Then She Spoke

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, the colt, the foal of a donkey. Zachariah 9:9

This week is Holy Week and we are celebrating all that Jesus did for us. As he rode into Jerusalem the beginning of the week people cheered and waved palm branches to celebrate the victorious King. Palm leaves are decorative for military and other important people. They were declaring him as King although many didn’t believe. Many who saw his miracles knew that only God could do such amazing things. The Messiah. The long awaited savior. They also shouted Hosanna, which means God save and deliver us. Jesus did just that by giving his life for ours. The palm branch is a cymbal of honor, respect and reverence for someone important. It also is resilient and can tolerate poor conditions and is considered eternal. Things that Jesus definitely is. As he willingly let his palms be nailed to that cross he did bring victory by saving us from death and giving us eternal life to all who would believe in him. By his stripes we have been made whole in more ways than one. Satan and the religious leaders thought they had gotten rid of something that irritated them and took the attention off of them. But he was doing just what his Father sent him here to do. He was here to show us the Father by doing just what the Father would do. His great compassion and love for people lets you see how God really feels about each of us. He is not demanding and harsh the way some think he is. The more you get to know him the more you see how much he is interested in helping us to have what is best for us. His death shows what a great price he was willing to pay so that we could be together for eternity. Because God loves people just like the Son.

“Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died- more than that, who was raised to life- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Romans 8:34

We are not facing this life on our own. First Jesus has taken our punishment for our wrongdoing and if we believe that, God will forgive our sins and remember them no more. But the devil is evil and he will try to convince you that you are no good and that your sins have made you unworthy of Gods love. You have made too many mistakes and your life is one big black mark. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. God loves you so very much. Jesus is in heaven interceding for us and his blood has totally washed us whiter than snow. I used to fly airplanes and I would love to go out on a sunny day just after it had snowed. The snow was so white and bright it was blinding but you could see for miles. Everything was covered with that snow just like our sins are. You can’t see the dirt on the ground anymore. Our blemishes our gone. And if that wasn’t enough he is pleading our case against our enemies. He wants them to know that his blood covered everything completely and we stand before God perfect and spotless. Our one way ticket to paradise has been paid in full. And it is a first class ticket. I know so many people who have fought the good fight and are now enjoying perfection forever and I have to say I’m jealous. My dad used to say how much he was looking forward to heaven and now I understand. One day we will be able to thank him Jesus face to face in heaven. All though we will spend eternity trying to thank him for all he has done.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” Matthew 13:44

I have been a Christian for 60+ years now but I didn’t know what I had till about 2013 after I had come to live in a nursing home. The chaplain there loved God so much and was just bubbling over with joy and excitement. I was so wanting to know more. I had a good life but never thought much about doing anything different. I was just living my life how ever I wanted far from a new creation. I believed Jesus died for my sins but change. In 2013 I decided to go all in. Reading my Bible and praying everyday and I found a good church that would pick me up Sunday morning for church. I started memorizing scripture and as I did the more I knew the more joy I had. I started watching podcasts and sermons online and I couldn’t get enough. I started writing, something I was not very good at in high school, but I had to share my new found excitement. For the last few years I have been so full of joy that things can go bad but it doesn’t shake me like it normally would in my life. I am so glad I had my stroke because even though I’ve lost so very much I have found something better than gold and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. It is the things you can’t see with your eyes that non Christian’s don’t know. That feeling in your heart that brings joy that you can’t buy with gold. The excitement of seeing God at work and amazing things he does with simple people but awesome and extraordinary things. I thought at one time that I had to make my own exciting life. But what I thought was exciting was scraps and now seems stupid. The Christian life may be hard sometimes but it is so worth it. I wouldn’t trade this for anything else.

“Jesus said, ‘You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one now speaking with you.’” John 9:37-38

The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit are all one. Just as water is a liquid, a solid, and a gas, or I can be a mother, a sister and an aunt all the same with different characteristics or we are a body and a soul and a spirit. The Godhead cannot be separated. They were all here from the beginning and they are all working to support the others. When Jesus was here on earth he was the physical body for people to watch and learn more about the others. He was also a man and needed the help of the others just like we do. That is how he could lead a sinless life and overcome the enemies plans to destroy him. Little did the enemy know that he was playing right into their hands, perfectly. The Spirit was there to give him strength and comfort and wisdom to do all he did well. It was a very difficult task but they all worked together perfectly. We can have that kind of help also but we are stubborn and like to have our way. We can cause ourselves more trouble than necessary and God can still bring us to where we should be and he also works to thwart satan’s plans also, so that he receives the glory. Trust God to do what only he can do. It may not always make sense but their will, will be done in each and every life. Right to the end.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace, In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Aren’t you glad that our God is amazing and wonderful. He defeated the enemy once and for all time. He also does not need anything from us. He is so wise, strong, and loving. He made this beautiful world for us. He hung the multitude of stars in the sky and he knows each one by name. The earth is at a perfect angle, neither too hot nor too cold, so we could thrive. The rains come and the rains replenish the earth. Seed time and harvest were all his designs to take good care of us. He only asks that we love others and help provide for those who can’t. If we need something he is always there for us and always has the answer. He always works for the good of those who love him. He is never taken by surprise but knows everything before it ever happens. He even knows our hearts and our minds every minute. He still loves us no matter what we are thinking. I know I have had some pretty stupid thoughts. When hard times come he gives us the strength and the peace to get through it. We don’t have to worry about what tomorrow holds because he is already there and working on our behalf. If I need wisdom, he has more than enough for me. He shows me great insights and helps me understand things I need to do. He gives the wisdom, strength and knowledge to do exciting things and even invent exciting things to continue advancing our world. Look how far we’ve come in just a few thousand years. Medical science has come so far and can cure so many of satans sicknesses and diseases

“ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

I read the other day that we should count our blessings but who would be crazy enough to ever think they could possibly count all the good things God can do. God cannot change he is good always that’s just who he is. Even though evil and bad things still happen he will use them for his purposes which are for our good. So even a bad thing can be good. Example: I had a bad stroke which took so much away and now I’m living in a nursing home. Bad, but if I hadn’t had a stroke I wouldn’t have turned my life around and I was heading down a destructive dangerous path. Now I am so very happy and living all out for the Lord and helping others. The first thing I think of is the brand new day we receive every morning at just the precise time. No matter if you even care about God or not he wakes you up with air in your lungs and a new sunrise. Even if it’s raining it’s to nourish all living things. The winds come and go, tides go in and tides go out, the world keeps revolving around the sun and moon giving us different seasons to enjoy. There is so many different climates and scenery around the world to experience. Some cold and some warm you can have whatever you want. God supplies food for all life and more than enough and variety with no end. Look at the sparrow who never worries about where its next meal is coming from. He has given us the ability to think and reason. To invent some amazing things even going to the moon. There are zillions of plants and animals to enjoy. Look into the night sky and realize that he knows every star by name throughout the galaxies. He made families and friends to love and appreciate. Books to help take you to exciting places and times. The roof over your head and clothing to wear to protect you from the elements. Cars, planes, trains to get all the way around the world in just hours. My son-in-law flies around the world all the time to Brazil, Paris, Venice, and Greenland. He never knows where he might end up but he loves seeing so much.l could go on and on but there isn’t room for everything. Just remember that you will have problems but never as many as your blessings so be thankful for everyone. God Is Good!