Sunday Words of Encouragement April 2, 2023 - Hossana!

We had a lovely and busy Palm Sunday today. After a spirit filled Sunday School and service we had a family fest for our church and community in the afternoon.

Our Sunday School teacher shared a message for Palm Sunday. He reminded us that all of the events were at God’s direction, even the roles that Satan plays. After all, God could have sent Lucifer (Satan) straight to the pit; or He could have prevented the snake (Satan) from luring Eve and Adam. Why did God allow Satan to roam free and to participate in leading to the crucifixion of Jesus? God gave man the freedom of choice. If man couldn’t experience struggle and sorrow, and couldn’t see evil, how would man know success, joy, and good? Don’t we need spiritual opposition to make us choose God?
James 1:12 tells us that trials lead to promise: “12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

Holy week was a true roller coaster from the triumphant entry on Sunday to death on the cross on Friday. But, hold on, cause Sunday (when Christ is risen) is coming!

Our Service opened singing Hosanna and our young folks coming in waving palm fronds. Pastor first gave an offering message on sacrifice and giving – by Jesus Christ and by believers.

2 Samuel 24:18-25 tells how King David bought a threshing floor to set up an altar. The owner offered the place, the oxen, and supplies to the king for free. But David responded that he could not accept the items free because “I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”

Salvation is a free gift from Jesus, but worship has a cost. Giving ourselves, our talents, and our resources is part of our worship.

Pastor then shared the message for Palm Sunday. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Coming into the city on a horse is a picture of a triumphant king. Why did the local men allow Jesus’s disciples to take the colt for their master? Mark 11: 1-9. When we accept Christ and follow him, we live in obedience. The job description for a Christian is “listen and obey.”

In the day of Moses leading Israel from Egypt, they celebrated the Passover sacrifice to signify their freedom. At the time of Passover, Jesus is the sacrifice for our sin and all of us have sinned. We deserve the death penalty for our sin. God the Spirit convicts us.
Before his death, Jesus reveals who he is. Riding on the colt is fulfillment of prophesy found in Zechariah 9:9. The people of the day wanted Jesus to be a political savior, but he came to be a spiritual savior.

Our cry of Hosanna is another act of worship.
“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:40.

We need to allow Jesus to show us who He is. The book of Revelation is not about John, but about the reconciliation through Jesus. Jesus comes running to us. We can believe that God has greater things for us as we are promised eternal life.
But He also promises good things now, not always free from trouble, but abundant living.
Today we want God to make things work for us right now. But are we ready to surrender to do the right thing? The Will of God?
Jesus is more concerned about our eternal salvation than our earthly comfort. We need to be Spirit led rather than purpose driven!

We live in the ‘now and not yet’ kingdom.
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil...to give us freedom. It is true that people can be demon possessed and oppressed. But Jesus can deliver us from the devourer. Jesus can save us now. God wants us whole. God wants us free from addiction. God wants us to live in the Kingdom – the King’s Dominion. When we seek His Kingdom come and His will be done, Jesus is ready to give us a crown of glory.

I liked this song for today: A Thousand Hallelujahs.

Verses for Today:
Mark 11:1-9 NIV
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”
4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”


Jesus, my Lord. Thank you for being my Sacrifice!

 

Sunday Words of Encouragement April 5, 2020 Palm Sunday

We shared another online service this morning. Pastor pointed out that this Holy Week will be different than others in the past. He shared the message of Luke 19 with the Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem that is celebrated as Palm Sunday. He encouraged us to think on the tragedy that progresses this week to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross on Friday.

My husband and I have had the privilege of celebrating the Passover supper and foot washing before participating in the watch of prayer and sorrow on Good Friday. I plan to be mindful of these memories this week.

My husband an I are watching The Passion of Christ on television. I had forgotten how powerful it is. My heart hurts. I am comforted that I know what a week will bring.

I had a little trouble picking a song for today while viewing the events of Holy Friday.

Then I found this one for Palm Sunday. (It may be long but it is worth listening!)

Verses for Today:
Luke 19: 36-47 NIV
36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
37 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:
38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 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. 43 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. 44 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.”
47 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. 48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.


I pray, Oh Lord, that You help me focus this week, and all the days beyond, on Your Story!

Sunday Words of Encouragement March 20, 2016

Today we celebrate Palm Sunday. We will be having a ‘casual day’ Sunday so that we can enjoy a church pot luck luncheon with games and egg hunt right after the service. I am not sure how late in the day we will get home so I prepared this to post earlier in the day.

As always I view this as a very special day. I am mindful that this day we remember a triumphant beginning to a week that will end in sorrow.

I searched for the song I wanted… 

I came back to an old favorite praise song.

Sometimes I just want to Shout to the Lord.

Verses for Today:
Matthew 21: 8-9 NIV
8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

May you all have a beautiful day!

Sunday Words of Encouragement of March 29, 2015

We are thankful to have arrived safely home to discover our Dogwood trees in beautiful bloom. We have missed our church family and I am aware that today is Palm Sunday -- celebrating Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem before a week of pain and sorrow.
I wonder when Jesus said that "the stones would cry out" if He meant more than creation crying out in Praise? Could He also have meant creation would cry out at the wreckage of sin and blood? Habakkuk 2:9-12.

I had in mind a certain song about 'even the rocks will cry out'. In my search for the song I knew I found this one with the perfect words. I hope you enjoy it too.

"THE ROCKS WILL CRY OUT!! 

-RON AND SHELLY HAMILTON

Verses for Today:
Luke 19: 39-40
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." 40 But Jesus answered, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!"

I thank you God for safe travel for all our family. Thank you even more deeply for safe, soul delivery through the love and sacrifice of Christ.

Sunday Words of Encouragement March 24, 2013

Today is Palm Sunday. Our Pastor gave a message entitled "The Hands of God."  Pastor shared a story of a cowboy hearing the Palm Sunday story for the first time. The man marveled. He said: 'Jesus must have had amazing hands to bring calmness to an untrained colt while crowds shouted, waved branches and threw clothes before his path.' Those hands that hold the universe and created all things still reach out to us in daily acts.  They bring us comfort, healing, strength and peace.

Jesus made a triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem but the people were looking for a King, not a  Saviour/Reedemer. When you see the splendor of the world around you do you acknowledge the Creator? Are you willing to acknowledge the Savior? When we praise God we demonstrate what we believe to be ours - redemption and eternal life.

There is a song we are singing for Easter that includes the phrase:

"I am determined, ain't no rock ever takin' my place."
I searched out a song that speaks of the rocks singing out.

Verses for today:
Luke 19 (New International Version)
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 
36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
37 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:
38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

I thank God for creating the Universe, Earth and me. I thank Jesus for being the Kinsman Redeemer - for even me.  I will continually give thanks and praise, and worship Him.