God's Exchange Policy

For a few days the "return" lines at the major retail stores will be extremely long with folks returning Christmas gifts that won't fit or they just didn't like.  Some retailers have great return policies while others will help you to like what you don't like, and to wear what didn't fit well, to keep from having to exchange an item.

Most policies simply ask you to have the receipt and that the merchandise (if clothing) is not worn more than 5 times (JK).  Also some retailers limit the number of exchanges you can make without a receipt in a single year, and by Christmas time you have exceeded your limit of exchanges.

This morning I begin to thank about God's Exchange Policy.  God has been exchanging things for folks since "In the beginning..."  God exchanged darkness for light and one of Adam's ribs for a woman.  But God wasn't the only one making exchanges.  Adam exchanged life in the Garden of Eden for a life full of trouble, in which we all reaped from this exchange.

In the New Testament Jesus exchanged heaven for a crib, a crib for a cross, and a cross for a crown.  The Apostle Paul also tells us that one day we too can exchange things that are temporal for things that are eternal.

The key is to make sure we make the right exchange.  We can exchange hate for love, doubt for faith, and despair for hope.  With Christ we can exchange loneliness for comfort, turmoil for peace, and sadness for joy.

Tony Dungy in his devotional writes, "Never exchange what is eternal for what is temporary."  In a world of exchanges, make sure to exchange things that are temporal for things that are eternal.  

Jesus said, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
(Mark 8:36,37)

CHRISTMAS SHOULD BE A TIME OF GREAT JOY

"Christmas should be a time of great joy!"  However Christmas often is the most depressing time for many.  This really was not God's plan for Christmas.  It was not His plan to bring sadness but to bring great joy to all people.

John's gospel reminds us, "Until now you have asked nothing in My name.  Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:24).

I use a quote this morning from "Uncommon Life Daily Challenge" by Tony Dungee:
"Whether or not we are "happy" on any given day is often dictated by the circumstances around us.  But joy is always there on any given day for those who serve a risen Savior."

I challenge you during this Christmas Season, not to allow circumstances to cause you to miss out on the joy that God brings to all of us.  Satan would love to rob you of your joy by distracting you with the cares of this world.  Focus on the blessings of God today that brings great joy to your life.  Most of all focus on Jesus, the Savior of the world that gives us great joy!

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of GREAT JOY, which shall be to all people" (Luke 2:10 KJV).

Vision, Goals, Dreams, or Just a Wish

Vision, goals, dreams, and wishes sometimes seem to intertwine together but each word has a different implication.

Visions are the ability to see something, often before it ever becomes reality.  Dave Ramsey in his book "EntreLeadership" states goals are what convert visions into energy.  And according to the Prophet Joel (Joel 2:28) dreams are for old men.  So what is a "wish"?  A wish is simply a desire for something to happen.

As children some of us grew up with a "wishing well" (throw a penny in and make a wish), a "wish list" (mostly used at Christmas time) or maybe finding the "wishbone" of the chicken after a family dinner, and two people pulling the wishbone in opposite directions and making a wish.  Sounds childless and maybe today would be considered wrong.  However, in my generation all of the above was done merely out of fun and we were always taught that these were just "old wives tales" with no truth to them.

Today everything that I read in my time of devotion seems to take me on this mental journey that relates to visions and goals.

The Apostle Paul tells King Agrippa "I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision" (Acts 26:19 KJV).  Paul had a vision on the road to Damascus and acted on that vision with goals.

Philippians 3:12-14 The Message Bible quotes it like this, "I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made.  But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me.  Friends, don't get me wrong:  By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward - to Jesus.  I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back."

The Apostle Paul goes on to say, "So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us.  If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision - you'll see it yet!  Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it."

It is not to late to set goals in life.  What are a few of the things that you want to accomplish?  What is in your "bucket list" of things to do?  Pick one today and begin to move in that direction.  Will Rogers once stated, "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."

I think I hear the train coming!  Or is that the sound of the trumpet?  Regardless, I encourage you to get moving down the track to see fruition of the vision that God has given you.

The B-I-B-L-E, That's the Book For Me

I read recently of a sports commentator that is noted for the many hours spent watching videos of the teams he will be covering next, interviewing players and coaches, looking for insights about each team.  It is stated, "Over 90 percent of all the information he gathers doesn't get used."  However, when he commentates a game he feel most comfortable and prepared because of the wealth of knowledge he had gathered the week prior to the game.

Our daily devotion is similar.  What you read this morning from God’s Word may not directly apply to your situation today but sometimes it is preparing you for tomorrow.   Maybe it is preparing you for the situation you will face next week or the question you will be asked next month. Reading from God’s Word will give you confidence in the God that you serve and help you to feel comfortable with the message that you share with others.  "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God."  

This morning I reflect on the many hours that I spent in church as a child being taught the Bible and am thankful for the workers that devoted hours of their time to gather information to teach me  each week.  I am grateful for my parents that encourage me to read the bible.  Most of all I am thankful for the love that God has placed in my heart for His Word.  My prayer is that I will always be diligent in gathering information from God's Word, preparing my heart for today, tomorrow, and for eternity.

The Psalmist David said, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You" (Psalms 119:11 NKJV).

The Apostle Paul said, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart”  (Galatians 6:9 NKJV).       

WALKING IS NOT AN OPTION

I learned early in life that "walking is not an option".  My high school days taught me this lesson when the wrestling coach (during training) said to "run" four miles he meant run and not walk.  It was truly a lesson on endurance.  I had a goal I wanted to achieve and was determine to run and not to walk.

Still today in doing hospital visits as a pastor I find myself sometimes almost running down the halls, or at least walking at a fast pace, as if I was running a marathon.  When I "run into someone" in the hallway, you can take that literal.  

Hebrews 12 speaks of a different kind of race.  A race that Jesus ran here on earth, a race that Jesus did not stop short of the finish line.  Gordon MacDonald writes, "He powered His way through the crisis of the cross, through death, and experienced this grand resurrection, which Christian celebrate every year."

In a few weeks here in America we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Again I am reminded that while he was on the cross I was on his mind".  Jesus once stated, "...my nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work."

It is my prayer today that you will not stop short of the finish line.  That you will look to Jesus, the one who endured the cross, experience death and resurrection and made it possible that you may finish this race well!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up."   (Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT)

HANG ON!

While watching an Atlanta Hawks basketball game last night, the Hawks were at one time 20 points ahead, but I realized that if there was a fifth quarter the end results may be different.  The Hawks seemed to be losing ground and I found myself saying,"Hawks just hang on to your lead".  (The game ended with the Hawks winning by 11 points.)

Do you ever feel like you are just hanging on?  Do you feel that you are "hanging by a thread" and wish this day was over?  

Maybe that is reality for you today.  I encourage you that there is no problem to big for God and that He cares about every need that you have.

Psalm 16:8, NCV "I keep the Lord before me always.  Because he is close by my side, I will not be hurt."

If you get to the end of your rope today, just hang on! 

MAKING DECISIONS

There are some sports that requires you to be quick to think and others allow you to think it through. Baseball requires you to think quick when a ball is speeding by you at 95 mph, if you are the batter. Golf requires just the opposite, for you to give it some thought before you "swing it". 
Today there will be some decisions that will come quickly while others will afford you some time to give it some thought. But in all of your decisions today follow the advice given in Proverbs 3:5,6.
"Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don't depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in all you do, and he will give you success." Proverbs 3:5,6 NCV

The Carpenter's Son

Everyone has a "platform" that God blesses them with to speak into the life of someone else. Your platform may be wide and high while others may be narrow and short but a platform is huge when it impacts just one person.

Jesus, the great Carpenter, is the builder of your platform. He has built no other platform just alike and you are on stage today. Someone is watching you and you too will influence someone with your words and your actions. 

In the bible it states that a Scribe by the name of "Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet. Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, 'Amen! Amen!" as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground" (Nehemiah 8:5,6NLT).

Today, may your place in life bring others to a place of worship.

"Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary...?"
Matthew 13:55NLT

The Light At the End of the Tunnel

Thomas Edison learned thousands of ways of how not to invent the light bulb before being successful at his goal.  Many things that we attempt in life will come with failure but failure is part of the process, not our identity.  Failure does not identify who we are but helps to develop our character.

In my arena of life they are times in preaching that (to use an analogy Bishop Oscar Moore once used) "I felt I came in on four flat tires and the spare tire leaking."  Okay, maybe that analogy is a little to the extreme but hopefully you get the point.  I have been in places attempting to minister to someone and leaving, feeling I failed in what I hoped to accomplish.  However, I'm still preaching, I'm still visiting the sick, I'm still attempting to do ministry.  Why?  Because this is the call on my life and among all the failures there are many success stories to be told.
Today, you may fail miserably at something you attempt, but if it is a worthwhile goal, get up and try and try again.  Eventually you will find the light at the end of your tunnel that will lead to success while on this journey!

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."  Philippians 3:12 NIV

Communication and Prayer

The way to communicate has changed considerably, and is still forever changing! And I am thankful for the way of communication that we are privy to today. 
For example, if Paul Revere had lived in our day he would not have had to ride a horse warning the people the enemy was approaching. He possibly could have just posted it on face book, e-mail, or blogged.
However communication has never changed between God and human beings. Prayer to God is the most powerful and productive way of communication that has ever been created. 
"Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray...Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you...The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." James 5:13-16 (NLT)
Lord, give me a "spirit of prayer."

Taking Longer to Lose...or to Win?

According to USA Today Sports 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks stated in an interview "I don't know why the power went out, it just took us a little longer to lose."  What a profound statement!

As I read that statement my heart sank as I realized that many come to the end of their life feeling the same.  If you know me you know I speak a lot about finishing well.  The 49ers actually finish the game rather well, including Brooks, and maybe the delay did helped them to make some adjustments needed.  In fact I only watched the last 16 minutes of the "power outage" show and then the rest of the game and both was pretty good.

  Sometimes God allows "delays" in our life so that we too can make adjustments to what the opposition is trying to do to us.  If you find yourself being delayed today, make the best of it, make any adjustments needed, and let's finish the day well.  Days that are finished well will contribute to having a good finish in life.

"Don't overlook the obvious here, friends.  With God, one day is as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day.  God isn't late wit his promise as some measure lateness.  He is restraining himself on account of holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost.  He's giving everyone space and time to change"  2 Peter 3:8,9 (The Message).

Brace Yourself...

"Brace yourself, this is not going to be good" were the words that came out of my mouth just moments before being involved in an automobile accident this week.  Traveling down Highway 184, 3.5 miles from Iva, South Carolina (U.S.A.), I noticed someone pulling out into the highway and realizing immediately that there was going to be a coliseum.  "Bam!  Crunch! Crunch! Bam!  Air bags inflated, dust from the air bags going everywhere, and the smell of a busted radiator.  This was not the way I had planned the day. 


Anyone that knows me knows that I will often "map out" a trip and plan to visit with a few friends along the way.  If it is a trip to the nearby town that I do my personal business or a trip cross country to do ministry, I usually try to make the best use of my time and resources while traveling.  I will estimate distance to different points and estimate time of travel as well as time of stay in each location.  Wednesday morning I left early with plenty of time to spare and to accomplish all of my goals for that day, when this accident occurred.  How quick our plans can change!

This is true with our life.  James says it well when he says, ""whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life?  it is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away" (James 4:14 NKJV). 


My statement the last couple of days, after the accident, is "I am just glad to be alive."  I know God's hand of protection is always on my life and especially this week with just a minor cut on the hand from the wreck.  Thank God for His goodness and His hand of protection!

I did take a few detours that day including a trip to the hospital in an ambulance, but God still allowed me to make all of my appointments for that day.  God always makes provision to get us where He wants us and that day it included having a great friend in the area that took his day to transport me around the rest of the afternoon.

 And yes, I do have plans for tomorrow but plans often unexpectedly change!

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER?

A sobering question came into my mind this morning, "Am I adding value to the team?"  John Maxwell asked the question in his book The 5 Levels of Leadership "Are other members of the team improving or producing more as a result of my presence?  If not, why not?"  And if not, what are some things I can do to help others live more productive lives?  Jesus knew the value of people and so people were not a source of stress but a source of joy to Him.

My prayer this morning is: Lord help me to"...think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds."  Hebrews 10:25 (NCV) Help me to invest wisely in the lives of others so that it will yield a high return.

When this happens it not only affects that person you are investing in, but an immeasurable number of people that they also will influence possibly for years to come.  What do you have to bring to the table today to offer your team?  The greatest investment you can make today is by adding value to someone else. 

Five simple suggestions of how to make a wise investment:

1. Don't procrastinate - the opportunity to invest in someone close to you may be here today but gone tomorrow. 
2. Pray daily - Ask God daily to help you to be in the right places at the right time to make the right investments in people.
3. Use the right tools - Words can be the best tool you have if use rightly.  Be an encourager to others.
4. Be a team player - If you were playing the game basketball I would say "don't hog the ball".  Let others contribute to the game of life.
5. Praise others - for their accomplishments and for being a team player. 

I am sure there are many other things you can do to be the most valuable player on the team but remember being the most valuable player is not necessarily always the one that get the most points.  Sometimes it is the one that is the greatest leader on the team.

HE IS RISEN!

 This morning, while making last minute preparations for a "Sunrise Service" where I serve as pastor, I thought of the scripture in Matthew 28 where it makes the following statement:
 "He is not here, He is risen. Come, and see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead, and behold, he goeth before you..."

After hearing these words Matthew's writing tells us it was "Mary Magdalene and another woman named Mary" that ran quickly to tell Jesus' followers what had happen. Matthew 28:8 (NCV) tells us that "The women left the tomb quickly. They were afraid, but they were also very happy. They ran to tell Jesus' followers what had happen."

Talking about mixed emotions!  The women were afraid but also very happy. This is not exactly what they expected to find when they arrived at the tomb but they were very glad to know that Jesus was no longer in the tomb and that He lives.

Today as you celebrate Easter remember what Easter is about,   remember that He is no longer in the tomb, and that He lives today. My prayer is that all of us will have a real sense of urgency to tell others that Jesus is alive!

I rejoice today because my Lord and Savior lives!

He lives, He lives, I know He lives. He lives within my heart!

BLESSINGS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ON THIS EASTER SUNDAY!

 Scriptures for today:  John 20:1-31    Luke 24:1-12   

WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER?

One of my friends once stated that he used to have a pretty good memory but was now to the point that he could hide his own Easter eggs. Memory is a funny thing. Some things seem to be imprinted on our mind while other things we forget immediately.

During Holy Week, the day after the crucifixion of Christ and the day before his Resurrection we see several things that have been imprinted on the minds of many.

Matthew 27:55 (NCV) says, Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee to help him were standing at a distance from the cross, watching. I am sure that what they saw on Friday was still imprinted on their mind Saturday morning.

On the next day the leading priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. They remembered the words of Jesus when he said, "in three days I will rise from the dead (Matthew 27:63)."  I am sure this was imprinted on their mind.

Then we have the disciples that had followed Jesus but we find in John 20:19 that on the evening of the first day of the week, they were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the elders. These disciples probably had spent most of the weekend together with imprinted on their mind the many teachings of Jesus.

What is it that you remember the most about this week?  What event or words lay heavy in your mind and on your heart?  What is it that leaves a lasting impression on your mind?  Today, may we remember the events of this week and at the same time look with expectation of great things to happen on Easter Sunday! 

Scripture for today:  Matthew 27:62-66; Luke 23:56

WHAT HURT JESUS THE MOST?

I wondered what hurt Jesus the most. Was it when they tied him and led him to Pilate, the governor? Was it when he heard that Judas had hanged himself? Was it the cry of the people to "crucify him, crucify him"? Was it the beating with whips? Was it the crowning with a crown of thorns? Was it when the people bowed before Jesus and made fun of him, saying, "Hail, King, of the Jews!" Was it when someone spit on him? Was it when some of the soldiers "cast lots" for his clothing? Was it the insults from the people that walked by and said, "You said you could destroy the Temple and build it again in three days. So save yourself! Come down from that cross if you are really the Son of God!" Or was it the nails being driven through the hands and feet of Jesus that hurt Him the most?

Unlike many of us, Jesus did not dwell on His hurts.  No where in scripture do I hear Jesus saying, "What hurt me the most is..."  What Jesus did think about while on the cross was what came forth out of his mouth, "It is finished!"  Triumph, not defeat, was on his mind.

My prayer today is:  "God help me not to dwell on my "hurts and disappointments" but help me to dwell on the victories in my life."  For the "The sufferings we have now are nothing compared to the great glory that will be shown to us" (Romans 8:18).

Scripture for today:  Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 22:66-23:56; John 18:29-19-37

WHO IS POURING INTO YOUR LIFE?

It is Thursday evening and Jesus sat down with his disciples for the Passover meal. During the course of the evening Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples. Then he did a very symbolic thing in taking a cup, probably pouring into the cup, thanked God for it and gave it to His followers. Another part of that passage of scripture tells us that Jesus "poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciple's feet" (John 13:5).  Jesus also had spent the last three and a half years "pouring into" the lives of his disciples his teachings and about righteous living.

Think about it for a moment.  Who are those that have "poured" into your life?  Who are the people that have invested time, money, and patience into your life?  People that when you did foolish things, they didn't give up on you.

The one single person, besides Christ, that I believed poured more into my life then anyone in my entire life was my dad.  He kept pouring and even though sometimes I did very foolish things, he didn't give up.  He just kept pouring.  Like a dad would, he saw possibilities in me that no one else saw.  Many others have poured into my life, and are still pouring.  Thank God for those that will invest in others!

Jesus saw potential in his disciples that no one else saw.  Our heavenly Father sees potential in you and me that no one else can see and will pour into our lives, if we will allow Him to do so.  I encourage you to read the bible daily and pray and allow our heavenly Father to pour His Word and His love into your heart.  Also, connect with godly people that can pour into your life the things of God.

Who are you allowing to pour into your life and what are they pouring?

Scripture for today:  Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; John 13:1-30

THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER

"During the day, Jesus taught the people in the Temple, and at night he went out of the city and stayed on the Mount of Olives.  Every morning all the people got up early to go to the Temple to listen to him."  Luke 21:37, 38

Some believe that Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, that Jesus spent time going into the temple teaching.  It is clear that despite the wrong that was in the temple that Jesus did not desert the temple but continued to go and teach each day.  The routine seem to be that Jesus would spend time in prayer at night and early every morning he could be found in the temple teaching.

At night he did not stay at any of the local inns but "stayed on the Mount of Olives."  This is the same place that:

• Jesus often resorted (Luke 22:39)
• Jesus often spent the night when in Jerusalem (John 7:53-8:1)
• Jesus preached a great sermon on the end time (Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:3)
• Jesus' Triumphal Entry began (Luke 19:37)
• Jesus' terrible agony in the Garden of Gethsemane took place (Mark 14:26-42)
• Jesus' ascension took place (Acts 1:12)

By Wednesday morning most likely Judas had went to the priests and teachers of the law and talked to them about a way to hand Jesus over to them.  They agreed on a plan and Judas watched for a time that Jesus was away from the crowd to betray him.  For thirty pieces of silver, what is believe to be the price of a slave in that day, Judas will soon betray the Lord.

Before leaving the scene of the temple Jesus address the "religious leaders" of that day as hypocrites.  He calls them "snakes" and asked them the question, "How are you going to escape God's judgment?"  I can hear someone saying "Why don't you really tell them what you think of them?"

Both physically and spiritually the next couple of days of the life of Christ will be rather demanding for him.  Jesus spent time in the garden praying and talking to the Father about this and concluded his prayer with "...Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup (suffering) from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt."

This week as we prepare our hearts for Easter weekend think about the sacrifices that Jesus made for us and then write down any sacrifices you have made for him in the past week, month, or year.  When I think about what he has done for me, then things that I use to consider a sacrifice is no longer a sacrifice.  It becomes a blessing and a honor to live for the one that died for me.

Scriptures for today:  Matthew 23:1 - 24:51       Mark 12:35- 13:37           Luke 20:41 - 21:36

WHICH CHALLENGES DO I ACCEPT?

The last week of Jesus' ministry on earth, before his crucifixion, he spent a lot of time teaching and a lot of time dealing with confrontation.  On one of these days during this week Jesus was challenge by the chief priests and the scribes, along with the elders of his day with the question, "Who gave you this authority?"  Jesus was teaching in the temple when the "religious people" of his day brutally interrupted him and questioned his rights to be teaching in the temple.  Imagine, someone challenging Jesus and his right to teach while in the temple!

Several years ago I was preaching when a visitor stood up in the middle of the church service and claimed that God had given him the other half of my sermon.  Needless to say this confusion was not of God and disrupted that particular church service.  I felt at that moment that my authority to preach the word had just been challenge.  To this day I am not for sure that as a young pastor I responded wisely to the challenge.
 
But Jesus knew how to answer every challenge of life.  When Jesus was asked the question "Who gave you this authority?" Jesus in returned asked, "When John baptized people, did that come from God or just from other people?"  The religious leaders fearing if they said, "It came from God," then Jesus would say, "Then why didn't you believe him?"   And if the religious leaders said that it came from people they were afraid of the crowd, because the crowd believed that John was indeed a prophet.

The religious leaders answered, "We don't know!"  Jesus said, "Then I won't tell you what authority I have to do these things."  It seems that Jesus always had the right answer for every challenge, and sometime Jesus just didn't answer the challenge at all! 

I learned years ago that I do not have to answer every challenge; Jesus didn't.  Some challenges are nothing more than a distraction and is not worth the energy that we invest in the fight.  If Jesus had answered every question and accepted every challenge, he never would have made it to the cross and died for my sin.  I am glad that Jesus was wise enough to see that some challenges was no more than an attempt from the enemy to cause a distraction.

Don't feel pressured into accepting every challenge in life.  You too need to make it to the foot of the cross and some challenges will hinder your vision of the place that Jesus died for you. There are some things I know I have to confront with God's help, but I believe there are some things that I hear God saying, "Let me take care of this for you."

Thank you Lord for the challenges of life that I never have to confront because you have my front and my back side!

"But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard."  (Isaiah 52:12 NIV)

Scripture for today:  Matthew 21:23-46; Matthew 22:1-46;Luke 20:1-40

STAYING FOCUS (Monday)

Read: Matthew 21:1-17

Palm Sunday was a very emotional time for Jesus. He entered Jerusalem and multitudes followed him crying Hosanna to the Son of David. Great rejoicing happened in the streets as they witness Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. Later in the week some of these same people possibly cried, "Crucify Him, Crucify Him!" 

On Monday morning Jesus enters the temple to find men that had made His house a hiding place for thieves. Jesus turned the tables over and rebuked the activity happening in the temple.  Jesus literally ran out the thieves from the temple!

But something else more significant happened in Jerusalem. 

"Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and he healed them."

As we take this journey this week through Jerusalem and the surrounding areas I encourage you to notice three things:

1. Jesus provided a safe place for people to come to worship Him.
2. The blind and the lame came to Him and He healed them.
3. The children sing praises to God and it was noticed by the rulers of the city.

This week let's provide that "safe place" for people to join us in worship. Let's pray and believe for miracles this Sunday. Let's sing out a song of praise so that others may hear. 

It is my prayer that this Easter Sunday is the best yet in your place of worship.