Fan The Flame of Prayer

  

TEXT:  2 Timothy 1:3-4
3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.

4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.

FAN THE FLAME OF PRAYER

BACKGROUND:

1 and 2 Timothy was written by the Apostle Paul while in a Roman prison.
Timothy, is a young pastor of a congregation founded by Paul,
and has been mentored by Paul.

While in prison, Paul was only able to write letters, pray, worship and
witness to those who held him captive.

In verse 4, (recalling your tears) we see Paul's profound love for Timothy
and this little flock of Christ-followers.
That love was likewise evident from Timothy and the people toward Paul,
Resulting in a mutual longing to be together again.

MY THOUGHTS:

1.   A Pastor's heart.
As I read this passage, I find myself with similar feelings for all of you. 

I am deeply concerned for every person of our church family.

In Paul, although isolated, we see a pastoral heart that is filled with love for Christ
and for his followers.

In continued isolation and separation from each other,
I recognize that my heart is grateful for the time I have to at least be able
to pray and write messages of encouragement and love from God's Word.

And I do appreciate the thoughtful email/texts/phone messages that I've received. Thank you!

    

2.   Longing to be together again. 
In the Christian faith, this "longing to be together" is always our desire.

Jesus promised that one day we would be forever together with Him,
and never again be separated from Him or one another.

Joy will be the permanent emotion along with love and peace.
       
And so in the meantime brothers and sisters, we await the return to "normal" life,
when we will see each other again. Won't that be an amazing joyful moment?

      

3.  Fan the flame of prayer.
As for our church family, we keep in touch with the use of modern technology,

but we can use prayer as a way of connecting to our Lord and lifting each other up.

Let us trust in prayer as a holy and powerful connection that links us to Christ
and to each other.

Perhaps make it your personal commitment to use our directory,
along with people you know, to pray for 5-10 households per day.

And, maybe you have time to send a written note of encouragement as well.

4.   Blessing.

And until we meet again, and we will, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.  

Next Pastor's blog will continue on May's theme of 

Fanning The Flame!

      

NSstrong

Let our hearts be broken with 

that which breaks the heart of God!

There are no adequate words.  Although distance separates our community with those families and friends and communities going through this exceptionally heart wrenching time... we can offer our sympathy, thoughts and prayers. 

God of comfort and healing, right words are hard to express, but we look to You who knows each person whose life was so needlessly taken. And so dear Lord, we ask for you to please wrap all those going through this time of grief with your loving presence.  In the name of Jesus, we pray.  Amen!

Prayer Formula

PRAY

(Formula for the beginner or veteran of prayer)

Today’s Verse:  Philippians 4:4-8

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

My thoughts

Grace and Peace to you my dear friends.  As you read this I am not aware of how you are handling the stress that this Covid-19 has put upon you but I can imagine some of the emotions you are experiencing might be anxiety, fear, weariness, worry, etc.  Well, you are not alone.  So I hope today's message is one of inspiration and encouragement for you.

I am amazed at how God’s Word can speak directly into our everyday lives.  I have relied on these verses many times…. Mostly when I find myself emotionally bankrupt.  That usually occurs when things happen that are out my control.(like this pandemic).  When this happens, peace is nowhere to be found.  So, I’m reminded of this little quote, NO GOD, NO PEACE!  KNOW GOD, KNOW PEACE!   That’s what these verses seem to be telling me.  

Now let’s look at the peace formula God gives us.

1.       REJOICE! 

Know the joy that we have in having the Lord as our Saviour, who promised to be always with us.

2.       REVIEW! 

Know God is bigger than any situation we face.  Give Him thanks.  Know He is able and willing.  Give Him thanks.  Lay your burdens down at his feet.  And give Him thanks! 

3.       RELAX!

Know the Prince Of Peace is at work first and foremost within you.  Know this peace is beyond anything we can find or manufacture for ourselves.  Take time to relax in it.  Let it penetrate your soul…. your mind….. your body.  Give Him thanks!

4.       RESTART!

Now, look around you, the storm may still be crashing around you but the peace of God protects and guards your heart. Give thanks!

5.       RETHINK!

Whatever is….true…noble….right….pure….lovely….admirable….worthy of praise…. think upon these things. And give thanks!

6.       REPLAY!

Know that you will most likely need to repeat as needed. It’s ok!

Remember the story of Peter jumping out of the boat to go to Jesus who was walking on the water and how Peter took his eyes off the Lord and began to sink?  Why did he sink?  He took his eyes off the Lord and onto his surroundings.  The Lord didn’t let him sink but rescued him. That's good news for me and you.  Be grateful that Jesus knows our human frailties and reaches out to save us when we feel ourselves sinking...He is the Formula for everlasting peace.    Give thanks!

The peace of Christ be with you!

PRAYER 

(Listening for God to speak)

My thought:  
This seems to be a time in our lives for telling God what's on our hearts 

but I think it also needs to be a time for us to listen for what God is saying to us.

Inspiration From The Word of God on Prayer

Israel had wandered away from God, so God spoke

2 Chronicles 7:14

14 However, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, 
pray, search for me, and turn from their evil ways,
then I will hear their prayer from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their country.

Just Asking!

·         What part of this passage sounds most like our country today?

·         Who are “my people” today?  Everyone? The Church/Christians?  Anyone who calls out to God?

·         What does God require of His people?

·         What does God promise to do for His people?

My thought:   This passage was a wake-up call to God’s people, Israel, to return to Him and be a shining light to the rest of the world.  I believe we are in one of those periods of human history where we, as believers, humble ourselves, seek God, pray, turn from any ungodly ways, and trust in God for his promises of forgiveness and healing.

What Is the Most Appropriate & Effective Position For Prayer?

Three ministers were talking about prayer in general and the appropriate and effective positions for prayer. As they were talking, a telephone repairman was working on the phone system in the background.

One minister shared that he felt the key was in the hands. He always held his hands together and pointed them upward as a form of symbolic worship. The second suggested that real prayer was conducted on your knees. The third suggested that they both had it wrong--the only position worth its salt was to pray while stretched out flat on your face.

By this time the phone man couldn’t stay out of the conversation any longer. He interjected, "I found that the most powerful prayer I ever made was while I was dangling upside down by my heels from a power pole, suspended forty feet above the ground."

My thought:  “I don’t recommend the phone man’s position but I do think we are more apt to pray with earnest when our world turns upside down.”

Quotes On Prayer To Make Us Think

o   Is prayer your steering wheel or spare tire?   -Corrie Ten Boom

o   "We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense." -Anonymous

How Not To Pray

A young boy was observed by a minister in church praying very fervently; but much to the preacher’s surprise, he was also heard to say from time to time: "Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo." So the preacher approached the boy after he had apparently finished his prayer and said, "Son, I was very pleased to see you praying so devoutly, but tell me, why did you keep saying ’Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo?"  The boy replied, "Well, you see sir, I just finished taking my geography test in school, and I have been praying for the Lord to make Tokyo the Capital of France."

~ James 4:3   When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

The Final Word

Matthew 6:30-33 (The Message)  “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

My thought:    I have so many things and people to pray for…. And I shall continue…. But I wonder if God’s speaking to me/us for us to fully turn to Him.  I believe that this is a time for all believers to shine.  The world is floundering in the darkness of this pandemic and need the light that only God can bring to their lives. As Jesus is the Light of the world, so we, as His followers, are called to be that light as He shines through us with His hope, His love and His peace.  

God is speaking!  Are we listening?   Let us PRAY with our ears open!

PRAY

APRIL 19, 2020

 

The sign out front of our church simply states, PRAY.  Then…. My name is written below.  I don’t believe the sole intention of the sign is to be a reminder for me to pray or that I’m the only one that needs to pray.  But it made me think about my own prayer life.  In light of our current state of isolation and social distancing as the Covid-19 virus rages on, I am challenged by that one word, “PRAY”.

Maybe today, you feel the same as I do about prayer.  If we are honest, we might ask, why pray? or ‘does God care? Or will God do anything about our situation or is He even able to do anything?  Or maybe we excuse ourselves from praying because we feel inadequate or don’t know what or how to pray. Or maybe we ask, does God even need us to pray?

As much as I want to pray for so many others who are hurting, grieving or weary and discouraged, I believe I must first pray for myself so I am strong in my faith.

So I thought of some biblical answers to help me see how important it is to pray.  May they also encourage you. 

Today’s question.  Is there power in prayer? 

As I think of my praying, I suggest that there is very little power in my prayers if I don’t know who I am praying to – but  when I spend time getting to know God and be in His presence and His will, I soon realize that my prayer needs to be fully dependent upon God.  Jesus demonstrated this in Gethsemane, by surrendering himself to the Father by saying, ..."not my will but Thine be done."  

Therefore I pray,  “God I believe that you hear me in my weakness and that I can trust you because I believe you are greater and more powerful than anything I face.  Thank you that Easter is a reminder of your power that raised Jesus, Your Son, from death to life.  Raise me up Lord from when I find myself weary and discouraged, that I may be empowered by your spirit to live strong despite this troubled world; and that you would use me to be an encouragement for others to know the power of prayer.  In strong name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen.

From Crosswalk.com -A prayer taken from Psalm 91 (Read the whole Psalm)

Lord, I find shelter and strength in Your Word. While the others may stumble around me, You protect me from the snares of this world. You send Your mighty angels to keep me from falling into the abyss, Your commandments shine a path for me to follow. What a merciful God You are—walking beside me when I’m discouraged, and carrying me when I feel defeated! I praise Your Holy Name! Amen.

So let us PRAY!

Blessings from God's Word

Romans 15:13      
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Good News Report

Good rainy Easter Monday to everyone.  

Here's my good news report. 

Hope you are enjoying God's "free Car Wash". 
My van needed a good washing from the birds bombing it.
April showers are bringing May flowers, and our lawns are getting ready for cutting.
We have a mama dove nesting in our porch.  I think it's the same couple of doves who've nested here a few times before.  It's a privilege to have them use us as their maternity ward. And I enjoy them waking me up with the rising sun with their cooing outside my bedroom window.
Missing seeing our family is hard but what a joy to be able to have little visits, keeping our distance, or through face time on our ipads or phone calls.  Especially, the little presents they brought to us for Easter (home made and beautiful)
Other good news we appreciate such as The Easter flowers that a certain person (who loves to decorate our church) left by the church's front door or the Talbotville Optimists who delivered  "plants of hope" primroses to each household in Talbotville.

There is good news all around us if we look for it.

Good News Comments From Others 

-  hearing about and watching on tv all the inspiring good deeds being done in our community and around the world

- accomplishing projects around the house with my husband

- I am also working on a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle but have a long way to go to get it done

- extra communication with family and friends

- I must admit I am enjoying looking at and doing the puzzles on the children’s bulletins you send (must be from all the years of being a Sunday School teacher!)

It has given me a newer, fresher take on living with what is really more important - telephone calls with family and friends, reading a book, time for more Sudoku, puzzles, sending email cards to family and friends, more appreciation of the beautiful outdoor world and walking, or running out the door keeping up with commitments.

This has truly given me a new insight into what is really really important.

I've been putting together scrapbooks of my son's cards and drawings "to mom" given to me during their pre-school and primary years.  I have 2 of 3 done, and it really hasn't taken me too long to get at it, they are all just in their 30's now, lol.

I'm forgetting the world's care for a short time as I'm re-reading all the Little House on the Prairie books. When my TJ arrives I photocopy the Sudoku puzzles before I do them, so I will always have some extras to do.  You can only erase your numbers so many times before it tears the paper, lol.

We are pleased to keep reading your messages and the Good News, as well. I am printing them out for (my neighbour friend) so she can keep in touch with everyone and we are still providing her with meals, as well, that way we know she is doing okay.

(My daughter-in-law) is learning a lot about cooking Canadian foods especially making different kinds of breads. We have a bread maker and that helps a lot. Of course, (my grandson) is very busy and each day you don't know what he is up to. When I said BUSY believe me.

We are doing spring cleaning and outdoor work.  Also, doing a history book on our family. I try to talk to different family and friends on phone just to hear their voice.

When going for a walk , I have found what appears to be several clumps of watercress in a roadside ditch.  Brings back memories from childhood of going with an uncle and his family

 to gather watercress from a roadside ditch ,and my dad enjoying watercress sandwiches.

THANK YOU FOR THOSE GOOD NEWS MESSAGES

Easter is a beautiful reminder that Jesus is alive and with us

so we remain thankful and hopeful for new life

Miraculous Love

MIRACULOUS LOVE

Text:  Romans 8:37-39

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.



Saturday must have been a tough day for the followers of Jesus.  On Friday, they watched in horror as the One whom they loved suffered and died on an ugly, cruel, wooden cross.  I wonder what thoughts were going through their minds that Saturday. I could imagine they got little overnight rest with their minds still focused on the sight of the Lord hanging on that cross... their emotions of guilt and anger eating at their thoughts... that they did nothing to help Jesus in His time of need.  I wonder if they huddled in fear for their lives.  Did they pray?  Did they even know how to pray with such broken hearts?  Were they sorrowful that they couldn't even give Jesus a proper funeral. This Saturday was their Sabbath, a day of rest and worship.... and I doubt if they could find the energy to do neither saying to themselves, if Jesus was alive, He'd know exactly what to do. I can only imagine how they may have felt. 

And yet, we do know all about the day after the day before. We all have had those Friday times of grief.  We know what it's like to have our hearts broken. We all have experienced those Saturday feelings of anger and profound sadness of loss. We do know how there is little energy left at the rock-bottom of grief.

And yet, in that barren place of our souls, God whispers... I understand.... I'm here for you.... I love you... trust me... a new day is on the horizon.

We have the advantage over what the followers of Jesus were experiencing on that first Easter weekend.  We know the rest of the story.   We know that without Resurrection Sunday, we shall remain stuck in the horror of Friday death.
We know that Jesus is our champion.  He has won the battle over sin and death.  We know that God is love. And love conquers fear.  And that nothing in all of creation can take that away from us.  Love had to first die. Love was buried. Love carried all of our sins... and dumped them into the garbage pit of Hell. Love was stilled. 

Stilled...only for a time.  Love returned. Love had a pulse.  Love was glorified.  Love lived, never to die again.  The miraculous forever love has risen.  Love enters our souls and drives out fear and grief. Love never leaves.  Love is our champion. Love wins. Love has a name. JESUS!

Upcoming. Easter Sonrise.  Stay tuned.  Keep well! 

Miracle of the Temple Veil

Good Friday Text from Matthew 27: 45-51 (NIV)
45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”  50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 

                    THE MIRACLE OF THE VEIL
To understand this miracle, we must first know something about the presence of God.  Throughout the Old Testament, the heavenly being had a "no admittance" sign hung over the gates of heaven except at the very beginning.  Why?  Let's go back to the garden of Eden.  Here we see God walking in the garden with the sinless new prototype human beings.  Creation was capital G Good. Things were perfect. The perfect holy God walked with His first innocent creations.  But something happened that changed that relationship between God and humans. Sin happened. And at that very moment the "no vacancy" sign went up as the garden doors slammed shut.  

Throughout the Old Testament and into the days of Jesus, God had the Israelites put a very thick veil in the temple that separated the holy place where only priests would perform their duties and the Most Holy Place, where it was the place of God's presence. But God still loved humans and promised to make a way where God and humans could walk together again and the veil would be removed. 

When Jesus died on the cross, it was God's way to open wide the gates for humans to once again enter into His presence.  The miracle of the veil is God's message to the world that THE WAY happened at the very moment when Jesus breathed his last. Sin was defeated for us. 
Remember what Jesus said of Himself, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  He was answering the question posed by the disciple Thomas, "Lord, how can we know the way?" John 14:6

But... another veil exists. It's the veil of self.  You and I still get to choose to either accept or reject Christ.  Upon choosing to accept, we acknowledge that Jesus is our Saviour.  And as we remove the veil within ourselves, we open the doors of our hearts with a welcome sign for Jesus to enter and we are graced by a series of miracles.  By His shed blood, He forgives us.  He invites us into the Holy presence of God.  He begins to heal us and transform us to become what we were created to be in the first place. 

On a personal note... I never again want to take what Jesus did for me for granted.  By His amazing grace, he has made a way for me to personally know God.

Good Friday Prayer.  Dear Father, thank you for Your Son, Jesus, my Lord and my Saviour.  Fill me today with Your Spirit that I may know you better, that I may feel Your healing touch deep within my soul, and that I will never, ever, take for granted that you love me and want me with You forever.  All praise and glory be Yours.  Amen.

Maundy Thursday

Reading:  Luke Chapter 22 
The events of Jesus' final night 

• Judas agrees to betray Jesus
• The last supper
• Jesus prays on the Mount of Olives      
• Jesus is arrested
• Peter disowns Jesus
• The guards mock Jesus
• Jesus before the chief priests & the teachers of the law

This single chapter in Luke is jammed full with so many details and emotions. It is Jesus' final night before his death and He takes the opportunity to teach his disciples. The evening begins with the traditional Passover meal commemorating the exodus from Egyptian slavery and Jesus constitutes the meal to now be for remembering what he is about to do to free people from the slavery of their sins. As the body and blood of a lamb was used during the passover meal, so now Jesus is referring to Himself as the Lamb of God; His body given and His blood poured out for the washing of sins from our lives.

This night is sometimes called Holy Thursday,or Maundy Thursday. But what does the “Maundy” in “Maundy Thursday” mean? It’s certainly not a commonly-used word or something you’re likely to hear outside the context of Easter. What did this term mean, and where did it come from?  The word comes from the Latin word Mandatum which is translated as commandment.

In the context of Holy Week it refers to the commandment Jesus gave to his disciples while washing their feet, as recorded in John 13:34-35.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

How amazing it must have been for those disciples of Jesus to have Him humble himself to become their servant and wash the grime from between their toes.  "Love one another as I have loved you" is a powerful command from our Lord. The sacrificial love of Jesus wasn't just for His disciples but for all of us.  The disciples first needed to be washed by the Lord and then to follow his example to love others.  This is absolutely true for us as well.  Let us remember to take time this day to let Jesus wash the grime from our lives and then live love the way He has loved us.  There is no greater sermon than loving others unconditionally. They will see Jesus in us.  

Good News!

At a time in our lives when we are hearing so much sad and alarming news, isn't it nice to hear how humanity is caring for humanity. It may be the first time (at least in my limited knowledge) that the human race stands together to do battle.

The good news we all want to hear, however, was said to us through a face time chat from our granddaughter who said, "I just want this to be over."  That would be amazing good news that something so dreadful has finally stopped.  And we pray it will very soon.



As we approach another Easter season, let us consider that there is another virus attacking humanity. This is also deadly and it is called sin.  So we long for a remedy to be cleansed and made right with God and each other.  Good news....God has responded by having Jesus come to this earth....to give us an antidote for the "virus" of sin.   John the baptist called it, when He introduced Jesus saying, "Look, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."  John 1:29

The day Jesus died on the cross is called Good Friday because that's the day of good news.  Sin has been defeated. Good news!  By receiving Him as Saviour we are forgiven.  Good news!  In Christ, we are given new life.  Good news.  And then to top it all off, the best news ever.... He rose again!   Jesus has defeated death.  Amazing news!  In Christ, we too shall be raised to eternal life. 
AWESOME NEWS!!!

INVITATION TO SHARE YOUR GOOD NEWS ITEMS

So brothers and sisters in Christ, Easter is a time for GOOD NEWS!!!   Now, I'd love to hear from you about how you are finding good news in your day to day lives.  For example, you might have found more time to be with your family, caught up in your reading, helped someone or had someone help you or time to prepare and enjoy a delicious meal, or things your kids are enjoying, or talked, emailed, texted, or face-timed a loved one or a friend.  We all would like to hear good news so I'm inviting you to email me at pastordonmac@gmail.com and share your good news items however big or small.  After Easter Sunday, I will include your good news reports (without your names) on my blog or email them out for our readers to be encouraged.  I look forward to hearing where you have found good things through this isolation and social distancing of ourselves.   My good news is spending quality time with my wife. Having the time to do a 1000 piece puzzle.  Reading God's Word (not just for a sermon) Doing some woodwork.  Calling/emailing/texting a number of people.  Looking forward to hearing your good news.  Easter blessings.  Love, P.D.

What God Sees

      "He hangs the earth on nothing"     (Job 26:7)

On December, 1968, Appolo 8 astronaut Frank Borman viewed the troubled world from 853 miles into space. Peering through the spacecrafts window, he thought to himself, "This must be what God sees." (Robert Kurson, Rocket Men)

Seeing this picture from outer space makes us realize how amazing it is that this planet we've been given is hanging on nothing as the text states from the book of Job.  It is a reminder, as we approach Easter weekend, that "God loved the world so much, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." Jn. 3:16

I know we can become absorbed and discouraged by our present situation, but I believe it's helpful to see our world as God does and view our lives with an eternal perspective. We need to look at the problems we are facing and know God isn't just 853 miles away, but is most certainly here with us.  How marvelous that He sent His Only Son to be one of us on this planet He created.  And what an amazing gift that Jesus came to show us the extent of the Father's love, by dying on a cross so that all who believe may receive forgiveness and be with Him forever. 

Remember, Friday is good, but Sunday is awesome. Hallelujah!

He's got the whole world in His hands

He's got you and me sister in His hands

He's got you and me brother in His hands

He's got the whole world in His hands.

Words of Comfort (do not be discouraged)

Monday, April 6

Text:   Deuteronomy 31:8
"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Do not be afraid; Do not be discouraged."

No matter what lies ahead, we can rest assured that the Lord Himself will go before us.  Friends, as we continue to quarantine ourselves to stop the spread of the coronavirus, most of us have to deal with the fallout of daily tension from isolation and social distancing. For some, they face job loss and financial stress.  And there are those who face the loss of family members and friends or those who must endure not being able to be with loved ones who are in hospital or retirement/nursing homes.  Still others, risking exposure, are those on the front lines of keeping us safe and healthy and providing the necessary things to sustain the needs in our lives.
We know this virus attacks the body but it also has a fallout of causing us to live in fear, frustration, discouragement and anxiety.
This is a time for the strength of the human spirit to deal with all of this in a positive way. But we also need what the scripture reading told us; that God will make a way through this dark time. Through every trial you and I may be facing, we can know that God walks with us. Our job is to remain in-step with His Spirit, so that discouragement and fear will not take over our lives.
Prayer.
Gracious God, help us to recognize the need for us to be in step with You.  Help us to trust You to lead the way, to go before us, with us, and behind us. May we hear again those words of Jesus as he prayed in the garden, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”  
Lord, thank you for choosing to place your life in total surrender to the Father's will, help us to do likewise, this we pray in Your most holy name.  Amen.

The God of Miracles

Welcome to the beginning of Holy Week as we seek the Lord for this time in our lives.  

Today, let's look at Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and find encouragement from God's Word.

Matthew 21:9:

“The crowds that went before Him and that followed Him were shouting ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

John 12:13:

 “So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’”

I want to point out that 'Hosanna' is a word used in the scriptures for two specific purposes. 

In Psalm 118:25, it means, “Please Lord, save us. Please, Lord, give us success”.

In the New Testament, from Matthew 21:9, The word was used for Jesus’ triumphant entrance to Jerusalem as King. Listen again to Verse 9, “Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, ‘Praise God (hosanna) for the Son of David!’ Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God (hosanna) in highest heaven!”

This use of Hosanna was used as a proclamation of a new salvation.

It is interesting to note that there are two completely different uses for the word “hosanna." One use is pleading for help, while the other is showing heart-felt praise and gratitude for what God has done. They perfectly represent two places of spiritual well-being we all find ourselves in. We are either crying out to God for help, or we are thanking God for what He has done for us.

Which use of Hosanna are you using today?   Like me, you likely are praying the use of the word to mean “Please Lord, save us”.  After all, God has shown through Jesus that He is quite willing to perform miracles and He has proved that He is most able to do so.  I suggest that we do pray for God to save us from the Covid-19 virus. Pray for yourselves, pray for your family and friends. Pray for those who are presently ill, pray for those who grieve the loss of loved ones and for those in isolation.  And pray for the world. Yes, Lord Jesus, save us.

Perhaps today, we may be saying, please Lord, save us.   But my encouragement for you today, is for us to also use the second use of Hosanna, praising Him for what He has already done for us.  As we begin Holy week, let’s acknowledge that God has provided a miracle through Jesus.  Jesus is that miracle through his gift of salvation, by way of the cross and his resurrection.   In John 10:10, Jesus told his followers, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

The miracle is not only that God became one of us.... but that God also understands our fears, anxieties and grief.  He hears us call out 'please Lord save us' and he also hears our statement of faith, 'praise the Lord for He has brought us salvation.'  Jesus told us that He has come to give us life... of peace, joy, love and hope and the fullness of life that leads to life with God forever.

If you know the chorus of Because He lives, 

let it be an inspiration for you as we journey in isolation/together.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Because He lives, all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living, just because He lives

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"THE MIRACLE OF THE VEIL"