Monday, March 18, 2024

The Graveyard ðŸŠĶ

Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; As I read that verse the little phrase caught my attention “afar off” I looked to see how many times it was mentioned in the Book of Mark. The first time is in Mark 5:6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, If you remember, this was the man that lived in the graveyard. This was the man no one would have anything to do with. This was the man that many had tried to help.This was the man that no one could tame. This was the man that could be heard crying from the graveyard  night and day. This was the man that was cutting himself and this was the man that  others were afraid of. This is the story of many today that have gotten caught up in some type of life destroying sin whether it be Alcohol, drug, sex, gambling, and many other devastating sins. No matter what you want to call it you yourself can identify with this man in the graveyard. The future looks grim, no hope in sight, you feel all alone. You may not be crying on the outside but inwardly the tears are coming like a strong rain shower. Your friends, oh they left long ago. Never feel there’s no hope? that is a trap you must stay away from. When one gets serious about the graveyard they find themselves in, they will find someone to help them. Yesterday I spent a few hours with a man who a few years ago was in the graveyard of his addiction. But today he is working and running a small business. He’s not one in a million. Oh no he was one who was far off and got serious and left the graveyard. In the graveyard there are few travelers that can help you. 

Friday, March 15, 2024

The Race Is On 🏃🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Jesus, you can’t get away from the name. Without doubt you will hear that name today. It may not be in a good way that you hear the name Jesus but you will most likely hear that name today. I emphasize the personal pronoun “You” because “you” have already read the name Jesus. But did you know in the last 40 years, over 1 billion people have died who have never heard of Jesus, and around 30 million people this year will perish without hearing the name Jesus. Why did I write all of that information? Because on that day when Jesus gave up the ghosh the centurion said.

Mark 15:39 (KJV) And when the centurion, which stood over against him,(Jesus) saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said,Truly this man was the Son of God.  

 Look what this centurion saw and heard before he says “Truly this man was the Son of God” This centurion realized and was recorded as being the first to make the statement that Jesus was the Son of God after His death. So who was the first to see Jesus after His resurrection? This may surprise you but it was Mary Magdalene. Why is that so interesting? Remember the main reason that Jesus Christ came into this world! Luke 19:10 (KJV) For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Mary Magdalene was lost, but now she knows who Jesus really is and that He came into this world to save sinners. Why is that? Because she realized her lost condition and asked Jesus to save her. How do I know that? Because of her relationship with Jesus. Out of all the people of that day Mary was the only one to linger at His grave sight.   Mark 16:9 (KJV) Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.  Mary Magdalene??? You gotta be kidding. Oh yes God doesn’t think as we do. 

Ecclesiastes 9:11 (KJV) I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. Just because we climbed up the corporate ladder here means nothing in heaven. The race is on, you are either on this world’s track or Heaven's track. Which one!

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Don’t Stand 🧍‍♂️and Look ðŸ•ķ️ Too Long

Mark 15:36 (KJV) And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.

Many are just looking and waiting to see what will happen. What were they looking for? Has the death of Jesus become an event instead of what it really was? How could there be no sorrow of the pain and the awfulness of what had happened to Jesus? Oh, I’m sure there were those there who felt great grief and sorrow but they were few. Why do I say that because of the volume of the other voices.

Mark 15:14 (KJV) Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.

Mark 15:30 (KJV) Save thyself, and come down from the cross. 

The majority of those at the cross made fun of Jesus and insulted Him. This my friend was not an event. Here at the cross we see the awfulness of man kind and how far mankind will go. For the most part it was in the height of the moment. Wonder what happened later to those who got caught up in the moment?  I wonder if there were replays in their minds when they tried to sleep at night? I’m sure of it. What have you seen or been involved in that you yourself can’t forget? For me there’s one that comes to mind. In 1985 my uncle was on his way home from work. He stops in his little truck; I’m not sure that he got gas for his truck but he did fill up a small gas can and placed it in the back of his truck. He is now headed for home when a young lady for whatever reason crosses the divider and hits his truck pushing it across the highway into a bank. He is trapped in the vehicle, but then the gas in the rear of the truck catches on fire. He somehow turned around kicking the back window out. He get out running down the highway on fire from the gas that got on him. A man jumps out of his car and runs putting blankets over him putting out the fire. Thanks for your quick thinking. But the damage was done. 80% of his skin was burned off. Rushed to the hospital which could not handle this type of trauma. They sent a helicopter to fly him to Augusta. They load and strap him in and up they go but they hit something as they lifted up. The helicopter crashes killing everyone except him. They send him to Grady hospital in Atlanta. He lived 3-days and when I saw him the next day after the accident I cannot describe in words what he looked like. From the top of his head to just above his feet all his skin was gone, burned off and all his body fluids were coming out. As Forrest Gump said “that’s enough of that.” Many wanted to see what would happen there at the cross and you know what even today they still do. My advice is don't stand and look too long!


 

Monday, March 11, 2024

They Need The Cash ðŸ’ĩ and I Am Done With This Shell ðŸĒ

Mark 15:33 (KJV) And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

Mark 15:34 (KJV) And at 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? 

Darkness, that’s bad enough. But then being forsaken, oh my that awful. Have you ever been in the dark? I mean where you felt unrecoverable? Maybe to the point you prayered for daylight. Have you ever been forsaken? Put both together and it’s a bad day. I remember one night after Church services were over. My wife and I always drove 2 cars because I almost never got to leave after services were over. One Sunday night my wife had already left and I turned the light off, locked up and went home. As I walked into our home my wife asked where’s Jason? I said I don’t know. She then said did he not ride home with you? I said no I haven’t seen him. She said he was asleep on the pew. At that point I got really troubled. My mind began to run away with me. All I could picture was that young child of 6 years old waking up in a dark place forsaken. I couldn’t get back to the church fast enough, those 5 miles seemed like 50. When I got there I ran up the church steps expecting to hear crying maybe to the point of uncontrolled gasping for air. I opened the doors as quickly as possible; no crying oh no. He has somehow gotten out of the Church and my mind ran wild. I turned on the lights and my eyes looked quickly to where my wife said he was. As I looked there what I saw was a relief. He was fast asleep, he never knew what I experienced to which I was grateful. 

Darkness was over the whole land for 3 hours and we read nothing of Jesus speaking a word. Then we read that Jesus speaks. What does He say?  “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”   Oh my! Then we read Mark 15:37 (KJV) And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. What did Jesus say Luke 23:46 (KJV) And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Jesus' earthly life is over. Then those that loved him began to prepare for His burial. You know we spend a lot of time and money preserving something that’s not going to last.  

1 Timothy 6:7 (KJV) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

I had a good friend named Phil Nixson; he passed away on  April 16, 2020, at the age of 72. I wrote this to say that Phil wasn’t trying to preserve his old broken worn out remains. They lowered his casket into the ground and as I turned to walk away I heard a strange sound. I turned and looked around to see something I had never seen. The grave diggers were putting dirt right on top of that casket. Oh no you might say, that won’t work the casket will rust. You are right! But Phil understood what his Bible taught him.  1 Thessalonians 4:14 (KJV) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  We are not trying to preserve, we are all done with that body, it’s broken, it’s worn out. God is giving us a new one when He calls us all home. So I want to be just like Phil and save my loved ones some money. They need the cash and I am done with this shell. 

Friday, March 8, 2024

The Smart Thief ðŸĪĐ

 Remember last time Jesus has been stripped of His clothing and these soldiers begin to gamble for His clothing at the foot of the Cross.  Oh how cruel and heartless they were back in those days. But now we have better education and peace rallies we don’t do those barbaric things anymore. Did you watch the news last night or maybe listened to it this morning? We left off with Jesus placed in the middle of two known thieves. For one of these thieves it will be a great day, not so much so for the other. What made the difference? Let's see. 

Mark 15:27 (KJV) And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. This is bad enough but just below and around the cross look what’s going on.  

Mark 15:29 (KJV)  And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,      Mark 15:30 (KJV)  Save thyself, and come down from the cross.                                                             Mark 15:31 (KJV)  Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.

Mark 15:32 (KJV) Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. Below the cross the people were saying come off the cross and we will believe who you say you are. The soldiers are still making fun of Jesus Christ and the chief priest and the scribes were saying “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. But Jesus didn’t say a word to them. But what went on above the ground with the two thieves is impressive.    Luke 23:39 (KJV) And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

One of the thieves said so you are really the Savior the Messiah; well if that be so save yourself and us too. This thief was only concerned about himself. Now it’s time for the other thief to speak, what will he have to say?? Luke 23:40 (KJV) But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? This man realized the importances of the hour, he and the other thief are about to die. So what does this man do?? Luke 23:42 (KJV) And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. What do you think Jesus will say to this man? Maybe Jesus might say “are you kidding after what you have done, the language you have used, the people you have destroyed, not on your life, just like you yourself said we're getting what we deserve. That may be what you and I would have said but not Jesus, read what He says.

Luke 23:43 (KJV) And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Do what! You mean that this man lived an awful sinful life; I mean we have the proof he’s a convicted thief he is being punished for his crime and you tell me that in the last moments of his life Jesus saves him from eternal punishment. Yes! Why? Simple, he realized he had done wrong or in other words he realized he was a sinner and that Jesus was his savior and asked “Lord remember him.” At the foot of those crosses there we read of those who were making fun. On one side of Jesus there was one who was trying to make a deal for himself. But on Jesus’s other side there was one who saw the real importance of the moment. He was truthfully sorry and asked for forgiveness. Picture the day we live in. There are those who go about their day and if they think about death they just say there’s plenty of time. Then there’s others who are making deals with God. Just the other day a man asked me to baptize him. I asked him why did he think he needed to be baptized? He said I never have and I want to cover all the bases and be sure. You don’t do or make deals with God. This thief didn’t he just simply asked “Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” Well let me see,ðŸĪ” were you a member of the synagogue? 🧐 Did you give of your time and money?⏳💰 Were you baptized? ðŸ’Ķ No,No,and No! But I have done wrong, I have sinned! Good enough see you later today in Paradise.  We are either below the cross, making a deal or putting our trust in Jesus Christ like the smart thief. 

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Stop✋ Enough is a Enough ðŸĪ•

 Well, here we are as some would say the darkest day in history. But may I remind each of us that without this dark day in history we would have no confirmation. Many have claimed to be the savior of mankind and just like Jesus they all died. So what makes Jesus our confirmation? Yes all have died

but all not some but ALL are still in their graves. Without doubt this is a sad day in history. But this sad dark day in history will move us to the greatest day in history. Yes Jesus was mistreated, misjudged, but let us not forget that at any time Jesus could have said it’s enough and walked away. Had He done that we would be without hope and there would be no confirmation. So Jesus allowed a crown of thorns to be plated on His head not placed but plated, there is a difference.  Jesus allowed those men to hit Him in the head. Jesus allowed those men to  spit on Him. Jesus allowed those men to make fun of Him. When it was all over they led Jesus out to be crucified. Again Jesus allowed men to drive nails into His hands and feet. When would you have said “enough is enough if you could have stopped it all? Jesus could have but He didn’t. Jesus, whom was so weak could not carry the cross to the place of crucifixion. So those soldiers grabbed  a man by the name of Simon to carry it for Him. 

Mark 15:21 (KJV) And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. Jesus is brought to Golgotha, the place of the skull. There He is stripped of His clothing and these soldiers begin to gamble for His clothing at the foot of the Cross. Mankind can be so cruel and heartless at times. All one has to do is read past history of what mankind has done to each other even women and children. Oh wait a minute with all our education and peace rallies we don’t do those barbaric things anymore. Right and you have your head struck in the sand somewhere. We don’t have to read history, all we have to do is watch the news. Jesus has arrived, He is placed in the middle of two known thieves. This will be a great day for one of those thieves. I’ll write and tell you about it next time God Bless and have a great day.

Monday, March 4, 2024

You Better Think ðŸĪ”

Mark 15:19 (KJV)  And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. After writing that the Lord reminded me that just in the chapter before the same thing happened.  Mark 14:65 (KJV) And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands. This was the first time our Lord and Savior was spit on and hit and made fun of. Let us never forget how cruel mankind can be. What does the act if spitting on others mean? spitting can be used as a way to provoke or intimidate someone. Spitting can also be an expression of disrespect towards another person, to deem the worthlessness of another. It’s a nonverbal way of expression. Mankind not knowing who they were really spitting on, hitting and making fun of kept doing the same. So it is today there are those who speak evil of the God who loves them dearly. They use God’s name in vain in their talk and type as they text each other.  They disrespect the place of Worship and those who attend there. But never forget what Jesus said while hanging on the cross 

Luke 23:34 (KJV) Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. They didn’t know what they were doing. Neither do people today. Why would I say that? Here’s why, if someone loudly said words of disgrace about your mother or dad repeatedly in an angry way how would you act? Probably not in a way that you hear God's name used. Why is that? Because of the relationship you have with your mom and dad. You, like no one else on earth, understands what they sacrificed, gave and their love for you and your siblings. So when someone who doesn’t know them says hurtful words it hurts deeply. But when God’s name is used in a disrespectful way, it doesn’t bother you at all. Why is that? Because of the relationship. That is what Jesus was saying “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” they don’t know what they are doing. But when you have a relationship your feelings change. I remember many years ago a man kept using God’s Name in vain. I finally said to him “I don’t appreciate that you continue to use my Father’s Name in vain.” He had no clue of what I was saying, my father in law had to tell him what I meant as I walked away. No doubt he was a nice man but he just didn’t know what he was doing. He may have heard others talking like that and he just incorporated those words into his vocabulary. We do the same and we don’t have to use God’s Name in a big way to use it in vain. Same principle applies. Let’s say your dad’s name is Dan, would you incorporate into your vocabulary these words O my Dan, for Dan’s sake and other ways we use God’s Name in vain? Probably not. Why? Would it be out of love, respect  and your relationship? As Aretha Franklin said in her song “you better think! ðŸĪ”