Rev. Patrick Vincent
“And Mary said: ‘My soul magnifies the Lord,‘” – Luke 1:46
This is from Mary’s song of praise called The Magnificat in which her young heart spills over in joyous song.
Her soul magnifies the Lord.
Ours do as well. That is why our souls were created in the first place; It’s all about Him.
“This is my comfort in my affliction: for Thy word hath quickened me.” – Psa. 119:50
God’s word will resuscitate you, bring you back from the dead, and revive you.
“yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.” – 1 Cor. 8:6
It is through the Lord Jesus Christ that we live.
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” – Eph. 3:14
To whom do you bow your knees?
“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.” – Psa. 36:7-8
Some verses just sing.
How precious is God’s kindness. When we put our trust in Him, God exceeds our wildest expectations – not with earthly health and wealth, but – with the fullness of His house.
That’s verses 7-8. The icing on the cake is verse 9: “For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.”
He is the source, not us or our circumstances or our feelings. Because of Him we see the world as it truly is.
Like I said: Sings.
“Then He said to them, ‘With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’” – Luke 22:15-16
Holy Week: Thursday – Passover and Last Supper
Today in history, Jesus (the actual Passover Lamb), participates in the Passover. He washes the disciples’ feet, institutes the Lord’s Supper, has the Upper Room Discourse, prays in the garden, and is betrayed (both by Judas and later Peter) and is arrested.
What a tragic day for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
As you pray this morning, remember our Messiah’s final earthly days. They were full of humility (both to His Father’s will and also to His disciples) and compassion.
Thursday’s events are recorded in Matthew 26:17–75, Mark 14:12-72, Luke 22:7-62, and John 13:1-38.
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah” – Psa. 46:1-3
WE cannot supply our own shelter under our own strength.
God is our shelter and our might.
God is our help in trouble. IN trouble, not from trouble: trouble will come and when it does – in the middle of it and through it God is there.
He is our HELP.
He is our PRESENT help (meaning you can find Him).
He is our VERY present help (His help is in abundance and never lacking).
“God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.” – Psa. 47:8
Sickness can be an opportunity for worship. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but hear me out.
Sickness, ailments, and infirmities reveal our frailty. They expose our human-ness. All too often we think we are invincible. We think we are the ones in control. We place ourselves on the throne of our own little kingdom.
God never gets sick. God never has an ailment. God never has an infirmity. He is God. He is sovereign over all things.
When we are on our backs, it forces us to look up to The One really on the throne. It corrects our perspective. It propels our worship.
Beloved, our Governor has called for a day of prayer. Let’s join others at noon to pray with our brothers and sisters all over the state. We are not alone.
Thank God for the great state of WV that recognizes faith in God and a Governor who is not afraid to call for prayer, not a moment of silence!
Yours in Christ,
– Pastor Patrick
Soli Deo Gloria!
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.” – 1 Pet. 1:1-2
Look, I know this is weird. We are all feeling it. The last place we want to be on Sunday is at home. We love Christ’s bride. We love our church. But the church is more than a building; it’s the people.
Right now we are “exiled,” as it were. During this time, I stand with Peter and pray grace to you and peace be multiplied!
Yours in Christ,
– Pastor Patrick
Soli Deo Gloria!
