A REVOLUTION

Verse

Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness,
and his upper rooms by injustice; who makes his
neighbors work for nothing, and does not give them
their wages.
Jeremiah 22:13

Voice

A revolution which aims merely at changing official
policies and institutions with a view to an improvement
in material conditions has little chance of genuine
success. Without a revolution of the spirit, the forces
which produced the iniquities of the old order would
continue to be operative, posing a constant threat to
the process of reform and regeneration.
Aung San Suu Kyi

Prayer

Lord, remind us that we are resident aliens, called to
be in the world but not of it. Show us today what it
means to live as though your kingdom has come,
while trusting that it is still coming. Amen.

- Common Prayer

EVEN WHEN WE FALL

Proverbs 3:12, “the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.”

So many people fall into the spiritual pitfall of thinking
that God is mad at them and that the relationship is
permanently damaged. In these cases, we distance
ourselves from God and not the other way around.
While God may hold us accountable, and even punish
us at times, God always loves us and is always close
to us. In fact, God especially loves those that He holds
accountable. As we read in Proverbs 3:12, “the LORD
disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he
delights in.”

Don’t think even for a moment think that God has
abandoned you because of your sin. God is with us, loving us, and
ready to cleanse us; it’s up to us to turn to Him. He’s
there waiting.

With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

THOSE WHO HONOR HIM

God delights in those who honor him

Known in advance

God knew his people in advance, and he chose them
to become like his Son.
Romans 8:29 NLT

The Reforming Monk

Girolamo Savonarola was born in 1452 in Ferrara, Italy.
He was a sensitive and serious boy who was enamored
with the study of religion. He started training as a
physician, but his idealism caused him to drop out and
join a Dominican order to fight the evils of the world.

Savonarola was deeply distressed by the corruption
within the Catholic Church and what he saw as a lack
of piety among its leaders. He spent his time praying,
fasting, and teaching the novice monks. He became
famous as a preacher. He preached about God's
pending judgment, the need for repentance, against the
worldliness of the clergy, the evils of the ruling class,
and the general corruption of secular living.

Savonarola used his power and popularity to bring about
reform of church and state. He is considered an early
reformer within the Catholic Church. Under his leadership
Florence underwent a startling transformation:
businessmen restored ill-gotten gains, there was much
Bible ready, and the churches were crowded. At the
same time, Savonarola made many enemies.

With the passage of time, community support for
Savonarola's strict views started to wane. On
May 13, 1497, Alexander VI excommunicated Savonarola
from the church on the grounds that he had disobeyed
the pope's commands. He was arrested in April 1498,
tried for sedition and heresy and was brutally tortured.
On May 23, 1498, he was publicly hanged and his body
burned.

In the succeeding years the majority of citizens of
Florence went back to their old ways, yet many
permanently changed. One of those was a sculptor
named Michelangelo.

Adapted from The One Year® Book of Christian History
by E. Michael and Sharon Rusten (Tyndale, 2003),
entry for May 13.

KEEP ON PRAYING

Verse

Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17

Voice

Spirituality without a prayer life is no spirituality at
all, and it will not last beyond the first defeats.
Prayer is an opening of the self so that the Word
of God can break in and make us new. Prayer
unmasks. Prayer converts. Prayer impels. Prayer
sustains us on the way. Pray for the grace it will
take to continue what you would like to quit.
Joan Chittister

Prayer

Though you are worthy of trumpets and the song
of angels, you graciously receive our daily prayers
of whispered words and mundane habits. Enable us,
Lord, to love you with all that we are and in all that
we do. Teach us how we might truly pray without
ceasing. Amen.
Common Prayer

ASKING FOR MORE MONEY

A minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was
going to ask the congregation to come up with more
money than they were expecting for repairs to the church
building.

Therefore, he talked with the organist to see what kind of
inspirational music she could play after the announcement
about the finances to get the congregation in a giving mood.

“Don’t worry,” she said. “I’ll think of something.”

During the service, the minister paused and said, “Brothers
and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost
twice as much as we expected, and we need $4,000 more.
Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up.”

Just at that moment, the organist started playing, “The Star
Spangled Banner.”

PEACE BE WITH YOU

"Peace be with you" (Luke 24:36).

Ramsay MacDonald, one-time Prime Minister of England,
was discussing with another government official the possibility
of lasting peace. The latter, an expert on foreign affairs, was
unimpressed by the Prime Minister's idealistic viewpoint.
"The desire for peace does not necessarily ensure it,"
he remarked cynically.

"Quite true," admitted MacDonald. "Neither does the desire
for food satisfy your hunger, but at least it gets you started
toward a restaurant."   

"My peace is My gift to you," Jesus said to His disciples,
"a peace the world cannot give" (Jn. 14:27). The Gospel
writers want us to understand that, in and through Jesus
Christ, God is constantly giving to us. He is giving Himself,
giving His Love, giving His promise never to abandon us. He
is giving His promise of ultimate, total fulfillment in that
blessed peace of heart and mind and soul which the world
can never give. And if your desire to receive the Peace of
Christ is yet to be satisfied, at the very least, it gets you
started in the right direction.

Jesus' gift of peace is "shalom." In its deepest meaning, the
gift of shalom can be described as the sense of your life's
wholeness and purposefulness. It is the understanding, at
the deepest level of your being that you are somebody, that
you are destined for greatness.

Sunday Sermons Online

DOER

Verse

But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers
who deceive themselves.
James 1:22

Voice

There's no use talking about the problem unless
you talk about the solution.
Betty Williams


Prayer

O Lord, may we not lose ourselves in the critical
chatter of the day. May our hearts always be bent
toward service. Amen.

UNDERSTANDING THE WORD

God will help you understand his Word

Is the Bible really God's Word?

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach
us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong
in our lives.
2 Timothy 3:14 NLT

The Word Transforms

Dr. E. V. Rieu was a classical scholar and translator for
many years. He rendered Homer into very modern
English for the Penguin Classics. Rieu was sixty years
old and a life-long agnostic when the same firm invited
him to translate the Gospels. His son remarked: "It will
be interesting to see what Father makes of the four
Gospels. It will be even more interesting to see what
the four Gospels make of Father."

The answer was soon forthcoming. A year later, Rieu,
convinced and converted, joined the Church of England.

In an interview with J. B. Phillips, Rieu confessed that
he had undertaken the task of translation because of an
"intense desire to satisfy himself as to the authenticity
and spiritual content of the Gospels." He was
determined to approach the documents as if they were
newly discovered Greek manuscripts,. "Did you not get
the feeling," asked Canon Phillips, "that the whole
material was extraordinarily alive?" The classical scholar
agreed. "I got the deepest feeling," he replied. "My work
changed me. I came to the conclusion that these words
bear the seal of the Son of Man and God."

From J. B. Phillips, The Ring of Truth. quoted by R. Kent
Hughes in 1001Great Stories and Quotes , Tyndale
House Publishers (1998) pp 28-29

IN AWE

Verse

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
Proverbs 1:7

Voice

The first step of humility is to cherish at all times the
sense of awe with which we should turn to God.
Benedict of Nursia


Prayer

God, may the awe of your presence shield us from the
temptation to think too highly of ourselves. May we
cultivate humility by pointing ourselves at you. Amen.

VACATION IN JERUSALEM

A man and his ever-nagging wife went on vacation
to Jerusalem. While they were there, the wife
passed away.

The undertaker told the husband, "You can have
her shipped home for $5000, or you can bury her
here, in the Holy Land, for only $150."

The man thought about it and decided he would
just have her shipped home for $5000.

The undertaker asked, "Why would you spend
$5000 to ship your wife home, when it would be
wonderful to be buried here and you would spend
only $150?"

The man replied, "Long ago a man called Jesus
Christ died here, was buried here, and three days
later he rose from the dead. I just can't take that
chance."

WOUNDS RUN DEEP

Easter Monday

"When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to
Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love
Me more than these? ..." (John 21:15a).

Read John 21:1-19.

We are often cut to the core by our own sins, by
the hasty words and hurtful things we have done
and by our failure to do the good things God put it
in our power to do. The scar of our personal
failings can run very deep in us, just as the scar of
Peter's three denials ran deep.

After His resurrection our Lord went to work right
away healing that wound. Luke tells us that Jesus
made an appearance to Peter on the afternoon of
His resurrection (Luke 24:34). And in today's reading
John records another special conversation between
Jesus and Peter.

On that dark night in Jerusalem Simon denied His
Savior three times. Now, on this bright morning at
the Sea of Tiberius, Jesus leads Peter to confess his
devotion to His Savior three times. Then Jesus gives
Peter a glorious promise. In the future, when Peter's
life is in danger for Jesus' sake, he will not weaken
in denial. Simon Peter will remain faithful in his
confession and die as a martyr of Jesus Christ.

Jesus died and rose again for your sins-each and
every one of them. They are all forgiven. This is
something He constantly reminds you through His
Word, through the waters of your Baptism and by
the body and blood He gives you in worship-the price
He willingly paid for your eternal salvation. His Holy
Spirit will keep you strong in the confession of His
Name, until our Lord welcomes you into paradise.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, let Your light continue to shine in this
dark world, that with boldness and confidence I
may live for You, until You come again and scatter
the darkness forever. I pray in Your holy Name. Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer

THE LIGHT SHINES

RESURRECTION SUNDAY

"Jesus said to her, 'Mary.' ..." (John 20:16a).
Read John 20:1-18.

After the long, dark weekend, Mary Magdalene left
early Sunday morning to go out to Jesus' tomb.
Already filled with grief and sorrow she saw the
tomb broken open and Jesus' body missing.

She ran to tell the disciples someone had stolen
His body. Peter and John ran out to investigate,
then went back into hiding to consider what they
had seen. Mary stayed behind at the tomb,
overwhelmed with sorrow.

Have you ever stood at a graveside totally lost and
immersed in unspeakable grief? Imagine Mary's
pain, totally shattered by the brutal murder of her
Lord.

But Jesus had already told His disciples how the
story would end. This was a day of joy and victory;
it was not a day of grief and loss. And so Jesus
came up to her and at the sound of her name on
His lips, the light burst forth and scattered the
darkness of Mary's grief.

When we stand by a loved one's grave, this is a
moment to remember. On the Last Day our loved
ones who are now separated from us, hidden in
the darkness of the grave will stand before us
shining. Their voices that are now still in death will
be music in our ears once again when the Light
comes to raise the dead and vanquish the darkness
forever.

We will see Jesus with our own eyes just as Mary
did on that great day of resurrection. And we will
shine in that glorious light forever and ever.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank You for bursting out of the tomb
on this glorious day, revealing our future and that of
our loved ones who have died in faith. Give us joy,
courage and hope as we await that glorious day of
Your return, and help us share it with all. We pray
in Your holy Name. Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer

HE IS RISEN ALLELUIA!!!!!!!!!!!!

OUT FROM THE DARKNESS

THE CROSS

Verse

And they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit
on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise
again.  Mark 10:34 NKJV Study Bible

Voice

The cross was two pieces of dead wood; and a
helpless, unresisting man was nailed to it; yet it
was mightier than the world, and triumphed, and
will ever triumph over it.
Augustus William Hare

Prayer

While we were still your enemies, Lord Jesus Christ,
you suffered and died for us, winning the victory over
death for our sakes. Give us grace to lift you up as
we follow the way of your cross so that all people
may be drawn unto you. Amen.
Common Prayer

PAID IN FULL

Lenten Devotion

"So he delivered Him over to them to be crucified. So
they took Jesus, and He went out, bearing His own
cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which
in Aramaic is called Golgotha" (John 19:16-17).

Read John 19:16-30.

Jesus shows remarkable strength in His first three
hours on the cross. Even while He is suffering for our
sins, His focus is not on Himself, but on the people
around Him. Seeing His enemies He pleads, "Father,
forgive them, for they know not what they do"
(Luke 23:34a). He promises the repentant criminal at
His side, "Today You will be with Me in paradise"
(Luke 23:43b). He provides a disciple to care for His
mother after He is gone "Woman, behold, your son!"
and to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!"
(John 19:26b, 27b).

Then at noon comes the darkness. Luke tells us the
sun stopped shining. Jesus hangs alone in the
darkness silently suffering God's wrath at the sins of
the world. Finally, after three hours He cries out in
agony, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
(Matthew 27:46b).

By three in the afternoon, it is over. God the Father has
unleashed His full wrath-not a single one of our sins
has gone unpunished. John tells us, "Jesus, knowing
that all was now finished, said, (to fulfill the Scripture)
'I thirst'" (John 19:28). And "When Jesus had received
the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished,' and He bowed His
head and gave up His spirit" (John 19:30). There is
nothing left for us to pay. We are free, and the doors of
heaven are open wide to us through Jesus' life, death
and resurrection.

Jesus offers His last confident prayer: "Father, into Your
hands I commit My spirit" (Luke 23:46b).

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, on the cross You suffered the wrath of God
for all of our sins, and paid the price in full. Receive our
thanks and gratitude for Your amazing sacrifice and the
life that is ours because of Your death. Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer

ONE LAST CARD TO PLAY

Lenten Devotion

"Pilate went out again and said to them, 'See, I am
bringing Him out to you that you may know that I
find no guilt in Him.' So Jesus came out, wearing
the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said
to them, 'Behold the man!'" (John 19:4-5).

Read John 19:1-16.

Pilate has one last, desperate trick up his sleeve.
It's a long shot, but it's his last chance to set Jesus
free. He orders our Lord to be flogged. Many died
from such a cruel scourging; others died later from
the complications of those severe injuries. Pilate
thought the scourging might just satisfy the blood
lust of the Jewish authorities.

As Pilate had Jesus brought forward it was a pitiful
sight to behold. Jesus had been beaten severely.
A crown of bloody thorns was on His head and a
blood-soaked, purple robe was draped around His
shoulders. Clearly, the Jewish authorities could
not consider Him a threat now.

But once they had gotten a taste of Jesus' blood,
the authorities had only one thing to say, "Crucify
Him, Crucify Him!"

Tonight we gather in church to celebrate the Lord's
Supper and receive His true body and blood. We
remember Pilate pointing and saying, "Behold the
man!" We remember John the Baptist pointing and
saying, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away
the sins of the world." We remember this body was
beaten and nailed to the cross for us. This blood
was shed by the scourge and nails for us. And
because Jesus offered His body and poured out His
blood in our place-as our Substitute-we are forgiven
and free.

"Do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19b).

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, You freely offered Your body and blood
for our salvation. Move me to receive it in gratitude
and joy, and to serve You throughout my days. Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer

PILATE'S GAMBLE

Lenten Devotion

"But you have a custom that I should release one man for
you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you
the King of the Jews?" (John 18:39).

Read John 18:38-40.

Pilate won't listen to Jesus; he is too busy trying to work
this out himself. How can he force the Jewish authorities
to accept his decision to set Jesus free? Maybe one of
the local customs might do the trick. It was implemented
to improve Roman-Jewish relations. At the Passover feast,
the Roman governors released a prisoner the Jewish
crowds requested. Normally it was a popular person who
had been imprisoned for speaking against the Roman
government. This time Pilate would offer the choice
between Jesus and the most dangerous criminal in the
prison: Barabbas.

This was a stroke of genius! Jesus offered no true threat
to public safety and clearly Barabbas was as dangerous
to the Jewish leaders as he was to the Romans. But Pilate
misjudges the Jewish leaders, who are convinced Jesus is
a much greater threat to them and to the Jewish nation
than Barabbas.

When the leaders convince the crowd to demanded
Barabbas' release and crucify Jesus, Pilate finds himself in
a far worse position than if he had simply set Jesus free
and lived with the consequences.

Whenever we shun the responsibilities God gives us-to
speak up for those who are defenseless, to bring up our
children in the fear and knowledge of God or those in any
other area of life-we are just like Pontius Pilate.

Jesus didn't step away from His responsibility but freely
took the punishment of our sins upon Himself.

THE PRAYER:

Lord, thank You for paying the price for all the times I walk
away from the responsibilities You give me. Give me
courage and commitment to step forward and do what You
want me to do. Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer

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