LET JOY AND SADNESS INTERMINGLE THIS MOTHER’S DAY by Courtney Doctor

Mother’s Day. Few holidays can rival it for emotional highs and lows. As a child, I loved Mother’s Day. It was the one day of the year my dad would “cook” breakfast with us (or run to McDonalds to buy pancakes). We would “surprise” my mother with breakfast in bed. One particularly memorable year, my […]

Resurrection Sunday | April 4, 2021 The Empty Tomb

When the women went to the tomb following the Sabbath, they expected to find the body of Jesus in a tomb, the entrance covered with a heavy stone. They had no way of knowing how they would get inside, but they went ready to anoint Jesus with the appropriate burial ointments. What they saw when […]

Saturday | April 3, 2021 A Deliberate Denial

Saturday gives us little to read, but much to ponder.  Remembering that Jesus said He would rise from the dead after three days, the religious leaders went to Pilate to commission a guard and seal the tomb to make sure that the disciples wouldn’t steal Jesus’ body and perpetuate a story that He had risen […]

Good Friday | April 2, 2021 Forsaken for Our Forgiveness

In the morning after Jesus was betrayed, the religious leaders decided that they didn’t want to be held responsible for killing Jesus, so they brought Him before Pilate.  Judas is quickly dispatched as he is overcome by the guilt and shame from betraying Christ. He had counted the pieces of silver, but he had not […]

Maundy Thursday | April 1, 2021 Is There Any Other Way?

As the disciples prepare for the passover meal, Jesus tells them how they are going to find the upper room by directing them to a certain man, “The Teacher says, ‘My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” Take note of this. Jesus has repeatedly told His […]

Wednesday | March 31, 2021 A Contrast of Treasures

The religious leaders had tolerated Jesus because of how well liked He was. They didn’t like what He was teaching, but they didn’t know how to silence Him without upsetting the people. They initially tried to reprimand Jesus for allowing His followers to worship Him when they called Him the Son of David, “Do you […]

Tuesday | March 30, 2021 The Woes to the Pharisees

It’s interesting that Matthew gives more time to the events of Tuesday than any other day during Holy Week. John prefers to spend time in the upper room with Jesus and the disciples on the night He was betrayed. Perhaps the significance of Matthew’s perspective gives us a pointed warning to the false teaching in […]

Monday | March 29, 2021 The Cursed Fig Tree

In a series of strange events during Jesus’ final week, cursing a fig tree is certainly at the top of the list. On the day after Jesus was hailed, “Hosanna, the Son of David,” He returned to the city, but He became hungry. He saw a fig tree without any fruit. He cursed the tree […]

Palm Sunday | March 28, 2021 The Triumphal Entry

Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, entered the city of Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. This was to fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humble […]

Daily Readings for Holy Week from the Gospel of Matthew by Adam Miller

    Dear Fellow Worshippers,  I can remember last year at this time when everyone was sheltered away in their own homes watching their phones or computers to check in for Church during Holy Week. In a season when most Churches are usually ramping up their outreach ministries, they were instead rushing to find a […]

Dr. John DeBrine | In Memoriam

Our beloved founder, Dr. John DeBrine, passed away peacefully during the night on March 3, 2021 at the age of 96. John dedicated his life to the Kingdom of Heaven and has been promoted to glory. Surely he has heard Jesus say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” John was born on January 15, […]