A frequent reader asked that I consider Psalm 116, it's her favorite Scripture. That will not happen today. I will get to that Sarah S., thank-you for the suggestion.
My wife and I have been church shopping. I'm sure many of you out there know what that's like. We settled on a church and started attending on a regular basis. The pastor was a good speaker. The music was good. The people were friendly. We already had some friends that were attending there. We were looking at their ministries and considering where we could fit in. We were content, until God intervened.
We had received some mailings from a church that was just starting up. My wife talked about visiting there but I wanted to go online and check it out. I did and for whatever reason wasn't overly impressed so we stayed where we were.
Because of an advertising gimmick that I won't get into (because of length) a friend of mine posted a picture and some comments on Facebook about that same church. He was concerned about the message that was being conveyed. Frankly, I thought he had reason to be concerned.
It turns out that my sister, because of a friend's recommendation, had attended that church the previous Sunday. She was blown away by what she experienced. She thought my wife and I should check it out and we did.
Have you ever gone to a church and known right away that it was the place where you belonged? Until this year, it only happened to me once. Now, it's twice. After attending the first Sunday, we have not returned to the other church.
What was the attraction? They meet in a movie theatre. I can't say that I'm crazy about that, it's dark. The worship music is current. I'm not too familiar with today's worship music. I like hymns and worship music of the 80's and 90's. The pastor is young and so is the average age of the congregation. The average age increased quite a bit when I showed up. So, what's the attraction?
The church has a vision. They are not just interested in growing a congregation with transfers from other churches (which is not growth but redistribution). Their goal is to reach the lost with the gospel. They have a heart not only for the neighborhood but for the whole metropolitan area. They are willing to partner with other congregations to achieve that goal. There's action behind their words!
The pastor is not content with believers showing up, filling seats, and watching others do the work. He wants to know what your gifts are and get you plugged into ministry. He expects everyone to be involved, as I like to say, get their hands dirty. He challenges and encourages his congregation to be ministers of the gospel. He will do whatever it takes to make sure that everyone's full potential is reached. The Sunday teaching comes straight from the Scriptures. There's no guessing where the message comes from. He's not interested in the latest fads. He's energized and it transfers to the congregation.
There is a ministry team that intentionally moved into this area to help plant the church! They are not casting a net out the front door hoping that some fish will jump in or playing cool music hoping that someone driving by might hear it and stop in. They are going out and seeking the lost!
Most important is that Jesus is lifted up. It's all about Him. It's all for His glory and His honor. Jesus is the foundation of all that takes place in that fellowship.
What's the attraction? I think you can see it. God bless y'all real good.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
The Call To Suffer
"For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." Acts 9:16. These were the Lord's words to Annanias about Saul. (Also called Paul, Acts 13:9) How would you like that to be your call to ministry?
Peter, who denied Jesus three times (John 18) also received some words from Jesus. He was told, "I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” (John 21:18, 19) The death He was referring to was crucifixion.
Paul tells of his sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11:24-30, "Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger? If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am."
1 Peter 4:12,13 says, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed."
Peter was crucified around AD 64 when Nero was the emperor of Rome. Paul would eventually be beheaded in Rome.
The mother of disciples James and John asks that her sons sit at Jesus' right and left hands. Jesus' reply is, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
They said to Him, “We are able.” So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.” (Matthew 20:21-23)
They did drink the cup as Jesus said. James was beheaded in 44 A.D. John was imprisoned on the island of Patmos and later died in Ephesus.
Mark 8:34-37 says, "When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Through all these trials there was great joy too! "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4)
In Acts 5, the apostles are arrested and brought before the council. They are told not to teach in the name of Jesus and beaten. What is their response? Verse 41 says, "Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name."
Paul writes in Phillipians 4:1, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say Rejoice." With all the suffering you would think there wouldn't be much joy or rejoicing. The Christian faith is a paradox, the last shall be first, the least will be the greatest, those that lose their lives will save it, and rejoice in your suffering.
"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours." (John 15:18-20)
In Hebrews 11 in speaking of Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham, the author writes, "These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."
As Christians we cannot expect to be treated fairly in this world. We don't belong here. We are strangers and aliens. As servants, we are not greater than our Master. We desire a better country, a heavenly one.
I once heard a preacher say that the Church prospers where there's persecution. God knows what He's doing. How else can the gospel spread from an upper room in Jerusalem to the four corners of the world. The call has been made. Would you be willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel? To die? AM I??!!
God bless y'all real good.
Peter, who denied Jesus three times (John 18) also received some words from Jesus. He was told, "I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” (John 21:18, 19) The death He was referring to was crucifixion.
Paul tells of his sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11:24-30, "Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger? If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am."
1 Peter 4:12,13 says, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed."
Peter was crucified around AD 64 when Nero was the emperor of Rome. Paul would eventually be beheaded in Rome.
The mother of disciples James and John asks that her sons sit at Jesus' right and left hands. Jesus' reply is, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
They said to Him, “We are able.” So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.” (Matthew 20:21-23)
They did drink the cup as Jesus said. James was beheaded in 44 A.D. John was imprisoned on the island of Patmos and later died in Ephesus.
Mark 8:34-37 says, "When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Through all these trials there was great joy too! "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4)
In Acts 5, the apostles are arrested and brought before the council. They are told not to teach in the name of Jesus and beaten. What is their response? Verse 41 says, "Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name."
Paul writes in Phillipians 4:1, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say Rejoice." With all the suffering you would think there wouldn't be much joy or rejoicing. The Christian faith is a paradox, the last shall be first, the least will be the greatest, those that lose their lives will save it, and rejoice in your suffering.
"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours." (John 15:18-20)
In Hebrews 11 in speaking of Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham, the author writes, "These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city."
As Christians we cannot expect to be treated fairly in this world. We don't belong here. We are strangers and aliens. As servants, we are not greater than our Master. We desire a better country, a heavenly one.
I once heard a preacher say that the Church prospers where there's persecution. God knows what He's doing. How else can the gospel spread from an upper room in Jerusalem to the four corners of the world. The call has been made. Would you be willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel? To die? AM I??!!
God bless y'all real good.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Luke 24 - A Couple of Good Questions
Resurrection Sunday has come and gone. No doubt that in the next few weeks every fellowship will hear, read, or sing about about the events of Luke chapter 24. This chapter of the Bible contains some questions that stir my heart when I consider them.
The first comes in verse five. "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" This question is posed by an angel to the women who go to Jesus' tomb. The angel goes on to say, "He is not here , but has risen." In other words, why come to a place of death to find life or the living?
Isn't that what we did before we were saved, looking for "life" in all the wrong places? Thinking that wealth, education, a good job, or sex could fulfill our days on earth. Ephesians 2:1-9 says, " And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience
among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy: I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." True life, true living comes through Jesus.
The next question comes in verse thirty-two. "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?"
"That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”
They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”
“What things?” Jesus asked.
“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.
“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”
Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat,he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!
They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:13-32)
This reminds me of the day that I became a Christian. Although I had heard (with my ears) the Scriptures many times, one day I heard them with my heart. In my deadness the Scriptures were just words. On that day the Scriptures came alive! My heart "burned within"!
Since that day I have had many, many moments of "heartburn". (Sorry, I couldn't resist!) As I grow in my faith, God reveals more and more of Himself to me. After 30 years of walking with Jesus, I'm still learning new things, still being amazed by the awesomeness of God.
Look for life beyond the dead things. Allow the Word of God to burn in your heart. I will close with a quote from Ravi Zacharias that I have referred to in other articles, "Jesus didn't come to make bad people good, He came to make dead people live."
1 John 1:1-4 says, "We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy."
God bless y'all real good.
The first comes in verse five. "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" This question is posed by an angel to the women who go to Jesus' tomb. The angel goes on to say, "He is not here , but has risen." In other words, why come to a place of death to find life or the living?
Isn't that what we did before we were saved, looking for "life" in all the wrong places? Thinking that wealth, education, a good job, or sex could fulfill our days on earth. Ephesians 2:1-9 says, " And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience
among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy: I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." True life, true living comes through Jesus.
The next question comes in verse thirty-two. "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?"
"That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”
They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”
“What things?” Jesus asked.
“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.
“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”
Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat,he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!
They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:13-32)
This reminds me of the day that I became a Christian. Although I had heard (with my ears) the Scriptures many times, one day I heard them with my heart. In my deadness the Scriptures were just words. On that day the Scriptures came alive! My heart "burned within"!
Since that day I have had many, many moments of "heartburn". (Sorry, I couldn't resist!) As I grow in my faith, God reveals more and more of Himself to me. After 30 years of walking with Jesus, I'm still learning new things, still being amazed by the awesomeness of God.
Look for life beyond the dead things. Allow the Word of God to burn in your heart. I will close with a quote from Ravi Zacharias that I have referred to in other articles, "Jesus didn't come to make bad people good, He came to make dead people live."
1 John 1:1-4 says, "We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy."
God bless y'all real good.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
The WNG - A Part of the Body
I love the Wednesday Night Group. We're "A small group of Jesus' disciples encouraging one another as we learn what it means to follow Him." Our core Bible verse is Acts 2:42, "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."
The group has been meeting in different forms and different places for over twenty-five years. The past thirteen years we have been meeting in my house. I shepherd the group now. Before me it was Joe G. Before him it was John and Stephanie. Before them it was Pastor Joe. The Lord always provides the leadership we need.
It started out as a prayer meeting. It eventually became a church Bible study. Today it is a fellowship that is not tied to any one church. Many different churches are represented there.
Over the years many folks have come and gone. People come for a season and then leave. On occasion one of the original members still pays us a visit. The group has had as many as twenty members at one time and as little as six. The numbers don't matter to me.
We study the Scriptures. As far as I know none of the current members is seminary trained. We rely on the Holy Spirit to guide our study. If there is error in our understanding I believe the Spirit can lead us to truth. I am more than willing to seek the wisdom of others outside the group.
We are in fellowship together. I always thought of fellowship as a social gathering. I recently learned that it is more like a working together for a common purpose, a communion, partners with Jesus.
One of my favorite things to do with the group is breaking bread together. Yeah, eating together is great. It is a time of openness and honesty. I think we tend to drop our defenses when we gather to eat. We laugh a lot too!
Praying for one another is extremely important. We need to lift each other up in prayer. I try to encourage that more than anything else. I have to be honest though, it is difficult.
Why should I think that anyone would even care about all this? Frankly? I don't know. I guess that I hope it encourages you. The group was started by the Lord and it is sustained by Him.
The Wednesday Night Group is a part of the Body."Church" isn't just on Sunday morning. It is not one denomination over another. The church is the Body of Christ. It is the "saints who are also faithful in Christ Jesus." (Eph.1:2 RSV) Stop in for a visit, stay a while if you like. God bless y'all real good.
The group has been meeting in different forms and different places for over twenty-five years. The past thirteen years we have been meeting in my house. I shepherd the group now. Before me it was Joe G. Before him it was John and Stephanie. Before them it was Pastor Joe. The Lord always provides the leadership we need.
It started out as a prayer meeting. It eventually became a church Bible study. Today it is a fellowship that is not tied to any one church. Many different churches are represented there.
Over the years many folks have come and gone. People come for a season and then leave. On occasion one of the original members still pays us a visit. The group has had as many as twenty members at one time and as little as six. The numbers don't matter to me.
We study the Scriptures. As far as I know none of the current members is seminary trained. We rely on the Holy Spirit to guide our study. If there is error in our understanding I believe the Spirit can lead us to truth. I am more than willing to seek the wisdom of others outside the group.
We are in fellowship together. I always thought of fellowship as a social gathering. I recently learned that it is more like a working together for a common purpose, a communion, partners with Jesus.
One of my favorite things to do with the group is breaking bread together. Yeah, eating together is great. It is a time of openness and honesty. I think we tend to drop our defenses when we gather to eat. We laugh a lot too!
Praying for one another is extremely important. We need to lift each other up in prayer. I try to encourage that more than anything else. I have to be honest though, it is difficult.
Why should I think that anyone would even care about all this? Frankly? I don't know. I guess that I hope it encourages you. The group was started by the Lord and it is sustained by Him.
The Wednesday Night Group is a part of the Body."Church" isn't just on Sunday morning. It is not one denomination over another. The church is the Body of Christ. It is the "saints who are also faithful in Christ Jesus." (Eph.1:2 RSV) Stop in for a visit, stay a while if you like. God bless y'all real good.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
MARY
"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: "Behold the virgin will conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)
I never gave Mary a lot of thought until I saw the movie, "The Nativity Story". Now, I think of her often. For me, the Christmas story will now have a new dimension to it.
Her life from the time of the angel's visit to the Day of Pentecost was bittersweet. She was truly blessed. In Luke 1:48 she says, "For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed." Yet Simeon in Luke 2:35 says to her, "yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also".
Imagine how Mary felt when after the angel's visit she goes to see her relative Elizabeth and hears, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" Mary responds with what is referred to as "the Magnificant", beginning with the words, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my Spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior." (Luke 1:46-56) Imagine now, after three months with Elizabeth, she goes home to face her parents (I am assuming this. It is not in Scripture.) and/or Joseph. By this time her pregnancy is beginning to show. How do you think the news was received knowing the penalty for adultery? It took an angel to convince Joseph to take Mary as his wife. Her life was spared.
There is so much to consider. The words of the shepherds that she pondered in her heart. The blessing of Simeon. The Feast of the Passover when Jesus was twelve years old where He turns up missing. His response when asked where He was, "Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?" The wedding feast in Cana. How about her confusion when she hears Jesus ask, "Who is My mother, or My brothers?"
Did you ever see the scene from "The Passion" when Jesus falls under the weight of the cross? www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZeN6kdgM2Y (Copy and paste) I sob like a child when I watch this. Mary was there to witness the crucifixion of her Son.
It doesn't end there. Where was she when He rose from the grave? She was with John (John 19:27). She was in the upper room with the disciples (Acts 1:14). Based on that, I'm going to assume she was present on the Day of Pentecost. This must have been a time of great joy for her!
In my Wednesday Night Group blog, referring to the Book of Acts, I wrote the following:
"One thing I would like to note is the presence of Jesus' mother, Mary, in chapter one. She has been a part of God's plan and a witness from the visit by the angel (announcing the birth of Jesus) to the birth of the church (the body of Christ). There was obviously much pain involved but she was truly blessed. She was chosen by the Father, gave birth to the Son, and witnessed the coming of the Holy Spirit."
I have a new found admiration for Mary. She must have been a very strong women. Her life shows me that obedience to the Lord is far from easy but it is a blessing. Her life was a roller coaster of emotion. Should mine be any different? God bless y'all real good.
I never gave Mary a lot of thought until I saw the movie, "The Nativity Story". Now, I think of her often. For me, the Christmas story will now have a new dimension to it.
Her life from the time of the angel's visit to the Day of Pentecost was bittersweet. She was truly blessed. In Luke 1:48 she says, "For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed." Yet Simeon in Luke 2:35 says to her, "yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also".
Imagine how Mary felt when after the angel's visit she goes to see her relative Elizabeth and hears, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" Mary responds with what is referred to as "the Magnificant", beginning with the words, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my Spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior." (Luke 1:46-56) Imagine now, after three months with Elizabeth, she goes home to face her parents (I am assuming this. It is not in Scripture.) and/or Joseph. By this time her pregnancy is beginning to show. How do you think the news was received knowing the penalty for adultery? It took an angel to convince Joseph to take Mary as his wife. Her life was spared.
There is so much to consider. The words of the shepherds that she pondered in her heart. The blessing of Simeon. The Feast of the Passover when Jesus was twelve years old where He turns up missing. His response when asked where He was, "Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business?" The wedding feast in Cana. How about her confusion when she hears Jesus ask, "Who is My mother, or My brothers?"
Did you ever see the scene from "The Passion" when Jesus falls under the weight of the cross? www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZeN6kdgM2Y (Copy and paste) I sob like a child when I watch this. Mary was there to witness the crucifixion of her Son.
It doesn't end there. Where was she when He rose from the grave? She was with John (John 19:27). She was in the upper room with the disciples (Acts 1:14). Based on that, I'm going to assume she was present on the Day of Pentecost. This must have been a time of great joy for her!
In my Wednesday Night Group blog, referring to the Book of Acts, I wrote the following:
"One thing I would like to note is the presence of Jesus' mother, Mary, in chapter one. She has been a part of God's plan and a witness from the visit by the angel (announcing the birth of Jesus) to the birth of the church (the body of Christ). There was obviously much pain involved but she was truly blessed. She was chosen by the Father, gave birth to the Son, and witnessed the coming of the Holy Spirit."
I have a new found admiration for Mary. She must have been a very strong women. Her life shows me that obedience to the Lord is far from easy but it is a blessing. Her life was a roller coaster of emotion. Should mine be any different? God bless y'all real good.
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