Lord’s Supper

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

[Examine Yourself]

Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

– 1 Corinthians 11:23-34

I was raised in a church, when they broke bread, (the bread they broke had no yeast in it. Yeast represents sin. Jesus had no sin.)

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him,  Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.  After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.  Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”

Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”

Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”

Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”

Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.”  For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”

 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?   You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.   If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.   For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.  Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.   If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.  – John 13:1-17

 

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is the day we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, exactly one week before His resurrection (Matthew 21:1–11). As Jesus entered the holy city, He neared the culmination of a long journey toward Golgotha. He had come to save the lost (Luke 19:10), and now was the time—this was the place—to secure that salvation. Palm Sunday marked the start of what is often called “Passion Week,” the final seven days of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Palm Sunday was the “beginning of the end” of Jesus’ work on earth.

Palm Sunday began with Jesus and His disciples traveling over the Mount of Olives. The Lord sent two disciples ahead into the village of Bethphage to find an animal to ride. They found the unbroken colt of a donkey, just as Jesus had said they would (Luke 19:29–30). When they untied the colt, the owners began to question them. The disciples responded with the answer Jesus had provided: “The Lord needs it” (Luke 19:31–34). Amazingly, the owners were satisfied with that answer and let the disciples go. “They brought [the donkey] to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it” (Luke 19:35).

As Jesus ascended toward Jerusalem, a large multitude gathered around Him. This crowd understood that Jesus was the Messiah; what they did not understand was that it wasn’t time to set up the kingdom yet—although Jesus had tried to tell them so (Luke 19:11–12). The crowd’s actions along the road give rise to the name “Palm Sunday”: “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road” (Matthew 21:8). In strewing their cloaks on the road, the people were giving Jesus the royal treatment—King Jehu was given similar honor at his coronation (2 Kings 9:13). John records the detail that the branches they cut were from palm trees (John 12:13).

On that first Palm Sunday, the people also honored Jesus verbally: “The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ / ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ / ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’” (Matthew 21:9). In their praise of Jesus, the Jewish crowds were quoting Psalm 118:25–26, an acknowledged prophecy of the Christ. The allusion to a Messianic psalm drew resentment from the religious leaders present: “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples!’” (Luke 19:39). However, Jesus saw no need to rebuke those who told the truth. He replied, “I tell you . . . if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40).

Some 450 to 500 years prior to Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, the prophet Zechariah had prophesied the event we now call Palm Sunday: “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! / Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! / See, your king comes to you, / righteous and victorious, / lowly and riding on a donkey, / on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). The prophecy was fulfilled in every particular, and it was indeed a time of rejoicing, as Jerusalem welcomed their King. Unfortunately, the celebration was not to last. The crowds looked for a Messiah who would rescue them politically and free them nationally, but Jesus had come to save them spiritually. First things first, and mankind’s primary need is spiritual, not political, cultural, or national salvation.

Even as the coatless multitudes waved the palm branches and shouted for joy, they missed the true reason for Jesus’ presence. They could neither see nor understand the cross. That’s why, “as Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies . . . will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you” (Luke 19:41–47). It is a tragic thing to see the Savior but not recognize Him for who He is. The crowds who were crying out “Hosanna!” on Palm Sunday were crying out “Crucify Him!” five days later (Matthew 27:22–23).

There is coming a day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10–11). The worship will be real then. Also, John records a scene in heaven that features the eternal celebration of the risen Lord: “There before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands” (Revelation 7:9). These palm-bearing saints will shout, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (verse 10), and who can measure sum of their joy?

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Palm-Sunday.html#ixzz3Vnw01B6k

Happy 4th of July!

 

 

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain (now officially known as the United Kingdom). Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, etc.

Not just the USA has the freedom, but thank God for sending His son to die on the cross for our sin and giving us a chance to get to know Him. Thank You Jesus for setting us FREE! You have broken the chains from sin and we can have FREEDOM in Christ! As you may celebrate today, celebrate today as it’s your independence day in Christ Jesus.

So to the world, Happy Independence Day in Christ!

 

Psalm 119:32
I run in the path of your commands, for You have set my heart free.

Psalm 119:45
I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out Your precepts.

Luke 4:18-19
The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because He has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

John 8:32
Then you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Ephesians 3:12
In Him [Christ] and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

 

JESUS BLESS YOU!

Trust in the Lord

Trust Him even when you can’t trace Him

Sometimes, we face life’s issues and wonder why God has not stepped in to help. Perhaps He has already helped us, but we may not see it yet. Even more so, we do not know how God intends to work out our issues because it is not how we expected it.
Lean not to your understanding. When we don’t quite understand what is going on in our lives it is important to put it in God’s hands. It tells us, lean not to our own limited understanding, but stand confident knowing we can both trust and depend on God.

Do you believe He is working it out for your good? I promise He is. And when this trial is over, you will understand, with the help of the Holy Spirit, God’s wisdom and knowledge for your life.

Trust Him no matter what. Begin today letting God know you trust Him no matter what it looks like. God knows when to step in at the right time and turn things around. Remember, He knows and sees all. Therefore, the direction you desperately want to travel, God may instruct you that it may not be time just yet. Or the person you are praying for may need a little growing first. Whatever it is, God knows best. God will remain faithful knowing He will bless you just when you put it all in His hands, but first you have to trust God.

Declare you will trust Him and let every anxiety, worry, and surrender it all to His will.

Proverbs 3:5 NIV

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

Psalm 116

Psalm 116

I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! Death wrapped its ropes around me;     the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Please, Lord, save me!” How kind the Lord is! How good He is! So merciful, this God of ours! 6 The Lord protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and He saved me. Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me. He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. And so I walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth! I believed in you, so I said, “I am deeply troubled, Lord.” In my anxiety I cried out to you, “These people are all liars!”  What can I offer the Lord  for all He has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord’s name for saving me. I will keep my promises to the Lord in the presence of all His people.

The Lord cares deeply when His loved ones die. O Lord, I am your servant; yes, I am your servant, born into your household; You have freed me from my chains. I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord     in the presence of all His people— in the house of the Lord in the heart of Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord!

It’s Labor Day!

Fifteen Truths About Jesus

Christianity views all other religions, as well as denominations and cults on their assessment of and faithfullness to the persons of Jesus and His teaching

Jesus is God
1. Jesus forgives sins – “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Mark 2:10

2. Jesus preformed miracles – “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father.” John 10:32

3. Jesus is one with God the Father – “I and the Father are one.” John 10:30

“Christ is not valued at all unless He is valued above all.” – Augustine of Hippo

4. Jesus came from the Father – “I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” John 16:28

5. Jesus is the Christ – “The high priest asked Him [Jesus], ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?’ ‘I am,’ said Jesus.” Mark 14:61-62

6. Jesus is the Messiah – “The [Samaritan] woman said, ‘I know that Messiah’ (called Christ) ‘is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.’ Then JEsus declared, ‘I who speak to you am He.'” John 4:25-26

“Brethren, we ought so to think of Jesus Christ as of God.” – 2 Clement (the oldest extant Christian sermon after those recorded in the New Testament)

“Take hold of Jesus as a man and you will discover that He is God.” – Martin Luther

The gift of Jesus

7. Jesus came to give spiritual life – “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

8. Jesus gives us the right to become God’s children – “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God.” John 1:12

9. Jesus bestows eternal life – “I give them eternal life.” John 10:28

“Christ either deceived mankind by conscious fraud, or He was Himself deluded, or He was divine. There is no getting out of this trilemma.” – George Duncan

10. Jesus keeps us in eternal life – “They shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:28

11. Jesus is fully God
&
12. Jesus became fully man – “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11

“Jesus does not give recipes that show the way to God as other teachers of religion do. He Himself is the Way.” – Karl Barth

The cross and resurrection of Jesus

13. Jesus’ death was a ransom for our sins – “The Son of Man … gave His life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

14. Jesus died for us while we were still sinners – “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

15. Jesus rose from the dead – “But God raised Him from the dead.” Acts 2:24

“Jesus is either God, or He is not good.” – Anselm