Happy Palm Sunday!  It seems it’s hard to find the “happy” part of that statement right now.  We are now mandated to stay home unless necessary.  Well, let me remind you of a few things that happened in Scripture to start the Holy Week of Easter.

First of all, Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter and it is meant to represent and celebrate the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a Donkey as Savior and King.  He was somewhat of a Celebrity, after raising Lazarus from the dead, so the people laid palm branches on the streets for Him to travel on and waved them towards Him..  This act was to show him the royal treatment!

Something I find very interesting and timely, Jesus rode in on a Donkey.  This act fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!  Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!  See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”  In biblical times it was customary for kings or important people to arrive in a procession riding a donkey.  It was a symbol of peace.  Jesus rode in on a donkey to show he is the “Prince of Peace.”

I have been thinking about Jesus’ mother Mary this week.  We usually hear about Mary at Christmas time, however, my question is, what emotions did she carry that last days of Christ?  As a parent, I can’t imagine the sadness, anxiety, fear, frustration, etc., she was feeling watching her Son, the Son of God, being beaten, spit upon, and facing the Cross.  She knew  she was the mother of someone extraordinary from the minute she found out she was carrying the Son of God.  I know the scripture tells us we should not have a spirit of fear but I can’t imagine Mary not being fearful and worrisome!  In John 19:  25-27 the scripture tells us, “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son.”  and to the disciple, Here is your mother.”  From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”  Jesus made a provision for her!  He knew His time on the cross was here and He was about to die.  He is our Prince of Peace.

I am thankful for the reminder that God is not the author of fear.  He does not give us a spirit of fear and will not allow us to reside in fear.  Fear is from Satan.  Satan is UGLY!  He will do anything  to pull us away from Christ.  It is our job to give Christ the Praise in all things and rebuke Satan from interfering!!  Romans 16:20 states, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.  The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”  Hallelujah!!!  Bring it on God!  I can’t wait for Satan to be crushed!  I love James 4:7, “Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  As we continue in this quarantine time, seek Christ first!  Resist the devil!  For me, the news is the devil.  I can only take so much and I begin to feel Satan drawing me into fear, frustration, and anxiety.  I have to turn it off and focus on Christ and the blessings He has bestowed upon me.  Today, I am claiming his promise that he showed by riding on a donkey to declare He is the Prince of PEACE!!!!!!

Peace Be Still – The Belonging Co. ft. Lauren Daigle

There have been times in my life that I find I can’t sing this next song and be in the center of God’s Will.  Right now, I feel this song is an anthem!  I love the simplicity of this arrangement by the Isaacs! Please enjoy It is Well With My Soul.

Finally, I am sure each of you are in different places with your feelings about the world around us and simply need Christ to hold you!  I love the way Natalie Grant gives us a sense of being Held in this song!

Here is the list of songs we would have sung this week.  Spend sometime YouTubeing your favorite groups and sing along!

1st service:

• There is Power in the Blood
• The Blood will Never Lose It’s Power
• Nothing But the Blood
• The Old Rugged Cross
• Jesus Paid it All

2nd Service:

• All Because of Jesus
• Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord
• Scandal of Grace
• Victors Crown
• O Praise His Name
• O, Come to the Altar 

We are praying for you Bethel!  Miss you terribly!!  
Love, Mandi

PS….I have a hope of live streaming our worship set next Sunday from our home for  Easter.  Pray for me, I have never done a live stream and feel a tad nervous!  I hope it will be a blessing for you on Easter!  We will send more details out this week!!!!