Tag Archives: Gospel of Matthew

Assurance - Promise, Christian Living, Forgiveness, KWT Paraphrasing, Repentance, Salvation

Hear Me

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Matthew 7: King James Version (KJV)
7 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
via Matthew 7:1-3 KJV – Judge not, that ye be not judged. For – Bible Gateway.

I participated, mostly as a reader, in a Facebook conversation today (Thursday). It is that conversation that prompts me to present this verse to you for this fine Friday morning.

For sure, for sure I smell the hot breath of hell every time today’s cultural interpretation of this verse is thrown as a trump card on the conversation table. Hear me! Such usage of this verse is nothing more than a ploy from the abyss aimed to silence those who know the truth about sin, hell, and eternal life.

Great day in the morning! as my Tennessee family has said.  READ the BIBLE! All of it! In CONTEXT! The WHOLE COUNSEL of GOD warns me that I better tell folks that JUDGMENT has come already upon them if they have NOT believed the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST. 

16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 “He that believeth in Him is not condemned; but He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
via John 3 KJ21 – There was a man of the Pharisees named – Bible Gateway.

Hear me! I am NOT judging them. I am telling them what GOD has already judged.  This I know, any honest soul seeking GOD will be GLAD to hear that they can be forgiven and their sins can be removed from them and placed on the LORD JESUS CHRIST giving them LIFE ETERNAL! What kind of selfish, ungrateful, unloving, unkind, poor excuse for a Christian would I be if I kept quiet and did not share this glorious Gospel at every opportunity?

A quick study of the word Judge in the Greek language as it was first written in our referenced verse can be found HERE. In summary, I understand this word to mean that for me to put a soul asunder from me, to determine, resolve and decree on my own accord apart from what GOD has revealed in His Word that, that soul is worthy of condemnation and banishment from GOD, ineligible for GOD’s forgiveness upon that person’s repentance, would put me in grave danger myself – worthy of GOD’s judgment upon me. 

Are you judging when you say a soul that leaves this world without having exchanged his sin for the Righteousness of JESUS will spend eternity in hell? How could you be? That is what GOD has already said. You are only delivering the Message GOD has commanded all His children to tell.

Are you judging when you say a person engaging in sexual intercourse with a person to whom they are not married is committing sin?  Let me emphatically say to you: No, you are not! GOD has already judged that behavior as sin. Who are we to disagree with Him? 

And sin does not stop with immoral sexual behavior. There’s lying, stealing, murder, gossiping, coveting, bearing false witness, dishonoring your parents, and on and on the list goes — All these behaviors GOD has already decreed to be sin.  We are foolish indeed to disagree with Him.

But a word of caution. A strong caution. To point out the sins of another while we ourselves are failing to obey the Greatest commandments makes us the greatest of hypocrites.

Matthew 22:37-39 King James Version (KJV)
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
via Matthew 22:37-39 KJV – Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love – Bible Gateway.

We have the God-given Right to do right in this wrong World,

ABBA, this is a sobering message and an encouraging one. One to empower us to speak the truth in love; one to give us boldness to love people enough to tell them the truth. I pray that every dear one who comes to this page to read and pray we will be so emboldened with Your Love, mercy, and truth. That we will gladly be instruments in Your hands to rescue others from the danger of hell.  And, ABBA, we come with our sick and afflicted and ask that You heal them. And please rescue and save our wayward ones in JESUS name. And, ABBA, thank You for this great day of National Prayer that we have experienced today, and, ABBA, thank You for watching over Israel and I pray for Peace for them. Amen and         . 

Celebrations, Passion Week

Resurrection Sunday!

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Some time before dawn the stone was rolled away! Not so JESUS could get out but so we could see that He had!!

Matthew 28:2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.
via Matthew 28:2 NASB – And behold, a severe earthquake had – Bible Gateway.

And so the Women who loved Him so much went to the tomb while it was still dark.  Would anything  but a powerful love send a woman to a cemetery in the dark? 

John 20:1 New American Standard Bible (NASB) The Empty Tomb
1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene *came early to the tomb, while it *was still dark, and *saw the stone already taken away from the tomb.
via John 20:1 NASB – The Empty Tomb – Now on the first day – Bible Gateway.

See Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-8; John 20:1 for the details of the women’s visit to the tomb.

See Luke 24:9-12; John 20:2-10 as Mary Magdalene reported to the Disciples that JESUS’ body was missing from the tomb. Peter and John immediately ran to the tomb to see for themselves. 

There were a lot of going(s) to the tomb that Resurrection Morning and it was Mary who was first privileged to encounter JESUS after His resurrection.

Mark 16:9-11 specifically identified this Mary but it is John’s account in Chapter 20 that is my favored account. It’s the one I identify well with.

John 20:11-18 New Century Version (NCV)
11 But Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she bent down and looked inside the tomb.
12 She saw two angels dressed in white, sitting where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and one at the feet.
13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
She answered, “They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have put him.”
14 When Mary said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus.
15 Jesus asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Whom are you looking for?”Thinking he was the gardener, she said to him, “Did you take him away, sir? Tell me where you put him, and I will get him.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”Mary turned toward Jesus and said in the Hebrew language, “Rabboni.” (This means “Teacher.”)
17 Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold on to me, because I have not yet gone up to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going back to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”
18 Mary Magdalene went and said to the followers, “I saw the Lord!” And she told them what Jesus had said to her.
via John 20:11-18 NCV – But Mary stood outside the tomb, – Bible Gateway.

As surely as Mary heard JESUS speak her name, I have heard Him speak mine.  To be sure Mary heard His audible voice with physical ears and I have not (yet). But just as assuredly the ears of my heart heard Him call, ‘Kathie’, and I answered! There have been many great days in my life but no day (so far) compares to that one!But there is a day coming that will far exceed that lovely day in November 1975! Verily, verily without this Resurrection Sunday we are remembering today there would be no great days for any of us.

JESUS also appeared to the other women: Matthew 28:9-10.  And to the two men on the Emmaus Road: Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-32. And in the evening, He ‘popped in’ on the Disciples :) : Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-43; John 20:25. And for 40 days JESUS at various times and places met with His disciples teaching and preparing them for His Ascension to Heaven and His Commission to them and us to carry on His work: Acts 1:3; Matthew 28:19-20.

Many passages, many happenings we have read this week, ABBA, every Word true and faithful. Thank You, LORD. Thank You, LORD, for Your mercy, Your grace and patience as You wait for souls to believe. Thank You, HOLY SPIRIT, that we are not left on our own to believe; that You call us, help us and empower us to believe You. Thank You. For without You we surely never would.  You know I am thinking particularly of one near and dear to me, You know the diagnosis, it scares us and we cling to You for peace and ask You to heal her. And there are others, many others with illness and diseases; and as scary and hard and life altering as these things are You defeated death and hell so we proclaim what our brother Paul said, “we are afflicted, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; struck down, but not destroyed by these things; we trust You and we desire first and foremost that You be glorified in us. HOLY SPIRIT, pour out upon us as we gather to worship, anoint Your Messengers in worship centers and Sunday School classrooms, exalt JESUS and draw men, women, boys and girls to worship HIM. Amen and . . .   .

We have the God-given Right to do right in this wrong World,
Praying (PFT)!

Passion Week

Day 6

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Passion Week

With the daylight the dark trials continued

3rd Religious Trial

Luke 22:66-71 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Jesus before the Sanhedrin
66 When it was day, the Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their council chamber, saying,
67 “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe;
68 and if I ask a question, you will not answer.
69 But from now on THE SON OF MAN WILL BE SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND of the power OF GOD.”
70 And they all said, “Are You the Son of God, then?” And He said to them, “Yes, I am.”
71 Then they said, “What further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.”
via Matthew 27:1-2;Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71 NASB – Judas’s Remorse – Now when morning – Bible Gateway.

Matthew 27:1-2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
1 Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death;
2 and they bound Him, and led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate the governor.
via Matthew 27:1-2;Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71 NASB – Judas’s Remorse – Now when morning – Bible Gateway.

Mark 15:1 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
1 Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole Council, immediately held a consultation; and binding Jesus, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate.
via Matthew 27:1-2;Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71 NASB – Judas’s Remorse – Now when morning – Bible Gateway.

Judas’ remorse and Suicide
see Matthew 27:3-10; Acts 1:18-19

1st Civil Trial – 6:00 AM before Pilate
see Matthew 27:11-14; Mark 15:2-5; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-38
and when you read Luke’s account note how they twist and lie about what JESUS said regarding tribute to Caesar (taxes). Also note that Pilate ignored the tax issue and went straight to asking Him if He was a KING?

2nd Civil Trial
see Luke 23:6-12
Pilate perceived that JESUS was a Galilean which placed Him in Herod’s jurisdiction; he (Pilate) was glad to pass Him off to Herod and Herod was very glad to have JESUS appear before him. Herod had been wanting to see JESUS for some time. He wanted JESUS to perform a sign or two for him.

3rd Civil Trial
see Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-40
Verse 18 of Matthew 27 is of interest: Pilate knew the people handed JESUS over because of envy.  And the people shouted for Barabbas to be released and JESUS to be crucified.

Conclusion of trial – mocking and final condemnation
see Matthew 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-19; John 19:1-16
And he handed Him over to be crucified.

JESUS’ walk to Golgotha
see Matthew 27:32-34; Mark 15:20-23; Luke 23:26-32; John 19:17
Luke gives us the most details of the walk and John? John said only this:

John 19:17 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
17 They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.
via Matthew 27:32-34; Mark 15:20-23; Luke 23:26-32; John 19:17 NASB – As they were coming out, they found a – Bible Gateway.

And yet John did not leave HIS side; he was there at Golgotha with JESUS. John was there when JESUS died.

First 3 hours on the cross — 9:00 AM to NOON
see Matthew 27:35-44; Mark 15:24-32; Luke 23:33-43; John 19:18-27
Here they mocked Him more, they divided His garments, they cast lots for His robe and He prayed Father forgive them for they know not what they do and He made provisions with John for His mother.
Any soul that does not love this JESUS, does not KNOW this JESUS!

“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

via Matthew 27:35-44; Mark 15:24-32; Luke 23:33-43; John 19:18-27 NASB – And when they had crucified Him, they – Bible Gateway.

Second 3 hours on the cross – Noon to 3:00 PM
see Matthew 27:45-50; Mark 15:33-37; Luke 23:44-46; John 19:28-37

34 At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” which is translated, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”

via Matthew 27:45-50; Mark 15:33-37; Luke 23:44-46; John 19:28-37 NASB – Now from the sixth hour darkness fell – Bible Gateway.

And it was at that point the full weight of my sin and your sin was upon HIM.

2 Corinthians 5:21 21st Century King James Version (KJ21)
21For He hath made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
via 2 cor 5:21 KJ21 – For He hath made Him who knew no sin to – Bible Gateway.

And to this I must ask of any soul still rejecting HIM: Seeing this, do you persistent in your rejection of HIM; and, if so, do you not see your rejection of His Sacrifice for you does indeed make you worthy of eternal hell?

Phenomenal Happenings
see Matthew 27:51-56; Mark 15:38-41; Luke 23:47-49
The veil in the Temple was torn from TOP to Bottom

39 When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
via Matthew 27:51-56; Mark 15:38-41; Luke 23:47-49 NASB – And behold, the veil of the temple was – Bible Gateway.

Tombs opened and bodies came forth after JESUS Resurrection – you know what that means don’t you?

Burial of the Body of JESUS
see Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42

And the day closes on devastated people, particularly a Momma BUT Sunday’s  a coming!!

And, ABBA, all our hopes, all our faith, all our assurances hang upon JESUS’ Resurrection and we are sure, as sure as those who saw with their physical eyes because, HOLY SPIRIT, You have given sight to the eyes of our hearts and we KNOW. We know for sure He’s Alive. HE is alive! And we are forgiven!  Thank You. Thank You for giving us the Revelation of JESUS THE CHRIST. Thank You, JESUS, for making Yourself known to us. Thank You. Thank You.

We have the God-given Right to do right in this wrong World,
Praying (PFT)!