“Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey-riding on a donkey’s colt.’ ”    Matthew 21:5

Tears

On that day…..the day we call Palm Sunday…..the Lord Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on a small donkey. As the ecstatic crowd  welcomed Him thinking He was the one who would free them from  their suffering under a cruel and harsh rule, He wept.

“As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace-but now it is hidden from your eyes.'”

Luke 19:41-42

The Greek word for weep is  ἔκλαυσεν…meaning to weep aloud, expressing uncontainable, audible grief (“audible weeping”). He was sobbing; those around Him could have heard Him but the crowds were cheering.

Our Lord shed tears of grief and sorrow as He rode the small donkey into Jerusalem that day.

Triumph

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war. ” Revelation 19:11

“On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written:

King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Revelation 19: 16

Yes, Jesus Christ is coming again and in complete victory and triumph. He will not be shedding tears. As the King of Glory,  He will be riding a white horse….not a small donkey. He will establish His everlasting kingdom.

Wishing you a blessed Palm Sunday with praise to Him.

‘Til He shouts!

I don’t recall where I read the advice, but I was impressed and decided to take it.

It would be my 2015 New Year’s Resolution.

  The writer advised reading through the entire Bible in a year using the New Living Translation- in Chronological Order. Since I love to read, the commitment seemed easy. After all, I’ve read through the Bible six times already, and once in another version of a chronological Bible. Piece of cake!

The New Living Translation of the Holy Bible

(Tyndale House Publishers)

Well, yes, it is as easy as a piece of cake (I’ve never really understood that phrase!); it’s easy to read the prescribed amount for each day…but it’s not easy to read what the Lord is saying in the part of His Holy word I’ve read so far…..Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Job, and Deuteronomy.  (Remember, this is in chronological order. Insert Job here!)

It’s as if this is the first time I’ve ever read the first five books of the Bible, which is not the case. Is it the translation that has made it so vivid; is it my age; is it my spiritual level (???) at this time. What has made the difference? Maybe I’m not supposed to ask, know or care.

Parts of these glorious books of the Bible are truly heavy. The Lord God does not like sin and He makes it abundantly clear in His Word.

Therefore, I decided last month to temper this reading by reading from the New Testament each day, also. Praise the Lord, for His Grace which we are under and not the Law. Glory! I’m reading a chapter per day in the Gospel of Matthew to lead right up to Easter. I’ refreshed and encouraged.

This has helped me rejoice in what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us……

“For God [The Father] was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him [Christ Jesus] and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.”

Colossians 1:19-20

We are reconciled (accepted) to God by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Okay, I think I can continue reading now…..while humming

“Amazing Grace…How Sweet The Sound”.

“Devoted”  

Today I posted my painting, “Devoted”, on my Facebook Timeline cover….and yes, I’ve posted it there before….several times. But today it seemed I needed to be reminded that I can make everything I do…..everything….significant and meaningful if I do it in His name…and what a glorious name it is:

“…and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God,

The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

He is the Lord Jesus Christ.

In His Name

I finally learned after years of knowing Him as my Savior that He was ordering my days, my responsibilities, my talents, my family, my everything. That made me feel very happy and important. At the time I was caring for our three little children (all born the same year! ….not really, it just seemed that way because they were so close in age) and now that enormous responsibility became my ministry and my purpose. My energy was renewed. I had a focus.

As the years have passed I’ve seen Him change that purpose and focus to other things, but always in His name. He has called me to different ministries, taken me through them, then moved me on to another. That’s a good thing. It’s a very good thing because I accept them as from Him, and for Him. He is always there, reminding me of Colossians 3:17.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

‘Til He Shouts!