Hear the Blessed Savior 4/30/18

30 April 2018 - Hear the Blessed Savior – Manna from Dec. 3, 2008 by Dorothy

Song: Come unto Me
1. Hear the blessed Savior calling the oppressed,
“O ye heavy laden, come to Me and rest;
Come, no longer tarry, I your load will bear;
Bring Me every burden, bring Me every care.”
Chorus:
Come unto Me; I will give you rest;
Take my yoke upon you, Hear Me and be blest;
I am meek and lowly, Come and trust My might;
Come, My yoke is easy, And My burden’s light.

2. Are you disappointed, wandering here and there,
Dragging chains of doubt and loaded down with care?
Do unholy feelings struggle in your breast?
Bring your case to Jesus, He will give you rest.
[Chorus]

Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said,
KJV: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my
yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek
and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your
soul. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

NCV: “Come to me, all of you who are tired and
have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept
my teachings and learn from me, because I am
gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest
for your lives. The teaching that I ask you to accept
is easy; the load I give you to carry is light.”

Tony's prayer for April 30, 2018:
Dear Lord, I pray for strength and peace into our hearts
in time of trouble. I pray for the joy of the Lord into
our hearts and that You are our Life. You are our strength.
You are our peace since Jesus said, "My peace I give to you.
Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in Me. Trust God."
Thank You Holy Spirit for the inspiration this morning.
In Jesus' name amen. May God bless you today.

April 30, 2018 Dorothy: I found the one I need to encourage myself especially the song.  The song with words encourages me so much. And I was impressed to see Tony’s prayer so I am including his prayer for all of us.

 April 30^th is the last day of the month. I’m sure that the month of April was really a struggle month for all of us.  Tomorrow will be a new day for us. I encourage myself: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to your own understanding.  In all your way, stay with the Lord and He will continue to lead you.”

May the Lord bless you!

Dorothy  

Part 2/2 The Boat 4/28-29/2018

28-29 April 2018 – David Stecca’s Parable: Part 2 of 2 - The Boat

The Boat

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price

   “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, ⁴⁶ who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold ALL that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46 (NKJV)

Bobby was 11 years, old almost 12.  Every day after school he walked his paper route delivering the Daily Journal, and every day he would stop at the pawn shop window to stare at what had to be the most beautiful sail boat in the world.  He wanted that sail boat so bad, he dreamed about it every night and at school it was all he could think about.

Bobby knew that boat must cost a lot, but he loved that boat so much he had to have it. With all the bravery an 11 almost 12-year-old boy can have, Bobby marched into the shop and announced he wanted to buy the boat.  The boat had a $50 pawn ticket; it belonged to someone else. The owner had six more weeks to redeem his loan. If the owner failed, Bobby could for $50 pay the debt, redeem the boat and take it home.

Bobby had a small leather coin purse. Each day for six weeks he carefully put the money from his paper route in that purse, He did extra chores around the house and picked up pennies off the ground. He worked and he saved. Every day he stopped at the shop to count down the days and to see if the owner had come back to claim his ownership of the boat. He loved that boat so much that as he waited, he felt his heart would burst from the inside.

Finally, it was the last day. Bobby ran to the pawn shop; it was all he could do to keep his feet from flying off the ground. He had to know would the boat still be there or did the owner of the boat come back, claim his ownership and pay his debt?  When he rounded the corner he slowed down, he could see the window; the boat… IT WAS GONE!  His feet stopped moving and he stood there.

As he watched the shop owner reached down and brought the boat up and set it on the counter. The owner never came back.  Bobby emptied his coin purse on the counter and together they counted it.  Bobby went home with his sail boat under his arm and a pawn ticket with the words “Debt paid in full.”

Possible lessons from the Boat

1.                   In the story of the boy and the boat;

2.                  How and when and where did the boy’s love for the boat begin?

3.                  How much love did the boy have for the boat?

4.                  Because of his love for the boat, what did the boy do?

5.                  In comparison to the boy and the boat;

When did God’s love for us begin? (The first time he saw it)

How much does God love us? (Compare boy’s love for boat)

How, when and where did God’s love for us begin?

            Because of his love for us, what did Jesus do?

Song: Jesus Paid It All

Jesus paid it all;

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson;

He washed it white as snow.

[Lyrics: Elvina Mabel Hall, Sing His Praise]

Note from Dorothy Callies:

     Thank you, Lord for these marvelous inspiring parables I have ever seen. The word, ALL has such a wonderful meaning. What did Jesus do? The answer was JESUS PAID IT ALL and Jesus’s CALVARY COVERS IT ALL!

     Oh, glory, hallelujah! I’ll thank Him, I’ll praise Him forever and ever! I’ll thank Him, I’ll praise Him for saving my soul! (Song from 23-25 April 2018)

May the Lord bless you!

Part 1 Dentist & Checkers 4/26-27/18

26-27 April 2018 – David Stecca’s Parables: Part 1 of 2 - The Dentist & the Checkers  Part 2 – The Boat

To our friends,

     These stories are not intended to be a sermon or a teaching lesson in themselves. They are intended to be a base on which a pastor or teacher can build any number of messages or themes. The overall theme of the boat story and the dentist office is God’s immeasurable love for man, the price He has been willing to pay for that love, and that at Calvary Jesus redeemed us, paid our debt and in doing so removed all our sin, to the point where they are not only all gone they can no longer be found, not even a shadow or a stain.

     These stories may be used for God’s glory without further permission and modified in any way that will make clear the message of Jesus Christ and His love. If you do use the stories in any part, please send me a copy that we might be able to share with others.  David Stecca, DVC (Deaf Video Communication)

The Dentist and the Checkers

     I arrived at the dentist office late. It wasn’t my fault. The car next to me was speeding but the cop stopped me.  The waiting room was full, the only available chair was at the children’s table. So, there I sat surrounded by children’s books and an endless pile of black checkers.

     Convinced the dentist was punishing me for making him late, I stared at the invitation I received from the officer to traffic court and listened as the names of everyone around were being called, everyone but mine.

     I was having a really bad day and developing equally bad attitude, where was God when I needed him?  Grumpy and tired I did what any 48-year-old adult would do, I picked up a checker and began playing with it.  

     As I held it my name suddenly appeared on it. I flipped it over, on the back was written the words “ANGER.” I was a little shocked and picked up another one.  There was my name again and the word “GOSSIP.”  Than another “BITTERNESS” and another and another.

     On the back of each checker was written a condition of my heart.  I tried to cover the pile, so the others wouldn’t see it, but the pile kept getting bigger. I heard a voice calling my name in a panic I cried out “yes Lord, I’m sorry.” 

     As if touched by the hand of God Himself the checkers began to disappear. At first one by one, then two’s, three’s until they were all gone. There was not one single checker left.  I looked all around the table on the floor among the books even the trash can.

   There was not one single checker to be found, they were all gone. On the table where the checkers had been was written “FORGIVEN,” Jesus. 

   I could hear someone calling my name, “your next, the dentist is waiting.

          

            Possible lessons from the Dentist and the Checkers

1.       As we are forgiven so should we forgive others.

2.      We ALL need forgiveness.

3.      Jesus removed ALL my sins at Calvary.  Song-Calvary Covers It ALL.

4.      ALL my debt was paid in full at Calvary.  Song-Jesus Paid It ALL.

Song: Calvary Covers It All

Calvary covers it all,

My past with its sin and stain;

My guilt and despair

Jesus took on Him there,

And Calvary covers it all.

[Lyrics & Music: Mrs. Walter G. Taylor, Sing His Praise]

Song: Jesus Paid It All

For nothing good have I

Whereby Thy grace to claim;

I’ll wash my garments white

In the blood of Calvary’s Lamb.

Chorus:

Jesus paid it all;

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson;

He washed it white as snow.

[Lyrics: Elvina Mabel Hall, Sing His Praise]

Sharing News from Dorothy Callies:

     Ruby Stecca was sharing my Manna from April 10-17, 2018 with her husband, David. I mentioned that I started to work on Manna on the topic “ALL,” but I wasn’t able to make it a point. It was a broad subject and it all started with the songs: Calvary Covers It All and Jesus Paid It All.  

     On April 14^th, Ruby and David Stecca stopped by Bob Evans Restaurant to visit with us before they visit their family in Peoria last April 14^th.  Ruby explained to me that David had an idea about the subject on “ALL.”  So David shared his ‘parable’ about the checkers and gave it a point.  So I asked him if he could share it in the Manna and said that he would.  So I want to thank David Stecca for sharing his two parables on “ALL,” The Dentist & the Checkers and The Boat.

     David had two parables together and I divided them into two parts to make it easier to read. So the next part two, The Boat will be added to Manna right after this.

   

What this means to me?  God knew that David would have a good parable to share so God “save” it until we met together last April 14^th.  It was awesome to realize that God provided a help at the right time.  God bless you, David Stecca!

May the Lord richly bless you!

Dorothy

[To be continued to Part 2, The Boat by David Stecca]

Precious to God 4/23-25/18

23-25 April 2018 - Precious to God – Manna by Dorothy Callies

1 John 4:11 “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

I would like to share a story: His name was David.  People called him, “the street fiddler” meaning he play violin very skillful.  David was an older man and he goes out to play in popular places in the city.  What people sees in him seems like a regular guy, nothing special about him.  When he played his violin, people listened and drop a dollar in the open instrument case before them on the sidewalk.  David would smile and nod his head in thanks as he continued to play.

When David died and his obituary was in a local paper.  There was a surprised information about David when people on the street thought he was just a regular guy.  But there’s more about David.  David spoke several languages.  When he graduate from university, he was an important person in the eyes of many people.  David even run for the state of senate.  Some people were surprised that David had so much success in the past and compared him as a lonely violin player in the street.  [Condensed story from James Bank, Our Daily Bread Ministries]

Dorothy: It makes me think of Tony who has been very successful with Hebrews Verse by Verse Bible Study worked with David Stecca of Deaf Video Communication in the garage studio for three years traveling two times a month from Bloomington to Lisle, Illiois, two hours drive each way.  Those days were VHS.  Later on the new technology changed to DVD, and then next computer EMAIL.  Now we learn that the Hebrews are in APP or you could google them at DVCTV.COM.  Many Deaf are using Hebrews for their personal Bible Study all over USA.

David and Ruby Stecca stopped by Bob Evans Restaurant to visit with us before they visited their family in Peoria last April 14^th.  Mr. Stecca was showing that Tony was in his cell phone, teaching the Bible study on Hebrews. Awesome!  And here, Tony is in his walker who may appear like a regular guy and living in a quiet life with slight memory problem. 

What does this means with this story and compared with Tony?  James Banks quote: “Scripture tells us that “God created mankind in His own image” (Genesis 1:27).  This reveals (shows) an inherent (belonging to a person’s) worth within each of us, regardless of how we look, what we have achieved, or what others may think of us.  Even when we chose to turn from God in our sinfulness, God valued us so much that He sent His only Son to show us the way to salvation and to eternity with Him.

We are so loved by God, and all around us are those who are precious to Him.  May we express our love for Him in return by sharing His love with others.  Heavenly Father, thank you for Your wonderful love for me.  I pray that others may see Your love in my words and actions today.  [End of James Banks’ devotion]

This early morning, I woke up with a song that came to me that I haven’t sang it for years. Awesome, Holy Spirit who brought this up, “I’ll Thank Him, I’ll Praise Him.”

Song:  I’ll Thank Him, I’ll Praise Him

1. When I get to heaven and see my Savior’s face,

I’ll thank Him, I’ll praise Him for wondrous saving grace;

As I sit beside Him ‘neath heaven shining throne,

I’ll thank Him, I’ll praise Him for leading me home.

Chorus:

When I get to heaven, I’ll lay my burden down,

I’ll see the King of glory,

Receive my home, my robe and crown;

I’ll thank Him, I’ll praise Him for ever and ever,

I’ll thank Him, I’ll praise Him for saving my soul.

2. When my life has ended, before Him I shall stand,

I’ll thank Him, I’ll praise Him for saving fallen man;

Up in that fair city we’ll never have a care,

I’ll thank Him, I’ll praise Him for He will be there.

Chorus:

When I get to heaven, I’ll lay my burden down,

I’ll see the King of glory,

Receive my home, my robe and crown;

I’ll thank Him, I’ll praise Him for ever and ever,

I’ll thank Him, I’ll praise Him for saving my soul.

[Lyrics and music: Joan Morris and Max M. Morris]

May the Lord bless you.

Dorothy

Until Then & News 4/18-22/18

18-22 April 2018 - Until Then – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Ps. 90:10 NCV “Our lifetime is seventy years or, if we are strong, eighty years . . .”

The chapter of Psalm 90 was about a prayer of Moses, the man of God explained that God is eternal, and we are not (meaning in our flesh is not forever).   In Psalm 90:1-2 NCV, “Lord, You have been our home since the beginning.  Before the mountains were born and before You created the earth and the world, YOU . . ARE . . GOD. .  You have always been, and You will always be.”  

I like to quote from Psalm 90:1-2 KJV, “LORD, THOU has been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou (had) formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, THOU . . ART . . GOD. .” 

I like the words, “from everlasting to everlasting, YOU ARE GOD.”  This reminds me that to God, a thousand years is like one day to HIM. And one day is like a thousand years and it is like God has no beginning and no end. God is forever. Awesome!

Reading the Scripture on verse 10 made me realized I’m well passed 70’s and Tony just passed his 80’s last March.  Tony asked God a question, “What is Your plan for us?” (Especially with our “ailing bodies”)  Then Joseph Prince’s devotion came like this:

“God’s way is to call those things that are not as though they are.  And because you are made in God’s image, you can also call those things that are not as though they are!"  Romans 4:17 tells us that “. . . God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did . . .” 

When God spoke to Tony and me and said, “You are a brand new man!” Surely, I have seen tiny miracles with God continue to give Tony the strength to where he could finally fasten his own pant without my help and take the coat from the closet and put it on and even zip it himself. He could not before, but now he could.  He even got the nerve to lift his own walker down to 8 steps at times when he didn’t wait for me to help him. I was in awe watching him down the steps with walker himself.  I told him that was dangerous.  He shrugged his shoulder . . . “Well, I made it.” And he smiled . . . Me sighed! . . . Happily!

That was when I understood what Joseph Prince meant.  When God said, “Tony is a brand new man” and that was looking to those things that Tony was already healed even though I don’t see it fully happened yet.  And I am to act like he was healed . . . and sure enough those daily tiny miracle was enough to show me that Tony was on his way to improving, however slowly.

Even though he walked like “a snail” because he complained of his bursitis pain that slow him down.  He goes to chiropractor two times a week to straighten his hip which makes it painful, but important for him to be able to walk normally. 

Meanwhile there’s a song I found, “Until Then” and I like the encouraging words. “But until then my heart will go on singing, Until then with joy I’ll carry on—Until the day my eyes behold the city, Until then God calls me home.” (Written by Stuart Hamblen from The Celebration Hymnal, songs & hymns for worship).  Thank you, Ruby Stecca for this book. It was awesome to find this title, “Until Then.” 

Until then, we’ll follow God’s plan to live day by day and do what He leads us. As a result, I noticed my health has improved much more and I’m enjoying my Manna. Thank you for your prayers.  [I’m waiting for someone who will share the Manna on the topic of “ALL.”  And I will share the good news soon.]

As I was finishing up this Manna, Tony came up to greet me and said, “Come here” with his arms open for hug.  Ohhh, isn’t that touching?  So I got up and hugged him and he’s like ‘heaven’ to me.  And it is 5:40 a.m. Soon we’ll be watching Joel Osteen’s program on TBN TV to encourage our growing faith to continue to believe in God’s miracle.

Until Then, God bless you!

Dorothy

Need Prayer 4/10-17/2018

April 13, 2018 

Dear Friends,
     Tony and I need your prayers.  We are in a very great spiritual battles
and physical battles, too.  There are a lots of issues going on at this time 
that I am not able to say much yet.   
     I started to work on Manna on the topic "ALL".  I got into the study to
where I wasn't able to make a point.  It was a very broad subject and it all
started with the songs: Calvary Covers It All and Jesus Paid It All. One song
was He is my everything and He is my ALL. 
     I may need to put "Manna Under Construction" for awhile and I also 
might need to take a break as well while continue to study on devotion for
my personal spiritual growth. 
     I still get up in the morning between 3-6 a.m. [1-2 hours] to pray with 
studies and to continue to quote God's Word, and using Prayer Calendar 
provided by Rhonda Barrett for the month of April. I quote the prayer 
Scriptures over Tony and me, for families and friends.  And the prayer 
names that some of you send to us.  
     Sometimes it's nice to know if God answered your prayers even if you 
just send to me personally.  Like Scripture says, "Exhort one another daily."
    God bless you and keep you safe,

With much love, 
Dorothy and Tony Callies

The Redemption 4/7-9/18

07-09 April 2018 - The Redemption – Share Devotion by Dorothy Callies

Colossians 1:12-14 KJV: Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (able) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

I would like to share the devotion from Larry Huggins, The Blood Speaks. What impressed me?  Larry: The word redemption could also be translated “deliverance.” In whom we have deliverance . . . Deliverance from what?  From darkness, from sin from the Devil.  The Knox translation says it this way; “In the Son of God, in His blood, we find redemption that sets us free from our sins.”

Larry: You see, we were translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son by the blood of Jesus Christ. (Col.1:13)  We were translated out of darkness into light by the blood because the light was in the blood.  The life was in the blood.  By the blood of Jesus we have redemption, even the forgiveness of sins.

                        Here is Larry’s story about the hitchhiker . . .

            Late one rainy night, Judi and I picked up a hitchhiker.  His long, stringy hair was soaking wet; but more than that, there was an evil presence about him.  Ordinarily, when Judi is with me, I don’t stop for hitchhiker; but I was really impressed to help him that night.

            When he got into the car, it was as if the Devil himself had come in.  To mask (cover) my nervousness, I casually asked the stranger how he was doing.

            “How am I doing?” he retorted (answer back).  “I’ll tell you how I’m doing.  I ain’t doing good at all.  I’m an addict.  I just got out of jail.  Those cops didn’t give me no medication and I had to lick heroine ‘cold turkey.’  I was sick the whole time.  My so-called friends had me busted.  I owe my lawyer a thousand dollars, and I’ll tell you how I’m doing. I ain’t doing well at all.  I’m doing bad!  I want some dope, and I’m looking to kill the person who had me busted!”

            I swallowed the lump in my throat and bravely said, “I know someone who can help you.”  Desperately, the hitchhiker seized upon that bit of hope.  “I need someone to help me before I do something terrible.”

            I stopped my car on a dark, deserted side street.  It was raining hard, and it was dark and gloomy.  “Take my hand,” I said, “and pray with me.”

            I led that desperate man in the sinner’s prayer.   He gripped my hand very hard and began to cry.  He begged God for mercy, “Oh, please help me, God.  I promise I’ll try and do right.  Please, God, please . . .” he pleaded.

            I interrupted and said, “Don’t make promises.  Just love Him.”  He got it! “Oh, Jesus,” he said, “I love you so much!  Thank You, Lord, for saving me.”

            Judi can testify to the truth of what happened next.  Upon my honor, as the man prayed, his skin began to shine with a heavenly glory.  It became brighter and brighter—so bright you could have read a newspaper by it.  That hitchhiker was filled with light and life of God.  He was translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, right before our eyes!  He looked like Jesus.  One instant he was a wretch (miserable); the next, a son (child) of God, surrounded with a heavenly light. 

            Later, he said, “You know, a few minutes ago, I was so full of hate, I wanted to kill someone.  Now, I don’t want to kill anyone—I love everyone.” (End of story)

Dorothy: Oh, have you ever read a story like this?  A light and a life and the blood of Jesus shone with heavenly glory inside that hitchhiker so bright that you could read a newspaper by it.  Wow! It is the first time I really understood what translated meant from kingdom of darkness translated into the kingdom of light. In Jesus we have the redemption, the deliverance through His blood.  Praise His glorious name!

Song:  My Heart is Stirred

My heart is stirred whenever I think of Jesus

That blessed Name which sets the captive free;

The only Name through which I find salvation

No name on earth has meant so much to me.

(Song Collection: Author, unknown)

May the Lord bless you today!

Dorothy

My Word 4/4-6/2018

04-06 April 2018 - My Word – Manna from Dorothy Callies

I was reading a good devotion: “My Word . . . shall not return to Me void.” Isaiah 55:11. And then I read this old Manna from the binder, it was left open for me to read next.  Bam! I felt like God was speaking to me that He meant what He says in His Word of healing.  His Word speaks as a seed, it must have harvest time. It will not be empty. It will not fall through.  Stay faithful to His Word and harvest time shall come to pass.

Manna from February 19, 2008 – Divine Healing 8 – revised.

Binny Hinn's story from devotion book:
            I remember a lady who went to Katherine Kuhlman's meetings eleven times before she was healed.  Eleven times!  I asked one day, "Why did you keep going back?" She said, “Because I knew. I knew my day was coming, and I was going to go back until God healed me. I was not giving up."
            The reason many do not get healed is because they give up so quickly. Remember, faith is vital (important) and prayer of faith is important. You see, faith not only prays, faith acts. Let me say quickly, that when God heals, He imparts (give) faith necessary for the healing... He gives us a measure of faith... God imparts (gives) faith to those who need a healing through His Spirit. So you don't have to struggle or beg--just receive! The Bible says, "The prayer of faith will save the sick."

            God sees your need and will heal you. God said: "I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, And restore comforts to him and to his mourners. I create the fruit of lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near," Says the Lord, "And I will heal him." Isaiah 57:18-19 NKJV
            Your healing is speeding your way: "Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing will spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Isaiah 58:8 NKJV

Song: I am healed by His stripes
I am healed . . . by His stripes . . .
By the stripes that made
the blood so freely flow . . .
Just as surely as I know,
I am saved forever more,
I am healed by the stripes
that Jesus bore. . .

(Lyric: Unknown)

Dorothy: Boy! What a good reminder . . . God’s Word shall not return to Him empty.  So Benny’s devotion reminds me . . . do not give up . . . do not give up . . . Thank You, Lord for the word to put inside my heart, “Do not give up. Don’t quit now.”  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and He shall bring it to pass. Amen!

May the Lord bless you today!!!!

He is Lord! And Happy Easter

01-03 April 2018 – He Is Risen! And Happy Easter! – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Theme: Barabbas, Christ took his place.

I don’t know where to begin . . . But I was watching on TV to the great speaker who was talking about “Barabbas.” It began with three crosses for three robbers to be crucified. Barabbas was in prison who was a rebel and had committed murder during a riot (Mark 15:7). Barabbas was chosen to be the center of the three crosses because his was the worst crime. He was a murderer while other two were just robbers.

Now come to the scene of where Jesus and Pilate were standing before the Pharisees, Sadducees and the people. The soldiers brought out Barabbas beside Jesus. Pilate asked the people which one should he released as it was a custom during Passover festival time.  To understand this, there was no plan to crucify Jesus.

Pilate did not want Jesus to be crucified because Jesus was not guilty to die on the cross.  Pilate said, “I find no faults in Him” (Luke 23:4).  The cross was only for those who have done criminal’s act.  Jesus hasn’t done any crime at all.  Barabbas was a robber and a murderer who deserved to die on the cross.  

So Pilate let them choose . . . Barabbas or Jesus. Pilate was hoping that people would choose Jesus and set Him free. But they chose Barabbas.  Pilate asked, “What shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” People shouted, “Crucify Him.” Pilate asked, “Why? What evil has He done?”  Pilate knew that Barabbas was an evil man compared to Christ who had not done anything wrong.  

“The people cried out the more, saying, Let Him be crucified . . . (Matt 27:23).  Here the scenery changed . . .  at Calvary . . . Jesus took Barabbas’ place on the crucifixion. Barabbas received GRACE . . . there was a movie story about Barabbas revealing God’s grace on Barabbas . . . that Barabbas understood grace . . . He said, “Christ took my place.” And gently beat his chest with tears in his eyes.

The great speaker quoted: Since then we are in the line of Barabbas . . . we are under God’s grace . . .  We were supposed to die on the cross, but Christ took our places. Jesus took Barabbas’ place at the cross.  This makes me appreciate even more for that resurrection day of Christ. Let our hearts ring with a song of resurrection morning.

Song: Christ Arose

Low in the grave He lay, Jesus, my Savior!

Waiting the coming day, Jesus, my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose,

With a mighty triumph over His foe;

He arose a victor from the dark domain,

And He lives forever with His saints to reign;

He a-rose!  He a-rose!

Hallelujah! Christ a-rose!

(Robert Lowry, Sing His Praise)

He is risen! And Happy Easter!

Dorothy