Studying Jesus' life while He was still alive keeps me on my toes! All of the bible is useful for understanding God's way, but the stories of Jesus' life and how He healed and heard the people surrounding Him are like the foods that feed us. We can't get along without them! And, I believe, this is one of Christ's main purposes in his stories.
In the book of Matthew there is a story about Jesus that sheds light on what is important to me today, the difficulty of approaching those I barely know to ask them if they would like to know Jesus Christ.
So, first a little background for the story.
The story opens in Gentile territory, meaning an area where mostly non-Jews lived. If the Jews of Israel were to believe Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, it would be the Jews who needed to hear and see Jesus at work healing, feeding hordes of people and other-wise behaving as the Messiah was expected to behave. Therefore, Jesus emphasis for his work was for the Jews. Perhaps this story is told for this very reason, for the Jews to know then and now that Jesus Messiah-ship was for them as well as the rest of the world.
In the story, a woman came and knelt before Jesus, begging that He come and heal her daughter of demon-possession. Jesus refused, saying, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." (Mt. 24-28) "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."
"The woman answered, "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." At this response, Jesus said, "Woman you have great faith. Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour."
From my Study Bible, "Jesus addressing the Gentile woman, may have been testing her faith, or he may have wanted to use the situation as another opportunity to teach that faith is available to all people."
It appears to me, we must remember that any person is not only acceptable to God, but desirable to God, and if one does recognize and accepts the Father, would or could they not also accept the Son?
Who do you know that may need to know God? I don't know very many people having just recently moved to Minnesota, but must get out and introduce myself and get to know the neighbors. I am eager for this, and trying not to blame it on the weather! We all have fears to hold us back or can justify our lack of effort in some way.
So what the world needs is prayer. I'm going to start right now, praying that I will become acquainted with my neighbors, praying for their lives and their needs, and for the hope I have for my own timidity to become friendliness. And that God will show me those who need Him, the same as I do.
Hope you will also pray for those who enter your life!. And we all must truly remember, "Even the dogs deserve the crumbs from the table." And never judge those who may become Christ's own.!
From one "dog" to another!
Jo of MN
Monday, April 28, 2014
Friday, April 25, 2014
DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!
I'm anxious to tell you a story rich in Bible history; it's more about David, a most colorful fellow-soldier, shepherd, King! David was still running from Saul, with all his followers-- soldiers, wives, servants, and livestock--following him as well. Things were getting very risky and David decided the best thing the could do for himself and his followers would be to hide himself, his men and their followers with the people of Gath by telling Gath's leader that they were done with Saul and Israel.
Now the people of Gath were the enemies of Israel. Therefore, the men and their families would need to pretend to be Israel's enemies, too, and were given the city of Zikleg in Philistine territory. They lived there a year and four months.
David attacked the enemies of Israel instead of the required cities, and lied abut whom he attacked when questioned by Achish, the king. But in order to keep Achish uninformed, David had to leave none alive in his raids.
On one occasions, Achish' commanders of quite a large war would not allow David, whom the commander knew from the past as an Israelite, to fight in their war. David and his men were directed to turn back to Ziklag. They found on their return that their families had been taken captive and most of Ziklag was destroyed. David and his men were greatly distressed, weeping and sobbing. Finally, having no strength left to weep, David asked God if he should rescue them and God said, "Pursue them!" And so they did.
They found an Egyptian in a field who was hungry and thirsty. After giving the man food and water, he told them where the raiding party went. David fought them from dusk of one day until the evening of the next day. David and his men recovered everything.
There was much plunder and David shared it with all of his men, including those who were unable to go to the final battle. He also shared his plunder with friends in Judah, along with the news of his victory.
Now what does this story have to teach me today? It certainly teaches me that war is just plain awful no matter when it is fought. And it has another advantage, to show that one can find a safer home even if it must be in a less safe territory! But the Study Bible makes it clearer in its suggestions:
1) "When facing a problem it is useless to look for someone to blame. Consider instead how you can help find a solution. 2) The Egyptian slave had been left to die, but God used him to direct David to the Amelikite camp which held their hostages. So, treat those you meet with respect and dignity no matter how insignificant they may seem. You never know how God will use them to help you--or haunt you--depending on your response to them."
Just a nice little story to remind us of good King David. But, poor guy, he wasn't always so good! But we'll save that story for another day.
Let's pray there will be many more days to find out, "What was King David thinking?"
Off to check with my family, to see if all is well!
Hope all is well at your house! Still praying for all of you!
Jo of MN
.
Now the people of Gath were the enemies of Israel. Therefore, the men and their families would need to pretend to be Israel's enemies, too, and were given the city of Zikleg in Philistine territory. They lived there a year and four months.
David attacked the enemies of Israel instead of the required cities, and lied abut whom he attacked when questioned by Achish, the king. But in order to keep Achish uninformed, David had to leave none alive in his raids.
On one occasions, Achish' commanders of quite a large war would not allow David, whom the commander knew from the past as an Israelite, to fight in their war. David and his men were directed to turn back to Ziklag. They found on their return that their families had been taken captive and most of Ziklag was destroyed. David and his men were greatly distressed, weeping and sobbing. Finally, having no strength left to weep, David asked God if he should rescue them and God said, "Pursue them!" And so they did.
They found an Egyptian in a field who was hungry and thirsty. After giving the man food and water, he told them where the raiding party went. David fought them from dusk of one day until the evening of the next day. David and his men recovered everything.
There was much plunder and David shared it with all of his men, including those who were unable to go to the final battle. He also shared his plunder with friends in Judah, along with the news of his victory.
Now what does this story have to teach me today? It certainly teaches me that war is just plain awful no matter when it is fought. And it has another advantage, to show that one can find a safer home even if it must be in a less safe territory! But the Study Bible makes it clearer in its suggestions:
1) "When facing a problem it is useless to look for someone to blame. Consider instead how you can help find a solution. 2) The Egyptian slave had been left to die, but God used him to direct David to the Amelikite camp which held their hostages. So, treat those you meet with respect and dignity no matter how insignificant they may seem. You never know how God will use them to help you--or haunt you--depending on your response to them."
Just a nice little story to remind us of good King David. But, poor guy, he wasn't always so good! But we'll save that story for another day.
Let's pray there will be many more days to find out, "What was King David thinking?"
Off to check with my family, to see if all is well!
Hope all is well at your house! Still praying for all of you!
Jo of MN
.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
DAVID, A MAN ON THE RUN
Hey! We are starting off with a new beginning knowing Christ came to save us from our sinful lives. Let us poke our noses back to a story way before Jesus, to two kings early in the history of Israel, Saul and David.
First, some personal information. Both men had been chosen as a king of Israel, but Saul was reluctantly chosen by God to be king while David, still a lad, was growing up. David served Saul, both in his army and as Saul's private musician in his court to help keep Saul calm. Saul was apt to become overly zealous and, at first, David seemed to calm him out of his moodiness.
But, what David and others did not understand, was Saul was jealous of David himself! David's skill as a soldier and his fine good looks had people singing about him in the streets and in their homes. Saul heard of this and knew people preferred David, not him. "Saul can kill his thousands, but David his ten-thousands!" The voices rang out and cheering followed. Yet, Saul seethed more and more with hatred and wanted David dead. He made his own attempts at killing David, but David did not die. No! But he did take his own entire entourage and beat it to the hills, where he hid for years, never falling far from the admiration of the people.
Although neither man was perfect, David did trust in God and when he did sin he was bent with sorrow and begged forgiveness from God. Saul had lost touch with God altogether and although David had married Saul's daughter, Saul commanded David be killed. Therefore, David lived much of his early years in hiding with those of the army who were still faithful to him, his wives and friends.
Although David had opportunities to kill Saul, he did not. David only let Saul know what harm to Saul he might have done.
And at times, David was lonely for his lost companions and the times of compatibility with the king when Saul was David's friend. He missed, too, the company of others when in prayer and during the sacrifices in the temple.
So, David's prayer life took the form of psalms, which he then could sing. In Psalm 141, David prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice." He went on to ask God to "set a guard over" his mouth, as he was quick to react over criticism.
In my study bible, it suggests the theme of Psalm 141 is this: "A prayer for God's protection and wisdom in accepting criticism. Be open to criticism--God may be speaking through others." (An interesting thought, right?)
It also reminds me that we "open our mouths approximately 700 times a day to speak. David asked God to help keep him from speaking evil--even if we undergo persecution! Jesus himself, much later, was silent before His accusers. (Mt. 26:63) Knowing the power of the tongue, we would do well to ask God to guard what we say so that our words will bring honor to his name."
I am going to try to do as David did and ask God to guard my thinking and my words, and ask that I might be changed on the inside to better obey. Even so, I may screw up. David did, later; yet
he is one of my favorite people in Biblical History.
Oh, to be like David! But better to say, "Oh, to be like Jesus!"
Jo of MN...Thanks, Jesus! You're my man...and my God!
First, some personal information. Both men had been chosen as a king of Israel, but Saul was reluctantly chosen by God to be king while David, still a lad, was growing up. David served Saul, both in his army and as Saul's private musician in his court to help keep Saul calm. Saul was apt to become overly zealous and, at first, David seemed to calm him out of his moodiness.
But, what David and others did not understand, was Saul was jealous of David himself! David's skill as a soldier and his fine good looks had people singing about him in the streets and in their homes. Saul heard of this and knew people preferred David, not him. "Saul can kill his thousands, but David his ten-thousands!" The voices rang out and cheering followed. Yet, Saul seethed more and more with hatred and wanted David dead. He made his own attempts at killing David, but David did not die. No! But he did take his own entire entourage and beat it to the hills, where he hid for years, never falling far from the admiration of the people.
Although neither man was perfect, David did trust in God and when he did sin he was bent with sorrow and begged forgiveness from God. Saul had lost touch with God altogether and although David had married Saul's daughter, Saul commanded David be killed. Therefore, David lived much of his early years in hiding with those of the army who were still faithful to him, his wives and friends.
Although David had opportunities to kill Saul, he did not. David only let Saul know what harm to Saul he might have done.
And at times, David was lonely for his lost companions and the times of compatibility with the king when Saul was David's friend. He missed, too, the company of others when in prayer and during the sacrifices in the temple.
So, David's prayer life took the form of psalms, which he then could sing. In Psalm 141, David prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice." He went on to ask God to "set a guard over" his mouth, as he was quick to react over criticism.
In my study bible, it suggests the theme of Psalm 141 is this: "A prayer for God's protection and wisdom in accepting criticism. Be open to criticism--God may be speaking through others." (An interesting thought, right?)
It also reminds me that we "open our mouths approximately 700 times a day to speak. David asked God to help keep him from speaking evil--even if we undergo persecution! Jesus himself, much later, was silent before His accusers. (Mt. 26:63) Knowing the power of the tongue, we would do well to ask God to guard what we say so that our words will bring honor to his name."
I am going to try to do as David did and ask God to guard my thinking and my words, and ask that I might be changed on the inside to better obey. Even so, I may screw up. David did, later; yet
he is one of my favorite people in Biblical History.
Oh, to be like David! But better to say, "Oh, to be like Jesus!"
Jo of MN...Thanks, Jesus! You're my man...and my God!
Monday, April 21, 2014
JUST AN ORDINARY MONDAY
Some call this day Easter Monday. But Monday is Monday, and our week begins. But, for some, Easter carries with it, at least for a few days, a bit of grandeur and yes, even hope. I guess, I am one of those whose faith becomes renewed at Easter-time and believing is a necessity. My faith was born out of need and carried through my life as a flag of truth.
I believe, God's most intentional reason for Christ coming to this earth even as a baby was to die on the cross for our sinful natures, yours and mine and all those for all time. But, not everyone has the desire, first, for forgiveness. Some have the need for healing, and that need may precede the need for forgiveness. Other needs, too, may be first in the mind of others who come to Jesus. I believe Jesus understands....like He did in a story in Matthew 8.
Jesus met a Roman Centurion on the road and the Roman asked Jesus for help regarding the man's servant. It seems the man's servant was sick and needed healing.
Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him." But the centurion quickly answered, ""Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. I myself am a man of authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, "Go!" and he goes; and that one; "Come" and he comes. I say to my servant, "Do this," and he does it."
Jesus had not heard such faith as this by anyone in Israel. And he said, "Go! It will be done just as you believe." And the servant was healed at that very hour.
Such witnesses are written in the Gospel Messages. And there are others today that can attest to such answers to prayer. Yet, there are some who accuse Jesus for not answering their need. Their prayers ignored, they have only sorrow!
When we find our own prayers unanswered, what are we to do? Can we still have trust in God?
God's love can be trusted. God's power can be trusted. But what if the person we are praying for may not make it? What if they might die? Is there an answer to our 'why"? I have no pat answer. There really are no pat answers.
I only know that our God loves you, the person you are praying for, me, the whole world full of sinners. His love knows no boundaries. And we always pray for God's will to be done. These are the things that we must trust. Having faith in God means He knows what is best for the whole world's plan for redemption. Each one of us is like a mere drop of water into the sea of needs.
So, we must heat up our faith! Keep reminding ourselves that God's will must come before our desires! And we must praise God anyway for those great things He has done and that He is doing. And don't give up hope for one of God's surprising miracles for your own prayer person!
He is alive! God is; He is in Person and He loves us all!
Jo of MN, celebrating Mondays!
I believe, God's most intentional reason for Christ coming to this earth even as a baby was to die on the cross for our sinful natures, yours and mine and all those for all time. But, not everyone has the desire, first, for forgiveness. Some have the need for healing, and that need may precede the need for forgiveness. Other needs, too, may be first in the mind of others who come to Jesus. I believe Jesus understands....like He did in a story in Matthew 8.
Jesus met a Roman Centurion on the road and the Roman asked Jesus for help regarding the man's servant. It seems the man's servant was sick and needed healing.
Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him." But the centurion quickly answered, ""Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. I myself am a man of authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, "Go!" and he goes; and that one; "Come" and he comes. I say to my servant, "Do this," and he does it."
Jesus had not heard such faith as this by anyone in Israel. And he said, "Go! It will be done just as you believe." And the servant was healed at that very hour.
Such witnesses are written in the Gospel Messages. And there are others today that can attest to such answers to prayer. Yet, there are some who accuse Jesus for not answering their need. Their prayers ignored, they have only sorrow!
When we find our own prayers unanswered, what are we to do? Can we still have trust in God?
God's love can be trusted. God's power can be trusted. But what if the person we are praying for may not make it? What if they might die? Is there an answer to our 'why"? I have no pat answer. There really are no pat answers.
I only know that our God loves you, the person you are praying for, me, the whole world full of sinners. His love knows no boundaries. And we always pray for God's will to be done. These are the things that we must trust. Having faith in God means He knows what is best for the whole world's plan for redemption. Each one of us is like a mere drop of water into the sea of needs.
So, we must heat up our faith! Keep reminding ourselves that God's will must come before our desires! And we must praise God anyway for those great things He has done and that He is doing. And don't give up hope for one of God's surprising miracles for your own prayer person!
He is alive! God is; He is in Person and He loves us all!
Jo of MN, celebrating Mondays!
Saturday, April 19, 2014
THE DAY THAT EASTER BEGAN
Just after sunrise, on the first day of the week, three days after Jesus Christ was hung on a cross to die, those who cried for their loss just had to go and see the place which held his body, the tomb enclosed by a huge stone. Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome were on their way to the tomb, worrying. "Who will roll away the stone," they fretted. "We haven't the strength!"
But when they got there, the stone had been rolled away! "What the..?" they gasped. A young man wearing a white robe, sat on the side of the tomb and the women drew back in fear.
The man told them, "Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarine who was crucified. He has risen! See the place where they laid him? He is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you."
Trembling and bewildered, the women fled from the tomb. But Mary Magdalene went on to those who had been mourning and weeping through the night, Jesus disciples. But they did not believe her.
Jesus also appeared to two men who were walking in the country. They immediately returned and reported it, also, to the disciples. Again, they did not believe the story.
Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw strips of linen lying by themselves not near the grave-clothes. He wondered, "What could have happened here?" Yet, he went away.
All had disbelieved, and wondered. They assembled together in Galilee to fish, questioning, doubting, emptied of any remembrance of the miracles so typical of Jesus. Suddenly, Jesus himself stood among them, saying "Peace be with you!" No one yet spoke.
Jesus continued, "Why are you troubled? Why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet," Jesus said, and he thrust his hands forward, and lifted his feet. "It is I, myself! Touch me and see!"
Although they still had not fully believed, they were full of joy and amazement, each thinking, "How can this be?"
Next He asked them, "Do you have anything to eat?" And they gave him a piece of broiled fish. He ate it in their presence.
Later, Jesus appeared to the Disciples in Jerusalem. He opened their minds so they could understand the various Scriptures in the very early testimonies that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.
He went on to say, "Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in My name to all nations."
And continuing, "I am going to send you out into the world, but you will begin in Jerusalem. Stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on High! "
When He had finished, He lifted up his hands and blessed them, the Twelve amazed as they were waiting for their beloved leader to fish once again with them. Instead, Jesus was taken up to Heaven.
This is not just a story, but it is a blessing, also, for me and for you. Jesus was not just the beloved leader of the twelve disciples, but He is the beloved leader of thousands, no, millions of people just like you and me, and millions more not like us at all, except that we all love Jesus Christ. And why not? He died for each and every one of us, those in the past, the present and those yet to come.
Praise you Lord God!
Happy Easter to all,
Jo of MN saying, Although each writer of the Gospels had a slightly different view of Jesus' last day, I hope you get the message that the Son of God, Jesus Christ, did come to earth, was crucified, died, was buried in a tomb, and revealed himself to both men and women before He went to the Father.
He was and is and always will be our Glorious Savior. AMEN
But when they got there, the stone had been rolled away! "What the..?" they gasped. A young man wearing a white robe, sat on the side of the tomb and the women drew back in fear.
The man told them, "Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarine who was crucified. He has risen! See the place where they laid him? He is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you."
Trembling and bewildered, the women fled from the tomb. But Mary Magdalene went on to those who had been mourning and weeping through the night, Jesus disciples. But they did not believe her.
Jesus also appeared to two men who were walking in the country. They immediately returned and reported it, also, to the disciples. Again, they did not believe the story.
Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw strips of linen lying by themselves not near the grave-clothes. He wondered, "What could have happened here?" Yet, he went away.
All had disbelieved, and wondered. They assembled together in Galilee to fish, questioning, doubting, emptied of any remembrance of the miracles so typical of Jesus. Suddenly, Jesus himself stood among them, saying "Peace be with you!" No one yet spoke.
Jesus continued, "Why are you troubled? Why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet," Jesus said, and he thrust his hands forward, and lifted his feet. "It is I, myself! Touch me and see!"
Although they still had not fully believed, they were full of joy and amazement, each thinking, "How can this be?"
Next He asked them, "Do you have anything to eat?" And they gave him a piece of broiled fish. He ate it in their presence.
Later, Jesus appeared to the Disciples in Jerusalem. He opened their minds so they could understand the various Scriptures in the very early testimonies that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.
He went on to say, "Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in My name to all nations."
And continuing, "I am going to send you out into the world, but you will begin in Jerusalem. Stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on High! "
When He had finished, He lifted up his hands and blessed them, the Twelve amazed as they were waiting for their beloved leader to fish once again with them. Instead, Jesus was taken up to Heaven.
This is not just a story, but it is a blessing, also, for me and for you. Jesus was not just the beloved leader of the twelve disciples, but He is the beloved leader of thousands, no, millions of people just like you and me, and millions more not like us at all, except that we all love Jesus Christ. And why not? He died for each and every one of us, those in the past, the present and those yet to come.
Praise you Lord God!
Happy Easter to all,
Jo of MN saying, Although each writer of the Gospels had a slightly different view of Jesus' last day, I hope you get the message that the Son of God, Jesus Christ, did come to earth, was crucified, died, was buried in a tomb, and revealed himself to both men and women before He went to the Father.
He was and is and always will be our Glorious Savior. AMEN
Friday, April 18, 2014
THE TORN CURTAIN
From the time Jesus was kissed in betrayal by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemene, Jesus was treated brutally. Those who arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest where the teachers and lawyers had assembled.
Although the chief priests tried to pin false evidence against Jesus, they could not find witnesses against him. The High Priest finally said, "I charge you under oath by the living God; tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God!" And Jesus answered, "Yes, it is as you say." Then the High Priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy." They proceeded to spit in his face and strike him with their fists, taking turns hitting him. They finally ended it, saying, "He is worthy of death."
Early on Friday morning, after deciding Jesus must be put to death and knowing it was against their own laws, the Chief Priests handed him over to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.
Meantime, two disciples had their own struggles on different occasions. Judas, who had betrayed Jesus with a kiss, had received 30 pieces of silver for his betrayal. Today, he was having second thoughts. He was feeling much guilt and sorrow for he knew he had done wrong. At the same time, Peter was being questioned as to whether he knew Jesus, and he denied knowing Him three times!His heart, too, was sad at his betrayal. Two men. Where did their betrayal lead them? Peter asked Jesus later for forgiveness. Judas committed suicide.
Pilate the governor had a custom during the Passover seasons to release a prisoner. So he set about asking the crowd, "Who do you want released to you?" Pilate expected them to ask for Jesus. But they did not. They asked for the notorious criminal, Barabbas.
"Barabbas, Barabbas, Barabbas," the crown roared Barabbas' name over and over.
Then, Pilate asked, "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Christ?" And they all answered, "Crucify him! Crucify him! Crucify him!
The governor's soldiers then took Jesus with them and the whole company stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him along with a crown of thorns they created for his head. They spit upon him, mocked him, and struck him repeatedly. After putting his clothes back on him, they led him away to be crucified.
Having been beaten badly, Jesus stumbled as he carried his own cross. Simon, a man from Cyrene, was forced to carry Jesus' cross to the Place of the Skull.
When they had crucified Jesus, they fought over His clothes and made a sign to place above His head which read, THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Those who passed by hurled insults at Jesus, "If you are the son of God, come down from the cross."
From the 6th hour to the 9th hour darkness came over the land. And Jesus, about the 9th hour, cried out loudly, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.?"
And when Jesus again cried out, He gave up His spirit.
At that moment, the curtain of the temple was ripped from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split open. Those who had guarded Jesus saw an earthquake, were terrified and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"
Joseph of Arimathea, who himself had become Jesus' disciple, came forward to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. He wrapped Jesus in a clean linen cloth and placed him in Joseph's own new tomb that he had cut out of rock. After rolling a big stone in front of its entrance, Joseph went away.
The next day being past the Sabbath, the Jews returned to ask Pilate to secure the tomb until the 3rd day. They were afraid Jesus' disciples would try to steal Jesus' body. And so the tomb was guarded.
But Jesus' disciples rested Saturday in sadness and sorrow. The women, separate from the men, looked for comfort in one another as they also spent the day and night together. All hearts felt empty without Jesus. And they wondered each to themselves, "What shall become of us now?
Yes, what shall become of us without Jesus? That is what we, also, must ask ourselves.
Jo of MN, loving Christ who died for me.
Although the chief priests tried to pin false evidence against Jesus, they could not find witnesses against him. The High Priest finally said, "I charge you under oath by the living God; tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God!" And Jesus answered, "Yes, it is as you say." Then the High Priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy." They proceeded to spit in his face and strike him with their fists, taking turns hitting him. They finally ended it, saying, "He is worthy of death."
Early on Friday morning, after deciding Jesus must be put to death and knowing it was against their own laws, the Chief Priests handed him over to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.
Meantime, two disciples had their own struggles on different occasions. Judas, who had betrayed Jesus with a kiss, had received 30 pieces of silver for his betrayal. Today, he was having second thoughts. He was feeling much guilt and sorrow for he knew he had done wrong. At the same time, Peter was being questioned as to whether he knew Jesus, and he denied knowing Him three times!His heart, too, was sad at his betrayal. Two men. Where did their betrayal lead them? Peter asked Jesus later for forgiveness. Judas committed suicide.
Pilate the governor had a custom during the Passover seasons to release a prisoner. So he set about asking the crowd, "Who do you want released to you?" Pilate expected them to ask for Jesus. But they did not. They asked for the notorious criminal, Barabbas.
"Barabbas, Barabbas, Barabbas," the crown roared Barabbas' name over and over.
Then, Pilate asked, "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Christ?" And they all answered, "Crucify him! Crucify him! Crucify him!
The governor's soldiers then took Jesus with them and the whole company stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him along with a crown of thorns they created for his head. They spit upon him, mocked him, and struck him repeatedly. After putting his clothes back on him, they led him away to be crucified.
Having been beaten badly, Jesus stumbled as he carried his own cross. Simon, a man from Cyrene, was forced to carry Jesus' cross to the Place of the Skull.
When they had crucified Jesus, they fought over His clothes and made a sign to place above His head which read, THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Those who passed by hurled insults at Jesus, "If you are the son of God, come down from the cross."
From the 6th hour to the 9th hour darkness came over the land. And Jesus, about the 9th hour, cried out loudly, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.?"
And when Jesus again cried out, He gave up His spirit.
At that moment, the curtain of the temple was ripped from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split open. Those who had guarded Jesus saw an earthquake, were terrified and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"
Joseph of Arimathea, who himself had become Jesus' disciple, came forward to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. He wrapped Jesus in a clean linen cloth and placed him in Joseph's own new tomb that he had cut out of rock. After rolling a big stone in front of its entrance, Joseph went away.
The next day being past the Sabbath, the Jews returned to ask Pilate to secure the tomb until the 3rd day. They were afraid Jesus' disciples would try to steal Jesus' body. And so the tomb was guarded.
But Jesus' disciples rested Saturday in sadness and sorrow. The women, separate from the men, looked for comfort in one another as they also spent the day and night together. All hearts felt empty without Jesus. And they wondered each to themselves, "What shall become of us now?
Yes, what shall become of us without Jesus? That is what we, also, must ask ourselves.
Jo of MN, loving Christ who died for me.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Soon after Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, he began to preach, so the Bible tells. At the Sea of Galilee, Jesus invited two sets of brothers, fishermen busy with their nets, to follow him. They left their boats and nets behind and even without knowing anything about him, they followed. These four, Peter and Simon, then James and John became the first of the Twelve Disciples, and were with Jesus until the end.
Jesus' ministry was magnetic. Twelve men following the One, learned to heal as He healed, teach as He taught, love as he loved. Many others began to follow, women as well as men. Goodness and mercy was their ambition; the Pharisees their adversaries. But Jesus continued to minister to those who had no names, to those who needed love, or healing, or miracles. Jesus loved the people, and especially those who had no chance for fulfillment of health or heart other than from his own touch.
His name became one to call out for help. Jew and stranger, all the same, needed His touch.
Wherever Jesus went He worked miracles. Yet even His own disciples were confused about where his power came from. And his destiny. They could not totally comprehend that He was truly of God. How could he walk on water? Calm the storm? Feed thousands with nothing but a couple old fish and a loaf or two of bread? Yet they followed. And they wanted to be like Him, although they did not at all understand his mission in the world.
The disciples were common men who made mistakes. They got jealous of each other. They could be stubborn. And Jesus stories frustrated them as they so often could not understand them. Yet the parables proved effective for teaching and have been remembered for centuries.
Jesus' years on this earth were not many, but the changes wrought from His days here have never before or since made an impression such as Jesus years made.
But Jesus was to be betrayed by one of his own. And it happened in this way:
The Thursday before Judas' betrayal of Jesus, Jesus made a triumphant entry into Jerusalem. People cried out, "Hosanna in the Highest" and "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord" They spread palm branches before Him as he rode in on a borrowed donkey.
Their joy lasted through their supper together. Jesus spent the time giving them one last lesson and one last reminder. First, He washed their feet to remind them to always have a servant-heart for others. Later, they ate their bread and drank their wine to acknowledge that Jesus Himself was broken bread and poured-out wine. They should always remember him through those two things.
After dinner, they left to go to the Garden of Gethsemene on the Mt. of Olives. as Jesus wanted to pray to the Father. Jesus knew His time had come.
Before long, Judas came with a group of men who had come to arrest Jesus. But Judas came to him as a brother, and kissed Jesus......a kiss of betrayal long remembered in the world.
May you and I never betray our Savior with a lie such as the kiss of Judas!
Through this weekend of Jesus' crucifixion, let us be reminded .....He hung on a cross...for you and me. ...Let us remember the love for us He has given by dying so that we might live in Him!
Now, all for Him!
Jo in MN
.
Jesus' ministry was magnetic. Twelve men following the One, learned to heal as He healed, teach as He taught, love as he loved. Many others began to follow, women as well as men. Goodness and mercy was their ambition; the Pharisees their adversaries. But Jesus continued to minister to those who had no names, to those who needed love, or healing, or miracles. Jesus loved the people, and especially those who had no chance for fulfillment of health or heart other than from his own touch.
His name became one to call out for help. Jew and stranger, all the same, needed His touch.
Wherever Jesus went He worked miracles. Yet even His own disciples were confused about where his power came from. And his destiny. They could not totally comprehend that He was truly of God. How could he walk on water? Calm the storm? Feed thousands with nothing but a couple old fish and a loaf or two of bread? Yet they followed. And they wanted to be like Him, although they did not at all understand his mission in the world.
The disciples were common men who made mistakes. They got jealous of each other. They could be stubborn. And Jesus stories frustrated them as they so often could not understand them. Yet the parables proved effective for teaching and have been remembered for centuries.
Jesus' years on this earth were not many, but the changes wrought from His days here have never before or since made an impression such as Jesus years made.
But Jesus was to be betrayed by one of his own. And it happened in this way:
The Thursday before Judas' betrayal of Jesus, Jesus made a triumphant entry into Jerusalem. People cried out, "Hosanna in the Highest" and "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord" They spread palm branches before Him as he rode in on a borrowed donkey.
Their joy lasted through their supper together. Jesus spent the time giving them one last lesson and one last reminder. First, He washed their feet to remind them to always have a servant-heart for others. Later, they ate their bread and drank their wine to acknowledge that Jesus Himself was broken bread and poured-out wine. They should always remember him through those two things.
After dinner, they left to go to the Garden of Gethsemene on the Mt. of Olives. as Jesus wanted to pray to the Father. Jesus knew His time had come.
Before long, Judas came with a group of men who had come to arrest Jesus. But Judas came to him as a brother, and kissed Jesus......a kiss of betrayal long remembered in the world.
May you and I never betray our Savior with a lie such as the kiss of Judas!
Through this weekend of Jesus' crucifixion, let us be reminded .....He hung on a cross...for you and me. ...Let us remember the love for us He has given by dying so that we might live in Him!
Now, all for Him!
Jo in MN
.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
THEN THERE WAS JOHN...
A man named John was the son of a woman named Elizabeth, who was of the same family as Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mary had traveled by herself from Nazareth to Elizabeth's home in a larger city, perhaps Jerusalem, to see Elizabeth and tell her the exciting news that she was carrying the Messiah, by God's Spirit. John's father, Zachariah, a priest in the temple there, had lost his speech after hearing that his wife, Elizabeth, was to bear a child who would grow to be the man who would eventually be the messenger who would announce The Messiah to the world. This family proudly invited Mary to stay with them for a while.
The two women soon learned from each other that they were both chosen by God for this wonderful event. And Elizabeth's child stirred for the first time when Mary entered their home, as if he knew he would "prepare the way" for the child Mary carried in her womb.
From this beginning, John knew he was to bear witness to Jesus, the Christ, and when he was near-grown he went into the desert to prepare himself spiritually. He was a man of deep faith and one of desert strength, born for the privilege God had given him.
The two first met as men by the bank of the Jordan River where John had been baptizing the local community, instructing the people to remember their covenant with God. John had a fine following; all the people spoke well of him, except for the Pharisees who were jealous of those who loved him.
Then suddenly, Jesus was before him stepping down onto the sand which fringed the river. What was in their hearts, their minds at that moment? Two men, both of God, doing God's will--what could they be thinking? Were they speechless for a moment? John was a brute of a man; would he have said, "Well, let's get on with it?" Jesus...what was he thinking? "Here is my cousin, whom I have never known. Even now, I do not know him!"
Yet, the Father had sent him to this man who was to baptize him. It was to be a beginning, the beginning of a ministry as yet not totally revealed. And Jesus gave himself over to the Baptist to be baptized just as the people had been baptized.
Suddenly, just as Jesus came up from the water, a white dove flew to Jesus and settled on his shoulder. A voice spoke, "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased." The Spirit of God, the Father God, and the Son of God, all three, all One, perfect, present, witnessing,. Was it not encouraging to John?
Yes. Yes, it was good, John must have thought. He had done what God had asked of him. But the people, his following? Would they now follow the Christ? John understood all and let it be known: "He must become greater; I must become less." (John 3:30)
Jesus was now prepared. The people... the hungry, tired, broken, lost, sick, dying...would now be waiting...................and in due time, so was the Cross!
The two women soon learned from each other that they were both chosen by God for this wonderful event. And Elizabeth's child stirred for the first time when Mary entered their home, as if he knew he would "prepare the way" for the child Mary carried in her womb.
From this beginning, John knew he was to bear witness to Jesus, the Christ, and when he was near-grown he went into the desert to prepare himself spiritually. He was a man of deep faith and one of desert strength, born for the privilege God had given him.
The two first met as men by the bank of the Jordan River where John had been baptizing the local community, instructing the people to remember their covenant with God. John had a fine following; all the people spoke well of him, except for the Pharisees who were jealous of those who loved him.
Then suddenly, Jesus was before him stepping down onto the sand which fringed the river. What was in their hearts, their minds at that moment? Two men, both of God, doing God's will--what could they be thinking? Were they speechless for a moment? John was a brute of a man; would he have said, "Well, let's get on with it?" Jesus...what was he thinking? "Here is my cousin, whom I have never known. Even now, I do not know him!"
Yet, the Father had sent him to this man who was to baptize him. It was to be a beginning, the beginning of a ministry as yet not totally revealed. And Jesus gave himself over to the Baptist to be baptized just as the people had been baptized.
Suddenly, just as Jesus came up from the water, a white dove flew to Jesus and settled on his shoulder. A voice spoke, "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased." The Spirit of God, the Father God, and the Son of God, all three, all One, perfect, present, witnessing,. Was it not encouraging to John?
Yes. Yes, it was good, John must have thought. He had done what God had asked of him. But the people, his following? Would they now follow the Christ? John understood all and let it be known: "He must become greater; I must become less." (John 3:30)
Jesus was now prepared. The people... the hungry, tired, broken, lost, sick, dying...would now be waiting...................and in due time, so was the Cross!
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
DOES ANYONE KNOW HIS NAME?
Easter is just hours away. Does anyone know the name of the One who died for the sake of humanity? Very few knew His name long ago. And those who did know Him were afraid. Yet a psalm written long, long before He was taken away to die, captures something of knowing Him.
Psalm 9, verses 10 and 13 say this: "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." And, "I may declare your praises in the gate and rejoice in your salvation." These words were said by David, then King of Israel, about the one we now know as Jesus Christ, the one long-awaited who died on a cross for my sake and yours.
My Study Bible reminds me that "God will never forsake those who seek Him. To forsake someone is to abandon that person. God's promise does not mean that if we trust in Him we will escape loss or suffering; it means that God Himself will never leave us no matter what we face. All of us want God to help us when we are in trouble. Some want God's help so that they will be successful and so other people will like them. Others want God's help so that they will be comfortable and feel good about themselves. David, however, wanted help from God so that justice could be restored to Israel and others might see God's power. When you and I call for help we must consider our motives. Is it to bring glory and honor to God?" I am reminded that it must be for no other reason.
When we seek God, we must remember that God expects us to call upon Him knowing that God's presence is an "ever" thing. It is not like smoke or heat or even snow. ( Snow here in MN finally does melt away, or so they say!) No, God's presence is forever! And forever means always! He is always present, always available, always there to love you and is always worthy of your praise! I urge you to be among those who adore Him. Remember, even the rocks and the leaves on the trees adore Him.
In this week before Easter Sunday, I hope you will see reminders of who God is and of His ever presence. I hope to concentrate in my writing, at least in part, on the horror that Jesus endured in these same hours. Remember, many did not know that He was the Christ. He was believed to be a trouble-maker among those who were leaders of the established religion, the ones who felt he must go because of the many who had begun to believe that this Jesus maybe was the long awaited Messiah.
Jesus will be hailed as a "good guy" by many who will crowd around him as he enters Jerusalem this coming Thursday. He will be riding on a donkey, and the crowd will yell, Hosannah!
I am sad to say they changed their minds on Friday. Yet, without this complete story we would not have been saved.
Until next time, and the next and the next,
Our Lord awaits to be Yours.
Praise God!
Always, Jo of MN
Psalm 9, verses 10 and 13 say this: "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." And, "I may declare your praises in the gate and rejoice in your salvation." These words were said by David, then King of Israel, about the one we now know as Jesus Christ, the one long-awaited who died on a cross for my sake and yours.
My Study Bible reminds me that "God will never forsake those who seek Him. To forsake someone is to abandon that person. God's promise does not mean that if we trust in Him we will escape loss or suffering; it means that God Himself will never leave us no matter what we face. All of us want God to help us when we are in trouble. Some want God's help so that they will be successful and so other people will like them. Others want God's help so that they will be comfortable and feel good about themselves. David, however, wanted help from God so that justice could be restored to Israel and others might see God's power. When you and I call for help we must consider our motives. Is it to bring glory and honor to God?" I am reminded that it must be for no other reason.
When we seek God, we must remember that God expects us to call upon Him knowing that God's presence is an "ever" thing. It is not like smoke or heat or even snow. ( Snow here in MN finally does melt away, or so they say!) No, God's presence is forever! And forever means always! He is always present, always available, always there to love you and is always worthy of your praise! I urge you to be among those who adore Him. Remember, even the rocks and the leaves on the trees adore Him.
In this week before Easter Sunday, I hope you will see reminders of who God is and of His ever presence. I hope to concentrate in my writing, at least in part, on the horror that Jesus endured in these same hours. Remember, many did not know that He was the Christ. He was believed to be a trouble-maker among those who were leaders of the established religion, the ones who felt he must go because of the many who had begun to believe that this Jesus maybe was the long awaited Messiah.
Jesus will be hailed as a "good guy" by many who will crowd around him as he enters Jerusalem this coming Thursday. He will be riding on a donkey, and the crowd will yell, Hosannah!
I am sad to say they changed their minds on Friday. Yet, without this complete story we would not have been saved.
Until next time, and the next and the next,
Our Lord awaits to be Yours.
Praise God!
Always, Jo of MN
Monday, April 14, 2014
GOD IS WITHIN THE BELIEVER
What a joy and privilege we believers have to know and trust that Christ is within us! And God planned it that way, or so it tells us in the First Chapter of Matthew, verse 23. "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel--which means "God with us."
Here we are, in the week before Easter Sunday, the week Jesus was killed, and we are speaking of His birth! In order to truly understand Jesus death and what it means, we first must know what His birth really means for us. The Study Bible helps to give us heads up on Jesus' birth.(Next paragraph)
"Jesus was to be called Immanuel (God with us) as predicted by Isaiah the prophet. (Isaiah 7:14)
Jesus was God in the flesh; thus God was literally among us, "with us." Through the Holy Spirit, Christ is present today in the life of every believer. Perhaps not even Isaiah understood how far-reaching the meaning of "Immanuel" would be."
What a joy and privilege we believers have to know and trust that Christ is within us. But when we make decisions we must turn from our own self-sufficiency and pride of achievement and remind ourselves that God's Spirit is waiting to work with us on whatever is before us, be it a big problem or a small decision. God desires to lead us and asks us to give Him the opportunity to do so.
Hey! This is not an easy thing for me to do!! Only wanting to be led by God is not enough, because my "self" is rather used to making my decisions, and I am quick to respond to a question of "what to do?" So, I need to slow down and remember Jesus and His love for me and His wisdom. Then, I must ask Him, right then for His leadership. It's possible I will need to wait, but I believe His wisdom will soon make its way to my brain and I can proceed.
However, there is something I just learned yesterday. In reading the April 13 message in the book "Jesus Calling," by Sarah Young, the words seemed pertinent to how we can re-train ourselves to become more quickly aware of God's Presence. She writes as though Jesus Himself is speaking:
"Concentrate on doing your everyday tasks in awareness of My Presence with you. The joy of My Presence will shine on you, as you do everything for me. Thus you invite Me into every aspect of your life. Through collaborating with Me in all things, you allow My Life to merge with yours.
This is the secret of not only joyful living but of victorious living.(Italics mine.) I designed you to depend on Me moment by moment by moment, recognizing that apart from Me you can do nothing.
There are so many out there in the big world, so many that love God! Thank you, Lord! Yet there are not nearly enough for the job at hand, that all should one day show homage to Him. And, also, there is always much more to learn about Him, as well, I confess.
Some say, It takes a village. I say it's more like this: It takes a world of listeners sensitive to the Spirit of God. And let it begin with me...and thee.
Are you listening? I hope I am truly listening, absorbing, and deciding for the NOW and ALWAYS.
May God bring you peace and a heart of love to give away!
Jo of MN, working and praying.
Here we are, in the week before Easter Sunday, the week Jesus was killed, and we are speaking of His birth! In order to truly understand Jesus death and what it means, we first must know what His birth really means for us. The Study Bible helps to give us heads up on Jesus' birth.(Next paragraph)
"Jesus was to be called Immanuel (God with us) as predicted by Isaiah the prophet. (Isaiah 7:14)
Jesus was God in the flesh; thus God was literally among us, "with us." Through the Holy Spirit, Christ is present today in the life of every believer. Perhaps not even Isaiah understood how far-reaching the meaning of "Immanuel" would be."
What a joy and privilege we believers have to know and trust that Christ is within us. But when we make decisions we must turn from our own self-sufficiency and pride of achievement and remind ourselves that God's Spirit is waiting to work with us on whatever is before us, be it a big problem or a small decision. God desires to lead us and asks us to give Him the opportunity to do so.
Hey! This is not an easy thing for me to do!! Only wanting to be led by God is not enough, because my "self" is rather used to making my decisions, and I am quick to respond to a question of "what to do?" So, I need to slow down and remember Jesus and His love for me and His wisdom. Then, I must ask Him, right then for His leadership. It's possible I will need to wait, but I believe His wisdom will soon make its way to my brain and I can proceed.
However, there is something I just learned yesterday. In reading the April 13 message in the book "Jesus Calling," by Sarah Young, the words seemed pertinent to how we can re-train ourselves to become more quickly aware of God's Presence. She writes as though Jesus Himself is speaking:
"Concentrate on doing your everyday tasks in awareness of My Presence with you. The joy of My Presence will shine on you, as you do everything for me. Thus you invite Me into every aspect of your life. Through collaborating with Me in all things, you allow My Life to merge with yours.
This is the secret of not only joyful living but of victorious living.(Italics mine.) I designed you to depend on Me moment by moment by moment, recognizing that apart from Me you can do nothing.
There are so many out there in the big world, so many that love God! Thank you, Lord! Yet there are not nearly enough for the job at hand, that all should one day show homage to Him. And, also, there is always much more to learn about Him, as well, I confess.
Some say, It takes a village. I say it's more like this: It takes a world of listeners sensitive to the Spirit of God. And let it begin with me...and thee.
Are you listening? I hope I am truly listening, absorbing, and deciding for the NOW and ALWAYS.
May God bring you peace and a heart of love to give away!
Jo of MN, working and praying.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
FROM WEAKNESS TO STRENGTH
Do you ever think to yourself, "Why don't I have any talent? I can't sing, I can't dance, How can I be any good for God if I don't have any talent?" I would say, "Oh, yes you do. You just haven't found it yet." God gives us all special gifts; it's just that the world doesn't often see the gifts we have as being anything to boast about. The gifts God gives are not given to be published in the PEOPLE magazine. Most gifts God gives us are gifts that will bless others in some way. And others might not even know they are being blessed! Yet God's gifts are the best of all gifts, for they come from, not our abilities, but from God's generosity.
In Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth, he says, "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, & in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." In other words, the weaker we are personally, the more God's power is needed in whatever work we do, and the more Christ will be glorified.
The study portion gave me good news, also. "When we are strong in abilities or resources we are tempted to do God's work on our own, and that can lead to pride. When we are weak, allowing God to fill us with his power, then we are stronger than we could ever be on our own. God does not intend for us to seek to be weak, passive or ineffective--life provides enough hindrances and setbacks without us creating them. When those obstacles come, we must depend on God. Only God's power will make us effective for him and will help us do work that has lasting value."
This makes me wonder about my choosing to write a blog. I hoped in writing a blog it would have an effect on its readers, help them to seek God in their lives. But my hope to help others cannot be controlled by me. I, first, must write knowing that my small talent has not produced a book or play or even acknowledgments. How well I write and what I write will be led by God within my mind. I write with the grace of God. If God wants to have readers, He will bring them. I will never know--nor will I fret about it. I write because that is what I do, and that's our deal, God and mine.
Of this, I am thankful! I am also thankful that at some time and somewhere that which is needed by someone out there, may be found in what I have written. These blogs will forever be there in the great "cloud" formed by letters, words and whatever else is formed by fingers tapping and minds inventing. And God will also always be there. And here. Forever--His forever.
Praise be to God!
Jo of MN
In Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth, he says, "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, & in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." In other words, the weaker we are personally, the more God's power is needed in whatever work we do, and the more Christ will be glorified.
The study portion gave me good news, also. "When we are strong in abilities or resources we are tempted to do God's work on our own, and that can lead to pride. When we are weak, allowing God to fill us with his power, then we are stronger than we could ever be on our own. God does not intend for us to seek to be weak, passive or ineffective--life provides enough hindrances and setbacks without us creating them. When those obstacles come, we must depend on God. Only God's power will make us effective for him and will help us do work that has lasting value."
This makes me wonder about my choosing to write a blog. I hoped in writing a blog it would have an effect on its readers, help them to seek God in their lives. But my hope to help others cannot be controlled by me. I, first, must write knowing that my small talent has not produced a book or play or even acknowledgments. How well I write and what I write will be led by God within my mind. I write with the grace of God. If God wants to have readers, He will bring them. I will never know--nor will I fret about it. I write because that is what I do, and that's our deal, God and mine.
Of this, I am thankful! I am also thankful that at some time and somewhere that which is needed by someone out there, may be found in what I have written. These blogs will forever be there in the great "cloud" formed by letters, words and whatever else is formed by fingers tapping and minds inventing. And God will also always be there. And here. Forever--His forever.
Praise be to God!
Jo of MN
Friday, April 11, 2014
INTERCESSORY PRAYER
Sometimes the Old Testament comes through with wonderful words that can only be called treasures. One may not think that the Old Testament is of much use to us in our modern day lives, but it is. But we have to dig below those old words and find the treasure in their meanings.
In the story of 1 Samuel 12:23, the prophet Samuel reminds us that he is praying for those with whom he is leading Israel, primarily King Saul. Saul had a tendency to forget that it was God who made him king, not Saul himself. Therefore, Samuel felt it necessary to pray for Saul. The scripture in Samuel's words states: "Far be it from ne that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you."
The study which followed the scripture was also interesting: "Is failing to pray for others a sin? Samuel's words seem to indicate that it is. His actions illustrate two of God's people's responsibilities: 1) They should pray consistently for others (Eph.6:18. 2)They should teach others the right way to God. (2 Tim.2:2) Although, we may disagree with others, we shouldn't stop praying for them." Thus, pray, says the study that has interested me so much.
Whoever is frequenting my life, or whoever is coming to my remembrance from my past, whether they are family, friends, neighbors, known or unknown, like readers of my blogs--these are the ones for whom I must pray.
Of course, I may not know specifics in many situations. This does not need to be a problem,, I pray for God's goodness to permeate their hearts and lives and that they will recognize God's Spirit within them. I will pray they will receive God's comfort in times of stress; pray God will reveal any sin that may be hidden to them, and that they will be thankful for all of God's gifts which surround them.
Although prayer takes time, it is one of God's greatest desires for us to do. My prayer life needs a big strengthening, so this is where I will begin today--praying to give myself more time for prayer, and to have a greater commitment toward praying for others, as I have been lax in this regard.
We can be Intercessors to God for others and there is no finer job! It doesn't hurt anyone and helps everyone....and that includes the intercessor!
Thanks for your reminder, Lord, that being an intercessory pray-er is the best thing I can do for you...and for myself!
Back to my Prayer Chair for a Good Time with the Lord!
Loving each one of you readers,
Jo of MN
In the story of 1 Samuel 12:23, the prophet Samuel reminds us that he is praying for those with whom he is leading Israel, primarily King Saul. Saul had a tendency to forget that it was God who made him king, not Saul himself. Therefore, Samuel felt it necessary to pray for Saul. The scripture in Samuel's words states: "Far be it from ne that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you."
The study which followed the scripture was also interesting: "Is failing to pray for others a sin? Samuel's words seem to indicate that it is. His actions illustrate two of God's people's responsibilities: 1) They should pray consistently for others (Eph.6:18. 2)They should teach others the right way to God. (2 Tim.2:2) Although, we may disagree with others, we shouldn't stop praying for them." Thus, pray, says the study that has interested me so much.
Whoever is frequenting my life, or whoever is coming to my remembrance from my past, whether they are family, friends, neighbors, known or unknown, like readers of my blogs--these are the ones for whom I must pray.
Of course, I may not know specifics in many situations. This does not need to be a problem,, I pray for God's goodness to permeate their hearts and lives and that they will recognize God's Spirit within them. I will pray they will receive God's comfort in times of stress; pray God will reveal any sin that may be hidden to them, and that they will be thankful for all of God's gifts which surround them.
Although prayer takes time, it is one of God's greatest desires for us to do. My prayer life needs a big strengthening, so this is where I will begin today--praying to give myself more time for prayer, and to have a greater commitment toward praying for others, as I have been lax in this regard.
We can be Intercessors to God for others and there is no finer job! It doesn't hurt anyone and helps everyone....and that includes the intercessor!
Thanks for your reminder, Lord, that being an intercessory pray-er is the best thing I can do for you...and for myself!
Back to my Prayer Chair for a Good Time with the Lord!
Loving each one of you readers,
Jo of MN
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
HELP, HOPE, AND HEALING
In IICorinthians 8:3 it reads: "They (the churches in Macedonia which now is part of Europe) urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints." Paul's energy and words to the world may spur many a person to examine their own efforts to help those who are needy and often forgotten. This was the chapter and verse which called to me this morning, primarily because this past Sunday we were introduced to the Community Resource Center's work in our church. We were unable to stay for the full introduction to the work this agency does, but a promise to call and speak to us, was good to hear. We are hopeful that our ages will not impair us in any way in helping the less fortunate through a rough spot in their lives.
Their motto is HELP, HOPE, AND HEALING FOR OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED. And from what we hear, it is vital to those citizens who fall into the kind of trouble any of us can find ourselves in. When there is a need for shelter and housing, food and basic needs, computer access, job or housing searches or whatever else is needed, there are folks who will be available to help.
When Jerry and I were in our former home, we enjoyed very much when we had the chance to help others get through a tough time. Who knows when we or one of our family might need the same help? We are glad to give what talents we may still have, if nothing more than reading stories to those children who are there for a time, or saying a prayer with someone who needs one, or even helping someone else to pray.
God has been very good to us, yet we have known difficulties, too. And we also know how good it feels to have a roof over your families' heads at night when you hadn't expected to have one! The relief that comes from someone caring is beyond understanding unless you have known the difficulty yourself!
If you live in the area, perhaps you can help. If you live outside the area, perhaps you can pray. If you need the help, the hope, and the healing the CRC provides, let the folks know by leaving your name and a way to contact you on the page below. This CRC is located just north of the Twin Cities in MN. If you do not live nearby, check your churches in the area in which you do live and find others willing to lend a hand. The world is full of those who can and will help.
But, if you live anywhere near North Minneapolis or North St. Paul in Minnesota, find St. Andrews Church and ask, "What is behind door 6?" They will answer:" You will find help, hope, and healing there at the Community Resource Center!
Hope is just a hint away from Help, and Help is a hint away from Healing. And Healing is just a prayer away from HOME!
Just Sayin',
Jo of MN
Their motto is HELP, HOPE, AND HEALING FOR OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED. And from what we hear, it is vital to those citizens who fall into the kind of trouble any of us can find ourselves in. When there is a need for shelter and housing, food and basic needs, computer access, job or housing searches or whatever else is needed, there are folks who will be available to help.
When Jerry and I were in our former home, we enjoyed very much when we had the chance to help others get through a tough time. Who knows when we or one of our family might need the same help? We are glad to give what talents we may still have, if nothing more than reading stories to those children who are there for a time, or saying a prayer with someone who needs one, or even helping someone else to pray.
God has been very good to us, yet we have known difficulties, too. And we also know how good it feels to have a roof over your families' heads at night when you hadn't expected to have one! The relief that comes from someone caring is beyond understanding unless you have known the difficulty yourself!
If you live in the area, perhaps you can help. If you live outside the area, perhaps you can pray. If you need the help, the hope, and the healing the CRC provides, let the folks know by leaving your name and a way to contact you on the page below. This CRC is located just north of the Twin Cities in MN. If you do not live nearby, check your churches in the area in which you do live and find others willing to lend a hand. The world is full of those who can and will help.
But, if you live anywhere near North Minneapolis or North St. Paul in Minnesota, find St. Andrews Church and ask, "What is behind door 6?" They will answer:" You will find help, hope, and healing there at the Community Resource Center!
Hope is just a hint away from Help, and Help is a hint away from Healing. And Healing is just a prayer away from HOME!
Just Sayin',
Jo of MN
Monday, April 7, 2014
HE WILL NEVER FAIL US!
There are many good stories in the bible, but one of the loveliest is the story of Hannah and her son, Samuel. For years Hannah could not become pregnant and her husband's other wife (in those days God was trying to populate the people of Israel) drove Hannah crazy with bragging about her own children and belittling Hannah with her words and actions. Hannah appealed to the priests in the temple and the priest, Eli, listened and counseled her. Hannah, in appreciation, told Eli that when she became pregnant with a boy, the boy would be given to the Temple as God's own, to be raised as a priest.
Hannah did become pregnant and had a son whom she named Samuel and when he was weaned she took him to the Temple and gave him into Eli's hands. Samuel always followed God and was the first priest to counsel a king. Both King Saul and King David each trusted Samuel to go to God for direction that they might follow.
But, at the time of Hannah's discomfort and fear of being childless, Hannah trusted God and found peace. And how she did that is what I want to write about today. Hannah had had such fear of being childless that she had become ill. She could not eat or sleep. After speaking with Eli at the temple, she returned home well and happy. The change in her attitude may be attributed to three factors:
1) She honestly prayed to God. 2)She recognized encouragement from Eli. 3) She resolved to leave the problem with God. These three steps are the antidote for discouragement: (the above is from my Study Bible.) Tell God how you really feel and leave your problems with him. Then rely upon the support of good friends and counselors.
Getting counseling is an iffy thing. There are many fine counselors out there, but ask for recommendations. And each of us has wise friends who might give good counsel to us. Personally, I think I must choose wisely about where to go to receive counsel and will start with prayer that God will lead me to the right person.
Trusting God to guide us through our discouraging situation is first and foremost of importance. In fact, we might remind ourselves moment by moment that He is guiding us. And He will see us all the way through until the moment we can breathe easily again.
I think this next statement is worth memorizing if you have a mind to do it: Trust brings Hope and Hope reminds us: God is always present and God does not fail!
Hopefully, and lovingly, I remain
Jo of MN
Hannah did become pregnant and had a son whom she named Samuel and when he was weaned she took him to the Temple and gave him into Eli's hands. Samuel always followed God and was the first priest to counsel a king. Both King Saul and King David each trusted Samuel to go to God for direction that they might follow.
But, at the time of Hannah's discomfort and fear of being childless, Hannah trusted God and found peace. And how she did that is what I want to write about today. Hannah had had such fear of being childless that she had become ill. She could not eat or sleep. After speaking with Eli at the temple, she returned home well and happy. The change in her attitude may be attributed to three factors:
1) She honestly prayed to God. 2)She recognized encouragement from Eli. 3) She resolved to leave the problem with God. These three steps are the antidote for discouragement: (the above is from my Study Bible.) Tell God how you really feel and leave your problems with him. Then rely upon the support of good friends and counselors.
Getting counseling is an iffy thing. There are many fine counselors out there, but ask for recommendations. And each of us has wise friends who might give good counsel to us. Personally, I think I must choose wisely about where to go to receive counsel and will start with prayer that God will lead me to the right person.
Trusting God to guide us through our discouraging situation is first and foremost of importance. In fact, we might remind ourselves moment by moment that He is guiding us. And He will see us all the way through until the moment we can breathe easily again.
I think this next statement is worth memorizing if you have a mind to do it: Trust brings Hope and Hope reminds us: God is always present and God does not fail!
Hopefully, and lovingly, I remain
Jo of MN
Friday, April 4, 2014
WHAT WE SEE IS TEMPORARY
When I started my journaling this morning, I could not guess where it would lead. I want to share with you the passage which spoke to me and where it led me. Because, as I started to write, the passage took me to a different place than the one in which I had started. Here is the passage:
2 Cor. 4:13,16,18 "We do not lose heart because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
I have a grandson in his 20's who recently relapsed from an addiction to heroin. He is once again being treated and all the family is praying for him, hopeful that this time it will last. Heroin use changes the brain permanently, and it will always call out for one to use the drug again and again.
This must be a terrible burden to bear, always desiring the worst thing your body can safely use. I know of no other addiction that is this cruel and I have witnessed others. Yet, I know all addictions are terrible and do not belittle anyone in pain over an addiction. My heart hurts with each and every one who must suffer from any substance or idea that overtakes a person. That person suffers, and so do all the families who try to support him or her. Satan was busy, I think, when drugs came along. My opinion.
Our Dan was named after the Biblical Daniel. The Biblical Daniel had his problems, too, being deported to Babylon somewhere around 600 B.C. But, he stayed faithful to God all through his captivity and was a key to God's plans for the ages. (Book of Daniel, Old Testament)
Our Dan does not yet know God's plan for his life. But, God does! And we trust that there is one!
God does have a plan for our Dan's life. And the family awaits the moment it is revealed. We pray that when God chooses to reveal it, Daniel will be ready to receive it.
I have hesitated to write about this difficult situation. I'm sure other parents and grandparents out there understand. But Daniel needs all the help we can give him. And I'm hoping for an army of pray-ers.
When Dan was little, he was nervous about going to school on the bus. He had a secret signal to his mother that indicated: "Pray for me!" And she would signal back, "I am praying for you!" I don't think our Dan would mind one bit if a few readers prayed for him. Pray so this time in our lives is just another temporary moment amid the wonders of what God can do!
Thanking you from the bottom of my heart!
A concerned and loving Grandma,
Jo of MN
2 Cor. 4:13,16,18 "We do not lose heart because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
I have a grandson in his 20's who recently relapsed from an addiction to heroin. He is once again being treated and all the family is praying for him, hopeful that this time it will last. Heroin use changes the brain permanently, and it will always call out for one to use the drug again and again.
This must be a terrible burden to bear, always desiring the worst thing your body can safely use. I know of no other addiction that is this cruel and I have witnessed others. Yet, I know all addictions are terrible and do not belittle anyone in pain over an addiction. My heart hurts with each and every one who must suffer from any substance or idea that overtakes a person. That person suffers, and so do all the families who try to support him or her. Satan was busy, I think, when drugs came along. My opinion.
Our Dan was named after the Biblical Daniel. The Biblical Daniel had his problems, too, being deported to Babylon somewhere around 600 B.C. But, he stayed faithful to God all through his captivity and was a key to God's plans for the ages. (Book of Daniel, Old Testament)
Our Dan does not yet know God's plan for his life. But, God does! And we trust that there is one!
God does have a plan for our Dan's life. And the family awaits the moment it is revealed. We pray that when God chooses to reveal it, Daniel will be ready to receive it.
I have hesitated to write about this difficult situation. I'm sure other parents and grandparents out there understand. But Daniel needs all the help we can give him. And I'm hoping for an army of pray-ers.
When Dan was little, he was nervous about going to school on the bus. He had a secret signal to his mother that indicated: "Pray for me!" And she would signal back, "I am praying for you!" I don't think our Dan would mind one bit if a few readers prayed for him. Pray so this time in our lives is just another temporary moment amid the wonders of what God can do!
Thanking you from the bottom of my heart!
A concerned and loving Grandma,
Jo of MN
Thursday, April 3, 2014
TRANSFORMATIONS!
Some of us, me in particular, get too soon old and too late smart. I have a lovely friend here in MN, Dorie, who years ago when we were much younger, said, "Just once I wish God would give me a reprieve from his lessons and just let me enjoy his company!" I doubt these words are exactly what she said, but the implication is the same. We can get weary of God imparting His goodness in us as it takes dramatic change, usually. But, the work it takes on our part is insignificant, compared to the gratitude felt after a transformation.
In the Bible passage 2 Cor. 3:18, we read: "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." This tells us what will happen, but it doesn't tell us why it happens or how it happens.
The Study Bible gives us a bit of help. "The glory that the Spirit imparts to the believer is more excellent and lasts longer than the glory Moses experienced (upon receiving the Ten Command-ments.) by gazing at the nature of God with unveiled minds, we can be more like Him. In the gospel we see the truth about Christ, and it transforms us morally as we understand and apply it. Through learning about Christ's life, we can understand how wonderful God is and what God is really like. As our knowledge deepens, the Holy Spirit helps us to change. Becoming Christ-like is a progressive experience. The more closely we follow Christ, the more we will be like Him."
Our work is becoming acceptable to being transformed, catching ourselves before we practice an old pattern, staying in prayer and closeness to God, trusting God is doing His work, and being thankful for the little changes you see and feel.
A few other things that may make the changes come faster and that is, one-- knowing what those changes might be by knowing what Jesus is really like. Reading the Gospels in the New Testament will tell you this, and the readings about Love in 1st Corinthians 13. Loving others in-spite-of is huge! Secondly, any way you see yourself as underprivileged or unloved, or as being treated unfairly is a good place to ask, "Does Jesus love me?" The answer to that is, "Yes," the bible tells us so. Third, wondering how to handle some sticky situation? Ask, "What would Jesus do?" Yes, I know, it's trite in the rest of the world, but it still will serve the Christian. You just don't need to tell the world, unless they should ask, which is unlikely!
I hope you enter upon this new phase of life with me. I would love to hear your questions or answers. I have been a Christian a long time, but not-so-much in the practical way of being involved in my transformation. I guess I thought it would happen by osmosis, but it takes a willing heart, I believe, and a humble attitude. Humility had not been my middle name, unfortunately! And that was the first place I had a transformation--when I recognized the need for a transformation of my own!
Full speed ahead on this mission! Thank you God!
Jo of MN, I hope a friend to all!
In the Bible passage 2 Cor. 3:18, we read: "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." This tells us what will happen, but it doesn't tell us why it happens or how it happens.
The Study Bible gives us a bit of help. "The glory that the Spirit imparts to the believer is more excellent and lasts longer than the glory Moses experienced (upon receiving the Ten Command-ments.) by gazing at the nature of God with unveiled minds, we can be more like Him. In the gospel we see the truth about Christ, and it transforms us morally as we understand and apply it. Through learning about Christ's life, we can understand how wonderful God is and what God is really like. As our knowledge deepens, the Holy Spirit helps us to change. Becoming Christ-like is a progressive experience. The more closely we follow Christ, the more we will be like Him."
Our work is becoming acceptable to being transformed, catching ourselves before we practice an old pattern, staying in prayer and closeness to God, trusting God is doing His work, and being thankful for the little changes you see and feel.
A few other things that may make the changes come faster and that is, one-- knowing what those changes might be by knowing what Jesus is really like. Reading the Gospels in the New Testament will tell you this, and the readings about Love in 1st Corinthians 13. Loving others in-spite-of is huge! Secondly, any way you see yourself as underprivileged or unloved, or as being treated unfairly is a good place to ask, "Does Jesus love me?" The answer to that is, "Yes," the bible tells us so. Third, wondering how to handle some sticky situation? Ask, "What would Jesus do?" Yes, I know, it's trite in the rest of the world, but it still will serve the Christian. You just don't need to tell the world, unless they should ask, which is unlikely!
I hope you enter upon this new phase of life with me. I would love to hear your questions or answers. I have been a Christian a long time, but not-so-much in the practical way of being involved in my transformation. I guess I thought it would happen by osmosis, but it takes a willing heart, I believe, and a humble attitude. Humility had not been my middle name, unfortunately! And that was the first place I had a transformation--when I recognized the need for a transformation of my own!
Full speed ahead on this mission! Thank you God!
Jo of MN, I hope a friend to all!
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