Jesus knew His fate. Torture beyond comprehension, ridicule, and ultimately death lay only a few hours before Him. We find our Lord in the garden of Gethsemane with eleven of His disciples. He asked them to pray while He trekked further down the familiar path to entreat His Heavenly Father regarding the coming events.

           

Our precious Savior fell on His knees and wept bitterly. In agony, He bore the weight of the world on His shoulders, carrying the sins of all mankind throughout the ages. For the first time, sinless Deity experienced the hopelessness and wretchedness of being separated from Abba Father, Daddy God.

Arrested, scorned by a mock trial, abandoned by His disciples, Jesus said not a word. The Roman Soldiers placed a crown of thorns on His head, and a purple robe on His back, as they relentlessly taunted Him, beat Him, and pulled out His beard. 

After being beaten beyond recognition, they made Jesus carry His own cross to the hill of Galgatha. Nails pierced His precious hands and feet. As the cross was lifted upright, it fell hard into the hole prepared for the cross to stand in, taring his flesh even more. A few hours later He cried out "It is finished!" Jesus, the only begotten Son of God died carrying your and my sins to the grave with Him.

Devastated, His disciples hid for fear of their own lives. Their Teacher, their Lord was gone. What was to come of them? 

But, praise God, this isn't the end of the story. Three days later something miraculous happened in His tomb. The dynamite power of the Holy Spirit breathed life into His lifeless body. He opened His eyes. Holy Ghost Fire flooded His very being. Jesus sprang to His feet, bursting with life!

Hallelujah, Jesus is alive today!

Our Lord suffered this agonizing ordeal because HE LOVES YOU! He conquered death, hell, and the grave for YOU! He is alive forever more, seated at the right hand of Father God ever living to make intercession for YOU! Now, what will you do for Him?

He died for me. The least I can do is to live for Him! Happy Easter (Resurrection Day) everyone!

"I tell you," He replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

Luke 19:40

This Sunday being Palm Sunday when we celebrate Jesus' triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem, it's only fitting we honor our Lord Jesus Christ with our praise. 

Jesus sent two of His disciples into town. "You will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you why, tell them the Lord needs it." The men found the donkey and brought it back to the Savior. They put their cloaks on the colt and helped Jesus climb on it.

When they reached the road going to the Mount of Olives, they were greeted with a crowd of people who began boisterously praising God. "Blessed is the King who comes in the Name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory to God in the highest!"

Some of the teachers nearby were jealous of His stature with the people and told Jesus to make the crowd shut up. But Jesus replied, "I tell you if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

Little did the people know the King of all kings was about to be crucified. The people praised Him for His works, not realizing He was the Messiah, the King of Glory, the Lord of all lords, Who alone is worthy of praise.

Today I want to praise and honor my Savior, my King. Jesus said if the people didn't praise, the stones would cry out. May it never be! No stone or anyone else will ever glorify my Jesus for me. He has done too much for me not to bring honor and glory to Him. He literally went through hell and back for me and for you. He is my Savior, my Righteousness, my Redeemer, my Healer, my Master, my Lord, and my Friend.

I will praise Him forever for His love, mercy, and grace! For He alone is worthy! I will sing praise to His Name! I will clap my hands and shout praises to my God! I will love and honor Him because He first loved me!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

When you gave your heart and life to Jesus Christ, you became a new creation. You were born anew, or born again. Your past, no matter how sorted, has been covered by the precious blood of Jesus and you've received the awesome opportunity to basically start all over again. Father God no longer holds your past transgressions and failures against you.

Many times Satan tries to bring up our past and put us under condemnation. He likes to remind us of our not so glorious beginnings. He tries to tell us we aren't "good enough" to share the gospel with someone else. We're not worthy of serving the Almighty God.

I'm reminded of a story told by Smith Wigglesworth, a mighty many of God during the 1930's era. He was sound asleep one night, when he heard a noise in the other room. Getting up to check it out, Smith found Satan standing by a chalk board resting on an easel. On the blackboard the devil wrote all the sins of Wigglesworth's past. Smith just chuckled, saying, "Oh, it's you." He walked over to the board and wrote in big letters, "COVERED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS", and went back to bed.

Friend, I want to you know today Father God doesn't remember your past. It has been washed clean by the precious blood Jesus shed for you on the cross. It's covered by the blood of Jesus. You are a new creation in Christ. 

No one is worthy in their own merits to serve such a mighty God, but in Jesus all things have become new. You are not the same person as you were before Jesus came into your heart and life. You have been reborn, transformed, recreated by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

The next time Satan tries to remind you of your past, just laugh and say, "Praise God I'm covered by the blood of Jesus."

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2-4

Most of us are familiar with the phrase, "Lord, give me patience, and give it to me right now!" I'm sure we can all identify with this statement.

None of us can really know how we are going to react under pressure. It's easy to be kind to others, especially when they show us thoughtfulness. But how do we respond when faced with persecution, trials, and just downright ornery people?

I'm so thankful Father God is concerned enough about our spiritual development to allow us to experience trials and testing. He realizes these ordeals and troubles we go through bring faith and patience. And He promised to walk with us through the hardships and tough times of this life.

Next time we experience trials and tribulations, rejoice! Daddy God is preparing us for a divine growth spurt. Keep your eyes focused on Him. Ask Him to give you wisdom and strength to endure with patience. Look on this as another opportunity for Father God to show Himself BIG in your circumstances.

Remember, our Heavenly Father is growing us up to be patient, perfectly complete, lacking nothing.