Arise and Shine

Posted on August 18, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

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ARISE AND SHINE

        Darkness! Can you see it? Blackness! Black as coal, heavy, oppressive, no light, not even a pin prick of light, complete darkness, no sight. I can see darkness moving over the face of the earth. Darkness wrapping around the world like a cloak. Suffocating darkness, enslaving darkness capturing the hearts of men and women.

Evil can you see it creeping over the land? The earth shutters, the people cry. Sickness, disease, sin, violence, terror, pain, rage and oppression. We can see it coming. We fear, we run, we cry out. But where do we run and to whom do we cry out?

“But know this that in the last days perilous times will come, for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self control, brutal despiser of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying it’s power. And from such people TURN AWAY.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

We are even fighting amongst ourselves. People of the same nation bickering and slashing each other.  Government leaders turning against God and betraying our great country.  Evil men infiltrating our shores and threatening our children.

“But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Tim. 3:13

The enemy is in our midst, deceiving and confusing our minds. He stalks amongst God’s children bringing depression and discouragement where there should be joy and peace.  He’s attacking our marriages, ripping apart families and causing all hope to vanish.  He is the master of deception and he deceives whom he can.

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy.” John 10:10

Is there no light? Not even a glimmer?

A star shines in the night bright and glorious. Star of wonder! Star of Light!

Jesus bright and shining, Jesus loving and giving! Jesus who burst upon a dark world with the Light of the ages is still here. He is alive and ruling.  Jesus the Healer is amongst us!

“I, (Jesus) have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly!  I am the Good shepherd.  The good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” John 10:10-11

Jesus is the Light! He is shinning for all to see! For all who will receive Him as their Savior and make Him Lord of their life.

No darkness, no evil can stomp out His light. Do not be deceived He will come with vengeance and He will stomp out the darkness! He will defeat evil!

“Now I saw heaven opened and behold, a white horse.  And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.”  Rev. 19:11

Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the Light of life!” John 8:12

Choose the Light.  Choose Jesus.  Don’t let the thief steal your joy.  Don’t let the evil one kill your peace.  Don’t let the deceiver destroy your light.

Stand firm against the Devil.  Lean on Jesus. Walk in the Light!  Give Him your burdens instead of falling beneath the load.  Don’t fight the battle by yourself.  March in the power of the Commander of Heaven’s armies!

“He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The word of God.  And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen white and clean, followed Him on white horses.

Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword that with it He should strike the nations.   He Himself will rule them with a  rod of iron and He Himself treads the winepress of fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”  Rev. 19:13-16

“Arise and Shine! Loved Ones, for your Light has come!

The Glory of the Lord has risen upon you! For behold the darkness shall cover the earth and deep darkness over the people, but the Lord will arise over you! His Glory will be seen UPON YOU!” Isaiah 60:1-2

Jesus is the Light!

ARISE AND SHINE!

Stand in the light!

Fight for the right!

March with His Might!

NO fear!

No Retreat!

No SURRENDER!

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Posted in Darkness, Evil forces, Jesus is coming, Jesus is the Light, Life, Light, NO Fear, No Retreat!, No Surrender | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Armor of God part 2

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

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Shoes and A Shield

“—and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, above all taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Eph. 6:15-16 NKJ

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Have you ever taken a long hike up a steep mountain trail? How about with a heavy pack on your back? I have. Trails that go up and up for eternity, so it seems, with rocks and roots to step on and around, and sometimes big boulders to climb. I’ve done it for several days with 60 lbs. on my back, traversing steep side hills and trails diving off ridges. Without my sturdy hiking boots to grip the rocks and support my ankles I would never have been able to do it day after day. Without the heavy treaded souls the rocks would have ripped the bottom of my feet and I would not have gone anywhere. No walking, no hiking, no climbing.

This is what the preparation of the gospel does for my walk with God. The gospel of peace is making peace with God, that comes first and foremost, but knowing the gospel inside and out is what protects my foundation. I must be prepared.

You would be silly to run off into the wilderness, many miles from a store or civilization for a 5 day pack trip without being totally prepared. Meals carefully planned, food and essentials packed, boots checked, well oiled and water proofed.

If I am not prepared for what comes my way in life, for the steep mountain trails, the treacherous rock slides, the cold rushing creeks, the huge boulders that I must climb, I will not make it far.

How do I get prepared for life? I saturate myself in the Word of God. I learn the teachings of Jesus. I soak up the encouragements and promises of the Psalms. Then when my feet hit that trail and the climb gets mighty steep, I have my solid shoes on to protect my foundation. I can march; I can walk where God sends me and if I slip and slide in the loose rocks, my sturdy boots will dig in and help me climb the slippery slope.

imagesI92UJ5TY “Above all” it says, so whatever you do, most importantly, hold up that shield of faith so you can quench the fiery darts of the evil one. Not just stop those sneaky little things from darting into to the cracks in your body armor, but stop them cold. Put out the fire so they can’t smolder and smoke and cause all kinds of troubles. Very important, maybe most important piece of the armor is my faith.

Faith in my God. No matter how dark life gets, no matter how bad things look, no matter what I face, I must trust my God. He has all things in control. He is working for my good, He knows what is best. I must rely on Him for all things. Nothing can shake that. I must have my shield of faith in front of me at all times. Without it the fiery darts of my enemy will pierce my body armor.

Satan’s darts are on fire! They sizzle with wrath and smoke with bitterness and smolder with depression. They flare with despair and singe with worry, and burn with discontentment.  Satan knows exactly where the cracks in my body armor are, he is an expert and throwing those tiny darts where they will do the most damage.

In our marriages, I see it all the time, Satan is attacking Christian marriages. Going after our love and respect, destroying our tenderness and caring, convincing us we don’t need to forgive or have grace for each other. If Satan can tear down the marriages of God’s children how can the marriages of the world stand?

Satan is using darts of fear and worry to attack our security and contentment. I have to admit I look into the future and I see things that scare me to bits. What if I lose John? What happens when I grow old and no one is there to take care of me? What if we lose all our money? Or this place to live? And so on, the worries slide in past my armor and burn my peace.

I forget that my Father, who loves me and promises to care for me EVEN when I have gray hairs, is the Creator of the universe. The One who knows how many hairs are on my head and holds my tears in a bottle, is Almighty God. I take my eyes off the face of the Most High and I focus on my weaknesses. I forget that He is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Shelter. I have dropped my shield of trust.

Above all, take up your shield of faith.

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Posted in Armor of God, Darts, Fiery darts, Preperation fo the Gospel, Refuge, Rock, Satan's darts, Shield, Shoes, Trusting God | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

God’s Armor part 1

Posted on August 6, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

The Belt and The BreastplateHistory of Rome and the Roman people

“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. We are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Eph. 6:12 NLT

“Therefore put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

Stand your ground putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.” Eph. 6:13-14 NLT

IMG_8971  Our battle is not with the things we see and hear or in most cases even are aware exist. So how do we fight such a supernatural enemy? Only in the power of our supernatural God. It’s God’s power and might that fights the dark battles, but there are things I need to do, I need to put on my armor, the whole armor of God and keep it on at all times. So what is the armor of God?

belts-baldrics-frogs_roman-gladiator-kidney-belt_117il_fullxfull.415782923_m4c7Stand your ground putting on the belt of truth. The belt was the first piece of armor usually put on by soldiers headed into battle. The belt was not only there to hold their guts in, but it also had strips of leather hanging down, or was a wide strip of heavy leather, to protect the guts and lower body.

So I need to stand on the Truth. God’s truth, not my gut feelings, not what someone else feeds me, but the truth I read in the Bible. Everything that I read, hear and believe should be sifted and tested by God’s word. If I wrap the Truth of God’s words around me, I will be able to stand firm against the lies Satan throws my way. Lies that may sound very good and convincing since Satan is the master of deceit.

img-thingThe breast plate of righteousness, or as the NLT puts it the body armor of righteousness, which is more accurate since this was a piece that wrapped around the whole upper body, back included. The breast-plate was made of heavy leather or metal so that arrows and darts could not pierce it. What did this piece protect? The heart and other important organs, very essential for life.

Righteousness is not being right with God, that’s salvation which is addressed later. No righteousness here is right living. Living the right way according to God’s standards. Following His path, obeying His commands, respecting His authority, walking in a close relationship with Him so we can hear His voice.

Without righteousness, or right living, we are wide open to Satan’s fiery darts. Arrows such as temptation to sin, or fear, or depression, or anger, or worry, or bitterness. Satan knows just what flaming arrow to fling into our hearts that will knock us down or take us out of the fight. If we are not living God’s way, then Satan will use anything he can to ruin our testimony for God, to trample our reputation, to rip apart our families, to snatch our kids away from following God.

Stand firm is our aim. Not running, not hiding, not falling, but standing our ground on His truth and being firm in living right.

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Posted in Armor of God, Belt of Truth, Breastplate of righteousness, Living right, Righteous living, Truth, What is the armor of God? | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

In God

Posted on July 1, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

“Be merciful, O God for man would swallow me up, fighting all day he oppresses me.  My enemies would hound me all day, for there are many who fight against me O Most High.”

Overwhelmed by stresses, problems, the “in your face” world?  Hounded by rude people? Threatened by malicious enemies?  Bombarded by false lies and controlling, dishonest leaders?  Pressed down by fears, worry, fretting, anxiety?

Remember:

“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You!  In God! I will praise His word!  In God I have put my trust!  I will not fear.  What can man do to me?  What can my flesh, my emotions do to me?  Psalm 56:1-4

“You number my wonderings you put my tears in a bottle.  Are they not in Your book?”

He does not loose sight of what I am going through.  He does not forget the pain I have suffered.  He keeps track of what I do.  He sees my suffering.  He keeps my tears in a bottle.  Like drops on a page they are in His book.  He cares!

“In God! I will praise His word!  In the Lord!  I will praise His word!  In God I have put my trust, I will not be afraid!  What can man do to me?” Psalm 56:8-11

  “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!  For my soul trusts in You!  And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by.” Psalm 57:1

This too will pass.  Trials come to an end.  Always.  My job is to trust in the One who holds the stars.  To lean on the One who controls the universe.  Sometimes I just need to hunker down under His wings and trust Him.

IN GOD!

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Teachings of Jesus part 3

Posted on June 29, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDRENDel_Parson_Jesus_Teaches_the_Children_525

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven” Math. 18:2-3Greg_Olsen_Precious_in_His_sight_525

Just a little story, not enough to really take much notice, but the impact is great.

Some parents were bringing their little children to see Jesus. I imagine the small ones running up to Him with adoring looks in their eyes and big smiles on their faces. Can you just see it? Jesus sits on the ground and with a gentle smile bends his face close to each child, touching their heads, putting His hands on their backs.   The children bounce up and down and clamber to get closer to Him. Some climb on His lap and one precious little girl puts her arms around His neck and squeezes tight.

The disciples, thinking how busy Jesus is and how tired He must be, scold the parents. “Take them away,” they say sternly, “the Teacher has no time for kids!”

Or maybe someone said, “They are too noisy, He can not teach when they are near. Keep them out of the way!”

I can see them shoeing the crowd of children away, telling them not to bother the Teacher. The parents frown and pull their children close.

But Jesus stands up and opens His arms wide, “No, no! Children come here.” Then looking at the disciples He says sternly, “Don’t stop them! Let them come to Me!”

Sitting down once again, He gathers the children close, taking several into his lap and circling many in His arms. He turns eyes full of compassion on the well meaning disciples.

“The Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”* (from Luke 18:15-17)

del-parson-perfect-love-525wEarlier Jesus had told His disciples, “Unless you turn from your sins and become like little children you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.”

I always thought this meant that we were to be like children in the simplicity of their faith, believing as they do, without question and accepting Jesus as our Savior with eagerness. This is true, but today when I read this I was hit by another thought.

Anyone who does not receive Jesus like a child will never enter the Kingdom, or possibly living in victory.  So let’s look at children. Imagine children in line to see Santa. Most are so eager to be the one to sit on Santa’s lap they can’t stand still. They jiggle, they dance, they twirl in circles. Some talk non-stop. When they get there, and are sitting on his lap, some are so overwhelmed all they can do is stare in awe. Some might give him a kiss on his red cheek, some hug his neck, some jabber on about what they want for Christmas. Some tell him all their problems.

I imagine this is how the children were to see Jesus. He was a good guy who did good things. He had love in His eyes and healing in His hands. They were so eager to get close to Him they bounced up and down and pulled on their mother’s hands. They twirled and danced their way to His side. They held their arms out and leaned against Him. They climbed on His lap and held Him close. Some told Him all their problems.

Jesus said, “Unless you become as one of these little ones—.”

When was the last time you twirled and danced your way to see Jesus?Greg_Olsen_In_His_Light_525

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Teachings of Jesus part 2

Posted on May 31, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

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Valley of Weeping

          In Luke 19:11-27, Jesus and his followers were nearing Jerusalem and his followers thought this was surely the time He would set up His kingdom. Jesus told them this story to correct this assumption.

“There was a certain nobleman who was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king then he would return. So before he left he gave ten of his servants a mina each, (about four months wages) saying, “Do business till I return.”

His people hated him and sent a delegation to try and keep him from being king. However, he was crowned king anyway and after a time he returned. He called for his servants to find out what the profits were from the money he had given them.

The first servant reported, “Master, I invested your money and made ten times the original amount!”

“Well done!” the king exclaimed. “You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.”

The next servant reported, “Master, I invested your money and made five times the original amount.”

“Well done!” the king said, “You will be governor over five cities.”

But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money and said, “Master, I wrapped your money in a handkerchief and hid it in a closet to keep it safe. I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn’t yours and harvesting crops you didn’t plant.”

Kinda like me, this third servant spoke his mind. “You take what is not yours to take! You expect your servants to do all the hard work of planting and caring for the garden and yet you harvest all the proceeds for yourself!” This was spoken to the very master who had given him the money in the first place. What audacity!

No wonder the king roared, “Why you wicked servant! Your own words certainly condemn you! If you knew that I am such a hard man who takes what isn’t mine and harvests crops I didn’t plant, then why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it. But instead you did nothing!”

Then turning to the others standing nearby, the king ordered, “Take the money from this servant and give it to the one who has ten pounds.”

“But, master,” they said, “he already has ten pounds, this one only has a little.”

“Yes, the king replied, “and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. As for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king, bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.”

The obvious lesson here is that Jesus was going away and would return as King of all and would then set up His Kingdom on earth. Meanwhile He wants us to “do business” for Him, using the talents, gifts and abilities that He has given us to multiply His Kingdom. Multiplied minas would be souls harvested for Heaven.

The questions He might ask his servants are: What did you do with your lives? How did you use what the King gave you, talents, abilities passions, possessions, money for His glory? Did you trust Him even when life seemed unfair or did you run and hide from Him, like the third servant? Did you trust Him with your lives, your loved ones, your possessions? Or were you afraid that a harsh God would take what is not His and harvest crops He did not plant?

The third servant hid his mina to keep it safe. Not safe from robbers or dishonest investors, but from the master himself. Are we hiding our lives from God because we think He is a harsh master?

Maybe He has allowed something in your life to happen that is tough. Maybe you think God is completely unfair and hard to deal with. Maybe you’ve seen what He’s done in other people’s lives and you are afraid to give Him control of yours.

You might think He took what was not His to take. Maybe a loved one taken in the prime of life, or a child taken before they had the chance to even live. Maybe the collapse of a business that you put your heart, soul and money into along with your sweat. Maybe your dream was smashed into non-existence. You think surely God doesn’t care about me or about what I do. You don’t want God’s hands on your life for fear of what He might extract.

So you wrap your life in a clean-looking handkerchief and you hide it away in some dark closet for fear God will take what is not His and will reap what He did not sow.

When I read this before I thought it was dealing with service, with what we did for God with our lives, not mattering if it is a lot or a little just so we do something. But now I see it’s talking about much more. Not just about service but about trust, about allowing Him to work in our lives, living for Him, following Him blindly even when the way seems all wrong, even when the path is going the opposite direction from everyone else, even when it seems He is harsh master, taking what is not His and reaping what He did not work to sow.

Its about when your life is dark and you walk through the valley of the shadow of death; a place where death reigns, where darkness suffocates, where despair overwhelms; when you walk in that dark shadow and you’re bowed down with heavy sorrow, yet you keep leaning on the Savior. Because He is always with you.

It’s about turning to Jesus for your strength and keeping your eyes on His face and thanking Him at all times through all things.

It’s about standing up with iron in your backbone and a smile on your face, maybe with tears running down your cheeks, and with praise on your lips. Even when your life is all wrong.

It’s about trusting Him in the valley, through the black shadows and with the pain.          It’s about coming out of the dark closet and reaching for His light, letting His joy, love and peace surround you.

It’s about trust, my friends, not hiding, or running or turning your back on your God. Even if we don’t understand His way. Even if it seems He is a harsh task master. Even if His way seems so unfair. Even when we walk through the Valley of Weeping and we don’t understand why. When it is the hardest to trust that’s when we need to trust the most.

It’s about trusting that He will always walk with us through the valleys, He will sustain us in the hard times, He will heal our pain. We can trust Him with our lives, with our hearts and with our souls.

We may not understand how God is working, but we just keep doing His business. We don’t see the whole picture, yet we know how the story ends. We know in the end He will abolish His enemies and He will win. For His is King! He has victory over the world. He reigns!

“What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

When they walk through the Valley of Weeping it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. They will continue to grow stronger and each of them will appear before God in Zion.

For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory.

The Lord will with hold no good thing from those who do what is right.

O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in You!” Psalm 84:5-7, 11,12

Did you catch that? “The Valley of Weeping will become a place of refreshing springs.” The dark valley a place of refreshment and renewal?

“The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.” Blessings and growth found in the valley of terrible trouble?

“They will continue to grow stronger” Not weaker, not beat down, not hiding or running, but more courageous, more plucky, more resilient.

Who? Only “those whose strength comes from the Lord”, those who lean on Him, those who turn to Him when they find themselves in the Valley of Weeping.

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Teachings of Jesus

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

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The Lost is Found

            Tax collectors and other known sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the church leaders and teachers of the religious law complain that He was associating with such sinful people, even eating with them! Oh my!

So Jesus told them this story: A man had a hundred sheep and one of them wondered off and was lost. Don’t you suppose he would leave the ninety-nine sheep safely in the fold and go into the wilderness to search for the one that was lost? Certainly, he would! He would thoroughly search the rough country, peering in patches of thick brush, checking each coulee, climbing steep cliffs and probing crevices and caves for his lost one. The shepherd would search all day and even all night, not giving up until the lost sheep was found.

When he finally finds the lost one, maybe caught in a brush thicket, he will joyfully lift the one who was lost in his arms and carry him home on his shoulders. Then when he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, “come rejoice with me because that which was lost is now found!”

In the same way there is more joy in Heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and safe and have not strayed away!”

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How long and hard will God search for His lost child?

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it?”

Have you ever lost something you desperately wanted or needed and were determined to search until you found it? I can just see this woman sweeping, moving furniture and frantically looking in all the drawers and closets trying to find her lost coin. I would do the same thing. It drives me crazy when I can’t find something that I know was just there. Where did it go? Where did I put it? It has to be right here!

But finally inside the cracks of the couch, the woman finds the lost coin.

“And when she finds it, how happy she is. She will call in her friends and neighbors and say, “Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin!”

In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”

How important is each and every lost soul to God?

Stephen in June and Nov. 2010

Stephen in June and Nov. 2010

“To further illustrate His point Jesus told this story:

A man had two sons. The younger son, who was a bit rebellious, told his father, “Why should I have to wait until you die to get my share of your estate? I want it now.”

So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. A few days later this younger son said, “I’m getting out of this dump!” And he packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, where he lived wild and high on the hog, wasting all his inheritance on women, wine and worldly possessions.

However, money didn’t grow on trees so he soon spent all his inheritance. About the same time, a great famine swept over the land and he could find no food. Neither could he buy food, so his belly became very empty. Thinking he could maybe earn at least something to eat, he persuaded a farmer to hire him, but the man sent him into the fields to feed his pigs and gave him nothing. Even the food he fed the pigs looked good, so he sucked and gnawed on the hard corn.

One day as he was groveling in the dirt with the pigs for a morsel of food, it hit him, “Why even my father’s servants eat better than this! They don’t have to fight the pigs for it and even have much to spare! Here I am dying of hunger! What’s wrong with me? I’ll go home and beg my father to take me on as a servant.”

So the young man left that very moment and walked the long miles back to his home. His father, who had been watching for him these many months, saw him coming and filled with compassion, he ran to his son embraced him and kissed him.

The son said, “Father, I have sinned against both Heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.”

But his father told the servants to give this lost son a bath, clothe him in the finest robe in the house, put a ring on his finger and find sandals for his feet. Then he told them to kill the calf they had been fattening and prepare a great feast to celebrate.

“For this son of mine who was dead has now returned to life. He was lost but now he is found! Let the party begin!”

Meanwhile the older son who was in the fields working, came home and heard the music in the house He asked one of the servants what was going on.

“Your brother is back!” The servant replied, “we are celebrating his safe return.”

The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go into the house. He sat outside and pouted, but his father sat beside his first born and pleaded with him to join them.

The older son, who should have been more mature, angrily spouted out his frustrations, “All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to do!” With a red face, he jerked up from the chair and towered over his father, “And not one time have you ever given me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this, this rebellious son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes and wine, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!”

His father remains calmly sitting and looks up at him with love in his eyes, “Oh son, I love you dearly, you have been faithfully by my side and helping me always. Everything, all that you see, is yours. But don’t you see we have to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!” (from Luke 15:1-32 NLT)

Oh HAPPY DAY when one lost soul comes to the Father!

If you are lost, He is seeking and searching the wilderness for you. Your Heavenly Father will not give up until you are found. The Angels in Heaven will rejoice when you are found.

What a time of celebration when one child who has wondered from the Father’s house returns home!

If you have wondered away, He is waiting and watching for you. Your Father will welcome you with compassion and open arms.

IMG_6632 “Even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, Oh Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!

What joy for those who can live in Your house, always singing Your praises!” Psalm 84:3-4

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Israel’s Conquest part 1

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

 

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SPRING UP OH WELL!

            “Spring up oh well!” The Israelites sang at Beer, which means “Well”. “Yes sing its praises!” Numbers 21:17

After years of wondering aimlessly in the wilderness, the Israelites were finally nearing the land of Canaan and were given permission by God to dig a well. Not water gushing from a rock, not someone else’s well where they had to pay, not brackish water found in the wilderness, but flowing clear water. Of their very own. A well they could name. A claim to the land. Putting down roots. Taking possession of the land.

All those years of wondering had toughened the people of God. There had been skirmishes with their enemies honing their battle skills, and even though they were still a bit whiny, they were now ready to begin the Holy war, the conquest of the land of Canaan.

Even though they politely asked for safe passage across a kingdom, they were attacked by the large armies of King Sihon, whom they slaughtered with their swords. With God’s power and enabling they swept through the land of the Amorites killing, conquering and taking possession of the land.

Balak, the Moabite king, stood on a high place and watched the vast company of people spread across the plains near the Jordan directly across from the city of Jericho, and shook in his sandals. He was terrified. This was the horde of people who had nearly wiped out the mighty Amorites and swarmed into their land like locusts on a field. Surely Moab was next.

“This mob will devour everything in sight,” he told the Midian elders, a nomadic people, with whom he must have had treaty, “they will devour everything like an ox devours a field!”

Balak could not see how this vast army of nearly a million strong, who had the hand of a powerful God helping them, could be stopped by military means. He decided to use a different method of attack, spiritual warfare.

He sent a message to Balaam, a famous, pagan prophet and diviner. A sorcerer who was not above claiming the name of the Almighty God to forward his purpose, Balaam was accustomed to working with and manipulating many gods. This God of Jacob, who claimed ownership of these nomadic people, was certainly no different. So he thought.

“Look, a vast horde of people has arrived from Egypt. They cover the face of the earth and are threatening me.” Said the message to Balaam, “Please come and curse these people, because they are too powerful for me. Then perhaps I will be able to conquer them and drive them from the land. I know that blessings fall on any people you bless and curses fall on people you curse.”

Crafty Balaam read desperation in the message and saw a way to get more money than the normal diviner’s fee, which had been sent with the messengers. So he told the messengers he would consult this God. That night God did indeed visit him and told Balaam not to go with the men. Ah Ha! That fell right in with Balaam’s plan and he pretended familiarity with this Deity who had talked to him.

“The Lord will not let me go with you.” Balaam told the messenger the next morning, “So go on home!”

Balak was indeed desperate so he sent more messengers with more money and a promise to pay whatever Balaam wanted. I’m sure the evil prophet’s eyes gleamed when he read the second message. They were playing right into his hands.

“Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord my God.” Balaam said to the messengers.

Interesting since Balaam was an agent of the evil one, a sorcerer, a diviner, definitely NOT a follower of God who was truly his enemy. Either Balaam was concerned about the well acclaimed power of this God or he was scamming Balak and laying a bold claim to being intimate with and able to manipulate Israel’s God just as he supposedly could many other gods.

Is God being manipulated by this soothsayer? Is Balaam, backed by the power of the evil one, truly more powerful than God? Has Balaam tricked God into believing he was on God’s side? It would seem so since that night God told Balaam to go with the men but to do only what He tells him to do.

So the next morning Balaam saddles his donkey and heads off with the Moabite officials. Apparently in the will of the Lord. However God knew his heart. He might have been able to scam the Moabites but he could not pull the wool over God’s eyes.

There are many false prophets or teachers in our midst who claim to follow our God. The Almighty knows who they are. Do we?

Balaam was well-known for specializing in animal divination. He would use the liver and other parts of an animal, ritually slain, to ascertain the will of the gods. He would also observe the movements of animals and birds in order to read signs from the gods. It was even believed that he could mysteriously influence and manipulate the gods by various rites and rituals using animal sacrifices.

Now it says that even though God had told Balaam to go, He was angry with Balaam for going to Balak. Apparently God saw the evil in his heart and knew his true intentions.

Balaam was riding along on his well-trained and obedient donkey when suddenly she jumped to the side and ran into the field. “Why you—-!” Balaam yelled and beat the donkey with his staff.

So the faithful steed continued down the road until they came to a narrow place where there were two vineyard walls. Frightened, the donkey suddenly swerved to one side and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall.

“Yeeooww! You insolent beast!” Balaam yelled and jumping off, he beat the poor donkey again.

Getting back on he prodded the reluctant donkey to continue down the road. Soon the road narrowed at a place where there was a rocky cliff on each side. The donkey stopped suddenly and laid down right in the road. Balaam cursed and beat the poor animal once again.

“What have I done to you?” The donkey said, God having opened her mouth. “That I deserve you beating me three times?”

“You have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted, apparently not surprised to hear his donkey talking, since, after all, he was an animal diviner. “If I had a sword with me I would kill you!” Jumping off he raised his staff to strike her again.

“But am I not the same donkey you have ridden all your life?” She asked, “Have I ever done anything like this before?”

Balaam’s arm stopped in mid swing, “Well—no.”

Suddenly a bright light shone around them and Balaam looked ahead. His mouth dropped open and his eyes were wide. There stood a mighty figure. A man bright as lightning with a huge shining sword in his hand and a fierce look on his face. Balaam fell with his face to the ground.

“Why did you beat your donkey those three times?” The angel demanded and not waiting for an answer he continued, “Look I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me. If your donkey had not shied away these three times I would certainly have killed you. And spared your donkey.”

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Oh I loved this story as a kid, and even later as a grown up, but surely I missed the message. I thought God was angry with Balaam for beating his donkey. Which I’m sure He was, but there’s so much more.

How many times does God try to stop me, or give me a message and I don’t get it? Do I doggedly keep going on my stubborn-as-a-mule-way? How many times do I get angry at something that is His road block?

It is interesting, is it not, how the supposedly animal diviner, could not see the Divine that his animal could see! I just love how the abused donkey talked! I so wished that God would open my horse’s mouth and let him tell me things he saw and perceived. Wouldn’t it be the coolest to hear about all the things my dog smelled and heard? Maybe some day!

However, do I as intensely long to hear from my God? Do I longingly listen for His voice in my heart?

Balaam confessed he had sinned and quickly said he would go back home. I mean who wouldn’t, faced with an angelic warrior! He who could converse with the gods, Satan really, knew better than to argue with a divine being. He knew better than to fight the power that had parted the mighty waters of the red sea, or stand up to the God who in His wrath had slain thousands of His own people for disobedience. He knew better than to argue with a God who had empowered His people to nearly annihilate mighty nations and whole kingdoms.

He subjected himself to this God and said, “I will do what EVER you tell me.”

So he went to Balak and stated, “Even though I have come, I have no power to say whatever I want. I will speak only the message God puts in my mouth.”

Having seen the evil power of Satan, he knew what the supernatural could do. Yet he tried his divination, rituals and animal sacrifices three times and all three times this enemy of God spoke blessings, instead of curses, on the nation of God.

He even prophesied about the Star that rises from Jacob, the baby Jesus, who is fair and bright, who can be seen from a distance. And about the Scepter that will emerge from Israel, the King Jesus coming with a mighty army to conquer His enemies. Also about a Ruler who will rise from Jacob, Jesus, the Messiah, coming again as the conquering King, to wipe out all sin and live with His children for ever and ever.

This false prophet who tried to scam the Moabite king and thought he could manipulate the God of the universe, who was himself controlled by the dark power of Satan, was used and manipulated for God’s Glory. God used this pagan sorcerer to bless His people and tell the nations about His plan to save mankind.

Later Balaam showed his true colors in trying an under handed attack on the Israelite men using harlots to draw them away from their God into worshiping false gods. Balaam, however, received his reward; he was killed by Israel in the war with the Midianites. (Num. 31:8)

God will do what God will do. Balaam recognized a greater power than the one he served. He said no sorcery or divination can be done against Israel. There is no power on earth or under the earth that can overcome the Almighty One. Even this pagan diviner said, “What God wants done is done!”

Spring up oh well! Lay claim to every part of my life. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Your power in me, Oh my God, make strong. Empower me to conquer my enemies and to take possession of the land. Give me strength to stand in Your truth.

Spring up oh well! Surround me with Your love. Fill me with Your joy. Calm me with Your peace. I will praise You in good times and in bad. I will sing Your praises forever and ever!

Story from Numbers 21-24

 

 

 

 

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Resurrection

Posted on March 26, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

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THE RISEN

“Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” John 20:15

            There was a rumble deep in the earth. The ground shook mightily. With loud cracks, huge rocks split open. People gathered on Golgotha were knocked off their feet as rocks rolled and earth crumbled.

In the tombs, graves broke open and many Godly people who had died were raised to life. They walked about, even into town, and after Jesus’ resurrection appeared to many people. (from Math. 27:52)

The centurion and guards near the cross saw the great earthquake and graves being opened and they said, “Surely this is the Son of God!” A miracle had been demanded and a miracle they received. The mighty hand of God, shaking the earth, tearing the curtain in the sanctuary and raising people from the dead. But still many did not believe.

Near the cross a group of people huddled on the ground, where they had fallen when the shaking began. Mary Magdalene rose to a sitting position. She looked up at the battered figure on the cross. The body of her beloved Teacher and Lord was limp, his head hanging slack. On the ground beside her, lay the mother of Jesus, her heart wrenching sobs and cries the only sounds that were heard. On her other side Mary, the aunt of Jesus and Salome were just sitting up.

Mary raised her tear-stained face to gaze at her Son on the cross. “He is gone!” She wailed. “It is over. It was all for naught. The years hiding in Egypt, the hours of learning in the temple, the preaching, the miracles, the suffering, all for nothing.” Her voice could barely be heard as her words carried the grief of a mother’s heart. “He healed hundreds, He saved others, why in the name of our God didn’t He save Himself?” She fell to the ground as her keening cries rose in the still evening air.

Mary Magdalene put her arms around the sobbing woman and pulled her close. “He also raised Lazareth from the dead. We can not forget that. It is not finished!”

The other women crowded around Mary to comfort and console her. They shielded her eyes when the soldiers came to break the legs of the crucified criminals so they would die before the Sabbath began. Jesus was dead however, so they rammed a spear in his side and blood and water poured out.

The woman who had followed Jesus watched as a rich man from Arimathea, Joseph, by name, took the body down, along with Nicodemus. Wrapping Him in linen cloth and spice, they laid Him in a nearby tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus sat nearby and watched as the men rolled a heavy stone across the opening.

The crowds had gone home shaking their heads. The disciples apparently had fled and were hiding. John took the mother of Jesus home and the other women ministered to her since her heart was torn in two.

All night and all the next day, despair settled on them like a cloak, heavy and dark. Visions of Jesus’ suffering played back in Mary Magdalene’s mind over and over. This was not what they expected. Jesus their Teacher was the Messiah, or God with us, but wasn’t He supposed to reign as conquering King for Israel? Wouldn’t He deliver them from their bondage and lead them to be a great nation? Wasn’t He God? And yet He let them lead Him to slaughter like a lamb. He never said a word. He did nothing to save Himself!

Mary had expected something great. Many angels coming from Heaven to take Jesus from the cross. Or even after He was dead and lying on the ground, she had expected life to come back into His battered body. She thought He would have risen again and walked with them. As He said.

Was He really the Son of God? Was He truly the Messiah? Mary had been so sure. After all He had fed thousands of folks on a few fish and two loaves. Hundreds had been healed from grave sicknesses. He had even brought a few back from the dead. How could things have gone so wrong? Mary had not expected this. Not this darkness. Not this horror. Not evil and death. No not this.

I so often think God will work a certain way. When darkness comes, when suffering comes, when death comes, I am knocked to my knees. I don’t expect it. A mighty God would not work that way. Would He? Would He allow His very own Son to die a horrible, violent death?

Well, yes He would! Yes He did. To save my soul, to save your soul, He did.

Would a loving God allow suffering and trials in our lives? Oh yes He does! To save souls. To test us. To draw us closer to Him. To train us for battle. To develop our faith muscles. So others will see His glory shining in us. So a cloud of witnesses will see our faith in Him. Oh yes, you bet, He does.

The religious leaders were not satisfied with Jesus being only dead. To keep Him in the grave, they secured the tomb by putting a seal on the huge stone at the entrance then posted guards to stand next to it.  Why were they afraid of a dead man?

The day after the Sabbath, Sunday, in the predawn stillness, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of Jesus and Salome, the wife of Zebedee, walked to the tomb with spices to anoint Jesus’ body.

“How will we roll that big stone away?” Mary Magdalene whispered. The others just shook their heads.

Coming in sight of the tomb they stopped. Would the guards let them near. An eerie stillness filled the air. Not a sound was heard, nothing stirred in the gray dawn. Then a Morning Dove called. All else in the garden was silent. The women waited, holding their breath. Expectancy hung in the air like the morning mist amongst the lilies.

What is it? Mary Magdalene thought, What is about to happen?

A rumble started deep in the earth, like a low growl. It grew until it was a roar. Mary looked at her companions, their eyes were wide in fear.   Like the hour when Jesus died, the ground began to shake. Violently the earth shook, the trees swayed, rocks rolled from the cliffs near by, the women fell to the ground.

With mouths open, Mary and the others watched as a glowing white figure descended from Heaven and landed in front of the tomb. An angel! Who appeared like lightening, so bright Mary couldn’t look at him, and his clothes were whiter than anything she had ever seen.

The angel took hold of the stone and with a grating sound rolled it away from the tomb. Then he sat on it. The two guards who had been standing like statues, fell to the ground in a dead faint.

Mary and her companions stayed on their knees and bowed their heads.

“Don’t be afraid,” the angel said in ringing tones, “I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.   He is not here, He has risen! Just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him. Now I have told you.”

Mary slowly rose from the ground and crept up to the tomb’s entrance. She peeked inside. In the dim light she could see nothing. Stepping in farther she saw a white cloth laying on the low stone bench, a scarf folded at the head, and nothing else. No body of her Lord.

With a gasp she turned from the tomb, ready to tell the others that Jesus’ body was gone, but they had left.   Shocked and confused, Mary sat on a stone near by and wept bitterly. She had been strong to this point, but the disappearance of her Beloved’s body was too much.

Mary and Salome hurried excitedly to tell the descilples what the angel had said. Suddenly in front of them stood a man. They stopped.

Mary gasped. “Jesus!” .

“Rejoice!” Jesus said, with a smile. “I am alive!”

“My Son!” Mary ran to Him along with Salome and falling on the ground before Him, they held His feet and praised Him.

“Do not be afraid,” He told them, “Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee and there they will see Me.”

Jesus is the Light

Mary Magdalene was sitting near the tomb and weeping when John ran up and bending over looked inside. Then Peter stormed into the tomb and John followed. After a few moments they both came out and walked quickly away talking excitedly to each other.

Mary wondered what they saw there, maybe she had missed something so, she walked to the tomb. Bending over she peered into the dark cave. Her eyes were blinded by a great light and she saw two angels sitting there. One at the head and one at the feet of where the body of Jesus had lain.

“Woman,” one angel said, “why are you weeping?”

“Because they have taken away my Lord and I don’t know where they have put Him.” Stricken by grief and shock, Mary could not grasp what she had heard from the first angel.

With head bowed and tears running down her face she turned from the tomb. A man stood before her with the rising sun glowing behind him.

“Woman why are you weeping? Who is it you are seeking?” He asked.

Shielding her eyes from the bright sun, and thinking it was the gardener, Mary pleaded, “Sir if you have carried Him away, please tell me where you have put Him and I will get Him.”

Unable to take her pain any longer, Jesus said, “Mary.”

That one word was enough. He called her name and she knew Him.

“Teacher!” she cried.   She rushed to Him and wrapped her arms around Him. She clung to Him as if she would never let Him go.

Jesus pried her arms from Him and gently wiped the tears from her face. “Mary,” He said softly, “don’t you know you must not hold on to Me? I must go soon to my Father in Heaven. But what I said before is true. My Father is your Father, My God is your God. If you love Me and keep My word, My Father will love you. And We will come to you and make Our home with you always. Go tell my brethren this.” (from John 14:23-24)

Mary missed the joy because her focus was on her circumstance. Jesus was close to her and she didn’t know Him. Maybe while she sat in the garden weeping, He was standing near by. Her eyes were downcast and she never saw Him. She didn’t know He was alive.

“Just turn to Me.” He might have whispered. “Only open your eyes and look upon My face. I am here with you.”

Are you missing the joy?

Is Jesus calling your name today? Is He standing near by waiting for you to look at Him, to run to Him, to grab hold of Him?

Jesus went into the grave beaten. That first Easter morning He burst forth from the grave Victorious!

It was not all for nothing! His life, His work, His death was for a purpose. When all seemed lost, God’s plan went forward. Even sealed boulders and armed guards could not keep Him in the grave. It was NOT finished! The sacrifice was done, the price paid, but Life had just begun.

No matter what grief, no matter what pain, no matter what burdens you have, Jesus gives you Victory. Victory over darkness, victory over despair, victory over sin. Death is turned to life in our lives. Life that will go on forever and ever.

Darkness lifts, the Light is come! Life bursts forth from the grave! Justice is satisfied! Jesus is near by! All I can do is praise Him!

 

“A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” Mathew 14:19-20

 

Note: I have paraphrased and dramatized “The Crucifixion” and “The Risen” which are based mostly on Mathew 27:45-66, Mark 16:1 (for which women went to the tomb) Mathew 28:1-10, John 20:1-17 and also from The Story which combines all four gospels.

Posted in Easter Morning, God's Son, He is Alive, Jesus, Jesus is Risen, Jesus is the Light, Light, Meshach, Risen, Son of God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Crucifixion

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Wendy Kleker

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THE LAMB

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” Rev. 5:12

The day the Lamb of the world died, the noon sun became as dark as night. God’s Son cried out “My God, My God why have you abandoned me?”

It was a long road up to the hill called Place of the Skull. Jesus already had suffered much physical abuse. No longer able to go on, He fell with the heavy cross beam on His back and lay still.

A bystander, Simon from Cyrene, who had just entered the city from the country and had no idea what was going on, was forced by soldiers to carry the condemned Man’s cross.

What a welcome to the city! Crowds of people; some weeping, some running and some yelling insults to this condemned man who looked nearly dead. Simon must have been afraid. What if this man died on the way, would they nail him to the cross instead? Yet, Simon bent to lift the heavy beam off the beaten and bloodied back. It was then Simon gazed into the eyes of Jesus.

He was startled at what he saw there. Instead of the cold, rebellious eyes of a criminal, or the sorrowful, dead eyes of a beaten man, he saw gentle eyes, loving eyes, bright eyes full of compassion and understanding.   Simon didn’t realize he was looking into the face of his Savior, but that one gaze changed his life forever. He was never the same again, but how could you be after an encounter with the Living God.

It’s hard to imagine the pain Jesus endured. Whipped almost to the point of death, hit, kicked and with blood running down his face from the long thorns imbedded in His head, He was laid on the wooden cross and nails were driven through the palms of his hands. Then a large nail was pounded through both his feet together and into the wood. The pain must have been unbearable, yet He suffered in silence.

Once the cross was pulled upright and slammed into the hole, His body weight hanging on His arms caused the air to be cut off. Automatically His legs pushed up to hold the weight on His nailed feet. The pain that screamed through his shoulders and arms was excruciating. His back already beat into hamburger ground against the roughened timber. Blood ran in His eyes, pain shot up His legs from his pierced feet, yet He looked upon the soldiers gambling for His clothing and the people gathered around who were mocking Him. And He had compassion on them.

“Father forgive them!” He cried.   The One flogged, the One spit upon, the One scoffed, the One unjustly accused, the One nailed cruelly to a torture device said, “forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Two criminals were crucified with Him, One on the left and one on the right. One of them mocked Jesus, saying “If you are truly the Messiah, the Son of God who You claim to be, prove it by saving Yourself and us too!”

But the other criminal rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even have fear of God when you are dying! Unlike you and me who deserve our punishment, this Man has done NOTHING wrong!” He got it! Looking at Jesus, he pleaded, “Lord Jesus, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom.”

Jesus met the gaze of the criminal with love in His eyes, “Today,” He replied, “you will be with Me in paradise.”

If you will but ask, there is nothing Jesus can not forgive. His love for you is beyond understanding.

As Jesus. hung in agony, the people, many of whom a couple of days before had sung praises to Him, now shouted abuse. The religious leaders mocked Him saying, “He saved others but He can not save Himself. So He is the king of Israel, is He? Let him come down from the cross right now and we will believe Him.” Even the Roman soldiers scoffed at Him.

This King of Kings, Almighty God, Prince of Peace, could have, indeed, called ten thousand Angels to set Him free. I’m sure mighty winged warriors were lined up in Heaven, anxiously awaiting the command to destroy those who dared trample the Son of the Living God. To annihilate those who dared to crucify the one true, perfect Lamb on a cruel cross. To wipe out forever those who spat upon and mocked their adored Prince.

One call from those cracked lips and the world and all its inhabitants would have been blown to bits. But this God-Man, Jesus, chose to die, alone, for you and me. Only Love will do that.

They hung Jesus on the cross at 9:00 in the morning. After hanging there for several hours, He managed to raise His weary head and looking through a red haze of sweat and blood saw His mother, her sister, Mary and Mary Magdalene, weeping near the foot of the cross. Tears ran down His mother’s upturned face and her eyes were full of sorrow and grief. Jesus knew there was one more task He needed to complete.

“Dear woman, Mother of Mine,” He cried weakly, but loud enough for them to hear, ” do not be afraid. John will be like a son to you and will look after you.” To the disciple standing beside her he said, “John, from now on, treat her like your mother.”

That’s His nature, to always care for those He loves. “Do not be afraid or discouraged. I will never leave you or forsake you.” He told Joshua long ago. “I am with you always even to the end of the age” He told His disciples just before He disappeared in the clouds.

No matter what we go through, no matter how desperate our situation, Jesus is always with us. Sometimes He delivers us from the trial and sometimes He walks beside us holding us up, helping us over the rough places.

At noon the sun became as dark as night. The wrath of God poured out upon His one and only sinless Son. Jesus who had endured silently to this point cried out, “My God, why have you forsaken Me?”

You see since before the beginning of time, the Father, His Son, and the Spirit had been one, together in perfect harmony always, through all things. Until now. Now they were ripped apart. For the Son had the sins of the world, all of them that you and me and everyone else who ever lived or ever will live, placed on Him. Jesus carried the sins of all man kind and His Father could not stand to be near Him, or even to look at Him.

For a moment in time and we don’t know how long, the Son was forsaken by His Father. Jesus, the perfect Son of God was completely alone in a darkness full of evil. This I believe is what killed Him. Death on the cross is very slow and comes as the victim suffocates when the legs become too weak to hold the body weight. Jesus died after only 6 hours and even Pilate was amazed He was dead so soon.

I think the grief and pain of His loving Father’s abandonment squeezed His heart until it shattered into a million pieces. Jesus, the Prince of Heaven, could not bear being ripped from His Father’s presence where He had been for all time. His human heart could not endure the despair of being plunged into utter darkness and buried beneath the unimaginable weight of the terrible evil of all man kind.

He cried out, “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.”

Then that compassionate, merciful, shattered heart ceased to beat.

At that moment, God’s wrath was satisfied. The earth shook violently. The sun turned black the day was a dark as night. Huge rocks split in two. People who had been dead for ages came out of the tombs and walked among the living.

The heavy curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn from top to bottom. Signifying that no longer is there a barrier between man and God. No longer does God burn with wrath for His crown creation because of their bent for evil. No longer is there an inner sanctuary where God dwells that only a priest may enter and plead forgiveness for God’s people.

For now the blood of Christ flows, free. A fountain flowing to wash away the sins of the all man kind. No longer does the presence of God dwell in a temple, but now He will enter into any open heart willing to accept Him.

Now you can fall on your knees at the foot of the cross and lift your tear-stained face to the Savior. Now you can ask forgiveness from the Lamb and His blood flowing from that stained cross will wash you clean.

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 NLT

“But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s wrath.” Romans 5:8-9 NLT

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