Category Archives: Resurrection

Have You Been To The Cross??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #341

18 Friday Apr 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, JESUS, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Resurrection, Safe Place, The Blood Of Jesus, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The blood of Jesus IS the only Way, The Cross or the world?, The Crucified Life

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Have You Been To The Cross??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #341

I want to share a few thoughts as we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ The Lord; I hope you take some time to consider the price that Jesus paid for the salvation of all who believe and trust in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin.

“Now is the judgment of this world:

now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

32 And I,

if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said, signifying

what death he should die.”  John 12:31-33

Jesus was preparing his followers for His impending death, for they were all ready for Him to establish the kingdom—not die!   So often we misunderstand this verse and use it out of its context—Jesus wasn’t talking about “us” lifting Him up to draw people to Him, but that HE would be lifted up on that cross to die that all who would believe in His sacrificial, atoning death could have eternal life.  Yes, we are to lift up Jesus, but we are to preach, teach and share that Jesus was “lifted up from the earth” to pay for our sin—yours and mine.  And as Paul said so succinctly, sin is the issue and without bowing before Jesus, there is no salvation.

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace

through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth

to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood,

to declare his righteousness

for the remission of sins

that are past,

through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say,

at this time his righteousness:

that he might be just,

and the justifier

of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:23-26

“But now being made free from sin,

and become servants to God,

ye have your fruit unto holiness,

and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:22-23

Jesus was “lifted up from the earth”—He died for me—for you—for “the world”—even as Jesus proclaimed to Nicodemus in John chapter 3 (Read John 3:1-19).  But let’s look at a few reminders that it is the blood of Jesus that bought our salvation.  Have you met Him at the cross?

“How much more shall the blood of Christ,

who through the eternal Spirit offered himself

without spot to God,

purge your conscience

from dead works

to serve the living God?”  Hebrews 9:24

Peter’s reminder is one we desperately need to heed today.  It’s not the bunnies, or the eggs, or the candy or even Sunday dinner—it’s all about the blood of Jesus that “cleanseth us from all sin”!  May you hear the call of The Holy Spirit today and come to Jesus for salvation; if you are already His, may The Spirit draw you near to the cross to remember the price of our salvation.

“Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

 from your vain conversation

received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest in these last times

for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God,

that raised him up from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith and hope might be in God.”  1 Peter 1:18-21

May your celebrations include the One who died for you and me—but praise God Almighty HE didn’t stay dead, HE arose!  He’s coming again to take us unto Himself in glory.  Are you ready?  I pray that you are; and if you aren’t Jesus is standing and waiting for you.  If you already know Him, may your walk and talk confirm that you belong to Jesus!

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

 Amen and Amen!!!

Not Ashamed Of The Gospel??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #338

11 Friday Apr 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, A heart of faith, Believe God?, Believe IN Jesus, Believing God's Words, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Faith, Faith or Entertainment?, Faithful, Faithful Father--heavenly and earthly, Faithful Follower, Faithful God--Faithful me!, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Filled With His Spirit, Not Ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ., Repentance, Responding to God's call to share the Good news., Responding to the call!, Resting Or Wrestling?, Resurrection, Salvation, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin, The Cross or the world?, The Crucified Life, The foolishness of preaching, The Gospel, The greatest gift!!!, The Heart is deceitful and dreadfully wicked..., The Resurrection Life!

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Not Ashamed Of The Gospel???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #338

I just want to take a few minutes this morning to remind us that all the hype, bunnies, chocolate, or colored eggs aren’t to be our focus during this season but the resurrection of our Lord; the sole act that sealed our redemption.  So, I want to share just a couple of passages to direct our hearts and minds to Jesus and the Gospel; for the gospel is simple but demanding, even as Jesus said in John chapter 3:

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God.

 4 Nicodemus saith unto him,

How can a man be born when he is old?

can he enter the second time

into his mother’s womb,

and be born?

5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.”  John 3:3-7

It’s not our works, or where we were born, or even if or where we attend church—it is all about the death, burial and resurrection of The Lord Jesus Christ to pay for our sin.  I join with Paul and declare that I am not ashamed to proclaim that there is only one way to God—to heaven—to eternal life instead of eternal death in hell, and that is through Jesus Christ my Lord; by repentance of my sin, and faith/belief/trust in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice at Calvary, and the fact that He didn’t stay dead but HE AROSE!!!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed

from faith to faith:

as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven

against all ungodliness

and unrighteousness of men,

who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God

is manifest in them;

for God hath shewed it unto them.” Romans 1:16-19

God is revealing Himself every day in everything around us, and we can heed His call upon our hearts and minds, or we can choose to reject it!  But remember this new birth comes by faith in Jesus, not religion, not acts of kindness or even good works—it is “through faith, not of works, lest any man should boast”!  (See Ephesians 2:8-10). So the question is all about Jesus—what have you done with His sacrifice for you!  People may laugh, and scoff; they may call me a fanatic, but I will stand upon the truth as long as Jesus gives me breath!  How about you?  Do you know Him personally?  Have you bowed the knee before Him at the call of His voice upon your heart?  Are you playing games with God, trying to do things your own way?  Are you full of pride in your own “religious” activities; regardless of what you have chosen to believe, I want to leave you/us with the clear truth of what the gospel is.  Paul put it in a nutshell, so to speak, and I leave you with it, that you may ponder how you think you are going to get to heaven!  Please come with me to the cross and on to glory with Jesus Christ my King and Lord!

“For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died

for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again

the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen

of Cephas, then of the twelve:

6 After that, he was seen

of above five hundred brethren at once;

of whom the greater part remain

unto this present,

but some are fallen asleep.

7 After that, he was seen of James;

then of all the apostles.

8 And last of all he was seen of me also,

as of one born out of due time.”   1 Corinthians 15:3-8

I pray that you will heed the voice of God’s Spirit speaking to your heart and come to Jesus!  Meet Him at the cross—there is always room for one more!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

The Time Between??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #203

30 Saturday Mar 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, Are you in between?, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IS Alive!, Come to Jesus, Come To Worship HIM, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus is our peace, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Resting In Jesus, Restoration, Resurrection, The Time Between

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The Time Between??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #203

 

Isaiah said it best:

“He is despised

and rejected of men;

a man of sorrows,

and acquainted with grief:

and we hid as it were our faces

from him;

he was despised,

and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne

our griefs,

and carried

our sorrows:

yet we did esteem him stricken,

smitten of God,

and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded

for our transgressions,

he was bruised

for our iniquities:

 the chastisement

of our peace was upon him;

and with his stripes

we are healed.

6 All we like sheep

have gone astray;

we have turned every one

to his own way;

and the LORD hath laid on him

the iniquity of us all.”  Isaiah 53:3-6

Isaiah prophesying of the coming Messiah, painted a picture of sin and its penalty on “All we”, and God had already appointed a Redeemer, a Lamb of God, a perfect sacrifice to atone (Pay for) for all our sin.  We are all “sin sick” and that is the disease that we all need to be healed from.  It’s why God says that “with his stripes we are healed”; for without Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice of Himself– the beating, the nails, the rejection of men, the spitting, the cursing, the shame, the shedding of HIS own blood—we would have no hope, no cure for this disease of SIN!  But “the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all”. Thank you, Jesus, for dying for me.

But I want us to think about something else; as it’s Saturday and the disciples and followers of Jesus are full of grief; this One whom they believed was the Messiah, The Deliverer, The Chosen One, is now dead!  Hope was seemingly gone.  Have you ever gone through that “Time Between”?  The time between hopeless fear, and the joy of The Lord?  The time between loss and renewal?  The time between life-absorbing grief and renewed hope and peace and restoration from the hand of The Lord?  Most of us have suffered that grief of sudden, unexpected loss, and without Jesus, I can assure you, I couldn’t have gotten through mine!  But by the grace of God, and the saving power of The Blood of “The Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world” my heart was sustained in many times of sorrow and loss, but especially the murder and loss of my precious daughter.  BUT GOD!  Oh, my friends, the “BUT GOD”s of my life are innumerable, yet I have found Him faithful.

Think of the followers of Jesus, full of grief, sorrow, and unexpected horror; what could save them now.  They are hiding from the leaders who killed Jesus—fearing they might be next.  Even though Jesus had tried to prepare them, how could our feeble human minds comprehend His resurrection.  How about you?  When was the last time you went to a funeral, or sat by a loved one who died in your presence, that you expected them to arise from the grave?  Not me!  The disciples couldn’t comprehend what The Master wanted them to see—HE would arise.  Let’s see how scripture describes it from two who were walking to Emmaus just after the news came of the resurrection.  And while I know this is a lengthy passage, I think if more worthy of your time than my feeble words.  These were living the “time in between”!  How about you?  Have you met The Master?  He’s alive and well and loves you too!  I pray that you will ponder this passage and if you know Jesus, rejoice in it.  If you don’t know Jesus, I pray that you will call upon Him today—He is still in the life-changing business.  He saved me and has done wondrous things to make me who I am today, and He will do the same for you.

“And, behold, two of them went that same day

to a village called Emmaus,

which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

14 And they talked together

of all these things which had happened.

15 And it came to pass, that,

while they communed together and reasoned,

Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

16 But their eyes were holden

 that they should not know him.

17 And he said unto them,

What manner of communications

are these that ye have one to another,

as ye walk,

and are sad?

18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas,

answering said unto him,

Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem,

and hast not known the things

which are come to pass there in these days?

19 And he said unto them,

What things?

And they said unto him,

Concerning Jesus of Nazareth,

which was a prophet

mighty in deed and word before God

and all the people:

20 And how the chief priests

and our rulers

delivered him to be condemned to death,

and have crucified him.

21 But we trusted that it had been he

which should have redeemed Israel:

and beside all this,

to day is the third day

since these things were done.

22 Yea, and certain women also of our company

made us astonished,

which were early at the sepulchre;

23 And when they found not his body,

they came, saying,

that they had also seen a vision

of angels,

which said that he was alive.

24 And certain of them which were with us

went to the sepulchre,

and found it even so as the women had said:

but him they saw not.

25 Then he said unto them,

O fools, and slow of heart to believe

all that the prophets have spoken:

26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things,

and to enter into his glory?

27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets,

he expounded unto them in all the scriptures

the things concerning himself.

28 And they drew nigh unto the village,

whither they went:

and he made as though he would have gone further.

29 But they constrained him,

saying, Abide with us:

for it is toward evening,

and the day is far spent.

And he went in to tarry with them.

30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them,

he took bread,

and blessed it,

and brake,

and gave to them.

31 And their eyes were opened,

and they knew him;

and he vanished out of their sight.

32 And they said one to another,

Did not our heart burn within us,

while he talked with us by the way,

and while he opened to us the scriptures?

33 And they rose up the same hour,

and returned to Jerusalem,

and found the eleven gathered together,

and them that were with them,

34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed,

and hath appeared to Simon.”  Luke 24:13-34

I can’t imagine the change of the environment when they saw and knew that Jesus was/is alive!  My friend, no matter your sorrow, grief, or feelings of hopelessness, I assure you that Jesus is LORD of all, and He can bring new life, hope, joy and restoration to your heart, mind, and soul.  He’s done it for me, and He will meet you where you are.  But by His saving blood HE won’t leave you there, He’ll lead you into His truth, love, and grace; just look up and believe in The One who died for YOU!

May you have a blessed and joy-filled time rejoicing in the victory that Jesus won at Calvary.  Rejoice in the Lord by joining His people in church tomorrow (and yes, the church is imperfect and full of hypocrites, but I’d rather go to church, in obedience to my Savior, with a few hypocrites than spend eternity in hell with them!)!

A Blessed Resurrection Day to you all.  HE IS ALIVE!!!  And HE IS COMING AGAIN!!!

Amen and Amen

Resurrected And Returning??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #82

03 Monday Apr 2023

Posted by in JESUS, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus is our peace, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Rejoice IN The Lord, Resurrection

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Resurrected And Returning???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #82

“Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God,

believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house

are many mansions:

if it were not so,

I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place

for you.

3 And if I go

and prepare a place

for you,

I will come again,

and receive you

unto myself;

that where I am,

there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go

ye know,

and the way

ye know.

5 Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not whither thou goest;

and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:1-6

As we approach the season of Jesus death, burial, and resurrection from the dead, even as Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 15, “for our sin”, I pray that we remember it wasn’t an accident, it wasn’t happenstance, it wasn’t just another political statement–it was the plan of God from before the beginning!  Who said?  God does, past, present and in the promise of HIS return for God’s own!  At Pentecost Peter, anointed by the power of the Holy Spirit proclaimed:

“And it shall come to pass,

that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord

shall be saved.

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge

of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands

have crucified

and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.” Acts 2:21-24

Other scriptures verify this one, eternal purpose of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection for SIN!  And yes, my friends, SIN IS the issue.

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21. (The angel to Joseph)

“The next day John seeth Jesus

coming unto him, and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away

the sin of the world.”  John 1:29                          (John the Baptizer about Jesus)

“Forasmuch as ye know

that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things,

as silver and gold,

from your vain conversation

received by tradition

from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained

before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest in these last times

for you,

21 Who by him

do believe in God,

that raised him up from the dead,

and gave him glory;

that your faith and hope

might be in God.”  1 Peter 1:18-21                      (Peter near the end of his earthly life)

Paul also referred to this eternal nature of God’s amazing plan of saving grace through the blood of HIS “only begotten son”!

“Blessed be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who hath blessed us

with all spiritual blessings

in heavenly places

in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us

in him

before the foundation of the world,

that we should be holy

and without blame

before him in love:” Ephesians 1:3-4

John records Jesus’ own words in much of The Book of the Revelation, and I’d like us to consider a few of these statements in closing, and I pray that your week will include time with Jesus, remembering the price that HE paid for our salvation.  If you belong to Jesus, I pray that you will find peace, hope, and encouragement this week, for we surely live in the “evil day” that scripture talks about, and our Lord Jesus’ return is most imminent in my opinion.  If you don’t know Jesus, I pray that you will hear His voice speaking to your heart and His knock at your heart’s door.

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

Some thoughts for your consideration:

“Behold, he cometh with clouds;

and every eye shall see him,

and they also which pierced him:

and all kindreds of the earth shall wail

because of him.

Even so, Amen.

8 I am Alpha and Omega,

the beginning

and the ending,

saith the Lord,

which is,

and which was,

and which is to come,

the Almighty.”  Revelation 1:7-8

“Behold, I come quickly:

blessed is he that keepeth the sayings

of the prophecy of this book…

…..12 And, behold, I come quickly;

and my reward is with me,

to give every man

according as his work shall be.

13 I am Alpha and Omega,

the beginning and the end,

the first and the last…

…20 He which testifieth these things saith,

Surely I come quickly.

Amen.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

be with you all.

Amen.”  Portions of Revelation 22:7-21

I pray that you will see the need to be prepared for JESUS’ return–and you can only do that through repentance and faith in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for YOU at Calvary!!!

“Rejoice in the Lord

alway:

and again I say,

Rejoice.”  Philippians 4:4

Amen and Amen!!!

T.G.F.T.F.??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #789

15 Friday Apr 2022

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Repentance, Resurrection, Salvation

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #789       T.G.F.T.F.???

OK!  What is TGFTF?  Pretty simply, much like our famous “TGIF” (thank goodness it’s Friday), I just want us to ponder our need to “Thank God for “this” Friday”!  And while I won’t take the time today to debate the issue of the truth that Jesus wasn’t crucified on a “Friday”, I do want us to thank The Lord God Almighty for the gift of HIS SON, Jesus, and the sacrifice that HE made for our sin, and the absolute truth that HE was raised from the grave three days later.  That is a gift and a “Friday” to thank God for.

So, I just want to share a few scriptures together this morning to draw our hearts and minds to our Lord Jesus Christ and the amazing grace that HE extended to us at Calvary!

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him,

being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge

of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands have crucified

and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.”  Acts 2:22-24

And again, a short time later Peter reminded the people of who Jesus really was, and what HE had really done, and that HE died to save men, women, boys, and girls—all who will believe in HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for SIN!

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him

doth this man stand here before you

whole.

11 This is the stone

which was set at nought

of you builders,

which is become

the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

 for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:10-12

Oh, what glorious news!  Jesus saves!  He did then, and He still does today.  Do you know HIM?  Can you celebrate HIS resurrection in spirit and truth?  I pray that you can, and that you will!  Blessings on your “Good Friday” and the blessed “Resurrection Day” that is the symbol of us being raised to walk in newness of LIFE in Jesus.  And the glory of “Christ in you, the hope of glory”!

“Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest

unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

And even as Jesus told Martha, who was heartbroken over the death of her brother, and not understanding that Jesus had delayed His arrival that a much greater thing than Lazarus’ recovery was about to happen—“I AM”!

“Then said Martha unto Jesus,

Lord, if thou hadst been here,

my brother had not died.

22 But I know, that even now,

whatsoever thou wilt ask of God,

God will give it thee.

23 Jesus saith unto her,

Thy brother shall rise again.

24 Martha saith unto him,

I know that he shall rise again

in the resurrection at the last day.

25 Jesus said unto her,

I am the resurrection,

 and the life:

he that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth

and believeth in me

shall never die.

Believest thou this?

27 She saith unto him,

Yea, Lord:

I believe

that thou art the Christ,

the Son of God,

which should come

into the world.”  John 11:21-27

In closing I simply ask, “Do YOU believe?”  If not, I pray that you will call upon HIS name in repentance and faith (simply put, turning from your sin, and running to Jesus instead)!  If you already know HIM, I pray that you and I will draw near to the Risen Lord and reflect HIS glory to a lost and dying world today and every day, in all that we do.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man

shall come

 in the glory of his Father

with his angels;

and then he shall reward

every man

according to his works.”   Matthew 16:24-27

Amen and Amen!!!