Pentecost is Coming! A personal Pentecost...

is available for all ...

regardless of what the Church Proper does or does NOT experience.

That is good news for the hungry of heart. 

Verily, verily, I+ say unto you,

unless a grain of wheat

falls into the ground

and dies,

it remains alone:

but if it dies,

it produces much grain.

John 12:24, NKJV

Within these Words of Our LORD JESUS CHRIST lies the secret to Pentecost, that great movement of the HOLY SPIRIT which engulfed the lives of the once fear-filled disciples.
 

HE+ tells us how to escape loneliness. HE+ tells us how to bear much fruit. HE+ tells us that HE+ has set in motion the way for us to experience Pentecost.

HOW do we accomplish this?

First, we set ourselves in the way, the path, HE+ directs. That involves some activity... yes, activity... on our part. We must fall to the ground, step 1. How hard is that ?

Then, we make a choice, step 2. We choose to die to Self. How hard is that ?

VERY HARD !

Indeed, we are willing but the flesh is weak and does not want to die. So... how do we "make" ourselves "die to Self ?"

We call upon The LORD for help. Will HE+ help us die ? YES, most assuredly HE+ will because it is His+ Will for each one of us. [ This is one place that His+ Will is not mysterious nor hidden to us. ]

We are "alone" until we die out to Self. Most of us know that our spouses cannot "fill" us up. Most will come to realize that our children cannot fill us up and will, sooner or later, leave the home nest. Some have even discovered the truth that our jobs, careers, work, education, etc., cannot fill us up. Our identity in these things is vaporous at best.

We sadly discover this when we retire or are forced out of our positions by corporate down-sizing, re-organization, our health, or some other contingency. We discover quickly how important and necessary our skills are to the business, company, agency, organization, hospital, or school: they can survive very well without us.

However, Our LORD JESUS CHRIST never, ever  down-sizes. HE+ does not have a "retirement" package! Even if our health plummets and our circumstances change drastically by events we cannot control, we NEVER lose our importance to our work for the Kingdom of GOD.

Indeed, in many instances of major change, we hunker down even moreso with Our LORD and do the unseen foundational work of prayer and focused, single-minded commitment to Our LORD... so vital for victories in spiritual warfare.

We embrace death to Self. It is the only way given to produce fruit for JESUS our LORD... just like HE+ said.  

+  +  +

In the Name of The FATHER

WHO begot us,

And HIS Only-Begotten SON+

JESUS CHRIST WHO+ saves us,

And the Blessed HOLY SPIRIT

WHO sanctifies us.  

ASCENSION DAY 2012

PHOTO by The ORDER of The GOOD SHEPHERD+

CHRIST the SON+

of the Living GOD

is seated at

the Right Hand

of The FATHER.

HALLELUJAH!

CHRIST the SON+

of the Living GOD

ever liveth

to make intercession

for us.

HALLELUJAH !

CHRIST the SON+

of the Living GOD

is coming again

in flaming fire,

to take vengeance on them

who know not GOD

and obey not

the Gospel of

Our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

HALLELUJAH !

CHRIST is risen!

CHRIST JESUS

is risen indeed!

+  +  +

A Letter to Mom....

Dear Mom,

     I never realized until I wrote in your Mother's Day card that motherhood never ceases.

I always thought that once we children were out on our own, that your "job" was done. Maybe it was, as far as cooking and laundry and cleaning goes. But, motherhood didn't cease; it simply shifted gears.

     I cannot envision a time when you might not be there for us. Even fighting through life together as a family, you have been at the heart of it.

      I am glad you are helping Sammy [ a younger brother, aged 45 ] to survive. I think you will have no regrets on your heart for assisting him however you can. What he does with it is not your responsibility nor accountability; it is his.

So, when you give him --- food, funds, truck, or laundry services --- he stands accountable to The LORD for his use ( or abuse ) of what he has been given. You have done your part as a conscientious mother. If Sammy wastes your gifts, do not worry about it. Your part is to give as wisely as possible in order to help.

     The LORD sees it all. HE+ is like a good parent. HE+ gives to each one of us. Our family in particular, and for no reason of our own, has been blessed with health, enough funds, and many creature comforts of this life. We have never lacked daily food, clothing, schooling, nor many fun things in life... not to mention a roof over our heads.

     The LORD has blessed dear Dad with strength over the years to provide plus a conscientious heart to take care of us all. Many, many families do not have a Dad like that.

   The LORD gives and gives. But, what do we do with His+ gifts? Do we do like Sammy often does and squander it all away ? 

     Like a good parent, HE+ fulfills His+ role in leading, guiding, and providing... even through adulthood if we never leave His+ house. It is not His+ responsibility nor accountability what we do with what HE+ has given us: it is solely ours. Remember the Parable of the Talents, Mom ?

    It brings joy to your heart when Sammy turns to thank you sincerely, with tears in his eyes for helping him, doesn't it ? Your heart rejoices when you see him spend his money on good things: his food, heat and electric bills, paying off obligations.

     How sad you are when he uses your funds for self-indulgence! How sad Our LORD is when we do the same !

You would be over-joyed to give our youngest brother even more... if you could be assured that he'd use it profitably, wouldn't you ?  Our LORD is like that, too. HE+ gives us gifts no money can buy when HE+ is assured we will use them profitably. Otherwise, HE+ simply cannot entrust us with very much.

     Just think about this. We have eyes to see: do we use our vision to read His+ Word ? We have ears to hear: do we listen to His+ music, His+ sermons, His+ words every chance we get? Are our minds given over to His+ thoughts ? 

We have communication skills: do we use our voices to glorify Our LORD JESUS throughout our day ? 

HE+ has granted us family: do we tell them of His+ love through our love, through our kind words, through our yielding to each other? HE+ has granted us a home: is it filled with His+ HOLY SPIRIT and thanksgiving --- especially when things vex us --- throughout the day? Are we training our selves as well as our children to handle disappointment with thanksgiving when things do not go our way ?

Indeed, what have each of us done with His+ gifts to us that no money can buy nor replace should our vision, voice, hearing, or mind be gone ? 

What, indeed, have we done with Our LORD JESUS CHRIST each day... this day ? 

     Like thoughtless, untrained, unruly children have we all behaved, thinking His+ gifts were granted because... well, because we are great. HE+ 's the great one ! HE+ gives when we think it is our own prowess that has obtained what we wanted... giving when we "drink it up" and abuse His+ gifts, using them to support our self-indulgent quest for that elusive "happiness." 

     However, that happiness will never be fulfilled that way. Mom, we will never feel good about ourselves until we "feel good" about Our LORD in a very personal way... so personal that we would rather have JESUS than anything this world has to offer. ( Remember that song ?)

When we would rather have JESUS, then we will have that assurance of a berth in Heaven when we fly away. And, fly away we all must, some day. 

So, do not be weary in well-doing, Mom, even though you are not thanked very often for it... even though your well-doing is used to promote Sammy's bad habits instead of his right living.

You are in good company because Our LORD JESUS CHRIST does the same with our family, and indeed, with all mankind. 

A Man+ of Sorrows

and acquainted with grief

and we hid

as it were

our faces from HIM+

and we esteemed HIM+ not. 

No, HE+ is not shown in Scripture to be a laughing man, but a sorrowful one. 

But, there is coming a day when all that is going to change, Mom ! There is hope for tomorrow and wayward sons repent and return home everyday, like the prodigal that they are. Then there will be time for rejoicing with the angels when one lost sheep is found. 

Hold on to HIM+, Mom. HE+ will never let you down! Walk with HIM+ , His+ way.

Love to you, now...

In JESUS, Who+ alone is life, both here and beyond the grave ....   

RESURRECTION VICTORY.... I KNOW that My REDEEMER+ Liveth !

I know

that my

REDEEMER+

liveth

and that

HE+ shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth.

.

And though after my skin

worms destroy this body;

yet in my flesh

shall I see GOD:

.

WHOM+ I shall see

for myself, 

and mine eyes shall behold... 

Job 19:25-27 

PRECISELY, there are ONLY two groups of peoples upon this earth: those who know The LORD JESUS CHRIST and have an obedient-love-faith relationship with HIM+.... and those who do not.  

GOD has predestinated those 2 groups; HE determined that HE would have a people upon this earth, even after satan corrupted mankind.  GOD said, "Jacob have I loved; Esau have I hated." Was HE talking about simply two individuals ?  

In the Old Covenant, HE was referring to two distinct groups. HE was referring to the GROUP that would come through Jacob's lineage and carry the promised REDEEMER+, the promised MESSIAH+ who would deliver mankind from satan.

HE was also referring to the group of outsiders who would NOT ADHERE...  of their own will and choosing ...to HIS Covenant nor to its carriers, i.e., the Jewish people. This group came through Esau's line.

NOW, HERE'S

THE IMPORTANCE OF IT ALL...

.

Neither of these 

2 groups

is a "closed" group! 

.

Both groups have double-hinged doors which swing both open and shut, coming and going, two ways. Scripture teaches that "Whosoever Will" may come into the family of The LORD.

"Whosoever Will" may:

• repent of his sins,
• convert over to following The LORD JESUS CHRIST,
• be cleansed in the waters of baptism 
• love The LORD with all his heart, mind, and soul
• and be loved in return

That will bring "Whosoever Will" directly into the family of GOD and give him a berth in Jacob's group.

Likewise, "Whosoever Won't" will be in Esau's group. 

SIMPLE,

isn't it ?

But, think on this:

Although

these 2 group perimeters

are truly and firmly

established by GOD,

group "membership"

is not ! 

At any point in time, a person can leave the Whosoever Won't group and come and be born anew into the other group if he enters in and lives for JESUS as LORD of his life. 

But alas, likewise, at any point in time a person can exit the Whosoever Will group , turn his back on his salvation, destroy his witness, and die in his sins in the Whosoever Won't group. 

REMEMBER what GOD HIMSELF said:

.   

"Jacob have I loved;

Esau have I hated."     

Do you stand with Job,

in Jacob's Group,

beloved by GOD HIMSELF?

... OR ...

Do you stand with Esau,

who cast away his birthright

for a mess

of temporary pleasure?

RESURRECTION VICTORY... It's Worth Repeating !

I+ , I+ AM

The Resurrection

and

The LIFE:

he that believeth

in ME+,

though he were dead, 

yet shall he live.

John 11:25 Green's Greek Interlinear

How could those already dead believe in JESUS the CHRIST ?

Some, we know, did: Simeon the devout man awaiting the Consolation+ of Israel and Anna the prophetess of great age, who were both present in the Temple at His+ Dedication, John the Baptist, Joseph, the guardian ( Gowra, Aramaic)  and husband of Mary. Perhaps Lazarus also, Mary and Martha's brother, believed in HIM+ since his sisters evidenced a strong belief in HIM+ as MESSIAH+. These all died knowing HIM+ ...but before Our LORD'S own death and resurrection.

Here, as recorded in John 11:25,  Our LORD is looking ahead at what happened in those 3 days and 3 nights HE+ spent in the heart of the earth. (Mt. 12:40) 

Well, what DID happen

down there? 

Sheol, the Old Testament word for "hell," was divided into 2 parts in the heart of the earth. One part was for the unrighteous ones who died in their sins. The other part was called "Abraham's Bosom" (See Luke 16:22).

[ Now, just a note on Abraham's Bosom. In the Old Testament, the bosom was configured as a CAVITY, a carrying-place. It was where one held to his chest things of value. Womenfolk would carry food and other precious items in their aprons, wrapping up the corners of their aprons around the items like a sack and carry the load CLOSE TO THEIR BOSOM. Thus, "Abraham's Bosom" in the heart of the earth was a CAVITY in the earth, filled with precious souls who had died in RIGHT standing with GOD.]

Our LORD  spent 3 days and 3 nights down there, in the heart of the earth PREACHING to the DEAD who had died long before JESUS Our LORD was sent to the earth.

How do we know this?

Scripture tells us this

in 1 Peter 3:18, 19:

For CHRIST also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that HE+ might bring us to GOD, being put to death indeed in the flesh, but made alive in the SPIRIT; In which also HE+ went and preached unto the spirits in prison.

This Scripture tells us that JESUS Our LORD died a natural death in the flesh.  When HE+ died, HE+ left His+ physical Body on the cross to be buried.

Now, we know The LORD JESUS never went into a jail, a prison, to preach. HE+ preached in many places, but never in an actual civil prison run by the Roman government, who had the authority over the prisons in Israel.

But rather,  HE+ HIMSELF+ went in His+ SPIRIT into the heart of the earth... to preach to the dead !  

Now THIS tells us some interesting facts:

• "Death" was a prison from which no-one EVER left
• it was located in the heart of the earth 
• the dead are simply gone unto ANOTHER PLACE ( either pleasant or bad)
•  the dead are not obliterated even though their bodies of clay are buried in the ground as "lifeless"
• nor is their consciousness erased
• nor have their emotions ceased
• nor is their intellect diminished

Some OTHER Truths of GREAT interest are here also:

• JESUS was  intensely ALIVE the instant HE+ closed His+ eyes in death because HE+ said... "It is accomplished, FATHER; into Thy HANDS I+ commit My+ SPIRIT."  
• HE+ left His+ dead, physical Body for 3 days and 3 nights
• HE+ descended into the heart of the earth, into Sheol ( hell )
• HE+ was not punished in hell but entered as a VICTORIOUS SAVIOR sent by The FATHER
• HE+ asked no-one's permission to ENTER into the realm of the dead
• HE+ asked no-one's permission to LEAVE the realm of the dead...
• HE+ was busy for 3 days and 3 nights, as The FATHER sent HIM+ down there to preach.

Well, what did HE+ preach to this captive audience ?

HE+ preached

the Good News !

I Peter 4:6 continues from the above Scriptures cited:

For unto this cause ALSO THE GOSPEL WAS PREACHED TO THE DEAD that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but MIGHT LIVE according to GOD in the SPIRIT. Green's Greek Interlinear

O Great REDEEMER+, O THOU+ Who+ had and still has the keys of Death and Hell, I thank THEE+ for dying on that mean Cross in order to break down the gates of Sheol, Hades, and hell in order to bring Life to those who had not the chance to hear the GOOD NEWS before they died. 

Forgive me for forsaking the task of sharing this GOOD NEWS of victory over death with others. Please forgive me of burying this "talent" entrusted unto me and keeping the GOOD NEWS locked up within my smug heart.

Help me , LORD JESUS, to proclaim this Victory to the Un-saved, the Lost, the Un-Redeemed amongst my family, friends, acquaintances, and even to strangers. Forgive me for fleeing from my responsibility before GOD and man.

Cleanse me of the sin of Self-Preservation and help me instead to labor to Preserve those heading into Eternal Torments in hell and from thence, into the Second Death in the Lake of Burning Fire.

RESURRECTION VICTORY !

For THOU

wilt not leave

My+ Soul

in Sheol;

neither wilt THOU allow

Thine HOLY ONE+

to see corruption. 

Psalm 16:10 

Sheol, remember, is ... or rather WAS... divided into two parts, a bad part and a good part. It was the abode of the dead... both the righteous dead and the UN-righteous dead.

They were separated by a great gulf over which none of the dead  could pass over  to the other side, according to Scripture in Mark 16.  Unfortunately, both parts are rendered in the KJV as "hell."

The gates of Sheol were opened by the Victor KING+ during those 3 days and 3 nights HE+ spent preaching to the dead.

Remember: The FATHER gave Our LORD JESUS a commandment that HE+ could lay down His+ life and that HE+ could pick it up again !

So, yes indeed, Our LORD JESUS' body did NOT SEE CORRUPTION in the grave! HE+ left His+ tired body in the grave while HE+ went in spirit to preach to the spirits in prison... that prison being Sheol in the heart of the earth.

Even though the good part of Sheol was pleasant ( see Mark 16 ), the spirits of the righteous dead COULD NOT LEAVE the realm of the dead... until The Victor King+, JESUS the CHRIST, descended into Sheol to set them free !

Where did they go when they were released out of prison  by Our LORD JESUS ?

(more to come...)

+ + +

Wielka Noc... The GREAT NIGHT...

Therefore doth My+ FATHER love ME+, because I+ lay down My+ life, that I+ might take it again.

No man taketh it from ME+, but I+ lay it down of Myself+...

I+ have power to lay it down, and I+ have power to take it again. This commandment have I+ received of My+ FATHER.
John 10: 17, 18

 +  +  +

HE+ is not here: for HE+ is risen...

just as HE+ said !

Go quickly now and tell His+ disciples 

that JESUS CHRIST is no longer dead!

Joy to the world 

HE+ is risen...

AlleluJAH

HE+ is risen...

AlleluJAH

HE+ is risen ! 

+  +  +

UP

from the grave

HE+ arose !

With a mighty

triumph

o're His+ foes

...and the foes

of all mankind.

HE+ arose a victor

of the dark domain

and HE+ lives forever

with His+ saints to reign.

HE+ arose!

HE+ arose!

HALLELUJAH

CHRIST

AROSE!

+  +  +

The GREATEST 3 Days and 3 Nights... The SIGN of JONAH... for Good Friday

His+ 4th Cry from the Cross:

After this JESUS, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled , saith,

I+ thirst.

Behold, and see, if there be any sorrow, like unto My+ sorrow...

His+ 5th Cry from the Cross:

And about the ninth hour, JESUS cried with a loud voice , saying

ELOI, ELOI,

lama sabachthani ?

which is being interpreted, My God, My God, why hast THOU forsaken ME+ ?

Behold and see, if there be any sorrow, like unto My+ sorrow...

O Gracious Heavenly FATHER, Who didst give Thine Only-Begotten SON+ to the death of the cross so that I may live, receive my worship and adoration of THEE and Thy Precious SON+ JESUS CHRIST.

O FATHER, I am so sorry for my sin,  for my wayward ways that have made it necessary for me to have a Paschal LAMB, an unblemished sacrifice, before I could be re-united with THEE ... before I could come home.   

I thank THEE for calling me home to you, unto Thy Heart. I thank THEE for giving Thy dear SON+ JESUS CHRIST for my sin. I am totally unworthy of The LAMB of GOD coming to my dwelling.

I praise THEE, I worship THEE, I give thanks to THEE for Thy great glory, O LORD CHRIST, O LAMB of GOD that taketh away the sin of the world, have mercy upon me.

The GREATEST 3 Days and 3 Nights... The SIGN of JONAH

 

Crucifixion occurred on a "Wednesday" at 9 a.m., at the time of the morning sacrifice in the Temple; the sky was darkened at noon; the battle was finished at 3 p.m. exactly. There were 2 Sabbaths that week: the Passover which fell mid-week and the regular Saturday Sabbath.

 
Thus, at 3 p.m. Wednesday began the first NIGHT in the heart of the earth:

First DAY in the heart of the earth: "Thursday" day.

Second NIGHT in the heart of the earth: "Thursday" night.

Second DAY in the heart of the earth: "Friday" day.

Third NIGHT in the heart of the earth: "Friday" night.

Third DAY in the heart of the earth: "Saturday" day.

Resurrection: at 3 p.m. exactly, Saturday... Precise to the minute, as GOD always is. A minute BEFORE 3 p.m. Saturday would have placed His+ Resurrection timing as LESS than "3 days and 3 nights" in the heart of the earth. A minute AFTER 3 p.m., the hour of the evening sacrifice in the Temple, would have placed His+ Resurrection MORE than the precise "3 days and 3 nights" in the heart of the earth. GOD is always precise.

The Sisters did not see HIM+ , however, until early, early Sunday morning , before dawn. They did not see HIM+ at the precise moment of His+ Resurrection; HE+ was already risen, according to the Angels' words. The stone had already been rolled away when they arrived at the tomb.

+  +  +

Because for Thy sake I+ have borne reproach; shame hath covered My+ face. I+ am become a stranger unto My+ brethren, and an alien unto My+ mother's children. For the zeal of Thine house hath eaten  ME+ up; and the reproaches of them that reproached THEE are fallen upon ME+.  Psalm 69:7-9

Psalm 69:20-21

Reproach hath broken My+ heart; and I+ am full of heaviness: and I+ looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I+ found none. They gave ME+ also gall for My+ meat; and in My+ thirst they gave ME vinegar to drink.

His+ Second Cry from The Cross:

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the samecondemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Luke 23:39-43

His+ Third Cry from The Cross:


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 that disciple took her unto his own home. 
John 19:26-27

O Precious LAMB+ of GOD, we thank THEE+ that even in the midst of Thine+ own suffering, THOU+ didst provide for those who loved THEE+. We praise THEE+ for that and bless Thy+ Holy Name. We pray, O LORD, that Thy+ sacrifice be not in vain, and that we, seeing Thy+ Example of "loving to the uttermost," will go and do likewise. We praise THEE+, we bless THEE+,  we worship THEE+ for Thy+ great glory.

The GREATEST 3 Days and 3 Nights... The SIGN of JONAH

And even as Jonah was in the belly
of the huge fish
3 days and 3 nights,
so shall the Son of Man +
 be in the heart of the earth
3 days and 3 nights.
Matthew 12:40
Green's Greek Interlinear

Let's count:
Crucifixion occurred on  a "Wednesday" at 9 a.m.; the sky was darkened at noon; the battle was finished at 3 p.m. exactly. Thus, at 3 p.m. Wednesday began ...
the first NIGHT in the heart of the earth:
First DAY in the heart of the earth: "Thursday" day.

Second NIGHT in the heart of the earth: "Thursday" night.
Second DAY in the heart of the earth: "Friday" day.

Third NIGHT in the heart of the earth: "Friday" night.
Third DAY in the heart of the earth: "Saturday" day.

Resurrection: at 3 p.m. exactly, Saturday... Precise to the minute, as GOD always is.

The Sisters did not see HIM+ , however, until early, early Sunday morning , before dawn. They did not see HIM+ at the precise moment of His+ Resurrection; HE+ was already risen ! The stone had already been rolled away when they arrived at the tomb.

CHRIST'S first words from His+ Cross were to His+ FATHER:

"FATHER, forgive them;

for they know not

what they do."

O Holy LAMB of GOD, receive our worship. We love THEE+ for Thy Sacrifice, O Blessed Savior+... Thy+ great sacrifice that covers all of our sins and ignorances.

Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto My+ sorrow which is done unto ME+, wherewith The LORD hath afflicted in the day of HIS fierce anger. Lamentations of Jeremiah 1:12.

O Holy LAMB of GOD, we worship THEE+ and praise THY+ Name for bearing such sorrow --- the sin of the world --- for us, miserable sinners all; we bless THEE+ for Thy+ compassion towards mankind, towards us, towards me.

But I+ am a worm , and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. Psalm 22:6

O Holy LAMB of GOD, we bless THEE+ for carrying the reproaches that should have fallen upon us from GOD .  We bless THEE+ and love THEE+ for being unjustly despised of the people ... when we should be justly despised by GOD for our sin-filled nature. We thank THEE+, O Holy ONE+.

All they that see ME+ laugh ME+ to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head. HE+ trusted on The LORD that HE would deliver Him+; let HIM deliver Him+, seeing HE delighted in Him+.  Psalm 22: 7, 8 and Matthew 27: 42, 43

O Precious LAMB of GOD, we love THEE+ with all our heart. We do not set THEE+ at nought; nay, we defend THEE+ with everything inside of us. We defend THEE+ before men who speak against THEE+ and before the invisible, unseen beings that try to accuse THEE+. We go against THEE+ in nothing.

We praise THEE+ and we offer praise to Our GREAT HOLY FATHER Who delivered THEE+ with a mightier victory than what mankind could foresee. Amen.