Lenten Devotional 2020

6 “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150:6 (ESV)

Called Ash Wednesday, today marks the day when Christians remember their creation and their mortality. Roman Catholics around the world flock to their churches where their foreheads are anointed with ashes. While the priest dips his thumb into the ash paste and places his thumb against the penitent’s forehead in order to make the sign of the cross, he speaks the words, “Remember, man, that you are dust, and, unto dust, you shall return.” It is through this act that many people of all denominations begin the period of repentance and prayer known as Lent. Somber and silent, the penitent moves toward the priest. However, it is through this simple act that many congregants are reminded that life is fragile- death is imminent. Somber and silent, the penitent moves swiftly away from the priest. For some, the simple act means little, and their lives continue as before hardly touched by the ritual in which they recently engaged. For others, it begins a time of reflection and repentance. However, for a few others, it is a time of rejoicing- for death is not the end it is the new beginning. For as Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 5:8, 8 “Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” (ESV) God is our sanctuary. If you have accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, He has sealed us as God’s children. Death no longer holds fear; but it is regarded as a time for joy, for we will live with God eternally. It is because of Christ’s death and resurrection that we can joyfully, “Praise the Lord!”

You were the Word at the beginning
One With God the Lord Most High
Your hidden glory in creation
Now revealed in You our Christ

What a beautiful Name it is
What a beautiful Name it is

The Name of Jesus Christ my King

What a beautiful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

You didn't want heaven without us
So Jesus, You brought heaven down
My sin was great, Your love was greater
What could separate us now

What a wonderful Name it is
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King

What a wonderful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

How sweet is your name, Lord, how good You are
Love to sing in the name of the Lord, love to sing for you all?
Death could not hold You, the veil tore before You
You silenced the boast, of sin and grave
The heavens are roaring, the praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again

You have no rival, You have no equal
Now and forever, Our God reigns
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name, above all names

What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King

What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

You have no rival, You have no equal
Now and forever, Our God reigns
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name, above all names

What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King

What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

^9” In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9 (ESV)

We spew hatred towards our fellow man on a regular basis.Facebook is filled with angry diatribes.Rockets rain down upon Israel simply because the country exists.Anti-Semitism, anti-male, anti-female, anti-black, anti-white, anti-Jewish, anti-Christian, anti-Muslim- there are a lot of anti’s in the world today, but, amidst all the anger and animosity, there is One who loves you no matter who you are.He saw the ugliness of your life.He saw the pent-up anger you hold so tightly inside yourself.He saw everything; yet, He still loves you- He still loves me. When God the Father sent His Son Jesus the Christ to suffer and die on the cross two thousand years ago, He saw my worst sins.God saw how unforgiving and unloving I was; yet Jesus came down from God’s side, held out His hand, and said “I love you.Trust Me.”As I trusted God, His love flowed down to me, healing my hurts and injuries and forgiving my sins.Even at my most shameful, God loved me and became my Sanctuary.Today, He is my Hiding Place.As time has passed, I have found that the more love God sends to me, the more I can love others.God’s love blesses me in order that I might bless others.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (ESV)

⁵⁵ “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

On this side of heaven, death is so very final.When someone’s last breath is drawn, you cannot bring them back.Their laughter rings no more; their tears are frozen in time.Their joys and sorrows slowly eek from our memories.We struggle to move on. But after the first frenzy of arrangements made and loose ends tied, time resumes, and, so to our lives without them.How we cope with death is tied to how we view the future.For those who trust God as their Sanctuary, the future is bright with reunions.When Jesus is your Messiah, your future does not end in death and a grave.Now, your future is tied to your Savior for eternity; hope is rekindled- your future is forever.I know what it is to have death snatch those I love away from me.Before I accepted Christ as my Savior, I remember crippling loss and fear gripping my life.After I accepted Christ as my Savior, the loss was real, and I had to come to terms with the emptiness that remained in my life; but my attitude changed- I had hope.The future together with God and my loved ones, who also were believers, became an anticipated reality.Because of Christ, death and sin have no power over me.

^{32 “}And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32 (ESV)

Preparations are important. No matter who you are or what you do, preparations can make or break an experience. As a mom, I know a lot about preparations. Over the years, I prepared four children and my husband to get to school and the office each day, to get to church and Sunday school each week, to take multiple trips to my mom’s, and to go on multiple family vacations; yet every once in a while something was missed. (God bless my eldest child. She lived through it all.) Even with a solid routine in place, things were forgotten.

For thirty years, Jesus lived on this earth in the same way. The earth and everything in it were a part of His creation; yet Christ lived as one of His creations preparing for the day when He would step forward as the Christ. Then in His thirtieth year, Jesus began to teach, to preach, and to prepare His disciples for their part in God’s Kingdom. Each day, day after day, the disciples lived beside Jesus. Each day, they absorbed a bit more of God’s truth. Sometimes, the disciples made mistakes; sometimes, they had to relearn a lesson. They fell into a routine. But as Christ’s third and final year on Earth drew to a close, Jesus intensified His teaching in order to prepare His friends and disciples for His eventual suffering, death, and resurrection. As Christ’s final week on Earth was about to begin, He spoke, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” Jesus was pointing out to His disciples that for all people to know Him, to be saved by Him, Christ would be placed on a cross to die. Though Jesus’ disciples would forget and not understand what He said, Christ knew that He had prepared the disciples. He knew that they would remember what He had told them and that they would believe.

Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

Grace That Won’t Let Go by Gateway Worship

GATEWAY WORSHIP

Grace That Won't Let Go Lyrics (feat. Mark Harris)

Sometimes I'm strong
Sometimes I'm weak
Sometimes I fall in my wandering
But through it all
There's just one thing
More precious than the air I breath

Grace, Amazing grace
Unfailing grace
That saves my soul
Grace, Unending grace
Unrelenting grace
That won't let go

You took our sin
You took our stain
You took our guilt
Now there is no shame
This our reward
Eternal crown
The endless song, how sweet the sound

Grace, Amazing grace
Unfailing grace
That saves my soul
Grace, Unending grace
Unrelenting grace
That won't let go

Grace, greater than our past
Deeper than our pain
Stronger than our sin
Your love, forever it will last
Your blood will always save
Grace will always win
Grace, Amazing grace
Unfailing grace
That saves my soul
Grace, Unending grace
Unrelenting grace
That won't let go

Grace, Amazing grace
Unfailing grace
That saves my soul
Grace, Unending grace
Unrelenting grace
That won't let go

Grace, greater than our past
Deeper than our pain
Stronger than our sin
Your love, forever it will last
Your blood will always save
Grace will always win

²³ “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel.” Matthew 1:23 (ESV)

Naming our children was serious business for my husband and me. Both our families were very tradition oriented. The protocol was to reuse the same names repeatedly, which is fine for some but not for all people. I was the rebel- no juniors for me. I felt the name should fit the child to whom it was given. For a time, I was very unpopular. Though I combed what-to-name-the-baby books, I really needed only one book, for our children have Biblical names. Each child’s name is extremely personal- created just for them. Gratefully, our firstborn was a beautiful baby girl. We never used the nickname my husband insisted we give her. The first time he looked at her and said her name, he knew that she was Sarah.

In Jesus’ time, the mothers were the prime name givers, but there were a few times that God intervened in the naming process. God chose His Son’s Name. His Name was Jesus, Savior, for a very specific reason. “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 If the Baby’s name was Jesus, why does Matthew quote the prophet Isaiah in Matthew 1:23? Because Jesus was not an ordinary child, God spoke through Isaiah to the Israelites, but, also, to everyone for all time. All people would be able to recognize God’s Son because God told us how to recognize Him. Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) ^“Therefore the Lord himself will give you^[a] a sign: The virgin^[b] will conceive and give birth to a son, and^[c] will call him Immanuel.” Jesus was God’s Son who came down from heaven to earth- Immanuel, God with us.

^{19 “}For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.”Romans 5:19 (ESV)

When we do not follow the directions which are in place, we are being disobedient. It is not about “my rights”, but it is about recognizing authority. In the first days of school, I lay down the groundwork for my classes. I have a few rules which I maintain for all students no matter what their age. Never lie to me. Be respectful to your teachers and fellow classmates. Follow directions. Try your best. Get your homework done. Most of my rules harken back to the Bible- God’s word is my life manual. ^“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” Luke 6:31 (ESV) Also, I give my students a small piece of paper with some very important advice. It is called CHOICES. “You can choose your choices, but you cannot choose the consequences of your choices. The thing about our choices is: After we have made them. They turn around and make us.”

In the beginning of Creation, God had only one rule for Adam and Eve to follow. It is here that choices come into to play. The choice was to follow God’s rule or not to follow God’s rule. Both Adam and Eve chose poorly. They chose to make their own desire preeminent over God’s rule, and sin entered the world. When Adam chose disobey God, he never thought of the consequences to his disobedience. Adam thought only of his own pleasure- of himself. However, God thought of the consequences. Because God loved His creation, He had a plan to save all of mankind from the very prevalent sin that entered with Adam’s choice and which hounds us today. Even at the beginning, God knew that mankind would need a Savior. That Savior is Jesus.

^{29 “}The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 (ESV)

God’s plan of Salvation began at the beginning of the world. As time passed, God knew that the generations who followed Adam and Eve would need signposts through life’s journey which would point the people to their need for a Savior. The Bible tells us in Psalm 19:1 (ESV)

¹⁹ “The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above^[a] proclaims his handiwork.”

People know God. His blessings are clearly revealed to all people each day. However, what many people fail to recognize is that they need a Savior. People are people. We are sinful. We put ourselves first. We treat each other unkindly. Often, we are blind to other people’s needs. (Sound familiar?) We choose our way rather than God’s way. And so it was in Bible times, until a man we call John the Baptist recognized Jesus for who He was: the Savior- his Savior.

^{18 “}For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV)

Developed in 2000 for an international art competition by Piotr Młodożeniec, a Polish graphic designer, the “Coexist” illustration became a desirable commodity. Using Młodożeniec’s design, the “Coexist” design became a huge marketing tool for shirts, mugs, bumper stickers, etc. Various groups latched onto the unique art mixture and changed bits and parts of the sign to highlight and represent many individual beliefs. From wicca to homosexuality to science, the “Coexist” movement levels many beliefs. The movement wants you to believe that all faiths are the same. I can worship my way, and you can worship your way; for no one religion or belief is better than any other one. In this way, we can all be happy and peaceful together. However, where I put my faith does make a difference. It makes an eternal difference. What I believe while I am on earth impacts where I will spend eternity. It is by realizing that I need a personal Savior that I can look at the cross with a grateful heart. A painful form of torture and death, the Romans developed the cross as a way of controlling the many peoples they conquered, and, if I looked at the cross as an article of control, I would never understand its real impact. It is only through Christ’s death on a cross that I can understand the true meaning of the cross. Now I can see the power of God to save me from my sins and you from your sins. Unfortunately for those who believe that any belief is fine, the cross is merely an historical fact. However, when you look at a cross from the perspective of your personal salvation, the cross becomes a symbol of that salvation.

^{2 “}What joy overwhelms everyone who keeps the ways of God,
those who seek Him as their heart’s passion!
³ They’ll never do what’s wrong
but will always choose the paths of the Lord.”Psalm 119:2-3 The Passion Translation (TPT)

Where does your heart’s passion lie? What consumes your thoughts? These are two very important questions. Our thoughts and passions are the causes which we follow. If your passion is money? Then your thoughts are consumed by the desire to make and accumulate more money. If your passion is notoriety, then your thoughts are consumed by the desire to become famous. If your passion is to know God and keep His ways, then your thoughts are consumed by the desire to know more about God and to follow His ways. Knowing God and following in His paths is a great adventure. As we know more about God, we learn more about loving our fellow man. As we know more about God, we become less self-absorbed and more people absorbed. There are many examples of people whose heart’s passion was seeking God, but I will mention only two people, William Booth and his wife, Catherine.

Born into a “not very religious family” William Booth chose, at age fifteen, to seek God. At the age of seventeen, Booth was moved to preach on street corners to spread the Good News of Salvation to others, but it was the plight of the poor both spiritually and physically that became Booth’s heart’s passion. In 1865, the Christian Mission was born in London. By 1878, the “Mission” was renamed The Salvation Army. Both Booth and his wife were convinced that, like Christ, the Gospel was to be shared with all people rich, poor, church goers, or non-church goers. This meant reaching the cast-offs of London. With their eyes on Christ’s example, the Booths led The Salvation Army’s efforts to education the more affluent in London’s society as to the plight of London’s poor, child prostitution, and the dangerous piecework in match factories. Soup kitchens were formed to provide good food to the malnourished. Men’s housing was provided through hostels, and rescue homes were established for converted prostitutes and unwed mothers. It is through Booth’s original efforts to help those no one was willing to help that today’s Salvation Army was born.

^{12 “}Forgive us the wrongs we have done^[a] as we ourselves
release forgiveness to those who have wronged us.” Matthew 6:12 The Passion Translation

Have you noticed how easy it is to ask God to forgive us, but how we find it difficult to forgive others? Is it because we do not find our offenses as bad as another’s offenses? Children mirror our adult behavior quite well. For example, two children are playing with trucks and cars. Both appear to be having a good time playing with each other. While one child remains at play, the other child stands up, meanders over to a bright yellow dump truck, picks it up, and meanders back to his original spot. Then, he lifts the truck above his head and proceeds to whack the other child on the back. What sparked the aggression? No one, not even the children know why the incident happened- it just did. At first, the adults tend to any injuries and tears, but eventually the child is asked to say he is sorry for hitting his friend. The other child is expected to say, “I forgive you,” but neither child speaks. The adults are asking too much. The one child is not sorry, and the other does not want to forgive- stalemate. Does the scene sound familiar? Though the actions and participants may be different, the same scene is played out day after day and year after year. Eventually, the adult’s desire for resolution is met, but the children remain confused. Why must I say I forgive you when I do not want to forgive? Why must I say I am sorry when I am not? Sound familiar?

People hurt us. Sometimes the hurt remains within us for years and years. How can we forgive when the pain is still fresh in our minds? God calls us to forgive others because forgiveness begins our healing process. Forgiveness does not mean we do not remember, but it does mean that person or the incident can no longer have control over us. Forgiveness means we can sleep better, and we can enjoy life again. Forgiveness means a new beginning for everyone. Today is the day to forgive.

¹⁶ For this is how much God loved the world—he gave his one and only, unique Son as a gift.^[a]So now everyone who believes in him^[b]will never perish but experience everlasting life.

¹⁷ “God did not send his Son into the world to judge and condemn the world, but to be its Savior and rescue it!John 3:16-17The Passion Translation

Jaci Velazquez

God So Loved

[Chorus:]
God so loved the world
That he gave his one and only son
That whosoever believes in him
Will not perish but have everlasting life

I try so hard to find the words to say
To let you know how great is this god to whom i pray
Nothing can nor ever will compare
To the peace that flows in your soul when he is living there
Oh i know you've been through so much
It's hard to contemplate letting go and reaching out in trust
But i know the simple truth
That love is here for you
So take him at his word and see what he can do

[Chorus]
The promise is yours and mine
Take hold of this love
For the rest of your life

Chorus
But it's time to take a step of faith
Be prepared for jesus' love to carry you away

[Chorus]
Everlasting life
You loved me
God so loved the world
He gave. He gave
His one and only son, one and only son
If you just believe
It will set you free
It will set you free
He loves you so much
He loves you so much
Just believe
Just believe

^{11 “}For today in Bethlehem^[a] a rescuer was born for you. He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah.^[b] 12 You will recognize him by this miracle sign: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough!” Luke 2:11 The Passion Translation (TPT)

You will recognize Him. If you search, you will find God. He has never hidden Himself from us. If God is so very recognizable, why do we have trouble seeing Him? The answer to that question is very simple. We are blinded by sin-wanting our own way in all things to the detriment of others including ourselves. Sin is really wanting what we want, when we want it, how we want it, no matter who we hurt for it. Sin is all about ‘me.’ Sin is taking our eyes off God and putting them on oneself. Just like God gave signposts to both the shepherds and the wise men, God gave each of us directions to find Him too. The Ten Commandments are a perfect example of God offering His people directions which point to Him. The first three commandments point directly to God. However, it is in the last six commandments that God points indirectly to Himself through our people to people relationships- our treatment of others. For the shepherds to find the Messiah, they had to follow the directions the angel spoke to them. They had to look for a Baby, but not just any baby. They had to look for the One who was wrapped in strips of cloth- many babies could have the strips of cloth wrapped around them. If the shepherds had stopped at the second clue, they would not have found their Savior. They needed to search for the Baby wrapped in the strips of cloth lying in a feeding trough. It was only when the shepherds followed all the clues that they found Jesus the Christ. Today, we may search for the Baby in a manger and still find Him. Or, we can look to the Commandments to find Him, for He is there. but Christ can be found in God’s Word the Bible, in your prayers, and in songs of praise and worship. For as God wrote through the Prophet Jeremiah, ^13” You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)

“The Prophet’s Anguish and Hope”

¹⁹ Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
the wormwood and the gall!
²⁰ My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
²¹ But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:

²² The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;^[b]
his mercies never come to an end;
²³ they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
²⁴ “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:19-24

Today, the Scripture reading is slightly longer than usual. However, I do suggest that you read all of Lamentations Chapter 23. Jeremiah was a terribly abused prophet of God. No one, especially the king and his advisors, wanted to hear that they were accountable to God for the evil that they had perpetuated. Through Jeremiah, God warned His people that destruction was headed their way in the form of the Babylonian army. The people refused to follow their covenant with God, and they refused to believe all that Jeremiah had told them. When the Babylonian army went through the land, many people were killed; crops were destroyed; buildings were demolished; the rulers and their families were punished severely or killed, and Jerusalem was no more. It is hard to imagine all the devastation that Jeremiah saw; it is not hard to imagine the devastation we all feel from time to time. We all can relate to Jeremiah’s anguish. The loss of loved one through illness or death- a broken family reeling from a recent divorce- any one or all these examples might throw us into a tailspin like Jeremiah’s, but the good news is we can recover as Jeremiah did as well. In the end, Jeremiah remembers that God’s love is unconditional. Like a strong tower, God’s love reaches out to us, encircling us with His protection.

^{3 “} Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.” Psalm 145:3(ESV)

Awesome is a word that I use in reference to God and His creation. I believe that sunsets or sunrises are beautiful. I believe the colors of nature are infinite and stunning. I believe that God is awesome, for I have no words that tell how wonderful He is. When I think about God, I am speechless. I have no words. God has no beginning, and He has no end. His imagination is beyond comprehension. Each kind of plant had its beginning when God created it. No animal was before God, for He created them all too. God recycled water from before the beginning of time. The stars, the sun, the moon, the planets, the asteroids, the comets, the universe, and all the worlds beyond were placed by God. Each day, we marvel at the laws of science which He created. Everything was placed in exactly proper for people to thrive. Each person, each snowflake, each rain droplet is unique. God is awesome!!!

¹³ "As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him." Psalm 103:13 (ESV)

Compassion is concern for other people. Compassion sees a need and responds. Compassion puts the needs of others before its own needs. In order to illustrate compassion, Jesus related the parable of The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:27-37). When He finished the parable, Jesus asked the question, ³⁶ "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" ³⁷ The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." God shows compassion to us each and everyday, and He expects us to show compassion to others. In the 1759, William Wilberforce was born. Wilberforce became an evangelical Christian in 1785. It was at this point that his life changed from self-indulgence to one of compassion. A member of the English Parliament, Wilberforce led the charge against the slave trade in England. From 1789 until 1806, William Wilberforce and the Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade worked tirelessly to stop the slave trade. Once the Slave Trade Act was enacted in 1807, which made the purchase or ownership of slaves illegal within the British Empire, Wilberforce continued to fight, this time against slavery itself. As his health deteriorated, William Wilberforce fought tirelessly until, in 1833, just prior to his death, the Slavery Abolition Act, which abolished slavery throughout the British Empire, was passed through Parliament. Compassion took William Wilberforce on a journey that he never anticipated, but one which he wholeheartedly embraced. It is through His people that God shows His compassion to others. The question is will we respond as the Good Samaritan and William Wilberforce did, or will we remain on the sidelines content observe the need without giving aid to others.

^{3–4 “}I pray over you a release of the blessings of God’s undeserved kindness and total well-being^[a] that flows from our Father - God and from the Lord Jesus.^[b] He’s the Anointed Messiah who offered himself as the sacrifice for our sins! He has taken us out of this evil world system^[c] and set us free through our salvation, just as God desired. ⁵ All the glory will go to God alone, throughout time and eternity. Amen!” Galatians 1:4-5 The Passion Translation (TPT)

When Paul wrote to his friends and believers in Galatia, he began the letter with words of introduction and encouragement. Then, with his heart overflowing with love for the Galatian believers, Paul prayed a blessing over them. Paul prayed that the blessings from God the Father and from Jesus His Son would flow over the Galatians. Paul continued by reminding the Galatians of all that Jesus Christ had done for them. What a wonderful gift Paul sent to the church in Galatia! In this short passage, Paul rekindled hope in the future for the Galatians. “We are set free of the evil world system through our salvation”! The wonderful part of Paul’s letter is that it was written to us too. Each time we read this passage it reminds us that God has also blessed us and set us free. How wonderful! All along, it was God’s plan for us to be free.

^{3 “}Eternal life means to know and experience you
as the only true God,^[a]
and to know and experience Jesus Christ,
as the Son whom you have sent.” John 17:3 The Passion Translation (TPT)

God knows us. He knows you, and He knows me. As I read today’s verse in The Passion Translation, it was as if I had never read this verse before. John defines what eternal life truly means to us all. Eternal Life does not simply mean to know the one true God, but it means that we will experience Him as well. It means to know and experience Jesus as God’s Son our Savior. From my perspective, I thought Eternal Life meant to constantly be in God’s presence forever- and that is true, but it means so very much more. Our individual relationship with God will be closer than any relationship we are able to experience on earth. We can only image what Eternity will be like, but God has permitted us a glimpse of what our relationship with Him will be.

“The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15b

Because of God’s love for us, He chose to come to us in the form of Jesus. Frederick Lehman’s hymn “The Love of God” recorded by 4Him reminds us of His great love for you, for me, and for all humanity.

“The Love of God”

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled
And pardoned from his sin

CHORUS
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song

When years of time shall pass away
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall
When men, who here refuse to pray
On rocks and hills and mountains call
God’s love so sure, shall still endure
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race
The saints’ and angels’ song

Repeat Chorus

Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made
Were every stalk on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Though stretched from sky to sky

Repeat Chorus

“Shout for joy, O heavens;

rejoice, O earth;

burst into song, O mountains!

For the LORD comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones.” Isaiah 49:13

Joy- this three-letter word tends to be so elusive in this day and age. Yet, if one looks at history, joy was just as elusive then as it is today. Why do people have difficulty rejoicing? In many ways, life has taught people to be cynical, to expect the worst, and to take the role of the victim. However, our Heavenly Father wants us to be joyful, as in the following example.

During my first five years as a teacher, I had a lot of students, but only one of them exuded joy consistently. His smile was a sunbeam, and his laughter brought a room to life. Life was not easy for this child, but he still had joy. He walked into school as if to say, “Today is a good day. What are we learning today?” At one point during the school year, this child became sick. His cough was incredible, but no one was aware of how sick he actually was. No one was aware of how sick he was until he was absent for a week. Why did no one know? This little one never complained, not once. In spite of how he felt and how much pain he was in, the little guy still came to school raring to go and lit up like a Christmas tree. His joy was evident each and every day. Like this little one, God calls us to be joyful. No matter what life throws at us, we have the opportunity to be joyful. Choose joy.

“And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.” Mark 10:16

Children are some of the greatest gifts which God bestows upon people. There is nothing like holding a sleeping infant in your arms, for you can physically feel the stress of the day roll off you. Children are free with their love, their hugs, and their happiness; they want to share it with the whole world. Because God takes such great care in creating each individual child, it is no wonder that Jesus took time out of His busy day to bless His precious children. They clamored around Him, and Jesus welcomed them with open arms.

Are we doing the same? After my niece was born, she had an extended hospital stay. At one point, when my sister was in another part of the hospital, my niece needed to be nursed, and the nurse asked me to give my niece a bottle. My arm did not need twisting. I sat in the chair, holding my little niece as she drank from the bottle, and talking to her. As she drank, she opened her blue eyes and smiled at me. What a precious gift!

As adults, we think that we are the ones blessing children as we feed, clothe, care for, and teach them, yet we are the blessed ones. Children teach us about faith, hope, love, and joy. Jesus understood that gift as He welcomed each child into His waiting arms. As we prepare for Easter, let us also welcome each child with open arms and share Jesus’ love with them.

“Sing to the LORD, for He has done glorious things;

let this be known to all the world.

Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,

for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” Isaiah 12:5-6

When was the last time you sang for joy? When was the last time you danced like no one was watching? When was the last time you laughed so hard your stomach hurt and tears came to your eyes? Can you remember when any of these occurred? If not, then you need a dose of joy.

Jesus died for your sins and rose again. God loves you! You woke up this morning. Someone smiled at you, or your dog greeted you at the door. Every good thing that happened today is worthy of praising and thanking the Lord, for it is a gift. People tend to look at the negatives in life. Consequently, the aches, pains, frustrations, sorrows, aggravations are magnified, until they are all we see. However, if negatives can be magnified, then positives can be too. Think of how great life would be if we looked for the good and thanked God for each and every blessing He has given us. In Pollyanna, it is called “The Glad Game,” and we can play it too. As we play, we will find that our joy increases. This Lenten season, let us practice playing “The Glad Game,” find the good, and give thanks to God, praising Him for His many blessings.

“So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35b

At Christmas, we celebrate Jesus’ birth. God Incarnate came to earth and was born in a manger. Why? Why would God the Father send His only Son Jesus to earth? The answer is so simple, it defies human logic. God loves you, me, and every person who was ever born, is being born, or will ever be born. Because sin separated God from man, our Heavenly Father sent Jesus to build a bridge, satisfying God’s justice and fulfilling His mercy. Jesus’ mission to earth was and is a mission of love. Jesus came to earth- fully human and fully God- all because of His love for us all. There is no greater gift. Jesus’ birth was the beginning of the mission, and His death on the cross and resurrection were its completion. Alleluia!

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11

People like to build things. Bigger is better; small is good, but taller is best. Where do people like to build? They like to build on a nice, smooth, sandy, strip of land, where the ocean breezes can waft into people’s kitchen. Sometimes, they like to build right next to a river, and other times, people want the massive volcano to be in their view. Never once have I heard anyone say, “I want to build on solid rock.” Nope, flood plains, prime hurricane zones, fault lines, and volcanoes are prime real estate. What are people thinking? I truly want to know. It is as if people are saying, “Yes, I want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on my dream house only to have it destroyed in ten years.” Their logic eludes me.

Unfortunately, people build their lives the same way. Rather than building their lives on solid Rock (Jesus), they build their lives on other people, jobs, fame, fortune, good works, sports, beauty, fashion, and the list goes on. Yet none of these can provide stability when life’s storms hit. Only one Foundation is secure; His name is Jesus. On Whom are you building your foundation? I pray that like the hymn “The Solid Rock” says, you can say with assurance, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.”

“He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminals’ death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8 (NLT)

Humbleness is an attribute all Christians aspire for, but some never attain. Imagine you are Jesus, facing death on the cross, what would you do in His situation? I know what I would do. I would beg for mercy until the day’s end! Yet, what did Jesus do? He submitted Himself. We tend to think of humility as only putting others before ourselves. It is that, but it is also sacrifice. Jesus sacrificed Himself for our spiritual freedom! Why did He do it? Love, He loved us so much He humbled Himself to dying for us; so anytime you feel unloved, remember Jesus loved you so much that He died for you.

“He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.” Isaiah 53:3

God’s Son came to earth to save us, yet many people mocked, despised, hated Him. Mark Schultz’s “The Holy One” serves as a reminder of all Jesus suffered to save a fallen humanity from their sins and reconcile them to His Father.

"Holy One"

Gentle friend,

You knew my name
Yet with Your hand You calmed the storm and healed the lame
As You spoke
People came
And as the crowds would gather 'round they called out
Holy One, are You the Holy One, Who was sent by God to show the way

I wasn't there
The night they came
Those who saw and feared the miracles You made
You took the nails
You bore the pain
And as they hung You on the cross and mocked You
Holy One, if You're the Holy One let Your God come save You from the grave

I just heard the news today
I just came to find you but they said You'd gone away
I just wanted to hear You say that you had to go
But that You'd be back again

Early morn
Break of day
Came in time to find the rock You rolled away
I found Your robe
An empty grave
And as I fell upon the ground I cried out
Holy One, You are the Holy One, and You came and gave Your life away

Holy One, You are the Holy One and You came and gave Your life away

I am the life, I am alive, I came to show the way

“…just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

Romans 6:4b

Some people believe that a person is only biological. What you see is what you get, and when a person dies, that is the end. However, a person is so much more than merely flesh, bones, and muscles. People Will Talk (Cary Grant, Jeanne Crain, 1951) is one of my favorite films. In this film, Cary Grant played Dr. Noah Praetorius, a brilliant physician who truly cares about the whole person. At the beginning of the film, Dr. Praetorius speaks to medical students about cadavers versus people, and he raises the point that a person is much more than just anatomy and physiology. The following is an excerpt from this lecture:

“Here lies a cadaver. The fact that she was, not long ago, a living, warm, lovely young girl is of little consequence in this classroom. You will not be required to dissect and examine the love that was in her…or the hate…or the hope, despair, memories and desires…that motivated every moment of her existence. They ceased to exist when she ceased to exist.”[1]

Just as the film explained, we are so much more than a bundle of nerves, muscles, bones, and skin. Yet the Bible goes further, for God created people with a physical body, a soul, and a spirit. When we ask Jesus into our hearts, our spirits are born again, and we are a new spiritual creation. Jesus conquered sin and the grave. Because He conquered sin, our spirits are reborn when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Because Jesus conquered the grave, we have the assurance of eternal life in Heaven and the promise of a new indestructible body. What an awesome God we have!

[1] Joseph Mankiewicz and Curt Goetz. People Will Talk (1951). Twentieth Century Fox. https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=people-will-talk

“…but whoever loses his life for Me will find it.” Matthew 16:25b

Has God ever asked something of you that seemed beyond what you could possibly give? I can honestly answer, “Yes,” to this question. There have been many times in my life when God asked me to do something which I felt was beyond my capacity to give. Jesus reminded His disciples and us the cost of following Him- our lives. When we ask Jesus into our hearts to be our Lord and Savior, we ask Him to be Lord of our lives—everything and every part of us. To follow Jesus, we must submit ourselves to His leading, His love, His grace, His mercy, His discipline, and His will.

Unfortunately, we tend to want Jesus to be Lord over aspects of ourselves. We say, “Lord, come into my heart and save me from my sins.” The Holy Spirit comes into our lives, and He begins the process of transforming us into the likeness of Jesus. Then, we demand, “Lord, you can have this part of me, but leave that part alone. I want to keep that.” The Holy Spirit keeps nudging, and we are indignant and justify our actions. “I do not act like those people do. Look at how much I do for others, Lord...but it is not fair! You let _(Insert Name)_ keep it ; why are You asking me to give it up?” Sometimes, we feel the nudge to go somewhere or do something out of our comfort zone, or the storms of life throw us for a loop. At these times, we cry, “I cannot do that because there are others better than me…I am afraid…What if I mess this up…This hurts too much, Lord…Take the pain away. How could You permit this to happen?”

I have said all of the aforementioned statements and queries multiple times in my life, yet God’s Spirit keeps after me. Why? He keeps after me because my life no longer is my own. My life belongs to Him. When I accepted Jesus as my Savior, my life ceased to belong to me. It belongs to Jesus. No, my life is not what I expected it to be, but my dreams cannot compare to the plans God has for me. Mine might be good, but His are the best. In order for me to fulfill His plans, I have to lose myself; I have to get myself out of the way to allow God’s power to work through me. Which will you choose?

"Then He called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." Mark 9:34

What is your cross? I can remember first reading this Scripture and thinking, "How am I supposed to carry a cross?" Being a child, I did not understand that Jesus was calling us to accept our situation and follow Him as we are. Unfortunately, too many people gloss over this Scripture; they assume that it only applied to New Testament times. If we are completely honest, we do not necessarily like our situations, and we want God to change it. However, who is to say that we will be happy when our circumstances change?

Jesus wants us to be content, to accept our lives as they are right now, and follow Him. The apostle Paul spoke to this idea when he said, "…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:11-13) The same goes for us. God wants us to trust Him with our past, our present, and our future. If we trust Him and follow His leading, then we can choose to be content no matter what life throws our way.

Our cross to bear is the life we have. Some of the things with which we are dealing are the result of our own choices; others are not. God is there with us through it all. We are called to take every single aspect of our lives to Jesus and follow Him. No, we might not understand why things happen the way they do, but we know the One who holds all things in the palm of His hand. Take your cross to the One who knows all the answers and trust that He will lead you every step of this road of life.

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness…” 1 Peter 2:24a

Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross. Our sinless Savior became sin so that we might be justified before God the Father. His sacrifice was a one-time deal and encompassed the past, present, and future sins of all of humanity. Then, why do we live our lives as if Jesus’ sacrifice was not enough? Why do we act as if each new sin we commit is not covered by the blood of Jesus? Why do we assume that Jesus could not love us when He laid down His life for us all?

Since Peter took the time to address this very line of thinking, I imagine that the first century Christians struggled with this just as we do. Humans like to complicate things. If we had our way, the road to salvation would be convoluted, contingent upon whether or not we sinned and the type of sin we committed. God the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit are straight forward; therefore, salvation is also straight forward. God is love, but God is also just. Because God cannot go against His nature, He loves people. People sin, and God’s justice demanded sacrifice. God’s love sought to save humanity through mercy and grace. Therefore, God the Father sent His Son Jesus to become man- God Incarnate. Sinless Jesus took all of humanity’s sins for all time on Himself when He died on the cross. Yet, if Jesus merely died, we still would have no hope. As God Incarnate, Jesus has power over death, and three days after dying on the cross, He rose again, so that we might also live with the triune God in heaven forever. Our job is to accept the free gift of salvation.

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are “born again,” for our spirits are renewed. As Peter reminded us, Christ died so that we would be dead to sin when we accept Jesus as Savior and live in our new selves. We are washed clean by the blood of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit dwells in us, molding us into the image of Christ. There is no greater gift than the gift of salvation. If you would like to accept this free gift of salvation, simply go before your loving heavenly Father, and pray this prayer:

“Dear Father,
I come to you as a sinner, knowing that I have sinned against You. Please forgive me. I believe that You sent Jesus to die for my sins, that He died on the cross, rose again, and is coming again. I accept this gift of salvation You have so graciously given me, and I ask that You, Jesus, will come into my heart. Make me new in You, lead me in Your way and Your will, and help me to know Your love each day. Thank you for saving me and thank You for loving me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Galatians 6:14a

People like to boast…a lot. Now, I am not saying that one should not be proud of a job well done, but boasting is shouting to the world, “Look at me! Look what I did! I am wonderful!” Maybe the person boasting is unsure of himself and hides it behind a mask of pride, or maybe the person truly is a prideful individual. Whatever the reason, it is irksome. However, not acknowledging a job well done is equally detrimental. Perhaps feelings of inferiority prohibit one from accepting praise, or perhaps it is a false sense of modesty. Once again, it too is irksome. I have a feeling that we are bothered by the pride and false humility because we are guilty of acting in the same manner…we just do not want to admit it to the world.

God created people with innumerable talents and gifts, and He wants us to utilize them to further His kingdom for His glory. Paul understood that people like to be acknowledged for their hard work, but He also understood that ultimately God is the Giver of all gifts. Therefore, if we feel the need to boast, we need to boast in Christ, saying, “Look what God has done for me!” May Paul’s prayer be our prayer, and may Jesus be glorified.

“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Galatians 2:19-20a

When I talk to non-believers, they inevitably believe that Christianity is filled with rules and regulations, yet I find my faith to be incredibly freeing. The world looks at rules and rightly assumes that no one can possibly succeed; after all, the Ten Commandments, all of the rules, regulations, and laws demonstrate how much we are in need of a Savior. However, the world is missing the second half of the equation: Savior. The law seems to nail shut any hope of being good enough because we can never be good enough. That was why Jesus came. He is our Savior, and He does what we can never hope to do: He saves us from our sins. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our old self dies, just as Christ died at Calvary, but we live because Jesus lives in us. We are a new creation with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit molding us each and every step of the way. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Hallelujah!

“Because I live, you also will live.” John 14:19b

Because of Jesus’ resurrection, we have hope. We can live knowing that we are held in the palm of His hand and covered by the shadow of His wings, for Christ becomes our sanctuary, or as 4Him sang “Sacred Hideaway.”

“Sacred Hideaway”

Written by Marty Magehee; recorded by 4Him

There's a shadow I can't see
From a holy canopy
That my Father spread for me
When I'm strong or when I'm weak
When I wake or when I sleep
He is watching over me
Over me.....
Over me
To the temporary mind
I can't logically define
This love cover so divine
Just beneath what lies between
What is real and what is seen
There is a refuge in His wing
In His wing...

(There’s a shadow I can’t see from my Father’s Holy Canopy)
In His wing

(When I wake and when I sleep, He is watching over me)

CHORUS
I have found a secret place

Where I can go to hide away
Safe inside this hallowed space
I am concealed by saving grace
Forever in this sacred hideaway

Flaming arrows deep in flight
People dropping left and right
Still I'm safely out of sight
Darkness trying to prevail
Demons fighting tooth and nail
But I'm kept within the veil
In the veil... (There's a place that lies between)
(What is real and what is seen)
In the veil

(A shadow I can't see)
(When I'm underneath His wing)

REPEAT CHORUS
BRIDGE
Still within this life
There's so much to learn
Barriers to cross
Their bridges to be burned
And where the lion walks
I will not be afraid
My feet may touch the earth
But my heart is swept away
In this hideaway
REPEAT CHORUS

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” Matthew 28:19a

When Jesus died, the wall separating God and man was forever torn down, and, when Jesus rose from the dead, man could spend eternity with Him. Before Jesus returned to heaven, He called upon the disciples to share the Good News with the entire world. Put into everyday language, Christians are called to be missionaries everywhere they go, whatever they do, and at all times. Many people believe that Christ’s words were only for the first century Christians, but that cannot be the case. Why would God send Jesus to save humanity if He did not want the world to know? Other Christians do not feel worthy of the task. Then again, if one looks at the original disciples, they were like you and me- flawed human beings who were loved and saved by Almighty God.

We are Christ’s ambassadors to the world. Each day that we wake up, we represent Christ to the world, for we are the Jesus people see. No, a Christian does not have to go to the farthest reaches of humanity to be a missionary; instead, Christians are missionaries every time they share Christ’s love with the world. A simple smile; a helping hand; standing in the gap; giving our time, efforts, or money; an encouraging word; obeying the Holy Spirit’s leading; a good attitude; being generous; praising God; praying for others; building homes; cooking meals; and the list goes on. There are multiple ways in which we are His ambassadors to a fallen humanity. Prayerfully ask yourself, “How will I represent Christ today?”

“You also should wash one another’s feet.” John 13:14b

Would you wash another person’s feet? I do not know about you, but my first thought is a resounding “No!” Why on earth would I want to wash another person’s feet? Perhaps a cultural and historical lesson is in order. In Jesus’ day and culture, people walked everywhere in sandals, making feet exceptionally dirty. Now, if you went to a friend’s house, your friend welcomed you into the house and washed your feet…well, the servant washed your feet. Washing the guest’s feet was a sign of hospitality. It said, “Welcome to my home! I am so glad you are here!”

At the Last Supper, Jesus became a servant to His disciples, and He washed their feet. He did not have to wash them, but He chose to do so. If Jesus, God’s Son, humbled Himself to a servant’s role and washed His disciples’ feet, then they too could humble themselves and serve others. By extension, we can humble ourselves and serve the people around us. This is not to say that we are supposed to let people walk all over us, but it does mean that we should put others’ needs above our own.

We need to be considerate. You have had a hard day at work, and your spouse comes home after pulling a double shift at a demanding job, drops his stuff on the floor, and collapses on the coach without asking how your day went or offering to cook dinner or at the very least get take out. Rather than getting angry, you can be like Jesus by cooking dinner or picking up your spouse’s stuff. The obnoxious coworker stole your lunch…again, took the best office supplies for herself, takes credit for everything, and seemingly does nothing but talk on the phone all day. Once again, I have the choice. On the one hand, I can get angry and have a confrontation; on the other hand, I can stay calm, sit down with her and have a heart-to-heart conversation. Who knows, maybe she is distracted because her father is in the hospital or maybe she acts the way she does as a way to protect herself. Washing other’s feet may be physically washing people’s feet, but it may be as simple as taking the time out of your day to listen to your fellow man. Today, let us- you and me-take the time to think of whose “feet” we can “wash”, just as Jesus did so many year ago.

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

We live in a society that does not want to acknowledge God’s sovereignty. Additionally, society has no place for faith. I hear people say things such as, “I do not take anything on faith” or “God does not exist.” When I hear their comments, I have to shake my head and smile sadly. Oh, how much they are missing! They cannot see their hands in front of their faces! You see, these people are the self-same individuals who take things on faith every day.

What must be taken on faith? Gravity is one thing; we have faith that gravity will work. We have faith that we will not go careening through space. Would you like another example? I will give you two for the price of one: love and trust. Neither one can be seen, heard, felt, or understood, yet they exist. Now let us deal with the God does not exist comment. If God does not exist, why are there scientific laws? If the world was only the product of chance, then laws would not exist. The very fact that the universe operates on scientific principles denotes a Creator. Let me give you one more example. If God did not exist, then why are there miracles? Why is the cancer patient suddenly cured without a trace? Why is the lost child found protected by a bear? Why are there numerous instances of healing, protection, and renewal without any logical explanation? Finally, why is each person’s personality uniquely their own? The only answer is God and God alone.

Faith permits us to look toward the future with hope. We dream dreams, and we hope for nice days. People plan and hope for the future and have faith that it will come to pass. Faith and hope go hand in hand, and they permit us a glimpse of our future- a future with Christ. Hold to faith; cling to hope, and allow Christ to fan the flames of faith and hope into a blazing fire for all to see.

“We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

You are loved. How often do you hear those words and think, “Yeah, right”? People often say, “I love you” only to break our hearts, break a trust, hurt us deeply, and fail to live up to the standard of love. Yet, let me say this again: you are loved unconditionally. Without condition, you are loved by your heavenly Father. He loved you so much that even before your parents’ ancestors were born, He sent His only Son Jesus to die and rise again for you. Why? Why would God’s only Son die for you, for me, for all of humanity? Because of this simple statement of fact, He loves us; not because of anything you or I have done and not because of how we look, He loves us because we are His children. He would rather die than spend eternity without you and me.

God’s love takes me back to my original statement: you are loved. We see expressions of imperfect love here on earth. Unfortunately, because we live in a fallen world, human love is imperfect and incomplete, but through it, we can catch a glimpse of God’s perfect, complete love. The father died saving his children; the mother gave up her health for the sake of her baby. That teacher took a bullet for her students; see the man over there, he adopted and loved a boy no one wanted. The list goes on, and we see love- real love- in action. Those acts of love remind us that Christ loved us first. Because of His love, we love. Let us live out love for all the world to see.

Coming soon!

^{27 “}Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters,^[a] and they gathered the whole battalion^[b] before him. ²⁸ And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, ²⁹ and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” ³⁰ And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. ³¹ And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.” Matthew 27:27-31 (ESV)

People do not like the truth; often the truth is inconvenient or unpalatable. Our inner selves like truths that fit within our belief system, and, when truth is based on God’s standard, our belief systems crumble. Steadfast and sturdy, God’s truth is often ridiculed and flayed like Jesus Himself. The Pharisees and Sadducees led the Jews, God’s chosen people. When Jesus came to dwell on earth, His very presence challenged the Jewish people with God’s truth. His presence challenged the Pharisees and Sadducees even more so, for it took away their power and control over the Jewish people. In Matthew 23:27, Jesus knew how upright the scribes and Pharisees appeared on the outside, scrupulously garbed, but full of deceit on the inside. Jesus called them out, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.” On the other hand, the Romans cared little for the Jewish population. The Roman soldiers were merely glorified policemen watching over a discontented populace. When the Pharisees and Sadducees brought Jesus to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of the province, for execution, they were full of deceit. Though Pilate knew Jesus was innocent and should be set free, his truth was political expediency- keep the Jewish rulers happy. Keep the peace. While unwittingly fulfilling Scripture prophecy, the Romans soldiers’ truth was to punish the Jew. Too many of their fellow soldiers had been killed by Jewish zealots, freedom fighters, that the soldiers presented wanted what little revenge they could get. The soldiers stripped, mocked, whipped, and led away to be crucified the Man to Whom they believed to be a simple Jewish man with delusions of grandeur. In the end, each group played the part they were to play in the most important point in history- the death of their Savior and ours.

⁹ And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!Mark 11:9 (ESV)

Sandi Patty “Hosanna”

Have you heard the story
The Christ is finally here
He's at the edge of the city
Let's run
I've just gotta be near Him
All the people are shouting
They've come just to see their King
Tell the daughter of Zion
Rejoice
For we've been redeemed
He is riding victorious
Like the prophets foretold
Visions are glorious
We must bow down before Him
Lay our hearts and souls before Him
Lord of all

Hosanna, Hosanna
See Him ride in majesty
Hosanna, Hosanna
Lord of all eternity
Hosanna, Hosanna
Raise your hands in victory
Hosanna, Hosanna

He's come to set His people free

Behold your salvation
He comes to the willing hearts
Blessed over all nations
His love will never depart
Now He's reigning victorious
Forever He is Lord
Christ has delivered us
We must fall down before Him
Lay our hearts and souls before Him
Lord of all

Hosanna, Hosanna
See Him ride in majesty
Hosanna, Hosanna
Lord of all eternity
Hosanna, Hosanna
Raise your hands in victory
Hosanna, Hosanna
He's come to set His people free
Hosanna, Hosanna
See Him ride in majesty
Hosanna, Hosanna
Lord of all eternity
Hosanna, Hosanna
Raise your hands in victory
Hosanna, Hosanna
He's come to set His people free

¹⁰ I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.Psalm 40:10 (ESV)

I have not hidden God’s deliverance either. From healing our babies from life-threatening illnesses to saving us from financial catastrophes, I have shouted God’s deliverance from the rooftop. However, our greatest deliverance happened when Jesus died on the cross at Calvary; then rose again from the tomb where He was placed. For it is through Christ’s sacrifice that each of us may live forever with Him in heaven. I’ve got to tell somebody too.

“Got to Tell Somebody”

Don Francisco

She kept on getting weaker as day dragged into day
The doctors gave no hope for her; she seemed to fade away
My hours were filled with constant dread; time became a knife
That slowly and relentlessly cut the cord of life

There was a teacher in the region then some of us had heard
That He'd healed the paralytic by the power of just His Word
So with hope again rekindled I went at once to see
If I could find a man named Jesus from a town in Galilee

I began to search the city and soon I saw the crowd
They were pressing in to touch Him and they called His Name out loud
But with the strength of desperation I pushed them all aside
I threw myself before Him and from my knees I cried

"Lord, come and heal my daughter, even now she's close to death
Her fever's uncontrollable, she fights for every breath
But God's given You the power; life is Yours to give
If you'll just lay Your hands on her I know that she will live"
(She will live, she will live)

Well, He'd just begun to go with me when a face I saw with fear
Came towards me with the news I knew I didn't want to hear
And although I tried to steel myself I trembled when he said
"Why bother the Teacher anymore, your little girl is dead."

Then Jesus touched my shoulder and He told me not to grieve
The trembling stopped when He looked at me and said, "Only believe"
Then He sent the crowds away except His closest men
And they followed right behind us as we started off again

But we were still a long ways down the road when I heard the sounds and cries
Of the mourners and musicians as they strove to dramatize
My grief they had no business with beneath their loud disguise
My wife just sat there silently and stared through empty eyes

Then Jesus asked the mourners, "Why is it that you weep?
She isn't dead as you suppose, the child is just asleep."
It only took a moment for their wails to turn to jeers
"Who does this man think he is? Get him out of here!"

With authority I've never heard in the lips of any man
He spoke and every sound rolled out with the thunder of command
And in the sudden silence they all hurried for the door
Wondering what the reasons were they'd ever come there for

Then He called his three disciples that were with Him on the way
He led them and my wife and me to where our daughter lay
He took her by the hand; He told her "Child, arise"
And the words were barely spoken when she opened up her eyes

She rose and walked across the room and stood there at our sides
My wife knelt down and held her close and at last she really cried
And then Jesus told us both to see that our daughter had some food
But as to how her life was saved, not to speak a word

Not to speak a word

I got to tell somebody. I got to tell somebody.
I got to tell somebody. I got to tell somebody.
I got to tell somebody, got to tell somebody, what Jesus did for me!
I got to tell somebody, got to tell somebody, what Jesus did for me!
I got to tell somebody, got to tell somebody, what Jesus did for me
I got to tell somebody, got to tell somebody, what Jesus did for me

³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:3 (ESV)

“That Where I Am, There You Will Also Be” Rich Mullins

In my Father's house there are many, many rooms
In my Father's house there are many, many rooms
And I'm going up there now to prepare a place for you
That where I am, there you may also be
If I go prepare a place for you, I will come back again
If I go prepare a place for you, I will come back again
And you know I am the Way, the Truth, the Life, keep my command
That where I am, there you may also be

[CHORUS:]
That where I am, there you may also be
Up where the truth, the truth will set you free
In the world you will have trouble, but I leave you my peace
That where I am, there you may also be

Remember you did not choose me, no I have chosen you
Remember you did not choose me, no I have chosen you
The world will show you hatred, the Spirit show you truth
That where I am, there you may also be

[CHORUS]
And I've come down from the Father, it's time for me to go back up
Oh, I've come down from the Father, it's time for me to go back up
One command I leave you: Love as I have loved
That where I am, there you may also be

[CHORUS]
That where I am, there you may also be
Up where the truth, the truth will set you free
In the world you will have trouble, but I'm leaving you my peace
That where I am, there you may also be

¹⁸ And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” Mark 14:18 (ESV)

I Am Not Alone Keri Jobe

When I walk through deep waters
I know that You will be with me
When I'm standing in the fire
I will not be overcome
Through the valley of the shadow
I will not fear

I am not alone
I am not alone
You will go before me
You will never leave me

I am not alone
I am not alone
You will go before me
You will never leave me

In the midst of deep sorrow
I see Your light is breaking through
The dark of night will not overtake me
I am pressing into You

Lord, You fight my every battle
Oh, and I will not fear

I am not alone
I am not alone
You will go before me
You will never leave me

I am not alone
I am not alone
You will go before me
You will never leave me

You amaze me
Redeem me
You call me as Your own
You amaze me
Redeem me
You call me as Your own

You're my strength
You're my defender
You're my refuge in the storm
Through these trials
You've always been faithful
You bring healing to my soul

I am not alone
I am not alone
You will go before me
You will never leave me

I am not alone (no)
I am not alone
You will go before me
You will never leave me

I am not alone
I am not alone
You will go before me
You will never leave me

“And He said, ‘Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Remove this cup from Me. Yet not what I will but what You will.’” Mark 14:36

“My Will” DC Talk

I'm setting the stage for the things I love
And I'm now the man I once couldn't be
And nothing on earth could now ever move me
I now have the will and the strength a man needs

It's my will, I'm not moving
'Cause if it's Your will, then nothing can shake me
And it's my will to bow and praise You
I now have the will to praise my God

Complexity haunts me for I am two men
Entrenched in a battle that I'll never win
My discipline fails me, my knowledge it fools me
But You are my shelter, all the strength that I need

It's my will, I'm not moving
'Cause if it's Your will, then nothing can shake me
And it's my will to bow and praise You
I now have the will to praise my God

I'm learning to give up the rights to myself
The bits and the pieces I've gathered as wealth
Could never compare to the joy that You bring me
The peace that You show me is the strength that I need

It's my will, I'm not moving
'Cause if it's Your will, then nothing can shake me
And it's my will to bow and praise You
I now have the will to praise my God

We've got to be children of peace
Don't you know we've got to be children of peace

And it's my will, I'm not moving
(We've got to be)
'Cause if it's Your will, then nothing can shake me
(Children of peace)

And it's my will to bow and praise You
(Don't you know we've got to be)
I now have the will to praise my God
(Children of peace)

And it's my will, I'm not moving
(We've got to be)
'Cause if it's Your will, then nothing can shake me
(Children of peace)

And it's my will to bow and praise You
(Don't you know we've got to be)
I now have the will to praise my God
(Children of peace)

It's Your will, it's Your will, na, na
It's Your will, it's Your will
It's Your will, it's Your will, na, na
It's Your will, it's Your will

And it's my will, I'm not moving
(We've got to be)
'Cause if it's Your will, then nothing can shake me
(Children of peace)

And it's my will to bow and praise You
(Don't you know we've got to be)
I now have the will to praise my God
(Children of peace)

Don't you know, we've got to be children of peace

Don't you know, we've got to be children of peace

⁵⁰ And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.Matthew 27:50

The Wonderful Cross Michael W. Smith

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

See from His head His hands His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

Oh the wonderful cross
Oh the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find
That I may truly live

Oh the wonderful cross
Oh the wonderful cross
All who gather here
By grace draw near
And bless your name

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were and offering far too small
Love so amazing so divine
Demands my soul my life my all

Oh the wonderful cross
Oh the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find
That I may truly live

Oh the wonderful cross
Oh the wonderful cross
All who gather here
By grace draw near
And bless your name

⁵⁹ And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud ⁶⁰ and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. Matthew 27:59-60 (ESV)

Secret Ambition Michael W. Smith

Young man up on the hillside
Teaching new ways
Each word winning them over
Each heart a kindled flame
Old men watch from the outside
Guarding their prey
Threatened by the voice of the paragon
Leading their lambs away
Leading them far away

Nobody knew His secret ambition
Nobody knew His claim to fame
He broke the old rules steeped in tradition
He tore the holy veil away
Questioning those in powerful position
Running to those who called His name
But nobody knew His secret ambition
Was to give His life away

His rage shaking the temple
His word to the wise
His hand healing on the seventh day
His love wearing no disguise
Some say, "Death to the radical
He's way out of line."
Some say, "Praise be the miracle
God sends a blessed sign.
A blessed sign for troubled times."

Nobody knew His secret ambition
Nobody knew His claim to fame
He broke the old rules steeped in tradition
He tore the holy veil away
Questioning those in powerful position
Running to those who called His name
But nobody knew His secret ambition
Was to give His life away

⁶ He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he^[a] lay. Matthew 28:6 (ESV)

Christ is Risen, He is Risen indeed!

He’s Alive Don Francisco

The gates and doors were barred and all the windows fastened down,
I spent the night in sleeplessness and rose at every sound,
Half in hopeless sorrow half in fear the day,
Would find the soldiers crashing through to drag us all away.

Then just before the sunrise I heard something at the wall,
The gate began to rattle and a voice began to call,
I hurried to the window and looked down to the street,
Expecting swords and torches and the sound of soldiers feet,

There was no one there but Mary so I went down to let her in,
John stood there beside me as she told us were she'd been,
She said they moved him in the night and none of us knows where,
The stones been rolled away and now his body isn't there.

We both ran toward the garden then John ran on ahead,
We found the stone and the empty tomb just the way that Mary said,
But the winding sheet they wrapped him in was just an empty shell,
And how or where they'd taken him was more than I could tell.

Something strange had happened there but what I did not know,
John believed a miracle but I just turned to go,
Circumstance and speculation couldn't lift me very high,
Cause I'd seen them crucify him and then I'd watched him die,

Back inside the house again all the guilt and anguish came,
Everything I'd promised him just added to my shame,
But at last it came to choices I denied I knew his name,
Even If he was alive it wouldn't be the same.

But suddenly the air was filled with a strange and sweet perfume,
Light that came from everywhere drove shadows from the room,
Jesus stood before me with his arms held open wide,
And I fell down on my knees and clung to him and cried,

He raised me to my feet and as I looked into his eyes,
Love was shining out from him like sunlight from the sky,
Guilt and my confusion disappeared in sweet release,
And every fear I'd ever had just melted into peace.

He's alive, He's alive, He's alive and I'm forgiven,
Heavens gates are open wide.
He's alive, He's alive, He's alive and I'm forgiven,
Heavens gates are open wide.
He's alive, He's alive, He's alive and I'm forgiven,
Heavens gates are open wide.

He's alive