Holy week

Palm Sunday

8:25 AM


Today Christian’s around the world are celebrating Holy Week beginning with today, Palm Sunday.

On the Sunday before his death, Jesus began his trip to Jerusalem, knowing that soon he would lay down his life for our sins. Nearing the village of Bethphage, he sent two of his disciples ahead, telling them to look for a donkey and its unbroken colt. The disciples were instructed to untie the animals and bring them to him.

Then Jesus sat on the young donkey and slowly, humbly, made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, fulfilling the ancient prophecy in Zechariah 9:9:

"Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

The crowds welcomed him by waving palm branches in the air and shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

On Palm Sunday, Jesus and his disciples spent the night in Bethany, a town about two miles east of Jerusalem. This is where Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, and his two sisters, Mary and Martha, lived. They were close friends of Jesus, and probably hosted Him and His disciples during their final days in Jerusalem.

Jesus' triumphal entry is recorded in Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19.

Acts

A Living Miracle - Tabitha (Dorcas)

12:00 PM


“Dorcas, arise.” As Dorcas opened her eyes, the room slowly came into focus. Looking around, she saw the apostle Peter kneeling beside her. Quickly she sat up in bed and tried to make sense of her surroundings. "Where am I? Where is my Lord? Why have I been taken from Him?", Dorcas asked with a tremor in her voice. Peter gently took her hand in his and replied, "My dear sister, God has performed a mighty miracle through you."


Still confused, all Dorcas knew at that moment was the pain she felt at having to leave paradise and her Savior's side. "Dorcas", Peter said softly. "I know the agony of being separated from our beloved Lord Jesus. I too long for nothing more than to be at His side once again. But your work here on this earth is not finished. And God will use your life as a great testimony through which many will be saved." Not finding much comfort in Peter's words, through tears Dorcas asked, "Why me?" 


"Listen", Peter replied. And as Dorcas turned her head to the door, she heard a great many wailings and cries of sorrow. "Those are for you.", Peter continued. "For me?", asked a surprised Dorcas. Peter went on to tell of how he was ministering in the nearby town of Lydda when he was approached by two disciples urging him to quickly go to Joppa. For their beloved disciple Dorcas had died from a sickness, leaving many broken hearted. And on the way, they had shared with Peter stories of the many abounding deeds of kindness and charity Dorcas selflessly performed. They sang praises of her love and care for orphans and widows, and of her devotion to the Lord.


 "See for yourself", said Peter, as he motioned with his arm around the room. Dorcas looked and saw piles of tunics and other garments strewn over the furniture. "What are these?", she asked the apostle. "These are the evidence of your faith and love for others.", replied Peter. "the widows who brought them wanted me to see the great care you put in every stitch." Dorcas was deeply moved by the womens devotion. She hadn’t before realized all of those she had touched. And even though her heart still felt the chill of disappointment, it was beginning to warm from the outpouring of love.


"Are you ready?", Peter asked "It's time to show the people the mighty love, mercy, and hand of God at work." "I am!", answered Dorcas. And she got out bed, took Peter's arm, and let him lead her out to the many people gathered in prayer and anticipation. At her appearance, shouts first of disbelief, and then joy grew so loud, they spilled out into the street. People rushed up to hug her, and many fell to their knees praising God. Tears of joy and sounds of laughter now turned the once solemn house into a place of jubilation, and many stayed long into the night worshiping and celebrating.


Peter left Dorcas and went to stay with his friend Simon. But often he would return to check on her. For she had become a local celebrity, and many came from miles around to see the "living miracle" and to hear her story. Yet she still remained humble, and Peter was filled with joy as he watched her pick right up where she left off in her work for God's kingdom. For Dorcas often told of God's great love in not only in saving her, but saving us all through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. And in her heart she longed for the day when she would once again return to her Master and hear Him say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”


(Dorcas reminds me of the apostle Paul who in Philippians 1:23 says, “I am hard pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.” I too often cry out, “Maranatha, come quickly Lord Jesus!” But if Dorcas has shown me anything, it’s the importance of continuing God’s work until the day He calls us home. How about you? Are sitting idly by, until the Lord’s return? Or are you using each precious day He gives you to glorify Him and work for His kingdom?)


at the cross

God’s Promises: Mary Magdalene

11:30 AM


Mary Magdalene is mentioned in all four gospels and we know that she was very close to Jesus. She was a very devoted follower of Jesus and supporter of his ministry. I believe that devotion came from an abundant gratitude from being rescued by Jesus from the dark clutches of evil. The Bible tells us of who she was before her encounter with Christ...

Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out...(Luke 8:2)

I can’t imagine having 7 demons to muck up my thoughts and desires and control my behaviors. It must have been a tortuous nightmare and one that she was powerless to rid herself of. We all have our sins and flesh to contend with but we are as powerless to free ourselves as Mary was. But, just like Mary, we have His promises of salvation and being free from whatever hold evil has over us:

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:13-14‬ 

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Mary was grateful and loved Jesus intently. Out of love and gratitude she stayed near Him as He traveled the land teaching. And she stayed near him as He hung on the cross suffering, and breathing his final breath. 

“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”John‬ ‭19:25‬ 

I’m sure the Crucifixion would forever be a place of mixed sorrow and joy.  It’s near the cross that we too will find His promises fulfilled that give us a hope and a future...


Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and Morning Star
Shed its beams around me.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o’er me.

Near the cross I’ll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand
Just beyond the river.


And Mary, out of her endless devotion, was up early In the morning to go show reverence to Jesus by visiting his tomb. Because of that devotion, she had a special privileged encounter with the risen Savior. She was crying because his body was gone but Jesus called her by name and she then recognized her Lord was alive. 

She was one of the first evangelists of the wonderful news of a risen Savior. We too have the promise of an intimate relationship with Christ. We have to spend time with Him for these intimate encounters to occur. He wants to meet with us. He knows each of us by name and He wants to make himself known to us so we can share that knowledge with others. 


“But whoever loves God is known by God.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭8:3‬ ‭


Mary learned during her life that nothing could separate her from Christ or His love...not the demons inside of her ...not physical death ...not even an empty tomb. We have that same promise to trust in..

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans‬ ‭8:38-39‬ 

He is Risen

WALKING IN WISDOM – REJOICE, BECAUSE HE LIVES! (Matthew 28)

8:00 PM


 Matthew 28

Happy New Year 2021!! Are you ready for this new adventure in the Lord? I definitely am.  I know for sure I still have a lot more to learn from my failed expectations from last year, which showed me how much more I need to lean and trust in our Lord!

Today we are closing the book of Matthew and our 2020 study “Walking in Wisdom”, and we pray that each one of you who have been part of this had the opportunity to grow closer to our Heavenly Father!  We are so eager to start our new 2021 study on “Women of the Old Testament”, trusting our Lord will continue His amazing work of love in each one of us!!

As we begin reading today´s scripture we read that:“… after the Sabbath, near dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other [Mary went to look at the tomb”(28:1), and saw that the stone had been rolled away (Matt. 28:2; Mark 16:4; Luke 24:2; John 20:1 ). Entering the tomb, they saw “two men” (Luke 24:4), one of whom spoke to them (Mark 16:5) and told them:

“Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.” (28:5)

Let´s stop here for a moment and try to imagine the sorrow and fear they had experienced as they had witnessed ALL Jesus had endured; all the hopelessness; their failed expectations…What would be of their lives and their future without their Master? And then they found out He was not even there!!   

Many of us this 2020 felt the sorrow of “losing” a dear one, jobs, homes, health….  And we might look at this 2021 with “Sorrow Eyes”. I´m sharing the following post hoping it will bless you giving you hope for this New Year:

“Can you imagine the sorrow the followers of Jesus felt as they went to the tomb that first Easter morning?
SORROW’S EYES COLORED EVERYTHING THEY SAW.
The same can be true for us when we are going through difficult times. We often forget what God has promised.

● The view at the foot of the cross was fresh in their memories.
It was unimaginably horrific to see. They had placed their hopes in Jesus and their Hope had died with Him! The Light… snuffed out with His death!
“Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying”.
● Even as Mary talked to the angels she could not really see what was happening since despair and grief colored her perception of the events
● SORROW’S EYES MISS A LOT! ● Facts don’t matter when one is blinded by despair!
(As the story unfolds in John 20:13-18 Jesus himself speaks to Mary)

“Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means, Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and that He had said these things to her.”
● At first, ‘sorrow’s eyes’ had blinded Mary; though her eyes functioned she did not see who was right in front of her. But the moment she heard the Master’s voice her eyes were opened and she saw with “Resurrection Eyes”!
● Without ‘Resurrection Eyes’ we see HOPELESSNESS
● But with “Resurrection Eyes’ we see HOPE
● Anything is possible when you look with “Resurrection eyes”
● Everything looks different standing in front of the risen Christ.
● Your Life begins to make sense at the mouth of the empty tomb!
● Because Jesus conquered the grave the HOPELESS have HOPE!

1 Corinthians 15:54-55 declares “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” Mary left the tomb very different from how she came!
I CHALLENGE YOU TO PUT ASIDE YOUR EYES OF SORROW AND BEGIN TO SEE YOUR LIFE THROUGH ‘RESURRECTION EYES.” (Pastor Calvin Bergsma, vimeo.com/263574834)

As we begin a New Year with many uncertainties still ahead, let us be intentional to seek God’s purpose in our lives… in whatever circumstance we find ourselves: ”…for He has risen, just as He said [He would].“ (28:6). Amen! Because He lives we must not waver but keep in our hearts Jesus´ words:

-Rejoice! (28:9)

-Do not be afraid. (28:10)

-… observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” (28:20b AMP-Emphasis mine)

Blessings,

Mari

-Come and praise Him with this Hymn:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzklihq_BLg




Celebrate

A Bittersweet Celebration {John 14:1-6}

11:00 PM


Monday Sept. 2

Today’s Reading- John 14:1-6

Can it really be September? The months seem to have flown by. Yet I know it must be true, for here we are with another Labor Day upon us. Ah, Labor Day. A bittersweet celebration. On one hand it gives us the chance to send summer off with a bang; a last time to celebrate the festivities that the fading season has to offer. On the other, a bitter reminder of the change to come; shorter days, grey skies, and cold winds that foreshadow the approaching winter.

If there’s anyone who knows about bittersweet celebrations, it’s Jesus. Arriving in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, the Lord and His disciples rented an upper room in a guesthouse inside the city walls. Enjoying supper, His heart must have felt the joy, laughter, and fellowship that comes with spending time with those you love. Yet at the same time He must also have felt the bitterness of knowing that in a few short hours, due to the betrayal of one He held dear, He would leave them to be jailed, tried and found guilty, brutally tortured, and nailed to a Cross.  

The disciples were devastated when their Master told them of His soon departure. Yet the Lord comforted them saying, “Do not let your heart be troubled.” (vs. 1) Jesus told His friends that although things might look bleak, keep believing both in God and Him, because wonderful things worthy of great celebrations were going to happen. For He wasn’t just leaving them behind, but rather going to make arrangements for them to all be together forever. “In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (vs. 2-3)

That last supper celebration with Jesus and His disciples must have been bittersweet of epic proportions. When I think of the pain and suffering Christ endured on our behalf, bitterness fills my heart. Yet with His death and Resurrection, He gave us the gift of eternal life; a gift that is sweet to my soul. So as I mourn the ending of summer, I will celebrate all of the wonderful things Autumn has to offer. And as I anxiously await the return of my Savior I will keep believing both in God and Christ, fending off the bitterness of the world and clinging to the sweetness that awaits me when I dwell with Jesus forever!


Goals

Keeping Your Eyes On The Prize {Phil. 3:1-4:23}

9:24 PM




The church in the city of Philippi was a constant source of support for Paul. And in this letter to the Philippians, written from a Roman prison, he not only thanks the people for their help, he also encourages them to come together in unity, guard their hearts and minds, and never become complacent in their relationship with God. A goal Paul Himself never stopped striving to achieve. Even with his many credentials and accomplishments, Paul remained passionate about growing in his relationship with the Lord and becoming a reflection of Jesus to the world around him; always keeping his eyes focused on God’s promise of eternal life to all believers. And following in  Paul’s footsteps, we too should aim for a goal of a deeper bond with God and becoming more Christlike in all we do.

In speaking of his goal Paul says, “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and teaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (vs. 3:12-14) In these words, Paul gives us some wisdom on how, like him, we can achieve the goal of becoming who God wants us to be.

Practice Humility- Paul was the first to admit that he was far from perfect. And even with all of the great things he did for God’s kingdom and as far as he had come, he was humble enough to know that he wasn’t yet where God intended him to be. It’s when we arrogantly believe that we’ve already arrived that we become complacent in our relationship with Him. For as Proverbs 18:12 reminds us, “Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, but humility goes before honor.”

Be Diligent- We all have times when we feel like we just can’t take one more step. I’m sure, being persecuted and imprisoned, Paul had a few of those moments himself. Yet instead of giving up he pressed on, trusting God to carry him through his weakness. When we too are feeling weary and down trodden, God promises that when we are abiding in His will He will supply the strength we need to move forward in achieving our goal. In Deuteronomy 31:8 He declares. “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” 

Forget The Past-Paul gave no mind to his victories, lest he grew proud, nor to his defeats, lest he grew bitter. He understood that dwelling in the past can keep us either stuck in perpetual guilt from our mistakes, or stuck in nostalgia for days gone by; both preventing us from “reaching forward to what lies ahead”.  We, like Paul, need to realize the value of letting go to get ahead. For as he says in verse 3:8, “I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish.” 

Keep Your Eyes On The Prize-Paul loved Jesus, and the one thing that kept him going through every circumstance and hardship was knowing that one day he would dwell with Jesus for eternity. The joy of that prize kept him determined to reach his goal of knowing and becoming like the Lord. Because Paul trusted God to fulfill every promise, he knew that nothing he suffered for the Lord was in vain. And so it is with us. When we keep our eyes fixed on the prize of an eternity with Jesus, we can find victory in obtaining our goal. We serve a faithful God and are encouraged by the author of Hebrews to , “hold fast the confession of our hope for he who promised is faithful.”

When it comes to reaching our goals, there is no better example to be found then Paul. The steps he took, he did so confidently knowing they would lead him to receiving the “resurrection of the dead”, resulting in rising with Christ and sharing in His glory. And such a prize surpassed any earthly hurt or suffering. So be like Paul who encourages us to, “join in following my example and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.” (vs. 3:17) Set heavenly goals, step out in faith, and keep your eyes on the prize!




Becky Bramlett Austin

I Am the Resurrection and the Life {John 11}

4:10 AM



By Becky Bramlett Austin

The story of Lazarus reveals such a tender portrayal of Jesus.  It shows us a Jesus who connects with us in our struggles, hardships, and grief.  It also reveals that even our difficult experiences serve a divine purpose meant to glorify God.   “But when Jesus heard it (that Lazarus was ill) he said“This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." (V4) It's not an easy thing to accept when illness afflicts or tragedy strikes but even our difficult times should be embraced with a desire to see God glorified.  This is not a perfect world and we are not immune to suffering just because we are God's children but how we react to our suffering is always an opportunity for others to see God as the source of our strength.

The following 2 verses seem strange and contradictory:
“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.” (V5-6) If someone came to you and told you that a loved one were very ill, wouldn't your first reaction be to drop everything and immediately go to them? Clearly, Jesus had reasons for delaying. One of his objectives was to strengthen the belief of his disciples. “Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”” (V14-15) We have read before of 2 other occasions when Jesus raised from the dead but these bodies were raised soon after death before decay set in.  Lazarus was in the sealed tomb 4 days. This raising of the dead could not be shrugged off as chance or other explanation.  This would be a true conquest over the destructive forces of death.  

Jesus loved Mary and Martha and he wanted to increase their belief too.  Both of them already believed in him as a healer for they both told him that Lazarus would not have died if he had been there to heal him.  Jesus wanted them to know Him in an even grander capacity.  He didn't want to just be their healer, but to be their  resurrection and life. “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?””(v25-26)
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Even though Jesus knew that he would raise Lazarus back to life, he was still deeply affected by the sorrow and sadness of those who mourned.  In fact, he also wept.  God is not insensitive and unconcerned about our sorrows and concerns.  In fact, in Rev 4 we are told that when Jesus returns that " He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."  

Could you imagine being at the entrance of that tomb expecting only death's foul stench to overwhelm you? Martha was certainly concerned.   “Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"" (V40).  How powerful our belief can be.  When we trust In God- trust His timing, trust his love and concern for us, trust his sovereign control over all circumstances, and trust that he can negate the destructive decay of death and sin, then we get to see....His power, His glory, His compassion, His mercy, and grace. 

Could you imagine Jesus calling " Lazarus come forth".   How amazing and joyous it must have been to see a dead man walk out of that tomb into the daylight.  Spiritually, we are all sealed in a tomb of death and Jesus calls our name too.  He died to free us from the power of death and He calls us out of that dark tomb into the light of eternal life. Have you heard that call from Jesus?  Have you chosen new life?  Do you know Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life?