Shalom,


Psalm 102 begins with the psalmist lamenting over his sufferings. We don't know exactly why he or she was suffering. It could be because of their own sin or the sin of the nation. It could also be undeserved suffering because of their stand for God and His Word. Regardless of the reason for the suffering, verse 12 declares the glory of God!


12 But You, O LORD, are enthroned forever; and the fame of Your Name endures to all generations.


No matter WHAT you may be going through, KEEP GOING until you are through it in victory! God is still God, no matter what you may be facing! Verses 25-28:


25 At the beginning You existed and laid the foundations of the earth the heavens are the work of Your hands. 26 They shall perish, but You shall remain and endure; yes, all of them shall wear out and become old like a garment. Like clothing You shall change them, and they shall be changed and pass away. 27 But you remain the same, and Your years shall have no end. 28 The children of your servants shall dwell safely and continue, and their descendants shall be established.


Now THAT is some of the best news you could have! God never changes and His Word never changes! You can count on that! AMEN!


Luke 23 covers the trial and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. I copied this from the Bible Exposition Commentary:



The trial and death of Jesus Christ revealed both the wicked heart of man and the gracious heart of God. When men were doing their worst, God was giving His best. "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Rom 5:20). Jesus was not crucified because evil men decided to get Him out of the way. His crucifixion was "by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God" (Acts 2:23), an appointment made from eternity (1 Peter 1:20; Rev 13:8).

During this time Luke records some encounters that Jesus had with others. The list:

• Pilate - who declared Jesus innocent, but still condemned Him to death.
• Herod - who did not find Jesus guilty either, but returned Him to Pilate.
• Simon - who carried the cross for Jesus, sharing in His humility and coming to know Him!
• The women of Jerusalem - they cared for Him and He cared for them! (Note - there was never recorded a woman who was an enemy of Jesus!)
• The thieves crucified with Jesus - one repented, the other did  not.
• The Father - Jesus was on a mission to save the world and He DID IT!

Every person involved had a part to play! I have heard so many arguments about who was actually responsible for putting Jesus to death. They are ALL wrong! It wasn't the Jews or the Romans or any other "group". It was ME! And YOU! He died of His own free will so that we could be free from the wages, or price, of our sin nature! He was raised from the dead so that we could be, too! If you have received Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour, REJOICE!!! If you haven't, is there any reason you can't do so right now? Click on the link for the Spoken Word Church at the left and find out how! Then let us know about your decision so that we can get you in contact with people in your area to fellowship with! That is vital for your spiritual growth!

In Jeremiah 9 we see that the people Jeremiah was sent to preach to were relying on the Covenant that they had with God, but not wanting to serve and obey the God OF that Covenant! They were expecting the outward signs of the Covenant (circumcision being one) to work for them! That's what religion does! We see that same thing happening in our day when people think they are a Christian because they were born in the USA or because they go to church. I have heard this, "Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than sitting in the garage will make you a car"! Stop relying on ANYTHING except the Word of God that says you must be born again! Jeremiah 9:23-24:

23 Thus says the LORD: Let  not the wise and skillful person glory and boast in his wisdom and skill; let not the mighty and powerful person glory and boast in his strength and power; let not the person who is rich [in physical gratification and earthly wealth] glory and boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] riches; 24 But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character], that I am the LORD, Who practices loving-kindness, judgement, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the LORD. 25 Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will punish all  who though circumcised [outwardly, in the flesh] are still uncircumcised [in corresponding inward purity].

Don't trust in the outward show of "religion", but KNOW that you are His because you have believed in your heart that Jesus died on the cross for you and rose again from the dead, AND have accepted and received Him as YOUR Lord and personal Saviour! THAT is the only way! Jesus said so! (John 14:6)

Shalom in Him!