Happy Birthday to Crystal Adams and Michael Adams

Holy Week: Journey to the Cross

Palm Sunday: Celebrate The King

Lessons from the Triumphal Entry of Jesus

By:  Min. Angela Lee Price

The triumphal entry of Jesus marks the beginning of Holy Week on the Christian calendar.  The welcoming cheers of the crowd would turn to yells to "crucify him" by the end of the week.  There is so much which we might learn from the event of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and the events which surrounded Palm Sunday.  Notice at least the following:

1.  Though disguised and poor, Jesus is still the King of the world.   Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey in fulfillment of prophecy (Zechariah 9:9). Jesus offered himself to Israel on Palm Sunday as her long-awaited Messiah. The people wanted Jesus to be their king, a great political and military leader who would free them from the Roman empire. But little did they know, he had come to offer salvation to the whole world.  They did not understand that the kingdom of God is not of this world. It is a spiritual kingdom in the hearts of those who put their faith and trust in Him.  We ought not be so quick to judge a book by its cover.  Just because you're not from a certain ethnicity, class, or zip code, doesn't mean God has not sent you to be a great source of blessing.  Put your faith in Jesus.

2.  Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and His victories are by the weapons of peace.  Jesus did not ride into Jerusalem with artillery and a military brigade. Those are weapons of war.  On the contrary, he rode in with weapons of peace. Jesus taught to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44). He taught blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9). Jesus taught us how to pray, forgive, and endure to the end; about love, mercy and kindness, making real changes in our lives through the power of his might. He taught not how to die, but how to live.  He taught us how to find the real peace of heart and mind that only he can give (John 14:27).  The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through Jesus Christ.

 

3. The Lord can use even the humblest of his creatures.  Jesus sent his two disciples to the village to bring a donkey and colt (Matt. 21:1-2).  If Jesus can use the humblest of creatures in his service, how much more then can he use any one of us who is willing to humble ourselves in service to him.

4.  We should gladly give to his service whatever he has need of. Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone says anything to you, say the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away." (v3) They...placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on." (v7) We should gladly give of our time, talents and treasures.  Jesus has need of you.  Will you serve him?

5.  Christ brings gladness wherever he goes.  A large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road" (v8) The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed after shouted Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna in the highest heaven" (v9).   Hosanna means "save now."  While the Jewish people wanted a political or military to save them from Roman rule, they were mistaken about his kingdom, but not about his many miracles.  Wherever Jesus went, he made folks glad as he healed, delivered and set folk free of the affliction. Jesus' miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead brought large crowds not only to Bethany but also to Jerusalem during the Passover indicating an ongoing and growing movement of people in Jerusalem putting faith in Jesus (John 12:9-11).  Jesus brought gladness to people of his day, and he continues to bring gladness to those who put their faith and trust in him today.

6.  Jesus encourages expressions of one's inner joy. The Pharisees insisted that Jesus silence those who were praising him, but Jesus refuses, stating that if he does so even the rocks will cry out (Luke 19:39-40).  We ought always to give praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Don't let the rocks cry out in your place.  Jesus saves!

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Prayer: Take Me to the King!

Min. Angela Lee Price

I am declaring, "Take Me to the King!"  I have been reading the book of Hebrews this week, and I have a new appreciation for this book.  In this one book, we find the attributes and character of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  In this one book, we see the connection between the old and new covenants. If you want to know who Jesus is, read Hebrews. It will take you to the King of Kings and Lord of Lord! 

The opening chapters of Hebrews tells us about King Jesus.  Jesus is the son of God, appointed by the Father as "heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds" (1:2). Therefore, Jesus is creator just as God the Father is creator, existing with God in the beginning having "laid the foundations of the earth" and the heavens (1:10).  All the angels of God worship Jesus (1:6).  Jesus was the sinless sacrificial offering for everyone (2:9). Jesus is our great High Priest within whom we can find rest (4:8).  Jesus is the sinless, sympathetic Son of God who receives our requests at the "throne of grace" (4:14-15).  Therefore, whatever your concern, whatever your problem, you can take it to the King of Kings! Jesus is presented in the order of Melchizedek.  Melchizedek was the "King of righteousness" and "King of Peace) (v7:2) who was without geneology (7:3), and to whom Abraham gave a tenth of his plunder (7:4).  The priesthood of Jesus is superior to that of King Melchizedek.  Jesus atoned for sin once and for all through his shed blood on the cross and was a fulfillment of the Law (7:26-27). I could go on, but I will stop there. 

To recap,

Jesus Christ Is Superior to:
1. all angels
2. all the Jewish leaders
3. all the Jewish prophets
4. all the Old Testament priesthood

Jesus Christ Is:
1. God
2. the ultimate authority
3. the believers' link to God
4. the complete revelation of God.
5. the believers' perfect representative with God
6. the perfect sacrifice for the believers' sin
7. the Messiah, the Son of the Living God

If you have a problem, concern, worry, care, try taking it to the King and leaving it there! Jesus saves!

It's About Jesus!

By: Min. Angela Lee Price

Let us rejoice in who Jesus is.  Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords.  Jesus

is our Master, and Savior.  Jesus saves!  As I meditate on the word of God, my heart rejoices in who Jesus is!  He is not merely a son of God.  He is not merely a great prophet or wise man.  Jesus is God!  1 Colossians 1:15-20 says so much about who Jesus is.

Jesus is the image of the invisible God (1:15).  All of the power of God is centered in Him.  Jesus created the universe (1:16a); He claims the universe (1:16b); and He controls the universe 1:17). 

Jesus has absolute sovereignty (1:18a), and superiority (1:18b). Jesus is the head of the church. He originated life and He overcame death.  Jesus is the leader of all who will rise from the dead.  Jesus defeated death and returned to life in a resurrected body.  For that reason, we who follow Him have the hope, and evidence that we, too, will rise after death and spend eternity in heaven with Him.  Yes, it's all about Jesus today!  Jesus saves!  

Jesus is the only way to peace with God.  Colossians 1:20 sums it so nicely, "and through Him God reconciled everything to Himself.  He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross."  Let us rejoice in who Jesus is.  Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords.  Jesus is our Master, and Savior.   Jesus saves!

A Prayer to the God Who Sees Me

Heavenly and All Wise Father, you are the God who sees me.  When others overlook, minimize, forget and dismiss me, yet you see me. From the rising of the sun, I say thank you!  To the going down of the same, I say thank you!  You are my Creator, and my Savior, and my Lord.  Thank you, Lord for loving me and those like me, and for giving us your tender mercies new every morning; for giving us attention, provision, and purpose.  You see our innermost thoughts, flaws and frailties yet you love us! Build us up, Father.  Strengthen us for the journey and for battle!  Give us hearts to obey your Word and glorify your name. I recognize that I have not been so good. I struggle even now.  My heart is heavy, and my soul grieves the error of my ways!  Forgive me!  Forgive those like me!  Draw us close to you again and use us with effectiveness throughout the number of our days.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Psalm 91: Our Saving God!

Psalm 91: Our Saving God!

Psalm 91 is a favorite psalm. There is debate over who wrote this psalm, Moses or David. Psalm 91 reminds us of the importance of abiding in the Lord, making our home, habitation in Him. The psalmist declares, "I will say of the Lord He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust (v2). In other words, God is his impenetrable safe place! Nothing goes in, nothing goes out when you spend quality time regularly with the Lord!

You can abide in the Lord through Bible study and meditation on the Word, and by making prayer your lifestyle. The benefits to dwelling and abiding in God include deliverance, exaltation, answered prayer, God's presence in trouble, deliverance, honor, satisfaction of long life and salvation (vv14-16). God's promises are conditional. God promises safety and security BECAUSE we LOVE HIM and KNOW HIS NAME. Read and apply Psalm 91 to your life, beloved. You will realize God doesn't save you once. Oh, no! He keeps on saving you! So, keep on loving Him. He is our saving God! Jesus saves!

Choose God's Way!

By: Min. Angela Lee Price

Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow.  Lead me by your truth and teach me; for you are the God who saves me (Psalms 25:4-5). NLT

What magnificent verses for facing life in this new year full of important choices and decisions to make.  Psalm 25 is a psalm of protection and deliverance and a lament.  The psalmist combines confessions of guilt, with heartfelt pleas for mercy, protection, and guidance and expressions of confidence in God to be a compassionate deliverer. 

There are so many choices and so little time!  You can be sure you're choosing God's way when you ask Him to "show you the right path" by "pointing out the road to follow."   Isn't it good news to know that God will point out your path when put your faith in Him. He won't be vague about it, but will tell you exactly what to do. The Bible says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek His will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take (Proverbs 3:5-6).

In choosing God's way, the Lord will give you specific guidance, direction, and instruction, but you must be willing to follow the path.  Isn't it terrible when God tells us what to do, but we don't it!  Let's not second guess God in 2020, brothers and sisters!   Don't think you know it all, or that you know more than God!  Pray and see what the Word of God says about your problem!  The Bible says, "There is a path before each person that seems right but it ends in death" (Proverbs 16:25).   

No matter how well you lead on the job, at home, church, and/or school, in choosing God's way, you must be willing, like the psalmist, to follow, "Lead me by your truth" and a learn, "Teach me". We must be willing to be led and taught by the Word of God which is the truth of God.  God's way provides more benefits than any other way!  God's way is the way of truth (Ps. 25:5), mercy (Ps. 25:10), obedience (Ps. 25;10), peace (Prov. 3:17), holiness (Isa. 35:8), safety (Isa. 35:9), prosperity (Gen 24:56).

How can we learn and choose God's way? Through Jesus Christ the God who saves (John 6:40, John 8:12, John 10:28; John 10:9)! I love it where the psalmist says, for you are the God who saves me (v5b).  That's what the Lord did and still does for me.  He saved me, and he keeping on saving me, even when I don't deserve it.  He is merciful just like that.  He gives us another chance to get it right.  And the best part,  Jesus wants to save anyone who is willing to put faith in Him.  Jesus saves!

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Here Are New Year's Resolutions Worth Keeping in 2022

"v20 It will be a sign and a witness that the Lord of Heaven's Armies is worshipped in Egypt. When the people cry to the Lord for help against those who oppress them, he will send them a savior who will rescue them. v 21 The Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians. Yes, they will know the Lord and give sacrifices and offerings to him. They will make a vow to the Lord and will keep it." Isaiah 19:20-21 NLT

Each year, we start the year making resolutions of every kind, some worth keeping and some frivolous and not worth keeping. In recent years, the word "challenge" has been used to describe vows, pledges, and resolutions to keep our promises.  Anytime, however, we vow to know and obey the will of God, then there is a resolution worth keeping.
In this passage, Isaiah speaks of the time when Egypt, of all places, would know the Lord, and worship Him - Not only would they worship the Lord, but they would also make a vow to Him and keep it.  One of the cities in Egypt, Heliopolis, worshipped the sun god.   That the worship of Yahweh would be taken up was the sign of a radical transformation. First, note the reason for them making and keeping this vow (v20). They are being oppressed, but because God is full of grace and mercy, he sends a deliverer, a savior to rescue them. The savior is believed to be a reference to a future millennial reign of Jesus Christ.  Every Christian is a recipient of God's grace and mercy.  At some point we were, like Egypt, separated from God.  But somebody prayed for us and the Lord answered.   We underwent a radical transformation.  Jesus saved, delivered, and set us free. Therefore, when we make vows to God, we ought to keep them.  If nobody else around us lives for God, we ought to live for him.

Here are some vows (resolutions) concerning our relationship with Jesus Christ, the Bible and the church that are worth keeping.  We should better understand our relationship with Jesus Christ, better understand the Bible, and the church.

First, we should strive to better understand three things about our relationship with Jesus Christ.   Jesus is only way to  salvation (Acts 4:12 & John 14:6); Christ was sinless and therefore my example (1 Peter 2:21-22); and I am not my own but belong to Christ (1 Cor 6:19-20).

Secondly, we should strive to better understand these three things about the Bible.  It as the inspired Word of God (2 Tim 3:16);  It is my light and guide (Ps 119:105);  and One day I will be judged by the Gospel (Romans 16 & I Cor 3:13-15).

Finally, we should strive to remember three things about the church. It was purchased with the precious blood of Christ, and ought to be respected (Eph 5:25 & Acts 20:28); The church is a divine institution and ought to be honored (Matt. 16:18). Jesus instituted the church. He protects the church. He is the head of the church. Lastly, it is my duty to be loyal to the church by attending regularly (Heb. 10:25) and keeping my membership in good standing.

Going to the gym, watching what we eat, and getting more sleep are all fine and dandy resolutions, but these spiritual resolutions far outweigh those and will greatly bless our lives. They are worth keeping and worth fighting for.  Make it a goal to pray every day, and read the Bible every day, and attend church regularly. There is an app for that!  Oh, yeah, and there is an online church app, too! Each day in 2022 seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matt. 6:33). We hope that you will participate with Jesus Saves Ministries this year and spread the word about our online Facebook group and community projects and initiatives.  Let this mind be in you that is also in Christ Jesus.  Amen.  Jesus saves!