Tag Archives: Jesus

Sunday’s Coming!

While studying for a class I was teaching I came across this sermon.  It was written by S.M. Lockwood.  This is not the whole thing but just a part.  I hope you’ll take the time to read and reflect and allow it to precede your joyous worship on Resurrection Sunday!

It’s Friday. But Sunday’s coming—

It was a simple sermon, starting softly, building in volume and intensity until the entire congregation was completely involved, repeating the phrases in unison. The sermon went something like this.

Jesus prayingIt’s Friday. Jesus is arrested in the garden where He was praying. But Sunday’s coming.  (Luke 22:39-46)

It’s Friday. The disciples are hiding and Peter’s denying that he knows the Lord. But Sunday’s coming. (John 18:15-27)

Jesus before the high priestIt’s Friday. Jesus is standing before the high priest of Israel, silent as a lamb before the slaughter. But Sunday’s coming. (Matthew 26:57-67)

 

 

Jesus beatenIt’s Friday. Jesus is beaten, mocked, and spit upon. But Sunday’s coming. (Matthew 26:67)

 

 

220px-Flagellation-of-christ-_RubensIt’s Friday. Those Roman soldiers are flogging our Lord with a leather scourge that has bits of bones and glass and metal, tearing at his flesh. But Sunday’s coming.  (Matthew 27:26)

 

 

438px-Christ_Carrying_the_Cross_1580It’s Friday. The Son of man stands firm as they press the crown of thorns down into his brow. But Sunday’s coming. (John 19:5)

 

 

694px-Titian,_Christ_Carrying_the_Cross._Oil_on_canvas,_67_x_77_cm,_c._1565._Madrid,_Museo_Nacional_del_PradoIt’s Friday. See Him walking to Calvary, the blood dripping from His body. See the cross crashing down on His back as He stumbles beneath the load. It’s Friday; but Sunday’s a coming. (John 19:17)

 

471px-Gustave_Doré_-_Crucifixion_of_JesusIt’s Friday. See those Roman soldiers driving the nails into the feet and hands of my Lord. Hear my Jesus cry, “Father, forgive them.” It’s Friday; but Sunday’s coming.  (John 19:16-18)

 

 

dark skiesIt’s Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, bloody and dying. But Sunday’s coming.

 

 

Jesus on the crossIt’s Friday. The sky grows dark, the earth begins to tremble, and He who knew no sin became sin for us. Holy God who will not abide with sin pours out His wrath on that perfect sacrificial lamb who cries out, “My God, My God. Why hast thou forsaken me?” What a horrible cry. But Sunday’s coming.  (Matthew 27:46)

 

veil_tornIt’s Friday. And at the moment of Jesus’ death, the veil of the Temple that separates sinful man from Holy God was torn from the top to the bottom because Sunday’s coming.  (Mark 15:38)

 

inferno-295131_640It’s Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, heaven is weeping and hell is partying. But that’s because it’s Friday, and they don’t know it, but Sunday’s a coming.

 

And on that horrible day 2000 years ago, Jesus the Christ, the Lord of glory, the only begotten Son of God, the only perfect man died on the cross of Calvary. Satan thought that he had won the victory. Surely he had destroyed the Son of God. Finally he had disproved the prophecy God had uttered in the Garden and the one who was to crush his head had been destroyed. But that was Friday.

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Luke 24:1-8

Now it’s Sunday. And just about dawn on that first day of the week, there was a great earthquake. But that wasn’t the only thing that was shaking because now it’s Sunday. And the angel of the Lord is coming down out of heaven and rolling the stone away from the door of the tomb. Yes, it’s Sunday, and the angel of the Lord is sitting on that stone and the guards posted at the tomb to keep the body from disappearing were shaking in their boots because it’s Sunday, and the lamb that was silent before the slaughter is now the resurrected lion from the tribe of Judah, for He is not here, the angel says. He is risen indeed.

It’s Sunday, and the crucified and resurrected Christ has defeated death, hell, sin and the grave. It’s Sunday. And now everything has changed. It’s the age of grace, God’s grace poured out on all who would look to that crucified lamb of Calvary. Grace freely given to all who would believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary was buried and rose again. All because it’s Sunday.

– See more at: http://apologetica.us/2009/04/10/its-friday-but-sundays-coming-2/#sthash.Wo85rKBg.dpuf

Everything I Need To Know About Christmas

Christmas1This is what I think is most important about celebrating this Season.  If you would like to add please comment below.

Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.  Matthew 2:14

My prayer for you:

Heavenly Father, help us keep Jesus as the focus this Season.  Let us keep others in our minds and hearts, forgetting ourselves and giving our best.  Bless us with the inner peace of the knowledge that Jesus is, was and will be.  Make it so Lord!

Recall Notice

Sometimes I wonder if God would just like to RECALL the whole project.  I know He loves Go and sin no more!us more than anything but I really think He gets tired of it all.  Don’t you?  A dear friend sent me this and I thought it would be good for all of us to read.

Dear Human.

The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart.This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype unit’s code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.  This defect has been identified as “Subsequently Internal Non-morality”, more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.  Some of the symptoms include but are not limit to:

Loss of direction…Foul vocal emissions…Amnesia of origin…Lack of peace and joy…Selfish or violent behavior…Depression or confusion…Fearfulness…Idolatry…Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect.  The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs.  There is no additional fee required.

Duerer_praying_handsThe number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.  Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure.  Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.  No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.  Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems to numerous to list, and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded.  For free emergency service, call on Jesus.

Fiery FurnaceDANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace.  The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.

 

God Letter Closing

 

P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by ‘Knee Mail’!

Passionate Pursuit

How is your spiritual life?  Who are you depending on in your walk with Jesus?  Is it your pastor? Your Bible study leader? Sunday School teacher? Mom? Dad?  Mentor?  I sure hope not!  Although each of those people can help push you forward YOU are the only one responsible for your Christian growth.  If you want a real love relationship with the One and Only, you have to do the work.

Persistence and passion are the key.  My awesome husband will tell you he knew I was God’s choice for him the moment he laid eyes on me (at the Defiance County Fair).  I, however, had a different plan for my life.  I was never getting married since I intended to have a stellar, career as an opera singer.  God definitely had other plans for my life.  As we talked, over the next hour or so, he passionately, persisted, in his pursuit of a date with me.  I said yes and 45 years later, 41 of them married, I do not have a moment’s regret.

The same concept applies to our life with Jesus.  He is passionately pursuing us.  He wants to be part of who we are.  Unless we determine to do all that is necessary there is no relationship.  So what does that entail?  The same thing we do to build ‘people’ relationships.  Spend time with Him.

Love Jesus

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.   Deuteronomy 6:5

Thy word, have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against You.  Psalm 119:11

Prayer Lily

I Needed The Quiet

I NEEDED THE QUIET

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God says on the seventh day He rested from His work(Genesis 2:2) and since we are created in His image we need rest too.  In the 23rd Psalm David said, “He makes me lie down…”  Job’s friend Jophar gives him a crumb of reassurance saying, “You will lie down without fear…” (Job 11:19).  With great wisdom Solomon wrote these words, “…when you lie down your sleep will be sweet” (Proverbs 3:24b).  Jesus recognized the need for quiet rest when he said to the disciples, “Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31)

In my career as a teacher and principal I learned just how important rest was.  Long hours and a great deal of stress do not help anyone’s health.  Burning the candle at both ends, ends up with nothing when the flames have consumed all the wax.  I finally came to my senses and retired early.  The job was consuming me and I heard the Spirit clearly say this is NOT what I want for you.  You see, even though I prayed every morning that I would keep Him close all day, when I walked through the school doors I quit focusing on Him and started focusing on kids, teachers, parents and all the issues and stress a high poverty, inner city, school brings.  I ended up quite ill from lack of rest, poor diet, and high stress.  When my awesome husband was hospitalized and in a chemically induced coma for 20 days from a Traumatic Brain Injury I had much time to pray, think, and reflect. The conclusion–my career was killing me.  Once the decision was made, a calmness came over me that I had not known before.  I knew without question this was exactly what God wanted.  I needed adequate rest and He already knew this was the only way I was going to get it.  Praise God! I listened! and rested!

Heavenly Father, thank You! for making me aware.  You deserve my total, rested attention.  I want to do that.  Make my life more and more about You.  In Jesus Name make it so!