From the Pastor's Message...

"Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the Highest!"

We read the journey of Jesus to Jerusalem, as His followers shout His praises. Yet too soon the same voices that praised Him will curse Him and ask for His blood to be upon their hands. Jesus enters the City and pauses; His heart is full of grief for the city that He loves. Shortly, just outside its gates, He will become the Lamb sacrificed for the sins of humanity. Those who crucify Him, will come to know that  "Truly this man was the Son of God!" Jesus stops as He reaches the summit and begins to weep over His Beloved City: His Words tug at our hearts as we see the sorrow in His heart. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!"  His followers have been shouting: Hosanna, and the children in the temple sang: "Hosanna to the Son of David;" and the religious leaders were sore displeased, and said to Jesus, "Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus said unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?" What an hour in the history of mankind, the Savior of the world coming into His City in preparation to sacrifice Himself for those who even at this hour of His death spoke evil of Him. The praises on that day were appropiate; it's just that the followers were quickly swayed by the voices that surrounded them. May we glorify our Savior in this service of remembrance, and may we be faithful to hold His praise high in the midst of all circumstances; and may we turn a deaf ear to the things of this world! May our praise be "real!" "Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord!"

Loving you, Pastor

From the Pastor's Message...

"Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all His glory was not arrayed like one of these." Luke 12:27

As we continue this walk with Jesus in the Lenten season, we readily note the massive amount of teaching that He does among His followers. Yes, He is healing the sick, casting out devils, and all the while He took occasion to teach the heart of God. God's heart was to reconcile mankind and to reveal His omnipotent love to us. One of the most precious teachings comes from Matthew and Luke as they recall Jesus' teaching on the lilies of the field. As Jesus taught, He had a simplicity about His subject; yet there was always a depth to be found for the one who would look beyond the surface. In this text, we learn several things. "Consider the Lilies how they grow."  In this consideration of the lilies, is the simple truth that they are beautiful, more beautiful than Solomon arrayed in all his Kingly glory! The depth of this teaching was: Do not have "little faith" for God's clothing of spiritual garments is even more beautiful. If we "grow" in Christ, and seek the Kingdom of God more than the rudiments of this world, our Father in Heaven knows what we have need of. As He beautifies the Lilies and cares if the sparrow falls, it will be His good pleasure to look after us! It is more important for us to be concerned about our spiritual welfare than the material things of this world. It is interesting to note that Jesus has been referred to as the Lily of the Valley. The Song of Solomon, a book that saints so often never read, or quickly skims through, has great depth of knowledge. The King [Jesus] speaks of the fair maiden [the Church] and He says... "I am the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the valleys." It is prophetic! The words from Hosea: "He shall grow as the Lily, have a beauty as the Olive Tree, and smell of Lebanon..."  Jesus came as a Babe, and Scripture tells us: "And the Child grew, and waxed strong in the Spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him." In this Holy Lenten season let us "grow" in Him.

Loving you, Pastor 

From the Pastor's Thoughts...

"This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him" John 2:11

As Jesus returns from the wilderness testings, He is filled with the power and the glory of God--because He has overcome the devil. In His overcoming of the testing of the enemy, He now comes forth in the power and the Anointing of the Holy Spirit and is ready--prepared for the ministry. His ministry begins with a miracle. A famous miracle, one that most people have heard about: turning water into wine. It was not a miracle that He was prepared for. It was one that His Mother told Him to do, He was obedient and the miracles began. There are quite a few miracles in the Gospels; but we learn some powerful truths: The miracles were to draw the people to Christ so that He could give them the message of salvation. Salvation is the greatest miracle of all miracles! People then, as today, had their eyes on the miracle and often not on Him as their Savior! The disciples believed on Him, but many had such thoughts as: "When Christ cometh, will He do more miracles than these which this man hath done?" [John 7:31] The people were intent on the miracle and not the MiracleWorker! The miracles that Jesus performed to draw humanity to Christ only angered the Church leaders of that day. They called Him a sinner and a breaker of the Sabbath. Yet they marveled at the things He did. He came in the night hours to Nicodemus. He will meet humanity at any time if there is a heart ready to receive Him. Yes, He is a Miracle-working Savior, but let us follow Him in committment and not for the loaves and fishes.[John 6:26-27] For the greatest miracle of all is when He saved our soul and headed us in the direction of eternal life--

Now that's a Miracle!

Loving you, Pastor