Important dates to remember.  Holy Week is almost here.

Sunday, March 20, 2016
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday commemorates the Messiah’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem to complete the work God the Father sent his Son to accomplish on earth.

The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors  took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted,
“Praise God!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hail to the King of Israel!”  (John 12:12-13 NLT)

Thursday, March 24, 2016
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, known as the Last Supper.

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed.  Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.”
When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table.  Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins.  (Luke 22:7, 8, 14, & 15 NLT)

Friday, March 25, 2016
Good Friday
Good Friday is the day of the crucifixion and death of our Lord.

^… He (Jesus) said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.”  (Mark 9:31 NLT)

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.  Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.  But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.  (Romans 5:6-8 NLT)

Sunday, March 27, 2016
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday is day we celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the grave.

But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.  They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.  So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus.  As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.
 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?  He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”  (Luke 24:1-7 NLT)

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.  Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this…?” (John 11:25-26 NLT)

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Easter is the celebration of Jesus Christ’s victory over sin and death.

From the beginning, God’s plan was for Jesus to give His life in order to rescue His people from this evil world.

Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. (Galatians 1:4 NLT)

And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save His people from their sins.  (Matthew 1:21 NLT)

Jesus died a painful, humiliating death for us.

¹⁷ They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. ¹⁸ Then they saluted him and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” ¹⁹ And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship. ²⁰ When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified. (Mark 15:17-20 NLT)

Jesus Predicted His Death.

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. (Matthew 16:21 NLT)

Jesus suffered this agonizing death out of obedience to God the Father.

⁶ Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
⁷ Instead, he gave up his divine privileges
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
⁸     he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.  (Philippians 2:6-8 NLT)

Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day.

He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. (1 Corinthians 15:4 NLT)

Jesus died so that we could live.

He personally carried our sins
    in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
    and live for what is right.
By his wounds
    you are healed. (1 Peter 2:24 NLT)

But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Corinthians 15:57 NLT)

⁹ If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. ¹¹ As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” ¹² Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. ¹³ For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  (Romans 10:9-13 NLT)

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Vote for someone you believe is well-respected and is known for his/her wisdom and understanding.

 Choose some well-respected men from each tribe who are known for their wisdom and understanding … (Deuteronomy 1:13 NLT)

You certainly want to be a part of the process of electing your leaders because the scriptures tell you that you are to submit to whoever is elected.

 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. (Romans 13:1 NLT)

Whatever the outcome of these elections, remember that those who end up in positions of authority are ultimately placed there by God.

 For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. ^… 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. (Romans 13:1 & 4 NLT)

Always remember to pray for all who are in authority.

 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.  This is good and pleases God our Savior,  who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NLT)

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

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Prepare your “Today’s To-Do” list thoughtfully.

What are your plans for today?  Is your “To-Do” list in order?

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
(1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT)

How much have you thought about your agenda for today?  Does today’s “to-do” list provide opportunities for God to be glorified?

Work willingly at whatever you do,
as though you were working for the Lord
rather than for people.
(Colossians 3:23 NLT)

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The Bible can help you live the life that God has planned for you to live.

Ask God to give you the desire to learn His Word.

I praise you, O Lord;
teach me your decrees. (Psalm 119:12 NLT)

 Study and reflect on the scriptures daily.

 I will study your commandments
and reflect on your ways.  (Psalm 119:15 NLT)

 Memorize Bible verses.

I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11 NLT)

 Recite Bible verses out loud.

I have recited aloud
all the regulations you have given us. (Psalm 119:13 NLT)

 Enjoy your time in the Word.

 I have rejoiced in your laws
as much as in riches. (Psalm 119:14 NLT)

 I will delight in your decrees
and not forget your word. (Psalm 119:16 NLT)

Live the Life that God Planned for You to Live.

• Ask God to give you the desire to learn His Word.
• Study and reflect on the scriptures daily.
• Memorize Bible verses.
• Recite Bible verses out loud.
• Enjoy your time in the Word.

 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
    and a light for my path.
 (Psalm 119:105 NLT)

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All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.              (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT)

What does scripture do for us?

It teaches us how to live the life God has planned for us to live.

• It is useful to teach us what is true.
• It makes us realize what is wrong in our lives.
• It corrects us when we are wrong.
• It teaches us to do right.

This book helps us to become “complete” and equipped for every good work.

Are you using your best-selling “How-To” book, the Bible, on a daily basis?

 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
    and a light for my path.
 (Psalm 119:105 NLT)

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Presidents Day is a time to remember and honor our past presidents and a time to honor the office of our current president.

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.  (Romans 13:1 NLT)

Presidents Day, along with every other day, is a time to pray for our president.  The Bible tells us to pray for our leaders.

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.  Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.  This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.   (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NLT)

The Bible also tells us what to pray.

“Ask God to help them” (to rule well).

 The Bible tells us why we should pray for our leaders.

“So that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.”

The Bible tells us how God feels about us praying for our leaders.

“This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.”

The Bible tells us what God wants for our leaders, and everyone else.

“God … wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.”

Remember to pray for President Obama.  Pray also for your local, state, and federal politicians.

What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord,
    whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.
(Psalm 33:12 NLT)

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Beloved, let us love one another,
for love is from God,
and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
(1 John 4:7 ESV)

We love each other because he loved us first.
(1 John 4:19 NLT)

 So now I am giving you a new commandment:
Love each other.
Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.
(John 13:34 NLT)

 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.
It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV)

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
(Romans 5:8 ESV)

Happy Valentine’s Day

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Recently I have been hearing a lot about Ash Wednesday and the forty days of Lent.  Everything I heard sounded good, but I don’t recall reading about these events in the Scriptures. Out of curiosity I went to several Bible dictionaries to find out more about the forty days of Lent.  Lent was not included in my Bible dictionaries.

My conclusion is that celebrating Lent is a tradition, not something taught in the scriptures.

However, any activity that draws us closer to God is certainly worth considering.  Reflecting on the life of Jesus, His love for us, His death and resurrection can be life changing. Anticipating the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus can be spiritually uplifting.  A season of Lent could have long term benefits.

I hear about people giving something up for the forty days of Lent (favorite foods, special activities, electronics, etc.)  Rather than giving up something for the next 40 days, you might choose to focus on scripture. Look for ways to implement a challenging Biblical principle into your everyday living.  Don’t let your focus be on giving up something, instead focus on doing something positive.

Among many choices, you may want to consider one of the following three passages of scripture to study carefully and put into practice.

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. (Romans 12:1 NLT)

 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.  (Matthew 5:16 NLT)

Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.   (1 Peter 2:12 NLT)

Studying and implementing Biblical principles into your life should not end after the forty days of Lent, but focusing on a passage of scripture for forty days may be enough to ingrain this principle into your life for a long time to come.

 “But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Matthew 20:26-28 (NLT)

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What happens when you die?  The Bible tells us that there will be a day of judgment for everyone.

…. Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. (Romans 14:10 & 12 NLT)

Christians will one day stand before the judgment seat of God, not to decide whether or not they will receive eternal life in heaven, but to have their works tried by the fire of God’s judgment. Those works which stand the test will be the basis for rewards given by God.

But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.   If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.  (1 Corinthians 3:13-14 NLT)

There is no condemnation for those who belong to Jesus.

“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.   (John 5:24 NLT)

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  (Romans 8:1 NLT)

Judgment for Christians will be a time of determining rewards.

²⁰ The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’
²¹ “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’  (Matthew 25:20-21 NLT)

“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.  (Revelation 22:12 NLT) “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.   (John 3:18 NLT)

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