😒Dead or Alive🤗

 Waking up to see another day is a blessing. Don’t take it for granted. Make it count and be happy that you’re alive. 

Two men die but this man Jesus we are told says “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” then we are not told that Jesus dies but instead we are told that He “gave up the ghost.”

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.

He is taken from the cross and buried. It’s done, the man Jesus is now gone. No more crowds, no more miracles where the blind receive their sight, the lame leave walking, the hurt leave forgiven, the hunger leaved filled yes He is now gone. Wait, is that really true? I heard that the tomb was open! The body is gone! The news is that women went to the grave early this morning and the stone was rolled away. I heard that Peter ran in and found, well they said he said there was no body to be found. Can this be true? What happened to His body? Then this woman, you know that woman, I think her name was Mary. The one; you know that woman, who used to make money, you know that house where men would stop by a lot. You mean Mary Magdalene? Yeah her! She kept hanging around over there at the tomb and Jesus showed up. That’s hard to believe that Jesus would first show Himself to an ex prostitute. I would have to see that in writing to believe that. 

 John 20:15 (KJV) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

John 20:16 (KJV) Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

So you are asking me to believe that because one person saw this man Jesus alive after they buried Him? Not only that, this woman might be a little questionable. Oh no there’s more Jesus disciples say the same thing. Ok, are you serious? This woman whom is questionable at best. Now these men who have run off and hid. Do you think that is enough for me to believe that this man Jesus just got up from the tomb and walked out? What, there’s more? Did you say more than 500 people saw this man Jesus alive? They sure did. 1 Corinthians 15:6 (KJV) After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

There’s more. 1 Corinthians 15:7 (KJV) After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

How can we not believe that Jesus rose from the dead after all these witnesses to the fact that they themselves saw Him? That would be like you or I being on trial and over 500 witnesses said we didn’t do what we were being tried for and then found guilty. 

🏃‍♂️‍➡️The Rush 🪎

The five o’clock rush but nothing moving.

You may have never heard of James Wilson Marshall from New Jersey.  James was a carpenter working for John Sutter to build a water-powered saw mill. Marshall one day discovered flakes of gold. He said “I was certain it was gold and my heart Thumped.” Sutter tried to keep the gold a secret but somehow the news got out. People began to move into the town which would later be named  Sacramento by the 1000’s. They came from as far as China over 300,000 came. They left their farms, their families' and towns became ghost towns for the fortune to be made.

As the gold seems to be a non-ending source of wealth. In 1848 the population was 20,000, by 1852 it was 380,000 and some 81 million dollars worth of gold had been pulled from the ground. With wealth comes others who  saw another way of getting their hands on the gold without the work.  Gold mining towns had sprung up all over the region, complete with shops, saloons, brothels and other businesses seeking to make their own Gold Rush fortune. While reading about the gold rush of 49 what were you thinking? Were you thinking maybe if you lived in that time you would have packed up and left the family and headed out for the fortune to be made. Well many did. As you read did you notice what wasn’t in the gold towns?  There was the saloon, the shops and the brothel but there was no Church. Now fast forward to our day and time. There is no gold rush going on or is it? Now before you get to thinking I am against having wealth I’m not. Wealth can be great to have but it can also be a nightmare. Gold may make one happy for a while but it will always fail in the end. We see that from the gold rush of 49. If gold was all that was needed for happiness and joy. Then why was there a need for a saloon and brothels? Never forget all that shines is not gold. I must never forget the enemy. I'm well aware of an enemy and what the enemy can do. I'm thankful for knowing what an enemy is and what the enemy can do. I learned that in the military. 

The enemy loves to catch you unaware of what is going on around you. Matthew 13:25 (KJV) But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

Notice “while men slept” while they were unaware what happened “his enemy came” best stay alert in this world don’t go to sleep and think all is well.  

So who is our enemy?  Matthew 13:39 (KJV) The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

The devil temps  Matthew 4:1 (KJV) Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. “You better think.” We will not escape the enemy’s sowings. Be careful not to get into the Rush of 2026. So busy that we missed the blessing of God today because we are chasing the gold of tomorrow. 

These are my thoughts about one Friday

 There is always a light. Are we brave enough to follow it?

 

One Friday not too long ago I got to spend the whole day with my grandson. It was 8:30 and we took off for a 75 mile ride just me and him. We talked about a lot of different things on the first 75 miles and if you go away 75 miles you will have to return 75 miles.  It was on the return trip I told him things about myself he didn’t know for I don’t talk about them ever. I wanted him to know about the darker side of my life before Jesus saved me. You see he never saw me but one way a Pastor, a person who loves people and wanted to help where I could. My wife and I worked 20 years helping those that had let alcohol and drugs wreck their lives. There was a dark side that he never knew and I wanted him to know what great things God had done. You might say that I should have just kept quiet. I might have except for a few things that he said over the past few months. One night he and I were sitting in our living room and he said “I want to be more like you.” Oh wow I realize that what I do and say does affect others. Then at Christmas time he wrote in a card these words “You mean the world to me.” Then he went on to write “I look up to you in so many ways.” Then he wrote “ I hope that my grandchildren and great grandchildren respect and love me the same way yours do.” Then he closed out by writing “there is nothing in this world I wouldn’t do for you I love you.” That meant the world to me and he will never know how much. Well I just felt like he should know I haven’t always been like he knows me. God has done a great work without doubt in my life. As we got closer to home I just didn't want the day to end. At the end of the day I’m sure he enjoyed being with me. What to him may have seemed like an enjoyable day he got to spend with his Papa. To me meant the world and a day that will be in my memory for the rest of my life. Am I sorry for telling him all I told him? No and I didn’t share half. What I am sorry for is that I really did those things in the first place. You say yes we have all done things we wish we had not done. True! Here is the best part: God who knows all, refuses to remember and will never bring it up. We got that in writing. Psalms 103:12 (KJV) As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

🫈Know 4 Myself🧑🏻‍💻

 Not knowing" is often a place of anxiety, but it is also a space for growth, creativity, and the beginning of wisdom.

Nicodemus was a man that had to find out for himself. Have you ever had to find out? know for yourself? Or are you one who just takes someone else’s word? To find out for yourself takes time. Nicodemus was one of those people who took the time to find out for himself. You have to admire someone like that. Now Nicodemus was a Pharisee which tells us that he was strict in his religion. We are also told that he was a Jew and that he was also well known “a ruler of the Jews.” We are told all that and then we read in John chapter 3 that he wanted to see for himself. We read in John chapter 3 and verse 2 that he came to see for himself one night.  

John 3:2 (KJV) The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

I’m not sure who Nicodemus was referring to when he said “we know.” So first of all let’s see what Nicodemus knows. Nicodemus knows that Jesus was a teacher that came from God. He also knew that the average person could not do the miracles that Jesus was doing unless God was with Him.  Then Jesus stops him and says these words “Verily, verily which means in truth, in fact and certainly.” Then Jesus goes on and says “except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Then Nicodemus said “how can a man be born again?” Great question Nicodemus. Then he comes up with his own question “can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” Jesus answers and uses those words verily, verily again or truly, truly. What is being discussed? “Entering the Kingdom of God.” Then Jesus says “except a man” Jesus doesn't say Nicodemus, Jesus uses the term man as in mankind. First mankind must be born of water? What is Jesus doing here? Is Jesus  painting us another word picture? There is a lot of confusion about this water and I’ll be honest I’m not sure either but here is what I see. Jesus uses the word born of water and of the Spirit. What is interesting is that the very next verse Jesus says this John 3:6 (KJV) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Could water which is a natural substance be a picture of our natural person? Because seeing the Kingdom of God one but be born naturally and spiritually. Once we are born we can never be born naturally again. Now our spirit which communicates with God  

John 4:24 (KJV) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.  The spirit died with Adam and Eve. 

Genesis 2:17 (KJV) But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

We know that they both partook of that which they were told not to. We also know that they did not die physically. Their way of communicating with God died because they went and hid themself and didn’t want to talk with God. Until that spirit is reborn in us we can not communicate with God our Heavenly Father. Nicodemus wanted to know for himself so he took the time to do so. We may not be right on everything but the one thing we must be right about is Jesus Christ. Too many argue about the water and miss what Jesus is really saying. You want to communicate with God? Then something is going to have to be born and that being your dead spirit. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit.

👩‍🏫Who Taught What📓

 Learning is not a spectator sport.

If we take time to remember we will remember that one day our mom or dad took us somewhere. We had heard about it and were told at times we would one day be going but we still had no understanding of what it would be all about. Then the day came and we were taken to a big building. We got out of the car and were led through doors and were taken to what they called a classroom. On that day we began to be taught what we would need to know as we grew older. During the next 12 years we were taught a lot of things. We were taught how to read and write and over time how to spell words. We learned to solve mathematical problems. Then there was the history where we learned about men and women who went beyond. Women like Best Ross, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and many others. We learned about times and places, states and what their capital cities were. We were given what were called test and given a grade. We learned that we were not the best at some of these subjects and then we were outstanding in other subjects. Then after those 12 years we had the opportunity to continue on and go to college or take what we knew and get started living. In other words where we continued on or went into the work force we still continued learning how to live this life. Not sure if everyone has this down yet or not but this life will come to an end. Just yesterday I was talking with a lady who used these words in a sentence “if I ever die.” I think some people have in their minds that this thing called death will someway, somehow bypass them. The Bible is plain on that subject see if you think so. Hebrews 9:27 (KJV) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

There is not one person that has ever lived that doesn’t have one appointment they will not miss; death. Some appointments are early in life and others are late in life but they will be met. Well if you think that somehow you will bypass death then keep using that word if. On the other hand, maybe it would be good to learn something about what comes next. How does one do that? Same way you learned what 2+2 was by a teacher that knew math. Everyone has an idea of what comes next or think they do but where did they get their learning? Who taught them? Does what they say work out in their lives? You see, everyone has an opinion but opinions are only statements, theory or events, the truth or falsehood of which is supported by a degree of evidence that renders it probably but does not produce absolute knowledge or certainty. You see 2+2 will always be 4 and that is a fact without argument. The question we must ask ourselves is what we read in the Bible truth? Was Jesus the Son of God? Have we said to ourselves like Pilate did in John 18:38 “What is truth.” 

When Jesus said this unto His disciples the last time He met with them alone on this earth.   

John 14:6 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Can we believe it to be true?

If we don’t then what is ture  and why do we think it to be true? Have you been taught anything spiritual by a person who knows something about the truth he or she is teaching? We spent a lot of time learning what to expect and how to operate in this world we now live in. How about the next or is there a next? How do we know either? Great question, I hope you have a good answer. 2+2 is 4 whether you feel like it is or not! Feeling have no surety. 

🏋️‍♀️My Hope💪

 My hope is built on nothing less

When I was a young boy I remember going to church and hearing this song sung. 

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus' name

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

When darkness veils his lovely face

I rest on His unchanging grace

In every high and stormy gale

My anchor holds within the veil

His oath, his covenant, his blood

Supports me in the 'whelming flood

When all around my soul gives way

He then is all my hope and stay

It’s the hymn “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less.” Written by  Edward Mote in 1834.

When I think of that hymn I not only have fond memories but I also understand that it tells of the great foundation of our Christian faith, Jesus Christ.

Webster tells us this about a Foundation: The basis or ground work, or any thing; that on which any thing stands, and by which it is supported.

What is the foundation of our Christian Faith? Jesus Christ! I got to thinking about my Christian Faith and its foundation. Webster says that a foundation is that which any thing stands, and by which it is supported. There are structures that are standing today that are dated back in the BC area. That’s a long time. Now, how in the world is that possible? It's the foundation! What is interesting is this, the most important things can not be seen with the natural eye. We know it’s there because of the standing structure. What is the foundation in our Christian lives? Some might say the Church. I will agree the Church should be important in our lives but it’s not the foundation. Jesus ask this question in  Luke 6:39 (KJV) And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

Can a blind person lead a blind person? No! For they will both fall into a ditch, hole, pit. If I were to build something and told myself I really don’t need a foundation, nobody is going to see it anyways. Is this a wise or unwise decision? What do you think will happen? The Bible tells us what will happen. In Luke chapter 6 verses 48 & 49 we are told about 2 men and 2 houses. One is built on a foundation and the other is not. Storms come on both houses, one stands and the other falls. Which one do you think stood? If you said the one with the foundation you were correct. Where is our Christian’s Faith Foundation? My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness. On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand. Another thing about a foundation is that it holds the weight of what is built on it. A foundation that has nothing built on it really has no purpose. For years I kept driving by this lot where someone had taken the time to put in a foundation to build something but nothing ever was built. I have seen this happen in many Christian lives. They realize they need a Savior so they ask the Lord to save them. They even get involved for a time going to Church, wanting to read their Bible and pray. Then it happens, oh not all at once but just slowly they start missing one Church service which leads to another and then not going much at all to not going at all. Bible reading stops and prayer is next and everything is almost back to normal, except for the foundation. It’s there but nothing is built on it, the foundation is carrying no weight and is noticed by almost no one. Now put that in a Christian  perspective. The foundation in the Christin life is Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11 (KJV) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

There is no other foundation that can be laid outside of Jesus Christ. Once the foundation is laid then there is something to build on. Have you ever noticed a construction site? People everywhere are working to construct a structure on that foundation. In other words it’s not a one man job. Neither should our Christian life, so get busy and start building on your Christian foundation. 

 

🎭Decisions 🧐

   Every decision you make reflects your evaluation of who you are.🫆

Have you ever stopped and looked back over your life and thought what if I would have made that decision instead? Went to college, moved to that state, took that job, bought that stock. We have decisions to make and wishing we had made those other decisions will never give us the right insight with today’s direction. Do you know why? Because we didn’t make that other decision. Moses raised in the Kings Palace had it made so to speak. Moses made another decision and this decision took him far away in another direction. This is what Moses said about that decision; Hebrews 11:24 (KJV) By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

Hebrews 11:25 (KJV) Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Moses makes the decision to go with the people of God. What did Moses give up? The pleasures of sin, which only lasted for a season. Good decision Moses.  Moses estimated the value higher than the  shame and disgrace, greater than the treasures in Egypt. Greater treasures will never make one happy. Remember Ebenezer Scrooge? He had the treasures of this world and he wasn’t happy until he learned it wasn’t treasures that brought happiness. I have to stop and ask myself, am I happy? If I say I am then what would I say makes me happy? Well it’s not my wealth I can rule that out. Examine myself and this is what I find. First let me clear the air. I don't think it is wrong to have wealth. Some are gifted to have wealth, it is what they do with it. We read in the book of Luke chapter 12 of a man who had a great pay off for his work. He makes plans for the   barns to go to make way for the new barns that are to be built. Then he makes plans for the many years that are to come. He will take it easy, do what he wants to do, go where he wants to go and see what he wants to see. Sounds good, the only problem is he saw many years while he only had a few hours. Decisions we make without ever taking into account we may never see those new barns. Moses made the right decision and because he chose Christ he saw more than new barns. 

Hebrews 11:26 (KJV) Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he (Moses) had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

What makes me happy? Just like Moses I have greater riches than this world can ever offer. What’s that? Christ! If you know Christ then you do also. Oh yes, plan for the future but remember you may not be here to enjoy the future so be happy in the present.