Honest God Truth

 “But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭21:36‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Stay awake and pray Jesus warns his followers more than one time.  Jesus wants his children to be ready for action not to be unprepared for Jesus working in the world.  Jesus said the harvest is ready and he needs helpers to work the fields.  We must pray for eyes to see and strength to act in love in our world.  If our sight and minds are set on the pleasures of this world and not on heaven we won’t be ready for acting in love.  On the day we meet Jesus will we stand and receive our reward for our love and obedience to him?  So let us pray and stay awake for Jesus glory and our joy now and rewards in heaven.  Amen 

 “Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”” ‭‭John‬ ‭6:68-69‬ ‭ESV‬‬ It is almost certain that in our faith journey, when difficult times come, that we will doubt God’s love for us. Peter and the other disciples who were with Jesus had those times.  When this occurs we must ask Jesus to open our eyes to the truth of scripture.  In them our the words of eternal life.  “Thy words I have hide in my heart that I might not sin against you.”  The sin of doubt is real but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen 

 “Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.”” ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭24:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The last verse of chapter 23 stated that Uriah the Hittite was among David’s great men. Then chapter 24 starts with the Lord being angry at Israel.   It doesn’t say why God was angry but said that he incited David to take a censes.  God used David against Israel.  This shows that the Lord uses people for his purposes and yet the people are still responsible for their actions.  This was not written to figure out God’s will or motivation why but to know that God is sovereign and his will and plan is always accomplished. We must pray that he uses us for love and righteousness not for his judgment and wrath.  Jesus let us humble ourselves to love and worship you. Amen 

 “But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Have you ever said or felt like saying to Jesus , depart from me for I don’t deserve your love?  If you know, have experienced, the love of Jesus and you are convicted of your sinfulness how do you feel?  Maybe embarrassed, shameful, sad, that in-spite of  Jesus’ love you still disobey him!  True repentance begins with complete humility and the more you get to know Jesus the more you realize how holy and righteous he is and how selfish and sinful we are.  So we stand on Jesus promise not to leave us or forsake us even if we deserve his judgment and wrath.  We are saved by grace and rejoice in knowing we are forgiven.  Thank you Jesus. Amen 

 “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭32:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Believers in Jesus are blessed because their sins have been forgiven.  We often take that for granted but it should well up in us to praise and worship. The joy of knowing that we are so loved that Jesus died for us frees our spirit to be honest and true.  Instead of hiding our sins we confess that and by God’s grace turn from them.  Let us battle the sins that so easily befall us with the truth that we are forgiven and loved so much.  Thank you Jesus.  Amen 

 “Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭31:5, 24‬ ‭ESV‬‬ A wise person is willing to commit his spirit or will to someone stronger, someone he trusts, someone who loves him.  This is what all the saints of the Lord are called to do.  When our hearts are open to God and who he is in Jesus we willing submit to him.  We want to do his will, we delight in his presence.  Our battle is that we, our sinfulness, does not want to trust but doubt God’s love.  Jesus please help us to be wise and see your beauty and trust your faithfulness that we can wait and trust in you.  For your glory Lord.  Amen 

 “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Faith is the key to living a life of joy.  Faith unlocks the treasures of God’s truths that he provides starting with life itself to salvation and ending in eternal life with him.  Without faith none of these treasures will ever be enjoyed!  Oh Lord give me your gift of faith so I will enjoy your blessings in my life and share them with others.  Then you Jesus will be glorified.  Amen 

 “But Ittai answered the king, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be.”” ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭15:21‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Ittai showed the same type of loyalty to David as Ruth did to Naomi.  When people see God working in the lives of others there is an attraction and commitment that is very strong.  We need hero’s of faith to encourage us and strengthen us to trust in the Lord.  Even though our hero’s have flaws like David, we need them as examples of how to live loving Jesus.  Lord let us have hero’s of the faith and be hero’s to others.  For in us you are glorified when we are faithful to you.  Amen 

  Isaiah 64:6 (NIV) “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son to save the world by dying for our sins. We see God’s glory in his love for us. God is holy and therefore perfectly righteous and just. His love demonstrated by his mercy and forgiveness to us in Jesus’ death on the cross reveals his glory in all its splendor.  When we receive his grace of eternal life by faith we honor him and reflect his glory to the world.  Let us be in awe for what God has done for us today in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen 

 “But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.” ‭‭John‬ ‭19:33-34‬ ‭ESV‬‬ There is great hope for our life is we truly believe that God who gave us His word is planning and ruling every part of our life.  Scripture about Jesus was fulfilled completely because God was controlling all activities.  No bone was broken and his side was pierced. The Roman soldier’s did not know they were fulfilling scripture it God used them.  We know much of the truths in the Bible and we must desire to do what it says to do.  But let’s us never think God’s plan for us will be hindered in anyway for if God is for you who can be against you.  Lord Jesus help us to trust and obey you today.  Let us glorify your providence in our life.  Amen 

  John 10:7-10 “So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” It is our task to help Jesus bring his sheep into his pasture. That is our purpose by which we give him glory. We don’t know who the sheep are until Jesus opens there hearts and eyes to his truth and his salvation. They need to know the truth which we need to share with them in words and acts of love.  Jesus you are the door that leads to eternal life help us come to you and bring others with us.  For your glory Jesus and our great joy.  Amen 

 John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Jesus has given us an abundant live when we put our trust and believe in him.  This life he gives us is occurring not in the past or in the future but right now.  Jesus forgives our past sins and promises to be with us in the future but the truth is that he gives us life now.  We must live, love and act now with all fullness.  Don’t let past sins or future worries rob your full living in and for Jesus now.  Rejoice I say and again I say rejoice for Jesus loves us and will never leave us.  Amen 

  2 Timothy 2:22-25 “Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling. And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.” Love your enemy does not mean to have peace with them. Peace often is compromise and if it is with evil it is sinning. Our sinful nature try’s to make compromises with God because we don’t love him enough to obey him for we still love the world and all it offers us.  Jesus died for the penalty of our sins so we could have peace with God. We must die with him to the sinfulness of this world and live by loving and trusting Jesus. Peace with those in the world will only come when we love them enoug...

 “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” ‭‭John‬ ‭19:30‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Jesus fully God and fully man had to suffer and die for our sins as the penalty of unrighteousness.  It took a man like us to represent us on the cross. And it took God to take all the wrath of God and overcome it by his love for his Father and us.  Jesus knew what was the plan and fulfilled it perfectly. When he said it was finished it was done totally and completely.  What a friend we have in Jesus all our sins he bore.  If God is for you who can be against you?  Oh what a Savior,  Oh what a God!All praise to you Jesus.  Amen 

 “Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:45-46‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Our task as believers in Jesus is to serve.  The God of the universe came to serve us and die for us.  Righteous people will serve others.  We must serve God and we do that by serving his creation.  Why is it easier sometimes to serve non human things than mankind?  Serving others can be joyful but on our own it gets burdensome.  The more you depend on Jesus love the more joy you will have in serving.  The righteous will serve others and receive eternal life because they trust in Jesus who saved them from their sin of selfishness. Amen 

  Hebrews 2:14-15 “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” Jesus was tempted but never sinned and I am eternally grateful for he paid the price for my sins being the perfect, sinless lamb of God.  Oh how much more difficult it is to fight temptation than to give in to it!  Thank you Jesus for being strong and loving for me. The only thing I can think that Jesus never experienced is failure and giving in to sinfulness. Lord help me to win the fight against temptation and learn to love you more.  For I desire to be holy like you are holy.  Amen 

 “Then David said in his heart, “Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will despair of seeking me any longer within the borders of Israel, and I shall escape out of his hand.”” ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭27:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Elijah and David were men of God but responded in a seemingly foolish manner.  After Elijah defeated the priests of Baal on the mountain top he became fearful of Jezebel and fled. David after humiliating Saul and taking his spear fled to his enemies the Philistines.  They both depended on the Lord to overcome their test but the next moment fear overwhelmed them.  We must be prepared when we have trusted in Jesus and he has given us success not to be surprised that our next thought might lead us to do foolish things.  Lord help us to guide our minds and hearts from temptations.  Keep us close to you moment by moment.  We need you, oh how we need y...

  1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV) “Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” Jesus has freely given us eternal life for all who believe that he died for them.  Jesus help my faith grow in you.  Let me believe you died for me so I can be redeemed from the bonds of sin and become holy life you.  Holy Spirit fill me and guide me today so my holy living will glorify Jesus name. Heavenly Father thank you for choosing me to believe in Jesus. Please help me live in such a way to praise you and glorify you today. Amen 

  1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV) “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”  I am the way and the truth and the life no one comes to God except by me.  Jesus is the only way and we should pray that we continue to believe him everyday.  For if we didn’t need him we would not sin.  But everyday we fall short of his target of perfection, way short! If you confess your sins to God and repent of your sins and turn to Jesus and his forgiveness you will be saved from God righteous wrath. We should fear God and hope in his salvation.  Tell the good news that there is a way to eternal joy and that is Jesus, through Jesus and for Jesus’s  glory and we receive eternal joy with him. Amen...

  “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30 ESV The joy of finishing a task is very satisfying.  Jesus completed the task that, like creation, changed the world forever.  We are blessed who know, believe and praise Jesus for completely fulfilling all of the Lords commandments perfectly.  He became the righteousness we all must have to receive eternal life.  Thank you Jesus for completing the task that only you could do to save a sinner such as me.  Amen 

 “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” ‭‭John‬ ‭19:26-27‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Our purpose in life is to glorify God by loving, trusting and obeying him.  When Jesus was at the pinnacle of agony he showed how much he cared for those he loved.  When we love others in our weakness we honor Jesus for we are demonstrating that we are his children by being like him.  Lord Jesus give us your Spirit so we can love like you do selflessly.  Amen 

  Romans 3:23-26 (ESV) “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Wouldn’t be great to live holy lives by the power of the Holy Spirit and not have to humbly admit that you sinned again?  I long to be a saint that truly can live holy in honor of the Lord Jesus. Every morning I come to you Jesus needing to repent of my sinful ways. And the amazing truth is that you do forgive me, die for me and I am justified because of you.  Oh Lord I love you help me love you enough to die to myself and be guided by your word and Spirit to glorify you.  Thank you Jesus...

  “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭15:34‬ ‭ESV‬‬ God has to punish sin.  God would not be holy or righteous if he did not kill those who do not honor his holiness.  God is holy and he reflects his holiness in his glory.  Sin robs God of his righteous glory and demands the glory that comes from justice.  Jesus took on our sins at the cross and for righteousness God had to uphold his holiness and punish the result of sin.  Jesus received our just punishment from his Father for our sake.  Glory is seen by all who love God’s holiness on the cross .  For in mercy and punishment God upholds his holiness and it is revealed in his amazing glory.  Our God is a wonderful God who shows mercy and judgment to all. All for your glory Jesus.  Amen 

 “I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”” ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭13:12-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Samuel states that God wants a king that has a heart for him.  Saul’s heart was occupying selfish intentions that did not trust the Lord.  David was better but his lust brought him down.  We needed Jesus to come and be our king for he always did the Father’s will. His kingdom will last forever!  All of scripture points to the need of our savior, King Jesus. Am...

  Genesis 1:26 “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.”   John 1:1-4,14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.” 14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Our Trinity God is spirit and therefore without physical form until He sent Jesus. When God made man in His own image He made man to look like Jesus even before Jesus was born.  Now image displays numerous characteristics but it is what the world sees.  Therefore when you see Jesus you see all of God attributes in per...

  Deuteronomy 4:9 (ESV) “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children.” Forget not the blessings of the Lord. It is easy to forget when we are going through trials of many kind. But during the difficult times of testing is when we must remember that the Lord Jesus is with us always and loves us so much that he died for us.  If God is for us who can be against us? Lord Jesus please help me to remember all of your blessings today so I may honor and glorify you in all my ways. Amen 

    1 John 1:8-9 “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”   These verses bring the truth of scripture directly to our hearts.  I pray we all learn to see our own hearts and ask Jesus to forgive and to renew our hearts daily.  We can do nothing without him but all things are possible for those who believe.  Jesus increase my faith in you.  Amen 

 “For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him. All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27:18, 25‬ ‭NIV‬‬ How often do we trample on the blood of Jesus because of our self interest?  The Jews were very threatened by Jesus and they wanted him gone.  His sayings, his miracles, his claims of deity did not fit with their lifestyle. The consequences were devastating to them and their offspring.  Let us learn from their mistakes that believing and honoring Jesus more than our own self interest is the only way to live.  Let us fear to disobey him and love and honor Him.  Choose who you will serve today, yourself or the Lord Jesus.  Amen 

 ““You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”” ‭‭John‬ ‭18:37‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Jesus was more than a king he is the one who puts kings into authority.  He is the king of kings. Do we listen to and love to obey his words?  If we love truth we love Jesus for he is the truth.  Everything that Jesus did, is now doing and will do, is the truth.  Words and actions proclaim the truth.  Lord Jesus help us love you and trust you as being the truth.  When we disobey you let  us confess our sins and turn to the truth.  Thank you Jesus. Amen 

 “Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.” ‭‭John‬ ‭18:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬ The Jews were hypocrites and chose what rules to follow and which ones to break.  They used rules for getting what they wanted and did not care who made the rules.  That is how we treat God’s word.  The part that promises positive outcomes that cause us no effort to follow we obey.  When the rule keeps us from our immediate desires we often ignore.  Lord Jesus help us to desire to obey all your rules because we know that you made them for our good and we trust and love you.  Thank you Jesus,  Amen 

 ““I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ This statement from Judas was very profound.  He realized that he sinned against Jesus by betraying him. He went to the people who were plotting with him.  His guilt was real but the only one who can forgive sins and eliminate the guilt is Jesus.  Other people may hear your admission but have no power to forgive.  Only God can forgive.  The wages of sin is death but the free gift of forgiveness is through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Lord have mercy on me.  Amen 

 ““Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:29‬ ‭NIV‬‬ We all must leave what is familiar and comfortable for Jesus. Some at their death bed and others before.  When we do there will be persecution, either mental or physical or both.  Our responsibility is to daily sit at Jesus feet and learn to trust him so when he says go we gladly obey.  Thank you Jesus, Amen 

  Isaiah 45:5-7 (ESV) “I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the LORD, who does all these things. Lord Jesus I pray that your plan for me is to glorify your name in everything I do now and for evermore.” God doesn’t plan on making broken eggs scrambled eggs, He planned on making scrambled eggs from the start. The trials and temptations we experience are for us to learn and grow in. God never waits for something he doesn’t know to happen and then responds. He is always working for good for those who believe in Him. And he has planned that from the foundation of the world.  It is us who have to desire to know his plan and work it out.  Jesus thank you for choosing me today to believe, how do I...

 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”” ‭‭John‬ ‭13:20‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Who has the Lord sent to you who has given you a challenge to love?  Jesus who loves us and knows all things gives us who we need every day.  We must be open to receiving from the Lord all things.  Not only the easy but the hard, the difficult, the uncomfortable people.  Our goal is to trust Jesus more and more and the surest way is through difficulty.  Jesus give us the strength and desire to accept whoever comes our way for we know that you love us and gives us what we need to trust you more.  Thank you Jesus 

  Psalm 139:1-4   “OLORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down;  You are aware of all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD.” “If you really knew me you wouldn’t like me.” I have said that and heard that said many times.  We have things we think and do that we know are wrong. Yet Jesus knows them and still loves us. That love is difficult to understand yet is my only hope. I desire to please Jesus but I choose poorly over and over.  He leads me into righteousness because of his love for me.  I must have much to learn for the straight path toward sanctification has had many detours.  I pray that the Lord will do whatever it takes to keep me on the right path toward eternal life. Jesus make me an instrument of mercy so I may love you perfectly and reflect your glory greatly.  Thank you Jesus. Amen...

  “I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!” 1 Corinthians 16:21-22 ESV What a strong statement Paul ends his letter to the Corinthians. Paul shares so much love in his writings about God’s forgiveness and faithfulness. Then he ends; let the ones who don’t love the Lord to be accused!  Great love causes great hate for those who oppose the love. If you love little you hate little.  When people take the Lord’s name in vain do you hate it?  Let us love Jesus greatly for Jesus said don’t be lukewarm for he will spit us out of his mouth.  For your glory Jesus. Amen 

 “then whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites shall be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.”” ‭‭Judges‬ ‭11:31‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Jesus said let your yes be yes and your no be no.  Do not make vows because you can’t control the future.  Often we read about people bargaining with the Lord.  If he does this for them, then they will do that for the Lord!  Can a pot say to the potter what they want to be?  Scripture teaches us that God is good, righteousness, holy and full of love.  When we completely take in those truths we will humbly say “your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”.  Jesus open our eyes and hearts to your truths.   Amen 

 Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” We must learn that in paradise our greatest joy is meeting others needs.  When Jesus told the thief on the cross that he will be in paradise Jesus was demonstrating the joy of giving and therefore paradise before heaven. Let us not wait to experience unspeakable joy by loving others more than ourselves.  The secret that Jesus offers all who trust him and love him.  Today you will be with me in paradise.  Don’t wait!  Amen 

 “And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭23:41‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Like the thief in the cross we are guilty of our sins and deserve death.  When the thief realized that Jesus was perfect and did nothing wrong and did not deserve to die he believed.  His eyes were open to who Jesus was and only Jesus could bring him into paradise.  Let us ask and thank Jesus for our eyes to be open to know that He is the only way to eternal life.  Let us praise him and honor him as we walk the narrow way with him.  Amen