Each year, I listen to a daily audio Bible podcast—and complete the Bible in one year. This year marks my sixth year through the Bible.
Why don’t I stop?
Every year, I learn new aspects of the Bible because each year, I am in a different place in my life, and the Holy Spirit speaks to me where I am.
The Bible is always fresh! It is always alive!
It is the only book that has a Living Spirit within it.
Each year, when I get to Judges in the Old Testament, I say, “Oh boy!” because I know what is ahead.
Passover begins this evening.
It is one of the most significant Jewish Holidays, commemorating when the angels of God “passed over” the Hebrews as the firstborn children and animals of the Egyptians were killed—all because Pharoah would not set the Hebrews free as God commanded.
With this final plague on Egypt, Pharoah agreed to free the Hebrews so they might begin their journey to the promised land.
God instructed the Jews to commemorate the first Passover, when they had marked their houses with blood, alerting the angels to “pass over” their homes.
Christians draw parallels in their faith,
This week, I was listening to a minister on the radio who noted that in the days after His resurrection, Jesus did not appear to Pilate to tell him that he had been wrong in ordering His crucifixion.
Jesus did not appear to the Jewish leaders and chastise them for not believing and demanding His death.
He did not appear to the Roman soldiers who nailed Him on the cross.
Why?
Today, I was drinking in the beautiful hymns of Psalm Sunday. They are majestic, powerful, and inspirational!
Among my very favorites is All Glory, Laud and Honor. When I close my eyes and listen to the lyrics, I can feel all the emotions I imagine those present at Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The hope. The joy. The expectation.
As Christians, we carry the hope, joy, and expectation at our Lord’s second coming. Feel this excitement. Play this song and sing along. It is a wonderful way to enter into the spirit of Holy Week.
What are some of your favorite Holy Week Hymns/ song?
What is different about this generation is that we rarely have quiet moments.
At the same time, we want to hear the voice of God. We want the Holy Spirit to “speak” to us.
But how can he when we never have quiet?
With this in mind, I was intrigued by a piece that Beliefnet published this month, “5 Ways the Holy Spirit Tries to Get Your Attention”.
I want to share the greater portion of a sermon I found particularly meaningful in light of the pandemic, loss of jobs, and a general malaise that seems to have fallen across the globe.
The sermon is entitled, “When Hope Is Dead, Hope On!” It was authored by W. E. Sangster, a Methodist minister in London during World War II. The message was first preached during a particularly difficult time for the British people. According to Preaching.com. “His sermons were regularly halted by bombings in the city. Sometimes he preached through them, telling hearers, "Those of a nervous disposition may leave now." During the five years of German bombing, Sangster virtually lived in the great bomb shelter below the church building.” He died in 1960. His sermon on hope follows:
Recently, Open Door released the 2021 World Watch List (WWL)of the top 50 countries where Christians are the most persecuted for following Jesus.
David Curry, the President and CEO of Open Doors USA introduced the report by stating, “You might think the (list) is all about oppression…but the (list) is really about resilience.”
oday, I will share a writing that was referenced in an email I received today. In spite of the fact that it was written in 1849.
The author is James Smith. He was a pastor the New Park Street Chapel in London, the same church Charles Spurgeon was to serve five years later. He gave this impactful New Years message that has much to say to us today.
So here is a gift from the past. The essence of the message is this: The Lord meets us on the threshold of this year and assures us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever!" He is deeply interested in our welfare, lovingly concerned to do us good, and ready to help us in every time of trouble. This is our encouragement.
James Smith, New Park Street Church, London, 1849
