Last Sunday we celebrated Jesus’ Triumphal entry into Jerusalem. What a day that must have been! It was a day that the disciples had looked forward to for three years. Jesus riding into Jerusalem in a way that acknowledge that He was their King! The people responding with palm branches, and crying out as He makes his way across the valley and into the temple. Nothing could stop this amazing scene. Yet just a few days later the atmosphere had changed. Jesus was about to be betrayed! The longer the disciples watched the events unfolding on that Passover week, the more they began to realize that Jesus was still moving toward His plan of death, not establishing His throne in Jerusalem. The Disciples did not understand that Jesus was going to establish His Kingdom, but He would rule from on High, not from the throne of David Yet. He will establish His Kingdom on earth, but He must first establish His kingdom in the hearts and minds of the people. Jesus’ kingdom is more than an earthly reign, He died on the cross to bring about the Kingdom of God in the hearts of people. This was a bitter pill … READ MORE

In Matthew 28:6, we see the words of the Angel at the tomb to the women who came to anoint the body of Jesus, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. . .”    The early believers would greet one another by saying, “He is Risen” and the response was, “He is Risen, indeed!”  The hope of the believer is found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is that resurrection that gives us the understanding that Jesus’ death was sufficient to remove the barrier of sin between us and the Lord.  In order for that to happen, we must turn to God from our sin.  We serve a living Savior, and as we come to celebrate another Resurrection Day, this Sunday, we are reminded anew of the hope of Christ’s ministry to us.  May this Sunday not just be a day of easter eggs, chocolate, and festivities, may it be a day when we pause and reflect on the glory of our God in providing Salvation for us through His Son!… READ MORE

God’s Word is very clear that this side of heaven, we will all face pain, abuses, disappointments, and trials. We are reminded that we are not necessarily responsible when people treat us poorly, and yet it is possible to respond to poor treatment without becoming sinfully bitter. Our merciful God stands ready to meet us in our time of need and guide us through trials in a way that glorifies His name and strengthens our faith. There is great hope in knowing that bitter circumstances don’t have to make us sinfully bitter. Our behavior flows out of fully functioning heart. Jesus explained it this way in Mark 7:20-23, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts . . . All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” The word “heart” is used over seven hundred times in the Bible. It isn’t simply the seat of our emotions or the physical organ in our body. In God’s Word, “heart” encompasses every aspect of our inner person. It is our control center and includes everything about us that is not material. It is so important that we are told in Proverbs 4:23 “Guard your heart … READ MORE