"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.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

We have all been faced with making a life-changing decision. It can feel quite overwhelming, not knowing who we can turn to, who can we trust to help us make the right choice. It's comforting to know others who have walked through the same situation you're facing, but is their advise right for you?

Only God knows what's best for you. He's a much better judge of what you need, even more than you know yourself.

God has given each of us wisdom and understanding. He placed in us the ability to reason and think things through. However, we should never trust exclusively in our own understanding of the situation, thinking we are wise enough to handle things on our own. 

We must learn to trust our Heavenly Father completely in every choice we make. Be willing to listen and be corrected by God and His Word.

Bring all your decisions to Daddy God in prayer. Use His Word as a guide, then follow His leading. He loves you and will direct your paths if you lean on Him and trust Him with whatever comes your way.

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!"

Ephesians 3:20-21

The other day I woke up with a song going through my mind.

He is able, more than able, to accomplish what concerns me today.

He is able, more than able, to handle anything that comes my way.

He is able, more than able, to do much more than I could ever dream.

He is able, more than able, to make me what He wants me to be.

We serve a big, loving Daddy God who is more than able to do abundantly above anything we could ask or even think. He is bigger than any mountain, stronger than any foe, and more powerful than any situation we may find ourselves in today.

Ephesians 3:20 tells us this same power is at work in us. The word "power" is where we get the word "dynamite." Have you ever seen a bomb explode? It changes everything in it's wake. This same explosive, life-changing power brings results in our lives. It's the God imparted authority and ability to overcome any obstacle we may encounter.

This power working in and through us the Holy Spirit of God that is imparted in us when we are born into His family. Residing in you today is the same dynamite power that raised Jesus from the dead. WOW!

What is it you're facing today? What needs to be changed in your life or circumstances? No matter how insurmountable it seems, know Father God is more than able to do exceedingly abundantly more than you could every dream, and to change you into what He wants you to be. 

Surrender completely to Him and allow His dynamite power do it's mighty work in your heart and life. HE IS ABLE!

The Lord has given me heart to see others brought into His Kingdom. My desire is to see people set free and delivered from the hold Satan has on their lives. Over the years we've seen the sinner repent, sick healed, the down trodden lifted up, and those bound by drugs, alcohol, depression, hatred, or unforgiveness loosed from their bondage. 

When you made Jesus the Lord of your life, it was a free gift given by the Almighty God Himself, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus' parting words before ascending into Heaven were, "GO, preach the good news, bringing others into My Kingdom." This is your mandate as a born again Child of Daddy God.

The following is a song the Lord gave me as a reminder of what He expects of us, His children.

Freely

Jesus said in Matthew ten,

Go heal the sick and raise the dead.

I send you out as sheep among the wolves.

Preach the good news of the Kingdom

By My Spirit there is freedom.

All they have to do is just believe.

Jesus said if you believe

I will go with you all the way.

I am your strength, your comforter and guide.

Share the gospel with your neighbor.

In My Name you have favor.

Now share these things that others will receive.

(chorus)

Freely you've received, now freely give.

The precious Blood of Jesus

Was shed that you might live.

He gave you life eternal,

Countless blessings now are yours.

Freely you've received, now freely give.

Song by

Pam Branstetter

We have been set free from the bondage of sin. It no longer has dominion in our lives. Now what will you do with that freedom?

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities For their is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Romans 13:1-2

According to this passage, authority comes from God. No matter what we think about those rule over us, according to this passage, God has put them in that position for such a time as He sees fit. 

We've all heard people say, "I submit to God and God alone. No one can tell me what to do." I've been guilty of this myself. However, without submission to the governing authorities we bring judgment on ourselves.

You might say, "What about those who go against God's laws? We know His will is for us to submit to the law, but doesn't God's law override man's law?" YES!!!!

The book of Daniel has great examples of this. The Jews were taken into captivity. Among them were Daniel and his three friends. All the captive slaves were given a strict diet which contradicted God's laws concerning food. Not wanting to defile themselves, they asked the guard if they could have only vegetables and water for ten days as a test of comparison with the other slaves condition. They didn't demand their own way, they asked permission and God saw them through.

We all know how the three Hebrew children who were to bow and worship a graven image or face being thrown in a fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered with a respectful attitude, "I'm sorry, oh King, but we will not worship other gods!"

Because of their attitude of respect to those in authority, the three men of God were promoted and the Great Creator was glorified! Yes, they were thrown into the fiery furnace, but God delivered them. 

There are many other instances throughout the Bible how submitting to governing authorities brought glory to God. We have a choice to make today. Will we submit to those God has placed over us and bring glory to His name, or will be rebellious and bring judgement on ourselves? We may not always agree with authority, but we must honor their position and perhaps even learn something in the process.