Jesus is Leading The Way for Us.....
Scripture Reference:
Matthew 14:22-33. This story is also told in Mark 6:45-52 and John 6:16-21, however, the account of Peter walking on the water is not included in these references.
Jesus Walks on Water - Story Summary:
After feeding the five thousand, Jesus sends his disciples ahead of him in a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. Several hours later in the night, the disciples encounter a storm. Jesus comes to them, walking on the water. This terrifies the disciples and they think they are seeing a ghost. Jesus tells them in verse 27, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
Peter replies, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water." So Jesus invites Peter to come. Peter gets out of the boat and begins walking on the water toward Jesus. But when Peter takes his eyes off Jesus and sees the wind and waves, he begins to sink. Peter cries out to the Lord and Jesus immediately reaches out his hand and catches Peter. As they climb into the boat together, the storm ceases. Then the disciples worship Jesus, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Points of Interest from the Story:
• Jesus sends the disciples away so he can get alone on the mountainside and pray. Even in his busy schedule, spending time with God is a priority for Jesus.
• The disciples, even though they have spent much time with Jesus, don't recognize him in the storm. Sometimes we don't recognize the Lord when he comes to us in the middle of our "storms."
• Peter doesn't begin to sink until he starts looking around at the wind and the waves. Taking our eyes off Jesus, and focusing on the difficult circumstances will cause us to get under our problems. But when we cry out to Jesus, he catches us by the hand and raises us above the seemingly impossible surroundings.
• Peter starts out with good intentions, but his faith falters. This does not, however, end up in failure. Peter, even in his fear, cries out to the Lord, the only one who can help him.
• When Jesus gets in the boat, the storm ceases. When we have Jesus "in our boat" the storms of life will be calmed and we can worship Him.
Question for Reflection:
Though we may not walk across water, we will go through difficult, faith-testing circumstances. Are you sinking into despair or are you looking to Jesus and his miraculous power for help?
Overcoming Difficulties
Showing posts with label IThe Joy of Jesus Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IThe Joy of Jesus Church. Show all posts
Monday, July 19, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
The Reason for True Hope in The Joy of Jesus...
Sermon: The Reason for True Hope
We Praise God today in Christ and The Holy Spirit of God. We humble ourselves of all sin and forgive all in the blood of Jesus Christ. We thank God for all and each spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus.
Our faith is in the birth, life and cross of Christ Jesus who died at Calvary and raised by the power of God. Jesus will return and our faith is in the ideal of being ready for His return. This is our faith and prayer. We praise God in The Joy of Jesus to salivation for all who believe. God Bless you always in Christ Jesus. A-men This is the reason for true hope....
"And what shall be the sign of Thy coming?" (v. 3). What did the disciples have in mind when they asked this question? Surely there cannot be the slightest difficulty for us now to discover the true answer. So far as the inspired records go, up to this point the Lord had said nothing whatever to His disciples about His going to the Father’s house to prepare a place for His people, and of His coming again to receive them "unto Himself." No hint whatever had been given of His future descent into the air for the purpose of removing His saints from this earth. Therefore this aspect of the Lord’s "coming" could not have been in the mind of the disciples at that time. It should be obvious to every honest heart and impartial mind that when they asked, "What shall be the sign of Thy coming ?" they had before them what He had just said to the nation of Israel, namely, "You shall not see Me henceforth, till you shall say, Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord" (Matthew 21:9); which was His coming back to the earth,. One other thing enables us to fix the meaning of this question of the disciples, "What shall be the sign of Thy coming?" No "signs" are now given to or for those whose calling is a heavenly one. How could there be, when of them it is written, "we walk by faith, not by sight"? (2 Cor. 5:7). God’s people today are not to be looking for "signs," but listening for a sound, namely, the "shout" of the Lord (1 Thess. 4:16)!
"And of the end of the age?" To what "age" did the disciples refer? Surely there can be only one answer: that associated with Christ’s "coming" to the earth itself. It should be carefully borne in mind that this question was asked by the disciples, as Jews, before the Cross, before the Christian dispensation began. It is of the greatest importance that this fact should be kept before us, for a mistake on that point necessarily involves an erroneous interpretation of what follows. If we remember that at this time the apostles had no thought of (or, at any rate, no real belief in) Christ’s death and resurrection, it should help us to see that the Christian "age" could not have been in their minds. They were Jews, in spirit, hopes, expectations—the very first verse of Matthew 24 (following right after Matthew 23:38) more than hints at that. It is failure at this very point which has led so many to imagine that Matthew 24 teaches that "the Church" will pass through the great Tribulation.
It is to be carefully observed that in His answer the Lord referred the disciples to Daniel: "When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place" (v. 15). It is interesting to note that the expressions "the end" or "time of the end" occur in Daniel just thirteen times, and that they are found nowhere else in the Old Testament. These expressions refer to the unfulfilled 70th "week" of Daniel 9:24-27, which brings to a close Israel’s national servitude under Gentile domination. The new "Age" will be introduced by the second advent of the Messiah to this earth and the consequent placing of Israel at the head of the nations. References to that "Age" are found in Hebrews 2:5, 6:5. Thus the disciples rightly connected the "end of the age" with the "Coming" of Christ; for His return to this earth and the ending of the "Age," i.e., the "Times of the Gentiles" synchronize. What is so important to note is that in Matthew 23:39 Christ did not connect His "coming" with the destruction of Jerusalem and the overthrow of the Temple, but with the glorious epoch of Israel’s national conversion.
"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many" (vv. 4, 5). The Lord was here addressing His disciples as the representatives of the godly Jewish remnant of the future. Matthew does not record Christ’s answer to their first question, that being given in Luke. There is nothing at all in Matthew 24 parallel with Luke 21:20. Nor is there anything in it which falls, directly, within the scope of the Christian dispensation. The whole of this parenthetical dispensation is ignored, coming in as it does between the 69th and 70th "weeks" of Daniel 9. Verses 4-14 of Matthew 24 treat of the first half of the 70th "week"; verses 15-30 of its second half. Though verses 4-7 describe conditions which have obtained, more or less, all through the centuries of this Christian era, yet will they appear in a much more intensified form during the Tribulation period.
Fuller and further details concerning the time covered by Christ’s prophetic discourse in Matthew 24 are furnished in the Revelation, the major portion of that book treating of the same period. At the close of this present dispensation Christendom is spewed out (Rev. 3), the saints are raptured (Rev. 4:1), and then the united company of the redeemed are seen in Heaven worshipping God (Rev. 4:4-11). Following this, the Lamb as the "Lion" of the "tribe of Judah" takes "the book" (Rev. 5), and Israel at once appears on the scene. As soon as the "seals" of that book are broken we find that which corresponds exactly with what we have in Matthew 24. Marvelous, minute, and many are the parallels between the two chapters. At a few of them only shall we now glance.
"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many" (Matthew 24:4, 5). This was the first part of the Lord’s reply to the questions asked by His disciples. "And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four living creatures saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer" (Rev. 6:1, 2). These words picture the Anti-christ deceiving men, posing as the true Christ—of. Revelation 19:11.
"And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not troubled: for all must come to pass, but the end (i.e. of the 70th "week") is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (Matthew 24:6, 7). "And when He had opened the second seal I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword" (Rev. 6:3,4). Thus the contents of the second seal correspond exactly with the second part of Christ’s prophecy.
"And there shall be famines" (Matthew 24:7). "And when he had opened the third seat, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse (the color of famine, see Lamentations 4:8; 5:10); and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst, of the four living creatures say, A measure of wheat for a penny (a day’s wage, see Matthew 20:2) and three measures of barley for a penny" (Rev. 6:5, 6).
"And pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places" (Matthew 24:7). "And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with Him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth" (Rev. 6:7,8).
"All these are the beginnings of sorrows" or "birth-pangs" (Matthew 24:8). These "birth-pangs" are the travail which shall yet precede the birth of a regenerated Israel. If the reader desires to trace out the remaining correspondences between the two chapters let him compare Matthew 24:8-28 with Revelation 6:9-11; and then Matthew 24:29,30 with Revelation 6:12-17.
Passing on now to verse 15: "When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, whoso readeth let him understand." This is the point which marks the division between the two halves of the 70th "week"; compare Daniel 9:27. These words were addressed by Christ to His apostles, but the "ye" need occasion no difficulty. The Lord was speaking to them as Jews, as the representatives of those who shall be on earth.
Give to The Joy of Jesus. You can simply visit any of our sponsor at no cost or give as much as one dollar to help with your blessing.
We Praise God today in Christ and The Holy Spirit of God. We humble ourselves of all sin and forgive all in the blood of Jesus Christ. We thank God for all and each spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus.
Our faith is in the birth, life and cross of Christ Jesus who died at Calvary and raised by the power of God. Jesus will return and our faith is in the ideal of being ready for His return. This is our faith and prayer. We praise God in The Joy of Jesus to salivation for all who believe. God Bless you always in Christ Jesus. A-men This is the reason for true hope....
"And what shall be the sign of Thy coming?" (v. 3). What did the disciples have in mind when they asked this question? Surely there cannot be the slightest difficulty for us now to discover the true answer. So far as the inspired records go, up to this point the Lord had said nothing whatever to His disciples about His going to the Father’s house to prepare a place for His people, and of His coming again to receive them "unto Himself." No hint whatever had been given of His future descent into the air for the purpose of removing His saints from this earth. Therefore this aspect of the Lord’s "coming" could not have been in the mind of the disciples at that time. It should be obvious to every honest heart and impartial mind that when they asked, "What shall be the sign of Thy coming ?" they had before them what He had just said to the nation of Israel, namely, "You shall not see Me henceforth, till you shall say, Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord" (Matthew 21:9); which was His coming back to the earth,. One other thing enables us to fix the meaning of this question of the disciples, "What shall be the sign of Thy coming?" No "signs" are now given to or for those whose calling is a heavenly one. How could there be, when of them it is written, "we walk by faith, not by sight"? (2 Cor. 5:7). God’s people today are not to be looking for "signs," but listening for a sound, namely, the "shout" of the Lord (1 Thess. 4:16)!
"And of the end of the age?" To what "age" did the disciples refer? Surely there can be only one answer: that associated with Christ’s "coming" to the earth itself. It should be carefully borne in mind that this question was asked by the disciples, as Jews, before the Cross, before the Christian dispensation began. It is of the greatest importance that this fact should be kept before us, for a mistake on that point necessarily involves an erroneous interpretation of what follows. If we remember that at this time the apostles had no thought of (or, at any rate, no real belief in) Christ’s death and resurrection, it should help us to see that the Christian "age" could not have been in their minds. They were Jews, in spirit, hopes, expectations—the very first verse of Matthew 24 (following right after Matthew 23:38) more than hints at that. It is failure at this very point which has led so many to imagine that Matthew 24 teaches that "the Church" will pass through the great Tribulation.
It is to be carefully observed that in His answer the Lord referred the disciples to Daniel: "When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place" (v. 15). It is interesting to note that the expressions "the end" or "time of the end" occur in Daniel just thirteen times, and that they are found nowhere else in the Old Testament. These expressions refer to the unfulfilled 70th "week" of Daniel 9:24-27, which brings to a close Israel’s national servitude under Gentile domination. The new "Age" will be introduced by the second advent of the Messiah to this earth and the consequent placing of Israel at the head of the nations. References to that "Age" are found in Hebrews 2:5, 6:5. Thus the disciples rightly connected the "end of the age" with the "Coming" of Christ; for His return to this earth and the ending of the "Age," i.e., the "Times of the Gentiles" synchronize. What is so important to note is that in Matthew 23:39 Christ did not connect His "coming" with the destruction of Jerusalem and the overthrow of the Temple, but with the glorious epoch of Israel’s national conversion.
"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many" (vv. 4, 5). The Lord was here addressing His disciples as the representatives of the godly Jewish remnant of the future. Matthew does not record Christ’s answer to their first question, that being given in Luke. There is nothing at all in Matthew 24 parallel with Luke 21:20. Nor is there anything in it which falls, directly, within the scope of the Christian dispensation. The whole of this parenthetical dispensation is ignored, coming in as it does between the 69th and 70th "weeks" of Daniel 9. Verses 4-14 of Matthew 24 treat of the first half of the 70th "week"; verses 15-30 of its second half. Though verses 4-7 describe conditions which have obtained, more or less, all through the centuries of this Christian era, yet will they appear in a much more intensified form during the Tribulation period.
Fuller and further details concerning the time covered by Christ’s prophetic discourse in Matthew 24 are furnished in the Revelation, the major portion of that book treating of the same period. At the close of this present dispensation Christendom is spewed out (Rev. 3), the saints are raptured (Rev. 4:1), and then the united company of the redeemed are seen in Heaven worshipping God (Rev. 4:4-11). Following this, the Lamb as the "Lion" of the "tribe of Judah" takes "the book" (Rev. 5), and Israel at once appears on the scene. As soon as the "seals" of that book are broken we find that which corresponds exactly with what we have in Matthew 24. Marvelous, minute, and many are the parallels between the two chapters. At a few of them only shall we now glance.
"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many" (Matthew 24:4, 5). This was the first part of the Lord’s reply to the questions asked by His disciples. "And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four living creatures saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer" (Rev. 6:1, 2). These words picture the Anti-christ deceiving men, posing as the true Christ—of. Revelation 19:11.
"And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not troubled: for all must come to pass, but the end (i.e. of the 70th "week") is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (Matthew 24:6, 7). "And when He had opened the second seal I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword" (Rev. 6:3,4). Thus the contents of the second seal correspond exactly with the second part of Christ’s prophecy.
"And there shall be famines" (Matthew 24:7). "And when he had opened the third seat, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse (the color of famine, see Lamentations 4:8; 5:10); and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst, of the four living creatures say, A measure of wheat for a penny (a day’s wage, see Matthew 20:2) and three measures of barley for a penny" (Rev. 6:5, 6).
"And pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places" (Matthew 24:7). "And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with Him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth" (Rev. 6:7,8).
"All these are the beginnings of sorrows" or "birth-pangs" (Matthew 24:8). These "birth-pangs" are the travail which shall yet precede the birth of a regenerated Israel. If the reader desires to trace out the remaining correspondences between the two chapters let him compare Matthew 24:8-28 with Revelation 6:9-11; and then Matthew 24:29,30 with Revelation 6:12-17.
Passing on now to verse 15: "When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, whoso readeth let him understand." This is the point which marks the division between the two halves of the 70th "week"; compare Daniel 9:27. These words were addressed by Christ to His apostles, but the "ye" need occasion no difficulty. The Lord was speaking to them as Jews, as the representatives of those who shall be on earth.
Give to The Joy of Jesus. You can simply visit any of our sponsor at no cost or give as much as one dollar to help with your blessing.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Message/ We must Have Faith in Faith
Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Message: We pray in the name of Jesus for all people to renew their relationship with The Lord. These are the days days that test the soul. Our economic systems as we know them have failed us world wide.
Jesus is so aware of our condition. We must continue to Praise God and Thank God in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There are people who are losing everything while others get rich and fat for being greedy.
There are children starving and sick without food nor health care. Businesses are beginning to fell the pain of the people and the environment.
People are losing the faith that they had. Hope seems to be gone or missing from the average vocabulary. Yet, what are the people of faith to do?
We need to increase our hope and faith in the Lord more-so today than yesterday. Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead for times like these when all appears to be lost. Jesus is coming back. Therefore, we must wait on His return to set all things right. Praise God for The Joy of Jesus and His return. God Bless you as we battle the storms of a lost world. Give to the Joy of Jesus Today.
Prayer: God, bless all the people who receive this message in the name of Jesus. We pray for all people to increase their faith. Glory to God in the highest. Goodwill and Peace on Earth in Jesus name we pray.
Message: We pray in the name of Jesus for all people to renew their relationship with The Lord. These are the days days that test the soul. Our economic systems as we know them have failed us world wide.
Jesus is so aware of our condition. We must continue to Praise God and Thank God in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There are people who are losing everything while others get rich and fat for being greedy.
There are children starving and sick without food nor health care. Businesses are beginning to fell the pain of the people and the environment.
People are losing the faith that they had. Hope seems to be gone or missing from the average vocabulary. Yet, what are the people of faith to do?
We need to increase our hope and faith in the Lord more-so today than yesterday. Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead for times like these when all appears to be lost. Jesus is coming back. Therefore, we must wait on His return to set all things right. Praise God for The Joy of Jesus and His return. God Bless you as we battle the storms of a lost world. Give to the Joy of Jesus Today.
Prayer: God, bless all the people who receive this message in the name of Jesus. We pray for all people to increase their faith. Glory to God in the highest. Goodwill and Peace on Earth in Jesus name we pray.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Fear not with The Joy of Jesus
The Psalms
37
The Insecurity of the Wicked
A Psalm of David.
1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers,
neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;
so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;
and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;
trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light,
and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him:
fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way,
because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath:
fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off:
but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be:
yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; Mt. 5.5
and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plotteth against the just,
and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The Lord shall laugh at him:
for he seeth that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow,
to cast down the poor and needy,
and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken.
16 A little that a righteous man hath
is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken:
but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright:
and their inheritance shall be for ever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time:
and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish,
and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs:
they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again:
but the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth.
22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth;
and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD:
and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:
for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old;
yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth;
and his seed is blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good;
and dwell for evermore.
28 For the LORD loveth judgment,
and forsaketh not his saints;
they are preserved for ever:
but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land,
and dwell therein for ever.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom,
and his tongue talketh of judgment.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
none of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watcheth the righteous,
and seeketh to slay him.
33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand,
nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way,
and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land:
when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power,
and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not:
yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright:
for the end of that man is peace.
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together:
the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD:
he is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them:
he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them,
because they trust in him.
Published by The American Bible Society
37
The Insecurity of the Wicked
A Psalm of David.
1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers,
neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;
so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;
and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;
trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light,
and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him:
fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way,
because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath:
fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off:
but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be:
yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; Mt. 5.5
and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plotteth against the just,
and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The Lord shall laugh at him:
for he seeth that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow,
to cast down the poor and needy,
and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken.
16 A little that a righteous man hath
is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken:
but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright:
and their inheritance shall be for ever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time:
and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish,
and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs:
they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again:
but the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth.
22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth;
and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD:
and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:
for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old;
yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth;
and his seed is blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good;
and dwell for evermore.
28 For the LORD loveth judgment,
and forsaketh not his saints;
they are preserved for ever:
but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land,
and dwell therein for ever.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom,
and his tongue talketh of judgment.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
none of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watcheth the righteous,
and seeketh to slay him.
33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand,
nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way,
and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land:
when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power,
and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not:
yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright:
for the end of that man is peace.
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together:
the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD:
he is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them:
he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them,
because they trust in him.
Published by The American Bible Society
Monday, April 5, 2010
The Joy of Jesus Passover Education Today
What Is Passover?
The Holiday's History and Observances
The eight-day festival of Passover is celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan. It commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. And, by following the rituals of Passover, we have the ability to relive and experience the true freedom that our ancestors gained.
The Story in a Nutshell
After many decades of slavery to the Egyptian Pharaohs, during which time the Israelites were subjected to backbreaking labor and unbearable horrors, G‑d saw the people's distress and sent Moses to Pharaoh with a message: "Send forth My people, so that they may serve Me." But despite numerous warnings, Pharaoh refused to heed G‑d's command. G‑d then sent upon Egypt ten devastating plagues, afflicting them and destroying everything from their livestock to their crops.
At the stroke of midnight of Nissan 15 of the year 2448 from creation (1313 BCE), G‑d visited the last of the ten plagues on the Egyptians, killing all their firstborn. While doing so, G‑d spared the Children of Israel, "passing over" their homes—hence the name of the holiday. Pharaoh's resistance was broken, and he virtually chased his former slaves out of the land. The Israelites left in such a hurry, in fact, that the bread they baked as provisions for the way did not have time to rise. 600,000 adult males, plus many more woman and children, left Egypt on that day, and began the trek to Mount Sinai and their birth as G‑d's chosen people.
Passover Observances
Passover is divided into two parts. a) The first two days and last two days (that commemorate the splitting of the Red Sea) are full-fledged holidays. Holiday candles are lit at night, and Kiddush and sumptuous holiday meals are enjoyed on both nights and days. We don't go to work, drive, write or switch on or off electric devices. We are permitted to cook and to carry outdoors (click here for the details). b) The middle four days are called Chol Hamoed, semi-festive "intermediate days," when most forms of work are permitted.
NO CHAMETZ
To commemorate the unleavened bread that the Israelites ate when they left Egypt, we don't eat or even retain in our possession any "chametz" from midday of the day before Passover until the conclusion of the holiday. Chametz means leavened grain—any food or drink that contains even a trace of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt or their derivatives and wasn't guarded from leavening or fermentation. This includes bread, cake, cookies, cereal, pasta, and most alcoholic beverages. Moreover, almost any processed food or drink can be assumed to be chametz unless certified otherwise.
Ridding our homes of chametz is an intensive process. It involves a full-out spring-cleaning search-and-destroy mission during the weeks before Passover, and culminates with a ceremonial search for chametz on the night before Passover, and then a burning of the chametz ceremony on the morning before the holiday. Chametz that cannot be disposed of can be sold to a non-Jew for the duration of the holiday.
MATZAH
Instead of chametz, we eat matzah— flat unleavened bread. It is a mitzvah to partake of matzah on the two Seder nights (see below for more on this), and during the rest of the holiday it is optional.
THE SEDERS
The highlight of Passover is the two "Seders," observed on the first two nights of the holiday. The Seder is a fifteen step, family oriented, tradition and ritual packed feast.
The focal points of the Seder are:
Eating matzah.
Eating bitter herbs—to commemorate the bitter slavery endured by the Israelites.
Drinking four cups of wine or grape juice—a royal drink to celebrate our newfound freedom.
The recitation of the Haggadah, a liturgy that describes in detail the story of the Exodus from Egypt. The Haggadah is the fulfillment of the biblical obligation to recount to our children the story of the Exodus on the night of Passover.
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The Holiday's History and Observances
The eight-day festival of Passover is celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan. It commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. And, by following the rituals of Passover, we have the ability to relive and experience the true freedom that our ancestors gained.
The Story in a Nutshell
After many decades of slavery to the Egyptian Pharaohs, during which time the Israelites were subjected to backbreaking labor and unbearable horrors, G‑d saw the people's distress and sent Moses to Pharaoh with a message: "Send forth My people, so that they may serve Me." But despite numerous warnings, Pharaoh refused to heed G‑d's command. G‑d then sent upon Egypt ten devastating plagues, afflicting them and destroying everything from their livestock to their crops.
At the stroke of midnight of Nissan 15 of the year 2448 from creation (1313 BCE), G‑d visited the last of the ten plagues on the Egyptians, killing all their firstborn. While doing so, G‑d spared the Children of Israel, "passing over" their homes—hence the name of the holiday. Pharaoh's resistance was broken, and he virtually chased his former slaves out of the land. The Israelites left in such a hurry, in fact, that the bread they baked as provisions for the way did not have time to rise. 600,000 adult males, plus many more woman and children, left Egypt on that day, and began the trek to Mount Sinai and their birth as G‑d's chosen people.
Passover Observances
Passover is divided into two parts. a) The first two days and last two days (that commemorate the splitting of the Red Sea) are full-fledged holidays. Holiday candles are lit at night, and Kiddush and sumptuous holiday meals are enjoyed on both nights and days. We don't go to work, drive, write or switch on or off electric devices. We are permitted to cook and to carry outdoors (click here for the details). b) The middle four days are called Chol Hamoed, semi-festive "intermediate days," when most forms of work are permitted.
NO CHAMETZ
To commemorate the unleavened bread that the Israelites ate when they left Egypt, we don't eat or even retain in our possession any "chametz" from midday of the day before Passover until the conclusion of the holiday. Chametz means leavened grain—any food or drink that contains even a trace of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt or their derivatives and wasn't guarded from leavening or fermentation. This includes bread, cake, cookies, cereal, pasta, and most alcoholic beverages. Moreover, almost any processed food or drink can be assumed to be chametz unless certified otherwise.
Ridding our homes of chametz is an intensive process. It involves a full-out spring-cleaning search-and-destroy mission during the weeks before Passover, and culminates with a ceremonial search for chametz on the night before Passover, and then a burning of the chametz ceremony on the morning before the holiday. Chametz that cannot be disposed of can be sold to a non-Jew for the duration of the holiday.
MATZAH
Instead of chametz, we eat matzah— flat unleavened bread. It is a mitzvah to partake of matzah on the two Seder nights (see below for more on this), and during the rest of the holiday it is optional.
THE SEDERS
The highlight of Passover is the two "Seders," observed on the first two nights of the holiday. The Seder is a fifteen step, family oriented, tradition and ritual packed feast.
The focal points of the Seder are:
Eating matzah.
Eating bitter herbs—to commemorate the bitter slavery endured by the Israelites.
Drinking four cups of wine or grape juice—a royal drink to celebrate our newfound freedom.
The recitation of the Haggadah, a liturgy that describes in detail the story of the Exodus from Egypt. The Haggadah is the fulfillment of the biblical obligation to recount to our children the story of the Exodus on the night of Passover.
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Sunday, April 4, 2010
Happy Easter from The Joy of Jesus Church Praise God
Praise God for raising Jesus from the grave. We celebrate the risen Christ. Jesus takes away the sins of the world. Just trust and believe in Jesus. Praise god for His Grace in Christ Jesus.
Easter Songs of Spirit:
He Lives
I serve a risen Saviour,
He's in the world today;
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy,
I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him
He's always near.
####Chorus:
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives
today!
He walks with me and He talks with me
Along life's narrow way.
He lives, He live, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives:
He lives within my heart.
In all the world around me
I see His loving care,
And tho my heart grows weary
I never will despair;
I know that He is leading
Thru' all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing
Will come at last.
####
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs
To Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him,
The help of all who find,
None other is so loving,
Sing-a-Long
Lyrics
Table of Contents
Because He Lives
Crown Him with Many Crowns*
Doxology*
Holy, Holy, Holy*
How Great Thou Art*
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee*
Just a Closer Walk With Thee*
Old Rugged Cross*
Order My Steps
Something About That Name*
There Is a Fountain*
Click here for more hymn lyrics and music
Doxology
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
[To the top]
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
1. Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before Thee,
Hail Thee as the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!
2. All Thy works surround Thee,
Earth and heav'n reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in Thee.
3. Thou art giving and forgiving, Ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living,
Ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou the Father, Christ our Brother--
All who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.
4. Mortals, join the mighty chorus
Which the morning stars began;
Father-love is reigning o'er us,
Brother-love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music lifts us sunward
In the triumph song of life.
[To the top]
Crown Him with Many Crowns
1. Crown Him with many crowns,
The Lamb upon His throne:
Hark! how the heav'nly anthem drowns
All music but its own!
Awake my soul, and sing
Of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Thru all eternity.
2. Crown Him the Lord of love:
Behold His hands and side--
Rich wounds, yet visible above,
In beauty glorified.
No angel in the sky
Can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends his wond'ring eye
At mysteries so bright.
3. Crown Him the Lord of life:
Who triumphed o'er the grave,
Who rose victorious to the strife
For those He came to save.
His glories now we sing,
Who died and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring
And live that death may die.
4. Crown Him the Lord of heav'n:
One with the Father known,
One with the Spirit thru Him giv'n
From yonder glorious throne.
To Thee be endless praise,
For Thou for us hast died;
Be Thou, O Lord, thru endless days
Adored and magnified.
[To the top]
How Great Thou Art!
1. O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling/mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed!
Chorus:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
2. When thru the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze,
(Chorus)
3. And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin!
(Chorus)
4. When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!
(Chorus)
[To the top]
Old Rugged Cross
1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem suff'ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For world of lost sinners was slain.
Chorus:
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross
And exchange it some day for a crown.
2. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.
(Chorus)
3. In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see;
For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died
To pardon and sanctify me.
(Chorus)
4. To the old rugged cross I will ever be true,
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He'll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I'll share.
[To the top]
There's Just Something About That Name
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus;
There's just something about that name!
Master, Savior, Jesus,
Like the fragrance after the rain;
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Let all heaven and earth proclaim;
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,
But there's something about that name!
[To the top]
Just a Closer Walk With Thee
Chorus:
Just a closer walk with Thee--
Grant it Jesus, if you please;
Daily walking close to Thee--
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
1. I am weak but Thou art strong--
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I'll be satisfied as long
As I walk, dear Lord, close to Thee.
(Chorus)
2. Thru this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee
(Chorus)
3. When my feeble life is o'er,
Time for me will be no more;
On that bright eternal shore
I will walk, dear Lord, close to Thee.
(Chorus)
[To the top]
Holy, Holy, Holy
1. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
2. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert and art and evermore shalt be.
3. Holy, holy, holy! Thou the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy - there is none beside Thee
Perfect in power, in love and purity.
4. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea;
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
[To the top]
Because He Lives
1. God sent His Son - they called Him Jesus,
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Chorus:
Because He lives I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
2. How sweet to hold a newborn baby
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because Christ lives.
(Chorus)
3. And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory - and I'll know He lives.
(Chorus)
[To the top]
Order My Steps
1. Order my steps in Your word dear Lord
Lead me, guide me, everyday
Send Your anointing, Father, I pray
Order my steps in Your word.
Please order my steps in Your word.
2. Humbly I ask Thee, teach me Your will
While You are working, help me be still
Though Satan is busy, God is real
Order my steps in Your word.
Please order my steps in Your word.
3. Bridle my tongue, let my words edify
Let the words of my mouth be acceptable in Thy sight
Take charge of my thoughts, both day and night
Order my steps in Your word.
Please order my steps in Your word.
(refrain) I want to walk worthy, my calling to fulfill
Please order my steps, Lord, and I'll do Your blessed will
The world is ever changing, but You are still the same
If You order my steps, I'll praise Your name.
Order my steps, in Your word
Order my tongue, in Your word
Guide my feet, in Your word
Wash my heart, in Your word
Show me how to walk, in Your word
Show me how to talk, in Your word.
When I need a brand new song to sing,
Show me how to let Your praises ring, in Your word
In Your word
Please order my steps in Your word.
Please order my steps in Your word.
[To the top]
There Is a Fountain
1. There is a fountain filled with blood Drawn from Immanuel's veins,
And sinners plunged beneath that flood Lose all their guilty stains:
Lose all their guilty stains, Lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
2. The dying thief rejoiced to see That fountain in his day,
And there may I, though vile as he, Wash all my sins away:
Wash all my sins away, Wash all my sins away;
And there may I, though vile as he, Wash all my sins away.
3. Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood Shall never lose its pow'r,
Till all the ransomed Church of God Be saved to sin no more:
Be saved to sin no more, Be saved to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed Church of God Be saved to sin no more.
4. E'er since by faith I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme And shall be till I die:
And shall be till I die, And shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme And shall be till I die.
5. When this poor lisping, stamm'ring tongue Lies silent in the grave,
Then in a nobler, sweeter song I'll sing Thy pow'r to save:
I'll sing Thy pow'r to save, I'll sing Thy pow'r to save;
Then in a nobler, sweeter song I'll sing Thy pow'r to save.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Holy Prayer The Joy of Jesus Church
Dear God in Heaven,
Hear our prayer,
Jesus Christ is Lord.
Jesus rose from the grave and gave us all new hope and life.
We praise god for the resurrection.
Jesus overcame death and sin.
We praise God for all his love and grace.
Glory to God in The Highest.
We pray for all people in need.
We pray for this ministry in
Jesus name.
Lord we give you all the power,glory and honor,
In Jesus name we pray.
A-men
Hear our prayer,
Jesus Christ is Lord.
Jesus rose from the grave and gave us all new hope and life.
We praise god for the resurrection.
Jesus overcame death and sin.
We praise God for all his love and grace.
Glory to God in The Highest.
We pray for all people in need.
We pray for this ministry in
Jesus name.
Lord we give you all the power,glory and honor,
In Jesus name we pray.
A-men
The Dealth of Jesus from The Joy of Jesus Church
The Death and Burial of Jesus
was nearly nine o’clock on Friday morning when Jesus was led out of the city to be crucified. He had to carry His own cross a part of the way, but later on a man on the way was ordered to carry it for Jesus. A large crowd followed Jesus, and many of the women cried aloud. Turning to the crying women, Jesus said ...
“Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. The days are coming when you will wish that your children had never been born, and that the mountains and hills would hide you from the trouble your eyes shall see.”
There were two thieves who were to be crucified this same day, and they also were in the procession. They all marched out through the city gate to the place called Calvary, and there the cruel work was done. Jesus was nailed to the cross which stood in the middle, and the thieves were placed one on Jesus’ right side and one on His left.
Jesus did not speak until the cross was being lifted; then He said ...
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Soldiers were left to guard the crosses; but these men felt no pity, and began at once to cast lots to see what share each might have of the clothes which had been taken from the men who were being crucified.
A title, or sign, had been written to place over each cross, telling what the man’s name was, and what wicked thing he had done. Over the cross of Jesus, Pilate had put this sign: “Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews.” This was written in three different languages, so that everyone could read it. When the rulers of the Children of Israel saw this sign, they were not willing to have it stay there, and went to Pilate, saying ...
“The sign is wrong. Write not The king of the Jews, but that he said, I am the king of the Jews.”
But Pilate had done all he wanted to for them, and would not change it.
People came from the city to see what was going on, and, as they passed by, mocked Jesus, saying ...
“If you are the Son of God come down from the cross.”
The chief priests and scribes smiled as they said ...
“He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he is the king of Israel let him come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let his Father save him now, if he is the Son of God.”
The soldiers also mocked Jesus, offering Him sour wine, and saying ...
“If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
One of the thieves at Jesus’ side repeated what he heard the others say, and said to Jesus ...
“If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.”
The other thief was ashamed of that thief and told him to stop, saying ...
“It is right that we should be punished, for we have been wicked men, but this man has done nothing wrong.”
This thief then turned to Jesus and said ...
“Lord, will you remember me when you come into your kingdom?"
And Jesus answered him and said ...
“Today you will be with me in Paradise.”
The enemies of Jesus were not the only ones who stayed near Him; some women drew near the cross, and among them was Mary, Jesus’ mother. Mary stood by John, and seeing them standing together, Jesus said to His mother ...
“Behold your son.”
And to John ...
“Behold your mother.”
John knew by this that Jesus wanted him to take care of Mary. From that hour John took Mary, the mother of Jesus, to his home, and cared for her.
It was now a little after twelve o’clock, the time when the sun should have been shining more brightly than it had shone all day. But it began to be dark, and for three hours the darkness of night was over the land. The afternoon passed away, and every moment brought greater pain to Jesus. It was dark all around Jesus; there was no one to comfort Him! It seemed as if even Jesus’ Father in heaven had left Him, and Jesus cried out ...
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Hearing Jesus say this, some of the people who stood by said ...
“He is calling for Elias; let him alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.”
One of the words Jesus used was Eloi, which sounded a little like the word Elias.
A few minutes passed, and Jesus said ...
“I thirst.”
Some kind friend dipped a sponge in sour wine and pressed it to Jesus’ lips. When Jesus had taken it, He cried out ...
“It is finished.”
Just a moment later Jesus added ...
“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”
Jesus’ sufferings were now over; His earthly life was now ended; His spirit had gone to be with His Father in heaven.
Just then there was a great earthquake; the earth shook, great rocks were broken in pieces, a great noise was heard, and the graves were opened. The curtain in the temple, which separated the two rooms, and was never lifted except on the great Day of Atonement, was torn top to bottom.
When the soldier who was on guard at the cross saw what was done, he said ...
“Truly this was the Son of God.”
The people who had come from Jerusalem to see the crucifixion, were afraid, and returned to the city. The friends of Jesus stood afar off, filled with sadness and wonder.
Seven times Jesus had spoken while He was on the cross. These are today called “The Seven Words from the Cross.” They have been printed differently from the rest, in the last few pages, so that you may see just what they were. Notice that there is not one word of anger against those who had made Jesus suffer so much, and that three of them were words of kindness. Could we be as loving and kind if we were being made to suffer so much?
There were two men in the Sanhedrin who had tried to save Jesus, because they believed all Jesus said to them; one was Nicodemus, and the other was a rich man by the name of Joseph. Soon after Jesus died, Joseph went to Pilate, and begged that he might have the body. Pilate first called to him the soldier who had guarded the cross, to ask him whether Jesus was surely dead, because sometimes people who were crucified lived and suffered for many days. But the crowd and rulers of the Children of Israel had been anxious that these bodies should not hang on the cross on Saturday, the coming Sabbath day, which began around six o'clock Friday evening, and which was especially holy to the Children of Israel at this time, because of the Passover. The soldiers had broken the legs of the thieves so they would die quicker. But the soldiers had passed Jesus by, because they saw that He was already dead. The soldier whom Pilate called to him knew that it was truly so, because he had himself put a spear through Jesus’ side. The soldier had done this because, if they had made a mistake, and Jesus was not dead, the soldiers might lose their own lives.
So Pilate gave the body of Jesus to Joseph. Joseph had a new tomb cut out of the rock, which had never been used. Nicodemus helped Joseph carry the body of Jesus, and, after wrapping it in pure white linen and some sweet smelling spices, which Nicodemus brought, they lovingly laid Jesus’ body in the tomb, rolled a big stone against the door, and went away.
The women, who had been watching all day, waited till they saw where Jesus was laid, and then went to their homes to prepare spices and perfumes. Nothing more could be done until after Saturday, the Sabbath day. The disciples were careful to do nothing on the Sabbath day that the Children of Israel could find fault with; and, too, they knew that God had commanded that no work should be done on the Sabbath day, when it could be helped; but that it should be kept holy to God.
The Sanhedrin were not yet fully satisfied, and went to Pilate, to ask another favor. They said to Pilate ...
“Sir, we remember that this deceitful man said, while he was yet alive, ‘After three days, I will rise again.’ What we want to ask now is that soldiers guard the tomb where he is laid until after the third day, for fear that his disciples will come in the night and steal the body away, and then say to the people, ‘He is risen from the dead.’ That would be worse than anything that has happened up to now.”
Pilate, who was willing that the tomb should be guarded, said ...
“You can have watchmen; go and make things as safe as you can.”
Off they went to the tomb, to see that everything was done right; they left soldiers to guard the tomb, and sealed the stone which was before the door to the tomb in such a way that it could not be moved without breaking the seal. Any one who did that would be severely punished by law.
was nearly nine o’clock on Friday morning when Jesus was led out of the city to be crucified. He had to carry His own cross a part of the way, but later on a man on the way was ordered to carry it for Jesus. A large crowd followed Jesus, and many of the women cried aloud. Turning to the crying women, Jesus said ...
“Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. The days are coming when you will wish that your children had never been born, and that the mountains and hills would hide you from the trouble your eyes shall see.”
There were two thieves who were to be crucified this same day, and they also were in the procession. They all marched out through the city gate to the place called Calvary, and there the cruel work was done. Jesus was nailed to the cross which stood in the middle, and the thieves were placed one on Jesus’ right side and one on His left.
Jesus did not speak until the cross was being lifted; then He said ...
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Soldiers were left to guard the crosses; but these men felt no pity, and began at once to cast lots to see what share each might have of the clothes which had been taken from the men who were being crucified.
A title, or sign, had been written to place over each cross, telling what the man’s name was, and what wicked thing he had done. Over the cross of Jesus, Pilate had put this sign: “Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews.” This was written in three different languages, so that everyone could read it. When the rulers of the Children of Israel saw this sign, they were not willing to have it stay there, and went to Pilate, saying ...
“The sign is wrong. Write not The king of the Jews, but that he said, I am the king of the Jews.”
But Pilate had done all he wanted to for them, and would not change it.
People came from the city to see what was going on, and, as they passed by, mocked Jesus, saying ...
“If you are the Son of God come down from the cross.”
The chief priests and scribes smiled as they said ...
“He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he is the king of Israel let him come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let his Father save him now, if he is the Son of God.”
The soldiers also mocked Jesus, offering Him sour wine, and saying ...
“If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
One of the thieves at Jesus’ side repeated what he heard the others say, and said to Jesus ...
“If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.”
The other thief was ashamed of that thief and told him to stop, saying ...
“It is right that we should be punished, for we have been wicked men, but this man has done nothing wrong.”
This thief then turned to Jesus and said ...
“Lord, will you remember me when you come into your kingdom?"
And Jesus answered him and said ...
“Today you will be with me in Paradise.”
The enemies of Jesus were not the only ones who stayed near Him; some women drew near the cross, and among them was Mary, Jesus’ mother. Mary stood by John, and seeing them standing together, Jesus said to His mother ...
“Behold your son.”
And to John ...
“Behold your mother.”
John knew by this that Jesus wanted him to take care of Mary. From that hour John took Mary, the mother of Jesus, to his home, and cared for her.
It was now a little after twelve o’clock, the time when the sun should have been shining more brightly than it had shone all day. But it began to be dark, and for three hours the darkness of night was over the land. The afternoon passed away, and every moment brought greater pain to Jesus. It was dark all around Jesus; there was no one to comfort Him! It seemed as if even Jesus’ Father in heaven had left Him, and Jesus cried out ...
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Hearing Jesus say this, some of the people who stood by said ...
“He is calling for Elias; let him alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.”
One of the words Jesus used was Eloi, which sounded a little like the word Elias.
A few minutes passed, and Jesus said ...
“I thirst.”
Some kind friend dipped a sponge in sour wine and pressed it to Jesus’ lips. When Jesus had taken it, He cried out ...
“It is finished.”
Just a moment later Jesus added ...
“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”
Jesus’ sufferings were now over; His earthly life was now ended; His spirit had gone to be with His Father in heaven.
Just then there was a great earthquake; the earth shook, great rocks were broken in pieces, a great noise was heard, and the graves were opened. The curtain in the temple, which separated the two rooms, and was never lifted except on the great Day of Atonement, was torn top to bottom.
When the soldier who was on guard at the cross saw what was done, he said ...
“Truly this was the Son of God.”
The people who had come from Jerusalem to see the crucifixion, were afraid, and returned to the city. The friends of Jesus stood afar off, filled with sadness and wonder.
Seven times Jesus had spoken while He was on the cross. These are today called “The Seven Words from the Cross.” They have been printed differently from the rest, in the last few pages, so that you may see just what they were. Notice that there is not one word of anger against those who had made Jesus suffer so much, and that three of them were words of kindness. Could we be as loving and kind if we were being made to suffer so much?
There were two men in the Sanhedrin who had tried to save Jesus, because they believed all Jesus said to them; one was Nicodemus, and the other was a rich man by the name of Joseph. Soon after Jesus died, Joseph went to Pilate, and begged that he might have the body. Pilate first called to him the soldier who had guarded the cross, to ask him whether Jesus was surely dead, because sometimes people who were crucified lived and suffered for many days. But the crowd and rulers of the Children of Israel had been anxious that these bodies should not hang on the cross on Saturday, the coming Sabbath day, which began around six o'clock Friday evening, and which was especially holy to the Children of Israel at this time, because of the Passover. The soldiers had broken the legs of the thieves so they would die quicker. But the soldiers had passed Jesus by, because they saw that He was already dead. The soldier whom Pilate called to him knew that it was truly so, because he had himself put a spear through Jesus’ side. The soldier had done this because, if they had made a mistake, and Jesus was not dead, the soldiers might lose their own lives.
So Pilate gave the body of Jesus to Joseph. Joseph had a new tomb cut out of the rock, which had never been used. Nicodemus helped Joseph carry the body of Jesus, and, after wrapping it in pure white linen and some sweet smelling spices, which Nicodemus brought, they lovingly laid Jesus’ body in the tomb, rolled a big stone against the door, and went away.
The women, who had been watching all day, waited till they saw where Jesus was laid, and then went to their homes to prepare spices and perfumes. Nothing more could be done until after Saturday, the Sabbath day. The disciples were careful to do nothing on the Sabbath day that the Children of Israel could find fault with; and, too, they knew that God had commanded that no work should be done on the Sabbath day, when it could be helped; but that it should be kept holy to God.
The Sanhedrin were not yet fully satisfied, and went to Pilate, to ask another favor. They said to Pilate ...
“Sir, we remember that this deceitful man said, while he was yet alive, ‘After three days, I will rise again.’ What we want to ask now is that soldiers guard the tomb where he is laid until after the third day, for fear that his disciples will come in the night and steal the body away, and then say to the people, ‘He is risen from the dead.’ That would be worse than anything that has happened up to now.”
Pilate, who was willing that the tomb should be guarded, said ...
“You can have watchmen; go and make things as safe as you can.”
Off they went to the tomb, to see that everything was done right; they left soldiers to guard the tomb, and sealed the stone which was before the door to the tomb in such a way that it could not be moved without breaking the seal. Any one who did that would be severely punished by law.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Prayer Time at The Joy of Jesus Holy Week
Praise God for whom all blessings flow,
Blessed is the name of the Lord.
We praise god for Christ Jesus and all that was done at Calvary.
You shed your blood on the cross for our sins.
Christ Jesus forgave all to the end.
Lord, we pray for the Holy Spirit to touch us now Jesus.
We Glory in your Love and Joy in Your Name....
Blessed is the name of the Lord.
We praise god for Christ Jesus and all that was done at Calvary.
You shed your blood on the cross for our sins.
Christ Jesus forgave all to the end.
Lord, we pray for the Holy Spirit to touch us now Jesus.
We Glory in your Love and Joy in Your Name....
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Praise God for Song The Joy of Jeus Church
I Come To The Garden Alone Hymn
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
Refrain
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
Refrain
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
Refrain
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
Refrain
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