Praised
12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13 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.
The most significant aspect of Palm Sunday is not the palms, but the praise.
Hosanna is a word of Hebrew origin which means, “Oh save!” It is an exclamation of adoration. In its Hebrew etymology it denotes: to be open, wide, or free; by implication to be safe, to free or succor, thus to defend, deliver, help, preserve, rescue, bring salvation, and get victory.
The people were right in their praise. Jesus is all of that. By his death on the cross He opened wide the door to God and set humanity free.
There is safety in Him. He defends and delivers us in time of trouble. He helps and preserves those in need. He has rescued us from sin and the adversary by the great salvation He has wrought. And He gives us the victory every time.
In Luke’s account of the same event he records Jesus as saying, “If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 19:40.
Do not let the stones speak for you today. Praise Him! -PJF-
Raised
29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
30 But God raised him from the dead.
Acts 13:29,30
The prophetic docket had been fulfilled. The death sentence had been carried out. The spiritless body of Jesus hung on the cross. Together, Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus leaned a ladder against the rough tree. They pulled out the spikes that held the hands and feet of the corpse. Their garments were stained with the innocent blood. They wrapped the body in a linen cloth and carried it to the sepulchre. Reverently they laid the body down, gave it a last glance, wondered, and then walked away. It was finished. (John 19:38-42)
BUT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD! Hallelujah!
The Resurrection Principle is alive today. What you have buried in hopelessness can live again. As with the body of Jesus, that was not a burial. It was a planting. Burial indicates no future hope of existence. Planting is for resurrection.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” John 12:24.
God has not buried your future. He merely planted it so that today it could spring up and bring forth fruit. Resurrection Sunday is about new life through Jesus Christ. Receive it! -PJF-
And now a word from our Pastor…
God’s Answers
I wrote this message three years ago. I believe it is still an appropriate word today. God still answers prayers. His answer will always be in agreement with His written word, the Bible. Know that your prayers have been heard and they will be answered.
What I want to bring before you is what the answer might look like when it comes. Listen to this quote,
“God’s answers may not be what you expected, but it’s what you’ve always wanted and exactly what you need.”
The best example I can give is my story.
When I was a little girl, I didn’t daydream about my wedding day or what my husband would be like. I knew that I wanted to get married one day. When I was either a sophomore or a junior in high school, I remember being in my bedroom alone and just thinking. Somehow my thoughts came to who I would marry. I began thinking about qualities that I would like in a husband. What kind of life we would have, if we’d have any kids…? I’m going to let you in on my conservation that I had with myself and the Lord.
• He had to be a Christian and be willing to be in Church a lot.
• He had to be tall or least the same height as me.
• Older than me.
• Not Samoan, but ethnic. Not completely enthralled in his ethnic culture, American but Ethnic.
• Kids? What if he already has kids? Do I really want kids? Maybe adopt? Hmm… I guess I’d want a kid of my own… him having kids… I’ll table that.
• I want to be friends with him for at least 2 years but not think about each other as a potential boyfriend/girlfriend. That way I can truly be myself and not have to worry about having to impress anyone.
• Get along with my family and friends.
I’m not sure why I began to think about those things then, but I always remembered those points as I got older. 14 years passed and in 2010 I got married to Apostle PJ. As I remembered my qualifications, he met every one of them, even the weird ones. Our story isn’t like anyone else’s that I have ever met. We weren’t dating for a year or two before we got married. There really wasn’t a proposal. Bottom line: we talked and prayed about it for 3 weeks and 3 weeks later we got married.
All the prayers that I have prayed were answered. See, “God’s answers may not be what you expected, but it’s what you’ve always wanted and exactly what you need.”
Apostle PJ and I never expected to be married to each other. We were looking for a spouse, but not looking at each other. During those three weeks we realized that this was of God and we moved forward. After almost 13 years of marriage both of us can testify that this marriage is what we have always wanted and exactly what we needed.
Be on the lookout for God’s answers. -SAF-
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Psalm 84 - The Tents Of The Lord
This Psalm is a beautiful tribute to the Tents of the Lord, the Tabernacle, where God’s Presence appeared and the people gathered to Worship the Lord. Listen.
1 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.
4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
This Psalm elevates the house of God, that tabernacle, where believers gather every week to offer up our worship to our awesome God.
How amiable are thy tabernacles O Lord of hosts. The house of God is a pleasant place. It is a friendly place. It is a lovely place. No one need to be afraid of entering the door of the true house of God.
Some like to say something to the effect that if they went inside the church lightning would strike or some such foolish event would mark their entry.
No. You would find a loving God and some of his loving people. It would be a place of refuge, an oasis. God’s presence is there. The tabernacle of the Lord is a place where even the smallest of birds feel safe there. They find a place for themselves and yes even their young. The house of God is a good place for a man to bring his family. It is a good place for children to be born in and raised in. I am thankful for parents who consistently attended and took us to church. Church should be required attendance in the home.
And never should our day of worship be allowed to be interfered with by visiting friends or relatives or varying events. Everyone that knows my wife and I knows not to invite us anywhere or want to come and visit on Sunday during church time.
Many times unsaved people want to have events on Sunday, and you may feel the need to comply, because maybe you can witness to them or some other crazy notion. Let me tell you a good witness. Let them know your relationship with God is a serious one and the time you spend with God and his people is unalterable. After a couple of attempts they will no longer bother you.
And you can apply a little pressure to them and invite them to church. Who knows what may happen to them when the word is preached and the Holy Spirit moves in the House of God.
One last thing. Begin your Sunday on Saturday night. Turn off the television and your computer early. Arrange your Sunday attire and that of the children early. Find their shoes. Put your Bibles in place. Get the cereal bowls ready for breakfast. Don’t quarrel with your spouse late Saturday night and for sure not on Sunday morning. As you are preparing to go to church sing and worship the Lord. Make it easier for the praise and worship people. Hallelujah.
Give the house of God special treatment in your life and in your home. I guarantee there will be a difference.
10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
A lot of folks want to claim that last part, No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly, but in context it has to do with those that love the house of the Lord.
Be faithful in this matter and you will be blessed. Amen.
Purpose! Ministries Inc.
16605 Sunrise Lakes Blvd Suite 6
Clermont, FL 34714
Sundays 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
Join us in person or live on Facebook.
Pastors PJ and Shirley Flores
Purpose! Ministries
A Praying Church - A Healing Church - A Holy Spirit Church - A Preaching Church
© 2023 Purpose! Ministries Inc. All rights reserved.
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