WFA.org

Two people can look at the same thing, at the same time, and see things differently. An old table in a dumpster looks like trash to one, a treasure to another. One set of fans at a championship game will see triumph, the others tragedy.

On the Mount of Olives that first Palm Sunday, two saw the same scene differently. The disciples saw the triumph of the moment, while Jesus saw the tragedy. “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.” (Luke 19:41) Jesus saw tragedy that day, not triumph. The tragedy had three parts.

First, the people wanted peace but did not know what would bring peace to them. True peace is found only in Jesus.

Second, they did not realize the destruction they faced. A few years later Rome captured Jerusalem, killing more than 600,000 people and destroying the temple. Jesus also knew that all face judgment unless they receive the forgiveness He can give.

Third, He wept because they did not “recognize the time of God’s coming.” (Luke 19:44) God became a man and lived among us – Immanuel! Yet many did not recognize that and instead rejected Him.

A few days after Palm Sunday the cries of “Hosanna!” became “Crucify him!” Jesus wept because the people did not know peace. They didn’t realize they faced destruction nor recognize that He was God.

Do you have peace? It is found only in Jesus. He saves us from sin’s power and penalty. Recognize who Jesus is and receive Him as your Savior today. Hosanna!

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 9.14. Live for God, on purpose, finding a peace that passes all understanding in our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Cry of Paradox

When we look at the life of Christ, we are confronted with a number of seemingly contradictory concepts. We know that Jesus is the King of Kings – but we also know that he is a suffering servant. We know Him as the Lion from the tribe of Judah. But, not only is He a lion, He is the lamb slain from the foundations of the world.

These amazing paradoxes continue during Christ’s crucifixion. We know that Christ is the living water. In fact, in John 4:13, He told the woman at the well “whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.” Yet, this One who is the living water shouts out this fifth “Cry from the Cross” when He says, “I thirst.”

When Christ hung on the cross, paying the price for all our sin by literally becoming sin for us, I believe that He was not simply experiencing physical thirst. He was also experiencing the spiritual thirst and the inner anguish that all men face when separated from the presence of God.

This week we continue our series of messages, “Cries from the Cross,” examining this fifth cry of our Lord – a Cry of Paradox, as the One who has told us “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink” cries out “I am thirsty.” Join us this Sunday here at WFA as we discover how we can find satisfaction for our thirsty soul from the Living Water.

Follow Me on Twitter!

What in the world is “twitter” you may be asking. No, it’s not a nervous condition causing you to twitch! But, it is a great means of keeping in touch, and knowing what is going on in someone’s life!

According to Twitter’s own web site, Twitter is “a service for friends, family, and co-workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing? My experience has been that it does that, and far more. And, you can “twitter” at the website itself (twitter.com), or from IM (instant messaging), your cell phone, or many third-party programs designed specifically for Twitter.

It’s really very easy to do. To get started, just go to http://twitter.com and click on the “Get started – join” button. It’s free and it’s safe. Once you have your Twitter account set up, just click on the “Find People” link at the top of the page, and enter my user name (tsatryan) or my name (Tim Satryan). Then select Follow. My “tweets” will then show up on your Twitter page.

You can easily send and receive “tweets” on your cell phone - for easy instructions on how to use Twitter with your cell phone, go here - http://www.ehow.com/how_2075926_use-twitter-cell-phone.html. It’s even easier with an iPhone – just download any of the free Twitter apps. I use the “Twitteriffic” app on my iPhone as well as on my Mac. Another great app is “TweetDeck.” There are scores of others available – just do a Google search.

Many of my friends and ministry associates use Twitter, and we “follow” each other. This allows us all to keep in touch with each other throughout the day, without the need for sending text messages individually to every other.

I try to “tweet” several times a day from wherever I am. Twittering is limited to 144 characters, so all messages are purposely very short and to the point. I will share a thought, a verse, a quote, an idea, a link to information, and much more. So, get started today! Sign up for Twitter, and then follow me!

Words

I have always had a special love for words. Words have such power in them. The right words can uplift, inspire, heal, and create endless joy and love in our lives. The wrong words can depress, discourage, hurt, and bring us endless misery and pain. It is so very important then to try and choose the right words in our lives. By choosing the right words I don’t just mean saying the right words or writing the right words either. I also mean thinking the right words. It is amazing the garbage that so many of us allow ourselves to think each and every day of our lives.

In order to live a truly blessed life we must haul away the garbage and start to plant words that will grow into a garden of joy and light in our minds. Start today then to make the words in your life work for you and not against you. Do away with “can’t” and “no”. Try “can” and “yes” instead. Say, “I can be happy, I can choose joy, and I can share love.” Say, “Yes” to life, to learning, and to growth. Begin to use words like: Wonderful, Beautiful, and Delightful when you speak to others. Find a word of praise for everyone you know and then share it with them. Look the people you love straight in the eye and tell them, “I love you.” Seek out every fantastic, fabulous, and glorious word that you can and start to use them in your life.

Words are such simple things and yet they have the power to change our lives forever if we use them right. Make the choice everyday of your life to use all of the good, positive, and loving words you can every second that you can. If you do this you will find that your life will become a paradise of love and joy, that other people will become your brothers and sisters in happiness, and that God’s goodness will shine through every word you use...

Cutting Off Ears

“Keep your tongue from evil” – Psalm 34:13

When Jesus was betrayed by Judas, He just stood there, even though He could have called 12 legions of angels to His defense. Then the mob came, laid hands on Him and arrested Him. Peter, ready to defend Jesus, drew his sword and cut off the High Priest’s servant’s ear. Impulsive, quick-on-the-draw Peter was thinking, “We don’t have to take this!” But Jesus said, “No, that’s not how you handle things!” Then, “He touched the man’s ear and healed him” (Luke 22:51).

Peter was talking when he needed to be listening, and doing things when he didn’t need to be doing them. He needed to learn how to wait on God, to exercise humility and discernment. God had great plans for Peter, but if he wanted to reach people for Christ he couldn’t do it by taking out his sword and chopping off ears when he felt angry. There’s a lesson here.

Our abrasive words can cut off people’s ability to hear. We can’t just fly off the handle whenever we feel like it. We must be sensitive to God: If He tells us, “Say nothing,” we must stand there quietly, even if it means letting someone think they’re right even when we know they’re not. We must say, “Yes, Lord,” and accept that He doesn’t owe us an explanation.

How many times do we prevent somebody’s spiritual growth, or God’s blessings from coming into our own lives, because we don’t control what we say? Perhaps you think that compared to adultery or stealing this is no big deal? Think again: “He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin” (Proverbs 13:3)

I Know

I know He is the beginning, so why do I worry about the end.

I know He is the creator, so why do I wonder who will destroy.

I know He has forgiven me, so why can’t I forgive myself.

I know He is a healer, so why do I speak of sickness.

I know He can do all things, so why do I say I can’t.

I know He will protect me, so why do I fear.

I know He will supply all my needs, so why can’t I wait.

I know He is my strength and my salvation, so why do I feel weak.

I know that everything and everyone has a season, so why when someone’s season is over do I weep instead of rejoice.

I know He is the right way, so why do I go the wrong way.

I know He is the light, so why do I choose to walk in darkness.

I know that whatever I ask of GOD, GOD will give me, so why am I scared to ask.

I know tomorrow is not promised, so why do I put off for tomorrow what I can do today.

I know that the truth shall make me free, so why do I continue to lie.

I know He gives us revelation knowledge and understanding, so why do I lean on my own understanding.

I know I should live in the spirit as well as walk in the spirit, so why do I choose to live in the spirit but walk in the flesh.

I know that when praises go up blessings come down, so why do I refuse to praise Him.

I know I am saved, so why do I refuse the word He has given me.

I know He has a plan for me, so why am I rushing it because I am eager to do His will, when it is His time not my time.

as seen in Kim Quiggle’s “Cup O’Cheer.” To subscribe, send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O’CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com.

What Are You Willing to Commit?

The story is told of a man in a fancy restaurant who started to choke on a bone. A doctor rushed over, identified himself as a doctor, and reassured the man that he was going to be all right. He performed the Heimlich Maneuver and the bone popped out.

As the man’s breath and voice returned he said, “I’m ever so grateful, doctor, how can I ever repay you?”

The doctor smiled and said, “I’ll settle for one-tenth of what you were willing to pay while you were choking.”

It’s true, isn’t it, that when you’re facing a crisis (especially a life-threatening crisis), you would give everything you have to get through it. Money is no object!

We do the same thing on a spiritual level. How many times have you faced hardship and prayed, “Lord, if you’ll just see me through this, I’ll serve you faithfully the rest of my life!” or something similar? But what happens when the crisis passes? Those feelings of urgency about serving God pass as well. If we could commit ourselves to doing one-tenth of what we’re willing to do in those moments, most of us would ascend to a new level of commitment.

Paul wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

The Last Impression

Passover is approaching. At the sedar table, every Jewish child will be retold the story of Moses and the Pharaoh, and how God brought boils, locusts, hail and the other plagues onto the Egyptians.

Yet in spite of this overwhelming evidence of God’s intentions, Pharaoh refused to let the Jews go, until a tenth plague, the death of the first-born children was inflicted on every Egyptian home, passing over the Jewish homes. Only after this tragedy did the Pharaoh relent and let the Jews leave slavery and Egypt to begin their journey to the promised land.

This has been known for generations. What has not been known is why the Pharaoh, in the face of such overwhelming evidence would refuse to release the Jews after the first nine plagues.

It took eight years of research by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, the renowned psychologist and nurse, to find the definitive answer. Dr. Kubler-Ross spent those years studying the Dead Sea Scrolls before discovering the answer.

And once found, it was obvious... Pharaoh was still in de Nile.

Well, there is absolutely no denying that we are in for a tremendous blessing this Sunday here at WFA! It’s the first Sunday of the month, so we will be sharing communion together. It is Palm Sunday, so there will be a special celebration of the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. And, we will be continuing our special series of messages on Christ’s last words from the cross. We are expecting the Lord to do fantastic things in our midst! Don’t miss it!