APRIL 30
SPREAD IT BEFORE THE LORD
One of the best pictures of Prayer, in the Bible, happened when Hezekiah was King over Israel. The cruel and powerful Assyrian Army was marching against Israel. The leader and spokesman for the Enemy Forces was a man named Rab-Shak-eh. He sent the following warning:
2Kings 18:28 Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria:
2Kings 18:29 Thus saith the king, LET NOT HEZEKIAH DECEIVE YOU: for he SHALL NOT BE ABLE to deliver you out of his hand:
2Kings 18:30 Neither let Hezekiah make you TRUST IN THE LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
Learn a quick PRINCIPLE: ‘The Devil is a LIAR – so whatever he says you can guarantee the opposite is TRUE.’ ‘Do Not Trust in the LORD’ means ‘YOU DO TRUST IN THE LORD!’
The threatening speech was also sent as an ‘Official Letter’ to King Hezekiah. What Hezekiah did with the Letter shows us what we should do with our problems:
2Kings 19:14 And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and SPREAD IT BEFORE THE LORD.
Hezekiah took the Letter straight to the Lord! He spread it out before the Lord and prayed. ‘Look at this, Lord!’ ‘What are YOU going to do?
Are you wrestling with a temptation to sin that is threatening to conquer you?
SPREAD IT BEFORE THE LORD!
Is your heart weighed down with some terrible worry, sorrow, or pain?
SPREAD IT BEFORE THE LORD!
Is that Doctor’s Report more than you can bare?
SPREAD IT BEFORE THE LORD!
You don’t know how to get out of that Financial crisis – Take those bills:
SPREAD IT BEFORE THE LORD!
No one that has ever come to the Lord (who has sincerely TRUSTED HIM) went away disappointed. Hezekiah did not! Neither will you!
God can read your letters . . . God can interpret your tears . . . He understands your inner groaning . . . He knows your problems and He waits for you to bring those problems to Him in Faith! No matter what you receive – BRING IT TO HIM! Large or Small, possible or impossible,
NO MATTER WHAT – BRING IT BEFORE THE LORD – Have confidence and:
SPREAD IT BEFORE THE LORD!
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APRIL 29
HIM
The precious lovely Lady loved Jesus with all her heart. She had been a Servant of the Lord for most of her life. She truly LOVED the Word of God and loved to quote the Scriptures. Her favorite verse was:
Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
When family or friends would visit invariably someone would request that she quote her favorite Scripture. She could and would do so in a heart-beat and never miss a Word. As she grew older the family noticed something happening. She could not remember all of the verse any longer:
Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ . . .
With each passing day it seemed time would ERASE a little more:
Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness.
Alzheimers is a very devastating disease. While some have Heart problems, Kidney failure, Diabetes, or other issues of a failing body – this disease – is about a failing mind. My Wife’s Grandmother, Miss Granny Jones, suffered with this illness. I remember a Thanksgiving Holiday at my Wife’s Parent’s house. Many were having a great time except Granny. She just stared off in the distance with such a far away look. That day, I knelt on my knees, right in front of her. I took her hands into my hands and I said, ‘Granny, will you sing a song with me?’ I started singing: ‘Yes, Jesus loves me’ . . . ‘Yes, Jesus loves me’ . . . Believe it or not she joined in – ‘Yes, Jesus loves me the Bible tells me so!” She sang from her heart and all were amazed. She sang a song about Jesus! She rejoiced! (Jesus is still in the heart even when the mind fails)
Philippians 3:9 And be found in him . . .
Yes, the little Lady forgot more and more of her favorite verse. Her ability to quote many Bible verses had dwindled down to five words. On the day of her passing all of the family had gathered around her bedside. Not knowing what to say, one of the family said, ‘Mom, can you still quote your favorite Bible verse?’ Staring toward Heaven and gasping for breath . . . She had the look of deep concentration . . . Her lips began to quiver and she then quoted her favorite verse one final time . . .
This time she could only remember one word of Philippians 3:9 . . .
She had forgotten all of the Bible except for one word . . .
but know this – she had ALL OF THE BIBLE in that one Word . . .
She quoted Philippians 3:9 for her last time . . . She said:
HIM
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APRIL 24 – 27
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS
For many people the 10 Commandments are nothing more than a Home Interior Decorative item. Most people have seen them listed somewhere on a plaque but many DO NOT KNOW where they are in the Bible. My desire today is to show you where they are, show their entirety, and high-light them into the list you are accustomed to seeing.
They are in the Book of EXODUS:
Exodus 20:1 And God spake all these words, saying,
Exodus 20:2 – I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
1. Exodus 20:3 THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME.
2. Exodus 20:4 THOU SHALT NOT MAKE UNTO THEE ANY GRAVEN IMAGE, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Exodus 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
3. Exodus 20:7 THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
4. Exodus 20:8 REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY, TO KEEP IT HOLY.
Exodus 20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
Exodus 20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
Exodus 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
5. Exodus 20:12 HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
6. Exodus 20:13 THOU SHALT NOT KILL.
7. Exodus 20:14 THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.
8. Exodus 20:15 THOU SHALT NOT STEAL.
9. Exodus 20:16 THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS against thy neighbour.
10. Exodus 20:17 THOU SHALT NOT COVET thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
These are not the 10 SUGGESTIONS . . .
They are:
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS
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APRIL 23
LOADED QUESTIONS
Don’t you just love Loaded Questions? Questions that are hard to answer and come with the intent to seemingly entrap you. Questions that can’t be answered with a simple YES or a NO. Believe me these questions exist:
Walk up to a man and say, Please answer with YES or NO. THE QUESTION: Have you stopped beating your wife? – He then answers, ‘YES!’ Our response could be, ‘Oh, so you are beating your wife!’ THE QUESTION: Have you stopped beating your Wife? This time he says, ‘NO!’ We could do him in with, ‘Oh, so you are still beating your wife!’ That’s a Loaded Question!
Or the MARRIED COUPLES game – THE QUESTION – ‘If you could change anything about your Spouse – What would it be?’ The question is like saying – ‘What is not PLEASING to you about your Spouse?’ We all know this may be an Honest Question but it is a Loaded Question! We want HONESTY with the answer but the NEED is for HONESTY with a lot of WISDOM!
My question today is not LOADED (in that sense) but it may be difficult to answer. It comes from an Old Song, written by E. W. Suggs, entitled, ‘Is My Lord Satisfied With Me?’ – It says:
‘I’m satisfied with God’s great redemption plan – I’m satisfied it’s sufficient for all man.
I’m satisfied with His work on Calvary. – But is my Lord fully satisfied with me?’
When I contemplate Mr. Suggs question, I realize this truth – For the Lord to be SATISFIED with me – would mean – The Lord is PLEASED with me.
There is Scripture about PLEASING GOD:
1Thessalonians 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us HOW YE OUGHT TO WALK AND TO PLEASE GOD, so ye would abound more and more.
1Thessalonians 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; NOT AS PLEASING MEN, BUT GOD, which trieth our hearts.
1John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and DO THOSE THINGS that are PLEASING in his sight.
God’s Amazing Grace must not be cheapened by Low Living. There are many that do very bad things and then cover up their sin with, ‘Don’t Judge Me!’ or ‘God’s Love is Unconditional!’ Such ‘Cover Up Statements’ are used (by many) as a License to Sin! The Bible says that we should PLEASE GOD and therefore it must be TRUE (by default) that some things DO NOT PLEASE GOD!
The question is, ‘Is my Lord satisfied with me?’
The Answer requires Honesty; Wisdom demands Truthfulness!
Certainly, the Best Policy when dealing with Life’s:
LOADED QUESTIONS
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APRIL 22
I’M SEARCHING FOR JESUS
Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in ALL THE SCRIPTURES the things concerning himself. The entire Old Testament points toward Jesus as Savior – IF YOU MISS THAT – you miss the entire point of the Scriptures. Consider just the first five books:
• Christ is the Seed of woman and one day He will crush Satan. This is the first PROPHECY that JESUS would come! – Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
• In the Book of Exodus we find the story of the Passover Lamb, and we know that Christ is the sacrificial Lamb given for us. – Exodus 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will Pass Over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt (the blood of the sacrificial lamb). See John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold THE LAMB OF GOD, which taketh away the sin of the world.
• In Leviticus we read of the high priests making sacrifices for the people, and we know that Christ has become our High Priest, making the perfect sacrifice to atone for our sins. Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have A GREAT HIGH PRIEST, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
• In Deuteronomy Moses prophesied of a prophet who would come that would be greater than Himself. Jesus is that Great Prophet. Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
Acts 7:37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.
The teachings about Jesus are recorded in the OLD TESTAMENT and are confirmed by the NEW TESTAMENT and they are just waiting for you to discover them for yourself. Many make the tragic mistake of discarding the OT as irrelevant. There are 39 books total in the OT and all have nuggets concerning Jesus. We have only touched on the First Five Books! It is estimated that over 100 Prophecies are about Jesus . . . It is assuring to know that so much is available!
John 5:39 SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they WHICH TESTIFY OF ME.
The next time you read the BIBLE – just say:
I’M SEARCHING FOR JESUS
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APRIL 21
THE BOOK THAT GOD READS
What do you do when you can’t sleep? Better yet, what do you do when God has taken away your sleep PURPOSEFULLY because He wants to speak to you? Such was the case with King Ahasuerus (pronounced Uh – Has – You – EEE – Rus) in the Book of Esther. The King’s LOSS OF SLEEP would prove to be FAVOR FOUND for one dear man who resided in his kingdom. The man was Mordecai (MORE – DAY – CAY – I).
Esther 6:1 On that night COULD NOT THE KING SLEEP, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the CHRONICLES; and THEY WERE READ before the king.
Esther 6:2 And it was found written, that MORDECAI had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. (This was a Plot to assassinate the King/ emphasis mine) –
Esther 6:3 And the king said, WHAT HONOUR and dignity HATH BEEN DONE to MORDECAI for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, THERE IS NOTHING DONE FOR HIM.
The King could have read from any BOOK that night – God directed him to THIS BOOK!
The King could have read from any PAGE – God directed THIS PAGE!
The book was opened to the story of Mordecai and how he saved the King. God GUIDED every step along the way.
The resulting FAVOR that the King would show to MORDECAI ended up PROTECTING all the Jewish inhabitants from an evil plot designed to destroy them. GOD IS GOOD!!!
FAVOR IS SOMETHING GOD DOES FOR HIS CHILDREN
We don’t need the FAVOR of everyone, nor do we need for everyone to like us, which is an impossibility anyway. However, We do need FAVOR from those that GOD USES to PROMOTE and to PROTECT our PURPOSE!
A BOOK OF CHRONICLES is a ‘Book of Remembrance’ – a RECORD or DIARY of what happened. A FACTUAL BOOK of Who, What, When, Why’s, and the Where’s? GOD HAS SUCH A BOOK – IT IS CALLED BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE:
Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and A BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Those that TESTIFY of the Lord (one to another) ARE RECORDED IN GOD’S BOOK! Those that FEAR (RESPECT) the Lord ARE RECORDED IN GOD’S BOOK! Those that THINK upon His Name ARE RECORDED IN GOD’S BOOK!
What you do, what you think, and what you say DOES MATTER – especially when it’s about God –
REMEMBER IT’S WRITTEN IN:
THE BOOK THAT GOD READS
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APRIL 20
THE OBITUARY OF JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ, 33, of Nazareth, died Friday on a hill called Mount Calvary, also known as Golgotha, the place of the skull. He was betrayed by the disciple, Judas, and later Jesus was crucified by the Romans by executive order of the Ruler Pontius Pilate. The causes of death were crucifixion, extreme exhaustion, severe torture and loss of blood.
Jesus Christ, a descendent of Abraham, was a member of the house of David. He was the Son of the late Joseph, a carpenter of Nazareth, and Mary, His devoted Mother. Jesus was born in a stable in the city of Bethlehem, Judea.
He is survived by His mother, Mary, His faithful Apostles, numerous disciples and many other followers.
Jesus was self-educated and spent most of His adult life working as a teacher. Jesus also occasionally worked as a medical doctor, and it is reported that He healed many patients. Up until the time of His death, Jesus was teaching and sharing a Message called, ‘The Gospel.’ He was always healing the sick, touching the lonely, feeding the hungry and helping the poor.
Jesus was most noted perhaps for telling parables about His Father’s Kingdom and performing miracles, such as feeding over 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish, and healing a man who was born blind.
On the day before His death, He held a Last Supper celebrating the Passover Feast. His Disciples reported that at that supper He foretold His death. Early Friday evening the body was quickly buried in a stone grave, which was donated by Joseph of Arimathea, a loyal friend of the family.
By order of Pontius Pilate, a boulder was rolled in front of the tomb. Roman soldiers were put on guard. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that everyone try to live as Jesus did. Donations may be sent to anyone in need.
Posted in Saturday Evening Edition of The News
IMPORTANT UPDATE CORRECTION: POSTED THIS SUNDAY MORNING!!!
Since we published this OBITUARY yesterday we now have this IMPORTANT UPDATE!
It has been confirmed by numerous persons that Jesus Christ HAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD!
REPEAT: JESUS CHRIST HAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD!
The Tomb was found empty and confirmed by law enforcement and His Faithful Followers. Just this morning many roamed the streets shouting ‘He’s Alive!’ ‘He’s Alive!’
PLEASE NOTE THIS IMPORTANT CHANGE IN:
THE OBITUARY OF JESUS CHRIST
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APRIL 19
FATHER, FORGIVE THEM
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, FATHER, FORGIVE THEM; for THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO (a true display of IGNORANCE on their behalf). And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Jesus prayed while He was on the Cross, but Notice the Details of His Prayer:
1. Jesus Prayer on the Cross was NOT a Prayer for Himself
It is DIFFICULT to Pray and even to be CAPABLE of Praying when in ACUTE ANGUISH of body. He does not Pray, ‘HELP ME!’ He prays, not for Himself at all. Truly Amazing!
2. Jesus Prayer on the Cross was NOT a Prayer for Relief
It was not a cry for pity, for relief, for mitigation, for death—a cry for Patience, for Faith, for Grace, for Mercy, for Deliverance . . . Not at all . . . But to forget self altogether in suffering, to think of others, to use that breath of life, each gasp of which is torture, in prayer for another life or another soul—this is not the manner of men, but IT IS the Prayer of Christ!
3. Jesus Prayer on the Cross Was a Prayer for Enemies
Jesus prays for His enemies, His murderers, and His crucifiers. He prays, and inspires the prayer of the first martyr, Stephen, who prayed, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.”
Acts 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Jesus could have arraigned them for their IGNORANCE. The Apostle Paul admits, that it truly was IGNORANCE, that caused him to take Stephen’s life. He did hateful things to God Himself in the display of every hateful characteristic of man’s fallen and sinful nature.
1Timothy 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Praise God, that when we truly did not know any better – Jesus died for us and is willing to say:
FATHER, FORGIVE THEM
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APRIL 18
THE CRUCIFIXION
How did Jesus die? The Roman government executed Him, by one of the most cruel and excruciating forms of capital punishment ever devised, CRUCIFIXION! It was designed to produce a slow death with maximum pain and suffering.
What exactly was it like to be crucified? The victim’s back would first be torn open by the scourging, and then the clotting blood would be ripped open again when the clothes were torn off the victim. When he was thrown on the ground to nail his hands to the crossbeam, the wounds would again be torn open and contaminated with dirt. Then, as he hung on the cross, with each breath, the painful wounds on the back would scrape against the rough wood of the upright beam and be further aggravated.
When the nail was driven through the wrists, it would sever the large median nerve. This stimulated nerve would produce excruciating bolts of fiery pain in both arms, and could result in a claw-like grip in the victim’s hands.
Beyond the excruciating pain, the major effect of crucifixion was to inhibit normal breathing. The weight of the body, pulling down on the arms and shoulders, would tend to fix the respiratory muscles in an inhalation state, and hinder exhalation, thus resulting in severe muscle cramps which would hinder breathing even further. Lifting the body for a breath would also painfully scrape the back against the rough wooden post. Each effort to get a proper breath would be agonizing, exhausting, and lead to a sooner death.
“Not uncommonly, insects would light upon or burrow into the open wounds or the eyes, ears, and nose of the dying and helpless victim, and birds of prey would tear at these sites. There were times when the corpse was left on the cross to be devoured by predatory animals.” (Edwards)
Death from crucifixion could come from many sources: acute shock from blood loss; being too exhausted to breathe any longer; dehydration; stress-induced heart attack, or congestive heart failure leading to a cardiac rupture. If the victim did not die quickly enough, the legs would be broken, and the victim would soon be unable to breathe.
How bad was crucifixion? We get our English word excruciating from the Roman word “out of the cross.” “Consider how heinous sin must be in the sight of God, when it requires such a sacrifice!” (Clarke)
However, we never speak of the physical sufferings of Jesus to make us feel sorry for Jesus, as if He needed our pity.
Save your pity for those who reject the complete work of Jesus on the cross at Calvary.
1 Corinthians 1:23 . . . ‘We preach Christ crucified.’
THE CRUCIFIXION
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APRIL 17
I NEVER SAW THAT
When Jesus walked among men and women it is important to note that the New Testament was not yet written. History was in the process of turning the page. We find that Jesus was still able to Witness about Himself using only the Old Testament writings. Such writings contain the ‘Law of Moses’ (The First Five Books of the OT) and the Prophets (The Rest of the Books of the OT).
Jesus told His followers to:
John 5:39 SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES; for in them ye think ye have ETERNAL LIFE: and they are they which TESTIFY OF ME.
Jesus was telling His disciples to explore the Old Testament writings, because they all pointed toward Him. Just like them, we need to Search for the Prophecies, too! They tell us about His Coming, how He would be born, and where He would be born! Those Prophecies tell about His Life and what He was predicted to do. They reveal WHY there MUST be a CROSS for Judgment and Redemption.
A Search of the Scriptures reveal Jesus written all over its Pages!
You look for Eternal Life in the Pages of Holy Writ. Jesus says, that those same Scriptures, ‘TESTIFY of ME.’ We conclude: FIND JESUS and you will FIND ETERNAL LIFE!
JESUS MET TWO DISCIPLES ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS
Luke 24:13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus . . .
Luke 24:14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
Luke 24:15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, JESUS HIMSELF DREW NEAR, and went with them.
FAST FORWARD TO THE END OF THE CONVERSATION
Luke 24:27 And beginning at MOSES and ALL THE PROPHETS, he expounded unto them in ALL the SCRIPTURES the things concerning himself.
Luke 24:31 And THEIR EYES WERE OPENED, and THEY KNEW HIM; and he vanished out of their sight.
Luke 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart BURN within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while HE OPENED TO US THE SCRIPTURES?
THEIR EYES WERE OPENED – WHEN HE OPENED THE SCRIPTURES
Jesus OPENED the OLD TESTAMENT unto them which would bring clarity to the NEW TESTAMENT.
Surely they walked away that day saying, ‘I’ve read the Bible but:
I NEVER SAW THAT
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APRIL 16
THE CRUCIFIXION
How did Jesus die? The Roman government executed Him, by one of the most cruel and excruciating forms of capital punishment ever devised, CRUCIFIXION! It was designed to produce a slow death with maximum pain and suffering.
What exactly was it like to be crucified?
The victim’s back would first be torn open by the scourging, and then the clotting blood would be ripped open again when the clothes were torn off the victim. When he was thrown on the ground to nail his hands to the crossbeam, the wounds would again be torn open and contaminated with dirt. Then, as he hung on the cross, with each breath, the painful wounds on the back would scrape against the rough wood of the upright beam and be further aggravated.
When the nail was driven through the wrists, it would sever the large median nerve. This stimulated nerve would produce excruciating bolts of fiery pain in both arms, and could result in a claw-like grip in the victim’s hands.
Beyond the excruciating pain, the major effect of crucifixion was to inhibit normal breathing. The weight of the body, pulling down on the arms and shoulders, would tend to fix the respiratory muscles in an inhalation state, and hinder exhalation, thus resulting in severe muscle cramps which would hinder breathing even further. Lifting the body for a breath would also painfully scrape the back against the rough wooden post. Each effort to get a proper breath would be agonizing, exhausting, and lead to a sooner death.
“Not uncommonly, insects would light upon or burrow into the open wounds or the eyes, ears, and nose of the dying and helpless victim, and birds of prey would tear at these sites. There were times when the corpse was left on the cross to be devoured by predatory animals.” (Edwards)
Death from crucifixion could come from many sources: acute shock from blood loss; being too exhausted to breathe any longer; dehydration; stress-induced heart attack, or congestive heart failure leading to a cardiac rupture. If the victim did not die quickly enough, the legs would be broken, and the victim would soon be unable to breathe.
How bad was crucifixion?
We get our English word excruciating from the Roman word “out of the cross.” “Consider how heinous sin must be in the sight of God, when it requires such a sacrifice!” (Clarke)
However, we never speak of the physical sufferings of Jesus to make us feel sorry for Jesus, as if He needed our pity. Save your pity for those who reject the complete work of Jesus on the cross at Calvary.
1 Corinthians 1:23 . . . ‘We preach Christ crucified.’
THE CRUCIFIXION
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APRIL 15
GOD LAUGHS
There is such a JOY in having a relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord. This relationship is Vibrant and FULL of Meaningful Experiences. When a person experiences a True Relationship with Jesus on a DAY to DAY basis, they will discover that within the defines of the word JOY is Peace, Love, Smiles, True Happiness and even Laughter. God is the author of LAUGHTER!
Last evening I looked at my wife and said, ‘I’ve written about Psalm 91 all this week and I sure wish I had one-more devotion to close the week.’ She said, ‘How do you know there is NOT one more?’ We laughed as we both knew that God was in that moment and God was saying, ‘You haven’t drained My well, son!’ lol
Like a Parent and a child teasing back and forth – God loves our relationship as much as we do! A child says, ‘Why Daddy?’ . . . Daddy says, ‘Because!’ . . . Child says, ‘Because why?’ . . . Daddy says, ‘Just because!’
We say, ‘Why God?’ God says – Psalm 91:14 BECAUSE . . .
We say, ‘Because Why? God says – Psalm 91:14 BECAUSE he hath set his love upon me . . .
The child says, ‘Yes, Lord, I do LOVE you with all of my heart, soul, body, mind, and strength!’
God says – Psalm 91:14 BECAUSE he hath set his love upon me therefore will I deliver him:
I will DELIVER you from sin’s bondage, from the chains of guilt, and the shackles of addictions. I WILL ultimately deliver you from DEATH so that you may have ETERNAL LIFE! The child says, ‘WHY?’ To which God says, ‘BECAUSE!’
Psalm 91:14 B E C A U S E he hath set his love upon me therefore WILL I DELIVER HIM: I will set him on high, B E C A U S E he hath known my name.
God says, ‘ALL of these BLESSINGS are yours, BECAUSE you KNOW ME!’
THUS WE FIND THE TRUE DEFINITION OF ETERNAL LIFE – John 17:3 And this is LIFE ETERNAL, that they might KNOW thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Make no mistake – God is a VERY SERIOUS God and He is STRONG and MAJESTIC. Many only KNOW HIM from a distance and only experience His stern corrections. Others, however, know the FULLNESS of a RELATIONSHIP with God. A God of JOY who has en-JOY-ment with His Children.
When we think that there is nothing more that we can possibly write about:
GOD LAUGHS
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APRIL 14
DEAR GOD, WHERE ARE WE GOING?
Man has been separated from God because of sin. Jesus came to reconcile mankind back to God. He did this through and by His Death, Burial, and Resurrection. His PURPOSE is to BRING US TO GOD!
Exodus 19:4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and BROUGHT YOU UNTO MYSELF.
The following POEM describes the many things that God uses to bring us to HIM!
LIFE’S TROUBLES – Fearing to launch on ‘Full Surrender’s Tide’,
I asked the Lord where would its waters glide?
My little bark, ‘To troubled seas I dread?’
‘Unto Myself,’ He said.
DEATH – Weeping beside an open grave I stood,
In bitterness of soul I cried to God:
‘Where leads this path of sorrow that I tread?’
‘Unto Myself,’ He said.
MINISTRY STRUGGLES – Striving for souls, I loved the work too well;
Then disappointments came; I could not tell
The reason, He said, ‘Till I am thine all;
Unto Myself I call.’
HEROES THAT FAIL – Watching my heroes—those I loved the best—
I saw them fail; they could not stand the test,
Even by this the Lord, through tears not few,
‘Unto Himself’ me drew.
ALL OF LIFE’S VANITIES – ‘Unto Himself!’ No earthly tongue can tell
The bliss I find, since in His heart I dwell;
The things that charmed me once seem all as naught;
‘Unto Himself’ I’m brought. (Author Unknown)
God’s aim in all the gracious methods of his PROVIDENCE and GRACE is to bring us back to Himself, from Whom we have rebelled. His aim is to bring us home to Himself, in Whom alone we can be happy. This is THE GLORY OF DELIVERANCE, that Jesus died, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.
It was not that we reached towards God, but that He reached down to us to bring us to Himself.
This, my friend, is the answer to the question:
DEAR GOD, WHERE ARE WE GOING?
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APRIL 13
FAITH IN THE PAST TENSE
There are so many people that have FAITH as long as everything is going well in their lives. But is that really FAITH? I don’t think so. REAL FAITH kicks in when we reach the unknown. Such was the case of the two disciples that met Jesus on the Road to Emmaus:
Luke 24:21 But WE TRUSTED THAT IT HAD BEEN HE which should have redeemed Israel: AND BESIDE ALL THIS, today is the third day since these things were done.
NOTICE THE WORDS, ‘WE TRUSTED’
This is actually a Sad Story. I have always felt so sorry that in that walk to Emmaus the disciples had not said to Jesus, ‘WE STILL TRUST’ instead of ‘WE TRUSTED.’ Their faith had come to an end! Their FAITH was now in the PAST.
IF ONLY THEY WOULD HAVE SAID, ‘WE STILL TRUST!’
If they had only said, ‘Everything is against our hope; it looks as if our trust was vain – BUT – we do not give up; we believe we shall see Him again!’ But no, they walked by His side declaring their lost faith, and He had to say to them “O fools, and slow of heart to believe!”
Luke 24:25 Then he said unto them, O FOOLS, and SLOW OF HEART TO BELIEVE all that the prophets have spoken:
BEWARE OF THE FOLLOWING DANGER
Are we not in the same danger of having these words said to us? All goes well BUT . . . God didn’t answer me the way I thought He would . . . Why is God silent . . . I really thought that He would . . . (On and on goes the speculation, etc.)
The two disciples had witnessed CRUCIFIXION FRIDAY and it was enough to throttle their FAITH. Death to their Savior was Death to their FAITH. Their vibrant TRUST was now in the Past. What they saw was not what was actually happening. Jesus was CONQUERING when it appeared that He was CONQUERED.
We can afford to lose anything and everything if we do not lose our faith in the God of truth and love. Please live with a FAITH AND TRUST that is PRESENT TENSE. Let us never put our faith, as these disciples did, in a past tense—“We trusted.” But let us ever say, “I am trusting.” —(Author – Crumbs)
Never allow:
FAITH IN THE PAST TENSE
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APRIL 12
THE MASTER AT BIBLE REVISION
Psalm 91 was quoted in one of the most EPIC BATTLES of the ages. Many do not realize that it was quoted by Satan when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Yes, Satan has read the Bible and even quotes from it. Are you amazed?
Hopefully, a RED FLAG just went up in your spirit. If so, that is great! When you sense that spiritual RED FLAG please train yourself to understand that there is a reason for it. One should understand that if Satan uses The WORD OF GOD . . . THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING THAT’S WRONG!!!
Let’s examine (PLEASE READ SOWLY):
Matthew 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written,
1. He shall give his angels charge concerning thee:
3. and in their hands they shall bear thee up,
4. lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Notice – I used THREE (3) bullet points (1-3-4) to show PSALM 91 as quoted by the devil.
HERE IS PSALM 91:11
1. For he shall give his angels charge over thee,
2. to keep thee in all thy ways.
Psalm 91:12
3. They shall bear thee up in their hands,
4. lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
You will notice I’ve used FOUR (4) bullet points (1-2-3-4) in the actual Scripture. The POINT that satan INTENTIONALLY OMITTED (left out) was #2. (2. to keep thee in all thy ways).
Satan left out that statement intentionally. Satan manipulates the WORD OF GOD to tempt Jesus. Anytime that satan gives a message from the Bible – I guarantee – that something has been twisted to deceive the hearer! He had to twist the Scripture to pull off a temptation!
Had he quoted PSALM 91 accurately – ‘For he shall give his angels charge over thee, TO KEEP THEE IN ALL THY WAYS. Jesus would have responded with, AMEN! AMEN means ‘SO BE IT.’ Yes, devil, that is exactly what is going to happen!
So when the Bible tells you that ‘GOD LOVES YOU’ and satan says that ‘GOD DOES NOT LOVE YOU’ just tell him he is a LIAR – John 8:44 . . . because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
One thing for sure to know . . . Satan is:
THE MASTER AT BIBLE REVISION
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APRIL 11
I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH
God’s message to Israel was a message regarding His purpose and His destiny for Israel. Israel could TRUST GOD because of what they had already seen with their own eyes.
Exodus 19:4 YE HAVE SEEN WHAT I DID unto the Egyptians, and how I BARE YOU ON EAGLE’S WINGS, and BROUGHT YOU UNTO MYSELF.
What God did for you yesterday is a good indicator of what He will do for you today and what He will do for you tomorrow. Always know this – GOD HAS A PLAN! ‘I BROUGHT YOU TO MYSELF’ – was a PURPOSEFUL ACTION by God intended to produce FELLOWSHIP. God intended for Israel to be a special treasure unto Him. He wanted them to be a people with a unique place in God’s unique plan, a people of great value and concern to God.
Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, IF YE WILL OBEY my voice indeed, and KEEP MY COVENANT, then ye shall be a PECULIAR TREASURE unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Exodus 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and AN HOLY NATION. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
God intended for Israel to be a kingdom of priests, where every believer could come before God themselves, and everyone could represent God to the nation. God intended for Israel to be an holy nation, a nation and people set apart from the rest of the world, the particular possession of God, fit for His purposes.
GOD’S PURPOSES HAVE ALWAYS REMAINED THE SAME FOR ALL BELIEVERS
1Peter 2:9 But ye are A CHOSEN GENERATION, a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, an HOLY NATION, a PECULIAR PEOPLE; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1Peter 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are NOW the People of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
God has a real desire to LOVE, ADORE, and TREAT you like you are a SPECIAL TREASURE UNTO HIM. Let me say it this way; ‘You don’t know love until YOU KNOW GOD’S LOVE!’
GOD ALWAYS LONGS TO SHARE WITH YOU THE GREATEST LOVE EVER KNOWN
As a child I said to God, ‘I love you more!’ God says, ‘NO WAY, I LOVE YOU MORE!’ I said with my arms wide-open, ‘God, I love you this much!’ I then looked at JESUS and beheld a look of LOVE such as I have never witnessed.
JESUS WITH OUTSTRETCHED ARMS on an OLD RUGGED CROSS said:
I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH
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APRIL 10
DEAR GOD, WHERE ARE WE GOING?
Man has been separated from God because of sin. Jesus came to reconcile mankind back to God. He did this through and by His Death, Burial, and Resurrection. His PURPOSE is to BRING US TO GOD!
Exodus 19:4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and BROUGHT YOU UNTO MYSELF.
The following POEM describes the many things that God uses to bring us to HIM!
LIFE’S TROUBLES – Fearing to launch on ‘Full Surrender’s Tide’,
I asked the Lord where would its waters glide?
My little bark, ‘To troubled seas I dread?’
‘Unto Myself,’ He said.
DEATH – Weeping beside an open grave I stood,
In bitterness of soul I cried to God:
‘Where leads this path of sorrow that I tread?’
‘Unto Myself,’ He said.
MINISTRY STRUGGLES – Striving for souls, I loved the work too well;
Then disappointments came; I could not tell
The reason, He said, ‘Till I am thine all;
Unto Myself I call.’
HEROES THAT FAIL – Watching my heroes—those I loved the best—
I saw them fail; they could not stand the test,
Even by this the Lord, through tears not few,
‘Unto Himself’ me drew.
ALL OF LIFE’S VANITIES – ‘Unto Himself!’ No earthly tongue can tell
The bliss I find, since in His heart I dwell;
The things that charmed me once seem all as naught;
‘Unto Himself’ I’m brought. (Author Unknown)
God’s aim in all the gracious methods of his PROVIDENCE and GRACE is to bring us back to Himself, from Whom we have rebelled. His aim is to bring us home to Himself, in Whom alone we can be happy. This is THE GLORY OF DELIVERANCE, that Jesus died, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. It was not that we reached towards God, but that He reached down to us to bring us to Himself. This, my friend, is the answer to the question:
DEAR GOD, WHERE ARE WE GOING?
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APRIL 9
DOWN AND DIRTY
Jesus was on a mission TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THE LOST:
Psalm 40:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and HEARD MY CRY.
Psalm 40:2 He BROUGHT ME UP also out of an horrible pit, OUT OF THE MIRY CLAY, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
D. L. Moody tells the following story:
‘A converted Chinaman once said, “I was down in a DEEP PIT, half sunk in the mire, crying for someone to help me out. As I looked up I saw a venerable gray-haired man looking down at me.
CONFUCIUS – ‘My son,’ he said, ‘this is a dreadful place.’ ‘Yes,’ I answered, ‘I fell into it; can’t you help me out?’ ‘My son,’ was his reply, ‘I am Confucius. If you had read my books and followed what they taught, you never would have been here.’ ‘Yes, Father,’ I said, ‘But can’t you help me out?’ ‘As I looked he was gone.’
BUDDHA – ‘Soon I saw another form approaching, and another man bent over me, this time with closed eyes and folded arms. He seemed to be looking to some far-off place.’ ‘My son,’ Buddha said, ‘Just close your eyes and fold your arms, and forget all about yourself. Get into a state of rest. Don’t think about anything that can disturb. Get so still that nothing can move you. Then, my child, you will be in such a delicious rest as I am.’ ‘Yes, Father,’ I answered, ‘I will when I am above ground. Can’t you help me out?’ ‘But Buddha, too, was gone.’
JESUS – ‘I was just beginning to SINK INTO DESPAIR when I saw another Figure above me, different from the others. There were marks of suffering on His face.’ I cried out to Him, ‘O Father, can You help me?’ ‘My child,’ He said, ‘What is the matter?’ ‘Before I could answer Him, HE WAS DOWN IN THE MIRE by my side. He folded His arms about me and lifted me up; then He fed me and rested me.’ ‘When I was well,’ He did not say, ‘Now, don’t do that again,’ but He said, ‘We will walk on together now. For I will NEVER LEAVE THEE nor FORSAKE THEE!’ ‘Praise God, we have been walking together until this day!’
This was a poor Chinaman’s way of telling of the compassionate love and help of the Lord Jesus. (D. L. Moody)
I think he described the Savior’s Deliverance brilliantly.
Jesus is NOT AFRAID to GET:
DOWN AND DIRTY
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APRIL 8
THE NOW MOMENTS OF GOD
I remember a night when my Wife and I had enjoyed a wonderful supper meal and the line was rather long at the check-out counter. Standing in front of me was a fully dressed and armed IMPD Officer waiting to pay her bill. ‘Teaching demands Clarity’ so for those who live outside of our area ‘IMPD’ stands for ‘Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.’
As we approached the Cashier . . . I felt the Holy Spirit tugging on my heart strings . . . I had the sincere desire to ask the Officer a question. At that precise time the Officer’s eyes looked right at me and that’s when God impressed into my being, ‘NOW!’
Many of you reading will understand ‘THE NOW MOMENTS OF GOD’. All I can say is, these moments may only last a SPLIT-SECOND and then . . . they are gone. WAITING is to MISS OUT on what God is doing right then. Knowing what ‘NOW’ means to God, I immediately MOVED with HIS leading.
‘Excuse me Ma’am, but may I have the HONOR of buying your meal this evening?’
Standing in that long line gave me plenty of time to think about this Officer. Many times hated by the community but always willing to protect and help. Always at risk of being gunned down by those that have respect for no one. Not only that, as a Pastor, I was proud of her being an African-American woman and having the grit and stamina to become an Officer while supporting her family. She was worthy of HONOR!
Romans 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. (simply put: do wrong be afraid, do good no worries/ emphasis mine)
Her eyes beaded into mine and she had the look of bewilderment for a moment. I said. ‘I am a Pastor and I too am trying to change the bad in our culture, I would be SO HONORED to BLESS you tonight, may I please?’
With a tear in her eyes she handed me her bill and she inquired about where I was a Pastor? I told her and then with concern she asked, ‘Who cares for the Pastor when he hurts?’ Within that question and within her tears was the revealing of some inner pain. My answer was a simple . . . ‘We just have to TRUST GOD . . . You be BLESSED!
What a MOMENT! What a CONNECTION! I truly understand that, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ That special night – I gave – but I also received more than I gave!
Dear Reader, Keep your eyes open and your spirit alert for:
THE NOW MOMENTS OF GOD
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APRIL7
GOD LAUGHS
There is such a JOY in having a relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord. This relationship is Vibrant and FULL of Meaningful Experiences. When a person experiences a True Relationship with Jesus on a DAY to DAY basis, they will discover that within the defines of the word JOY is Peace, Love, Smiles, True Happiness and even Laughter. God is the author of LAUGHTER!
Last evening I looked at my wife and said, ‘I’ve written about Psalm 91 all this week and I sure wish I had one-more devotion to close the week.’ She said, ‘How do you know there is NOT one more?’ We laughed as we both knew that God was in that moment and God was saying, ‘You haven’t drained My well, son!’ lol
Like a Parent and a child teasing back and forth – God loves our relationship as much as we do! A child says, ‘Why Daddy?’ . . . Daddy says, ‘Because!’ . . . Child says, ‘Because why?’ . . . Daddy says, ‘Just because!’
We say, ‘Why God?’ God says – Psalm 91:14 BECAUSE . . .
We say, ‘Because Why? God says – Psalm 91:14 BECAUSE he hath set his love upon me . . .
The child says, ‘Yes, Lord, I do LOVE you with all of my heart, soul, body, mind, and strength!’
God says – Psalm 91:14 BECAUSE he hath set his love upon me therefore will I deliver him:
I will DELIVER you from sin’s bondage, from the chains of guilt, and the shackles of addictions. I WILL ultimately deliver you from DEATH so that you may have ETERNAL LIFE! The child says, ‘WHY?’ To which God says, ‘BECAUSE!’
Psalm 91:14 B E C A U S E he hath set his love upon me therefore WILL I DELIVER HIM: I will set him on high, B E C A U S E he hath known my name.
God says, ‘ALL of these BLESSINGS are yours, BECAUSE you KNOW ME!’
THUS WE FIND THE TRUE DEFINITION OF ETERNAL LIFE – John 17:3 And this is LIFE ETERNAL, that they might KNOW thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Make no mistake – God is a VERY SERIOUS God and He is STRONG and MAJESTIC. Many only KNOW HIM from a distance and only experience His stern corrections. Others, however, know the FULLNESS of a RELATIONSHIP with God. A God of JOY who has en-JOY-ment with His Children. When we think that there is nothing more that we can possibly write about:
GOD LAUGHS
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APRIL 6
AN UNWELCOME MAT AT THE DOOR
We all know what a WELCOME MAT looks like and we all know the joy that is felt when a WELCOME is truly expressed. WELCOME indicates that you may ‘come on in’ and we freely open the door for your visit. Of course each guest would interpret that Welcome Mat differently as they should. A family member, friend, or an acquaintance would certainly see that Welcome Mat differently than would a Mail Carrier or a Delivery Employee. A thief would know that the WELCOME MAT does not mean them! That’s when the mat should read ‘UNWELCOME.’
The Bible lays down an ‘UNWELCOME MAT’ at the front door of a Christian believer:
Psalm 91:10 There shall NO EVIL befall thee, neither shall any PLAGUE come nigh thy dwelling.
We ALARM our homes with Protection Systems to prevent break-ins. We should also consider having a SPIRITUAL PROTECTION SYSTEM in place. PSALM 91 is that system!
PSALM 91:10 Declares to the devil that YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE! ‘EVIL’ and ‘PLAGUES’ will not find a comfortable stay awaiting . . . NOT at this home.
I remember when my son, Jeremy, was just a little boy. He had experienced severe nightmares. I remember marching through the house and pleading the Blood of Jesus. I walked to the front door and opened it and ORDERED out of my house that tormenting evil. Folks, that child slept peacefully after that. PSALM 91:10 became the UNWELCOME MAT to that EVIL!
I once renovated a house that God spoke to my heart and said, ‘This house is a SICK house!’ The occupants were continually ill and I ventured to find out why? The culprit was a once flooded basement with MOLD hiding behind some old paneling. After remediation the house was HEALED! You may think I’m crazy but when God says it is sick . . . IT IS SICK! No PLAGUE (infectious disease) will come nigh thy dwelling . . . IT IS UNWELCOME!
Things of the devil should be UNWELCOMED. We are not at the mercy of the evil one but we are at the MERCY of GOD. Make no mistake – trouble and affliction may come and God can use such to bring us to Him . . . I call this a SANCTIFIED AFFLICTION to save us (God controls this and not satan). The PRINCIPLE OF SANCTIFIED AFFLICTIONS means that this type of affliction may come, NOT FOR THY HURT, but for THY GOOD! Know the difference:
Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness . . .
God, YOU are ALWAYS WELCOME . . . Satan, You will find:
AN UNWELCOME MAT AT THE DOOR
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APRIL 5
THE MASTER AT BIBLE REVISION
Psalm 91 was quoted in one of the most EPIC BATTLES of the ages. Many do not realize that it was quoted by Satan when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Yes, Satan has read the Bible and even quotes from it. Are you amazed?
Hopefully, a RED FLAG just went up in your spirit. If so, that is great! When you sense that spiritual RED FLAG please train yourself to understand that there is a reason for it. One should understand that if Satan uses The WORD OF GOD . . . THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING THAT’S WRONG!!! Let’s examine (PLEASE READ SOWLY):
Matthew 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written,
1. He shall give his angels charge concerning thee:
3. and in their hands they shall bear thee up,
4. lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Notice – I used THREE (3) bullet points (1-3-4) to show PSALM 91 as quoted by the devil.
HERE IS PSALM 91:
Psalm 91:11 1. For he shall give his angels charge over thee,
2. to keep thee in all thy ways.
Psalm 91:12 3. They shall bear thee up in their hands,
4. lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
You will notice I’ve used FOUR (4) bullet points (1-2-3-4) in the actual Scripture. The POINT that satan INTENTIONALLY OMITTED (left out) was #2. (2. to keep thee in all thy ways).
Satan left out that statement intentionally. Satan manipulates the WORD OF GOD to tempt Jesus. Anytime that satan gives a message from the Bible – I guarantee – that something has been twisted to deceive the hearer! He had to twist the Scripture to pull off a temptation!
Had he quoted PSALM 91 accurately – ‘For he shall give his angels charge over thee, TO KEEP THEE IN ALL THY WAYS. Jesus would have responded with, AMEN! AMEN means ‘SO BE IT.’ Yes, devil, that is exactly what is going to happen!
So when the Bible tells you that ‘GOD LOVES YOU’ and satan says that ‘GOD DOES NOT LOVE YOU’ just tell him he is a LIAR – John 8:44 . . . because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
One thing for sure to know . . . Satan is:
THE MASTER AT BIBLE REVISION
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APRIL 4
ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
We have said that PSALM 91 is the Soldier’s Psalm. It is our Psalm, too. PSALM 91 deals with people FACING FEAR and ADVERSITY. In PSALM 91 God gives us four instructions to conquer the sense of fear that rises in our own hearts.
- YOU WILL NOT BE AFRAID – Psalm 91:5 Thou shalt NOT BE AFRAID for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Life is presented with dangers, even terror. We are not immune to those dangers. Whatever it is that threatens you, if you remember that He is mightier than it is, your fears will begin to abate.
2. YOU WILL TRUST AND WATCH – Psalm 91:8 Only WITH THINE EYES shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Whose job will it be to judge and mete out punishment? Can you sort it out? Do you know who’s guilty and who’s not? The Scriptures are clear: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord….” (Hebrews 10:30). Paul also tells us in Romans 12:19 that we need to “Give place (leave room) for the wrath of God.” We must remember that God is able and He is the judge.
3. YOU WILL MOVE FORWARD – Psalm 91:13 Thou shalt TREAD UPON the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
You are to be passive in the face of your inability and in the face of what God’s role is as Judge, but whatever becomes YOUR DUTY you are to be ACTIVE, MOVE FORWARD.
4. YOU WILL PRAY – Psalm 91:15 He shall CALL UPON ME, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.
Sometimes God allows the enemy’s arrow to hit and to strike its blow – that is when we are to keep focused on His promises! We must relax and say, ‘Lord God, this hurts and I don’t know Your purposes, but I know You. I know that You have a plan, and I trust You!’ Regardless!
If you don’t understand anything else, get this. It is not your faithfulness that protects you. It is HIS faithfulness. HE is faithful to you. In His faithfulness He protects you. TRUST HIM!
Don’t be paralyzed by the things that happen to you. God has given you kids to raise. Move forward! If you are a student, He has given you the task of studying. Move forward! In your job, work hard to glorify God. Move forward! Witness! Use your gifts to edify God! Do not allow fear to stop that which God has for you to do. MOVE FORWARD! Remember PSALM 91 gives us MARCHING ORDERS:
ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
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APRIL 3
THE SOLDIER’S PSALM
I would like to bring to your attention a PSALM in the Scripture which has come to be called ‘THE SOLDIER’S PSALM.’ Almost 100 years ago, during World War I, the 91st Infantry Brigade of the U. S. Expeditionary Army was preparing to enter combat in Europe. Because their commander was a devout Christian, he assembled his men and gave each of them a little card on which was printed the 91st PSALM, the same number PSALM as their brigade.
They agreed to recite that PSALM daily. After they had begun praying the PSALM, the 91st Brigade was engaged in three of the bloodiest battles of World War. Other American units that fought in the same battles had up to 90 percent casualties, but the 91st Brigade did not suffer a single combat-related casualty.
Actor, Jimmy Stewart, also found comfort in this PSALM. When the United States entered World War II in 1941, Stewart enlisted in the Army Air Corps and prepared to go overseas. Jimmy Stewart’s father choked up when he tried to bid him farewell; so he wrote a note for his son to read en route. After being shipped out, Jimmy read his father’s words, which described his father’s feelings, and which his father had been unable to say out loud. The note read:
‘My dear Jim-Boy,
‘Soon after you read this letter, you will be on your way to the worst sort of danger. Jim, I am banking on the enclosed copy of the 91st PSALM. The thing that takes the place of fear and worry is the promise of these words. I am staking my faith in these words. I feel sure that God will lead you through this mad experience. I can say no more. I only continue to pray. Goodbye, my dear. God continue to bless and keep you. I love you more than I can tell you. Dad’
Jimmy Stewart returned home a decorated war hero, unharmed, even though his record included twenty combat missions. During the height of the battle, Stewart said he learned to lean on the words of his tattered copy of PSALM 91:1 (Author credited to Clifford B. Boone)
HERE IS A PORTION OF PSALM 91:
Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Psalm 91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
READ PSALM 91 FOR YOURSELF AND FIND OUT WHY IT IS CALLED:
THE SOLDIER’S PSALM
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APRIL 2
REACH OUT AND TOUCH JESUS
GOD TAKES pleasure in our faith. The Bible says, ‘Without faith it is impossible to please Him’ Hebrews 11:6. If God cannot be pleased, ‘WITHOUT FAITH,’ then the opposite is equally true – God can be pleased, ‘WITH FAITH!’ OUR FAITH is surely PRECIOUS in God’s sight.
Matthew 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: – Matthew 9:21 For she said within herself, IF I MAY BUT TOUCH HIS GARMENT, I shall be whole. – Matthew 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; THY FAITH hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
FAITH IS SIMPLY A HAND REACHING OUT TO TOUCH JESUS! John Stallings wrote a song entitled ‘TOUCHING JESUS’ :
1) A woman tried many physicians,
Yet grew worse, so to Jesus she came.
And when the crowd tried to restrain her,
She whispered these words through her pain.
C) Touching Jesus is all that really matters,
Then your life will never be the same.
There is only one way to touch Him,
Just believe when you call on His name.
The Second Verse becomes more personal and says, ‘I was bound when I knelt at that old altar.’ Yes, I was bound by my sin, but the Preacher said, ‘Jesus could meet my every need.’ I’m thankful that I listened and finally, ‘This prisoner’ knelt and prayed and touched Jesus. Then Mr. Stallings declares, ‘He set me free, praise the Lord, I’m free indeed!’ I’M FREE INDEED!!!
TRUE FAITH NEVER GOES UNNOTICED BY JESUS
He is as close as the mention of His Name. He will hear and answer your prayers. He is PLEASED when we TRUST HIM. He is PLEASED when you call upon HIM. Oh, dear child, I have preached a long time and I have NEVER witnessed anyone coming to CHRIST and Jesus say, ‘I was just kidding – this is not for you.’ He has always been FAITHFUL TO HIS WORD!
When you touch Jesus and Jesus touches you, you cannot be the same. Whether you choose to believe and follow Christ or whether you choose to walk away, you cannot remain the same person. He may not answer the way you want but I GUARANTEE HE WILL ANSWER! You can PLEASE the LORD with your FAITH! Just like the woman with the issue of blood:
REACH OUT AND TOUCH JESUS
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APRIL 1
WHICH FOOL ARE YOU?
A whole lot of pranks get played on people on this day we call, ‘April Fools Day.’ Most of those ‘FOOLISH PRANKS’ are meant to be harmless – only wanting a laugh. My thought today is about the word ‘FOOL.’ Let’s do a quick and brief study of how this word is used in the Bible.
THE WORD ‘FOOL’ CAN MEAN ATHEISTIC IN BELIEF TOWARDS GOD – Psalm 14:1 The FOOL hath said in his heart, THERE IS NO GOD (also Psalm 53:1). This person does not want there to be a God. For this person to ADMIT that there is a God is to ADMIT that he did not know everything and therefore it is to ADMIT his own weakness.
THE WORD ‘FOOL’ CAN MEAN – NOT NECESSARILY ATHEISTIC – BUT REBELLIOUS
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a FOOL is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. (He can’t be told that he is wrong) – Proverbs 15:5 A FOOL despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. (He doesn’t want to be told what to do)
THE WORD ‘FOOL’ CAN MEAN – TRUSTING IN ONE’S SELF/ NOT TRUSTING IN GOD) – Proverbs 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a FOOL: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. (This person is casting his anchor inside the boat, and thus will drift incessantly.)
THE WORD ‘FOOL’ USED IN THE WORST WAY – Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment . . . but whosoever shall say, Thou FOOL, shall be in danger of hell fire.
To say that someone has been foolish (lacking intelligence, making bad decisions) is not sinful. The use of the word ‘FOOL’ in Matthew 5:22, however, is used with as much HATRED as can be expressed and that is why it is wrong. ‘FOOL’ is used in calling someone WORTHLESS and wishing them to be in ‘HELL’. Hopefully, you will never wish that on anyone!
THE WORD ‘FOOL’ IS USED BY GOD AND CHRISTIANS IN ANOTHER WAY – Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou FOOL, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? (God simply implies it was FOOLISH to not TRUST in ME) –
1Corinthians 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a FOOL, that he may be wise. – 1Corinthians 4:10 We are FOOLS for Christ’s sake . . . (The world declares it foolish to TRUST in GOD – in this case – BE FOOLISH!)
Without Christ we were TRULY FOOLISH – We could not SAVE ourselves – To think I could live without Jesus was ignorant.
I was a FOOL, but my FOOLISHNESS could be fixed:
WHICH FOOL ARE YOU?
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