Guía de la iglesia

I. Trials and tribulations As we travel along on this sea that we call life there is one thing that’s for sure sooner or later we will encounter a storm ( we call them trials and tribulations) it will happen either you are in one now or you just came through one or on is on the way Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Storms are going to come big storms little storms short ones long one they are going to come sometimes it seems like as soon as I get through one here comes another but they are a fact of life. Sometime we bring the storm on ourselves because of our disobedience whenever I am going through the first thing I check is me maybe I fell off and stepped outside of Gods will if so I get it right and go on through if not I trust God and go on through You see that’s what we do we do what we have been taught to do we pray obey the Word and we trust God and we go on through we do our best and let God do the rest.

Mat 14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. Mat 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. Mat 14:24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. Mat 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. Mat 14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. Mat 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Mat 14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. Mat 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. Mat 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. Mat 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Mat 14:32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Mat 14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. In life we often encounter storms nobody ever said life would be easy either we are in a storm or we have just gone through one or one is coming the reason for the storm can vary maybe we are going in the wrong direction maybe God is trying to get our attention or maybe God is trying our faith what ever the reason the solution is the same go on through we do what we are supposed to do what the Word says we should we don’t let the storm define us or our actions we put our trust in the Master of the storm we grab hold of the hand of Jesus and don’t let go he will see us through and we will come out stronger on the other side after all he has brought us this far and he won’t leave us now

Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Php 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. As we prepare to enter into a new year we understand we have not been perfect we have made mistakes we may have made some bad decisions but God has been faithful to us even through our mistakes even through our bad decisions there may have been tragedies in our lives but God has always been there teaching us helping us and through his grace we have grown but the journey is not over we must continue to press we learn from our mistakes and our successes and press on it may not always be easy but we press on “I’m pressing on the upward way new heights I’m gaining every day still praying as I onward bound Lord plant my feet on higher ground” #I’mjustsaying Happy New year

Luk 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luk 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luk 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luk 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Luk 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Joh 4:9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Joh 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. Joh 4:11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Joh 4:12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Joh 4:13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: Joh 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. As we celebrate Christmas with our love ones our families and friends as we show our love in the giving and receiving of gifts let us not forget the greatest love story let us not forget the greatest gift of all let us not forget the reason we celebrate “the reason for the season” Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Here’s wishing every one a joy filled and merry Christmas

Psa 119:25 DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. Psa 119:26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. Psa 119:27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. Psa 119:28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Psa 119:29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. Psa 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. Psa 119:31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. Psa 119:32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. There are times when we go through stuff trying times times of tribulation times that will test our faith And we want to know why why is this happening to me I am trying to live right trying to be a good Christian the problem is our version of living right sometimes misses the mark that’s why it is so important to know his word the whole counsel of God. James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Jas 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. Sometimes we need to take an honest look at ourselves and talk to God ask him to show us where we are falling short he will show us but we have to be willing to do what the word says and not just the easy parts Jas 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: Jas 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Jas 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: Jas 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. Jas 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. #imjustsaying

We will be at Second Shiloh Baptist 1433 North 21st Street on Sunday May 20 at 11am see you there

Is Halloween Evil? Why Witches, Occultists and Satanists Celebrate Halloween and Why You Should Not 9:30AM EDT 10/26/2016 Michael Snyder On Oct. 31, most people will simply ignore the dark side of Halloween. The vast majority of the population will dress up in costumes, go to parties and eat candy without ever even considering where the holiday came from or what certain people are doing behind closed doors. (Tom Lee/Flickr/CC) Unless otherwise specified, the opinions expressed are solely the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Charisma Media. On Oct. 31, most people will simply ignore the dark side of Halloween. The vast majority of the population will dress up in costumes, go to parties and eat candy without ever even considering where the holiday came from or what certain people are doing behind closed doors. But the truth is that Halloween night is one of the biggest nights of the year for witches, occultists and Satanists. All over America, those who are deep into the dark arts will contact the dead, cast spells and conduct blood sacrifices. As you will see below, there is a reason why animal shelters across the country ban the adoption of black cats this time of the year. But even our "innocent" Halloween traditions such as dressing up in costumes, "trick or treating" and carving jack-o'-lanterns all have their roots in ancient pagan practices. And every year the costumes for our young girls become even more sexually suggestive, the horror movies become even more demonic, and the public's fascination with the occult just continues to grow. It truly is a festival of death, but most people don't seem to care. In fact, experts are telling us that Halloween has now become America's second biggest holiday. According to the National Retail Federation, nearly 70 percent of all Americans plan to celebrate Halloween this year, and spending is expected to shatter the all-time record. According to the National Retail Federation's annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, total spending for Halloween is expected to reach $8.4 billion, an all-time high in the survey's 11-year history. U.S. consumers are expected to spend an average of $82.93, up from last year's $74.34, with more than 171 million Americans planning to partake in Halloween festivities this year. To give you some context, total Halloween spending for 2009 came in at just $4.7 billion. So to say that the celebration of Halloween is growing would be a tremendous understatement. Sadly, most people have no idea where this holiday originally came from. The truth is that a long time ago Catholicism attempted to "Christianize" an ancient pagan holiday known as Samhain: The origins of Halloween are Celtic in tradition and have to do with observing the end of summer sacrifices to gods in Druidic tradition. In what is now Britain and France, it was the beginning of the Celtic year, and they believed Samhain, the lord of death, sent evil spirits abroad to attack humans, who could escape only by assuming disguises and looking like evil spirits themselves. The waning of the sun and the approach of dark winter made the evil spirits rejoice and play nasty tricks. Believe it or not, most of our Halloween practices can be traced back to these old pagan rites and superstitions. On the Wiccan calendar, Samhain is one of the most important points on "the wheel of the year." Wiccans believe that it is the day when "the god dies," and subsequently they celebrate his rebirth at Yule. It is also a time when they believe that the veil between the living and the dead is the thinnest, and so it is an opportune time for them to contact the dead. The following is much more on what Wiccans believe about Samhain from wicca.com: Samhain, (pronounced SOW-in, SAH-vin, or SAM-hayne) means "End of Summer," and is the third and final Harvest. The dark winter half of the year commences on this Sabbat. It is generally celebrated on October 31st, but some traditions prefer November 1st. It is one of the two "spirit-nights" each year, the other being Beltane. It is a magical interval when the mundane laws of time and space are temporarily suspended, and the Thin Veil between the worlds is lifted. Communicating with ancestors and departed loved ones is easy at this time, for they journey through this world on their way to the Summerlands. It is a time to study the Dark Mysteries and honor the Dark Mother and the Dark Father, symbolized by the Crone and her aged Consort. Originally the "Feast of the Dead" was celebrated in Celtic countries by leaving food offerings on altars and doorsteps for the "wandering dead." Today a lot of practitioners still carry out that tradition. Single candles were lit and left in a window to help guide the spirits of ancestors and loved ones home. Extra chairs were set to the table and around the hearth for the unseen guest. Apples were buried along roadsides and paths for spirits who were lost or had no descendants to provide for them. Turnips were hollowed out and carved to look like protective spirits, for this was a night of magic and chaos. The Wee Folke became very active, pulling pranks on unsuspecting humans. Traveling after dark was was not advised. People dressed in white (like ghosts), wore disguises made of straw, or dressed as the opposite gender in order to fool the Nature spirits. The ancient practices described in those paragraphs sound very similar to what we do today in many ways, but without a doubt some of the traditions have evolved. For example, instead of carving turnips, those who celebrate Halloween carve pumpkins today. You may not realize this, but Wicca is actually one of the fastest-growing religions in America. And on Oct. 31, Wiccans all over the nation will get together to conduct rituals and cast spells. Here is a blurb from Wikipedia about the Wiccan belief in "magic": During ritual practices, which are often staged in a sacred circle, Wiccans cast spells or "workings" intended to bring about real changes in the physical world. Common Wiccan spells include those used for healing, for protection, fertility, or to banish negative influences.[63] Many early Wiccans, such as Alex Sanders, Sybil Leek and Alex Winfield, referred to their own magic as "white magic," which contrasted with "black magic," which they associated with evil and Satanism. Sanders also used the similar terminology of "left hand path" to describe malevolent magic, and "right hand path" to describe magic performed with good intentions;[64] terminology that had originated with the occultist Helena Blavatsky in the 19th century. Some modern Wiccans however have stopped using the white-black magic and left-right hand path dichotomies, arguing for instance that the colour black should not necessarily have any associations with evil.[65] If you are not familiar with these things, you may scoff at such practices. But the cold, hard reality of the matter is that they are very real. The dark side has power too, and those that have come out of witchcraft can tell you some stories that will stand your hair on end. Wiccans think of themselves as "good," and so they tend to reject blood sacrifices and things of that nature. But for those who are deeper into the occult, blood sacrifice is an essential part of Halloween. As I mentioned above, many animal shelters all over the nation ban the adoption of black cats this time of the year. It's the week of Halloween, and maybe you don't know this, but if you suddenly wanted to adopt a black cat, you would probably have a hard time. That's because thanks to their association with witchcraft, accepted wisdom holds that Halloween is a time when people ritualistically mutilate black cats. To test if this really was still accepted wisdom, I contacted some animal shelters near to our Los Angeles office, and they all told me they wouldn't let me adopt a black cat. One, The Lange Foundation—the type of animal rescue that takes in cats from city shelters before they can be euthanized—was willing to talk to me on the phone and explain: If someone were to call and ask specifically for a black cat, that would trigger the policy. "I would say 'not today!'" said one of the foundation's board members, Diana Nelson. You may not want to believe it, but animals will be killed and little children will be abused on Halloween night. The following is what one ex-witch has shared regarding her experiences: My parents told me before we went around the neighborhood we were going to go by the church (Mormon Church) to get some candy there. The church was very close to my grandmother's house, and I knew so from going often. We went to the church and what happened next made my blood curdle. I was given candy, but that was just a prelude to the sexual abuse that would happen in a satanic ritual. On Halloween Satanists use young children, such as myself, as sexual idols to worship. Other children receive a far worse fate. Death. I know for some this is more than you can even think to believe, but it is true. I can barely write these words because the pain of the truth is almost more than I can bear. If it wasn't for the grace and love of Jesus Christ, I would not even be here writing this at all. You may say, "It doesn't mean that to me," but you are just fooling yourself. Could you take a Satanic Black Mass and turn it into a celebration of Jesus? Of course not. And yet so many Christians fully embrace Halloween and pretend that there is nothing wrong with it. For the record, Satanists absolutely love Halloween. The following comes from the official Church of Satan website: Satanists embrace what this holiday has become, and do not feel the need to be tied to ancient practices. This night, we smile at the amateur explorers of their own inner darkness, for we know that they enjoy their brief dip into the pool of the "shadow world." We encourage their tenebrous fantasies, the candied indulgence, and the wide-ranging evocation of our aesthetics (while tolerating some of the chintzy versions), even if it is but once a year. For the rest of the time, when those not of our meta-tribe shake their heads in wonder at us, we can point out that they may find some understanding by examining their own All Hallows Eve doings, but we generally find it simpler to just say: "Think of the Addams Family and you'll begin to see what we're about." Satanists consider Halloween to be one of the most important "holidays" of the year. On page 96 of the Satanic Bible, Anton LaVey wrote the following: "After one's own birthday, the two major Satanic holidays are Walpurgisnacht (May 1st) and Halloween." Isn't that lovely? Despite all of this, most Christians in America will happily celebrate Halloween on Oct. 31. In fact, one recent survey found that just 8 percent of all Christian pastors want their congregations to skip the holiday altogether. Instead, most of them want their members to invite people to a "Christian version of Halloween" at their churches. The following comes from LifeWay Research: Two-thirds (67 percent) encourage church members to invite friends and neighbors to a fall festival, trunk-or-treat or judgment house. Pastors at bigger churches (those with 250 or more in attendance) are most likely to ask church members to invite their neighbors (86 percent) to an event at the church. Those from small churches (50 or less in attendance) are least likely (48 percent). If the gospel is preached, I am all for people going to church on Oct. 31. But all too often these "alternative celebrations" are nothing more than repackaged versions of the same Satanic holiday that the world is celebrating. I like how Pastor Jamie Morgan described what our approach to this day should be. Setting aside a day to celebrate evil, darkness, witchcraft, fear, death and the demonic brings disdain to God. Period. A Christian celebrating Halloween would be like a Satan worshiper putting up a nativity scene at Christmas while singing, "Happy Birthday, Jesus!" The two just don't go together. Jesus has nothing in common with Satan (2 Cor. 6:14), and neither should we. And the truth is that God has wanted us to have nothing to do with occult practices from the very beginning. The following is what Deuteronomy 18:9-13 says in the Modern English version: When you enter into the land which the Lord your God gives you, you must not learn to practice the abominations of those nations. There must not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or who uses divination, or uses witchcraft, or an interpreter of omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts spells, or a spiritualist, or an occultist, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God will drive them out from before you. You must be blameless before the Lord your God.

We will be at Second Shiloh Baptist 1433 North 21st Street on Sunday Aug 20 at 11am see you there

Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psa 46:11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. As we look at the world around us with our human eyes what we see is turmoil but if we look with our spiritual eyes we see God is indeed sovereign and nothing happens that he does not either cause to happen or allow to happen if we understand that then we know the best place to be is in his hands and in his will he does not want us to worry and fret over things he just wants us to trust him Php 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Php 4:7 And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. He wants us to be still in our spirits to be at peace no matter what the situation we know that we are in the masters hands Php 4:11 Not that I speak according to need, for I have learned to be content in whatever state I am. Php 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound. In everything and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. But we live in this world we are not of it but we live in it and we have a job to do we have work to do not for our salvation but because of it Exo 14:13 And Moses said to the people, Do not fear. Stand still and see the salvation of Jehovah, which He will prepare for you this day. For the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall never see them anymore. God saved the children of Israel from bondage with a mighty hand he has done the same for us but for them and for us that was just the beginning they had work to do we have work to do Exo 17:8 Then Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. Exo 17:9 And Moses said to Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out to fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand. Exo 17:10 And Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Exo 17:11 And it happened when Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed. And when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. Exo 17:12 But Moses' hands became heavy. And they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side. And his hands were steady until the going of the sun. Exo 17:13 And Joshua defeated Amalek and his people by the edge of the sword. God did not save us for us to sit around and be saved it is our job to let our light Gods light shine we listen for that still small voice we let it lead us and we get to work Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. #i’mjustsaying

Exo 19:1 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. Exo 19:2 For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. Exo 19:3 And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Exo 19:4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: Exo 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. Exo 19:7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. Exo 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. After all they had seen God do all the wonders he had performed I am sure the children of Israel were sincere when they committed themselves to being obedient to God but they could not do it you see on our own we could never be who God wants us to be we can not change our selves but God can and will if we let him that’s what sanctification is all about God molding us into the people he wants us to be but we have a part to play also Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. Rom 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. Rom 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Rom 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. It’s a process #I’mjustsaying

Unbelievable

"Because he lives I can face tomorrow because he lives all fear is gone because I know who holds the future and life is worth the living because my savior lives"

OutreachMagazine.com What Jesus Really Endured on the Cross—A Medical Perspective By Mark J. Kubala • April 13, 2017 To envision the pain and emotional stress Jesus endured, it may be helpful to share an analogy. Imagine your family has allowed you to go by yourself to see some old friends you haven’t seen in many years. They live in a remote, desolate area of the Texas desert. You want to surprise your friends, so you don’t tell them you’re coming. You turn off the main highway and travel for miles on a dusty dirt road, then fail to negotiate an unexpected sharp turn. Because of the heat you neglect to buckle your seat belt. The car rolls over, and you are thrown out of the car. As you fall out of the car, your scalp is cut by the edge of the door. You land on your back in a bed of prickly cacti. You suffer multiple cuts to your back. The back of your leg lands on a sharp rock which cuts the artery behind your knee. You cannot get up because the door of the overturned car has your legs pinned. You can’t find or reach your cell phone. Your suitcase has fallen on your chest and you can’t move it. You have trouble breathing. Every time you try to move, the pain becomes excruciating. You are literally abandoned. You see your blood seep out of your body and over the next few hours you become faint, as you slowly go into shock. You know you are dying, and there’s nothing you can do. Friday Noon Jesus must have looked pitiable on the cross. After being picked up from the supine position on the ground and raised onto the cross, he would have experienced orthostatic hypotension. This is what you feel when you suddenly get up, if your blood pressure is low. It takes a while for your heartbeat to catch up, pumping the blood you need to your brain. You will feel faint and dizzy and may actually pass out. Jesus would be pale and ashen. His skin would be blood colored from the hematidrosis. Many scholars say that hematidrosis would have caused his skin to be friable and tear easily. His back would have been covered with dirt, except where it was starting to be washed off by fresh bleeding from the wounds of the scourging. It was a sunny day. (Jerusalem has an arid climate, getting only a few inches of rain annually, usually in the autumn.) There was no shade for him. Jesus probably vomited. We know from emergency room experience that victims of trauma frequently vomit. The pain and shock causes the stomach and intestines to become immobile. The continued production of stomach fluid causes it to accumulate in the stomach, and since it can’t go down into the intestine, the patient vomits it up. The danger is that it could get into his trachea and lungs, producing what is called aspiration pneumonitis. This causes congestion in the lungs. Recall that Jesus already had fluid in his lungs from the scourging and the falls. This would have led to poor oxygenation of the blood, causing him to breathe faster (tachypnea). Because of the unrestrained falls he experienced on his way to Calvary, Jesus probably developed pericarditis. The bruising of his chest caused inflammation in the pericardium (the sac around the heart). I have been told by patients who had open heart surgery that if they get pericarditis, it is very painful. Pericarditis causes shortness of breath, heart palpitations, low-grade fever and an overall sense of weakness and fatigue and cough. Jesus had not slept for 28 hours. Sleep deprivation would have intensified his fatigue and pain. Jesus had nothing to eat or drink after the Last Supper. He was dehydrated. His mouth was dry. His tongue would tend to stick to the roof of the mouth. The throat muscles would be weak. This, plus chest congestion, fatigue, and weakness, would make it difficult to talk. We know from biblical references that Jesus spoke only seven times, in short phrases. Around noon the sky became dark. Scholars write that Jesus faced the east (today we bury our loved ones facing east). If so, he could see the glistening gold top of the temple. It was the Day of Preparation. The Jewish people were urged to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. An unblemished lamb, known as the korban pesach or “paschal lamb,” was set apart on Nisan 10. It was observed for the next four days to be sure it was pure. It was then brought to the temple on Friday for the high priest to sacrifice it, so that it could be roasted for the Passover meal. Jesus had come to Jerusalem on Sunday to offer himself as a sacrifice for us. He proved by his actions in the temple on Monday and Tuesday that he was without blemish, just as the sacrificial lambs were to be spotless. As the priests were slaughtering the lambs for the Jewish Passover, Jesus was dying as our sacrificial lamb for our Passover. At the same time the priests were draining the blood from the lambs, the lifeblood was being drained from our Savior, the consequence of the crowning of the thorns and his wounds. By this unselfish act he became the new Passover, the Passover of the new and eternal covenant. The next time you hear, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,” you may better appreciate how Jesus became our Lamb of God. The first letter of Peter states: “Realize that you were delivered from the futile way of life your fathers handed on to you, not by any diminishable sum of silver or gold, but by Christ’s blood beyond any price: the blood of a spotless, unblemished Lamb” (1 Peter 1:18-19). God our Father sent his beloved Son to earth to suffer for our sins. He freely accepted the human reaction to the immense pain, such as screaming or protesting. The only humanistic response recorded occurred shortly before he died, when he acknowledged, “I thirst” (John 19:28). People who have been deprived of water for a long time described severe thirst as the most tormenting emotion imaginable. As Jesus was hanging on the cross, he became weaker and weaker. His blood pressure progressively dropped, his pulse increased and became erratic, and his breathing became shallow and labored, as the result of progressive shock. Around the ninth hour (3 p.m.) he said, “Now it is finished.” “Then he bowed his head, and delivered over his spirit” (John 19:30). Crucifixion was design to produce a slow, bitterly painful, cruel, brutal, excruciating, onerous, inhumane, searing death. There is no consensus as to how long it took to die on the cross. It is my impression that one to several days seemed to be the average. One source said that it once took 14 days, but this is not verified. Jesus died in a short time. “Pilate was surprised that Jesus should have died so soon. He summoned the centurion and inquired whether Jesus was dead. Learning from him that he was dead, Pilate released the corpse to Joseph.” (Mark 15:44–45) So why did Jesus die so soon? My belief is the strongest evidence suggests that Jesus died of cardiac arrest (heart stoppage) as a complication of traumatic and hypovolemic shock. Shock occurs when inadequate oxygen and nutrients are being brought by the arteries to the cells of the body. The initial insult may be temporary, but if the lack of oxygen and nutrients continues, the cells are permanently damaged, and eventually death occurs. Even though Jesus died relatively soon, the eighteen hours of his passion were filled with unbelievable trauma, pain, and suffering. I have been studying Jesus’ death for many years, but I still cannot comprehend the enormity of his sufferings. How wonderful is it that he so loves you and me that he put himself through this, just so we can gain our salvation, if only we put our faith in him and follow his teachings. Excerpted from The Execution of Jesus the Christ: The Medical Cause of Our Lord’s Death During His Illegal Crucifixion by Mark J. Kubala. Copyright © 2017 by Mark J. Kubala. For a more detailed account of the medical reasons behind Jesus’ death, order this book from Amazon.com. Profits from the sale of the book are being donated to organizations that support the Christian presence in the Holy Land. Mark J. Kubala, M.D., FAANS, F.A.C.S., is past president of the Texas Medical Association and the Texas Association of Neurological Surgeons. For 20 years, Dr. Kubala represented Neurological Surgery in the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates. IN 2012, he received the Medal of Valor for distinguished service to the field of medicine, the highest award given by the AMA.