But Christ came as a chief priest of the good things that are now here.  Christ went through a better, more perfect tent that was not made by human hands and that is not part of this created world. ¹² He used his own blood, not the blood of goats and bulls, for the sacrifice.  He went into the most holy place and offered this sacrifice once and for all to free us forever.

(Hebrews 9:11-12 -- GW)

Trust the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding.
⁶     In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths smooth.
(Proverbs 3:5-6 -- GW)

He wants all people to be saved and to learn the truth. ⁵ There is one God.  There is also one mediator between God and humans—a human, Christ Jesus. ⁶ He sacrificed himself for all people to free them from their sins.  This message is valid for every era.

(1 Timothy 2:4-6 -- GW)

The God who made the universe and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth.
(Acts 17:24a -- GW)

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Honor the Lord with your wealth,
    with the firstfruits of all your crops;
¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
    and your vats will brim over with new wine.

¹¹ My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not resent his rebuke,
¹² because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
    as a father the son he delights in.

 

(Proverbs 3:9-12 -- NIV)

 

 

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, . . .

(Psalm 33:12a -- NIV)

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."

(John 14:6 -- NIV)

Harvard College (University now) was named for a Christian minister and its early motto was Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae, meaning "Truth for Christ and the Church."

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

(Hebrews 11:1 -- NIV)

    Keep vanity and lies far away from me.
    Don’t give me either poverty or riches.
        Feed me only the food I need,
⁹             or I may feel satisfied and deny you
                and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
            or I may become poor and steal
                and give the name of my God a bad reputation.

(Proverbs 30:8-9)

The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid! I know you’re looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He’s not here.  He has been brought back to life as he said.  Come, see the place where he was lying. ⁷ Then go quickly, and tell his disciples that he has been brought back to life.  He’s going ahead of them into Galilee.  There they will see him.  Take note that I have told you.”

(Matthew 28: 5-7 -- GW)

Faith convinces us that God created the world through his word.  This means what can be seen was made by something that could not be seen.

(Hebrews 11:36 – GW)

 

 

1. I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living Head.

2. He lives triumphant from the grave,
He lives eternally to save,

He lives all-glorious in the sky,
He lives exalted there on high.

3. He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to help in time of need.

4. He lives to grant me rich supply,
He lives to guide me with His eye,
He lives to comfort me when faint,
He lives to hear my soul's complaint.

5. He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives all blessings to impart.

6. He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend,
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I'll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

7. He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death:
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

8. He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

(by Samuel Medley)

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
(Romans 6:4 -- NIV)

Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/plastic-easter-eggs-gm1087361416-291729557

Suddenly, there was a powerful earthquake.  An angel of the Lord had come down from heaven, rolled the stone away, and was sitting on it.
(Matthew 28:2 -- GW)

Photo:  https://us.fotolia.com/id/142283642

EASTER Jelly Beans . . .
 

Black is for our sins. 

Red is for the blood Jesus shed.

White is for washing our sins away.

Green is for our growth in grace.

Yellow is for our home in heaven.

Orange is for sunrise Easter morning.

Purple is for Jesus our King.

Pink is for our new tomorrow.

 

(Happy Easter Eve!)

 

 

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

(Isaiah 53:6 -- NIV)

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."
²⁰ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you . . ."

(Luke 22:19-20 -- NIV)

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell your disciples to be quiet.”
⁴⁰ Jesus replied, “I can guarantee that if they are quiet, the stones will cry out.”
(Luke 19:39-40 -- GW)

But the crowd pressured Pilate.  They shouted that Jesus had to be crucified, and they finally won. ²⁴ Pilate decided to give in to their demand. ²⁵ He freed Barabbas, who had been put in prison for rioting and murdering, because that’s what they wanted.  But he let them do what they wanted to Jesus.

(Luke 23:23-25 -- GW)

1. Joyous light of heavenly glory, loving glow of God's own face,
   you who sing creation's story, shine on every land and race.
   Now as evening falls around us, we shall raise our songs to you,
   God of daybreak, God of shadows, come and light our hearts anew.
    
   In the stars that grace the darkness, in the blazing sun of dawn,
   in the light of your salvation we can hear your quiet song.
   Love that fills the night with wonder, love that warms the weary soul,
   Love that bursts all chains asunder, sets us free and makes us whole.
    
   You who made the heaven's splendor, every dancing star of night,
   let our voices sing Your praises, let us each reflect your light.
   Mighty Father of creation, Christ the Son who lights our way,
   Holy Spirit of salvation, lead us on to endless day.
   (original text by Marty Haugen)

So they took palm branches and went to meet him.  They were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel!”

(John 12:13 -- GW)

Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children, ⁸ so we cared for you.  Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. ⁹ Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.
(1 Thessalonians 2:6-9 -- ESV)

Photo:  http://www.istockphoto.com/photo/cow-and-calf-gm685006344-125734637

Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime. The Lord makes thunderstorms.  He gives everyone rain showers for the plants in the field.

(Zechariah
10:1 -- GW)

"We thank You, our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept us this night from all harm and danger; and we pray that You would keep us this day also from sin and every evil, that all our doings and lives may please You.  For into Your hands we commend ourselves, our bodies and souls, and all things. Let Your holy angels be with us, that the evil foe may have no power over us.   Amen." 

(Luther's morning prayer, modified from singular to plural)

Scary sometimes
. . .
Happy Wednesday. 

This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
(Acts 4:11 -- ESV)

1. I am Jesus' little lamb,
Ever glad at heart I am;
For my Shepherd gently guides me,
Knows my need, and well provides me,
Loves me every day the same,
Even calls me by my name.

2. Day by day, at home, away,
Jesus is my Staff and Stay.
When I hunger, Jesus feeds me,
Into pleasant pastures leads me;
When I thirst, He bids me go
Where the quiet waters flow.

3. Who so happy as I am,
Even now the Shepherd's lamb?
And when my short life is ended,
By His angel host attended,
He shall fold me to His breast,
There within His arms to rest.

(By Henrietta L. von Hayn)

People die once, and after that they are judged.
(Hebrews 9:27 -- GW)

Make music to praise the Lord, you faithful people who belong to him.  Remember his holiness by giving thanks.

(Psalm 30:4 -- GW)