THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

After Jesus was dead, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus to be taken down of the cross so he could properly bury Him before nightfall.

Joseph was a rich man and an honored counselor - meaning he was an advisor and member of the Sanhedrin who made declarations concerning Jewish laws. Joseph had not consented with the others to have Jesus crucified. He had secretly been a disciple of Jesus yet he boldly went before Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

Pilate marveled that Jesus was already dead. Jesus died after 6 long torturous hours hanging on the cross while the two thieves on each side of Him had their legs broken so they would pass soon as well. When it was confirmed that Jesus had passed, Pilate released the body of Jesus to him.

Nicodemus helped Joseph. This is the same Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, that came to Jesus secretly by night. The same Nicodemus whom Jesus explained to that unless a man is born again of water (Baptism) and of spirit (receiving the Holy Ghost), he cannot see or enter the Kingdom of God. The same Nicodemus that Jesus told him not to marvel that we MUST be BORN AGAIN. (John 3:1-7)

Joseph of Arimathea bought fine linen. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes. Together, they wound the body of Jesus with the linen and spices as the manner of the Jews is to bury a person. Then they laid him in a new tomb that Joseph had hewn out of stone to use one day for himself. There, they placed the body of Jesus then rolled a stone across the entrance.

(Mt 27:57-60 + Mk 15:25, 42-46 + Lk 23:50-54 + Jn 19:38-42)

There were women (Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses and James) who followed to see where His body was laid. When they saw the place, then they returned home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint His body with then rested on the Sabbath. Perhaps they did not realize that Nicodemus had already wrapped His body with spices nor remember what Jesus had said concerning His burial when Mary, the sister of Lazarus, had poured that sweet perfume over His head then wiped His feet with her hair? (Lk 23:56 + Mt 27:61 + Mk 15:47)

The next day, the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate and asked for a guard to be set at the tomb of Jesus. They remembered that Jesus had said while He was still alive that He would rise again after 3 days. They wanted to make sure no one came and stole His body out of the tomb during the night then falsely claim He was risen from the dead. Pilate gave permission so they sealed the tomb and set guards to watch over it. (Mt 27:62-66)

Meanwhile, Jesus’ body may have been in that grave but Jesus was not dead. 1 Peter 3:18-22 tells us that He went to preach to the spirits that were in prison (a holding place - G5438). These are those who had been disobedient at times while God was longsuffering, waiting for people to repent as Noah prepared the Ark. But only a few were saved on that Ark. The Bible tells us that the flood and the Ark is “a like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us.”

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary, mother of James and Joses, and other women came early to the tomb while it was still dark out. There was a great earthquake as an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and rolled back the stone from the door then sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning and his raiment was white as snow. (Mt 28:1-4)

The keepers guarding the tomb shook with fear and became as dead men. Then, they quickly went into the city to tell the chief priests what had happened. The council of elders paid the soldiers large sum of money to lie saying that His disciples came and stole the body away during the night while they slept. They assured the soldiers that they would protect them and make sure the governor would not punish them for ‘sleeping’ on the job. ( Mt 28:11-15) 

The women found the stone rolled away and were perplexed as they entered in and found the tomb was empty. They saw two men standing by them in shining garments and became afraid, bowing their faces to the earth. The angel spoke saying, “Why seek ye the living among the dead? he is not here, but is rise: remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee, saying the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again?”

Then they remembered His words. They ran to tell the eleven disciples, but the men thought they were telling tales. (Lk 24:1-11 + Mk 16:1-11 + Jn 20:1-2)

Peter and John began to run to get to the tomb to see if it was true. John outran Peter and stooped down to look in. He did not go inside, but he saw the linen clothes lying there.

Peter arrived and went inside of the sepulchre. He saw the linen clothes lying there as well, but he also noticed the napkin that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head was wrapped together in a separate place away from the linen wrap that had been around His body. John came inside behind Peter and saw everything as well. (Jn 20:3-9) 

It was puzzling - if they had moved the body of Jesus, why did they leave the grave clothes behind? 

The disciples were afraid of what the Jews might do to them for being followers of Jesus, so they had the doors shut at the place where they were assembled. (Jn 20:19) Two of them went that same day to a village of Emmaus that was approximately 7 1/2 miles away. As they talked together about what had happened the past few days, a man began to walk with them. (Lk 24:13-16)

The man asked them, “What is this that you are talking about as you walk and are sad?” One of the disciples named Cleopas asked, “are you a stranger to Jerusalem that you do not know the things that have happened the past couple of days?” The man asked, “What things?”

They began to tell Him about Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people. They Him told how the chief priest and rulers had deliverd him to be condemned to death and crucified.

They continued to explain how they had really thought He was the One which was going to redeem Israel. And that this was the third day since all these things had happened. They told about the women coming to the tomb but finding it empty, claiming they saw angels which told them Jesus was alive. So, some of the men had ran to the tomb to see, and found the tomb empty as the women said.

The man walking with them said, “O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Out not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Jesus.

As they came near the village of Emmaus, the man continued to walk as if He was going farther. Cleopas and the other disciple insisted that He stay with them because it was getting too late to travel further. So, the man stayed there with them.

As they sat down to eat, the man took the bread, blessed it, and broke it, then gave it to them. When He did this, their eyes were opened and they realized the man was Jesus - then Jesus vanished out of their sight. The two men said one to another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us and opened the Scriptures?” Despite how late it was, they hurried back to Jerusalem to find the other disciples and tell them what had happened. (Lk 24:13-35) 

As they were telling the other disciples, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them and said, “Peace be unto you.” Everyone became terrified, thinking they saw a ghost. Jesus asked them, “Why are you troubled and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle me and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have.”

Jesus showed them His hands and His feet. They were overjoyed and yet they still struggled to believe what they were seeing was real. Jesus asked them, “Have ye here any meat?” They quickly gave Him a piece of broiled fish and a honeycomb which He took and ate before them to show them He was truly alive. (Lk 24:36-43) 

Thomas Didymus, ‘Doubting Thomas’ as many have called him throughout the years, did not believe that Jesus was alive when the other disciples told him that they had seen the Lord. Thomas told them, “except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

Eight days later, the disciples were gathered in a closed room again. This time Thomas was present as Jesus appeared and stood in the midst of them. Jesus looked at Thomas and said, “Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My sid: and be not faithless, but believing.” Thomas finally believed as he said, “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:24-28)

Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” That’s each of us in present times who have not seen and yet we believe. John records that Jesus continued to do many other signs in the presence of His disciples which he did not write down and record. It makes me wonder what all Jesus did and why John did not write it down for us to know? (Jn 20:29 - 31)

For 40 days after His resurrection, Jesus would appear to His disciples, then disappear again. (Acts 1:3) Jesus He continued to teach them many more things concerning how the things written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms were written concerning Jesus. (Lk 24:44)

He opened their understanding so that they might understand the Scriptures as He said to them, “Thus it is written and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Lk 24:46-47) 

He explained that they are His witnesses of these things. Then, Jesus gave this promise, “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you (referring to the Holy Ghost), BUT TARRY YE (He told them to wait) in the city of Jerusalem, UNTIL ye be endued with POWER FROM ON HIGH.” (Lk 24:48-49)

Jesus taught them as He led them out near Bethany to the Mount of Olivet. (Lk 24:50-53 + Acts 1:12)

The disciples then asked Him if He was now going to restore the Kingdom to Israel? But Jesus told them, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in His own power. But ye shall receive power, AFTER that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:6-8)

And when He had spoken these things, while they watched, Jesus was taken up and a cloud received Him out of their sight. They just kept watching, looking intently toward heaven, waiting to see what was going to happen next. Suddenly, two men in white apparel stood by them and asked, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

The disciples obeyed Jesus’ instructions and returned to Jerusalem from Mount Olivet. They went up into an upper room where everyone stayed and prayed until the Promise that Jesus had promised arrived. (Acts 1:14)

There were 120 gathered in that room including Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus) and Simon Zelotes, and Judas (brother of James), and Mary (mother of Jesus) and Jesus’ brothers were there as well. (Acts 1:13)

They prayed and Peter preached at times for approximately 10 days. And then, when the day of Pentecost was fully come and they were all of the same mind and way of thinking, SUDDENLY there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (Act 2:1-2)

And there appeared cloven tongues like as of fire which sat upon each of them as they were ALL FILLED with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:3-4)

The sound of 120 praying and speaking in other tongues could be heard for quite a ways and the news began to spread rapidly as everyone gathered to find out what was going on. Many were amazed and asked each other, “Are not all these which speak Galilaeans? and how hear we every man in our own tongue where in we were born?...we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.” And they were all amazed - because Galilaeans were considered lower class and uneducated. 

Some doubted. Other mocked and thought they were drunk. Peter heard what was being said of them so he stood up with the other disciples backing him and began to expound the Scriptures to them saying, “Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: for these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. (It’s only 9am) BUT THIS IS THAT which was spoken by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy...” (Acts 2:14-18

Then Peter began to expound the Scriptures and how they relate to Jesus. (Acts 2:22-36) When they heard this, they were pricked (convicted) in their heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

Then Peter said unto them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:37-39) 

Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?

Have you been baptized in the name of Jesus since you believed?

The PROMISE is still for everyone today - even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

 

 

THE CRUCIFIXION

 THE CRUCIFIXION - I Wonder How It Makes Jesus Feel?

Last week, we discussed a few of the events that transpired just days before Jesus was to be crucified. It was nearing the time of the Passover commemoration so all Jews made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem where they would celebrate the Feast of the Passover.

Jesus began His entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey with His followers strawing clothes and palm branches in the way before Him. It was a grand entrance - just as a procession would be held for a King. 

The people shouted “Hosanna!” as He made His way to Jerusalem form Mount Olivet. The Pharisees were disturbed that the people were praising Him in this way and they also knew this could cause a commotion with the Roman soldiers so they told Jesus He needed to tell the people to be silent.

Jesus continued triumphantly into Jerusalem as He let them know that if they do not praise Him, then the rocks would cry out in their place. 

Rather than ride straight to the palace and kick the Romans out as many thought He would, Jesus rode to the Temple and kicked out all that bought and sold within. He was grieved that the Temple had become a place to buy and sell rather than a place of worship and prayer as it was supposed to be.

Jesus left the Temple and went to a town called Bethany, which was only 2 miles away. While there, Simon the Pharisee (whom Jesus had healed of leprosy) invited Jesus and His disciples to dinner. During dinner, Mary (sister of Lazarus whom Jesus had raised from the dead) anointed Jesus’ head with an expensive sweet perfumed which ran down to His feet. Then she knelt down and began to wipe His feet with her hair. 

Judas Iscariot, who was the son of Simon the Pharisee and one of Jesus’ disciples, became indignant and asked why that perfume was not sold and the money given to the poor. He didn’t ask because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and only cared about the money. Jesus told him and the other disciples to leave the poor woman alone. She had done a good deed toward His burial.

Nobody knew what was truly going on in the heart of Judas. He was the son of a pharisee. He was a disciple of Jesus. He blended in with all the other followers of Jesus. He was a thief, yet no one else knew it but Jesus. His heart became even more greedy and evil as he allowed the wrong thoughts and feelings to fill his heart and mind. This opened a door for satan to enter into him. (Lk 22:3)

Judas secretly slipped away and made an agreement with the chief priests to deliver Jesus into their hands for 30 pieces of silver.

Jesus held what we call the Last Supper with His Disciples. To the Jews, they were celebrating the Passover meal which began on the night before the Passover. They were to sacrifice a lamb then roast it without removing its head, feet, or any inner organ. They also had to be careful not to break any bones of the offering.

The Jews did not understand that this was symbolic and a representation of Jesus becoming the final sacrificial Lamb hanging on the Cross. To the Jews, this meal represented freedom from slavery in Egypt. To the Christian, we understand that this Lamb provides a way for us to become free from the slavery of sin. 

As Jesus was eating this Passover meal, I have to wonder how He felt, knowing that this would soon be Him only a few hours later.

As they ate, Jesus revealed that one of the 12 who were eating with Him would betray Him. Each one questioned and asked, “Is it I?” Finally, Judas Escariot, the son of Simon the Pharisee, asked, “Is it I?” Jesus looked directly at him and said, “Thou hast said.” Then He told him, “What thou doest do quickly.”

Judas quickly got up and left. It amazes me that he was so bold in his betrayal. It amazes me that the rest of the Disciples did not catch what was happening. Even after Jesus plainly said, “Woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! Good were it for that man if he had never been born.” (Mt 26:24) They just thought Judas was going to buy things they may have needed.

After Judas left, Jesus took the unleavened bread, broke it and gave it to each one trying to teach them the symbolism between their tradition of eating unleavened bread for the Passover and the sacrifice He was about to make for all the world. Leaven was symbolic of sin. He instructed them, “Take, eat: this is My body.” showing them that the unleavened bread was symbolic of the body of a SINLESS Jesus which was broken for us. (1 Cor 11:24)

Then Jesus took the cup and gave thanks then gave it to them instructing and teaching, “This is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.”

Jesus warned the remaining 11 disciples that they all would be offended because of Him and scatter that night. Peter adamantly objected stating that even if everyone else became offended, he would not!

Jesus knew what was in Peter’s heart more than Peter knew as Jesus warned him, “I say unto thee, that this day, even in this night before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice.”

It’s easy to say we’ll stand for Jesus and let the world go by. It’s easy to say we’ll die for the name of Jesus, but would we? Peter and all the disciples were put to that test not many hours later.

Jesus led them to the Mount of Olives into a place called the Garden of Gethsemane. (Mk 14:32 + Lk 22:39) The hour was getting close and there was a war within Jesus between the will of the flesh and the will of the Spirit. He instructed His disciples to wait for Him at a certain spot and pray that they would not enter into temptation. (Lk 22:40) 

Then Jesus went a little further, taking Peter and James and John with Him. Jesus is inviting those whom He is calling into a deeper relationship to come with Him a little further. Those are the ones that He will share deeper things in the Spirit with that He will not share with others.

Jesus shared His feelings with Peter and James and John as He said, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.” (Mk 14:33-34) Jesus wanted them to watch and pray as He went a little further, fell on the ground and prayed an agonizing prayer, pleading that if it were possible that the hour might pass from Him “nevertheless not My will, but Thine be done.”

He came back to check on His disciples and found them asleep. Jesus woke Peter up and asked, “Sleepest thou? Could you not watch one hour? WATCH AND PRAY, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.”

Then Jesus went back to praying His agonizing prayer. As He prayed again, an angel appeared unto Him from Heaven and strengthened Him, but the agony was great as He prayed more earnestly. Knowing the pain and torture He was about to endure caused His sweat to become as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Lk 22:42-44)

Jesus came and found them asleep again and warned them to watch and prayed. The third time Jesus came back, He found them asleep again. The spirit was willing to pray, but the flesh was weak and wanted to sleep. Because of it, they missed what had transpired while Jesus prayed.

Jesus woke them saying, “Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth Me is at hand.” 

I have to wonder what the disciples were thinking and feeling at that moment. Their minds were probably still in a fog as they were awaking out of their sleep and trying to understand what Jesus was saying and meaning.

Suddenly, Judas is there as well as a great multitude carrying swords and staves.

Judas walked up to Jesus and kissed Him, saying, “Hail, Master.” for he had told the multitude that whomever he kissed was the one that they were to arrest. Jesus did not fight back. He did call Judas a name...despite his betrayal, Jesus called him, “Friend” as He asked, “betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” (Lk 22:48 + Mt 26:50)

I believe Jesus was reaching one more time for Judas’ soul to let Him know His arms of mercy and forgiveness were stretched out still...if he would only repent.

The disciples were ready to fight for Jesus. Peter grabbed a sword and cut off the right ear of the servant of the High Priest. I wonder if he was trying to prove to Jesus that he wouldn’t betray Him. He was ready to stand and fight. But Jesus told him to put away his sword as He touched the servant’s ear and healed him. (Mt 26:51-52 + Lk 22:49-50)

The chief priests and captains took Jesus and brought Him into the High Priest’s home. Peter followed from afar off. (Lk 22:54-55) It was a chilly night so someone kindled a fire in the midst of the hall. Peter dared to come closer as he took a seat amongst them. 

It was dark. Surely, he would blend in with the crowd. But a certain woman noticed him and pointed out, “This man was also with Him.” Peter became scared and denied it saying, “woman, I know Him not.” The same Peter who said even if everyone else denied Jesus, he would not!

A little while later, someone else recognized Peter and pointed out that he was a follower of Jesus. Peter adamantly responded, “I am not!” An hour later, someone else pointed him out as a follower of Jesus because he is a Galilean. Peter was really scared now as he cursed and swore saying, “I know not the man!” Immediately, the cock crew. (Lk 22:54-62 + Mt 26:74)

Jesus could hear Peter. I wonder how He felt at that moment as He turned and looked at Peter. He never said a word. He just looked at him. Peter looked at Jesus. He quickly left and wept bitterly as he remembered His warning. His spirit had been willing to die for Jesus but his flesh was weak. (Lk 22:61-62)

Those that held Jesus began to mock Him and smite Him. They blindfolded Him and struck Him on the face as they demanded, “Prophesy and tell us who it was that smote Thee?” The spoke many other blasphemous things against Him, yet Jesus opened not His mouth.

The council decided to put Jesus to death so when morning came, they bound Him and led Him away to Pontius Pilate, the governor.

Jesus stood before Pilate. Pilate asked Him, “Art Thou the King of the Jews?” Jesus said unto him, “thou sayest.” The chief priests and elders accused Him of many things before Pilate yet Jesus did not answer them. Pilate asked Him, “Hearest thou not how many things they witness against Thee?” Yet Jesus would not answer causing Pilate to marvel greatly. Most would argue their defense and plead their cause, yet Jesus opened not His mouth.

The Governor had a custom where he would release one prisoner of their choosing on the feast day. He knew the chief priests had brought Jesus to him out of envy so Pilate decided to ask the people which were gathered to the feast which prisoner they preferred to be released....Barabbas or Jesus?

As Pilate sat on the Judgment Seat, his wife pleaded with him to have nothing to do with that just man, Jesus. She told Pilate she had suffered many things in a dream because of Him. I speculate Pilate saw this as a sure way to release Jesus. Barabbas was a murderer while Jesus had done much good and performed miracles amongst the people.

But the crowd began to cry out for Barabbas to be released instead of Jesus. Pilate asked them, “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” They ALL said unto Pilate, “let Him be crucified!” Pilate tried to intercede for Jesus, asking, “WHY? What evil hath He done?” But they cried out the more saying, “Let Him be crucified!” 

When Pilate realized their minds were set and there was nothing more he could do, he asked for a pitcher of water, washed his hands before the multitude and said, “I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.”

They scourged Jesus with a whip until the flesh of His back was torn wide open. He was bleeding and in pain as the soldiers led Jesus away, stripped Him of His own garment which was clinging to His wounded back replacing it with a scarlet robe. They placed a platted crown of thorns cruelly upon His head and a reed into his right hand, bowed their knee and mocked Him saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” as they spit on Him and hit Him on the head, driving those thorns down into His skull.

They stripped the scarlet robe back off from Him and placed His own raiment on Him, then led Jesus away to be crucified. As they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, named Simon, whom they compelled to bear His cross all the way up the hill to a place called Golgotha, meaning a place of a skull.

They gave Him vinegar to drink mingled with gall (which was a bitter herb like myrrh to help numb the pain some). When Jesus tasted it, He would not drink it...meaning Jesus felt and endured EVERY TORMENTING PAIN.

They stripped Him of His garment and laid Him on the cross. The wounds on His back festered against the splinters of the cross. Then, Jesus felt every hammer blow and the final thud as they nailed Him to that cruel cross and placed it in the ground. 

He’s hanging there in excruciating pain beyond human endurance coursing through His cold and naked body. The soldiers continued to mock as they gambled to see who was going to get His clothes. They sat there and watched Him, but every time they or anyone looked at the cross, they would see the sign above His head which read, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

Those that passed by reviled Him, wagging their heads. Some mocked, saying, “Thou that destroyest the Temple and buildest it in three days, save Thyself. If Thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” Others mocked, “He saved others yet Himself He cannot save.” 

For 3 hours, from noon until 3pm, there was darkness over all the land. For 3 hours, Jesus writhed in torturous pain, gasping for breath. Until finally, He cried out, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” (meaning: My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Then Jesus cried out again and died.

Suddenly, there was a great earthquake and the veil in the Temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom....a feat that only the hand of God could do. The centurion and soldiers with him became very afraid, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God.”

Joseph, a rich man of Arimathaea and disciple of Jesus, went boldly before Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus so that he may bury Him. Pilate marvelled that Jesus was already dead and called for the centurion to confirm the news. When it was confirmed, Pilate gave permission to take His body down so Joseph could bury Jesus.

Joseph bought fine linen and wrapped Jesus’ body in that linen then laid Him in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone across the door, and departed. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (possibly Lazarus’ sister) sat nearby. They had not had time to anoint His body for burial, but Mary had already anointed it with her expensive perfume when she had poured it over His head only a few days prior.

It seemed it was over.

Jesus was dead and buried.

It seemed hope had died with Him.

----------------------------

Easter (Resurrection morning) is only a few days away.

This holiday is supposed to be when we remember all that Jesus went through to purchase our Redemption. The pain. The agony. The scourging. The blood. The nails. The cruel cross of Calvary.

 

And yet, Jesus is not the first thing that comes to most people’s minds when they think about Easter. They think of the family gathering to have a special dinner with kids squealing in delight as they hunt for Easter eggs afterward.

They all exlaim excitedly about what the easter bunny left for them to find.

There will be lots of candy and decorations with Easter eggs and bunnies and chickies and vibrant spring colors. 

Rarely will you find any symbols that commerate the true reason for what Easter is about. Rarely will you find anything that reminds a person of the Cross, the Crown of Thorns, the empty tomb or the intense suffering and excruciating pain that Jesus went through to purchase our salvation.

Sadly, there are many who will not go to Church rarely or at all - yet on Easter they will seek out a Church that has fun things going on for the kids. And Churches are glad they come, even if for that one day out of the year.

But....I wonder how it makes Jesus feel?

It should have been each of us hanging on that Cross. We deserve to die for our sins, but instead Jesus took our place.

He went through hours of pain beyond the threshold of what normal flesh can endure, and yet He did it because He loves us.

I often wonder how it makes Jesus feel when the focus of Easter is centered more-so around eggs and bunnies than about the Lamb of God who died in our place.

I really do wonder how it makes Jesus feel?

I don’t ever want to treat His sacrifice lightly. There’s a song that asks “Does He Still Feel the Nails?”

We must never allow the focus of Easter become more about anything other than Jesus and His sacrifice. Because I want Jesus to know I remember, I am grateful and I care how He feels.

 

 

 

 

 

Press Toward the Mark

 I PRESS

toward the mark 

for the prize

of the HIGH CALLING of God

in Christ Jesus 

Philippians 3:14

The definition of "press" means to "move or cause to move into a position of contact with something by exerting continuous physical force."

"High calling" means God has extended an invitation. (Strong’s G2821)

Our goal (the mark we're pressing toward) is to obtain the prize of the high calling that God has invited us to. 

Living for God is not easy.

Some are trying to make it fun and frivolity.  

But living for God - not self - will bring battles and pressures in your mind and body that will wear you down. 

The only way you can obtain the goal and receive the prize of the high calling of God is by exerting continuous physical force through prayer and fasting.   

You'll feel it in your body - because you are engaged in a spiritual war.

The devil knows he has but a short time so he's fighting those who live for God hard.

But keep pressing and don't give up.  

The prize is just ahead. 

It will be worth it all when we see Christ. 

Keep pressing!

WHAT CAUSED JUDAS TO BETRAY JESUS?

What Caused Judas to Betray Jesus?

My mind keeps thinking about Judas and his betrayal of Jesus.  

I marveled that he could look Jesus directly in the eyes and so innocently ask, "Is it I?" when Jesus mentioned that one of the twelve present would betray Him.

I marveled that he would not flinch as Jesus looked him in the eye and responded back, "thou hast said."

I marveled that he would quickly get up and leave after Jesus looked directly at him and said, "what thou doest do quickly" knowing Jesus knew what he was about to do. Yet he went out to do it anyway.  

As I pondered on these things, it came to me:

JUDAS HAD A CRITICAL SPIRIT.

He criticized Mary for pouring the expensive perfume over Jesus' head instead of selling it and giving the money to the poor. (Not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief.)

It appears he became OFFENDED when Jesus rebuked him in front of everyone telling him to leave the woman alone. She was doing a good deed toward His burial. It was after this that Judas slipped away and consulted with the chief priests to deliver Jesus to them for 30 pieces of silver. 

His CRITICAL SPIRIT caused him to become OFFENDED which opened the door satan to enter into him. (Lk 22:3) Which then led him to be so callous and bold in his betrayal. He had something already brewing in His heart toward Jesus or he would not have sought opportunity to betray Him. 

An OFFENDED and CRITICAL SPIRIT caused him to find faults where there were no faults.

An OFFENDED and CRITICAL SPIRIT caused him to turn against the One who knew he was a thief yet let him continue keeping the money bag without revealing his sin. 

An OFFENDED and CRITICAL SPIRIT caused him to despise and reject the One who was reaching for his soul and called him "friend" even as he callously gave the betrayal kiss.

An OFFENDED and CRITICAL SPIRIT opened the door for satan to enter into him.

An OFFENDED and CRITICAL SPIRIT caused him to hang himself rather than repent and make it right with Jesus as Peter did after he denied Him.

The story of Judas is a lesson to us all to beware and guard against OFFENDED and CRITICAL SPIRITS....

🥺 They only lead downward to spiritual death and ruin. 

🥺 They will cause a person to find fault where there is no fault. 

🥺 They will cause a person to turn against the one who is trying to help them. 

🥺 They will cause a person to wound someone who is innocently trying to do a good deed for Jesus. (Example: Mary)

The story of Judas is a lesson to us all to beware and guard against OFFENDED and CRITICAL SPIRITS lest we fall into the same snare.

Good Friday thoughts

It's Good Friday, yet it is the true "black Friday" 

It was a dark day...for 3 hours...as Jesus hung writhing in excruciating pain on that cruel cross.

Today is the day we are supposed to reflect and  remember all that He endured to purchase our salvation. 

We are supposed to remember the scourging that tore His flesh wide open. 

We are supposed remember the crowns of thorns piercing His brow as the blood ran down. 

We are supposed to remember the nails piercing His hands and feet.

We are supposed to remember the agony He went through for hours upon hours for you and for me.

But we don't want to remember.  

It's gory.  It's brutal.  It's repulsive.

Or perhaps we've become too desensitized to the suffering of another because movies make it seem like just another show?

This weekend is supposed to be centered around Jesus' sacrifice and His Resurrection to give us a chance to obtain new life.

And yet.....

Jesus is not the first thing that comes to people's minds when they think of Easter. 

They think of the family gathering to have a special dinner with kids squealing in delight as they hunt or Easter eggs afterward. 

They all exclaim excitedly about what the Easter Bunny left for them to find. 

There will be lots of candy and decorations with Easter eggs and Easter bunnies and chickies and vibrant Spring colors. 

Even Churches - we see the main push is Easter egg hunts to get people to attend. 

And I wonder how that makes Jesus feel?

In stores - Rarely will you find any symbols that commemorate the true reason for what Easter is about.

Rarely, will you find anything that reminds us of the Cross, the crown of the thorns, the empty tomb, or the intense suffering and excruciating pain that Jesus went through to purchase our salvation. 

Because bunnies and eggs sell better than anything to do with Jesus' sufferings.

And I wonder how that makes Jesus feel?

People think I'm odd because I do not participate in egg hunts or decorate with easter bunnies and chickies. 

Jesus paid too great a price on this weekend. 

So, I strive to keep the focus centered around the price He paid.

Because I really do wonder how it makes Jesus feel.  

Why I post the way I do...

Why I post the way I do...

I could post about fun things.

I could post about food or coffee. 

I could make you laugh with funny sayings and jokes.

I could post about the sites I see.

I could post about my family. 

And I do sometimes, though it's rare.

Eternity is nearing for every single one of us.

Eternity is nearer for some, more than others.

I sincerely care WHERE each of you, each of us, will spend eternity.  

Many are unaware what it takes to make it.

Many are unaware that there will be some, actually many, to whom Jesus will say, "Depart from Me, I never knew you."

Even those who profess to know Christ. (Mt 7:21)

Even those who will explain to Jesus how they prophesied in His Name,  cast out devils, and done many mighty works. (Mt 7:22)

Yet, He will say, "I never knew you. Depart from Me..." (Mt 7:23)

Why??? Because there was sin in their heart. (Mt 7:23)

Just because we call Him 'Lord, Lord!' does nor mean we'll enter in...only those who do the will of the Father. (Mt 7:21)

What is His will? It's found in God's Word.

Whatever He commands and instructs, we are to do. 

Jesus said those that love Him will KEEP His commandments. (Jn 14:15, 21 + Mt 28:20 + Jn 15:40)

Eternity is nearing for every single one of us.

Eternity is nearer for some, more than others.

So, because I care about where you and where I will spend eternity, 

I'm going to post about Jesus and what is written in His Word more than anything. 

Because many are unaware....

Many are not reading the Bible so they don't know or see...

It does matter what we do for Jesus Christ. 

It does matter how we live our lives.

Obedience to His Word determines WHERE we will spend eternity. 

These thoughts woke me out of my sleep this morning.  Because I care.

Events Leading Up To Crucifixion - I Really Wonder How It Makes Jesus Feel....?

EVENTS LEADING UP TO CRUCIFIXION 

The celebration of the Feast of the Passover was nearing. This was a time when all Jews gathered together and remembered when God had delivered the children of Israel out of Egyptian slavery. At the time of the original Passover, they were instructed to sacrifice a lamb and eat it. They were to take the blood of the lamb and apply it over the windows and doorposts of their homes.

They did not know it at that time that it was a type and foreshadow of what Jesus would one day do for all the world, becoming the sacrificial Lamb, shedding His Blood to make atonement for our sins. 

The Jews were to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. So, Jesus began to make His way to Jerusalem, as well.

When they came to Bethphage which is near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent 2 of His disciples to go to a nearby village. He instructed them as to where they would find a donkey with her colt. (Mt 21:1-16 + Mk 11:1-16 + Lk 19:28-40 + Jn 12:12-19)

They were to loose them and bring them to Jesus, and if anyone asked what they were doing, they were to respond, “The Lord hath need of them.” so that Zechariah 9:9 would be fulfilled: “Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting on a donkey, and a colt the foal of a donkey.” 

The disciples put their clothes on the donkeys before setting Jesus on them. Many spread their garments in the way while other cut down branches off the trees and strawed them in the way. Some went before Him and others followed crying, “Hosanna; Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord! Blessed be the Kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest!”

Everyone thought Jesus was riding into Jerusalem to kick the Romans out and re-establish the rule and throne of David. Everyone was excited - except the Pharisees. They told Jesus He needed to rebuke His disciples, but Jesus answered, “I tell you that if these should hold their peace, the stones would IMMEDIATELY cry out.” 

I do not want any stone to cry out in my place!

God has done so much for me that I can’t stop praising and worshipping Him!

Jesus began to weep as He looked at the city. He knew they would reject and crucify Him not many days later.

Jesus continued His procession into Jerusalem, but He did not head for the palace as some anticipated He would. Instead, He went into the Temple. A righteous indignation rose up within Him as He began to kick out all those that were buying and selling inside the Temple. In His wrath, He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those that sold doves. (Mt 21:12-13 + Mk 11:15-17 + Lk 19:45-46)

He said unto them, “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves!” 

If Jesus did this today, many would accuse Him of not being Christ-like.

The blind and the lame came to Jesus in the Temple, and He healed them. The children in the Temple cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” The chief priests became upset and asked Jesus, “Hearest Thou what these say?” 

Jesus asked them a question in return, “Yea; have ye never read, out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou hast perfected praise?” Then He left them and went out of Jerusalem into Bethany where He lodged.

The town of Bethany was near to Jerusalem - John 11:18 says it was 15 furlongs which is approximately 2 miles. Bethany is the town where Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, lived.

Lazarus was a good friend of Jesus who had died and been closed up in a tomb for 4 days before Jesus finally arrived. Jesus wanted them to roll the stone away, but Martha had protested knowing his body was now decaying and there would be a great stench. Jesus performed a miracle like none had ever seen calling Lazarus back to life after that many days in the grave. Because of this, many believed on Jesus. (John 11:1-45)

A certain Pharisee, named Simon, invited Jesus to come to his house to eat. This Pharisee had a lot to be thankful for - Jesus had healed Simon, the Pharisee, of leprosy. (Mt 26:6 + Lk 7:36 + Mk 14:3)

There were many present at Simon’s house - Jesus was there with His disciples. One of Jesus’ disciples was His future betrayer, Judas Iscariot, who was the son of Simon the Pharisee. (Jn 12:4 + 13:2) Lazarus was there, also, along with his sisters, Martha and Mary.

Several more began to converge to Simon’s house - not just because Jesus was there, but because they wanted to see Lazarus whom Jesus had raised from the dead. The Bible lets us know they were seeking the miracle more than the Miracle Worker. (Jn 12:9)

Martha was busy rushing around serving and taking care of the guests. (Jn 12:2) It was a festive time with the holiday fast approaching. I can only speculate that perhaps the atmosphere was buzzing as many anticipated that Jesus would soon take His rightful place as King of Israel.

But Mary was a little more serious.

She approached Jesus with a pound of very costly ointment of spikenard which she poured on Jesus’ head then wiped His feet with her hair. It caused the house to be filled with the odor of the ointment. (Jn 12:3 + Mt 26:7 + Mk 14:3)

Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, and some of the other disciples became indignant and asked why the ointment wasn’t sold for 300 pence and the money given to the poor? (that would be equal to $45 back then - in modern times, it would be $300-400)

The Bible explains that Judas didn’t ask this question because he was thinking of the poor - it was because he was a thief and yet he was also the one in charge of keeping money for Jesus. (John 12:4-6 + Mk 14:4-5 + Mt 26:8-9) 

Jesus knew the purpose of Mary’s anointing, even if she nor anyone else understood fully what she did. He asked them why they were bothering her? Then He revealed the purpose for the anointing was in preparation for His burial. (Jn 12:7-8 + Mk 14:6-7 + Mt 26:10-12)

It was custom in those days to wash and anoint a body with expensive perfumes before wrapping the body in a shroud and placing in a tomb.

When Jesus was crucified, it was on the eve of a holy day and they would not have time to wash and anoint Him until a few days after He was placed in the tomb.

This is why the women went to the tomb after He had already been dead for 3 days. They were unsure how they were going to roll the stone away, but they knew they somehow needed to get inside so they could anoint His body as was their custom.

They didn’t understand until after His resurrection that Mary had already anointed His body for His burial - even though Jesus tried to tell them that was the purpose. Their mind was on establishing an earthly Kingdom with Jesus ruling as King so they could not understand the correlation Jesus was making between the anointing and His burial until after He was resurrected.

There were poor all around them and always would be. How much did they try to help the poor at other times? Or even after this? Sometimes it just takes one disgruntled person to stir others up against someone.

Judas already had something in his heart against Jesus or he wouldn’t have betrayed Him. Jesus - the sinless one Who had done nothing but good for others - and yet we find Judas is sowing seeds of resentment and bitterness into the hearts of the other disciples over what began as a good deed.

Jesus knew what Judas was doing, yet we never see where Jesus told him that he could no longer be a disciple. 

Because Judas’ heart was not right, the Bible says satan entered into Judas. (Lk 22:3) Judas slipped away and went to the chief priests asking them, “What will you give me, and I will deliver Him unto you?” The chief priests made a covenant to give Judas 30 pieces of silver, so from that point on he looked for the right opportunity to deliver Jesus to them. (Mt 26:14-16)

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Jesus gathered with His disciples to keep the Passover. When it was evening, Jesus sat down with the 12 disciples. As they ate, Jesus revealed shocking news as He said, “One of you shall betray Me.” (Mt 26:17-21)

They became very sad as each one asked, “Lord, is it I?”

Jesus tried to reveal who it was without directly naming names. “He that dippeth his hand with Me in the dish, the same shall betray Me.” Then Judas asked innocently, “Master, is it I?” Jesus let Judas and everyone know that He knew what Judas was about to do as He said, “Thou hast said.”

Jesus looked at Judas and said, “What thou doest, do quickly.” Judas didn’t deny anything. He quickly got up and left. No one understood that Jesus was calling Judas out. They thought that perhaps Jesus was sending him to buy things they needed for the Feast since he had the money bag. (Jn 13:27-30) 

Jesus continued on with the Passover commemoration in attempt to teach and reveal to His disciples the connection between the Passover meal and the Blood He was about to shed for our Redemption. 

He took the bread and gave it to His disciples saying, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you.” (Mt 26:26)

He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink ye all of it; for this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Mt 26:27-28)

Then when they had sung a hymn, they went out in the Mount of Olives. Jesus warned, “ALL of you shall be offended because of Me this night...” 

Jesus knew what was about to transpire. He knew Judas was about to betray Him into the hands of those who sought to kill Him. He knew what He was about to go through to purchase our salvation. 

The 11 disciples who were with Him did not understand this was not an ordinary night and their lives were about ready to be turned upside down.

The one thing Jesus asked of them at that moment was to PRAY.

----------

Easter is less than 2 weeks away. Easter, the time when we remember and commemorate the sacrifice of Jesus on that cruel cross of Calvary to make atonement for our sins.

And yet, Jesus is not the first thing that comes to most people’s minds when they think about Easter. They think of the family gathering to have a special dinner with kids squealing in delight as they hunt for Easter eggs afterward.

They all exlaim excitedly about what the easter bunny left for them to find.

There will be lots of candy and decorations with Easter eggs and bunnies and chickies and vibrant spring colors.

Rarely will you find any symbols that commerate the true reason for what Easter is about. Rarely will you find anything that reminds a person of the Cross, the Crown of Thorns, the nails, the empty tomb or the intense suffering and excruciating pain that Jesus went through to purchase our salvation. 

Sadly, there are many who will not go to Church rarely or at all - yet on Easter they will seek out a Church that has fun things going on for the kids. And Churches are glad they come, even if for that one day out of the year.

But....I wonder how it makes Jesus feel?

It should have been each of us hanging on that Cross. We deserve to die for our sins, but instead Jesus took our place. 

He went through hours of pain beyond the threshold of what normal flesh can endure, and yet He did it because He loves us.

I often wonder how it makes Jesus feel when the focus of Easter is centered more-so around eggs and bunnies than about the Lamb of God who died in our place.

I really wonder how it makes Jesus feel?

We must never allow the focus of Easter become more about anything other than Jesus and His sacrifice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We sing "To be like Jesus!  To be like Jesus! On earth I long to be like Him..." yet try to be like the world, blend in with the world, and get the world to like us. 

We cannot be both at the same time.  

The closer you get to Jesus,  the less like the world you'll become. 

The closer you get to the world, the less like Jesus you'll become.  

 Jesus is coming for a bride who has made herself ready. Are you making yourself ready for the return of Christ?

⁷ Let us be glad and rejoice, 

and give honour to Him: 

for the marriage of the Lamb is come, 

and His wife (the Church) hath made herself ready.

⁸ And to her (the Church) was granted 

that she should be arrayed in FINE LINEN,

CLEAN and WHITE (without sin): 

for THE FINE LINEN IS 

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF SAINTS.

Revelation 19 (KJV)

He's coming for His bride (a Church) without spot or wrinkle!

I kept hearing these words in my sleep. 

Without spot.

Without wrinkle.

Jesus wants His Church to be a GLORIOUS Church. 

One that is WITHOUT spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing ....a Church that is without sin or blemish.

Jesus is coming back for a Church that is HOLY and WITHOUT BLEMISH.

“That He (Jesus) 

might present it to Himself 

A GLORIOUS CHURCH, 

not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; 

but that it (the Church)

should be HOLY and WITHOUT BLEMISH.”

  — Ephesians 5:27 (KJV)

The words in the attached picture came to me yesterday.   How we live this life will determine where we spend the next (eternity). 

Re-sharing a memory from 3-28-23....

Yesterday in Sunday School the kids were trying to guess my age.  One thought I was over 100 years old. 😳  Another thought I was in my 90's. 🥴 One child said her mom is not liking that she's growing up so fast so she pretends that she's still four. I told them I like to pretend that I'm still 21. One child accurately guessed that I was between 40 and 50. I told them that I was but let me continue to live in the delusion that I was still 21.

We all laughed.   We were having fun and just to clarify I am not pretending to be 21.  I am closer to 50 than 40  There's no way I would try to appear to be 21.  I'm a grandmother and enjoying every moment although I wonder where has the time gone?!  

Life is but a vapor and passes all too quickly.

We need to make the most of every moment and make every moment count...with family and for Jesus.  

When we step into eternity, what will be the most important thing? What will be the thing that really matters?   

A job? A Promotion? The hours spent working away from family?  The hours spent away from family even though they're sitting in the same room because a person may be too engrossed in their phone or a movie/tv show that is derived from someone else's imagination? Fame? Fortune? Who won the latest game? Etc....

No, what will matter most is: Are we saved? Are we ready for the Lord's return? Is our family ready? Are we trying to reach out to those who don't know Jesus in the fulness of Truth?

Time is winding down fast.  One day it will be too late to get ready or get right with Jesus.    Today is the day of salvation.   Don't wait another moment.   We're only one heartbeat away from eternity and we never know when that might be.  

In the end, what will matter most is a life lived for Jesus and to hear Him say well done,  enter in!  For us, for our families,  and for others. 

I know this is lengthy.  I was simply getting ready to grab the vacuum when these thoughts filled my mind.  Make sure you're saved and ready.  Do what you can to help your family be ready.  Do what you can to reach the lost.  

Eternity is long.  Make sure you'll spend it in the right place.

HOLINESS, Without Which No Man Shall See The Lord

 “...HOLINESS, 

without which 

no man shall see the Lord:” 

— Hebrews 12:14 (KJV)

That phrase kept waking me up several times Saturday morning.  I would roll over, go back to sleep, only to hear that phrase waking me up again and again (at least 6 times). 

Holiness means 'purification; the state of purity; a purifier.' (strong's G38)

Because it is written - in other words, because God gave us instruction - we are to be holy just as He is holy.

1 Peter 1:15-16 

¹⁵ BUT AS HE which hath called you 

IS HOLY, 

so BE YE HOLY 

in all manner of conversation; (behavior)

¹⁶ Because it is written, 

BE YE HOLY; 

FOR I AM HOLY.

Holiness IS important to God - without Holiness (without purity within and without),  no man shall see the Lord. (Heb 12:14)

A Solitary Place of Prayer

 A Solitary Place of Prayer

Mark 1:32-35  KJV
32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.
34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

Jesus was up late, delivering those held captive by disease and devils.

Then, we find He was up before day to find a solitary place to pray. People were already seeking for Him, desiring what He could do for them, but Jesus found a place to get alone and pray....away from everyone and anything that could distract Him from praying.  He didn't let the excuse of having been up late the night before,  being weary, or being tired keep Him from rising early to pray.

Jesus was exampling to us the need to pray. We may feel weary, worn out, and exhausted from pouring out of ourselves through ministry or all that life brings at us, but that is the exact reason we need to pray MORE, not less.

We need to find and make that alone time with God every day.  Find a solitary place to pray away from all noise and distractions. For it is in that secret place of prayer that we will gain our strength to get through each day.

3-16-22

God's Peace Will Guard Your Heart and Mind

And the peace of God, 

which passeth all understanding, 

shall keep your hearts and minds 

through Christ Jesus.

— Philippians 4:7 (KJV)

The word "keep" means: to mount guard, to protect.

The peace of God will mount guard and protect your heart and mind.  If you let Him.  

His Word instructs to cast ALL our care upon Him (1 Peter 5:7)  When you cast something you are throwing it as hard and as far away from yourself as you possibly can. Too many times we want Jesus to fix it while we continue to hold tightly to it and worry over it. 

God wants you to CAST all that you are worrying  and fretting and stressing over upon Him.  As you do, the peace that He gives in return will be a peace beyond the understanding of human comprehension.  

Jesus left us with these comforting words...

Peace I leave with you, 

My peace I give unto you: 

not as the world giveth, give I unto you. 

Let not your heart be troubled, 

neither let it be afraid.

— John 14:27

(3-15-23)

³ And hereby we do know that we know Him, 

IF we keep [fulfill] His commandments.

⁴ He that saith, I know Him, 

and keepeth not [doesn't fulfill] His commandments, 

is a liar, 🤥 

and the truth is not in him.

⁵ But whoso keepeth His word, [to fulfill a command]

in him verily is the love of God perfected: 

hereby know we that we are in Him.

⁶ He that saith he abideth in Him 

ought himself also so to walk, 

even as He walked.

1 John 2 (KJV)

We need to take time to do a heart check and internal inspection....

❓️ Am I keeping [fulfilling] God's commands?

(This includes every instruction to do -or- abstain from doing whatever God's Word says do or don't do. )

❓️ Am I walking/living as Jesus walked/lived?

Are My Words Placing Me In Danger of Hell Fire?

I've heard it said.

You've heard it said. 

Maybe it's been said about you. 💔😔

I hope you have never said it about or to anyone: 😔

"They're WORTHLESS!"

"You're STUPID!"

"You're a FOOL!"

And what about,  "You're a BLOCKHEAD!"

A phrase made popular by the cartoon character,  Lucy, in Peanuts.

I just read comments under a post the other day that shocked me. These were adults who were calling someone names, throwing insults because they didn't agree with what he posted. I didn't either, but I'm not going to call names or throw insults. 

But more than my opinion or feelings, 

JESUS WARNED AGAINST using those terms.....

“But I say unto you, 

That whosoever is ANGRY with his brother 

WITHOUT A CAUSE

shall be IN DANGER OF THE JUDGMENT: 

and whosoever shall say to his brother, 

RACA, (meaning: worthless)

shall be IN DANGER OF THE COUNCIL: 

but whosoever shall say, 

THOU FOOL, (meaning: stupid, shut-up, blockhead)

shall be IN DANGER OF HELL FIRE.”

  — Matthew 5:22 (KJV)

Name calling can place us on dangerous ground before the Lord and even cost a person their soul. 

Name calling reveals something is not right in the heart. 

Name calling reveals there's anger and hate lurking under the surface,  hidden in the heart, but given the right situation it explodes and spews it's venom. 

WORDS HURT!

WORDS MATTER!

WORDS CUT AND LEAVE SCARS AND 

DEEP WOUNDS THAT MAY NEVER HEAL!

But more than that, it puts us on dangerous ground before God and in danger of hell fire. 

Jesus warns and teaches us to watch our words...

“But I say unto you, 

That whosoever is ANGRY with his brother 

WITHOUT A CAUSE

shall be IN DANGER OF THE JUDGMENT: 

and whosoever shall say to his brother, 

RACA, (meaning: worthless)

shall be IN DANGER OF THE COUNCIL: 

but whosoever shall say, 

THOU FOOL, (meaning: stupid, shut-up, blockhead)

shall be IN DANGER OF HELL FIRE.”

  — Matthew 5:22 (KJV)

How Do We Show Jesus We Love Him? ❤️

Love ❤️

It's the season and time of year when many are focused on showing another how much they love them. Setting aside hearts and flowers and chocolate,  what does the Bible say about love?  

Jesus was asked what the greatest command in the law was. His response in Matthew 22:37-40 reveals what God considers the greatest commandments above all....

Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 

This is the first and great commandment. 

The second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 

On these 2 commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

LOVE GOD - LOVE OTHERS

Why? Because when we truly learn to love God, we will love others.  And when we truly learn to love others, then it will take care of a lot of other sin problems.

The FIRST and GREAT COMMAND is to LOVE GOD with every part of our being. 1 Corinthians 8:3 (KJV) says, “But if any man love God, the same is known of Him.”

SO, HOW DO WE SHOW GOD WE LOVE HIM?

Our mind automatically thinks: prayer, Bible reading,  faithfully attending Church. And yes, those do show Jesus we love Him by spending time with Him. But, Jesus plainly told us in His Word how we show Him that we love Him.... 

John 14:15 - If ye love Me, KEEP my commandments.

KEEP means: to observe; fulfill a command 

Jesus said again in John 14:21 - He that hath My commandments, and KEEPETH them, he it is that loveth Me...

²³ Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will KEEP my words...

If we love Jesus,  we will observe, obey and fulfill the commands in His Word. 

He warned in verse 24 - He that loveth Me not KEEPETH NOT My sayings...

Our obedience to His commands SHOWS Jesus that we truly LOVE Him. 

Willfully ignoring or not doing what His Word commands shows Him that person does not love Him. 

Actions speak louder than words. 

If we love Jesus,  we will observe, obey and fulfill the commands in His Word. 

Do you love Jesus? ❤️

Are your actions showing Him you truly love Him? ❤️

The Parent and the Pastor

 The Parent and The Pastor 

As A Parent....

You want good for your children. 

You want them to be healthy

And to excel and do well in life

Yet, there are times....

when you have to have a talk with them.

They're getting into things they shouldn't.

At times, they are putting theirself in danger.

May even be putting their sibling in harms way as well. 

You, as the parent,  see how what they're doing will harm them.

Sometimes,  no matter how much you admonish or try to reason with them, they continue to do it anyway,  pushing boundaries.

The last resort is issuing correction or instituting a punishment.

Your child whom you love...

Cries

Gets angry with you

Accuses you of hating them

You hear them falsely accuse, "you don't love me!"

Or even,  "Abuse!"

And yet that is the furthest from the truth.

It is BECAUSE you love them

It is BECAUSE you care 

that you had to correct or punish them. 

You understand that even though they may not at the moment. 

Your Pastor...

Wants good for those God has placed in his care.

He want you to be healthy spiritually 

And to excel and do well in the Kingdom of God.

Yet, there are times....

when your Pastor may have to talk with you.

He sees you're getting into things you shouldn't.

God shows him you are putting yourself in danger.

Your actions may even be influencing someone else and putting them in harms way (spiritually) as well. 

As the Pastor, he sees the danger lying ahead.

Sometimes,  no matter how much he admonishes or tries to reason with them, they continue to do it anyway,  pushing boundaries.

The last resort is to issue a biblical correction.

This person whom the Pastor loves and cares for...

Cries

Gets angry with him

Accuses him of hating them

He hears them falsely accuse, "you don't love me!"

Or even,  "Church hurt!"

And yet that is the furthest from the truth.

It is BECAUSE he loves them

It is BECAUSE he cares 

that he had to admonish them.

He understands this even though that person may not at the moment. 

And, It is his duty - Biblically. 

The Pastor is mandated by God to teach us the difference between what is right and what is wrong,  between what is holy and what is profane. (Ezek 44:23)

If the Pastor does not sound the alarm warning of danger, then God said our blood will be on his hands.  (Ezek 3:17-21 + 18:24-32 + 33:1-9)

That is a heavy responsibility.  

It is BECAUSE God loves us. (Heb 12:6)

It is BECAUSE the Pastor loves us.

If he didn't love you,  he wouldn't warn.

The Holy Ghost laid this heavily on my mind Monday morning (2-5-24) before I was even fully awake. 

God is trying to admonish someone. 

Will you hear and heed His voice. 

Don't harden your heart. 

God is reaching - BECAUSE He loves you.

Just Call Me "Mara" (Bitter)

 Just call me "Mara" (bitter)

Life can deal some bitter blows.

Blows that can cause you to battle bitterness. 

You try not to give in, but the struggle is real. 

The struggle is hard. 

I've said and taught for many years:

We have two choices....

Either to become bitter 

Or to become better. 

Bitterness is a poison.

The main person it infects is the one allowing it to harbor and fester in their heart.

There are many examples in the Bible of those who were dealt bitter blows by Life or by the actions of others. Two particular ones come to mind....

Joseph refused to become bitter and was eventually exalted to the palace. 

Naomi battled bitterness from the loss of her husband and two sons.  

She re-named herself Mara (bitter) - Ruth 1:20

But she had a daughter in law who tried to help her get through the bitter days. 

God saw her hurting, grieving heart. He didn't hold it against her. He walked with her through the trial and eventually her heart was able to find joy again.  

This thought has come to me off and on the past couple days and again today.  It won't leave me so I'm posting to encourage someone....

If you are battling bitterness,  God wants to heal your hurting heart and bind up your wounds.

While it is a choice whether to succumb to bitterness or to allow yourself to heal and become better through it, the struggle is real.  The struggle is hard.

But we have a God who will never leave nor forsake you.

He will walk with you every step of the way.

He'll never leave nor forsake you.

In time, He will make the bitter waters sweet again just as He did for Joseph and Naomi.  

Naomi was no longer called Mara but instead became known as Blessed. 

You will be, as well. 

Just don't allow the bitterness to take root and grow.

The Incense of Prayer

 The Incense of Prayer

Exodus 30

⁷ And Aaron shall 

BURN THEREON SWEET INCENSE

EVERY MORNING.....

⁸ And when Aaron lighteth the lamps AT EVEN, 

he shall burn incense upon it,

A PERPETUAL INCENSE before the LORD.....

REV 5:8

...having every one of them harps, 

and GOLDEN VIALS FULL OF ODOURS, 

which are THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS.

Revelation 8

³ And another angel came 

and stood at the altar, 

having a golden censer; 

and there was given unto him MUCH INCENSE, 

that he should offer it 

WITH THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS.....

⁴ And the smoke of the incense, 

which came with the prayers of the saints, 

ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

*Our prayers are like sweet incense before God.

*They are to be a perpetual incense = (meaning)

Pray without ceasing. — 1 Thess 5:17 (KJV)

Have you offered up an incense of prayer before God this morning? And this evening? And every day? Perpetually?

ONE THING IS NEEDFUL

 ONE THING IS NEEDFUL 

Luke 10 (KJV)

⁴¹ And Jesus answered and said unto her, 

Martha, Martha, thou art careful (anxious)

and troubled (disturbed) about many things:

⁴² But....: 

ONE THING IS NEEDFUL

and Mary HATH CHOSEN THAT GOOD PART, 

which shall not be taken away from her.

Mary had chosen to spend time listening and learning at the feet of Jesus.

There were many things at that moment to distract her.  

Things that needed to get done.

They had guests to feed and care for.

Martha was anxiously scurrying around to make sure the needs of others were met. 

Seems to be very important and very needful.

YET ONE THING IS MORE NEEDFUL....

Time spent with Jesus. 

Mary realized she couldn't help feed others 

UNTIL she had spent time being fed Spiritual food by the Master.

She CHOSE the GOOD PART (time in His Presence).

ONE THING IS NEEDFUL,

more than any other responsibility we may have.

Every time we pray and read our Bible, 

Every time we attend Church or Bible study and hear the Word preached, taught, and expounded,

We are CHOOSING THAT GOOD PART.

Jesus said it shall not be taken away from us.

ONE THING IS NEEDFUL

Are you choosing that Good Part?

Teach Your Children

 Teach your children to worship. 

Teach your children to pray.

Example it to them.

The devil is pulling hard for your children through what they read and watch in movies and on social media apps, especially Tiktok. 

Don't let him win!

Get those children to Church every time you can.

Jesus said to suffer (send, allow) the children to come to Him and forbid them not (don't stop or hinder them). Mt 19:14

Read the Bible to them and pray with them every day. 

Teach your children how to love, live for, and serve Jesus. 

In the end, that's what will truly matter. 

The Church can only do so much. 

Teach your children. 

(Not sure what church this picture is from but this is precious ❤️)

 

Worth Reposting again from 1-22-23

The Old Time Prayer Rooms

How many miss the old time prayer rooms and altars where you could hear the travail and cries unto God clear out in the parking lot and sometimes down the street?

Many miss it but how many that say they miss it are early to pre-service prayer and shaking the rafters with those fervent prayers? And having daily prayer meetings in their home that touches Heaven's Throne and shakes the gates of hell?

It can start with just one but it takes everyone uniting in fervent prayer to see the bands of wickedness loosed and chains fall off.  Will you be that one?

How many miss the prophets of old that would read your mail?  They are not the same as the ones who tickle your ear while telling your fortune and promising prosperity. A true prophet will not tell you what you want to hear; they will tell you what God wants you to hear whether it be a compliment or a rebuke. 

Of those that miss the old time prophets,  how many are trying to hear God's voice not just through daily prayer and Bible reading but are also sacrificing and denying the flesh often through fasting?

We reminisce about the old time miracles of healing.  I have experienced them myself and reminisce as well.  But why are we not seeing all this like we used to? Could it be that we're expecting someone else to rise up and be the one instead of looking in the mirror and thinking perhaps I am the one that God wants to use and is waiting on?

I'm talking to myself, too. God wants to use everyone who has His Spirit (the Holy Ghost) but it takes sacrifice and consecration.  

Will you be the one who allows God to use you? 

Are you willing to pay the price to become the man or woman of God that He can work through and use?

God is looking for willing vessels.  Will you be the one?

(Re-post from 1-18-22 + 1-18-24)

I finally came across Scripture that explains why we gain weight as we get older. The struggle is real but even the Bible says...

Psalms 92 (KJV)

¹³ Those that be planted 

in the house of the LORD 

shall flourish in the courts of our God.

¹⁴ They shall still bring forth fruit 

IN OLD AGE; 

THEY SHALL BE FAT AND FLOURISHING;

Can Faith Alone Save Us?

James 2 (KJV)

¹⁴ What doth it profit, my brethren, 

though a man say he hath faith, 

and HAVE NOT WORKS? 

CAN FAITH SAVE HIM?

¹⁷ Even so FAITH,

IF IT HATH NOT WORKS,

IS DEAD, BEING ALONE. 

¹⁸ Yea, a man may say, 

Thou hast faith, and I have works: 

shew me thy faith without thy works, 

and I WILL SHEW THEE MY FAITH BY MY WORKS.

²⁰ But wilt thou know, O vain man, 

that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD?

²¹ Was not Abraham our father 

justified by works....?

²² Seest thou how faith wrought WITH his works, 

and BY WORKS WAS FAITH MADE PERFECT?

²⁴ Ye see then how that 

BY WORKS A MAN IS JUSTIFIED, 

and NOT BY FAITH ONLY.

²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, 

SO FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD.

Did you notice James stated THREE TIMES in just these few Scriptures that: FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD (Vs 17, 20, 26)? 

He likened it to the body without the spirit is dead.  

It takes BOTH...Faith AND works.

Some teach or believe you don't need to be baptized or receive the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in other tongues.  They state, "we're saved by grace" ((Eph 2:5,8).  We are but those Scriptures we're written addressing THE CHURCH, those who had already been baptized in Jesus name and received the Holy Ghost.  

Jesus taught in Mark 16:16... he that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved. 

Jesus continued in verse 17... and THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW them that believe...they shall speak with new tongues. 

Have you been baptized since you believed?

Have you spoke with new tongues since you believed?

Have you followed Christ's teachings to be Born Again?

Acts 2 (KJV)

³⁸ Then Peter (who was taught by Jesus) said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

³⁹ For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Get back to where the Fire is (the Church)

Two embers had fallen out of the fireplace a few days back.  They sat on the bricks until they grew cold.  As I stoked the coals in our fireplace, I noticed those 2 embers once again.  There was no fire, no glow, not even a spark left in them.  They were so cold that I could pick them up with my hands and not get burnt. 

I threw them back amongst the glowing coals in the fireplace and watched.  Slowly,  I could see one begin to revive.  A little glow began to slowly return.  Then, I noticed the other began to exhibit the same. Each began grow a little more red, a little more glow coming from them until finally they sparked and a fire began to burn in them once again.  

These cold embers and blazing coals example to us how much we need each other and need the Church.  

Ecclesiastes 4 

⁹ Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

¹⁰ For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

¹¹ Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

¹² And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Maybe you are like those embers?  Maybe you have grown cold in your walk with God?  Maybe you feel the fire of the Holy Ghost isn't blazing as brightly as it once did in your heart?  Perhaps you no longer attend Church or never have? 

Get back to where the Fire is (the Church).  The more you are at Church worshipping together with fellow Believers, the more you'll begin to feel the warmth of the Holy Ghost begin to spark once again in your heart.  The more you are around those burning brightly with the Holy Ghost,  the more you'll begin to feel that old fire begin to rekindle within your heart as well.   

Pick up the Bible and begin to read it. Every day. Even if it's only a few verses, it's a start back on the right track.  Take a few minutes to talk to Jesus each day.  The more time you spend with Him, the more you'll grow in love with Him. Find a prayer partner. Attend Bible studies.  Be faithful to Church every time there are services.  Participate in the singing and worship. If you are one who is on Fire, reach out to someone who seems to be struggling or grown cold in their walk with God.

I need you.

You need me.

We do need each other.

We do need the Church.

Are You HEARING and DOING?

 Sharing some very good points I heard....

Several people were interviewed that were affected by the Los Angeles fires. 

They were asked if they thought they were going to heaven or hell?  Every single person said they HOPE they're going to heaven because they feel they're a good person.

Each person was asked:

***have you ever stolen anything? 

***have you ever lied?

***have you ever committed fornication? Or adultery? Or lusted after someone in your heart?

They answered yes. To all.  

Then they were asked:

***Have you ever used the Lord's name in vain? As a curse word?

Answer was 'yes'

Next question:

***do you love your mom (or dad or child or spouse)?

Yes? 

Have you ever used their name as a curse word?

No? Why not?  

Because you respect them? 

And love them? 

Yet you have not shown that same respect and love to the One who shed His blood on Calvary to purchase our Redemption? (End of quote)

Jesus warned in Matthew 7:21 that not everyone who calls Him "Lord" will enter the Kingdom of Heaven,  only those who DO the will of the Father. 

Jesus continued teaching in verses 24-27 in the Parable of the wise versus foolish builder that the wise will not only HEAR but also DO what Jesus says.  

He likened everyone to the foolish man who will HEAR yet will NOT DO what Jesus says. 

Not because He's being mean. Or name calling. But because He's warning that not everyone who calls Him 'Lord' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, only those who HEAR and DO (obey) what He says. 

Jesus taught Nicodemus and all the Disciples who were with Him that night in John 3:

Vs 3 - EXCEPT (unless) a man be BORN AGAIN, he CANNOT SEE the Kingdom of God. 

He went on to explain in verse 5 - EXCEPT (unless) a man be born of water (Baptism) and of the Spirit (infilling of the Holy Ghost), he CANNOT ENTER into the Kingdom of God. 

Vs 7 - Marvel not (don't be in wonder or amazement) that I said unto thee, you MUST BE BORN AGAIN. 

You MUST be BORN AGAIN of water (Baptism) AND of the Spirit (Holy Ghost) or you cannot see nor enter into the Kingdom of God.

Those words are just as important as John 3:16. 

John 3:16 is a summary of all that Jesus said in the verses prior - not to nullify them or for them to be ignored.

Whosoever believes in Jesus should not perish - because if you believe in Jesus you will read His Words, you will hear His Words, you will obey His Words. 

Jesus also said in John 7:38-39....

He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of Living Water. But this spake He of the spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.

Jesus taught in Mark 16:16...

He that believeth AND IS BAPTIZED shall be saved; 

He continued in verse 17....

And THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW them that believe.... they SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES;

Have you been baptized since you believed? 

Have you spoke with new tongues since you believed?

That Promise is for you and your children and as many as the Lord our God shall call.  (Acts 2:38-39)

Jesus asked, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" - Luke 6:46 

Are you HEARING what Jesus is saying?

Are you DOING the things which Jesus said?

Marvel not that Jesus said you MUST be BORN AGAIN as He instructed in John 3:1-7.