🐸Remember the Frog❓

 Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.

Psalms 100:1 (KJV) Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

Do you remember that frog? I am asking, do you remember that frog that you dissected in your biology class?  What was the reason that you did that? Was it not to understand the anatomy and physiology of vertebrates? To examine the internal structures of a frog, the respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems. The purpose of frog dissection is to provide a hands-on learning experience to better understand the complexity of living organisms. We may not remember much about our frog dissection. Although if we take that same approach to the Scriptures it will help us understand what is written. Let's take the first verse in Psalms 100 and select the words and dissect them. 

In Psalms 100 which I hope is familiar with most.  The very first word we read is “Make.” That word means to do something with intention, To create, to cause to exist. What we do on purpose? We get up in the morning and we make coffee on purpose. We go to work and there we make something on purpose and when we leave the place where we work there should  be more progress then when we arrived. Here we read of what we are to make and it’s  “a joyful noise” A sound of any kind, proceeding from any cause. Then we read this noise is to be a “joyful noise.” We make a noise on purpose when we hit our hand with a hammer. This is not the noise being made on purpose. This noise has to be “joyful.” Full of joy, very glad. Joy is a delight of the mind. This broadens the scope that we must ask ourselves: what does our mind delight in that makes us “joyful?” Now that number may sky rocket with things that make us joyful. Now in comparison with the things that make us joyful did we have on that list the LORD? We read that this “joyful noise” is to be directed “unto the LORD” this changes our whole meaning of “noise.” Now this “noise” is not to be private, it is for “all ye lands” which with further study we find that this Hebrew word was first used in Genesis 1:1 translated there as  earth. This “noise” that is to be made on purpose, it is to be done, in all the earth. The earth is a designated place and we are to make a noise on purpose with delight in our heart unto the LORD in all the earth. In other words we should on purpose make a joyful noise unto the LORD everywhere on the face of this earth in which we live. 

Psalms 100:1 (KJV) Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

🤝Forgiven is the past tense of forgive. 💐

  Forgiveness "To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you"

Be kind, to one another, oh my. Then others will think I’m a push over and take advantage of me. Be tender hearted? Then I will for sure be taken advantage of. Forgive? I might if I feel it was my fault; but holding on might give me an advantage one day. The Apostle Paul looks at this matter of forgiveness much differently.

Ephesians 4:32 (KJV) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

When one understands what forgiving is.   Everyone has been taken advantage of. Had harsh things said to them and sometimes we were the ones dishing it out. That is when we should apologize. Apologizing is when we express regret, taking responsibility, acknowledging our wrong, seeking forgiveness. If everyone would learn that forgiving one another is the key to the prison door that makes you the prisoner. Learning to forgive is the way to be free.  

The Bible tells much about forgiving. In the book of Luke there was a young man who left home. He took all he had and wasted it on a way of lifestyle not pleasing to his father. In other words he couldn’t live like that living at home. When he finally reached the bottom he remembered how good he had it at home. He decides to go home to ask for forgiveness. As he gets in seeing distance of where he was raised something happens he never expected. He sees his father running towards him with his arms wide open. The father grabs his son and kisses him. The son says to his father that he had sinned and was not worthy to be called his son. The father's forgiveness was seen in his actions toward his son. The son’s forgiveness was seen in his apology. Here is the example of what the Apostle Paul was teaching in  

Ephesians 4:32 when he wrote these words “forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” There is not a one of us that our Heavenly Father will refuse to forgive. We must see how we ourselves have done someone wrong before we can ask for forgiveness.

🤔Questionable At Best🙆🏻‍♂️

Outside of the cross of Jesus Christ, there is no hope in this world. That cross and resurrection at the core of the Gospel is the only hope for humanity.

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 He 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? Don't you think 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 is questionable at best. Now these men 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 Journey begins 🎬

 Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect. 

If you were to read John chapters 13-17 you would read about the last time Jesus would spend with His disciples before His death on the cross. Judas makes up his mind to betray Jesus and leaves before chapter 13 ends. Chapter 14 Jesus tells about the place He is going to prepare. He tells about the Holy Spirit that will come and live inside of each believer.  He teaches about who He is and about this world's hatred and then Jesus says “I have overcome the world.” In chapter 17 Jesus prays. John chapter 18 they leave where they were and go to the brook of Cedron. Judas, knowing about this place, gathers up a band of men and off they go. When they leave they have their man and He is bound. In a little while He will be slapped in the face. Then to Pilate to be questioned, then He is beaten. Then He is led to the place where He will be nailed to the cross He is struggling to  carry. He falls and another is grabbed to finish the journey to Calvary’s hill. People yelling crucify Him, more slaps, more spitting, more yelling.

There He will be nailed to the cross but the yelling does stop. There are 2 other men being crucified beside Him. One sides with the yelling crowd and asks Jesus a question. If you are who you say you are, come off the cross and save us. The other man understands what is about to happen. Did this man who is described as a thief ever go to the Temple? Did this thief ever pray? Did this thief ever read the scriptures? I don’t know, we are not told and at this time it’s not important. What is of much importance is the request he asks, “Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus not only heard with all that yelling going on around them. He responded by saying “today you will be with me in paradise.” The way Jesus responded to those yelling, spitting and having hit Him showed His love for them once again. On the cross moments before He gave up the ghost He said “ Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” Would you, could you have said those words to angry hateful people yelling harsh words to you? Would you have asked Jesus to remember you? Have you asked Jesus to remember you? Which one of those two men would you have been? Which person are you today at this very moment? Do you know why? 

🧐The Hunt😎

The Bible contains the Mind of God, the State of mankind, the way of Salvation, the Doom of sinners, and the Happiness of Believers. 

No mistake is to be made, we must know for sure that we have the right man. The only way to know for sure was to have someone who knows Him. They knew nothing about finger prints nor DNA. Someone had to know Him personally, spent time with Him, know where He could be found. Then it happened, that person came unto them his name Judas Iscatlot.  

Matthew 26:14 (KJV) Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

What was Judas doing? What was his purpose for going there?  Matthew 26:15 (KJV) And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

Can you believe what you are reading? Judas, a man who is in the inner circle; “What will ye give me?”   The decision was made, 30 pieces of silver. Judas excepted, maybe a handshake sealed the deal I don't know. What I do know is that from that time forward Judas was looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus. Oh how awful some would say, but Peter did it for nothing. 

Matthew 26:69 (KJV) Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

Matthew 26:70 (KJV) But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

Both men followed through, Judas betrayed by his unfaithfulness. Peter denies by associating with the unfaithful. Peter first denies with a lie. Peter then denies with an oath, lastly Peter denies by swearing. The longer one stays around with the unfaithful the more they become like the unfaithful. 

How would you act if you knew for sure your close friend was about to turn you over to those who want you dead? Read what Jesus did. John 13:5 (KJV) After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

Jesus washed Judas feet knowing what Judas was going to do. Jesus also washed Peter’s feet knowing what He was about to do also. What do I see when I read these words? A love that is greater than what you and I can offer. A forgiveness that many would refuse to give. I see Jesus who teaches by His actions what real love is. In just a little while Jesus will step out into the dark night. His journey to the cross will begin. 

➕Once a Year Event or is it?😎👍

 Don’t miss that which is incredible waiting to be known.

Once a year 1000’s gather at Gobbler’s knob waiting and watching to hear about the weather. Yes I’m talking about Punxsutawney Phil and a day called Ground Hog day, a tradition that started back in 1886 a 140 years ago. Phil comes out of his hole when the sun comes up. If Phil sees his shadow and returns to his hole, tradition says 6 more weeks of bad weather. If he doesn’t see his shadow then it’s a sign of spring and he stays above ground. Legend has it that Phil is 150 years old and stays immortal by drinking the elixir of life.

Can Phil tell and does he really know the weather?  Has this same groundhog somehow found some type of elixir that has given him life for the last 150 years? Do all those 1000’s of people who attend and the many that will watch the event really believe that? If we really knew the truth it would surprise us. After February 2 Punxsutawney will return back to normal and all the groundhog watchers will return to their homes with the feeling that I was there.

A lot of those same people will attend another event in a few weeks. This time the travel will not be as far; but once again many will return home just as empty. This time it will not be 6 more weeks of bad weather or expect an early spring. No, not at all the Churches will see many they haven’t seen in a year and even a few new faces will be there. They will hear about a man who died on a cross, Jesus Christ. They will hear how awful man can be as they drove spikes into hands and feet and pierced his side with a spear. How unloving man can be as they spit in Jesus’s face and the crowd with their unbelief as they yelled words of hate and disbelief. Then the words from 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.

Then Jesus dies like all humans will. He is taken to a grave just like we all will be taken to our final resting place. Man has done his awful deed never seeing what he has really done. There is no need for you and I to sit back and say we have never done an awful deed. Oh we have not done anything of this nature. Rest assured we have all done some type of awful deed against another person. 

When it was done to us did we have the attitude of forgiveness? Then it happened, it was early and still dark. A woman named Mary Magdalene headed to where Jesus had been laid to rest. When she arrived the stone that had the grave sealed was now rolled away. What had happened? She runs and tells Peter and John. Peter and John take off running when they arrive it looks like someone had taken the body of Jesus; who would do such? 

Peter and John return but Mary stays and weeps then she looks into the grave and sees something that the other two didn’t. There were two angels sitting in there. Then the angels speak to her and she speaks back to the angels. Then she looks back and sees someone standing there who wasn’t there a minute ago. Then the man speaks and Mary thinking it was the gardener and maybe he had removed Jesus. Then she asked if he had please tell me where and I will take Him away. The man called her by name Mary! When she heard her name she knew it was Jesus. Jesus had resurrected from the grave. Jesus showed himself to the disciples. Then Jesus was seen above 500. Every Easter many will gather, they will hear and maybe somewhat believe. Then back home and wait for next year when they will return. This day Easter is not 6 more weeks of bad weather or not. It’s about the Elixir of eternal life Jesus Christ He forgave us our debt (our sins). If you have ever been forgiven from the giver of Life you know it. Six more weeks, six more years or six more days. It’s external life, a wonderful place we call Heaven. To be honest I want to be like Mary, keep hanging around the last place Jesus was. I want to see and feel things others don’t. It is important to me that I attend Church more than once a year. Why? I just wrote why; I don’t want to at home like Peter and John. I think I just keep hanging around the Church House. I know all services are not as exciting as others. The only way I know is not to miss those that are. I think I’ll do like Mary, just keep hanging around. 

👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨We Know💯

 Love is not what you say; love is what you’d do.

We know, it is an interesting statement. The first thing I know is that I don’t know everything. One of my professors made this statement “you don’t have to know everything, all you have to know is to know where to find what you need to know.” There is the problem of knowing. Where to find what you need to know. Plainly stated we don’t know everything. Now you can know how to do something but are not able to do it. The older you get the more you know how but the less you can physically do what you know how to do. I took the time to look how many times the phrase “we know” was in the Bible. In the Old Testament 8 times in the New Testament 44 times. My question is what do we want to know? Now that will be a different range for all of us. Sit with an auto mechanic and talk about cars and your knowledge might be limited. The same will be true with everyone you sit with that doesn’t have your occupation. Now what about our Biblical knowledge? That doesn’t have to be that way. God wants us to all know some things. God wants us to know why He sent a baby into this world. God gave the answer before it ever happened. 

Isaiah 9:6 (KJV) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Why was a baby born? “For unto us” 

John 3:16 (KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

A baby comes into this world for us; everyone (whosoever) I like what a man said one night. He said “For God so loved the world” then he said this “who is in the world?” People! You and I. Why did God do that? “For God so loved.” I hear people all the time saying that they love the Lord. Now that may be so but before they loved the Lord the Lord loved them. 

1 John 4:19 (KJV) We love him, because he first loved us.

I try to be transparent when I write, I  love the Lord but He has always loved me. When my children were born I loved them but they didn’t know what love was. In time they loved me because of my love for them. I know there are those who were not brought up in a loving home and many aren’t sure what real love is. They were beaten physically, mentally abused by harsh and awful words and some sexually abused and suffered from things that are unspeakable. So when they hear the Lord loves them they aren’t sure what that means. Love is more than words. I quit using the word “love” loosely. Like not saying things like I love cherry pie, I love pizza, I love chócate ice cream. I don’t love those things, that is just an expression we use which means we like. Love is a much stronger word. Many may not have ever experienced real love. Love is not made because love can’t be made. How do you know what real love is? The Bible tells us we can know. Love is giving without expecting anything in return. “For God so loved the world, that he gave.” Me and my wife got married and we hardly knew each other so how could we have loved each other? We didn’t. Why did we get married? Great question. My reason was selfish. I was home on leave and she blew me away with her looks and her smile and I knew if I went back she wouldn’t be available when I got out of the Military. I had 3 years left and it looked like a tour to Vietnam might be at hand. I also knew long term relationships don’t work. I talked her into marrying me and we ran off and got married. The next 3 years would be very hard for us. Four months after our marriage Uncle Sam sent me away and I was gone. We made it through that. With only 9 months left we headed to Altus Oklahoma me and her and our 9 month old son. What about love? I can’t say that I loved her because I didn’t really know what love was. Fast forward I got saved and then I began to understand what love was. I remember clearly the moment I knew I loved her. No it wasn’t in some big romantic moment. I was walking toward her and my eyes met her eyes and I knew without doubt I loved her. Today I love her more than I can write and words can tell. The first thing I say to her in the mornings is “I love you” the last words I say to her at night are “I love you.” I tell her many times during the day that I love her. Way more than I love her, our Heavenly Father loves us and when I say us I’m talking about this world. So if you are in this world know that you are loved by God and the proof is that He gave us a baby.