HOLY WEEK ~ ~ ~ Crucifixion Day ~ or, Good Friday

Holy Week ~ ~ ~ The Day HE+ Was Crucified ~ ~ ~

(Known to the Church as GOOD FRIDAY)

A Week of Two Sabbaths

Or, Why Can’t Christians Count to 3, Twice ?





The LORD JESUS said HE+ would be 3 days and 3 nights in the heart of the earth. HE+ was speaking most accurately, as HE+ always did. HE+ meant exactly what HE+ said. A school child can count 3 days and likewise 3 nights. Why can’t we?

Christians need to count like the Hebrews counted and take The LORD’S words to heart. Everything connected with Our LORD JESUS CHRIST was not only accurately predicted but it was most precisely accomplished… down to the utmost detail… including the timing of His+ death and Resurrection. Would Our Heavenly FATHER, Who set in motion the earth, sun, moon, and stars so accurately that their movements correct the clocks of mankind, be imprecise about any details connected with His+ Precious SON’S death and Resurrection ?

Let us look at the crucifixion scene.

Passover days, High Holy days, and Sabbaths all entered into the Passion Week of Our LORD. Coinciding with the Temple Sacrifices in the morning (9 a.m.) and evening (3 p.m.) was the Crucifixion and Finished Work of the Cross. The animal sacrifices set up during the time of Moses were established by GOD to be at the exact time of the beginning and ending of His+ Crucifixion. It was established that precise way to point to CHRIST.

Alfred Ederscheim, the historian, noted that about a million people would gather in Jerusalem during Passover. Naturally-speaking, sacrificing one million lambs would take a lot of time and, naturally-speaking, couldn’t be done on one day. Thus, the Passover sacrifices began a few days earlier in the Passover week and those in the Covenant of the Jews were permitted to partake of the Passover Meal at that time.

Thus, in order for the True LAMB+ of GOD to be sacrificed exactly on the Day of the Passover, HE+ had to partake of the Meal the evening before the day of the actual Passover. Passover began in the evening, at 3 p.m., as did all Jewish Days. If we are going to count as the Jews did… and Our LORD JESUS did… we must start counting the day when it began...on the evening before, at 3 p.m, the time of the evening sacrifice.

We will be in error if we follow the Western Civilization’s method of counting days which goes from 12 a.m. (midnight) through 12 noon to 11:59 p.m. The Jewish way of counting days is: evening-night time-day time.

HE+ did partake of the Last Passover Meal; we know the story well. After that Meal, it was night. HE+ entered the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. The intensity of the ordeal was so great that Our Savior began sweating drops of blood.

O thank You, Precious Savior, for going through this agony for me, for us, for whosoever wants to be near You in Heaven and through all eternity.

This is NOT counted as the “first night” in the “heart of the earth.” Our LORD, we see plainly, was still ON the earth, like as we are, preparing to offer HIMSELF as the Sacrificial LAMB+ on our behalf.

After His+ time in the Garden of Gethsemane, Our LORD was taken. It was still night. After that hideous night-time trial and mistreatment, Our LORD JESUS, our innocent LAMB without spot or blemish before GOD and man, was crucified at the time of the morning sacrifice in the Temple. HE+ was crucified on the High Holy Day of Passover. This does NOT count as one of the “days” in the heart of the earth. He+ was ON the earth, going through the agony of the Cross, battered and beaten but still in earthly human form.

O HOLY FATHER, how we thank THEE for giving us Thy SON. O Precious JESUS, we thank THEE+ for being willing to be given for us, unworthy creatures all, including me.

Precision. At precisely the time of the evening sacrifice, 3 p.m., the Finished Work of the Cross was completed. HE+ cried, “IT IS FINISHED, FATHER. INTO THY HANDS I COMMIT MY+ SPIRIT.” Our dear Savior’s earthly body died on the cross.

Thank You, Precious LORD JESUS. Thank You. Thank You for Your willingness to die for me, for us, for the entire race of mankind… whosoever will come. We would be lost without Your Costly Sacrifice of Your Life, precisely given at the Time Appointed by The FATHER.

Thus, at 3 p.m. at the precise beginning of Passover our LORD+ cried out and yielded HIS+ Spirit to HIS+ FATHER. Our LORD’S dead body was then laid in Joseph of Arimathea’s newly-carved tomb… and HIS+ Victorious Self entered into the heart of the earth, unbarring the Gates of Hell (Sheol). This was the FIRST NIGHT HE+ spent in the heart of the earth.

The following day after the crucifixion no work was done because it was the day time of the Passover. It was a High Sabbath, a High Holy Day. Keep in mind that Passover started at 3 p.m. the evening before when HE+ Finished the Work on the Cross. That is why the priests did not want to go into Pontius Pilate’s Judgment Hall; they would be unclean and could not celebrate the coming Passover. Thus, Pilate came out to them. This was the FIRST DAY He+ spent in the heart of the earth.

At 3 p.m. of Passover day-time began the second night HE+ spent in the heart of the earth. As the sun arose, this was a day of “preparation” for the regular weekly Sabbath. On this day of preparation, the women who followed Our LORD JESUS went to the market, bought spices, and prepared them for the dead body of Our LORD. This day of preparation activities became the second day HE+ spent in the heart of the earth.

At 3 p.m. on this second day, the Third Night HE+ spent in the heart of the earth began. The Jews began their weekly Sabbath then. The women who bought and prepared spices for His+ dead body, rested. They did no work after 3 p.m. that night, nor through the daylight hours of the ensuing day time, as it was commanded them to keep the Sabbath. The Third Day HE+ spent in the heart of the earth was the regular Jewish Sabbath.


So, from the Gospel accounts, we see Our LORD spent two Sabbaths: a High Holy Day (Passover) and the regular weekly Sabbath in the heart of the earth. HE+ also spent the day of preparation which fell between the two Sabbaths in the heart of the earth.

For the sake of clarity, let us put these times on our westernized calendar. HE+ ate the Last Passover Meal on Tuesday evening. That night, HE+ was taken from the Garden of Gethsemane and brought before Pontius Pilate. On Wednesday, HE+ was crucified at 9 a.m., the time of the morning sacrifice in the Temple.

He died on the cross at 3 p.m., the time of the evening sacrifice. Wednesday night was FIRST NIGHT.

Thursday day would have been Passover day time, a High Holy Sabbath. That was the FIRST DAY.

Thursday night would have then been the SECOND NIGHT.

Friday day (the day of the preparation) was the SECOND DAY.

Friday night, at 3 p.m., was the beginning of the Jews’ regular weekly Sabbath. Friday night was the THIRD NIGHT.

Saturday, the Jews’ weekly Sabbath day time, was His+ THIRD DAY in the heart of the earth.

When did HE+ arise? Scripture doesn’t pinpoint that precise moment. Scripture says that HE+ was seen early on the first day of the week… which would have been quite early Sunday morning.

Being consistent with the precise timing found in Scripture, it was likely HE+ came out of the heart of the earth when HE+ said HE+ did: precisely after 3 nights and 3 days in the heart of the earth. That would place His+ removal from the heart of the earth at precisely 3 p.m. on Saturday evening... at the end of the Jewish Sabbath... which is what the Gospel accounts record.


So… why don’t we be accurate and keep “Good Tuesday” instead of “Good Friday”?

We at the Order of the GOOD SHEPHERD personally mark the time, but we join with the church systems and put black on our cross on Friday and do the Good Friday services. We do this only to avoid causing confusion to the non-Christian (and Christian, more's the pity) world. May the LORD help us all to be unified and loving in our witness.

The important thing is to remember What HE+ did… and why.

In the name of the FATHER, the SON+, and the HOLY SPIRIT.
Amen
+ + +

Holy Week-One With The Cross

Holy Week-One With The Cross~Difference Between Duty & Oneness

Holy Week ~ ~ ~ One with the Cross
For the Year of Our LORD, 3.20.2008

~or~


The Difference Between Duty and Oneness

Peace comes when you perform your duty thoroughly. The requirement is duty. You will be held accountable if that duty is NOT performed. Duty can become heavy and tedious, if the inner heart is not yielded. Duty is accomplished because you are afraid of the consequences if you don’t do it right. This is the case in paying taxes, paying bills, going to some jobs, and alas, in being in some marriages.



Joy comes when you WANT to perform that duty out of Oneness, out of a union that agreement engenders.. If you approve what the government does, then paying taxes feels good. If you agree whole-heartedly that nothing should be free, then paying bills seems sensible. If you enjoy your job and get great satisfaction from it, then you would rather be on your job than anywhere else. It gives you identity and helps define who you are, to others and to yourself. It gives you meaning for life. Then, that brings you joy.


Alas, though, if a marriage is performed out of duty instead of a loving Oneness, you may reap a quiet existence … if your partner is willing to accept duty as a replacement for Oneness. Joy may eventually develop… if your partner is willing to accept the terms of that kind of agreement.

But if your partner is NOT willing to replace Oneness with duty, then sadness will be your bed-partner. A heart hurt down at the deepest level is hard to be healed. To the partner accustomed to Oneness, duty is a bitter replacement. He/she won’t want it. Then, all past love becomes screened through the eyes of duty, and even that joy becomes tainted with sorrow. A lack of trust develops.

If the duty-partner refuses to deal with the necessity of returning to his first heart-felt Oneness, the union may limp along… after all, who can find fault with one who fulfills one’s duty? … but there will be a raw, unhealed sore festering in the marriage. The Oneness has been broken in the deepest recesses of the heart although not perhaps at the surface level. That unhealed place will funnel constant sorrow into the union.

It is like that with The LORD, too. HE+ calls us to Oneness with HIM+… a Oneness issuing from a heart of love which WORKS BOTH WAYS. As much as HE+ loves us… do we love HIM+ back that much? Are we performing duties but our hearts are fixated on ourselves instead of HIM+ ?

Are we fixated on what HE+ can give us instead of the closeness that HE+ wants? What do we want out of a marriage? Do we want gifts or closeness? Do we want areas of “no trespassing” signs in our marriage or do we want an openness of heart… in order to become One ?

Becoming one is what brings the joy in our first love; we realize we are not alone in heart. In order to have that oneness, we must agree to be honest and open in our hearts with one another. If a rough area is seen, then we agree to lovingly lay it bare. With each other, we work together on that part, through prayer, until it becomes clean in the eyes of The LORD. Then we have oneness with our partner and Oneness with The LORD.

If there is a “no trespassing” sign up in some area of our heart, that will hurt the other partner and break the fellowship, the unity, the oneness. It is imperative that the closed off areas be brought to the Light of CHRIST by the one who has the “no trespassing” sign up in his heart. No-one can do it for him. No-one can make him willing to touch that sign and remove the wall, the barriers… if he is not willing to have it removed. It is required, however, or the marriage roadbed will be full of potholes lurking around every bend and hidden in the shadows.

When we are at One with CHRIST JESUS, it works the same way. The “no trespassing” signs must be removed from our hearts towards CHRIST. HE+ will lovingly help us to bring these areas to HIM+ and commit them unto HIM+. If we yield the “no trespassing” areas unto His+ loving hands, HE+ will clean them out and make us whole again… more whole than we were before! We will go to new heights being One with CHRIST and our whole life will take on more meaning than ever before.

Now sometimes, in a marriage, duty masquerades as love. There will certainly be an argument if that mask is discovered! The duty-partner feels terribly offended that his duty is not seen as love. But in essence, duty is often used to hide the “no trespassing” sign.

We do that with The LORD, too. More’s the pity. Discipline and duty and even church participation are good works to do for HIM+, but they are not to be used to mask our “no trespassing” signs. They are not a substitute for ardent, passionate love of Our SAVIOR.

HE+ knows the difference.

We do too.

Worse, HE+ knows that we know the difference. What hurts is this: we are okay with the separation between HIM+ and us. HE+ is not.

So, His+ great heart grieves until we deal with those “no trespassing” areas which keep HIM+ out of parts of our hearts. And we, well, we have much less Life than HE+ intended.

Yes, it will feel like the cross. But, it will bring Oneness with HIM+. That Oneness will bring the Abundant Life that is promised in Scriptures. There is no other way to get abundant Life.

Let us go on with CHRIST. Let us take down the “no trespassing… this is mine!” signs. Let us become One with CHRIST. Then… and only then… will HE+ show us how to become One with each other.

In the Name of The FATHER, The SON+, and The HOLY SPIRIT.
Amen.
+ + +

HOLY WEEK ~ Day Three Following Palm Lauds of Our Savior

Holy Week ~~~ HE+ Set His+ Face

For Day Three Following the Palm Lauds of Our LORD

For the Year of Our LORD, 3.19.2008

And it came to pass,

when the time was come that HE+ should be received up,

HE+ stedfastly set His+ Face to go to Jerusalem.

Luke 9:51

Hallelujah, my FATHER, for giving us Your SON+,

For sending HIM+ into the world to be given up by man.

Knowing we would bruise HIM+ and smite HIM+ from the earth...

Hallelujah, my FATHER, His+ death is my birth;

Hallelujah, my FATHER, His+ Life is my life.

Amen and Amen.

+ + +

(This is an old Charismatic prayer group song from the 70's... possibly from the Word of GOD Christian Community in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Feel free to send me more accurate information... it's been 30 plus years ago that I heard this plaintive song.)

HOLY WEEK ~ Day Two Following Palm Lauds of Our Savior

Holy Week ~ ~ ~ The FATHER’S Voice

Day Two, following the Palm Lauds
For the Year of Our LORD, 3.18.2008


And Jesus answered them, saying,
The hour is come,
that the SON+ of Man
should be glorified.

Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Except a corn of wheat
fall into the ground and die,
it abideth alone:

but if it die,
it bringeth forth much fruit.

He that loveth his life
shall lose it;

and he that hateth his life
in this world
shall keep it unto life eternal.

If any man serve ME+,
let him follow ME+;
and where I am,
there shall also My+ servant be:

if any man serve ME+,
him will My+ FATHER honor.

Now is My+ soul troubled; and what shall I say?
FATHER, save ME+ from this hour:
but for this cause came I unto this hour.

FATHER, glorify Thy name.




Then came there a Voice from heaven, saying,
I have both glorified it,
and will glorify it again.

The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it,
said that it thundered: others said,
An angel spake to HIM+.

John 12: 23-29


O Blessed LORD , help us to hear Our FATHER’S Voice at all times... and to know the difference between HIS Voice and the thunder of this world. Amen

HOLY WEEK ~ First Day Following Palm Lauds of The SAVIOR

Holy Week ~ ~ ~ First Day after Palm Lauds
For the Year of Our LORD, 3.17.2008

She Hath Done What She Could

After two days was the feast of the Passover,
and of unleavened bread:
and the chief priests and the scribes sought
how they might take him by craft,
and put him to death.

But they said, Not on the feast day,
lest there be an uproar of the people.
And being in Bethany
in the house of Simon the leper,
as he sat at meat,
there came a woman
having an alabaster box
of ointment of spikenard very precious;
and she brake the box,
and poured it on his head.

And there were some
that had indignation within themselves,
and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
For it might have been sold
for more than three hundred pence,
and have been given to the poor.
And they murmured against her.

And Jesus said,
Let her alone; why trouble ye her?
she hath wrought a good work on me.

For ye have the poor with you always,
and whensoever ye will
ye may do them good:
but me ye have not always.

She hath done what she could:
she is come aforehand
to anoint my body to the burying.

Verily I say unto you,
Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached
throughout the whole world,
this also that she hath done shall be
spoken of for a memorial of her.
Mark 14:1-9

“She hath wrought a good work on ME+,” Our LORD said. The LORD received it. Seeking The LORD, let us go and do likewise, working a GOOD work upon Our LORD. What sacrifice would please HIM+ ? A further support of missions? A dedicated time of quietude every day? A visiting of a widow? Opening our home to an orphan? Having a feast or holiday and inviting those who cannot repay us?

She did what she could. She did it to show her love for HIM+. She gave HIM+ what could have been sold for great gain for herself. She was disdained by those around her as she did this. She anointed HIM+ for burial ahead of time. In so doing, she joined HIM+… in her small way by her sacrifice… in death.

Seeking The LORD, let us go and work a work on HIM+ that HE+ will find pleasing… regardless whether it is hidden from or visible to the eyes of man. It is certain that the eyes of the invisible will see it.


Let us join with our Anglican Brethren and lift this prayer to Our LORD:

Almighty GOD, Whose most dear SON went not up to joy but first HE+ suffered pain, and entered not into glory before HE+ was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of Life and Peace; through the same Thy SON JESUS CHRIST our LORD, Who liveth and reigneth with THEE and Thy HOLY SPIRIT, one GOD, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer, 1979, Traditional Collects, p. 168)

PALM SUNDAY ~ ~ ~ The Donkeys

HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST !

BLESSED IS HE THAT COMETH

IN THE NAME OF THE LORD !

Palm Sunday and the Donkeys

Just before HE+ was born in a stable, Our LORD rode into Bethlehem snug in the womb of the Hebrew virgin, Mariam, riding on a donkey.

HE+ was riding to His+ Birth, His+ entrance into humanity.

In her womb, HE+ rode the common beast of burden, the common man's means of transportation. HE+ was about to enter into this world of woe. HE+ was about to enter into this present darkness.

It only got darker as HE+ grew into manhood.

Then the True LIGHT+ of the world was proclaimed and some came to that LIGHT... which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. As many as received HIM+, to them gave HE+ power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on His+ name.

On the day the church designates as Palm Sunday, Our LORD rode a donkey the second time. This time HE+ entered Jerusalem. The crowds worshipped and sang HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST! BLESSED IS HE+ WHO COMETH IN THE NAME OF THE LORD !

HE+ knew HE+ was riding to His+ Death.

It is required of us to mount those donkeys too. We must join HIM+ in death so that we too can enter this world of woe, bearing His+ Light. May The LORD help all of us to do so.

In the name of The FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT. Amen. + + +

LENTEN MEDITATION 39 ~ ~ ~ The LIGHT

Lenten Meditation 39 ~ ~ ~ The LIGHT

The Light of the world is JESUS.

All else is darkness.

Move toward the Light+.

In the Name of the FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT. Amen

LENTEN MEDITATION 38 ~ ~ ~ REAL GRIEF

LENTEN MEDITATION 38 ~ ~ ~ Do We Cause The LORD Grief?


And grieve not the Holy Spirit of GOD,
whereby ye are sealed
unto the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:30

As a rule, we Christians who are serious followers of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, do not practice those grievous sins listed both before and after this verse.

However, there are other ways we can grieve HIM+ and His+ HOLY SPIRIT. Do we lag behind when HE+ shows us what to do? Do we put off dealing with certain habits which are not necessarily sinful... yet those habits still are not really sowing to the Holy Spirit? Do we turn a deaf ear when HE+ gently calls us to prayer, to slow down, to get still before HIM+ ?

Do we who-ought-to-know-Our-LORD-better ignore His+ calling to do certain things, hoarding our time, our energy, and our effort for more temporal duties? Don't we know yet that HE+ will provide our every need for time... for energy... and for strength for whatsoever HE+ calls us to do?

What are we hoarding our time from... Is it a daily quiet time? Is it a hidden time of intercessory prayer for people who do not know us and wouldn't care for us if they did? Is it a preferance to be active, to produce something visible, that makes us expend our energies in those arenas, instead of sitting still before The LORD for a time?

Do we hoard our time and limited energy to spend it on socializing ... instead of meditation time on and with The LORD? Do we hoard our time and energy, keeping it away from the LORD, so we can get our housework done... our children fed.... our public jobs taken care of ? Yes, all these things are GOOD DUTIES to perform, but are they ever too much with us?

David Bercot, of Scroll Publishing and the Society of the GOOD SHEPHERD, once printed a story about a poor family who had a pig, a sow. During prayer, the man of the home promised The LORD to give HIM+ one of the litter of piglets, should the sow produce a litter. In due season, the sow produced a fine litter of piglets, 7 in all. But soon afterwards, one of the little piglets died. The man became distraught. His wife asked him what was wrong. He said, " A terrible thing has happened. The LORD'S pig died!"

Yes, when we must cut out something, or cut back somewhere, we will likely cut out time, money, effort , or energy from The LORD'S program or kingdom. We will get our sleep. We will get our food and gasoline. We will be certain to get to our job on time... but we seldom serve The LORD with such rigor.

More's the pity, this condition called being human. Why can't we serve The LORD with as much vigor, as much endurance, as much singleness of eye as we serve our employer? The LORD is certainly more to be trusted... more to be honored... and more worthy of faithfulness.

Yes, let us STOP PUTTING EVERYTHING ELSE BEFORE The LORD. Our jobs will get done, our houses cleaned, our children fed if we make the sacrifice to put HIM+ before all these necessary responsibilities.

If we so will to do this, HE+ will provide the time, energy, effort and money... and then, ---bless His+ dear, dear heart--- HE+ will credit it to our account!

Gracious Heavenly FATHER,

I come to THEE saddened by all the times I have grieved Thy Spirit. I am sorry for causing THEE sorrow. I am sorry for the times I have disappointed THEE and that THOU hast been made to labor with my stubbornness.

I do love THE, O LORD. Help me to point my face toward THEE and move into Thy will, knowing THOU wilt provide the wherewithal needed to accomplish it. I’m sorry for the times I have hidden myself from THEE and wouldn’t make the effort to do what I knew was Thy will… in prayer, in intercession, in quietude. I pray these things in the name of Thy Beloved SON JESUS CHRIST, Who+ delighted to do Thy will, O FATHER.

In the name of The FATHER, The SON, and the Blessed HOLY SPIRIT of GOD.

Amen

+ + +

LENTEN MEDITATION 37 ~~~ KEEP CUTTING !

LENTEN MEDITATION 37 ~~~ Keep Cutting !
For the Year of Our LORD, 3.13.2008



Let us hear the Word of The LORD JESUS CHRIST once more:


And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off:
it is better for thee to enter halt into life,

than having two feet to be cast into hell [Gehenna, Gk.]
the fire that never shall be quenched:

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out:

it is better for thee
to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye,
than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

For every one shall be salted with fire,
and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

Salt is good:
but if the salt have lost his saltness,
wherewith will ye season it?
Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Mark 9:45-50

Have you ever wondered why The LORD gave the explicit instruction to the Israelites concerning who could NOT serve in the Tabernacle/Temple worship? In Leviticus 21:16-24, The LORD instructed Moses that no-one with any bodily infirmity or handicap could officiate in the Tabernacle or Temple worship. That man could not offer the sacrifices, nor the bread, nor enter into the Veil, nor come nigh the altar. He could, however, eat of the bread.


Now we know the GOD of all compassion and mercy would never discriminate against persons who were handicapped or limited in body or mind. Indeed, HE+ is of tender compassion with those who are encased in such prisons within their bodies. HE+ promises His+ children wholeness of mind and body, upon Resurrection, if they enter into His+ Covenant through The LORD JESUS CHRIST.

But why would HE disallow those handicapped persons (Israelites who were already in His Covenant) to officiate in worship ceremonies, to perform them before all the people? Did HE think the worship service would be too marred by someone who stuttered or who moved with a limp or whose crippled arm couldn’t handle the sacrifices rightly? NO.


Let us remember here what GOD, the GOD of hope, told Moses: See that you do everything exactly As I have told you. It was to be done with strict exactness because it was a pattern of things in the Heavenlies. [See Hebrews 8:5 and Exodus 25:40].


In the Heavenly Kingdom, there are no handicaps, no lameness, no bodily limitations of form nor mind. The pattern was established to bring forth hope of the coming promise, the coming kingdom, in which there will be NO HANDICAPS !

Thus, when the handicapped person saw the worship service done by persons who were “whole,” they could take heart that some day… yes, GOD is faithful… some day they too would be whole. That day was a day of hope for them. The pattern of things to come was intentionally set before them.

This is why Our LORD said, “ It is better to enter into life halt or maimed or having only one eye,” than to practice sin and miss Eternal Life in the Kingdom of GOD. Once we enter into Life in the Kingdom of GOD, the Resurrection, there will be no handicaps. Our severed hand or foot and our missing eye will be restored in His+ Kingdom.

However, if we continue to practice sin, we will enter into Gehenna, even having all our body intact; our whole bodies, souls, and minds… with which we practiced sin… will do us no good in Gehenna, where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched.


Dear Gracious and Life-Giving Heavenly FATHER,
I come to THEE this day with the burning desire to cease from all sin, all Self-centeredness, all thoughts unworthy of Thy SON JESUS CHRIST. Help me to move from Self-indulgence to a life centered upon pleasing THEE. I Thank THEE for the hope of Eternal Life through Thy Beloved SON, the worthy Lamb of GOD, Who taketh away the sins of all the repentant, both handicapped and whole alike. LORD, let me never, ever out-live my love for THEE.

This I pray, in the name of The FATHER, of The SON, and of The HOLY SPIRIT, both now and forever.
Amen
+ + +.

LENTEN MEDITATION 36 ~ ~ ~ Cut it Off

Lenten Meditation 36 ~ ~ ~Cut It Off
For the Year of Our LORD, 3.12.2008


For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name,
because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you,
he shall not lose his reward.


And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in
me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck,
and he were cast into the sea.


And if thy hand offend thee,
cut it off:
it is better for thee to enter into life maimed,
than having two hands to go into hell,
into the fire that never shall be quenched:


Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Words of The LORD JESUS to His+ Church, recorded in Mark 9: 41-44

Has anyone EVER heard a sermon preached on this passage? Growing up Methodist, I never did. Furthermore, in subsequent years, attending Presbyterian, Assembly of GOD, Episcopal, Evangelical, Anglican, Charismatic prayer groups, and even popping into a Roman Catholic service once in awhile… I never heard these 4 verses touched upon… even in Sunday School.

In 26 years of serious church attending before I was regenerated, I never heard these words of JESUS read nor addressed from the pulpit. Growing up, we were not excused from the sermons of the minister to go to children’s church. Rather, we were taught to sit quietly and listen.


And, more’s the pity, after I was regenerated, I never heard these words of JESUS read nor addressed from the pulpit for approximately 33 years.[1]

And if thy hand offend thee,
cut it off:
it is better for thee to enter into life maimed,
than having two hands to go into hell [Gehenna, Gk.]
into the fire that never shall be quenched:


Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

We know The LORD JESUS never spoke a frivolous word. We know HE+ spoke those things necessary for our salvation. We know and have the confidence that HE+ offered to rescue everyone from eternity in hell: HE+ wanted no-one… not even the worst of sinners… to be placed in hell. It was originally designated for fallen angels, not for man.


If our hands do things to make us stumble, sin, or fall away from The LORD, HE+ tells us to do the worst thing possible to that hand: CUT IT OFF. That is how serious sin is, in His+ eyes. The consequences are unthinkably dreadful. Eventually, the sinner will end up in the Lake of Burning Fire… Gehenna… as found in Revelation 20:14, the second death. That is where the devil, the beast, and the false prophet are thrown, Rev. 20:10.



How should we then live?



We had better live in a state of repentance. We had better take His+ words seriously. We had better monitor our thoughts, words, and activities through the eyes of Him+ with Whom+ we have to do.


Dear LORD,

I Thank THEE+ for giving me Thy HOLY SPIRIT; O LORD, take it not from me when I don’t listen! Have mercy upon me. Help me to receive Your blessed conviction for sin. Send it forth to me before worse happens. Help me by Thy Grace to take seriously Your words and Your work and forgive my light-heartedness about them. Help me to deal with my body in such a way that my flesh knows my spirit will not indulge its whims and whines. Help me to live out my salvation daily for the glory of GOD… and escape the fires of the second death.

O HOLY FATHER, I ask these things in the name of Thy Beloved SON JESUS CHRIST, in Whom+ THOU was well-pleased, and in the power of Thy Blessed HOLY SPIRIT. Amen.











[1] Now in my 60’s, I have heard a Bishop at All Saints Church in Rome, Ga. gallantly address these warning words of CHRIST JESUS… and he addressed them not only to his congregation but also over the airwaves in his radio broadcast.

LENTEN MEDITATION 35 ~ ~ ~ My Tongue

Lenten Meditation 35 ~ ~ ~ My Tongue
for the Year of Our LORD, 3.11.2008



Come, ye children, hearken unto me:
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.


What man is he that desireth life,
and loveth many days, that he may see good?


Keep thy tongue from evil,
and thy lips from speaking guile.


Depart from evil, and do good;
seek peace, and pursue it.

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous,
and his ears are open unto their cry.


The face of the LORD is against them that do evil,
to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
Psalm 34:11-16




The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth,
and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart;
and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous:
but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Psalm 34:17:18

Dear Heavenly FATHER,
I come to you, ashamed of the works of my tongue. Help me to lay to heart the words of Thy Beloved SON JESUS CHRIST. HE+ has told me that from out of my heart come the words on my tongue. Help me to think on things rightly, so as to give glory to THEE+ … and not to mine own opinions nor hurts, imagined or perceived. Cleanse my heart of uncleanness. Then I can proclaim truthfully with the Psalmist: O LORD, open THOU+ my lips and my mouth shall proclaim Thy+ Praise, not mine.

Unto You, Holy FATHER, through Your Beloved SON, our LORD, in the strength of Your Blessed HOLY SPIRIT, our Advocate, now and forever, unto the Ages of Ages. Amen.

LENTEN MEDITATION 34 ~~~ Our Thinking

Lenten Meditation 34 Our Thinking…
for The Year of Our LORD, 3.10.2008

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are righteous,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

Philippians 4:8



O LORD, change my thinking.
Amen.

LENTEN MEDITATION 33 ~ The Lighthouse

LENTEN MEDITATION 33 -- The Lighthouse
for the Year of Our LORD, 3.9.2008


If we say that we have fellowship with him,
and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin,
we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned,
we make him a liar,
and his word is not in us.
I JOHN 1: 6-10

This brings to mind the familiar old Lighthouse Story. This story is about a haughty and arrogant commander of a Navy battleship. On a foggy night, he accosted what he thinks is another ship. A terse argument broke out between them via the communication apparatus: each wanted the other to change its course so they wouldn’t collide. Finally, there was not much time left before a certain collision. But the arrogant commander, flinging out his degree of rank and great accomplishments, totally refused to change the course of his battleship, saying , “You change course!”

Then came the awsome answer:
“I AM THE LIGHTHOUSE.
YOU CHANGE.”


We had better change course. The LORD is not moving… and neither is His+ standard of holiness found in His+ Word.

In the Name of the FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN.

LENTEN MEDITATION 32 To Train for the Fight

Lenten Meditation 32 ~ ~ ~ Train for the Fight

Through circumstances I could not control, I got involved in watching a ROCKY movie... the prize-fighter. Of great interest was Rocky's massive training program. It was intense. He pushed his muscles and endurance literally to the limit. I winced.

I could hardly take the boxing ring scenes. I watched in horror as Rocky received a brutal beating, blow after blow. He got up from each knock-down and lunged full force into the fight. Why?

Rocky endured both the rigorous, unrelenting stringencies of his training so that he could WIN THE FIGHT. Getting beat up during the fight was simply a by-product, a minor hindrance (as Rocky saw it), to the process of WINNING.

Now why would I, a slight bit of a person, need to see that movie? I thought. I'm certainly NOT interested in training for the arena... or any fight.

So... that is when The LORD started speaking to my heart about it... about training for the fight.

HE+ pointed up the intensity of Rocky's training. Massive, enduring, all-consuming training. Rocky did nothing and ate nothing except what was conducive to building up his boxing skills... his boxing strength... his endurance in the arena. All fluff was removed from his life while he CONCENTRATED 100 % on his training. He focused on one thing and one thing only: THE BIG FIGHT. Rocky was single of eye.

"Now," The LORD said, "that's what I want you to do."

I became instantly sobered and ... gulped. I am not a fighter. This kind of fight entails putting to death the Self, big-time. No more petting myself. No more allowing myself treats. If Rocky could do this for his prize, why cannot I do this for mine?

The Apostle Paul did it. We have the same HOLY SPIRIT. We have the same LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. We have the same amount of victory allotted for us as the Apostles and other martyrs and confessors had.

There simply is no excuse. We do not want to fight the biggest battle, the biggest hurdle in walking with CHRIST JESUS... ourselves.

Let us fight the GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH. Let us join our hearts with the Apostle Paul and learn to live this out:

But what things were gain to me,

those I counted loss for CHRIST.

Yea, doubtless, and I count all things loss

for the excellency of the knowledge of CHRIST JESUS my LORD:

for Whom+ I have suffered the loss of all things,

and do count them dung,

that I may win CHRIST,

and be found in HIM+,....

That I may know HIM+,

and the power of His+ resurrection,

and the fellowship of His+ sufferings,

being made conformable unto His+ death;

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Philippians 3: 7-11, excerpts

LENTEN MEDITATION 31 ~ ~ ~ Our Labor

Labour not for the meat which perisheth,

but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life,

which the SON of MAN shall give unto you;

for HIM+ hath GOD the FATHER sealed.

John 6:27

+ + +

LENTEN MEDITATION 30 ~~~ Through it All

LENTEN MEDITATION 30 ~ ~ ~ The Repair of the Broken

~ ~ ~ or, We Are All Required to Walk
…even in the midst of our difficulties.

Sooner or later, we all have ENORMOUS hurts or difficulties. They come to Christian and non-Christian, alike. Deaths, bodily sickness or injury, divorce, loneliness --- deep, gut-wrenching loneliness--- every human soul knows these heart-aches in one way or another. And then, when joy is finally gone, comes the worst: what is life all about, anyways? And for some, is it worth the struggle?

Our LORD JESUS tells us to walk with HIM+. HE+ does NOT tell us to be joyful. HE+ does tell us to offer up thanksgiving and praise of Who+ HE+ is in the midst of these griefs. Like Job, we recognize His+ Sovereignty at all times and in all circumstances. And then, we are required to walk with HIM+… in as much obedience as if the hurt had not happened.

As we walk with The LORD JESUS through these gut-wrenching sorrows, HE+ comforts us. HE+ also corrects our vision. HE+ corrects where --- or in whom--- we have put our trust. The Psalmist correctly states:

Whom have I in heaven but thee?
and there is none upon earth
that I desire beside thee.
Psalm 73:25

Our LORD JESUS gently but firmly corrects our heart. HE+ corrects the direction we have been leaning. If we have been leaning on things of this life for our happiness, then HE+ will correct that. Temporal things--- earthly security, houses, lands--- are worse than temporary: they are deceitful security… houses built upon the sand.

If we have been leaning on others as the source of our joy, then HE+ corrects that.

Elderly parents, aunts and uncles, will indeed pass away. Brothers and sisters will go at their appointed times. Sometimes spouses are taken. Sometimes the treasures of our hearts, our little ones, are returned home to Their Heavenly FATHER.

We cannot stop these sorrows from occurring.

HE+ wants our primary heart to be with HIM+. There should be nothing greater living in our hearts. HE+ corrects that, in the midst of these common human griefs, and we see our error.


If our job security goes or sickness or disease robs us of our earthly strength, HE+ corrects us here, too. HE+ wants our labor to be in HIM+ and for HIM+. Many a saint has discovered the quietness--- and power--- of the prayer closet while having severe physical limitations to endure daily. With no hope for recovery, they learn to lean on JESUS for their hope. Their strength becomes perfected in their weakness because of JESUS. Their whole identity changes…which is the goal.

HE+ is good at changing our self’s identity from worldling to being CHRIST’S man or woman. HE+ will use whatever means is necessary to do this.


If we walk with HIM+ through these distresses, we discover something grand: we become whole again. HE+ brings healing and joy back into our hearts, no matter what the sorrow, if we walk with HIM+ and remain obedient to His+ Word through these awful human woes.

The LORD JESUS is not unmindful of our sorrow, for HE+ was the king of human sorrow. It is not un-ending comfort and compassion that we need, though; it is healing. Yes, JESUS does have un-ending comfort and compassion for His+ followers, and furthermore, HE+ gives it to us freely and abundantly.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:
I am come that they might have life,
and that they might have it
more abundantly.
John 10:10


But… we must receive His+ correction in order to be healed.



Furthermore, when we go through the healing that obedience to His+ Word brings, His+ love, comfort, compassion, and tremendous JOY will be poured upon us. Yea, His+ very Presence will be there and the sorrowful torments will flee away. We will not have to work at being joyful; HE+ will send it.




As HE+ corrects us, HE+ tells us to bring the needs of our hearts to HIM+ and to HIM+ alone. We take the demands off of others to “be there” for us. We learn to relate to others through CHRIST and for His+ Sake… and for His+ Sake alone.

This is so that they too might come to know CHRIST JESUS our LORD… so that they too might be released from the torments of darkness … so that they too might go forth and bear witness of HIM+ at all times and in all places.

We take to the cross our own emptiness for CHRIST JESUS to fill, not to others. And then, we will be ONE with HIM+.


In the Name of the FATHER, The SON+,

and the HOLY SPIRIT.

Amen.

+ + +

LENTEN MEDITATION 29--- Accounted Worthy

Lenten Meditation 29 ...Accounted Worthy to Obtain That World

for the Year of Our LORD, 3.5.08

And Jesus answering said unto them,

The children of this world marry,

and are given in marriage:

But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world,

and the resurrection from the dead,

neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

Neither can they die any more:

for they are equal unto the angels;
and are the children of God,

being the children of the resurrection.

LUKE 20:34-36

The LORD'S comments and explanations were in response to the clever Sadducees' questions about "...whose wife was she... in the resurrection... after seven brothers had her to wife ?" HE+ told them their error and set them straight about how it would be in the Resurrection. HE+ will set us straight, too, if we will receive it...

LENTEN MEDITATION 28 ~~~ Iniquity of My Sin

Lenten Meditation 28 ~ ~ ~The Iniquity of My Sin
for the Year of Our LORD, 3.4.2008

I acknowledge my sin unto THEE+,
and mine iniquity have I not hid.
I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD;
and THOU+ forgavest the iniquity of my sin.
Psalm 32:5




Gross injustice and wickedness… is the definition of iniquity.
An offense against GOD… is the definition of sin from Webster’s[1].
The violation of Divine law, going out of bounds or limits…
is the definition of transgression.




Our sin is a stench in His+ nostrils.

Furthermore, The LORD does not play “favorites” among His+ children. When we come to grips with this truth, we develop a healthy fear of The LORD: what HE+ has done to others who did not take His+ Word seriously, HE+ will do to us. The same standard is put upon each one of us and that standard does not bend. This standard is CHRIST JESUS and His+ Holiness… without which no man shall see The LORD.



Acknowledging our sin pleases The LORD. Admitting that our offenses are always done against HIM+, even if others are involved, is truth. As soon as we are aware… as soon as conviction falls upon us for serving Self… we do not run AWAY from GOD but rather run UNTO the LORD.

We do not hide our sin nor do we cloak it with an excuse. We simply and honestly admit it. The LORD knows what we’ve done anyhow; it is from ourselves that we are hiding it or dissimulating.

Thus, admitting our sin is the first step. Then we must go one step further and recognize our iniquity, our lack of innocence, in what we have done or thought.

Our iniquity shows itself when we know better, but go ahead anyhow and do things that are wrong. When we persist in holding opinions contrary to HIS+ word, this constitutes gross wickedness because stubbornness is as the sin of iniquity and idolatry. (I Sam. 15:23)

We have all tasted the loving-kindness of Our Savior. When we refuse to issue that same forgiveness and loving-kindness to others who have offended us, we are in trouble with GOD HIMSELF. (See the prayer The LORD taught His+ disciples when they asked HIM+, “Lord, teach us how to pray.” Luke 11). We have transgressed His+ Holy law of forgiveness… to forgive as CHRIST has forgiven us.

We simply cannot afford to sin against GOD. We cannot afford to practice stubbornness in any area. We cannot afford to excuse ourselves when we persist in our own thinking regardless of what The WORD of GOD says plainly.


HE+ will richly pardon and forgive us if we come clean before HIM+. HE+ will forgive, not only the sin itself, but also the presumption, the stubbornness, the taking advantage of His+ Grace and the violation of His+ Person… when we confess our sin and the iniquity underneath our foul behavior.


But, be careful. GOD cannot be tricked nor mocked.

Even honest confession and admittance of sin can be perverted by our deceitful, human hearts. Here is a true story. One man defiled his marriage bed by bringing other women into the place reserved for his wife. After many struggles, a divorce ensued. In time, this wayward man grew lonely for more stability, a home with a decent wife, and his children. So, he repented and wanted to “return home.” Yes, his repentance was for destroying the marriage and sinning against his wife and children.

But unfortunately, he only wanted the home to be regained for himself. He did not want The LORD JESUS to rule his life nor did he want to promise to abstain from affairs. This is not true repentance. This is expediency. He was ready to make only the outward changes to remove the press of being uncomfortable. Worse, he demanded his Christian ex-wife to take him back into the marriage bed because it was “the will of The LORD.” But the marriage covenant had been broken.

Yes, she forgave him but did not take him back into the covenant relationship of marriage. He hadn’t become that new creature in CHRIST yet. He refused to enter into the covenant of CHRIST and therefore, she could not be yoked unto someone outside of the Covenant of CHRIST. The marriage would have still been unclean. Wise woman!


Dear Gracious Heavenly FATHER, in the name of Thy holy SON JESUS CHRIST I come to You. I confess my sins and abhor the iniquity of them. Keep me from presumptuous sins. I am sorry for taking advantage of Your Goodness. I am sorry for persisting in my thoughts when I do know better. Forgive me for my stubbornness and let not any Self-will take root in my soul.

Now unto HIM+ Who+ is able to do abundantly above all we ask or think, I offer up these my imperfect prayers.

In the name of the FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT. Amen.
+ + +



[1] All definitions come from Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, based on Webster’s Third New International Dictionary (A Merriam-Webster Dictionary) , 1965. Lenten Meditation

LENTEN MEDITATION 27 ~ ~ ~ Well Done

LENTEN MEDITATION 27 ~~~Well Done!
For the Year of Our LORD, 3.3.2008

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.

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.

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.

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.
Matthew 25:20-23

Talents, money or other items of value, come to us from the appointment of or will of The LORD… for what do any of us have that we did not first receive? Not one baby is born on this earth “owning” anything, even babes born into the richest families. The riches must be given to him.

Furthermore, if we have put forth labor and time to hone a skill, develop an ability, or earn money… where did we obtain the eyesight, the hearing, the strength of body and mind, the wherewithal… to accomplish anything? For behold, it is written:

All things come of THEE, and of Thine own have we given THEE.



Let us therefore remember that naked we came from the womb and naked shall we return to the dust. Let us become true stewards of ALL those items we possess that we cannot keep nor take with us… those items of earthly value and ONLY earthly value. Let us become a funnel through which these goods and valuables pass… from GOD’s provision through our hands to further His+ Kingdom in some way.


Let us take stock of our abilities, our labor, and our time that we may use these to also further His+ Kingdom, according to His+ leading. They too will flee away as swiftly as the weaver’s beam moves.

Let us so live our lives so that we might hear those words in our own ears:

Well done, thou good and faithful servant.
Enter thou into the joy of Thy LORD !

In all, let us make certain we REMEMBER that we are servants… and Whose+ servants we are… and to Whom+ we must give an account of the goods entrusted to us.

Dear Heavenly FATHER, unto Whom all hearts are open, all desires, known… I thank THEE for life and for every breath I take. I’m sorry for my selfish existence. Please forgive me for keeping your goods for my life. Help me to re-commit my valuables… my goods, my labor, my time… unto THEE to be used to further Your Kingdom. Teach me how to be a steward of all these things you have entrusted me to handle for your Glory.
Thank you, dear LORD, for leading me in this. Amen.

LENTEN MEDITATION 26 ~ ~ ~ At Prayer

LENTEN MEDITATION 26 ~~~

QUIET BROTHER AT PRAYER

To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

LENTEN MEDITATION 25 ~ ~ ~ A Worthy Walk

For the Year of Our LORD, 3.1.2008

Let us learn,

strive,

endeavor,

make the effort,

set the priority,

run as though to win the prize

~ ~ ~ to reach the mark of the HIGH CALLING OF GOD

IN CHRIST JESUS, our LIFE.

This is not an option; it is our love's work... our bounden duty... a duty borne out of a heart of love for our LORD and Precious Savior JESUS CHRIST.


It is not works for Salvation; it is works AFTER Salvation, that we might be known as children of GOD. These works should be the fruit of our union with CHRIST JESUS, not only our determination. The LORD'S Grace is sufficient to supply our every need. Indeed, His+ strength is made perfect in weakness. None of us are lacking in weakness ! Thus, if yielded unto HIM+, none of us should be lacking in perfect strength, right?

Let us be mindful of the Apostle's words:

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord

unto all pleasing,

being fruitful in every good work,

and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power,

unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.

Colossians 1:10,11


Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and
unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every
one of you, as a father doth his children,
That ye would walk worthy of God,

who hath called you unto his
kingdom and glory.

I THESSALONIANS 2:10-12

O LORD JESUS CHRIST: Help me to walk worthy of You, unto all pleasing, that my basket of offering may be full and without blemish when I stand before the Great Judgment Seat of CHRIST. Help me not to take advantage of Your kindness and long-suffering. Help me to grow up, in THEE+, and become a mature, responsible Christ-bearer, before GOD and man. Help me to become a workman unashamed, both rightly dividing the Word of Truth and rightly applying it to my life. I praise THEE and worship THEE, O HOLY FATHER, with all that is within my little heart. Grant Your strength to be made perfect in my weakness... through Your Beloved and Obedient SON JESUS CHRIST... in the power of Thy Blessed HOLY SPIRIT. Amen.

LENTEN MEDITATION 24--Worthy is the Lamb

Worthy is the LAMB that was slain...

to receive power, and riches, and wisdom,

and strength, and honor, and glory and blessing!

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth,

and under the earth, and such as are in the sea,

and all that are in them, heard I saying,

Blessing and honor , and glory, and power,

be unto HIM that sitteth upon the throne,

and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Amen.

LENTEN MEDITATION 23 ~~~ Worthy and Well Done
For the Year of Our LORD, 2. 28. 2008


Thou hast a few names even in Sardis
which have not defiled their garments;
and they shall walk with me in white:
for they are worthy.

He that overcometh,
the same shall be clothed in white raiment;
and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life,
but I will confess his name before my Father,
and before his angels.

The Words of The LORD JESUS CHRIST
in Revelation 3:4, 5


Well done, thou good and faithful servant… oh, how we long to hear those words from our LORD! How it comforts us to hear them now in this present evil age. How much more so will it comfort us to hear them later, standing before the Great Judgment Seat of CHRIST. We hope to be workman not ashamed of what we have done in our bodies, inside our minds, within our hearts, and with our time.

Let us pray: O GRACIOUS LORD CHRIST, help me to be single of eye. I confess my propensity towards distraction of every sort. Grant me wisdom to deal with my distractions through the power of The HOLY SPIRIT, through the light of Thy written Word. All Scriptures given for edification and purification let me eat as my necessary food; make them as the apple of my eye. Then, O LORD, I will be as the apple of Your eye.

I ask these things through Thy Holy SON JESUS CHRIST, Who+ lives and reigns with You and Your HOLY SPIRIT, one GOD, through the ages of the ages. Amen.



+ + +

LENTEN MEDITATION 22 ~~~Our Example

Our Example
For the Year of Our LORD, 2.27.2008


And Jesus, when he was baptized,
went up straightway out of the water:
and, lo, the Heavens were opened unto him,
and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove,
and lighting upon HIM+:

And lo a Voice from Heaven, saying,
This is my beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 3: 16, 17

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them:
and behold a Voice out of the cloud, which said,
This is My Beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased;
hear ye HIM+.
Matthew 17:5


Then said Jesus unto them,
When ye have lifted up the Son of Man,
then shall ye know that

I, I AM ,

and that I do nothing of Myself;
but as My FATHER hath taught Me,

I speak these things.

And HE that sent me is with ME:
the FATHER hath not left ME alone;
for I do always those things that please HIM.
John 8:28,29 (Gk literal)

The Beloved SON+ pleased The FATHER. GOD the FATHER sent a Voice from Heaven to announce HIS pleasure in HIS Beloved SON+ to all who were gathered at Our LORD’S baptism.

Then, The FATHER did it again. HE sent a Voice once more to announce HIS pleasure in HIS Beloved SON+, JESUS CHRIST. This time, the Voice came out of the cloud at the time The LORD JESUS was transfigured on the mount.


The third statement came as the LORD JESUS taught in the treasury of the Temple. HE+ pointed out as HE+ proclaimed His+ oneness with The FATHER that HE+ did nothing… not one little thing… apart from His+ Heavenly FATHER.

But rather, JESUS spoke only those things His+ FATHER taught HIM+. Furthermore, His+ Heavenly FATHER WHO sent HIM+ has never left HIM+ alone.

Why was HE+ never alone? HE+ ever did those things that pleased His+ Heavenly FATHER. Our LORD JESUS learned obedience through the things that HE+ suffered. Wherefore…

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted HIM,
and given HIM a name
which is above every name:

That at the name of JESUS every knee should bow,
of things in Heaven, and things in earth,
and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess
that JESUS CHRIST is LORD,
to the glory of GOD the FATHER.
Phil. 2:9-11

Because HE+ continuously did those things that pleased His+ Heavenly FATHER, HE+ was never alone.

Dear Heavenly FATHER, O Ruler of the Universe, I thank THEE for giving to mankind Your Beloved SON JESUS CHRIST Who+ pleased THEE at all times. Help me to go and do likewise. In His+ Holy name I pray. Amen.

LENTEN MEDITATION 21 ~ Becoming Acceptable

LENTEN MEDITATION 21 ~ ~ ~ Becoming Acceptable…

a Message for the Redeemed, Those in the Covenant of The LORD JESUS CHRIST.

For the Year of Our LORD, 2.26.2008


Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be
acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

This message is ONLY for the Redeemed.
It is only for those who are regenerated, born anew from above.

It is only for those New Creatures in CHRIST JESUS.
It is only for those who have entered into the Covenant of GOD through CHRIST JESUS…

for there is no other Covenant
apart from the Blood of Our LORD JESUS CHRIST.


Bishop +Paul Stanley of All Saints Church in Rome, Ga., explains it this way: “GOD has chosen to relate to mankind in a personal way. HE does this through HIS Covenant. HE does not relate to man [in a personal way] outside of HIS Covenant.”


So, throughout this meditation, let us keep in mind we are NOT referring to being born again, anew from above. We are NOT talking about “earning” our salvation by doing good works so that GOD will grant us forgiveness and admission into Heaven when we die.


Indeed, we are not talking at all to anyone
outside of the covenant of GOD.

So now, how do we WHO ARE ALREADY IN THE COVENANT become acceptable to The LORD? Scriptures in several places, including the Psalms, and the Apostles writings, exhorts us to do those things which will make us acceptable unto HIM+.

[An aside: Originally, the Psalms were written by, to, and for the people of GOD who were under the Old Testament or Old Covenant. [Testament means covenant.] These saints were kept safe under the Mosaic Law, the Old Covenant, until the time of the Messiah. The LORD JESUS CHRIST, the Messiah, established the New and Better Covenant… the covenant made through His+ Blood.

We who are not born Jewish have become grafted into the Israel of GOD through The LORD JESUS CHRIST. Indeed, the Jews themselves now must enter into His+ new covenant established by the Messiah. The Old Covenant no longer exists.

The Psalms therefore, including both the promises and the words of exhortation, may be appropriated by all who are in the New Covenant through the LORD JESUS CHRIST. ]

So now, how do we WHO ARE ALREADY IN THE COVENANT

become acceptable to The LORD?

Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me:
then shall I be upright,
and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Psalm 19:12,13

Becoming acceptable unto The LORD involves good grooming of our soul and spirit. We continuously comb out the tangles. We get out the snags. The twisted nests of knots, hidden underneath, must be brought to the surface and be unsnarled, combed straight, and set free. The comb we use has sharp teeth… it is the standard of Scripture, the very words of The LORD CHRIST.

Thus, we monitor our motives, the thoughts of our hearts, in the light of His+ Word. What agrees with Scriptures, WITH CHRIST’S WORDS, we keep. What disagrees with HIS+WORD, we comb out and untangle. Even if we must use the scissors, we rid ourselves of the hidden twisted nests of knots, in the light of GOD’S word and by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. The Apostle Paul is a good example of this. He urged the Christians to be imitators of him in this respect, to follow his ways of following CHRIST.

Let us not be content to allow ourselves tangles and twisted knots. We think they cannot be seen by others. But, there is ONE+ Who+ sees all.



Dear Heavenly FATHER, THOU art Holy. I need that holiness in the inner man. Help me to be pure in thought… pure in word … pure in deed. Help me to see my motives and ungracious spirit when I think things unworthy of my LORD CHRIST. I do not want Him+ to be ashamed of me and to always have to tolerate my slovenly ways. Help me not to excuse myself, but to walk in a way that is well-pleasing unto YOU, through your Well Beloved SON our LORD, in the strength of Your Blessed HOLY SPIRIT.

I praise You for Your continual goodness toward me. I thank You for Your patience with my errors. I thank You for Your holiness now and Your holiness when You walked on earth as a man. Help me to become more holy in my innermost being. Help me to follow your example as my LORD+ and MASTER+.

I pray this in the unblemished name of The LORD JESUS CHRIST, Your eternal SON and WORD.
Amen. + + +

LENTEN MEDITATION 20 ~ ~ ~

LENTEN MEDITATION 20~~~ The Judgment Seat of CHRIST

For the Year of Our LORD, 2.25.2008


Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent,
we may be accepted of HIM+.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ;

that every one may receive the things done in his body,
according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord,
we persuade men;
but we are made manifest unto God;
and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
2 Cor. 5: 9,10,11

Whatever could this frightening passage mean? Was it written by just any believer?
No. It was written by the Apostle Paul.

Then, perhaps it was written to non-Christians?
No. The Apostle Paul was writing to the church of CHRIST at Corinth.

Perhaps he was writing about the back-sliders… for we all know the Corinthian church was beset by BIG problems.

But, no, wrong again.

The Apostle Paul was discussing his own ministry from Chapter 4 through Chapter 6!

Yes, it does mean exactly what it says.

[How should we then live?]

LENTEN MEDITATION 19 ~ ~ ~ True Profits

What are we working to gain?