“Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again” (Luke 24:7).

The Lord Jesus was judged upon a cross that was planted in His heart. He grew in statue and wisdom having searched the Scriptures and found favor with God and with men. The Scriptures and His life with sinful men proved the necessity of a Savior for their sinfulness and ignorance, while viewing the utter hopelessness of mankind without God’s intervention.

We are afraid of so much in this present evil world and fearful of the future ahead. We may not speak of this in sober words but inside there is great conflict that is hidden and controlled by a deafening low sound within the recesses of the soul. It’s there but we do nothing about it.

We will find God’s pardon at the cross and we will see God’s peace at the tomb where He no longer is dead. He arose again and now all sinful men may find peace when they kiss the Son. The peace with God and the peace of God only comes to those who view God through the prism of His grace.

Can we say, “The Son of man has been delivered into the hands of sinful men, and was crucified, and the third day He rose again?” If you can say that in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit then you have a peace that the world cannot give or take away. It is called God’s Peace which is none other than God’s Son the Lord Jesus.

The Only Message that Really Matters

“And he said unto the people, Be ready on the third day: come not near your wives” (Exodus 19:15).

God wants His people to be clean. We are to consecrate our lives to Him each and every day. What a privilege! The people in Moses’ day were told before meeting with God to do several things.

They were to hear and obey the words of Moses by washing their garments and abstaining from being with their wives sexually. Moses gave them the Word of God and this they were to do as part of His coming down to them.

The Word sanctifies and sets us apart from all that interrupts our fellowship with God. Without God’s Word we do not know how to live or what to do or how to maintain fellowship.  Our God is willing to accept the responsibility for a life dedicated to Him.

Our hearts are affected as we listen to His written Word. This results in an outward change of attitude and behavior. This will in turn lead us to be as God would position us and lead us out into this world blinded by sin and unbelief. What power as we wait on Him. Everyday can be a third day meeting with God.

“And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius, the king” (Ezra 6:15).

Remember that God is in control. When the words and actions of world leaders disturb you, remember that God is on His throne and has all things under control.

Israel had rejected God’s warnings of judgment, but the prophet’s word came through. Jeremiah warned, cried, and the people ignored and rejected God’s warning to their own well being. The temples was torn down and the people of God were exiled in a land of idols.

Yet, God still restored His people to the land as promised. He used a pagan ruler by the name of Cyrus to fulfill prophecy. The temple was rebuilt and great joy was found in the midst. Over seventy years in captivity, tears that soaked the clothing and the ground, God made a way for His people to get back into the land of His choosing.

The trip was difficult for the Jews, life in the land was demanding; however, the courageous Jews paid the price to do God’s will. No matter how you and I may have failed in the past, God gives us the opportunity for a new beginning. God is still at work!

“Joy is withered away from the sons of men…Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God?” (Joel 1:12, 16).

Joy!  What a scarce commodity this is.  There are many who say they are abiding in Christ.  There are few who show that they are abounding in Him.  Joy seems to be elusive.  How indescribably blessed is the believer who has his soul filled with it.

This joy is as real at the graveside as at the fireside.  Joy does not evaporate under the heat and pressure of adversity.  Joy does not collapse in the presence of calamity.  Joy does not sour under the test of poverty.  Joy is alive and deep down in the bottom of the heart of a Spirit-filled believer.

Joy is not created by possessions, or by positions, but by a Person — Him!  Joy can stand all pressures Satan or circumstances bring against it, but, and ponder it well, the sun of joy in the soul can be eclipsed by our own disobedience.

Joy requires two conditions:  submission and service.  “If ye abide” — submission — means staying put when you feel like quitting, or you think it smart to quit.  Joy also comes through service.  Most Christians are activists, they do a lot of things —  unprayerfully.  Winning the lost at any cost, abiding in Him, allowing Him to live through you — service — brings unqualified joy.

“The Israelite’s did as they were told; some gathered much, some little” (Exodus 16:17).

What would happen if you and I would read more of the Bible on a daily basis? I believe it would change the way we think, talk, and walk. We get into so many ruts in life that sometimes we need to get into the “rut of reading more” and allowing the Spirit of God to shape us into His people.

America needs more Christians who would read, digest, and depend upon the Author to imprint His Word upon the hearts and minds of His people. It would literally change us from the inside out. It would turn our lives upside down and right side up.

The Bible read for significant minutes will become the Essential Everyday Life Commentary upon what we feel, do, and live. Try it and find out how God will speak to each of us on His level. See the wonder of life in His Word and find yourself walking more in His presence. Gather much and you will receive more. Gather little and you will receive more.