Peniel Pentecostal Holiness Church

3239 Rosebud Road Walnut Cove NC 27052
Pastor: Dr. Tim Nelson -  Church Office 336-591-36112
A Place To Encounter God Face To Face. Gen. 32:3

A Word From The Pastor Archives 2023
April 2023
 

when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 (they) Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. John 12:12–13

Palm Sunday is the start of Christ’s journey to the cross. Jesus entered the city with shouts of joy from the people gathered. Cloaks and palm branches covered the road as the anticipated King arrived. Many seemed to be very joyous on this triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, while others were deeply disturbed.

Have  you ever wonder what went through the minds of the various groups gathered: the disciples, the crowd, the religious leaders, and the Roman officials? What did each group expect from Jesus? It is certain that He came to give them what they needed and not what they though they wanted. Each group had their own expectation, yet Jesus had His very clear plan.

He was willing to exchange His perfect life for their broken lives. He took the punishment of their sins and provided them eternal salvation. They needed what only Jesus could give and so do men and women today. 

Will you cherish the Savior in what He has provided you? You DO NEED Him above anything or anyone else. You NEED Him, who along can give hope for today and a future hope. You NEED Him for endless joy and mercy. Whatever you expect from Jesus, you NEED Him and in Him you will find all you need.

Adapted from: 

https://research.lifeway.com/2019/04/14/holy-week-devotional-palm-sunday/

There is a sacredness in every meal when Christians gather to share it. And when we share the Lord's Supper, we are most certainly to pause and recognize the presence of the Lord in our midst. However the meal referenced in Luke 24 is a reminder that even the most common times of table fellowship are sacred and precious moments of Jesus' presence in the midst of those who follow Him. Therefore, when we eat together, whether in a common meal or the Lord’s Supper, let us never let a single meal pass without our conscious realization and recognition of the Lord's being in our midst - reminding us He is the Bread of Life.

On the evening of the first Sunday after Jesus was crucified, His disciples were together behind locked doors.  They were afraid, uncertain, confused, and struggling to believe what they had heard from the women earlier that day, Suddenly, Jesus appeared in the locked room with the disciples.  It was hard for the disciples to believe, but they saw Him with their eyes.  Jesus showed them the wounds in His hands and His side, so they knew it was Him.

One of the disciples, Thomas, was not with the others when Jesus appeared to them.  When they told Thomas they had seen Jesus, he questioned what he had heard.  Along with the other disciples, Thomas had seen Jesus crucified and buried, so how could He be alive?"  Thomas said, "Unless I see the wound in His side and put my finger in the holes where the nails were in His hands, I will not believe it."

A week later, Thomas was with the other eleven and once more Jesus came and stood among the disciples.  Jesus said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, see My hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into My side.  Do not be unbelieving, but believe."

Thomas fell on his knees and answered Jesus, "My Lord and my God!"  Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, you have believed, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have  believed."

You and I have never seen Jesus with out own eyes.  The question is, "Will we believe, having not
seen.  Will we be blessed because we believe, even though we have-not seen?"  The choice is yours, just as it was for Thomas.

WILL YOU BELIEVE?

Adapted from:  https://sermons4kids.com/can_you_believe_it.htm