Having a bad day?

Saturday, April 19th, 2025

ACP

Ken Pullen

Scripture is from the New King James Version

Continue scrolling, continue reading, continue deeply pondering, contemplating, and meditating. Then upon that act. Boldly. Resolutely. Sincerely. Perpetually.

For the time is short, the times are different and the laborers few the harvest is ready and no matter what may be occurring in your life if you have the LORD within you as a result of your fervent faith in the RISEN Jesus from death, knowing what He did on that tree of shame, walking out of the tomb on the third day — nothing, NOTHING can defeat, overcome, or should be able to sway you. Even on the worst of days — in your mind, in your spirit, in your soul, or in your body.

This truly is a vapor. A blink. A short journey along a path to eternity.

One of only two paths to take, leading every person ever born to a specific, easily defined and understood eternity.

Despondent? Anxiety? Fear? Depression? Feeling overcome, overwhelmed, lost, and forsaken?

Imagine, if you will — which is impossible because of our finite ability and if we could even begin to imagine we would die — how forsaken God felt on that tree of shame, that Roman Cross of death and pain as He took all sin of all people who would ever have faith in Him?

Crucifixion is one of the three most painful and horrific deaths a person could experience.

But the physical pain and suffering — which began during the night before, in the illegal night courts, in the constant beatings, whipping, slapping and physical abuse long before being nailed to that cross and being pierced for our sin — the physical pain is but one small thing compared to God coming to this world knowing His whole life on earth fully truly a man, fully truly God, knowing there was a time of separation from the Father Who could never have any part of sin.

Compared to the weight and pain of the sin of every person, every sin, who would come to believe in Him. Beyond comprehension.

THAT was most painful for the LORD Jesus Christ, Yeshua Hamashiach.

Nothing in or of this world can separate a true born from above, born again, changed from within disciple of Jesus.

When sorrows come and they will, when pain comes and it will, when feelings of loneliness and despondency come, and they will…

…do not wallow. Do not linger.

For in so doing, you give way to the devil and give him pleasure and an opening to work in you.

I do not understand at all professed believers who must these days be visually stimulated, or otherwise stimulated with Bible fiction, either in film or print media. They say, I have had them say to me, “It is necessary, another way to bring people to Christ.”

Ahh, but what of them? Why do they flock to it, absorb it, appear to need it so? Why isn’t the whole Holy Bible enough for them? Why the strong urge, the great surge in Christian Bible fiction these days, either in film, video, or print — in fiction novels?

It has become an addiction.

So much time by so many professed disciples of Jesus focused on fictionalized stories, Bible fiction. It is a sign of the times and the rise of itching ears, the Word of God appearing to not be enough for them.

Okay, let’s say all this helps bring fallen, lost sinners to finally begin to turn to Jesus, to the Bible. Okay, fine — but what of all the professed believers addicted to all this fictional material? What of them? Why the great need to keep feeding themselves on it? It’s akin to having a diet of nothing but ice cream, potato chips, double cheeseburgers, donuts, and orange soda/pop. And thinking that is wonderful and you’re so happy to be alive when so much of that dung is available and you refrain from the meat, the salad, the whole pure food the LORD has provided. Prefering the processed items of man.

Just like that.

And to say, “It’s all to bring people to Christ,” I say, okay, but what about you, disciple, professed Christ follower, why do you need it so much?

I’ve had believers accuse me after stating my views about Christian fiction, Bible fiction such as “The Chosen,” telling me I need to watch it before saying or writing what I have and do, and even sending me verses from Proverbs about speaking without knowledge and speaking in ignorance, with the person sending me that not aware of the time I was in the same church, at the same small event, where the first episode of  “The Chosen” was shown. And it was enough of an experience for me to set a belief. We no longer attend that church.

Accused of putting forward my views in ignorance, and if only I would do as they do, I would certainly come around, right? Wrong. My wife, at a former church we went to, had people so hopped up about Christian FICTION novels that they were bringing them to her to read. My wife, not wanting to give offense, took the bag full of Christian novels and brought them home. After opening and beginning to read the first one, within pages, she felt in her spirit that these were not good books to read.

We’re NOT legalistic. Not even close. Although accused of being such by people who think they know me, think they know us. We have liberty in our faith in Jesus Christ, Yeshua Hamashiach — but certain liberties, places people go, they ought not to venture. And that isn’t being legalistic. That’s being wise and attuned to the Holy Spirit working in a person.

I don’t speak or write without context or example, or experience.

Why the great lust, need, desire, yearning for Christ followers to flock to Bible fiction, Christian fiction?

The words Bible fiction, or Christian fiction, ought not exist in the same sentence or breath.

Isn’t the whole Word of God exciting enough? Adventurous enough? Grand enough in scope and the telling of events past, present, and future? Not enough? Keep scrolling after my comments and then tell me in the comment area found below this posting what’s more captivating, interesting, wonderful, exciting, covering every aspect and emotion of being human than what follows? And that’s only a small portion.

Keep your eyes, your heart, your mind, your spirit in the LORD and eternal heavenly things. It’s why He instructed us to do so. He knew such times would enter every life and that to lessen their impact, to overcome, to get through them we are to have unwavering faith in Him and His words, in heaven, in the eterniy to come which will be greater than the original Paradise because in it there will be no possibility for the entrace of sin, pain, suffering, tears or death.

Do nothing that distracts, pulls you away from the clear, whole, inerrant, infallible, unchangeable [no fiction, please, no false teachings, please — even if they bring pleasure to your eyes and itching ears], eternal, living and active Word of God. Nothing else is as alive, important, exciting, or covers every aspect, every deep emotion a human being can know, experience, and feel., Without making anything up.

Bad day? Read what follows. All leading to the very best of days, or day. No need to fear, be despondent, full of anxiety and trepidation, dear one, dear friend, dear brother or sister in the faith of Jesus. Leave all that to those who continue to rebel and hate God, hate Jesus, hate the Holy Spirit, and hate the Holy Bible.

Read on…slowly, deeply, carefully…

A Prayer for Help in Despondency

A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. To the Chief Musician. Set to “Mahalath Leannoth.” A Contemplation of Heman the Ezrahite.

Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate

Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”

Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

He answered him and said, “It is as you say.”

So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.”

But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.”

Jesus Faces Herod

When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.

Taking the Place of Barabbas

Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. I will therefore chastise Him and release Him” (for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast).

And they all cried out at once, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”— who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder.

Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. But they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”

Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go.”

But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed. So Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested. And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

The King on a Cross

Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.

And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him. But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’ Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?”

There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

And they divided His garments and cast lots. And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”

The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”

And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Jesus Dies on the Cross

Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.

So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!”

And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned. But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb

Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.

And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

Luke 23

And I will make enemies Of you and the woman, And of your offspring and her Descendant; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise Him on the heel.”

Genesis 3:15

The Suffering, Praise, and Posterity of the Messiah

To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Deer of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David.

Psalm 22

He Is Risen

Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ”

And they remembered His words. Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.

The Road to Emmaus

Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.

And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?”

Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?”

And He said to them, “What things?”

So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.”

Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

The Disciples’ Eyes Opened

Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.

Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.

And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence.

The Scriptures Opened

Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

The Ascension

And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

Luke 24

The Hope of the Faithful, and the Messiah’s Victory

A Michtam of David.

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