Pastor Robert M. Celeste MCAC
Today's thought
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Daily Christian thoughts starting yesterday and going back through Saturday December 1st, 2001
Monday December 31st, 2001
I would guess that just abut everyone has heard the old adages, "Save the best for last." And "Last, but not least." Well, as we have arrived on the 365th day of the year of our Lord 2001, let's see what Jesus had saved for last, let us see what He said last in each of the four Gospels.
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him: but some doubted.
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:16-20
Afterward Jesus appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen. And Jesus said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Then, after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And His eleven Apostles went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Mark 16:14-20
And Jesus said unto the eleven Apostles, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.
And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
And Jesus led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them.
And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
Luke 24:46-53
And in John, the fourth and last Gospel, we see the Lord giving us an example of how liberal preachers and theologians working in the camp of the great deceiver would start twisting the Words of the Lord even back then. How even back then, there were those who would insist that they knew what God really meant to say in His book. And by twisting and corrupting His words in order to make themselves look smart, they make the Lord out to be both a liar and a buffoon, for if they are smart enough to know what God really meant to say in His book, are they not saying that they are smarter than GOD? Read carefully the last verses of the Gospel according to the Apostle John.
Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on His breast at supper, and said, "Lord, which is he that betrayeth Thee?" (see John 13:21-30)
Peter seeing him(John) saith to Jesus, "Lord, and what shall this man do?"
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou Me.
Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that, that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
This is the disciple(John) which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that His testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. John 21:20-15
Peter had turned to Jesus to ask about what was going to happen to John. Jesus had said to Peter, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou Me. Yet, within a very short time the very words of the Lord had been twisted to make it seem as though the Lord had instead said that John would not die before Jesus came back. Not a big thing you say. Well I would have to disagree, you see, John did die , he died in 92 or so AD. And the Lord had not returned, as He has not yet returned. You see, if Jesus had said "John would not die till He returned," it would be incorrect, not true, and if there is anything in the Bible that is untrue, then all is suspect. For God can not lie, so therefore everything in His Book must be absolutely true, correct and without error.
So, if you are attending a church where the preacher preaches what God meant to say instead of what God did say, a nice new year's resolution would be to find yourself another church, find yourself a church where the preacher stands tall and each and every Sunday, he preaches God's word, not what God meant to say, but what God did say. For those who preach that God does not know what He meant to say in His own Book, the Holy Bible, are saying that they are smarter than God and that God is not only dumber than they, but a liar as well. For how smart or accurate can our lord be, if He needs men and women to correct Him and to tell us what He meant to say because He is incapable of making Himself clear.
Find a church led by a Pastor, that when you are asked about your church, you can focus, not on the dinners, the breakfasts, the parties and the good deeds, but instead the sermons delivered by the Pastor. When I am asked about our church. I tell folks that I attend that church because of the sermons delivered by our pastor, Rev. Warren Feustel, a man who fears God and eschews evil, a man who proudly and boldly preaches salvation and forgiveness by what the Lord Jesus did on the cross. A man who preaches God's Word, not as some would like it to be, but as God caused it to be written in His book.
What do you tell folks is best about your church? And what is it that causes you to attend your church? As we enter the new year, the year of our Lord two thousand and two, what better way to begin the new year than in a church that preaches the Creator's words the way the Creator caused them to be written.
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 1 Peter 1:20&21
and;
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 timothy 3:16&17
As a nation, let us get back to our Christian roots, let us turn our backs on the horrors of abortion, homosexuality, pornography, and political correctness, let us get back to doing what is right in the sight of the Lord and not the site of the world. Let us be known as a nation that imports good, not as the nation importing the most illegal drugs. Let us become once again, a nation of morals and rights not a nation that protects the worst terrorist of all, the murderer of the baby in the womb, the abortionist.
Yeshua help us.
Amen.
Thursday in Genesis chapter 33, we saw the way a man named Jacob protected his family when there was danger around and no 911 to call. Today, we will see that some of Jacob's bravery rubbed off on at least two of his sons, Simeon and Levi. Simeon and Levi were not afraid to do what was right, even against overwhelming odds. They couldn't rely on the king, for the king's son was the culprit. And it seems they couldn't even rely upon all of their own brothers, yet they did not hesitate, they did not look around for someone else to assume their responsibilities, they instead did what a man should do, they dealt with the problem themselves.
As you read about these two young men, ask yourself this, even had there been a 911 to call, do you think they would have?
1 And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. 2 And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her. 3 And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.
4 And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, "Get me this damsel to wife."
5 And Jacob heard that he(Shechem) had defiled Dinah his daughter:
Now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come. 6 And Hamor the father of Shechem went out unto Jacob to commune with him. 7 And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he(Shechem) had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done.
8 And Hamor communed with them, saying, "The soul of my son Shechem longeth for your daughter: I pray you give her him to wife. 9 And make ye marriages with us, and give your daughters unto us, and take our daughters unto you. 10 And ye shall dwell with us: and the land shall be before you; dwell and trade ye therein, and get you possessions therein."
11 And Shechem said unto her father and unto her brethren, "Let me find grace in your eyes, and what ye shall say unto me I will give. 12 Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife."
13 And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister: 14 And they said unto them, "We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us: 15 But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised; 16 Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people. 17 But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone."
18 And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor's son. 19 And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his father. 20 And Hamor and Shechem his son came unto the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,
21 "These men are peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, it is large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters. 22 Only herein will the men consent unto us for to dwell with us, to be one people, if every male among us be circumcised, as they are circumcised. 23 Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us."
24 And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city. 25 And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males. 26 And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out.
27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister. 28 They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, and that which was in the field, 29 And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.
30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house." 31 And they said, "Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?" (Genesis Chapter Thirty-four ACP/KJV)
Had Dinah been dragged off to a planned parenthood abortion mill by so called enlightened, liberal, well meaning women of the neighborhood, a clinic under the protection of the king, his courts and his officers, his politicians and his laws, how do you think Simeon and Levi would have reacted?
May the Lord our God open our eyes and teach us once again to be men. Help us Lord to understand that You have given us a government where we can change it when it is wrong, by simply supporting those who would do what is right in Your sight instead of any political party or ideology. Lord as we approach this new year coming up, raise up for us, candidates who will oppose abortion, oppose homosexuality, oppose pornography, and support You and Your Word. And Lord give us the strength to support, work, and vote for them.
And Lord, for those who claim to be Yours, who are currently in office, give them the strength, integrity and perseverance to end abortion, end homosexuality, and end pornography. Give President Bush and his the strength and desire to fight the evils of abortion, homosexuality and pornography with the same zeal he has shown in fighting the terrorists that attacked us on September 11th, 2001. And Lord give President Bush the strength to be honest, to tell the truth, even when it may alarm or bother us. Be with him and protect him Lord, but let him not do his will, but Yours.
Amen.
Verse 8 of chapter 16 of the Gospel according to Luke, has always been one of the most difficult to understand. As you read verses 1-13, you might wonder and actually think that the Lord is congratulating the practice of thievery. And as in much of the word of God, we are unable to really understand what the Lord is talking about until we reach a time when the prophecy is fulfilled in our time and we can read it and understand it in light of today's events.
1 ¶ And Jesus said also unto His disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. 2 And he called him, and said unto him, "How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward."
3 Then the steward said within himself, "What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. 4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses."
5 So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, "How much owest thou unto my lord?" 6 And he said, "An hundred measures of oil." And he said unto him, "Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty."
7 Then said he to another, "And how much owest thou?" And he said, "An hundred measures of wheat." And he said unto him, "Take thy bill, and write fourscore."
8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. 10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Luke 16:1-13 KJV
You may want to read Luke 16 1-13 a couple of times, till you have thoroughly confused yourself on just what the Lord is saying here. For as you read it the more you read it, the more it seems to congratulate the steward for being a thief. And that would seem a contradiction.
Now that you are confused, let me quote to you a story from this morning's Drudge Report, drudgereprot.com
OH BUOY! POPEYE'S GONE GAY; JUICE AD CAUSES STIR
DAILY STAR
Thu Dec 27 2001 20:06:24 ET
HELLO sailor! Cartoon tough guy Popeye has been outed.
The spinach-guzzling seaman's secret gay affair with arch-rival Bluto is revealed in a controversial
new ad. The two sworn enemies are usually depicted fighting for the attention of the lovely Olive
Oyl in cartoons and comics.
But in a new ad campaign for orange juice they only have eyes for each other.
Beefy Bluto squeals with joy as he pushes muscle-bound Popeye back and forth on a swing in a
children's playground Then the two tough guys lark about on a see-saw before heading off to the
beach.
Their new-found affection for each other is sealed when they get the words "Buddies For Life"
tattooed on their bulging arms.
Bemused Olive Oyl spots the pair coming towards her on a tandem and tries to catch their attention
by striking a sexy pose. But pipe-smoking Popeye and Bluto blank her and ride off into the sunset
together.
The ad - by orange juice makers Minute Maid - has outraged moral crusaders in the USA, who
claim the cartoon characters are spreading gay propaganda.
Robert Knight, director of the Culture and Family Institute, stormed: "If parents think their children
are being targeted by a homosexual campaign, they will switch brands of juice without blinking.
But Cathy Renna from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation found the new gay icons
amusing.
She said: "Gay people are raising their eyebrows and winking along with the ad."
Charles Torrey, Minute Maid's marketing director, said the ad was meant to be fun.
He said: "We're certainly not targeting any one group."
Minute Maid is a subsidiary of the Coca Cola Company. In order to use the Popeye comic characters they had to get the owner of that comics permission. Over the years we have seen governments put the agenda of homosexuals ahead of others, we have seen presidents, including the current president, place homosexuals in more and more high level positions. We have watched as men who die of aids, a disease contracted by homosexual behavior, placed on a pedestal and elevated to the position of hero or martyr.
We have seen over and over again, members of our own government, place the security and supposed constitutional rights of the terrorists who attacked our nation on September 11th, 2001 ahead of the true constitutional rights of our own servicemen's right to vote. In this generation, we have come to accept the brutal act of infanticide in the womb to be not only common place, acceptable and a woman's right, but a place of profit as well, taking the babies' body parts and selling them to the high bidder with the rest used for animal fodder.
We live in a generation where we condemn, not the terrorist, but the victim. For not once, but in almost every occasion where Israel retaliates for brutal attacks against it, the news portrays the retaliator as the aggressor and the bomber as a hero or martyr.
Now, let us look at Luke 16:8 again.
8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. Let us break it in half:
"And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely:"
and
"for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light."
And in the second half of this verse, we see exactly what Jesus is saying, He is telling us that as the time comes to the end, the people of this world, the unsaved, will be wiser than those of us who are saved, that as we approach the end, what is right in the eyes of God and His will be considered wrong in the eyes of satan and his, but since those who belong to satan will so greatly outnumber those of us who are saved, the world will adopt the standards of the unsaved, ignoring and criticizing the words of the Saved as words of religious fanatics and the such.
Praise God for with each bit of prophecy fulfilled, the closer we come to the return of the Lord.
Amen.
Thursday December 27th, 2001
You know, once upon a time, there was no 911 to call for help. Back before 911 and phones, sheriffs and deputies, state police and feds, the un and the marshall service, people had to resolve problems on their own. Folks couldn't just pick up the phone and call 911 and say, "Help me, I'm too scared to do it on my own." No, they had to do it on their own, of risk death for themselves and theirs. So, men learned to work out their differences, some times with war, sometimes with talking or the offering of gifts.
Today, as we read Genesis chapter thirty-three, we will see one such instance. We will read how, as Jacob returned to the home land of his father Isaac, he was faced with his brother Esau, not knowing how Esau would greet him. Hearing that Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred warriors, Jacob had to find a way to deal with Esau, whose birthright he had taken along with his blessing, for there was no 911 to dial, no sheriff to call and cry to, no fed to call and complain to. This was a meeting that would come down to Jacob and Esau, a meeting where the outcome would be decided, not by a court or men with badges, but by the two brothers and their abilities.
With the president telling us that he expects the year 2002 to be one of war, this may be the ideal time for us to study men who stood on their own two feet and took responsibility for themselves and theirs.
1 And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. 2 And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.
3 And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. 4 And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept. 5 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, m "Who are those with thee?" And he(Jacob) said, "The children which God hath graciously given thy servant."
6 Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves. 7 And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves. 8 And he (Esau) said, "What meanest thou by all this drove which I met?" And he (Jacob) said, "These are to find grace in the sight of my lord." 9 And Esau said, "I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself."
10 And Jacob said, "Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me. 11 Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough." And he urged him (Esau), and he (Esau) took it.
12 And he (Esau) said, "Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee."
13 And he (Jacob) said unto him, "My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die. 14 Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir."
15 And Esau said, "Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are with me." And he (Jacob) said, "What needeth it? let me find grace in the sight of my lord." 16 So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir. 17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.
18 And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city. 19 And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of money. 20 And he erected there an altar, and called it Elelohe-Israel. (Genesis Chapter Thirty-three ACP/KJV)
In chapter thirty-four we will see how the manhood of Jacob rubbed off on at least two of his sons, and how they too did not need 911, just themselves and their manhood.
Lord give us strength to stay strong and self-reliant as we approach this year that our president says will be one of war. Help us Lord to stay focused on you and the fact that this nation nor this earth is our home, but that we, as Your sons and daughters are but visiting here. Help us Lord to stay focused on You and Your commandments to us. Lord keep an eye on our kids who go to fight this war and Lord help us end this war by rearing up a Paul for the muslim hordes.
Amen.
As we have studied the last twenty-six chapters of the Gospel according to the Apostle Matthew, we have come to know that Jesus is not only the Son of God, HE is in fact God Himself in the form of His Son. As God, there is nothing the Lord can not do. Yet, to fulfill all the prophecies that He had predicted through His prophets of old, He had to show the most outstanding bravery, courage and righteousness ever demonstrated on earth. For HE had to allow humble creations, ilk of satan, to not only lay their hands on Him, but allow them to do Him severe bodily harm, resulting in the shedding of His blood and the temporary loss of His life, and spending of three days in the dark dank grave. That took a bravery never before seen and never again seen on earth. For at any time, the Lord could have stopped the entire thing, stopped the earth, let all mankind fall off, and started again. But that would have made God to be like satan, a liar. And that God can not and will not do.
Today as we finish the gospel of Matthew, we will see the Lord's torment and temporary death, His resurrection and His command to us.
1 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death: 2 And when they had bound Him, they led Him away, and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
3 Then Judas, which had betrayed Him, when he saw that He was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, "I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood." And they said, "What is that to us? see thou to that." 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, "It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood." 7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. 8 Wherefore that field was called, 'The field of blood', unto this day. 9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, AND THEY TOOK THE THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, THE PRICE OF HIM THAT WAS VALUED, WHOM THEY OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DID VALUE; 10 AND GAVE THEM FOR THE POTTER'S FIELD, AS THE LORD APPOINTED ME (Jeremiah 32:6-9 & Zechariah11:12,13) .
11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked Him, saying, "Art thou the King of the Jews?" And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. 12 And when He was accused of(by) the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.
13 Then said Pilate unto Him, "Hearest Thou not how many things they witness against Thee?" 14 And He answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. 16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, "Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?" 18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered Him.
19 When he(Pilate) was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, "Have thou nothing to do with that just man(Jesus): for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him. 20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
21 The governor answered and said unto them, "Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you?" They said, "Barabbas." 22 Pilate saith unto them, "What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" They all say unto him, "Let Him be crucified."
23 And the governor said, "Why, what evil hath He done?" But they cried out the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified." 24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it." 25 Then answered all the people, and said, "His blood be on us, and on our children."
26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto Him the whole band of soldiers. 28 And they stripped Him, and put on Him a scarlet robe. 29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His right hand: and they bowed the knee before Him, and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 30 And they spit upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him on the head. 31 And after that they had mocked Him, they took the robe off from Him, and put His own raiment on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.
32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear His cross. 33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, 34 they gave Him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when He had tasted thereof, He would not drink. 35 And they crucified Him,
and parted His garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, THEY PARTED MY GARMENTS AMONG THEM, AND UPON MY VESTURE DID THEY CAST LOTS (Psalm 22:18).
36 And sitting down they watched Him there; 37 And set up over His head His accusation written, "THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS".
38 Then were there two thieves crucified with Him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. 39 And they that passed by reviled Him, wagging their heads, 40 and saying, "Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save Thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross." 41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking Him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42 "He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. 43 He trusted in God; let Him(GOD) deliver Him(Jesus) now, if He(God) will have Him(Jesus): for He said, I am the Son of God.
44 The thieves also, which were crucified with Him, cast the same in His teeth.
45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken Me?
47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, "This man calleth for Elias." 48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave Him to drink. 49 The rest said, "Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save Him."
50 Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God." 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto Him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: 58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. 62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63 saying, "Sir, we remember that, that deceiver said, while He was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night, and steal Him away, and say unto the people, "He is risen from the dead": so the last error shall be worse than the first.
65 Pilate said unto them, "Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can." 66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. (Matthew Chapter Twenty-seven ACP/KJV)
1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and, behold, He goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him: lo, I have told you."
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word. 9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him. 10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell My brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see Me.
11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they(Jewish leaders) gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 saying, "Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole Him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you."
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew Chapter Twenty-eight ACP/KJV)
How little He asks of us after all He went through for us. How can we say no? How can we put the things of this world ahead of our dear, sweet, Saviour? Yet, don't we? Forgive us dear Lord, forgive us please. Help us to serve You, help us to understand what it is that You ask of us. Blessed be thy holy name, for it is only through belief on You that we are saved, forgiven and cleansed.
Thank You Yeshua. Thank You and bless Thee.
Amen.
I know, you have always heard that it is better to give than receive. But I say to you, it is better for you to receive than to give.
And when Jesus had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: (John 20:22)
There is no gift in comparison to the gift the Lord has given some of us, but holds out to all, the gift of salvation. If you are already saved, and have received ye the holy Ghost, why not help another receive the gift of life the Lord so freely offers to all as well.
Today is the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus, it is in all probability not the day He was born on, but what difference does that make? For it is His birth that is so important that it changed the way we record time. Around sixty four hundred years ago, Adam and Eve made a huge error, they followed satan instead of God. Forty-four hundred or so years later, God came to earth in the form a man named Yeshua. For it was only through a sacrifice better than anything earth had to offer that the sin of Adam and Eve could be atoned for. It was and is only through the body and blood of God that sin can be erased with.
It is that gift, that only God could give and only God can offer, that is the gift that is better to receive than anything we could ever hope to give.
So, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
May Yeshua bless you and include you in His family, may He invite you into His family by giving you the Holy Ghost to open your eyes, take the hardness from your hearts, the wax from your ears and taking from you, your desire to serve the god of this world over Him.
Amen.
While way back in Matthew chapter five and six we saw the Lord's disciples asking Jesus to teach them how to pray, and the Lord instructing them in the Lord's prayer, here in Matthew chapter twenty-six, we see the Lord teaching us what I call desperation praying. Very few times in my life have I had to resort to this type of prayer, one of absolute desperation, knowing that God and only God can help. And that it would take nothing short of a miracle for this prayer to be answered. In each case, the prayer has been answered. It is this type of prayer that, if I had a real reason, I have no doubts, I could say to that mountain, "be thou removed into yonder sea,"and the mountain would be removed into that sea.
This is the second most wonderful gift the Lord has given us. The first is also described in this chapter of Matthew. It is the gift of the Salvation through the Lord's Body and Blood. And all either require to receive is but the faith of a grain of mustard seed.
1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, He said unto His disciples, 2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4 and consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill Him. 5 But they said, "Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people."
6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7 there came unto Him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on His head, as He sat at meat. 8 But when His disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, "To what purpose is this waste? 9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor." 10 When Jesus understood it, He said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon Me.
11 For ye have the poor always with you; but Me ye have not always. 12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on My body, she did it for My burial. 13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15 and said unto them, "What will ye give me, and I will deliver Him unto you?" And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that time he (Judas Iscariot) sought opportunity to betray Him (Jesus).
17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto Him, "Where wilt Thou that we prepare for Thee to eat the passover?" 18 And He said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, 'The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with My disciples'.
19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. 20 Now when the even was come, He sat down with the twelve. 21 And as they did eat, He said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray Me. 22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto Him, "Lord, is it I?" 23 And He answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with Me in the dish, the same shall betray Me. 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of Him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
25 Then Judas, which betrayed Him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My body. 27 And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom. 30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of Me this night: for it is written, I WILL SMITE THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED ABROAD. 32 BUT AFTER I AM RISEN AGAIN, I WILL GO BEFORE YOU INTO GALILEE (Zechariah 13:7).
33 Peter answered and said unto Him, "Though all men shall be offended because of Thee, yet will I never be offended." 34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice. 35 Peter said unto Him, "Though I should die with Thee, yet will I not deny Thee". Likewise also said all the disciples.
36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee (John and James), and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith He unto them (Peter, John and James), My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with Me. 39 And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.
40 And He cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done. 43 And He came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. 44 And He left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45 Then cometh He to His disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray Me.
47 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. 48 Now he (Judas Iscariot) that betrayed Him (Jesus) gave them a sign, saying, "Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He: hold Him fast." 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, "Hail, Master"; and kissed Him. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took Him.
51 And, behold, one of them (Peter) which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take Me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on Me. 56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. THEN ALL THE DISCIPLES FORSOOK HIM, AND FLED (Lamentations 4:20).
57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But Peter followed Him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put Him to death; 60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, 61 and said, "This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days." 62 And the high priest arose, and said unto Him, "Answerest Thou nothing? what is it which these witness against Thee?"
63 But Jesus held His peace. And the high priest answered and said unto Him, "I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God." 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard His blasphemy. 66 What think ye? They answered and said, "He is guilty of death." 67 Then did they spit in His face, and buffeted Him; and others smote Him with the palms of their hands, 68 Saying, "Prophesy unto us, Thou Christ, Who is he that smote Thee?"
69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, "Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee." 70 But he denied before them all, saying, "I know not what thou sayest."
71 And when he (Peter) was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, "This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth." 72 And again he denied with an oath, "I do not know the man."
73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, "Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee." 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, "I know not the Man (Jesus). And immediately the cock crew." 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. (Matthew Chapter Twenty-six ACP/KJV)
Lord, You hear and see the requests other of your servants and I receive. Please Lord, on this the day before we celebrate Your birth, grant me these three gifts, first, give to all who are Yours, the two most wonderful of all Your gifts, the gift of Salvation through your Body and Blood and the ability to pray in desperation. Second Lord I ask You to raise up a Paul for the heathen hordes we call muslims and the unsaved within Judaism and Roman Catholicism. And third Lord I beseech Thee to have compassion on the baby trapped in the womb. Please Lord open the eyes of the president.
Amen.
Our Lord just keeps giving and giving and giving. Not only has HE given us salvation, but here He gives us examples of what heaven is like and tells us that there are no grey areas, no purgatory. While many who preach, preach grey areas, and things like purgatory and the idea that one can change, through prayer, the destination of one who has died, our Lord tells us the truth. He goes out of His way to bless us with the gift of His word so that we may know the truth.
This weekend, as we study Matthew Twenty-six, the Lord will tell us much about heaven. He will also make it abundantly clear that there is no purgatory. That there are no grey areas, that a man is either saved or damned. Now, while that may seem harsh, the truth, while harsh a t times, is the truth and it is what one should rely upon. For how foolish would one be to bet his salvation and his eternal destination based upon a lie. Yet many do just that, because they have never done what you have been doing, getting to know and understand GOD.
And that is one of the greatest gifts the Lord Jesus gives us, the truth. The truth through His word. For He is truth.
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, "Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves." 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, "Lord, Lord, open to us." 12 But he answered and said, "Verily I say unto you, I know you not."
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. 14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, "Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more." 21 His lord said unto him, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, "Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them." 23 His lord said unto him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, "Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine." 26 His lord answered and said unto him, "Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury." 28 "Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
31 When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: 32 And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me."
37 Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, "Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink? 38 When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee? 39 Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee?"
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me."
41 Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, "Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in: naked, and ye clothed Me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not."
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, "Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto Thee?"
45 Then shall He answer them, saying, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me." 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew Chapter Twenty-five ACP/KJV
Oh Lord thank You, thank You for blessing us with Your salvation, Your love, kindness, mercy, forgiveness and desire that none of us shall be damned, by your telling us the truth about salvation. Thank You Lord, for it is only through You that any of us has salvation. Please Lord help us to serve You, help us to accept the gifts You so freely have given us. Help us Lord to always put You first, for in our desire to serve Thee, we have given Thee our free will, we have used our free will to give ourselves to Thee, please Lord accept us and give us daily that which You would have us do, but also that which we should know. For man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from thy mouth.
Thank You Jesus and please come quickly Lord, come quickly.
Amen.
To be called God, one must not only tell us of the good things of heaven and the bad things of hell, One must also tell us of what it will be like when He returns, what the signs will be. Today, as we further learn about our Lord and our Savior, Christ Jesus, He does just that. He tells us in great detail what it will be like as we enter the end of the end times, the time just before He returns. What it will be like during the seven years of tribulation and what it will be like in the years immediately preceding those seven years, the time called 'sorrows'. Only God can do that and only a kind and considerate and truly loving God would do that. Jesus fills that bill completely. He not only can, but He once again proves His love for us, by doing just that, telling us, warning us if you will, of what it will be like just before He turns satan loose completely and with no restraints for a seven year period.
After reading todays thought, you will understand more thoroughly why it is that we not only serve Him, but completely believe in Him and love Him as well, for Our Lord JESUS is truly and absolutely GOD!
1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and His disciples came to Him for to shew Him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 3 And as He sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?"
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in My name, saying, 'I am Christ'; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
And there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My name's sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet (Daniel 9:21-27), stand(ing) in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, 'Lo, here is Christ', 'or there'; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect (Saved).
25 Behold, I have told you before. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, 'Behold, He is in the desert'; go not forth: 'behold, He is in the secret chambers'; believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles (vultures) be gathered together.
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away. 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
37 But as the days of Noe (Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43 But know this, that if the goodman(owner or master) of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.
45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over His household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, That He(Jesus) shall make him(faithful servant) ruler over all His goods.
48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, 'My Lord delayeth His coming'; 49 and shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50 The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for Him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites:
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth! (Matthew Chapter Twenty-four ACP/KJV)
Thank You Lord for giving us all we need to know. Hhelp us Lord to prepare not only ourselves, but ours as well, for that soon coming day when You will shout for us to join You, sparing us from that seven years. Blessed be Your name and blessed be we who are Yours. Lord, hear our prayers for salvation for our loved ones, revival for our nation, and an end to abortion. And please Lord come soon.
Amen.
Today, we will see that our Lord, while being kind and full of love, can be, when necessary, a Man of rock will determination. We will see here today how it is impossible to snow the Lord, to mislead Him or to deceive Him with lies or by thinking you have done something that He doesn't know about. At first glance and first thought, you might think that is bad, Jesus knowing all things you ever did or will do, but when you take a moment to really reflect upon it, you'll, I'm sure come to realize as I did, that it is really a good thing, For with the Lord knowing all things, it keeps us both on our toes and on our knees in repentance.
My prayer is that by the Lord's birthday calibration on the 25th of this month, you will be getting to really know our Lord and understand why it is so important to make Him first in your life. Not just on CHRISTmas, but on every day. And why it is equally important for you each time you slip into sin, to go to Him and beseech His forgiveness.
1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to His disciples, 2 Saying,
The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor (bound to do it)! 17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? 18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty (bound to do it). 19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. 21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by Him (God) that dwelleth therein. 22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by Him (God) that sitteth thereon.
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye (are) blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess (filth and sin). 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres (graves), which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity (filth and sin).
29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!, because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. 39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see Me henceforth, till ye shall say, "Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord." Matthew Chapter Twenty-three ACP/KJV
Lord thank You for being You, thank You for taking the time to come to earth as a man named Yeshua to shed your blood, giving us a way out of eternal damnation. And thank You Lord for leaving us with this book we call the Bible to help us to get to know, understand and more love You.
Happy birthday Lord and please forgive us and bless us, keeping us safe and strong and Yours forever.
Amen.
Well, as we are now well within the final week before CHRISTmas, "What think ye of Christ?"
, "whose Son is He?" After having read 21 chapters of Matthew, we should all have a better understanding and knowledge of just who our Lord, Jesus the Christ is. There is no one else who on, his or her birthday delights in giving gifts to their entire family. No other person who ever walked the earth, now or in the past, aside from our Lord, has ever said to their family "ask anything in My name and God (I) will give it to you". Think about it, do you know of anyone else who gives gifts to everyone else in his or her family for his or her birthday? So, what will you ask the Lord for as your gift, on His birthday, this year?
Once upon a time when I was a young boy and I asked for young boy things, I probably said, "All I want for CHRISTMAS is my two front teeth.... a train, a pony, a gun, a chemistry set, an erector set, ...". But now I am no longer a youngster walking in the youth of my life, but a middle aged guy. I wonder why they call us middle aged, I don't know many 114 year olds, but anyhow, these days I ask for other things. This CHRISTmas I am asking the Lord to give me, on His birthday, a Paul for the muslim hordes, no pain for Christians who are seriously ill or for me if I get that way. I'm not asking for foolish things like peace on earth, for I know that there will be no peace till the Lord returns. But instead I am asking for a Paul for the Jews.
I'm asking Him for the salvation of all my children, their mothers, their fathers, their spouses, their children and grandchildren. I'm asking for salvation for my family, my brother, my sister and uncles, aunts and cousins who are unsaved. For what is important to me these days is not two front teeth, or trains, or erector sets. I've advanced too far in God's word to waste my and His time asking for things that will be done in His time as proclaimed in His prophecies, such as peace on earth. Now what is important to me these days is the salvation of the lost, a revival in our country and worldwide, and an end to the horrific slaughter of the baby in the womb and the protection of those who kill those babies by our tax dollar paid police on every governmental level. As we read Matthew 22, you'll see how hard it can be to get into heaven, not because the requirements are tough, but through the hardness of the hearts of so many who are invited, for all mankind is invited.
1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said; 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, "Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage." 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8 Then saith he to his servants, "The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage." 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, "Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?" And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, "Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle Him in His talk. 16 And they sent out unto Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?" 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye Me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And He saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, "Caesar's." Then saith He unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left Him, and went their way.
23 The same day came to Him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked Him, 24 saying, "Master, Moses said, "If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue (children), left his wife unto his brother: 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. 27 And last of all the woman died also. 28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her."
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. 31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 32 I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB (Exodus 3:6). God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at His doctrine. 34 But when the Pharisees had heard that He had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying, 36 "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?" 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 saying, What think ye of Christ? whose Son is He? They say unto him, "The Son of David." 43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call Him Lord, saying, 44 THE LORD SAID UNTO MY LORD, SIT THOU ON MY RIGHT HAND, TILL I MAKE THINE ENEMIES THY FOOTSTOOL (Psalm 110:1)? 45 If David then call Him Lord, how is He (Christ) his (David's) son?
46 And no man was able to answer Him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions. Matthew Chapter Twenty-two ACP/KJV
So, what are you asking Jesus for this year as His birthday gift to you?
Lord hear our prayers and help us to pray for gifts from You that will help Your kingdom. Let them not be things like out two front teeth and erector sets, unless of course the one praying is a child, and then I would ask that You delight them with their delights. But Lord hear our prayers, keep us safe, open our eyes and bring to the Jew, the muslim and the rest of the unsaved heathens, a Paul just for them.
In Thy sacred name I pray.
Amen.
Today, as we read Matthew, chapters twenty and twenty-one, think about the title of todays thought, when Jesus said "What will ye that I shall do unto you?" Ask yourself, what would You have Jesus do for you? One of the things the Lord loves to do for His children, us, who are Born Again is to answer our prayers. He loves to do this for, through blessing us, He also blesses the heathen.
Remember back in Matthew chapter five, we read: " That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:45) Well, it is through the blessings He gives us, in answer to our prayers, that He blesses the rest of the world, for He hears only His children, and for us, there is nothing He will not do, nor is there anything to hard for Him to do.
Let me see if i can give you an example. I know of a teacher here in Maine who has been overwhelmed with the requirements of her job this year. She has fallen behind and casually asked the Lord for help. The help she asked for was really not much in the ways of miracles, as a matter of fact, when you compare it to moving a mountain, it really wasn't asking God for much at all. What she asked the Lord for was a snow day. A day when school would be called off, giving her a chance to catch up, do to the roads being to snowy for the busses to bring the kids safely to school.
Well, the Lord heard her prayer and answered it this very morning. But how you ask does this help the heathen? Well aside form heathen teachers also having the day off, hear this, Maine is in the midst of the worse drought it has ever recorded according to the news. The mountains have been closed for skiing, since there is no snow and it has been to warm to make snow, this at a time when the state, like the rest of the country is going through some pretty rough financial times. This six or so inches of snow equals not only a half inch in the wells, but means that the snow resorts can open, employing thousands. But not just the ski resorts benefitted, but the snow mobile business, and all those who cater to the tourist coming to Maine to ski, to snowmobile, to enjoy our winter wonderland.
As we read and study Matthew chapters twenty and twenty-one today, let us focus on, how by our asking God for the right things, we can also shower the world with blessings. What can you ask God for that would help the baby in the womb? can you think of something to go to the Lord in prayer for that might help make the womb something other than the most dangerous place on earth?
Matthew Chapter Twenty
1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, 18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death, 19 and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify Him: and the third day He shall rise again.
20 Then came to Him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping Him, and desiring a certain thing of Him. 21 And He said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto Him, "Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on Thy right hand, and the other on the left, in Thy kingdom." 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, "We are able". 23 And He saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on My right hand, and on My left, is not Mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of My Father.
24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. 25 But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
29 And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. 30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David." 31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David." 32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? 33 They say unto him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened." 34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.
Matthew Chapter Twenty-one
1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto Me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, "The Lord hath need of them"; and straightway he will send them.
4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 TELL YE THE DAUGHTER OF SION, BEHOLD, THY KING COMETH UNTO THEE, MEEK, AND SITTING UPON AN ASS, AND A COLT THE FOAL OF AN ASS (Zechariah 9:9).
6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 and brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set Him (Jesus) thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest."
10 And when He was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?" 11 And the multitude said, "This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee."
12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves. 13 And said unto them, It is written, MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED THE HOUSE OF PRAYER; BUT YE HAVE MADE IT A DEN OF THIEVES (Jeremiah 7:11).
14 And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple; and He healed them. 15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David"; they were sore displeased. 16 And said unto Him, "Hearest Thou what these say?" And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES AND SUCKLINGS THOU HAST PERFECTED PRAISE (Psalm 8:2)? 17 And He left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
18 Now in the morning as He (Jesus) returned into the city, He hungered. 19 And when He saw a fig tree in the way, He came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. 20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, "How soon is the fig tree withered away!"
21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
23 And when He was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto Him as He was teaching, and