
Day 5: Victory through Mary’s Example…………………………………………………………………………………….23
Day 6: Victory Over Being Wrongly Accused………………………………………………………………………………27
Day 7: Victory through the Death of Jesus…………………………………………………………………………………31
● Prayer & Study Guide WEEK 2
Day 8: Victory through the Burial of Jesus…………………………………………………………………….………..35
Day 9: Victory as The Body of Christ (Feast of Trumpets)...........................................................39
Day 10: Victory through the Resurrection of Jesus (Feast of Trumpets/Fast Begins)....................43
Day 11: Victory through the Ascension of Jesus (Feast of Trumpets)...........................................47
Day 12: The Final Victory of Jesus’ Righteous Judgement………………………………………………………….51
Day 13: God, the Holy Spirit is Our Victor………………………………………………………………………………..55
Day 14: Victory through the Fruit of the Spirit…………………………………………………………………………..59
WEEKS 3, 4, & 5 will be available on September 15, 2018 in Volume 2 of this
Special Fall 2018 Feast Prayer & Study Guide
● FALL FEASTS 2018 SUMMARY AND CHURCH FAMILY FAST INFORMATION….....................................63
○ Fall Feasts Overview..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………64
○ Fall Feasts 2018 Schedule-At-A-Glance……………………………………………………………………….…………...67
○ Fasting Instructions (September 10-19, 2018)
■ Fasting Instructions for Adults……………………..…………………………………………………………..70
■ Fasting Instructions for Children and Youth……………………………………………………………...74
■ Covenant Groups……….…………..……………………………………………………………………………….75
■ The Promise of Giving…………….……..………………………………………………………………………...76
5
INTRODUCTION
Over the next 30 days, you are invited to take a victorious quest into the heart of our living and loving Triune
God! As you walk through each set of daily exercises, you will be drawn into a deeper understanding of God’s
ways and priorities through scripture, prayer, and reflection. We are at a point in history where those who
truly desire to follow Jesus Christ must strive to all be “on the same page.” These daily forays into victorious
Christian living will strengthen us as a church family and help unite us around God’s grace and love.
In order to enhance your experience, you are strongly encouraged to gather a Covenant Group of
spiritually encouraging friends and/or family to journey with you through these days. Find times to meet
together (at least) weekly in person, online, or on a conference call to share how the Lord is working in your
lives throughout this time of intentional study, prayer, and reflection. (Please register your
Covenant Group here: http://tiny.cc/CovenantGroupForm and follow the parameters found on page 75 of
this guide.)
The equipment you will need for this spiritual expedition are:
● This guide
● A Bible
● A pen or pencil
● Approximately 30 minutes of time
● Map colors/markers (optional)
● A Covenant Group of 3 or more Jesus Followers to meet with weekly.
● An open heart and mind to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Are you ready? Let the adventure begin…
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Day 1
God, the Father is Our Victor
1. Center Down
Before you begin today’s spiritual excursion, please take a few moments to breathe! Take three slow, deep
breaths, expanding from your abdomen; try not to raise your shoulders. As you inhale, whisper, “I am...” As you
exhale, whisper, “victorious...” This way of breathing and speaking is known as a “breath prayer.”
2. Slowly read aloud the following Scriptures:
(Feel free to pause at any time during your reading to reflect on, thank, praise, or acknowledge God’s stirring in
your thoughts and emotions.)
[and Moses taught the People called Israel,] “The Lord your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you, just
as you saw Him do in Egypt. And you saw how the Lord your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled
through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now He has brought you to this place. But even after
all He did, you refused to trust the Lord your God, who goes before you looking for the best places to camp,
guiding you with a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day.” (Deuteronomy 1:30-33, ESV)
“Look! [Jesus says,] I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in, and we
will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with Me on my throne, just as I was
victorious and sat with my Father on His throne. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and
understand what He is saying to the churches.” (Revelation 3:20-22, ESV)
For further reading: 1 John 2 (key verses: 13-15); 1 Chronicles 29 (key verses:
10-13); Isaiah 9 (key verses: 2-7).
3. Concepts to Consider:
The above Scriptures are directed toward people who theoretically already
follow and worship Yahweh, the God revealed through the biblical
narrative. Both the People called Israel and the Followers of Jesus (aka
“the church”) are challenged in these passages to remember that victory in
this life and the next is rooted and grounded in our creating and re-
creating “God the Father Almighty.” Because He reigns in perpetual
conquest over chaos, we--as persons made in His image--are created to
also live in a state of conquest over the chaotic winds that may swirl
around our lives.
If we look closely at these passages, it is clear that God’s LOVE is patient
and unconditional, but His facility to TAKE CARE of His children is dependent on their choices. If we desire to
live a life characterized by victory (nik-a-ō in Greek, meaning “the one who is conquering,” indicating a process),
then we must choose daily to “seat ourselves” (align) with our Heavenly Father by seeking Him above all else.
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We live victorious lives NOT by inviting God to bless our mess, but by continually bringing our mess to Him
and allowing Him to help us put our mess back in order; like a patient father who helps a child complete a
frustrating puzzle. God, our victorious Father yearns to see our lives characterized by wholeness and rest, not
trauma, drama, and mess. God desires to calm His child in the midst of the storm.
If trust has been broken in your life; if doubt, fear, and chaos are regular visitors to your door, then today--right
now--choose to focus on God Himself, above all else. Visualize yourself seated at a table, sharing a favorite meal
with your Heavenly Father and honestly pouring out your heart to Him. He has brought you to THIS PLACE to
invite you into a space of restoration and victory.
(Note: If your earthly father was less than perfect, and approaching God as a “father figure” is painful, please know that your Heavenly
Parent is perfectly loving and is not out to “get you.” God is working 24-7 to graciously draw you into a healing and victorious
relationship. If it helps to visualize God as a “mother figure,” that is also absolutely biblical [Isaiah 66:13]).
4. Reflection Questions:
(You are encouraged to write, draw, or respond however the Lord leads to the following inquiries. To share your musings in a
public forum where others can dialog and process with you, please go to http://tiny.cc/victoryn30 ).
1. What area(s) of your life seem(s) characterized by chaos?
2. Think about a time when you have experienced or observed serenity and peace. Maybe it was a beautiful
location on vacation or a time in conversation or relationship when you felt understood and valued, etc.
Imagine yourself there in that space right now. Realize that in this moment, your victorious and loving
Father yearns for you to be “more than a conqueror” today, emboldened by His grace and love; to truly
take in that you are the “head and not the tail.” You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are deeply
loved by your Creator, who is also your perfect, Divine Parent. Record your thoughts below.
Where/when was your moment of serenity that you remembered? What is the Lord saying to you as
you listen for the still voice of his victorious Presence?
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5. Prayer for Today:
Almighty, Victorious Father, we thank You for inviting us to journey with You over the next 30 days. You
have made the path straight and clear before us. You have made a wide and safe space for us to sit with You,
to experience Your love, Your grace and to learn from You. We praise You for being our eternally conquering
Father God who has pushed back chaos and spoken order into being. We praise You for being our creating and
re-creating Lord!
Your Word tells us that You desire that we should--as people made in Your image--sit with You in victory.
We can be victorious in our lives because You continually reign in victory. You have conquered chaos, sin, and
death. We decree and declare that our lives shall be characterized by peace, rest, wholeness, healing, and
restoration. Every area of our lives that may seem chaotic we release to You! We trust You to bring order and
restoration!
Conquering Father, forgive us for trying to merely manage the chaos in our lives instead of living in victory
over it. Forgive us for not inviting You to reign fully in every area of our lives. Lord, forgive me for (list any sins
that you have committed). And now, Holy Spirit, please bring to my remembrance those I need to forgive.
(Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal names or faces of people that you may need to forgive. As
He reveals them, say, “I forgive name of person(s).” Now, trust the Lord to heal any wounds in your soul caused
by unforgiveness.)
Vanquishing Father, help us to not yield to the temptation to make decisions solely based on what we think
is right is our own eyes; but deliver us from the deceptive ways of the evil one.
You are great and greatly to be praised! You are indeed the loving, redeeming, victorious Father of all,
reigning over all the cosmos! In the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Optional Time of Centering/Soaking:
If possible, take some time, perhaps 5 to 15 minutes, to get into a comfortable position and simply allow the Lord
to minister to you at a deep level (Psalm 42:7). Turn off or put down all distractions. Close your eyes. Hold in
your thoughts a meaningful word, phrase or image from the Scripture passages you read today. Release all
other thoughts and concerns into the Presence of the Lord. If your thoughts wander, that’s okay, just gently
return to your Scriptural word, phrase, or image. You may want to set a timer.
Notes: 10
11
Day 2
Our Victory as God's Image Bearers
1. Center Down
Before you begin today’s spiritual excursion, please take a few moments to breathe! Take three slow, deep
breaths, expanding from your abdomen; try not to raise your shoulders. As you inhale, whisper, “I am created...”
As you exhale, whisper, “to reflect God’s heart...” This way of breathing and speaking is known as a “breath
prayer.”
2. Slowly read aloud the following Scriptures:
(Feel free to pause at any time during your reading to reflect on, thank, praise, or acknowledge God’s stirring in
your thoughts and emotions.)
Then God said, “Let us make [humankind] in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the
fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every
creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created [humanity] in His own image, in the image of God
He created Him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:26-27, ESV)
[The Apostle Paul taught,] “So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue
the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in
front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from
His perspective.
Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in
God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—
the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.
And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing
whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That’s a life shaped
by things and feelings instead of by God. It’s because of this kind of thing that [humanity is about to crash in
God’s unchanging holiness]. It wasn’t long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better.
But you know better now, so make sure it’s all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty
talk.
Don’t lie to one another. You’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off
and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made
by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish,
religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now
on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.” (Colossians 3:1-11, MSG)
For further reading: Acts 17:22-34 (key verses: 28-29); Psalm 8 (key verses: 4-6)
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3. Concepts to Consider:
We are created to thrive, not just survive. We are created to reflect God’s compassionate heart into the
cosmos. Human beings are crafted in the image of our Creator to live as victorious, royal offspring, caring for
each other and His creation. So, what exactly does it mean to be “created in the image of God?” If you have a
moment, please watch this video from The Bible Project: http://tiny.cc/imageofgod. It does a great job of
summarizing how and why we are created in God’s image.
Basically, to be created in God’s image means that we were originally designed to mirror God’s ability to create,
rule, and speak as His representatives in the earth. The catch is because our First Parents (Adam and Eve)
detached themselves from God, humanity is no longer consistently good, kind, or loving. Our image is cracked
and marred. We can still create stuff, but some things we create are destructive; we can rule selfishly; we can
speak harmfully. Jesus came as the embodied grace and presence of God to re-make our broken image because
he Himself is “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). So by allowing ourselves to be filled with His
Spirit, He helps us to model our lives after Jesus and follow His ways. Each day that we remain open to the work
of the Holy Spirit and set aside our self-referenced ways of living, we are enabled to become more and more
“transformed into the image [of the Lord].” (2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22-23). We will experience what it
means to live victoriously as God’s image bearers, as we were originally created.
At a basic level, salvation is about returning us to our original design specifications. (Salvation is like a “hard
reset” that reboots us and sets us to our original programming.) We are created to worship our Creator and
live in loving relationship with Him. If a car that is designed to run on unleaded gasoline is filled with diesel, it
will no longer operate as it was designed. The engine will seize up. In the same way, when we live below our
created image by filling our lives with everything, anyone, and anything that is not like God, then our lives
become “disordered.” God graciously calls us back to Himself and desires to “reorder” our lives and “fill us with
good things.” Our victory is actually experienced when we become more like the human being we were intended
to be in the Garden of Eden (see exhibit A and Z: Jesus).
4. Reflection Questions:
(You are encouraged to write, draw, or respond however the Lord leads to the following inquiries. To share your musings in a
public forum where others can dialog and process with you, please go to http://tiny.cc/victoryn30 ).
1. In what ways am I living positively into my God-given image? Where and when am I being loving, patient,
kind, joyful, etc.?
2. In what ways am I exhibiting a self-referenced, self-defeating life and not living into my God-given image?
Where and when am I NOT being loving, patient, kind, joyful, etc.?
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5. Prayer for Today:
Victorious Creator, we thank You for making us in Your image! Father, we thank You for gifting us with the
capacity to rule and reign as Your righteous stewards in the earth. We praise You for Your loving-kindness and
Your graciousness toward us.
Your Word shows us that we were designed to speak, create, and rule in loving partnership with You. Your
heart beats for the salvation of the cosmos and for human beings to thrive in restored relationship with
ourselves, each other, and you. We declare that, by Your grace, we will set aside our false selves and the lies
we tell ourselves. We boldly step from the shadows of self-absorption into the glorious light of Your freedom
that keeps our eyes fixed on You.
Holy Spirit, help us live lives that are reflective of Jesus Christ, our Big Brother, by loving others as we love
ourselves. Reveal those areas in our lives that are not pleasing to God, our Father.
Author and finisher of our faith, forgive us for living outside Your design for us. Forgive us for being satisfied
with the “empty calories” of self-gratification, and not filling our lives with the nutritious food we can feast on
from the table you have set before us, as demonstrated in the life of Jesus. Lord, forgive me for (list any sins
that you have committed). And now, Holy Spirit, please bring to my remembrance those I need to forgive.
(Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal names or faces of people that you may need to forgive. As
He reveals them, say, “I forgive name of person(s).” Now, trust the Lord to heal any wounds in your soul caused
by unforgiveness.)
Beautiful Saviour, help us to not yield to the temptation to follow after things, people, and ideas that will
take our focus off of You but deliver us from the insidious ways of the evil one.
You are the Great I am! You are the One who is, and the One who is on His way in the fullness of Your time!
We await Your glorious appearing and the advent of the promised new heaven and earth! In the Name of Jesus,
we pray. Amen.
Optional Time of Centering/Soaking:
If possible, take some time, perhaps 5 to 15
minutes, to get into a comfortable position and
simply allow the Lord to minister to you at a deep
level (Psalm 42:7). Turn off or put down all
distractions. Close your eyes. Hold in your
thoughts a meaningful word, phrase, or image
from the Scripture passages you read today.
Release all other thoughts and concerns into the
Presence of the Lord. If your thoughts wander,
that’s okay, just gently return to your Scriptural
word, phrase, or image. You may want to set a
timer.
Notes: 14
15
Day 3
Victory Through Creation Care
1. Center Down
Before you begin today’s spiritual excursion, please take a few moments to breathe! Take three slow, deep
breaths, expanding from your abdomen; try not to raise your shoulders. As you inhale, whisper, “I am created...”
As you exhale whisper, “to care for creation...”
2. Slowly read aloud the following Scriptures:
(Feel free to pause at any time during your reading to reflect on, thank, praise, or acknowledge God’s stirring in
your thoughts and emotions.)
The Lord God took the human being and put Him in the Garden of Eden to serve it and to protect it.
(Genesis 2:15, Richter)
[The Apostle Paul taught,] “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that
will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the
creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope
that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the
children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the
present time.” (Romans 8:18-22, ESV)
For further reading: Revelation 22:1-5; Psalm 65 (key verses: 9-13); Colossians 1 (key verses: 15-20)
3. Concepts to Consider:
You can’t love God and also believe the earth is disposable. The opening chapters of Genesis are clear that
humanity is crafted from the same elements that make up the earth’s topsoil. The earth is both our cradle and
our “spaceship” through the cosmos.
There is a Jewish concept known as “tikkun olam.” It means to “repair the world.” We do this through taking
care of creation and by valuing the people in it because they too are made in God’s image. This idea
also includes caring for ourselves in appropriate and responsible ways. Diet, exercise, and cultivating a
positive mental outlook anchored in God’s truth and love for us is vital. We can care for others and the world
around us better when we are convinced of God’s care for us.
Throughout the biblical narrative, God shows care for His creation, and warns humans against destroying or
defiling the land, needlessly or cruelly killing animals, or causing general disarray. God cares deeply for the land,
water, sky, animals, and all the tremendous amount of stars and planets in the cosmos. If you have a
few minutes, please watch the following video on “Christians and Creation Care” by Old Testament
scholar, Dr. Sandra Richter. http://tiny.cc/creationcare
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Another amazing fact is that there is a cosmic aspect to our salvation in Christ Jesus. (It’s not just about us!)
Colossians 1:19-20 states, “For in [Jesus] all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to
reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” The
brokenness and disorder that emanated from the Garden of Eden affected not only human beings, but the earth
and the heavens, as well. Human greed and conspicuous, unrestrained consumption are a result of this primeval
brokenness.
For all of these reasons, if we want to live victoriously in this world, we must be about the business of restoring
the world around us as an outgrowth of our personal and corporate salvation in Jesus.
4. Reflection Questions:
(You are encouraged to write, draw, or respond however the Lord leads to the following inquiries. To share your musings in a
public forum where others can dialog and process with you, please go to http://tiny.cc/victoryn30 ).
1. As I look around my home, neighborhood, town or city, what, specifically, can I do to repair the world
around me?
2. Spend some time outside today. If you can, take a walk or a bike ride and notice both the small and the
great beauty of God’s creation. What did you see? What did you experience? Where did you see God
at work?
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5. Prayer for Today:
Creating Father, we thank You for the work of Your fingers: the sun, moon, and stars, and for the earth and
all those who dwell in it. We praise You for Your provision and sustaining love; for, without You, the cosmos
would cease to exist.
Righteous Father, Your Word is clear that loving You includes caring for Your creation. We declare that,
with Your help, we will endeavor to care for the world by limiting our consumption and by being less wasteful.
Holy Spirit, help us to diligently work to repair the world through helping others and valuing all life.
Victorious Creator, forgive us for our greed and for our destructive and polluting ways. Forgive us for not
taking care of Your creation as You have commanded us. Lord, forgive me for (list any sins that you have
committed). Holy Spirit, please bring to my remembrance those I need to forgive. (Take a moment and ask
the Holy Spirit to reveal names or faces of people that you may need to forgive. As He reveals them, say, “I
forgive name of person(s).” Now, trust the Lord to heal any wounds in your soul caused by unforgiveness.)
Glorious Savior, through whom all things are held together and in whom all move and have their being, help
us to not yield to the temptation to believe that what we do doesn’t make a difference but deliver us from the
lies of the evil one.
You are indeed God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth! O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is
Your Name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens! In the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Optional Time of Centering/Soaking:
If possible, take some time, perhaps 5 to 15 minutes, to get into a comfortable position and simply allow the Lord
to minister to you at a deep level (Psalm 42:7). Turn off or put down all distractions. Close your eyes. Hold in
your thoughts a meaningful word, phrase, or image from the Scripture passages you read today. Release all
other thoughts and concerns into the Presence of the Lord. If your thoughts wander, that’s okay, just gently
return to your Scriptural word, phrase, or image. You may want to set a timer.
18
19
Day 4
God, the Son is Our Victor
1. Center Down
Before you begin today’s spiritual excursion, please take a few moments to breathe! Take three slow, deep
breaths, expanding from your abdomen; try not to raise your shoulders. As you inhale, whisper, “Jesus is...” As
you exhale, whisper, “victorious...”
2. Slowly read aloud the following Scriptures:
(Feel free to pause at any time during your reading to reflect on, thank, praise, or acknowledge God’s stirring in
your thoughts and emotions.)
[Then the Lord God asked Adam and Eve], “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree that I
commanded you not to eat from?” Then the man replied, “The woman You gave to be with me—she gave me
some fruit from the tree, and I ate.” So the Lord God asked the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the
woman said, “It was the serpent. He deceived me, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the serpent: “Because
you have done this, you are cursed more than any livestock, and more than any wild animal. You will move on
your belly and eat dust all the days of your life. I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between
your [offspring] and her [offspring]. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”
(Genesis 3:11-15, HCSB)
[The Apostle Paul taught,] “It will all happen so fast, in a blink, a mere flutter of the eye. The last trumpet will
call, and the dead will be raised from their graves with a body that does not, cannot decay. All of us will be
changed! We’ll step out of our mortal clothes and slide into immortal bodies, replacing everything that is subject
to death with eternal life. And, when we are all redressed with bodies that do not, cannot decay, when we put
immortality over our mortal frames, then it will be as Scripture says:
Life everlasting has victoriously swallowed death. (Isaiah 25:8)
Hey, Death! What happened to your big win? Hey, Death! What happened to your sting? (I Corinthians 15:55)
Sin came into this world, and death’s sting followed. Then sin took aim at the law and gained power over those
who follow the law [religiously]. Thank God, then, for our Lord Jesus, the Anointed, the Liberating King, who
brought us victory over the grave.” (I Corinthians 15:52-57, The Voice)
For further reading: Revelation 12 (key verses: 1-6); Hebrews 2 (key verses: 6-9)
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3. Concepts to Consider:
The idea that God has--through the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ--defeated sin,
death, and the devil is known as the “Christus Victor” atonement theory. This just simply means that one way
to look at what happened on the cross of Jesus is that God broke the stranglehold sin and death has had over
humanity since the Garden of Eden.
But you may ask, “Don’t we still die, and don’t we still sin? So how has sin and death been defeated?” Good
question. The answer lies in how the Bible defines the macro terms, “Sin” and “Death.” The “Sin” that Jesus
has defeated is a large, general category that some theologians will call “original sin,” our “sin nature,” or our
“bent to sinning;” meaning, there is a natural, deep-seated drive within all humanity to live a basically self-
referenced life. Jesus did not defeat the “symptoms” (our everyday sins) of the disease; He went to the root
cause, humanity’s broken, self-referenced nature. This is why the founder of the Methodist movement, John
Wesley, could teach that it was indeed possible--by God’s grace--to be “perfected in love” in this life, i.e., live
free from the bondage to willful and habitual sin, because Jesus is victorious over the “sin nature” that drives
our unredeemed wills. His Spirit can, if we are willing, transform our innate narcissism into a God-centered, free
and joyful existence.
The “Death” over which Jesus is Victor is what the Apostle John will call in his Revelation of Jesus Christ, “the
first death,” or a “spiritual death” that happened in the Garden of Eden. Our First Parents didn’t immediately
experience physical death after eating the forbidden fruit, but they did die spiritually; their inherent innocence
and perfect connection with their Creator was severely damaged. Jesus has overcome this spiritual deficit, and
through Him, it is possible for us to be “raised to newness of life” with Him, right now. We will all die physically,
but our relationship with God, made possible through the Victory of Christ Jesus, empowered by His Spirit,
makes it possible of us to live on for all eternity with Him. The catch is we much take hold of Christ’s victory by
ceasing to walk our own path and follow the path that Jesus has pioneered for us. Remember He is, after all,
“the way (the road/path), the truth, and the life.”
Video: http://tiny.cc/ChristusVictor
4. Reflection Questions:
(You are encouraged to write, draw, or respond however the Lord leads to the following inquiries. To share your musings in a
public forum where others can dialog and process with you, please go to http://tiny.cc/victoryn30 ).
1. Where do you see the victory of Christ already operating in the world around you?
2. Only through centering our being in our Victorious Christ can He begin to transform our decision-making
from “self-referenced” to “God-referenced.” It is a relational shift. What distractions do you need to
organize, turn down, turn off, or walk away from in order to begin to focus your life on learning the
unforced rhythms of God’s grace?
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5. Prayer for Today:
Victorious Christ, we thank You for Your conquering presence in our lives and in our world! We thank You
for the victory You bring in our everyday world! We praise You for being our constant help in times of trouble,
our shelter and our hope!
Lord Jesus, all things are held together and in You all move and have their being. Your Word teaches us that
You have already conquered sin and death.
Holy Spirit, help us to live our lives victoriously as we walk by faith and not by our human sight.
Victorious Creator, forgive us for our greed and for our destructive and polluting ways. Forgive us for not
taking care of Your creation as You have commanded us. Lord, forgive me for (list any sins that you have
committed). And now, Holy Spirit, please bring to my remembrance those I need to forgive. (Take a moment
and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal names or faces of people that you may need to forgive. As He reveals them,
say, “I forgive name of person(s).” Now, trust the Lord to heal any wounds in your soul caused by
unforgiveness.)
Glorious Savior, help us not to yield to the temptation to believe that what we do doesn’t make a difference
but deliver us from the lies of the evil one.
You are indeed God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth! O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is
Your Name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens! In the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Optional Time of Centering/Soaking:
If possible, take some time, perhaps 5 to 15 minutes, to get into a comfortable position and simply allow the Lord
to minister to you at a deep level (Psalm 42:7). Turn off or put down all distractions. Close your eyes. Hold in
your thoughts a meaningful word, phrase, or image from the Scripture passages you read today. Release all
other thoughts and concerns into the Presence of the Lord. If your thoughts wander, that’s okay, just gently
return to your Scriptural word, phrase, or image. You may want to set a timer.
Notes: 22
23
Day 5
Victory Through Mary's Example
1. Center Down
Before you begin today’s spiritual excursion, please take a few moments to breathe! Take three slow, deep
breaths, expanding from your abdomen; try not to raise your shoulders. As you inhale, whisper, “God is ...” As
you exhale whisper, “my Savior...”
2. Slowly read aloud the following scriptures:
(Feel free to pause at any time during your reading to reflect on, thank, praise, or acknowledge God’s stirring in your thoughts and emotions.)
Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the
city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter,
John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the
Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary
the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers [and sisters]. (Acts 1:12-14, ESV)
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the
humble estate of His servant. or behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for He who is mighty
has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to
generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; He
has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry
with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of
His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” (Luke 1:46-55, ESV)
For further reading: Revelation 12 (key verses: 1-6)
3. Concepts to consider:
Mary, the mother of Jesus, can be viewed as an encouraging, victorious example for us. She begins her journey
with her Son in great expectation and hope that the oppressors of her people would be suppressed under the
Messianic rule and reign of Jesus (Luke 1:46-5). Later, however, during Jesus’ early ministry (Mark 3:20-21; 31-
35), she goes through her own period of doubt and confusion, not understanding that the Kingdom of God was
not a governmental or military one, but rather a Kingdom of Shalom that called for a radical reorientation of the
human compass toward a counter-intuitive way of life. Jesus taught things that didn’t seem to make sense,
“The last shall be first,” “Take up your cross,” “Love your enemies,” “Turn the other cheek.”
Ultimately, however, Mary and her family understand fully who Jesus is and His mission. By the time we see
Mary in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost, she has come to a full realization of who Jesus is. She is the
honorable mother of our Lord, and as such, is a beautiful example of a life well-lived.
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Be encouraged. Just because you may have some doubts or confusion, doesn’t mean you are a horrible person,
unworthy of God’s grace and love. Even Mary, the mother of Jesus, didn’t always have it all figured out. You
are in good company. Lean into the reality of Jesus is. He loved his mother and cared for her. Jesus’ nurturing
heart is available to you, right now.
4. Reflection Questions:
(You are encouraged to write, draw, or respond however the Lord leads to the following inquiries. To share your musings in a public forum
where others can dialog and process with you, please go to http://tiny.cc/victoryn30 ).
1. How are you similar to Mary?
2. Be honest with Jesus today. Confess to
Him any doubts of areas of confusion you
might have. Open the hands of your
thoughts and give these things to Him.
Write these doubts and/or areas of
confusion down as a way of offering them
to the Lord.
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5. Prayer for Today:
Gracious Father, our souls magnify You, O Lord! We make You the biggest thing in our lives! Our spirits rejoice
in You, God our Savior; for, You have looked upon the humble situation of Your servant. Behold, You have called
us blessed; for You are mighty and have done great things for us, and holy is Your Name.
Loving Father, Your mercy is for those who humbly honor You from generation to generation. You have shown
strength with Your outstretched arm; You have scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; You have
brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those in humble situations; You have filled the hungry
with good things, and the rich You have sent away empty. You have helped Your servant Israel, and by extension,
the church, in remembrance of Your mercy, as You spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever,
of which we are a part through Your Son. Jesus Christ, in whose Name, we pray.
Holy Spirit, help us to always remember that Jesus is our Big Brother. Help us to love and appreciate Him, along
with You and our Father, God. Please lead and guide our daily living so that we present the goodness of Christ
to our families, friends, co-workers and enemies.
Father, forgive us for devaluing the sacrifice Christ made for our freedom. Forgive us for holding on to old
bondages and enslaved mentalities. Lord, forgive me for (list any sins that you have committed). Holy Spirit,
please bring to my remembrance those I need to forgive. (Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal
names or faces of people that you may need to forgive. As He reveals them, say, “I forgive name of person(s).”
Now, trust the Lord to heal any wounds in your soul caused by unforgiveness.)
Holy Spirit, help us not to yield to temptation but deliver us from the evil one.
Lord Jesus Christ, on Your robe at Your thigh will be written, “King of all kings and Lord of all lords.” Amen.
Amen.
Optional Time of Centering/Soaking:
If possible, take some time, perhaps 5 to 15 minutes, to get into a comfortable position and simply allow the Lord
to minister to you at a deep level (Psalm 42:7). Turn off or put down all distractions. Close your eyes. Hold in
your thoughts a meaningful word, phrase, or image from the Scripture passages you read today. Release all
other thoughts and concerns into the Presence of the Lord. If your thoughts wander, that’s okay, just gently
return to your Scriptural word, phrase, or image. You may want to set a timer.
Notes: 26
27
Day 6
Victory Over Being Wrongly Accused
1. Center Down
Before you begin today’s spiritual excursion, please take a few moments to breathe! Take three slow, deep
breaths, expanding from your abdomen; try not to raise your shoulders. As you inhale, whisper, “You are...” As
you exhale whisper, “my shield...”
2. Slowly read aloud the following Scriptures:
(Feel free to pause at any time during your reading to reflect on, thank, praise, or acknowledge God’s stirring in your thoughts and emotions.)
But when [Jesus] was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer. Then Pilate said to Him, “Do
you not hear how many things they testify against You?” But He gave him no answer, not even to a single
charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. (Matthew 27:12-14, ESV)
Be not silent, O God of my praise! For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against
me with lying tongues. They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. In return for my
love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
Help me, O Lord my God! Save me according to Your steadfast love! Let them know that this is Your hand; you,
O Lord, have done it! Let them curse, but You will bless! They arise and are put to shame, but Your servant will
be glad! May my accusers be clothed with dishonor; may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a cloak!
With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise Him in the midst of the throng. For He stands
at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.
(Psalm 109:1-5; 26-31, ESV)
For further reading: Matthew 27; 1 Samuel 24
3. Concepts to consider:
Let’s face it, it hurts to be wrongly accused. You’ve been trying your best. You’ve been working to live a life of
integrity, then out of nowhere, you are hit with a false accusation. As hard as it may seem in our humanity to
hear, the Word of God does offer us two vivid examples of how to handle false accusations. From David to
Jesus, the common denominator is the belief that God is the Righteous Judge and Vindicator as well as the
Sustainer and Giver of Life in the middle of trouble. In Psalm 109, we hear David’s heart-cry. He’s being chased
by Saul and his men because Saul is consumed with irrational jealousy. He believes David to be trying to usurp
his throne. 1 Samuel 24 demonstrates this accusation to not be true, but it didn’t prevent Saul from coming
after David. In his distress, David cries out to the only hope he has, his Lord and God!
Likewise, in the Gospels, Jesus chooses not to answer His pre-crucifixion trial accusers directly, but rather He
relies on His Father for strength. He lets the deeds of His life stand on their own without comment. We hear
Him cry out in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from Me. Nevertheless,
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not My will, but Yours, be done.” And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him. (Luke
22:42-43)
There are, of course, other examples of how Jesus confronts complainers and accusers throughout the Gospels,
e.g., Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, etc. Most often, He challenges them with Scripture, measured logic, and
with truth in love.
4. Reflection Questions:
(You are encouraged to write, draw, or respond however the Lord leads to the following inquiries. To share your musings in a public forum
where others can dialog and process with you, please go to http://tiny.cc/victoryn30 ).
1. Are you being (or have you or someone you know been) falsely accused? If so, how will you (or did you
or someone you know) allow God to bring hope and strength into your life and/or the situation?
2. Where do you (or did you or someone you know) struggle in perceiving God's presence in the middle of
the storm? Be honest.
3. Take a moment to stop, breathe and thank God for His sustaining, victorious presence. “I, Jesus, have
said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take
heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
5. Prayer for Today:
Wonderful Father, we thank You for Your love and presence. We thank You, Lord, for safety and protection from
those who would falsely accuse us. Thank You for blessing our lives with Your Shalom. We will sing praises to
You, our Father, and declare that You are the King over all of the earth in the midst of any storm that may come
into our lives!
Almighty Father, we confess that You are my Light and Salvation, so we will not be afraid. You are our fortress,
protecting us from danger, so we will not tremble. We declare that we will live in safety, quietly in our homes
and have rest. Peace, be still!
Holy Spirit, remind us that the greatest resource of peace and protection is the Lord God Almighty. Incline our
hearts to seek You first and search Your Word for wisdom, comfort, refuge and direction.
Merciful Father, forgive me for my own acts sinfulness, including any time I may have stirred up strife, discord,
jealousy, rivalries, violence, injustice, hatred, oppression, greed, idolatry, pride, slander, division, and any other
sins like these. Lord, forgive me for (list any sins that you have committed). Holy Spirit, bring to my
remembrance those I need to forgive. (Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal names or faces of
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people that you may need to forgive. As He reveals them, say, “I forgive name of person(s).” Now, trust the
Lord to heal any wounds in your soul caused by unforgiveness.)
Holy Spirit, help us all not to yield to temptation but deliver us from the evil one.
Eternal Lord, You are the blessed and Sovereign One; the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, who alone has
immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man can see. Yours is the Kingdom, the power and the
glory forever and ever. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Optional Time of Centering/Soaking:
If possible, take some time, perhaps 5 to 15 minutes, to get into a comfortable position and simply allow the Lord to minister
to you at a deep level (Psalm 42:7). Turn off or put down all distractions. Close your eyes. Hold in your thoughts a
meaningful word, phrase, or image from the Scripture passages you read today. Release all other thoughts and concerns
into the Presence of the Lord. If your thoughts wander, that’s okay, just gently return to your Scriptural word, phrase, or
image. You may want to set a timer.
Notes: 30
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Day 7
Victory Through the Death of Jesus
1. Center Down
Before you begin today’s spiritual excursion, please take a few moments to breathe! Take three slow, deep
breaths, expanding from your abdomen; try not to raise your shoulders. As you inhale, whisper, “Jesus...” As
you exhale whisper, “died for us...”
2. Slowly read aloud the following Scriptures:
(Feel free to pause at any time during your reading to reflect on, thank, praise, or acknowledge God’s stirring in your thoughts and emotions.)
Death swallowed by triumphant Life!
Who got the last word, oh, Death?
Oh, Death, who’s afraid of you now?
It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But
now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ.
Thank God! ( 1 Corinthians 15:56-57, MSG)
The gift [of God’s grace and salvation] isn’t like the consequences of one person’s (Adam’s) sin. The judgment
that came from one person’s sin led to punishment, but the free gift that came out of many failures led to the
verdict of acquittal. If death ruled because of one person’s failure, those who receive the multiplied grace and
the gift of righteousness will even more certainly rule in life through the one person Jesus Christ. So now the
righteous requirements necessary for life are met for everyone through the righteous act of one person, just as
judgment fell on everyone through the failure of one person. (Romans 5:15-18; CEB)
For further reading: Romans 5; Isaiah 53
3. Concepts to Consider:
The death of Jesus is the ultimate sacrificial act that snatched humanity from the greedy jaws of chaos, sin and
death. Our first parents (Adam and Eve) had left us with a marred legacy. Their descendants, and indeed all of
creation, were diminished because of disobedience. Their desire to live according “to what seemed right in their
own eyes,” left us striving for, but unable to reach, our full potential as persons created in God’s image.
We were created to live victoriously as royal caretakers of creation under the loving and wise supervision of our
Lord. Jesus’ death, once and for all, made it possible for humanity to come into restored relationship with our
Creator. Because only God Himself, as Jesus, could effect such a change. Because those who put their trust into
Jesus are empowered by the Holy Spirit to begin the process of letting go of our self-referenced lives and
priorities, and be transformed more and more into the Image with which we were originally created.
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Additionally, Jesus’ death is an example to us of victory. It may seem backwards to us, but what Jesus tells His
disciples just prior to His own death is astounding and has been given to us as a part of our enduring mission,
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this,
that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12-13, ESV). Our life is to be characterized by loving
sacrifice. That is our path to victory. Not sacrifice to the point of of self-obliteration, but the laying down of a
self-referenced life (aka, our sin nature) in favor of a Christ-centered life. Wherever He leads me, I’ll go. By His
Spirit, I will set aside my way for His way. These are not easy statements, but ones we can begin to digest and
live out each day more sincerely as we continue to nurture our relationship with the Messiah who died on our
behalf… and calls us friends.
4. Reflection Questions:
(You are encouraged to write, draw, or respond however the Lord leads to the following inquiries. To share your musings in a public forum
where others can dialog and process with you, please go to http://tiny.cc/victoryn30 ).
1. When you hear the statement, “Jesus died for you,” how does it make you feel? What do you think?
2. How does it make you feel, or what does it make you think, when you hear Jesus say, “This is My
commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that
someone lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you [i.e., that you
love one another]. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is
doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that
your fruit should abide [you will have victory!], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [in
keeping with My character and reputation], He may give it to you. These things I command you, so that
you will love one another.” (John 15:12-17)?
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5. Prayer for Today:
Our Father God, we thank You for loving us so much that You gave Your one and only Son so that everyone who
believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. We love and adore You. Lord Jesus, thank You for sacrificing
Your life on the cross for our sins. Because of You, we can now stand before You victorious, as pure, holy, and
justified. We will proclaim Your greatness. Everyone will share the story of Your wonderful goodness. We will
sing with joy about Your righteousness.
Jesus, our Bread of Life, thank You for filling us with the good things of Your presence. Lord, You were wounded
for our transgressions. You were bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon You, and
by Your stripes, we are healed. Hallel YAH! We will forever praise and honor You. Because of You, we now have
eternal life. Lord, You have the highest place of honor. Your Name is above all other names. At Your Name, every
knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that You are Lord.
Thank You for redeeming us and placing the Kingdom of God within us.
Holy Spirit, help us to reflect daily on the victory given to us through the grace of God as demonstrated in the
ministry of Jesus. Help us to stay focused on Kingdom business instead of worldly desires, and selfish cares and
concerns. Renew our minds, O Lord, daily until the image of Christ is formed on the inside of us. And keep us
humbled in knowing that were it not for Jesus Christ, we would have no hope at all.
Loving Father, forgive us for at times disregarding the sacrifice the Lord Jesus made to secure our freedom.
Forgive us for not walking fully in the victory and freedom we have in Jesus. Lord, forgive me for (list any sins
that you have committed). Holy Spirit, remind us all of those we need to forgive and help us to be quick to
forgive. As for me, Holy Spirit, bring to my remembrance those I need to forgive. (Take a moment and ask the
Holy Spirit to reveal names or faces of people that you may need to forgive. As He reveals them, say, “I forgive
name of person(s).” Now, trust the Lord to heal any wounds in your soul caused by unforgiveness.)
Holy Spirit, help us all to not yield to temptation but deliver us from the evil one.
Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice. You are the Lord, our Redeemer
and Creator, who made all things. You alone stretched out the heavens. You reign forever, executing judgment
from Your throne. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!
Optional Time of Centering/Soaking:
If possible, take some time, perhaps 5 to 15 minutes, to get into a comfortable position and simply allow the Lord
to minister to you at a deep level (Psalm 42:7). Turn off or put down all distractions. Close your eyes. Hold in
your thoughts a meaningful word, phrase, or image from the Scripture passages you read today. Release all
other thoughts and concerns into the Presence of the Lord. If your thoughts wander, that’s okay, just gently
return to your Scriptural word, phrase, or image. You may want to set a timer.
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35
Day 8
Victory Through the Burial of Jesus
1. Center Down
Before you begin today’s spiritual excursion, please take a few moments to breathe! Take three slow, deep breaths, expanding from
your abdomen; try not to raise your shoulders. As you inhale, whisper, “Jesus is...” As you exhale whisper, “rested...”
2. Slowly read aloud the following Scriptures:
(Feel free to pause at any time during your reading to reflect on, thank, praise, or acknowledge God’s stirring in your thoughts and emotions.)
That evening a man named Joseph came. He was a rich man from Arimathea who had become a disciple of Jesus.
He came to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission to take it. Joseph took the body, wrapped
it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had carved out of the rock. After he rolled a
large stone at the door of the tomb, he went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting in
front of the tomb. The next day, which was the day after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees
gathered before Pilate. They said, “Sir, we remember that while that deceiver was still alive He said, ‘After three
days I will arise.’ Therefore, order the grave to be sealed until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come
and steal the body and tell the people, ‘He’s been raised from the dead.’ This last deception will be worse than
the first.” Pilate replied, “You have soldiers for guard duty. Go and make it as secure as you know how.” Then
they went and secured the tomb by sealing the stone and posting the guard. (Matthew 27:57-65, CEB)
After this, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate if he could take away the body of Jesus. Joseph was a disciple of
Jesus, but a secret one because he feared the Jewish authorities. Pilate gave Him permission, so he came and
took the body away. Nicodemus, the one who at first had come to Jesus at night, was there too. He brought a
mixture of myrrh and aloe, nearly seventy-five pounds in all. Following Jewish burial customs, they took Jesus’
body and wrapped it, with the spices, in linen cloths. There was a garden in the place where Jesus was crucified,
and in the garden was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish Preparation
Day and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus in it. (John 19:38-42, CEB)
For further reading: 1 Corinthians 15 (key verses: 1-10); Ephesians 4 (key verses: 3-14)
3. Concepts to Consider:
Have you ever wondered what Jesus was doing while He was in the grave, other than just lying there… dead?
We don’t often connect the burial of Jesus with our salvation, but the Gospels and the Apostle Paul readily
communicate to us that our Savior’s burial is as much a part of the story of the Good News, as His death,
resurrection, and ascension.
In his outstanding article on the subject, Dr. Matthew Y. Emerson, (Associate Professor of Religion at
Oklahoma Baptist University) discusses several areas that we don’t often emphasize regarding the importance
of Jesus’ burial. (Full article available here: http://tiny.cc/burial) I will highlight a couple of thoughts here.
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First, just by lying there in the tomb, Jesus is demonstrating victory over Death. He shows us that even though
we will all die, our “intermediate state” is not our final state! We can rest in the Lord’s promise of resurrection
in the New Heaven and New Earth (see: Revelation 20). Jesus didn’t skip the process of dying and being dead
before His resurrection. His burial is an example of hope for us.
Second, He is demonstrating Sabbath Rest. When Jesus uttered from the cross, “it is finished,” He was not giving
up and giving into death. Rather, He was making a declaration of completion, similar to what we see in Genesis
2:1-3, “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God
finished His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that he had done. So
God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all His work that he had done in
creation.” Jesus is demonstrating His re-creative work. He’s completed what He came to do. And on Saturday
(Sabbath) He rested from all His labors. Which, by extension, is an enduring example for us to rest in the Lord
and to honor Him by taking one particular day out of our week to rest.
4. Reflection Questions:
(You are encouraged to write, draw, or respond however the Lord leads to the following inquiries. To share your musings in a public forum where
others can dialog and process with you, please go to http://tiny.cc/victoryn30 ).
1. In what ways does Jesus burial offer you hope?
2. How will you think differently about Jesus burial?
5. Prayer for Today:
All praise to You, God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! You are our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.
We will sing to You as long as we have breath! We thank You, Father, for sending us Your Son for, in Him, we
have great hope. We thank You for sitting with us during dark times, as well as in times of light. Just as we
remember that the death and burial of Jesus were necessary for our salvation, so we are grateful that death
does not have the final word. Anyone who believes in Him will live, even after dying.
Merciful Father, we put our hope in You! Abba, Father, You saw Your one and only Son, whom You love, die on
the cross and be laid in a tomb. Your Word tells us that Jesus is moved by our sorrow, so we confess that our
sorrow will be turned into joy and contentment as we continue to stay close to You. Your Name, Lord, is a strong
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fortress; the Godly run to You and are safe. We declare that it is by Your great mercy that we have been born
again because You raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a
priceless inheritance – an inheritance that is kept in heaven for us, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of
change and decay.
Holy Lord, forgive us for all acts of sinfulness. Forgive me for (list any sins that you have committed). Holy
Spirit, remind us of those we need to forgive and help us to be quick to forgive. As for me, Holy Spirit, bring to
my remembrance those I need to forgive. (Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal names or faces of
people that you may need to forgive. As He reveals them, say, “I forgive name of person(s).” Now, trust the
Lord to heal any wounds in your soul caused by unforgiveness.)
Holy Spirit, help us all not to yield to temptation but deliver us from the evil one.
Almighty God, the heavens proclaim Your glory! The cosmos displays Your craftsmanship. Day after day the
heavens continue to speak; night after night, they make You known. You are awesome in Your sanctuary, Lord
God. We pray in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen!
Optional Time of Centering/Soaking:
If possible, take some time, perhaps 5 to 15 minutes, to get into a comfortable position and simply allow the Lord
to minister to you at a deep level (Psalm 42:7). Turn off or put down all distractions. Close your eyes. Hold in
your thoughts a meaningful word, phrase, or image from the Scripture passages you read today. Release all
other thoughts and concerns into the Presence of the Lord. If your thoughts wander, that’s okay, just gently
return to your Scriptural word, phrase, or image. You may want to set a timer.
Notes: 38
39
Day 9
Victory as the Body of Christ (Feast of Trumpets)
1. Center Down
Before you begin today’s spiritual excursion, please take a few moments to breathe! Take three slow, deep
breaths, expanding from your abdomen; try not to raise your shoulders. As you inhale, whisper, “I am a part...”
As you exhale whisper, “of the Body of Christ….”
2. Slowly read aloud the following Scriptures:
(Feel free to pause at any time during your reading to reflect on, thank, praise, or acknowledge God’s stirring in your thoughts and emotions.)
[The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome,] For as in one body we have many members, and the members
do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of
another. (Romans 12:4-5, ESV)
[The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Colossae,] He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of
all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or
dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things,
and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn
from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to
dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the
blood of His cross. (Colossians 1:15-20, ESV)
For further reading: Colossians 1 and 2 (key verses: 15-20) see video: http://tiny.cc/colossians for a full
overview.
3. Concepts to Consider:
Tonight begins our celebration of the Feast of Trumpets, also known as Rosh Hashanah (“Head of the Year,”
which designates the traditional beginning of the Fiscal New Year in the Hebrew calendar). Customarily, during
the two days of celebration, the creation of Adam and Eve are remembered as well as the miraculous births of
Isaac and Samuel said to be born during this time. Additionally, the unfailing love of God for His people is lauded
as His final, righteous vindication of His people. (For more detailed information about the Feast of Trumpets see:
http://tiny.cc/feastoftrumpets )
The Apostle John’s Revelation of Jesus Christ in many ways is a dramatic rendering of the Feast of Trumpets.
Right at the beginning, Jesus is said to have a “voice like a trumpet,” (1:10) and there are, of course, the famous
“Seven trumpets” of Chapters 8-11. We see a new creation in the New Heaven and New Earth in Revelation 21.
Beyond this, the church, the Body of Christ, is miraculously birthed from “every tribe and language and people
and nation (Revelation 5:9).” The Church is encouraged and challenged to stay faithful as they wait for God’s
final, righteous judgement of satan, death, and all whose who have refused the reign of the Lamb (Jesus).
40
As the Body of Christ, we have--all together--been tasked with carrying out the Kingdom-spreading ways of our
“Head,” Jesus our Lord. What does that look like? It looks like the saints worshipping in Revelation 7. It looks
like the 12 Apostles (Matthew 10/Mark 6) and the 72 commissioned followers (Luke 10) who went out across
the Judean countryside in small teams putting things back in order by healing the sick, casting out demons and
teaching. It looks like the church who defied societal norms to care for each other and work and worship
together across class boundaries. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no
male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [Again,] Here there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised
and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian [once considered savages], slave and free, but Christ is all and in all.”
(Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11) Being a part of the Body of Christ is a game-changing, world disrupting
proposition!
4. Reflection Questions:
(You are encouraged to write, draw, or respond however the Lord leads to the following inquiries. To share your musings in a public forum
where others can dialog and process with you, please go to http://tiny.cc/victoryn30 ).
1. As you consider what it means to be a part of the Body of Christ here and now, how will you participate
in the Feast of Trumpets?
2. What things are you believing the Lord to miraculously birth in you and in your community during this
New Year?
5. Prayer for Today:
Blessed Father, we thank You for birthing us into The Body of Christ. Thank You for bringing us into this time of
celebration during the Feast of Trumpets. Lord, we praise Your great and awesome Name! Your Name is holy.
Mighty King, You love justice and have established fairness. You have acted with justice and righteousness
throughout Israel. We exalt You, our God. We bow low before Your feet, for You alone are holy!
Awesome Father, we confess that we will seek to operate in The Body of Christ as one. We declare that we will
look to You, Jesus, as our Head to direct our path and to unify us under Your Lordship. We declare that each
ministry in The Body of Christ will reflect the love, hope, peace, faith and discipline of the Kingdom. Holy Spirit,
please continue to hold together The Body of Christ in Your Love, so that we may operate seamlessly and as a
well oiled machine.
Magnificent Father, please forgive us for when we are disobedient, selfishly-ambitious, prideful, gossipping,
perverse and participate in any other act of sinfulness. Forgive us for depending on our own strength and
41
intellect, instead of Your supernatural power and authority. Lord, forgive me for (list any sins that you have
committed). Holy Spirit, remind us all of those we need to forgive and help us to be quick to forgive. As for me,
Holy Spirit, bring to my remembrance those I need to forgive. (Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal
names or faces of people that you may need to forgive. As He reveals them, say, “I forgive name of person(s).”
Now, trust the Lord to heal any wounds in your soul caused by unforgiveness.)
Holy Spirit, help us not to yield to temptation but deliver us from the evil one.
Eternal King, the heavens declare Your glory and the skies proclaim the work of Your hands. You are the Lord
Most High, the great King over all the earth. Lord, You are worthy to receive glory, honor, and power. You
created all things and by Your will they exist and were created. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Optional Time of Centering/Soaking:
If possible, take some time, perhaps 5 to 15 minutes, to get into a comfortable position and simply allow the Lord
to minister to you at a deep level (Psalm 42:7). Turn off or put down all distractions. Close your eyes. Hold in
your thoughts a meaningful word, phrase, or image from the Scripture passages you read today. Release all
other thoughts and concerns into the Presence of the Lord. If your thoughts wander, that’s okay, just gently
return to your Scriptural word, phrase, or image. You may want to set a timer.
Notes: 42
43
Day 10
Victory Through the Resurrection of Jesus
(Feast of Trumpets/Fast Begins)
1. Center Down
Before you begin today’s spiritual excursion, please take a few moments to breathe! Take three slow, deep
breaths, expanding from your abdomen; try not to raise your shoulders. As you inhale, whisper, “The Risen
Christ...” As you exhale whisper, “is my life.”
2. Slowly read aloud the following Scriptures:
(Feel free to pause at any time during your reading to reflect on, thank, praise, or acknowledge God’s stirring in your thoughts and emotions.)
Jesus said to [Martha], “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he
live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord;
I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” (John 11:25-27, ESV)
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in
the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by
philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and
not according to Christ. For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in Him, who
is the head of all rule and authority. In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands,
by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in
which you were also raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised Him from the
dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together
with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its
legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to
open shame, by triumphing over them in Him. (Colossians 2:6-15, ESV)
For further reading: Luke 24 (see video: http://tiny.cc/LukeRez )
44
3. Concepts to Consider:
The Apostle Paul says something shocking in his first letter to the Corinthian church. He says, “But if there is no
resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our
preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified
about God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead
are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are
still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:13-17). Basically, without the bodily resurrection of Jesus, then His life, death
and burial make Him no different than any other dead “messiah” that has passed through history. The
resurrection is the linchpin of our Salvation Story. It is the true victory over Death and the grave. The spiritual
death that was brought to humanity in their disobedience has been turned around, and life has been restored
to the children of Adam and Eve in Christ Jesus!
His physical resurrection is also the downpayment on our promised resurrection. Jesus passed through death
and the grave and came out the other side as an “upgraded” human. He is, as the writer of Hebrews says, “...the
founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 1:2). As we continue to celebrate the
Feast of Trumpets, we look forward to the day when we, and those we love who have died in the Lord, are
resurrected, just like Jesus, in the New Creation.
4. Reflection Question:
(You are encouraged to write, draw, or respond however the Lord leads to the following inquiries. To share your musings in a public forum
where others can dialog and process with you, please go to http://tiny.cc/victoryn30 ).
1. Why is the resurrection of Jesus so important for our salvation?
45
5. Prayer for Today:
Holy Father, we thank You for giving us a future and a hope in You! Thank You for redeeming our souls through
the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus! Thank You for new beginnings and Your redemptive power at work
in us through the Holy Spirit. Together, as the Body of Christ, we rejoice in the celebration of the Feast of
Trumpets. Our hearts are confident in You, Father. No wonder we can sing Your praises! We will thank You,
Lord, among all the people. We will sing Your praises among the nations, for Your unfailing love is as high as the
heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Majestic Father, we are grateful to enter into this season with humility. We understand that only those whose
hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols, and who are not false, can stand in Your holy presence.
We thank You for making us holy, blameless, and above reproach through Jesus Christ. It is through Him that
our hearts are made pure, and our hands are made clean. We cannot boast or take any credit, Jesus, You are
the source of our redemption. We will use this time during this season to examine ourselves. As part of the Feast
of Trumpets, You have directed us to reconcile with persons who may have wronged us during the past year.
We commit to mending, by Your grace, our broken relationships. Father, You have begun a good work in us,
and we are confident that You will complete it until the Day of Jesus Christ.
As I review the past year (Sept. 2017 – Sept. 2018), I am thankful for:
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Father, this year I commit to reconcile with (List the names of those who may have wronged you):
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Holy Spirit, lead those in the Body of Christ who still do not celebrate the feasts into a deeper revelation of the
blessing in obeying the Father’s commandments. While we observe the Feast of Trumpets, alert us to anything
that may be keeping us from experiencing true intimacy with You. Teach us to search for the Lord and for His
strength, to continually seek Him. Give us a strong conviction about the kind of example we are setting for our
children as we begin the new year.
Our Father, forgive us for our past sins. Forgive us for not fully walking in the victory afforded to us in the power
of Jesus’ resurrected life. Please forgive the Body of Christ for rejecting Your Feasts during the early centuries of
the Christian faith. Forgive us for not acknowledging You in all our ways and for leaning to our own
understanding. Lord, forgive me for (list any sins that You have committed). Holy Spirit, remind us all of those
we need to forgive and help us to be quick to forgive. We will not take past offenses into the new year. As for
me, Holy Spirit, bring to my remembrance those I need to forgive. (Take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to
show you names or faces of people that you may need to forgive. As He shows you, say aloud, “I forgive name
of person (s).” Now, trust the Lord to heal any wounds in your soul caused by unforgiveness.)
Holy Spirit, help us all not to yield to temptation but deliver us from the evil one.
46
Sovereign Lord, You are great and most worthy of praise! You are to be feared above all gods. The gods of other
nations are mere idols, but You made the heavens. Honor and majesty surround You. Strength and joy fill Your
dwelling. Let the whole world fear You and let everyone stand in awe of You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Optional Time of Centering/Soaking:
If possible, take some time, perhaps 5 to 15 minutes, to get into a comfortable position and simply allow the Lord to minister to you at
a deep level (Psalm 42:7). Turn off or put down all distractions. Close your eyes. Hold in your thoughts a meaningful word, phrase,
or image from the Scripture passages you read today. Release all other thoughts and concerns into the Presence of the Lord. If your
thoughts wander, that’s okay, just gently return to your Scriptural word, phrase, or image. You may want to set a timer.
47
Day 11
Victory for the Ascension of Jesus
(Feast of Trumpets)
1. Center Down
Before you begin today’s spiritual excursion, please take a few moments to breathe! Take three slow, deep breaths, expanding from
your abdomen; try not to raise your shoulders. As you inhale, whisper, “Jesus reigns...” As you exhale whisper, “in love and hope...”
2. Slowly read aloud the following Scriptures:
(Feel free to pause at any time during your reading to reflect on, thank, praise, or acknowledge God’s stirring in your thoughts and emotions.)
[The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus,] “and what is the immeasurable greatness of [God’s] power
toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might that He worked in Christ when He raised
Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority
and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to
come.” (Ephesians 1:12-21, ESV)
[Paul continues, ] “even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace
you have been saved—and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ
Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us
in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:5-7, ESV)
For more information: https://www.seedbed.com/the-meaning-of-the-ascension/
3. Concepts to Consider:
Without the ascension of Jesus, His work is not complete. It is this reality, His “seatedness,” that demonstrates
that the Final Victory is indeed won and that Jesus is now in full possession of His divine power and authority as
the second Person of the Trinity. Satan is defeated, death has lost its sting, and those of us who are in Christ are
seated with Him. This means 1) God is very near to us as all times just like Jesus is now in the immediate presence
of God, and 2) we--through His authority--have been given the power to reign in the earth as His ambassadors,
with justice, love and hope.
In the Gospels, in the letters of Ephesians, Colossians, Hebrews, and Revelation, we see the seated Christ
reigning and bearing witness to His finished work through the scars of His resurrected and ascended body. It is
also from this position that He continually prays for us, “ever making intercession for us” (Hebrews 7:25). It is
also from here that He “shall come again to judge the living and the dead” (2 Timothy 4:1).
As we close out our celebration of the Feast of Trumpets at sundown today, we do so aware that Jesus reigns
and is coming again. God has put all things under His feet, and, by extension, we are free and bolstered in Him
to live a life of ascended victory!
48
4. Reflection Question:
(You are encouraged to write, draw, or respond however the Lord leads to the following inquiries. To share your musings in a public forum
where others can dialog and process with you, please go to http://tiny.cc/victoryn30 ).
1. How will being reminded that you are seated and reigning with Christ in His ascended authority affect
how you will walk through your day?
5. Prayer for Today:
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth! The earth is Yours and all its fullness. You founded
it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. O Ascended Christ, You have raised us up and seated us
with You in heavenly places! We are grateful that You pray for us, ever making intercession on our behalf.
Thank You for giving us Your peace and joy. Thank You for providing a life of hope, abundance, and royal destiny.
Thank You for being our Resurrection and our Life!
Reigning Christ, we trust in You with all of our hearts, and we do not depend on our own understanding.
Therefore, direct our feet along Your path of righteousness and holiness for Your Name’s sake. You are the God
who brings rest to our souls. Father, we expect You to give us peace of mind. We confess, even though we may
be pressed on every side by troubles, we will not be crushed or broken. We will be at perfect peace today, as
we trust in Your settled reign and rule.
Holy Spirit, bring to mind any sins we need to confess and, Lord, remind us of those we need to forgive and help
us to be quick to forgive. Lord, forgive me for (list any sins that you have committed). (Take a moment and
ask the Holy Spirit to reveal names or faces of people that you may need to forgive. As He reveals them, say,
“I forgive name of person(s).” Now, trust the Lord to heal any wounds in your soul caused by unforgiveness.)
Holy Spirit, help us all not to yield to temptation but deliver us from the evil one.
Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts the whole earth is full of Your glory. You are the Alpha and Omega, the
beginning and the end. You are the God who is, who was, and who is to come. Your judgements are sure. You
are the Almighty. To You, who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Optional Time of Centering/Soaking:
If possible, take some time, perhaps 5 to 15 minutes, to get into a comfortable position and simply allow the Lord to minister to you at
a deep level (Psalm 42:7). Turn off or put down all distractions. Close your eyes. Hold in your thoughts a meaningful word, phrase,
or image from the Scripture passages you read today. Release all other thoughts and concerns into the Presence of the Lord. If your
thoughts wander, that’s okay, just gently return to your Scriptural word, phrase, or image. You may want to set a timer.
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This is a special edition Fall Feasts 2018 Prayer & Study Guide (Volume 1) publication for the Windsor Village United Methodist Church Family members and the Christian community.
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