Afternoon Scripture Reading - Isaiah 44:21-22

Isaiah 44:21-22 New International Version (NIV)

21 “Remember these things, Jacob,
    for you, Israel, are my servant.
I have made you, you are my servant;
    Israel, I will not forget you.
22 I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
    your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me,
    for I have redeemed you.”

Morning Scripture Reading - Romans 5:6-8

Romans 5:6-8 New International Version (NIV)

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Afternoon Scripture Reading - Proverbs 18:10

Proverbs 18:10 New International Version (NIV)

10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
    the righteous run to it and are safe.

Morning Scripture Reading - Romans 10:5-13

Romans 10:5-13 New International Version (NIV)

5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”[a] 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”[b] (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”[c] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[d] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e] 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of alland richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[f]

Footnotes:

1. Romans 10:5 Lev. 18:5
2. Romans 10:6 Deut. 30:12
3. Romans 10:7 Deut. 30:13
4. Romans 10:8 Deut. 30:14
5. Romans 10:11 Isaiah 28:16 (see Septuagint)
6. Romans 10:13 Joel 2:32

Afternoon Scripture Reading - Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 New International Version (NIV)

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 5 Love the Lordyour God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Footnotes:

1. Deuteronomy 6:4 Or The Lord our God is one Lord; or The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; or The Lord is our God, the Lord alone

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - Seek and Save

One of my favorite Bible stories is about a tax collector named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the area and very wealthy. No matter when you live, no one likes to pay taxes especially during this time. Tax collectors back then paid the government the tax money from their own pockets. In return, the government granted them the right to go to the people of a particular area and collect money. So, the tax collector paid the taxes to the government and now had the authority to collect back the money from the people. Needless to say, many of them abused their authority and took more than they had paid. With that sort of reputation, you can see why people did not like tax collectors especially back then.

I will not go through the whole story of Zacchaeus. We all know the song about the “wee little man” who climbed a sycamore tree to get a better view of Jesus. As he walked the streets surrounded by mobs of people all wanting to see the man from Galilee, Jesus stops and looks up to see Zacchaeus and says to him, “Zacchaeus you come down, for I'm going to your house today!”

I am sure that Zacchaeus was shocked that Jesus, a stranger, knew his name. He came down from the tree as he was told and took Jesus to his home. As Jesus went home with him, people began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

While there at his home, Zacchaeus felt conviction in his heart. The scripture does not provide us with the conversation between Jesus and him. However, we do know that Zacchaeus said, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

Since there is no recorded conversation, I believe that Jesus, by his presence, brought conviction into Zacchaeus’ heart and that same conviction allowed him to repent and make things right.

In Luke 19, we see this beautiful story of how even the worst among us can be transformed. At the end of this story, Jesus says to him, “9 Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Jesus did not come into this world to condemn anyone. He came into this world to provide us a way back to the Father. Remember the words in John 3 when talking about the love of the Father. John writes, “16 For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”

When you look at the words of Luke, you see something very interesting. You see the active verb of “seek”. Pair that with the words of John as he writes that God sent his son into the world. Once again, you see another action verb. Using both the words of “seek” and “sent”, you see deliberate actions on the part of the Father and Jesus. 

Deliberate actions have several key components. The first part is that the action is well-thought out and planned. Nothing is left to chance or happenstance. The second part is that there is a slow, methodical pace associated with each step. They are planned, processed and placed into action. There are no surprises.

Take the situation with Zacchaeus. Do you honestly believe that Jesus was just looking around and just happened to see a small man in a tree? No. Jesus knew that Zacchaeus would be up in that tree. Within a split second of just looking at him, Jesus calls him by name. He does not say, “Hey you up in the tree!” Jesus calls him by name and tells him that he must stay at his house. Jesus does not ask, “Can I sleep over at your place.” Jesus tells him.

When you think about our salvation, everything was planned by God. Each part was deliberate and well-thought out. Nothing was left to chance. I am sure in my heart that God planted that sycamore tree decades ago and watched it grow so that it could serve its part in the deliberate action of salvation for Zacchaeus. 

Even in our own lives, God has set into motion the plan for our salvation, but there is one thing that could change that plan. That change can only happen when you say, “No.” Think about the story of Zacchaeus. He could have easily said, “No. You can’t come home with me. Sorry.”

Salvation is a choice for each of us. We can respond to God’s deliberate actions in our life and accept salvation or we can choose not to and go about our merry way. Like Zacchaeus, Jesus calls out to us today and he calls us by name. He stands at the doors of our hearts quietly knocking and asking to come into our lives. We, like the wee little man, have a choice. We can either let Jesus come into our hearts or we can just stay behind our locked doors and ignore the call.

In John 8, we read the story of an adulterer brought before Jesus. The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought her before Jesus and said to him, “4 “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

Since she was caught in the act of adultery and the law of Moses was specific, Jesus could have said, “Then stone her.” But, he does not. He instead stoops down and writes in the dust.  

As the crowd continued to demand an answer, Jesus stands up and says, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” He then bends down and starts writing again.

Bible scholars and theologians all believe and agree that Jesus may have written the sins of those in the crowd. As each saw what he wrote, I am sure that each swallowed hard. Their sins were revealed. In time, each of the accusers slowly and quietly slipped away until only a crowd and a woman stood there.

Jesus looks at her and asks, “10 Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

When she looked around, none of her accusers remained. All had slipped away. No one was there to throw a stone or continue to condemn her.

Jesus says to her, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

Jesus came into this world not to condemn or pass judgement upon us. He sought us out to give us the gift of salvation which came straight from the hand of our Heavenly Father. Once we receive this gift, we can truly “go and sin no more” and live a righteous life.

As you go through this week, I ask each of you to think of the deliberate actions of the Father and Jesus and share the Good News with those around you. Let them know that salvation does not come by chance or a twist of fate. It comes from the Son of God who is calling out to them softly and tenderly. When you tell them the story of Jesus, you are fulfilling a part of God’s deliberate action in their lives and can stand firm in His grace.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Morning Scripture Reading - Proverbs 17:22

Proverbs 17:22 New International Version (NIV)

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Afternoon Scripture Reading - Ephesians 1:11-14

Ephesians 1:11-14 New International Version (NIV)

11 In him we were also chosen,[a] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purposeof his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritanceuntil the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Footnotes:

1. Ephesians 1:11 Or were made heirs

Morning Scripture Reading - Matthew 28:16-20

Matthew 28:16-20 New International Version (NIV)

The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Afternoon Scripture Reading - Romans 10:5-13

Romans 10:5-13 New International Version (NIV)

5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”[a] 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”[b] (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”[c] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[d] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e] 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of al land richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[f]

Footnotes:

1. Romans 10:5 Lev. 18:5
2. Romans 10:6 Deut. 30:12
3. Romans 10:7 Deut. 30:13
4. Romans 10:8 Deut. 30:14
5. Romans 10:11 Isaiah 28:16 (see Septuagint)
6. Romans 10:13 Joel 2:32

Morning Scripture Reading - Psalm 14:7

Psalm 14:7 New International Version (NIV)

7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
    When the Lord restores his people,
    let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Afternoon Scripture Reading - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 New International Version (NIV)

Stand Firm

13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits[a] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Morning Scripture Reading - Leviticus 20:7-8

Leviticus 20:7-8 New International Version (NIV)

7 “‘Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God.8 Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.

Afternoon Scripture Reading - Jeremiah 17:7-8

Jeremiah 17:7-8 New International Version (NIV)

7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

Mid-Week Message - After the Holiday

"Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT)

Probably the most meaningful Easter service I ever attended was held in a mausoleum.  It was a sunrise service and I and a couple of other ladies were asked to sing.  I wish I could convey the feeling of standing amidst those entombed there while singing praises to Jesus and recognizing that He had defeated death's power.  I could just imagine other voices, some long gone, joining in.  

This past weekend we observed the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord.  There are dates each year set aside to do so.  We dress up in our finest, gather together to worship, then feast on a well prepared meal.  Children hunt for eggs and love awakening to find that the "Easter Bunny" has left a basket full of goodies. Night comes and we close our eyes while saying another "thank you" to our Savior.  

Then what?  Monday comes.  The alarm clock goes off, we reluctantly get up and dress ourselves for another day.  The "holiday" is over and we return to our daily routines.  School, jobs, activities, chores and relationships claim our lives physically, mentally and emotionally. Any decorations we have had up come down and are stored back in their boxes until the next Easter season rolls around next year.

My point is simply that when Jesus sacrificed Himself for us, it was for eternity.  His birth, life, arrest, torture, crucifixion, death and resurrection were all for you and for me.  It was the focus of His entire being.  There wasn't a time when He put it all behind Him and "returned to normal."  Even now He intercedes for us before the Father.   How do we honor that?  

Social media was full of beautiful poems, pictures and messages of praise over the weekend.  It was a joy to see that avenue used to exalt the name of the Lord.  However, once Sunday was over, the posts changed.  Why?  What changed from Sunday to Monday except the date on the calendar?  If it wasn't acceptable to use foul language publicly on April 21st, then why was it on the 22nd?  Do we have a firm grasp on what all the Son of Almighty God did for us?  Do we understand the eternal significance?  Why don't we live our lives for Him every day?  

My prayer is that each of us will spend some time reflecting on how we worship Him.  Do we daily walk in joy and praise or do we compartmentalize our faith and blend in with the world around us?  Are we living lives that please Him?  I ask His blessings on each of us as we examine our hearts.