THE EASTER STORY!

 

THE EASTER STORY! For the next two weeks, we will be telling the story of Easter every day, starting with Palm Sunday; which isn’t actually until NEXT weekend, but we need more than one week to tell the whole story. Luke 19:28 Jesus went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.” 35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When Jesus came near the place where the road goes down to the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” This passage in Luke 19 describes the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.  However, by the end of the week the same people who shouted "Hosanna" would demand that Jesus be crucified. So the Triumphal Entry is a very strange story. What exactly happened, and why? Mainly it seems to be a prophetic event. Palm Sunday holds a promise: that Jesus will indeed return to Jerusalem and take the place of authority that He has earned. Furthermore, the Bible says that He will do it easily and quickly. The power that Christ restrained during the crucifixion will not be restrained or held back any longer. On Palm Sunday, Jesus rode on a donkey - but when He returns, Jesus will ride on a white horse. The Second Coming will be full of the majesty, glory and overwhelming power that one would expect from the Son of God. "And every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:10-11 CLEANSING THE TEMPLE After his Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, Jesus went straight to the Jewish Temple and threw all the vendors and money changers out. He overturned the tables and used a whip to force them to leave. He also forbid the women who carried water to take a shortcut through the temple court. Passover was the busiest week of the year for the religious leaders, scribes and temple vendors. They made a lot of money off of temple activities, and they had a well-honed system for doing it. Jesus upset their financial system by demanding respect for God and His Holy Temple. And since Jesus went to the temple every day of Passover week, he made sure they didn't come back. Jesus declared, "You shall not make my Father's House into a den of thieves!" When people say, "What would Jesus do?", I think of this story. Jesus was not a wimp. He confronted people. Jesus challenged people to do better. The Easter story will continue tomorrow. I was always angry, and I had a huge hole in my heart. Nothing made me happy. Then I got married to a God-fearing woman, and at home she would read the Bible every morning. After a while she said, “do you want me to read aloud to you?” So I sat down, and she started reading the Bible aloud to me, every morning. Eventually I said, “Well, let me read it,” and so I started to read it aloud to her. And then it was like the Lord said to me “Chuck, it’s time to come home. It’s been long enough.” And now my heart is filled up again.’ Chuck Norris 1940-2026

 

GOD OF THE GAPS?

 

GOD OF THE GAPS? By Biblical Creation A common criticism from atheists is that Christians only believe in God to explain what we don’t understand—what’s often called the “God of the gaps.” The idea is, that whenever science hasn’t figured something out, believers just insert “God did it” as a lazy answer. But that’s not an accurate picture of biblical faith. Christians don’t worship God because of what we don’t know—we believe in Him because of what we do know. The order, complexity, and beauty of the universe point clearly to an intelligent Creator. From the precise constants in physics to the intricate design of living cells, these aren’t gaps—they’re powerful signs of intentionality. In fact, the Bible encourages investigation and discovery. Proverbs 25:2 says, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.” In other words, God built a world worth exploring, and science is one way we uncover His fingerprints. Many early scientists were Christians who believed they were studying God’s creation—people like Newton, Boyle, and Kepler. Their faith didn’t stop them from asking questions; it drove them to dig deeper, knowing the universe was made by a rational Mind. So when Christians speak of God as the Creator, it’s not about plugging Him into the unknown. It’s about recognizing that even what is known—laws of nature, DNA, consciousness, morality—points beyond mere chance. God isn’t hiding in the gaps; He’s woven into the very fabric of reality. Faith isn’t the end of curiosity— it’s the beginning of wonder. You can visit Biblical Creation on Facebook: CLICK HERE

 

EARTH'S FINAL HOUR

 

EARTH'S FINAL HOUR Here is a summary of the ground we've covered so far in Revelation: Instructions for 7 Churches, given by Jesus Christ himself. Christ will open the 7 Seals on the Scroll, with their corresponding disasters. With the 7th Seal, seven Archangels will sound their trumpets for seven more disasters. Only the 7th Trumpet remains in this story: which means that the return of Jesus Christ will happen when the last and final trumpet is sounded. Earth's final hour will indeed be a "grand finale" but not in any way that suggests a joyous event. The 7th Trumpet includes vengeance against fallen angels as well as for mankind who continue to resist God. Even in this dire hour, as God will pour out the full measure of his wrath upon the earth, God will send two powerful Witnesses to preach, and to show great signs and wonders. God continues to offer mercy for those who will repent, even while the earth shakes and trembles under the wrath of God. There are many reasons for the dramatic events of the end times, but first and foremost is God’s desire to push people to repentance and faith, if at all possible. This study of Revelation will continue next Thursday. IMAGE CREDIT: Old Man Time, is generated by SeaArt.ai and edited by C.A. Stevens.

 

TOO MUCH NOISE

 

TOO MUCH NOISE By Frank Mceleny And the temple, when it was being built, was built with stone finished at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built. 1 Kings 6:7 The silence spoke of reverence. The temple was set apart for the presence of God, and even its construction was free from the clamor of tools. Everything was prepared beforehand, so that the place where God would dwell remained undisturbed, fitting for a house of worship. In the same way, we should ready ourselves before we come together as a people. As our hearts cry out for His presence, there ought to be a holy hush among us. With heads bowed low and trembling hands lifted to heaven, there should scarcely be a whisper as the Lord visits His people, perhaps only the quiet sob of a heart pierced to its very depths. Brothers and sisters, there is a deep longing in many hearts for a return to reverence. There is indeed a time and a season for loud and joyful worship, but I would suggest that we are not in that season. We have a desperate need for His manifest presence. What is life without the presence of the Lord? What is the state of our collective heart without the true and unmistakable awareness that God has come down among us? Yes, the living waters flow through His people. Yet when was the last time your heart was flooded to overflowing by the God who cannot be contained? Our world is drowning in noise. The clamor is relentless. There must be a sanctuary that is reverently quiet. It begins within each of us individually, but it must also be expressed collectively. Only then can we truly hear the still… small… voice of the Lord. He will not compete with the noise of the world, nor with the manufactured noise within our churches. Used with permission of Frank Mceleny on Facebook CLICK HERE