Peace to You

As we face the trials and failures that come with life, we long for peace to solve our problems. People through the centuries have looked for the same thing, even in Jesus’ day. However, his peace wasn’t what they expected. In this week’s message, we will talk about the peace of Jesus Christ and how it helps us face whatever comes our way.

Scripture: Luke 19:29-48

When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’“

So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”

They said, “The Lord needs it.”

Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road.

As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.”

He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”

As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”

Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there; and he said, “It is written, “My house shall be a house of prayer’; but you have made it a den of robbers.”

Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him; but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard.


Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon Grace Has a Face delivered on Christian Crusaders December 31, 2006.
(John) uses the word we when he says: “From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.” He seems to be making a proclamation, an announcement. Grace has been made available to everyone. It is offered to everyone. God invites us to come and hold out our empty hands so that he might pour his unmerited love and favor into our lives as we entrust ourselves to his care and leadership. He wants to give you a grace testimony like John’s. Grace is available and it has a face - the face of Jesus Christ.


Memorial Gifts
Christian Crusaders is a nonprofit ministry funded entirely through freewill gifts and donations from individuals and congregations. A memorial gift is a meaningful way to remember a loved one. Memorial gifts are sometimes given to remember a very special person on their birthday or some other occasion. For your convenience, we can take credit card donations by phone or mail. You can also access our Web site at http://www.christiancrusaders.org/onlinedonations.asp and make a donation on our secure site. We thank each of our listeners who have remembered Christian Crusaders with their gifts and prayers.


On the Light Side
Mitchell, who was in kindergarten, practiced spelling with magnetic letters on the refrigerator: cat, dog, dad, and mom. His parents proudly left them displayed there, undisturbed, for all to see.

One morning while getting ready for the day, Mitchell bounded into the living room with his arms outstretched. In his hands were three magnetic letters: G—O – D. “Look what I spelled, Mom!” Mitchell exclaimed with a proud smile on his face.

“That’s wonderful!” his mother praised. “Now put them on the fridge so Dad can see when he gets home tonight.”

Just then, a little voice called from the kitchen.

“Mom? How do you spell ‘zilla’?”