It Is Finished- reboot

Our Lord and Savior was crucified on a Passover Thursday nearly 2,000 years ago. I know most folks will say what?  Haven’t you heard of Good Friday?  What kinda christian are you?  Well, I’m the kind that loves Christ with all her heart and soul.  The kind that cries with shame and remorse every time I read the accounts of my Savior’s last day before He died for me.  The kind that is anguished watching movies or programs depicting the agony of my sweet Lord as he suffered for me, for my sins, my vileness.  It was me who held those nails, that swung the hammer, in my soul I feel every blow of my responsibility for Him being on that cross.  Today my heart breaks under the weight of what I did to hold Him there.  I recall the times I denied him like Peter, the decisions I regret just as Judas did, the things I did that rejected and pushed my Savior away for so very long.  They are why he had to die that horrible death that Thursday so long ago.  For you see he didn’t die on Friday, he couldn’t have if he was in the grave for 3 nights and 3 days as he said he would be.  If he died around 3pm as  the Bible tells us on Friday as the common tradition is and rose before sunrise on Sunday morning well that’s a day and a half at best he was in the grave, definitely not the three days and nights He mentions in the passage below.

For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.  Matthew 12:40

We know He rose on Sunday morning, scripture is clear on that.

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.  Matthew 28:1

The first day of the week is Sunday.  So let’s look at what the Gospels say about this most important week, this week that literally changed the world.  That changed everything, that conquered death and the grave once and for all, that gave hope to the lost and dying world groaning under the weight and wages of sin.

Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.  Matthew 26:17-19

And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?”  Mark 14:12

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.  Luke 22:7

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.  John 13:1

In all four Gospels we see that the Last Supper was the Passover meal eaten that Thursday evening (Jewish time)after sunset and the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread or Passover was begun by eating the Passover feast. After eating the Passover meal, he traveled to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, seeking God’s will and not his own but knowing full well what he would endure in the coming hours.  The weight he would bear for the world that had and would largely reject and deny him.  The cup he would be willingly drank more bitter than gall, more loathsome than the most vile poison, yet Christ obeyed his Father and drank willingly of it for all.  He was so anguished in His soul not over the physically pain he would suffer but the spiritual pain he knew he would endure that he actually sweat blood, that’s love people.  It was while they were in the Garden that Judas betrays Him with a kiss and he is taken, taken by those who would mock, beat, and torture him before turning him over to the Romans who would then scourge him, ripping the flesh from his bones, crowning him with thorns, mocking the King with a purple robe.  A royal purple robe that became scarlet with the blood he was shedding for the sins of the world.  Then when he was beaten to what should have been beyond the point of death Pilate offered to set him free and crucify the vile murderer Barabas instead.  But it wasn’t the will of the Jewish leaders, the people or the Father.

All this has taken place in the early morning hours of that fateful Thursday for before 9am our Lord was staggering in a horrific parade through the streets of Jerusalem on his way to his death at the Place of the Skull, Golgotha, to Calvary Hill!  At 9am that Thursday they nailed him to the cross, hung a sign saying King of the Jews over him and cast lots for his raiment.  For you see they added one final humiliation to his lot, the attending Roman soldiers took his clothes and gambled over them as he hung there above suffering, dying.  Psalm 22 gives us a haunting foretelling of Christ’s suffering, so accurate in it’s detail, well, just read it for yourself.

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou answerest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not ashamed. But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, Commit thyself unto the LORD; let him deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighteth in him. But thou art he that took me out the womb: thou didst make me trust when I was upon my mother’s breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. They gape upon me with their mouth, as a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My Strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of evil-doers have enclosed me; they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones; they look and stare upon me: They part my garments among them, and upon my vesture do they cast lots.  Psalms 22:1-18

And then we have the Gospel accounts of the last three long, brutal hours of suffering that day.

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood there, when they heard it, said, This man calleth Elijah. And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. And the rest said, Let be; let us see whether Elijah cometh to save him. And Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit.  Matthew 27:45-50

And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elijah. And one ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let be; let us see whether Elijah cometh to take him down. And Jesus uttered a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.  Mark 15:33-37

And it was now about the sixth hour, and a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, the sun’s light failing: and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said this, he gave up the ghost.  Luke 23:44-46

But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold, thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold, thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home. After this Jesus, knowing that all things are now finished, that the scripture might be accomplished, saith, I thirst. There was set there a vessel full of vinegar: so they put a sponge full of the vinegar upon hyssop, and brought it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.  John 19:25-30

John’s account always gets me, maybe it’s the momma in me but it gives us such a clear picture of the love our Savior has for each of us.  As he was suffering, dying a most torturous death he is worried about his mom, wanting to ensure that she will be taken care of.  So he tells Lazarus, the disciple he loved, whom he had raised from the dead, (not John, I’ll post on that another night) to take care of her as he would have his own mom. I love that image we are given of the love of a son for the woman who bore him, I always think it shows that Christ was human just like us, even though he was God just like his Father.

At about 3pm Christ gave up the ghost, having declared “It is finished.”  There was a great earthquake, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from top to  bottom, no more was there a separation between God and man, ultimately pointing us to our glorious hope, our only hope, an empty tomb.  A tomb which  our Savior was placed in just before sundown that Thursday, a tomb sealed tight and guarded.  A tomb foretold by the prophets of old.

We will leave off there tonight with Christ dead, with the Savior in the dark, fulfilling his Father’s will but leaving us feeling raw, hollow, despairing.  Much as I imagine his disciples felt that day.  How many questions they must have had.  Some must have felt guilt and remorse, others confusion, some reflection, realizing that he had told them what would happen, their scriptures had told them as well, and that maybe, just maybe all hope wasn’t lost.  Maybe they just couldn’t see the big picture in the dark, maybe the sign he gave about Jonah would shed some light on things.  They’ll find out in three days and nights.  For now it is finished.

May God bless and keep you my beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

Profit And Loss

People have disappeared, vanished, all over the world.  You’re worried, scared, terrified, confused, hurt, lost.  I’m Miranda, and I “disappeared”, called home when Jesus returned in the clouds for His body the church of true believers.  I started this blog not quite a year before Jesus came for us when God laid it on my heart to do so.  He called me to share His love for you, explain what happened and warn you about what is coming on the world so you won’t be deceived by the lies the world will try to convince you of.   If you are reading this then He is giving you a second chance to come to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.  You don’t ave to go through what is coming on the world over the next several years alone, God loves you and wants to enter into relationship with you, giving you His perfect peace and strength with which to endure the trials ahead.  I won’t lie it’s not going to be easy, in fact you are now in what is called in the Scriptures (Holy Bible) The Tribulation,  or Daniel’s Seventieth Week.  The next seven years are going to be filled with war, famine, pestilence, plagues, all the worst things you can imagine.   It will start out not so bad but by the halfway point (1260 days) the Antichrist will be in full power ruling the world and he will plunge it into the Time of Jacob’s Trouble or the Great Tribulation.  You do not want to face this time separated from God, it will be just a small foretaste of what eternity without Him will be like.  If you don’t accept His Son, whose precious blood was shed for your sins , who died and rose from the dead three days later, alive and glorified, then that is exactly where you will spend eternity.  But if you repent of your sins (and yes you are a sinner, just as I was). turn from them and this world that is ruled by the man of sin, cling instead to the cross, cling to Jesus the Savior of souls, the Son of God, the Christ, the Messiah you will be saved and one day join Him when He returns to claim His throne as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  If you need more info or proof of your need for Christ see the following posts:  All Fall Short ,Regret, Remorse, Repentance – HOPE , Sinner’s Prayer.  Well really pretty much any post on this site will point you towards Christ, so go read, learn and accept with complete faith knowing that Jesus died to save you.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       ** Previously scheduled repost.

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This mornings daily devotional comes from Our Daily Walk by F. B. Meyer, it resonated with me strongly this morning, winning souls and doing the Lord’s work has weighed heavily upon me the last couple of days.  In fact this devotional is an excellent lead in to my post tonight on the sending out of the seventy.  I hope to inspire you all to follow in their footsteps as they followed in Jesus’.

“Lo, we have left all, and have followed Thee! Jesus answered, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and the Gospel’s but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time and in the world to come eternal life.” — Mar_10:28-30.

THE PRINCIPLES of this world, and those of our Lord are widely different. The world is set on grasping all it can accumulation, self aggrandisement, the piling up of fortunes, the gradual or speedy climb up the ladder of fame, the gathering of hosts of friends. Looking after “number one” is the readiest way of expressing this principle of life! But it is unsatisfactory and disappointing. The soul which is the centre of its own circumference is doomed to realize that there are more forfeits than prizes, more bitterness than success, more dark hours than bright ones.

On the other side, Christ’s principle of life is to give, to trust, to bless! His measure must be always pressed down and running over. The cloak must follow the coat; the second mile must be gladly thrown in with the first. To be willing to surrender all for the sake of others, is the ordinary claim of the King on those who own Him as their Lord.

In every age there have been thousands who have gladly accepted this as their rule of life. Peter and the rest of the Apostles were the leaders of a host which no man can number, who have left all to follow Jesus. He had nowhere to lay His head, and they have been homeless, wandering in the world, with no settled abiding-place; He was poor and they have gone amongst their fellows, saying: “Silver and gold have we none, but such as we have we give.” But how great has been their reward. Before we can understand what Christ is willing to do for us, there must be not only a taking-hold, but a letting-go. We must step out from the boat, and withdraw our hand from it. It is even good, like St. Paul, to need all things, since by faith we come to possess all. Read the wonderful series of paradoxes to which he gives utterance in 2 Cor. 4.  (See below the closing of this devotional for the portion of chapter 4 being referred to here.)

The Lord promises eternal life as the crown of all. When we kneel at the Cross, and see Jesus as our own Saviour, we have eternal life, but we cannot realise all it implies until this mortality is swallowed up of life.

PRAYER

Thou hast called us to minister and witness, to go amongst men as our Saviour went, bearing in our hands the balm of Gilead. May we not be disobedient to this heavenly vision. AMEN.

As always may God bless and keep you brothers and sisters in Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

PRAYER THAT OBTAINS

** Previously scheduled repost.

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And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  Luke 11:9

THERE ARE many conditions of true prayer. For instance, it must be earnest. There are times when we know we are on the line of God’s purposes, when we may dare to be importunate. Prayer must be offered in the Name of Christ, i.e., it must be in harmony with the nature of Christ, which was devoted to the glory of God and to the blessing of men. That Name will eliminate the ingredient of selfishness which will mar any prayer by whomsoever offered. Prayer must also be based on some promise of God, which is presented to Him as a cheque or note is presented to a bank.

All these are but steps to the faith that obtains, for it is, after all, not prayer but faith that obtains promises. That is why our Lord lays so much stress on receiving. Much of our prayer fails because we forget that He said,

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.  Mark 11:24

So far as one can describe the process, it seems something after this fashion. The soul reverently kneels before God, glorifying and praising Him for His greatness and goodness. It is conscious of needing some very special gift which is promised. In the Name of Christ it presents the request with the confidence of a child. With earnestness of desire and speech it unfolds the reasons why the gift sought is so necessary. But it does not leave prayer at this point to go away in uncertainty as to what the issue shall be. By an act of the spirit, the suppliant seems to receive definitely the spiritual or even the temporal gift; and realises that it has received, that the special grace has been imparted, to be discovered and used under stress of need; that the temporal gift has also been received, though it may be kept back until the precise moment when it can be delivered, in much the same way as a present may be purchased long before the time of handing it to its destined possessor .

And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.  1 Samuel 1:15

And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.  1 Samuel 1:18

For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:  1 Samuel 1:27

This is what Christ meant by “receiving,” and it has a mighty effect upon prayer, because it makes it so much more definite. It leads to praise, because we are able to thank God for His gift. You must take as well as pray.

PRAYER

We rejoice that our Saviour ever lives to intercede as our High Priest and Mediator. Through the rent veil, let our prayers ascend to Thee mingled with the fragrance of His merit in whom Thou art ever well pleased. AMEN.

Forgive Them…

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Forgive them, Jesus repeated that phrase many times during His ministry, but the most striking time; other than the time that cuts me to the core as my sweet Savior is dying on the cross; is the parable of the unforgiving servant.  That story it’s a hard one to hear, I mean we are all guilty of being like this servant.  We’ve all been wronged by someone at some point in our lives, so we have all had anger towards someone.  Sometimes we’ve let that anger build and boil until we act like this guy did, we don’t forgive those who have wronged us, instead we set out to punish them, make them pay.  And by doing so we drive them away, we grow hard hearted, and ultimately if we do not repent and forgive them then we damage our testimony and salvation.

See unforgiveness is really hate, and guys hate will eat you alive.  It robs you of the joy that comes from forgiving and it makes you a hypocrite before God.  See you’ve said you accept his free gift of forgiveness for your sins; and no offense here but your sins are just as bad as everyone else’s in God’s eyes because God is holy, just, perfect so any sin, all sin is equally vile to him; but you are denying forgiveness to your brother.  Please head the words of our Lord and Savior – forgive them!

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.  Matthew 18:21-35

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.  Luke 23:33-34

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:14-15

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.  Mark 11:25-26

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:  Luke 6:37

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.  Luke 17:3-4

See what I mean, Jesus was serious when he stressed the importance of forgiving one another.  Very serious, so serious that the last words he cried out from the cross were “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”.  As your Savior hung there dying nailed to that cross by your sins (and mine), his last plea was to God the Father to forgive us, to forgive all sinners including those who nailed him to the tree.  Folks that is the example we are given, that is the footsteps we follow in, let’s live it.  Let’s make our lives the proof of his love on earth!  I know it isn’t always easy, truly forgiving is hard, it means accepting being wronged and not expecting retribution for those hurts.  We can’t hold onto the anger we feel though it doesn’t really hurt those who have hurt us, most times they never even realize we are upset, but it eats at us like a cancer, slowly poisoning our life, our light, stealing our joy and our freedom.  We become slaves to the anger and hate unforgiveness causes and eventually we begin to blame God for it, asking Him why we were wronged and hurt.

Please brothers and sisters don’t let it get that far!  Don’t let it steal you zeal for the Lord, don’t let it destroy your testimony, your love.  Cause you see when you refuse to forgive and allow it to take root in your that poison it shows, others see it and they know, they see the darkness creeping about you.  They see it and it begins to dim the light in you of Christ, the light that points them towards Jesus and salvation, the light of love.  You’re not giving love to everyone, you are withholding it from one, yet  that one person’s wrong towards you isn’t as bad as your wrong towards your own Savior.

I know what I am talking about here, see I have had to do some hard forgiving.  Someone close to me betrayed me and hurt me deeply, not just me, but my son as well.  Now for a while I just stayed mad over it, actually mad is an understatement, furious, I was furious, I wanted them to pay dearly.  I would pray about my anger each night though, and ask God to soften my heart and make it more like His precious Son’s so that I could forgive them.  For a very long time I wrestled with it, stubbornly taking it back up each morning like putting on a favorite pair of jeans.  But it was hurting me, hurting my walk with the Lord, hurting my ability to serve God.  The one day in my daily reading I came across the passage above from Matthew about the unforgiving servant and man did it hit me.  Like a ton of bricks, I hit my knees right then and begged God to forgive me.  Forgive me for being stubborn, disobedient, a hypocrite.  I forgave them right then, I just poured all that anger and hurt out, cast it from me and tasted freedom a fresh.  Tasted peace, love, life again.  Once I let God work on my heart I realized that my sins against God and others were just as bad and that if I couldn’t forgive then I could accept forgiveness.  I didn’t deserve it and by saying that they didn’t either and not giving it to those who wronged me I was refusing to accept my own forgiveness.  It was holding me down, holding me back.  Keeping me from being able to share about the forgiveness of Christ because I no longer felt I had it.  Praise the Lord, that he set me free of my own prison, one of my  own making.   Don’t be like me, don’t waste your precious time carrying around a heavy burden of unforgiveness.

Let’s forgive freely, love like there’s no tomorrow and let’s light the world by allowing Christ’s light to pour forth from us!  We are forgiven!  Free!  Let’s share that freedom, that forgiveness, and Jesus our precious Lord and Savior, the only one it can come from with the world.  Forgive them!

Regret, Remorse, Repentance – HOPE

I want to talk about the different characters we learn about in the crucifixion story.  Judas, Peter, the thief, and the centurion they all have a story to tell.  Maybe one of these stories is similar to your own, I know I can relate to all of them in some way.  Like Judas I betrayed my Lord, like Peter I denied him, like the thief I broke God’s laws, and like the centurion I followed the world and it’s ways.  But one glorious day I found hope; my heart broke with regret and remorse, leading me to repentance and ultimately to the hope I have today in my Lord and Savior Christ.

Let’s start with Judas, the betrayer.  Here was a man who was a follower of  Jesus, he was a trusted friend, yet for 30 pieces of silver he sold our Lord and his soul.  30 pieces of silver, that’s like $600.  That’s what serving the Lord was worth to this man consumed with greed, with lust for money.  30 pieces of silver was all it took to allow the devil to have control of his life, to turn his heart and soul from the only one who could save them.  Jesus knew he what Judas would do and repeatedly we see him giving him the opportunity to repent of his deeds but alas Judas was consumed with the guilt for what he’d done, with remorse but he never sought repentance with the Lord, never sought forgiveness from the one he had betrayed.  Instead his story ends terribly with him taking his own life.  That’s what pride, vanity and greed get us.  Let’s read his story.

Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to deliver him unto them.  Matthew 26:14-16

And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went away, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might deliver him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he consented, and sought opportunity to deliver him unto them in the absence of the multitude.  Luke 22:3-6

And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,  John 13:2

Now when even was come, he was sitting at meat with the twelve disciples; and as they were eating, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began to say unto him every one, Is it I, Lord? And he answered and said, He that dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born. And Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Is it I, Rabbi? He saith unto him, Thou hast said.  Matthew 26:20-25

And they began to question among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
Luke 22:21-23

When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in the spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. The disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. There was at the table reclining in Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoneth to him, and saith unto him, Tell us who it is of whom he speaketh. He leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus therefore answereth, He it is, for whom I shall dip the sop, and give it him. So when he had dipped the sop, he taketh and giveth it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. And after the sop, then entered Satan into him. Jesus therefore saith unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.  John 13:21-27

Arise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that betrayeth me. And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he: take him. And straightway he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, Rabbi; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, do that for which thou art come. Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.  Matthew 26:46-50

But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?  Luke 22:47-48

Now Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus oft-times resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received the band of soldiers, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, was standing with them. When therefore he said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Again therefore he asked them, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: that the word might be fulfilled which he spake, Of those whom thou hast given me I lost not one.  John 18:2-9

Then Judas, which betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? see thou to it. And he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was priced, whom certain of the children of Israel did price; and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.  Matthew 27:3-10

Brethren, it was needful that the scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry. (Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch that in their language that field was called Akeldama, that is, The field of blood.) For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be made desolate, And let no man dwell therein: and, His office let another take.  Acts 1:16-20

As we read the sad story of Judas we see that his end was, well it was bad.  Matthew simply tells us he hanged himself; driven to seek his own death by his regret and remorse.  But in Acts we learn the rest of the story we learn that after his death he hung in the hot Judean sun so long that when his robe broke or he was cut down that he fell headlong to the ground and his guts burst spilling out his innards.  Had he only repented then maybe his story would have had a better ending; one more like Peter’s perhaps.

See Peter denied Jesus 3 times the night of his trial and torture.  3 times he said he never knew the Lord.  Just as Jesus had said he would, all before the cock crowed in the morn.  Peter thought no way would he ever do this but fear is a powerful thing, makes us do things we often regret.  But in Peters case the regret turned to deep remorse which led to true repentance as we see in that beautiful beach seen around the fire after the Resurrection when Jesus asks Peter 3 times if he loves him, once for every denial.  And we see the moment it finally sinks in that because of his repentance, his deep heart felt remorse that Jesus sees he is truly sorry and he let’s him know all is well, Feed my sheep he tells his friend.

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended in me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter answered and said unto him, If all shall be offended in thee, I will never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter saith unto him, Even if I must die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.  Matthew 26:31-35

Now Peter was sitting without in the court: and a maid came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilaean. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and saith unto them that were there, This man also was with Jesus the Nazarene. And again he denied with an oath, I know not the man. And after a little while they that stood by came and said to Peter, Of a truth thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, I know not the man. And straightway the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.  Matthew 26:69-75

Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also come with thee. They went forth, and entered into the boat; and that night they took nothing. But when day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach: howbeit the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus therefore saith unto them, Children, have ye aught to eat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his coat about him (for he was naked), and cast himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits off), dragging the net full of fishes. So when they got out upon the land, they see a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now taken. Simon Peter therefore went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, the net was not rent. Jesus saith unto them, Come and break your fast. And none of the disciples durst inquire of him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus cometh, and taketh the bread, and giveth them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. Now this he spake, signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.  John 21:3-19

I just love that passage in John telling of how he forgave Peter, how all was made right through Jesus’ love and Peter’s repentance.   Through the stories of these 2 disciples, followers of Christ, we begin to see the world.  One chose it, following Satan where he led, even unto a brutal and gruesome final end alone.  The other however truly knew and loved the Lord, he realized his mistake, he repented of it and that made all the difference.  Peter wasn’t the only one forgiven through this story though.  No there was one more.  The thief that died beside our sweet Savior.

His story is short, but in so many ways it is just like ours.  We don’t know anything about him other than that he was a thief and he professes to deserve his punishment which leads me to think he wasn’t a good guy caught in a bad situation.  No, I think he was a bad guy who meets the good guy and knows the truth in the end.  His story is hard for me, I see a lot of myself in him.  But like that thief I came to know my Lord and Savior and through the regret. remorse and repentance that knowing brought I am forgiven.  I have hope that one day I will see my sweet Lord in paradise.  I’ll get to meet that thief too.  Let’s read his story.

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? save thyself and us. But the other answered, and rebuking him said, Dost thou not even fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom. And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.  Luke 23:39-43

 

And finally we come to the centurion.  We don’t know his final fate, I like to belief I will meet him one day in heaven but we aren’t told that part of his story.  What we are told is that after what he witnessed in that long, painful, earth shattering, earth changing day was enough to begin to open his eyes.  For he sees the truth that truly Jesus is the Son of God.

Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.  Matthew 27:54

And when the centurion, which stood by over against him, saw that he so gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.  Mark 15:39

And when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.  Luke 23:47

Think about your own life?  We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, we are all guilty.  Just like Judas we betray God, just like Peter we deny him, just like the thief we break his laws, and just like the centurion we serve the world.

But we don’t have to.  Because Jesus was obedient unto the cross, because he died that day so long ago for the forgiveness of the sins of the world, all of them, mine, yours, the thief’s, Peter’s, we have hope today.  We can be forgiven just like Peter and the the thief.   Or we can continue to embrace our sin, allow it to control and rule us, and eventually collect the just wages of our choices.  Death. Just like Judas.  Maybe you’re the centurion.  You’re eyes are opened, you see the truth, you can’t deny it any longer – but your holding back, riding the fence, waiting.  Please do not wait too long.  You know the truth, accept it and the free gift of grace that Jesus offers with it.  Let Jesus know you regret your sins, all of them, and are sorry you sinned and that he had to die for those sins.  Then ask him to come into your heart and cleanse those sins away, ask him to wash you white as snow with his precious blood.  Repent and allow Jesus to make you into a new person, transformed, made whole.  Embrace the hope that Peter and that thief found, the hope that I found.  Call on Christ as your Lord and Savior, welcome him in, enter into the relationship he longs to have with you.  Enter grace, enter hope!

 

May God bless and keep you brothers and sisters.

Save

Hope

This post is going to take you through a lot of scripture tonight, brothers and sisters in Christ.  I want you to look at how The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed, and the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed.  Jesus, our only hope is in every page, paragraph, sentence word, and even letter of the Bible.  Just look and see.

Job_4:6  Is not thy fear of God thy confidence, and thy hope the integrity of thy ways?
Psa_31:24  Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Psa_33:18  Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
Psa_38:15  For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt answer, O Lord my God.
Psa_39:7  And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
Psa_71:5  For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.
Psa_71:14  But I will hope continually, and will praise thee yet more and more.
Psa_78:7  That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

Psa_119:81  CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
Psa_119:114  Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Psa_130:5  I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
Psa_147:11  The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
Pro_10:28  The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
Pro_11:7  When a wicked man dieth his expectation shall perish: and the hope of iniquity perisheth.
Pro_14:32  The wicked is thrust down in his evil-doing: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
Jer_17:7  Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
Jer_29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.
Lam_3:24  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Lam_3:26  It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Mat_12:21  And in his name shall the Gentiles hope.
Act_2:26  Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope:
Act_24:15  having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.
Rom_5:2  through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and let us rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Rom_5:4  and patience, probation; and probation, hope:
Rom_5:5  and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Ghost which was given unto us.
Rom_8:20  For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope
Rom_8:24  For by hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth?
Rom_8:25  But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Rom_12:12  rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer;
Rom_15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.
Rom_15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Ghost.

1Co_13:13  But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
2Co_5:11  Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
Eph_4:4  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling;
Php_1:20  according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.
Col_1:5  because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,
Col_1:23  if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.
1Th_2:19  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?

1Th_4:13  But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, which have no hope.
1Th_5:8  But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Ti_1:1  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and Christ Jesus our hope;
1Ti_4:10  For to this end we labour and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe.
Tit_1:2  in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal;
Tit_2:13  looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit_3:7  that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Heb_6:11  And we desire that each one of you may shew the same diligence unto the fulness of hope even to the end:
Heb_10:23  let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised:
Heb_10:23  let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised:

1Pe_1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe_1:13  Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1Pe_1:21  who through him are believers in God, which raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.
1Pe_3:15  but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear:
1Jn_3:3  And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

VIRTUE — A Cluster of Many Noble Things

Today’s devotional comes from Rylisms by James Ryle.

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  2 Peter 1:3

The old familiar song says, “Love is a many splendored thing” (lyrics by Paul Francis Webster). In the same sentiment, “Virtue is a many ennobled thing.”  VIRTUE, in a word, is the character of Jesus Christ. It is the power of moral excellence which produces character so great, conduct so becoming, and conversation so compelling – that the world is never the same for having seen it, and experienced it, and heard it.
We were called to Jesus by His glory and virtue — not just to behold and adore it; but to share in it. To become ourselves an extension of it in our own sphere of influence. “The works that I do, you shall do,” Jesus said, “and even greater works than these shall you do, for I go to My Father.”
Imagine the impact upon this planet when the one Jesus of Nazareth becomes increasingly multiplied over and over in the millions of His followers all around the world. Why, a wave of virtue would sweep this globe in such measure that the glory of the Lord would cover the earth as waters cover the sea.
VIRTUE in not one thing; it is a cluster of many noble things. It is humility in victory; no gloating or taunting in the defeat of an opponent. It is silence in suffering; no whimpering or whining to others over the unfairness of our trials. It is generosity in wealth; no hoarding of great riches in excess of reason, while others suffer great excess of want.
Virtue is kindness in power; no cruelty and indifference to those who look to you for leadership. It is decisiveness in crisis; no waffling, or shifting, nor shirking of responsibilities. It is courage in battle; no cowering in fear while others take the hit.
Virtue is grace in greatness. May you in all things at all times be known as a virtuous person.

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.  Mark 4:24

THE CALL TO SERVICE

From Our Daily Walk – F. B. Meyer:

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“Come ye after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they left the nets, and followed Him.” — Mark 1:7-18.

AS OF old, Christ is still passing through the centres of busy, thronging life, calling men from their nets and boats, from the countinghouse and the market-place, or from the seclusion of the study, and saying, with His own inimitable and irresistible charm: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” It may be that He has already come to you, casting over you the mantle of service, as Elijah over the young ploughman whilst following his team.
You may be startled at the suggestion, but probably all the mighty band of men and women who have responded to His Call, were similarly startled when first the summons awoke them to action. Samuel was startled when the Divine voice rang out in the night; Gideon was startled, and replied: “Behold my family is poor, and I am the least in my father’s house“; Jeremiah said, when the call came to him: “Ah, Lord God! Behold I cannot speak, for I am a child.” Moses drew back, and said that he was unequal for the task to which God summoned him.
Christ’s Call comes specially to the young—to Henry Martyn amid his books, to David Livingstone at his loom, to Carey at his cobbler’s bench, to Mary Slessor in the Scottish factory, and to many another. Young people have a marvellous power of acquiring languages, and mastering any difficulties of country, race, or condition, and what other men and women are doing for fame, position, and wealth, surely we can do for Jesus. We are His blood-bought slaves, and surely He has the right to say to each of us, Come, Go, Do this, Follow Me!
Listen to the appeal of Christ on behalf of the millions of souls for whom He died, and to some of whom He wants to send you. Yield yourself to Him, and let Him infuse into you His mighty passion for their salvation. Do not look at your circumstances, or count your five loaves and two small fishes, wondering if they will suffice; or at the waves, questioning if they will bear you up. Keep your eyes fixed on Him, and your ears open to His voice, and when once you are sure of His leading, go forward in His Name. Jordan will divide before you, and the walls of Jericho will fall flat.

PRAYER
Lord, here am I, send me wheresoever thou wilt. Only make me to know Thy will beyond possibility of mistake, and work through me to accomplish all Thy good pleasure. AMEN.

I AM…

God’s ways never cease to amaze me.  The way He works revealing Himself to those who seek Him, it is incredible.  For example during my Scripture study time this morning I increasing felt His presence as I came to know Him more.  Everything lined up and fit together perfectly even though I am currently all over the place, in three seemingly random books and chapters but all three seemed to come together beautifully this morning.  I began in Exodus chapters 1-10 where verse 3:14 caught my attention:

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.  Exodus 3:14

This phrase was echoed and clarified as being Jesus speaking to Moses in the following verses from my passage in Mark:

But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I AM: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.  Mark 14:61-62

The priests were enraged when Jesus made that statement for they knew He was declaring He is God, and the Son.  They knew the statement in Exodus but failed or refused to see the truth that both were spoken by the same I AM!  They were blinded by their denial, much as the fool from my Psalms reading today.

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.  Psalms 53:1

While the priests did not outright deny God openly by rejecting Him in the form of His Son they were denying Him and the Jews continue to do so to this day.  When we deny Christ we deny God for:

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.  John 14:10

Which brings me to the final chapter from  my study time, the Gospel of Mark, and seeing myself in Peter.  Peter so desperate to be a disciple, to follow where the Shepherd would lead, as we see earlier in the chapter.

But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.  Mark 14:29-31

Peter meant well, truly seemed to believe what he was promising but as we see in just a short while doubt and fear are beginning to take root, to show their ugly effects in his life when Jesus is asking Peter, John and James to keep watch while he goes over yonder to pray alone.

And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.  Mark 14:34

Well we all know how that went, they were watching with their eyes closed if you know what I mean.  All three were asleep when Jesus returned after praying fervently (I mean really fervently, he was sweating blood he was praying so hard!)  and He exhorts them with the following:

And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, “Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?”  Mark 14:37

Jesus only calls out Peter by name here, although all were sleeping.  I can only wonder if this was a gentle encouragement to poor Peter who was about to know the full weight of guilt and remorse as he openly rejects his Lord three times and ultimately plays a large hand in sentencing Jesus to die.  We’ll come back to that though in just a minute, first I want to look at the next words our Savior spoke.

Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.  Mark 14:38

Jesus tells them all but Peter in particular to be watchful and prayerful to avoid temptation for He knows that fear is a temptation that causes us to follow the weakness of the flesh as we see all the disciples do as Jesus is betrayed and arrested to be brought before the council and tried.  But both John and Peter remember the words of Jesus and struggle against the weak flesh and follow Jesus to the palace of the high priest for the rest of this story.

For you see back in the those days the Jewish tradition was that an accused man only needed to witnesses to testify to his innocence and he would be set free.  John follows Jesus into before the counsel in order to be a witness on behalf of Jesus, he defeated his flesh and his spirit overcame which we see in the following passage in John.

And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.  John 18:15-17

We also see that Peter wasn’t as victorious as the passage ends with his first denial.  He allowed his fear for his life, of being arrested and tried alongside Jesus to overpower him, sin and temptation caused him to reject and deny his Savior which actually gives him a role in Jesus’ conviction because had he joined John in standing for Jesus it may have played out differently.  At least that is what Peter thinks after he denies Jesus two more times and realizes that the Son of God was exactly correct when He said Peter would deny Him tee times before the cock crowed twice.  That’s a pretty specific prophecy, by the way, that just further helped prove Jesus is who He says HE is.  He is the great I AM.

And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
Mark 14:66-71

For we see that he weeps bitterly when he realizes the level of his depravity and the consequences thereof.

And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept bitterly  Mark 14:72 &  Matthew 26:75

I weep bitterly when I realize I am no better than Peter, I too once rejected and denied my sweet Savior, my Lord.  I allowed my weak flesh to control me, sin and temptation leading me down the wide pathway that leads to death and destruction.  But just like Peter there was a moment when it all came crystal clear and I realized the folly of my actions, what a fool I was denying God, throwing away the free gift of salvation with both hands.  When Jesus finally got through to me I wept bitterly and cried out to be forgiven for my sins, for my rejection, for my role in hanging Him on that tree.  Just like Peter instead of continuing to reject God I rejected my sin, repented of it and turned from it, instead clinging to the cross of Christ, the only hope of salvation, of forgiveness. Just as Peter repented and went on to do the Lord’s will for the rest of his life, even unto death as he was martyred for his faith, so to do I carry my cross as I do the Lord’s will for my life.

 

Praise God He is merciful and grace is a free gift to all who call upon the name of the Son of God, Jesus the Christ, who believe in there heart He is who HE says, the great I AM.  And he forgives us, he accepts us when we are sincere in our repentance, when we are true and lay our lives down to pick up our crosses; as we begin to follow the Light of the world, the Savior of the world, Jesus.

 

I want to petition any of you who may be reading this who have not already picked up your cross, already sought earnestly forgiveness for your sins which put the Lord on that cross and held Him there, to please do so.  Please do not wait any longer, no one knows what the next minute may bring, you might meet your maker soon, do not delay making this decision with such important, eternal consequences until it is too late.  You do not want to die, or miss the rapture of the church of true believers, because you let the spirit in you be overruled by your weak flesh and it’s love of sin, securing your fate for eternity separated from God, doomed instead to an eternity in the lake of fire reserved for those who deny and reject the saving grace of God.  See, He is a loving God and he offers us the choice, we get to choose and He makes the consequences of that choice very clear.   Either you call upon Jesus to save you and restore you to right with God, to pay the price for your sins thereby ensuring that your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life or you spend eternity separated from Him in the lake of fire.

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.  Revelation 20:15

If you want to make the choice for life but need to know more, have questions, etc. then please comment below or email me at aR3volut1on@outlook.com, I will go through the Scriptures with you, answer any questions you may have, pray for and with you.  God loves you so very much and He wants to accept you into the family, to come into your heart and change it make it new, give you the gift of grace, eternal life with your Savior.

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If you already my brother or sister in Christ then please be busy about the Father’s work, leading souls to the cross, growing the kingdom before time is up.  Everyday we see that time is growing short, prophecies are being fulfilled everyday and very soon Jesus will be returning for his church, his bride.  I want to see you all up in the sky on that glorious day, I look forward with great anticipation to our Lord’s return for us soon, and as I look up and watch for it I am also about His work, about showing others that He is the only true Light of the world, the only true King, the Lord, and the only hope for a lost and dying world.  He is the Shepherd, my Savior.

As always my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, may God bless and keep you in His perfect peace and love always.

PRAYER THAT OBTAINS

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  Luke 11:9

THERE ARE many conditions of true prayer. For instance, it must be earnest. There are times when we know we are on the line of God’s purposes, when we may dare to be importunate. Prayer must be offered in the Name of Christ, i.e., it must be in harmony with the nature of Christ, which was devoted to the glory of God and to the blessing of men. That Name will eliminate the ingredient of selfishness which will mar any prayer by whomsoever offered. Prayer must also be based on some promise of God, which is presented to Him as a cheque or note is presented to a bank.
All these are but steps to the faith that obtains, for it is, after all, not prayer but faith that obtains promises. That is why our Lord lays so much stress on receiving. Much of our prayer fails because we forget that He said,

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.  Mark 11:24

So far as one can describe the process, it seems something after this fashion. The soul reverently kneels before God, glorifying and praising Him for His greatness and goodness. It is conscious of needing some very special gift which is promised. In the Name of Christ it presents the request with the confidence of a child. With earnestness of desire and speech it unfolds the reasons why the gift sought is so necessary. But it does not leave prayer at this point to go away in uncertainty as to what the issue shall be. By an act of the spirit, the suppliant seems to receive definitely the spiritual or even the temporal gift; and realises that it has received, that the special grace has been imparted, to be discovered and used under stress of need; that the temporal gift has also been received, though it may be kept back until the precise moment when it can be delivered, in much the same way as a present may be purchased long before the time of handing it to its destined possessor .

And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.  1 Samuel 1:15

And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.  1 Samuel 1:18

For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:  1 Samuel 1:27

This is what Christ meant by “receiving,” and it has a mighty effect upon prayer, because it makes it so much more definite. It leads to praise, because we are able to thank God for His gift. You must take as well as pray.

PRAYER

We rejoice that our Saviour ever lives to intercede as our High Priest and Mediator. Through the rent veil, let our prayers ascend to Thee mingled with the fragrance of His merit in whom Thou art ever well pleased. AMEN.