Mitch is the Senior Pastor of North Haven Church in Norman, OK. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Northeastern State University, a Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from George W. Truett Seminary at Baylor University. Mitch is married and has two sons.
Hebrews 10:16-25 ~ "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I write them on their minds," He also adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain (that is, through His flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 ~ I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the Lord: "O Lord, I pray, save my life!" What shall I return to the Lord for all His bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful ones. O Lord, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the child of Your serving girl. You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to You a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!
John 15:26-16:11 ~ When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, He will testify on My behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with Me from the beginning. "I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them. "I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to Him who sent Me; yet none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?' But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And when He comes, He will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement: about sin, because they do not believe in Me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see Me no longer; about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.
Today, we place ourselves on the streets of Jerusalem.We lift up our palms that we might worship You.We sing Your praises and call out Your name, for You are a gracious and mighty King.Though, You have taught us the way of humility, riding on a colt and not a steed, thus sealing us to a life of servant-hood.We now realize that we are only truly happy when we see the smiles of those we serve emerge from our generosity.Thank you, O’ Lord, that You are a God that pours forth riches that all can accumulate.Amen.
The reading for today is a long one so why not grab a cup or coffee or tea and settle into your favorite chair.After all, it is Saturday!Let this text absorb you like a good mystery novel or an old film.I recently saw the movie Avatar and for a couple of hours I was on that planet, rooting for the underdogs—completely transported!
Reading about the last hours of Jesus on this earth should also transport us that way.If we will make the time to really get into the story, we can almost see the trees rustling in the Garden as Jesus prayed; hear the fire crackling as Peter waited in the courtyard; be jostled by the crowd at His trial; and finally feel His pain as He is crucified.
Not only is this a story for those who endeavor to follow Christ, it is the story:the story of His death and Resurrection.It is the most important story of our life!
Prayer: Dear Jesus:Thank you for Your life and sacrifice that opens up real and eternal life for us!Keep us mindful of that as we relive it all with You again this Easter Season. Amen.
Scripture Reading:
Scripture Reading:
Today, we place ourselves on the streets of Jerusalem.
Scripture Reading:
