04/26/2017 — Two men set out from Jerusalem to Emmaus the Sunday after Jesus’s crucifixion, heartbroken and without hope. But an encounter with the risen Jesus took them from heartsick to heart–searching to heart on fire! An encounter with Jesus will do the same thing for you today.

EDUCATION

Proverbs 13:12
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life” (MEV).

Luke 24:13–35
" Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they communed and reasoned together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.
"He said to them, ’What kind of communication are you sharing with one another while you are walking and are sad?’
"One of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, ’Are You the only foreigner in Jerusalem who does not know what has happened there in these days?’
"He said to them, ’What things?’
"They said to Him, ’Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, powerful in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers handed Him over to be sentenced to death and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was to redeem Israel. Moreover, today is the third day since these things happened. Even some women from among us, who arrived early at the tomb, surprised us. When they did not find His body, they returned saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive. Then some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said. But they did not see Him.’
"He said to them, ’O fools! And slow of heart to believe what the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter His glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
"They drew near the village where they were traveling, and He seemed to be going farther. But they urged Him, saying, ’Stay with us. For it is nearly evening and the day is far spent.’ So He went in to stay with them.
"As He sat at supper with them, He took the bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. And He vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, ’Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the way and while He opened the Scriptures to us?’
"They rose up and returned to Jerusalem at once. And they found the eleven and those who were with them assembled together, saying, ’The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!’ Then they reported what had happened on the way, and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread" (MEV).



APPLICATION

• If you let hope arise in your life today, you can experience an encounter with Jesus, just as Cleopas and his traveling companion did! Just because you got up one way this morning doesn’t mean you have to go to bed tonight with that same feeling.
• Fear is the destroyer of hope and fact is the enemy of faith. At some point you are going to have to forget what the facts of your situation are, and believe the truth about it!
• Jesus is looking for you today, to prove the He is who He said He is.
• When your hope is crushed, He comes to you, to give you new hope.

IMPARTATION

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being the Source of hope for my life! The facts of my life may change from day to day, but Your Truth never changes, and I am so grateful that I can rely on it!
Like the men on the road to Emmaus, there are times when my hope is deferred and my heart is sick. But You seek me to set my heart on fire! Thank You for Your encouragement and Your love.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ — Jehovah Joshua Messiah — I pray. Amen!






WHC FAMILY PRAYER REQUESTS

In Matthew 18, Jesus said “Truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” Let’s stand in agreement with the following members of our church family who have requested prayer:
We want to pray with YOU! Send in your prayer request on this online form so we can agree with you in prayer! Send in your testimony or praise report here when God moves in your life, so we can give Him glory with you!!