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Hallelujah Hosanna!

November 19, 2021

"Then the multitudes in front of Him and behind Him cried out, 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' Whoever enters in the name of the Lord is blessed! 'Hosanna from the highest reaches of the sky!' Matthew 9:21



Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem marked the start of the final leg of His earthly trek to the cross. The throng erupted in applause, waving palm branches and putting their coats on the ground in front of the young donkey carrying Him. The parade was fit for a king. But only Jesus genuinely grasped what the audience was pleading for on that day when they yelled, "Hosanna!"

"Hosanna!" was both a shout of love and a plea. As you can see, "Hosanna" literally means "Come save us now!". The people had no idea that Jesus was about to do exactly that. He was about to save them in every way that mattered. But first, there was some unfinished business at the Temple that He needed to take care of.

The Hosanna-screamers must have been taken aback when they saw the man on the donkey flipping money tables over and chasing the sellers out of the Temple in righteous rage. In His Father's house, Jesus would not allow the lies and greed to continue. He went there that day to make it crystal clear that forgiveness could only be purchased with His blood, not with cash. Redemption was not just available to those who could afford it, but also to those who couldn't."My house will be known as a house of worship, but you are turning it into a robbery den!" Jesus yelled. What He did next, on the other hand, is likely to have stunned everyone much more than His venomous comments. He invited them to come in. Those who had spent their lives on the outside...the blind, the lame, the ill... He greeted them as they entered the Temple and healed them. In with the humble, out with the pompous. It was a foreshadowing of the Kingdom He would establish with His blood in the not-too-distant future.

Which of the following groups do you belong to? Is it those on the inside who run religion like a business, or those on the periphery who deliver a humble offering of faith in brokenness? Jesus has arrived. The time for salvation has arrived. All you have to do is shout, in faith and repentance."Hosanna!" exclaims the narrator. Now is the time to save me!" and He will set you free from your sin.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for sending Jesus to save me from my sins. Please help me to extend the invitation of Your grace to everyone at all times. Amen, in Jesus' name.

Topic Worship

The Lowly and the Holy

November 18, 2021

"Rejoice much, Zion's Daughter!" Shout, Jerusalem's Daughter! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding a donkey, a colt, a donkey foal." 9:9 (Zechariah)



Jesus of Nazareth was a marked man by the time what we now call Palm Sunday arrived in Jerusalem, approximately 33 A.D. This added to the drama of His arrival in the city, since He arrived openly and publicly in a location where He was a wanted man. On the back of a donkey, Jesus took the first step toward the ultimate and final encounter with the Sanhedrin, according to some.

I don't just mean out in the open when I say Jesus entered publicly.His arrival coincided with the Passover Feast, when Jerusalem's population swelled dramatically. The masses had assembled, with many praising Jesus as Israel's King (John 12:13). It's clear that the Jews thought Jesus was the answer to their prayers for a ruler who would rescue them from the Roman Emperor's oppression. After all, God had promised them a king from David's lineage who would rule them for all time... and Jesus was a perfect match. They'd be set free at long last. There would be tranquility at long last. It's no surprise that as Jesus entered Jerusalem - the city whose name literally means "City of Peace" – the crowds chanted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" What a ray of hope they must have had!

However, something strange happened. Did their valiant King ride gloriously on a steed or other powerful symbol? I'm sure that's what they were hoping for. Shouldn't their King be the same? That's how the Roman soldiers got around. No. King Jesus did not arrive in this manner. Instead of riding into Jerusalem on a great horse, He rode in on a young donkey, completely destroying their image of their mighty King.

However, Jesus' entry was not a fluke. When He appeared on that donkey, He demonstrated two facts. First, He fulfilled one of Zechariah 9:9's Old Testament predictions about the Messiah, which predicted that Israel's prophesied King would arrive in exactly that manner.- riding on the back of a young donkey Why a donkey instead of a stallion? The answer can be found in Jesus' second truth: that He came to bring peace, not judgment. He did not come to conquer by force, as other earthly monarchs had done before Him, but by grace, mercy, and the sacrifice of His own life for His people.

The Kingdom that Jesus founded was one of lowliness and servanthood, not of armies and magnificence. He did not come to conquer nations, but to overcome sin. We should emulate His attributes of humility, servanthood, sacrifice, and grace as His followers. When we do, the world will witness the one and only True King reigning through His people.

Prayer:God, please enable me to live my life in accordance with Your example so that I can help others. In Jesus'name, Amen.

Topic Holiness

What You Begun

November 17, 2021

"Let us not become tired in doing good, for if we do not give up, we shall reap a crop at the correct time." 6:9 (Galatians)



Do you follow through on what you start? Many individuals aren't aware of this. Approximately 44% of college students drop out before completing their studies. Over two million Americans quit their jobs every month. These and other statistics of unfinished and abandoned projects have valid reasons. However, a large percentage of people choose not to finish what they start every day, in one way or another. The unfinished book, the CD that's three tracks away from completion, and the five-year-old home remodeling. When you take a step back and look at it all, it appears like most of life is the first half of something that is lacking the second half.

When Jesus arrived to earth, He came to complete the task He had begun. Since the dawn of time, he had a beginning, middle, and end in mind. He had no intention of doing a mediocre job. He couldn't do it. Not because it wouldn't have provided us with a path to heaven, but because it would have been disobedience to His Father, which was impossible. He lived a perfect life, died tragically, and rose triumphantly again. His task was finished from beginning to end.

Strive to be a person who completes what they begin spiritually. God is saving people and transforming them into more like Him through His followers.Your faith in Jesus did not end with a prayer and a card filled out in church a long time ago. That was only the beginning...the glimmer of a life filled with spiritual significance and purpose. It's worth it to see it through to the end. Engage in a faith that is continually seeking to Jesus for ways to love more fully, serve more gladly, give more generously, and share faith with greater zeal.

You might not be able to complete everything you set out to do in life. But don't leave your relationship with Christ incomplete. There is still far too much for Him to accomplish in and through you for you to give up.

Prayer: God, please enable me to stay the course in my relationship with You. Assist me in putting my wishes aside and adopting your plans and purposes for my life. Amen

#Christianliving

Keeping the Goal in Mind

November 16, 2021

"Thus, be cautious how you live—not as an idiot, but as a wise person who makes the most of every chance..." Ephesians 5:15-16.



According to military commanders, the modern fight is won or lost before the first shot is fired. The tools of combat, strategy and tactics, have been polished to a fine art throughout the years. However, the truth is that logistics—the process of planning and preparing for battle—determines the battle's outcome. General Norman Schwartzkopf, who commanded allied forces in the 1990s Gulf War, claimed years afterwards that his strategy for success was simple: gather all of the required tools, personnel, and supplies Each war must be won as efficiently and successfully as feasible on the battlefield.



He'd assess his opponent's size and capabilities, then calculate how many soldiers, tanks, missiles, artillery, planes, and other supplies he'd need to win decisively. Then he'd just tell his reports to get those materials to the battleground. He fought the battle backwards, starting with the last step and ending with the first. The first task was to transport all of the necessary supplies to the battleground.



We must always keep the end in mind in our life. Our conclusion is straightforward: God triumphs, and heaven exists. Some people will go, but the majority will not. Our goal is to make the most of what we have.

Prayer:I praise You, God, for your victory on the cross. Please accept my gratitude for sending Jesus to save me. Help me remember that the end is near, that the end is certain, and that the end is a source of hope for those who seek it. Amen.

#Salvation

Topping It Off

November 15, 2021

"Work at whatever you do with all your heart, as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters." 3:23 in Colossians



When the last steel beam or the highest point in the structure is reached, a rite known as "topping out" is performed. It stems from an ancient Scandinavian custom of planting a tree on top of a completed dwelling to pacify "displaced spirits" while it was being built. It's more of a media event these days, especially if the structure has some significance, such as changing the skyline of a major city. You'll know the construction is finished when you reach the highest point and it's "topped out."

Many of us have a proclivity to "peak out" early in life. We can achieve our full potential at an early age. Spiritually, not materially or financially. We go to church, Bible studies, serve in the community, and participate in missions, and so on. However, many of us reach a point where we "peak out" and stop continuing to grow spiritually, which is often reflected in spiritual activities.

In Colossians, the Bible instructs us to work with all of our hearts, all of the time. We are taught not to lose heart elsewhere in the Bible. Our everyday walk in this world is to become more and more like Jesus as we serve His purposes and carry out His mission.
Many people are astonished to hear that the Bible contains no notion or mention of retirement. From the day we are born to the day we commit to Jesus, to the day we die, our lives are a complete picture of Christ's work in us. We work, pray, study, seek, share our faith, support, assist, encourage, grieve, and persevere.

Look up and make sure you're still establishing your life in Christ as you examine your heart and life today. Look back a year or two to see if you can see God at work in your life, and if your heart and mind are growing closer to Him as you serve Him on a regular basis. Do you think you've reached your limit? ? As you continue onward for God, ask Him to renew your soul for another flight.

Prayer:[/b]Thank you, God, for providing me with a rich and fulfilling existence. I hope that I don't "top out" and miss out on the possibilities you've provided for me to honor you at work, in my family, in my life, and in my ministry. Give me the strength and energy I need today to be Your hands and feet to people who are around me. As I live for you, please help me to keep seeking to fulfill Your will in my life. Amen.

[b]Topic Glory

Completely paid

November 14, 2021

"By completing the work You gave Me to perform, I have brought You honor on earth." 17:4 (John)

Jesus used the same word, "completed," in John 17:4 as when He declared, "It is finished," on the cross. God assigned Jesus to a task that only He could complete. Only He could save us, pay for our sins, and appease God's righteous wrath against sin.

In Jesus' day, the Greek word for "completed" was influential in both legal and financial circles. Legally, if you were brought before a Roman judge and found guilty of a crime, the judge would impose a penalty and write a "certificate of debt" on a piece of paper.
The offense committed was written on one side of the paper, and the penalty the crime incurred was written on the other. The debt certificate would then be fastened on the prisoner's door, where anybody could see what he had done and how much he owed for his crime.

A legal authority would write over that debt the Greek word that Jesus used that is translated as "finished," which meant "paid in full." Once the prisoner had served his sentence – or if someone came and paid his fine – a legal authority would write over that debt the Greek word that Jesus used that is translated as "finished," which meant "paid in full." They would then roll up the certificate and hand it to the prisoner. This was his proof that the law's full requirements had been met. His debt was discharged, and he was free to leave, never to be tried again.When Jesus stated, "It is completed," He really meant, "It is fully paid!" The debt of sin owed to God by the entire world was paid at the cross.

This verse is also written in the Greek language in the perfect tense, which is noteworthy. The perfect tense refers to an action that occurred in the past and has lasting consequences that extend into the present and future. "This happened," in other words, says the past tense. "This happened, and it is still in effect today and tomorrow," states the perfect tense.

Consider any flaw you have... any sin you've ever committed...

God imprints this one word - "completed" – over your life when you give it to Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Son of God.

Prayer: Thank You, God, for sending Your Son to die on the cross to pay the full price for my sins. Give me the fortitude to share this message of hope with everyone You place in my way who needs it. Amen

Topic Sin

Why are you in pain?

November 13, 2021

"Not only that, but we also take pride in our hardships because we know that pain breeds endurance, which breeds character, which breeds hope." 5:3–4 (Rom. 5:3–4)



Are you in pain? If you're struggling, oppressed, in agony, or in distress, you've probably wondered, "Why me?" "All sin causes suffering, but not all suffering is caused by sin," a wise Pastor once said. As a result, there could be at least two reasons for your discomfort.



Many people suffer as a result of their sin. Our sin always has a negative repercussion. You will be imprisoned if you commit a crime and are found guilty. The wrong you've done has resulted in you being incarcerated.Since Adam ate the cursed apple, humanity has been suffering as a result of sin. Much, if not all, of our misery is the result of people defying God one after another.



But there is another kind of suffering, one that God allows despite the fact that we, as Christ-followers, have not sinned. Persecution is a tough idea to grasp. God does not cause our pain, but He does permit us to live in a flawed and sinful world. Job, for example, is a book in the Bible that chronicles the life of a man that God let to suffer immensely. Job's family and life were eventually restored, even better than before. It's a lesson that we often don't see the larger picture and lack the foresight to see it.

When you're in pain, ask yourself if you're living in a way that pleases God. Examine your heart and confess your sins, then turn away and live your life for God unreservedly. But also, pray that God will use your pain to teach you, form and shape you, refine you, and help you grow closer to Jesus. Our wrongdoing always results in suffering, but don't rule out the possibility that God is working with us to make us more like Him as we suffer.



Prayer: I confess to you my sins and failings. I am aware that I occasionally suffer as a result of my disobedience to You. Because of what Your Son, Jesus, went through on the cross for me, I know you are familiar with suffering. Help me remember that you might be using It to make me more like you when I'm suffering.


Topic sufferings

The Pain Is Over

November 12, 2021

"Every tear from their eyes will be wiped away by him." "Death will no longer exist." 21:4 (Revelation)



Chronic pain is a medical term that refers to a state of being in pain for an extended period of time. Chronic pain patients are in some form of discomfort almost all of the time. Chronic pain affects about 11% of the population in the United States. Another 40 million adults, or nearly 17% of all adults in the United States, suffer from severe pain on a regular basis. Chronic pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including life stress, respiratory problems, alcohol or tobacco usage, exercise, and injury.



The truth is that we all experience suffering in some form or another. Perhaps not bodily agony, but emotional and spiritual discomfort.Relationships, bad habits and actions, our past, and even our genetics can all cause us pain. Pain, in one form or another, is a daily reminder of our shattered planet, of a people who have been rebellious to God for millennia, beginning with Adam.



When explaining what heaven would be like, Revelation 21:4 offers a shocking and virtually unbelievable assertion concerning pain. "He will wipe every tear from their eyes," it adds. There will be no more death, sadness, weeping, or suffering..." Can you envision a place where there is no pain? There are no tears or sadness in this place. We will not be afraid of death since there will be none. We won't be afraid of being alone. Our bodies will not be physically harmed, and Christ will be at the core of every interaction.



As followers of Jesus, we have been promised this. When we are in agony, we may hold on to that hope and claim it. We are all going to experience pain in our lives. But, whatever the origin or form of the discomfort, it will pass. We will see the end of suffering in Christ one day.



Prayer: Thank you, God, for allowing us to live in paradise. Thank you for the promise that one day I will be pain-free. Thank you for creating a place for me to live forever with You that is so beautiful, so wonderful, that words can't express how wonderful it is. Help me to remember Your promise while I'm in agony, to comprehend that pain is only temporary, and to find the fortitude to bear it until the day You decide to take me away. Amen.


Topic: Suffering.

Spring that is still alive

11 November 2021

"However, anyone who drinks the water I provide will never be thirsty again." Surely, the water I give them will become a spring of water in their hearts, springing up to eternal life." 4:14 (John)



With a population of 20 million inhabitants, Mexico City is one of the world's most populous cities. It's on the verge of sinking. Buildings and streets are sinking deeper into the earth every year. Some areas are sinking a foot per year. In reality, during the last 60 years, this sinking has averaged 22 feet. Do you have any idea why? Because the residents of the area are thirsty. Seventy-seven percent of the water used by the city's residents must be collected from underground aquifers. To put a stop to the thievery,Every year, billions of gallons of water must be pumped from underground, and as they do, the city sinks. However, much of the water is contaminated with organic and chemical contaminants, which can cause disease and death.



The entire world is a massive Mexico City. You sink deeper into despair, discouragement, and disillusionment as you drink more of the world's water. The deeper you go, the more thirsty you become. The more thirsty you become, the more water you consume. The more you drink, the lower you will sink.



Because Jesus stated, "I thirst," anybody can come drink from the life-giving water He provides and never thirst again. In this life, we are all going to suffer. The question isn't "if," but rather "when.""However, like Christ's, our suffering will not be in vain." God does not throw away our suffering, sadness, or tears. He has the ability to transform misery into something lovely. He can utilize it for His glory and even to assist others in coming to know Him.



He will glorify Himself through your grief, suffering, and heartache if you bring it to God in confidence and ask Him to do so. Spiritual thirst is killing people all over the world. That is why people turn to money, drugs, sex, power, pleasure, vehicles, houses, and stocks and bonds to quench their desire. Everyone who drinks this "worldly water," according to God's word, will thirst again (John 4:13). However, because Jesus died thirsty, we will never have to. Because Jesus declared, "I am the Christ."


[b]Prayer :[/b]God, thank you for your son, Jesus, to us as living water. Allow us to drink from your cup on a daily basis, and fill our cups to the brim with living water that will never run out. Amen, in Jesus' name.



[b]Topic: [/b]Discouragement.

Is it more important to be comfortable or to be committed?

November10, 2021

"They put gall in my food and offered me vinegar to quench my thirst," says the narrator. 69:21 Psalm



Jesus said very few words during his arrest, trial, beatings, and crucifixion. "I am thirsty," He said three hours into His crucifixion. But He didn't say these things just to quench his thirst. Something else was driving both his need and his declaration. He stated it, according to John 19:28, in order for the Scripture to be fulfilled.



Everything that happened to Jesus at the crucifixion was part of God's plan, Jesus recognized. The Word of God was being fulfilled while He hung on the cross, pleading for water. The crucifixion resulted in the death of Jesus Christ.Jesus was not a victim in any way. He voluntarily gave His life for you and me. He freely submitted to God's plan for His life, placing complete trust in His heavenly Father.



King David prophesied in Psalm 69:21, hundreds of years before Jesus was crucified, that “they put gall in My meal and gave Me vinegar for My thirst.” Jesus knew He hadn't yet been given vinegar to drink as he hung on the cross. Knowing God's Word and plan, he expressed his longing so that God's plan may be carried out... That was the case. "A jug of wine vinegar was there," John 19:29 adds, "so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lip.


"Don't overlook this crucial fact: God has a plan for your life. There is no room for error. There are no accidents with God; only appointments. Because He completely bowed to and accepted God's plan for His life, Jesus suffered physically, emotionally, and spiritually. "Are you willing to suffer whatever it takes to accomplish God's plan for your life?" is the question you must answer. What's more essential to you: your physical well-being or your whole dedication to God's plan?



Prayer - God, please enable me to never put my comfort ahead of fully surrendering to Your plan for my life. Help me to recall Christ's sacrifice on the cross for me when I have doubts or anxieties. That is the only source of inspiration. In Jesus'name, Amen.

Topic God's will

Jesus is aware of the situation.

November 9, 2021

Later, knowing that all had been completed and that Scripture had been fulfilled, Jesus stated, 'I am thirsty.'" Revelation 19:28



I believe that many people do not realize or appreciate how much Jesus suffered on the cross while dying for our sins. Not only did He suffer the most heinous death ever devised, but He had already been tortured and beaten for 12 hours before they nailed Him to the cross. He was utterly weary and dehydrated after being exposed to the heat and losing a large amount of blood.



According to scientists, the most excruciating agony a human body can experience is thirst. With split lips and a swollen tongue, Jesus, the holy Son of God, hung there, practically dying for a drink of water. He stated, "I am thirsty." Those three words can be a major source of comfort to us while we are going through a difficult time.



It's incredible that He said those words at all. Why didn't He do something about it if He was thirsty? Couldn't He have made it rain water right into His parched lips if He could convert water into wine and feed over 5,000 people with two fish and five loaves? Isn't it possible that He could have summoned legions of angels to bring Him water right there on the cross? He could have, of course. So, why didn't He do it?

Why did Jesus have to go through physical pain, mental anguish, and spiritual helplessness? Why was He crucified by His enemies, abandoned by His friends and family, and abandoned by His Father? Because, when it comes to suffering, Jesus wanted us to know that He has felt what we are feeling and experienced what we are experiencing. When we are in pain, we can rest assured that He is also in pain.



Because He had experienced what we would confront in this life, Jesus knew exactly what we would face. Perhaps you are physically harmed as a result of a sickness or handicap. Perhaps you're experiencing emotional pain as a result of being abandoned or disappointed. Do you feel defeated or disillusioned? Don't lose hope! All of Jesus' emotions have been felt.

He's been where you are, knows what you know, and has felt what you're feeling. You can always confess your anguish to a Savior who understands what you're going through.



God, it gives me such peace to know that Jesus has suffered in every way that I do. When I'm in pain, please remind me to bring it to Him. Thank You for sending Your Son to suffer in order for me to be at ease. Amen, in Jesus' name.



Topic suffering of Jesus