The Shadow Before the Celebration

Week of April 4, 2025

“He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” Isaiah 53:3 (NKJV)       

Soon, we will celebrate Easter. Churches will be full of people and “He is Risen” will ring from pulpits. But before we get to that celebration, we must not overlook the shadow of the cross and the road that led our Savior there. We want resurrection without sacrifice, but that is to miss the weight of what Jesus endured and the depths of His love. Before the victory of the resurrection, there was the cry of abandonment: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Jesus didn’t suffer so we could have a moment of celebration once a year. He bore the weight of our sin so that we could be forgiven and free. A price was paid for that.

This Easter, let the shadow of the cross remind us of His love. Let it stir a deeper commitment to serve the Lord. As we approach Easter, don’t just prepare for a service – prepare your heart. Reflect on the cross, so when we celebrate the resurrection, it is with the awareness of what it cost.

God Bless, Pastor Rick

The Road to the Cross

Week of March 28, 2025

“Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,” Luke 9:51 (NKJV)

As we prepare our hearts for Easter, we must remember that Jesus was intentional about His journey to the cross. Luke tells us that He set His face toward Jerusalem. He knew what awaited Him - betrayal, suffering, and death – yet He walked forward in obedience to the Father’s will.

This is a reminder that following Christ requires a steadfast heart. There are times in our lives when obedience to God is difficult when the path ahead is uncertain. But just as Jesus trusted the Father’s plan, we can trust that God is working all things for His glory and our good.

As Easter draws near, take time to reflect:

• Are there areas in your life where God is calling you to greater obedience?

• Should you align your heart more fully with His will?

• Are there distractions that are pulling you away from your walk with Christ?

Like Jesus, set your heart on the things of God. Each day this week, surrender an area of your life to Christ. Resolve to walk in obedience to Christ, just as He did on His way to Jerusalem.

God Bless, Pastor Rick

The Heart of Repentance

Week of March 21, 2025

36 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. 37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” Luke 7:36-39 (NKJV)

As we begin our journey toward Easter, we must start with this fundamental truth. Before we can fully celebrate the resurrection, we must first come to Jesus with a heart of repentance.

This woman, known as a sinner, enters the home of a Pharisee, kneels at Jesus’ feet, washes His feet with her tears, and anoints them with expensive perfume. Her response was an act of deep repentance. She recognizes her sinfulness and she also recognized that Jesus was the only One who could forgive her.

Repentance is more than feeling guilty about our sins, it is a turning away from them and turning toward Jesus. Her actions teach us:

                    1. Repentance Requires Humility

                    2. Repentance Comes with Brokenness

                    3. Repentance Brings Forgiveness

Her actions teach us to take time for self-examination. Come to Jesus with honesty and humility and rest in His forgiveness.

“Heavenly Father, as I prepare for Easter, cleanse my heart and renew my spirit. Thank You for Your grace and mercy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

God Bless, Pastor Rick