What Does The Resurrection Sunday Mean To You?

Now the day that we call “Resurrection Sunday,” comes around once every year since our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross. This day implies something extraordinary and different from any other Sunday. We as Christians celebrate this Sunday on Easter weekend because it is a day worth celebrating. This is because of what Jesus Christ did on the Cross. But what makes this Sunday special to all believers is that “He has risen from the dead”. Now because Jesus lives, all born again Christians can celebrate in worship each and every Sunday. We as Christians believe that our Lord Jesus Christ was resurrected on that “Resurrection Sunday” and because of our hope and faith in Him we shall live also with Him. Remember it was because of Jesus’ victory over death that makes the “Resurrection Sunday” different from every other Sunday and because He died for our sins, we can celebrate His victorious, risen life. Did you know that our Lord Jesus sits on the right side of God’s Throne? Why? This is where He makes intersession for all of our prayers to the Heavenly Father from all the Saints, which is the bride of Christ. We as believers in Jesus Christ should never forget that Jesus’ tomb is empty, He is not there because He has risen from the grave. Now if you go to the tombs of all other religions leaders, such as Joseph Smith, Buddha, Mohammad, Charles Taze Russell, and Mary Baker Eddy. Remember these religious leaders are just ordinary men and women you will still find their bodies in the grave. But this is not so with our Lord Jesus, His tomb is empty. Why? It is because He has risen and the Bible tells us so.

In the Bible, the Apostle Paul tells us about Jesus in (I Corinthians 15:20-23). Here in these verses Paul writes, but now is Christ risen from the dead, and became the first fruits of them that slept (died). Paul tells us about Jesus in verse twenty-one, for since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. Paul tells us about Jesus in verse twenty-two, for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Paul tells us about Jesus in verse twenty-three, But every man in his own order; Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Here Paul addressed the connection of our Lord Jesus Christ’s resurrection to the gospel message which is the (good news) in the book of (I Corinthians 15:3-4). The Apostle Paul stated what he knew to be the most important message, which was that Jesus died for our sins and He was buried, and came back to life on the third day. You should remember that this is the message of Easter Sunday; and that is why we as, believers in Jesus Christ, gather together in our home churches all around the world on “Resurrection Sunday.”

We as Christians should never forget the scene of our Lord Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross at Mount Calvary. This terrible advent should be forever etched in the mind of every believer that has claimed the Lord Jesus as their Savior. This terrible and brutal torture was painful and physical agony which was associated with the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior. When I think about all the pain and suffering that our Lord Jesus had to endure for our sins. I always begin to cry and I ask myself, “Why Lord? Then He always answers me in a kind and loving way; “My Child; it’s because I Have Always loved you.” The Apostle Paul tells us that the last enemy to be defeated will be death. Now until our Lord Jesus Christ returns, we all will have to face the reality of physical death with this old human body. But until that wonderful day comes when death is completely vanquished, and we, as born again believers, can rest in the assurance that the punishment of death and the sting, and the effect, and the wages of our sins has been removed because of the victorious, risen Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 6:23); The Apostle Paul tells us in the book of Romans in chapter three that; as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. (Romans 3:10). Paul tells us in the book of Romans chapter three that; For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23). Paul tells us in the book of Romans chapter five that; But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8); Paul tells us in the book of Romans chapter six that; For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord; (Romans 6:23).
Now remember that all four of the Gospels of God’s Holy Word gives the order of the events of our Lord Jesus Christ being crucified on the Cross. I believe that by comparing these events of the Crucifixion of our Lord Jesus. We as born again believers in Jesus Christ might have a better understanding if we read each book about the death and the Resurrection of the only One that can save you from going to Hell which was prepared for the Devil and his angels. I am so glad that Jesus died for my sins, but I just can’t understand why He loves us this much but I know He does. Well there is so much I could say about each of these Great books of the four Gospels. I like them all but I have chosen the book of Mark here; but I believe that the book of John has a more descriptive of these events than all the other books of the gospel.

Below is the book of (Mark 16:1-20). Please read all of the Gospels and learn God’s Holy Word for yourself and learn what He said about your future. Will your future be Heaven or Hell? It is my prayer and hope that you will be in Heaven and I look forward to meeting you there.

1) And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. (Mark 16:1)

2) And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. (Mark 16:2)

3) And they said among themselves, who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? (Mark 16:3)

4) And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. (Mark 16:4)

5) And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. (Mark 16:5)

6) And he saith unto them, be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. (Mark 16:6)

7) But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. (Mark 16:7)

8) And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they anything to any man; for they were afraid. (Mark 16:8)

9) Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. (Mark 16:9)

10) And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. (Mark 16:10)

11) And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. (Mark 16:11)

 12) After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. (Mark 16:12)

13) And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. (Mark 16:13)

14) Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. (Mark 16:14)

15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)

16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:16)

17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (Mark 16:17)

18) They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (Mark 16:18)

19) So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19)

 20) And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:20)

Now after reading the scriptures about Jesus Christ’s “Resurrection” and the events of that day in the book of Mark. I believe with all of my heart that my Savior Jesus was raised from his death and is alive forevermore. We as Christians should always serve our Lord and each day in the hope that Jesus Christ is coming back very soon to give us a new glorious body and we won’t be sick anymore, because our Savior paid the price for our sins on that old Cross at Mount Calvary.

I am confidence of the hope that I have in my Lord Jesus that He will give us a new home in Heaven. Also I know that He will give us an abundant life with all our needs met in the present, and we will be secure in our eternal home in Heaven forever to be with Him.
We that are saved and believe in our Lord Jesus should always let our light shine so other might see it and maybe those that are lost and don’t know who the Lord Jesus is, then we must tell them all about His saving Grace, and His great Salvation plan.
Then we must tell the Gospel which is the good news and if they call upon His name and repent of their sins to Him and believe upon Jesus Christ, He will save them from that place called hell and give them a new home in Heaven where we will love and serve the only One that is called Jesus Christ because He loved us first.

You can read about the “Resurrection” and the order of the “Crucifixion” events that happened on that day in all four books of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the bible.

  • The first event was the arrival of Jesus at Golgotha in verse thirty-three of (Matthew 15:22); (Luke 23:33); and (John 19:17).
  • The second event was the stupefying vinegar drink is refused by Jesus in verse thirty-four of (Matthew 15:23). (The phrase meaning of the stupefying vinegar drink was a mix of wine and myrrh mixed together and sometimes this was given to those who were in great pain and suffering while they were crucified on the cross).
  • The third event was about Jesus being crucified between the two thieves in verses thirty-five through thirty-eight of (Matthew 15:24-28); (Luke 23:33-38); and (John 19:18).
  • The fourth event, Jesus utters the first cry from the Cross, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do” in the book of (Luke 23:34).
  • The fifth event was the solders parted for His garments in verse thirty-five of (Matthew 15:24); (Luke 23:34); and (John 19:23).
  • The sixth event was the Jews mocking of Jesus in verses thirty-nine through fourth-three in verses (Matthew 15:29-32); (Luke 23:35).
  • The seventh event was the thieves rail at Him, but one thieve repents and believes in Jesus and he was saved in verse fourth-four, (Matthew 15:32); (Luke 23:39-43).
  • The eighth event was His second cry from the Cross, Jesus tells one of the thieve that, “Today shall thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
  • The ninth event was the third cry, of Jesus on the Cross, and He said, “Woman behold thy son,” in (John 19:26-27).
  • The tenth event was the darkness that came upon all the land in verse fourth-five of (Matthew 15:33); and (Luke 23:44).
  • The eleventh event was the fourth cry of Jesus and He said, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me,” in verses fourth-six through fourth-seven in (Mark 15:34-36).
  • The twelveth event was the fifth cry of Jesus and He said, “I thirst”, in verse twenty-eight of (John 19:28).
  • The thirteenth event on the Cross was when Jesus said in “the sixth cry, It is Finished”, in verse thirty of (John 19:30).
  • The fourteenth event on the Cross was His seventh cry, and Jesus said, “Father into thy hands I Commend My Spirit”, in verse (Luke 23:46).
  • The fifteenth event that our Lord Jesus did was that He dismisses His Spirit in verse fifty, (Mark 15:37); (Luke 23:46); and (John 19:50).

Now when our Lord Jesus gave up the Spirit, the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying “Certainly this was a “Righteous man”.

The Devil Alone Wants You to Go to Hell
The lost in Hell, they are saying please don’t come to this place of torment. The real truth of this matter is that there is but one being in the Universe that want’s you go to Hell. Just remember his name is Satan. If you go to Hell it will be your fault, and your fault only. Oh my friend, please don’t listen to Satan’s lies! Then make a decision to give your heart to our Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him to save you today. Then you will not have to go to that terrible place called Hell.

  • If you are not saved our God has the power to save anyone that calls upon the name of Jesus Christ and repents of their sins.
  • Now all that are lost need God’s power because we have a problem with sin. The Bible tells us that “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23).
  • Jesus is the way to Heaven and there is no other way. I believe that Jesus Christ is the door, because He said in (John 10:9);” “I am the door”, and by me if any enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” Also Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
  • My Jesus is the only doorway to Heaven, for the Word of God tells us this in the bible. Now I would like to ask you the most important question that you will ever be ask? My question is, who are you trusting for your salvation and who will give you eternal life? If you are trying to enter Heaven some other way than through the way that Jesus has provided? Now if you are then, Jesus said, you are a thief and a robber. Also Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” (John 10:1)
  • There is no other way to get to Heaven. Remember, religion is not the way! The preacher cannot save you and the water baptism is not the way either.
  • If you have a church membership that does not save you. If you are a good person and you are doing good works these things will not save you.
  • The bible tells us in (Acts 4:12); “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” There is nothing you can do to earn salvation or your way into Heaven.
  • “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags,” (Isaiah 64:6). Now only by receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior can you enter into the Kingdom of God.
  • Remember, you can enter the door by asking Jesus to come into your heart and save you. “But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12); Now the Word of God tells us, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness: and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:9-10-13);
  • We should always remember that eternal salvation is a free gift to all who will simply receive Jesus Christ into their heart. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
  • In the book of (Mark 1:15); Jesus said, “repent ye, and believe the gospel”. You must remember that believing the gospel is believing, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” (I Corinthians 15:3-4)
  • Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried, and was resurrected by the power of God for our salvation. “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16);

If you are not saved and you want to be sure that you will have an eternal home in Heaven. Then you should pray a prayer like this one. Our Heavenly Father, I admit that I am a sinner and I am going to Hell. Dear God, I know that I cannot save myself. But I repent of my sins and put my faith in the blood that you shed for me on the cross to pay for all my sins. I now accept you as my Lord and Savior and I trust you to take me with you to Heaven. Amen!

This Bible Study on the Scriptures about our God’s “Resurrection Sunday” and He is the only one who loves you and cares for you in His Holy Word. Now remember that everything on this web-site is free. Please pass them on to other people if they have helped you.

Your, Brother in Christ
Frank Rose

What Kind of Love Does God Give us

God’s Love is an Agape love which is the highest form of love and His love is never ending for us. Now there are many times that love is referred to in the New Testament and most of the references are referred to “His Agape Love”. This is the type of love that the Apostle John speaks about in (John 3:16). This love is totally sacrificial and is committed to the well-being of another. Also this is God’s kind of love. This is a fruit of the Spirit who indwells in us as a believer in Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:22). Now as we look at the fruit of the Spirit in (Galatians 5:22), we as believers in Christ can look at it like this; First, real joy is love enjoying. Second, Peace is love resting. Third, Patience (or longsuffering) is love waiting. Fourth, kindness is love reacting. Fifth, Goodness is love choosing. Sixth, Faithfulness is love keeping its word. Seventh, Gentleness is love being able to empathize. Eighth, Self-control is love being in charge. We should remember that this kind of love is not something we can work upon our own; it is an outflow of the Holy Spirit.

In book of (I John), there are 105 verses about love which is mentioned more than forty times. That’s a lot of verses in such a short epistle about love. With seven words, however, the apostle John summarizes his teaching on this important topic, “We love, because He first loved us.” We love Him because He first loved us, and we love others because He first loved us. Love starts and stops with God. He is the Author. He created it out of His very nature, and He desires that we share and experience this wonderful gift to humankind.

When you think about it, our similarities to God are few. We are not omniscient, omnipresent, or omnipotent. But God is love, and He wants us to share that attribute with Him and with others. What a marvelous privilege! We are most like God when we love. I think it is interesting to compare the most familiar verse in the Bible with another verse that John wrote. Most people can quote (John 3:16), but look at (I John 3:16): “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

I understand that the numbers or references on the verses are not in the original, but the two 3:16 verses have a complementary message: love gives sacrificially. The world knows little about sacrificial love. In defining love, I needed to provide three different definitions to give the full scope of it. Here in (I John 4:7-8); He tells us that “Love” is the dominant theme of these verses. John addressed his readers here as “Beloved,” then he said let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. Then John said, He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

  • First there are many times that love is referred to in the New Testament and most of the references are referred to “His Agape Love”. This is the type of love that the Apostle John speaks about in (John 3:16). This love is totally sacrificial and is committed to the well-being of another. Also this is God’s kind of love. This is a fruit of the Spirit who indwells in us as a believer in Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:22).
  • The second kind of love mentioned is phileo. This is a brotherly kind of love. The Bible says to “be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another” (Romans 12:10). Furthermore, we are admonished to “let brotherly love continue” (Hebrews 13:1), implying that it can diminish if not watched over and cultivated. This healthy form of love should saturate the body of Christ.
  • The third type of love is eros. This is sensual or sexual love. Though this word is not used specifically in Scripture, it is certainly implied through the admonitions concerning marriage. Although the world has tried its best to distort this and this seems to be the type of love that is written about, sung about, and acted out the most and God invented eros love for the most intimate part of marriage.

I think that sums up the definitions and also gives us the background that John was setting for us. It is amazing that love is so complex we cannot define it easily, and yet John, “that apostle whom Jesus loved,” summarizes it so beautifully by saying, “We love, because He first loved us.”

If I asked you why God created you, what would your answer be? Why were you born? You and I were created so that God could express His love to us and we could respond with love. Because He is love, and because that is His very nature, He wanted an object for His love. So He created man and woman. You and me.

How does God express His love? In many ways, but let’s look at a few.

  • First, God expresses His love through creation. The trees, the lovely flowers, the gorgeous mountains, the bright stars, the moon in all of its stages and these are tangible expressions of His love. I look at the ocean and think, of “The One who makes the tides ebb and flow cares for me”. I climb the mountains in all of their majesty and think, The One who created these is omnipotent in my life. God expresses His love for us through creation.
  • Second, God expresses His love in giving us the freedom to choose. That sounds strange, doesn’t it? It almost seems that He would love us more if He had made the parameters a bit tighter. His love is so great, however, He has given us the freedom to say no. No one wants to be married to a robot. The wonder of love is when a person chooses to love you. He delights when we choose to love Him out of our free will, which in love He gave us. In giving Adam and Eve the free will to choose to sin, He showed a new dimension of His love and He loves willful sinners.
  • Third, God expresses His love by putting us in a family. I love this truth you and I are part of a large family and God is Father, Jesus Christ is our elder Brother, the Holy Spirit is our indwelling Comforter. Beyond that, the body of Christ comprises our brothers and sisters! A woman who is an only child said she loved knowing that she really has siblings, and in reality they are blood relatives. Think of the security, the protection, and the fellowship the family of God affords. Taking church lightly, and attending sporadically, is ingratitude toward the One who put us in a family. It’s akin to refusing to show up for family reunions because we have other things that are more important.
  • Fourth, God expressed His love in sending the Holy Spirit to live within us. He said He was going to send one just like Himself to reside in us. He did not just love us; He empowered us to love Him and others!
  • Fifth, God expresses His love by engineering our circumstances for our good and His glory. Almost everyone can quote (Romans 8:28), but few of us really grab hold of the truth that He loves us enough to make all things work together for good. He is vitally interested and involved in everything that interests or involves us. God expresses His love toward us in being intensely involved in our lives.
  • Sixth, God expresses His love toward us by providing heaven. We had absolutely nothing to do with it. His Son is still busy preparing a place for us, and we get there only by the grace of God.
  • Seventh, God expresses His love toward us by His uninterrupted presence in our lives. One writer put it this way: “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’ (Hebrews 13:5). This Presence is there during the death of loved ones; during sleepless nights over a wayward child; during bad results from medical tests; during financial woes. Often the numbness of pain keeps us from sensing His presence, but He is there nonetheless. Each time I listen, I’m sending a message to you and what you say matters; and you’re important to me and I love you.

Now there are days that I felt sad and alone. So I just knelt before the Lord and cried out, to “God, it’s just me again.” In the fog, Jesus whispered to me in His loving way, “I’m here my child”. And I’ll always be here, no matter what.” I couldn’t stop praising Him for His love and presence. I’m sure you could write ways that God has expressed His love to you. But the bottom line is, He expresses His love. His love is not dormant; He actively expresses it day in and day out. Having looked at some of the ways He expresses His love, we need to see what His love is like because He wants us to express that same type of love toward Him and others. What does God’s love look like?

To begin with, His love is perfect. His love is everything it possibly can be. One Sunday morning before coming to church, I knelt down by my bed, struggling in spirit. God said to me in clear way, “My Child, you can trust my perfect love.” I wept with joy. I have clung to that truth ever since. You and I can trust perfect love. And God’s love is absolutely perfect. His perfect love is a gift. We can’t work for it. Every time someone gives a gift and the receiver tries to repay the giver, it is no longer a gift. We could never earn His love, and He gives it out of His very nature. God just can’t help loving you. His perfect love that He gives us is everlasting. We need to memorize this verse: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness I have drawn you” (Jeremiah 31:3). We can do nothing to make God stop loving us. What good news! God’s love never, ever fades. Furthermore, His perfect, everlasting love that He gives the believer is unconditional. Some people were raised-up hearing, “I’ll love you if,” or “I’ll take you back when” There is no if or maybe or fine print or footnotes to God’s love. It is totally unconditional. He never says, “I’ll take you back if you do something right.” But it goes farther. God’s perfect, everlasting love that He gives us unconditionally is a sacrificial love. That is what the Cross is all about: “God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son.” Now God wants us to have this same sacrificial love toward one another. It doesn’t make any difference whether people reject us or not, we still express love toward them. Of course, its supernatural source is the Holy Spirit. If that is not enough, God’s perfect, everlasting, sacrificial, unconditional love that He gives us is immeasurable. The apostle Paul assures us that we are “rooted and grounded in love,” and we need to be “able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height” (Ephesians 3:17–18). Paul also tells us that His love “passes knowledge” (verse 19). I think Paul is indicating that while we need to try to grasp all the ramifications of such perfect love in every sphere, and it is immeasurable; we will never be able to take it all in.

We are called to love God. Jewish men recited the following verse both morning and evening, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5). We are to love Him with all of the heart, the seat of the emotions; with all of the soul, the core of personality; with all of our strength, all that is within us; with all of our might, consumed with Him. How do we work that into our daily lives? By obedience. Three times in (John 14), Jesus reminds us that love equals obedience. In essence He says, “Don’t tell me that you love me and choose to put up with sin!” My love is to be evident in instantaneous confession when sin is pointed out. That’s when He is my center of attention and all my emotional energy moves toward Him. But there is more. Not only am I to love God, but I am to love myself. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). The world has corrupted this self-love into the motto, “You got to look out for number one.” The Bible does not teach that. The Bible teaches a healthy love for ourselves because we are His workmanship and worth loving. Do you know how people can tell whether they love themselves? By the way they treat themselves. If they abuse their bodies with alcohol or tobacco or overeating, they are not loving themselves enough to care for their bodies. Satan will say, “You’re not worth loving.” But God said, “You are my workmanship. You are worth My Son’s dying for. You are incredibly valuable.” We need to see ourselves as God sees us. Our sense of self-worth can come not from what others think of us but from what God thinks of us. We are the apple of His eye. Not only are we called to love God and ourselves, but we are also called to love our neighbors. This is perhaps the hardest of the three commands.

In (John 14-17), Jesus emphasized that we are to love others. That is how the world is to know we are Christians. True, some people are more lovable than others, but love is not an emotion; it is a decision. We can choose by our will, with the Holy Spirit indwelling and empowering us, to love. We can ask the most unlovable people, “How can I help you to be all God wants you to be?” The first fruit of the Spirit is love; it is the heart of it all. Some people cannot handle love. They are uncomfortable with affection. Sometime they are so scarred emotionally that they are afraid to be loved. They fear you will expect them to love in return and they are incapable of doing that because of damaged emotions. But genuine agape love doesn’t expect love in return, so love them anyhow. Jesus doesn’t stop with calling on us to love our neighbors. He calls on us to love our enemies as well. This is a supernatural calling, and we must rely on the Holy Spirit to give us the capacity to love them. If love is a feeling, we are all in trouble. Our feelings are fickle and they fluctuate. But the decision to do what is the best for others can be steady, no matter what we feel. When the alarm clock goes off on a cold, rainy morning, we get ready for work whether or not we feel like it. By an act of will, we throw back the covers and put our feet on the floor. Now there are times, loving others demands the same kind of discipline and determination. Remember there is nothing God loves like He loves you.

Remember the story of Peter’s catching fish after Jesus telling him to cast his net on the other side of the boat is a familiar one. After breakfast, however, Jesus and Peter talked. Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Jesus knew the answer but He wanted Peter to realize the answer. Jesus asked the first two times, “Peter, do you Love Me?” That is, “Peter, do you love me with sacrificial love?” And Peter answered, “Yes, Lord; you know that I Love you.” In other words, “Jesus, You know that I love you with brotherly love.” The third time Jesus asked, “Peter, do you even Love Me?” And Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, “Feed my sheep”. (John 21:17) Peter never acknowledged in this passage that he loved Jesus with anything more than a friendship kind of love. We need only to read the books of (I Peter and II Peter) to see that Peter had come a long way after this conversation. He later wrote, “And though you have not seen Him, you love Him” (I Peter 1:8). Both epistles are overflowing with love which is agape love for the Lord Jesus Christ.

When God wanted us to know who He is and what He is like, He came in person. God entered time and demonstrated His love through Jesus Christ. We should remember that Jesus our Savior is fully God and fully human. He showed us how to be a loving human, and how to obey God with our lives and also to show love to others. For love to be true, it sometimes has to be velvet and sometimes it has to be steel. Your life without love is empty and meaningless no matter how gifted we are. There’s nothing you can do to get Him to love you and there’s nothing you can do to make Him stop. The creator God is a personal God who loves us. But all creation points us to a loving God, and His love is mostly seen in his Son Jesus Christ. Just remember that his name is Jehovah and that God created all things and His love is never ending.

Now when you open your bible never forget that God loves you. There are two love chapters in the New Testament and they are first Corinthians chapter 13 and first John chapter 4. Jesus said I give you a new commandment that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love another. One of the most quoted verse in the bible is (John 3:16); and this is about Jesus’ love for the whole world. Now in (John 3:15-16); the Apostle John said, “That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life”. Here John tells us; “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This verse has been translated into more than 1100 languages. This Bible verse tells of the one and only Savior, who loved us with an everlasting love and His name is Jesus. Also this Bible verse recorded in 27 different languages of the world and are understood by more than three-quarters of the earth’s population. Below you will find many scriptures on God’s love. Please take the time to read them and study God’s Word and may God bless you always.

(I John 2:10); “He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occacsion of stumbling in him.”

(I John 4:7); “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”

(I John 4:11); “Beloved, if God so loved us we ought to love one another.”

(Romans 13:8); “Owe no man anything but to love one another; for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”

(Hebrews 13:1); Let brotherly love continue.”

(Galatians 5:14); “For all law is fulfilled in one word even in this thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.”

(John 13:34); “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

(John 13:35); “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another.”

(I Thessalonians 4:9); “But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you; for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.”

(Romans 12:10); “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another.”

(I Peter 1:22); “Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren see that ye love one another with a pure heart feverently.”

(John 15:12); This is my commandment that ye love one another, as I have loved you.

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

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

(Hebrews 6:10); For God is mot unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shown toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

(Revelation 2:19); I know thy works, and love, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

(Ephesians 6:24); Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.

(Mark 12:33); And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

(I Timothy 1:5); Now the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.

(I Timothy 4:12); Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

(II Timothy 3:10); But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, patience.

Now in (I John 4:7-8); the Apostle John instructs us as, beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. Then John said that He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. I believe that God’s love is unique because His love always finds what is best for others and God’s love benefits those who receive it and for those who witness it. We should remember that God’s love works for God’s values; and His truth, His purpose, His joy, and many more things that we cannot understand.

Remember; if you are not saved our God has the power to save anyone that calls upon the name of Jesus Christ and repents of their sins. Now all that are lost need God’s power because we have a problem with sin. The Bible tells us that, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23). Now you can find the way to Heaven in the book of (Romans 10:9). This scripture in the bible tells us that “If you confess with your mouth, that “Jesus is Lord,” and that you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” We all need to confess our sin and ask God for his forgiveness. When you confess Jesus Christ as your Lord, then this involves an agreeing with God about your sin and your need for Salvation. You must repent of your own personal sins, by doing this you are willing to turn away from the direction in life in which you are going. Now to “believe in your heart” is to place your faith in Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior, also you are trusting that Jesus died on the Cross to pay for your sins. But our God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Jesus Christ died for all of us. (Romans 5:8). If you would like to have Salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ, you sincerely pray a prayer like this one; “Please God, I confess to you my sins and I need for you to save me right now. Then turn away from your sins and place your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord of your life. Then you will have a home in Heaven forever. Amen.”

Now this concludes our Bible Study on the Scriptures of love and always remember that Jesus is the only one who loves you and cares for you in His Holy Word. Remember that everything on this web-site is free. Please pass them on to other people if they have helped you.

Your, Brother in Christ,

Frank Rose

THE STRANGER

THE STRANGER

At Christmas time there was a man who looked so out of place,
As people rushed about him at a hurried sort of pace.
He stared at all the Christmas lights, the tinsel everywhere,
The shopping mall, Santa Claus, with children gathered near.
The mall was packed with shoppers who were going to and fro,
some with smiles and some with frowns and some too tired to go.
They rested on the benches or they hurried on their way,
to fight the crowd for purchases to carry home that day.
The music from a stereo was playing loud and clear,
of Santa Claus and snowmen and funny-nosed reindeer.
He heard the people talk about the good times on the way,
of parties, fun and food galore and gifts exchanged that day.
“I’d like to know what’s going on.” the man was heard to say,
“There seems to be some sort of celebration on the way.”
“And would you tell me who this is, all dressed in red and white?
“And why are children asking him about a special night?
The answer came in disbelief, “I can’t believe my ear.”
“I can’t believe that you don’t know that Christmas time is here.
“The time when Santa Claus comes around with gifts for girls and boys,
“When they’re asleep on Christmas Eve, he leaves them books and toys.
“The man you see in red and white is Santa Claus, so sly,
“The children love his joyful laugh and twinkle in his eye.
“His gift-packed sleigh is pulled along by very small reindeer,
“As he flies quickly through the air, while darting there and here.
“The children learn of Santa Claus while they are still quite small,
“When Christmas comes he is the most important one of all!”
The Stranger hung his head in shame, he closed a nail-pierced hand,
His body shook in disbelief, he did not understand.
A shadow crossed his stricken face, his voice was low but clear:
After all these years, they still don’t know ……. ”
And Jesus shed a tear.
(Author unknown)

Pictures From Randall Ogle’s Gallery

In the month of May this past year we went on our family vacation to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. My wife Janice always likes to shop around in the small stores with her sister for special deals on scenic pictures and Christian pictures to take home. We all like to go to the shop of Randall Ogles Gallery. Now it was here in this friendly picture shop that I meet Mr. Ogle and I ask him if he was a Christian and he said yes, for a long, long time. Now my wife Janice purchased a beautiful scenic picture that had three bears and a old log cabin with a beautiful colorful back ground of the mountains.

Well while my wife and sister in-law shopped around the gallery I began to talk to my new brother in Christ. I told him about “My Christian Computer Ministry,” and how long it had been on the internet. I gave him my card and he gave me one of his cards back also. I had seen several pictures of Christ and there was one picture of a small country church in his store that I liked really well. Then I ask brother Ogle if he would give me permission to put some of Christian pictures on my web-site and he said yes.

Now below are some of Brother Ogle’s pictures of his great work as an Artist. I believe that Brother Ogle said that he had been drawing and painting pictures for over 43 years and his work as an Artist shows just how good they really are.

Now if anyone likes these examples of his pictures below, you can contact him at the “Smoky Mountain Native Artist Shop in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Also you can just call Mr. Randall Ogle by phone and his number is 1-865-428-2839. You can also contact him on his web-site too which is RandallOgleGallery.com

Good Quote: Lifestyle & Love

“Our culture has accepted two huge lies: The first is that if you disagree with someone’s lifestyle, you must fear them or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate.” Rick Warren


Choosing a Bible Translation

Choosing a Bible Translation

by J. Kristen Edscorn
Fifty years ago the King James, or Authorized, Version of the Bible was considered by many to be the only reliable translation and choosing a Bible involved selecting the binding and color. Today, dozens of English translations are available. So, how does one decide which is best?

First, we need to recognize that there is no one translation that is the best. Even the writers of the New Testament books quote from several Greek translations of the Old Testament. Today we have no perfect translation, but there are a number which are very good. The real question is: Which is best for our particular needs?

About the King James
So what is wrong with the good old King James Version? It probably is the most beautiful, elegant, literary English translation that will ever be produced. In fact, it contributed a great deal to the formation of the English language. Modern translations usually lack the poetry of the King James because modern biblical scholars are more scientists than artists. Nevertheless, there are two major problems with the King James Version. First of all, when it was translated in 1611, there were relatively few Hebrew and Greek manuscripts available and they tended to be recent and less accurate. In the 400 years since then, literally thousands more manuscripts have been discovered, ranging from small portions to complete copies of the Old or New Testaments. Many of these are very early and more accurate.

Secondly, the English in the King James Version is not at all the same language spoken today. Both the vocabulary and grammar have changed considerably. As a result, a reader often must retranslate the King James into modern English in his or her mind. For many people, especially children, reading the King James Version is like reading a foreign language.

So Which is for Me?
Which brings us to the numerous modern translations. Most of these have been produced by fine scholars using the many thousands of manuscripts available today. Different translations are better for various purposes.

If you are interested in serious study of the Bible, including grammar and vocabulary, you will want a more literal translation, such as the English Standard Version, New King James, or New American Standard. However, it is always good to compare several translations, especially for passages that are difficult to understand. If you are interested in reading the Bible in large blocks, you probably will prefer one of the freer translations (not necessarily less accurate), such as the New International, New Living Translation, or Contemporary English Version.

The following is an annotated list of the most popular modern English translations.

Amplified Bible (AB) – first published in 1958, it is the fruit of tens of thousands of hours of research by Dr. Frances Siewert. Beginning with the very literal American Standard Bible, she adds additional words in brackets that help provide understanding of the meaning of the original language. This has become a very popular “second Bible” for Bible study. It is published by Zondervan.

Contemporary English Version (CEV), is a completely new translation published by the American Bible Society in 1995. Originally intended as a children’s translation, it uses a very simple, contemporary style. It is independent of traditional translations and freer of “biblical” terms. This is an especially good translation for people who speak English as a second language.

English Standard Version (ESV), an “essentially new literal translation,” follows the tradition of the King James, American Standard Version, and Revised Standard Version. Published in 2001 by Crossway, it was developed by a translation team of more than 100 scholars, with the goal of being very accurate (word for word), and yet very readable. It has become quite popular, as it is more readable than other literal translations.

Good News Bible (Today’s English Version) (TEV), completed in 1976, was translated by Robert G. Bratcher with six other scholars. This very free, though very accurate, translation avoids the use of traditional biblical vocabulary and communicates especially well with youth and the unchurched. Also published by the American Bible Society.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) is another new word-for-word translation that strives to be both literally accurate and readable. It is not as literal as the ESV or NASB, but is more so than the NIV. The Holman, published by Broadman & Holman in 2003, is the product of nearly 100 scholars.

The Living Bible (LB), completed in 1971, is Kenneth N. Taylor’s paraphrase of the American Standard Version. Easy to read and once immensely popular, it is often criticized for adding too much commentary to the biblical text. It is published by Tyndale House.

The Message (Msg) – Eugene Peterson completed this paraphrase of the entire Bible in 2002. Peterson takes great liberties with words in his attempt to effectively communicate both the original thoughts and tone of the Scripture. The result is a very earthy, informal language. Published by NavPress.

New American Bible (NAB) – a Catholic translation, the work of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, and first published in 1970. It is the version used in the American Catholic lectionary. In 2011 a Revised Edition is being published. The NAB is a more literal translation, especially the 1986 revision of the New Testament.

New American Standard Bible (NASB) – completed in 1971, was produced by 54 conservative Protestant scholars sponsored by the
Lockman Foundation. This version is very literal in vocabulary and word order, although the resulting English is quite wooden. It often is preferred by those who want an English version that reflects the grammar of the original. An Update was published in 1995 which seeks to use more modern English while preserving the literal nature of the translation.

New International Version (NIV), completed in 1978, was the product of 115 evangelical scholars. Within a decade it became the
best-selling English version, a position it still holds! It combines contemporary, literary English with traditional biblical vocabulary. The NIV is copyrighted by the Biblica (formerly International Bible Society). NOTE: A major revision of the NIV was released in early 2011. While it only changes about 5% of the text of the last edition (1984), the changes are significant, and it almost reads like a new translation.

New King James Version (NKJV), released in 1982, involved 119 contributors. It updates the vocabulary and grammar of the King James Version, while preserving the classic style and beauty. Although it uses the same Hebrew and Greek texts as the original, it indicates where other manuscripts differ. Published by Thomas Nelson.

New Jerusalem Bible (NJB) of 1985 revised and updated the text and notes of the Jerusalem Bible of 1966. That version, based on a French translation, was an elegant, literary rendering (perhaps the most poetic since the KJV). The JB and NJB were projects of Roman Catholic scholars, and the notes reflect a modern, liberal perspective.

New Living Translation (NLT), published in 1996, is the product of 90 Bible scholars from around the world, from various theological
backgrounds and denominations. This is a very readable translation, while remaining more faithful to the original texts than the Living Bible (see above). Also published by Tyndale. An update was published in 2004.

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) – published in 1989 by the National Council of Churches, revises the Revised Standard Version of 1952. While following the literal tradition of the RSV, the NRSV eliminates much of the archaic language. One distinctive is the use of gender inclusive pronouns to replace male pronouns when the original writers meant both men and women. The NRSV does not change masculine pronouns referring to God, however.

Revised English Bible (REB), completed in 1989, is a thorough revision of the New English Bible. Like the original, it was translated by a committee of British scholars, representing all the major Christian traditions in the United Kingdom. The more archaic language was omitted and a more conservative approach was taken toward some of the difficult passages. Many readers find it to be an excellent translation for personal reading and study, though its British idioms make it less popular in the U.S. The REV is published by the
publishing houses of both Cambridge and Oxford Universities.

A New Testament of Note

Special mention also should be made of an important New Testament paraphrase. A paraphrase translates the thoughts of the original text, not the words. In 1958 J. B. Phillips completed The New Testament in Modern English. Phillips had a special knack of rendering difficult and long sentences into very understandable English. He even translates well some of the Greek puns and word plays that usually are lost. It
can be very helpful to have a copy of Phillips nearby, especially when studying the epistles of Paul.

For Children
Several translations especially for children have been published in recent years, in addition to the CEV mentioned above. The International Children’s Bible was completed in 1985 by 21 evangelical scholars. It is written on a high third-grade level. An adult edition, known as the New Century Version, also is available. Published by Thomas Nelson/Word.

Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society) produced the New International Reader’s Version (NIrV) as a children’s version of the popular NIV. It also is on a third-grade reading level. Both of these Children’s Bibles are excellent resources for children. The NIrV comes in several study Bible formats designed especially for children. Published by Biblica.

Reprinted with permission, Link to original post.

Amazing Email

Here is another great email I got.

Dan

If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.  Mark 9:35

ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW AND  THAT ONES FAITH CAN LEAD A MAN TO DO AMAZING THINGS BOTH NOW AND THEN!
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS IN PERSON AMAZING!

This is amazing.  The wood alone would have cost him a fortune.

Man builds working replica of Noah’s Ark (exact scale given in Bible)

In Schagen , Netherlands
image1
The massive central door in the side of Noah’s Ark was opened to the first crowd of curious townsfolk to behold the wonder. Of course, it’s only a replica of the biblical Ark , built by Dutch creationist, Johan Huibers, as a testament to his faith in the literal truth of the Bible.
image2
The ark is 150 cubits long, 30 cubits high an d 20 cubits wide. That’s two-thirds the length of a football field and as high as a three-story house.

Life-size models of giraffes, elephants, lions, crocodiles, zebras, bison and other animals greet visitors as they arrive in the main hold.
image3
image4
A contractor by trade, Huibers built the ark of cedar and pine. Biblical Scholars debate exactly what the wood used by Noah would have been.
image5
Huibers did the work mostly with his own hands, using modern tools and with occasional help from his son, Roy. Construction began in May 2005. On the uncovered top deck not quite ready in time for the opening – will come a petting zoo, with baby lambs, chickens, goats and one camel.
image6
Visitors on the first day were stunned. ‘It’s past comprehension’, said Mary Louise Starosciak, who happened to be bicycling by with her husband while on vacation when they saw the ark looming over the local landscape.
image7
‘I knew the story of Noah, but I had no idea the boat would have been so big ‘ There is enough space near the keel for a 50-seat film theater where kids can watch a video that tells the story of Noah and his ark. Huibers, a Christian man, said he hopes the project will renew interest in Christianity in the Netherlands , where church-going has fallen dramatically in the past 50 years.
image8
Now that I am old and Gray…give me the time to tell This new generation (and their children too) About all your mighty miracles.
Psalm 71:18

Email – SAYING GRACE IN A RESTAURANT

Got this email in today.

Dan

Last week, I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace.

As we bowed our heads he said, ‘God is good, God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!’

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, ‘That’s what’s wrong with this country. Kids today don’t even know how to pray.. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!’

Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, ‘Did I do it wrong?  Is God mad at me?’ As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job, and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, ‘I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer.’

‘Really?’ my son asked.

‘Cross my heart,’ the man replied.

Then, in a theatrical whisper, he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), ‘Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.’

Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal.. My son stared at his for a moment, and then did something I will remember the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and, without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, ‘Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the s oul sometimes; and my soul is good already.’

The End

The Twelve Days of Christmas

I got the following in an email today and I thought I would share it.

Dan

In case some of us don’t remember this lesson:…………….

Subject: A Tidbit of Knowledge

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me.
What in the world do leaping lords, French hens,
swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won’t come out
of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
Today, I found out.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were
not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone
during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning
plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each
element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality
which the children could remember.

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of
the Old Testament.

The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy
Spirit–Prophesy, Serving, Teaching,
Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit–Love, Joy,
Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness,
Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the
Apostles’ Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I
found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song
became a Christmas Carol…so pass it on if you wish.’

Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone…..