"JESUS: FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT TO THE NEW"

Good Evening to All!

I'm going to attempt this again.  I constantly think about posting my blog, but I have so many irons in
the fire, I get overwhelmed and become stagnant.

Hopefully, this will be the post that returns me to the feeling I had before when I posted.

I am in the middle of a book, that I am really enjoying.  It is a One Year Book, titled Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament.

What got me started on this book, was the fact that like so many others I always wanted to "skip" the Old Testament and get to the "meat of things" such as Jesus' teachings, salvation, and things that would pertain to us today.

This book has showed me in NO UNCERTAIN TERMS that Jesus is brought up all through the Bible.  If not directly, then indirectly.  The Old Testament is a lot more than just history.  For example tonight's reading had to do with Israel.  Hosea described God's relationship with Israel as a loving father with a son:  "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt"  (Hosea 11:1).  Even though Israel was God's son, this son was disobedient and disloyal.  For Israel to experience all of the Father's blessings of the covenant it would require another son.  He would have to walk in perfect obedience before him in Israel's stead.

Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, Matthew showed that Jesus did exactly that.  He applied this statement from Hosea to Jesus:  "Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and the stayed there until Herod's death.  This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet :  'I called my son out of Egypt'", (Matthew 2:14-15).  Another instance is when the Children of Israel crossed over the Red Sea, so after baptism "Jesus came up out of the water" and a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son of whom I am well pleased".  This is found in Matthew 3:16-17.  Just as Israel faced temptations and failed, Jesus faced them, and because he had the spirit of God in him, he succeeded Matthew 4:1 revealed to us.  Just as it stated in Isaiah 44:3, God had promised through his prophets to "pour out my spirit on your descendants", Matthew wrote  that Jesus saw the Spirit of God descending down upon him like a dove and settling on him" (Matthew 3:16).

There are many other types and shadows in the Old Testament pointing toward the New Testament and Jesus Christ.  These are just a few.

I hope that the next time you pick up your Bible, you will look at the Old Testament differently.  Look at the Bible as a "whole", not two sections.

Have a wonderful night and May God Bless You!

"AND A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM"

Good Afternoon to All!

My Goodness! God has been putting so many things in my path to bring my attention to where it should be. Last night, I felt Him tug at my heart and place a burden to bring attention to Neil Swecker's plight to find his brother and sisters. Today, God brought this video to my attention. It is so powerful!

WHO IS JESUS?






THIS BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES! FOR SUCH A YOUNG BOY, HE HAS NO DOUBT AS TO WHO HIS GOD IS! DO YOU?


Have a wonderful day and May God Bless!

"THE PRINCE OF PEACE"

Good Evening to All!

In the beginning was the Word and the  Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  (John 1:1-2)

And he will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness, from that time on and forever. 
(Isaiah 9:6-7)

And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.  (1 Timothy 3:16)

In Isaiah 9:1-7, God is talking about what a disappointment mankind was to Him. Starting from the forbidden fruit which was eaten to Him deciding to flood the earth, ridding it of all but a few of mankind and restarting it,  the children of Abraham straying away from Him, and the kings falling short of His expectations.  In short, ALL of humanity had failed.  God saw the hopelessness of this race and realized that we were sure to be lost.  There was no way that we could enter the His kingdom without His help.    

He then made a promise.  He would send us a Savior to be sacrificed, to pay the debt for our sins.  He looked the whole world over but was unable to find a human without spot or blemish.  None perfect was to be found. 

It sounds like He didn't realize that at the time, but I submit that He did.  Jesus was in His plans from the beginning.  That is why he is known as the Word, as in John 1:1,  It plainly states that he was with God.  Not the fleshly man, but the "plan".  The word "Word" in Greek is "logos" which means plan, so in essence what He said in John was that the "Plan was with Him.  He Knew what He was going to have to do. 

Since there was no perfect sacrifice for us, He Himself would have to come to earth  in the flesh so that perfect blood could be sacrificed for our sins. 

He,  as our Savior would be known as Jesus, (which means savior) or Emmanuel (God With Us).  He would also be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, and
Prince of Peace.

He has come to be our Hero.  He has come to fight our battle and win.  When our earthly counterparts do things to hurt us, and disappointment abounds we know that we can always count on Jesus to be there for us.  Jesus succeeds where we as humans fail.  He is the solid rock on which our life can find security.

The problem is too many of us forget this.  We think of Him as some "being" somewhere out in  space, just looking down and watching us.  We tend to forget that we actually mean something to Him.  That He wants to help us, to be part of our daily lives. 

We just have to remember to ask Him.  He will not force Himself upon us.  He wants us to acknowledge that we need His help and His input. 

In that same light, He did not come to earth and be crucified for no reason. 

But he was pierced for our transgression, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.  We all, like sheep, have gone astray each of us has turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.  (Isaiah 53:5-6)

According to Isaiah 53:1-12, despite his offer of forgiveness, his message would not be heard.  People did not want to listen.  They would not allow themselves to understand the gift he was offering.  He was betrayed, beaten and literally murdered by His own people.  He would be pierced  for our failures, crushed for our mistakes, and punished for our sin. 

We owe a debt to God that we will NEVER be able to repay.  This "Hero" would be the answer to our debt and the hope of this world.  God promised forgiveness no matter how messy our lives , or how big our sins.  All He asks us to do is to ask for His forgiveness and to REPENT.  I know that is not a popular idea today.  We all would like to think that God is just sitting up there on His throne not caring what we do, but that is not the case.  In 2 Timothy 3, it speaks about people who decide to go their own way, and ignore God's instruction. 

It says: (2)   This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 

(5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  (6) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lust
&gt (7)  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  (8)  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.  (9)  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.

The word "reprobate means "hopeless".  When these people refuse to follow God and obey His wishes after time and time again receiving His mercy, He turns them to reprobate minds.

Only through Repentance  will we receive Salvation.   It is popular today to just say to "accept Christ as your Savior" and you will receive Salvation.  That is NOT all there is to it.  As the old saying goes, "Talk is cheap".  Yes we must accept Him as our Savior, but we must also turn our lives around and live for Him.  That is called repentance.  According to Acts 2:38, it says to Repent, be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you SHALL receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  (39)  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

This was the WHOLE purpose of God coming to Earth as a man.  To provide us with this gift, that we could not provide for ourselves. 

The next time you start to do something that you KNOW God would not be pleased about, I hope you will stop and think about what He went through for you and me, so that we could spend our eternity

I hope you have a Wonderful Day, and May God Bless,

BIBLE QUIZ: GOOD NEWS Part 3

A Wonderful Hello to All! 

1.  In the Great Commission at the end of Matthew, which of the following did Jesus not ask his disciples to do?  (Matthew 28:18-20)

a.  Make disciples of all the nations
b.  Baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
c.  Establish churches in every land
d.  Teach people to obey all of Jesus' commands

2.  When Jesus' disciples were criticized for picking grain on the Sabbath, Jesus referred to an Old Testament character who ate the bread that was reserved for priests because he and his men were hungry.  Who was that?  (1 Samuel 21:4-5)

a.  Elijah
b.  Saul
c.  David
d.  Strohmann

3.  Finish this verse:  "Anyone who is not against us . . ."  (Mark 9:40)

a.  might as well be
b.  is for us
c.  should help us in our cause
d.  once they get to know us, they will be.

4.  While Jesus was in the home of Simon the leper, what happened that upset his disciples? 
(Mark 14:3)

a.  Jesus was arrested by the temple guard.
b.  A woman pour expensive perfume on Jesus' head
c.  Peter denied Jesus three times.
d.  The began to come down with leprosy.

5.  Who was the chief priest at the time of Jesus' death?  (Matthew 26:57)

a.  Lazarus
b.  Nicodemus
c.  Caiaphas
d.  Pontius  Pilate

6.  Who knows when the events of Matthew 24 will happen?  (Matthew 24:36)

a.  Only Jesus' disciples
b.  Those who study the holy Word
c.  The angels in heaven
d.  Only the Father

7.  What were the disciples arguing about on the way to Capernaum?  (Mark 9:34)

a.  The quickest way to get there.
b.  Which of them was most important
c.  The meaning of Jesus' teaching
d.  The chances of the Capernaum Chargers in the IFL.

8.  When Peter began to rebuke Jesus for speaking about his coming death, what was Jesus' reply  (Matthew 16:23)

a.  "Get behind me, Satan."
b.  "You will betray me three times."
c.  "You are a loyal friend, Simon."
d.  "Think before you speak"

9.  Which of the following did Jesus do to heal a deaf and mute man? (Mark 7:33)

a.  Put his fingers in the man's ears
b.  Spat on his fingers and touched the man's tongue with it
c.  Said," Be opened."
d.  All of the above

10.  What tradition did the Pharisees and teachers of the law notice that the disciples were not holding to? (Matthew 15:2)

a.  Attending Sabbath services
b.  Giving alms to the poor
c.  Ritual hand washing
d. Stepping over cracks in the sidewalk

Good Luck!  I hope you do well!  Good Night to All and May God Bless!

QUIZ: GOOD NEWS (2)

Good Evening to All!

I hope you all have your thinking cap on and your Bible handy.  I am truly hoping that these Quizzes will get back to being as popular as they once were.  The  version used was the New Living Translation, show it will probably read a bit different than the KJV, or other popular versions.   Next week, I will try and take the time to research and type each question and answers according to the NIV  or KJV.  If you like, leave me a comment as to which version you prefer, and I will try to accommodate the majority. 

1.  When Jesus sent out his disciples, what group did he tell them to go to?
(Matt. 10:5-6) 

a.  Gentiles
b.  Samaritans
c.  The lost sheep of Israel
d.  All of the above

2.  When Jesus sent out his disciples, how much money were they suppose to take with them?  (Matthew 10:9-10)
 a.  None
b.  Two shekels for bread and the temple tax
c.  Enough for one week of food and lodging
d.  Five talents 

3.  Which of the following did Jesus NOT say? (Matthew 10:35,  Matthew 10:34, Matthew 10:39)

a.  Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth!  No, I came to bring a sword.
b.  I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother.
c.  If you cling to your life you will lose it, but if you give it up for me you will find it.
d.  All things are possible for you if you have clean hands and a pure heart.    

4.  Why did Jesus denounce the city of Capernaum?  (Matthew 11:19-21)
 
a.  Even though he performed miracles there, they did not repent.
b.  They had allowed Roman soldiers to corrupt their city.
c.   The Pharisees of that city were trying to kill him.
d.  No good Thai Restaurants.  

5.  Where do the wide gate and broad road lead?  (Matthew 7:14)

a.  To pleasure
b.  To destruction
c.  To Jericho
d.  To more wide gates and broad roads

6.  Where do the small gate and narrow road lead  (Matt. 7:14)? 

a.  To life
b.  To the way of peace
c.  To Jerusalem
d.  To a toll booth
    
7.  How will you recognize false prophets?  (Matthew 7:20)

a.  They speak offensive words.
b.  They carry an angry look
c.  By their "fruit," the way they act
d.  Name tags. 

8.  Who said it?  Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed!  I know, because I am under the authority of my superior officers and I have authority over my soldiers".  (Matt. 8:8-9)

a.  A Roman officer in Capernaum
b.  Nicodemus
c.  The synagogue ruler, Jairus
d.  Simon Peter

9.  Who touched the fringe of Jesus' robe, hoping for healings?  (Luke 8:44)

a.  A Pharisee who was embarrassed to be seen with Jesus.
b.  A woman who had suffered with constant bleeding for 12 years
c.  Peter
d.  Peter's mother-in-law  

10.  Where was Jesus going at the time his robe was touched?  (Luke 8:40)

a.  To the temple to teach the scribes
b.  To heal the daughter of a synagogue leader
c.  To chase the money changers from the temple
d.  To the dry cleaners  
   
How did you do?  I will post the answers tomorrow.  Good luck!

Good Night to All and May God Bless! 

"LIVE SECOND" by DOUG BENDER

"Live Second" 365 Ways to make Jesus First,  is written by Doug Bender as the second book in this "I Am Second" movement.  I say "movement" because it includes everything from hashtags on Twitter, to videos, books and other tools to help people learn to put Jesus First in their lives.  This book was graciously sent to me as a complimentary gift for my honest and personal opinion by BookSneeze of Thomas Nelson Publishers. All opinions are strictly my own.

 God First, Family Second, then everything else.  That is what I have been taught all my life, even though I haven't practiced it.  When I was little, I went to Sunday school and was taught this, but of course at that age, I didn't understand.  I FINALLY get it.  I enjoy reading and reviewing books, but I absolutely fell in Love with this one.  It is actually a type of devotional, a 365 Daily Reader.  I have read many devotionals as they are really my favorite type of books, but this one seemed to hit home.  His style of writing and the format of the book really helps. Rather than giving a passage, then asking a couple of questions, he gets us to go deeper. Mr. Bender breaks his book down into Sessions, Weeks, and daily lessons.  He writes in a way to really get a person to thinking and Wanting to put Jesus first and helps us to learn just How to do that.  Not by teaching, but challenging us to looking inward and realize what our spirit is telling us. 

He covers all types of subjects to focus on to make our live much more fulfilling and intimate with God. 

An example is the lesson on Hate.  We ALL use that word too freely.  We don't really understand just how "hate" really gets started and how deeply it can hurt us.  It's more than just a word.  He uses the passage of Cain and Abel as a reference point.  He talks about how hate is seen through anger, intolerance, pride, impatience, and even gossip.  We have to change our way of thinking.  Only if we have God in our hearts will we be able to find peace.  We have to start  the process by saying a kind word, or being the one to apologize, or just showing respect for others.  That is a good start. 

He then gives us an example of a prayer.  He wants us to talk to Him, to allow Him to help us to work through this.  To become closer to Him by putting His wishes and desires FIRST and becoming more like Him.

Of course this is just an example.  Between his brief commentary and the biblical text, he got my mind to working.  Then he asked the big questions  "How will you Live more Second today?  How will you share  what you have learned?

I love that.   He even gives a Twitter hashtag to record our thoughts for others to see. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Doug Bender is an "I Am Second" writer and a small group coach.  He spends his time developing many of the small group tools found at iamsecond.com and coaching churches, organizations, and individuals to use I Am Second to share the message of Jesus with their friends and family.  He also works with I Am Second's parent organization, e3 Partners, as a church planter in countries like Ethiopia and Indonesia.  Doug is married to Catherine and has a daughter, Bethany.

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This is a TOTALLY AWESOME book,  I personally have never seen one like it.  It makes things seem so simple, yet helps you to get so much deeper in thought of How important it is to put God first as He should be, and helps us with guidance and daily challenges on How to do it.
I recommend this book to anyone and everyone, of all walks of life. I haven't gotten completely through it yet, and I can tell a difference in my attitude and way of thinking already.  This book is different than any one I have ever read before.  Mr. Bender makes each application seem easy because he helps us to delve into a deeper level of our relationship with Christ.  What it is and what it should be.  

Good Day, and May God Bless,

COMMANDED TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER

 Good Evening To All!

The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;  (2)  For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
(2 John 1:1-2)

The Message states it in this way:  My dear congregation, I, your pastor, love you in very truth.  And I'm not alone--everyone who knows the Truth that has taken up permanent residence in us loves you.

(2 John 1:1-2)

  

In my research, I have not definitively understood whether John was speaking to a specific person, or to a group of believers.  According to my Amplified Bible commentary, 2 John is addressed to "the elect (chosen) lady (Cyria) and her children."  Though we don't know if this "lady" was an individual or a group of believers who collectively comprised a church, we do know that John loved this person or these people dearly.  

John reminded these people that God didn't consider loving one another an option.  He went into further detail by looking at it from God's perspective. "And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments". (2 John 1:6)

 John shows us the process by which the Word of the Lord can penetrate our hearts and take root.  The first step is that we have to know the truth.  For it is by God's grace that we can love others.   
2 John 1:3 (KJV) says Grace be with you, mercy and peace, from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father in truth and love. 

He continues by admonishing us to walk according to His commandments,   (John 1:4-6 KJV).  I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.  (5) And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.(6) what love consists in is this:  that we live and walk in accordance with and guided by His commandments (His orders, ordinances, precepts, and teaching).  This is the commandment as you have heard from the beginning, that you continue to walk in love [guided by it and following it].[] Amp.ver

Lastly, we must abide in the Truth, who is Christ.  Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me. (John 14:6)    When He speaks of truth,  He tells us "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.  This is a deceiver and an antichrist.  (8) Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.  (9) Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.  He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  (10) If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither  bid him God speed:  (11) For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (2 John 1:7-11)

One example that He brings up is Matthew 25:35-40
³⁵ For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
³⁶ Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
³⁷ Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
³⁸ When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
³⁹ Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
⁴⁰ And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.  This passage tells me that this is one example of how Jesus wants us to show love.


All through the Bible, God shows us examples of "how to love" the ultimate being coming to earth Himself as a human, going through all of the abuse which we as humans did to Him and dying so that we, being the sinners that we are could join Him in heaven.

When it comes right down to it, I guess the best way to show love to others is to treat others the way you would want them to treat you.    If you want others to listen to what you have to say, then be a good listener to others.  If you want courtesy, then show others courtesy, if you want respect, then by all means,show others respect.

God's lessons on love are not hard to understand.  We simply must not let our fleshly desires and carnal minds get in the way.  

We are spiritual beings.  Our flesh and our spirits will continually be at war with one another.  We just must choose which we will allow to rule us.  God would like to see our spirits guide us and Satan would rejoice to see our fleshly, carnal side take over.    Don't let the picture to the side fool you.  The choices are not tough if you think about where you want to spend your eternity.

My Question to you tonight is... Which one will you choose?

 Good Night to All and May God Bless!
 

 

"JESUS--OUR COMPASSIONATE HIGH PRIEST"

Good Evening to All!

How much more compassionate could He be, then to give His Life for thee?

(15) For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (16) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16

I don't know why, but when I read this verse, it brought to mind in nearly every Presidential Election, the fact of whether the candidate had or had not ever been in Military Service, as well as his roots where and how he grew up, be it from a "blue collar" working family, or "well off". It seems like if a candidate has been in the military, then they understand how important the military is and that Veterans need to keep their benefits and such. They understand the need to keep the defense fund operable in case of emergencies and such. If they haven't been in the military, they wing it, but really don't have a clue as to the military's importance, and the importance of taking care of the present military people and their families as well as the service people of the past.

This is something we don't have to wonder about when it comes to Jesus. We KNOW how He grew up, we KNOW where He came from. We ALSO KNOW that He was tempted in every way imaginable by the devil. Anything you can think of that we are tempted with, the devil tempted Jesus with something as bad or worse. Yes, He had the Spirit of God in Him so He was able to be strong, but then, if we have been "born again of water and of Spirit", then we have it as well.

If you want to get right down to it, I wouldn't doubt if He (meaning His flesh) was tempted to fight back when people spat on Him, mocked Him, and ridiculed Him. We know that His flesh was fighting His Spirit when it came to Gethsemane, because He asked God to let this cup pass Him by. Of course we know that was the flesh crying out to His divine Spirit. He KNEW what He had to do. He KNEW that was His whole purpose for coming to earth, to sacrifice His blood for us to be saved.

He sympathizes with us because He understands that we are weak. After all, He created us. It is in our weakness that we are strong, because we rely on Him. I am so thankful that God sacrificed His fleshly body, the body of His only Begotten Son for me, so that I can now be strong. As long as I have His Spirit within me, I know I can rely on Him for strength, and He will guide me and get me through my situations, troubles whatever life throws at me.

It also reassures me that I can go to His throne of grace boldly and with confidence, knowing that He will hear me and answer my prayers. For He says I ye abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask what ye will and it will be done unto you.

That promise alone gets me through so many days, and so many troubles. His grace teaches me how to get through these things and His mercy envelopes me with His loving understanding.

The answers to last night's Bible Challenge "Soldiers and Warfare" Part 2 are as follows:

1. c) shout (Joshua 6:20)
2. a) Saul's son Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:24-30)
3. c) Goliath would fight the best Israelite soldier; the winner's army would subjugate the other with no further fighting (1 Samuel 17:9)
4. a) Doeg (1 Samuel 22:18)
5. d) hanged himself (2 Samuel 17:23)
6. c) Benaiah (2 Samuel 23:20)
7. b) Lahmi (1 Chronicles 20:5)
8. c) with an angel (2 Kings 19:35)
9. b) 12,000 (2 Chronicles 9:25)
10. c) Israel (2 Chronicles 16:1)

I hope you did well, as well as maybe learning something you didn't know before or even recalled something you learned long ago but forgot.

Good Night to All and May God Bless

Bible Challenge -'CHRIST'S LAST DAYS, CRUCIFIXION, AND RESURRECTION " Part 2

Good Evening to All!
Happy Sunday Everyone! It's that time again! Time to test your knowledge of all those years in church and Sunday School! How well were you listening to the Sunday school teacher when you were a child? To be honest, my favorite part was the singing and the memory verses. I can still remember a lot of the songs which I learned in Sunday school even when I was in elementary school such as "Do Lord, This Little Light of Mine, The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock, and so on, but I digress. Unfortunately my memory is not so good on my memory verses.

I can remember parts of a few, such as The first few lines of the 23rd Psalm, and Psalm 100. I can remember John 3:16 and that's about all from my younger days. The rest of my knowledge has been in the last 12 or so years because I have really "batten down the hatches" and gotten serious about my relationship with God. The only way to do that is to study His Word. After all, how can we learn "how to live for Him" if we don't study His Word?




1. When Mary wiped Jesus' feet with her hair and perfume, who complained? (John 12:4-5)

a) Martha
b) Peter
c) Judas
d) Thomas

2. When Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, adoring crowds lined His path with plan fronds and _________. (Matthew 21:8)

3. As Jesus dined at the home of Simon the leper, what specific "wasteful" ointment was poured on His head? (Mark 14:3)

a) honey
b) spikenard
c) myrrh
d) acacia leaf gum

4. What was the first thing Jesus' arresting officers did when He identified Himself in the garden? (John 18:1-6)

a) bound Him
b) dispersed His followers
c) announced His arrest under Jewish law
d) fell over backward

5. What did Judas do with the thirty pieces of silver the Jewish priests paid him for betraying Jesus? (Matthew 27:5)

a) gambled it away in a drunken rage
b) flung it into the temple in a rage
c) lost it to thieves
d) bought a plot of land and proclaimed that paupers could be buried there

6. Jesus explained to Pilate that His kingdom was "not of this world." If His kingdom was of this world, He said, His disciples: (John 18:36)

a) would be angels
b) would be Romans
c) would fight for Him
d) would have abandoned Him long before

7. After killing Jesus, the Roman soldiers at the foot of the cross did what? (Matthew 27:35)

a) they spat on Him
b) they gambled for His clothes
c) they burned the cross
d) they drank His blood

8. What did the Roman guards do to the two thieves crucified beside Jesus that they did not do to Jesus Himself? (John 19:32-33)

a) stole their clothes
b) gave them water
c) cut off their thumbs
d) broke their legs

9. Who joined Joseph of Arimathaea in dressing and bury Jesus' body after His crucifixion? (John 19:38-42)

a) John
b) Thomas
c) Nicodemus
d) no one: Joseph acted alone

10. When Jesus appeared to His disciples inside the locked room after the crucifixion, what was the first thing He said to them? (John 20:19)