Today we are reading Matthew 21. In this chapter we read about Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.“The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”” Matthew‬ ‭21:6-11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ It seems strange to have a “triumphant entry” before a victory. Jesus was on His mission to suffer and die for our sins. The people were giving Him a “heroes welcome”. He was much more than a hero! The small political victory they wanted Him to provide was nothing compared with the glorious eternal victory that is ours through faith. May God bless you to walk in this victory! Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Isaiah 46. In this chapter we read about the futility of Babylonian gods.“Bel bows down; Nebo stoops; their idols are on beasts and livestock; these things you carry are borne as burdens on weary beasts. They stoop; they bow down together; they cannot save the burden, but themselves go into captivity.” Isaiah‬ ‭46:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “What is your “go to” when difficult times come?” I heard this question recently from a pastor on television. It is a good one. When we trust in anything other than God it will fail. False gods over promise and under deliver. The One True God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—is the only one who can help us in our time of need. May God always be your “go to”. Pastor Tim

Today we are reading Isaiah 20. In this chapter we read about the disgrace of Egypt and Cush in their defeat at the hands of the armies of the Assyrian King Sargon. The people of Ashdod called upon Egypt and Cush for protection from Assyria. Because they did not call upon God they also shared in the disgrace of the defeat and were taken prisoner and enslaved in Assyria. Think of a time you experienced shame and disgrace. Were you able to unpack what led up to that time? Sometimes, as in the case of the Israelites, rebelling against God leads to our shame. In this situation, even mighty Egypt and Cush are not able to prevent God’s punishment at the hands of Assyria. So it is with God—it is only in Jesus’ name that we are spared the wrath our sins deserve. May God give you the Holy Spirit to confess your sins and receive forgiveness and eternal life in Jesus’ name. Pastor Tim

Today we are reading 1 Thessalonians 4. In this chapter Paul writes about the second coming of Jesus! All the details are very exciting for believers! These are words that inspire us and give us hope.  The keyword for this chapter is “pa-ra-ka-le-o”. The definition is “to exhort, to beseech,to encourage, to comfort”. “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4:16-18‬ ‭How does it encourage you when you think about Jesus’ return? How would it lift up and give hope to those around you as you speak of His second coming? May God bless you to live every day as if this is the day of His return!  Pastor Tim