Life Change

The Hosanna Wave!


And they that went before, and they that followed,
cried, saying Hosanna; Blessed is he that
cometh in the name of the lord.
(Mark 11:9)

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We are told about a great crowd near Jerusalem who had come to worship there. The crowd waited their turn for their King to pass by. At one point there became an eruption of praise! Some understood Him as the Son of David, who would deliver the people from Roman rule! Others recognized Him as being the One who worked miracles. How intense this crowd must have been! Many spread their coats on the road and others cut and used branches from the trees. What a significant moment! Prophecy was being fulfilled concerning their true king! They shouted Hosanna! Hosanna means, “Lord, save us!” Their shout reflected hundreds of years of Jewish captivity! The King, the Son of David, had suddenly come to His temple! Even though they did not understand the full significance of the moment, what catches my attention is…EVERYONE SHOUTED!  EVERYONE wanted to be delivered. NO ONE was passive and didn’t feel the need for deliverance. EVERYONE was caught up in the wave of adoration and EVERYONE released their praise! EVERYONE experienced the moment! What do you do when the presence of the king is in your sanctuary…check your phone? Look at others who praise? Think about your problems? Or, do you allow others to hinder your praise? You owe Him praise!

To many…this type of praise is foreign, but to those who are sensitive to the King’s presence, praise becomes a lifestyle. They can’t wait to “catch the Hosanna wave”! True worshippers and praisers understand this. They look for opportunities to rejoice and praise God. We can learn from angels, who consistently give God glory with expressions while in the presence of God. Angels have not been redeemed. If you have been redeemed, you consistently owe Him praise! Start by doing that in the place He has established, which is His sanctuary!

 

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Short Inspiration from the Scriptures: Now God Knows!


“For now I know that thou fearest God…”
(Gen. 22:12. Read chapter 22)

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In Genesis chapter 22, God tested Abraham by asking him to take his son Isaac to a mountain and offer him as a burnt offering. This test was tailored for Abraham to prove his love, loyalty, devotion, worship, sacrifice, and commitment to his Lord! It’s likely that nothing else on earth was more precious to Abraham than the son God had promised him.

After hearing God’s voice, Abraham took his son and the wood to consume Isaac upon God’s altar!  We see the succession: Abraham journeyed three days to the mountain. And at the base of the mountain, he was prepared to climb with the wood, items for the fire, and the knife to slay his son. God (I’m speaking in human terms) watched to see this progression. This series of events still did not prove Abraham’s loyalty until he attempted to plunge a knife, directly into the body of his son. We see Abraham performing the ultimate sacrifice in vs. 10, when he extended his hand and would have killed his son, but the voice from the angel of the Lord stopped him! The angel of the Lord now knows. Thousands of years later we come to know — what type of man Abraham was, as well. It’s the story of his life, from the book of Genesis, that speaks of his progressive faith and maturity. We see his devotion and loyalty and his ability to “worship” (vs. 5) during his greatest time of testing! What an example to us who read about the details of a man who loved God and ultimately overcame by his faith in God!

The child Isaac was saved. He remained God’s promised seed and through him, God would multiply and bless the earth! What a test of faith, to be set to kill your son, believing that God would raise him from the dead (Heb. 11:19). Abraham passed his test and a nearby ram caught in the brush was sacrificed instead!

How is God Proving Us?

There are special times when God wants to test our integrity, loyalty, commitment, love, or devotion, as well (Ps. 26:2; Ps. 66:10). Sometimes He does it in the smallest ways until (speaking again in human terms) He knows what we will do. More importantly, God tests us to HELP US UNDERSTAND what WE will do! He may do this with progressive steps, as with Abraham. He takes us through these steps…each a bit harder than the prior one, until hopefully, we pass the test.

Have you passed your recent test?

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Depressed Saints? A Recording by Pastor James Striggles from the PCAF-ICEA “Things I Have Learned” Series


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PCAF – International Christian Ed. Aux. (ICEA).
The “Things I Have Learned” Series

Instructor Pastor James Striggles taught a session for ICEA’s “Things I Have Learned” session. The following is his recording on the topic of “Depressed Saints?”

Our times can bring with it many difficulties and often people become overwhelmed with challenges of life. People experience depression. Should saints experience depression? Listen to what pastor Striggles has to say.

Request the recording at ICEA’s e-mail:

iceaquestions@att.net

We will reply to your e-mail request promptly.
Simply click on the text in your e-mail to hear the recording.

International Christian Education Auxiliary (ICEA)

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Tis the Season for Forgiving!


Then said Jesus, Father, forgive
them; for they know not what they do.
And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
(Luke 23:34)

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Does the holidays have you stressed out because you don’t seem to have much to give?  Why don’t you give someone a wonderful gift this holiday season that may be valued more than money? Give forgiveness! This great gift that you have can, no doubt, bring joy to some troubled soul today. You may very well have the power to release someone of past offenses done to you or levelled at you. Release them and in turn, release yourself. You may find it to be the best gift you ever gave.

It is true that some people don’t accept gifts to well, but still give it in the spirit that Christ would (St. John 1:11). All of us have given quality gifts we thought people would like only to find it didn’t suit them, and that’s okay…but, give anyway!

There has never been a better time when Christmas and Easter come together so beautifully. We celebrate both Christ’s birth and resurrection as well as reflect on His death. His birth is a season for giving. His death is a time we reflect on Him giving himself for those who humiliated and wronged Him. They planned and schemed. They lied in wait for Him and finally, beat and put Him to death. Here is a quote from Luke 23;34, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.” In His humility, Christ was a VICTIM who became the world’s greatest OVERCOMER (Phil. 2:8-9)! He gave to those who hurt Him the most. His example is the true spirit of giving this holiday season!

Why don’t you, by the Spirit of the Lord, call someone and tell them you are sorry for what happened in the past and ask for forgiveness or maybe you need to tell them you forgive them. These make great gifts this time of year!

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There Is a Manual for Life!


ALL ARE WELCOME!
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 am. E.S.T.
Sundays

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