Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  Instead, fear the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell.
(Matthew 10:28 -- GW)

This is true because Christ suffered for our sins once.  He was an innocent person, but he suffered for guilty people so that he could bring you to God.  His body was put to death, but he was brought to life through his spirit. ¹⁹ In it he also went to proclaim his victory to the spirits kept in prison.
(1 Peter 3:18-19 -- GW)

P.S.  That's why we say in the Apostles' Creed that Jesus "descended into hell." 

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)

God had Christ, who was sinless, take our sin so that we might receive God’s approval through him.

(2 Corinthians 5:21 -- GW)

Shoeless Joe Jackson:
"Is this heaven?"

Ray Kinsella: "No, it’s Iowa."


(From the movie, Field of Dreams)

The foundations of the city wall were beautifully decorated with all kinds of gems: The first foundation was gray quartz, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth red quartz, the seventh yellow quartz, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth green quartz, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.
(Revelation 21:19-20 -- GW)

Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/colorful-tile-wall-gm914221128-251634081

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)





Happy Palm Sunday . . .

The Lord is my light and my salvation.  Who is there to fear? The Lord is my life’s fortress.  Who is there to be afraid of?

(Psalm 27:1 -- GW)

Then David reached into his bag, took out a stone, hurled it from his sling, and struck the Philistine in the forehead.  The stone sank into Goliath’s forehead, and he fell to the ground on his face.

(1 Samuel 17:49 -- GW)

In the end they will be destroyed.  Their own emotions are their god, and they take pride in the shameful things they do.  Their minds are set on worldly things.

(Philippians 3:19 -- GW)

So place yourselves under God’s authority.  Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. ⁸ Come close to God, and he will come close to you.  Clean up your lives, you sinners, and clear your minds, you doubters.

(James 4:7-8 -- GW)

I sent plagues on you as I did to Egypt.
With swords I killed your best young men along with your captured horses.
I made the stench from your camps fill your noses.
And you still didn’t return to me, declares the Lord.

(Amos 4:10 -- GW)

"I’ve told you this so that my peace will be with you.  In the world you’ll have trouble.  But cheer up!  I have overcome the world."

(John 16:33 -- GW)

Humans are like a breath of air.  Their life span is like a fleeting shadow.

(Psalm 144:4 -- GW)

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

(By Edward Mote)

Jesus loves me—this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to him belong,—
They are weak, but he is strong.

(By Anna Bartlett Warner)






Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

(Added by William Batchelder Bradbury)

Some men had lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard.  As they sat together, Peter sat among them. ⁵⁶ A female servant saw him as he sat facing the glow of the fire.  She stared at him and said, “This man was with Jesus.”
⁵⁷ But Peter denied it by saying, “I don’t know him, woman.”
⁵⁸ A little later someone else saw Peter and said, “You are one of them.”
But Peter said, “Not me!”
⁵⁹ About an hour later another person insisted, “It’s obvious that this man was with him.  He’s a Galilean!”
⁶⁰ But Peter said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
Just then, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. ⁶¹ Then the Lord turned and looked directly at Peter.  Peter remembered what the Lord had said: “Before a rooster crows today, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” ⁶² Then Peter went outside and cried bitterly.
(Luke 22:55-62 -- GW)

However, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, search for me, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear their prayer from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their country.

(2 Chronicles 7:14 -- GW)

Obey my commands so that you may live.  Follow my teachings just as you protect the pupil of your eye.
(Proverbs 7:2 -- GW)

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

(Proverbs 30:5 -- ESV)

While they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed it. He broke the bread, gave it to them, and said, “Take this. This is my body.”
²³ Then he took a cup, spoke a prayer of thanksgiving, and gave the cup to them. They all drank from it. ²⁴ He said to them, “This is my blood, the blood of the promise.^[a] It is poured out for many people.
²⁵ “I can guarantee this truth: I won’t drink this wine again until that day when I drink new wine in God’s kingdom.”
²⁶ After they sang a hymn, they went to the Mount of Olives.

(Mark 14:22-26 -- GW)

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,

(Matthew 24:12 -- NIV)

Remember the past, when you first learned the truth.
(Hebrews 10:32a -- GW)


Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/old-video-tape-gm927627020-254462182

Similar:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/unwound-video-tape-gm928153996-254583947

Jesus said to his disciples, “I can guarantee this truth: It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.  I can guarantee again that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”
He amazed his disciples more than ever when they heard this.  “Then who can be saved?” they asked.  Jesus looked at them and said, “It is impossible for people to save themselves, but everything is possible for God.”
(Matthew 19:23-26 -- GW)

Another view:  http://www.steverts.com/images/1453big.jpg

Because all people have sinned, they have fallen short of God’s glory.  They receive God’s approval freely by an act of his kindness through the price Christ Jesus paid to set us free from sin.

(Romans 3:23-23  -- GW)

He told those who sold pigeons, “Pick up this stuff, and get it out of here!  Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!”
(John 2:16 -- GW)

A beautiful woman who rejects good sense is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.

(Proverbs 11:22 -- CSB)

4 And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend;
even so, it is well with my soul.

(By Horatio Spafford)


Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/approaching-storm-gm811083950-131227239

Here and now I'm in the fire in above my head
Being held under the pressure don't know what'll be left
But it's here in the ashes
I'm finding treasure

He's making diamonds, diamonds
Making diamonds out of dust
He is refining and in His timing
He's making diamonds out of us

(By Jon Steingard of Hawk Nelson)

-----------

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom he has called according to his plan.
(Romans 8:28 -- GW)

He satisfies you with good things; your youth is renewed like the eagle.

(Psalm 103:5 -- CSB)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Good sense is shown by everyone who follows God’s guiding principles.
His praise continues forever.

(Psalm 111:10 -- GW)