A Daily Devotional with Pastor Doug Crouse May 4, 2018The Regulations of Religion Scripture Reading – Luke 19:38 - 39 (NLT)"Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!' But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, 'Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!" 

What an exciting moment for the disciples of Jesus as everyone was involved in giving glory, honor and praise to Jesus Christ, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. Of course they had gone ahead and found the donkey, just as Jesus had told them in fulfillment of prophecy.

Now the picture I see is of young and old, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, throwing down their robes and picking up palm branches joyfully singing, dancing and shouting their high praises to Jesus. How the disciples must have been laughing and smiling, and I imagine Jesus was too, in fact everybody was having a great time in the presence of the King.

Well, not quite everybody. There were those on that joyful day who were more concerned with, 'The Regulations of Religion', than the One Who is the rightful object of the same. Yes - they knew much about rules (their rules, not God's) and what they approved of, but unfortunately in this once in an eternity opportunity (which is exactly what we have every time we gather together on the Lord's Day), they missed the mark, in fact they were not even close.

If I want to be like anyone in this story, it is like those who joyfully entered in and not only expressed, but experienced the joy of exalting the Lord Jesus Christ. And every time I come together with the family of faith that is exactly what I try to make it my business to practice. I quite honestly believe the more that we make it our corporate business to do that, the more rejoicing in His presence there will be. I think our Lord will be smiling too. It is exactly in this environment that you and I will be surprised at all that our risen Lord Jesus will be able to do! 

Prayer My Father help me I pray as I gather together with the body of Christ, in the place of worship to join in and joyfully with exuberance express my praise and thanksgiving, along with everyone else. For truly, You alone are worthy and deserving of my highest praise. I commit to this once again through Christ Jesus my Lord. Amen.

 Memory Verse: Acts 1:8 NLT “But you will receive _______ when the Holy _______ comes upon you. And ____ will be my __________, telling ________ about me everywhere…”