April 13, 2025 SUNDAY
Entry: 3:35pm, DON ANTONIO AVE. QUEZON CITY
VERSE OF THE DAY:
MATTHEW 21:5
Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'
A GENTLE KING WHO MAKES PEACE
Centuries before Jesus, the prophet Zechariah had spoken to a defeated, downtrodden Israel, promising a king who would come not in power or might but humbly, on a donkey. That king would establish peace, not by force, but by the Spirit.
When the crowds welcomed Jesus during his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, convinced He was this king, they hoped He would overthrow Rome and restore Israel's independence. But Jesus didn’t meet their expectations. Instead of raising a sword, He surrendered peacefully. He endured mockery, injustice, and the cross with humility and love.
Jesus wasn’t just any king; He was the King who makes peace—peace between God and humanity and, through Him, peace among people. His kingdom isn't about power plays or revenge but about reconciliation and grace.
Jesus' gentle reign challenges us to love even our enemies, just as he loved us.
God, thank You for sending Jesus, our humble King, who brings peace and reconciliation. Transform my heart to reflect His gentle love and grace, even toward my enemies. Help me to trust You and surrender my desires for control. May Your peace rule in me and through me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
SHARE YOUR FAITH
How will you reflect God's humility, love and grace today, even to the people you don't like?
DAILY BIBLE READING:
1 SAMUEL 22-24
LUKE 12:1-31
DAVID AT THE CAVE OF ADULLAM
David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 2And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men. David left his family to the king of Moab until God tells him what to do. Prophet Gad told David: “Do not remain in the stronghold; depart, and go into the land of Judah.” So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth.
SAUL KILLS PRIESTS AT NOB
Doeg the Edomite, who stood by the servants of Saul, “I saw the son of Jesse.." Saul called Ahimelech who gave David bread. Ahimelech answered the king, “And who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king’s son-in-law, and captain over your bodyguard, and honored in your house? 15Is today the first time that I have inquired of God for him? No! Let not the king impute anything to his servant or to all the house of my father, for your servant has known nothing of all this, much or little.” But the servants of the king would not put out their hand to strike the priests of the Lord. Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests. the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David. 21And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. 22And David said to Abiathar, “I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have occasioned the death of all the persons of your father’s house. 23Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. With me you shall be in safekeeping.”
DAVID SAVES THE CITY OF KELIAH
David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” David inquired of the Lord again. And the Lord answered him, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.” David saved the inhabitants of Keilah. Saul summoned all the people to war, to besiege David and his men. he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.” "Lord, the God of Israel, please tell your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will come down.” Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will surrender you.” 13Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. Saul gave up the expedition. David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness. Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand.
SAUL PURSUES DAVID
Jonathan strengthened his hand in God. and said to David “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.” 18And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. Now David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah to the south of Jeshimon. 25And Saul and his men went to seek him. David went down to the rock. Saul pursued him again. David was hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them, 27a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid against the land.” 28So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines. Therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape. 29 And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of Engedi.
DAVID SPARES SAUL'S LIFE
BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES
HAVE NO FEAR
ACKNOWLEDGE CHRIST BEFORE MEN
THE PARABLE OF THE RICH FOOL
DO NOT BE ANXIOUS
LUKE 19:37-40
THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY
As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
INSIGHT
Some scholars believe that Jesus’ statement in Luke 19:40 that “if [the crowds] keep quiet, the stones will cry out” is a reference to Habakkuk 2:11: “The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beams of the woodwork will echo it.” Others suppose that the stones in view are the stones of the very gates themselves, as seen in Psalm 118:19-20: “Open for me the gates of the righteous . . . the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter.” Whether Luke 19:40 echoes an Old Testament text or not, it’s an example of poetic imagery where inanimate objects praise God (see also Psalm 114:6; Psalm 148; Isaiah 55:12). Jesus had often refused praise during His earthly ministry. Now He not only accepted it but encouraged it. When humans fail to praise the Creator, the creation itself will praise God.
By: Bill Crowder
LISTEN TO THE STONES
After our family held a riverside memorial service for my father, we each selected a stone to help us remember him. His life had been a checkerboard of wins and losses, but we knew his heart had been for us. My fingers traced my stone’s smooth surface and helped me remember to hold him close.
In Luke 19, Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem while the crowds waved palm branches, shouted Hosannas, and cheered, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” (v. 38; see John 12:12-13). In the Pharisees’ disdain of what they perceived to be a blasphemous claim of messiahship, they ordered Jesus to tell the disciples to be quiet. Jesus replied, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40).
The stones do cry out—in many ways. God has used stones throughout the story of His love for us. Two rough-hewn stones carried ten chiseled commandments to tell us how to live (Exodus 34:1). Stones of remembrance piled by the Jordan River and in the middle of the river reminded generations of Israelites of God’s provision and faithfulness (Joshua 4:8-9 nlt). The one rolled into place to contain Jesus’ body is the same one that rolled away to show He had risen (Matthew 27:59-66; Luke 24:2). We “hear” this stone as it reminds us of Jesus’ words: “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). Listen to the stones and lift your own voice along with them in praise to our loving Father.
By: Elisa Morgan
REFLECT AND PRAY
How have the stones of God’s work in our world “cried out” to you? What message might God intend for you to take to heart?
Dear Father, thank You for using even stones to speak of Your love. in Jesus' name, Amen.
TRUSTING GOD WITH THE RESULTS
"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow." — 1 Corinthians 3:6 NIV
This verse highlights a crucial truth: success in evangelism is God’s work, not ours. Our role is to plant and water; He provides the growth.
When you share your faith, it’s easy to feel pressure to see immediate results. But God’s timeline is often different from ours. Sometimes, the seeds we plant take months or years to bear fruit. Trusting God with the results requires patience and faith.
As you share the Gospel, remember that every act of obedience matters. Even if you don’t see the impact, God is using your faithfulness in ways you may never fully understand. Celebrate small victories, like a deepened relationship or a meaningful conversation, as evidence of God’s work.
Take time to reflect on how God is using you to advance His Kingdom. Pray for continued opportunities to share His love and for more workers to join the harvest. Trust that He is in control and that His plans are perfect.
The harvest is ready, and God invites you to be part of the process. Step out in faith, knowing that the results are in His hands.
How can you continue to trust God with the results of your efforts?
Pray
Father, help me to trust You with the results of my efforts. Give me patience to wait on Your timing and the wisdom to see the seeds I’ve sown, even when I don’t see immediate results. I trust You to bring the growth. Amen.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
In the Future and the Past
Marchling
It's been a month since Lake Lyn and Jace has not been coping well. He's been pushing Alec and Izzy away, keeping the secret of his death from them. After forcing his way onto yet another mission, he gets hit with a spell that instantly turns him into his sixteen year old self.
And teenage Jace? He's not very impressed with his future self.
He's going to make sure his siblings are okay and figure out where things went wrong if it's last thing he does.
---
Clary gasped.
That was not her Jace.
She stared at the teenager kneeling on the ground where she had last seen her boyfriend. His clothes were the same but his hair was lighter, there was no scruff on his face and there was still a lingering hint of baby fat clinging to his cheeks.
Somehow, the warlock had turned back the clock on Jace, making him a teenager again.
Hi, I'm only 14 but when I see alcohol I start to drink and I don't know how to deal with this. Please tag as 41325, thanks <3
Hi, dear.
As someone who started drinking at the approximately same age you did, I completely understand the position you're in.
Alcohol can help you forget all about your problems, especially if you are going through a hard time right now. (When I started drinking, I was failing two classes in school.) It can also help you relax at parties, and a lot of people do it to "fit in".
What I would recommend to you is to stop consuming alcohol for a certain amount of time - I'd say about a month or two is enough. Once you prove yourself that you can do it, you can start drinking again, but lower your intake! Once a week is more than enough - ideally, you'll be able to lower it down to once or twice a month.
If you want to drink more often than that, I'd say just drink less than you normally do. One or two glasses probably won't hurt you. Also, make sure to always have a friend or someone you trust by your side when you drink! You never know what just might happen.
And finally, ask yourself why are you doing this. Is it because all your friends drink, or do you really enjoy it? If you genuinely enjoy drinking, just lower your intake. But if you do it because of someone else, you might wanna re-think who you really want to hang out with.
