Have you ever had a serious problem? What did you do? Worry about it or take it to God? Mary was a young Jewish woman, a virgin who was espoused to a Jewish man named Joseph. Her future looked bright with a wedding on the horizon. Then she was faced with a problem. Read Luke 1:26-33 Yes, Mary faced a problem … vs 28 An Angel’s Greeting … vs 29 Mary considers what he wants … vs 31 She is to bare a son … vs 34 Can’t be, impossible, not married … vs 37 With God, nothing is impossible … vs 38 Mary’s response … Notice what she didn’t do … She didn’t worry what people would say … She didn’t worry what her parents would say … She wasn’t even worried about what Joseph would say … God called, she responded … in faith!
But what about all the details? God called … she responded, trusting God. With God nothing is impossible.
Fathers Day, in the United States, holiday (third Sunday in June) to honour fathers. Sonora Smart Dodd, whose father, a Civil War veteran, raised her and her five siblings after their mother died in childbirth. The first Fathers Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, the month of the birthday of Dodd’s father. In 1924 U.S. Pres. Calvin Coolidge gave his support to the observance, and in 1966 Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson issued a proclamation that recognized the day. It became a national holiday in 1972, when Pres. Richard Nixon signed legislation designating the third Sunday of June as Fathers Day.
There are over 850 references to Father in the Scripture and over 810 to Fathers. Many are to God the Father. Needless to say, all of them will not be looked at now. However, Genesis has 3 important ones worth knowing: A man should establish his own family. Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. They lived in Tents and herded cattle. Genesis 4:20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle. They established music. Genesis 4:21And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. Paul reaffirms Genesis 2:24. Ephesians 5:31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. And then gives this advice: Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Colossians 3:21Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
Most of all, be a father, not a friend. Friendly, but your children need the authority of a father.
Easter Sunday, most of what we do on this day is based on man’s traditions, not the Word of God.
We should remember that it is NOT Easter, but Resurrection Sunday! Many profess to believe that the Lord Jesus rose again. But just what do they believe? Some Questions: 1 How did the Lord Jesus rise from the dead? 2 What type of body did He rise with? 3 Where did the body go, and where is it now? 4 Just what did the resurrection prove?
1 He rose from the dead by the power of God. Our proof in in Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. We have the testimony of many who not only saw the empty tomb, but saw Him, and touched Him. To accept the scripture as the word of God … is to accept the fact that Jesus did arise.
2 His body had to be physical. The scripture says: Luke 24:30And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Luke 24:42-43 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. Paul points out the difference between the natural body and the spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:39-44. The natural (Flesh ad blood) cannot inherit the kingdom, the spiritual (flesh and bone) can! 1 Corinthians 15:50
3 The body of the Lord Jesus ascended into Heaven Acts 1:9-11 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. And this same body is coming again to earth. He is currently seated at the right hand of God. Over 13 times the Scripture states that God exists and so does His Christ. This same Jesus bodily, will come again: Zechariah 12:10, 13:6, Revelation 1:7. Remember the Angels said “This same Jesus…”
4 What does the resurrection prove? It proves the power of God Ephesians 1:19-20. It proves that Jesus is the Saviour Acts 10:38-43. It proves the righteousness of God: Sin cannot go to Heaven – Romans 3:23 The debt must be paid but sinners cannot pay it. A sinless one must pay the price Romans 3:21-22, 4:22-24 It proves the resurrection of all men 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 Christ the first fruit. All die because of Adam. All will be resurrected because of Christ. The first was Christ Matthew 28:1-10 Then those who rose with Him Matthew 27:58 Then those who will go in the rapture 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Then those who rise at His second coming Revelation 20:4-6 Then all after His 1000 year Reign Revelation 20:11-15 All who have ever lived will have an eternal body Philippians 3:21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Some to Honor and Glory to live with Him forever. Some to dishonor and horror, separated from Him forever. Which will you be?
Palm Sunday, or the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem as it may be called in Orthodox Churches, is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the liturgical year. The day before Palm Sunday, Lazarus Saturday, believers often prepare palm fronds by knotting them into crosses in preparation for the procession on Sunday.
The Orthodox Church celebrates Lazarus Saturday and claim it is the day before Palm Sunday. Lazarus Saturday, celebrates the raising of Lazarus from the dead by the Lord Jesus. BUT, John 12:1 “Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.” says it happened before that.
Matthew, Mark, Luke do not comment on Lazarus nor Palm Sunday.
John 11:1-57 records the raising Lazarus from the dead. John 12:1-18 records what we call Palm Sunday.
Because all of Jerusalem had heard of the raising of Lazarus, and because of the Lord’s 3 years of proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, His teachings, healings, casting out demons and His other miracles, they wanted to proclaim Him king. John 12:13Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. John 12:17-18The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. But not the Jewish leaders, they plotted to kill Him. John 12:10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
Whether one celebrates these days is of little matter. They have NOTHING to do with salvation. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and Romans 10:9-13.
THE RESURRECTION 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. Christ left his throne in Heaven 2 Corinthians 8:9 Born of a virgin Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:34 Lived a perfect life Luke 2:40,52 No sin could be charged to Him Crucified unjustly Isaiah 53:10-11 Laid in a grave Matthew 27:57-60 Rose from the dead after 3 days and nights Matthew 12:40 Walked the earth 40 days Acts 1:3 Ascended into Heaven Acts 1:9 Will return as He left Acts 1:11
Resurrection of Christ is a FACT: Paul writes 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 There were those in Corinth who denied the possibility of resurrection of dead men. Just as today many deny the possibility of a physical resurrection. Even misquoting scripture: Ecclesiastes 8:10, 9:4,5
Paul refutes these fools: 1 Corinthians 15:36-44
Because Christ rose from the dead in a new body, so also will we rise from the dead with new bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:51-58
The Calibration of LENT is NOT found in Scripture – See Lent in the Encyclopedia. As one can see by reading about LENT, it’s a work religion.
Salvation is based on Faith in the Gospel: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how 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: And the only thing we can do is found in: Romans 10:9-13That 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 the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Gospel = Death, Burial and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ Confess = to admit With thy mouth = tell others The Lord Jesus = that He is God Believe = to accept (as fact) THOU SHALT BE SAVED = Going to Heaven (after death or in the Rapture).
Ephesians 2:8-9 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.
Titus 3:5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
52 weeks … 365.4 days … 8760 hours … 525,600 minutes … 31,536000 seconds … ONE YEAR! Time is a gift from God!
Although God is NOT time orientated, His Word has much to say about TIME. Some yea ago a great scientist made a very important discovery, relating to the universe and its beginning and structure. He stated that there are five basic conditions of the physical universe and these had to be in order to have an existing universe: TIME FORCE MOTION SPACE MATTER This was a tremendous discovery. An important basic truth, hailed as a great step forward in man’s knowledge and understanding of where he came from and where he was going. At first it seemed like a great blow to Bible believers … What about God? Didn’t He just create it all? Didn’t He know about the five basic principles? If He did, why didn’t He tell us about them?
This was a series of 5-minute radio Messages delivered a long time ago, but still applies for today.
HAPPY NEW YEAR … Today the new year has already begun, in fact it’s the 3rd day and there are only 362 ½ days left … 8,703 hours … 522,180 minutes … 31,330,800 seconds …. TIME SURE DOES FLY! How much TIME do you give to God? 1 hour a week only comes to 52 hours a year, that’s only 2.1 days a year. 3 hours a week, only 6 1/3 days a year. 4 hours a week, only 8 ½ days a year. How much TIME do you give to God? We can’t say that WE’LL GIVE TOMORROW TO God, because tomorrow never comes, yesterday is past. All we have is TODAY. Let me share some thoughts of how we can use TODAY. TODAY IS HERE 2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) How much TIME do you give to God?
Halloween is a holiday celebrated each year on October 31,. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.
Brought into the Church (Catholic) and called All Saints Day. It was done trying to bring the Celts into the Church. The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago, mostly in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.
As you can see this HOLIDAY has NOTHING to do with the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus (the gospel) and getting saved (Romans 10:9).
To participate it as a fun day or not, remember what Paul wrote to the Romans: Romans 14:1-12Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Children’s Day dates back to the 1860s or even earlier when Children’s Day was first celebrated in America. In 2000, President Bill Clinton declared October 8th to be celebrated as Children’s Day thereafter. But in 2001, President George W. Bush announced June 3rd as National Child’s Day and the commemoration of this day on the first Sunday in June every year. In researching this, it is very confusing. Isn’t Christmas children’s day? What about Easter? And their Birthday? Seems we have a lot of days that are Children’s Day! Do we really need a National Children’s Day? Yes, we should cherish and love our children. See what the Scripture says: Psalm 127:3-4 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Psalm 128:3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. This even includes grand children: Proverbs 17:6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. And we should instruct them: Psalm 34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Proverbs 4:1Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. Proverbs 5:7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. Proverbs 6:20My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Proverbs 7:24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Proverbs 8:32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. When father and mother cherish, love and instruct their children: Proverbs 1:8My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. Proverbs 20:7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. Proverbs 31:28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
