He's alive.

Well today commemorates another year in the death of Christ. For a lot it marks the end of forty day of fasting and sacrifice, also marking when Jesus was lead into the wilderness forty 40 days and tempted by the devil. The Bible says He was hungry. It was then that He was tempted by the devil, 3 different times. I personally do not hold the forty days known I think, as lent. But there are millions who do, and I admire them for it. Luke 4:1-13 tells the wonderful story, read it if you have time.

There is the feast of the passover also known as the last supper, remember, were Judas would give what I call the kiss of death to Jesus, where Jesus knew he would be betrayed. Matthew 26: 1- 30 (also read), this is another part of the wonderful stories before the death of Jesus known as Easter.

As you well know that within this time frame, you should have heard of the foot washing of the disciple by Christ, which means that Christ wasn't greater than they to wash their feet. John 13:3-10, out of this passage, I'd like to POINT out one part of it to show how important it is. John 13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. He's alive.

Friends it is important to know that if thou hold ought against any you should not partake of the Lord's supper but make things right first. Jesus spoke these words in John13:10, Jesus saith to him, he that is washed need not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, Friends before one partakes of the Lord's supper one must do the following. Matthew 5:21- 24, [21] Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: [22]But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire[23] Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remember est that thy brother hath ought against thee; [24] Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. To get the true meaning of the death of Christ we must first lay everything aside in our life, ought and all, to truly partake in the death of Christ. He surely is alive.

The death of Jesus Christ had been foretold from ages ago, how the lamb should be cut off in the midst of the week, meaning that Christ would die for the sins of the world becoming the only sacrificial lamb needed forever to forgive men their sins, no longer would there ever have to be blood sacrifices to cover man's sin, no more slaying of goats, sheep, lambs, cows etc. Jesus was cut off or died in the midst of the week, buried in a tomb and arose on the third day. The times between the death and Resurrection times has been a sticking point for many Christians for many years. Mark 16:1-6 read the story.

That day they chose Jesus to die over a criminal. Such a sad, sad day. That day they made the very Savior carry the cross upon his back, as they spit, laughed, beat, and cursed Him, through the streets of Jerusalem, UP Golgotha hill, as He hung on the cross the pain must have been so much to bare , but He did it. He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders. Just try and think what was going through His mind, as He hung there with a crown of thorns and nails drove through his hands and feet. Friends when He was on the cross we all were on His mind, as the blood trickled down His face, He saw us. Mark 15: 1-39, please read it you will see by reading of the pain, you were there on His mind.

Friends today if you have the chance to read and tell the story of Christ to your own children, please do. Not the Easter story, but the story of Christ. You see today as we are alive Christ also is alive and doing well remember He arose. He's alive.

I pray that today as we celebrate the resurrection, you will renew your relationship with Jesus. Make a new commitment to love, share and serve Him today, then share the Easter message with as many as possible. If you already have a relationship with Jesus then I pray today He will strengthen that relationship. If you have family that you have been praying for then I lift them up in agreement with you that the Lord will show them what He has done for them and that they too will accept this most precious of all gifts, God's amazing grace.
Well I think Ive said enough, thanks.
jesseb's
Shalom and Peace to Israel.

Not a dad (open letter to my kids)

I have often talked about being a preacher for so many years, and even though its a part of my past, I can't forget it. Just about everyday, I'm reminded about it. We are only human and we make mistakes some we overcome and some we seem to not be able to let go of. The Bible talks about forgiveness, and that we have to forgive others their trespasses. That's what the word says we must do to be called a child of GOD.

Everyone has skeletons in their closets, and if they say they don't, they are in denial. So I must say that even I have a few skeletons in my past. Somethings are better left in the closet, but sometimes they have to come out to clear the air, especially to clear the air and end misunderstanding and turmoil. Sometimes it just makes things worse. The only perfect people in the world have been taken home already, Abraham and Elijah.

I was far from perfect in my past, and I guess that was even when I was preaching also. As I sit back and try to remember, I think I made a lot of mistakes, they say it's supposed to be GOD, family, then work. In my past it turned out to be work, GOD, then family. Talk about having things backwards that is me. Out of 22 tears of Preaching, I think I might have had it right the first 10 years. We gave GOD 110%, a lot of folks thought we were Jehovah witnesses, because of our beliefs. We didn't celebrate many of the holidays because of their pagan origins: Christmas, Easter, Valentines day, Halloween. We did celebrate the fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and a few others, and yes I robbed my kids of some of the best things and times. Am I ashamed of not celebrating those holidays? No. WHY, because they are some of the hidden truths of the Bible. Still I wasn't a dad.

The reason I say that I may have had it right the first 10 years, is because it was GOD, family work. I worked in construction during that time and had time to be a Dad, plenty of time to serve GOD and be a dad and work. Then I got a job which I thought was a blessing, until I myself turned it into a curse. We worked rotating 3 shifts and an opportunity presented itself to work 16 hours a day, and I took advantage of it. I worked six days a week, 12 to 16 hours a day, then it went to seven days a week. It was WORK, WORK, WORK, and not much time for GOD or family. In my trying to make a living for my kids, so they wouldn't need like I did when I was a kid, I lost my kids. Making sure they had everything, didn't make me the Dad they needed. I missed their childhood. I wasn't a dad at all.

Now today I have to ask my 3 (grown) kids to forgive me for not being there for them in the way they needed me to be. I have to say mostly to my son, (my youngest), I am sorry for not being there all the time I should have been. I know that we did do a few things together, but not enough to be a real Dad, and I truly regret it. I know you hold it against me for divorcing your mom, however, there are things that went on that you'll never know of, and I will go to my grave with it I guess.

To my son, the day I left your mom, I gave up on GOD also, but I never gave up on you. I hope you can truly forgive me. In life it takes two to tango, and it wasn't all my fault, but I DO take my share of the blame. So with that I can say no more. I love you son.

I love my kids and miss them all, and even though there were things going on they'll never know, I want them to know it wasn't them. I was not a dad.

Hopefully one day you all can completely forgive me.

jesseb's your dad.

Shalom and Peace to Israel.