Apr

10

His triumphal entry

Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments

As Jesus approached Jerusalem on his way down from the Mount of Olives, a donkey—the most peaceful of animals—attended him. Rather than a horse that would signify a warrior’s entrance into battle, our humble Lord strode on the back of a gentle beast of burden. No pomp and circumstance. No earthly coronation. “Who is he?” some asked among those who waved their palms in the hopes of being liberated that day. But Jesus had other plans—for now.

 

At seeing the people, Jesus was disheartened to the point of tears because he knew their fate…the imminent suffering that would soon befall the city at the hands of the Romans. While some were excited and shouted, “Hosanna to God in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”; others were not so pleased…namely, the chief priests and Pharisees.

 

This day was among the last before his crucifixion. Sadly, even the apostles didn’t quite understand the prophecies that were being fulfilled and that this was not an earthy victory march but a heavenly one. Most everyone there did not understand that Jesus was preparing to die for them. The victory march will come later when he comes back to earth, and we pray, Lord Jesus, that it is soon.

 

Maranatha, Lord!

Apr

03

Magnify the Lord

Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments

God’s Word tells us to let our light shine before men so that the world may see our good works and glorify God, our Father, in heaven. We don’t perform good works to prove ourselves worthy, nor are we saved by the works themselves. We do the works because of the Holy Spirit living inside us, who fills us with the power and desire to serve our Lord.

Oh, magnify the Lord with Me, and let us exalt His name together ~ Psalm 34:3

The psalmist David entreated the people to exalt the Lord together. In a trial while dealing with King Achish, David underwent a struggle for his life, and David was certain the Lord was the cause for his deliverance.

Singing to the Lord, praying, praising, thanking, teaching, preaching, witnessing for Christ daily in our walks are ways to magnify the Lord. Lifting up his name is the least we can do for the loving savior whose light lives within us. Why keep a light under a bushel? Do we light a candle to put it in the closet or hide it under the bed? No, we put it high and lifted up on a candlestick so His light may shine.

 

Mar

27

Make a joyful noise

Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments

When the Jews were released from captivity after a time of discipline at the hands of the Assyrians, and then later, the Babylonians, as well as their earlier rescue from slavery in Egypt, there were so many reasons for God’s people to shout aloud to Him in their Promised Land.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms” ~ Psalms 95:2

What better way to communicate to the Lord than through prayerful and joyous singing. In addition to the book of Psalms, God’s word is full of verses that encourage believers to worship him through music.

Ephesians 9:15 says we are to speak to each other in psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.

Colossians 3:16 says to let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

The word also says to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. No matter the skill or pitch of your vocal cords or whether you can even carry a tune, God is honored when the sound you make comes truly from a place of worship as all he really hears is the sound of your heart.

Mar

20

Is it the end?

Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments

God’s children all around the world are groaning to see the Lord coming back in the clouds, and we feel that blessed time is nearing. The chatter around the water cooler these days is that we are in the final end times. But God’s word says that when we hear of war and rumors of war, this is merely the beginning of the birth pangs.

The world has been in the end times ever since Jesus ascended into heaven. Philosophers have waxed on the engaging topic of Jesus’ return for centuries now. With every catastrophe, we think this is it! But no one knows–only the Father.

God’s word also tells us that as long as we have life and breath on earth, our work as loving kingdom builders is our priority. While the strain of living on earth when we can all practically taste heaven is not arduous with the Lord supplying the strength. He will come soon enough. How precious is our life on earth despite the struggles when our strength and hope are strong in the Lord!

               

Mar

14

Walk in newness…

Uncategorized  Posted by / 0 comments

 

To observe a seedling poke it’s head out of the garden soil where it’s been buried until it germinates and eventually comes to life, the image reminds us of how Christ was buried and then raised from the dead. We, too, are given newness of life when we put our faith in Christ and die to our old selves daily.

     “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer  I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” ~ Galatians 2:20

The Lord’s love for his creation is evident all around us as the seasons change and the cycle of life continues at his will.  As followers of Jesus, we are renewed as we follow the Lord and put on the new self instead of yielding to the old inner man, which is dying daily.

     “Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” ~ Colossians 3:10.

The mercies off the Lord are new every morning, and we are renewed daily in Christ as we seek Him for everything. Great is His faithfulness toward his children.