THE BLACK FRIDAY OF ALL BLACK FRIDAYS

THE BLACK FRIDAY

OF ALL BLACK FRIDAYS

Oh, the day after a lovely Thanksgiving Day comes “Black Friday.”  I don’t know who or where we started calling this day “Black Friday.”  There were people in line very early this morning, some even “camped” out in the various parking lots hoping to get a bargain at their favorite store.

But I am thinking of another “Black Friday” so long ago.  And there were no long lines at shopping malls or waiting in parking lots.  In fact, on this day, 2000 years or so ago, there were crowds of people, but not out for a sales bargain.  This indeed was a dark day, a day of earthquakes and darkness when the sun refused to shine.

It was a day of suffering, intense suffering.  And as the earth trembled and the sky grew dark, there upon the hill were three crosses.  And on the middle cross was the Savior, Jesus Christ.  And there He was suffering for my sin, for your sin.  And of all Fridays to come down through the years, this was the blackest Friday in history. 

And there were crowds at the foot of the cross, crowds of men and women calling out curses at the One who was taking their sin on Himself.  And also at the foot of that cross were those who loved Him, and now felt helpless as they watched Him suffer and die there.  They thought He had come to overthrow the Romans and would set on the throne of David and bring peace to the world, and they just could not understand why He would die and suffer such a cruel death.  And they felt they had lost all their hope in Jesus, the Messiah.

But it was “At the Cross” on that first “Black Friday” that we can kneel today as the price has been paid in full by the shedding of His precious blood. 

AT THE CROSS

“Alas, and did my Saviour bleed and did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light and the burden of my heart rolled away.  It was there by faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day!

Was it for crimes that I have done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity, grace unknown, and love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide, and shut His glories in, when Christ the mighty Maker died for man the creature’s sin.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay the debt of love I owe; here, Lord, I give myself away, ‘tis all that I can do.” (Isaac Watts)

People are running everywhere looking for that special price on a bargain they are looking for.  But I want you to know that another price has already been paid.  And it was paid, not for physical “things” that would soon decay and fade away.  But a price was paid for your eternal soul and for mine. And that price was by the shedding of His precious blood to wash away our sin.  He was God's perfect lamb that day!

“knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” II Peter 2:19.

We owed a debt of sin and it was paid in full on the cross on that “Black Friday.”  How can we comprehend the debt of love that our Saviour took to that cross?  As the song says so plainly, we give ourselves totally to Him as Lord of our lives and look forward to spending eternity with Him.

Yes, that day was dark, but three days later, the “Son” shone again!  The earth again shook, but on this day, our Saviour came out of the tomb shining brightly.  He conquered death and is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven for you, my friend.  He has sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts by faith.  His precious Holy Spirit brings comfort and peace into our hearts as we walk with Jesus.  We may have dark days, but I am so glad that the “Son” still shines in our lives!

So on this “Black Friday” we remember the “Black Friday” so many years ago on Calvary, and we meet Him at the cross where our sins are forgiven, and we can praise Him for His great salvation.  Just stop in all your running around today and give Him praise with a grateful heart for all He has done and we can look forward to seeing Him face to face at last!

MEET THE STRANGER OF GALILEE

MEET THE STRANGER OF GALILEE

As our daughter is on tour with her church group in Israel, along with our granddaughter, we have been sharing many memories of our trip to Israel when she was a child.  I will never forget the peace of walking where He walked and sharing communion in the garden where He was buried and then in three days walked out of that tomb.  And then visiting the place on Mount of Olives where He ascended back into heaven, and oh how we long for His return, when He steps out of heaven onto the Mount of Olives once again!

My husband asked me “what was the highlight of our trip to Israel for you?”  I shared that I actually had two highlights and that one of them was communion at the Garden Tomb and the other was what I am going to share with you now.

One beautiful morning our tour group met on the shore of Galilee.  Our tour was with our fellow church members from our church and it was a large tour so we usually met together in smaller groups with a Pastor for each group.  On this particular day we all gathered together there at the Sea of Galilee.  We would listen to a Pastor teach from a boat pushed out from the shore just as Jesus taught.  (Matthew 13:1-2).  And later we would take the trip across the lake in a boat.

As we were standing there listening to the Word taught and pondering on the scene before us and remembering what it was like when Jesus was there, there was a sudden quiet and suddenly a tenor voice from the crowd began to sing and the words of this song echoed out over the lake.  I still am moved from that memory and the tears still come.

THE STRANGER OF GALILEE

“In fancy I stood by the shore one day, of the beautiful murm’ring sea.  I saw the great crowds as they thronged the way of the Stranger of Galilee; I saw how the man who was blind from birth, in a moment was made to see; the lame was made whole by the matchless skill of the Stranger of Galilee.

Refrain:  And I felt I could love Him forever, so gracious and tender was He! I claimed Him that day as my Savior, this Stranger of Galilee.

His look of compassion, His words of love, they shall never forgotten be; when sin sick and helpless He saw me there, this Stranger of Galilee; He showed me His hand and His riven side, and He whispered, “It was for thee!” My burden fell off at the pierced feet of the Stranger from Galilee.

I heard Him speak peace to the angry waves, of that turbulent, raging sea; and lo! At His word are the waters stilled, this Stranger of Galilee; a peaceful, a quiet, and holy calm, now and ever abides with me; He holdeth my life in His mighty hands, this Stranger of Galilee.

Come ye who are driven, and tempest tossed, and His gracious salvation see; He’ll quiet life’s storms with His “Peace, be still!” This Stranger of Galilee.  He bids me to go and the story tell-what He ever to you will be, if only you let with you abide, this Stranger of Galilee.”

4^th verse Chorus: Oh, my friend, won’t you love Him forever? So gracious and tender is He!  Accept Him today as your Savior, this Stranger of Galilee.  (Leila N. Morris-1893)

And today, this Stranger of Galilee is no longer a “Stranger.”  He comes into our lives full of compassion and love.  And because of His sacrifice at the cross, we behold His nail pierced hands and feet and the wound in His side by faith. And He whispers to all who come to Him that He did it for us, for the whole world. 

We remember in His Word how in His great compassion healed the sick, the blind and the lame, and this same Jesus is still healing and working miracles today.  And we can come to Him anytime and our burdens will fall off as He brings peace to our hearts.

“And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves.  But He was asleep.  Then His disciples to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”  But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea.  And there was a great calm” Matthew 8:23-27.

As the disciples feared for their lives, the Lord was asleep in perfect peace.  He held their lives in His Mighty hands.  After all, He controlled the sea and all the waves roaring, He was the Creator, the wind and the waves obeyed His voice as He spoke “Peace, be still.”

And you, my friend, are waves of trouble rocking your ship?  He comes speaking to the trials of life, calming the storms, bringing a great calm.  Do you know this “Stranger of Galilee?”  He is calling out to you to just “Come.”  And when you “Come” and kneel at His feet, He will always be there, walking the path of life with you, and He will no longer be a “Stranger” to you.  He will become your best friend, your Savior, your King and your Lord and never leave your side.  Won’t you ask Him today?  See His outstretched arms waiting for you, just come! Come meet the Stranger of Galilee.”

In the Name of Jesus,

Pastor Sharon

THERE'S NOT A FRIEND LIKE JESUS!

THERE’S NOT A FRIEND

LIKE JESUS!

It is a dark and gray day here.  I haven’t seen the sun all day.  I know the sun is shining somewhere, and I know it is shining behind those dark clouds. We all have days in our lives where everything is dark and gray, no sun seems to be shining in our lives.  I know many people feel like the world has forgotten them, and they live in a dark place.  I meet people in the nursing home ministry who are so alone.  Family seems to have forgotten them.  And I know people who have people all around them and they still feel alone.  They feel the emptiness in their lives and problems seem to surround them.

But I know a Friend who will never forsake me, will never leave me lonely, and is always there for me, always on call when I need Him.  And I can share everything with Him, all my hearts desires and He will always keep a confidence.  My Friend showers me with love and blessings and promises to be my Friend throughout eternity.  Would you like to know a friend like that?  Are you lonely today?  Are you facing great trials in your life right now?  Let me introduce you to my best Friend, the Lord Jesus Christ!

NO NOT ONE!

“There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no, not one! No, not one! None else could heal all our soul’s diseases, no, not one! No, not one!

Jesus knows all about our struggles, He will guide till the day is done; there’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no, not one! No not one!

No friend like Him is so high and holy, no not one! No, not one! And yet no friend is so meek and lowly, no, not one! No not one!

There’s not an hour that He is not near us, no not one! No, not one! No night so dark but His love can cheer us, no, not one! No, not one!

Did ever saint find this Friend forsake him?  No, not one! No, not one! Or sinner find that He would not take him?  No, not one! No, not one!

Was e’er a gift like the Saviour given! No, not one! No, not one! Will He refuse us a home in heaven? No, not one! No, not one!  (Johnson Oatman, Jr.)

No, there is no one like Jesus.  We will be celebrating Christmas soon, and the baby Jesus will be in our minds as we see Him there in the manger, shepherds and wise men worshiping this gentle baby.  But that baby, the Lord of Glory came down, God in flesh, to walk among us, to feel our pain, and then be crucified on that cruel cross for you, for me.  He came to take our sins on the cross, to shed His blood for our sin and to heal all our soul’s diseases, those sins that plague our lives, He brings forgiveness.  Oh, what a Friend is Jesus!

But Jesus came out of the tomb triumphant on the third day, conquering death and bringing eternal life to all who will believe in Him.  Oh, I pray that during this coming Christmas season that you will come to know Him as your best friend.  He comes into our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit, and has promised to never “leave us or forsake us.” (Hebrews 13:5).

Earthly friends can sometime forsake us, but this Friend is always there.  “But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” Proverbs 18:24b.  Even earthly family may forsake us, but never our Wonderful Jesus!

How can our minds comprehend how high and holy is our God! 

“Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD, my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty, who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens like a curtain.  He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, who makes the clouds His chariot, who walks on the wings of the wind, who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire” Psalm 104 1-4.

And yet, He is lowly and bears all our griefs and sorrows.  He has been there ahead of us, He feels our pain, and He is there is our darkest of nights.  He is there with His great compassion and love when we feel like we cannot go on, the way is so dark.  He lights the path ahead of us, bringing His peace in the midst of the storm.  There is no Friend like Jesus.

And if you do not know this Wonderful Friend, you can call on Him right now.  He never turns away those who call on Him, asking Him to forgive their sins.  And when we are finished walking the path He has chosen for us, this Wonderful Friend will guide us to our eternal home in heaven. 

Oh, what a day that will be!  It will be a day of great joy to finally meet this Friend face to face, and to live with Him forever.  We will meet the Friend who died for us, forgave our sins, this Wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I can hardly wait, can you? There is no Friend like Jesus, no not one!

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon