tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10054991306069828842024-03-18T16:40:43.816+02:00Thoughts from Another Home ©Seeking to Share the Gospel Around the World.Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comBlogger620125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-61109103603854501762024-03-18T16:40:00.000+02:002024-03-18T16:40:00.358+02:00Laugh Aloud<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-HvgQHFc7zhOOoszk2OYx0MAk76L3GzBXScBZdq_iTe7BUqDQYFP1mEAZvIDwmNTbm_-2xDL-9fK-bAoDpy5UXbqjSdF6aty0tEXAR9mu_SpREhwYq1p1Kx-Mh9HL_We0hbpLnBkrydx1EsxKgUXQDnjVYAc_A18saR-z1SYAOhMfqFJDnSNhT9tA82v/s1080/Hebrews%205%20vs%207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-HvgQHFc7zhOOoszk2OYx0MAk76L3GzBXScBZdq_iTe7BUqDQYFP1mEAZvIDwmNTbm_-2xDL-9fK-bAoDpy5UXbqjSdF6aty0tEXAR9mu_SpREhwYq1p1Kx-Mh9HL_We0hbpLnBkrydx1EsxKgUXQDnjVYAc_A18saR-z1SYAOhMfqFJDnSNhT9tA82v/w400-h400/Hebrews%205%20vs%207.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">“During the days of Jesus’ earthly life,
He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who
could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.” (Hebrews
5:7)</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Jesus
cried and prayed for people lost in a sinful world.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">He
cried and prayed because He understood the pain His human form would endure
because of dying to save these lost people.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The
Father heard Jesus’ prayers and provided the way to save people from the chaos
of lostness. The death of Jesus’ human form.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">He
heard Jesus’ prayers and provided a quick end to Jesus’ suffering while hanging
on the cross. The death of Jesus’ human form.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">People
could have been left in the world’s chaos and Satan’s endless torment. They
would understand they would never have the chance to get God’s help once they
died. But God, in His love and mercy, made the way for people to receive His forgiveness
and cleansing from their sins—-because of His love. By the death of Jesus’
human form.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Jesus
could have hung on the cross alive for a day and suffered the agony of
suffocation, pain, and thirst. But because of the Father’s love and mercy, He
caused Jesus’ suffering in human form to end quickly. Jesus’ human form died.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">God’s
hearing and intervening in both situations occurred because of His love and mercy,
since He is Sovereign and omnipotent.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Look
back at the intended bleakness and torment that Satan intended, and LAUGH.
Laugh at Satan’s impotence when faced with God’s omnipotence. Laugh at Satan’s
small claims of importance when faced with God’s sovereignty.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Laugh
because God loves you and has saved you if you have believed in Jesus as your
Savior. Satan does not win; God wins in your life because you have believed in
Jesus. Because Jesus’ human form died as the necessary sacrifice for the sins
of each person and Jesus’ human form arose from death because He is God
incarnate. Victor over sin and death. For YOU. For ALL who will believe in
Jesus, the Son of God.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Know <b>GOD HEARS</b> you when you pray.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">GOD ANSWERS</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> your prayers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">And <b>GOD WINS</b> in the end. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">LAUGH<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /><p></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-670084631154584032024-03-15T12:36:00.009+02:002024-03-15T14:30:48.844+02:00Laugh Because...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimTKfAGDBqFJBcjGiIdNhCOn5v7Xp1_ZsGO1SNerw_-VBywA2GxVfuq_z2qyWJj6M59FPUDYZsUrnfbFbpW2V_RiLrBfXVcLNY_7z35LqNnBuNTBQuuQ1Y5GMB3N7UGu09gnZaYIhilZBxJExz2dNyCWagElItVsjUwZy3PNtOPJelPdPYn78ilhWrihw/s828/Psalm%20143%20vs%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimTKfAGDBqFJBcjGiIdNhCOn5v7Xp1_ZsGO1SNerw_-VBywA2GxVfuq_z2qyWJj6M59FPUDYZsUrnfbFbpW2V_RiLrBfXVcLNY_7z35LqNnBuNTBQuuQ1Y5GMB3N7UGu09gnZaYIhilZBxJExz2dNyCWagElItVsjUwZy3PNtOPJelPdPYn78ilhWrihw/w400-h400/Psalm%20143%20vs%208.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">“Let me hear Your loving devotion in the
morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to
You I lift up my soul.” </span></i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">(Psalms
143: 8)<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">One
possible personal translation of this might be, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">“God,
cause me to hear Your devoted love of Your redeeming (rescuing) me from my
enemies at daybreak, for I have put my total trust in You alone. Teach me know—to
perceive, recognize, acknowledge, and confess—You and Your ways in which I
should live, for I give You my soul—my whole being. I desire to come before you
in total faith, with love, by confession of Your might and sovereignty, so I
offer myself to You as Your servant and child.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">The
psalmist stated his enemies pursued him, wanting to kill him. Because of this,
his inner being fainted in fear. The psalmist grew weary of his enemies’ dogged
pursuit of his life. Then he remembered Yahweh God, whom He knows intimately,
and His works. This recollection and the writer’s circumstances compelled him
to seek God. The writer acknowledged only God could rescue him. None surpasses
Yahweh, thus he raised his hands in petition, offering, and praise. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">What
did the psalmist want? To escape the fear of capture and death. To have peace. How
can we be sure of this? Read the rest of this psalm. His requests to God included:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">First,
in verse nine, the psalmist wrote, “Deliver me from my enemies.” His request came
from recognizing God is almighty. The psalmist understood that God is the only
being who can rescue him in totality—in heart, mind, body, and spirit. Ultimately,
only God had the power to redeem him from every enemy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Second,
in verse ten, the psalmist said, “Teach me to do Your good will. May Your good
Spirit lead me on level ground.” The writer wanted more than bodily and
emotional redemption. He wanted to know Yahweh better. He acknowledged the
existence of the Holy Spirit and requested God's constant presence. The Spirit
would teach and guide him to know God and to live his life for God and His
purposes. The psalmist asked God to lead him on level ground, without
difficulties. Avoiding life’s struggles is a human inclination, but don’t we
often learn more by walking with God “through the valley of the shadow of
death?” The crucible of fire in our lives grows us. Those are the times of
testing, of practicing what we have learned, so we reinforce the lessons taught.
The psalmist acknowledged God with his whole being in this verse. He wanted to
learn (head and spirit) from God so he would live (body, mind, heart, and
spirit) for God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Third,
with verse eleven, the psalmist appealed to God’s reputation. People had heard
about His mighty acts and His children. The writer said, “So that people
continue to see You as almighty and sovereign over Your people and creation,
revive me.” By “revive me,” the psalmist meant more than just for others so
they would remember and/or see God. He asked God to show Himself to him so he
would not fear that his enemies would overcome him. The psalmist asked God to revive
him by the fullness of His favor and love because of God’s righteousness. (God
alone knows the right course of action.) The writer stated and requested, by
God’s rightness, by His omniscience and omnipotence, to bring the psalmist’s
soul (his being) out of distress. The psalmist recognized God’s rescuing of
him in his time of distress, which affected his heart, mind,
body, and spirit. This rescuing of his life, the writer stated, affected his
eternal being, his soul, too. According to the psalmist, God rescues his entire
being, not just a portion. God’s righteousness and redemption affected his
eternity. God is sovereign over time, including before it begins and after its
conclusion. He rescues people from trials and redeems them from eternal
separation. God is the God of time, including before and after time. To this
eventual and eternal future, the writer stated his hope and his faith in Yahweh
God, the self-existent One.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Fourth,
because of this recognition of God’s sovereignty and might and his confidence
in God, the psalmist repeated his plea in verse twelve. “Because of Your loving
devotion to Your people, to me, remove my enemies from chasing and harming me.” He
emphatically repeated this by writing, “Wipe out (exterminate) everyone who
harasses me.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">The
psalmist recognized, remembered, acknowledged, and confessed God as Sovereign
and almighty. By his plea, he proclaimed that God, in His omniscience and
omnipotence, possessed the ability to rescue him mentally, emotionally, bodily,
and in his spirit. This psalmist explained God could redeem him beyond temporal
time—for eternity. This man wanted rescuing from his current enemies and
believed God could and would fully redeem his being eternally by saving his
soul. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">In
remembering Yahweh God, the psalmist may have laughed, knowing within his entire
being that his enemies were incapable of ever separating Him from God (Romans
8:31-39). When your enemies harass and afflict you, do you laugh because you
know God with your heart, soul, mind, and body and believe He has redeemed you
for eternity as His own child? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Laugh in the face of your enemy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">How?
Profess faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and your Savior and be saved. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">“If you confess with your mouth Jesus as
Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be
saved.” (Romans 10:9)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">The
psalmist recognized God’s might and sovereignty and offered himself to God as
His servant and child because of his trust and belief in God. Do you?<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p><br /></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-26097575549932238282024-03-09T11:40:00.001+02:002024-03-09T11:40:16.532+02:00Reciprocating<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oK671mx0AhUJ_pW6MsYr_91P8PyfQqCGCVvo0J4PgzCGFFWA0nmg4AVg1t36Kd43MiufYBYbmKAeeZeOkNVZNSpbM7tML9m1844kJMETyEaw8dUt1iGxqy7oAE6-Du3EEhk65LCfM9zpzEkmYfaOIDrqFKKvuYo_WK4llo-UHAj-TVM9h1REC6cX5ZAc/s611/IMG_8265.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="609" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oK671mx0AhUJ_pW6MsYr_91P8PyfQqCGCVvo0J4PgzCGFFWA0nmg4AVg1t36Kd43MiufYBYbmKAeeZeOkNVZNSpbM7tML9m1844kJMETyEaw8dUt1iGxqy7oAE6-Du3EEhk65LCfM9zpzEkmYfaOIDrqFKKvuYo_WK4llo-UHAj-TVM9h1REC6cX5ZAc/w399-h400/IMG_8265.jpeg" width="399" /></a></div><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">”The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth.“</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Psalm 145:18 AMPC</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Notice, the independent clause states a fact: God is near. He stays near His beloved creation, in this case, people. He is the initiator of this relationship.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The dependent clause shows a slightly different nearness. The Lord is near to anyone who calls upon Him truly, with their whole being. The initiator of this closer relationship is the person who earnestly sought God for himself or herself.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The first clause explains a bit of who God is—Creator, Protector, Provider. The second clause explains the growth of the person because of his or her understanding of who God is. The person recognizes and believes in God as Yahweh—I AM, the One who was, is, and forever will be. God does not change, but when the person truly seeks God, in that person’s heart, soul, body, and spirit, that person gives God a fuller/complete role in his or her life. That saved person accepts God for all He is.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">When a person seeks God, God becomes more than Creator, Protector, Provider. In his or her mind, heart, body, and spirit, God becomes Lord, Yahweh, and Savior.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Is your relationship with God one sided where He is the only one to actively be in it? Or, is your relationship two-sided, where you acknowledge God’s presence and sovereignty and worship Him and He guides you in His ways for your benefit and His purposes of love—love for you and other people?</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial-BoldMT; font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold;">Have you initiated a relationship with God by believing in Jesus as your Savior?</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Arial; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">That’s the first step of a lifelong reciprocal relationship with God.</span></p><div><span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div><p>
</p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-80219199531260492492024-03-02T14:09:00.004+02:002024-03-02T14:09:30.922+02:00Know and Be Still<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LXOaRpgeSu1-2HkfDR_Umnv3QROJRESHZ97kk3W_xLAwAVt4LOYJo1mJw_tnZ_QlfxQjUrIQg_YvrpjVoRNGi1vFv-gDVSu66r_2SKv9G_Mjsiitap9o8ZjLGqFaRJvh3KEJaeN1U5fNl4giSqHenO1s_H0FWqwNQHOfdALhzLF_o_X3GQ_d_WpXfMd3/s828/IMG_8131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="828" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LXOaRpgeSu1-2HkfDR_Umnv3QROJRESHZ97kk3W_xLAwAVt4LOYJo1mJw_tnZ_QlfxQjUrIQg_YvrpjVoRNGi1vFv-gDVSu66r_2SKv9G_Mjsiitap9o8ZjLGqFaRJvh3KEJaeN1U5fNl4giSqHenO1s_H0FWqwNQHOfdALhzLF_o_X3GQ_d_WpXfMd3/w400-h345/IMG_8131.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Be still
and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10a)</i></div><p></p><p class="MsoQuote"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Often people quote this phrase of the verse. I call it a
phrase because two other parts combine with it to make the whole verse. Contextual
reading of each verse in the book is crucial. We should not consider solely one
part of a verse.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Historically, the Korahites, descended from Korah, the son
of Levi, wrote this psalm. During King David’s time, the Korahites were the
choral and orchestral music writers, singers, and musicians. They wrote Psalm
46 for the Israelites about Yahweh God to tell of His might, sovereignty, and
care for His people. When we read Psalm 46, we must look for what it tells us
about God. A verse is not the complete lesson of a chapter or book. The psalmist
unfolded for the congregants and his later hearers and readers a reminder of
God to help each person understand God is greater than anyone or thing we could
ever imagine. He is beyond our imaginings.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The psalmist began by stating in verse one, “God is our
refugee and strength.” When does a person need refuge? When that person is
facing an enemy or a seemingly insurmountable problem. During those crisis times,
God provides safety from danger. He is our hope of shelter and the One whom we always
can trust, according to this Korahite psalmist. Beyond protecting and providing
for His children, God gives His strength for His children to endure, press on,
draw closer to Him, and become victor over trials. The Korahite writer reminded
the Israelites that God gives them strength and hope from His storehouses. God
also is our defense. He can and often fights our battles Himself and provides
shelter for us to rest and recover. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With verse one, the writer reminded the readers and hearers
God is and gives us hope, refuge, strength to fight, and/or becomes our defense
against our enemies. The psalmist also wrote, “He is an ever-present help in
times of trouble.” God is omnipresent. That means He is everywhere at the same
time and sees everything that happens. God is beyond time and breaks into time
to be our loving, protective Father, who is sovereign over all created things. His
help is always available, ever-present. God's help is constant and
ever-present, never coming and going. His ever-present help supports, assists, and
gives aid, relief, shelter, comfort, guidance, and defense in our times of
trouble. The psalmist reminded the Israelites of God in their past when He
reminded them of who God He had been to and for them. He assured the Israelites
and assures us we can always turn to Him for our needs, crisis or not. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Verses two and three relay God’s stability and forever-ness.
The psalmist showed this by writing about natural calamities. The writer said
we need not fear when anything comes against us. He gave a list of intense events,
like landslides, earthquakes, storms, and raging seas. God remains
ever-present, sovereign, and almighty. We can trust that He will protect us and
carry us when necessary.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With verse four, the psalmist spoke of the hope of gladness
God’s people, His children, will experience in God’s kingdom. God’s river of
gladness, of joy, will give delight to its inhabitants. His people shall fear
no more since they will live in His kingdom. God reigns in His kingdom. Nothing
can cause calamity there, like the earth changes mentioned in verses two and
three. Its inhabitants will have stability, peace, and joy. Joy will flow like
the river running through it. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The psalmist stated explicitly in verse five about what he
reminded the Israelites in verses two and three. He wrote, “God is within her
(His kingdom and His children); she will not be moved. God will help her when
morning dawns.” That last sentence reminds us that God’s mercies are new every
morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). God is constantly present, faithful, and
loving. He never leaves His kingdom or His people. Because of God’s reign and
supremacy, His kingdom and people will never be moved or removed from where He
established it. This verse sums up what God wants His children to remember. Fear
not, for God is with you; He is sovereign.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With verse six, we find the writer used a clever writing
technique. The psalmist compares nations and kingdoms with earth’s calamities
of verses two and three. In verse six, He wrote, “Nations rage, kingdoms
crumble; the earth melts when God lifts His voice.” Just as God masters the
earth, mountains, and water (all creation), so He masters nations and kingdom
(again creation). Like God causes the earth to crumble, mountains to slide into
the ocean, and seas to roar violently, He can cause this to nations and
kingdoms. He can cause them to fear and become faint with the sound of His
voice against them. These nations and kingdoms the psalmist wrote about are the
enemies of God’s people. These unsaved people will recognize their sin when
faced with God’s righteousness, omniscience, and power. For the Israelites, those
nations and kingdoms were Gentiles. For God’s saved children, the Gentile nations
and kingdoms are unsaved people unsaved, those who have not believed in Jesus
as the Messiah. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The psalmist, in verses seven through nine, refocused the
readers and hearers on who God has been and will be for them. He penned, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoQuote"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"></span></p><blockquote>“The LORD
of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come see the work of the
LORD, who brings devastation upon the earth. He makes wars cease throughout the
earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the
fire.” </blockquote><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yahweh (I AM) of Hosts is with His people now, just as He
was for our forefathers. For the Israelites at the time the psalmist wrote, God’s
people are “Jacob” in these verses. I AM will use all of creation—spiritual and
earthly—to defend you, keep you safe, and, by it, give you peace in the tumult
and in the calm. Recall what God has done in the past, the psalmist wrote. God commanded
desolations and the destruction of nations and kingdoms who rose against Him or
His people. And, just as God can destroy His enemies. He can break and burn the
tools of war. God does not just intervene in our battles and fights for us,
causing us to have peace. He uses non-aggressive means to end wars and battles that
strike and batter us.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because you know of God from your forefathers and personal
experience and, because of the truths about God that people taught to you, you
can have confidence God is for you. He will help in whatever way He deems is
best for your whole being. Knowing (<i>yada’</i>) God like this leads to your stillness.
Only when you have peace from knowing that God is for you can you have the
peace to be still and know God deeper. We must know God to have stillness of
heart, mind, body, and spirit, regardless of opposition. This stillness
instills peace. This statement is circular. <u>To know God, we must be still</u>.
<u>To be still, we must know God.</u> From knowing God and being still with
Him, we have peace. In verse ten, the psalmist succinctly restated the most
important point of this psalm, <i>knowing</i> God. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Know</i> comes from the Hebrew word <i>yada’</i>. <i>Yada’</i>
means more than that of our English verb <i>to know</i>. It includes perceiving,
recognizing, acknowledging, and confessing. Notice each level of <i>knowing</i>
is part of a continuum of progressing closeness in relationship, in this case, of
<i>knowing</i> God. With human relationships, we meet someone and grow in our connection
to the person to perceive he or she is in the room. This leads us to recognize
the person in a group. Our growth in relationship with that person eventually leads
us to acknowledge our relationship to the person. Finally, our relationship
with the person leads us to a confession of our closeness to the person. The
Korahite who wrote this psalm led the readers and hearers to recognize and/or
remember mighty occurrences from the past were by God’s hand. Next, He led the worshippers
to know God has the best in store for His children in His kingdom. God’s mercy
and salvation of His people comes with His victory over sin, guilt, and death. The
psalmist next led people to recall God is mightier than unsaved nations and
kingdoms. He reminds the readers and hearers God is sovereign over the
spiritual world, unbelieving people, and earth. This Korahite brought to the
minds of his congregants that God is supreme; no one is greater than Him. He is
ever-present and almighty. God interacts with all realms of creation since He
is supreme and Creator.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we readers and hearers perceive, recognize, acknowledge,
and confess God and His sovereignty, then we can be still in our heart, mind, body,
and spirit. We perceive God is near and have peace, then declare His covering over
and guiding of us. Perceiving God is near leads us to recognize and acknowledge
with our mind, heart, and spirit that God moves in the world and our lives. Ultimately,
our growth in knowing God leads to us confessing with our mind, heart, body,
and spirit that God saved us from our sins, guilt, and death. Before achieving
stillness, we must <i>know</i> God in this way. Our relationship with God should
be one of growing closer to Him daily. Without our daily living out our
personal knowledge of God in our heart, mind, body, and spirit, a storm could toss
us. That storm could cause us to feel desperation, depression, anxiety,
fearful, chaotic, sad, morose, and overwhelmed. It could cause us to feel like
quitting. For this reason, the psalmist reminded us in verse one that God is
our refuge and strength. God is “an ever-present help in times of trouble.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God used the psalmist to lead worshippers. Those worshippers
were the children of Israel. Today, believers in Jesus are the worshippers.
With the psalmist’s words, we grow to worship Him, our Rescuer, as verses ten
and eleven state. Verse ten is God declaring worship of Himself as our own
King, Savior, Rescuer, Defender, Provider, Shelter-giver, and Victor. Verse
eleven is each of God’s children proclaiming their testimony of Him. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoQuote" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoQuote" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted
among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.</span> </p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoQuote" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The LORD
of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.</p></blockquote><p class="MsoQuote"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What is our response? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">God is my strength
and fortress. All my hope is in Him. No need to fear; God's exceedingly abundant
love is more than sufficient. God is Sovereign of creation—tangible and
intangible—and is worthy of <u>all</u> my praise and proclamation.<o:p></o:p></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-61747016429482789222024-02-15T16:43:00.000+02:002024-02-15T16:43:18.671+02:00Imitators not Imitations<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIp32E6lM7vEshf62LBQIDRcK_3CQ1vHRmqjSTv9yuM8_Fc_qo-loQ2eMl6beNR7jO8UrxtkST7JCDHvMwLOZSc7UKLkVMFKPWCkzxM671_Z2F6OCCkPb4ah6D8BIhB_a2Md7vR3gNvEUkSNGDZEnLZrCQkXR6I27m3VDexlWuizlDxop7S8j4i43FAhT/s828/Ephesians%205%20vs%201%20and%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIp32E6lM7vEshf62LBQIDRcK_3CQ1vHRmqjSTv9yuM8_Fc_qo-loQ2eMl6beNR7jO8UrxtkST7JCDHvMwLOZSc7UKLkVMFKPWCkzxM671_Z2F6OCCkPb4ah6D8BIhB_a2Md7vR3gNvEUkSNGDZEnLZrCQkXR6I27m3VDexlWuizlDxop7S8j4i43FAhT/w400-h400/Ephesians%205%20vs%201%20and%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and
walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an
offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.</i> (Ephesians 5:1-2,
NASB)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Before we jump into the two verses above, we must understand
the first word we read in verse one, the word, <i>therefore</i>. Some Bible
translations put this word after the word <i>imitators</i>. This verse’s word placement
does not matter. The important part is that Paul wrote it, and we need to
understand what Paul intended with this conditional word. <i>Therefore</i>
implies that an action or statement will result in something happening. This
tool is a literary technique used to help a person consider what the speaker
states next when considering his previous statements.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To help us understand what Paul wrote in Ephesians 5, let us
grasp what he wrote before chapter five. Chapter four told the Ephesian
believers and later believers, there must be unity in the body of believers,
the body of Christ. Verse one said believers must walk in a manner worthy of their
calling by Christ. What is this manner? The manner of Christ is one of
humility, gentleness, and patience (4:2-3). This manner includes bearing with
each other and being eager to keep the unity. Paul reminded the Ephesians they
are one body and spirit made so by having the same Lord, faith, baptism, God,
and Father (4:4-6). He reached the heart of the matter. Paul said God’s grace gives
gifts to Christians through the Holy Spirit (4:7). These gifts equip saints for
ministry, building up the body of Christ (4:13). This enables all believers to reach
the pinnacle of the unity of the faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ and to
become a mature believer to the full measure of the stature of Christ (4:7-13).
For the rest of chapter four, Paul said by growing toward maturity and unity
among the body of Christ, each believer will speak truth and be kind, which shows
itself in tenderheartedness and forgiveness toward others of the body (4:25
& 32).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul wrote, because of this unity and growing maturity of
Christlikeness, believers can, <i>therefore</i>, be imitators of God (5:1). He
wrote the word, <i>therefore, </i>to show the result of maturing and being
united. Every believer should and will resemble their Father God. The tender image
Paul gives is of a loved child’s relationship to his or her father. People can
relate to this image of a loving father. For those who cannot for whatever
reason, the love of a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, neighbor, or church
member can understand. For others, the relationship of the heavenly Father to
him or her is very close because of His protection and provision before he or
she became a Christian. Whoever was in your life and deeply touched your heart,
consider that relationship like the relationship of the Father to His beloved
child. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To extend this comparison, what does a child aspire to
become as they mature? Often, he or she will want to imitate the person with
whom their heart intensely connects. My mother was a nurse. As a child, my
first aspiration was to become a nurse. Why? Because my mom was very loving,
caring, and compassionate. This image portrays part of what Paul tried to
explain with his analogy. A child desires to imitate their Father. The Father (or
the analogized parent, grandparent, etc.) takes great pleasure and honor in the
child looking up to Him. He desires for His child to become ever more like Him
each day. The Father wants His children to mature into Christlikeness. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What does it mean to be imitators of God? Paul began explaining
it in chapter four. He said He wants His children to reach full maturity in
likeness to Christ so that they have unity among their brothers and sisters and
are kind (tenderhearted and forgiving) and speak truth (the truth of God, not
the world’s idea of truth). Paul continued this thought in chapter five. He
said imitators of God walk in love (5:2). Paul did not mean <i>phileo</i> love,
a brotherly love a person has for his or her close friendships. He wrote saying
imitators of God will walk in <i>agape</i> love. <i>Agape</i> is the love shown
to people by God. This love is sacrificial love, beyond mere feeling. Sacrificial
love intentionally chooses (wills) to act. <i>Agape</i> love shows a preference
for the other person over oneself, no matter what the cost. Most parents
willingly would risk their lives to save their child’s life. They prefer the
life of their child over their own. This love is about what Paul wrote in
Ephesians 5:2. God’s children are those who mature and become imitators of Him.
This means they will live out this preferential love toward their other brothers
and sisters in the faith. These believers prefer to help one another grow,
survive, and receive forgiveness. They make the choice to ensure the unity of
the body of Christ, regardless of the personal cost to themselves. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That sacrificial love made Jesus' offering of Himself in our
place a fragrant aroma to God. What parent, when seeing his or her child do a
kind and selfless act, does not beam with pride and love for his or her child? God
beams with pride at His children when they become imitators of Him in this way,
when they love as Jesus Christ loved them. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Holy Spirit, by God’s grace, gives each believer gifts
to equip himself or herself to mature in Christ and to aid in bringing unity as
God designed for His body. This unity builds the faith of other believers,
speaks truth in love, and is kind—tenderhearted and forgiving. This unity in
the body causes each believer to be imitators of God. Each believer will desire
to be so close to God that they reflect the presence and love of Christ,
allowing others to see God. Those imitators of God are <u>t</u>rue. They are
not an inferior imitation; one the world says is sufficient. The believers who
radiate the presence and sacrifice of Christ are imitators of God, not
imitations, like faux leather. These believers desire to be closer to God. They
crave it. Believers want everyone to know about God and the sacrifice of Jesus
Christ. They care that the truth gets out and all experience life-changing and
eternal forgiveness. These Christians are tenderhearted and dedicated to
spreading the message of Jesus and His salvation. God's children, imitators of
Him, aspire to be nearer to and resemble Abba, the one who never gave up on
them and offered forgiveness. Their goal is to be like Jesus, regardless of
sacrifices. That is <i>agape</i> love. <i>Agape</i> love is a love that prefers
to benefit others instead of oneself. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>“Walk in love,
just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a
sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Will you live out what Jesus Christ put in you—the new
person—by His Spirit when you believed in Him? <i>Agape</i> love requires
action. It prefers other people over oneself. Consider what Jesus would do?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b>Be imitators of
God, not imitations.<o:p></o:p></b></p><br /><p></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-60513500407613640312024-02-10T08:27:00.002+02:002024-02-10T08:27:22.378+02:00Bearing and Forgiving: The Example<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgEoSH-9qA613z4f0T5K1fuFReNUH4EdhVoU3Hr6yWUl_1gPpqBW4iEu9HljDmKyvuJEh_Ntu1Il4zHrL4anKByYQ6NmVPDKeCLA0KCs5uy6KbnOMHtdvwNwzbjpKZuA715riRbub8AyelmKO1gJNkr_clVznAxzqxq6hbJ2g0QQp6ljinjyG0j08Ck2D/s828/IMG_8036.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="828" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgEoSH-9qA613z4f0T5K1fuFReNUH4EdhVoU3Hr6yWUl_1gPpqBW4iEu9HljDmKyvuJEh_Ntu1Il4zHrL4anKByYQ6NmVPDKeCLA0KCs5uy6KbnOMHtdvwNwzbjpKZuA715riRbub8AyelmKO1gJNkr_clVznAxzqxq6hbJ2g0QQp6ljinjyG0j08Ck2D/w400-h391/IMG_8036.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;">“Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)</span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Bearing means to endure or tolerate a person and his or her actions, opinions, etc. It is a stance of not judging because of your respect for him or her as a creation of God, one loved by Him. Bearing comes from living out visibly and tangibly what God has put into you from His being and His indwelling Holy Spirit. Because we are “raised with Christ,” as Paul stated, we are enabled to bear with each person if we are willing to do that which God compels us. We can simplify this action and attitude of bearing with a slogan from the 1980s-2000s, “What would Jesus do”—WWJD.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Paul wrote we are to bear each other, our brothers and sisters in Christ—their various attitudes, actions, thoughts, words, etc. Still, he added to that. He specifically added that we are not only to bear but to “forgive any complaint.” Forgiveness is hard for any person, especially the unsaved. It should be easier for a Christian because he or she recognized and recognizes daily his or her own sins. Still though, without humility, forgiveness is hard to give. Without a willing heart, the forgiveness God puts within you will not be extended to others.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Bearing a person is easier to do. Sometimes we just grit our teeth and put up with a person (“grin and bear it”), probably while interacting very little with the person. Forgiving requires more of a person to be done. It requires humility, understanding, mercy, compassion, kindness, and acceptance of that person with whom you bear his or her opinions, actions, attitudes, etc. Forgiving is freely, willingly, and graciously extending favor, kindness, and pardon to a person who has harmed or offended you or someone else. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Paul said forgiveness is a refusal to cast <u>blame</u> for “any complaint.” Forgiving is totally removing a harm from your memory of offenses, not harboring any grudges for later quarrels or arguments. Paul also recognized that forgiveness is a two-way street when he wrote, “against one another.” It takes at least two people for an offense to happen. The offense of one person by another may occur from interactions between those two people because of attitudes, words, or actions misunderstood or misstated. Therefore, forgiveness often needs to be extended by each person in the equation of offense and hurt. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In considering offense and forgiveness, Paul summed up the ultimate example of forbearing and forgiving, in case anyone forgot and in hope they will remember it in the heat of the moment. Just as the word “bearing” should cause us to consider the ultimate reason to bear with another person and just as the word “forgiving” should cause us to think of the ultimate reason to forgive, Paul explicitly stated as reminder and prime example Jesus’ bearing with and forgiving of us, His followers. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Even if you are so hurt or offended that you do not want to be with or think about the person by whom you took offense, remember, but for Jesus, you would not know or have freely received forgiveness. You would not have received salvation and the promise of eternal life. Your interactions with God read like a litany of charges of offense and rebellion against Him, but He extended and extends undue grace and forgiveness to you. He bears with and justifies you. God removes your sins from your name as far as the east is from the west. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">God did not have Paul write and teach that we are to do something impossible. He bore and forgave all your sins. God gave mercy and grace to you and pours into you the ability to be merciful and gracious toward other people. You can bear and forgive because of His love, of which you are the recipient and the channel to other people. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So, be like God. By the love of God within yourself, bear with and forgive any complaint you have with one another. Are you willing? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Are you forgiven and saved by Jesus? If not, now is the time to believe in Jesus, confess your sins, and receive His forgiveness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-85220653609229903452024-02-08T10:38:00.007+02:002024-02-08T10:38:56.931+02:00Just DO It<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-I_l6Y18BjiJt_xBZXGr-ZDJ7xMr_GyO3PnllOnMls3ANLZ00Vl9GNR5gpb_h0Xqb7nUFThOHF9EGFjGv3s7-CV7boyceNtqKEGoAKbcQewMwo9_U_FQjDyV31oK1ILmc2bwgxw1gcA5hE97H8Hrb7pmMbMucZ6LHn9l8OZCjVyV4gYLRQw3Kst2Gngr0/s828/IMG_8009.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-I_l6Y18BjiJt_xBZXGr-ZDJ7xMr_GyO3PnllOnMls3ANLZ00Vl9GNR5gpb_h0Xqb7nUFThOHF9EGFjGv3s7-CV7boyceNtqKEGoAKbcQewMwo9_U_FQjDyV31oK1ILmc2bwgxw1gcA5hE97H8Hrb7pmMbMucZ6LHn9l8OZCjVyV4gYLRQw3Kst2Gngr0/w400-h400/IMG_8009.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">— John 13:34<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Have you ever stopped to consider how many artisan skills God gave to Bezalel in Exodus 35-38? <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">He cut and planed the wood. He engraved stone and wood. He spun the wool and created intricate curtains. He hammered the gold into designs. He applied self-fashioned gold sheets around wood. He fashioned the ark of the covenant with the mercy seat atop of it. He created the altars and the water stand where the priests cleansed themselves before entering the temple. He crafted the gold rings to hang the curtains. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">All this Bezalel and Oholiab did by God giving them the skill. They shared this knowledge to individuals to help make parts of the tent of meeting. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Since God gives those abilities, there’s no way we can’t love our brethren. It’s doable because Jesus gives us the ability since He poured His love into us when we believed in Him. It’s there, trust it is, then step out in faith and put it into action. That brother or sister might not be easily lovable today, but God loved you when you rebelled against him in your sins. Since He could do that, it’s not impossible to be gracious and love the brother or sister who is not easy to like today. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">Like anything God tells us to do, JUST DO IT.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">Obedience will change you.<o:p></o:p></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-39756885015809357612024-02-04T16:28:00.005+02:002024-02-04T16:28:45.830+02:00Be the City<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwq4YsWdyQVmIYiNVhHDOWG6aiXy9ZjO3LG_52lojjlHfm5MATYttIaIZeoNszoVEGueh2IPaj0wIqtarT-yvM-sdM6kw6MqUA3MtUCvVtpd6KXWlZ9CXPw8RRWm3BEkUy7DxsBPx9ZmcQT-E0X3Jn1CfqZbtXMQTOimNtL04WudB6lQPARWuMCaSlS92/s618/IMG_7981.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="618" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwq4YsWdyQVmIYiNVhHDOWG6aiXy9ZjO3LG_52lojjlHfm5MATYttIaIZeoNszoVEGueh2IPaj0wIqtarT-yvM-sdM6kw6MqUA3MtUCvVtpd6KXWlZ9CXPw8RRWm3BEkUy7DxsBPx9ZmcQT-E0X3Jn1CfqZbtXMQTOimNtL04WudB6lQPARWuMCaSlS92/w400-h400/IMG_7981.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 12pt 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 12pt 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 12pt 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I’ve read and heard this verse most of my life. My public high school English teacher quoted it often to her students. She was not shy or ashamed to share the Truth in school.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 12pt 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This verse says we are the light of the world. Do we have anything innate in our being that makes us like a light? This is a metaphorical statement, of course. Let’s ask ourselves that metaphorical question again. Do we have anything within our DNA that makes us shine brighter than anyone else? No. Nothing by which God put in us makes us light—makes us good. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 12pt 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We are by nature sinful. We are covered by the stains of our sins. People who believe in Jesus as their Savior from their sins no longer bear the stains of those sins. Each confessed sin is wiped away from us and we don’t carry the burden of the guilt. When we believe in Jesus and confess and repent of our sins, Jesus washes the sin stain from our names. His Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 12pt 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The One who is Light—Jesus—casts His light upon and within us. We, of our own being, are not good, sinless, and light-filled. We are covered—darkened—by the sin into which Satan tricked us. But Jesus, when we believe in Him and He washes us with His sacrificial blood and love, makes us bearers of His Light. We become the light on the hill. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 12pt 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This light within us cannot be put out. It cannot be denied. As we stand in the darkness of a sinful world, the light of Jesus put within us shines forth. Jesus is eternal and His light, too, is eternal. It will never depart or fade away. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 12pt 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Jesus has called us to be His city on the hill. To shine bright in the darkness around us so that other people will see the Light (Jesus), be drawn to Him and His love, be saved, and praise Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 12pt 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This should make us pause and think. Are we shining the light of Jesus intentionally so others will see Him and come to Him? Are we staying in a daily, moment-by-moment relationship with Jesus so that the light He put within us does not become dim? Are we part of a church of faith who intentionally shines God’s light and calls people to come know Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 12pt 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Maybe you don’t know Jesus as your Savior. Now is your time to decide. Are you tired of the burden of your sins and the darkness in which you live? Seek the Light, see the Light, and come to the Light—Jesus—for forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life with Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 12pt 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Jesus calls each of us to Him, some to be saved and some to draw closer to Him. Draw closer and shine His light brightly so other people will be drawn to Him. In what place do you find yourself sitting now—on a hill or in the crevasses of darkness? You can choose who you follow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-31078550186704739432024-01-29T15:52:00.002+02:002024-01-29T15:52:23.434+02:00Walk like an Egyptian?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvYoJRurl1qnPIQRcFLfwcymPrQSKdsWwm-BxJq4eR0OgvJHbeqzvS6n3K-FMA95L9VLmzRzdL5zcSsz5dr5gXx7RWeyWYW4nz_rxluOa_CuW5F96Yn9xnxSKLKIL9gQcPGXKiwHFwu2VgjLqAWXw3taAD7PLtw4ydP_lAc9Itenay7dEO5jGaqIFlULF/s828/IMG_7924.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvYoJRurl1qnPIQRcFLfwcymPrQSKdsWwm-BxJq4eR0OgvJHbeqzvS6n3K-FMA95L9VLmzRzdL5zcSsz5dr5gXx7RWeyWYW4nz_rxluOa_CuW5F96Yn9xnxSKLKIL9gQcPGXKiwHFwu2VgjLqAWXw3taAD7PLtw4ydP_lAc9Itenay7dEO5jGaqIFlULF/w400-h400/IMG_7924.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><a name="_Int_wDvaPpd4"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">”But</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> the magicians of Egypt did the same things by their magic arts. So, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had <a name="_Int_7cxgPF50">said.“</a> Exodus 7:22 BSB<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We are like Pharaoh who believed he was in control and defied God’s command. He called his magicians and showed he could do what Moses said God would do to him (and his citizens). He felt he did not need God because he could do and have whatever he wanted. He was stubborn and rebelled against God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How often do we tell ourselves, and then God, “I can get what I want, so why do I need God or need to call on Him? See all I have provided for myself with the job I found. I don’t need God.” We are being stubborn when we say this aloud or within our minds. We forget God gave us the mental and physical capacity to have that job. He led us to that job. God provided the goods that we buy with the money from the job He gave us. We rebel against Him and steal His glory by saying these things and acting this way. This is sinful. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Will we turn to God before extreme measures happen to change our focus from ourselves to God? Will it take a major incident like the “dying-of-firstborns” (like God did with Pharaoh) for us to recognize God as supreme and recognize our need of and reliance on Him? We must remember, too, that our stubbornness and rebellion affect people around us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">I pray today that I never again consider who I am, what I have, and what I think to be more important and have supremacy over who God is, what He’s done, and the love He gives. What will you pray—confession and submission to God—or will you turn away from Him again</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-39471586719970534422024-01-26T16:42:00.008+02:002024-01-26T16:46:33.676+02:00No Temporary Tabernacle<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwoXJQRoyGz792SsyEZF0Wmabc3DsTdiQM9ojb1l80Lvuga2MbT_PYi3PLbPFaYkNHL0VDLJlftm3HrpVf_nj_DFIE3klmtPQpq8E_Y8R5dtp0uSJ6lIsM_fVK9X4ru5jUmEIJHEi2MO5VSpPnMVkAxLBzEedjiXH68fBZrQcMbex6to6VM_a6eKSADT5/s828/Tabernacle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwoXJQRoyGz792SsyEZF0Wmabc3DsTdiQM9ojb1l80Lvuga2MbT_PYi3PLbPFaYkNHL0VDLJlftm3HrpVf_nj_DFIE3klmtPQpq8E_Y8R5dtp0uSJ6lIsM_fVK9X4ru5jUmEIJHEi2MO5VSpPnMVkAxLBzEedjiXH68fBZrQcMbex6to6VM_a6eKSADT5/w400-h400/Tabernacle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoQuote"><i>And the
Word (Christ) became flesh and tabernacled among us; and we (John and the disciples)
saw His glory, glory as belongs to the only begotten Son of the Father, who is full of grace and truth. (John
1:14, paraphrase)</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">In the Old Testament, God told Moses
to build a tabernacle for Him. In it, He would dwell and be with the Israelites
as they journeyed to the Promised Land. God told them with what to build the tabernacle
and its size, and what furniture and vessels it would contain. Since its
construction was of cloth and wood, the tabernacle was easy to assemble and
disassemble as the Israelites journeyed to the Promised Land. This tabernacle
shone during the night. It was the light of God for the Israelites to see and
remember God was among them. A cloud descended upon the tabernacle when Moses
entered it to be with God. When Moses came from the tabernacle, his face shone
with the glory of God and the people feared death because they recognized they
could see God’s glory. They remembered that anyone who gazes upon God would
die. The Israelites asked Moses to cover his face after he had been in God’s
presence for fear they would die.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">John told about Jesus in the first
chapter of his gospel. He called Jesus the Light. God was the God light to the
Israelites since they left Egypt. God’s light from His being led them as they
walked at night. His light showed He was in His tabernacle. God’s light showed
God’s presence. Jesus came to earth as a human, bringing God's light and glory
among the people. In John 1:9-10, John wrote, Jesus was the true Light. Despite
creating the world, Jesus went unrecognized and disbelieved by His own people
during His time on earth.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">In verse fourteen, John returned to
God’s glory and Light, God’s plan revealed through Jesus. John explained the
truth about Jesus. Jesus, the Word of God, was born in human flesh. He gave up
His throne in heaven. God's plan is to save people from the judgment their sins
deserve on judgment day. He desires no judgment or condemnation for anyone. God
wants to have an eternal relationship with everybody. He made a way to rescue
each person from the sin judgment of separation from Him. John said, “And the
Word became flesh and lived among us.” For our sins and God’s love for us,
Jesus left His throne to be born as a human, to teach each person about God’s
love and plan for their salvation, and then to be the sacrifice needed to pay
the penalty for the sins of each person who will believe in Him.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">John continued about who Jesus is
and testified for himself and the disciples. He wrote, “We actually saw His
glory, glory as belongs to the only Son of the Father.” Remember, in the Old
Testament, God dwelled in the tabernacle and, later, the temple. His glory
shone from the tent and the faces of the men who met with Him. Jesus became God’s
glory among the people. Jesus, the Son of God, dwelled with the people. “God
with us,” Emmanuel, is Jesus. From Jesus shone God’s glory. Jesus did not lose
His divinity when He lived on earth as a man. Divine is who Jesus is. He and
God are one. God’s divinity and glory are Jesus’ divinity and glory. Jesus
became “God with us” at His birth. The glory of God shone on earth for everyone,
not only the Israelites who built the tabernacle and temple.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">Jesus’ life on earth showed the
truth of who He is. His grace—divine favor, kindness, and love—and His miracles
revealed His divinity and glory. Jesus tabernacles with us. He did not merely live
in Israel. Jesus showed His glory, power, majesty, and truth as He acted and
spoke and, by these, showed the people He is divine. Jesus walked among people.
He truly is “God with us.” Jesus revealed and became the gospel plan to rescue
people from the death sentence and eternal separation from God their sins
deserve. By God’s grace—His undeserved love—Jesus tabernacled among people. God
showed He is more than transcendent; He cares what happens in our lives. God is
imminent. He is here every moment, walking with us—tabernacling with us—guiding
us through life and rescuing us in times of trouble and from our sins. That is
the meaning of “God with us”—helping and rescuing us daily. God's salvation
plan protects us daily from sin and harm, both now and in eternity.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">God became flesh and tabernacled—dwelled—among
us. He is, was, and will always be. He is for us, not against us. Are you daily meeting God in the tabernacle He created by the salvation you received? God makes tabernacling with Him available to us through His Spirit dwelling in each believer in
Jesus. We Christians are privileged to be with God in every breath we breathe. Draw
close to God and be with Him; He is for you.</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">God
is as close as your next breath. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">Are you tabernacling with God, spending time with Him each
day? He is calling to you.<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">Do
you want closeness to God—the Father, Son, and Spirit—but do not know how?
Write to me and I will lead you to know God through the salvation Jesus gives.<o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-4967360301228195972024-01-16T15:08:00.004+02:002024-01-16T15:08:32.103+02:00Anger and Perspective<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJxzPdYqJn4rSFBVDwqdoZiJ2KBUN8T7tjVg0HVo6b8mYv-oSbYRwD7So7-MOZLOmfQQCETeMzzmFkWMc8VMRl3NTuGqXV13YdW7pZuwFzD32UZz0k8PqW98ZmPXZaTS3EdCXQwoi-WC74tCvDf_fPMfSYJGB7f3ERSbzUhwStwos-IXD8YoZldNeN6hR/s852/IMG_7813.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJxzPdYqJn4rSFBVDwqdoZiJ2KBUN8T7tjVg0HVo6b8mYv-oSbYRwD7So7-MOZLOmfQQCETeMzzmFkWMc8VMRl3NTuGqXV13YdW7pZuwFzD32UZz0k8PqW98ZmPXZaTS3EdCXQwoi-WC74tCvDf_fPMfSYJGB7f3ERSbzUhwStwos-IXD8YoZldNeN6hR/w389-h400/IMG_7813.jpeg" width="389" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;">Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies.” — John 11:25<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;">In this passage, Martha asked accusingly why Jesus had not come sooner when he had learned of Lazarus’ illness. She knew Jesus could heal him and blamed Jesus for his death. We can imagine she might have said, “I thought you loved Lazarus as your brother, Jesus. Why couldn’t you come heal him?” Martha blamed Jesus for Lazarus’ death. She did not deny his death but was angry Lazarus had died. “Why, Jesus, did you let him die?” she might have asked. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;">God had another plan, one far greater. In John 10, Jewish religious leaders asked Jesus to tell them if he was the Christ. Jesus replied that his works in the Father’s name testify to who he is (John 10:25). Next, He stated to these leaders that his sheep hear his voice and follow him, and he gives them eternal life, so they will not perish (John 10:26-28). The religious leaders wanted to arrest Jesus for blasphemy. They wanted to stone him.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;">Jesus told the religious leaders about his disciples and what they do; they listen to his voice and follow him. He spoke about what he does for his disciples (believers)—give them eternal life. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived in Bethany. It was about two miles outside of Jerusalem. Jesus' teachings on eternal life would have been shared in Bethany prior to his arrival after Lazarus' death. This makes Martha and Jesus’ conversation poignant. She would have heard that Jesus gives life to his followers. Would Martha have pondered this and wondered why Jesus didn’t heal and give life to Lazarus, his follower and friend?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;">When Jesus received Martha’s message that Lazarus was sick, he stayed two more days in Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan, where John the Baptist first began his ministry. He said the sickness of Lazarus would not end in death, but would bring glory to God (John 11:4). The second day after Martha’s message, Jesus told the disciples it was time to return to the Jerusalem area—to Bethany, a two-day walk from where they were. The disciples worried about Jesus being stoned by the Jewish religious leaders (vs. 8). Jesus had no concern about his death. He knew he wouldn't die soon, and stoning was not how it would happen. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;">The disciples appeared to have forgotten the introduction to the lesson Jesus was teaching them—Lazarus’ life would bring glory to God (vs. 4). Jesus told them Lazarus was asleep, and he was going to Bethany to awaken him. The disciples couldn't understand or remember Jesus' words because the human mind struggles with grasping spiritual concepts. Jesus said in John 10, he gives eternal life to his disciples. The disciples’ reply to Jesus’ statement of going to Bethany to awaken Lazarus showed their literal understanding. Jesus meant Lazarus was dead, not just sleeping (vs 12-14). For the disciples’ (all disciples of all time) sake, Jesus said he was glad he wasn’t in Bethany to heal Lazarus. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;">After a two-day wait and a two-day walk to Bethany, Jesus arrived after Lazarus had been dead for four days. Jesus understood the number three symbolized completeness. The third day after a person’s death signified the person was certifiably dead. The fourth day after, a person was dead-dead. No doubt could exist that he or she was asleep, in a coma, or sick. The dead person would not awaken and walk out of the tomb. Jesus arrived in Bethany when the people had no doubt Lazarus truly was dead. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;">The stage was set. Jesus walked on scene when mourning was obvious. Those aware of Jesus' close bond with Lazarus' family would have wondered why he had arrived so late. They might have whispered among themselves, wondering why Jesus didn’t use his power to heal Lazarus. These people may have heard about Jesus’ conversation with the religious leaders four days earlier about giving eternal life to his disciples and wondered why Jesus wouldn’t have spared Lazarus’ life and the heartache of the sisters. “Did Jesus not love them?” they may have conjectured. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;">The curtain rose and Martha confronted Jesus about not arriving before Lazarus died. “You could have healed him,” we suppose Martha said. Jesus replied, as any Jew would say, “He will rise again.” (Jews believe in a bodily resurrection.) Martha’s reply, we conjecture, is our own, “I know that, but why weren’t you here? You could have healed him.” Do you recognize your own voice in this situation? Jesus’ reply to Martha is a reply to humanity, and the lesson Jesus began in John 11:4. He said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;">These verses are the lesson. They bring glory to God and glorify the Son (vs. 4). In what way? Jesus did not just say he gives resurrection and eternal life to believers. He didn’t say he merely creates and resurrects people. Jesus said, “I AM the Resurrection. I AM the Life.” Jesus doesn’t just give from what he creates. He gives from himself, from his essence. Just as perfect love (agape) comes from God’s being, since it’s part of his essence, life comes from his being. God—the Trinity—is the origin of life, the Author. He is, has been, and will always be. God is not created, but is. Jesus assured Martha and the listeners that he is life, both in the present and for all eternity. The life Jesus lives is from his eternal being and that’s the life he gives—eternal life. Jesus is the resurrection, and that is an undeniable truth. Jesus offers everlasting life that surpasses death's boundaries. Jesus gives resurrection life from his life to people who believe in him when he saves them. These people become his disciples when he Jesus saves them.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;">The manifestation of God's glory, as Jesus foretold, would show through Lazarus' death. After Jesus spoke with Martha and Mary, other Jews questioned Jesus about not arriving sooner to keep Lazarus from dying (vs 37). These Jews refocused all eyes on Jesus’ purpose, as he stated in verse four. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;">The curtain arose on the next scene. Jesus commanded the people to roll stone from the tomb. Martha stated the obvious after four days of his death. “His body will stink,” she said. Jesus reminded the watchers, if they believe, they will see the glory of God (vs 40). Jesus prayed to the Father, thanking Him for hearing and understanding the people's experiences, teaching them about God's attentiveness. Finally, Jesus commanded, “Lazarus, come out!” Lazarus walked from the tomb still bound in the death cloths and Jesus ordered him to be unbound. Notice, no one doubted Jesus’ authority or power. They did not rebel at doing what he commanded. People moved the stone. Lazarus walked out of the tomb. People removed the death cloths from Lazarus. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;">Returning to verse four, the lessons Jesus taught are several. God is Lord over life. Jesus is life, the author/originator of it. As life, Jesus is the resurrection. He has power to bind and/or cast away death. God hears us and knows what we are facing. He cries with/for us because of his great love for us. Most of all, Jesus is to be glorified. That’s why Jesus waited two days before beginning his journey to Bethany. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;">What does giving God glory mean? It means displaying acts of kindness and love, regardless of whether anyone witnesses them. Giving God glory means obeying God by doing what he says when he says it. often, God’s timing is a very important part of his plan. Rushing in to help too soon may prevent people from seeing God, only you. You would, then, be stealing God’s glory. How God intervenes is important. Failing to help someone according to God's plan means we don't do what's best for them and God isn't glorified. If we rush in to rescue someone without praying and seeking God’s will, we take God’s glory and could create a worse problem for the person needing help. Often, part of God’s plan is for the person in need to be a part of praying for God’s guidance and help. That enables the person who needs help to know God hears and loves. That brings God glory.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;">Jesus, filled with love for his stressed and grieving friends, waited two days before being with them. Yes, he could have healed Lazarus by being there or by just saying, “Be healed,” while he stood at Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan. Yet, Jesus knew God’s plan for Lazarus’ life, since Jesus is part of the Trinity. Lazarus' life would bring glory to God and reveal Jesus as the Messiah, the Resurrection, and the Life. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;">Today, do you need to remember Lazarus’ story because you need new life from Jesus? Do you need a reminder to trust God's plan and avoid hastily rescuing someone from a situation? Jesus is the only real Savior. Do you need to remember that God’s plan is best and not to rely on your own plan? Finally, do you need to remember to glorify God with your life? He can use all of you, in life and death, for his glory if you will totally surrender it to him. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; margin: 0in;">Martha was angry. She and Mary blamed Jesus. Lazarus, we may surmise, was thankful for God’s plan. He was alive, and God had used him for God’s own glory and purpose. Are you angry at God? For what do you blame God? Will you spend time with him now in prayer to get his perspective and understand better? See God and his purposes in your circumstances. “Seek God with all your heart and you will find him” (Jeremiah 29:13). God said when you seek him, he will be found by you (Jeremiah 29:14a).<o:p></o:p></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-56202776609848604232024-01-11T09:56:00.003+02:002024-01-11T09:56:33.551+02:00One Thing I Have Asked<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6tr5HewETC9Pub6EcXJiP7eA8L-sVK64A1o7fid2r0JbVanNg8nZHa2sUwtlgqNaoVOzyQVMem6EfWi8gwPHWvGtfQMThcXuS75Is17Groe1EYUPlxNWi83oFdBNKogQfMc7xhOL63dvV0ORIXpEpy0Q9Uu23zOmEk0htMSWQ9lpD7A_d0Czken9njVq/s828/IMG_7775.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6tr5HewETC9Pub6EcXJiP7eA8L-sVK64A1o7fid2r0JbVanNg8nZHa2sUwtlgqNaoVOzyQVMem6EfWi8gwPHWvGtfQMThcXuS75Is17Groe1EYUPlxNWi83oFdBNKogQfMc7xhOL63dvV0ORIXpEpy0Q9Uu23zOmEk0htMSWQ9lpD7A_d0Czken9njVq/w400-h400/IMG_7775.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">One thing I have asked from the Lord,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">that I desire (seek) to serve Him,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">that I may dwell in the house of the Lord (be in His presence) all the days of my life,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">to gaze on the beauty and pleasantness of the Lord (seeing His glorious face) and<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">to contemplate on Him in His temple.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Psalms 27:4<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Only a pure (righteous) person, made so by God, can look at the Lord. In the Old Testament, the Israelites understood when an unrighteous person looked at God, that person would die. Moses understood this. He learned it from God when God covered Moses’ face on the mountain so he would not see His face and die. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">David expressed his greatest desire was to seek to serve the Lord. He stated one desire then expounded on it. To serve the Lord, David wanted to be with God in His house—the temple. He wanted to be where he knew the presence of the Lord resided. Why? Because in the presence of the Lord is holiness, peace, understanding, and the fulfillment of our greatest desire—to be in a right relationship with God. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">While in the house of the Lord seeking to serve Him, David could get clarity of thought with one purpose, without being pulled in the many directions a king is asked to make decisions. He could focus on God without the world pulling on him. David could hear the voice of God’s directions without clamor. That brings peace and understanding. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Being with God and gazing on His face brings stillness, quiet, and fulfillment of our most inborn desire, to be in relationship with the Lord and to see and to serve Him. No fear of death. No fear from the world. Just peace, joint purpose, and reverence. That’s what David meant when he wrote he wanted one thing: to seek to serve the Lord by being in His temple, gazing on Him, and contemplating Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How can we serve the Lord now? Do we truly want to be in God’s presence, or do we only want His approval for what we want to do or already do. We can only truly be in God’s holy presence by being made righteous by His Son Jesus. We can feel the pull towards God and go to a quiet place seeking Him—in the forest, by the sea, in a church—but until we believe in Jesus and, thereby, are made clean from sin (be made righteous), we cannot be in the presence of God. We cannot behold the beauty of His face. His Spirit pulls us towards God with the conviction to follow Him to quiet places. Until we heed that pull and recognize and submit to God’s calling us to be in a righteous relationship with Him by believing in Jesus, we cannot see His face, only be drawn to Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Following the convictions placed on your heart, the pulling of the Holy Spirit on you, and submitting yourself to God by believing in Jesus to be saved, leads you to want more than God’s approval for what you do. It leads you to do what God wants done.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So, how can you serve the Lord now? Believe in Jesus and be saved. Seek God in His quiet places; seek His face. Seek to know and do His will. Dwelling in the house of the Lord daily is being with Him like this. Seeking and being with God. Revering Him. Listening for His will and commands. Praising Him for His direction and what He has done. Going from there but not from Him to show Him through your being to the people with whom you meet that day. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Do you go into your day without having seen God’s face? I encourage you to be with Him first so people will experience God through you. Without that time, there’s a greater chance people will only experience you not God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-55699116359472695912024-01-10T12:28:00.000+02:002024-01-10T17:09:59.799+02:00God Renews, So<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoZ2AtwU2bDLh_z35DAyh6i7ib8ckWltjA_Z5F5t6tbb_Zvvif9lmx9UZjoO51eQMfXVrO9D8jPIlm9pV4WJFvpIs6cGSi7MOTyOqOb0h4jr_o0D9rpPiWhgLDIXgc7q3SByXO2sGRG9lNsXI4f5BNGNNWRPdgYs0-17s12f_or5vQ3KAr2qRg3Agr7Ci/s828/IMG_7772.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="828" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoZ2AtwU2bDLh_z35DAyh6i7ib8ckWltjA_Z5F5t6tbb_Zvvif9lmx9UZjoO51eQMfXVrO9D8jPIlm9pV4WJFvpIs6cGSi7MOTyOqOb0h4jr_o0D9rpPiWhgLDIXgc7q3SByXO2sGRG9lNsXI4f5BNGNNWRPdgYs0-17s12f_or5vQ3KAr2qRg3Agr7Ci/w400-h371/IMG_7772.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Don’t lose heart, become spiritless, give up, and lose the will to go on. Yes, our physical bodies are aging and decaying. But, if we, individually, believe in Jesus, God will renew our inner self—heart, mind, and spirit—to be like Christ’s. We do not and cannot renew our inner selves.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">God’s renewing our inner selves makes us more able to daily know what to do, say, and think. When we stay in tune with God daily, He renews us. He never grows tired or weary, like we mortals do. God continues to renew us, strengthen and embolden us, guide, and teach us. His never gives up on renewing us or calling the unsaved to turn to Him. God’s love, power, and patience are limitless. He is our strength, power, inspiration, teacher, guide, protector, and provider. We hold onto Him by continuing to pray, read and study the Bible, worship Him, and do what He says. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There’s more. The “therefore” at the beginning of this verse leads us to consider what Paul wrote before verse 16. This “therefore” means that because of something or despite something…. we must remember God is renewing us, so we shouldn’t become spiritless, afraid, faint, or give up, unless God says to.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">What happened before verse 16 that Paul wants us to remember? Verse seven tells us to remember we are mortal. As God’s servants and children, we will be… <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">*hard-pressed, but not crushed<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">*Perplexed but not despairing<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">*Persecuted but not forsaken<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">*Struck down but not destroyed<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Why? Because God is more powerful than anything that comes against us, and He renews us. He keeps His children from being crushed, despairing, forsaken, and destroyed. Only God can utterly destroy anything and anyone. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Nothing anyone or spiritual being does can ever remove us from God’s hands. Our mortal flesh already is decaying, but God is renewing our inner self. He gave us the new inner self when we believed. Nothing and nobody can take it from us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Instead, though we are mortal, we gladly give our lives for Jesus’ sake to reveal Him to other people (verse 11). We do this so those people can see the life of Jesus through our words, actions, and attitudes, and believe in Him for themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Therefore, don’t lose heart, faint, or grow weary because of the task, fatigue, numbers of people and their needs, or persecution that may come. Yes, your mortal body is decaying. Yet, God is renewing your inner self daily to be more like Jesus and be in closer communion with Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Those who wait upon the Lord will receive renewed strength and will Mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” —Isaiah 40:31<o:p></o:p></span></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-64031335576764005242024-01-01T09:53:00.000+02:002024-01-01T09:53:03.644+02:00Laughing in Praise<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeu_BdukFK6wNF-n1HBEPSwLZdzrnWS8oTf0PfBBOu4oKwmDOyhxCpAg2ShkbiCjjLBCzwdq2MAUWQB3D6qkCtdY5HGMq3HcI5kLLLPH8savbpmW5JJYHuNsB_muxlYNZRJM3aDQd9T_TtrXq_oinl4X5cooqa1hcDsspgrEOvxoYOM6Fm2PuTM1rCCE5T/s828/IMG_7712.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeu_BdukFK6wNF-n1HBEPSwLZdzrnWS8oTf0PfBBOu4oKwmDOyhxCpAg2ShkbiCjjLBCzwdq2MAUWQB3D6qkCtdY5HGMq3HcI5kLLLPH8savbpmW5JJYHuNsB_muxlYNZRJM3aDQd9T_TtrXq_oinl4X5cooqa1hcDsspgrEOvxoYOM6Fm2PuTM1rCCE5T/w400-h400/IMG_7712.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Read Genesis 21:1-7. Consider Abraham’s and Sarah’s ages when God fulfilled His promise to them of giving them a son. Upon Isaac’s birth, Sarah laughed.</p><p>Do you give up on God coming through for you as He promised? Do you have an idea on how He will fulfill His promise? It could be that God sees the fulfillment of His promise in a different way. </p><p>Instead of expecting God to answer you prayers and His promises in a particular way, know God will fulfill them in the best way. His thoughts are higher than ours and His ways always come in the perfect way and at the perfect time. </p><p>This year, hold onto God’s promises and continue to grow your relationship with Him through prayer. Expect He will intercede like He promised. Know He is faithful to Himself, His promises, and you. Have no boundaries in which you expect God to work in your life. </p><p>God is boundless. He works in great and mysterious ways. When God answers your prayers and fulfills His promises, laugh in joy and surprise as Sarah did declaring the glories and faithfulness of God.</p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-56449050362649598342023-12-18T17:07:00.001+02:002023-12-18T17:07:14.010+02:00Peace<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQ94JkEY2JBPzpD3z0uf0LX784jm6PVmwVGDnInk-7aMm2m1g61ioMtLMLijYH7C8EkGTuIq3Qu1_rs1whRNRWYHAusHgl7SusQQlvchr0r9qdpYZEWdkSz_23PxnckHuhPdI7IoII-3i0LK8eOGP025IK2-kBd_PVxrVJTCSn1OZHd7hD8REtb4N7FhE/s828/PEACE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="828" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQ94JkEY2JBPzpD3z0uf0LX784jm6PVmwVGDnInk-7aMm2m1g61ioMtLMLijYH7C8EkGTuIq3Qu1_rs1whRNRWYHAusHgl7SusQQlvchr0r9qdpYZEWdkSz_23PxnckHuhPdI7IoII-3i0LK8eOGP025IK2-kBd_PVxrVJTCSn1OZHd7hD8REtb4N7FhE/w400-h289/PEACE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">What does peace have to do with
Christmas? Why do songs contain this word and idea? Why did the angels from
heaven proclaim this as part of their herald to the shepherds? Is peace possible
in our world? Today’s word study around Christmas, as you have guessed by now,
is <i>peace</i>. Let’s consider what peace is, then answer these questions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">In Luke 2:14, the angels proclaimed—heralded—the
birth of the Messiah. Prophets and angels foretold the Messiah’s coming for
millennia. Prophets and angels taught the Jews to expect His coming. They did
not expect the Messiah to come as an infant son of a carpenter from a small
town. The Jews expected the Messiah to come with power and authority as a
warrior king to oust the Romans from the Jewish lands and reestablish the
throne of David. What the angels proclaimed to the shepherds that night, as
recorded by Luke in chapter two, did not match the expectations of the Jews.
The response from the shepherds of awe and worship showed Jesus transcended
status, income, lineage, and education. When the shepherds understood the angels’
proclamation, they felt a sense of peace from God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">The host of angels in Luke 2:14 declared,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men on whom His favor
rests!” It is fitting that the angels began heralding by exclaiming about God.
No one is greater than God, and their proclamation relayed that. Their
heralding began like Jesus started the Lord’s Prayer. Both began with a
statement about God’s ultimacy and His worthiness of praise. Jesus said, “God’s
name is holy,” and the angels sang, “Glory and honor is due to God.” The
angels, by starting their proclamation this way, acknowledged God and His sending
of them to make this proclamation. It led people to take notice of what they
said.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">What was the message about which the
angels proclaimed? They said, “Peace to men on earth on whom God’s favor rests.”
If you are like me, I have sung this song each year and proclaimed God and
acknowledged God’s peace, but I have not studied what this whole phrase means.
The last prepositional phrase in this sentence affects each of us individually.
It tells us to whom God gives peace. First, though, what is the peace God
gives? This <i>peace</i> the angels proclaimed God gives comes from the Greek word<i>
eirene</i>, which comes from<i> eiro. Eiro</i> means to join and make whole.
Peace is a gift from God that makes a person whole. God’s peace is a wholeness
that comes from Jesus saving a person by belief in Him as God’s Son—the Savior of
humanity. When Jesus saves a person, He makes it possible for a person to have
a right (righteous) relationship with God through His forgiveness of his or her
sins. As the person grows to know God more each day and grows to be more like
Jesus, God grows that person increasingly closer to perfection. That perfection
will be complete when the believer enters heaven upon his or her death when his
or her glorification occurs. When that happens, the person becomes completely
whole, at peace. For now, while still alive on earth, God gives the believer peace
and makes him or her whole in heart, mind, and spirit. The person has peace
through trust in God and hope in his or her future perfection in heaven.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">That thought leads us to understand
the last prepositional phrase. The angels sang about peace on earth for men on whom
God’s favor rests. The “favor” of God means His goodwill, satisfaction, and
good pleasure in the person. How does one get God’s good pleasure, His “well
done?” Until a person believes in Jesus and He forgives him or her of his or
her sins, God is not pleased with the person; He is not satisfied. The person carries
the result of sin in his or her life and God cannot be where sin is, since
holiness and sin cannot be in the same place. For this reason, God sent Jesus
to earth. Jesus came to cleanse each believer in Him of their wrongdoings
(sins) and the stain and guilt of those sins. When cleansed by Jesus, a person
can be in the same place with God because Jesus removed the sin stain and guilt
from him or her (justification) and provided forgiveness of those sins through
His sacrifice of Himself on the cross. How can we have peace with God? By
believing in Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Who is to receive the peace of God
about what the angels heralded? Any person God favors—each person who believes in
Jesus as the Messiah.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">Peace is for anyone who believes in Jesus
the Messiah. The angels sang this truth. Luke wrote about the gospel of peace
in Acts 1:36. Micah prophesied about the Messiah being the Israelites’ peace in
Micah 5:5. Peace came from heaven that first Christmas when Jesus was born. The
Peacemaker entered the world in bodily form when the Son of God came to live incarnate
with humanity. God was no longer merely God of and for us. In Jesus, He was Emmanuel—God
with us. God continues to be God with us for each believer by the Holy Spirit
of Christ dwelling in him or her.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem
entitled <i>I Hear the Bells on Christmas Day</i> became a Christmas carol. It
aptly expresses this peace. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">I heard the bells on
Christmas day,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Their old familiar
carols play,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">And wild and sweet,
the words repeat<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Of peace on earth,
good will to men.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">I thought how, as the
day had come,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">The belfries of all
Christendom<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Had rolled along th’unbroken
song<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Of peace on earth,
good will to me.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">And in despair I
bowed by head:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">“There is no peace on
earth,” I said,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">“For hate is strong
and mocks the song<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Of peace on earth,
good will to men.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Then pealed the bells
more loud and deep:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">“God is not dead, nor
doth He sleep;<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">The wrong shall fail,
the right prevail,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">With peace on earth,
good will to men.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Till ringing, singing
on its way,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">The world revolved
from night to day,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">A voice and chime, a
chant sublime,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Of peace on earth,
good will to men.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">Peace is possible because God gives
it to people who have believed in Jesus for salvation. That cold night for the
shepherds in Luke 2 seemed to be like any other night protecting their sheep.
It was unlike any night before or after for them. Angels came from heaven
proclaiming God’s glory and His peace to all who believe in Him for salvation. The
shepherds reacted initially with fear. They reacted in another way, too. Luke
recorded the shepherds’ response upon hearing the angels’ proclamation. He
wrote in 2:15-17,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoQuote"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">When the
angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let
us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has
made known to us.” So, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby,
who was lying in a manger. After they had seen the Child, they spread the
message they had received about Him. (BSB)</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">Peace is still possible. Wadsworth
wrote the poem two years after his wife died and while the Civil War raged. He penned
his poem to focus on the peace God gives. Though days seemed dark, he thought
of God, who is Light and greater than anything that confronts us. We, like the
shepherds, upon hearing the angel’s message today, should proclaim about God’s
glory, His Son’s birth, and His peace to anyone who will believe. I promise,
like people hearing the shepherds’ testimony in verse eighteen, people will be
amazed. Some will then believe and receive salvation from their sins and its
guilt.</p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b>Offer
peace. Herald the birth of Jesus the Messiah.</b><o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-39526206498743518712023-12-17T17:09:00.002+02:002023-12-17T17:09:54.332+02:00Noel<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHW3Ofh2VkWvrFVhM11wP3j5KUUj0qhw0Rv2q_0TxRHtt3plpdPZnoYSp4-Tu2UkIySvYfF9Ae4Qk-bZATjaTVXl373btg2wMyMFG2Nv7IsCjaDmg_hRI7wD0AhajHQ6P0BWgAl62ec_nVzLLLx3M0cZZ-ViJkeN1uXiHG5euR-g6B9KzljfMiQKFd85C/s828/IMG_7610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="828" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHW3Ofh2VkWvrFVhM11wP3j5KUUj0qhw0Rv2q_0TxRHtt3plpdPZnoYSp4-Tu2UkIySvYfF9Ae4Qk-bZATjaTVXl373btg2wMyMFG2Nv7IsCjaDmg_hRI7wD0AhajHQ6P0BWgAl62ec_nVzLLLx3M0cZZ-ViJkeN1uXiHG5euR-g6B9KzljfMiQKFd85C/w400-h381/IMG_7610.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">What
does <i>noel</i> mean? In the Christmas story, what purpose does the word
serve? Is it in the Bible? These and more questions arise about the word <i>noel</i>
as I sing the Christmas carol called <i>The First Noel</i>. You know the first
verse: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoQuote">The first
noel, the angels did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields where they
lay. In fields where they lay keeping their sheep on a cold winter’s night that
was so deep. Noel. Noel. Noel. Noel. Born is the King of Israel.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">This
carol gives us a first hint of what noel is. First, let's examine the word's
etymology.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">Noel</span></i><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;"> comes from the Old Latin word (<i>natus</i>)
meaning to be born. The Church carried <i>natas</i> forward into Church Latin (<i>natalis</i>)
referring to the birthday of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. As time passed, the word
became <i>noel</i>, a variant of the Old French <i>nael, </i>came to<i> </i>mean
the feast of the nativity. Middle English translated <i>noel</i> <i>nowel, </i>a
shout of joy or a Christmas song. Considering each of the translations through
history, <i>noel</i> is a shout of joy by verbal proclamation, including songs,
of the birth, the nativity (<i>natus</i>), of the Christ child, Jesus the
Messiah.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">Is the
word <i>noel</i> in the Bible? The word <i>noel</i> is not stated explicitly in
the Bible. <i>Noel</i> defines the activity of the angels. Luke 2:9-14 is not
the first noel of the Bible. The angel proclaimed the Messiah’s birth to Mary in
Luke 1:26-28. He spoke to Joseph, Mary’s betrothed, in Matthew 1:20-25. Before
the New Testament, God foretold many prophets Himself and through His
messengers about the Messiah’s birth in Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6. Micah writes of
God’s foretelling of the Messiah in Micah 5:2. These are all prophecies
foretelling the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. They are a proclamation of great
joy. The proclamations of good news for the Hebrews and all people of the birth
of the One God promised. None who heard the proclamations foretelling Jesus’
birth remained unchanged. Each knew they had encountered God. These people
carried God’s promise in their hearts and waited expectantly for the Christ
child.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">When
Mary’s birth pains ceased and Jesus was born, the angels proclaimed that good
news. Luke 2:9-14 records their proclamation of God’s fulfillment of His promises.
The angel of the Lord (a messenger from God) stood before the lowly shepherds
in the field with their sheep. These men “were terrified.” The shepherds recognized
they saw a messenger from God. How did they know this? The “glory of the Lord
shone around them.” The Jews understood this phenomenon. Their shared history
evoked images of Moses embodying the glory of the Lord, having spent time with
Him on the mountain and in the tabernacle. The Israelites asked Moses to cover
his face because they feared being struck dead by God because of looking
directly at God’s glory. This fear carried over to the worship in the
tabernacle and, later, the temple. God told the Levites to tie a rope around
the chief priest’s waist to pull him out of the Holy of Holies should he not
return from offering what was required of him. If the chief priest entered into
God’s presence (the Holy of Holies) without having ritually cleansed himself,
he would die.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">The
Hebrews recognized the presence of God, so when the shepherds of Luke 2 saw the
angel of the Lord, they absolutely were terrified. The shepherds recognized
they saw the glory of God in His messenger and feared they would die because of
being in the presence of God’s glory. Instead, the angel surprised the shepherds
by telling them not to be afraid, but aware and joyous. The angel said in Luke
2:10-11, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that
will be for all people: Today in the city of David, a Savior has been born to
you. He is Christ the Lord.” The shepherds had no reason to fear when the glory
of the Lord rested upon the angels. The angels brought the good news of great
joy that the Savior, of whom prophets and angels foretold for millennia, was
just born. They heralded the proclamation, the good news of the birthday of the
Christ. These describe what the word <i>noel</i> means. Proclamation in word of
the good news of the Messiah’s birth.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">Now,
consider again the song, <i>The First Noel.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoQuote" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center;">The first Noel the angel did say<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">Was to certain poor shepherds in
fields as they lay;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">in fields where they lay keeping
their sheep,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">on a cold winter’s night that was
so deep.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">Born is the King of Israel<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">They looked up and saw a star<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">shining in the east, beyond them
far;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">and to the earth it gave great
light,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">and so it continued both day and
night.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; text-indent: 0in;">Born is the King of Israel.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">Even to
this day, the proclamation of the Messiah’s birth continues to ring from one
people group to another and from one nation to another. The foretelling of
Jesus’ ex birth is no longer. <b>Instead, the punctuation of His birth is an
exclamation.</b> It proclaims the salvation He gives to any person who believes
in Him as the Messiah, the Savior from sin and death. Jesus’ birth was not an
afterthought. From before creation, God planned to save His creation—people
made in His image—because of His great love for us. Paul explains this in
Ephesians 1:3-5 when he wrote to the church at Ephesus. He wrote, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoQuote">Blessed be
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with
every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.<a name="5"></a> For He chose us
in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His
presence. In love<a name="6"></a>, He predestined us for adoption as His sons
through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will. (Berean Study
Bible)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">God’s
love for His creation began before He created people. He heralded His love by His
messengers—prophets and angels—in the Old Testament. He proclaimed the birth of
His Son, Jesus, with angels. God does not mean for the proclamation to end
since Jesus already was born and later crucified, risen to back to life, ascended
to heaven, and now sitting at the Father’s right hand. No, the proclamation
days have not ended. Jesus instructed His disciples (any person who has believed
in Him and been saved) about this in Matthew 28:18-20. He said, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoQuote">All
authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.<a name="20"></a> Therefore,
go and make disciples<span class="fn"><i><span style="color: #0092f2;"> </span></i></span>of
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And
surely, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">Any
person who has ever believed in Jesus for salvation is His disciple. To each of
them, to us, He issues this commission. Christian disciples must herald the
good news of Jesus' birth and the salvation He offers by their teaching,
preaching, singing, and any other means possible. Love came down that day and
continues to come from God. He wants all people to know of His great love and
the salvation belief in Jesus as God’s Son gives.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif;">Be the Herald. Sing Noel!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-88637221656473682982023-12-03T09:00:00.001+02:002023-12-03T09:00:16.252+02:00Relationships in the Lord’s Prayer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6EVDBczQ6h8Uy6bcrQf-AnARAIgBktCMS-8S8BvuBhCEvT7xJKmGkQfED8MS0Dqw9tlaDMiRLWpjfYKsOmk0n8ThzqCqCNCdzdX0BWm48-uZSSIC7GaQ1lpkShIZJQrdAinmKKdR5kzaSimukGwp4CpthoDe_6sysTCvQPDk510-faIO8O9VDw13aN2j/s828/IMG_7480.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="828" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6EVDBczQ6h8Uy6bcrQf-AnARAIgBktCMS-8S8BvuBhCEvT7xJKmGkQfED8MS0Dqw9tlaDMiRLWpjfYKsOmk0n8ThzqCqCNCdzdX0BWm48-uZSSIC7GaQ1lpkShIZJQrdAinmKKdR5kzaSimukGwp4CpthoDe_6sysTCvQPDk510-faIO8O9VDw13aN2j/w400-h395/IMG_7480.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">— </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Matthew </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">6:</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">14</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Notice, this verse immediately follows the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus didn’t say feed people as God has fed you. He didn’t say keep other people from being tempted as God has you. In the prayer, Jesus acknowledged God—His holiness, supremacy, reign, power, love, mercy, forgiveness, and wisdom. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The only time in the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus speaks about what a person is to do is in relation to forgiving another person. In the rest of this prayer, Jesus speaks about what God does, can do, or will do in relation to us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Why is it significant that Jesus spoke about our action in a prayer to God? Why did He choose to speak to us about forgiving a person?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In each of the other parts of this prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray to God recognizing who He is and the most important things we need. He emphasized our relationship to God. When we pray, we are expressing our relationship with God. Just like when we speak with people with whom we are in relationship, we speak with God through prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Still, why did Jesus include the phrase about us forgiving as God forgives? God created us for relationship. We desire relationship with Him and other people. In every other part of this prayer, Jesus spoke about our relationship with God in recognition of who He is. If we do not forgive people, it disrupts our relationships with God and people. Unforgiveness is like a seismic shift in the earth’s core. We don’t fit together well with God and people if we harbor hatred, anger, or grudges. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to recognize who God is and who we are in relationship to Him. In doing this, our relationship with God stays intact and not fractured. Jesus, in this prayer, also reminded us God forgives and restores relationship with us, and that we must forgive and restore relationships with people as God forgives us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus emphasized this by pointing it out in verse 14. He said, if you forgive people their wrongs against you, then God will forgive you. Is God’s forgiveness conditional? It’s conditioned on our repentance and confession. When we need to forgive someone, all the fault for the break in relationship is not on the other person. We have erred, too. When we forgive the person, we end up recognizing our part in the fractured relationship. This recognition leads us to confession and repentance to God. Forgiving others renews relationship with the person and with God. Verse 14, then, is accurate; we forgive others, then God forgives us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us” (Matt 6:12). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We pray in recognition of who God is. We forgive in recognition of God’s forgiving us. Both are about relationships. God created us for vertical and horizontal relationships. Forgiving renews vertical and horizontal relationships as does regular talking with God and significant people in our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-88639299867182766782023-11-26T14:54:00.005+02:002023-11-26T14:54:46.384+02:00Living in Love, Not Fear<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2cD9LLm7mzgm3aKyVgT7FN6E1VpsqrR36y2YOIYi4NZV9Ow4Bi6_sfXg4VbkuilbfULgftLvbqwhCM2dSnBZKa-WTHJkGF2mvRULx5UHb-6KsVwbuBKW2Kh1yLzVSIcnUl0XfSbJpr-GTJ08KtvtZGSt5FUAxZt7w5DQfydL0gZoR3nrxpKErZvX1MCl/s606/IMG_7381.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="606" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2cD9LLm7mzgm3aKyVgT7FN6E1VpsqrR36y2YOIYi4NZV9Ow4Bi6_sfXg4VbkuilbfULgftLvbqwhCM2dSnBZKa-WTHJkGF2mvRULx5UHb-6KsVwbuBKW2Kh1yLzVSIcnUl0XfSbJpr-GTJ08KtvtZGSt5FUAxZt7w5DQfydL0gZoR3nrxpKErZvX1MCl/w400-h399/IMG_7381.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God is saved, then God remains in him and he in God.</p><p>Because of this confession of belief in Jesus and God living in him, we believers have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love and love (God) lives in the person when the person remains in God (love).</p><p>By remaining with God and in His love, love is perfected within us. In that way, we may have confidence on the day of judgment of our eternal inheritance with God in His kingdom because we are as He is in this world, living in it but not bound by its temptations and sins. We are saved by Jesus. </p><p>There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love—God’s love— drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. We believers should have no fear of punishment for, by their belief in Jesus, God, with His perfect love, removed the judgment for our sins.</p><p>So, any believer who fears has not reached perfection in love. For what do we have to fear since, by Jesus’ death, our sins have been wiped from our name in God’s books. </p><p>Jesus makes believers righteous by His sinless death. God’s love lives in us and we in Him if we remain in a close relationship with Him. As we draw closer to God and become more like Jesus, love is made more and more perfect—complete—in us. Because we have God’s love in us, we believers have no reason to fear. Instead, have confidence in the promise of our hope of eternal life with God. For from God’s love in us, we have no reason to fear punishment. We are walking with Him and growing in love of and from God. </p><p>Taken from 1 John 4:15-18</p><p><br /></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-56359642077565439242023-10-30T19:26:00.001+02:002023-10-30T19:26:29.492+02:00Being Least<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRECILgOswhgEQumltn86M5ZIPJu-tI3VJREtJ9s42tfXWs0S2poCTsHpYeYlsg4Om3R6zYFC8EigH0GEvwNl-_yQePGX_tk2gQ9hEuf_KptrDA4JuUCG10HQ8HHPZh6_F4maeY0iFoq7vs8sHq3bzgDYL7s-TXAeXne16gOsAkw4MaCh2HTTy8ZwqVhP/s828/Mark%2010%20vs%2045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRECILgOswhgEQumltn86M5ZIPJu-tI3VJREtJ9s42tfXWs0S2poCTsHpYeYlsg4Om3R6zYFC8EigH0GEvwNl-_yQePGX_tk2gQ9hEuf_KptrDA4JuUCG10HQ8HHPZh6_F4maeY0iFoq7vs8sHq3bzgDYL7s-TXAeXne16gOsAkw4MaCh2HTTy8ZwqVhP/w400-h400/Mark%2010%20vs%2045.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>They (James and John) said to Him, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your
right and one on Your left, in Your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not
know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be
baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” They said to Him, “We are
able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you
shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. But to sit on My
right or on My left is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has
been prepared.” Hearing this, the other ten felt indignant with James and John.
Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are
recognized as rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and their people in
high position exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you;
rather, whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant; and
whoever wants to be first among you shall be a slave of all. For even the Son
of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a
ransom for many.” (Mark 10:37-45, NASB, 2020)</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span> </span>This example of hearing something different from what the speaker
intended happens often with people. James and John, two of the three apostles
in Jesus’ inner circle, asked to have a position of authority forever in Jesus’
glory. Their idea proved they still had the world’s mindset. The other ten apostles
heard what they asked with the same mindset and responded with surprise. That misunderstanding
led them to challenge the two brothers. The ten apostles wanted people to see
them as having authority and leadership, not just John and James. Understanding
these things, let’s walk through this lesson.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span> </span>Amazingly, Jesus did not get frustrated or angry with his twelve disciples,
but was patient and gracious as He taught them and made them to be fishers of
men. By this time, Jesus had been with His twelve chosen men for almost three
years. The Twelve had seen the miracles Jesus did, heard the teachings He
spoke, and watched how He interacted with people. Right before James and John
made their request of Jesus, Jesus told His disciples the chief priests would
condemn Him to death and hand Him over to the Gentiles (Romans) to be mocked,
spit on, flogged, and put to death, but He would rise three days later (Mark
10:33-34).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span> </span>This causes later readers and hearers of the disciples’ discussion with
Jesus to wonder if the disciples had been listening to Him. Jesus had taught
them several things in the earlier verses. To Him, each person is important.
Consider the following teachings by Jesus in Mark 1.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span> </span> In Mark 10:1-12, Jesus corrected
the Pharisees’ interpretation of Moses’ law that they could divorce their wives
and marry another woman. The Pharisees only understood the words Moses said and
allowed that to guide them in life. They had not recognized Moses and God, who
guided Moses’ leadership over the Israelites, had given this law because the
Israelites had hardened hearts. They did not want to follow God’s command that
each man should have one wife. With the law God gave to Moses to proclaim, God
protected the wives from becoming outcasts because of being divorced—a used
woman, not a virgin. He protected them from a life of ostracism and poverty. As
a married woman, she would have a husband to provide for and protect her. As a
divorced woman, she had no one to provide for and protect her, unless she had a
son who would take care of her. This law protected the husband, too, by keeping
him from being considered an adulterer when he married another woman. The
people did not care about God’s intent for the law, just the letters of the
law, what was seen and heard. Women and men are important to God. Nobody should
be cast off like dirt. Likewise, men should not cast off their wives, just as
God would not cast His own people away.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span> </span>Next in Mark, Jesus welcomed and blessed the children. His disciples had
tried to keep them away from Jesus. Jesus was “indignant” with them for keeping
the children away. Young children were nobodies in society. They were trained
at home. Children shepherds, carried the day’s water from the well, learned the
family trade, were taught the Law and Prophets, and a person spoke to them. With
Mark 10:13-16, Jesus saw the children. He welcomed them. Jesus took them in His
arms, blessed them, and laid His hands upon them. Jesus’ recognition of them
and deep care of and blessing of the children showed all who saw and heard that
they are important. People should love and bless children, as Jesus showed by
example. Children are not nobodies. God welcomes them into His kingdom with
open arms. They are important.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span> </span>In Mark 10:17-31, Jesus spoke with a rich, young ruler. The disciples asked
questions of Jesus about what He said to the ruler. This young ruler asked a deep
question. He asked, “What shall I do so that I may inherit eternal life?” This
young man recognized Jesus as a teacher of Scripture. He sincerely wanted to be
with God in heaven. When Jesus reminded the ruler of the last six commandments,
the young man said he had kept them since he was a youth. Jesus zeroed into the
heart of the man and the matter. He knew the thing that would keep the young
man away from God and inheriting heaven. Jesus next replied to the young ruler
to sell all he owned and give to the poor, then he would have treasure in
heaven. Jesus’ answer continued. He added, “then come follow Me.” Mark
explained the man left “deeply dismayed.” The young man kept the commandments. He
recognized obeying the commandments would not make him sinless to he could “inherit
heaven.” His mind knew the laws. Jesus’ words went deeper; they went to the
young man’s heart. The young ruler wanted to keep doing things without a change
in his life’s circumstances. Jesus knew what kept the man from inheriting
heaven. The young man’s things of earth held greater sway over him than being
right with God. He made his possessions his god instead of Yahweh. When Jesus
confronted this young ruler, the young man understood what Jesus meant; he knew
Jesus spoke to his heart, not just his head. This man did not want to go beyond
the letter of the law, the words. He wanted to do things without considering
his heart. Jesus loved this man, just as He did the children and the Pharisees.
He wanted them to understand who they are, who He is, and to believe in Him for
salvation.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span> </span>Jesus explained this to His disciples after the rich, young ruler walked
away dismayed. He said people who are rich have a harder time entering heaven. Poor
people enter the kingdom of God more easily, Jesus added. The disciples expressed
astonishment at this teaching. They asked, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus
explained, salvation comes only by God. People cannot earn salvation by
following the commandments or any other law or precept. The rich young ruler
was weighed down by the treasures of earth and would not cast them off even to follow
Jesus and be saved.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span> </span>After hearing this conversation, Mark wrote Peter told Jesus, “We have
left everything and followed You.” The disciples each had left everything
behind to follow Jesus when He commanded them to follow Him. Jesus heard Peter’s
words and understood his unspoken question of, “Will we inherit heaven?” Jesus
said, everyone who has left all his possessions and his loved ones to follow
Him will get more in this world, including persecution. Inheriting heaven
requires more sacrifice than losing earthly treasures. It involves being
closely identified with Jesus. That means the follower may be persecuted just
as Jesus was. Yet these followers will inherit eternal life. True disciples leave
behind all ties in and to this world and follow Jesus, even though they will
face persecution. Their reward is greater than what they forsook. The reward is
eternity with God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span> </span>One other point Jesus made. His followers should place themselves last,
not first (vs. 31). Serving God should be foremost in their minds, hearts, and
actions. The rich, young ruler willingly gave his mind and actions up to a
point. He was unwilling to give his heart and obedience to Jesus’ leading from his
heart’s conviction. Jesus spent time with this young man because he was important,
like the children and Pharisees were important. The rich ruler was not a nobody
in the world’s eyes and he refused to give away what made him a somebody in his
world. Jesus spoke to and about religious leaders (the religious and moral
leaders of the Jews, who were important because of their jobs), children (the
lowly nobodies of society), and a rich, young ruler (important by wealth and
status). Each of these people received their status by human standards. Jesus
turned the tables on their understanding of people’s importance. The last (the
least/lowliest in people’s eyes) shall be first (the ones who would believe in
Jesus and inherit salvation easiest) and the first (the people who see no need
for believing in Jesus because they have everything they need) shall be last.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span> </span>Jesus spoke to and taught about the greatest and least in society
according to humanity’s standards. He explained they each are important, and He
came so each person can inherit heaven. With Jesus’ next teaching, He explained
how that would be. Jesus foretold the suffering and death He would experience
(vs. 33-34). He would be arrested, condemned to death, flogged, beaten, hung on
a cross, and die, yet death would not confine Him. Jesus would return to life
from death. In Mark’s account of Jesus telling His disciples this, Peter did
not rebuke Jesus for saying these things, unlike in Matthew 16:22. Instead, Mark
recorded James and John asking Jesus to grant them to be seated on His left and
right hand in the kingdom of heaven. John and James believed in Jesus, served Him,
and wanted to have a seat of priority and authority in heaven. These two
brothers wanted recognition from people. Had they not heard what Jesus had just
said about the rich, young ruler? Did they misunderstand leaders would serve
and the last would become first by their so doing (vs. 31)? Matthew 20:20-28
records James’ and John’s mother asked this of Jesus for her sons. She did not
understand what she requested for her sons.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span> </span>Jesus explained what it meant for a leader, one who is first in the eyes
of people, to become one of the least. He knew these two disciples of His did
not understand what they asked from Him when they desired to be first in His kingdom
among all the people. Jesus taught by asking them a question. He began by
telling them they did not know what they asked of Him. Jesus then asked James
and John in verse 31, “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or be baptized
with the baptism with which I am baptized?” Without pause, they replied they
understood, but did they? Jesus did not mean they were to drink from the same
dinner cup Him drank or to rise from the Jordan River after being baptized in
water. Drinking the same cup meant to follow Jesus in the same way He walked,
lived, and died. Jesus had explained to them just a moment before that He would
be tortured, condemned to death, and die on a cross. Had these two disciples misheard
or misunderstood? Did they misunderstand Jesus’ analogy of the cup and baptism?
Maybe they were too eager and did not count the total cost of discipleship in
their head. Possibly, they were too quick to ensure they received the coveted position
of authority. Perhaps these two disciples asked and replied hastily to get done
what their mother asked them to do. Whatever the reason, Jesus granted them the
servantship of a leader who would become one of the least. He told them, “The
cup that I drink, you shall drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism
with which I am baptized” (vs. 39). Jesus
gave them what He intended for them as His disciples. Then He answered them
about their request. Jesus said, “To sit on My right or My left is not Mine to
give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared” (vs. 40). Jesus, the
Son, knew the Father’s intention about this. He understood God had prepared
these seats of authority for others.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span> </span>Jesus did not and could not give the seats of recognition, authority,
and power to James and John because the Godhead had already determined who
would occupy them. In keeping with what He had been teaching, Jesus reiterated
the heart of the person is what God requires, not action from position or
status. Those who inherit heaven are the meek—the nobodies of society and the
ones who serve God by serving other people. Even with these teachings and
examples, the disciples feared others would have authority and power over them.
How do we know? Mark recorded in verse 41 the other ten disciples became
indignant with John and James. Each person understands the feeling these ten
disciples experienced. We ourselves may have experienced it in our families or
at work when someone who we considered our equal or lesser gets a position, coveted
task, or reward we felt we deserved. It can occur when that person tries to get
noticed for a position above ours. Our response might be anger and indignation toward
that person. The ten disciples may have felt these things toward James and
John. Why did James and John think were so special? Peter, of those ten disciples,
must have felt this more since he was one of the three in Jesus’ inner circle. Jesus
understood the hearts of men and of these twelve men who had lived with him for
three years. He realized they were angry in their hearts at James and John, though
they did not say so. Jesus reminded them Gentile leaders ruled over them and
they themselves had people who ruled over them. The world works in that way. A
hierarchy of power exists in the way humanity runs the world and all creation
in it. Yet, that is not the God’s way.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span> </span>Jesus reminded the twelve disciples that is not the way they are to be. He
explained that the prominent one serves the others and the one who aspires to
be the first among them must be the slave of them all. Jesus explained that
even the Son of Man (the Son of God) did not come to be served, but to serve and
give His life as a ransom for people (vs. 45). A true follower of Jesus does
what is necessary in life to help/serve other people, not considering if wealth
or sickness will come because of serving as God leads him. In this way, the one
who is first (the one who has received the promise of eternity in God’s kingdom
by his faith in Jesus) is the one who must serve others at God’s command so
they will live better lives and come to know Jesus as their Savior, too. Lest
we think we are too good to do what God asks, or we have done what He required
and now deserve a better job, remember Jesus did what was necessary to provide
humanity with salvation and eternity in heaven with Him. He also came back to
life and lived among people continuing to teach for 40 more days on earth
before His ascension. We are never too good to do what God tells us to do. No
matter how often God tells us to do a task, we are only done with it when God
tells us to do something different. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span> </span>No person is beneath any other. Christians especially need to make this
mental note a permanent part of their lives by living it out through their
hearts. Nobody is worthless and unworthy to be saved. No person in the world is
a nobody who does not deserve recognition. Jesus saw, loved, and blessed the
children. He recognized the hearts of the Jews who wanted to divorce their wives
and provided the correct teaching to love and protect wives from becoming
outcasts and labels as sinners. Jesus understood the heart and mind of the rich,
young ruler who tried to work his way into heaven. He loves them and wants them
to recognize Him and receive an inheritance in the kingdom of God. No person is
beneath another. We each are sinners who need the Savior. No one is superior to
others. The one whom God puts into leadership/authority has responsibility for
serving the people who need help, who have less, or who do not know Jesus. God
puts each person in positions not to flaunt it over others or drive them into
the ground, but to help them and be a channel of God’s blessings to them by
word and action. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. His way of living led to
condemnation, persecution, and death. His death provides salvation. Jesus’
resurrection provides eternal life to each person who believes in Him. His
authority provides all anyone needs in this life and eternally. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The questions that come from this chapter are: In which position has God
placed you? What does God want you to do with your position, authority, and resources
He has given you? Today, for whom will you become least so that you can serve
him or her?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype", serif; font-size: 12pt;">James was the first apostle to die for following and preaching Jesus and
the salvation He gives. He was killed by the sword. John was the oldest and last
apostle to die. He spent his life teaching and preaching. John was exiled from
people but continued to teach through his letters until his death. Both men
drank of Jesus’ cup and were baptized with His baptism. Are you drinking of
Jesus’ cup today? Are you willing to be baptized with Jesus’ baptism? Be like
these leaders who became least to serve Jesus and people until their dying
breath.</span></p></div><p><br /></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-81514964493038275992023-10-18T11:22:00.001+02:002023-10-18T11:22:12.834+02:00Gracious Undeserved Love<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsAKgv48J1qDvU1jiflj6T7fuZjA6jm9i5NAHe-5eDC4tTdI5MGD9dnVPDLB-0YI6BVLLX04Db9mQNRO2WxQbZ9kV38WXOI-BuHGTo0JvMG3vck8FCV34aNzNe3mMAvlevpBdTBOY7zWu6EffLdDaUAe1fR1p2F8zUdBGDVYwPQMdILYnyi8xGvn3ccMQ/s614/IMG_7108.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="606" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsAKgv48J1qDvU1jiflj6T7fuZjA6jm9i5NAHe-5eDC4tTdI5MGD9dnVPDLB-0YI6BVLLX04Db9mQNRO2WxQbZ9kV38WXOI-BuHGTo0JvMG3vck8FCV34aNzNe3mMAvlevpBdTBOY7zWu6EffLdDaUAe1fR1p2F8zUdBGDVYwPQMdILYnyi8xGvn3ccMQ/w395-h400/IMG_7108.jpeg" width="395" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">— Luke 6:35<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Do not just love—phileo—but love with the agape love by which God loves you. This is a present tense command. Do it now, not later. Love them because I, the Messiah, love you, even though you were My enemies. Love the people who intentionally set out to cause you harm. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Do more than that. Let your agape love—the love with which I (Jesus) love you and have put in you—cause you to do good to your enemies. Don’t stop at the idea of good the world has. Do the good that comes from God’s character—absolute good that seeks what is the best for that person—even though the person is intent on harming you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">To the extent of giving to the enemy what he asks from you, do that good. Go further; make your intent not to expect the loan of what they borrowed to be returned. Lend with this intention and don’t despair when it’s not returned. Lend with God’s mindset of loving by doing what’s best. Jesus did not come to earth so we could borrow salvation from Him. He came so that we might <u>have </u>salvation. Jesus gives salvation to us with no conditions other than we believe in Him as the Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. Our gift from Him is unconditional. We don’t have to return it. We can’t die a crucifixion to give life back to Jesus. We can’t make anything live by our death. We can’t make Jesus alive because He did that for Himself three days after His death. Additionally, we can’t make anything come back to life because we are mortal and powerless over death and the grave. So, lend with the goodness that comes from God and with His love not intending to get back that which you give. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Do we need a reward or any kind of notice for loving and doing good? On this earth, our fame, if we get any, will fade with our deaths. Our reward in heaven will be based on our intent. The reward we should seek is from God in heaven. He looks at our hearts and rewards us for the love, love, and good we’ve given. Our greatest reward, as people who believe in Jesus, is to be children of God and heirs of heaven with Jesus. This inheritance cost us nothing. That is our ultimate reward and hope. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Remember, we once were ungrateful enemies of God, yet He still loved us, did good for us, and gave to us sacrificially. So, take what you’ve been given by God and use it to love your enemies, do good to them, and give them what they need. All these—love, goodness, and gifts—come from God. He expects and hopes you will channel what He is giving you even to the people who intend to harm you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">God was kind to the ungrateful and wicked. He is gracious and benevolent to them when they don’t deserve it, even to giving salvation and eternal life with Him in heaven. So, you be kind and show God’s gracious love to your enemies so they may one day believe in Jesus and receive God’s grace, too. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:27-31)<o:p></o:p></span></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-78206028651185119192023-10-11T10:26:00.001+02:002023-10-11T10:26:17.516+02:00Watch and Pray<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQQeo87FqJdhoi8kdubhbcLV2-B1uzZNn5dh5gc69591dOEj-s8gbvr6-9iIwax6UIQi3MWFQIaVSvndFgM79Mxvgks5jG6D4C5qL3zyIHdZHtB53BOzS_NU06-vhtVauyutN5RAAp-xs0r2rrh2672tDM8j7NQV92VsJ_4FtaH1eNbXHo_0U5wNOq5Vx/s828/IMG_7022.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQQeo87FqJdhoi8kdubhbcLV2-B1uzZNn5dh5gc69591dOEj-s8gbvr6-9iIwax6UIQi3MWFQIaVSvndFgM79Mxvgks5jG6D4C5qL3zyIHdZHtB53BOzS_NU06-vhtVauyutN5RAAp-xs0r2rrh2672tDM8j7NQV92VsJ_4FtaH1eNbXHo_0U5wNOq5Vx/w400-h400/IMG_7022.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A second time He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, may Your will be done.” (Matt 26:42, BSB)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Anyone who has been to a Christian church at Easter or when the Lord’s Supper is observed likely will have heard this passage from Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane after serving the Lord’s Supper to His twelve disciples. He was hours away from being led to His crucifixion. Jesus, in His human form, was sorrowful about what He would endure by the Jews and Romans. Yet, because He was wholly God as well as human, He knew what He came to earth to do must be done to save people from the sins and judgment of their sins—death, an eternal separation from God. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Why is this important for us? The foremost reason is that God does not want us to live in eternal hell separated from Him because He loves us. God wants to give us the best life now and forever, a life full of peace, love, and joy, all of which come from Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Why else is this verse important for us? The example Jesus, the man, gives to us of surrendering to Father for His best plan, His perfect purpose, is what we need to see, understand, and enact. Jesus first approached the Father in verse 39. Matthew wrote, “Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.’” Jesus sought the Father for strength for His human self to be brave and to endure the terrible trial He would go through very soon. He sought to be with the Father for closeness and connection, just as a child of any age seeks closeness and connection with his/her parent. One other important point we need to see is Jesus was solely surrendered to the plan the Godhead (including Himself, the Son) made to redeem each person who believes in Him. Jesus surrendered to the Godhead’s will and perfect plan. He sought closeness with the Father. Jesus sought strength to endure the terrible torment He would soon experience. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Why, then, does it seem Jesus said the same thing in verse 42? In the two verses between Jesus’ two statements to the Father, Jesus walked to Peter, James, and John and found them sleeping. He asked if they weren’t able to keep watch with Him for one hour. At first thought, one hour is not a long time. Most people read, watch tv, or talk with people easily for an hour. Consider now what Jesus expected them to do. He expected them to watch and pray. How many people do you know who pray for one hour? What about for thirty minutes? Fifteen minutes? Jesus expected them to do more than stay awake and pray. He expected the three to keep watch. Being watchful is being alert to temptations, temptations to not look at God but self, that potentially lead to sin. Jesus expected the three men to keep watch against coming temptation by praying to have God’s strength to defeat that temptation and continue onward with God. Jesus wanted Peter, James, and John to prepare to face their battles against temptation. They could do this by recognizing their human weaknesses and praying for God’s strength to overcome their weaknesses so they could stay close to and surrendered to Him. When Jesus walked to them in verse 40, He found the three men surrendered to their bodies in sleep. They didn’t see that hour for what it was, one of few hours before their Messiah would fulfill the prophecies to give release to the captives. Instead, the three disciples sought no strength from God to endure through the night, pray for their Messiah, and pray for the people who would hear about Him to believe in Jesus. A lot can happen in an hour. An hour isn’t very long after all. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In verse 42, Jesus said, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, may Your will be done.” Compare it to what He said in verse 39, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” In these verses, Jesus basically said the same thing. The first time, the three disciples may not have understood what Jesus said at the Lord’s Supper would actually occur. They might not have understood the necessity of praying that night. In verses 40 and 41, Jesus told them for what they should pray. He then returned to His own prayer place to be with the Father as the disciples watched and heard Him pray. Jesus modeled for them again why to pray—to be close to the Father in heart, mind, and spirit. He showed them with this prayer time about asking for God’s strength to do what is God’s will. Most importantly, Jesus showed the three how to submit and surrender to God’s perfect plan. It begins with being in a close relationship with Him. By communing with Him daily, the disciples could get God’s strength and walk His journey for their lives with Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Did the three disciples stay awake that second time? No, Jesus returned to them and found them asleep. Jesus asked the disciples in verse 38 to stay at the place He told them and keep watch with Him. His goal was multi-purpose. Jesus wanted to be with His Father. He, as a man, would experience a terrible torment on the cross. Jesus submitted and surrendered to the will of the Godhead to love humanity in this extreme way. He wanted to show the three disciples how to stand against temptation by praying for God’s strength to defeat it. Temptations can come in simple ways like falling to the human weakness of tiredness and not taking time to draw close to God. It can come in sensational ways, too, like tormenting a person’s heart, mind, body, and spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Submitting and surrendering to God can be as easy as asking for more energy and focus to be with God in prayer. The three disciples fell asleep. It appears they didn’t ask for God’s strength to stay awake to watch and pray for themselves, the other disciples, unbelievers, and Jesus. Each of us know what most likely keeps us from praying. Without prayer, it’s hard to submit to God and surrender to His will. Without prayer, we won’t know His will or have His power to surrender our will for His.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Instead of Jesus saying to us like He did to the three men, “Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak,” may He put His mind into us that willingly says, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, may Your will be done” (Matt 26:41-42). What do you need to surrender to God today to be able to be with Him in prayer? </span><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Will you take the time to watch and pray?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My prayer for you and me is what Jesus prayed in verse 42. “My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, may Your will be done.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-12620714947449196642023-09-20T08:55:00.002+02:002023-09-20T08:55:09.699+02:00Motives Matter<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxY8haqR89kVPtqyDkWlTq5U2076wv0_3XI-mfVwmoAG3Ng-VI8hf-oEa3xoEwqLSSfc_5b6APid1hWy9stIosmtA_P0FNUjsz19veWKaMky9Eb7A6pC8ish0EFg9npaIZK-SUE5VxzpMZLFk3gWGwi6s7fKWMYld-KpU7Bh8JeXKxPsgIYeO4Um1xfKnJ/s828/IMG_6918.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxY8haqR89kVPtqyDkWlTq5U2076wv0_3XI-mfVwmoAG3Ng-VI8hf-oEa3xoEwqLSSfc_5b6APid1hWy9stIosmtA_P0FNUjsz19veWKaMky9Eb7A6pC8ish0EFg9npaIZK-SUE5VxzpMZLFk3gWGwi6s7fKWMYld-KpU7Bh8JeXKxPsgIYeO4Um1xfKnJ/w400-h400/IMG_6918.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">— Matthew 15:18<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This parable offended the Pharisees, the disciples expressed. Why is this offensive? Because it speaks to motive not just action. It speaks to a person’s desire and purpose in life. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus said the inner being is what can defile a person. Yet, not just defiles (dirties) but makes the man (the Pharisee with whom Jesus spoke, then the disciples as He explained it—Jews then every person) ceremonially unclean—defiled by sin and unable to enter into God’s presence. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Why insist on human traditions, which are transmitted orally from one generation to the next, or man’s rules and laws, which are just human interpretations from man’s sinful mind and understanding? What comes from the mouth comes from the heart. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What then has greater power in your heart, mind, and spirit—being in a right relationship with God or proving to and getting the “approval” from other people? Consider your heart. What is your desire, purpose, and driving force in your life? What leads you?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Instead of offending God, part with tradition and align your heart, mind, body, and spirit with God. Be not defiled, but cleansed by Him through belief in Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-68232993716964776172023-09-06T12:37:00.005+02:002023-09-06T12:37:48.382+02:00Unity or Discord<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzp0tFhSRem-A5MMTvHdR26kkQ9O-eJlk_qHwdBTPhAisLq9WCQHM2RlWNXKgrhawdFjszHl58x4Jf7m12flffrtHqluUgpQLHY5YNQZgQtMhFFEKRRL2j2wPNP_8VGIDgLMKGP-a9AoRBlKPAC96BnrevkExS9NisNUKgYI9xDMf8EII1U3PvbKTpuCs/s828/IMG_6792.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzp0tFhSRem-A5MMTvHdR26kkQ9O-eJlk_qHwdBTPhAisLq9WCQHM2RlWNXKgrhawdFjszHl58x4Jf7m12flffrtHqluUgpQLHY5YNQZgQtMhFFEKRRL2j2wPNP_8VGIDgLMKGP-a9AoRBlKPAC96BnrevkExS9NisNUKgYI9xDMf8EII1U3PvbKTpuCs/w400-h400/IMG_6792.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Now may the God, who gives endurance and who supplies encouragement, grant that you be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">— Romans 15:5<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My Interpretation of this verse after reading the Greek words is:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Now May God, who gives you His strength to persevere and who inspires you, give each of you together the same mind, according to Christ Jesus, who made you one in mind (not discordant), with Him through the salvation He gave you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Notice that God gives His strength to persevere and His inspiration for how to be and live. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Notice, also, Jesus gave the believers salvation and gave them the ability to be of the same mindset, not in opposition. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What did Paul say the Roman Christians were to do? Choose to be of the same mind with other believers. Choose to seek and receive from God the strength to live in unity like Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. Choose to live life as God divinely inspires. Choose to be united/harmonious with the other Christians. Recognize the three main verbs—choose. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Being in harmony with other people is a matter of your will. Will you choose to be like the Son, Father, and Spirit, to be unified? Will you accept and use the strength God offers His children? Will you choose to live your life as God inspires and guides you? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus chose to follow the will of the Godhead, of which He is a part. He gave up His human will of preservation of self. He chose to follow the divine will of offering Himself as the holy sacrifice needed to redeem people from their sins and the guilt of their sins. He gives believers the power over temptation with His strength.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus chose to be united with God. Their love for humanity, though unlovely we are, led them to provide this sacrifice. Jesus willed for each of us to be united with God, to be in harmony with Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Do you choose to be in harmony with God?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Will you choose to have the mind of Christ? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Will you be united with God and other believers in mind and purpose?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Consider Philippians 2:5-11:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. For this reason, also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name, which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Will you choose unity with God or discordant chaos of life and mind?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Romans 15:6 gives us the reason we should be in unity. It says, “so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify and praise and honor the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (AMP).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You have a choice to make today.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-91265101722609125602023-09-02T22:42:00.001+02:002023-09-02T22:42:37.308+02:00Bread, Fish, and Egg<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDRPXgL0l31PkkLbSlSOqSlqwT4ObnlHIXtu10_jwiXMJIqrfhhLeKNLWgb2jbTEQOL40wNditVsYxc-gNnI82Mg_UtnEvRimYsRDdO4MgqC74XyxWOPxcpUCNQ2CW8aS4Jr_LBN_4ZpyGdgX3NVSlHo0Gu73B5hUwhuXgEjsqlYGk-PhUyqqebYoHkAN/s828/IMG_6778.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDRPXgL0l31PkkLbSlSOqSlqwT4ObnlHIXtu10_jwiXMJIqrfhhLeKNLWgb2jbTEQOL40wNditVsYxc-gNnI82Mg_UtnEvRimYsRDdO4MgqC74XyxWOPxcpUCNQ2CW8aS4Jr_LBN_4ZpyGdgX3NVSlHo0Gu73B5hUwhuXgEjsqlYGk-PhUyqqebYoHkAN/w400-h400/IMG_6778.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Bread, Fish, and Egg<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“So, if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">— Luke 11:13<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We’ve all heard and read of Jesus teaching that a good father would give bread, not a stone, fish, not a snake, and an egg, not a scorpion. A good father will give good things to his child—life, food/longevity (descendants), and freedom/solace/joy. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus had this in mind as He taught His disciples about prayer. When the disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray, He taught the Lord’s Prayer. He said,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“OUR FATHER” (God is the summa of goodness and love, the example of summa parenting. When we say this, we acknowledge our recognition of Him as Creator of all, our Abba of our heart, soul, mind, and body.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“IN HEAVEN” (The supreme God, Creator of heaven and earth reigns eternally on His throne. He is not limited to earth but rules over all that is from His throne in His highest heaven.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“HOLY IS YOUR NAME” (YHWH’s name is so magnificent that it tells of the only Almighty One, YHWH. It thrills our soul. Our spirit sings when He is near.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“YOUR KINGDOM COME” (As You reign in heaven, bring Your good, pleasant, and magnificent kingdom to dwell among us. This part of the prayer addresses our spiritual need of God to reign around and in us, to give us renewed spiritual life through and in Him, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">which means…)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“YOUR WILL BE DONE” (only You, YHWH, are supremely good and cause only good to occur. LORD, may Your will alone be done)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“HERE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN” (as recorded in Matthew 6:10) (We recognize Your goodness, greatness, and omnipotence. I AM. Have Your throne among us, Lord.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“GIVE US EACH DAY OUR DAILY BREAD” (This prayer now addresses our physical earthly needs and recognizes our need to remain in God’s family. We fool ourselves thinking we can go off on our own and live life for ourselves. We are dependent on God for His good gifts of life-sustenance.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“AND FORGIVE US OUR SINS” (Recognize only God is able to absolutely forgive, pardon, and remove the stain and guilt our sins place on and in us. This is our recognition God is Savior and Redeemer. We confess we are aware God made our spirits and we need His nurture and cleansing spiritually. We are dependent on God spiritually whether we recognize it or not. Jesus led the disciples to recognize that through this prayer. This statement comes from our heart, soul, mind, and body.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“FOR WE OURSELVES ALSO FORGIVE ANYONE WHO IS INDEBTED TO US” (We are only able to do this because God has shown us how to do it through His forgiveness of us and has put this goodness in us when He did. He began making us like Him and drawing us into a right relationship when He did. We also need to be in right relationships with other people. This affects our hearts, too.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION” (Remind us that You, YHWH, give us hope, daily bodily sustenance, forgiveness, and daily right relationships with YOU and other people. What more do we need. You provide for our bodies, spirits, minds, and hearts. Make us content with these <i>summum</i> <i>donum</i>—supreme gifts. Nothing a temptation offers is better than what You, YHWH, give us though we don’t deserve anything from You.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">God gives better than bread, fish, and egg. He gives Life, Eternality/Food (life and family forever), and Solace and Freedom (forgiveness of our sins and power over temptations). Jesus is the Bread of Life. He is the Way to eternal Life. Jesus is the Redeemer who gives freedom from the death of eternal mourning because of our separation from God forever. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">God gives even better than the best earthly father. He gives supremely good gifts—<i>summam donum. </i>His gifts give us life and freedom for our bodies, minds, souls, and hearts. The Lord’s Prayer expresses that. It expresses God’s supreme greatness and our absolute need of Him in our whole being. So much more will the Father in heaven give those who ask of Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Seek. Knock. Ask. (Luke 12:10)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ask YHWH for faith in Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ask Him for forgiveness and freedom. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ask Him for the Living Bread. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ask YHWH for the Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ask and keep on asking. Seek and keep on seeking. Knock and keep on knocking. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our ABBA in heaven, holy is YOUR name!<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1005499130606982884.post-63176290043972858672023-08-30T09:18:00.005+02:002023-08-30T09:18:44.075+02:00Reflection and Reaction<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTB83QMcd1cae2y5z5FdnTzY44M1x7iJRvAkBLFOylSv1O19QII7DV6vqApOtZCFMZMMHuoED5NvSCMkPzP9gGgLG3Z4X6Xe6AKCPzGiEIZldEGNRtFyUPLiH-67PWr2QAhLmGuwjJPCjfb-9vSGzuCLjc5ZMGi-AJLId0y_LoOmyaKpj8ONJ48SFP8KCl/s615/IMG_6751.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="615" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTB83QMcd1cae2y5z5FdnTzY44M1x7iJRvAkBLFOylSv1O19QII7DV6vqApOtZCFMZMMHuoED5NvSCMkPzP9gGgLG3Z4X6Xe6AKCPzGiEIZldEGNRtFyUPLiH-67PWr2QAhLmGuwjJPCjfb-9vSGzuCLjc5ZMGi-AJLId0y_LoOmyaKpj8ONJ48SFP8KCl/w400-h399/IMG_6751.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">— John 15:3<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Why would Jesus change metaphors here? First, He speaks about pruning then cleaning then returns to the vine image. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In this passage, pruning the vine means removing the portions that aren’t producing fruit either because it’s dying because it’s not connected to its original source or because that portion of the vine (the branch) is producing bitter fruit not sweet. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus, when He said, “You are already clean,” means two things and they are both the same. The first obvious sense of the metaphor is that He meant, “Because of your faith in Me, you are cleansed from your sins.” That is the easy, obvious understanding. Each Gospel writer uses this analogy. And here, Jesus still means that, but why mix the metaphors?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So why did Jesus seem to mix His metaphors in this passage. The vine is pruned to remove that which isn’t producing or growing like the vine. When Jesus used the “clean” analogy, He referred to the same process of salvation. Just as removing the dead, non-producing, or bitter producing branches removes any negative admixture to the produce, cleansing a person through salvation removes any admixture in a person of his/her old way of life. That old way of living would taint the spiritual fruit of his/her life from his/her past bitter, sinful way of living. It would cause the fruit of the person’s new saved life not to reflect the sweetness of Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The pruning and cleansing metaphors both were very understandable to the people of Jesus’ time. The people could relate, reflect, and then react to Jesus’ message because it made sense to their first century Middle eastern lives. Pruning and cleansing are about removing from the believer any admixture from their old life that would taint, make bitter, or dirty his/her new life, which should show only the fruits that come from living a Christlike life indwelled by the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Does your life reflect only Jesus? Are there shoots or fruit in your life that are bitter, tainted, or dead that don’t produce sweet and pure fruit that reflect the new life Jesus gave you? Of what do you need to confess to God and repent? Each of us have shoots and fruit that need pruning because we each sin. You are not alone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Gail Suratt Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07405114203500443174noreply@blogger.com