April_30

SHARING BREAD

⁴⁶ And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
     ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
     ⁴⁸ for he has been mindful
     of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
     ⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me–
     holy is his name. Luke 1:46-49 (NIV) 

These verses were sung to the Lord by Mary in response to Elizabeth’s proclamation to her and affirmation of her.  Overwhelmed with gratitude for her Savior, Mary glorifies and rejoices in God.  We should all take note of her actions!  God loves an appreciative heart from His servants. 

Moses had one:

¹ Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted.  The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.  ² The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.  He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.   Ex 15:1-2 (NIV)David had one:⁴⁷ “The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior! ⁴⁸ He is the God who avenges me, who puts the nations under me, ⁴⁹ who sets me free from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me. ⁵⁰ Therefore I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing praises to your name.   2 Sam 22:47-50 (NIV)Nehemiah had one: ⁵ Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, ⁶ let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel.  Neh 1:5-6 (NIV) And on and on the list goes of which, of course, Mary is included. With her affections, emotions and passions she glorifies her God.  She rejoices with exuberance – the wording here meaning to leap and dance with excessive or ecstatic joy and delight! She is overcome with gratitude!  Out of a thankful heart praise naturally flows.  Are we thankful for “every good and perfect gift” that flows from above?  For me gratitude and praise flow easily when I perceive the outcome to be beneficial for me.  But my praise and gratitude are woefully lacking when the benefit is not so obvious.  Shame on me!  If God is in control (which He is) and if God has my BEST interest at heart (which He does) should I not embrace with joy whatever He allows knowing that it is for my good?  This is not just a mere thought of man – this is God’s command:  ¹⁴ Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
     fulfill your vows to the Most High,   Psalms 50:14 (NIV)²³ He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me,
     and he prepares the way
     so that I may show him the salvation of God.”   Psalms 50:23 (NIV)¹⁵ Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that confess his name.  Heb 13:15 (NIV) I used to wonder why God would call praise sacrificial.  Why would it be a sacrifice to praise Him?  Now I realize that broken hearts are to praise Him too; that downcast souls are to lift up their voices and rejoice.  That act indeed is sacrificial. It flows from the heart that no matter what the outcome, God has my best interest at heart and for that I am thankful.  As always, you cannot out give God – when we begin to praise Him our spirits begin to lift.  Our focus begins to change from ourselves (who are powerless) to Him (who is all power). Jesus’ job description in Isaiah 61 tells us the following:           ³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion– to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair   Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)A garment of praise – perhaps that means it is something we should clothe ourselves with every morning – regardless of our circumstances!  Sometimes it is simply volitional – an act of our will and that indeed can seem sacrificial. The twist comes though that as soon as we begin to praise we begin to rise above our circumstances and not be overcome by them.  Our focus is on Him.  ¹ Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. ² Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits–³ who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, ⁴ who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, ⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalms 103:1-5 (NIV)Praise the LORD, O my soul.Psalms 103:22 (NIV)What I glean from this:

• God desires for me to have a grateful heart.
• God desires a thankful heart in all circumstances.
• Sometimes praise is simply an act of my will not my emotions.
• My spirit is elevated above my circumstances when I begin to praise.

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April_27

SHARING BREAD⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:45 (NIV)

After receiving the news that she would be with child and that He would be called the Son of the Most High, Mary hurries to visit her cousin Elizabeth whom, the angel had informed Mary, was also great with child in her old age.  How very precious of God to give Mary “flesh and bones” to talk to!  Don’t you know she was terrified over the angel’s announcement?  Not only does he give her someone to whisper with, he states that Elizabeth also is expecting adding:  “for nothing is impossible with God.”  (Luke 1:37)

I love the wording in Luke 1:39:

 ³⁹ At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, Luke 1:39 (NIV) 

The words rendered “got ready” in the NIV is the Greek word “Anistemi” meaning to stand again!  The news she had just received had certainly swept her off her feet!  Ever been there – received news that simply took you off your feet and left you flat?  Me too!  Mary gives us insight into “next steps”!  She hurries off to validate the message by going to Elizabeth to see if what the angel had said was true.

As soon as Elizabeth hears Mary’s greeting the baby within her womb leaps and Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit:

⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:41 (NIV) 

Then Elizabeth states these precious words through the anointing of the Holy Spirit:

⁴² In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ⁴³ But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Luke 1:42-44 (NIV) Now that’s validity!  That proclamation must have taken her breath away too!  Elizabeth’s last line is our verse for today: ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:45 (NIV) 

The word rendered “blessed” is the Greek word “Makarios” meaning “blessed, blissful – Biblically, one is pronounced blessed when God is present and involved in his life.  The hand of God is at work directing all his affairs for a divine purpose, and thus, in a sense, such a person lives coram Deo, before the face of God.  Blessedness is sharing in the life of God, being favorably affected and influenced by God.” (NT Lexical Aids – Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible) – We would do well to remember that we indeed abide “coram Deo” – before the face of God – perhaps it would affect our behavior!

 ¹³ Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Heb 4:13 (NIV)

 The word rendered “believed” is the Greek word “Pisteuo” meaning to have faith in, to trust in.  Often when the word “trust” is used in the Old Testament it is the Hebrew word “Batah” which means “to attach oneself – to feel safe, confident and secure” (OT lexical Aids – Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible) – I love that because it is such a great word picture!  I can envision myself holding so tightly to Jesus that I leave a mark!  In all actuality, that is how He holds us!!

The word rendered “accomplished” is the Greek word “Teleiosis” meaning “the act of completion, successful effort, or fulfillment; also the state or attainment of perfection.”  I love that – what God says, that will He do – to perfection (one of my favorite words!).  Mary believed what the Lord had told her would be accomplished to perfection and she indeed was blessed!  A good lesson for all of us to learn!  We can take His promises to the bank!  May we be found as faithful as Mary!

What I glean from this:

·         I can validate what I have been told by going to God’s word.

·         I can trust God’s word.

·         I am blessed if I believe God’s word.

·         I know that God will bring into perfection what He says will be accomplished in my life. 

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April_25

SHARING BREAD¹⁷ And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous–to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”    Luke 1:17 (NIV)In the passage above, Scripture gives us John the Baptist’s job description!  Let’s take it apart and see what it teaches us and how we can effectively apply its truth to our lives. First we are told that he will come before the Lord with the spirit and power of Elijah.  If you are familiar with Elijah, you will know that that is some kind of power!  Elisha, Elijah’s successor, was so blown away with his master’s power that he asks for a double portion when Elijah is taken away in a whirlwind!  He gets it by the way – “Ask and you will receive”:⁹ When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. ¹⁰ “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours–otherwise not.”   2 Kings 2:9-10 (NIV)This indeed was achieving power!  You need only look at Elisha’s life to see this power made manifest!  (2 Kings Chapters 3-8). As believers in Christ, we too have the Holy Spirit’s achieving power.  How manifest is it in our lives?  I’m afraid I oftentimes “shrink the Spirit” rather than manifest it – to my chagrin.  He was to “turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous”.  This reminds me of II Timothy 3:1-5:    ¹ But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God– ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.    2 Tim 3:1-5 (NIV)“Without love” in verse three alludes to familial love.  Generations ago, parents would never have been suspect in mistreating their children – in our day, they are the first to be suspected.  I believe the greatest testimony for Christ is a life well lived.  As we love our children and families and those in our sphere of influence, we will teach and lead by example. If our advice is not good enough for ourselves why should anyone else take heed? John the Baptist was also to turn the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous.  I love the wording here.  The word rendered “Disobedient” is the Greek word “Apeithes” meaning unbelieving; not letting oneself be persuaded; hard and stubborn.  The word rendered “Wisdom” is the Greek word “Phronesis” meaning prudence, good judgment, the ability to govern one’s own life wisely, skill and carefulness in dealing with one’s own resources, a wise mode of thinking and understanding.  John preached repentance – a change of mind – a turning back to the point of departure: ³ He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.   Luke 3:3 (NIV) Have you ever been faced with hard hearted and stubborn?  I have.  Unfortunately, it can happen by looking in a mirror!  Before we are able to help anyone, we must first make ourselves ready – a people prepared for the Lord.  Do we show prudence and good judgment?  Are we wise in our thinking and understanding?  What we say is muted if what we do is different. At John’s birth his Dad, Zechariah prophesied:      ⁷⁶ And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
     for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
⁷⁷ to give his people the knowledge of salvation
     through the forgiveness of their sins,
⁷⁸ because of the tender mercy of our God,
     by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
⁷⁹ to shine on those living in darkness
     and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”   Luke 1:76-79 (NIV) May we be like John!  May we give people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins to let them know that they no longer have to live in darkness and in the shadow of death but in great peace! Our Great Commission by Jesus is this: ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”   Matt 28:18-20 (NIV) What I glean from this: ·         Like John, I should walk in the power of the Spirit.·         I should manifest love to my family and friends and to those in my sphere of influence (we ALL have a sphere of influence!)·         I should make myself ready – prepared for the Lord showing prudence, good judgment and understanding.  

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April_23

SHARING BREAD   ¹ Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, ² just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. ³ Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴ so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Luke 1:1-4 (NIV)

Luke begins his gospel by giving us his purpose in writing in an orderly manner the events that have been fulfilled.  Not unlike the eyewitnesses and servants of the Word who went before him, Luke desired to entrust or commit his carefully investigated account to Theophilus (apparently an official of some kind) who then in turn gave it wide circulation in the early church.  I love Luke’s attention to detail!  Luke was a physician (Colossians 4:14), a Gentile (Colossians 4:10-14 Paul differentiates Luke from the Jews) and claimed to be an historian who carefully researched material and consulted eyewitnesses for information (Luke 1:1-4) – he was thorough and exact in his research! 

Luke also wrote Acts, again to Theophilus, stating:

  ¹ In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach ² until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. ³ After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.    Acts 1:1-3 (NIV)

Luke’s desire was for Theophilus (and for any he might subsequently pass the letter on to) to know the certainty of the things they had been taught.  We are included in this group!  God desires that we believe the certainty of His word and that we in turn entrust it to others – we are to disciple to disciple to disciple and on and on it goes.  We were never meant to just “sit, soak and sour!”  I heard a speaker say recently that he was afraid our churches are now being filled with audiences rather than disciples!  We come to be entertained rather than to change!  God is all about our changing!  He tells us through Paul in II Corinthians Three:

 ¹⁸ 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.                       2 Cor 3:18 (NIV)We are all in process!  God desires for us to have a strong grasp of the truth of His Word so that we may be able to stand firm in it and pass it along to a hurting world that so desperately needs it:¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Col 3:16 (NIV)¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.   2 Tim 2:14-15 (NIV)As far as we know, Luke did all this thorough research for Theophilus only.  He had no idea the reach of his writing.  Oh, to be that conscientious and faithful for one! We have no idea what God has planned for our lives.  This is a perfect example of I Corinthians 2:9:“No eye has seen,
     no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
     what God has prepared for those who love him” — 1 Cor 2:9 (NIV)Let us strive to be faithful followers of Christ, “bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might” having great endurance and patience and joy – (Colossians 1:10-11) – Christian! Do Your Best! What I glean from this: ·         God intends for us to disciple to disciple and NOT to drop the ball – we have no idea the reach of our actions whether positive or negative!·         Like Luke, God desires for us to be thorough and exact in our handling of His Word.·         We are in process and the truth of God’s Word teaches, rebukes, convicts and trains in righteousness so that we may be equipped for every good work.·         Expect great things from God! 

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April_20

SHARING BREAD   ⁶ “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'”

     ⁸ Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.   Mark 16:6-8 (NIV)When pain and heartache comes, isn’t it easy to forget what we know to be true?  Fresh air and the morning light now filled the tomb where Jesus had been laid.  The angel came and rolled away the stone to show that He had indeed risen!  Death had been conquered!  A stone could not hold Him.  Death could not hold Him.  Overwhelmed with wonder, the women were told by the angel that Jesus was not there, He had risen!  They were to go and tell the disciples and Peter!  How precious of Jesus to single out His friend Peter.  Don’t you know that Peter felt low!  He had vowed to go to the death with his Lord and then turned and disowned Him three times.  I can so feel his pain!  How many times I have let the Lord down through my actions (or lack of them); or through my words (or lack of them)!  Yet He remains faithful – tell Beth!Jesus is not surprised by our frailties and shortcomings – He expects it from flawed human flesh!  Remember what Isaiah tells us:All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.  ⁷ The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
⁸ The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”                   Isaiah 40:6-8 (NIV)⁶ We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way;   Isaiah 53:6 (NIV) Paul also tells us in Romans: “There is no one righteous, not even one; ¹¹ there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.  ¹² All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”   Romans 3:10-12 (NIV)What He desires from us is to keep our accounts short – repent and turn when we fall.  Go back to the cross believer and to its power and receive forgiveness! Paul tells us in I Corinthians:

 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel–not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. ¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Cor 1:17-18 (NIV)In the Hebrew – Greek Key Word Study Bible the word translated “repent” is the Greek word “Metanoeo” meaning “to undergo a moral reorientation of the soul in which one acknowledges the error of his ways and turns toward the divinely prescribed way of truth and righteousness”.  It is a turning from unbelief to a “reliance upon His forgiveness and favor”.  We can never sin beyond His grace and mercy to forgive – we need only to go back to the cross.  His blood shed for us covers all sin – past, present and future!  That is GOOD NEWS indeed!I love the angel’s last line:   “There you will see him, just as he told you.”   God never changes.  If He said it, He meant it!  Scripture tells us: “I the LORD do not change.”   Mal 3:6 (NIV)“He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind.”   1 Sam 15:29 (NIV) We can take the promises of Scripture to the bank, so to speak!  We can stand on the promises of God – He will never let us down! What I glean from this: 

• ¹⁷ “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”     Psalms 51:17 (NIV)

·          God desires for us to keep our accounts short – when the Spirit convicts – repent!

• God does not change – I can glory in the fact that: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.     Heb 13:8 (NIV)

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April_18

SHARING BREAD  ¹ When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. ² Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³ and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”   Mark 16:1-3 (NIV)I love these women!  Let me give you a little glimpse of what took place just prior to this verse.  They had followed Jesus and cared for His needs (Mark 15:41); they were eye witnesses to His crucifixion (Mark 15:40); they had experienced the three hours of darkness over the whole land (Mark 15:33); they had seen the curtain of the temple torn from top to bottom (Mark 15:38); they had heard the centurion’s confession that “Surely this man was the Son of God” (Mark 15:39); they had felt the earth shake and had seen the rocks split (Matthew 27:51); they were at the foot of the cross and were eyewitnesses to His death (John 19:25) and they were confused! Have you ever opened a 1,000 piece puzzle box and not known where to begin???  I suppose they felt much the same way!  They had watched as Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus’ precious body down from the cross and wrapped it in linen and laid it in the tomb.  They had observed the stone being placed against the entrance.  Wanting to add their touch to their Lord’s burial, they put their own spices, salves, scented oils and perfumes together to anoint His body.  They had walked with Him and saw to His needs on earth and they were going to ceremoniously see to it that He was embalmed correctly in death.  They did the very next thing they knew to do. We can learn an enormous lesson from this.  Have you ever been confused and not known the “next step”?  I have.  Thinking all is smooth sailing and all of a sudden the rug is jerked out from under me!  A bad phone call, hurtful words, a lost job, a death, an unfaithful spouse, a rebellious child, all kinds of illness and infirmities – you name it, the list of pains and trials are endless.  No one is exempt from pain – we live in a fallen world, we can expect tribulation.  When it occurs, we learn from Scripture to simply just do the next thing.  Abraham went out to cut wood when he was told to sacrifice his son (Genesis 22:1-3); Joseph made up his mind to be the best slave ever when he was sold into slavery by his brothers (Genesis 39:1-6); Peter went back to fishing when his Lord was crucified (John 21:3); these women went to anoint their Lord – and so it goes.  We do the next thing and Jesus meets us there.  Be assured, if you are seeking to do His will, He will not let you miss it. Sometimes we just have to do the next thing we know to do and wait on Him.  This is not always easy – it was not easy for the disciples either.  In reading their accounts, we do ourselves a great disservice by not putting “flesh” on them.  Their pain and confusion was just as real as ours.  Take heart believer!  Just do the next thing and Jesus will meet you there!  ²⁵ I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken                    Psalms 37:25(NIV) ²⁸ For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Psalms 37:28 (NIV)³⁴ Wait for the LORD and keep his way.  He will exalt you to inherit the land;                     Psalms 37:34 (NIV) ³⁹ The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
⁴⁰ The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
 because they take refuge in him.  Psalms 37:39-40 (NIV)What I glean from this:·         It is not wrong for me to be confused – it is wrong for me to be paralyzed by the confusion.·          When confused, I should just do the next thing and expect God to meet me there.·         I must remind myself of the truth that the Lord is just and He will not forsake me.

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April_16

 SHARING BREAD¹ Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.

     ² “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate.

     “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.

     ³ The chief priests accused him of many things. ⁴ So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.”

     ⁵ But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.   Mark 15:1-5 (NIV)Have you ever tried to convince someone of something different when they had a made up mind?  How did you do?  My guess would probably be not very good!  My Mom says:  “He, who is convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still!

This scene takes place before the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin (the highest Jewish tribunal during the Greek and Roman periods) just prior to the crucifixion.  It would be an understatement to say that they already had a made up mind!  They wanted Jesus gone – out of their way – out of their lives.

 

I love Jesus’ response to Pilate’s question – “Are you the king of the Jews?” – The King James Version renders His answer:  “Thou sayest it” – in modern vernacular – “Bingo!  It is indeed as you say!”  Unfortunately, for Pilate’s sake, he does not believe the Truth standing before his very eyes nor does he believe His words.

 

Again, the chief priests begin accusing Jesus of many things yet He makes no reply.  Keep in mind, one word from His mouth could have annihilated them.  One word from His mouth and myriads upon myriads of angels were at His disposal.  He created those peons accusing Him and now He was getting ready to die for them.  What loving restraint!  He was not going to change their hearts and minds through discourse; His goal was to change their hearts and minds through action.  Believers – we should take note of this!  The Cross – the highest example of love ever shown to mankind – the call for all who believe!  God comes down to man humbling Himself by taking on human flesh, Deity with skin and bones, lives a perfect life, and becomes the perfect Sacrifice giving back to those who believe, the friendship, fellowship, and forgiveness with God that Adam enjoyed in the beginning.  What love is this!

 

Jesus’ lack of response not only demonstrates His loving restraint, it perfectly fulfills prophecy.  Isaiah tells us:

 ⁷ He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.   Isaiah 53:7 (NIV)Jesus also tells us in Matthew:⁶ “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.   Matt 7:6 (NIV)When seeking to help someone we must exercise care on what would be beneficial to the hearer.  Jesus knew no amount of discussion would change their hearts and it would trample what is sacred.  So many times we are more concerned with just being right than in winning lost souls.  It is NOT about us – it is ALL about Him.  Jesus knew who He was – we too, as believers, should realize that we are children of the King and behave as such!  We do not need to prove our “royalty” with words – we need to manifest our “royalty” by loving actions.  That is how our Savior did it and as John states:⁶ Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.   1 John 2:6 (NIV)What I glean from this:·         “An ounce of example is worth a ton of preaching!”·         ²⁷ A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Prov 17:27 (NIV)·         As a believer, I am called to :  ⁵ Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. ⁶ Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.   Col 4:5-6 (NIV) 

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April_13

SHARING BREAD³⁷ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? ³⁸ Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”    Mark 14:37-38 (NIV)This passage of Scripture takes place in Gethsemane the night before Jesus was to be crucified.  Jesus had taken three of His disciples –  Peter, James and John – with Him to pray.  Knowing what they would be faced with the following day, Jesus exhorts them to watch and pray so that they will not fall into temptation; adding, your spirit may be willing but your body lacks ability.  Jesus tells us this in yet another way in the gospel of John:⁶³ The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. John 6:63 (NIV)Jesus knows that our flesh is as frail as summers flowers. Flesh has not changed.  It is just as frail today as it was in the disciples day. Therefore, as disciples of Christ today, He delivers to us this same message – watch and pray particularly in the areas of temptation and awaiting His return – remembering always that our spirits may be willing but our flesh is weak.  In the area of temptation, Peter tells us:⁸ Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.   1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)Paul gives us additional information:  ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Eph 6:10-13 (NIV)Jesus states the following to us in the area of His decisive return:⁴² “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. ⁴³ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.   Matt 24:42-44 (NIV)³² “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come. ³⁴ It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. ³⁵ “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back–whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. ³⁶ If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. ³⁷ What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!'”   Mark 13:32-37 (NIV)³⁵ “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, ³⁶ like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. ³⁷ It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. ³⁸ It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. ³⁹ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁰ You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”   Luke 12:35-40 (NIV)What is our take away here?  How can we manifest this in our own lives?  How do we go about thwarting temptation with the realization of our weak flesh?  How do we watch and be on guard awaiting His return?  First, in the area of temptation, Scripture sheds more light in the following verse:²⁸ Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.   Prov 25:28 (NIV)A city was only as powerful as its walls.  When a breach in the wall occurred, the city was vulnerable to the attack of the enemy.  In much the same way, the wall around our lives is self-control.  When there is a weakness in our wall, you can be assured that is where the attack from Satan will come – and he is a very good shot.  As believers in Christ, we cannot be possessed by Satan but we can be oppressed (so oppressed sometimes that we may feel possessed!)  We must constantly evaluate where our weaknesses lie and strengthen that breach.  This is done in many ways.  While not exhaustive, some of the ways I have found helpful in my own life regarding avoiding temptations are as follows:·         Prayer – asking God for strength to break the bents and strengthen the wall.·         Having a firm resolve – once we have set our minds upon our actions we have less chance of succumbing to temptation.·         Hiding God’s word in our hearts – keeps us from falling – remember God’s word is Spirit and life. ·         Taking captive thoughts and making them obedient to Christ.·         Keeping short accounts – when convicted by the Spirit repent quickly!  (Repent meaning to turn). ·         Honestly evaluating our lives – asking Jesus to search our hearts for things that are not of Him.   ·         Remembering our flesh is weak but His powerful Spirit does not lack ability – (to say the least!). ·         Avoiding places, people or things that can cause me to stumble or fall – we are no help to others (much less ourselves) if we succumb to temptation.   I love the following verses from Hebrews regarding Jesus’ help for us in the area of temptation:¹⁸ Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.   Heb 2:18 (NIV) ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.   Heb 4:15-16 (NIV) It is not a sin to be tempted.  It becomes sin when it is fleshed out. In the area of His return, Jesus continually tells us to watch, to be on guard, to be alert.  FYI – Repetition in Scripture denotes importance!  How do we go about doing this?  I discovered a great answer in the Hebrew Greek Key Word Study Bible Lexical Aids.  The word translated “watch” is the Greek word Gregoreuo meaning: “A mindfulness of threatening dangers which, with conscious earnestness and an alert mind, keeps one from all drowsiness and all slackening in the energy of faith and conduct.  The Lord demands constant watching and preparation for the decisive day of His appearing.” Jesus exhorts us to be on guard for our own good.  Just like He was telling Peter, James and John – “Watch and Pray” – perhaps they would not all have fled had they been obedient to His command.  Perhaps Peter would not have disowned him three times and caused himself much grief if he had been obedient to His command.  I wonder how much grief I have caused my own self by not being obedient to His command? What I glean from this: ·         I must take an active part in guarding myself against temptation.·         I must keep an alert mind – not slacking in my faith or conduct.·         I must pray “without ceasing”.·         I must be on guard watching and preparing for His coming – like a bride waiting for her bridegroom.  

   

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April_11

SHARING BREAD   ³ While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

     ⁴ Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? ⁵ It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

     ⁶ “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. ⁷ The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. ⁸ She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. ⁹ I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Mark 14:3-9 (NIV)This same account is given in the gospel of John chapter 12:1-8.  John tells us this occurs six days before the Passover.  He also gives us the name of the woman who anointed Jesus – Mary, sister to Martha and Lazarus (whom Jesus had raised from the dead).  This woman “called” Mary (Luke 10:39 – indicating this was not her given name – Mary meaning bitterness) – was also the one to whom Jesus elevated by her choice of “the one thing needed” when a conflict arose between she and Martha.  Scripture does not tell us of her past.  It only alludes to her name change.  Whatever had happened, she was in bitterness of soul until she had met the Master.  This sets the scene for her drama.  Filled with love and appreciation, she takes her most treasured possession and “broke the jar” (she was not going back).  She poured this precious perfume upon her Lord.  He was worth so much more than that to her – He was her everything – like David and Paul, Mary was a “One thing person”.  Scripture tells us:David: ⁴ One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek:  that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.   Psalms 27:4 (NIV)Paul :  ¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:12-14 (NIV)Mary:  ⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)Our Lord digs “One thing” people!  They have their priorities straight – God first, everything else is under Him.  Perhaps her past taught her that she could not do it any other way – experience can be a great teacher.  Whatever the reason, whether learning it in the classroom or on a field trip, God commends the life of “One thing” people.  Those present complained of the waste and rebuked her harshly but sweet Jesus came to her defense again.  He always comes to the defense of those who stand for Him. Scripture tells us in Isaiah:  ¹⁷ “no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,”  declares the LORD. Isaiah 54:17 (NIV)He tells them that she had labored to perform an honorable and beautiful work for Him and rebuked them with the Word quoting from Deuteronomy and adding that they could help the poor at anytime: ¹¹ There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.  Deut 15:11 (NIV)He goes on to say a very poignant statement:  “She did what she could”.  Those words scream out at me reaching to my very core!  All of us should seek such a commendation from our Lord!  Scripture tells us that God has a plan for our lives:

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jer 29:11-13 (NIV)¹⁰ For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.    Eph 2:10 (NIV)There is a plan, unfortunately He doesn’t make us do it!  It is our choice and oftentimes we are stupid sheep giving little or no thought about God much less to His plan for our lives – “His good, pleasing and perfect will” for our lives as Paul puts it in Romans 12.  How very silly of us to choose our plans over the God of all creation’s plans!  How very short-sighted of us to live for the temporal (which will be destroyed) and not for the eternal. How very ungrateful of us to show such a lack of love and appreciation and trust in our Lord!  May we follow Mary’s commended example of “doing what she could”.  This runs the course of smiling and encouraging a stranger to speaking to throngs of humanity – who knows what Jesus has in store for our lives?  What I am sure of is this – He takes great delight in His children being faithful in the little, the behind the scenes, the unnoticed.  You see, the little thing in the eyes of men that Mary demonstrated was a BIG thing to Jesus.  Jesus includes Mary prophetically in His commendation of her.  As the gospel goes throughout the world, her actions will be spoken of in memory of her. Nothing done for Jesus is small in His eyes nor does it go unnoticed.  It doesn’t matter if anyone else gives us a high five – Jesus does, and that is all that matters!What I glean from this:·         God delights in His children being “One thing” people.·         God desires our faithful obedience –  even in the smallest of tasks.·         Like Mary, I desire to hear “She did what she could”.·         God desires “labor prompted by love”. ³ We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.1 Thess 1:3 (NIV) ***********************************************************************************************

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April_09

SHARING BREAD  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Mark 13:31 (NIV)

Ending His response to Peter, James, John, and Andrew’s question about the end times, Jesus gives us insight into what will remain – The Word of God and the souls of men.  Everything else will be destroyed by fire.  Peter tells us:

¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 2 Peter 3:10 (NIV)Given that only two things remain, would it not be wise to invest our lives in the Word of God and the souls of men?  A cursory look at Scripture gives us much insight into God’s Holy Word.  While certainly not exhaustive, the following is a list of what the Bible has to say about the Bible:·         God has exalted it:  for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.     Psalms 138:2 (NIV)·         It keeps our way pure:  ⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure?  By living according to your word.     Psalms 119:9 (NIV)·         It is more precious than gold:  ⁷² The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.   Psalms 119:72 (NIV);  ¹²⁷ Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold    Psalms 119:127 (NIV)·         It is righteous:  ⁷⁵ I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous,   Psalms 119:75 (NIV);  ¹⁷² May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.   Psalms 119:172 (NIV)·         We can put our hope in it:  ⁸¹ My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.   Psalms 119:81 (NIV);  ¹¹⁴ You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.   Psalms 119:114 (NIV);    I have put my hope in your word. Psalms 119:147 (NIV)·         It is trustworthy and true:  ⁸⁶ All your commands are trustworthy;   Psalms 119:86 (NIV);  ¹⁶⁰ All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.   Psalms 119:160 (NIV)·         It is eternal:  ⁸⁹ Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Psalms 119:89 (NIV);   ³⁵ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.   Matt 24:35 (NIV)·         It is boundless:  ⁹⁶ To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless.   Psalms 119:96 (NIV)·         It is sweet:  ¹⁰³ How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!    Psalms 119:103 (NIV);  ¹⁶ When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight   Jer 15:16 (NIV)·         It is a lamp for our feet, a light for our path:   ¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.   Psalms 119:105 (NIV);   ¹³³ Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.   Psalms 119:133 (NIV)·         It is a joy and a delight:  ¹¹¹ Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. Psalms 119:111 (NIV);  ¹⁴³ Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight. Psalms 119:143 (NIV);  ¹⁷⁴ I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight. Psalms 119:174 (NIV)·         It is tested:  ¹⁴⁰ Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. Psalms 119:140 (NIV)·         It brings great peace:  ¹⁶⁵ Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. Psalms 119:165 (NIV)·         It is flawless:  ⁶ And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times. Psalms 12:6 (NIV);  ⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalms 19:7 (NIV); ³¹ “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 2 Sam 22:31 (NIV);  ⁵ “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.  Prov 30:5 (NIV)·         It is God breathed profitable for teaching and training:   ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  2 Tim 3:16-17 (NIV)·         It is living and active – judging the thoughts of the heart:  ¹² For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Heb 4:12 (NIV)·         Man lives on it:  ³ He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Deut 8:3 (NIV);  ⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ “  Matt 4:4 (NIV)·         It never returns void:  ¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  Isaiah 55:11 (NIV)·         It cannot be broken:  ³⁴ Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are gods’ ? ³⁵ If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came–and the Scripture cannot be broken— ³⁶ what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? ³⁷ Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. ³⁸ But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”   John 10:34-38 (NIV)·         It cannot be chained:   ⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, ⁹ for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.   2 Tim 2:8-9 (NIV)·         We are to correctly handle the Word of God:    ¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.  2 Tim 2:15 (NIV)·         It makes you wise for salvation:  ¹⁵ and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  2 Tim 3:15 (NIV)·         We are blessed in keeping it:    ¹ Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. ² Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. Psalms 119:1-2 (NIV)·         It sets our hearts free:  ³² I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. Psalms 119:32 (NIV)·         We are commanded to preach it (through our lives and words):  ² Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.  2 Tim 4:2 (NIV)·         It is healing:  ²⁰ He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.  Psalms 107:20 (NIV)·         It is like fire:  ²⁹ “Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?   Jer 23:29 (NIV)·         It gives freedom:  ²⁵ But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:25 (NIV)·         It stands forever: ⁸ The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”   Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)  It is no wonder that Woodrow Wilson said:  “I am sorry for the men who do not read the Bible every day.  I wonder why they deprive themselves of the strength and of the pleasure”.  Christ is called the Word in Scripture and in Christ are “hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”.  Should we not, therefore, wisely invest in this precious Book of which we are so privileged to have access – not only for our good but for the good of others? What I glean from this: ·         God’s Word is more than worth the small investment of my time and energies.·         In His Word are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.·         His Word is eternal and stands firm – never changing.·         I am blessed by pursuing it. ***********************************************************************************************

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