I drove the suburban and Mark drove the RV down to Florida. So, I got to hear four sermons on the way down. One of the radio preachers mentioned God's answer to Moses question. What should I tell them when they ask who sent you . His relied, I AM WHO I AM, tell them that I AM sent you.
This leaves a lot of mystery about God. Spending the Month of December in the gospels, I found out a lot about the great I AM through the life of Jesus.
When His disciples asked Him to show them The Father and they would be satisfied,
Jesus said:
Don't you know who I am after all this time.
Any one who has seen Me has seen the Father
I speak God's word and represent the Father.
I am in the Father and He is in me.
He does His work through Me,
I say only what I am told to say by the one who sent me and He is truth.
Any one who welcomes my message welcomes...the Father who sent me.
You trust God, now trust Me.
Love Me and obey me and I will ask the Father and He will give you the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit will never leave you.
The Holy Spirit leads to all truth.
There is so much more in the gospels about the relationship between the Holy Trinity. These are just a few truths found in John, that Jesus said about himself.
I am the word
I am greater than all other gods
I am the companion of the Father
I am the LORD
I am the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world
I am the Light from Heaven
I am sent by God
I am God's Spirit
I am loved by my Father
I am master of the Sabbath
I am full of loving forgiveness
I am His Glory
I am the true light
I am the Creator, I made the world
I am the one who gives all who receives me the right to become children of God
I am Eternal Life
I am the living bread
I am the bread of life
I am the light of the world
I am one witness and my Father who sent me is the other
I am the light of the world
I am from above
I am not of this world
I am the One that I have always claim to be
I am the Messiah and when you kill me, you will realize it
I am telling you what I saw when I was with the Father
I am the gate
I am the Good Shepard
I am the One, sanctified and sent
I am the Son of God
I am the resurrection
I am the one who gives life
I am lifted up (on the cross)
I am Lord, Teacher and Master
I am washing your feet as an example of being a servant
I am giving you a new commandment to Love one another
I am going to prepare a place for you
I am going away, but I will come again.
I am leaving you with a gift
I am the True Vine
I am in the Father and the Father is in Me
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the father except by Me
I am not praying for you alone, but also for future believers
Did you catch that last one. Jesus is praying for us today. He is sitting on the throne in heaven with the Father and interceding for you and me. He has sent us the Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us and to draw us to a saving knowledge of God the Father and Jesus the Son. The great sin of the world today, is unbelief.
Do you believe? Do you know Jesus?. Do you have a personal relationship with the one who loved you enough to come down from Heaven to die for you? If not, today is the day. Do not let another day go by with out claiming the gift of salvation freely given to any one who will ask for it.
Admit that you are a sinner, acknowledge that the wages of sin is death. Believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins. Confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. Call upon the name of the Lord. Tell Him that you need a Savior and ask Him to come into your heart and be you LORD and Savior. Do it now with a simple sincere prayer.
Begin the New Year as a child of God and secure your future now. There will be a great celebration in Heaven just for you. Pick up your Bible, dust it off and start your new years off with the living Word.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
reading the gospels for December
I just finish reading the Book of John. I have really enjoyed spending December with Jesus by reading the gospels . Matthew, Mark , Luke and John are the good news about Jesus. You can read them any time and fall more in Love with our Savior.
Years ago at a Christian Women conference, Bobby Bowden was the speaker. He told his players that John was a good place to start reading the Bible. So, if you need somewhere to start reading the word next year, John is not a bad place to start.
Years ago at a Christian Women conference, Bobby Bowden was the speaker. He told his players that John was a good place to start reading the Bible. So, if you need somewhere to start reading the word next year, John is not a bad place to start.
Killer hike
We have been so busy lately that we have not done much hiking. So, we decided to start off slow and build up to real hikes...or so I thought. Our first hike was 3 miles and in the cool weather it was a breeze. Our next hike was 4 miles, still not so bad. Last night we hike 5 miles and still no problems. A couple laps around the campground after supper and we still felt good enough for a night walk. So, this morning Mark grabbed a couple of bottle waters , snack bars and almonds. That should have been a warning to me, but I'm kind of slow some times. He said that we were going to go on a 5 or 6 mile hike.
This morning was very cold, temperatures, in the 30's , so I put on appx. 30 lbs of clothes. First a tee shirt and long sleeve shirt, then a fleece jacket and a windbreaker and of course the orange vest so that we do not get shot by deer hunters. My pants were lined and I put on a scarf and a hooded scarf and a wool hat, very thick socks and walking shoe. Mark handed me my walking stick and I was ready for our hike. I had water and snack in one pocket and phone and tissue in the other pocket. We both have colds which makes breathing difficult. The fresh air will do us good...right?
The first few miles were great. We walked and talked and enjoyed all of the natural beauty that surrounded us. Some times we walked side by side and other times the trail was narrow so we walked single file. Some where between mile four and five, Mark called me pokey. He said that I was slowing down. I told him that I was getting tired and to go ahead of me, just don't get out of sight. When we were getting close to five or six miles, Mark casually said that we had four more miles to go. WHAT ? I did not sign up for eight to ten miles.
We stopped and I started taking off layers of clothes. Even though it was still cold out here, my body was getting hot and I was sweating under all these clothes. Now, when you take off clothes in the woods with out a back pack, you have to tie them to you waist. We started walking again, all up hill...I can not figure out how we always go up hill. I am officially tired by now and I say so. Big mistake, now Mark has his tablet out looking for short cuts back to camp. We are in a 50,000 acre forest. How is it that we just walked out of the park and into a residential area. We find a dirt road and get back on the path and I am hoping we are going the right way. I have tissue in my pocket, but I can not take a potty break because of all of the hunters in these woods. I have only seen two but I know they are out here and can see us.
Mark some times pushes us just past my point of endurance, but when it is over I am glad that we did it. My fearless leader finally found our way home. But for the last few miles back to our camp site, I was not a happy camper.
This morning was very cold, temperatures, in the 30's , so I put on appx. 30 lbs of clothes. First a tee shirt and long sleeve shirt, then a fleece jacket and a windbreaker and of course the orange vest so that we do not get shot by deer hunters. My pants were lined and I put on a scarf and a hooded scarf and a wool hat, very thick socks and walking shoe. Mark handed me my walking stick and I was ready for our hike. I had water and snack in one pocket and phone and tissue in the other pocket. We both have colds which makes breathing difficult. The fresh air will do us good...right?
The first few miles were great. We walked and talked and enjoyed all of the natural beauty that surrounded us. Some times we walked side by side and other times the trail was narrow so we walked single file. Some where between mile four and five, Mark called me pokey. He said that I was slowing down. I told him that I was getting tired and to go ahead of me, just don't get out of sight. When we were getting close to five or six miles, Mark casually said that we had four more miles to go. WHAT ? I did not sign up for eight to ten miles.
We stopped and I started taking off layers of clothes. Even though it was still cold out here, my body was getting hot and I was sweating under all these clothes. Now, when you take off clothes in the woods with out a back pack, you have to tie them to you waist. We started walking again, all up hill...I can not figure out how we always go up hill. I am officially tired by now and I say so. Big mistake, now Mark has his tablet out looking for short cuts back to camp. We are in a 50,000 acre forest. How is it that we just walked out of the park and into a residential area. We find a dirt road and get back on the path and I am hoping we are going the right way. I have tissue in my pocket, but I can not take a potty break because of all of the hunters in these woods. I have only seen two but I know they are out here and can see us.
Mark some times pushes us just past my point of endurance, but when it is over I am glad that we did it. My fearless leader finally found our way home. But for the last few miles back to our camp site, I was not a happy camper.
December...nothing to do
We had a very busy fall season, so we were happy to see nothing on our December calender. Little did we know. The first few days, the Tillmans came from Ecuador for a visit. Which means lots of fun, food, and family. All of the kids love to come and visit their Aunt Tevie and Uncle Jim.
They left on Monday. Tuesday, I had Bible study end of the year gathering. By then, we had gotten the call to go to New York for the Red Cross. So Mark finished the packing and we headed to Valdosta for a meeting with Jack. Found out that we would be leaving Wednesday. So, we called my brother Glenn and invited ourselves to spend the night with he and Lynn. We ate steak and sat around the fire. Wednesday morning, we waited around the Red Cross office for confirmation and orders. Drove to Jacksonville and made our 3:00 flight.
Landed in New York and took shuttle to Hotel and checked in with a lot of other Red Cross volunteers. Thursday, we had orientation and got assigned to a new program combining ERV drivers and case workers. We work for the next 15 days in an amazing fulfilling job. We did not take a day off as they suggest. We were just so excited about what we were doing. We worked our last day and took the subway to the airport and waited. After three delays because of weather, we finally loaded up and flew back to Jacksonville. When we got there, we did a little shopping and went to bed.
Saturday morning we headed to Madison for Mom's Christmas. Another day of fun, food and family. This one did have a special time for remembering all of our family members that we have lost. Took all of the grands home so that the adults could have time for themselves. The girls helped me put up two Christmas trees. Mark and Riley went to get wood for the fire pit and some cedar limbs to bring that Christmas smell that I love. When Riley brought the cedar in, we decided to use a metal Christmas tree stand and turn it into a real Charlie Brown Christmas tree. Sunday through Tuesday, we were blessed with fun, food ad family. I love having everyone home at the same time and delight in watching them enjoy each other.
Wednesday, We took all of the grandchildren home to their parents and started packing to go to Florida. After lunch, our bodies finally said," slow down, take a nap". So, we finally took a day off and watched a movie and read and took a walk.
Thursday morning, we went to Mom's to pick up our R.V. After a wonderful lunch, we headed south. We are now camping out and shopping and chillin. After this busy...nothing to do month... We need a rest.
Have a happy New Years. We will have a quiet one at a campground somewhere in Florida.
They left on Monday. Tuesday, I had Bible study end of the year gathering. By then, we had gotten the call to go to New York for the Red Cross. So Mark finished the packing and we headed to Valdosta for a meeting with Jack. Found out that we would be leaving Wednesday. So, we called my brother Glenn and invited ourselves to spend the night with he and Lynn. We ate steak and sat around the fire. Wednesday morning, we waited around the Red Cross office for confirmation and orders. Drove to Jacksonville and made our 3:00 flight.
Landed in New York and took shuttle to Hotel and checked in with a lot of other Red Cross volunteers. Thursday, we had orientation and got assigned to a new program combining ERV drivers and case workers. We work for the next 15 days in an amazing fulfilling job. We did not take a day off as they suggest. We were just so excited about what we were doing. We worked our last day and took the subway to the airport and waited. After three delays because of weather, we finally loaded up and flew back to Jacksonville. When we got there, we did a little shopping and went to bed.
Saturday morning we headed to Madison for Mom's Christmas. Another day of fun, food and family. This one did have a special time for remembering all of our family members that we have lost. Took all of the grands home so that the adults could have time for themselves. The girls helped me put up two Christmas trees. Mark and Riley went to get wood for the fire pit and some cedar limbs to bring that Christmas smell that I love. When Riley brought the cedar in, we decided to use a metal Christmas tree stand and turn it into a real Charlie Brown Christmas tree. Sunday through Tuesday, we were blessed with fun, food ad family. I love having everyone home at the same time and delight in watching them enjoy each other.
Wednesday, We took all of the grandchildren home to their parents and started packing to go to Florida. After lunch, our bodies finally said," slow down, take a nap". So, we finally took a day off and watched a movie and read and took a walk.
Thursday morning, we went to Mom's to pick up our R.V. After a wonderful lunch, we headed south. We are now camping out and shopping and chillin. After this busy...nothing to do month... We need a rest.
Have a happy New Years. We will have a quiet one at a campground somewhere in Florida.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Red cross folks
Red cross volunteers are just regular folks doing the best they can to help those in need. We are from every state in the United states. We meet many Vietnam vet, young people, retired folks like us, and , some who are still working and using vacation time to serve. They all have interesting story's as to why they serve. We meet each other at snack "breakfast", where we grab a quick coffee a bagel and head to early meetings or to catch the van. We talk in the van on the way to work and learn a lot about each others. I have met people who have survived other disasters and did not forget what Red cross did for them. People who have been down on their "luck and received a helping hand and want to give back. Some of the volunteers spend more time deployed than at home. We don't know what time or what day it is We just go from site to site, following directions. This is a huge operation. Things do not always go perfect. We get cold, tired, sick frustrated and make mistakes. But our heart is in the right place. We just want to serve as many people as we can before returning home to the real world.
Gospel = good news about Jesus
Matthew 27:51 indicates there was an earth quake at the Death of Jesus. Matthew 28: 2 indicates there was another earth quake when He had risen when the Angel of the Lord came and rolled back the stone. The keepers of the tomb passed out in fear.
The Angel told the Marys to go quickly and tell the disciples that He had risen and to go to the meeting place in Galilee on the mountain. As they were heading to tell, they saw Jesus and worshipped Him. He told them to go tell His brethren to go to the meeting place and He would meet them there.
The eleven came to the mountain to meet with Jesus and He told them that all power is given to Him in Heaven and Earth. He left earth the sacrificial lamb and return All powerful. So, He told them to" Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost." He promised that He would be with them always.
To find out how this will happen, we have to go to Acts 1:8 .. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit will come upon you. We have assess to Jesus today through the Word of God and His Holy Spirit. The is the GOOD NEWS of the gospel. He lived, He died for you and me and He has risen again with power over sin.
I plan to read the rest of the gospels, but will not do a chapter by chapter review. There is a lot of repetition in the story of Jesus all over the pages of the word. I will go to Mark next and hope to get to Luke by Christmas and John after Christmas. Have a wonder month of celebrating the real reason for the season
The Angel told the Marys to go quickly and tell the disciples that He had risen and to go to the meeting place in Galilee on the mountain. As they were heading to tell, they saw Jesus and worshipped Him. He told them to go tell His brethren to go to the meeting place and He would meet them there.
The eleven came to the mountain to meet with Jesus and He told them that all power is given to Him in Heaven and Earth. He left earth the sacrificial lamb and return All powerful. So, He told them to" Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost." He promised that He would be with them always.
To find out how this will happen, we have to go to Acts 1:8 .. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit will come upon you. We have assess to Jesus today through the Word of God and His Holy Spirit. The is the GOOD NEWS of the gospel. He lived, He died for you and me and He has risen again with power over sin.
I plan to read the rest of the gospels, but will not do a chapter by chapter review. There is a lot of repetition in the story of Jesus all over the pages of the word. I will go to Mark next and hope to get to Luke by Christmas and John after Christmas. Have a wonder month of celebrating the real reason for the season
Monday, December 10, 2012
Bob is leaving
Yesterday was another good day. We set up at the same place and the crowds came fast. We gave away all of our food and a lot of our water by noon.. We got a call from Steve at the other location that he was swamped with after church crowd. This was the group that the preacher had told us about. Mark and I took our ERV and drove over to help. Mark jumped on the supply truck to help and I passed out water with a local helping. By 1:30 both ERVs , were out of everything.
We love our team but, everything is about to change. Our supervisor left last night. She is a wonderful, quiet, decisive lady who I really respect and hope to work with again. Today iDavid and Bob last day. David is a great guy from California, even if he can not pronounce the word almond. He gave all of us ladies a rose and mine is still by our bed in a juice jar. But what are we going to do with out Bob. In the van last night, we were all trying to bribe Bob to stay another week. He keeps us all laughing in that long ride back to head quarters. I can not tell you how professional he is while working and how off the chain he his on the ride home. He has been known to say things that may be politically incorrect. The guys were teasing him last night, that if we ever had to take a sensitivities class he would be the cause. He immediately responded, "I'll teach the class. Bob will be missed.
Not sure what today will bring. Remember to be flexible and patient.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Rebel with a Cause.. Franklin Graham
I am reading Franklin Grahams autobiography ,Rebel with a Cause. It is a very interesting book about Billy Grahams son, who, as a young man could have been called and PK times ten. It tells how he turn from a rebellious teenager to the leader of the Samaritan's Purse and so much more.
In chapter 16 of this book that was written in 1995, I found a very timely idea. His father was able to preach all over the world and manage to stay out of politics. I am going to write this paragraphs just as they are written on the bottom of 205 and top of 206. I did leave out the words nuclear war and disarmament.
"Day after day, I was impressed with the way Daddy always directed messages as well as responses to question back to Christ. He wouldn't allow himself to get sucked into any political issues or controversies. We attended these meetings two and three times a day. And as I heard Daddy's answers to questions over and over, something was being drilled into me."
"After several days of this, I prayed, "Lord, give me that ability in every interview I do from now on, allow me to do the same. I want to be able to take any reporter's question and turn it around to focus on Christ.
"To me, that was what truly mattered. Political issues would come and go . It was the gospel, the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes, that would endure. That is what I want to talk about."
My mama used to say, preachers come and go, but the church belongs to God. So, I say that politicians , come and go, but God is ultimately in control. That is why I do not talk politics.
I do not expect to ever be interviewed, but I would like to learn to keep the focus of my conversations on Christ and off of me and what I think.
In chapter 16 of this book that was written in 1995, I found a very timely idea. His father was able to preach all over the world and manage to stay out of politics. I am going to write this paragraphs just as they are written on the bottom of 205 and top of 206. I did leave out the words nuclear war and disarmament.
"Day after day, I was impressed with the way Daddy always directed messages as well as responses to question back to Christ. He wouldn't allow himself to get sucked into any political issues or controversies. We attended these meetings two and three times a day. And as I heard Daddy's answers to questions over and over, something was being drilled into me."
"After several days of this, I prayed, "Lord, give me that ability in every interview I do from now on, allow me to do the same. I want to be able to take any reporter's question and turn it around to focus on Christ.
"To me, that was what truly mattered. Political issues would come and go . It was the gospel, the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes, that would endure. That is what I want to talk about."
My mama used to say, preachers come and go, but the church belongs to God. So, I say that politicians , come and go, but God is ultimately in control. That is why I do not talk politics.
I do not expect to ever be interviewed, but I would like to learn to keep the focus of my conversations on Christ and off of me and what I think.
Meekness = Awesome Power under control
Matthew 26-27
Jesus was a meek man. We have the wrong few of meekness and associate it with weakness. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is difficult to read this part of scripture so I picked out a few circumstances that show how much He went through for you and me and how He maintain total control of the whole situation according to the will of His Father.
First some many of the things that happen were recorded in the old testament years before He was even born. Jesus knew what was about to happen and He went any way because of His love for us.
The religious leaders thought that they were in control when they plotted to kill Him. Judas thought he had it all figured out when he choose to betray the Master. Peter thought that he the self control to never deny His master. So, He slept through his last opportunity to pray for strength and be there for His friend. That goes for all of his disciples who scattered when He was arrested. Judas thought that he was in charge when he choose to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Jesus could have asked His Father and He would have sent 10,000 angels to destroy all of them. Pilate thought that he alone had the power to free Jesus and could not believe that Jesus would beg for His life before him. Jesus kept His peace. The soldiers may have been the most wrong about their power of Christ and realized it too late. Can you imagine realizing too late that you had spit in the face of the creator of the world, You beat and mocked and and striped and and put a crown of thorns on the King universe. They gamble for his robe and sat down to watch Him die. Later in great fear they realized their mistake,"surely this man was the son of God. As Jesus was dying on the cross, the multitude who days earlier had blessed Him and called Him Hosanna ridiculed Him. Of course the Religious leaders mocked Him saying that He could not save Himself and challenged Him to call to His father if He really was the Son of God.
Three hours of darkness and then the hardest moment in the life of Jesus. His only true separation from His Father. He crys out to His Father and yields up the Ghost . No one took His life , He gave it up for you and me. The earth quakes, the vail in the temple was ripped from top to bottom salvation. Many saints come out of the grave and are later seen around town.
The King of the Jews is dead. The lamb of God who took away the sins of the world. Jesus, the all powerful God showed us what meekness looks like. The story is not over. The best is yet to come.
Jesus was a meek man. We have the wrong few of meekness and associate it with weakness. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is difficult to read this part of scripture so I picked out a few circumstances that show how much He went through for you and me and how He maintain total control of the whole situation according to the will of His Father.
First some many of the things that happen were recorded in the old testament years before He was even born. Jesus knew what was about to happen and He went any way because of His love for us.
The religious leaders thought that they were in control when they plotted to kill Him. Judas thought he had it all figured out when he choose to betray the Master. Peter thought that he the self control to never deny His master. So, He slept through his last opportunity to pray for strength and be there for His friend. That goes for all of his disciples who scattered when He was arrested. Judas thought that he was in charge when he choose to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Jesus could have asked His Father and He would have sent 10,000 angels to destroy all of them. Pilate thought that he alone had the power to free Jesus and could not believe that Jesus would beg for His life before him. Jesus kept His peace. The soldiers may have been the most wrong about their power of Christ and realized it too late. Can you imagine realizing too late that you had spit in the face of the creator of the world, You beat and mocked and and striped and and put a crown of thorns on the King universe. They gamble for his robe and sat down to watch Him die. Later in great fear they realized their mistake,"surely this man was the son of God. As Jesus was dying on the cross, the multitude who days earlier had blessed Him and called Him Hosanna ridiculed Him. Of course the Religious leaders mocked Him saying that He could not save Himself and challenged Him to call to His father if He really was the Son of God.
Three hours of darkness and then the hardest moment in the life of Jesus. His only true separation from His Father. He crys out to His Father and yields up the Ghost . No one took His life , He gave it up for you and me. The earth quakes, the vail in the temple was ripped from top to bottom salvation. Many saints come out of the grave and are later seen around town.
The King of the Jews is dead. The lamb of God who took away the sins of the world. Jesus, the all powerful God showed us what meekness looks like. The story is not over. The best is yet to come.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
12 tired ERV drivers in a van
The Emergency response vehicles (ERV) are too large to drive inside of NYC. SO, they pack us like sardines in a shuttle van to go to the warehouse in New Jersey to pick up our ERVS and supplies and send us on our way
.
What happens when you pack 12 tired ERV drivers into a shuttle van at the end of a day for a one hour drive back to headquarters should stay in NYC, but I just can't help myself. We come from Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee , California , Texas, Kentucky, some Midwestern states and a couple of Northerner and a driver.
It started with a debate on how to say almonds and that debate ran through out the night. Then, they got personal when they started talking about grits and boiled peanuts. We had to remind them that there where two Georgia folks in the back. Then the started on Texas and that was when we learn that Cindy was from Texas. We heard her from the back seat say," watch out, the eyes of Texas are upon you."
We came through a toll booth which started Bob talking about ERV driving and how many toll booths he may have run. We all cracked up when he gave us ERV rules about stop signs and turns and places to park "Just turn on your lights and make your self at home."
We talked about how to pronounce pecans and of course Bob had a joke about pe-can. There was important culture question about things such as noodling catfish and moonshine. There was discussions about gators and squirrels and other critters. The differences between California and Florida discussed with California winning because of humidity. We talked about a lot of other important issues on the way home, but I am too tired to remember them.
All in all, it was an interesting night with talking and laughing and unwinding from a long day as you constantly shifted anytime anyone moves to get comfortable in your limited space. Red Cross is a lot of hard work with long days, being from family, seeing sad situations and learning to be flexible and patience with chaos and constant change. But it is the people we serve and the people we serve with that make it worth while.
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What happens when you pack 12 tired ERV drivers into a shuttle van at the end of a day for a one hour drive back to headquarters should stay in NYC, but I just can't help myself. We come from Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee , California , Texas, Kentucky, some Midwestern states and a couple of Northerner and a driver.
It started with a debate on how to say almonds and that debate ran through out the night. Then, they got personal when they started talking about grits and boiled peanuts. We had to remind them that there where two Georgia folks in the back. Then the started on Texas and that was when we learn that Cindy was from Texas. We heard her from the back seat say," watch out, the eyes of Texas are upon you."
We came through a toll booth which started Bob talking about ERV driving and how many toll booths he may have run. We all cracked up when he gave us ERV rules about stop signs and turns and places to park "Just turn on your lights and make your self at home."
We talked about how to pronounce pecans and of course Bob had a joke about pe-can. There was important culture question about things such as noodling catfish and moonshine. There was discussions about gators and squirrels and other critters. The differences between California and Florida discussed with California winning because of humidity. We talked about a lot of other important issues on the way home, but I am too tired to remember them.
All in all, it was an interesting night with talking and laughing and unwinding from a long day as you constantly shifted anytime anyone moves to get comfortable in your limited space. Red Cross is a lot of hard work with long days, being from family, seeing sad situations and learning to be flexible and patience with chaos and constant change. But it is the people we serve and the people we serve with that make it worth while.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Jesus in Jerusalem
Chapter 21-25 begins with the triumphal entry of Jesus in to the city with the multitude crying out, "blessed is the He who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna. Then Jesus goes in to the temple and cast out the buyers and sellers and money changers. He is very upset that they have turned His Fathers house of prayer in to a den of thieves. He also heals in the temple and the children are singing His praises. All of this displeases the Chief Priest and scribes, to put it mildly.
The rest of these chapters we see the confrontations between Jesus and the religious leaders of the day. Jesus beats them at their own game and after questions and answers and parables, they realize that he is talking about them. He talks about them rejecting the cornerstone (Him) and about being hypocrites. Jesus tells more parables about the Kingdom of Heaven.
He also tells them what the greatest commandment is "Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy soul and with all thy mind. The second is like unto it. Thous shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." On these two commandments hang all the law. I am sure that this did not set well with the man made law loving bunch whose jobs rely on their lording over the people.
He tells them that the greatest will be servants and that those who exalts himself will be abase and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Then He starts with a lot of woe unto you scribes and pharisees, hypocrites. He tells them that heaven and earth will pass away but that His words would not pass away. He tells a few more parables and He was finished with all of these sayings.
He begins again to tell His disciples what was about to happen. The next few chapters will be hard to read after we have read so much about Jesus that we have falling in love with Him all over again. .
The rest of these chapters we see the confrontations between Jesus and the religious leaders of the day. Jesus beats them at their own game and after questions and answers and parables, they realize that he is talking about them. He talks about them rejecting the cornerstone (Him) and about being hypocrites. Jesus tells more parables about the Kingdom of Heaven.
He also tells them what the greatest commandment is "Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy soul and with all thy mind. The second is like unto it. Thous shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." On these two commandments hang all the law. I am sure that this did not set well with the man made law loving bunch whose jobs rely on their lording over the people.
He tells them that the greatest will be servants and that those who exalts himself will be abase and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Then He starts with a lot of woe unto you scribes and pharisees, hypocrites. He tells them that heaven and earth will pass away but that His words would not pass away. He tells a few more parables and He was finished with all of these sayings.
He begins again to tell His disciples what was about to happen. The next few chapters will be hard to read after we have read so much about Jesus that we have falling in love with Him all over again. .
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Jesus Journey to Jerusalem
Chapter 19 and 20
On His journey to Jerusalem Jesus had:
Large crowds with lots of people who needed healing
Pharisees trying to trip Him up with difficult questions
Disciples rebuking children that He love and wanted to bless
Rich young ruler leaving when he did not like His answer
He tried to tell the disciples what He was facing when he got there
but they did not seem to hear or understand or get it
Instead, He had to deal with a meddling mom who wanted the best
positions for her two sons and them saying they could handle it
Then, of course the other 10 get upset
So, He has to spend time trying to tell them that the first will be last
and the last will be first by telling them a parable...not sure they got it
And I am pretty sure they did not get the greatest among them is to be servant
Even when He tells them that He came to serve, not to be served
As they depart from Jericho with a great multitude following Him
Two blind men start crying out to Him and the crowd rebukes them
and they cry louder, Have mercy on us, Son of David.
Jesus stops and has compassion on them and touches them
and they receive their sight and follow Him.
Jesus loves the little Children
Matthew 18. When Jesus was asked who the greatest in the Kingdom were, He called a little child in the midst of them. He said that unless you humble yourself as this little child you can not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. He also said that whoever receives one such little one in His name, receives Jesus. But whoever offends or causes a little one to stumble, it is better to have a mill stone around neck and drown in the deep sea. Temptation will come ,but woe to the one who tempts a child. Take heed that you do not hurt one of these little ones. Their Angels always have access to His Father in Heaven.
He adds that He has come to seek and to save the lost. Like a shepherd with 100 sheep. When ones strays, He will leave the 99 and search the one until He finds it. When he finds the one there will be a celebration. It it not the will of God, the Father that any should perish. With God and Jesus it is all about Love and relationships with God and our brother and sisters.
Jesus told them how to reconcile with their brother. Peter ask if he must forgive 7 times and Jesus says, 70 x 7 meaning more than you can count. Then, He tells a story about a servant that was forgiven a large debt but was not willing to forgive a debt. That is what we are like when we choose not to forgive. Remember all that God has forgiven and forgive others.
He adds that He has come to seek and to save the lost. Like a shepherd with 100 sheep. When ones strays, He will leave the 99 and search the one until He finds it. When he finds the one there will be a celebration. It it not the will of God, the Father that any should perish. With God and Jesus it is all about Love and relationships with God and our brother and sisters.
Jesus told them how to reconcile with their brother. Peter ask if he must forgive 7 times and Jesus says, 70 x 7 meaning more than you can count. Then, He tells a story about a servant that was forgiven a large debt but was not willing to forgive a debt. That is what we are like when we choose not to forgive. Remember all that God has forgiven and forgive others.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Like reading a good book..an Autobiography
I love doing Bible studies, studying the Bible with ladies like Kay author and Beth Moore. I am still trying to memorize as much as scripture as possible, verses, chapters and now books of the Bible. But some time, you just want to read a good book, an Autobiography about some one interesting in History. That is what it is like when you read the gospels..the good news about the most important person to ever be born, Jesus.
Read the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, searching Jesus and you will find Him.
Read the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, searching Jesus and you will find Him.
Monday, December 3, 2012
transfiguration of Jesus
We finish the last chapter with this verses. "Truly I say to you , that there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom."
Chapter17
Six days later Jesus took Peter, James and John and led them up a mountain for a real mountain top experience. He was transfigured before them, his face shone like the sun and his garments became white as light. He was talking to Moses and Elijah. What a privilege. Then, like me, Peter had to open his mouth. Next a voice come from Heaven and says "this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, listen to Him". Again like I would do ,they fell on their faces and were filled with awe. When they look up all are gone but Jesus.
Jesus tells them again that He is to be delivered into the hands of man and they will kill Him and that He will be raised on the third day. And again they are distressed.
Chapter17
Six days later Jesus took Peter, James and John and led them up a mountain for a real mountain top experience. He was transfigured before them, his face shone like the sun and his garments became white as light. He was talking to Moses and Elijah. What a privilege. Then, like me, Peter had to open his mouth. Next a voice come from Heaven and says "this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, listen to Him". Again like I would do ,they fell on their faces and were filled with awe. When they look up all are gone but Jesus.
Jesus tells them again that He is to be delivered into the hands of man and they will kill Him and that He will be raised on the third day. And again they are distressed.
man's traditions vs God's commandments
At the end of chapter14 , we find Jesus healing the sick all over the region.
So, of course we start chapter 15 with Religious leaders back in Jesus face, complaining about the disciples transgressing the traditions of the elders by ( now get this ) by not washing their hands. I kind of think that maybe theses men had too much time on their hands. Jesus came back with, "Why do you transgress the commandments of God for the sake of your traditions." Wow, I think that Jesus trumped them and won that verbal battle. He called them Hypocrites and quoted the prophet Isaiah.
Jesus called the crowd to Him and told them to listen and try to understand that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out it. The disciples ask Jesus if he knew that He had offended the Pharisees. Jesus told them not to worry, God would uproot any plant that He had not planted and that they were the blind leading the blind. He told them that what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart and that is what defiles the man, not unwashed hands.
After this encounter, Jesus goes back to healing multitudes and feeds 4000+ people and the crowd glorifies God
Chapter 16 has the Pharisees and Sadducees asking for signs. Jesus replied that they would not receive any signs except the sign of Jonah. Jesus again called them a evil and adulterous generation and warned the disciples to beware of the leaven or teaching of these leaders.
Peter's confession of faith is, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."....We must confess the same.
Jesus begins to tell the disciples about what is to happen to Him.
So, of course we start chapter 15 with Religious leaders back in Jesus face, complaining about the disciples transgressing the traditions of the elders by ( now get this ) by not washing their hands. I kind of think that maybe theses men had too much time on their hands. Jesus came back with, "Why do you transgress the commandments of God for the sake of your traditions." Wow, I think that Jesus trumped them and won that verbal battle. He called them Hypocrites and quoted the prophet Isaiah.
Jesus called the crowd to Him and told them to listen and try to understand that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out it. The disciples ask Jesus if he knew that He had offended the Pharisees. Jesus told them not to worry, God would uproot any plant that He had not planted and that they were the blind leading the blind. He told them that what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart and that is what defiles the man, not unwashed hands.
After this encounter, Jesus goes back to healing multitudes and feeds 4000+ people and the crowd glorifies God
Chapter 16 has the Pharisees and Sadducees asking for signs. Jesus replied that they would not receive any signs except the sign of Jonah. Jesus again called them a evil and adulterous generation and warned the disciples to beware of the leaven or teaching of these leaders.
Peter's confession of faith is, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."....We must confess the same.
Jesus begins to tell the disciples about what is to happen to Him.
The heart of Jesus
Matthew 14 starts with the death of John the Baptist. His disciples bury him and go tell Jesus. When things happen that break our heart...tell it to Jesus. This chapter shows us the Heart of Jesus. When Jesus heard the news, He withdrew to a solitary place by boat. Can't you just see the heart of Jesus. This was his cousin and a man that he loved and respected. He needed to talk to His Father. The Son of Man was all God and all man and He had feelings too. He had just been rejected by his home town and now this news came.
But alas, He saw the crowd had followed Him and he had compassion on them. Even though He needed time alone, He healed their sick until evening. Then, when the disciples said it was time to send them home. Jesus would not until he had fed all 5000+ until they were all full with left overs. Then, He sent the disciples ahead in the boat so that He could dismiss the crowd. That is when Jesus was finally able to get back to His Quiet time with His Heavenly Father. But, His long day was not over yet. Meanwhile in the boat around 4:00 a.m., the disciples were in trouble and Jesus walked on water to get to his friends. He calm there fears and allowed Peter to walk on water as long as he kept his eyes of Jesus. He reached out to his friend and got in the boat and the wind ceased. Those in the boat worshiped Him and said," truly You are the Son of God."
I can't help but believe that maybe hearing his friends say this did His heart good after this very long day.
But alas, He saw the crowd had followed Him and he had compassion on them. Even though He needed time alone, He healed their sick until evening. Then, when the disciples said it was time to send them home. Jesus would not until he had fed all 5000+ until they were all full with left overs. Then, He sent the disciples ahead in the boat so that He could dismiss the crowd. That is when Jesus was finally able to get back to His Quiet time with His Heavenly Father. But, His long day was not over yet. Meanwhile in the boat around 4:00 a.m., the disciples were in trouble and Jesus walked on water to get to his friends. He calm there fears and allowed Peter to walk on water as long as he kept his eyes of Jesus. He reached out to his friend and got in the boat and the wind ceased. Those in the boat worshiped Him and said," truly You are the Son of God."
I can't help but believe that maybe hearing his friends say this did His heart good after this very long day.
parables of Jesus
Chapter 13 is full of parables of Jesus. Here a few of them that you may want to read
He told the Parable of the sower, then explained it to the disciples and said, "He who has ears let him hear." He then gave the reason for speaking in parables to the disciples. He told several parables about the Kingdom:
good seeds and weeds
mustard seed
leaven
hidden treasures
pearls
net cast into the sea
When he finished the parables He went home where He was rejected. Honored everywhere else, but not in His home country by His own people. He did only a few miracles because of their unbelief.
He told the Parable of the sower, then explained it to the disciples and said, "He who has ears let him hear." He then gave the reason for speaking in parables to the disciples. He told several parables about the Kingdom:
good seeds and weeds
mustard seed
leaven
hidden treasures
pearls
net cast into the sea
When he finished the parables He went home where He was rejected. Honored everywhere else, but not in His home country by His own people. He did only a few miracles because of their unbelief.
Jesus VS Religious leaders
Chapter 12 seems to be a turning point between Jesus and the Religious leaders. Several things happened that cause them to plot to kill Jesus.
The Pharisees condemned His disciples for eating grain in the field on the Sabbath. Jesus told them that He was Lord of the Sabbath and that He desired mercy more than sacrifice. He said that if they knew the law or who was in their midst, they would not condemn the guiltless. Later they condemned Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. He asked them if it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath. Then, when Jesus was healing and casting out demons, they thought that He was Beelzebul. Once again , Jesus knew their thoughts and told them that a house divided would fall. Later, the scribes and the Pharisees asked Him for signs to prove who He was. Jesus rebuked them calling them an evil and adulterous generation that was only getting worse. You may want to read chapter 12 to see some of the strong words Jesus had for these religious leaders.
The Pharisees condemned His disciples for eating grain in the field on the Sabbath. Jesus told them that He was Lord of the Sabbath and that He desired mercy more than sacrifice. He said that if they knew the law or who was in their midst, they would not condemn the guiltless. Later they condemned Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. He asked them if it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath. Then, when Jesus was healing and casting out demons, they thought that He was Beelzebul. Once again , Jesus knew their thoughts and told them that a house divided would fall. Later, the scribes and the Pharisees asked Him for signs to prove who He was. Jesus rebuked them calling them an evil and adulterous generation that was only getting worse. You may want to read chapter 12 to see some of the strong words Jesus had for these religious leaders.
Jesus praises John the Baptist
Chapter 11
Even John the Baptist while in prison doubted and asked if He was really the one . Jesus responded to him with a positive message..the good news. He then told the crowd that none greater that John had ever been born. But that the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater that John. He said that this generation are like children that can no be satisfied. John came and did not drink or hardly eat and they said he was crazy. The Son of Man (himself) came eating and drinking and they called Him a glutton and drunker and friends with tax collectors and sinners. He reproofed the city because they had seen more of His miracles than other cities and still did not repent. Then, He invites those who were burdened and weary to come to Him and find rest.
Even John the Baptist while in prison doubted and asked if He was really the one . Jesus responded to him with a positive message..the good news. He then told the crowd that none greater that John had ever been born. But that the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater that John. He said that this generation are like children that can no be satisfied. John came and did not drink or hardly eat and they said he was crazy. The Son of Man (himself) came eating and drinking and they called Him a glutton and drunker and friends with tax collectors and sinners. He reproofed the city because they had seen more of His miracles than other cities and still did not repent. Then, He invites those who were burdened and weary to come to Him and find rest.
Jesus instructions to His disciples
Chapter 10 Jesus called His 12 disciples and sent them out to the lost sheep giving them authority.
Reading this chapter I found 12 instructions that we would do well to obey.
1-Go to the lost sheep
2 -Be wise as serpents
3-Be gentle and harmless as doves
4-Know that you will be persecuted
5-Do not be anxious
6- Know that God will give you the words you need when you need them
7-Do not fear what man can do to you
8-Acknowledge God before man
9-Teach and preach and be a healing hand to those in need
10-Take up your cross and follow Him
11-Love God love more than any one else
12-Give..even a cup of water to a little and you will receive your reward
Reading this chapter I found 12 instructions that we would do well to obey.
1-Go to the lost sheep
2 -Be wise as serpents
3-Be gentle and harmless as doves
4-Know that you will be persecuted
5-Do not be anxious
6- Know that God will give you the words you need when you need them
7-Do not fear what man can do to you
8-Acknowledge God before man
9-Teach and preach and be a healing hand to those in need
10-Take up your cross and follow Him
11-Love God love more than any one else
12-Give..even a cup of water to a little and you will receive your reward
Sunday, December 2, 2012
family weekend
We really enjoyed our family weekend. Mark's sister and her husband came from Ecuador Friday afternoon. We went up town for groceries and to visit Drew and tell Clint Happy Birthday. We promised them a good steak and potato supper. We went for a long walk and then ate a very good supper. Clint and Anna came by with the kids for a short visit.
Saturday we cooked a big brunch for all of the kids to visit with Uncle Jim and Aunt Tevie (I still call her Ronda). They started coming at 9:00 and we ate and played with kids and had Clint's Birthday party until 2:00. The kids left, Mark took a nap and the Tillmans went to work for a little while. I read and watched a little Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Jim and Ronda got back and Mark got up and we went on another walk. We settled down and watched the Georgia ball and ate left overs for supper.
Sunday was a day full of visiting, walking, cooking and eating a big lunch and then grilling out for supper.They sat around the pit and talked until bed time. I could tell that the kids and grands enjoyed spending time with the family, Jim and Ronda are leaving in the morning and we will miss them. Looking forward to the next time they come home from Ecuador.
Saturday we cooked a big brunch for all of the kids to visit with Uncle Jim and Aunt Tevie (I still call her Ronda). They started coming at 9:00 and we ate and played with kids and had Clint's Birthday party until 2:00. The kids left, Mark took a nap and the Tillmans went to work for a little while. I read and watched a little Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Jim and Ronda got back and Mark got up and we went on another walk. We settled down and watched the Georgia ball and ate left overs for supper.
Sunday was a day full of visiting, walking, cooking and eating a big lunch and then grilling out for supper.They sat around the pit and talked until bed time. I could tell that the kids and grands enjoyed spending time with the family, Jim and Ronda are leaving in the morning and we will miss them. Looking forward to the next time they come home from Ecuador.
Jesus-The miracle worker
Chapter 8 begins with...He came down the mountain. We too have to come down from our mountain top experience and go back to work in the real world. But the good news is that Jesus is still with us through the Holy Spirit .
When Jesus healed the leper he touched him. This man had not been touched since he got the dreaded disease that caused him to be an outcast. Look around, we can touch the lives of the outcast in our society.
Jesus marveled at the faith of the Centurion and healed his servant. He healed Peter's mother-in-law and she was given the privilege of serving Jesus. The older we get the more we are given the opportunity to serve God. Do not put seniors on a shelf. They need to be needed and loved.... and every one can use a hug.
He cast demons and healed the sick. He told the crowd of the discipline it would take to forsake all and follow him. He marveled at the lack of faith in his own disciples when the storm came and rebuked the wind and there was a great calm.
When he cast out demons and sent them into the swine who ran into the sea and drown, the entire city came out and begged Him to leave.....and He did....how sad.
Chapter 9 Jesus came back to His home town. He healed and forgave a paralytic,causing the scribes to think that He was blaspheming. He knew what they were thinking and answered their unspoken question. Jesus knew their thoughts... think about that for a while.
Jesus called Matthew the tax collector to follow Him. Then He had fellowship with the tax collectors and
sinners causing the Pharisees to question Him about that and about fasting. He told them that he came to show mercy to the sinners , not to the self righteous. He also answered their question about fasting.
He healed a rulers daughter and on the way healed a women who had been sick for 12 years with just a touch of His hem and her faith.He healed the blind and the dumb and cast out demons. This caused the Pharisees to accuse Him of being the prince of demons. Jesus went about teaching and preaching and healing.
He had compassion on them and said they were like sheep without a shepherd. He told his disciples that, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray to the Lord of the harvest to sent more laborers."..
...
I think that He is still saying that to us today......Pray
When Jesus healed the leper he touched him. This man had not been touched since he got the dreaded disease that caused him to be an outcast. Look around, we can touch the lives of the outcast in our society.
Jesus marveled at the faith of the Centurion and healed his servant. He healed Peter's mother-in-law and she was given the privilege of serving Jesus. The older we get the more we are given the opportunity to serve God. Do not put seniors on a shelf. They need to be needed and loved.... and every one can use a hug.
He cast demons and healed the sick. He told the crowd of the discipline it would take to forsake all and follow him. He marveled at the lack of faith in his own disciples when the storm came and rebuked the wind and there was a great calm.
When he cast out demons and sent them into the swine who ran into the sea and drown, the entire city came out and begged Him to leave.....and He did....how sad.
Chapter 9 Jesus came back to His home town. He healed and forgave a paralytic,causing the scribes to think that He was blaspheming. He knew what they were thinking and answered their unspoken question. Jesus knew their thoughts... think about that for a while.
Jesus called Matthew the tax collector to follow Him. Then He had fellowship with the tax collectors and
sinners causing the Pharisees to question Him about that and about fasting. He told them that he came to show mercy to the sinners , not to the self righteous. He also answered their question about fasting.
He healed a rulers daughter and on the way healed a women who had been sick for 12 years with just a touch of His hem and her faith.He healed the blind and the dumb and cast out demons. This caused the Pharisees to accuse Him of being the prince of demons. Jesus went about teaching and preaching and healing.
He had compassion on them and said they were like sheep without a shepherd. He told his disciples that, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray to the Lord of the harvest to sent more laborers."..
...
I think that He is still saying that to us today......Pray
The teaching Jesus
Matthew 5 Sermon on the mount
When the crowd came to Jesus, they had a true mountain top experience. Can you imagine sitting on top of a mountain and listening to Jesus teach. The bible says that He open His mouth and taught.
Read these verses like you are sitting on that Mountain with Him and you will receive a blessing. He will teach us about humility, meekness and mercy. He praises the pure in heart, the peacemakers and those who hunger and thirst after righteousness and promises them they will be blessed. Those who mourn will be comforted and those persecuted for his name sake will be rewarded. He calls us salt and light and tells us to let our light shine before man so that they will see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.
He explains that He has come to fulfill the law and gives us Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth..BIBLE. His teachings are not always easy to understand or do, but they are true and right and the best advice you will ever get.
Listen as he teaches us how to deal with those around us. He teaches how to handle anger and reconciliations. He talks about Adultery and Divorce. He tells us to let our yes be yes and our no be no and to never seek revenge or retaliation. We are to give to the needy and not expect any thing in return. We are to love our neighbors AND our enemies and even to pray for them. I told you His teachings are not always easy to follow, but we will be blessed when we do.
We continue in chapter 6 with more instructions on how we should live in a manner pleasing to God. When you give, give in secret and you will receive your reward. If you give before man so that you will be honored , you have already received your reward. I think that I would rather be rewarded by God than man. Some times we can not help our self, we just have to brag a bit. We are also to pray and fast in secret. We are not to lay up our treasures here on earth. For where our treasure is, that is where our heart is also. We are not to be anxious about our life, for it does no good. In other words, do not worry, trust God.
In chapter 7 we learn not to judge or be hypocritical. He teaches us how pray to a Father who loves us and teaches us the golden rule. He warns us that the gate that leads to life is narrow and about false prophets. He tells us that whoever hears His worlds and does them will be wise. When He finishes these sayings, the crowd is astonished at His teachings, for He taught like one who had authority. Jesus is the authority on life
If you would like to enjoy the sermon by Jesus that I reviewed, just turn to Matthew chapter 5, 6, and 7 and read. Relax and sit at the Master feet and learn and grow in you relationship with the one who loves you best and knows what you need.
When the crowd came to Jesus, they had a true mountain top experience. Can you imagine sitting on top of a mountain and listening to Jesus teach. The bible says that He open His mouth and taught.
Read these verses like you are sitting on that Mountain with Him and you will receive a blessing. He will teach us about humility, meekness and mercy. He praises the pure in heart, the peacemakers and those who hunger and thirst after righteousness and promises them they will be blessed. Those who mourn will be comforted and those persecuted for his name sake will be rewarded. He calls us salt and light and tells us to let our light shine before man so that they will see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.
He explains that He has come to fulfill the law and gives us Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth..BIBLE. His teachings are not always easy to understand or do, but they are true and right and the best advice you will ever get.
Listen as he teaches us how to deal with those around us. He teaches how to handle anger and reconciliations. He talks about Adultery and Divorce. He tells us to let our yes be yes and our no be no and to never seek revenge or retaliation. We are to give to the needy and not expect any thing in return. We are to love our neighbors AND our enemies and even to pray for them. I told you His teachings are not always easy to follow, but we will be blessed when we do.
We continue in chapter 6 with more instructions on how we should live in a manner pleasing to God. When you give, give in secret and you will receive your reward. If you give before man so that you will be honored , you have already received your reward. I think that I would rather be rewarded by God than man. Some times we can not help our self, we just have to brag a bit. We are also to pray and fast in secret. We are not to lay up our treasures here on earth. For where our treasure is, that is where our heart is also. We are not to be anxious about our life, for it does no good. In other words, do not worry, trust God.
In chapter 7 we learn not to judge or be hypocritical. He teaches us how pray to a Father who loves us and teaches us the golden rule. He warns us that the gate that leads to life is narrow and about false prophets. He tells us that whoever hears His worlds and does them will be wise. When He finishes these sayings, the crowd is astonished at His teachings, for He taught like one who had authority. Jesus is the authority on life
If you would like to enjoy the sermon by Jesus that I reviewed, just turn to Matthew chapter 5, 6, and 7 and read. Relax and sit at the Master feet and learn and grow in you relationship with the one who loves you best and knows what you need.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Matthew chapter 2-4
Matthew chapter 2
Jesus was born King of the Jews. He will save His people. The wise men came and went and a mad man decided to destroy all of the male children. Then we read one of the saddest verses in the Bible about a Mother's cry....weeping for her children, great mourning, can not be consoled because they were gone. We have had too much of that lately.
Matthew chapter 3
John the Baptist is introduced and we once again get to see the Trinity.
Jesus is baptized and came out of the water
The Spirit of God came down from the heavens in the form of a dove
Father God. A voice from Heaven saying, " this is my beloved Son"
Matthew chapter 4
Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted and fasted 40 days and nights
Jesus is our example on how to resist temptation.
He fasted and prayed to be prepared
He quoted scripture to defeat the devil
He told the devil to leave Him and he had to obey.
So, let us follow His example by being prepared by praying and knowing scripture. Then, we resist the devil and in the name of Jesus, tell the devil to leave and he must obey.
Jesus left Nazareth and began His ministry near the sea of Galilee where he calls four disciples. He saw two fishermen who were brothers, Simon called Peter and Andrew. He told them to follow Him and He would make them fishers of men. He also called two other brothers James and John. They all left immediately and followed Him. He went about teaching and preaching and healing and His fame spread and great crowds followed Him.
I would love to think that every time God tells us to follow Him, that we drop whatever we are doing and follow Him. Lord, help me to hear and obey.
In just four chapters of Matthew we get several names that Jesus is called by.
Jesus, Savior, Emmanuel, King of the Jews, Ruler, Governor, Son, The Child, Nazarene, The Lord, Beloved Son, Son of God, a Great light. I love the names of Jesus..say them out loud and worship Him.
Jesus was born King of the Jews. He will save His people. The wise men came and went and a mad man decided to destroy all of the male children. Then we read one of the saddest verses in the Bible about a Mother's cry....weeping for her children, great mourning, can not be consoled because they were gone. We have had too much of that lately.
Matthew chapter 3
John the Baptist is introduced and we once again get to see the Trinity.
Jesus is baptized and came out of the water
The Spirit of God came down from the heavens in the form of a dove
Father God. A voice from Heaven saying, " this is my beloved Son"
Matthew chapter 4
Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted and fasted 40 days and nights
Jesus is our example on how to resist temptation.
He fasted and prayed to be prepared
He quoted scripture to defeat the devil
He told the devil to leave Him and he had to obey.
So, let us follow His example by being prepared by praying and knowing scripture. Then, we resist the devil and in the name of Jesus, tell the devil to leave and he must obey.
Jesus left Nazareth and began His ministry near the sea of Galilee where he calls four disciples. He saw two fishermen who were brothers, Simon called Peter and Andrew. He told them to follow Him and He would make them fishers of men. He also called two other brothers James and John. They all left immediately and followed Him. He went about teaching and preaching and healing and His fame spread and great crowds followed Him.
I would love to think that every time God tells us to follow Him, that we drop whatever we are doing and follow Him. Lord, help me to hear and obey.
In just four chapters of Matthew we get several names that Jesus is called by.
Jesus, Savior, Emmanuel, King of the Jews, Ruler, Governor, Son, The Child, Nazarene, The Lord, Beloved Son, Son of God, a Great light. I love the names of Jesus..say them out loud and worship Him.
Spending December with Jesus
I spent most of November in the Psalms, giving thanks. I plan to spend December with Jesus in the word by studying the gospels.
Matthew chapter one starts with the genealogy of Jesus Christ from Abraham to Christ, with five females listed. Three of them could be called bad girls of the Bible. Ruth was a foreigner. Mary was a virgin who received a bad reputation in her day because of unbelief by the neighbors. Kind of gives us girls hope that God can use any one to fulfill His plans.
Matthew 1:18-23 tells the birth of Jesus. The Angel tells Joseph that Mary's baby is "of the Holy Spirit and that His name is to be Jesus which means Savior, because He will save His people from sin. This fulfilled the prophecy that said that a virgin would conceive and His name would be called Emmanuel. Em man u el meaning God with man or God with us.
These few verses give us a beautiful picture of the Trinity... God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is conceived (of the Holy Spirit) making the Holy Spirit His Father which is God. He is to be called Jesus which means Savior and Emmanuel which means God with us. A wonderfully complex fact of life and yet a simply truth that we accept by faith.
Matthew chapter one starts with the genealogy of Jesus Christ from Abraham to Christ, with five females listed. Three of them could be called bad girls of the Bible. Ruth was a foreigner. Mary was a virgin who received a bad reputation in her day because of unbelief by the neighbors. Kind of gives us girls hope that God can use any one to fulfill His plans.
Matthew 1:18-23 tells the birth of Jesus. The Angel tells Joseph that Mary's baby is "of the Holy Spirit and that His name is to be Jesus which means Savior, because He will save His people from sin. This fulfilled the prophecy that said that a virgin would conceive and His name would be called Emmanuel. Em man u el meaning God with man or God with us.
These few verses give us a beautiful picture of the Trinity... God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is conceived (of the Holy Spirit) making the Holy Spirit His Father which is God. He is to be called Jesus which means Savior and Emmanuel which means God with us. A wonderfully complex fact of life and yet a simply truth that we accept by faith.
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