Music Friday!-Anne Wilson - My Jesus (Lyrics)

Why we need a Savior!

This the reason we need a Savior:

 Ecclesiastes 7:20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

God is holy, righteous, and perfect. He can not dwell in the presence of sin. This is why we need Jesus if we want to spend eternity in heaven with God! Jesus shed blood covers our sin and that is the only way we can be righteous before God!

You and I are sinners...come to Jesus and be saved!

Tom

Key for our future!

For the followers of Jesus we must set the example of how God desires us to live with each other:

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.” 

John 13:34

We are to love others like Jesus loves us. If we will do that it will change the world. Now not all will change but many would if they received love instead of being ignored or disliked or even hated! Let's love others!!!

Tom 

Discipline self!

 As we tell others the good news of Jesus and the teachings of the bible we must make sure we are being obedient to the word of God ourselves!

1 Corinthians 9:27

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should become disqualified.

For if we are not doing what we tell others the bible says we are to do then nobody will listen to us! we must practice what we preach!!!

Are you discipling your self by being obedient to the Word of God?

Tom

Are we doing what God desires of us?

Micah 6:8

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? 

Think about these things God wants us to do. It is a description of Jesus! We are to represent Him by striving to be like Him...perfection.

1. Be just!

2. Be merciful!

3. Walk humbly with God!

With the power of the Holy Spirit we can do these things! So let's do it and bring glory to our Lord!

Tom

Not done til God says!

Pat Barrett - Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly (Live Video)

Have you chosen what is better?

Read this: 

Luke 10:38-42

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 

39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 

40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 

42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Notice Martha was doing a good thing...serving! But she was not doing the best thing spending time with the Lord. There is a time to serve and there is a time to be with the Lord. Do you make sure you are choosing what is best time with the Lord everyday???!!!

Tom

Worth a watch! Carrie Underwood - My Savior Performance (Live From The 56th ACM Awards)

Follow the Holy Spirit!

 When we put our faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior the Holy Spirit comes and dwells in us. God lives in us! Wow. So we have the power to do great things! Here is one of the great things we are to do:

Galatians 5:16 Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desire of the flesh.

If we listen to the Holy Spirits leading in our life then we will not sin. He warns us every time we get ready to sin and it is our choice to listen and walk away or to go ahead and do that sin. We must chose to follow the voice of God!!!

So this day and beyond let us follow the Holy Spirit and be pleasing to the Lord!

Tom

Missing piece!

Have you ever heard someone say so and so completes me? Truth is there is only ONE who can complete us. Others help us and assist us but Only Jesus completes us! He is the missing piece in life unbtil you out your faith in Him as Lord and Savior of your life! 

Colossians 2:10a And you are complete in Him

God designed us to only be complete when we are in Christ. So are you complete? You can be but only by faith and obedience to Jesus!

Tom

What’s in your heart?

NEEDTOBREATHE - "Who Am I" [Official Video]

What ya gonna do?

 What ya gonna do today? This is what the bible says to do:

Colossians 3:17

17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

We are to glorify the Lord! In every area of our lives. So let's get to it! 

Tom

Where is your mind?

Colossians 3:2

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Each day we must make a conscience effort to focus on the things of God not the things the world wants us to think about because the world is controlled by Satan. The way we focus on God is study and know His word and then do what it says every second of every day!

Focus, Focus, Focus on the ways of the Lord!!! Do them!!!

Tom

God's Word living in you?

 Colossians 3:16

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

When you read this the word dwell means live. Are you so deep into God's Word that you are able to teach it and admonish others? That is what we are being told here to do! Being in God's Word give us the wisdom to do so. Then we sing praises to God because of the work He is doing in our lives and the lives of others always giving the glory to God! Be thankful  in your heart for what God does with His Word!

Dig into the bible everyday you will not be dissappointed!

Tom

Walk in Jesus

The bible is clear:

 Colossians 2:6

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,

Once you put you faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior we are to walk like He did upon this earth. He is our example to follow. We have a big job to attempt to do so. What did He do? Love, forgive, show humility, serve, meet needs, obey God, and provide the gospel are to name just a few!

So are walking as Jesus did? Let us all strive to do so!

Tom

Shake the dust off!

Music Friday-Phil Wickham - Battle Belongs (Official Lyric Video)

Faith alone!

 The Bible is clear:

Galatians 3:11

11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Only one way for salvation....faith alone in Jesus Christ. That is it. Nothing added to it and nothing taken away from it. Faith in JESUS ALONE! He is the one who justifies us before God by His dying on the cross in our place for our sin.

Thank you Jesus for justifying us before God because left in trying to live by the law we are dead in our sins!

Tom

No one!

 A verse we need to remember and teach others as well!

John 14:6 

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Jesus is the only way to heaven! Nothing else! No one comes to God unless they put their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. People try to add and take away from this verse but it is very clear....Jesus Christ alone leads to salvation and an eternity in heaven!

Tom

This can be done!

 This verse can be done in your life!

Psalm 51:10 

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

God can give you a clean heart in His sight by the precious blood of Jesus! Repent of your sins and put your faith in Jesus alone to save you from your sins and follow Him the rest of your life! You then will have a clean heart before God!!!  When you do this you receive the Holy Spirit to dwell in you and thus you have a new spirit within you! Oh God is good to us!!!!!

God after God for He loves you so much and has done everything you need in Jesus!!!

Tom

Perfect God!

 What a honor it is to serve a perfect, holy, righteous God!

Psalm 77:13 

13 Your way, O God, is holy.
    What god is great like our God?

There is no other God but our God. He is great and He is Love! Take time with Him today and praise Him for Him just being God who loves us. It ie overwhelming to think about!

Tom

Resurrection Week #7

 

Today is the day that makes a difference for all followers of Jesus! If Jesus did not defeat sin and death then our faith is a waste of time! Hallelujah! He is alive!



So let's look at Sundays events:



Jesus has risen:



Matthew 28:1-8



28 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.



Oh my! The best words to a believer! "He is risen"! Notice the two woman are the first to know that Jesus is alive! They are then told to go tell the disciples.



Jesus then appears to the disciples as He said He would:



Luke 24:36-40



36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.



No doubt to the disciples now....It is Jesus! He is alive!



One disciple needed to touch to believe, let his example teach us something:



John 20:24-29



24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”



Are you blessed? If you believe in Jesus death, burial, and resurrection you are! Now that we have seen Jesus is alive let us be bust doing what He has commanded us to do:



Matthew 28:18-20



18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.



We know the truth and Jesus expects us to share the truth with others! Go is a command not an option!



So shout it out JESUS IS ALIVE!



Tom

Is there evidence??

Resurrection Week #6

 

This is the only recorded event in the gospels for Saturday of the Holy Week:


Matthew 27:62-65



62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”

65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.”



The Priests and the Pharisees were worried the disciples would steal the body and make up the resurrection, all this did was to make it more clear that Jesus really did defeat death and come up out of the grave.



Thank God Sunday's coming!

Tom

 

Resurrection Week #5

 

Well it's Friday of the Holy week. Great day for us but a terrible day for Jesus. So let us get to today's events.

The trials of Jesus. All of them are crooked and twisted in one way or another.



They took Jesus to Annas first it did not amount to much so to me this is the First trial if you want to call it that:



Matthew 26:57-68

57 And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end.

59 Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, 60 but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward 61 and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’”

62 And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”

64 Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! 66 What do you think?”

They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.”

67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”



And so the beatings and mockery of Jesus begin....what a horrible day for Jesus.



Peter denies Jesus as foretold by Jesus:





Matthew 26:69-75

69 Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.”

70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.”

71 And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!”

73 And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.”

74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.



Second trial:





Matthew 27:1

27 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death.



Here they gathered a quorum to make it look more legal, they then sent him to Pilate.



Third trial:



Luke 23:1-7

23 Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”

3 Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

He answered him and said, “It is as you say.”

4 So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.”

5 But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.”

6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. 7 And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.



Pilate himself says "no fault"!



Fourth trial:



Luke 23:8-11



8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. 9 Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. 11 Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.



Nothing but a joke to Herod.



Fifth trial:





Matthew 27:11-26



11 Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” 12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.

13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” 14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.

Taking the Place of Barabbas

15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. 16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.

19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”

20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”

They said, “Barabbas!”

22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”

They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”

23 Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?”

But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”

24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”

25 And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.”

26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.



Wow! Released a true criminal over an innocent man!



Bloodied, scourged, and beaten now Jesus picks up the cross to go to Calvary.



The Crucifixion:



John 19:16-19

16 Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led Him away.

17 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, 18 where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. 19 Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was:

JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.



Mocking Jesus to the very end.



Jesus dies:



John 19:28-30

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.



At the death of Jesus the veil is torn in the temple, an earthquake, rocks split, saints were resurrected, something huge had happened, that something was the Son of God was dead.



Jesus was anointed for burial by Joesph of Arimathea and Nicodemus and then laid in Joesphs' own tomb and the rolled a great stone to seal the tomb.







That my friends is Friday! Whew what a day! What a day.



Tom

Resurrection Week #4

 

Well here we are at Thursday already. Things in the life of Jesus begin to move really fast from here on out. Today the first thing we see is:



Peter and John sent to prepare for Passover:



Luke 22:7-13



7 Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. 8 And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”

9 So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?”

10 And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. 11 Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ 12 Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.”

13 So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.



Don't miss verse 7 as the passover would have a new view as Jesus would soon fulfill the Passover being killed for all time. If you do not know what the passover is, it was when Israel placed the blood on the doorposts so the death angel would passover them in Egypt. Now Jesus' blood covers you so you will be passed over when judgement comes. Much more to passover than that, but that is short and sweet.



Next the Lord's Supper was instituted:





Matthew 26:26-29



26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”

27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission 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 a look for the disciples of what would soon happen to Jesus although they still did not yet completely understand. We now do this as believers and a reminder of what Jesus did for the sins of the world. The bread represents his broken and battered body, and the wine represents the blood that He shed for the sins of us all. Let me remind you that your sins are only covered if you put your faith in Jesus, repent of sins, make Him Lord of your life, and now follow Him in obedience.



Next we see Jesus predict disciples abandonment of Him and Peters' denial:





Matthew 26:31-35



31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:

‘I will strike the Shepherd,And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

32 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”

33 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”

34 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the 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!”

And so said all the disciples.



We tend to pick on Peter but don't miss verse 35! All the disciples said they would not deny Jesus! We do too in ways at times!



Next we move to the garden:





Matthew 26:36-44



36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”

39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.

44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.



What I don't want you to miss here is verse 39...don't think it was easy for Jesus to go to the cross for you, Jesus asked id there was any other way for our sins to be covered, there was NOT! So he did as the Father willed...died.



Jesus is then betrayed by Judas:





Mark 14:43-50



43 And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely.”

45 As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, “Rabbi, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

46 Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him. 47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

48 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? 49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”

50 Then they all forsook Him and fled.



Not much to be said here but what verse 49 says: "the scriptures must be fulfilled".



Jesus was then taken to the high Priest:





Matthew 26:57



57 And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.



This was a trial of false witnesses and the abuse begins. Read it! Matthew 26:57-68



The last event we look at for this day is Peters' denial of Jesus:





Matthew 26:69-75



69 Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.”

70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.”

71 And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!”

73 And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.”

74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.



I don't know about you but reading this cuts to my heart as I have denied Jesus so many times. One the easiest ways to deny Jesus is not to tell others about what He has done for me when given the opportunity!



So this ends Thursday. Hold on tomorrow is hard!



Tom