This morning before online worship I read the account of Palm Sunday also known as Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem from John's Gospel, chapter 12 verses 12 through 19. The verse that caught my attention to day was the quote from the prophet Zechariah. "Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: "Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion, Look your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt." (verses 14-15) Surely Jesus was proclaiming himself to be king by this dramatic act and fulfillment of prophecy. His kingship was not that of an earthly king nor was his kingdom of this world. as he would tell the Roman procurator Pontius Pilate later in the week in his "trial" before him. Next Sunday will validate Jesus claim to be King. The word though that caught my attention was afraid, "do not be afraid." Though in my humanness I am too often afraid or have fears I know that as a member of God's kingdom I should not be afraid. It is said that there are 365 fear nots in the Bible, one for each day. So we are to take heart in the knowledge that God does not want us to be afraid. As Paul said in Romans 8, "If God is for us, who (or what) is against us? God who did not withhold His own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will God not with him also give us everything else. I always like to remind my self what God said to Paul as Paul struggled with a pain or weakness in his life, "My grace is sufficient for you." God's grace, and all that God is, is sufficient for me; and for you as well.
Cousin Mike sent me the following and it is very relevant to us as we deal with the coronavirus plague and social isolation.
The following is from Whether One May Flee from a Deadly Plague, a letter written by Martin Luther to a fellow pastor during the plague of 1527.
“What else is the epidemic but a fire which instead of consuming wood and straw devours life and body? You ought to think this way: ‘Very well, by God’s decree the enemy has sent us poison and deadly offal. Therefore I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely, as stated above.’ See, this is such God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.”
One of our Pillar Church staff members received the following quote from a friend.
"In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to."
That is something to think about. I must say that I have enjoyed not having the schedule and commitments which are part of my normal living. It helps that I am retired from full time work so do not need to think too much about earning a regular income. Joyce and I can still walk outside most days. My quiet time isn't rushed. I can do a nap in the afternoon. Joyce and I have played various card games though it tests my patience when I don't do so well. We usually watch movies two or three evenings a week. There has also been some sorting of boxes and disposal of items no longer needed.
Heavy Thinking picturing an unending roadway asks, "What do you want most out of life?
Heavy Thinking: "God walking on earth is more impressive than man walking on the moon!"
God has something to say to you. You can hear God if you listen.
A word from the lectionary Bible reading of the day:
Monday March 30, 2020 - Psalm 118:1-18 strength
Tuesday March 31 - Psalm 118:19-29 extol
Wednesday April 1 - Matthew 21:1-11 hosanna
Thursday April 2 - Isaiah 50:4-9 helps
Friday - April 3 - Psalm 31:9-16 trust
Saturday - April 4 - Philippians 2:5-11 emptied
Sunday - April 5 - John 12:12-19 afraid
"You have to work out with concentration and care what God works in; not work your own salvation, but work it out, while you base resolutely in unshaken faith on the complete and perfect redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ...God is the source of your will, therefore you are able to work out God's will." (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest.)
So we do what God says and say what God does.
One of our Pillar Church staff members received the following quote from a friend.
"In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to."
That is something to think about. I must say that I have enjoyed not having the schedule and commitments which are part of my normal living. It helps that I am retired from full time work so do not need to think too much about earning a regular income. Joyce and I can still walk outside most days. My quiet time isn't rushed. I can do a nap in the afternoon. Joyce and I have played various card games though it tests my patience when I don't do so well. We usually watch movies two or three evenings a week. There has also been some sorting of boxes and disposal of items no longer needed.
Heavy Thinking picturing an unending roadway asks, "What do you want most out of life?
Heavy Thinking: "God walking on earth is more impressive than man walking on the moon!"
God has something to say to you. You can hear God if you listen.
A word from the lectionary Bible reading of the day:
Monday March 30, 2020 - Psalm 118:1-18 strength
Tuesday March 31 - Psalm 118:19-29 extol
Wednesday April 1 - Matthew 21:1-11 hosanna
Thursday April 2 - Isaiah 50:4-9 helps
Friday - April 3 - Psalm 31:9-16 trust
Saturday - April 4 - Philippians 2:5-11 emptied
Sunday - April 5 - John 12:12-19 afraid
"You have to work out with concentration and care what God works in; not work your own salvation, but work it out, while you base resolutely in unshaken faith on the complete and perfect redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ...God is the source of your will, therefore you are able to work out God's will." (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest.)
So we do what God says and say what God does.
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