Holy Week '24 . . . stop complaining; the struggles are real and needed!

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, so he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10: 12-13)

Oh boy, do we love to complain. Just as our ancestors did in the wilderness. We sometimes wonder how the Jews could possibly complain when God rescued them from slavery and provided for them day and night. Yet there was a purpose behind it all. God was trying to show them just Who He was and how much more powerful He was than any of the false gods of the world.

Many times we find ourselves complaining about our struggles, when God is trying to teach us a vital lesson. We rely so much upon the things (gods) of this world that we forget to depend upon God. He wants us to see His care . . . His love . . . His way, yes especially in the struggles.

Just as Jesus had to suffer, we too will suffer. Lord willing, not to the degree Jesus did, but who knows? They are real and needed for our spiritual growth! Like with the Jews in the wilderness and with Jesus on the cross, God is right there helping us through. 

Father, forgive me for complaining!

The ONE Black Friday that is GOOD!

People look forward to Black Friday. Well, now it's Black Friday Week . . . Black Friday Month . . . Black Friday in July . . . but there is only ONE Black Friday that is GOOD. Yes, it involved a real deal . . . Jesus gave His life for our sins! Match that offer Best Buy! Beat that deal Wal-Mart! 

Today, we can now celebrate Jesus' sacrifice upon the cross, however, then it was a day of agony and despair. From an illegal trial to brutal and embarrassing scourgings and beatings, Jesus withstood it and then let everyone know: It is finished!

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. (John 19:28-30)

“It is finished” is a translation of the Greek word tetelestai, the perfect indicative passive tense of the word telos, which means to end; to bring to completion; to bring to a conclusion; to complete; to accomplish; to fulfill; or to finish. The work was completed. The debt has been paid. Jesus, our High Priest and Sacrifice has completed His task! 

So today, we remember . . . we celebrate . . . and we honor our Lord and Savior. Today we are reminded to pick up our cross and follow Jesus, because our work is yet not finished here on earth!  

But is it still burning?

 What do you use to start a fire . . . wood, paper, starter bricks? How do you keep it going? 

Whether using a grill, fire pit, or the fireplace, the fire has to be started somehow and then remain lit to stay functional. Our CHRISTian walk is no different. Something . . . actually someONE ignited the fire. We may have had a special person challenge us to accept Christ as Lord and Savior, but the Holy Spirit drew us to Himself and opened our hearts up and set it ablaze.

But is it still burning?

The Spirit within us has to be strengthened over the years. We must allow it to touch others' lives. We must have the desire to allow Him to use us to make this place better . . . to bring heaven down to earth for others to experience. We must keep the fire burning! That takes deliberate effort. We must continue to stoke the fire!

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. (Mark 14:22-24)

Jesus ignited the flames of CHRISTianity back on the Holy Thursday Passover meal. He made a NEW COVENANT with His disciples and for us as well. Today, let's think back to when it all started with you and me? How did the fire begin? Has anything changed? Is our flame growing weaker or is it burning brightly? Has it spilled out beyond the fire pit and ignited others? 

Let the fire spread!

daily decisions!

 "Yes" to this and "no" to that . . . life is full of decisions . . . daily decisions! During this period of Lent, Holy Week, we should be focusing on our relationship with our Savior . . . how far we have progressed or how far we have regressed over the past year. 

What decisions have we made in relation to our CHRISTian walk? Decisions tell a lot about our beliefs and commitments. Where we pick up anchors and drop them make us who we are . . . and Whose we are! 

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14-15)

Today, let's focus upon the decisions we have been making and make this one today: I will decide to follow Jesus daily!

God has been really GOOD ...... Holy Week 2022

 What fills us with happiness . . . joy . . . contentment . . . peace? God has provided such things throughout our lives. We tend to forget most of them though and dwell upon the challenging days and trying times. God has been really GOOD to each of us. The very breath we breathe today is evidence! 

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

As we reflect this Holy Week of 2022, as Jesus prepared to go to the cross for every one of us, let's think of how good He has been! He has provided so much, yet His grace is sufficient enough! 

Have a blessed Holy Week in preparation for the coming SONday!

Doubt is normal . . . but be reassured!

 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand…. I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.”  ( John 13:7,19)

After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. (John 2:22)

Doubt is normal . . . but be reassured! Jesus attempted to explain what would happen to Him concerning His death, burial and resurrection. Yet even for those walking closely with for over three years, it was hard to grasp! Except for Judas however, we now know that His closest followers and many others would go to their very own death professing and proclaiming Christ as Lord and Savior! All the apostles but John would experience martyrdom because of their faith.

Yes, doubt is normal . . . but be reassured! Our walk by faith is not an easy walk. It is a progressive walk met with challenges, celebrations, trips, victories, falls, and periods of doubt and growth spurts. It is why Jesus sent His Spirit to comfort us, console us, equip us and correct us. (John 14:16-17) It is also why we fellowship, or gather with like believers in worship, in prayer, in conversation and in partnership. 

We cannot continue this walk alone. With the Spirit's help and guidance, and like believers to encourage and disciple us, we can and will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. (2 Peter 3:18) 

Yes, doubt is normal . . . but be reassured! 

He lives!!!

Now what?

The illegal trial had been held. The crucifixion had been completed. The Body of Jesus had been buried. Yet on SONday morning . . . the Tomb was found empty! Jesus left word to meet Him in Galilee. (Matthew 28:10) So, now what?

Jesus gave His disciples clear instructions then and He still gives the today . . . to you and me: 

Then Jesus came to them. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Every Gospel ends with a version of this direct message. Acts 1:8 gives us the very same directive: 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. Then you will tell people about me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria. And you will even tell other people about me from one end of the earth to the other.” (Acts 1:8)

Holy Thursday New Testament (Passover) meal and perhaps foot washings . . . Good Friday communion services . . . Holy Saturday waiting . . . Resurrection Day celebrations and alleluias . . . now what?  

We go . .we tell . . .we teach . . .we LIVE . . .not in fear but in victory!

Be on Guard!

 Be on guard!

As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. (Matthew 27:57-66)

Joseph had placed Jesus in his tomb. The two women sat by and watched. Yet the guards were uneasy. They remembered what Jesus had said, that He would rise again! Imagine that . . . the guards were pondering Jesus' words!  They wanted to secure the tomb so no one could take the Body and say Jesus had resurrected. 

Later, the women would go and attempt to prepare a dead Jesus for proper burial. They and Peter would find an empty tomb . . . a Risen Jesus! 

We too must be on guard . . . but not at tomb or a cross. We must be on guard for the Coming Christ! He will return and bring His own home one day.

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36)

As we live, we are to be living in anticipation of the Coming Christ. We are to be on guard, that our actions are pleasing to Him and allowing others to see Jesus in us. We cannot put off our work. We live . . . we labor . . . we love . . . all to His glory. We simply do not sit at the foot of an empty cross or wait at an empty tomb. No . . . we now bow before the Throne of a Risen King and  pledge our loyalty to Him and Him alone! 

Be on guard!!!!

 

 

Foretold and Accomplished . . . What's left?

Well, another Good Friday! What is GOOD about a brutal crucifixion some two-thousand years ago, you might ask? Glad you asked! It was in the makings since man first sinned (Genesis 3:15). God has given man so many opportunities  to make it right with Him, but He decided to do it perfectly and for ever . . . by becoming our perfect and eternal sacrifice! No one is good but God (Mark 10:18) and no one could do this but God! You decide!

The sacrifice foretold (second century B.C.):

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.(Isaiah 53: 3-9)

The sacrifice accomplished (A.D. 30-33):

But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice,

“Eli, Eli, lemasabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'                                                                                                                                                              When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.  At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.  Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.  Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,  and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.  Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb. (Matthew 27: 26-61)

What's left? You decide! Do you believe it? (Romans 5:8 . . . 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 . . . Romans 10:9-10)

 

What is Jesus worth to you?

 What is Jesus worth to you?

One of the twelve disciples went to the chief priests. His name was Judas Iscariot.  He asked, “What will you give me if I hand Jesus over to you?” So they counted out thirty silver coins for him. From then on, Judas watched for the right time to hand Jesus over to them. (Matthew 26: 14-16)

Other parts of the New Testament (such as Matthew 20) use the 'silver piece' as the typical (pre-tax!) wage for a day's labour. So 30 pieces are about 5 weeks money (based on a six-day working week.) In terms of purchasing power, each silver piece was probably worth about $20. The standards of living being much, much lower than in modern (Western) societies. So the thirty pieces are worth about $600. If, on the other hand, you consider 'average wage' (or, more precisely the US Median of $44,389 per household) divided by the 1.3 workers per household - giving a little over $34,000 per year... and 240 working days per year... that gives a pretax daily wage of about $140 per day... so the 30 pieces of silver are roughly equivalent to an 'average American' accepting a payment of about $4,200. (https://www.quora.com/) 

A day's pay . . .  $600 . . . $4,200 . . . according to how you are financially, this may be a little or a lot of money. But whatever amount, was it worth the price to turn over the Savior? Is it worth the price of one's soul? Can any of us put a price on our salvation? Judas was a zealot, seeking the overthrow of the Roman occupation. No doubt he was disappointed that Jesus was not going to be leading the political overthrow. I guess he was put to get anything he could out of the deal. Oh, for the love of money . . . (1 Timothy 6:10)

What a price he paid . . . not simply rejecting the Savior but accepting the role as the turncoat!

I am sure we have all traded our obedience to Christ for a simple pleasure here and there. While we do not see it as betrayal, that is exactly what it is! Jesus paid the ultimate price for our salvation, yet we often trade it for sin. I am more aware of this fact this week than any other time in my life. 

What is Jesus worth to you?

So This is CHRISTmas?

 So let us never stop offering to God our praise through Jesus. Let us talk openly about our faith in him. Then our words will be like an offering to God. Don’t forget to do good. Don’t forget to share with others. God is pleased with those kinds of offerings. (Hebrews 13: 15-16)

We are getting closer to CHRISTmas 2020 . . .COVID-19 CHRISTmas I have dubbed it. John Lennon (of the Beatles) had a song years ago, in 1971,  So This is Christmas (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-tErSwqm7g). It dealt with the issues of war and all the turmoil coming from Vietnam and other social issues of that day. 

Now in 2020, the phrase is out there once again . . .So this is CHRISTmas. What have we done? What will we do? As believers, it is in our hands . . .well, God's hands. How we handle things is up to us! We have so much to be thankful for and to appreciate, even in the midst of the pandemic. 

Think about it . . .this is CHRISTmas!

If we are Christ followers, then we should strive for unity! What is your wish this Season?

 

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. . . . Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:5,11)

This is a TEST! This is only a TEST.  However, when CHRIST comes for us, there will be no notice. Unlike the emergency warnings we receive for weather and other disasters, Jesus has already sounded the warning. Be ready! 

Paul directs the Corinthian followers of Christ to examine themselves! There was obvious discord in the Body.  He warned that he would come soon with a stern correction if they did not adhere to his directions in the letter. (2 Corinthians 13:10) Jesus has told us through John and Matthew that He is coming soon . . .(Revelation 22:12-13, Matthew 24:3-33). 

So what is your wish for this CHRISTmas Season? Is unity on the list . . . unity with you and Christ and between believers? Jesus prayed that we all would be one (John 17:21). Let that be our prayer . . . . . 

Adoption in God's Family . . .What a Gift!

 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.(Galatians 4:4-5)

Adoption is the creation of a parent-child relationship by judicial order between people who are not a natural parent and a child. When the court orders an adoption, it also ends the parental rights and responsibilities of the natural parents. Under the law, the new parent-child relationship is no different than the relationship between a natural parent and child. (https://www.peoples-law.org/adoption)

It is amazing what God has done for us. Sinners at birth and enemies of God, He has made a way to legally and spiritually bring us in to a relationship with Him! We have His Son, conceived of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18) yet born of a woman (Romans 3:23).

By admitting our sin and believing in Christ as our Lord and Savior, Who fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17-20), we have the legal and spiritual right to be called children of God (John 1:12). We are legally and spiritually sons and daughters of God with all the rights and privileges that come with it! (Romans 8:1-3,17)

What a gift!

a born-again, baptized disciple of Jesus Christ

 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?  You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.  You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.(James 4:1-4)

There's is definitely a lot battling going in today . . .among politicians, scientists, doctors and you and me. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone wants to be right. Everyone wants their agenda accomplished. 

Yet there is a campaign agenda for those of us who are Kingdom citizens . . . GOD'S agenda! I heard both sides the other evening claiming to be " people of faith". So what! Faith in what? Faith in whom?

Who will step up and say I am a born-again, baptized disciple of Jesus Christ and I answer to Him alone? How many more empty promises and statements must we endure? Supporting a non-biblical world view or policy is just that . . . non-biblical! A CHRISTian must desire for His will here on earth as it is in heaven! We are KINGdom citizens, not Republican or Democrat!

Wake up people!!!!! Support the Kingdom agenda!!!

REVIVAL in a quiet, simple life among few but like people

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.(Acts 2:44-47)

Yes, we are still secluded, restricted and sheltered-in-place. We must live in close quarters. Sound familiar to those just after Jesus returned to heaven? (Acts 2:44)

After preaching on Pentecost, the disciples returned to small gatherings in their homes, sharing meals and everything else. They held "all things in common".

They worshipped daily. They lived in small groups! Yet They were glad and lived a simple life! Sounds a lot like today under Covid-19 regulations . . . but for the gladness!

Though not quarantined, the disciples lived a quiet, simple life among few but like people. . . . one might say family. They were not pressed to be in big groups or popular hang outs.

Yet many were getting saved! REVIVAL broken out in the quiet small surroundings. Could REVIVAL occur today? What if we focused upon worship, prayer, thanksgiving and sharing all we could with others in need . . . being quietly Christ-like?

Could REVIVAL break out today? Lord, send Your Spirit of REVIVAL among Your people!

New Life . . . . . After Death . . . . . POWER After the Resurrection

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”(John 20:21-23)

New Life . . . . . After Death . . .  . . POWER After the Resurrection

Jesus has returned from the grave . . . .ALIVE! He has met with His disciples. He has given them power to forgive . . . the sacrament of reconciliation back to God through His sacrifice. He told them to go and tell the nations . . . but gather together and wait for the POWER to do so. It is one thin got be saved and sealed by the Spirit yet another to use the POWER He gives us!

Once they received the POWER of His Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), they became bold and spoke about the Messiah with confidence, fearing nothing.

Today we may be shut in, but it does not mean we are to shut up! We may have to wear masks, but we do not have to mask our faith! We must continue in one accord (Acts 1:14, 2:1) in family and small groups. We are to teach, preach and share our faith offering reconciliation by and social media available. We are to serve others in any way possible. We are to pray like never before; Lord, spare Your people! (Joel 2:17)

Lord, shown us how to serve!

Alive and in Control!

 Jesus rose from the dead some 2000 years ago. There is evidence! He gave the blind sight. He allowed the deaf to hear. He caused crippled folks to walk. He brought the dead back to life. And after the authorities of the Church and Rome crucified and buried Him...He overcame death! All for you and me! Nothing is greater...no illness, no disaster, no relationship, no COVID -19! For we who believe, Jesus has made us overcomers!!! 

Jesus is alive and in control!

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who[d] is the [e]guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your [f]understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far

above all principality[g] and [h]power and [i]might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.(Ephesians 1: 13-21)

The real black Friday......what a bargain, but what a price... do you believe?

 Holy Week or Horror Week Part IV

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:  I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.(John 17:20-23)

 The real black Friday......what a bargain, but what a price... do you believe? Before being arrested, Jesus prayed for us . . . those who would come to believe in Him through the apostles' testimony . . . that we would be one, united, of the same belief, not denomination!  That's you and me . . . if we believe!

Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation. And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”(Luke 22:43-48)

Jesus, to the point of sweating blood (Hematidrosis), had given His all in this life. His closest friends fell asleep on Him. To top it off, one of His friends would betray Him. He was brutally treated as a common criminal, even worse! Yet we who say we love Him betray Him daily with our sin! Do we really believe? 

Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.Then, behold,  the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:45-54)

The real black Friday......what a bargain, but what a price... do you believe? 

It's not over . . .SONday is coming . . .He will be back!