Years ago a Savior for the earth was born in the city of David. The angels sang “glory to God and peace on earth.”
Though we can now have peace in our hearts, we still wait for there to be peace on the earth. Nation presently rises against nation, but the Son of David’s government of peace will have no end.
WHY GOD'S PEOPLE SHOULD WORSHIP AND PRAY NIGHT AND DAY
“What are some of the main Biblical reasons the church should worship and pray night and day?” It’s a good question to ask ourselves often, because we need to be Biblically convicted, convinced, and reminded - and then respond, act, and live our lives in accordance.
Read MoreTHE HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL GENERATIONS
In Matthew 21 we find the story of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Many people were declaring “Hosanna in the highest” and laying their coats and palm branches in the streets as Jesus passed by. He went straight to the Temple and drove out the money changers and those who sold there.
This is the moment when Jesus quotes that famous passage from Isaiah about His house of prayer. Directly afterwards, we see what was happening around Jesus and what His response was:
“But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?” (Matthew 21:15-17)
The children recognized who Jesus was and they were not silent about Him. Even in spite of the scorn of the religious leaders they boldly declared His praise. Jesus heard and defended them.
Read MoreHOPE IN THE MIDST OF UNCERTAINTY
COVID-19 has us all on overload with information and uncertainty. It can be overwhelming.
During this time of an overload of information and plentiful opinions, I want to encourage us all to turn our attention to the only opinion that matters: The Lord's opinion and what He says in His Word.
It's time to get deeply and personally rooted in the Word of God- not just for the sake of more knowledge - but to know the heart of Jesus.
Beyond this current pandemic, we have to see our lives in the context of a greater narrative and an everlasting hope. Times of trouble are certain. Times of victory are certain. We can't be disillusioned to thinking either happens exclusively.
Really, our lives of belief and faith only truly make sense in the context of difficulty. It is because we have a certain hope (Ephesians 1:18) that we can "endure to the end" (Matthew 24:13) --- but not just barely making it --- actually running the race with JOY and STRENGTH even in the midst of suffering, difficulty, and trial (James 1) until the Day of the Lord - the Day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).
THE BEAUTY OF TOGETHER
Its beautiful, experiencing the love of God corporately. We each come in the room with our own burdens to lay down. We have tired eyes, broken hearts and broken bodies. Some barely have the strength to lift their eyes, others are hanging onto one verse for dear life. Others have learned to sing through the pain. On our own, we won't make it.
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