This is just a brief note to welcome you to the "Hosanna in the Highest" Newsletter. Every Sunday I will be sending you a new newsletter meant to edify you and bring you into a deeper love for and commitment to our wonderful and gracious God. We are all so blessed to be a part of His Body! May He use this newsletter as a tool to bless you and in turn make you into a vessel of blessing to Him first and to all others in the places where He has sovereignly placed you. Thank you for giving me the privilege of serving you. Here is the most recent newsletter which I sent out last night.
"HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST"
NEWSLETTER
March 2, 1998 Issue 12
" A very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! "
Matthew 21:8-9
TABLE OF CONTENTS
--Quotes for the Week
--The Hymnal
--Our Christian Heritage
--The Sword of the Spirit
--A Thought
--Prayers & Praises
--An Anecdote
--The Lighterside
--News Briefs
--Links for the Week
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--Quotes for the Week

" The Lord Jesus Christ found us in a horrible pit and in the miry clay, and He not only lifted us up out of it, but He set our feet upon a rock and established our goings. Raised from hell, we are lifted not to the bowers of Eden but to the throne of God. Redeemed human nature has greater capacities than unfallen human nature. To Adam the Lord did not say, Thou art a son of God, joint heir with the Only Begotten, but He has said that to each believer redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus. Beloved, such a thing as fellowship with Christ in His sufferings could not have been known to Adam in Paradise. He could not have known what it is to be dead and to have his life hid with Christ in God. Jesus has made us to be partakers of the divine nature, and in His own person He has placed us at the right hand of God in the heavenly places. Inasmuch as the dominion of the Lord Jesus is more glorious than that of unfallen Adam, manhood is now more great and glorious than before the Fall. Grace has so much more abounded that in Jesus we have gained more than in Adam we lost. Our Paradise Regained is far more glorious than our Paradise Lost. "

Charles Spurgeon

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"If the darkness which a man be under be such that there are some openings of light withal, then it is the darkness of a cloud, and not of the night. Now thus it is always with the people of God. They never are in any affliction, temptation, or desertion, but before their great deliverance comes, they have some special providence, some reviving in the midst of their trouble, some interim of light, some openings of the cloud; and therefore, in the midst of all, they may say, Surely this my darkness is not the darkness of the night, but of a cloud. I say, there is no discouragement befalls the saints, but the matter thereof is a cloud, and they may say, It is but a cloud, it will pass over. "

William Bridge

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"The delay of your mercies is really to your advantage. The foolish child would pluck the apple whilst it is green, but when it is ripe, it drops of its own accord, and is more pleasant and wholesome. "

John Flavel

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Jesus viewed us as we really were, not as our pride fancies us to be. He saw us to be without God, enemies of our own Creator, dead in trespasses and sins, corrupt and set on mischief; and even in our occasional cry for good, searching for it with blinded judgment and prejudiced heart, so that we put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. He saw that in us was no good thing, but every possible evil, so that we were lost; utterly, helplessly, hopelessly lost apart from Him. Yet viewing us as in that graceless and godless plight and condition, He died for us.

Charles Spurgeon

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--The Hymnal

Crown Him with Many Crowns

By Matthew Bridges and George J. Elvey

Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns
All music but its own;
Awake my soul, and sing
Of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.

Crown Him the Lord of life,
Who triumphed over the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife
For those He came to save;
His glories now we sing
Who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring,
And lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of peace,
Whose power a scepter sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease,
And all be prayer and praise;
His reign shall know no end,
And round His pierced feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend
Their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown Him the Lord of love;
Behold His hands and side,
Those wounds, yet visible above,
In beauty glorified;
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
For Thou hast died for me,
Thy praise and glory shall not fail
Throughout eternity.

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--Our Christian Heritage
"Let, therefore, the King and Queen, our Sovereigns, and their most happy realms; together with all Christian regions, let us all give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ the Savior, who hath bestowed on us so great a triumph. Let Christ exult on earth, as He exults in Heaven, foreseeing as He does, that so many souls of people heretofore lost, are now about to be saved. Let us also rejoice, both by reason of the exultation of our faith, and by reason of the increase of our temporal things, of which things not only Spain but all Christendom will be partakers. "
Christopher Columbus - May 3, 1493
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Early in 1862, Chaplain James Marks pondered how to help the soldiers of the 63rd Pennsylvania Regiment. Bitterness after the defeat at Bull Run gripped the army. Homesickness and boredom were rife, and cold wet weather depressed generals and privates alike. Marks made up his mind to lift the soldiers out of their unhappiness and bring their thoughts to a higher, spiritual plane. Purchasing a tent to hold worshipers, he began a revival season that lasted until the spring. Hundreds of men soon were born again.

At the bottom of the original Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress ordered copies of the Declaration first be sent not to town clerks or newspapers but to parish ministers, who were "required to read the same to their respective congregations, as soon as divine service is ended, in the afternoon, on the first Lords day after they have received it. "

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--The Sword of the Spirit
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christs sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. "
1 Peter 4:12-13
"Literally, Peter wrote, Be constantly rejoicing! The world cannot understand how difficult circumstances can produce exceeding joy, because the world has never experienced the grace of God. It is an honor and a privilege to suffer with Christ and be treated by the world the way it treated Him. The fellowship of His sufferings is a gift from God. Not every believer grows to the point where God can trust him with this kind of experience, so we ought to rejoice when the privilege comes to us. Christ is with us in the furnace of persecution. When the three Hebrew children were cast into the fiery furnace, they discovered they were not alone. The Lord was with Paul in all of his trials and He promises to be with us to the end of the age. "
Warren Wiersbe
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--A Thought

The quote above by John Flavel can really make a Christian think. As you study the many miraculous deliverances by our God you will see that oftentimes God will cause things to happen in such a way that the trial He delivers from will reach a place where it appears overwhelming to us. He does this for many reasons.
As we look in the Bible we see God bringing the children of Israel across the Jordan when it's banks are overflowing. After having his dream interpreted by Joseph in prison, the chief butler does not remember the request of Joseph, but completely forgets about him until it is Gods perfect time for Joseph to be released. When Lazarus is sick and dying Jesus waits until he has died to bring forth a miraculous resurrection.
At times when a trial hits our lives we cry out to God for immediate deliverance but we see none. We call again and again but still none. Where is God? What is He doing we wonder. Have we grieved God to a point where He has abandoned us? There is only one answer to these questions: No! He has said that He will never leave us or forsake us. His love for us is without limit and as our perfect heavenly Parent He has eternal, not temporal purposes in mind.
So, if your trial is mounting larger and larger, rejoice and rest in Him. The greater the trial the deeper the development of our faith and trust in Him. The more intense the trial the greater glory to God as we witness His miraculous deliverance in our life. God rarely, if ever, delivers us as we expected Him to. His deliverance is always infinitely better than anything we could have ever hoped for. And as we await His deliverance from the trial we can be assured that He will pour out His all-sufficient grace on us as we go through the trial.
So, do not fret, you have not been forsaken or forgotten. God will bring you through and always in the proper way and at the proper time. As you wait on Him you will be strengthened and when His deliverance does come you will be a changed vessel, cleansed and prepared for the Masters use.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. " James 1:2-4

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--Prayers & Praises

I have a very important prayer request. The mother of my girlfriend, Edna, has cancer in her hip and pelvis. She was just told that she has 6 months or less to live. Edna is a great caring person. She is also a strong Christian. I know the Lord has plans for her and we have to accept them. Edna means so much to her family, friends, and me. I cannot imagine the world without her. Please pray for Edna and her family. Her daughter Christina is taking this very hard. Christina really needs our support and prayers to lift her up. Again, PLEASE pray for Edna. For her strength, faith, and health. I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS!!!! Jonathan

Prayer Request from: mckenzie@gulftel.com

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Please pray for me, I am really hurt by one I thought was dear and near to me who has been deceiving me for four years and has wasted all my time. For this person, I never cared for my husband and children or my health. I want to overcome it and be strong. I have become so bitter and negative and I hope I am not losing my interest in life. I was just thinking that I am staying in this world for him. But let God give me courage and a positive attitude to stay for my kids and husband. I really loved this person and he has betrayed me by taking advantage of my innocence. Please God give me courage to do my work attentively. I am really sorry for what has happened through me. Please forgive me.... Nita

Prayer Request from: nita@africaland.com

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Dear prayer partners. I am experiencing a crisis in my life which is very scary. It is a situation I put myself in because of temptation. I feel that God has led me away from this crisis, and that He allowed satan to stir up my nest a bit to lead me back to God. I do not want to be away from the Lord and His people. I am not a strong person, but I do pray daily and I am trying really hard to do what He wants of me. In May I will be moving to Ohio to live near my family. I need prayer that God will provide financial support and physical support to help with this move. I am 45 and I am going home. I am asking God to bless this move. My husband died 11 yrs. ago and I am alone in PA. Please pray for God to open doors and show me where he wants me to live in Dayton.Thank you, Brenda

Prayer Request from: brendaj@sunlink.net

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Please pray for my wife for healing and reconciliation to our marriage...thank you

Prayer Request from: pleong@cancom.net

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Please pray for my husband (Glenn). He needs to let God take control of his life. He wants to divorce me and is presently seeing another woman. I have turned the situation over to God. I know that God is telling me at the present time to stand for my husband. I have my good and bad days. I love my husband and I know that he is a good man, but due to circumstances in his past he is running from God and everything that is good. Please pray for his salvation as well as my courage to stand for him without letting my feelings interfere with the will of God. Thank you for your prayers and God Bless you. Layne

Prayer Request from: layne@hiwaay.net

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Please pray for me that I have a safe, healthy and successful semester at college and I graduate in December. Also that I may be healed 100% from alopecia by the power of God. Thanks! God bless you! Will

Prayer Request from: wiltaylr@holly.colostate.edu

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Please pray for reconciliation of our marriage. (Joe and Susan)
Prayer Request from: smakla@infoave.net
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If you would like to respond to a Prayer Request or a Praise Report just click on the e-mail link.

Words of encouragement are always a blessing.
If you have a Prayer Request or a Praise Report please send it to hosanna@fam.net and it will
be posted in the immediate upcoming newsletter
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--An Anecdote

Years ago a wealthy English family was entertaining friends at their home. As the children swam, one ventured into the deep water and began to drown. The gardener heard the other children screaming and jumped into the water and saved the child. The youngsters name was Winston Churchill. Deeply grateful to the gardener, the parents asked how they could ever repay him. He hesitated, but then said, "I wish my son could go to college someday to be a doctor. " "He will," said Churchill’s parents. "We will pay his way. " Years later when Sir Winston was Prime Minister, he became ill with pneumonia. The best physician the king could find was called to the bedside of the ailing leader. His name: Sir Alexander Flemming, the developer of penicillin and the son of that gardener who long ago saved a drowning Winston. Churchill later said, "Rarely has a man owed his life twice to the same person." As believers we owe a debt of gratitude and service to the Lord because He made us and He saved us.

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--The Lighterside

A Policeman pulled over a carload of elderly women.
"Lady," said the Policeman,
"this is a 65 mile per hour highway. Why are you going so slow?"
"Why, Officer, I saw a lot of signs that said 22, not 65."
"Oh, thats not the speed limit, thats the name of the highway you are on!" replied the Policeman.
"Oh! Silly me! Thanks for letting me know. I will be more careful, " said the woman, now blushing.

At this point the Policeman looked in the back seat where the friends of the woman were seated, obviously shaking and trembling with fright.
"Excuse me, lady, whats wrong with your friends back there? They are shaking something terrible, " he asked.
"Oh, " she responded.
"We just got off of Highway 121."

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--News Briefs

India- More than 250 people a day are turning to Christ in India, according to the missions agency New Life Fellowship. The group has 2,500 missionaries at work in hundreds of regions across the massive country. New Life Fellowship was founded in the early 1960s with a few missionaries. It seeks to eventually train and send 30,000 missionaries to every region of the country.

Palestine- Palestinian Muslims are becoming Christians at the rate of one per week, according to Christians in the West Bank. "God has let a new spiritual hunger loose, and reveals himself to those who seek him," according to a Palestinian pastor quoted in Global Glimpse, published by AD 2000's Caleb Project. A Muslim sheikh recently converted to Christianity and said he wants to understand the Bible better so that he can explain its concepts to his "questioning brothers."

Nagano, Japan- In a report to Mission Network News, Athletes in Action's Mike Fox stated that more than 1,200 copies of the "JESUS" film, recorded in about 25 languages, were distributed to athletes and officials during the 1998 Winter Olympics. Fox served as a chaplain in the Olympic village along with seven other Athletes in Action team members.

Portugal - The Lisbon World Exposition - EXPO 98 - is scheduled for this summer and expects to see as many as 10 million people from all over the world descend on Lisbon. The theme of EXPO 98 will be "The Oceans, a Heritage for the Future." The event will take place May 22 to Sept. 30. The Southern Baptist Convention looks to place 9 teams of 10 volunteers each at the expo in order to share the gospel with the millions in attendance. Approximately 125 nations will be represented at the international exposition.

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--Links for the Week

This week I am highlighting two more great Christian Web Sites.
The first is The Internet Christian Radio Network. At this site you will find the Audio Ministries of Chuck Swindoll, Beverly LaHaye, Josh McDowell, Hank Hanagraaf and others. The site is located at www.icrn.com/
The second site is Church History Links. Many great Christian History Links are highlighted here including Hall of Church History and Guide to Early Church Documents. The site is located at www.telusplanet.net/public/mcgt/history.htm

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The "Hosanna in the Highest" Newsletter is sent out every Sunday evening, Lord willing. If you have any comments or suggestions, or if you have any material you would like me to use in the newsletter please send e-mail to Mike Nathan at hosanna@fam.net. This ministry exists also to provide personal Scriptural support. Please feel free to correspond about whatever may be on your heart. You will receive a personal response. I pray that this edition of the newsletter has been a blessing to you. May God bless all of your endeavors in the week ahead.

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Scripture is taken from The New King James Version.

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