RUSSELL SANDERS

11-25-2025

A HOLY PRESENCE

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The resurrection of Jesus from the tomb was a miraculous and holy event as recorded in Matthew 28:1-7. There was a huge stone covering the opening of the tomb. The angel of the Lord descended, rolled it back, then sat on top of it. There had been soldiers posted as guards to make sure nobody tampered with the tomb to steal the body of Jesus. 

In verses 3-4 it records their experience, “His (the angel’s) countenance was like (flashing) lightning, and his raiment was (shining) white as snow. And for fear of (the angel) the keepers (soldiers) did shake (and tremble) and (then) became (like) as dead men.” The Amplified version describes their experience in verse 4 as, “The guards shook, paralyzed with fear (at the sight) of him and became like dead men (pale and immobile).” at the angel’s presence.

However, later, the angel spoke kindly to the women that showed up, and they had no fear of him at all. They loved God and were devoted to Jesus. They were of God’s righteous ones, while the soldiers were unrighteous.

This shows a classic encounter of holiness with unholiness. Unholiness trembles in the presence of true holiness.

We are instructed by God to be holy. In 1 Peter 1:16 it says, “It is written (in Leviticus 11:44), ‘Be ye holy, for I (the LORD) am holy.’”

We are to be a reflection of His holiness and righteous, the light of Christ being within us. As we live holy unto the Lord, those that are not living holy will tremble at our presence.



HELEN SANDERS

11-25-2025

AN EVIL REPORT

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In Numbers 13:2 God spoke to Moses and said, “Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I GIVE UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.”

You will notice that God did not say go in and see if you can take the land. He did not say, look at the conditions, and decide if you can take the land. What he did say, was that HE GAVE the land to ISRAEL. It was already theirs! They were just to investigate what was already theirs.

So, they go into the land and see problems.  There were giants there that brought fear to ten of the twelve leaders. They forgot that God was bigger than a giant. They forgot about his parting the Red Sea. They forgot about the manna supplied every day. Instead, they focused on the problem and not the Promise.

Then men brought an evil report and two brought a good report. Caleb said in verse 30, “…Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.”

Instead, the people wanted to stone Joshua and Caleb and listened to an evil report. This resulted in the death of all those that listened and sided with the evil report, and it cost Israel 40 years in the wilderness. 

What is an evil report? It is speaking the opposite of what God says. It says I am sick when God says by His stripes you are healed. It says I am broke when God says He will supply every need. It says, you are alone when God says He would never leave you nor forsake you.

Words will either bring life or death [Proverbs 18:21]. Be careful what you listen to. Speak the Word of God over yourself and do not fall in the trap of listening to an evil report.