"The Third Day"

“The Third Day”

 

And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.  Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here, but is risen!  Remember how He spoke to you when He was still 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.’”  And they remembered His words.            Luke 24:4-8

 

Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and some other women, arose early on the THIRD DAY following the DEATH of their Beloved Master, Teacher, and Friend.   They hurried to the tomb to properly prepare His body for PROPER BURIAL according to Jewish customs.  But when they arrived at the tomb, the stone had been ROLLED AWAY from the opening, they went inside the tomb, and did NOT find the body of the Lord Jesus.

 

They were very perplexed about this.  What happened to the body of their Lord? They knew full well that He was DEAD when they laid Him in the tomb, so what could have happened?  Then two men in BRIGHT, SHINING garments stood by them.  The women were SO AFRAID, they dropped to the ground and put their faces to the earth.  Then the men asked them, “Why do you SEEK the LIVING among the DEAD?  He is NOT here, but He is RISEN!  Don’t you REMEMBER how He spoke to you, when He was 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. Their grief had caused them a brief lapse of memory, until they were reminded of the very words of the Lord. 

 

The THIRD DAY must have been BITTERSWEET to the women as they PONDERED the words of Jesus, and hurried on to tell the disciples ALL the things they had encountered, and to let them know that HE has CONQUERED DEATH, and is RISEN from the GRAVE.  The Apostles did not BELIEVE the women, and had to see it for themselves. 

 

The women, however, REMEMBERED the words of Jesus, and RAN to TELL the disciples the GOOD NEWS!    We too, KNOW He’s ALIVE and because He’s ALIVE, we too will be FOREVER ALIVE with Him in Heaven.  That is, IF you have given your HEART and LIFE to GOD.  If you have not done that, then you are destined for an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  However, God has provided a way for you to ESCAPE HELL and GAIN Heaven.  You MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and TRULY CELEBRATE RESURRECTION DAY, as a BLOOD BOUGHT, REDEEMED CHILD of the LIVING GOD.  And RUN and TELL SOMEBODY the GOOD NEWS!  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Darkest Hour"

“The Darkest Hour”

 

Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.   Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.  And when Jesus cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.   Having said this He breathed His last.   So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!”        Luke 23:44-47

 

Growing up, I always wondered why people called this day, “GOOD FRIDAY,” if it was to represent the day that Jesus was CRUCIFIED.  To me, that was not what I would call GOOD. As I got older and more mature in my FAITH, I realized that it was a VERY GOOD FRIDAY for ALL of mankind.  This was the day that Jesus PAID IT ALL.  His DEATH on the cross was for the REDEMPTION of mankind.  To bring us from the DARKNESS into the LIGHT.

 

Jesus had previously, told those who arrested Him that, “this is your hour---when darkness reigns.”  DARKNESS reigned because of the CRUCIFIXION of the Lord.  Not only was the arrest done under the cover of DARKNESS, but the trials were also conducted during the DARK of night.  And they were also working as the forces of DARKNESS to KILL the Son of God, the MESSIAH.  The arrest was illegal because it was done in the DARKNESS of the night, and accomplished through a paid accuser.  Many sins or carried out during the DARKNESS of night.

 

But the DARKEST HOUR of all was when DARKNESS covered the whole earth, from the sixth hour (noon) till the ninth hour (3:00pm).  Then sun was darkened, and the veil in the temple, which separated the holy of holies from the rest of the temple, was torn in two. Then Jesus cried out with a LOUD voice:  “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” This was the DARKEST point in time, when it seemed as though ALL HOPE was gone, when Jesus breathed His last breath.  He WILLINGLY gave up His life.  He was DEAD!   But even then, there was enough LIGHT for the centurion to recognize, that Jesus was a RIGHTEOUS Man.    

Jesus said:  “I am the Light of the world.  Whoever follows Me will never walk in DARKNESS, but will have the LIGHT of life.”  (John 8:12)   Are you FOLLOWING JESUS?  Or are you WALKING in DARKNESS with NO HOPE for an ETERNITY in Heaven, but destined for Hell, with ALL of its HORRORS?  You NOW have the opportunity to come OUT of the DARKNESS and INTO the LIGHT by TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURNING TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION and WALK in the LIGHT as He is in the LIGHT, and ESCAPE  an ETERNITY in Hell and GAIN an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL of its GLORIES.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

"Crucify Him!" "Crucify Him!"

“Crucify Him!”  “Crucify Him!”

 

Pilate went out again and said to them, “See I am bringing Him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.”  So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.  Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!”   When the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they cried out, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”  Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no guilt in Him.”           John 19:4-6

 

Pilate, the governor of Rome, interrogated Jesus, and after his questioning of the Son of God, he went out to the crowd and said to them, “I find NO guilt in Him.”  However the people were so agitated, that all they wanted was Jesus to be put to death.   Pilate believed that if they saw Him BLOODY and BEATEN, they would be satisfied.  

 

So he turned Jesus over to a group of soldiers, to be flogged, beaten, nearly to a pulp, with a crown of LONG, SHARP thorns that had been thrust upon His forehead and a purple robe draped around His bloody body, barely able to stand before a crowd of VICIOUS, BLOODTHIRSTY, people.

 

When Pilate presented Jesus to the CROWD, with “Behold the man!”  The crowd JEERED, AND YELLED, “CRUCIFY HIM!” “CRUCIFY HIM!”  Then Pilate said to the crowd, “Take Him yourselves and CRUCIFY HIM, for I find NO GUILT in Him.”  This was the THIRD TIME Pilate told them that he found NO GUILT in Him.  But that made[EF1]  NO DIFFERENCE to the people.   They had allowed EVIL to prevail, and AGAIN, and AGAIN, and AGAIN, they REJECTED the One who COULD bring them SALVATION.   They REFUSED to BELIEVE that He was the SON of the LIVING God.  Instead they ACCUSED Him of BLASPHEMY, which was punishable by DEATH. 

 

If YOU have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you too are allowing EVIL to prevail in your life, and you are REJECTING God’s gift of SALVATION, and may be REFUSING TO BELIEVE that JESUS is the Son of God.  If that’s the case, you are doomed to an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  The ONLY WAY to ESCAPE Hell and to GAIN Heaven, is to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and become a part of GOD’S Family for ALL ETERNITY.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

---

 [EF1]

"The BIG Mistake!"

“The BIG Mistake!”

 

And the high priest arose and said to Him, “So You answer nothing?  What is it these men testify against You?”  But Jesus kept silent.  And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God:  Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”  Jesus said to him, “It is as you said.   Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Then the high priest tore his clothes saying, “He has spoken blasphemy!  What further need do we have of witnesses?  Look, now you have heard His blasphemy!   What do you think?”  They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.”         Matthew 26:62-66

 

Jesus faced six trials the night He was arrested.  Three were religious trials and three were civil trials.  This trial was the second of the religious trials.  It took place before Caiaphas, the high priest.  The purpose of these trials was to find some LEGAL basis for putting Jesus to death.  They scoured all around trying to find witnesses.  Judas, would have been a perfect witness, but he was not to be found.  So they searched and searched, finally they found two who volunteered to be witnesses. They told of a time when Jesus said that He was able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.  This statement was made by Jesus at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, some three years prior to the trial.  And what they were unaware of was, Jesus was talking about His body, NOT the building. 

 

The high priest tried to get Jesus to respond to the accusations, but Jesus remained silent.  Then the high priest made Jesus answer him under SACRED OATH:   “I put You under oath by the living God.”  Then Jesus had to answer him TRUTHFULLY.  “It is as you said.  Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”  This statement of His returning on the clouds was/is prophetic in nature.  Jesus is speaking of a future event.    Caiaphas tore his clothes and proclaimed that Jesus had spoken BLASPHEMY, and the people agreed saying “He is deserving of death.”  BIG MISTAKE, on their part, because they had REJECTED the Son of the LIVING GOD.  And because of their REJECTION they would spend an ETERNITY in HELL with ALL it HORRORS.   Are you making the same BIG MISTAKE?  Are you REJECTING Jesus Christ, as your Savior and Lord?

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are REJECTING His gift of SALVATION and the SACRIFICE that was made on YOUR BEHALF, by the DEATH and RESURRECTION of His Son, Jesus Christ, and you are headed for an ETERNITY in HELL, unless you TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and ESCAPE the BIG MISTAKE and its CONDEMNATION, and receive the HOPE of Heaven.  Do it NOW, while you still can. He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

"The Denials"

“The Denials”

 

Jesus said: “But after I have been resurrected, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”

Peter told Him, “Even if everyone runs away because of You, I will never run away!”

“I assure you,” Jesus said to him, “tonight before the rooster crows you will deny Me three times!” 

“Even if I have to die with you.”  Peter told Him, “I will never deny You!”  And all the disciples said the same thing.                                                                                                                                        Matthew 26:32-35

Then the slave girl who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too are you?”  “I am not!”  He said.

Now the slaves and the temple police had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold.   They were standing there warming themselves, and Peter was standing with them, warming himself.

They said to him, “You aren’t one of His disciples too are you?”  He denied it and said, “I am not!”

One of the high priest’s slaves, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden?”  Peter then denied it again.  Immediately a rooster crowed.          John 18:18, 25-27

 

Peter’s DENIALS of  knowing or associating with the Lord Jesus Christ, must have brought GREAT heartache and anguish, as he ran away weeping, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.

 

Peter was RESTORED to a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with the Lord, when Jesus provided breakfast for ALL of His Disciples, excluding Judas, of course. This event took place after the Lord’s resurrection.  After they had eaten, Jesus asked Peter THREE times, if he LOVED Him, each time, Peter responded:  “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. “ And Jesus responded back to Peter, “Feed My sheep!” He was actually RECOMMISSIONING Peter for a GREAT MINISTRY.  Peter was FORGIVEN and he once again had a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with his Lord.

 

If you feel like you have failed the Lord and that your RELATIONSHIP with Him is HOPELESS, just REMEMBER Peter.   You too can be RESTORED to a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP, which you NEED. Or if you have NEVER had a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with God, to begin with, you can, by; TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and be RESTORED to a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with Him, or START a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP NOW, and become a part of God’s family.   Do it NOW, while you still can.   He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

"I Am"

“I Am”

 

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”   They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.”  Jesus said to them, “I am He.”  And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them.   Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.          John 18:4-6

 

This scene takes place in the Garden of Gethsemane, shortly after the Last Supper.  Where some of Jesus’ disciples were praying, and Judas knew Jesus would be there, because that was a common place for Jesus and His disciples to meet.  So Judas took a detachment of troops and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, and they came into the garden with lanterns, torches, and WEAPONS to ARREST Jesus Christ, the One and Only Son of the Living God.

 

When they approached Jesus and the disciples, Jesus WILLINGLY stepped forward, and asked them: “Whom are you seeking?’ of course He already knew who they were and what they wanted.  They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” And Jesus said to them, “I AM He.”  Now the word “HE” is NOT in the original Greek manuscripts.  Some believe that Jesus was referring to the Trinity, that maybe He said “I AM” as His title, “I AM the great I AM!”  When He said I AM He,” the entourage of troops and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees DREW BACK and FELL to the ground, just from the POWER of Jesus saying “I AM.”

 

There js POWER in the VERY NAME of JESUS.  The very SAME name, SAVES BELIEVERS: “These things I have written to you who BELIEVE in the NAME of the Son of God, that you may KNOW that you have ETERNAL LIFE, and that you may CONTINUE to BELIEVE in the name of the Son of God.”  (1 John 5:13)    And that SAME name, CONDEMNS the LOST:  “He who believes in Him is NOT condemned; but he who does NOT believe is CONDEMNED already because he has NOT believed in the NAME of the Only Begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18)   Where do you stand?  BELIEVER or CONDEMNED.

 

If you are CONDEMNED ALREADY, because you do NOT BELIEVE in the NAME of the Lord Jesus Christ, the I AM.  You are headed for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL of its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE, unless you CALL upon the NAME of Jesus, and TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is NOW ALIVE, in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and be the BELIEVER that BELIEVES in the NAME of JESUS, the I AM, and receive ETERNAL LIFE in Heaven.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Why Celebrate Easter?"

“Why Celebrate Easter?

 

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.        Romans 3:23-24

 

For some CELEBRATING EASTER, is worshipping the EASTER BUNNY, with his big EASTER BASKET full of colored eggs, and a various assortment of CANDY.  It is, in some cases, a time when the whole family is decked out in NEW CLOTHES, TROTTED OFF TO CHURCH, for the SECOND time during the year, for the annual FASHION SHOW. 

Now, don’t get me wrong.  EASTER BUNNIES, BASKETS and NEW CLOTHES are fine.  But they ARE NOT and SHOULD NOT BE the REASON to CELEBRATE EASTER. Let me tell you WHY I CELEBRATE EASTER.

 

I, just like YOU, am a SINNER, who has SINNED, and sometimes I STILL do.  My sentence USE to be CONDEMNATION, having to spend an ETERNITY in that HORRID place called HELL, because I, like YOU, fall short of the glory of God.  But PRAISE GOD, HE had a PLAN for ME, just like He does for YOU.  His PLAN is for ME and EVERYONE else to be JUSTIFIED FREELY or DECLARED RIGHTEOUS by His AMAZING GRACE, and ABUNDANT MERCY, which is carried out through REDEMPTION, being SET FREE by paying a RANSOM PRICE, the SHED BLOOD and DEATH, on an OLD RUGGED CROSS, by the PERFECT SACRIFICE, GOD’S ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST. 

 

Because I have ACCEPTED God’s PLAN, His GIFT to ME and to ALL PEOPLE, the gift of REDEMPTION and SALVATION.  SPENDING ALL ETERNITY in HEAVEN with Him and my REDEEMER, the Lord Jesus Christ, the ONE who paid the PRICE that I and YOU might be REDEEMED.  THIS is WHY I CELEBRATE EASTER.

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, YOU are sentenced to spend ALL of ETERNITY in HELL with ALL of its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  Jesus PAID the RANSOM PRICE for you too, but it is up to YOU to either REJECT IT or ACCEPT IT.  God is giving you the opportunity NOW to make your choice.  If you decide to REJECT IT, then do NOTHING, realizing that you will end up in HELL.  If you decide to ACCEPT His GIFT of SALVATION, this is what you MUST DO:  You MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you before God, then ACCEPT his gift of SALVATION, and CELEBRATE RESURRECTION SUNDAY, as a TRUE REDEEMED CHILD of the LIVING GOD.  This is the TRUE PURPOSE OF EASTER.  So do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"From a Festive Parade to a Horrendous Death March"

“From a Festive Parade to a Horrendous Death March”

 

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.  They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.   A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”  “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”  “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”             Matthew 21:6-9

Now, as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.   And a large multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him.       Luke 23:26-27

God’s SALVATION plans included a FESTIVE parade, which, was kind of the jumping off part of His plan.  It is well known to Christians today as, the Triumphal Entry into the city of Jerusalem, where Jesus would share a Passover meal with His disciples.  Matthew 21:6-9 gives us a picture of the atmosphere of the attitude of MOST of the people, as they awaited Jesus’ coming.   They prepared quite a celebratory scene.  Some laid their cloaks in the road, while others went and cut palm branches and laid them in the road, some kept some of the branches to wave, as Jesus passed by.  This was to show their acknowledgement of Jesus being the Son of David, especially when they began to shout out, “HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID!”  “BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!”  “HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST HEAVEN!”  All this festivity was evidence of the people’s acknowledging that Jesus was the Messiah.

 

However, within one short week that FESTIVE parade was forgotten and a HORRENDOUS DEATH MARCH was being planned.  The recipient of this DEATH MARCH was JESUS, the very one the people had PRAISED, APPLAUDED, and ACKNOWLEDGED as the MESSIAH.  They were now, yelling “CRUCIFY HIM!” “CRUCIFY HIM!”  Spitting in His face and running up hitting Him with their fist and who knows what they yelled at Him as He passed by them, on His way to be NAILED to an old wooden cross, bloody and bruised, suffering and weakened, to die in THEIR place, in order for them and US to receive the SALVATION of our SOULS, and the HOPE of an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, and ESCAPING HELL and ALL of its HORRORS.

 

If you want that SALVATION, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART that JESUS died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and receive the SALVATION of your SOUL, an ETERNITY in Heaven, and ESCAPING an ETERNITY in Hell.  Do it NOW while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Will YOU?"

“Will YOU?”

 

I will not die, but will live and proclaim what the Lord has done.      Psalm 118:17

 

At this time, King David had just come out of battling other nations, and I would imagine that we could come to the conclusion that he had been facing some FIERCE STRESS, yet he called on his STRENGTH AND HIS SALVATION, the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.

 

Verse five of this Psalm, tells us that David voiced these words:  “I called to the Lord, in distress; the Lord answered me and put me in a spacious place.”  In verse ten he tells us:  “All nations surrounded me; in the name of Yahweh I destroyed them.”   David had a GREAT VICTORY!  This Psalm is THANKSGIVING for his VICTORY.

 

In our verse for today, David, says:   “I will not die, but I will live.”  King David had a GREAT VICTORY and was ALIVE, and able to talk about it.  He also promised that he would PROCLAIM what the Lord had done.   He was willing to give to God the GLORY AND PRAISE for the VICTORY that has been won. 

 

When we find ourselves in FIERCE STRESSFUL situations, and we CRY out to the ALMIGHTY God for HELP, and He provides what we need to be VICTORIOUS over that situation.  How quick are WE to give Him ALL the HONOR and PRAISE for the VICTORY?  Do we PROCLAIM ALL He has done?

 

If you are NOT His child, because you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to Him, then when you find yourself  in a FIERCE SITUATION, and even if you called out to Him for Help, He would NOT HEAR you, until you SINCERELY have PRAYED the “sinner’s prayer,” and have TURNED AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURNED TO Him, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and ETERNAL LIFE in Heaven, and be able to say as King David has said: “I will NOT DIE, but I WILL LIVE, and PROCLAIM what the Lord has done!”  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Lord's Hand is Not Shortened, Nor is His Ear Dull of Hearing"

“The Lord’s Hand is Not Shortened, Nor is His Ear Dull of Hearing”

 

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or His ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.        Isaiah 59:1

 

God has the POWER to SAVE mankind from their iniquities or sins.  However, it is MANKIND’S sins that will deter Him from not HEARING them when they offer up their prayers.   Regardless of their situations, their SINS will hinder their prayers from being HEARD and ANSWERED by the ALMIGHTY GOD, the One who controls EVERY NATION.  

 

Even though He controls EVERY NATION, their SALVATION is their choice, and when the PEOPLE are SINFUL and LAWLESS, the NATION tends to be SINFUL and LAWLESS.  Sodom and Gomorrah are a good example of what I am talking about.  Their SINFUL nature and REBELLIOUS attitude brought about their DESTRUCTION.  You cannot flaunt your sinfulness in God’s face and not expect repercussions from the RIGHTEOUS, HOLY GOD.

 

SALVATION is as close as a PRAYER of REPENTANCE.  God is READY and ANXIOUS to HEAR the PRAYER of REPENTANCE from those who are SEEKING FORGIVENESS.  He relates to mankind on the basis of the CONDITION of their HEART, in other words, He will NOT hear if there is iniquities in their HEART, unless, it is FIRST the PRAYER of REPENTANCE.  Then He will ANSWER the other PRAYERS, and will be willing to HELP in any situation.  He will ABIDE with that person and will prepare a FOREVER HOME in HEAVEN for them.  

 

However the person MUST be willing to TURN AWAY from their SINFUL lifestyle, because their sins are like a thick brick wall that SEPARATES them from the ALMIGHTY God, who LOVES them so much, that He sent His Only Begotten Son to take ALL the SINS of ALL mankind and die upon an OLD RUGGED CROSS, in their place.  Sins SEPARATES us from our Heavenly Father, and Confessions PENETRATES the wall of sin that SEPARATES us. 

 

You, however, can BREAK DOWN the wall of your sins that SEPARATES you from God , by TURNING AWAY FROM your sins and TURNING TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God , then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and have the ASSURANCE that He HEARS your PRAYERS and will see you through EACH and EVERY situation, because He LOVES YOU, and wants to SAVE YOU from an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL of its HORRORS.  So do this NOW, while you still can.   He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Our Sacrifices to God"

“Our Sacrifices to God”

 

My sacrifice, O God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.  Psalm 51:17

If we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.     1 John 1:9

 

King David had deliberately sinned against God, with Bathsheba.  And when the Prophet Nathan came to him and told David that God was NOT pleased. David came under conviction, and penned the content of the deep REPENTANT feelings of his heart.  He confesses his sins to God, and knows that a SACRIFICE MUST be given, but he also knew that God did not want a burnt offering.  God expected something with MORE meaning and something that would cause David to FEEL the impact of his sin, and God’s FORGIVENESS.

 

So David offers, as his SACRIFICES to the Almighty God, a BROKEN spirit; a BROKEN and CONTRITE HEART. David KNEW this is what would bring God’s FORGIVENESS and a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with Him. 

 

This is the SACRIFICES that we need to bring before God for the SALVATION of our soul.  Jesus Christ paid the price, and was the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, when He died in OUR place on an old rugged cross.  He spilled His OWN BLOOD, in order for mankind to come to God with a BROKEN spirit; a BROKEN and CONTRITE or DEEP SORROWFUL HEART.  CONFESSING your SINS to Him and ASKING for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU.  God is FAITHFUL and JUST, and will FORGIVE your sins and PURIFY YOU from ALL unrighteousness.  And you will then become His Child and will have the Hope of Heaven. 

 

So won’t you come to Him NOW with a BROKEN spirit, and a BROKEN and CONTRITE HEART? CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus Christ died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and ESCAPE an ETERNITY in Hell and GAIN an ETERNITY in Heaven.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"What Kind of Man is This?"

“What Kind of Man is This?”

 

As He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.  Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves.   But He was sleeping.   So the disciples came and woke Him up, saying, “Lord, save us!  We’re going to die!”  But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, you of little faith?”  Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea.  And there was a great calm.   The Men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? ---even the winds and the sea obey Him!”           Matthew 8:23-27

 

“WHAT KIND OF MAN IS THIS?”  Jesus, the Son of the Almighty God, GOD IN THE FLESH, has the very same abilities as His Heavenly Father, even to controlling nature. 

 

The Sea of Galilee is known for the SUDDEN STORMS, with FERIOUS WINDS and STRONG CHOPPY WAVES.  He, not only being God in the flesh, was also fully man, and having a busy day, He was tired. So He decide to go to the other side of the sea, when He noticed the large crowds surrounding Him.   Jesus and His disciples got into a boat and headed out onto the Sea of Galilee, Jesus being tired and needing rest, went to a quiet, dark, part of the boat to get some sleep. 

 

Suddenly a VIOLENT storm arose on the sea.  Now a lot of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen, and they were VERY AWARE of the STORMS that arose on the sea.  But evidently, this STORM was VERY VIOLENT, so much so that the boat was taking on water, and a lot of it.   The winds were STRONG and UNRELENTING, to the point that these SEASONED FISHERMEN were AFRAID.  So they ran to wake Jesus from His SLEEP.  Now, if they BELIEVED that He could HELP them, why did they feel as though they would die, with Him in the boat?  When He was awaken, they said, Lord, SAVE us!  We’re going to die!”  They felt HELPLESS and HOPELESS with their situation.  Jesus looked at them and said, “Why are you fearful, you of little faith?”  Then He got up and REBUKED or SCOLDED the winds and waves and IMMEDIATELY there was a great CALM, the storm was OVER, not even a breeze or a light chop of the waves, it was PERFECTLY CALM.  And His disciples were AMAZED.  Some of them said; “WHAT KIND OF MAN IS THIS, that the WINDS and the WAVES OBEY His command?”  The answer is He’s GOD, CREATOR, and the MASTER OVER NATURE.

 

If Jesus has COMPLETE CONTROL over a RAGING SEA, and a VIOLENT STORM of NATURE.  He can CALM the RAGING STORMS that we face in our lives.  There is NO STORM of LIFE that He cannot handle.  And we like the disciples need NOT WORRY or FRET, but we NEED TO PRAY and SEEK God’s HELP and GUIDANCE to get us through EACH and EVERY STORM of LIFE.  However, you MUST be a TRUE BELIEVER, in order to receive His help.  In order to become a TRUE BELIEVER, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and let Him CALM the STORMS in your life, and receive the HOPE of an ETERNITY in Heaven.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Peace of the Conquering Savior"

“The Peace of the Conquering Savior”

 

“Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.”       John 14:27

“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace.  You will have suffering in this world.  Be courageous!  I have conquered the world.”        John 16: 33

 

Jesus, the CONQUERING SAVIOR, the VICTOR, the HERO of our FAITH.  Jesus came to this old, sinful, corrupt world to SEEK and to SAVE the LOST, those who are NOT of His family, the ones who REJECT, SCORN, and DESECRATE His SOVEREIGNTY as the Only Begotten Son of the Almighty God. 

 

In one of His final times with His disciples, Jesus, wanted them to KNOW that He was NOT going to leave them HELPLESS or HOPELESS, that He would send them a COUNSELOR and GUIDE.  And not only the presence of His Holy Spirit, but He was leaving them with a VERY SPECIAL and MUCH NEEDED GIFT, the gift of PEACE.  But it wasn’t PEACE like what this old, sin sick, world gives.  It is an EVERLASTING PEACE, a PEACE that passes ALL UNDERSTANDING. 

 

He says that; “in this world we will have SUFFERING, but we can be COURAGEOUS in the midst of our SUFFERING, because He, our CONQUERING SAVIOR has CONQUERED the WORLD.  And our HOPE is in Him and NOT in this TEMPORARY world that can NOT give us TRUE, ABIDING PEACE in the midst of the RAGING STORMS of LIFE.  What kind of PEACE do you have?

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, you cannot experience His PEACE, nor can you look FORWARD to an ETERNITY in Heaven.  Your ETERNITY will be spent in Hell, the place of UNENDING heartache, agony, torment, torture, pain, and despair, with NO WAY of ESCAPE.  In order to have the PEACE of the CONQUERING SAVIOR, and the HOPE of Heaven, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven making intercession for you, before God.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and receive the PEACE of the CONQUERING SAVIOR, and an ETERNITY in Heaven.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The UNLIMITED Spirit"

“The UNLIMITED Spirit”

 

For He whom God has sent utters the words of God, for He gives the Spirit without measure.      John 3:34

 

It was believed that the Old Testament Prophets received the Holy Spirit in PORTIONS or MEASURES.  This cannot be TRUE of Jesus, who was the INCARNATION of God’s FULLNESS, the One who has existed from ETERNITY PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE.  He is the ALPHA and the OMEGA.

 

  With the birth of Jesus, came the PROMISE of God’s Holy Spirit.  Jesus possessed the FULLNESS of God’s Spirit.  And through Him, the TRUE BELIEVER can receive the Holy Spirit, WITHOUT MEASURE.   Jesus PROMISED His disciples that He would send them someone that would be their Counselor and would be with them FOREVER.  He is the Spirit of Truth.  But the world can’t receive Him because it doesn’t SEE or KNOW Him.   But the disciples KNEW Him, because He remains with them and will be IN them.   They would wholly receive Him in their HEARTS.  This came about on the Day of Pentecost.  Jesus had PROMISED and He DELIVERED.  The Spirit of the Living God FULLY dwells in each TRUE BELIEVER.

 

Jesus told His disciples:  “The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do.  And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.”   (John 14:12)   He didn’t mean that they would do GREATER MIRACLES, such as, “Feeding the 5,000” or walking on the Sea of Galilee, but by Him returning to the Father, their OUTREACH would be GREATER.  A good example is, the Apostle Peter, in ONE sermon, he had 3,000 converts.  And today, we can look at Billy Graham and ALL those who were SAVED through his ministry.   And it was/is POSSIBLE through the UNLIMITED work of the HOLY SPIRIT of the LIVING GOD, who FULLY INDWELLS the TRUE BELIEVER.  Are you ALLOWING God’s Spirit to do UNLIMITED work in and through YOU, to get the GOOD NEWS that “JESUS SAVES “to a LOST and DYING WORLD?

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are a part of the LOST and DYING WORLD, and on your way to an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.   You cannot possess the UNLIMITED HOLY SPIRIT, unless, you FIRST, TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE, in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and receive His Spirit FULLY UNLIMITED, and doing such a GREAT WORK in You, and be HEAVENBOUND for ALL of ETERNITY.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

"Set Your Hearts and Minds on Things Above"

“Set Your Hearts and Minds on Things Above”

 

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.   Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.         Colossians 3:1-4

 

When a person comes to God for the SALVATION of their soul, they DIE to their OLD, SINFUL lifestyle and are RAISED with Christ, to a NEW LIFE.  And because of this NEW LIFE, they SHOULD SET their HEART on things ABOVE.  In other words, they should STRIVE to obtain those things God has waiting for them, their rewards, and they should be DILIGENT in their SERVICE to Him.

 

They SHOULD also SET their MIND on things ABOVE.  This is CONCENTRATING or FOCUSING on the ETERNAL things and NOT the TEMPORAL things.  When a person’s mind is SET on the things ABOVE, their earthly jobs will be enhanced by their desires to do what is RIGHT and GOOD.  They will perform their tasks with DILIGENCE and TRUSTWORTHINESS.  HONORING their commitments, and HONORING God. 

 

They SHOULD TURN AWAY FROM their OLD LIFE, and EMBRACE the NEW LIFE they have in Christ, because they have DIED, spiritually speaking, to their OLD WAYS and have a LIFE that is HIDDEN with Christ.  This means that they are SAFE and SECURE in God.  And when Jesus Christ, who is their LIFE, returns they too will return with Him in glory.

 

What is your HEART and MIND set on?  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you will not be FOCUSED on the things above, because you have nothing awaiting you, in Heaven, and you do NOT belong to God.  But you will have ALL the HORRIBLE THINGS of Hell, awaiting you, and will experience them throughout ETERNITY.  In order to FOCUS or to be able to SET your MIND and HEART on the things ABOVE, and to experience HEAVEN for ALL ETERNITY, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for you, before God.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and be able to SET your MIND and HEART on the THINGS ABOVE, and to APPEAR with Jesus in GLORY.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Something to Rejoice About"

“Something to Rejoice About”

 

Finally brothers, become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.      2 Corinthians 13:11

 

We live in a time when we ALL need to be able to REJOICE, especially if you are a TRUE BELIEVER.  We seem to be under attack a lot here lately.  But one thing we KNOW, GOD is in CONTROL, and we can surely REJOICE over that.

 

The Apostle Paul gives the TRUE BELIEVERS some guidelines to go by, in order for them to be able to REJOICE. First, he says we should “become mature”   the meaning of the word “mature” is to become “perfect”, in other words, we should work at PERFECTION in our walk with the Lord.

 

Secondly, we need to “be encouraged” we can do that by, surrounding ourselves with other TRUE BELIEVERS, and by DAILY spending time with the Lord, in SWEET FELLOWSHIP, and His Spirit will bring us “ENCOURAGEMENT.”

 

Thirdly, TRUE BELIEVERS need to “be of the SAME mind,” this is what we call UNITY, I believe that Jesus said that, “A house DIVIDED would FALL.”  We NEED to be in ONE accord.   No SQUABBLING, BACKBITING, or SLANDERING, but to be DILIGENT in producing UNITY within the Family of God.  No more, ‘MY WAY” only, “GOD’S WAY!!”

 

When there is UNITY, it will bring us to the FOURTH guideline, “be at PEACE,” this is the area that Satan likes to be in control of.  If the TRUE BELIEVER fails at becoming, MATURE, ENCOURAGED and UNIFIED, there will be NO PEACE.  However, if they FOLLOW these guidelines, the God of LOVE and PEACE will be with them.

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then there is NO WAY you can follow those guidelines and experience the LOVE and PEACE of the ALMIGHTY GOD.   You MUST follow these guidelines, FIRST.   You MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING, your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for you before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and the LOVE and PEACE of God will be with you, and you will have an ETERNAL Home in Heaven.   So do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Harvest of Righteousness"

“The Harvest of Righteousness”

 

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.      2 Corinthians 9:10

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.      Galatians 6:9

 

In WALKING by the Spirit or LIVING by the Spirit, we are much like a farmer who plants seeds and patiently waits for the HARVEST.  In a TRUE BELIEVER’S life, the SEEDS of their FAITH are provided by God, and are meant to be SOWN in the HEARTS of others.  The TRUE BELIEVER is the SOWER of the SEED of SALVATION, the SEED is their TESTIMONY of God’s AMAZING GRACE and the FRUIT of the SEED is ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN.  And the TRUE BELIEVER, who SOWS the SEEDS of SALVATION will TRULY REAP the HARVEST of RIGHTEOUSNESS.

 

The Apostle Paul tells us to NOT become WEARY in doing GOOD, which is a by-product of RIGHTEOUSNESS, for if we are STEADFAST in our SOWING the SEED, we will REAP a HARVEST, as long as we DON’T GIVE UP.  So KEEP ON sowing the SEEDS of SALVATION (sharing the Gospel message).  And in due time you will REAP a HARVEST of RIGHTEOUSNESS, which will result in ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN. 

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God then you are NOT a SOWER, and will NOT REAP a HARVEST of RIGHTEOUSNESS nor will you be able to spend an ETERNITY in HEAVEN. Instead you are HEADED for an ETERNITY in Hell, the place of ETERNAL torment, torture, pain, heartache, agony, and despair, with NO WAY of ESCAPE.  However, God, in His INFINITE MERCY, and AMAZING GRACE, has a plan.  You MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sins, and TURN TO HIM with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and become a TRUE SOWER of the SEEDS of SALVATION and REAP a HARVEST of RIGHTEOUSNESS, and an ETERNITY in HEAVEN.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!