Eternity is a Long Time

  As we read the Gospel accounts of the Crucifixion, we notice Jesus said more than one thing during His time on the cross. In fact, He made seven statements when you add them together from all of the Gospels. Seven represents completion (e.g. a week is 7 days long) and when Jesus says His seventh statement, He dies. His earthly ministry, in His earthly body, is completed. The seven statements are: 1. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing. Luke 23:34 2. Today, you will be with me in paradise. Luke 23:43 3. Behold your son: behold your mother. John 19: 26-27 4. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34; Psalm 22                      5. I thirst. John 19: 28 (cf. John 4: 4-26); Psalm 22:15; Psalm 69:21 6. It is finished. John 19:30 7. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. Luke 23: 46; Psalm 31:5 The exact order is not known as no one Gospel has them all, although “It is...

[ This is a devotional/study I put together for my department at work (Christian organization) ] Jesus talks about the sign of Jonah and the Queen of the South together in both Matthew and Luke’s gospel. He makes His point speaking to Pharisees and Scribes as well as to other people.  Can’t you hear some people saying: “Oh no, not Pharisees again. We do not have any Pharisees anymore and Scribes went out with the printing press. This is another example of how the Bible is not relevant these days.”  This is where we need to understand the principle Jesus is getting at and not get caught up with the particulars of the story. Too many people do not want the Bible to be relevant so it gives them the opportunity to do what they want with no consequences. As we go forward, consider that you may be the Pharisees or scribes in these verses.  Let’s first look at how Matthew relates the story.  Matthew 12:38-42 (ESV) 38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, say...

  Pentecost (Greek for 50 th day) is a celebration too many Christians overlook. For many, they are uncomfortable with the “speaking in tongues” aspect of it. For others, it is hard to appreciate what other day could be as important as Good Friday and Easter/Resurrection Day. Yet Pentecost, or better said, the celebration of “The Most Special Pentecost”, should be almost as high on our list as the Crucifixion and Resurrection. Before we begin, there are two things to keep in mind. First, redemption without revelation leads to regression back to condemnation and bondage. Secondly, what happened in the Old Testament is so often a foreshadowing of greater fulfillment depicted in the New Testament. Why do we keep going back to the Old Testament? Because Jesus is the fulfillment of scripture – ALL scripture. The only scripture at the time of His death and resurrection is what we now call the Old Testament. If you don’t understand or appreciate the connections, you lose out on the gre...

  I just learned my internet friend Jackie , who I first knew on Gather back in 2006, passed away in July. She told me she had 3 near death experiences. It was not too long after the third one that she wrote what you see pictured here. I can't say with certainty, but it sure looks like the Lord kept Jackie here on earth so she could finally come to the realization of what He did for all of us on the cross and, most importantly, for Jackie to invite Him into her heart. You see, just knowing about God is NOT enough. Even acknowledging God as Creator is NOT enough. We must humble ourselves and give our hearts to Him. We must love Him to be saved from the justice we all deserve. If we love Him, then He will forgive our sins and we will be with Him for eternity. For Jesus loved all of us first - even when we did not love Him - and He showed that by dying on the cross for us. This is what Jackie ultimately did, but it took a while and she had the time. You may not. We do not know what to...

  If you want to talk about the depravity of man (and woman) we can go on for hours, days, weeks. "All have sinned and fallen short of God." “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way." It is amazing how terrible we can be to our fellow human beings. Just when you come across what you think is something unbelievably horrible, you learn of something even worse. If Jesus hadn't died on the cross and rose that third day, we would have no hope at all since humanity cannot save itself.

  I know that some people make a big deal about Jesus never saying something to the effect of "I am God" and, therefore, try to argue that Jesus was just some guy who said interesting stuff. There are many examples in the Gospels of Jesus claiming to be God and acting like God when one has even the smallest amount of understanding of the Old Testament and Jewish culture. However, I came across a passage I haven't seen in a long time which show's the divinity of Jesus. In John 12:32, Jesus says: "And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself." The being lifted up is when Jesus is crucified, that part is straightforward. It's the second phrase where you have to think - but just for a little bit. If you or I were to declare that something we would do would draw all people to us - how would that come across today? We'd be considered a kook unless we were trying for hyperbole. Even so, the very idea that we would try to do someth...

  The application and the foreshadowing in Hosea 5:15-6:2 is amazing! God said: "I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me. Israel and Judah Are Unrepentant" (Hosea 5:15 ESV) And the people replied: “Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him." (Hosea 6:1-2 ESV) God wants us to turn to him with urgency and do so consistently; not just a one time crying out. The two days mentioned by the people before God raises them up is profound. Jonah was in the belly of the whale 3 days and it must have seemed like an eternity to him - but it was only 2 full days as Jonah was repenting and on the third day Jonah was released. This passage from Hosea, written 500 years or so before Jesus suffered on the ...

  One of the great wonders and one of the great mysteries is how God the Son left His throne in Heaven and became 100% man while remaining 100% God. He didn't come as a fully grown man, He came into the world after growing for 9 months in Mary's womb with all the pain, blood and bodily fluids that comes with childbirth. As an infant He cried when He was hungry, He fussed when His teeth were coming in. He wobbled as He took His first steps. As He grew, He surely fell and scraped His arm or knee and got sick with a cold from time to time. He was sinless but He did not do everything perfectly. Why do I say this? Because the scriptures describe Him as simply the carpenter's son; not that He was the very best at everything He did. He was not a superstar in human form doing human things because that would take away from His eternal message. During His life on earth He was meek and lowly and not at all great looking ( Isaiah 53:2 ). He could blend in the crowd because He...

Our God is awesome in the truest sense of the word. So many people try to put limits on God in order to attempt to better understand Him. Instead, they wind up diminishing His greatness. By trying to explain Him in terms we all can understand and relate to, we miss out on how wonderful He really is and the plan He has for all of us. In order to attempt to show the wonder of God, try this. You are outside on a clear day. In your mind’s eye take a step back from yourself and imagine you see things from beyond your limited vantage point. If you can envision yourself seeing all around you at once you are off to a good start. Now look at the objects that are being blocked by other objects and describe them perfectly. At the same time, know what is happening beneath your feet. “See” every worm and grub, and know the soils’ exact chemical composition — every square inch. Are you still with me? Now, describe exactly what your closest friend is doing, what and who are near your friend and how m...

 When life's road hits some rough spots, when the going gets a bit tough, we are tempted to try and transact business with God. We try and bargain with the Creator to get what we want. We might say things like: "God, if you'll get me out of this situation, I'll read my Bible every day!" or "God, if you'll open this door of opportunity for me, I'll never cuss again." Really? Do we really think we can get God to do things for us this superficially?  Yes, we do think this way. I know I do - at least for a few seconds before I figuratively slap myself in the head and get my act together. This doesn't mean there haven't been many who fervently prayed for something and included a commitment on their part to act better in relation to God. The difference is the depth of our relationship with him. God wants us to seek Him with our whole heart, not trying to make bargains we know we won't keep. However, if we do seek Him with all of our heart t...

We need to keep the main thing the main thing. We need to remember that there are debatable and non-debatable issues in Christianity. What are these non-debatable issues? - Jesus is the Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, 100% God, 100% human - Jesus sacrificed Himself to pay the wages for all of our sins by dying on the cross - Jesus rose on the 3rd day and ascended into Heaven shortly thereafter - He is alive and will come again to judge the living and the dead - Jesus created all that was made - We are saved for eternity with God by faith in Jesus and His works, not by our works - The Bible is the word of God All the other issues such as whether a Christian can drink alcohol, eat non-Kosher foods, speak in tongues, whether there is a rapture before the second coming of Jesus, etc, these are all debatable. It is fine to debate them and to have strong opinions, but none of these opinions should get in the way of the non-debatable issues.  If a person has a belief on a de...

 A wagon train had just crossed the river when they saw a prairie fire coming toward them. They knew they could not re-cross the river before they would be engulfed in the flames. The leader started another fire behind them. When the embers had cooled the wagon train moved on to them. The oncoming fire could not burn twice what had already been burned once. Likewise, we are to stay close to the cross for we know not when the Judgment comes. Jesus already paid the price for our mistakes and sinfulness with His sacrifice on the cross. The fire of the oncoming Judgment will not burn those who cling to Him

How can man ever accept a personal relationship with God; a relationship that is unique to every individual? Only one way - God has to also be man and show us His love by dying as our substitute. He took our punishment and made it His own in a way everyone can see and feel even through they weren’t there. The empty tomb and the victory over sin is all the more joyous for the pain He went through for us and eternity will be the sweeter.