FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK

Our Bible is silent of dialog between the apostles for the past 60 some odd hours since Jesus died with meekness in what was recorded and witnessed a very horrible death. As those closest to Christ sat in numb disbelief, pondering, remembering, sobbing, few words were probably exchanged; only sorrow.

Remember when Jesus was being tempted by Satan for 40 days and forty nights in the wilderness?

Luk 4:13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.

Satan knew that he could never overcome Jesus, the Son of God. The Apostles, however, they were another matter entirely.

It is here during the time between the terrible death of Jesus, and that which would soon be revealed, that Satan probably used every trick in his book to dislodge their faith and replace it with doubt and question. This may well be that "opportune" time the devil had been referring to.

FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK - - SUNDAY MORNING

Mat 28:1-6 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. (2) And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. (3) And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. (4) The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. (5) The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. (6) "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.

The women arrived before sunlight in order to begin correctly preparing the Lord's body for proper burial. Even though Jesus had repeatedly told all of them of these events, their minds could not grasp the reality that was now unfolding before their frightened eyes.

Luk 24:4-7 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; (5) and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? (6) "He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, (7) saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again."

Can you imagine the fear that overtook these women? They had barely caught their breath over His death and now, this very minute, everything they had witnessed is in question. He could be alive!

Joh 20:11-18 But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; (12) and she *saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. (13) And they *said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She *said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." (14) When she had said this, she turned around and *saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. (15) Jesus *said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she *said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." (16) Jesus *said to her, "Mary!"She turned and *said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means, Teacher). (17) Jesus *said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'" (18) Mary Magdalene *came, announcing to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and that He had said these things to her.

All of the apostles struggled with the news. Despite their desperation, wanting so to believe and having directly witnessed similar events while in the company of Christ Jesus, their brain simply could not process this event. It would be later this day when the reality would finally break Satan's disbelieving temptive bond.

Joh 20:19-22 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and *said to them, "Peace be with you." (20) And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. (21) So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." (22) And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

IT IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK

HE HAS RISEN

Isa 53:1-12 Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? (2) For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. (3) He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. (4) Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. (5) But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. (6) All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. (7) He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. (8) By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due? (9) His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. (10) But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. (11) As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. (12) Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.

OUR LORD, OUR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK

Our Bible is silent of dialog between the apostles for the past 60 some odd hours since Jesus died with meekness in what was recorded and witnessed a very horrible death. As those closest to Christ sat in numb disbelief, pondering, remembering, sobbing, few words were probably exchanged; only sorrow.

Remember when Jesus was being tempted by Satan for 40 days and forty nights in the wilderness?

Luk 4:13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.

Satan knew that he could never overcome Jesus, the Son of God. The Apostles, however, they were another matter entirely.

It is here during the time between the terrible death of Jesus, and that which would soon be revealed, that Satan probably used every trick in his book to dislodge their faith and replace it with doubt and question. This may well be that "opportune" time the devil had been referring to.

FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK - - SUNDAY MORNING

Mat 28:1-6 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. (2) And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. (3) And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. (4) The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. (5) The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. (6) "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.

The women arrived before sunlight in order to begin correctly preparing the Lord's body for proper burial. Even though Jesus had repeatedly told all of them of these events, their minds could not grasp the reality that was now unfolding before their frightened eyes.

Luk 24:4-7 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; (5) and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? (6) "He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, (7) saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again."

Can you imagine the fear that overtook these women? They had barely caught their breath over His death and now, this very minute, everything they had witnessed is in question. He could be alive!

Joh 20:11-18 But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; (12) and she *saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. (13) And they *said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She *said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." (14) When she had said this, she turned around and *saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. (15) Jesus *said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she *said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." (16) Jesus *said to her, "Mary!" She turned and *said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means, Teacher). (17) Jesus *said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'" (18) Mary Magdalene *came, announcing to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and that He had said these things to her.

All of the apostles struggled with the news. Despite their desperation, wanting so to believe and having directly witnessed similar events while in the company of Christ Jesus, their brain simply could not process this event. It would be later this day when the reality would finally break Satan's disbelieving temptive bond.

Joh 20:19-22 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and *said to them, "Peace be with you." (20) And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. (21) So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." (22) And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

IT IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK

HE HAS RISEN

Isa 53:1-12 Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? (2) For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. (3) He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. (4) Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. (5) But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. (6) All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. (7) He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. (8) By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due? (9) His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. (10) But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. (11) As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. (12) Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.

OUR LORD, OUR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

OH LORD, WHAT HAVE WE DONE?

The afternoon sky was dark, ugly storm clouds swirled all around Jerusalem and Golgatha. Betrayed by a kiss, the man who was called Jesus delivered Himself to the Father in a shout of deep anguish.

Joh 19:30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

The silhouette of three trees, three crosses stand stark and silent against the angry black clouds in the wind. The ground just finished its violent shaking. The quake lifted Jerusalem's dust high into the air in all directions.

A heavy, foreboding silence consumes those standing there. They stand motionless, Roman guards with arms limp at the sides, muffled sounds of sobbing. In the quiet, a man can hear his own heart beat in his ears. Just as it became quiet, ears begin to hear again.

Luk 23:48 And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return, beating their breasts.

The three who suffered and died this day on Golgatha were taken down. A man named Joseph from Arimathea received and wrapped the body of Jesus and placed it in his own private tomb. A huge stone was rolled into place sealing our Lord into the grave.

The Bible does not share with us the private dialog of grief among the apostles and disciples. From our own human experiences we can deduce that there was great horror, wailing, sobbing, gut-wrenching physical suffering over the loss of this man whom most all of them truly believed was the Messiah. They watched Him die a terrible but human death. Through the tears of grief, they now ponder what they are to do on the morrow, or the morrow after that.

It is now less than 60 hours before the First day of the week.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

OH LORD, WHAT HAVE WE DONE?

The afternoon sky was dark, ugly storm clouds swirled all around Jerusalem and Golgatha. Betrayed by a kiss, the man who was called Jesus delivered Himself to the Father in a shout of deep anguish.

Joh 19:30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

The silhouette of three trees, three crosses stand stark and silent against the angry black clouds in the wind. The ground just finished its violent shaking. The quake lifted Jerusalem's dust high into the air in all directions.

A heavy, foreboding silence consumes those standing there. They stand motionless, Roman guards with arms limp at the sides, muffled sounds of sobbing. In the quiet, a man can hear his own heart beat in his ears. Just as it became quiet, ears begin to hear again.

Luk 23:48 And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return, beating their breasts.

The three who suffered and died this day on Golgatha were taken down. A man named Joseph from Arimathea received and wrapped the body of Jesus and placed it in his own private tomb. A huge stone was rolled into place sealing our Lord into the grave.

The Bible does not share with us the private dialog of grief among the apostles and disciples. From our own human experiences we can deduce that there was great horror, wailing, sobbing, gut-wrenching physical suffering over the loss of this man whom most all of them truly believed was the Messiah. They watched Him die a terrible but human death. Through the tears of grief, they now ponder what they are to do on the morrow, or the morrow after that.

It is now less than 60 hours before the First day of the week.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

THE HEARTBREAK OF KNOWING

During the last week, and now the last few hours, our Lord Jesus teaches His precious brothers that which they must know in order to carry on. Events are about to unfold that will shake to the core the beliefs of all mankind. The Holy Bible allows us to witness Jesus love for the world, for His apostles and for the Gospel that will soon be preached to the ends of the earth.

Joh 15:12-17 "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. (13) "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. (14) "You are My friends if you do what I command you. (15) "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. (16) "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. (17) "This I command you, that you love one another.

The Lord pulls no punches in telling the apostles of the hatred, the violence and danger they will soon face for associating themselves with Christ Jesus.

Joh 15:18-23 "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. (19) "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. (20) "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. (21) "But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. (22) "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. (23) "He who hates Me hates My Father also.

The apostles heard the words. They saw the passion in His face. The conviction in His voice. Still, these brothers could not process the gravity of what was about to invade their souls.

Joh 15:26-27 "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, (27) and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

The "Helper" is the Holy Spirit that very soon will indwell every person who confesses Jesus as Lord, and believe in their hearts all that has occurred and is about to take place on the cross.

Joh 16:5-7 "But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?' (6) "But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. (7) "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.

Soon, their walk in the cool night air will bring them to the ravine of Kidron where they will cross over and enter the garden. Jesus again gives them a prophesy of what will occur shortly. Judas Escariot is on his way.

Joh 16:32-33 "Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. (33) "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

The first day of the week is now 72 hours away.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

THE LAST SUPPER

When we read our Bible of the final hours of Jesus, gathered with His apostles the night of His betrayal, we react with deep emotion, even now thousands of years later. We know what is coming. We know its horror. We also know the supreme supernatural outcome of the mystery of the resurrection. The apostles could only see and know in that very moment as it all took place in real time.

Although Jesus spent much time and patience preparing His chosen for the events they would all witness, not one of them could fully grasp the scope and grandeur that was unfolding around them. This night, it would all change forever.

Mat 26:26-29 While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." (27) And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; (28) for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. (29) "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."

This was the very last time, this side of the cross, that Jesus would share such a supper with the elected twelve.

Before they ate this last meal, our Lord openly identified one of the 12 who would betray Him. Judas Iscariot. The reveal seemed to go over the heads of the apostles. I don't think they made the connection how heinous this betrayal would end up being. Yet another betrayal would be predicted as they walked toward the garden;

Mat 26:30-35 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (31) Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, 'I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.' (32) "But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee." (33) But Peter said to Him, "Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away." (34) Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." (35) Peter *said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You." All the disciples said the same thing too.

Within hours, Jesus Christ would be arrested and in the hands of those who would lead Him to His death. Peter would hear the rooster crow!

We are now closer to "The First Day of The Week"

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

THE COMING KING OF ZION

In just days following the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, the world would witness His horrible and agonizing death by crucifixion, His burial in a sealed tomb. No sooner had the intense grief established its hold on those who believed, that same belief would be rewarded by the fulfilling of His promised salvation through His blood, death and His resurrection by the very hand of God.

Over 480 years before this day, the Prophet Zechariah recorded the following prophecy:

Zec 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Here is the fulfillment of Zachariah's testimony:

Mat 21:1-7 When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, (2) saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to Me. (3) "If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them." (4) This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: (5) "SAY TO THE DAUGHTER OF ZION, 'BEHOLD YOUR KING IS COMING TO YOU, GENTLE, AND MOUNTED ON A DONKEY, EVEN ON A COLT, THE FOAL OF A BEAST OF BURDEN.'" (6) The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, (7) and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat on the coats.

Mark gives his perspective from a different angle;

Mar 11:8-10 And many spread their coats in the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. (9) Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: "Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; (10) Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!"

The precision of this prophetic declaration, and it's fulfillment, defies any statistical analysis of anti-probability and must be so reasoned as supernatural, just as the Bible has declared it. Even the words of the people blessing the coming Kingdom of "OUR FATHER DAVID" bore witness that they knew that this man was indeed THE MESSIAH! The SON of GOD!

Only Jesus knew what lay in store for Him and for the world as the week would now proceed. Today, would not be celebration alone, but would include hurtful disappointment over the profane manner and conduct by money changers and animal dealers in the Temple Courts. Jesus was angry. What horror many would soon see. What gut wrenching pain they would emotionally suffer when Jesus, the Messiah, the Savior would be seen dead and hanging on a tree, then buried in a tomb. What now?

...AND THEN IT WAS THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK!!

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Oswald Chambers: Am I Carnally Minded?

(1 Corinthians 3:3)

DEFINITION: CARNAL: This refers to the flesh as opposed to the pneúma, “spirit,” and denotes, in an ethical sense, mere human nature, the lower side of man as apart from the Divine influence, and therefore estranged from God and prone to sin; whatever in the soul is weak and tends toward ungodliness (see FLESH). Thus one may be carnal.

Chambers:

The natural man, or unbeliever, knows nothing about carnality. The desires of the flesh warring against the Spirit, and the Spirit warring against the flesh, which began at rebirth, are what produce carnality and the awareness of it. But Paul said, "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). In other words, carnality will disappear.

Are you quarrelsome and easily upset over small things? Do you think that no one who is a Christian is ever like that? Paul said they are, and he connected these attitudes with carnality. Is there a truth in the Bible that instantly awakens a spirit of malice or resentment in you? If so, that is proof that you are still carnal. If the process of sanctification is continuing in your life, there will be no trace of that kind of spirit remaining.

If the Spirit of God detects anything in you that is wrong, He doesn't ask you to make it right; He only asks you to accept the light of truth, and then He will make it right. A child of the light will confess sin instantly and stand completely open before God. But a child of the darkness will say, "Oh, I can explain that." When the light shines and the Spirit brings conviction of sin, be a child of the light. Confess your wrongdoing, and God will deal with it. If, however, you try to vindicate yourself, you prove yourself to be a child of the darkness.

What is the proof that carnality has gone? Never deceive yourself; when carnality is gone you will know it-it is the most real thing you can imagine. And God will see to it that you have a number of opportunities to prove to yourself the miracle of His grace. The proof is in a very practical test. You will find yourself saying, "If this had happened before, I would have had the spirit of resentment!" And you will never cease to be the most amazed person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Oswald Chambers: Am I Carnally Minded?

(1 Corinthians 3:3)

DEFINITION: CARNAL: This refers to the flesh as opposed to the pneúma, “spirit,” and denotes, in an ethical sense, mere human nature, the lower side of man as apart from the Divine influence, and therefore estranged from God and prone to sin; whatever in the soul is weak and tends toward ungodliness (see FLESH). Thus one may be carnal.

Chambers:

The natural man, or unbeliever, knows nothing about carnality. The desires of the flesh warring against the Spirit, and the Spirit warring against the flesh, which began at rebirth, are what produce carnality and the awareness of it. But Paul said, "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). In other words, carnality will disappear.

Are you quarrelsome and easily upset over small things? Do you think that no one who is a Christian is ever like that? Paul said they are, and he connected these attitudes with carnality. Is there a truth in the Bible that instantly awakens a spirit of malice or resentment in you? If so, that is proof that you are still carnal. If the process of sanctification is continuing in your life, there will be no trace of that kind of spirit remaining.

If the Spirit of God detects anything in you that is wrong, He doesn't ask you to make it right; He only asks you to accept the light of truth, and then He will make it right. A child of the light will confess sin instantly and stand completely open before God. But a child of the darkness will say, "Oh, I can explain that." When the light shines and the Spirit brings conviction of sin, be a child of the light. Confess your wrongdoing, and God will deal with it. If, however, you try to vindicate yourself, you prove yourself to be a child of the darkness.

What is the proof that carnality has gone? Never deceive yourself; when carnality is gone you will know it-it is the most real thing you can imagine. And God will see to it that you have a number of opportunities to prove to yourself the miracle of His grace. The proof is in a very practical test. You will find yourself saying, "If this had happened before, I would have had the spirit of resentment!" And you will never cease to be the most amazed person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Has His lovingkindness ceased forever? Has His promise come to an end forever? [Psa 77:8]

The questions above reflect the anguish and pain of mourning as it seems that more and more innocents are being taken from the earth before their time. Children, babies, many who have not even reached a level of knowing good from bad. How is it that these precious souls were taken and others not? They ask: Why was it MY CHILD that was denied the breath of life? WHY?

A loving husband asks: Lord, tell me WHY my wife, a good Godly woman, has been stricken with great illness and weakness and the crack-head up the road who celebrates the devil publicly gets a pass? And the husband shouts aloud "THERE IS NO GOD!" How can this be Lord?

Job cried out to God as he suffered horrible loss of family, profession, possessions and terrible physical suffering. His kids were killed. He lost everything he had.

Job 1:20-22 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. (21) He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." (22) Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.

I have often wondered if I would have such strong faith in the face of this tragedy and suffering. All I have within me I give to Him who first loved me enough to grant His salvation to me from the horror of my many sins. Only through FAITH can any of us survive these terrible events.

Tit 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.

He saved us by GRACE through FAITH. Faith is the key!

2Co 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, (4) who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Even Jesus suffered great grief in the loss of so many precious souls, and even close friends like Lazarus.

Heb 2:17-18 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (18) For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

And even to the aid of those afflicted with loss, mourning and terrible grief.

Oh Father, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray for Your mighty relief and mercy by filling these suffering souls with the supernatural comfort that only You can provide. Fill them with Your love, stamina, courage, boldness, wisdom and patience as they continue their journey in FAITH in the healing power of Your Majesty, Help them in their FAITH Lord, AMEN.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Has His lovingkindness ceased forever? Has His promise come to an end forever? [Psa 77:8]

The questions above reflect the anguish and pain of mourning as it seems that more and more innocents are being taken from the earth before their time. Children, babies, many who have not even reached a level of knowing good from bad. How is it that these precious souls were taken and others not? They ask: Why was it MY CHILD that was denied the breath of life? WHY?

A loving husband asks: Lord, tell me WHY my wife, a good Godly woman, has been stricken with great illness and weakness and the crack-head up the road who celebrates the devil publicly gets a pass? And the husband shouts aloud "THERE IS NO GOD!" How can this be Lord?

Job cried out to God as he suffered horrible loss of family, profession, possessions and terrible physical suffering. His kids were killed. He lost everything he had.

Job 1:20-22 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. (21) He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." (22) Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.

I have often wondered if I would have such strong faith in the face of this tragedy and suffering. All I have within me I give to Him who first loved me enough to grant His salvation to me from the horror of my many sins. Only through FAITH can any of us survive these terrible events.

Tit 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.

He saved us by GRACE through FAITH. Faith is the key!

2Co 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, (4) who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Even Jesus suffered great grief in the loss of so many precious souls, and even close friends like Lazarus.

Heb 2:17-18 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (18) For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

And even to the aid of those afflicted with loss, mourning and terrible grief.

Oh Father, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray for Your mighty relief and mercy by filling these suffering souls with the supernatural comfort that only You can provide. Fill them with Your love, stamina, courage, boldness, wisdom and patience as they continue their journey in FAITH in the healing power of Your Majesty, Help them in their FAITH Lord, AMEN.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

THERE IS ALWAYS TOMORROW

For a bunch of "short-timers" on this earth, we certainly have an elevated opinion of what we control. The truth of the matter is that we execute precious little influence beyond the border of our own bodies. Even in our own bodies there is a spiritual level of external control that easily over-rides our capability. Eternal Life and death.

Jas 4:14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

There was a time on earth when man lived well over a hundred years. Methuselah lived to the ripe old age of 969 years. Then man messed up. God then moved the needle back to about 120 years for man to trod the land. Man messed up again. Finally, Moses announced that due to man's inability to color within the lines, we would be limited to the present 70 to 80 years. The seed of man was cursed! Sin was unleashed.

Job 9:25-26 "Now my days are swifter than a runner; They flee away, they see no good. (26) "They slip by like reed boats, Like an eagle that swoops on its prey.

Have you noticed that the older we get, the faster time seems to fly by? The reality of this math makes man (and woman) very uncomfortable. It seems that at some point we all come to realize that our tiny time here does not register as a single blink in eternity. Its less than a celestial sneeze.

Psa 90:5-6 You have swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep; In the morning they are like grass which sprouts anew. (6) In the morning it flourishes and sprouts anew; Toward evening it fades and withers away.

So, how is it that we continue to see ourselves as masters of our own universe? How indeed?

Job 14:1 "Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil.

Everyone of us comes from the God-cursed seed of Adam. Everyone of us has been sentenced to eternal death. Adam messed up. He passed the curse onto us. If we do nothing during our short 70 to 80 years on earth, we will spend eternity in hell after we give up our worldly flesh.

The ONLY way to turn this equation around is to accept the gift that God created to satisfy and make atonement for the sin that Adam hurled on mankind. God gave up His very own son. Through the death and blood of Jesus Christ we find freedom from the curse, and release from the sentence of eternal death and anguish in hell. Want to avoid hell? Say YES to Jesus! We and everything on this earth is somewhere in its state of progressive decay. Jesus is forever, Jesus never changes. We all are dying but through Christ, we can LIVE!

Psa 102:26-27 "Even they will perish, but You endure; And all of them will wear out like a garment; Like clothing You will change them and they will be changed. (27) "But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Pray this: O Lord Jesus, come into me this moment. Be my Lord, My God, My Savior. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and Baptize me in Your Holy Name. Forgive me of my sins, wash me and make me clean. Introduce me to brothers and sisters of Your Church, and let me learn of you. Fill me with Your Love and save me I pray, AMEN.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

THERE IS ALWAYS TOMORROW

For a bunch of "short-timers" on this earth, we certainly have an elevated opinion of what we control. The truth of the matter is that we execute precious little influence beyond the border of our own bodies. Even in our own bodies there is a spiritual level of external control that easily over-rides our capability. Eternal Life and death.

Jas 4:14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

There was a time on earth when man lived well over a hundred years. Methuselah lived to the ripe old age of 969 years. Then man messed up. God then moved the needle back to about 120 years for man to trod the land. Man messed up again. Finally, Moses announced that due to man's inability to color within the lines, we would be limited to the present 70 to 80 years. The seed of man was cursed! Sin was unleashed.

Job 9:25-26 "Now my days are swifter than a runner; They flee away, they see no good. (26) "They slip by like reed boats, Like an eagle that swoops on its prey.

Have you noticed that the older we get, the faster time seems to fly by? The reality of this math makes man (and woman) very uncomfortable. It seems that at some point we all come to realize that our tiny time here does not register as a single blink in eternity. Its less than a celestial sneeze.

Psa 90:5-6 You have swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep; In the morning they are like grass which sprouts anew. (6) In the morning it flourishes and sprouts anew; Toward evening it fades and withers away.

So, how is it that we continue to see ourselves as masters of our own universe? How indeed?

Job 14:1 "Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil.

Everyone of us comes from the God-cursed seed of Adam. Everyone of us has been sentenced to eternal death. Adam messed up. He passed the curse onto us. If we do nothing during our short 70 to 80 years on earth, we will spend eternity in hell after we give up our worldly flesh.

The ONLY way to turn this equation around is to accept the gift that God created to satisfy and make atonement for the sin that Adam hurled on mankind. God gave up His very own son. Through the death and blood of Jesus Christ we find freedom from the curse, and release from the sentence of eternal death and anguish in hell. Want to avoid hell? Say YES to Jesus! We and everything on this earth is somewhere in its state of progressive decay. Jesus is forever, Jesus never changes. We all are dying but through Christ, we can LIVE!

Psa 102:26-27 "Even they will perish, but You endure; And all of them will wear out like a garment; Like clothing You will change them and they will be changed. (27) "But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Pray this: O Lord Jesus, come into me this moment. Be my Lord, My God, My Savior. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and Baptize me in Your Holy Name. Forgive me of my sins, wash me and make me clean. Introduce me to brothers and sisters of Your Church, and let me learn of you. Fill me with Your Love and save me I pray, AMEN.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

MAN IS NOTHING

O LORD,

I am a shell full of dust,

but animated with an invisible rational soul

and made anew by an unseen power of grace;

Yet I am no rare object of valuable price,

but one that has nothing and is nothing,

although chosen by You from eternity,

given to Christ, and born again;

I am deeply convinced

of the evil and misery of a sinful state,

of the vanity of creatures,

but also of the sufficiency of Christ.

When You would guide me I control myself,

When You would be sovereign I rule myself.

When You would take care of me I suffice myself.

When I should depend on Your providings I supply

myself,

When I should submit to Your providence I follow

my will,

When I should study, love, honor, trust You,

I serve myself;

I fault and correct Your laws to suit myself,

Instead of You I look to a man’s approbation,

and am by nature an idolater.

Lord, it is my chief design to bring my heart back

to You.

Convince me that I cannot be my own God,

or make myself happy,

nor my own Christ to restore my joy,

nor my own Spirit to teach, guide, rule me.

Help me to see that grace does this by providential

affliction,

for when my credit is good You cast me

lower,

when riches are my idol You wing them

away,

when pleasure is my all You turn it into

bitterness.

Take away my roving eye, curious ear, greedy

appetite, lustful heart;

show me that none of these things

can heal a wounded conscience,

or support a tottering frame,

or uphold a departing spirit.

then take me to the cross

and leave me there.

In CHRIST JESUS I PRAY, AMEN

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

DISCLAIMER: This prayer is a re-adaptation of of a public domain prayer contained in The Valley of Vision, published by Banner of Truth. Full credit to its source is hereby cited with great thanksgiving in Christ Jesus, Amen.