Psalm 62:8(NIV) Trust in Him at all times, O people, pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. 

Have you ever felt as though you had no one you can talk to and share your secrets? Maybe life has presented you with so many challenges and you feel you are in it all by yourself. Perhaps your dreams have been crushed. Well, let me remind you that God is always there for you. It is God’s desire that we cast all our problems on him. You can tell God your deepest hurts and sorrows. You can tell God all about your biggest mistakes. You can truthfully share with God your innermost pain. God wants us to always trust in Him. Regardless of how or what things may appear to be, God is in control. We are to trust Him at all times. Trusting God means giving up your control and yielding to God. Pour out your heart to God just as David did. David faced many dangers but he trusted God as his refuge. Pouring out your heart to God means emptying oneself and surrendering all to God. David knew God would be his security in times of trouble.
Therefore, I challenge you today to allow David’s words of exhortation to encourage you to trust in God at all times. For David declares “for God is our refuge” not his refuge alone. Begin to pour out your heart to God today.

Psalm 94:12 Blessed is the man you discipline, O Lord, the man you teach from your law;

“This hurts me more than it hurts you.”  These words I can remember my mother saying while she whipped me for something I had done wrong.  Those words did not make my pain any less.  As a matter of fact, I did not understand it then at all. However, as I grew older, I come to understand just what Mama was trying to convey.  Her discipline was a sign of her love for me even though I had to endure the hurt.  The punishment was her way of bringing correction; to steer me from the wrong and into the right direction.  The psalmist wrote Blessed is the man you discipline, O Lord. . .  How can discipline make one happy?  Is it ever pleasant to be disciplined by God?  Discipline is defined as “the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.”  Hebrews 12:11 records No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.  A father who loves his children will discipline them to correct the error of their ways.  God disciplines his children because he loves them and his desire is to teach them to obey his law (Word).  Perhaps you feel like everything is falling apart in your life, nothing seems to go right, or you may feel dejected.  I challenge you today, if you feel you are being punished by God check your behavior and realize this is an expression of God’s love for you.  Open up to God and ask what are you trying to teach me.  Learn from His discipline and you will find peace.

As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.   Luke 24:15-16  (NIV)

During this pandemic it has become necessary for all of us to wear masks.  Wearing masks is to help protect each other and minimize the spread of the virus. It is very difficult at times to recognize people whom you know and have known for quite some time because of these masks. Our wearing masks is not intended to conceal our identity. Yet there are occasions when being out among others, we fail to recognize just who has been in our presence. Just as the two men walking along the road to Emmaus encountered Jesus but did not recognize who he was.  Luke says but they were kept from recognizing him.  During this pandemic, is it possible you are being kept from recognizing who Jesus is among all the chaos?  Could it be our faces have been masked by so much hurt, we cannot recognize Jesus in our presence?  Perhaps the death of a love one, the loss of employment, or the threat of losing your home has caused you to lose sight of the presence of God.  But regardless of the struggles we face in this life, remember God is an omnipresent God.  He is always with us. Amidst the troubles of this world; hatred, racism, senseless murders, social injustices, broken relationships, divorce and raging storms, God is still present.  I challenge you today to look to God and for God in every situation you encounter.  God is faithful and has promised “. . . And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matt. 28:20 NIV  Be encouraged for God is in your presence.

Mark 11:15 – 17 15 Then they *came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; 16 and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple.17 And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS’? But you have made it a ROBBERS’ DEN.”

There is no greater period in all of humanity other than the seven-day period of creation, that has impacted the destiny of mankind like Holy Week. From Sunday to Sunday, these eight days shook the core of humanity and changed the course of eternity for all who trust in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! On the first Sunday, known as Palm Sunday, Jesus made His triumphal entrance into Jerusalem to inaugurate this week and to symbolize His reign as the King of kings and the Lord of lords! The text states that as He entered the city, people began to lay their coats and palm branches on the road and cry out, “Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Our text for today takes us to Monday. As was His custom, Jesus and His disciples made their way from Bethany to Jerusalem, to go to the temple, about a two-mile journey. When they entered the temple, Jesus became irate because of what He discovered. The irony is that Jesus has entered the temple on Sunday and observed the activity taking place and returned to Bethany. Something on Monday, however, caused Him to become indignant: He discovered that the house had become desecrated.

It was customary for commerce to take place outside of the temple, through the selling of animals for the sacrifice, but the events of Monday were different. They had begun to buy and sell inside the temple: they had exchanged the holy for the secular. Jesus, filled with righteous indignation, drove the moneychangers out of the temple, saying: “Is it not written, ‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS’? But you have made it a ROBBERS’ DEN.” They had caused the holy temple to become a desecrated house.

The revelation in the text is that Jesus won’t abide in a desecrated house. Our soul is the temple (house or dwelling place) of the Holy Spirit. Have we allowed secular things to occupy the place where only holy things should abide? Have we settled for things, such as secular music, unholy conversations, thoughts, and actions, to occupy the place where holy things such as prayer, the ministry of the Word and righteous living should abide? If we have, then we have desecrated the house and Jesus will not live in such places. We must first allow Him to drive out everything that is unholy in order that our temples be made ready for Him to come in.

On this Monday of Holy Week, l challenge you to allow the Holy Spirit to check your spiritual house. If there is anything in it that causes it to be desecrated. allow Him free reign to cleanse the temple. Once clean, He will enter in and fellowship with you and allow you to fellowship with Him!

Prayer: Father, I repent of allowing anything into my temple that has caused it to be desecrated. I give You full reign to cleanse my temple that it will be a prepared place for Your Spirit to enter and live. I love You Lord. Amen.

Rev. Dr. J. Elvin Sadler

“I knew that You always hear me. . .”     John 11:42  (NIV)

I recall as a young girl, the tone of voice my mother had when she thought we were not listening to her while she was speaking to us.  She would speak in such a stern voice asking “Do you hear me?”  It is very troubling and disheartening when you are talking to someone and it is as if they are not listening to you.  Especially in those times when you need a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on, it is disturbing to know that you have poured out your heart unto someone and they have not heard a word you have said.  But I thank God He hears us when we call upon Him.  Jesus, speaking to His Father, said in John 11:42, “I knew that You always hear me.”  It is reassuring to know that when you as God’s children call upon Him, you have his undivided attention.  You can pour out your heart to Him, make known your deepest desires and secrets.  God knows the voice of his children and hears their every cry.  Jesus said “You always. . .” there is not a time when we call upon the Father that he does not hear us.  He may not answer as quickly as we would want Him to but we can do as Jesus did and thank God in advance for hearing our call.  So as His child when you pray, believe He hears me and He will answer.

. . . because you have no room for my word.      John 8:37

Have you ever heard of or encountered a hoarder?  A hoarder is one who accumulates stuff with no intention of getting rid of it.  They have no problem piling things up, whether they need them or not.  Oftentimes, it is difficult to maneuver around within their dwelling because of the enormous intake of objects they have retained.  The effects of hoarding can extend beyond an overstuffed home. It can put people’s health at risk. It can damage families. It can affect surrounding neighborhoods.  And treating it requires more than a big box of trash bags.  Similarly, we as Christians sometimes allow stuff, particularly junk to overcrowd our minds. We take in so much gossip and negative comments.  We have become addicted to certain television shows that feed our spirit a lot of junk. Attitudes like hatred, jealousy, greed, and malice also clutter our spiritual sense.  Jesus’ words in John 8:37 “because you have no room for my word” tells me we must make room.  With intentionality, we are to “make room” for the Word of God.  During this season of Lent, let us concentrate on those things in our lives (the junk) that have cluttered our minds causing spiritual decay.  Get rid of the junk. Make Room for the Word and the Word will make room for you.  Take time to read God’s word and allow the Word to speak to your situations.  God’s word will cleanse us, bring healing, strength and joy into our lives if we would only “Make Room” for it.  Make Room!

1 Peter 1:9  The reward for trusting him (the Lord) will be the salvation of your souls. (NLT)

It is not unusual for people to find it difficult to trust others.  People will let you down when you need them the most.  Many people put their trust in politicians for help.  Many people put their trust in their finances.  Often, people will put their trust in pastors and/or preachers.  When you put your trust in humans, you can expect to be let down because humans aren’t perfect.  Psalm 118:8 tells us It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.  To trust someone is to be confident that they will do what they say they will do.  It is believing in their ability to do what they say.  There is one we all can trust.  We can trust Him to forever do what he says.  He is able to save our souls and provide our needs.  1 Peter 1:9 states; The reward for trusting him (the Lord) will be the salvation of your souls.  The Greek word translated souls is often a reference to the whole person.  When we trust the Lord with our lives (whole heart) we can expect to receive the reward of salvation.  By putting our trust in the LORD there is no danger in being let down.  A reward is something given in recognition of one’s service, effort, or achievement.  Trust God and your reward will be the salvation of your soul which is our greatest benefit.

Matthew 15:8  “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. . . “

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt.”  This is something I often heard as a young girl.  I’ve learned better over the years.  Words are powerful.  Words carry a lot of weight.  Sticks and stones may cause broken bones however, they can be repaired with medical attention.  On the other hand, harsh words can break a spirit which is difficult to repair.  In the same way, words that are spoken in pretense and conceit can wound deeply.  In addressing the Pharisees and teachers of the law in Matthew 15:8 Jesus said “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Jesus referred to them as hypocrites.  A hypocrite is someone “who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings.” Their verbal message does not reflect their real identity. Their words are misleading and are a misrepresentation of who they claim to be.  As Christians, we are to speak truth and words of encouragement.  We are to be careful what and how we speak as we represent Christ and the gospel. Proverbs 10:11 says “The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life:. . .”  Our behavior and words are to be a sincere reflection of our heart’s desire.  Speak truth!

Hebrews 12:2  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. . .

I can remember when I received my last pair of new glasses.  I was excited.  For the first time, I had ordered my prescription glasses online to save money.  I could hardly wait to get them opened and try them on.  I expected them to greatly improve my vision.  But much to my amazement, when I got them opened, I immediately felt a sense of disappointment.  They were not at all what I thought I had ordered.  They had a much darker tint than I expected.  Upon putting them on I could barely focus and I found the glasses to be more of a distraction than a help to my vision.  A lesson to take from this.  We can become excited about new things coming our way but we must be careful not to allow the new things to be a distraction from what is most important.  The author of Hebrews wrote Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. . . As we walk this Christian journey, our focus must be on Jesus.  We can anticipate new things to come into our lives.  Some new things prove to be good for us.  Yet, others easily become distractions and hinderances.  New relationships, material possessions, positions, and ventures can be distractions.  They can sometimes cause us to take our eyes off of Jesus. We may fall victim to the excitement of new things and become more focused on them than on Jesus.  To fix our eyes on Jesus requires staying focused on who and what is most important so that we do not stumble or fall.  It wasn’t until Peter took his eyes off Jesus that he began to sink in the water (Matt. 14:30).  Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus!