It’s kinda dark out there -- man, it's Friday. No worries, Sunday’s comin’!

Isn’t it Good Friday today? Human love runs out, that's why there's war and divorce. This is why you need God's selfless agape love. Listen, 

I love REZ-day, the account of the bodily Resurrection of Jesus in Matthew 28:1-10, Luke 24:1-12, and John 20:19-31. Man, I love this Lord of glory!

“Before we can begin to see the cross as something done for us, we have to see it as something done by us.” ~ John Stott 

The Greek word translated “It is finished!” was a very familiar word back in that day. Bankers used it when the final payment had been made on a debt. Jesus completely paid the debt we owed, and it will be remembered against us no more forever. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

My debt was paid in full on that tree! Yep, you and I put Him up there. God the Father put him up there too.. for you1 

It was because of our own sins that Jesus went to the Cross. But now the cradle, the cross, and the grave of Christ are all empty. Yay God!   

 The crown (John 1–16). Jesus and Pilate had been talking about a kingdom, so it was only right that the King have a crown. It was meant for mockery, but it preached a message, for Jesus was wearing the consequences of Adam’s sins (Gen. 3:17–19). But a crown is a sign of victory. He has overcome!

The cross (17–27). Jesus started out bearing His own cross, but then Simon was drafted to carry it for Him (Mark 15:21). We are not told why, although tradition says that Jesus fell and could not carry it. Considering all He had been through, that is not difficult to believe. Criminals carried the cross as a sign of guilt, and Jesus was not guilty!

The conquest (28–42). “It is finished!” was the cry of a conqueror. Jesus accomplished what all of the old covenant sacrifices could not do (Heb. 10:1–18). The prophecies and types were fulfilled and the sacrifice for sins made once and for all forever. It was not a martyr that Joseph and Nicodemus put into the tomb; it was a victor.

 The Cross is all about how God's perfect love, and perfect justice met up, but it didn't end there, cuz Jesus overcame death and the grave for us! God and Rez-day (Easter) -- all about life after death for you and me. God has a great purpose for your life. He wanted and wants you alive today for a purpose. So many dead inside today and causing death. God can protect, He can help, He can resurrect the dead and he wants to use you. 

He did it all for you. God loves you and has a good plan. Just like he had for Peter who blew it.. yeah, who really blew it bad but then got restored. 

“Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah do you love Me?”

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”

He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” Read John 21:15-21

Like Pete needed it, do you also need to be restored? I’ve sinned, have you? God forgives. That's why Calvary happened -- no cost to you or to me. Greg Laurie asks.. Need another chance at Easter?

 Says...Peter’s biggest error was in denying the Lord three times before Christ was crucified. But Jesus forgave Peter and recommissioned him. This tells us three things about Easter.  

Easter is so personal. Notice the angel said to go tell the disciples and Peter. Jesus reached out to Peter individually. By the way, you can insert your name there. Go tell the disciples and _______. You know it right. Yes it was for Peter too. And Easter is also for you personally. 

Easter is so practical. Why do you think Peter was singled out? Because Peter needed a special word of encouragement. Maybe you need that today as well. 

Easter is so powerful. The day and date ain’t powerful but Jesus is. He not only forgave Peter, but He recommissioned him for service again. And God will do the same for you. He will forgive you and then you can start this new relationship with Him again. 

Easter REMINDS US that God is alive and He gives people second chances in life. 

Jesus the Stranger (John 21:1–4). Don't let him stay that way for you. When Peter returned to the old life, he took six other men with him. Their work was in vain (15:5) because the Lord was not with them. How kind He is to come to us when we have disobeyed Him and have failed in our work!

Jesus the Master (5–8). When Jesus takes charge, failure is turned into success; and the difference was only the width of the ship! You never know how close you are to victory, so admit your failure and obey what He tells you to do. He never fails.

Jesus the Host (9–14). It took six men to drag the net (v. 8), but Peter did it alone when Jesus gave the orders (v. 11). We should always remember that “God’s commandment is God’s enablement.” Did the fire of coals remind Peter of his denials (18:18ff.)? Did the miraculous catch of fish remind him of his call to service (Luke 5:1–11)? How kind of Jesus to feed Peter before dealing with him about his sins!

Jesus the Shepherd (15–17). The most important thing in ministry is loving Christ, for all ministry flows from that. Peter the fisherman was also to be a shepherd and care for the lambs and sheep.

Jesus the Lord (18–25). By saying, “Follow Me,” Jesus reinstated Peter as an apostle. But Peter turned around and took his eyes off the Lord (Matt. 14:30), and Jesus had to rebuke him. The next time you are tempted to meddle in somebody else’s ministry, ponder Christ’s words: “What is that to you? You follow Me!” (v. 22).

Then Peter followed the Lord closely right into the excitement of the book of Acts!      

Why do we celebrate?

Do you still wonder about Easter?

What is an Easter Vigil?

How was the date for Easter determined?

But isn't Easter a pagan holiday?

Why is the truth of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ so important? 

How will our resurrection body be different from our current body?

What is Holy Saturday?  

Where was Jesus between His death and resurrection?

What is the meaning of Easter? 

What is the origin of the Easter bunny and Easter eggs?

He is for you, sinner. He is for me too (a saved sinner). God knew exactly what He was getting when He chose Peter. Jesus knew Peter better than he knew himself. And God knows you better than you know yourself. But He chooses you anyway. • Life goes so much better when we listen to Him and, most importantly, do what He tells us to do. • Easter is about hope, and because Jesus died on the cross and rose again from the dead, we have hope. He died so we could know that we would live forever in Heaven. 

APPLICABLE ACTIONS FOR US ALL: Easter is about new beginnings. It’s about second chances. This can be the day when your life changes course and God takes your story and adds new chapters to it that are a whole lot better than the chapters you’ve been writing previously. But you must come to Him and say, “Lord, I’m sorry for my sin. I thank You for dying on the cross for me and rising again. Now I want to know You in a personal way.” You can learn more and do that at KnowGod.org

Today we have fake news, real news, scary news and Good News. Man, when ya hear and see the bad news, all have sinned, it sure makes ya appreciate the Good News.  God forgives. HE'S A MASTER OF MAKING A MESSAGE OUT OF A MESS. Humbly turn and ask Him. Happy Easter to you! 

Very dark at week's end, and it grew so quiet—but Sunday speaks!

Human love runs dry; history proves it—wars rage, homes fracture, hearts grow cold. What we lack is what God is: agape—self-giving, relentless, holy love. That is why the Cross stands at the center of everything.

“Before we can begin to see the cross as something done for us, we have to see it as something done by us.” — John Stott

It was our sin that nailed Him up there—and yet it was His love that held Him there.

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The Cry That Cleared the Ledger

When Jesus said, “It is finished!” (John 19:30), He used a word common in the marketplace—paid in full.
No balance remains. No debt lingers. No record stands.

“Hallelujah! What a Savior!”

The cross is where perfect justice and perfect love embraced—justice satisfied, mercy unleashed (Romans 3:26). What centuries of sacrifices could only foreshadow, Christ fulfilled once for all (Hebrews 10:1–18). This was no martyr’s whisper—it was a conqueror’s shout.

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For You. Again - The Crown (of Thorns), the Cross, the Conquest, Then a Different Crown 

• The Crown of thorns (John 19:1–16): Meant to mock, yet it proclaimed truth. He wore the curse of Adam (Genesis 3), but the crown also foretold victory.
• The Cross of wood (John 19:17–27): Carried as a sign of guilt—yet He was guiltless, bearing ours instead (2 Corinthians 5:21).
• The Conquest of victory (John 19:28–42): “It is finished!”—sin defeated, redemption secured, eternity opened.

The cradle is empty. The cross is empty. The tomb is empty.
Christ is risen—and reigning.

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Resurrection - It's Not a Mere Holiday Among Others—It's About A Person

REZ-day isn’t about a certain date in history. Yep, it really happened, and there were many eyewitnesses. It’s about a living Savior (Matthew 28; Luke 24; John 20).

As the old hymn says:

“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow…”

This is not sentimental hope—it is historical, bodily resurrection. And it changes everything.

Peter failed loudly—denied Christ three times. Yet the risen Jesus sought him personally:

“Go, tell the disciples—and Peter…” (Mark 16:7)

That one name changes everything.

Easter is:

• Personal — God calls you by name.
• Practical — He meets you at your lowest point.
• Powerful — He forgives and recommissions.

At the fire of coals (John 21), where failure once burned, grace now restored. Three denials met by three affirmations:

“Do you love Me? … Feed My sheep.”

Failure is not final when Jesus is present.

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When Jesus Steps In

• As Stranger, He finds us in our wandering.
• As Master, He turns empty nets into overflow (John 21:6).
• As Host, He feeds us before He corrects us.
• As Shepherd, He calls us to love Him first.
• As Lord, He simply says: “Come".. "Follow Me.”

And that’s enough.

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The Hope the World Can’t Manufacture

George Barna and his group consistently show many professing Christians wrestle with doubt, purpose, and identity. The issue isn’t information—it’s transformation.

The resurrection answers the deepest human ache:
You are not abandoned. You are not finished. You are not beyond redemption.

“Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with the resurrection.” — Watchman Nee

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The Better Chapter Begins Today

God is the Author of life, who rewrites ruined and dead stories. He takes ashes and makes something alive again (Isaiah 61:3). He gives beautify for ashes even. 

You don’t clean yourself up first, Sport—you come and let Him do that.
You don’t earn it—you receive it as a free gift.

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me…”

Would you pray something like: “Man Lord, I’ve sinned and hurt You, but I am sorry for that. Thank You for dying for me on that lonely cross. Thank You for rising again. I do want to know You—personally, intimately. Please forgive me cuz I do repent in the best way I know how. In fact, right now I come.. by faith, I open the door of my heart to you. Please come in to rule without rival as Lord! Please use me for Your glory.”

"God proved His love on the cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, 'I love you." ~ Billy Graham

Because of the physical Resurrection of Jesus fir us, it'll eventually be the death of all death.

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Friday was bad, but good for us! Sunday spoke! 

Christ died for you!

Christ was put in a hole in the ground.. for you.

Christ rose for you.

Christ calls you—by name.

Let's all celebrate Easter Sunday! 

Come as you are. And He is still makin' good messages out of bad messes.

Central to you, central to Him. Who or what has been central for you thus far? What was central with your maker?

Happy Rez Day to You!

How's it all been workin' out for you thus far? Have you been goin' it your own way? I want it to go well for all. 

It's a holiday! I hope that Christ is the central and primary focus for you this Easter! 

Face it, people who have another central focus in life are not satisfied inside. Why stay unsatisfied with an inferior central focus? 

Yes, CENTRAL in our focus should be this question today: What will I do with this person named, Jesus Christ? Will I get right with Him on His terms, or ditch Him and His will on mine? Will I humble myself before him, believe in Him to establish an ongoing relationship of obedience? Or will I reject him as my God and choose myself or something else.. or someone else as my God? Will I put off this most important of decisions off because it's uncomfortable to focus on? 

 As for you, Christian, there's a question that should be Central and primary.. daily in the very for front of my mind should be this question: Will I allow the person of Jesus Christ to be Lord of every area of my life? Will I follow him step by step and fulfill the purpose for which He created me for? Will I pray in faith and take the steps that He leads me in, with the believers who are also seeking to grow spiritually in obedience to His Word? Will the study and wise application of His Scriptures be Central or peripheral for me? Will I, by faith, serve Him to fulfill my calling in life? Will I go the whole nine yards with him, keeping in step through my whole life, all the way home? 

Perhaps you've had many interesting financial aspirations in your focus, or shady money-making schemes, or good-sounding career goals that you've wanted to make and keep primary in your life? I'm not judging, I couldn't know.  

Have you been a tithing and giving (in different ways) born-again Christian seeking to glorify the Lord? Seeking to help your contemporaries get to safety and into maturity? 

I've always been told that God has his ways of getting what is his. I say give yourself away to him first. Today is Good Friday -- it was good for us. Sunday is Easter and you've been bought at a price, Sport. You are not your own and that family has been on loan so to speak. Those children are God's property too. 

He's far more interested in you than in what you have and think is yours. The storms come and go, and the circumstances of life change but God remains sovereign over it all. Has he gotten your full attention to where he and his will are Central? Will you be happy in the end, having learned the lessons that he's repeatedly brought your way.. or will it continue to be another lap around the mountain in the wilderness.. never crossing over into the promised Land so to speak of walking triumphally (instead of religiously or in the flesh according to your old fleshly nature) in victory by His Spirit within you? In victory over this corrupt World system, the flesh, and devils? Your own plans and politics can't save you. No religion. No matter what that is can save you. We all need Jesus as Lord.

Not talkin' down to or at you. I want to hear from you. How can I sincerely pray for you and your family? 

Hey, I figure.. if it's new it ain't true, and if it's true it ain't new -- this is no new revelation. You've heard it all before from me, so which are you...

 The Natural, Carnal, and Spiritual Man?

• The Natural Man: He (or she) is lost and without Christ, holding onto dead hopes that wither quickly and fade like cut flowers.
• The Carnal Man: They've got too much of the Kingdom to be happy in the world, and too much of the world in them to be happy in God's Kingdom. These people are most miserable -- mugwumps. They need to decide and be all in for Christ. Their mug in on one side fo the fence and their wump is on the other. Struggles between worldly desires and spiritual growth, often driven by fleshly impulses.
• The Spiritual Man: Born again and growing spiritually. This believer is saved and confidently equipped with sound doctrine, experiencing a “living hope” daily through Christ’s resurrection power (1 Peter 1:3) and with the imperishable seed of God’s Word (1 Peter 1:23).

We mere mortals often have different categories for people (Yo, he's an athlete, he's a drama buff, she's a musician etc), but go study in the Bible about the the Natural Man (See 1 Peter 1:24–25), the Carnal man and the Spiritual man. God only lists three.. and two conditions.  

Sure, there's lost and found people (two eternal conditions of man). I was lost and God found me when I wasn't really looking. There's also types--the natural man, the carnal man and the spiritual man. I say choose to live spiritual in Christ, yes, as real Christians. I challenge you to.. not all alone!

Q: So how has it been with you -- I want it to be going well for all?

"God is love" and has His way.. who has a name.

Our Father has a tendency of picking up a nobody, to become a somebody, in front of everybody, without asking or getting permission from anybody.

That's who He is and He's thinking 'bout you! He's not mad at you, He's mad about you! Loves you so much He just can't take His eyes off you! What'll you do about it?

God joys in wooing you in close. He's happy to forgive and regenerate.. to help each of His kids mature, and delights to use us for His glory.

So many are still talking about spiritual growth these days, but there's zero spiritual growth independent from God's living Word.

Q: What was central to him at the start?

The creation of the human race was without a doubt the central object so to speak ..of all God’s creative purpose from the beginning.

In a very important sense, everything else was created for humanity's good use and blessing, and every step of creation up to that point had one main purpose: to prepare a perfect environment for Adam and Eve to live in.

Many Liberal theologians and other liberal unbelievers hate this idea, calling it hubris and presumptuous, but it's true.

Yeah, I talk about a race. The human race is still at the center of God’s purpose for the entire material universe!

How do we know this? Well, we know this because Scripture says everything else material-wise will eventually perish and go away. Your stuff is not primary, and it's not to be central for you. Stuff, what's material has not been primary or central for God the the Trinity either. They are our good Examples right. Jesus showed us what to major and minor on.

Hey, there are going to be some big changes here in the very near future.

Look around you. It will all go out of existence. According to Jesus Christ in the Bible. There is soon coming a time when even “the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken” (Mark 13:24–25). Are you ready for that.. are you ready to meet Him face to face?

Ultimately, even the heavens will roll up like a scroll (Revelation 6:13–14). “The heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).

You and I will get new physical, glorified bodies that will be able to travel like Christ gets around. Christ was physically resurrected out of that grave, and you will too out of yours, believer. That's what Easter is all about!

I do hope for the Rapture.. cuz then the change would happen midflight.

In effect, everything material here.. that was created will be uncreated. Except humanity (the righteous and the wicked dead will be resurrected according to their eternal future destination).

Everything material in this whole universe around us will cease to exist. Talk about an upgrade to enjoy that's ahead!!!

God created man (who by choice, sadly fell, sinned in the garden) with this in mind:

Salvation, Sanctification and then Glorification! Unending righteous fellowship with Him--how exciting! His plan has always been good--real good! We were made to walk with Him and to enjoy Him forever. Yes, even when every other element of this universe is long gone. A vast multitude of the redeemed human race will dwell in the presence of the Lord forever, worshipping acceptably. We can start this today, even.

Angels (the non-fallen third of them) will continue to exist and serve the Lord of course. Those who were rebellious and fallen will be sent into the Lake of fire. That place was designed for them, not for people. Why go join them there? Hang a U-turn please! Here and now is good!

In other words, the unfolding of creation establishes a theater of sorts, in which the great redemptive saga of God will be fully played out. Man is the main character of God's creation, focused on and serving His Son, Jesus. Yes, He's to remain the main focus too.

God’s own Son even became a man, lived perfectly, then died on the cross at Calvary and rose from the dead for us (yep, He's 100% man and 100% God) at the climax of His redemption’s drama here. Happy Rez Day!

What was the purpose for which the entire universe was created: It's for us to come into righteous fellowship with the Lord. It's so that God’s grace, mercy, and compassion could be lavished on this creature whom God had created in His own image. Man and women. Please.. you must be born again, because Jesus said, You must be born again!

In the end, the very theater here so to speak ..will literally be destroyed. There will be a new heaven and a new earth for us to explore, travel in and enjoy.

The Church is His bride. Will you submit to Jesus (the royal groom)? Let's be a part of His excellent purpose and plan. This is a profound and humbling thought. We can be used of Him to win others into His Kingdom.

Clearly, the creation of the human race is the MAIN THANG in Genesis 1. Everything culminates with that event, and Scripture devotes more space to describing Adam’s creation than to any other facet of His creation. It's all here because of Him.

In fact, because that final act of creation is so crucial, all of Genesis 2 is devoted to an expanded description of it. You didn't evolve from the scum or mud (Genesis 2 is not a different story or an alternate account; it is an expansion of that description of day six from Genesis 1.) Genesis 1:26-31 simply gives us the descriptive basics about day six:

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female

The Trinity created them. Then God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

"And God blessed them [granting them certain authority] and said to them, 'Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subjugate it [putting it under your power]; and rule over (dominate) the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth.'” Genesis 1:28 amp

Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so.

Then God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Bear in mind that the creation of Adam occurred on the same day all other land animals were created, but you and I were far different from animals. Some people today says "NO", but you and I were made in God's image. (Being involved with the Lord saving people is more important than us merely saving hurting and other animals, but God and Christians do care about animals. There's indeed a place for animal rescues).

All of this creating occurred in one twenty-four-hour period—one revolution of the Earth.

Adam, as we see from the text, was specially and personally created by God. There is no way to do justice to the text and maintain the notion that Adam over millions of years emerged.. or evolved from some already–existing form of animal life on this earth (we are not to worship).

Genesis 2:7 is so clear and explicit: “Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

Genesis 2 also describes how the first woman, Eve, was made from Adam's rib of her husband (Genesis 2:22). So the man and the woman were each created individually—both of them by direct and immediate acts of God. Yes, he actually did this. There was a real Adam and Eve living on Earth here.

We all have our roles and callings--we each--all of us are to gladly submit to God's direct and delegated authority for order and purpose's sake.

Matthew Henry said, "She was made from man's side to serve alongside, not from his food or head."

It's true. Eve was literally created from Adam's rib to be his equal in this life (and for eternity too), not to be his inferior subordinate or commanding superior. Liney has submitted to my leadership short of sinning in the home, even when I wasn't doing so great as a leader. I've never told he to go sin, don't want to. I want what's best for our family.

Women are not meant to be subservient doormats so to speak, or ruling over men, but rather equal partners. I submit to Liney when she has a great idea, but she let's me be the leader. I am the head (small h) of the home, Jesus is the Head of the Church and of our home, and Liney is often like the neck that turns the head (me). It's cuz she prays and has some great ideas. The closer we get to the Lord, the closer we get together too. He brings us together via prayer to the Father in the Name of Jesus! Glad I have a wife that loves to go to a healthy local church too!

The genealogies listed in Genesis begin with a reaffirmation of this type of principle:

“This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day when God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female, and He blessed them and named them Man in the day when they were created” (Genesis 5:1–2).

That verse opens and closes with references to a single day as we know a day.. in which God made humanity. Repeatedly, Scripture refers back to that momentous day (cf. Deuteronomy 4:32). Jesus even spoke of this creation and He was very much involved.

In this broken world with gobs of broken laws, (with serious crimes happening all over the place), world of broken marriages and broken families, the secularists say that "It's just narcissistic and egotistical to view people on this planet Earth as the central part of God's creation in the universe." It kind of makes you feel different to grasp Bible truth about image bearers with great value (people) huh! This universe is so incredibly huge indeed and it might seem that way to them, but it's actually true! Man (humans, now flawed) are the APEX of all of God's creation! You are loved and have ginormous value to God. Jesus would have gone to the cross for you alone!

It was day six of Creation week—and man was God’s final, crowning creative act.

A significant change in the creation process occurs at this point. Genesis 1:26 starts with familiar words: “then God said.” That is the same formula used to introduce every previous act of creation (see vv. 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24).

But suddenly, there is a major shift in the language. Up to this point, every occurrence of “then God said” had been followed by the words “let there be..” (vv. 1:3, 6, 14); “let the earth sprout..” (v. 11); “let the earth bring forth..” (v. 24); “let the waters teem...” (v. 20); or “let the waters.. be gathered into one place” (v. 9)—notice it's always in the language of fiat “let it be done.”

Those expressions are impersonal in the sense that they are Authoritative mandates issued to no one in particular. I just love His directives--they are always good for us even if they don't seem like it at first. They are sovereign cuz He is, yes, creative decrees that immediately brought things into existence ex nihilo (out of nothing. Man can't do that via "speaking it" like the false TV preachers teach. We humans create from already created material that God made from nothing).

Never before in His own history has God said, “Let Us make” (trinity speak here) ..not that we read of, not of anything that we know of.

But here int the Scriptures for the first time is that expression logged, “then God said” and it is followed by personal pronouns: “Let Us make man in Our image” (Genesis 1:26, emphasis added).

This does speak of the creation of Adam in terms that are uniquely personal. Scripture deliberately employs such pronouns in order to stress God’s intimate connection with this aspect ..with the people.. of His creation. It establishes a personal relationship between God and man that does not exist with any other aspect of creation—not with light, not with water, not with animals, not with other elements or even the very earth itself.. not with the sun, not with the moon, not the stars that sing (makes sounds), or with the stellar bodies—yes, not with any of the other living creatures He made here.

He has no personal relationship with any of those things in the same sense He does with humanity. Is the fellowship with Him broken today. Let's see that fixed. Repent and believe in Jesus. The Father in heaven longs for a right personal relationship with you through Christ today!

All those things were created by God the Father through His fiat decree, and they began to exist because He ordered them to exist. But there is never a hint of any intimacy yet, or of personal identification between God and those things. You were born to enjoy intimacy with the Lord -- you must be born again cuz He said that!

The creation of man contrasts profoundly and powerfully with all that preceded him. The account is replete with God’s meticulous care, and the crowning importance He placed on this culminating event—forming Adam out of what!? Out of the “dust from the ground,” breathing “into his nostrils the breath of life” (Genesis 2:7), and fashioning the father of all humanity with soul, body and human spirit. Making Adam “in [His] image, according to [His] likeness” (Genesis 1:26).

Please understand who we really are and what God has for you, and God’s glorious purpose for each of us as His image-bearers is incredible!

May I say that that once again: Man was created as the apex of His creations!

The creation of the human race was the central object so to speak of God’s creative purpose from the very beginning. He knew what would happen with us--he made us with emotions and free will to choose. He knew we'd sin, were not robots or ai.

What is the origin of man?

What does it mean that it is not good for a man to be alone?

Why are there two different Creation accounts in Genesis?

Why did God make man out of the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7)?

What is the purpose of man, according to the Bible?

If God knew that Adam and Eve would sin as He did, then why did He create them?

What does it mean when God said, “Let Us make man in Our image?

What did God create on the sixth day of creation?

Why did God create me? Why did God make me?

Is the biblical Creation story for real?

What happened on each of the days of Creation?

When did God create the angels?

What does it mean in the Bible that a Christian is a new creation?

In an important sense, everything else made.. was created for humanity, and every step of creation up to that point had one main purpose: to prepare a perfect environment for Adam. Jesus would come later, and then come again.

He's mindful of you today. You have hair or lack of that and God knows the number of them on your head. The human race is still at the center of God’s purpose for the entire material universe.

Everything else here will eventually will perish, will go away. Everything in this universe will go away--cease to exist as it has. A new heaven and new earth mean exactly that. It will all go out of existence. Never forget this. In effect, what was created will be pretty much uncreated.

Except you and I, believer. God created man to glorify Him and to enjoy Him forever. Spend some time alone with Him today.

And when every other element of this universe is long gone, a vast multitude of the redeemed human race will dwell in the presence of the Lord forever.

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

“Be fruitful and multiply" -- when was the last time you paused to listen well to someone confused, or verbally witnessed to someone who wasn't sure.. or was sure that they are lost? When was the last time you won someone to Jesus? Become fruitful by His power. He'll give you the words to say.

Remember when "Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' And at once they left their nets and followed Him." (Matthew 4:18-20 See context)

Jesus told us to "Go..tell" Mark 5:19

When you get a chance, read more about the best kind of fishing (click)!

Sure, and you can practice with real people in need (because we care) to become skilled and blessed in fishing for all kinds of people.. even in far away ponds so to speak.

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 nlt

You might feel like you were an accident, like your life is totally insignificant. Sorry about that! I've felt like that before, but to our loving heavenly Father your life is significant. You can talk to Him about that. Let not Easter (the cross with Christ's resurrection day) be in vain for you, or for your family!

There is a hell to avoid, and you've probably already experienced a small degree of hell here. People sin. We all have, but His forgiveness is free. Call out to the Lord while you still can. Most people are not afforded the luxury of a deathbed conversion, and even with those who die in bed.. many never get right with God there.

Find out why you were made! Find out your own specific purpose here. Yes, God has a glorious purpose and plan for you--come to Him to find out, image-bearer! knowGod.org

It's CRAZY how some people need NO PROOF to believe a LIE but DEMAND endless PROOF to ACСЕРТ the TRUTH. Endless, unending, repeated, real scientific proof even.. but still won't satisfy them. We have eyewitness evidence from inside and outside, the grave is empty. Happy Easter people!

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No worries, hope is still to be had. Yep, in a relationship with the man of JOY. Happy Easter!

Good tidings of great JOY.. at his birth. Jesus, the man of sorrows who suffered and died.. is also a man of JOY! Everywhere Christ went, there was JOY! He's not changed how He is--He still is the life of the party. He loves sinners like me and sinners loved hanging out with Him too. They were glad! Got some trials? Been there before--count it all JOY. "The JOY of the Lord is my strength" Neh 8:10. Easter JOY, is endless JOY! Why get distracted, why take a stride from your Master's side?  Why choose to live in sin and lose all your JOY.. like so many sadly have? Pray: Retore to me the JOY of my salvation! Cuz He's 100% alive today. Over 500 eyewitness testified (Acts). His grave is empty, but my heart is full. Turn to Him and invite Him into your heart today. Experience His strength, peace, fullness of life and JOY! It's Easter, reJOYse!  

https://www.gotquestions.org/joy-to-the-world.html

Happy Resurrection Day to ya! It's about real life -- experience that kinda power and relationship first-hand, not religiously and second hand.

 On a hill far away, stood an old rugged Cross..

The emblem of suffering and shame.

And I love that old Cross where the Dearest and Best

For a world of lost sinners was slain.

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin.

Got some full deadness and a tomb ya need out of? I know an Expert to help with those kinda issues. He came out of that hole in the ground, got unwrapped into full freedom. He's alive, loves you, has a good good plan. Yep, and I was raised in a dead church that wanted me to trust that church, but it didn't help me get free from all my extreme partying and destructive habits. Come as ya are with a willingness to be transformed from the inside out. Yep, as you currently are to Jesus Christ.

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe.

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

::: Knowing God well and Making Him well Known! Need some help with that? Yep, gobs! :::

"God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it." John 3:17 KurtwVs.medium.com

Happy Easter to you!

He was physically dead, but now is risen -- Christ is. The tomb is empty. Has an echo in there. 

You know euphemisms are a way to convey something without actually saying a specific word ..that may be considered too unpopular, too awkward, too blunt, or just too direct in our society. Like with the term, "Death." 

Did ya know our society has over 200 different ways to say or describe death and dying. Yup does! 

I often use the funny ways to refer to death.. with my friends.. but not when near those who have lost a loved one. Some polite Euphemisms etc for it are.. 

• Asleep
• At Home
• At Peace
• At Rest
• Kicked The Bucket
• Passed
• Expired
• Bravely Fought ___ (insert the applicable condition or disease)
• Called Home (It’s amazing how almost 100% think they were)
• Called Away To His or Her Reward (Some won’t like their reward)
  
• Deceased
  
• Reached room temperature
• Slipped Away Quietly
• Succumbed
• Swan Song
• Taken By ___ (insert the applicable condition, disease, or accident)
  
• Bereft Of Life
• Bid Adieu To Earthly Scenes
• Said Farewell To This World
  
• Entered The Regions Of Immortal Felicity
• Eternal Sabbath
• Exchanged Worlds
  
• Fought The Good Fight (in reference to 2 Timothy 4:7)
• Was Gathered To His People
• Gave Up The Ghost
• Got Their Wings
  
• Bought The Farm
  
• Cash In One’s Chips
• Is Checkin’ Out The Grass From The Other Side (Underneath)
• Climbed The Golden Staircase
  
• Dirt Nap
  
• Final Curtain Call
  
• Went Into The Fertilizer Business
  
• Became Worm Food
• Went To Davy Jones’s Locker
• Juggling Halos Now (..as if!)
• Was Just Stamped “Return To Sender”
• Kicked The Oxygen Habit
  

People just don’t want to say or think about that “D” word. Often, when theories of death and what happens after death are discussed, you might hear “We think..,” “We hope..,” but hey guess what.. the Bible uses these two words, “We know!” (See 2 Corinthians 5:1). I like that, cuz it’s kind of an important subject huh. Knowing is far better than guessing, and being ready sure beats almost ready. The Bible says... 

"Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." 1 John 5:12-13

We know our time on earth and our bodies on earth (as they are now) are temporary, and our permanent residence and a new body awaits each of us up in heaven. He’s your mansion builder. Is that a really big home there, or a new body for you?  

In his book “The Grave Robber,” author Mark Batterson says,

There is nothing wrong with wanting to live a long life, but death isn’t something we (spiritually reborn believers) dread. Death was defeated two thousand years ago. And to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. So death is something we can actually anticipate because it’s not the end. It’s a new beginning. And many miracles we hoped for on earth will finally be fulfilled in heaven.

Remember post-resurrection how Christ ate fish with the guys. Jesus still has a physical body today, and he can fly so to speak. Think about His ascension on up. You and I will one day have resurrected bodies like His body is, and we’ll get to do stuff he does. And one day soon the Rapture will happen. And one day after the Second Coming the third heaven that’s beyond the second heaven with all those stars will come down -- heaven and earth will become one here during the millenium here with him as our King. 

Take heart, believer. Be encouraged in Christ today. You can say the “D” word without any fear or doubt! Jesus chose to take up residence in His earthly body, and He willingly laid down His life so that He could be physically resurrected and then take up residence in you by His Holy Spirit. You are bought with a price, and at that moment when you turn (repent), and trust the Lord (believe with saving faith).. at the moment of your salvation, God, through His Spirit, takes up residence in your body, and your life is no longer your own. It’s His! You are a brand new creation. The old is gone and the new has come!

Give praise to God, for you are fearfully and wonderfully made. The Bible declares that you are God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). Dwell in that beautiful truth. God specifically thought of you. God delights in you. God desires for you to love Him and to glorify Him with the life He has so freely given you.

As Paul tells us, death has no victory and has lost its sting because Jesus has conquered the grave!

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29

Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). Not my will, Your’s is far better (Read more on heaven).

Because He lives and you are in His hands, you too, shall live forever! Secure!  

John 1:12 - But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God--

John 5:24 - Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.

John 20:31 - But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

1 John 1:2 - And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.

1 John 2:25 - And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life.

1 John 3:23 - And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us.

1 John 4:9 - This is how God's love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.

1 John 5:11 - And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

1 John 5:20 - And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true--in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

God’s hands are big enough to bless you. Jesus would lay his hands on people and bless them. He does the same for you. Isaiah 62:3 says, “The Lord will hold you in his hand for all to see—a splendid crown in the hand of God” (NLT).

God’s hands are scarred to never forget you. In heaven, the only scars will be on Jesus. Do you think God can forget you? He has a constant reminder of you in his nail-scarred hands. The Bible says, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion for the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:15-16 NIV).

God’s hands are strong enough to keep you eternally secure. John 10:28-29 says, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish . . . My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand” (NIV. Rick Warren on hands).

Come to Jesus.. or come back to Him as you are. Clean your own life up and then come? No, better idea -- come to Jesus now as you are..but willing to be changed..willing to cooperate as He cleans you up. This fisherman catches his fish so to speak and then cleans em all from the inside out. Just know that His sanctification is a lifetime process. 

Once you turn, trust and put your life in God’s hands, then nobody can snatch you out of them. You may wonder, “Can’t a person just jump out?” How big and strong do you think your loving Father’s hands really are? Death can’t even take you away from God. 

1. What is the meaning of Easter? Yeah, what does Easter even mean?

2. What is the origin of the Easter bunny and Easter eggs? Due to the pagan origins of the Easter bunny and Easter eggs, should Christians participate in all that stuff?

3. Should Christians celebrate Easter? Should Christians observe the Easter holiday? Is Easter truly a Christian celebration?

4. Is Easter a pagan holiday? Does the Easter holiday have pagan origins? Does Easter come from paganism?

5. What are the origins of Easter? How did the Easter holiday originate? Where did the Easter celebration come from?

6. What is it really for.. Easter Sunday? What does Easter have to do with Jesus’ resurrection? shouldn’t Easter be called Resurrection Sunday?

7. Why do we celebrate Easter? Why should we celebrate Easter? Is Easter a holiday that is worth celebrating?

8. Who was Ishtar, and is there any connection between Ishtar and Easter? Is the word Easter derived from Ishtar or Eostre?

9. What is an Easter Vigil? Should..or How should a Christian observe an Easter Vigil?

10. How is or was the date for Easter determined?

11. Got some more Questions about Easter? Where did all those Easter traditions come from? Are they really necessary? Should Christians even be into all those?

12. Huh!.. What is Easter Monday? What happened on the Monday after Jesus’ death and resurrection?

13. Need an Easter Bible reading plan?

14. Should Christians celebrate Easter on Sunday? On a Sunday can Christians actually participate in the aspects of Easter that have pagan origins?

15. What is Pascha and how is that related to Easter? Why does Pascha fall on a different day than Easter?

16. Sup with the Christian and Holidays?

Is Jesus really physically alive now? Yep. Lots of eyewitnesses saw him post-tomb. 

Sup with all that prevents me from celebrating this Historical event that can impact my life today? 

What happens when you let the fleshly nature have its way? The flesh demands more and more and more. Never satisfied inside you. I say crucify the fleshly nature.

Just say NO to the flesh with its perv-passions. Instead, have red hot passion for the Spirit and His will for you. That’s way better -- God loves you! 

What to do with the fleshly nature in me -- starve it to death, don’t feed it only to hear it yell for MORE. (Starve you? No, not you, your old nature that craves all that is not good for you). Feed your human spirit with the truth of the word. 

"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." John 3:16

“For a soul is far too precious to be ransomed by mere earthly wealth. There is not enough of it in all the earth to buy eternal life for just one soul, to keep it out of hell.” Psalm 49:8-9

"We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true.." 1 John 5:19-20.

And say NO to this corrupt world system, but say YES to the Jesus of the Bible. Do not be conformed to this world system. Die to self daily, live pure in heart, disciplined with Jesus as Lord, and come alive into God. Regardless of how you feel cuz feelings can be so fickle. Live in the word. Yes, intimately, godly, on-fire, obediently with JOY. Not religiously cold or luke-warm spiritually. (See Gal. 5:16-24, Rom. 12:1-2)

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

I so enjoy Easter only cuz I love my time with Him. Think about it, if Jesus didn’t die on that lonely cross on Calvary’s hill for you and me, and if He didn’t rise again from the dead on the third day.. then nothing matters. We should just feast, suck down a lot of beer and party hardy. Sure, like a proverbial wild party animal (all that’d be moronic huh. Sin is never a good idea, cuz it destroys lives and God hates it). Come to Him now..candidly, bodly, humbly.   

"What good has it done me if, merely from a human point of view, I fought with wild animals at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised at all, let us eat and drink enjoying ourselves now, for tomorrow we die." ~ Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:32 amp

“Right after Jesus died on the cross: The earth shook, and rocks broke, and tombs opened, and many godly men and women who had died came back to life again. After Jesus’ resurrection, they left the cemetery and went into Jerusalem, and appeared to many people there.” Matthew 27:51-53