April 16th - The Race

“…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Jesus ran that race and it cost him his mortal life, but in His death, entombment, and resurrection Jesus secured the win for Himself and humanity - resurrection and immortality!

Jesus won the race that matters and is now seated at the “right hand of throne of God”. The prize He won was His salvation from death, and return to immortality at the right hand of God the Father. And the good news is that Jesus will share that prize with all humanity in due time!

“As in Adam all die, even so in Christ, all shall be made alive...Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!.” (1 Corinthians 15:22; 51-58)

Relax, we all win the race of mortal life on resurrection day!

April 15th - Ship of life

Of what value was a ticket on the Titanic?

Such is how I feel about ships of state whose captains are human. All eventually run into the iceberg. My hope is in another ship whose Captain is Christ Jesus...

...the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Eternal life beyond the Titanic is assured to humanity because God loves us. President Trump seems to be directing this ship in the right direction, however, I am looking for the mysterious "last trump".

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So, when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. ” (1 Corinthians 15:50-58)

Jesus, the Son of God, gave Himself as a ransom for all.  His death on the cross and resurrection will result in the salvation of all on the Titanic of planet Earth.

“This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wills all humanity to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for ALL…” (1 Timothy 2:3-6)

"It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all humanity, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.” (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

I enjoy the ride on the Titanic as best I can - but I have placed my hope in a first class ticket Jesus bought for you and I on the USS Kingdom of God!

April 14th - The Last Day

 "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who SEES the Son and BELIEVES in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the LAST DAY." (John 6:40)

Most human beings have never SEEN Jesus. And among those who did SEE Him when He was on earth, none actually believed in Him until AFTER His resurrection. However, there is coming a time when everyone SEES and BELIEVES. After that will come the Last Day when Jesus will raise them all up!

"For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living." (Romans 14:9)

“For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

God’s Plan for humanity is completed on the Last Day.

“In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him…the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.”

“As in Adam ALL die, even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive…that God may be All in ALL.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

Christ Jesus, the Son of God will one day be SEEN by ALL, believed in by ALL, and God the Father will be "All in ALL".

April 13th - Why I play golf

"Men build their temple walls to shut God in, and build their iron creeds to shut Him out." Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933)

"So settled is the supposition that creed is the basis of fellowship that no one seems to think it necessary to consult the Scriptures on the subject. Doctrine is not the basis of fellowship; there is a divine unity which we should preserve, and the best way to break this unity is to try to make it." A.E. Knoch (1874-1965)

The truth in the above quotes is why I play golf. I can fellowship with others regardless of the religious creeds which locks God inside a church. After an enjoyable round of golf with other members of the human race, I can go back home and examine the Scripture for myself - and post my thoughts without caring whether anyone reads them or needs them!

Here is what I find over and over in reading the Bible. There will be a divine unity of humanity as a result of the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, the Son of God.

"Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, exhort you to walk worthily of the calling to which you were called, with all humility and gentleness; with patience bearing with one another in love; being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called into one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ." (Ephesians 4:1-7)

There will be no eternal torment in hell and eternal separation from God for anyone. All will eventually be saved, justified, reconciled and glorified by the grace of God through the finished work of Christ Jesus. Here is the Scripture that says so, directly from the apostle Paul - it is the gospel of our salvation!

"God commends His love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His son.” (Romans 5:10)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

“For even as in Adam ALL are dying, thus also, in Christ shall ALL be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)

“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting their sins against them.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)

“And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile ALL unto Himself.” (Colossians 1:20)

“God our Savior…will have ALL humanity to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4)

"...there is one God, and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who have Himself as a ransom for all." (1 Tim. 2:5-6)

“Trust in the living God, who is the Savior of ALL humanity.” (1 Tim. 4:10)

Therefore...

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

April 12th - Blameless and Beyond Reproach

"God is love…Love never fails" (1 John 4:8; I Corinthians 13:8).

If the God of the Bible, the one in whom I have chosen to trust, is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent…and is Love… what is there to worry about?

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8 38-39)

He is either the God the Bible says He is, or He is the god of religious myth, a god created by man. If He is the God of the Bible then NOTHING - even our poor decisions - will separate us from the love of God. He will not, nor can He fail in His plan to reconcile and save humanity through Christ Jesus our Lord.

“For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him (Christ Jesus), and through Him to reconcile ALL things to Him, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.” (Colossians 1:19-22)

"...it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all humanity, especially of believers." (1 Timothy 4:10)

April 11th - If You Get Mad At God Sometimes...He Loves You Anyway

"There is nothing I can do to make God the Father love me any more. There is nothing I can do to make God the Father love me any less. His love for me is not based on my performance. This is what grace is." Peter M. Lord from Bless and Be Blessed (2004)

Love is based on "GRACE" - unmerited favor! God loves like this, humans do not. There are times when we just get hacked off at the world in general - we even get mad at God sometimes.

Fortunately, God is not like us...

"God is love...Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (1 John 4:8; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

"God is love" and unlike you and I, God "keeps no record of wrongs" and His love "never fails".

I am glad!

"For I am convinced that death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."(Romans 8:38-39)

Yes I get mad at God sometimes - but He loves me anyway!

April 10th - The Hope of Resurrection

“Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.” (Acts 4:1-2)

Modern day Sadducees (most Philosophers and the liberal Theologians) question the resurrection. They have no such hope and ridicule those of us who do. Nevertheless, if the bible is true, the resurrection is going to happen whether anyone believes it or not. And, those who expect it have peace as they approach death.  

“As in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:22)

"…we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of humanity, who have no expectation (hope)…For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Jesus is alive. Because He is, we have a glorious expectation to rise to meet Him when He returns - that gives me peace as I approach the end of my journey on this earth!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living expectation (hope) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

April 9th - The Sign of His Return

"As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately.  Tell us, they said, when will this happen, and what will be the sign of thy coming?" (Matthew 24:3)

Jesus told them what to look for...

"Jesus answered: Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name claiming I am the Messiah, and will deceive many...and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people" (Matthew 24:4, 11)

The sign of His coming is an era when many call Jesus the Messiah (Christ), but are deceiving themselves and others with false teaching.  The Apostle Paul also speaks of this era.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

In such an era it will be hard to distinguish those who call themselves Christians from everyone else, at least outside the church building. And it is in such an era that another sign will appear in heaven.

"Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:30)

This sign is the actual return of Jesus. But no one knoee the "day or hour" when this sign would appear when Jesus spoke those words.

But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matthew 24:36)

Today I think we will know the era of His return by studying the bible.  So, I keep watching. The salvation He brings at His return is the "blessed hope" for humanity, and we should live our lives as if it may occur today.

"For the grace of God has appeared that brings salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach." (Titus 2:11-15)

April 8th - Subjected to Vanity

"For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected the same in expectation." (Romans 8:20)

Note that the creation was "not willingly" subjected to vanity. There was no free will of man involved. God Himself subjected His creatures to vanity. And God will deliver them from it! To the extent humans make choices they deem as "free will" certainly will not void God's will for them. Human will is always subject to the will of God. So, what does God "will" in regard to he salvation of humanity?

"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all humanity to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim. 2:3-4).

All other Scripture must be harmonized with this. Any teaching contrary to this is false.

"To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things." (1 Timothy 4:10)

April 7th - The Secret of God’s Wisdom

"...we declare God’s wisdom, a SECRET that has been HIDDEN... these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit... so that we may understand what God has FREELY GIVEN US.... if any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." (1 Corinthians  2:7, 10, 12; 3:15) 

Paul was speaking to those in Corinth about God’s grace and His free gift of salvation. They believed the gospel but still had all kinds of sin going on among them. Much of this letter is to advise them on how to correct those problems. 

However, as sinful as they were, they were still called saints and recipients of the free gift of salvation by the grace of God. This was part of the SECRET that had been hidden until revealed to Paul by Jesus after His ascension to heaven.

Although we may lose rewards and be ashamed for bad living, all humanity is destined to be saved because Christ "came into the world to save sinners" - and He will succeed- death will be abolished!

"...and the GRACE of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..." (1 Timothy 1:14-15)

"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep...For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive...The last enemy to be destroyed is death... so that God may be all in all." (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

April 6th - Rescued!

"The Lord will rescue me from EVERY evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:18)

We will be rescued from every evil deed when the Lord has brought us "safely to His heavenly Kingdom." But for now we live in what Paul calls "this present EVIL age" and it is His will for us to suffer some while we are here.

 "Grace to you and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who gives Himself for our sins, so that He might extricate us out of the present wicked eon, according to the will of our God and Father, to Whom be glory for the eons of the eons." (Galatians 1:4) 

EVIL serves as the contrast to GOOD. Adam and Eve would have never known how good they had it except for experiencing the evil that came when they disobeyed. What we learn from experiencing evil is simple - good is better than evil!

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst." (1 Timothy 1:15)

Paul says that Jesus came into the world to "save sinners" and Paul considered himself the "worst."  If God saved the "worst" he will save everyone else. Who has a greater need to be saved - Mother Teresa or Hitler?

"...we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all humanity, especially of believers." (1 Timothy 4:10)

All will be rescued from this evil world - thank you Father!

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:1-5)

April 5th - Listen!

“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ ALL will be made alive…" (1 Corinthians 15:22)

I learned to listen to my wife following a low point in our wonderful 46 years of marriage.

Sue Ann and I were driving back home from Oklahoma City, which is about a two hour drive. Weatherford is about half way, so when we got to Weatherford I heard Sue Ann say, “Earth to Robert…Earth to Robert…come in Robert.” I looked over at her and said, “What?” She said, “Robert, you haven’t heard a word I’ve been saying, have you? I’ve been telling you about this for an hour." All I could say in response was, “Sorry sweetheart but I’m paying attention now." Needless to say, I still do not know what she said but I did notice the utter silence for the next several days.

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: …we will ALL be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable…Death has been swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)

It is amazing what we can learn from God if we will just listen!

April 4th - Heap Coals of Fire On Their Heads

"If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink. For in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” (Romans 12:20)

What in the world does that mean?

"For love is strong as death, its jealousy hard as the unseen, its burning coals as burning coals of fire, the blaze of Yah. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can streams overwhelm it." (Song of Solomon 8:6-7 CV)

I think to "heap coals of fire on his head" means to show the love of God to your enemies. That is the way God deals with His enemies, and believers should try to do so - although it is extremely hard and seems foolish to us! I try and usually fail.

"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

April 3rd - All Will See and Confess Him as Lord

"He is saying to Thomas, "Bring your finger here and perceive My hands, and bring your hand and thrust it into My side, and do not become unbelieving, but believing."And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Now Jesus is saying to him, "Seeing that you have seen Me, you have believed. Happy are those who are not SEEING and believe." (John 20:27-29)

Before His death Jesus told His disciples what would happen to Him, but they did not believe Him until AFTER they saw Him resurrected. They were UNBELIEVERS until they saw Jesus with their own eyes after His resurrection. 

Also, the Apostle Paul had to encounter the RISEN Lord before he became a believer.

"Now in his going he came to be nearing Damascus. Suddenly a light out of heaven flashes about him. And falling on the earth, he hears a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? Yet he said, "Who art Thou , Lord?" Yet He said "I am Jesus..." (Acts9:3-5)

AFTER the resurrection of Jesus Paul tells us that...

"He was SEEN by Cephas, thereupon the twelve. Thereupon He was SEEN by over five hundred brethren at once...Yet, last of all...He was SEEN by me also." (1 Corinthians 15:5-9)

Not one person living today on planet earth has SEEN Jesus! The fact that there have been a few in the world since Jesus returned to heaven who BELIEVE is a miracle. Only by the grace of God and the miraculous gift of FAITH can anyone believe in Jesus BEFORE they actually SEE Jesus!

"Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen Me, do you now believe? Blessed [happy] are they who DO NOT SEE Me and yet believe in Me.” (John 20:29)

Perceiving that Jesus is our Savior before we SEE Him is God's gift of FAITH to humans. Only by His grace do we come to a knowledge of our salvation BEFORE we SEE Him at our resurrection.

"For in grace, through faith, are you saved, and this is not out of you; it is God's gift..."

(Galatians 2:8-9)

So, what happens to those who have not been GIVEN the FAITH to believe before they die? They will be resurrected and SEE Jesus, just like His disciples and Paul had to wait? And then, ALL humanity will be BELIEVERS. All will SEE and know Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. And all of them will THEN confess Him as Lord. 

 
"For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11) 

"Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome (for for this are we toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living God, Who is the Savior of all humanity, especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching." (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

It is unfortunate that so few Christians understand that Jesus intends to save the whole world even though He has told us in His Word. I suppose they will have to wait until they SEE Jesus to believe all that is written in the Scripture about Him.

"Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but Him they did not see.” Then He appeared to them and said, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." (Luke 24:24-27)

April 2nd - It took 72 hours to Save Humanity

It took God 72 hours to save humanity. Following is the way it happened as recorded in the Bible...

"He begins to teach them that the Son of Mankind must be suffering and be rejected by the elders, and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed and after AFTER THREE DAYS days rise." (Mark 8:31)

“For even as Jonah was in the bowel of the sea monster three days and three nights; thus will the Son of Mankind be in the heart of the earth THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS.” (Matthew 12:40)

"Now, crucifying Him, they divide His garments, casting the lot... And they place above His head His charge written: "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." About the ninth hour Jesus exclaims with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi! Lema sabachthani?"...with a loud voice, lets out the spirit." (Matthew27:36-37, 46-50)

"The Jews, then, since it was the preparation, lest the bodies should be remaining on the cross on the sabbath (for it was the HIGH DAY, that sabbath), ask Pilate that they might fracture their legs, and they may be taken away." (John 19:31)

"And lo! a man named Joseph...approaching Pilate, requests the body of Jesus. And taking it down, he folds it up in a linen wrapper, and he places Him in a rock-hewn tomb, where no one was lying as yet. And it was the DAY OF PREPARATION. Now following after, the women who were come together out of Galilee with Him, gaze at the tomb, and how His body was placed." (Luke 23:50, 52,54-56)

The "high day" or high sabbath was a name for those sabbath days which occur once a year during the Jewish festivals. During the festival periods there are "high" sabbaths as well as the weekly sabbath. Passover is the first "high day" of the seven days of the festival of Unleavened Bread. The day before Passover is called the "day of preparation". Jesus was crucified on the preparation day before the "high day" of Passover. It is the first day of the seven day festival of Unleavened Bread and the day after the weekly sabbath is another "high day" called Firstfruits. 

It was three nights and three days after Jesus was crucified on the preparation day for the "high day" of Passover. The women came to the tomb at sunrise on the second "high day", Firstfruits, and were told He had been resurrected...

"Now it is the evening of the sabbaths. At the lighting up into one of the sabbaths came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to behold the sepulcher...the messenger said to the women, "Fear you not! For I am aware that you are seeking Jesus, the Crucified." He is not here, for He was roused, according as He said. Hither! Perceive the place where the Lord lay." (Matthew 28:1-6)

Summary of the events of the death and resurrection of Jesus:

A Jewish day begins at sunset and ends the next day at sunset. The preparation day had began at sundown on a Tuesday evening and Jesus ate the Passover meal with His disciples. Later that night Jesus was arrested and brought before the Jewish high priest and tried. It was Wednesday morning when He was delivered over to Pilot. After Pilot had talked with Jesus he ordered Him to be flogged and crucified which occurred on Wednesday around noon. Jesus died at three o'clock on Wednesday. Just before sundown Jesus is placed in a tomb owned by a man named Joseph.

Wednesday night passes...Thursday passes...Thursday night passes...Friday passes...Friday night passes...Saturday passes - three full nights and three full days.

Then on Saturday evening, at the end of the third full day, just after sundown, Jesus comes back to life, the Firstfruit of all who will be resurrected from death to life. It was the third day after Wednesday, the day he was killed.

So, 72 hours from His entombment the salvation of humanity is secured when He rose from death!

The death, entombment and resurrection of Jesus is the good news (gospel/evangel). The details of those events which provided for the salvation of humanity is important to me, and is part of what Paul instructed Timothy to "Prescribe and teach".

"Now I am making known to you, brethren, the evangel which I bring to you, which also you accepted, in which also you stand, through which also you are saved...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was entombed, and that He has been roused the third day according to the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

“Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all welcome, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, foremost of whom I am.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

"Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome (for for this we are toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living God, Who is the Savior of ALL mankind, especially of believers. These things be CHARGING AND TEACHING.” (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

April 1st - What happens when we die?

"Behold, I am against those who have prophesied false dreams, declares the LORD, and related them and led My people astray by their falsehoods and reckless boasting; yet I did not send them or command them, nor do they furnish this people the slightest benefit, declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 23:32)

It is hard to distinguish between what God has actually said from what men say that God says. Following is an example of what sincere men say God says...

“Adam sinned and immediately died spiritually. Eventually, he died physically” Bob Hoekstra – Day by Day Grace

Let’s look at the verse of Scripture Mr. Hoekatra was commenting on…

“For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23)

Do you see the word “spiritual” in that verse? No, there is no spiritual death taught in the Bible. You are either dead or you are alive. At death the body of flesh and blood returns to the soil. The spirit returns to God who gave it, and the soul rests/sleeps until the resurrection.

“Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David…Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.” (1 Kings 2:10; Acts 2:29)

No one is made alive again until Jesus returns to resurrect the dead.

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3)

"What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies." (1 Corinthians 15:50-53)

March 31st - Behold, the Lamb of God

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

In the Law given to Israel a perfect “lamb” was required to be sacrificed once a year to atone for the sins of Israel. This annual sacrifice provided a temporary shelter for the sins of Israel, however, it could not “take away sins”committed in the following year.

Two thousand years after the giving of the law of Moses, God Himself offered the final sacrifice on behalf of Israel and all other nations. That sacrifice was His Son Jesus, the LAMB of God. It has taken away the sins of the world - all of them - for all time!

“He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2) 

“…we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL. Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins FOR ALL TIME, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. For by one offering He has perfected FOR ALL TIME those who are sanctified." (Hebrews 10)

What a glorious demonstration of love and grace!

“God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we are still sinners, Christ died for our sakes...being now justified in His blood, we shall be saved from indignation, through Him....that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the approach present (gift) of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Romans 5:6-10; Ephesians 2:7-9)

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15)

March 30th - The Faith that Saves

Speaking to Israel God said:

“‘For I will take you out of the nations; I WILL gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I WILL sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I WILL cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I WILL give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you...I WILL save you from all your uncleanness...THEN you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices..." (Ezekiel 36:24-31)

Note that it is AFTER God changes their hearts and puts His Spirit within them that they will "loathe yourselves for your sins". In other words, true repentance occurs AFTER God saves. 

...I want you to know that I am NOT doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign LORD. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel!.. I the LORD have spoken, and I WILL DO IT." (Ezekiel 36:32)

Religious Jews think they are saved by following the law of Moses, repenting, and offering acceptable sacrifices for disobedience. I was brought up in a church teaching essentially the same thing. That I would be saved only if I repented of my sin, accepted Jesus, and was baptized. 

I have since learned that true repentance for my sin came AFTER I learned that my salvation was not a result of some decision I made, but by the GRACE of God and the faith of Christ Jesus. Redemption is a gift to humanity that flows to all out of the death, entombment, and resurrection of Christ Jesus.

"...the righteousness of God is through the faith of Jesus Christ to all, and upon all those believing, for there is no difference, for all did sin, and come short of the glory of God, being declared righteous freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:22-24)

Such knowledge has liberated me from religious bondage. I now realize that I am righteous in Jesus Christ whose faith saved me!

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)

"If you continue in MY WORD, you are truly My followers. THEN you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32)

March 29th - Good News!

"Therefore as by the sin of one (Adam) judgment came upon all humanity to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one (Jesus) the free gift came upon all humanity unto justification of life." (Romans 5:18)

"For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

Just as Adam's sin brought condemnation and death to humanity, Christ Jesus brought the free gift of righteousness and eternal life to us all. Not just a few Christians....ALL humanity.

"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Paul delivered the final words of Jesus to humanity - the gospel of the grace of God. Believing it is the ONLY way to become free from the bondage of the religions in the world. 

Here once again is the grace of God that Paul preached to all nations.

"God commends His love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son.” (Romans 5:10)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

“For even as in Adam ALL are dying, thus also, in Christ shall ALL be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)

“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting their sins against them.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)

“And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile ALL unto Himself.” (Colossians 1:20)

“God our Savior…will have ALL humanity to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4)

"...there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all." (1 Tim. 2:5-6)

“Trust in the living God, who is the Savior of ALL humanity.” (1 Tim. 4:10)

"...teach these things." (1 Tim. 4:11)

March 28th - Help for our Weakness

"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that it may be with you for the age; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see it or know it, but you know it because it abides with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17)

Jesus asked the Father to give the Spirit of truth to those who believe that Jesus is the Messiah. The truth would abide in them, and on Pentecost, 50 days after the resurrection, the power to share the truth came and settled on those early Jewish believers…

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place…and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit was giving them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4)

By the power of this Holy Spirit they spoke in the various languages telling everyone the truth about the Messiah Jesus including His death, resurrection, ascension, and promised to return.  

The Holy Spirt helps our weakness and enables us to pray according to the will of God. Christ Jesus intercedes for us at the right hand of God and nothing can separate us from the love of God.

“…the spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the spirit…intercedes for the saints according to THE WILL OF GOD….Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? …neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:26-38)

This power of the truth helps in our time of weakness - and the "faith of Christ" Jesus justifies of own faith in the truth.

"...having perceived that a man is not being justified by works of law, except alone through the faith of Christ Jesus, we also believe in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by the faith of Christ." (Galatians 2:16-17)

We now have little faith, but stop beating yourself up because you have so little. Trust in "Jesus Christ's faith", the faith He had that His death, entombment, and resurrection would guarantee the salvation of all!

March 27th - The Mystery Revealed

The Apostle Paul tells us that the “gospel” (good news) given to him by the resurrected Jesus was the “mystery of Christ”. That mystery was that all nations will "rejoice and be glad in His salvation".

“When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the nations are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (Ephesians 3:4-6)

Paul refers to this mystery as “my gospel" which had been “kept secret” in the past.

“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to MY GOSPEL and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past…” (Romans 16:25-27)

Paul, the Apostle to the nations, elaborates on what he calls “my gospel” in his New Testament letters. John, one of the twelve Apostles to Israel, and the writer of Revelation, recognized that Jesus had not only atoned for the sins of Israel, but also for everyone else...

"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2)

Paul explains in his letters that the “mystery” revealed to him and kept secret in the past is the good news that by the grace of God Christ Jesus will return "bringing salvation" to ALL people and that God will "reconcile to Himself ALL THINGS, whether things on earth or things in heaven".

“For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all people…God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself not counting their trespasses against them...and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross…"  (Titus 2:11; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 1:19-20)

Paul told everyone that...

"Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds because of your evil deeds. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence." (Colossians 1:21-22)

Paul tells the whole Roman empire that...

"…the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God…in this expectation we are saved; but expectation that is seen is no expectation at all. Who expects what he can already see? We expect what we do not yet see, and we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:19-25) 

Again - ALL creation will someday "be set free"! That is our expectation (hope)!

In this life we only HEAR about our salvation and our reconciliation with God. We show our trust in what we have heard by believing. Believing is having FAITH in what we do not presently see.  

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not being seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

But there will come a time when ALL humans will SEE and enter the Kingdom of God where they will dwell with God in the New Heaven and New Earth.

"That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe." (1 Timothy 4:10)

"Jesus responded and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God...Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (John 3:3, 5)

And when will we be born again of the Spirit?  Paul tells us about this mystery...

"So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being;” the last Adam a life-giving spirit. The spiritual, however, was not first, but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven...And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man (Adam), so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man (Jesus)." (1 Corinthians 15:42-49)

"Behold, I am telling you a mystery...we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality." (1 Corinthians 15:50-53)

It just does not get any better than that! It is a shame that most people remain unaware of the plan of God for humanity unfolded in the Bible - the salvation of ALL  and the reconciliation of all to God the Father.

March 26th - Talking Peals of Thunder

"When the seven peals of thunder had spoken, I was about to write; and I heard a voice from heaven saying, Seal up the things which the seven peals of thunder have spoken and do not write them." (Revelation 10:4)

In Chapter 10 John HEARD what the thunders spoke but was not allowed to write it down until Chapters 21 and 22. Lightning is associated with the second coming of Jesus to earth. Lightening comes before we hear thunder. We will see Jesus and rise to meet him in the air before we return with him to the earth.

And I think this is also what the Apostle Paul saw and heard in his trip to "Paradise", located in the third heaven, but was not allowed to write down the details.

"I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago—whether in the body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know; God knows—such a man, having been caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know; God knows—that he was caught up into Paradise, and he HEARD inexpressible words, not being permitted to man to speak." (2 Corinthians 12:2-4)

Paul refers to this as “my gospel", which had been “kept secret” in the past.

“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to MY GOSPEL and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past…” (Romans 16:25-27)

Paul explains in his letters that the “mystery” revealed to him which had been “kept secret” is the good news of the grace of God "bringing salvation" to all people, an age when God will "reconcile to Himself ALL THINGS, whether things on earth or things in heaven" in the New Heaven and New Earth.

“For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all people…God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself not counting their trespasses against them...and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross…"  (Titus 2:11; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 1:19-20)

"Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds because of your evil deeds. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence." (Colossians 1:21-22)

"…the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God…in this hope we are saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:19-25) 

The lightening we see is the promise of the thunder to follow - entrance into the New Heaven and New Earth we now enter only by faith. And what is "faith".

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not being seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

Again - "Creation itself will be set free from its bondage and decay" and "in this we hope"  - Yes I do!