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    • Hosanna!

      Posted at 12:00 pm by sneuhofer, on March 28, 2021

      Will you triumph at His entry?

      People are gathering, many holding palm branches and shouting “Hosanna! Praise God! God Bless the One who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the King of Israel.” (John 12:12 – NIV)

      Can you picture yourself at the scene? Close your eyes for just a minute and listen.

      Hosanna! 

      Is your heart pumping with excitement to see the Messiah that has been foretold in Old Testament scriptures?

      Hosanna! 

      Perhaps you’ve seen or heard about the miracles that are being performed. Now here he is entering the city on a donkey.

      Hosanna! 

      You’re on your tiptoes trying to see over the tall man in front of you.

      Hosanna! 

      Finally you can see him clearly… it’s Jesus!

      Hosanna! Praise God!

      The people who were shouting “Hosanna!” at Christ’s triumphal entry understood what the word Hosanna acutally meant. The word is from the Hebrew word ‘Hoshiah Na’, and according to the King James Dictionary means ‘save Now! or ‘save, I pray!’ The people knew Jesus was the promised Messiah.

      Come back to the scene with me for just a moment. Listen to the crowd.

      Hosanna! 

      Is this amazing or what??? There is so much excitement. Don’t wander too far away, just stay there for a few more seconds. Look around. Many leaders were there as well and believed in Jesus. Did they have palm leaves in their hands? Sadly the answer is no. Their fear of being kicked out of the synagogue by the Pharisees kept them from acknowledging who Jesus really was…the One they had been waiting for all along. Instead of choosing Jesus that day, these people chose the praise of people over the praise from God (John 12:43).

      Okay, we can come back to present day. Just a few questions to consider before I finish up. Do you find it hard to believe that Jesus is who he says he is?

      Hosanna!

      If you believe in Jesus and have given him your life you can trust him with every area of your life. What would happen if Jesus were to ride into your town today?

      Hosanna! Praise God!

      What would you do? Would you be singing Hosanna and waving a palm branch or would you stand and not say anything because you’re too afraid of what your neighbors might say?

      The Bible says “one day every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil. 2: 10 – 11).” Why not let today be that day for you to be strong and courageous instead of being afraid and shackled by doubt. Just like Jesus entered Jerusalem, let him enter your heart in a brand new way.

      Hosanna! Praise God! Don’t be afraid.

      Leaving his perfect heaven, Jesus humbly came to earth in the form of a baby.

      Jesus loves. 

      He grew up and walked among us to give us an example of how to live and love like him.

      Jesus heals. 

      Then, the week before he canceled the debt for the sin of all mankind, he entered the city of Jerusalem not with pomp and circumstance, but on the colt of a donkey; humbly, and with peace.

      Jesus frees.

      Hosanna! Praise God!

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      Posted in Easter, Hosanna, triumphal entry | 0 Comments

    • Confessions of an acceptance addict!

      Posted at 5:30 am by sneuhofer, on March 2, 2021
      James 1: 5 – 6 (NLT) “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone (emphasis mine).”
      So, you find yourself in the middle of a “situation” and you don’t know the answer. You need advice. Who do you turn to? For me, I used to REALLY care what people thought I should do. Before even asking God for direction or guidance, I would go to friends and ask their opinion. I am not saying there is anything wrong with asking friends for their advice. The friends I seek advice from are incredible men and women of God and I believe with all my heart they give advice that is sound and biblical. However, when all is said and done and I have a decision to make I have to remember that true wisdom comes from God and I should be seeking His answer first.
      When you have a decision to make or are facing a difficult decision, go to God in prayer and trust Him to work in the details. Instead of talking to a trusted friend first, seek God’s advice. Ask Him for wisdom to make the right decision or how to handle this tough situation you may be facing. Trusted friends will provide confirmation of God’s guidance and direction…trust me!
      Another important thing to remember is that you have to trust God to provide the answer on His timetable. I know it’s tough to wait…but you have to be careful not to take your “situation” back and try to “handle” things yourself. James tells us in verse 6 (chapter 1) that we have to ask in faith and not doubt. Asking in faith means to come before God and ask with confidence that God will align our desires with His purposes. We have to believe that God will hear us and answer us.
      Now sometimes, the answer may come quickly and other times, the waiting will seem like forever. It’s what you do during the wait that’s important… no matter how much you want to doubt His providence and sovereignty…, don’t.  Remember God’s timing is not our timing,  but it is perfect. Only He can see the entire picture of our lives. Have you ever thought that the process may be taking longer because  God is working on someone else in our situation? I have to admit that this is a tough one for me. Because why should I have to wait for someone else…. frustrating I know. But there is beauty in the “wait.”
      When you ask God for something are you convinced that his way is best and are you willing to accept the answer He gives? God is trustworthy. Rely on Him to show you what is best for you – NO MATTER THE OUTCOME.
      Related reading: Psalm 63:8; Proverbs 3: 5- 6; 1 Corinthians 13: 6 – 7

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      Posted in finding acceptance in God, trusting God | 0 Comments

    • Who’s blueprints are you following?

      Posted at 11:30 am by sneuhofer, on February 26, 2021

      Psalm 127: 1 (HCSB) Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor in vein; unless the Lord watches over a city the watchman stays alert in vein.

      I can do absolutely nothing apart from God. As hard as I try to do things in my own strength, it’s fruitless if the Lord has not blessed it. When I look at Psalm 127:1, I’m reminded of all the times I’ve tried to run ahead of God, or felt like I knew what was better for me than He did.

      This verse clearly tells me that if the Lord is included in the process, my efforts will not be in vein.

      So that means, every time I decided to get ahead of God, my efforts weren’t successful…because the Lord wasn’t the one leading the charge. I was trying to force an outcome or make something on my own, haphazardly stepping in places God never designed for my feet to go.

      No more.

      I’m laying down “my tools” and trusting God to build the house. What about you? Have you been trying to do something in your own strength? Are you tired? Do you feel like you’re beating your head against a wall? It’s probably time to engage God and determine if what you’re working so hard to accomplish is part of His plan for you.

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      Posted in let go and let God, wants vs needs; God's plan | 0 Comments
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