THE PEARL COMMUNITY

Holy Tuesday // Jesus Taught at the Temple

Just then he looked up and saw the rich people dropping offerings in the collection plate. Then he saw a poor widow put in two pennies. He said, “The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today. All these others made offerings that they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all!”

Luke 21:1-4

One day people were standing around talking about the Temple, remarking how beautiful it was, the splendor of its stonework and memorial gifts. Jesus said, “All this you’re admiring so much—the time is coming when every stone in that building will end up in a heap of rubble.”

They asked him, “Teacher, when is this going to happen? What clue will we get that it’s about to take place?”

He said, “Watch out for the doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, ‘I’m the One,’ or, ‘The end is near.’ Don’t fall for any of that. When you hear of wars and uprisings, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history and no sign of the end.”

He went on, “Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Huge earthquakes will occur in various places. There will be famines. You’ll think at times that the very sky is falling.

“But before any of this happens, they’ll arrest you, hunt you down, and drag you to court and jail. It will go from bad to worse, dog-eat-dog, everyone at your throat because you carry my name. You’ll end up on the witness stand, called to testify. Make up your mind right now not to worry about it. I’ll give you the words and wisdom that will reduce all your accusers to stammers and stutters.

“You’ll even be turned in by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. Some of you will be killed. There’s no telling who will hate you because of me. Even so, every detail of your body and soul—even the hairs of your head!—is in my care; nothing of you will be lost. Staying with it—that’s what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry; you’ll be saved. Luke 21:5-19

Today’s Gift of Grace // Holy & Free

Open the Grace {Day Thirty-Six} 40 Gifts for 40 Days

Jesus, we trust in You.

You’re Worthy.

Let our hearts be Your dwelling place,

Living Sanctuaries.

Like the widow—we give our all!

Extravagantly.

In the midst of destruction—eyes on You,

Prince of Peace.

As we walk through this sacred week—we’ll keep remembering the path You chose.

Holy & Free.

Holy Monday // Jesus Cleanses the Temple

“When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling.

“It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

Luke 19:46 NIV

Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him.

Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭19:45-48‬ ‭NIV‬‬

My hope does not rest in the affairs of this world. It rests in Christ who is coming again.

Billy Graham

Today’s Gift of Grace is the One & Only Jesus

Open the Grace {Day Thirty-Five} 40 Gifts for 40 Days

Dear Lord, today we remember You.

The only One who holds our hearts.

The only One worthy of our worship.

Worthy of praise.

We lift You up.

There is none like You.

Today’s Gift of Grace is Mercy

Open the Grace {Day Thirty-Four} 40 Gifts for 40 Days

After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”

They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” Luke 19:28-44

Humble Savior, let our hearts be attuned to the path You chose

A lowly donkey, palm branches, & cloth

Such an ordinary way to prepare The Way

With humility & grace

You know, Lord

The heart of man

Praises today—“Hosanna!”

Accusations tomorrow—“Crucify Him!”

God have mercy, Lord have mercy

Amen

As we enter this most sacred week—may the Lord of Glory open the eyes of our understanding.

Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24

“As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road.

When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by.

So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

“Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!”

And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭18:35-43‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today’s Gift of Grace is His Restoring Love

Open the Grace {Day Thirty-Three} 40 Gifts for 40 Days

Lord, restore our sight.

We yield to You in every situation.

Believing Your promises when we don’t see anything happening.

We run to You, knowing You are working in all ways, all the time, all for Your glory.

We love You with our whole heart.

Thank You for restoring piece by piece.

Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’^[c]”

The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”

When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.

When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?” Luke 18:18-26

Todays Gift of Grace // Kingdom Possibilities

Open the Grace {Day Thirty-Two} 40 Gifts for 40 Days

Lord, in our own strength we cannot give what You deserve.

Help us to trust in Your provision over self-reliance.

Show us how to value relationships over possessions.

Give us eyes to see the possibilities,

—to look for ways to go beyond our own limitations,

& how to use what we have to advance Your kingdom purpose.

Amen.

As we draw closer to Resurrection Sunday let’s consider what we might give up—for the sake of the world.

Today’s Gift of Grace // Like a Child

Open the Grace {Day Thirty-One} 40 Gifts for 40 Days

One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him.

Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Luke 18:15-17

May we be like those, who in desperation, brought their babies…

Pressing past all fear & doubt…

With child-like faith & hopeful expectation…

Wild abandon & full-hearted trust…

Our souls long to be near You, in the safety of Your loving arms—

You welcome us.

You make our hearts—Your home.

Today’s Gift of Grace is Hope

Open the Grace {Day Thirty} 40 Gifts for 40 Days

“Later, Jesus addressed this again with his apostles, saying, “The time is coming when a great passion will be awakened within you to see me again.

Yes, you will long to see the beginning of the days of the Son of Man, but you won’t be able to find me.

You will hear reports from some who will say, ‘Look, he has returned,’ ‘He’s over here,’ or, ‘He’s over there!’

Don’t believe it or run after them, for their claims will be false.

The day of the Son of Man will burst forth with the brightness of a lightning strike that shines from one end of the sky to the other, illuminating the earth.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭17:22-24‬ ‭TPT‬‬

All who are obsessed with being secure in life will lose it all—including their lives. But those who let go of their lives and surrender them to me will discover true life.

Luke‬ ‭17:33‬ ‭TPT‬‬

The fact that our heart yearns for something Earth can’t supply is proof that Heaven must be our home.

C. S. Lewis

Lord, remind us today where our Hope lies—

In You alone.

In this season, we celebrate Your resurrection, we await Your second coming—

We align our hearts with Heaven—our true & forever home.

Today’s Gift of Grace is Faith.

Open the Grace {Day Twenty-Nine} 40 Gifts for 40 Days

“It happened that as he made his way toward Jerusalem, he crossed over the border between Samaria and Galilee.

As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him.

They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

Taking a good look at them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” They went, and while still on their way, became clean.

One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God.

He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough—and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus said, “Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?”

Then he said to him, “Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭17:11-19‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.

Corrie Ten Boom

Lord, we draw near to You in faith,

Lifting up our loved ones,

Our homes,

Our families—

We ask for Your healing oil,

Poured out over every situation,

Every need.

We trust You fully & completely,

Believing Your words,

Your promises,

& Your character.

We kneel at Your feet in gratitude,

For everything You’ve done,

& all that You are doing on our behalf.

Yes & Amen.

“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.”

Luke 10:5-8

Today’s Reading // Luke 10:1-24

Today’s Gift of Grace // Peace To This House

Open the Grace {Day Twenty-Eight} 40 Gifts for 40 Days

Lord, in this season of Lent,

help us to remember the life you’ve called us to…

Life-giving

Truth-seeking

Soul-stirring

Faith-keeping

Hope-filling

Love-lifting

Peace-speaking

May our hearts & homes be evidence of Your presence.

…and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Ephesians 6:15

“And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.””

Luke 5:4 ESV

Today’s Reading // Luke 5: 1-11

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”

Luke 5:10b NIV

Today’s Gift is Calling

Open the Grace {Day Twenty-Seven} 40 Gifts for 40 Days

Dear Lord,

We cast off fear, place our feet in your steps—

Simply to follow where you lead.

Question to consider: Where is the Savior calling you? // In words ~ with prayer ~ In actions ~ to follow 🌸