He Knows My Name!

By Brenda Rota

John 10:14 states “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me –“

I love how children have such pure faith. On Children’s Sunday, many children confidently stated that Jesus loves them; He cares for their needs; and He even sees them when their teacher may not notice them in class. Love it!

Can I claim such bold faith?

Or, do I believe that Jesus loves me (He sure would like me to clean up my sin, though!); He cares for me (but, I’ll only ask Him for the big requests, the rest I’ll take care of myself); and He sees me (so I better look good! I don’t want Jesus to see me in all my mess!).

As one of God’s sheep, I have to accept the full reality of Jesus. He knows every last thing about me. He knows my name (John 10:3), He knows every word that comes from my mouth (Psalm 139:4), and He is intimately aware of all my ways (Psalm 139:24). Overwhelmed? Good!

We should be overwhelmed by Jesus Christ. His love for us is accessible, unconditional, and never-ending. Jesus went to a great extreme, the Cross, for me. I ought to be overwhelmed by His love for me.

As I begin Holy Week with all of you, my prayer is this: “Lord, help me really soak in Your amazing love this week, Father. Don’t let the busyness of this week rob me of Your beauty in creation, Your plans for my life, and Your love for me and my family. As your chosen sheep, lean in close so I can celebrate this Holy Week like no other time in the year. Would you empower me to celebrate and serve a living God!”

Midweek Moment - March 28, 2010

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Midweek Moment

March 28, 2010

God’s Power to Deliver: The Cross

Pastor Mike Brubaker

Jesus Blesses Children (Mark 10:13-16)

13People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 16And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. ·

• Jesus understood that the childlike faith is essential for salvation.
• Childlike faith is simple trust, children “get” that God loves them.
• Childlike faith is about total dependence.
• Jesus blesses (says good things about) the children.
• We, as parents, need to bless and value our children.
• We can come to Jesus as children with our grubby dirty hands and He will welcome us!

Children Bless Jesus (John 12:12-13)

12The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna! "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! "Blessed is the King of Israel!"

• The children bless and welcome Jesus.
• Small people and big crowds are important to God.
• Jesus is to be worshiped and honored.
• Help our children honor and bless God in all their activities.

Two Invitations:

1. Have you accepted Christ as your Savior?
2. Are you willing to serve with your gifts?

He Wins My Heart

By Verlyn Mahaffey

As some of you know I have a grandson named Colin. On April 17, 2007 he was born into this world. From the first time I held this little bundle in my arms, he won my heart. When he says, “Mimi, I love you”, he wins my heart. We have this little game we play when I come to his house, I peek through the mail box slot in the big green door and there he is sitting on the couch and I say, “Hi Colin”, he jumps down and runs over to the door. No, I must say that he is jumping, hopping up and down and squealing with delight as he hurries to open the door – he wins my heart. No one else does this for me, imagine that! I can’t wait to get to him as he gives me a big hug, he wins my heart. One day as we were sitting together, he closed his eyes and clasped his hands and the only words I heard was, Mimi and Papop and he continued on in some heavenly language that was not discernable to me but I knew Jesus heard every word (I hope it was good)….and he won my heart. Even when I need to say, “time out” and some discipline is needed….he wins my heart. Most of the time during or after this time he says, “Mimi, I’m really sorry.” And HE WINS MY HEART.

At the foot of the cross:
      The day planned from eternity,
      The day that the innocent would die for the guilty.
      The day that would bring the words, “It is finished”!
      The day that would tear the veil in the temple in two,
      The day that would declare that man can now come boldly before God, into His very presence.
      The day that Love was crucified for my sin, the day He took my place
      The day that all heaven waited, breathlessly as Jesus, God’s Son was crucified at Calvary.
      The day He could have called this army, but He did not. He laid it all down!
      The day He could have come down, but He did not. He stayed.

      The Response to this sacrificial love is crucial!
      The response from Jesus himself: “Father, forgive them”
      The response from some was anger, rejection, railings, insults, the result: hopeless
      The response from one thief was acceptance, confession, the result: a home going with Jesus.

My response: HE WON MY HEART. Jesus says to me, “I love you”. I will always love you, it will never change and I will never change my mind. He says to me, “I so delight when you come into my presence, when we talk.” You are very important to me. He says, “I want to take your burdens, I want you to cast your cares upon me, because I care for you.” I hear what you are saying. I have prepared a place for you where we will be together forever. You are my child. You are my beloved. I love you so much that I do need to discipline you, to bring you back to me. I have a wonderful plan for you. And you know what, “I am never going to leave you.” Never! My greatest desire is for you to grow to be just like me, to die to yourself and lay down your life for others, just like me at Calvary. Jesus, your grace at the foot of the cross is amazing!

Your response: _______________________________________________________________

Just another day at the office?

By Dr. Dan Haffey

During Pastor R’s sermon on Sunday, my thoughts turned to the soldiers and the Cross. The soldiers were totally unaware of the cosmic event of redemption that was unfolding above them in the person of the dying Christ. For them, it was “another day at the office” and they continued without awareness to do what they naturally did….give expression to their flesh in gambling for Christ’s clothes.  So near, yet so far from the reality of salvation…they didn’t get it.

Before I cluck my tongue at these pagans, I wonder how aware are we of the spiritual realities going on around us as we have “another day at the office.”  The cosmic battle for the souls of men continue, the war between the flesh and the Spirit wages on, and the voice of God is speaking to us but is unheard over the din of our daily business.

Maybe we need to look up daily and see the Cross and see the struggle as God unwraps His redemption in our lives……just some thoughts.