GREAT JOY
Today’s Reading: Luke 24
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
This is the entrance of the Garden Tomb, where the body of Jesus may have been laid. Over 2,000 years ago, this large trough was carved from the rock so that a huge stone could be rolled in front of the doorway.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Luke 24:52
And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy…
There are many, many proofs of the truth of the resurrection. Those who believed numbered in the thousands in Jerusalem. Approximately 3,000 people believed on Him on the Day of Pentecost (most of these were pilgrims from Galilee and elsewhere) and some 5,000 (mainly from Jerusalem) saw the lame man healed and responded to Peter’s message in the courtyard of the Temple (Acts 3:1-26 and 4:1-4). These counts referred to the men, then add in their families, and you have a huge number of witnesses! Later, in Acts 6:7, we read that “the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” It has been estimated that when the authorities began to persecute the followers of Jesus, at least half the population of Jerusalem were believers in Him. If thousands of people were lying, the authorities would have been all over them. But there is no record of a contradiction in the minutes of the Sanhedrin, known as the Mishna. No one could ever tell me that Jesus simply swooned and escaped the city or was substituted by someone else, as Muslims believe, or that His body was removed from the tomb as a cover up as the High Priest’s office claimed. These “great joy” people were Jews who worshipped Jesus as God! This all happened within a few months of Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension. If we aren’t rejoicing too, let us check our pulses to see if we’re still alive!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I pray that today and every day I’ll be a “great rejoicing person.” This kind of joy in believing will result in believers being multiplied in my community and in my Church. I love You, Jesus! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
The most marked up, finger-printed page in my Bible is page 1256, Hebrews 12:1-3. If I ever become weary or discouraged, here’s where I go. I could just ask you to look it up, but it’s so important to me that I’ll type verses 2 & 3. “Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him Who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest You become weary or discouraged in your souls.” Once again, as I type this blog, I am considering Him. I cannot help myself. I’m filled with “great rejoicing.”
Yours for every weary and discouraged person,
David
P.S. Here again is Dr. Andy Bannister and Moira Brown from this past week’s 100 Huntley Street program, as they tackle the subject of the reliability of the Biblical record (click here).
I glory in the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ Saviour of the world for it was my sins that nailed Him to the tree and He did it all for me who am I but a sinner saved by grace so that day I shall see His glorious face
PRAISE BE TO GOD AMEN
FOR ME AND MY HOUSE WE WILL SERVE THE LORD
AMEN AND AMEN
Amen Amen
Thank you God for saving me praise him and his holy name
Rejoice again I say rejoice!!!
Amen, Lianne!!
Praise God for a new day … and inside I am singing
He’s alive yes He’s alive
Yes He’s alive and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
How can we be anything but joyful waiting with hope and anticipation for that great and glorious day when we will see him!
Bless you David again for your faithfulness!
Elfie
Amen and Amen! Blessings to all bloggers! Off to Toronto for our Anniversary.
Happy anniversary David.
It is very frustrating not to be believed. I have a relative who doesn’t think women can know certain subjects, so no matter what I say to this person about say on the topic of home repairs or finances- they don’t believe me simply because I am woman. So I think I understand what it must have been like for those women who were at the tomb–coming back to announce the Good News only to be met with skepticism.
I once heard it said that faith is the deepest form of trust—perhaps that is why our Lord is moved so by our faith in Him, because we are basically saying we believe you because we trust you.
Also fellow saints Beverlee Kay posted late last night she was going into the hospital, in case any of you missed it. She asked for our prayers–
Thanks Donna I will pray for Beverlee. Enjoy this beautiful day. This is the day that Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Yes. Will pray for Beverlee. A beautiful day. Happy anniversary David. Looking forward to THAT day!
Praying for Beverlee as she enters hospital, is her surgery soon Donna?
I don’t know– just know what she posted last night that she was going into the hospital and she asked us to keep her in our prayers.
Love this part of the bible. Jesus’ suffering is over and he’s ready to endure no more sorrow or pain eternally.
If ALL “religions” treated non-believers as radicals do, there wouldn’t be many people left on earth.
May God show radicals the Light.
Blessings dear saints.
Amen to that Lynda!
HE DID IT ALL FOR ME!!!! How awesome!!! REJOICE, REJOICE, AND AGAIN I SAY REJOICE!!! REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS AND AGAIN I SAY REJOICE!!!! AMEN!!
There are not enough words in my vocabulary to thank Jesus for the pain and suffering He endured on the cross atoning for my sins. Praise His Holy Name!!
Gracious and Loving Father, please hold Beverlee Kay in your loving arms. Let her feel your presence and peace as she is now in hospital. Give wisdom to the doctors and nurses who minister to her and give protection and healing as only You can.
Let her know we are much in prayer for her and bring her through triumphantly and begin the healing process. Amen
We love you Beverlee Kay, in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
So glad to read such rejoicing! Irene O you sound like me! I get excited! We must remember that our understanding of love for one another is MUCH different than God’s love for His people! “GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY FORGOTTEN SON THAT WHOSEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. FOR GOD SENT THE SON INTO THE WORLD, NOT TO CONDEMN THE WORLD, BUT THAT THE WORLD MIGHT BE SAVED THROUGH HIM”- the words “so loved the world” bring me down on my knees I have Beverlee Kay in my prayers, as well as Shawn and miracle healing for his diabetes and my 2 children pressing sexual assualt charges against cousins, GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD! I can only turn all this over to God for Him to work in the lives of these precious people. I am canning more plums, listening to Gospel music and praying for others. I need prayers also. Blessings to all.
Thank you, Saints, and to you, Donna, for seeing my prayer request and responding. I spent the night and day in ER and came back home, with the hopes of getting an earlier surgery date with my neuro-surgeon, who is away until next week. Left with the option of staying in hospital until he returns or coming back home to wait. I asked for God’s intervention. I am thanking God for His mercy and grace. I am certain this was the right decision. Asking for a miracle surgery date to come open in time with my neuro-surgeon. Staying off my feet to relieve the pressure on my spine and praying for the numbness to dissipate and the strength in my legs to be restored. I cannot give into the fear the devil seeks to use to destroy. I give thanks to Jesus for His love and divine healing intervention. Thank you dear Saints for your continued prayers and support–it means so much!
I have the screen saver of Jesus–the painting done by 12 year old protoge–Akiane Kramarik. It reminds me of His infinite love!
Bless you Beverlee Kay and rest in His arms and peace. He will see your through.
Catherine
I always check this site before I go to bed in case there is a late need posted, so I was glad to pass that along. I think you did the right thing coming home, the hospital isn’t always the best place to rest. I will gladly pray your wait for surgery will not be much longer—so grateful you have our Lord to comfort and strengthen you. As you know it is often in our trails that we realize how much He does love us. Be at peace and I hope you have a good night’s rest after this long exhausting day you had.
Beverlee …I come in agreement for a “miracle surgery date” for you. We have a God of the impossible and I pray for His intervention on your behalf.
What a great photo of the tomb Reynold…How great the entrance is open for
“JESUS is not there, HE IS RISEN, AND HE LIVES FOR EVERMORE!!! PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!!!