A THANKFUL HEART

As I continue my daily walk with Jesus, I am still constantly amazed by His grace and His boundless provision. Even after more than 68 years, following where Jesus has lead me in this life, I still find reasons to question His directions. I mean, all in all, my life has been pretty amazing as I look back and see the "bread crumbs" I have scattered along life's journey. Some are there to remind me from whence I came and some may have been scattered to help me find my road back home to Jesus...but of this much I am assured...JESUS HAS NEVER LEFT ME TO FLOUNDER IN MY MISERY OR LONELINESS WITHOUT REACHING OUT HIS HAND OF MERCY TO PICK ME UP, DUST ME OFF, AND PUT ME BACK ON THE RIGHT PATH OF OBEDIENCE AND A LIFE, ABUNDANT IN HIM.

 So, the question is always this....When we look back on the abundant times that God has led us and the wonderful outcomes that He has provided, why in Heaven's name do we try to take over the position of GUIDE AND TRAIL BLAZER? I must admit I struggle to answer that question....but let me try.

 I believe that even though scripture says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come." 2 COR. 5:17 (CSB)....We still do battle with our old nature which ALWAYS wants to put us in charge of our lives....where we go, what we do and how we get there. Unfortunately, this flies in the face of this new relationship with Christ as He seeks to make us that NEW CREATION IN HIM...all the while trying to help us get rid of our old nature as we grow into the new creation of who God has ordained us to be...and that my friend is more like Jesus everyday.

 So how do we get that done? I think that answer can be very complex or equally very simple...and you get to be the one to decide that answer for yourself. If you trust that your relationship with Jesus is growing, then turning more and more of life's decisions over to Him for His input and consultation becomes second nature...YOU DO IT WITHOUT STOPPING TO THINK IF THIS IS RIGHT FOR ME OR WHAT THE OUTCOME MIGHT BE?  For God ALWAYS has your GOOD and His GLORY at the heart of any matter that life brings your way; however, God may not always be totally interested in your comfort.... but HE IS ALWAYS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER....WHY? Because you are supposed to look a little more like Jesus EVERY DAY!!!

 OR...you can decide to let God tackle the BIG problems while you handle everything else. R IGHT?  I think, personally, that's a very selfish way to live. I mean, God saved you by His Mercy and over whelming Grace and He now claims you as His child...and I don't know a single, good, loving parent that lets a child decide what's best for them and then only steps in to clean up their mess....or stands on the sidelines until a BIG problem arises?

 So, know this....God doesn't just want the "leftovers" in your life...He wants to be included in all of it; the little things as well as those "whales" that threaten to swamp your boat! When you think of what Christ did on the cross, you will come to this great understanding of the relationship that God wants with you...for He has gone to a home that you do not know; to prepare a place you cannot see; so on a day that cannot be known, He will emerge  through parting clouds to bring you a peace and a comfort that you cannot even imagine...for it is His plan to rescue you from a darkness that you will NEVER KNOW because He loves you with a love that cannot be measured.

His Child....Waiting on THAT day,

 WPQ

 

Poem for the day....

 I am a child of Heaven

And one day I know not when;

I'll stand before my Savior,

My comfort and my best friend.

 

All around me, love ones will gather;

To welcome me to this place.

At last to see my Savior and

To be held in His warm embrace.

 

 Then I shall know that on that day

As the angels are gathered there;

The Lord of Hosts will welcome those

Who prayed that special prayer.

 

The prayer that asked the Father,

Who sent His Son to ransom all

To thank Him for His gift of grace

That saved us from the Fall.

 

And so as His children enter in

Surely songs of praise will ring...

Hosannas to Him in the Highest;

Forever... our LORD and KING!!!

 

W. Patrick Queen  ©  April 2024

 

R U a Doubting Thomas?

It has been a little over two weeks, for those of us that claim Jesus as our Savior, since we celebrated His victory over the devil and death....the moment He was raised from the dead and walked out of that tomb, THE DEVIL WAS DOOMED AND DEATH NO LONGER HOLDS ANY POWER OVER US AS BELIEVERS!

Now, many people take a wait-and-see attitude toward Christ. In fact, the first time Jesus appeared to His disciples, they had sequestered themselves in a locked room, probably with no windows and only one way in and one way out... A BOLTED AND LOCKED DOOR...keeping them safely inside from the angry Jews that were surely seeking to find them and wrap up this whole, sordid business concerning the man they had Pilate crucify.  But, on that evening of the first day of the week, as they gathered together, there Jesus stood in the midst of them, greeting them saying, "Peace be with you!" How comforting these words must have been, coming from the heart of the one whom they loved who had been taken from them; now standing, front and center, for all to see....ALL BUT THOMAS!

I always have wondered, where and why was Thomas not with them? Was he not afraid of the angry, judgmental Jews? Was he so afraid to leave his location that he just hunkered down wherever he had chosen to hide? Or was this just an integral part of God's plan for believers yet to come? 

When the other disciples shared the Good News with Thomas, that even though all the doors were locked, JESUS HAD APPEARED TO THEM and breathed on them the Holy Spirit....and then, HE WAS GONE. But such good news was not what Thomas needed to hear. So, Thomas made his infamous statement, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.” John 20:25 (CSB)

About a week later, the disciples were still in hiding and Thomas is with them when Jesus once again appears in their locked room, standing before them....and He says to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” And Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have now seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  John 20:27-29 (CSB) 

In these spoken words of Jesus, He did not ridicule nor belittle His disciples for us unbelief; but He did praise those who would believe, even though they had NEVER seen. 

So where do you stand on this "Jesus thing"? Are you one of those people that follow the hard and fast line of...SEEING IS BELIEVING! Or are you a person of FAITH....ONE WHO BELIEVES WITHOUT EVIDENCE OR SOMETIMES, EVEN IN SPITE OF THE SO-CALLED EVIDENCE? 

There are many people that believe there is a God. Even the devil and his demons believe there is a GOD. Believing there is a God and believing in the ONE, TRUE GOD are as different as night from day. The GOD of the Universe is a HOLY, RIGHTEOUS BEING....one who loves His creation and sent His Son, Jesus, to die for the sins of ALL mankind; but there is one catch. Jesus has done all the work; bled, died and rose again to claim His victory over sin, evil and the devil....the catch?

YOU MUST BELIEVE THAT HE DID ALL THIS FOR YOU EVEN THOUGH YOU CANNOT SEE IT....YOU MUST TAKE THE LEAP OF FAITH AND CLAIM GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION FOR YOURSELF. YOUR GODLY PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS CAN'T PASS IT ON AS PART OF YOUR LEGACY. SITTING ON A CHURCH PEW FOR DECADES WILL NOT OPEN THE LOCKED DOOR OF HEAVEN FOR YOU. DOING MORE GOOD THAN BAD IN YOUR LIFETIME WILL NOT PROVIDE THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM....ONLY ONE THING ASSURES YOU OF YOUR HEVENLY HOME WITH JESUS....

YOU BELIEVE THAT HE PAID THE PRICE FOR YOU AND THAT HIS BLOOD SHED FOR YOU IS SUFFICENT TO MAKE YOU RIGHTEOUS IN GOD'S EYES...THE WORK IS DONE; THE PRICE HAS BEEN PAID....YOU MUST DECIDE....DO IT GOD'S WAY OR HIT THE HIGHWAY TO HELL. The choice is always YOURS! God will not decide this for you; however, He has said through His Son Jesus who said, "I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME!" John 14:6  (CSB)

So, are you still a member of the Doubting Thomas fan club, waiting for Jesus to make a holy appearance to you one night, in your bedroom, before it's too late? That is probably going to be a loooooonnnnngggg wait! Or you can cast aside that life mantra that "seeing" is the only wait to be sure that something is real...you can't see gravity, but I doubt that ANYONE is willing to jump off a twenty story building and hope for the best; just because they are not sure gravity may exist, since they've never seen it.

I do, however, encourage you to take a leap....a leap of FAITH in Jesus....the one who gave His life so that you could have an abundant life here and an eternal life there; in Heaven, with Him, His Father and the ever indwelling power of His Holy Spirit. I hope you will make that decision today and wrap up the question of your eternal future and the better life you could be living with Jesus, in this life, as He walks with you as your Savior, Guide and Eternal Friend. Trust me...IT'S THE BEST DECISION YOU WILL EVER MAKE...JUST TAKE THE LEAP!

A Faithful Follower....Leaping with Jesus Everyday,

WPQ

Poem for the day....

If you are not sure were life's taking you

And you want to know the way....

Just put your faith in Jesus' hands

To follow Him each day.

For He has already walked the road

That's filled with life's disasters.

And He can steer you clear of them,

For He alone is the our Master.

He is the Master of the Universe

He alone makes the world revolve;

And when you commit your life to Him

Your problems He will resolve.

So don't wait until your dying breath

Just take the leap of faith today!

Then your life will be, lived  abundantly...

As you walk with Him each day! 

WPQ  April 2024

Sign of the Times

Signs are every where these days and you can’t always believe what you read. Check out the following examples:

In an office: TOILET OUT OF ORDER, PLEASE USE THE FLOOR BELOW!

In a Laundromat: AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES; PLEASE REMOVE YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT!

Outside a second hand shop: WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING- BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?

Notice in a health food shop window: CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS!

Spotted in a Safari park: ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR!

Notice in a farmer’s field: THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES!

On a repair shop window: WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING!!! (Please knock hard on the door- the bell doesn’t work).

Sign at Elks Lodge: JUST BECAUSE YOU 'RE OFFENDED DOESN'T MEAN YOUR RIGHT!

Sign on a BIG PILE of Snow: SNOWMAN INSIDE....SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED!

Sign at Local Church: TOO HOT TO CHANGE SIGN; SIN BAD, JESUS GOOD; DETAILS INSIDE!

Signs, signs and more signs ….they are everywhere; cluttering up the roadsides with their messages to eat here, buy this or that and go here or there for a better deal. We are bombarded with signs that too often are set before us just to lead us down the wrong path; a path that leads to destruction. Yes, our adversary, the Devil, wants us to heed the signs and to do what they request, even if they don’t seem to make perfect sense. He tells us that just a little of this will be okay or we can compromise our values in this particular situation since its not really going to harm anyone or lie after lie after lie. And before we know it, we have lost our way because we paid attention to the wrong signs.

God’s word has something to say about signs. In Deuteronomy 6:5-9, God says to love Him with all our heart, body mind and soul and to take this command to heart. Then He says, “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets before your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” So whether we are coming or going, there should be a sign for all to see that we belong to HIM.

Do you have his word written on your heart? What sign hangs on your doorpost or your gate that reminds you and tells others that you serve a risen Lord? What signs are you heeding in your daily walk with Jesus…and maybe even more importantly, is your life a sign of what God can and will do when someone surrenders completely to Him?

I just thought we should think about this today and determine to be a sign of the times…..that Jesus died to set men free and one day…very, very soon, He’s coming back to take us home before the Great Tribulation. Now, that’s one sign I can’t wait to see!

And here's a sign we should all carry....WANT A NEW LIFE? ASK ME HOW!!!!!

Lord, Make me the SIGN that points others to YOU,

WPQ

ANOINTED TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

At the ripe old age of twelve, I remember the Sunday I went forward at my church, hearing the call of the Holy Spirit to dedicate my life to becoming a preacher of God's Word. At age 16, I along with another young man at my church who was going to become a preacher, we received the blessing of our pastor to start Youth Church each Wednesday evening at our church, Midwood Baptist in Charlotte, NC. We were so blessed to have an active youth group and wonderful leaders that encouraged us. I remember my first Wednesday night sermon that dealt with the Parable of the Talents...I was a wreck leading up to that night, stepping behind the pulpit for the first time. But the calming work of the Holy Spirit filled my trembling body and somehow calmed my nerves so that I could share what God had laid on my heart...and I have been doing that now for over 60 years, in person and in the written word. As I think of Jesus and His first sermon, I wonder if He felt as I did? Probably NOT....for He already had the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in His live, so....

When Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth in the early days of his ministry, he did what all Jews did on the Sabbath... he went to the synagogue. But that day was unlike any other when he was handed the scroll of Isaiah and he read the prophecy about himself, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty  to the captives and recovering sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."  Luke 4:18-19 And with every eye in the place on him, he rolled up the scroll and sat down...but not before telling the attendees that "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

At this point in His new-fledgling ministry, Christ let the hometown folks know what He was all about, in no uncertain terms...but better than that, He told them who was in charge. With the Spirit of the Most High anointing Him, he would be conducting himself accordingly.

Which leads me to my questions...what is your ministry and who is in charge? For us as followers of Jesus, we too have been anointed with the same Spirit and set apart to accomplish the same work....to proclaim the good news that the bonds of sin and the death that follows have been broken and that Jesus saves....and He saves eternally!

We can proclaim to those held captive by a drug habit or a sexual perversion that they are no longer bound, but through Christ there is release and forgiveness. Anyone who is enslaved to work and status can find love, rest and acceptance through the Spirit that comes to indwell in the heart of a new believer.  Those blinded by the allure of sin and its temporal pleasure can find everlasting joy at the feet of the Savior and forevermore there is freedom in the forgiveness and redemptive power in the shed blood of Jesus...there is a new life that awaits in the power of the Holy Spirit. We each have been anointed to share our good news and to tell others that we are His children...warts and all....not because of anything that we have or might do, but all because of what Jesus did for us while we wallowed in our own sin and destruction. We are filled with His Spirit, anointed to share and proclaim...and even more, we are empowered to be more like our Savior by resisting the wiles of the devil and living as one anointed to preach.

The message is simple....the congregation is enormous....and the time is short! We must get busy while it is light, for the darkness is coming when no man can work. Take time to day to speak the name of Jesus to someone in darkness and share with them, Jesus...The Light of the World.

Anointed....preaching...sharing what He has done for me,

WPQ

 

WHAT IS YOUR HEART'S TEMPERATURE?

I don't know about you, but when I was a child and was running a fever, my mom always knew where to find our good, old, trusty thermometer. It was in a safe place in my parents bathroom, in a plastic cup, in the cabinet under their sink. So at the Queen's household, if you were having to deal with a fever and wanted to know how sick you might truly be, you headed for my parent's bathroom to retrieve the instrument that worked perfectly, EVERY TIME! Just place the little end under your tongue, wait a couple of minutes, remove and read the results....and that was the difficult part. Trying to hold the thermometer in just the right position so you could see the mercury and line up the top part of the mercury with the numbers on the thermometer.  Exasperating, right?

In my younger days, I was not really good at reading the results and had to rely on my parents to help; however, as I entered my teen years, I was a master thermometer reader. But when my wife and I became parents for our little girl, we upped our game and bought a digital thermometer. Now that's living! No more guesswork, no more twisting the thermometer to just the right angle and then trying to get a quick peek before the mercury seemed to disappear before your eyes....we just put it under our daughter's tongue, waited for the beep, then read the numbers. Easy, breezy, right?

Which brings me to today's question...how do you take the temperature of your heart for Jesus? What instrument can you use to get the results and then, how do you interpret those results? The answer I think is really quite simple...OPEN GOD'S WORD AND READ WHAT JESUS HAS TO SAY ABOUT THIS SUBJECT. In Matthew 24:12,  God's Word speaks of the first temperature; "More and more people everywhere will be doing very bad things. Because of this, many people will no longer love each other in the way that they did before." (Easy English Bible)  Here Jesus is telling us that when hearts grow cold, do bad things and fail to love as before, then evil hearts abound. Cold, rebellious hearts lead us to the opposite of warm familial affection. Gone is our brotherly love for family and friends as we back stab our loved ones and turn away from those who need us most. Matthew 24:10 says a cold heart is one filled with betrayal; “Then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.” (NIV)  If your heart is cold, you will become an instrument of lawlessness and there will be no room in your heart for Jesus.

The second temperature, I believe is the one that Jesus hated most....the temperature of being lukewarm. Scripture says,  "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16)  Unfortunately, this is the temperature of too many believers in the church in this modern era. They are so caught up in the things of the world that their love for Christ is neither HOT nor COLD...just LUKEWARM. AND THAT'S A REAL PROBLEM FOR OUR LORD. The problem, the way I see it, is that the lukewarm Christian is too hard to distinguish from most of the world's population that neither love and worship Jesus nor despise, hate and work against the teachings of Jesus...in other words, they just don't care about Jesus enough to take a stand. Ever taken a lukewarm shower? Was it GOOD, BAD or just WASTED WATER?

And our last temperature to consider...A HEART ON FIRE; a heart burning for Jesus. After the Resurrection, as Jesus is making His way on the road to Emmaus, He meets two travelers who are returning from Jerusalem.  It is after He breaks bread with them that their eyes were opened, and  they said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was speaking to us along the road and while he was explaining the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32  EHV) It is this 'burning" temperature that Jesus wants, no requires, from those that would profess their love, loyalty and dedication to Him as their Lord and Savior. And a love like this is always followed by....

ACTION!

And the remaining Scripture in Luke  bears this out. "And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them." (Luke 24:33 NASB)

So, what is your heart's temperature....COLD; LUKEWARM OR ON FIRE FOR THE LORD?

If you are not sure, then I suggest that you look closely at your actions to determine you temperature....NOTHING to do with God...must be approaching FRIGID; LITTLE to do with God...must be LUKEWARM....CAN'T DO ENOUGH FOR GOD....YOUR HEART IS ON FIRE....SO DON'T LET THE WILES OF THE DEVIL PUT OUT THAT FLAME....JUST KEEP BURNING BRIGHTLY FOR THE LORD AND HE WILL HONOR YOU IN ALL YOU DO FOR HIM!!!

On fire for the Lord....Lighting up others as I go,

WPQ

Poem for the day...

When I was just a lad of six

Seated on my father's knee;

He told me of His Jesus

And the love He had for me.

 

He told me that my Father

Who lives in Heaven above;

Had sent His only Son to die

So that He could show His love.

 

And so I called on Jesus

To come and live in me;

So that I could tell all others

And live a life that sets me free.

 

And so the greatest joy I know;

It's my only heart's desire,

That I will live for Jesus

With a heart that burns like fire!

 

WPQ  ©  April 2024

 

 

Marvelous Monday...Jesus is ALIVE!!!

 This is a reprint from my book, THE JOURNEY OF JESUS, As Told by Those He Touched Along the Way, by W. Patrick Queen

The Road Home….

It had been three days since that horrible crucifixion. My brother, Cleopas and I had been in Jerusalem for the Passover Days; in fact, we had been part of the crowd that welcomed Jesus as we laid down our cloaks and spread palm branches before him. I still remember the shouts of “Hosanna to the King” as the welcoming throng of worshippers ushered Jesus into the Temple courts…and now, just a week later; he is dead and buried….killed as a common criminal…crucified upon a cruel cross.

We had stood along the twisting road that leads to Golgotha and watched as the soldiers beat him and spat upon him as he struggled to carry his cross. I wanted to help but my brother pulled me back into the crowd and in a moment, Jesus and the Roman guards disappeared into the angry mob that kept shouting “ Crucify him, Crucify him!”

It was now about midday as we began our trip back home. We left the East gate of the city and started the seven mile journey that would take us to Emmaus and the comforts of family and home. We had barely cleared the shadow of the city when our thoughts and speech turned to the events of the past days….Jesus, the beloved teacher, healer and prophet had been killed; his disciples seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth and only a handful of the women who followed him remained behind, brokenhearted and uncontrollable in their anguish. As we were discussing these events, we were joined by a man who asked us what matters of such great importance could have us so preoccupied. My brother looked at him in amazement and asked him if he was a visitor to Jerusalem….surely he must have heard of the tragic death of the man from Galilee name Jesus. We told him how the chief priests and the Pharisees and other religious rulers had Jesus put to death and how our hopes that this man was the redeemer of Israel had died with him….we shared with him the amazing story, told to us just hours before, of the return of the grieving women who went to the tomb to anoint his body and found it empty. They spoke of angels, arrayed in dazzling white, who told them that Jesus had risen and was alive and was going on to Galilee to meet the disciples. In fact, we ran with some of them to the tomb and although we did not go in, we saw the look of utter amazement on the faces of Peter, James and John.

And then the stranger spoke…. “How foolish you are and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken of the Christ and how he must suffer all these things and then enter his glory.” And then, as we continued our journey, he explained to us all that was written in the scriptures regarding the Christ, starting with Moses and all the Prophets….our hearts seemed to be set afire as we listened to and hung on his every word as the Scriptures seemed to come alive on the road home. Before we knew it, we had reached Emmaus and it was late in the day…the stranger was set to go on, but my brother and I insisted that he join us for a meal and spend the night. We gathered everyone at the table and as we passed the bread, the stranger took a piece and as he blessed it and gave thanks….a miracle happened….like scales falling from the eyes of a blind man….our eyes were OPENED WIDE AND WE SAW JESUS….and in a twinkling of an eye, He vanished from our sight….the Messiah had truly RISEN and we, two followers from Emmaus, had seen the risen Lord…the Savior of Israel.

We got up from the table immediately and although it was almost dark, we quickly returned to Jerusalem …it seemed that we ran all the way. When we got to the home of Simon, we rushed in and shared with the Eleven and all those present how we had seen the Lord and all the many things he had taught us that day…the day that our lives we changed on the road home.

Are you like these two men on the road to Emmaus …headed home and discussing the things that have occurred but not making an eternal connection to the events of the Resurrection? They pondered and were perplexed by the outcome of Jesus …a good man who was a healer and a prophet but somehow they missed his true identity….until on the road home he opened the word of God and introduced them to the Savior…word by word he told them about himself and how all things must be fulfilled as told by the prophets….and then, the veil was lifted from their eyes and they saw Jesus as he was and is and will always be…the Savior of mankind. Jesus has done the work….paid the debt….given His all… for us all; but you must open your eyes and see him as the brothers from Emmaus did….as the RISEN LORD. Are you blinded by the charlatans of this world and fooled by cheap imitations or are you truly searching for the Savior? If so, OPEN GOD’S WORD….THE HOLY BIBLE….and there you will meet your maker, creator and savior of mankind….JESUS.

You need to know him personally before it is time for you to take your road home …the road that leads to eternity with him or FOREVER separation from the God who loves you and gave his only Son to redeem you…I trust I’ll see you in heaven because of your relationship with Jesus ….for He is the Way, the Truth and the Light…and HE IS RISEN!

On the road home… to meet my Savior,

WPQ

Arturo …The Guard of the Tomb

 This is a reprint from my book, THE JOURNEY OF JESUS, As Told by Those He Touched  Along the Way, by W. Patrick Queen

Arturo …The Guard of the Tomb

At last this horrible crucifixion was over, so I gathered my men and began the march back to the guard’s barracks. It had been a harrowing night and day leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus…and now we all deserved some much needed rest…but alas, that was not to be.

We had barely made our way back to the Palace walls when I was summoned by Pilate. He had been petitioned by a man, a follower of Jesus by the name of Joseph, of the village of Arimathea, to have the body of Jesus released to him for a quick and hasty burial before the start of the Jewish Sabbath. So, I gathered a small detachment of my men and headed with him back to the Hill. We arrived and quickly took the body of Jesus down and wrapped him in some linen sheets for his transport to the tomb….at last we were done with this man…whoever he was….son of God or innocent dupe….he was no longer my concern…or at least that’s what I thought. We marched back to the garrison and I set the guards for the rest of our duty and then, I went to bed. I was dogged tired yet, I could not sleep. I could not get the face nor the words of this man Jesus out of my mind; “Father, forgive them” and “It is finished”….what was finished and how could a mortal man endure such pain and agony and ask that his executors be forgiven?

I finally seemed to drift into an uncomfortable and fitful sleep when I was abruptly awakened by one of my men; seems I was being summoned to Pilate’s court again. I dressed hastily and hurried to the courtyard where I was ushered into the presence of my liege. Pilate was surrounded by the same yammering mob of Pharisees that had clamored for the death of Jesus and now they wanted a Roman guarded posted to keep out his disciples…they were afraid that his disciples would steal his body within the next three days and make claims that Jesus had risen from the dead. They listed several times that they say Jesus had made such claims and somehow,  they had convinced Pilate that such a commotion would be bad for him and the keeping of the peace during the Passover days. Pilate gave me my orders and instructed me to go with 11 of my men to post a full watch over the tomb…that meant 24 hours of guarding a dead man…and for what…..to appease a group of malcontents that hated our very existence in their land….but, I had my orders.

I posted the first watch and then went over to the hillside there in the garden. I found a grassy knoll that peered across the valley of Kidron and settled in for the hours that lay ahead. I checked on the guards periodically and made sure that the tomb was secure and that the seal had not been broken. Now, all that could be done was to spend another night and the three days would have passed….and then, maybe, I would be finished with this Jesus once and for all. I set the mid-watch and fell asleep for what seemed like only minutes when, I was awakened to the violent shaking of the ground …it reminded me of that day…just days before at Calvary when the ground shook and was split open. There was a bright light and I saw standing before me, a man or some angelic being, clothed all in white. I turned away for I feared that he had come to take my life. I threw myself on the ground and felt it tremble underneath my shaking body…it was hard to tell who was shaking more; me or the ground. I dared not look up in fear that I might be blinded by such a fearsome light.

Now, I have been in many great and ferocious battles in my life…and I have been frightened many times before; but never in my life have I been this terrified of what was about to happen. Was I about to die at the hand of this man robed in white or was there some escape from this doom that was set before me? I lay perfectly still, hoping that this being might think me already dead….I kept my head still and lay motionless, afraid to look around. I could sense that my men had deserted their post and fled in terror at the first sight of this creature. I was all alone…awaiting my eventual doom….but as I lay there, still and lifeless, I heard voices ….women’s voices.

I decided to risk it all; so, I slowly rose to my feet and looked up. The great stone that my men and I had rolled into the mouth of the tomb was now rolled away…and sitting upon it was the same man of white brilliance. He spoke softly to a small band of women…the same women that had been at the foot of the cross of Jesus …I heard him say that Jesus was not there….that He had risen and was alive and was going before them and would see them in Galilee…and then he commanded them to go and tell his disciples that He had risen from the dead….and then, the man, robed in white, was gone.

I stood there motionless, as the women peered into the tomb and then rushed by me as they hurried from the garden. I inched slowly toward the tomb, the huge stone rolled over twenty feet from the mouth of the grave, and then, I walked inside. I can hardly describe what I saw next….nor my astonished reaction….the tomb was empty…except for the neatly folded linen and face napkin…Jesus was indeed…GONE!

As a soldier, I knew what this meant….I had failed my assigned duties and I would pay dearly for my dereliction of duty (and so would my men); but, as a mortal man who was in complete control of my intelligent faculties, I knew a miracle had taken place. My men and I had guarded this tomb with our lives and no one had breached our security…BUT THE TOMB WAS EMPTY…and I had seen with my own eyes, the stone rolled away and a being, not of this realm, seated upon it….and he proclaimed, in no uncertain terms that Jesus was alive…I was left with the same conclusion that I remember saying at the time of his death…..

Truly, this man was the son of God!

Today, you are faced with the same unequivocal evidence that the Roman centurion saw as he stood before the cross of Jesus and then later, as he peered into Christ’s empty tomb….Truly, this man…this Jesus so despised by the maddening throng….this man of sorrows… is the son of God.

Now, we may never know, this side of heaven, if that centurion’s declaration of Jesus as the Son of God sealed his place in God’s eternal home, but today,  you can know for yourself….if you will accept his blood shed for your remission of sin and if you will peer into that empty tomb and believe that Christ has been raised from the dead….then, Easter is your time of thanksgiving and eternal celebration….Jesus said many times, “He who has ears, let him hear.”

Are you listening today for the voice of the risen Savior....Pleading, O sinner, come home?

Declaring the Risen Lord….Savior and Friend,

 WPQ

On Golgotha's Hill ....The Old Rugged Cross

 This is an excerpt from the book, THE JOURNEY OF JESUS...As Told by Those He Touched Along the Way! by W. Patrick Queen

As Jesus hangs upon the cross, a small crowd begins to gather to see this spectacle. For some it is the culmination of their hatred for this man who claimed to be the Son of God...and now he is receiving His just dues for such blasphemy. Others have gathered to tell this Man of Sorrow how much He is loved. And hanging on either side are two men, criminals receiving their payment for their deeds done against the Roman empire. One jeers but one calls on Jesus and he is.....

Reuben ….Rebel of Conviction
I have been dreading this day and yet, knowing that it was inevitable, it gave me a sense of strength and purpose. Killing that Roman guard after what he did to my mother and my sister…well, he got what he deserved…and now, according to Roman law, I will get what I deserve. But, this man, Jesus? I can’t believe that he is hanging next to me? What crime are they punishing him for….healing the sick, making the lame to walk or the blind to see? My death; I get it! And I would do it all over again to avenge my mother and sister. But why Jesus? I heard their accusations; watched as Pilate had him beaten beyond recognition, then washed his hands of this whole fiasco. And these religious hypocrites clamoring for him to be crucified…they should be the ones hanging next to me, not Jesus. Even now, they scoff at him and beg the soldiers to take down the sign hung there by orders from Pilate…”Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews.” The soldiers have stripped him naked and cast lots for his purple robe and yet, I heard him say, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

Who is this man that even on this cruel cross he pleads for those that would kill him? And you….you vile serpent ….you are getting just what you deserve…a sentence to death and damnation….do not mock this man. For He is innocent and does not deserve the same fate as you and I. Would you mock God and fear Him not? Leave him alone and let him die without the haunting screech of a condemned man ringing in his ears….but King Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom and do not count my sins against me. And then He did the unthinkable; he raised himself upon the nails; looked at me with his loving eyes and said, “It will be so. Today, you will be with me in paradise.”

By now, it was near noon and I was beginning to lose some of my strength and my will to live was beginning to falter. The sky began to darken and it became like night…the sun seemed blotted from the sky. The women at the foot of Jesus’ cross kept reaching up to touch Him as they held onto each other, sobbing and calling out for God to save His Son. Then, as the darkness seemed to deepen, Jesus called out in a voice that shook the heavens above and made the foundations of the earth quake. He cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” The sky grew darker still and the heavens opened up with torrential rain. The rocks seemed to split open as the whole earth shook. Then, with all the strength He had left He shouted once more, “Father, It is finished! Into your hands I commit my spirit.”

And in that last breath, He was gone. I heard the centurion who had stood guard at His feet, turn and tell all those who were still there, “Surely this man was the Son of God.” Then I turned and looked away…. for I, a guilty, sinful man, was not worthy to gaze upon the Son of God.

Maybe, today as you read this confession of the criminal that hung beside Jesus there on Golgotha's hill, you know that like him, YOU ARE GUILTY OF CRIMES AGAINST A HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS GOD...and God Almighty says that such crimes are punishable by death, utter destruction and an eternity spent forever in a place called HELL. But praise be to our Heavenly Father that loved us so much that He drove the nails in His own Son's hands and feet so that His sacrifice on the cross would pay our debt and set us free to once again become the sons and daughters of the living God...and that is the story of Easter and the crucifixion ...JESUS DIED FOR YOU AND ME SO THAT WE MIGHT BECOME HOLY AND ACCEPTABLE TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER THROUGH WHAT HE ENDURED ON THE CROSS...but there is more to the rest of this story.

Blessed to be a child of the King...living in the Resurrected Glory of the Son,
WPQ

Come back this weekend and hear the glorious story of the Resurrection of King Jesus!!!

At the Foot of the Cross

The road known as the Via Dolorosa now looms imminent for Jesus. The Roman guards have beaten Him, spat upon Him, slapping Him in the face as they mocked Him; adorned Him with a crown of thorns and a purple robe. It is now 9 A.M. and Jesus has been nailed to the cross. The Romans did not invent the cross, but they made it the most excruciating and painful way to die ever invented in the history of mankind. The crucifixion took place on Golgotha's Hill, just outside the city, so all who passed by one the way into the city had to view this horrible scene. And there at the foot of the cross was....

Mary…..The Mother of Woe

I stand here at the foot of this hill to see my son, my firstborn hanging on this cruel cross and my heart is torn from my body. It only seems like days ago that I birthed him on that blessed evening, the cattle lowing in the background as I laid him in that manger. I knew he was Heaven’s child as I held him in my arms and sang a mother’s lullaby. Oh, how my heart leapt for joy as Joseph and I stood over our son and prayed for God’s blessing and faithfulness. As I nursed and nurtured him, he grew into a strong and well-mannered child. I still remember the visit from the Magi with their precious gifts, our trips to the synagogue for his Bar Mitzvah and the Passover sacrifices. I remember the panic I felt when we could not find him for three days …and the look of peace and serenity on his face when he told us that he must be about His Father’s business. Though puzzled by his remark, I was so happy to have my precious Jesus in my arms again that I even failed to scold him. Even now, as he labors to breathe, his thoughts and concerns are for me…to give me to his beloved friend, John, so that I may be cared for in the days that are left for me. He told me, so many times, that this day would come…a day when sinful, deceitful men would triumph and he would give his life as a ransom for many….and for me….my Jesus….my son….my Messiah. (An excerpt from THE JOURNEY OF JESUS...As Told by Those He Touched Along the Way by W. Patrick Queen)

Please be sure to read the post that follows as we meet the criminals that were crucified with Jesus...one on the right and one on the left.....and Christ was the man in the middle.

Pilate…Clean Hands, Cold Heart.

The following is an excerpt from a book by W. Patrick Queen, entitled,  

THE JOURNEY OF JESUS...As Told by Those He  Touched Along the Way!

Pilate…Clean Hands, Cold Heart.

I hate this desolate, barren land. It is worse than a boil on the backside of their wretched camels. Why would I, a captain of Caesars’ very own Elite Guard, end up in a place like this? What could I have possibly done to displease him that would merit such punishment? Governor of this region is certainly not what I was hoping to have as my reward for my last great victory. Surely, my time here will be short and my interactions with these Jews will soon be over.

And yet, here they are again….these weak, insignificant peasants; religious pontificators whining about some homeless prophet that they can’t control. It’s barely daylight and already they would summon me from my slumber to decide the punishment for this Jesus. I should have them all dragged into the palace and made to bow at my feet…it is of no consequence to me that they would be unfit for their Passover feast. But, let’s get this over with so I can get back to more important matters.

I went out to them, into the courtyard and listened as they brought witness after witness to regale how this Jesus had excited the crowds to follow him; had turned out the moneychangers and the livestock from their beloved temple…so I told them to take him and judge him by their puny Jewish laws. They refused since for them it was unlawful to crucify anyone. I found no fault in him; but better to let the local ruler have this on him than me …so I sent him to Herod….and in only a matter of hours, Jesus was standing in front of me again.

So I asked him, “Tell me, are you the King of the Jews?” ...and his answer puzzled me; “Are you asking this of your own accord or have others told you about me?” I told him that I was not a Jew and it didn’t matter to me…. That it was his own nation and High Priest that had brought him to me and that I had the power to have him killed or let him go. He told me that His kingdom was not of this world and when I questioned him about this, he told me that he was here to testify to the truth…whatever that meant, I really wasn’t sure. So, I sought to return him to the Jews for I found no legal grounds on which to condemn him….but they shouted me down and called out to release the rebel, Barabbas, according to the custom of the Passover to release one criminal from bondage.

I sent Jesus away and had the captain of the battalion beat and flog him…they placed a crown of thorns on his head and wrapped a purple cloth around him, all the while mocking him, punching him and asking, “if you are a prophet, tell us who hit you.” I then brought him back before the assembly of the Jewish leaders and the ever-growing crowd and told them once again that I could find no grounds to merit a conviction. 

He stood before them, wearing that purple robe and his kingly crown of thorns and I said, “Behold, here is the man!” I was really not prepared for this angry mob as they screamed out … “CRUCIFY HIM, CRUCIFY HIM!” I silenced them and told them to take him away and kill him according to their laws for I found nothing in this man that deserved his death by crucifixion ….but they would not be silenced.

What happened next gave me great pause for concern…they told me that he must die according to their rabbinical law…for he had proclaimed himself to be Son of God. Now, I am a god-fearing man that worships many Gods and I was not willing to take the chance that this man might actually be the son of one of them, so I brought him back into the inner chamber and asked him once again, “Where are you from? Who are you? Are you the Son of God?”…but, he just stood before me and offered nothing in his defense. I reminded him that it was within my powers to release him or to have him crucified, yet he told me that I had no authority over him had it not been given to me from above.

 This was not an ordinary man and I did all within my powers to release him…I truly desired to let him go with the beating that he had endured and a strong reprimand not to appear before me again. I took him back to the courtyard with every intention to silence the Jews and to let Jesus go, but they cried out even louder that if I did such a thing, I was no friend of Caesar. I could not let this anarchy go on any longer, for word might return to Rome that I was unable to control these weak-minded Jews…so I presented them with the King, yet they shouted even more, “Away with him. We have no King but Caesar. Crucify Jesus!”

So, I did what expedient. I called for a basin of water, and there before this angry mob and the gods of Rome, I washed my hands of his innocent blood…then, I gave Jesus over to them so that he should be crucified.

It had to be done. I had no choice. I had sworn an oath to Rome and to Caesar to protect this horrible land and to keep the peace. If I failed to give this mob what they wanted, many would probably die trying to restore order and I would be held responsible for their deaths…but my conscience was clear; I had tried to release Jesus …I had done all that I could to let him go, but my duty to Rome came first. After all, I am a soldier and soldiers follow orders no matter how unpleasant they might be. I did all that was possible that day…his death was not my fault!

Today, is that what you have been telling yourself….that Jesus’ death was NOT YOUR FAULT? It was not your decision to send Him to his death… to have Him bludgeoned to within an inch of his life, nailed to a rugged tree and hung between two thieves. Have you tried to wash his innocent blood from your hands and declare that you, too, have a clear conscience?

If so, you have missed the meaning of the cross….Christ may have chosen the nails, but it was your sins that swung the hammer…you and I were the ones that drove those spikes deep into the flesh of Jesus. God requires that we come to Him, holy and acceptable; Jesus accomplished that for us by giving himself as a blood sacrifice on the cross. Now, we must accept our part in His death….it was our sin that put Him there;  it is our pride that keeps us from accepting the fact that WE NEED A SAVIOR!!!!

Don’t let pride keep you from knowing Jesus and accepting what He accomplished for you on Calvary…He is just a heartbeat away ….and so is eternity without Him!

Sorrow-filled for my part  … forgiven and forever His,

WPQ

 

 

 

 

 

The Torture of the Cross...Part Two

NOW, THE REST OF THE STORY….as Dr. Alexander Metherell continues,

 Once a person is hanging on the cross in the vertical position, crucifixion is an agonizing slow death by asphyxiation. The stresses that are placed on the muscles and the diaphragm in the inhaled position are acute; one, literally, must push up on his feet so the tension in the muscles is eased for a moment, allowing him to exhale. Each rise and fall upon the nail causes the flesh to tear in the foot until it eventually locks against the tarsal bone. Each breath was labored and exhaustive as Christ would scrape his bloodied back against the rough, coarse wood of the cross. As his breathing slowed, a medical condition known as respiratory acidosis occurs…carbon dioxide in the blood is dissolved as carbonic acid which causes an irregular heartbeat. This faint, but irregular heartbeat, would have been known by Jesus and He would have known the very minute of his death before he uttered, “Lord, into Thy Hands I commit my Spirit.” Death would have been sure, but not to a Roman guard. So, upon examination, the soldier took a spear and thrust it in his side, between his ribs, through his lung and into his heart.

A spear thrust into the heart of God….because of me.

All that has been described is because of ME....MY SIN…..MY SHAME...MY FAILURES….MY PLACE.

That cross was meant for me …and you. Each labored breath, as Christ rose upon that nail, bearing the weight of the sin of the world on his shoulders was placed their because of YOUR SIN AND MINE. He did not have to die; rather He chose to take my place. At any moment, he could have spoken just one word….COME, and the entire heavenly host would have left the glories of heaven in a mass assault against the darkness and evil of that crucifixion. But, he did not cry out for the angels. NO! He would rather have endured the torture and the shame of that cross than have to spend eternity without you and me. He spoke but one phrase that resounded throughout the heavenly realm…..IT IS FINISHED....and with that last breath, He glorified the Father and brought us into right standing with God because HE CHOSE THE NAILS!

He gave His life to pay a debt He did not owe, for sins He did not commit. And now the torture, the pain, the suffering of the Crucifixion matters not at all …if you and I fail to accept what Christ did to claim us as His own. Do you belong to Him or was His death wasted? Was the pain of this horrific event just a bad story in the history of the world or does it have a personal significance to you? Do you know my Jesus of the Cross or is His life and death of little importance in the greater scheme of your life?

The work has been done…it is finished….and the Christ of Calvary is RISEN.

Is He Alive in You Today?…..if not, let’s talk …the sooner, the better 

Blessed ….Because of the Cross, Saved Because He Loved Us That Much!

 

WPQ

The Torture of the Cross Part One

 The following is a reprint of  a former post....and on the celebration that follows at the end of this week, it is important to understand the great cost of our jubilation that comes at Easter.

I just finished reading Lee Strobel’s book, The Case for Christ…a legal journalist’s personal investigation of the evidence for Jesus. I read it all with a great hunger to see how he would treat the historical and empirical evidence regarding Christ. It is a compelling read, a must for every believer….not to bring you to faith, but to give greater clarity to what you already believe.

One chapter really tore me up….it dealt with the medical evidence regarding the torture and crucifixion of my Lord. I was NOT prepared for the insight of this chapter and the vivid picture that was indelibly imprinted in my heart and soul. The expert, Dr. Alexander Metherell, shared the weight of his medical and scientific credentials to set aside any thought that somehow the crucifixion of Christ was a staged event…that He swooned upon the cross, was pronounced dead and then was revived after he was taken down from the cross and put in a cool tomb.

As I read the following, I came to the stark realization of what Christ endured upon the cross so that I might be saved…

The torture before the cross is enough to kill most men, thirty-nine lashes or more depending on the mood of the soldier. The beating began at the shoulders, down the back, the buttocks and the legs; each lash with this braided leather thong embedded with metal balls and chards of bone literally ripping the flesh away, exposing bones, muscles, veins and often vital organs. The prisoner enters hypovolemic shock often fainting and dying from massive blood loss. Christ, already at the point of exhaustion and collapse, was in serious to critical condition, but he did not succumb to death (we have the written text regarding the Crucifixion). The soldiers would have laid Christ on a horizontal beam and nailed a 5-7 inch spike into each wrist just below the palm…to have nailed it into his palm would have been futile… his weight would have torn the skin and he would fallen from the cross. The Romans knew the nature of this business all too well.

The pain from this action would have been UNBEARABLE. Imagine, if you can, that feeling of pain that you get when you hit the ulna nerve (your funny bone). It’s extremely painful when you bang your elbow, even if only a glancing blow. What if someone could grab that nerve with a pair of pliers and squeeze and twist without letting go…the effect would be similar to what Jesus endured. In fact, the pain was so unbearable that there was literally no word to describe it; they had to invent a new word…. EXCRUCIATING, meaning, “Out of the Cross”. 

Think on that for just a moment if you can…the pain that Christ endured on the cross for you and for me was so unbearable, so life-devastating, so beyond words….that they had to create a word that would somehow capture the intense anguish and pain caused during the crucifixion….

THEN….Jesus was hoisted on the crossbar to be attached to the vertical stake having his feet nailed in the same manner, crushing and impaling the nerves in his feet. The weight of his body would have immediately pulled and stretched his arms, probably six inches in length and would have dislocated his shoulders…now death by asphyxiation had begun….

Tomorrow, we’ll examine the rest of the story… and how it impacts you and me.

Blessed by the Savior,

WPQ

REMEMBERING A SAD DAY...

 This is a reprint of a blog entitled, TODAY IS A SAD DAY,  written a little over two years ago; however, in the heat of our political and social climate of today...I BELIEVE THAT IT BEARS REPEATING OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN UNITL IT SINKS INTO THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF ALL AMERICANS WHO LOVE THIS GREAT COUNTRY. TAKE YOUR STAND FOR RIGHTEOUS AND LAY DOWN THOSE STONE...the following will clarify, so read on!

Today is a very sad day for me and I believe, a sad day for America. I watched the mixed reaction and news coverage from the many so-called news outlets as they reported the death of a man that I believe was a true American icon....Rush Hudson Limbaugh.

Now, let me temper my remarks regarding my admiration for Mr. Limbaugh since I was never a diehard follower of his radio talk show. In fact, in his 30 plus years of voicing his opinion over our radio airways, I probably listened to his show less than 20 hours...TOTAL. But in listening to him, I was always overcome with admiration for his love for our country; his willingness to debate with his callers the pros and cons of both his and their opinions of the state of our country, our political leadership (and their flaws) and other timely topics that indeed made for good, if not great, talk radio. What bothered me last night was the way the left-leaning media bashed the man and his legacy and had the audacity to label him a malfeasant...all the while holding up to the "noble" life of the recently deceased porn purveyor, Larry Flynt; the publisher of Hustler magazine and his pornographic empire.

Now, I never agreed with Rush Limbaugh on everything, and sometimes, I agreed with him not at all; BUT I ALWAYS AGREED WITH HIS RIGHT TO SHARE HIS OPINION AND LET THOSE OF US ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RADIO SPEAKER MAKE UP OUR MINDS AND FORM OUR OWN CONCLUSIONS...and for me that is enough of a reason to mourn his death.

I also believe that Rush Limbaugh had a GREAT BIG HEART and used that caring spirit to spread much joy and love to others as he shared his fortune with charities, endowments and other means of giving to those in need. I believe, as he did, that he had talent that was on loan from HIS CREATOR and that he always sought to find a way to share his talent, thoughts and time with others. I believe that he sought to use his platform, and his ever-growing audience, to instill in his listeners how we might come together in unity to redeem this great nation so that we might return to our roots of faith in our Creator...and in so doing, we might begin to live together in harmony as we continue our search for LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS...those inalienable rights guaranteed to us by the hands of our founding fathers in our Constitution.

Was Rush Limbaugh a perfect man? I think that answer would be an emphatic NO! But as Christ said to those men, standing around the harlot, with huge stones in their hands, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:7b-11

I think that is the message behind this blog today...we can look at the life of Rush Limbaugh; pick up the big stones, ready to hurl them at this man with whom we may disagree... and possibly even have chosen to hate with a vitriol which seems to be more commonplace in our nation with the passing of each new day...or we can do as our Lord and Savior has commanded us to do; “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 'But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,  that you may be sons of your Father in heaven;" Matthew 5:43-45a (bold, my emphasis)

So I say in closing, it does not matter if Rush Limbaugh was in your 'Living Life Large Hall of Fame' or in the 'Despicable Wing of Whackos'...he was a man, created by a loving, heavenly Father, who sought to use his talents to make a difference in this world...and whether you agree with him, his politics or anything else associated with him, let those who will miss him mourn in peace; pray for them in their sorrow and remember your day to depart this world could happen at any moment...So, act the way you want others to act when they hear that you are dead and gone...so that you may be counted as a son or daughter of your Father in heaven.

Laying down the stones....Walking away in Love,

WPQ

 

 A PILE OF ROCKS

There is coming a day,

When each of us will know...

That the angel of death has come

And 'tis time for us to go.

But what will be our departing cry

As we leave this mortal life?

Will we celebrate the good we've done

Or revel in the misery and strife?

And what about the ones we loved;

What will their praises be?

Will their eyes fill with many tears,

Expressing sorrow or frivolity?

So live each day as if it were the one

When God's trumpet calls for you...

You've spent your time loving others;

Doing what He'd have you do...

 So when the casket lid is closed;

Silence will be the deafening tone...

And a pile of rocks will be left behind

Because everyone dropped their stone!!!

 

W. Patrick Queen  ©  February 2021

Preparing for Easter...ASH WEDNESDAY

Tomorrow is the start of the season of Lent and many Christians around the world will wear ashes, in the form of a cross, on their forehead. This display on Ash Wednesday is important because it marks the start of the Lenten period leading up to Easter, the time when Christians celebrate the resurrected Jesus...the Son of God who gave his life to save all mankind from their sins. For those who have put their faith and trust in His redeeming act of selfless love, these ashes symbolize both death and repentance. During this period, Christians show repentance and mourning for their sins, because they believe Christ died for them.

It is during this season of Lent that we should all be reminded of the most quoted verse in the Bible, John 3:16, which reads, FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. It is not only the most quoted verse in the Bible, but I would surmise the one that is most memorized.

But do we really understand the truth of this wonderful, all-encompassing statement of God's LOVE...for our salvation is not based on our good works or something earned, but totally dependent on the grace of God in these four insightful truths. This verse reveals the gospel in four dynamic statements that are found in the four "c's"

SALVATION'S CAUSE...FOR GOD SO LOVE THE WORLD

SALVATION'S COST...THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON

SALAVATION'S CONDITION...THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM

SALVATIONS' CONSEQUENCE...SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING

LIFE

I have been studying a new devotional book entitled, THE JOSHUA CODE, by Dr. O.S. Hawkins and the above was presented in a way that I had never completely gleaned from this wonderful Scripture. I know, without a shadow of doubt, that God's ways are PERFECT and that His plan for mankind's salvation is foolproof....but many of the people I know and love do not share that point of view. Perhaps you have loved ones, friends and family members that are liken to this same mindset and are still trying to "workout" or "earn" their way into God's perfect Heaven. They just cannot believe that ALL the work has been done. They find it too hard to accept their sinful nature, ask for God's bountiful grace and accept the forgiveness that comes from believing that Jesus died to set them free from their sin.....and in so doing, they will one day live in eternity with GOD, the Father; JESUS, the SON and the HOLY SPIRIT that will dwell within them until they leave this world.

Dr. Hawkins shared this unknown, yet wise old sage's dramatic explanation of John 3:16...

FOR GOD...the greatest lover

SO LOVED....the greatest degree

THE WORLD....the greatest company

THAT HE GAVE...the greatest act

HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON...the greatest gift

THAT WHOEVER...the greatest opportunity

BELIEVES....the greatest simplicity

IN HIM...the greatest attraction

SHOULD NOT PERISH...the greatest promise

BUT...the greatest difference

HAVE...the greatest certainty

EVERLASTING LIFE....the greatest possession 

So, my friends, as we enter into this holy season of Lent; when we take into account our miserable state of affairs as sinners, hopelessly and forever separated from our Creator by our great chasm of sin...Let us look to our Heavenly Father and truly take to heart the love that God has written in His Book, the HOLY BIBLE. For in this short, but life-changing verse God tells us of HIS UNENDIING LOVE, HIS UNYIELDING PURSUIT AND HIS UNWAVERING PROMISE OF HOPE if we will do but one simple thing....REPENT, ACCEPT AND BELIEVE that He has done all that needs to be done....the GIFT is ours when we accept and OPEN our hearts to His forever love.

IT IS MY PRAYER THAT YOU WILL MEET AND COME TO KNOW YOUR CREATOR, LORD AND SAVIOR.... AND THE GREAT LOVE HE HAS FOR YOU THIS EASTER SEASON....Need help in making that connection, reach out to me at wpq815@gmail.com

PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE IN YOUR LIFE....HERE TO LEND A HAND,

WPQ