"When Did Jesus Die?" or "The Myth of Good Friday"

"For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." - Matthew 12:40

Now you might be better at mathematics than I (this is not saying much), but even you can not put three days and nights (even it you switch the order to the more Jewish "nights and days") between a Good Friday crucifixion and an Easter Sunday resurrection.

The Catholic tradition of Jesus dying on a Friday can be largely blamed on a misunderstanding of the word "sabbath". "Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings." - Leviticus 23:3

If you looked at this passage in Mark chapter fifteen, assuming that the "sabbath" meant "Saturday", a burial on Friday would be the only logical conclusion: "And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus." - Mark 15:42-43

But what if your idea of the sabbath always meaning the seventh day, was incorrect? What if there was more than one type of sabbath in the Bible? What if you thought of "sabbath" as meaning a "holy day when no work was allowed"? There are other sabbaths, relating to the Hebrew Feasts, described in Leviticus 23:4-44. While the Passover is not a sabbath day when no work is allowed to be done ("an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein"), there are days besides Saturday alone that are sabbath days.

Finding God in the quiet places

It's so easy for our days to get so busy taking care of necessary things or even going about God's work that we don't feel His presence as closely as before or maybe we don't even hear His words as clearly. That is a dangerous place to be.

One thing I love to do is to “find God in the quiet places”. For much of my life, large amounts of quiet time came first thing in the morning. Many people try the mornings for their quiet time but because of their schedules or their body clocks the morning does not work out well for them. What matters is that you have time to tap into the presence of God. I still have devotional time in the morning, but as of late, I've been 'going to bed' at least an hour early and spending that time in worship and prayer. Bible study comes during the day. But at night- when all is quiet, you can feel God in the quiet places as you praise Him.

It can be easy to forget the closeness He calls us to have with Him. We know the church (and all the members thereof) are called the bride of Christ, but remember it is personal too.

Isaiah 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

What a friend we have in Jesus!!

Psalm 12:6

Peshitta 150 AD

Wycliffe 1382 AD

Tyndale 1525 AD

Coverdale 1535 AD

The Great Bible 1539 AD

Bishops 1568 AD

7 -- King James 1611 AD

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

B.R. Lakin

Bascom Ray Lakin, Baptist Preacher
Born: January 5, 1901 near Fort Gay, West Virginia
Died: March 15, 1984 in Lynchburg, Virginia



Born to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lakin in a farmhouse on Big Hurricane Creek, B. R. Lakin had been asked for from the Lord by a praying mother, who asked God for a "preacher man". He attended a one-room schoolhouse only through fourth grade, but later in life attended Moody Bible Institute while pastoring several churches.

Lakin became a Christian by accepting Jesus Christ as his Saviour in 1919, at a revival that was being held by J.C. Simphins in a country Baptist church. Within a week he had preached his first sermon. During the 1920s he served as circuit-riding preacher, riding a mule to country churches near the forks of the Big Sandy River, through the mountains and foothills of rural West Virginia and Kentucky. His first pastorate was Evangel Baptist Church at Greenbriar Creek, where he was paid $7 a month. He eventually assisted for two years at the Cadle Tabernacle in Indianapolis, Indiana, and upon E. Howard Cadle's death, became the Senior Pastor for the nest twelve years, continuing the long running daily radio program, “Nation’s Family Prayer Period".

B.R. Lakin was married to the former Violet Crabtree on August 30, 1922. They only had one son, William. William passed away on March 27, 1955 as the result of a car accident. William Lakin was survived by his wife and son. B.R. Lakins grandson, Ronald, assisted him throughout the rest of his ministry.

In 1952, Dr. Lakin resigned as pastor of Cadle Tabernacle to go into full-time evangelism, which he continued in until just before his death in 1984. Although he referred to himself as "just a country preacher", he traveled fifty thousand miles each year and preached to an average of four thousand people per week. He was a staff evangelist for Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. Lakin's sermons were a combination of wit, Bible teaching, and a strong Gospel appeal.

Sermons by B.R. Lakin can still be heard, on websites such as this.

3/30 Fundamental Thoughts

“A Monumental Happening”

              Reading Mark 16:1-8 quoted below, we know that our Jesus, our Christ has risen from the grave.  As we look at the years that Jesus walked on the earth, several monumental things happened in His short life.

              The first important monumental event was the birth of Jesus.  He was born of a virgin in a livestock barn.  The next, (I am not discounting all the miracles, healing which were all monumental,) was His death on His Cross; the blood spilt, the grieving, the mocking all a part of His death.  The third event we see God has lifted Him out of the tomb.  (He Is Risen.)

              We then see eyewitness accounts of Him walking, talking, and eating after the tomb was opened.

              Each of these instances by themselves was monumental, but each was necessary for the whole.  Without His birth, there would not have been a Cross.  Without the Cross, there would never have been a need for a tomb.  Without the tomb, the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus would never have happened.  Without that resurrection, you and I would not have a resurrection in our future.  We would be without Hope, the Hope our Lord gave us by dying on that “Old Rugged Cross.”

              When we accept Jesus as our Saviour, and bow our head in subjection and humility to Him, a monumental event happens.  Jesus places the Holy Spirit within us.  With the Holy Spirit, we become one with Christ and His Father in Heaven.                 

              Have you received Jesus?  Have you subjected yourself to the One who died a horrible death for you?  Jesus is calling.  He is calling you.  Accept His Monumental Salvation.  Accept Him and see your life change.  It will if you have willingly accepted Him on His terms.                    

Bro John R. E Chastain

Mark 16:1-8  And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.  (2)  And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.  (3)  And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?  (4)  And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.  (5)  And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.  (6)  And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.  (7)  But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.  (8)  And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

For Salvation

Luke 23:41-43

vs 41 - No Middle Ground for Salvation

vs 42 - Simple Faith in Jesus for Salvation

Vs 43 - No One is too Far Gone for Salvation

For those He died (Easter Article)

For those He died (another article I wrote a few years ago)

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; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 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

Before the coming of the Lord, there was a lamb. A wee little thing of purest white, without blemish, the best in the bunch. We know that the sacrifice of the lamb meant forgiveness of sins for the year, but what if you had no lamb? What if you sinned again? What of your poor family and friends? What if you were not Jewish? This was not a good enough plan…we needed something better.

The Lord Jesus had a plan that would help all of mankind. It was an AMAZING plan, filled with danger, and sacrifice. The very Son of God himself volunteered to leave all the glories of Heaven to be born as a man and take the place of the lamb. He knew that we needed a better plan, and that without it we would have no hope.

As Easter approaches I find myself thinking of how much He had to love us. He was more willing to suffer and die, than to live in Heaven without us. He went from riches to poverty. He went from royalty to servant. He traded crowns of gold for a crown of thorns. He gave up His robes of finery for homespun rags. He traded comfort for pain. He left the protection of the all mighty God for torture on earth by the devil and man. He went from worship to rejection.

Why did He do it? Why did He care about us? This spotless lamb who can take away the sins of the entire world. Only one word can answer this question. “LOVE.”

Whether we deserved it or not, He loved us enough to die.

Easter has long time been my all time favorite holiday. It’s that one time of year that most people remember what God did for us and come to church. It might just be that one time all year, but what an opportunity to tell of Gods love.

How good are you about loving people the way that God wants you to? We know He sent His only Son to die for us. We know He wants us to tell others.

Resurrection Rolls

Resurrection Rolls
These rolls are a perfect way to help us focus on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The marshmallows placed inside the rolls before baking disappear after they have been baked...

Ingredients/Symbolism
Large Marshmallows - body of Jesus
Melted Butter - oils of embalming
Cinnamon/Sugar Mix- spices used to anoint the body.
Crescent Roll - the wrapping of Jesus’ body or the tomb.
Oven – the tomb
Cavity in bun – the empty tomb or the empty cloths

Directions:
Take a marshmallow. This represents Jesus. Dip the marshmallow in melted butter. This represents the oils of embalming. Now dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar which represents the spices used to anoint the body. Then wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll (not like a typical crescent roll up but bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside.) This can either represent the wrapping of Jesus’ body after death or the Tomb. Matt. 27:57–61; John 19:38–42

Place in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes or as directed on the package of the crescent rolls. (The oven can represent the tomb if the roll is representing the wrapping—pretend like it was three days!) Take the role of the guards at Jesus’ tomb. Stand guard at the oven. Let the rolls cool slightly. Open your crescent rolls and discover that Jesus is no longer there,

HE IS RISEN!!!! (The marshmallow melts and the crescent roll is puffed up, but empty.) Jesus is Risen! Now read Matthew 28:5-8; Mark 16:4-8; Luke 24:1-6; John 20:1-18; Isaiah 25:8

(copied online from http://bakinnbitsbarbara.blogspot.com where you can see pictures of the process. I loved this idea!)

New Changes to the IFB KJV Blogroll

First of all, let me say how much I appreciate all our guest authors who post articles on the main block of text! If you are a blogroll member, you are more than welcome to receive "Author Permission" to post directly to the blogroll (this is the left hand column), just email me at water05201@hotmail.com. If you are not a blogroll member, but are an IFB and have a blog on any topic, join our blogroll! :)

The main change today (beside the template), is that I have shortened the updates list to ten entries. This allows the front page of the blogroll to not be so very long. If you do not see your blog on the list, just make a post to your blog, and in a few minutes, your blog will be at the top of the list! The updates list will always show the ten most recently updated blogs on our blogroll. If your article has included a picture, it will be on the updates list. Let me know if you have any questions or ideas.

I am adding a list of all the blogs on the blogroll, since the updates gadget will no longer list them all. I am using this opportunity to check all blogs for closed blogs/moved blogs and updating to your new site. If it is not updated yet, check again in a few hours. I've also simplified the share and subscribe codes, if you are using them to get new entries emailed to you. God bless!

The Sorrows of Alcohol

Proverbs 23:29-35 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? (30) They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. (31) Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. (32) At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. (33) Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. (34) Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. (35) They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

Here is one of the MANY Bible passages that teaches us the perils of alcohol. In this passage, we read about the Sorrows of Alcohol:

1. The Reminder of the Sorrow Alcohol Causes - 23:29. It causes pain in the body with headaches, body sickness, agonies of the mind, and the torture of your conscience through the sins that it leads you to commit. You do things that you normally wouldn't do, and you say things that you normally wouldn't say. The next day brings sickness and regret.
2. The Reality of the Sorrow Alcohol Causes - 23:30. The reality is that a person does not consume alcohol, but alcohol consumes them. It takes over their personality and takes over their life. Eventually, it is not enough and they need to mix the alcohol and make it stronger. Sin is never enough, and it quickly spirals out of control. Reminds me of the fact that an alcoholic never thinks they will be one when they take that first drink.
3. The Remedy for the Sorrow Alcohol Causes - 23:31. Look not means that you are not in the presence of it, and so then you cannot be tempted with it. The best advice to avoid the pitfalls of alcohol is just to avoid it all together!
4. The Results of the Sorrow Alcohol Causes - 23:32-35. Here, the author of this Proverb paints the "morning after" picture that the alcohol companies WILL NOT show you on their product advertisements. Why in the world would anyone choose to subject themselves to these sorrows? The answer is: SIN!

Instead of trying to figure out some way that it might be okay or acceptable to drink alcohol, lets just take the Principle of the Proverb and avoid the Sorrows of Alcohol.

Boldness

Boldness about:

Salvation God Provided - Romans 1:16

Scripture God Preserved - Psalm 119:46

Standards We Should Practice - Jeremiah 6:15-16

Shout He Provokes - Psalm 5:11

The Blessing of Single Servants, By Mrs. Loveless

The Blessing of Single Servants
(originally posted on It's A Loveless World 02/03/10)

Now, I know what all you single guys and gals are thinking... What does a couple of married people know about being single? Well, I would like to tell you our story. I turned 27 on April 28, 2003. A few weeks later in May, I arrived at the airport to meet up with the rest of the mission team I was joining. We were taking a month long trip to Quebec and Manitoba, Canada. There in the midst of the girls was a guy. Something about him struck me right away, maybe it was because he was the only guy in the group. My initial thoughts were "I wonder if this is why God wanted me on this trip?" Not too spiritual I know.

Let's back up a little. I was born into a Christian home. My dad entered the pastorate when I was seven. By the grace of God I was gloriously saved at a very young age, 5-yrs-old. You've heard it said that hind sight is 20/20. Well, looking back I can see that God was preparing me for a life in the ministry from the beginning. I knew it was in my heart as a teenager, but I put those thoughts on the back-burner and replaced them with my life's plan. My plan was to meet a handsome dark-haired man at the "mature" age of 18, then we would date until I was 20. After a year engagement, we would be married and after a few years of honeymoon we would start a family, maybe four or five kids. I figured he would probably be going into the ministry and that would solve my need to surrender myself. Well, 18 went by, then 19..., 21..., 24..., One day I woke up and found out I was almost 26 and life hadn't gone as planned. What happened next was a foolhardy thing to do and not something I am proud of.

Late one Saturday, in January 2003, I found myself at my whits end. I was empty inside, except for a nagging feeling that a relationship with God was what I was missing. You see, God never left me, but I had pushed Him out and replaced Him with shattered dreams and a broken heart. That night, I didn't sleep much. Finally, as morning dawned, I slipped out of bed and got on my knees. Mine was not a heart ready for prayer. With tears pouring down, I brazenly told God that He had my soul, but if He wanted the rest of me, HE would have to do something that day in church. If He didn't, then I would stop fighting and go on with my career, being just like most every other christian I knew, service on the outside, cold on the inside. NO feeling would be better than the conviction that was tearing me apart. When you get to that state of spirit, you are completely unaware that you are dangling over a precipice spiritually and God in His mercy is the only thing keeping you from falling. Oh, I could never lose my salvation, but as I have witnessed, a child of God who rebels to this level of a stiff-necked heart is most often taken home.

Let me say here that God is a merciful and gracious God. He wasn't willing to let me go. That morning in church a missionary arrived. Somehow there was a mix up in the schedule, and Dad wasn't expecting him until the next Sunday, but Dad had him preach anyway. Before he preached, I was scheduled to sing. And wouldn't you know it, the hymn I had chosen before this happened was, "I Wonder Have I Done My Best For Jesus." I could barely finish. After I left to hide in the restroom, my Mom met me. I told her that God wanted me, but I was so afraid that He was going to call me into missions alone. After I cried for a moment, I composed myself and went back to service.

That morning the missionary started his sermon by asking, "Do you really want to be like Christ?" Of course I'm sure most of the congregation would agree that we did. He went on to give example after example of what it meant to be like Christ. Christ was willing to leave His home, Christ was willing to be ridiculed and persecuted, Christ was willing to die so that men could be free. It was also during this sermon that he mentioned how we are so often willing to pray for God to send laborers into the field, but how many of us were willing to be the answer to that prayer?

One of Today's Devotions from http://kjvdevos.blogspot.com

Overcoming a Condemning Conscience

Romans 8:1
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

One of the things I have found that hinders many Christians from doing what they should for God is a guilty conscience. If the truth were known, everybody has done something that they regret. The reason why I know this is because everybody is a sinner. Because everybody is a sinner, there is not a person alive who hasn't done some sin that they wish they could undo. Therefore, everybody is capable of having a guilty or condemning conscience.

Before I show you how to overcome the condemning conscience, let me show you why Christians have guilty consciences. Revelation 12:10 says, “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Notice this verse says that Satan is the accuser of the brethren. Satan's accusatory actions are not only performed in front of God, but he will also take our past and use it to attack us personally. Satan's accusatory attack can cause us to carry a condemning conscience.

According to the verse above there is a way that you can overcome a condemning conscience. There are three steps that God says must be taken in order to overcome a condemning conscience. First, a person must get saved. When a person gets saved all of their sins are placed under the blood of Jesus Christ. Christian, you must realize that even though Satan accuses you to condemn your conscience, you can respond back to him by saying that all of your sins are placed under the blood of Jesus Christ.

Secondly, you overcome a condemning conscience by not walking after the flesh. In other words, the best way to overcome a condemning conscience is not to live the life the flesh would like you to live. This is why preachers constantly preach that you should stop trying to live like the world. Christian, when you continue to yield to the flesh, you are feeding the conscience with things to condemn you. You will never overcome a condemning conscience while living a fleshly life.

Last of all, the way to overcome a condemning conscience is to do the things the Spirit of God would want you to do. Yes, serving God and doing what God commands you to do will help you overcome your condemning conscience. When you do right and stop doing wrong, you will have a clear conscience. There is nothing more refreshing than knowing that you did right. The greatest prescription for overcoming your condemning conscience is to live according to the Scriptures.

Are you having problems with your conscience condemning you? Then take the prescription from the verse above and follow it. You will find by following the prescription from this verse that your conscience can be guilt free. It will be guilt free because God promises that He is greater than anything else in life. When we do what God commands us to do in order to overcome the condemning conscience, then He will drive away Satan and those thoughts that try to condemn us.

Start living right today and you will see the things that used to condemn your conscience will be driven away. A happy life is the result of a guilt-free conscience.

IFB KJV Issues

We had a script problem, however I think it is fixed. It seemed to make an appearance about the same time as IE updated. If anyone has trouble seeing any part of this blogroll, please leave a comment below and I will look into it. Thanks and God Bless!

What Kind of Person Does God Use?

Walking
Worshiping
Willing
Weeping
Working

3/16 Fundamental Thoughts

What A Day That Will Be

              As I read the scriptures in Luke 21:25-28 quoted below, my first thoughts are found in the Book of John:

John 3:36  …and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

              When we see the signs described below, the souls who have not accepted Jesus as their personal Saviour will have waited too long. I do not understand fully the extent of God’s wrath; however, I do know it is an eternal wrath.  I also know when we see our Jesus in those clouds, they will have put off their Heavenly eternity one too many times, and the wrath of God will be their personal eternity, a forever, and ever, and an everlasting eternity, beginning in Hell and finally completed in the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:13-15  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  (14)  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  (15)  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Jesus tells us in John 3:16 that “…whosoever believeth in him should …but have everlasting life.”  Life with Christ is also an everlasting, eternal, and forever, and ever life; a glorious life, with never another tear, never another parting, and never another broken heart.  “What A Day That Will Be When My Jesus I Shall See.”

              Our Bible tells us to watch for His return.  He tells us in Scripture that no man knows the hour, so we must be ready for that any moment or hour within which Jesus will return.  

Matthew 24:35-36  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.  (36)  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

              Do you know Jesus as your personal Saviour?  Do you know if you died today that heaven would be your home?  You, as a soul, will live eternally.  You can make the choice today.  Where do you want to call home, Heaven with Christ, or live with the wrath of God in that eternal lake of fire?  The Choice is yours.  Decide today your future.  What kind of day will you have?                                                                                   

Bro John R. E Chastain

Luke 21:25-28  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;  (26)  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.  (27)  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  (28)  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Bible vs Cell Phone

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our

cell phone?


What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?


What if we flipped through it several time a day?


What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?


What if we used it to receive messages from the text?


What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?


What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?


What if we used it when we traveled?


What if we used it in case of emergency?


This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?


Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry

about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.