It's A Mystery

At a recent Bible study - I won't say where (My point is not to condemn or point fingers at anyone person or church.), we were on the topic, "mystery kept hidden for ages" in Col 1:26.

This mystery being about Jesus Christ made known through the prophetic writings  Ro 16:26.  These prophetic writings would be Psalms and Isaiah, among other prophets. 

It's all about Jesus; the Old Testament and the New.  The Old Testament leads to and points at His coming.  The New Testament is about that life and death and the second coming.  Yes!  Jesus.  All Christians know this much.  No problem in the Bible study group.  So why is it called a mystery? 

Let me back up by saying that this revelation is a bit new to me.  I never could understand the writings of Paul until I understood this "mystery", which has been made clear to me in the recent couple years.  Then, Paul's writings took on so much meaning.  I have been in church for many (many) years.  A couple years back, I really stuck my nose into "the book".  I purchased a Hebrew Bible with translation and have learned more in the past two years than in my other sixty-nine.  I am so thrilled with what I am seeing that I want to study 24/7.

The "mystery" is the plan of redemption through Jesus Christ.  Again, something all Christians understand:  Jesus took our sins upon Himself so we might be free of sin.  Let's pause and think about that statement for a minute.  Jesus took our sins on Himself.  All of them; past, present and future.  After all, He is the beginning and the end.  We are free of sin.  FREE of sin; past, present and future.  How does that work?

This plan of redemption is: grace trumps the 10 commandments.   There, I said it.  I said it in that Bible study and really opened a can of worms.  People were demanding I show a verse that states this fact.  Well, there is none.  No one verse that specifically states "the ten commandments are done away with through Jesus".  You have to read and search out answers; we are told to "seek and find", "knock and the door will be opened".   I went home in shock.  Shouldn't have because, until two years ago, this was new to me.  I had come to believe that I was the odd man out for years - the only one who did not understand grace over the 10 commandments, the "law".  I thought every believer knew.  Now I am thinking there are more people out there walking a fine line of me or God, self centered or God centered, I do or God gives, law of stone or grace of God.

I always thought "the law" meant the temple laws, the sacrificial laws.  Not so.  Bible refers to the 10 commandments as "the law written on stone".   Ex 24:12, Ex 31:18,  Ex 34:4   Paul constantly refers to law versus grace.  

There is nothing wrong with the Ten Commandments.  They are perfect; perfect law of God.  Only a God can keep them.  They were broken before they were given on Sinai and through to the end of the Old Testament.  They are still broken today by good Christians everywhere.  God knew when He gave these laws that they could not be kept by mortals.  (Satan himself, as a high ranking spirit being, could not keep them.)  God had the plan of redemption (the great mystery) in mind when He gave the laws. 

You cannot go through life and keep the letter of the law.  Example, stealing: ever cheat on income taxes?  Ever keep the wrong change from a store clerk?  Example, false witness (lying):  Ever stretch the truth to save the feelings of a friend?  Lie!  Ever exaggerate a story?  Lie!  Ever wish someone dead in your mind?  Murder!  Ever admire a friend's spouse in a lustful way?  Adultery!  Do you go to church on Sunday?  Sabbath!  Do you value your children over God?  Idolatry!  Jesus explained in the Beatitudes that even thinking against the law is breaking it. The "law" can't be kept.  We all break the law on a daily basis in thought and/or deed. 

Here's the Good News (gospel means "good news"):  We don't have to keep the law "written on stone".  Jesus brought new law:  "Love your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself".  Then, Jesus took all our sins (past, present and future) on Himself, once and for all.  (Ro 6:10)  It is over, done, finished, ended.  Jesus took ALL our sins upon Himself and nailed them to that cross.  We are free and do not have to put the stress upon ourselves to abide in a law that cannot be kept.  This is what grace is.

Oh, great, that means we can all go do any evil we want.  Of course not!  As believers in Jesus and what He has done, we don't want to.  That would be tantamount to slapping our Savior in the face.  What a wonderful thing He did for us.  As understanding believers who are grateful for His sacrifice, we want only to please Him.  That is all we have to do - believe, turn our back on a wayward life and try.  Easy - peasy!  God and The Son have made it easy for us - out of perfect love.  No one wants to knowingly defy such love.

This plan of redemption, this great mystery is the grace of God through the sacrifice of Jesus that covers us with the blood of the perfect sacrifice to be seen as pure in the eyes of our Heavenly Father.  We have been redeemed from all our past, present and future wrong doings.

It's all about Jesus, the Great "I Am" 
Amen

Shape Up

Today:

God has spoken to me.

He told me to "shape up".  Like a spoiled child who wants something they cannot have RIGHT NOW, I have been anxious for our relocation.  My husband's job is over and he will be relocated to another across the state. 

We are unsettled, living in a state of limbo.  There are boxes sitting around with seasonal items packed.  I am trying to close a non profit organization which is dragging out with a couple outstanding checks in the account stopping me from getting final reports to my accountant. This goes on and on with our lives being on hold, trying to close one door and reaching for the next.  

I am anxious to get settled in our retirement home; the one where we can finally put down roots and treat it like ours instead of always considering what the next buyer will want.  I day dream about landscaping and wall murals; organizing a new kitchen and setting up my studio.

Last night, my husband told me of yet another delay.  I wanted to cry out of frustration.  Patience is not one of my  virtues.  This threw me into a bad mood for a time.  The dog sensed it and he was a real "pill" all evening.  I was my old self snapping at my husband all through supper.  (I thought I had put that gal behind me.)

By the end of the evening, I thought I had a hold on things.  The apostle Paul said he was  content in whatever situation he found himself - and he was in many situations worse than what I am.  (I am not in jail or being stoned.)  If he can do it, so can I.   All through the night, my dreams were full of bad scenes about everything that has delayed this transition and more of what can go wrong in the near future - all the issues we face with a major relocation.  The enemy was really working on me.  Just before waking this morning, I remember saying, "I rebuke you, Satan, in the name of Jesus".  Truly, I tell you, this was a major battle that waged most of the night.

Listening to my favorite television evangelists this morning and working through my Bible study, God spoke to me through their words - and His, "Nothing will improve until you learn your lesson to accept things as they are and make the best of this situation."  It's not about me!  (Imagine that.)  It's about the people who will sell the house we will buy.  It's about the people who will buy our home.  It's about timing - God's timing because He is working things out to our benefit and the benefit of all who will be involved.

Time has been a precious commodity for several years.  I have wanted more of it for gardening, cooking and painting in my studio.  Now that I have that time, I am complaining.  Have you ever done that?  So, today, I make a new resolution to get back into my studio, take more time for personal grooming and time with friends I will have to say "goodbye" to and blow the dust off of a cook book.  There are going to be moments when I let all the delays get to me.  After all, the enemy never stops.  But, I have turned a corner and will stop and remember to take advantage of this time God is providing for me - because He is involved in my personal life - just like he is involved in your life.  

Everything in God's  good time.

Amen

The Gospels - Mark

Mark was not one of the twelve chosen by Jesus but, rather, a follower of Peter.  It is believed Mark wrote from the teachings of Peter.  Mark concentrated more on what Jesus did rather than what He said.  After all, Mark was not a direct witness to Jesus.

What Mark might have looked like

It is the shortest of the gospels with 16 chapters.  This book of Mark was written to Gentiles in Rome and Greece.

Acts 12:12 tells us Mark was somewhat affluent by the reference to his mother’s as a “big” house, because “many people had gathered”, and a servant is mentioned.

In Col 4:10 we learn that Barnabas, Paul’s frequent companion, was a cousin of John Mark.

In his account, Mark sees Jesus as the servant, symbolized by the ox (Rev 4:6&7), because of his tireless ministry in pure motive, represented by the color white.  He presents Jesus to the reader as a tireless worker; always doing and serving others (like a minister, our high priest).  Thus, setting example for His followers.

Mark had failed in his service at one point: Acts 13:13.  The “John” listed here is Mark (called John Mark).  He returned to Jerusalem due to some difficulty.  Acts 13:2 & 4 tells us the Holy Ghost called 2 but 3 went.  Mark was not yet called.  He was eager but not yet called by the Holy Spirit.   New believers are often very enthusiastic but may not yet be made ready.  Mark was experienced as a failed servant writing about the servant of man, Jesus, the ultimate servant.

Col 4:10 and II Tim 4:11 shows us Mark restored.  He went on to be quite  successful as an apostle. 

Mark’s gospel opens with Jesus busy: baptized, calling disciples, driving out demons, healing, tempted and preaching. 
Closes with Jesus working - with the apostles, 16:20.

In Mark, Chapt. 1, Jesus came into our darkness.  (In Mark 16, He left us with His light.)  I want to note that Jesus was baptized at the lowest point in the country and crucified at the highest point.  A good subject to ponder.

Chapter 3 tells us Jesus started with 70 apostles and chose 12.  In Hebrew (Jesus was a Hebrew), the number 12 represents authority/government: 12 tribes, 12 stones in first foundation of New Jerusalem, 12 stones on priests breastplate and more I will not explore at this time. 

Like Matthew, he records many of Jesus parables and healing.  He also accounts for Jesus’ brothers and sisters in Chapt 6.  Indeed, Jesus is very busy in this account by Mark.  He does one thing after another and Mark makes this clear with words like: immediately, and, then Jesus, at once, when Jesus and repeatedly following Jesus name with a verb.  All emphasis is on the perfect example of Jesus the servant.  Another point is the absence of the word “and”.  In original Greek text the conjunction “and” was used more frequently to show He was busy: and He healed, and He walked, and He went, and He saw, and He appoints.  Right away, Mark establishes Jesus as the servant. 

Further along in Chapt. 6, He feeds the 5,000.  If we include what must have been the presence of women and children, He fed even more than this; possibly around 15,000.  Mark tells us they were fed and satisfied; Jesus gave them the bread of life and they were content, just as we are fed with His word and find rest.  It is noted there were 12 full baskets left over.  He gives us all we need - and more.  I find it interesting to note there were also 12 apostles.

In 10:14, rather than the NIV word indignant or angry, original Greek states “severely displeased”.  I am a great advocate of how much Jesus was especially gracious to children and widows; what His brother James called “pure religion”. 

In Chapt. 11, Mark records the crowd crying “Hosanna!” as Jesus came into Jerusalem on a colt.  “Hosanna” translated from Hebrew, means “Save us, please.”  This is especially interesting in v.10.  He notes that they were to find a colt that had never been ridden - you could say a “virgin” colt.  Jesus was born of a virgin woman, rode a virgin colt and was buried in a virgin tomb (one that had never been used).

Mark also relates to us the last supper, Peter’s denial, Gethsemane, His arrest, trial, death, crucifixion, burial and resurrection.

All gospels mention either flogging or punishment of Jesus at the hand of Pilot.  Maybe Pilot was hoping the Jewish priests would have pity when they saw Him beaten within an inch of His life.  It didn’t work.  Surely, it is significant that every one of the gospels accounts for the flogging.  It was common in Roman law to use a cat of nine tails that had pieces of bone and pottery tied to the end of the nine leather tails to latch on to and tear flesh.  It was also likely that he received 38 to 40 lashes (x 9 tails) by Hebrew Old Testament law.  Pilot was dealing with Hebrew priests who were insisting on death.  The Psalmist recorded how His bones “stare back at me”.  The importance of shredding His body of flesh (as fulfilled in prophesy) was to take our ills and pains upon Himself so we might be whole, Isa. 53:4, I Pet.2:24

Moving on to the crucifixion, Mark mentions the time Jesus was crucified in 15:25   Nine in the morning was the time of the morning sacrifice at the temple. 

Verse 16:15 reads “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”  The Greek translates this “Go to all creatures and preach and publish openly.”  The Greek is so much more explicit.

It was a Gentile, a Centurian, that first stated, “This man was the Son of God!”.  His own people, through the priests, had turned against Him (the very people He came to save) so the apostles were sent out to Gentiles, who were quicker to believe.  The Gentiles did not have 5,000 years of law and tradition to over come.

Mark also mentions the women who were in service to Jesus during His ministry and were present at the cross.  This would have been unusual in those days.  A crucifixion was no place for a woman; it was very brutal.  Most likely, they stood off a few yards.  However, we are to believe that His mother was in hearing range when told to behold her new son, John.

One last note: These first four books of the New Testament are called “Synoptic Gospels”.  This translates “Good News In Agreement”.

Amen

The Gospels - Matthew

In the four gospels, we find 89 chapters.  Four chapters are on the childhood of Jesus.  There are 12 chapters of the public ministry of Jesus in John alone. 

What Matthew could have looked like

NOTE:  The disciples were very young, most mere teenagers.  I will be writing on this in detail in the future.

The four gospels are referred to as "Synoptic" gospels.  Synoptic means "to view together".  Together they compose the complete life of our Savior. 

Matthew wrote with detailed precision, as the accountant that he was.  In Matthew we find Jesus portrayed as a king, symbolized by the lion, exalted and represented by the color purple, associated with royalty (although among Jews the color considered as royal is red).  The phrase, "kingdom of heaven" is only referenced in this book of the gospels.  Matthew has the most chapters, 28, probably because he wrote with a lot of detail.

This first of the gospels is written to Jews of prominence and shows Jesus geneology, through Joseph, back to King David thus proclaiming His physical claim to the throne in the kingdom of God.  The tribe of Judah is listed to show His Jewish kinship as coming from the chosen people; Jesus being THE chosen one.   It does not state that Jesus was begotten of Joseph because there was no physical connection.  In the begats of Mt, chapt. 1, we find the four gentile women listed:  Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba (listed as Uriah's wife).  A few names were left out because they were not worthy.  In AD 17, Romans burned all archives.

NOTE: Most often non believers are not mentioned by name in the Bible, but these women were and/or became believers based on evidence in their stories.

NOTE:  Matthew records three sets of 14 generations: 3x14 = 42 months = 3 1/2 years: the time of tribulation.  The first set of generations runs Abraham thru David; the second runs David thru Babylon and the third runs Babylon thru Jesus.  These reference morning, noon and evening of the time of this age.

In those days, tax collectors cheated and stole from their own people - the worst of the worst.  People despised tax collectors, did not trust and shunned them.    Matthew was, actually, serving another country (Rome).  He had given an oath to Ceasar, as a God.   He was considered a traitor of his people for the love of money - a type of idol worship.  To his credit, in Mt 9:9, Jesus said two words, "Follow Me", and Matthew did.  Jesus explains his choice in 9:12.

Matthew, writing to prominent Jews, records the visit of the Magi and their dealings with king Herod (Herod, Heb: "Evil").  (I have read an account showing Herod as descendant of Esau.) 

in Mt 2:2 we find a parallel to Gen 3:9:  In Genesis, is the first question in the Bible,  "Where are you?"; God asked of Adam.   Adam, the first man, was hiding from God from the guilt of his sin.  Here, Mt 2:2, is the question from the Magi (a class of priests among the Persians and Medes who formed the kings privy council) inquiring about the second Adam, Jesus, who came to do the job that Adam failed at: uniting man's relationship with God.

In Mt 2:13 we are told of the escape into Egypt; Egypt translates "stress".  This is very interesting not only in this story but also the story of Moses saving the Israelites out of Egypt (stress).

We see the humility of John the Baptist in Mt 3:11

In the baptism of Jesus, we see the Holy Spirit, in symbol of a dove, lighting on Jesus.  (See Ps 2:7)  In Gen 8:9, the dove found no resting place from the ark.  The dove would not land on dead bodies of the condemned/condemnation.  The Holy Spirit cannot rest on us under condemnation.  The Holy Spirit, in Matthew, found no condemnation in Jesus - only grace.

When Satan tells Jesus to turn stones to bread in Mt 4:3, he is telling Him to get fed from the law (the 10 Commandments were written on stone).  Jesus refused because He came to fulfill the law NOT to enforce it.

In 4:20, it is interesting to note the phrase "I will send you out to fish for men/people" was originally, in Greek, "Let me be your guide".  Further in verse 20, "followed him" is "became His disciples", in the original Greek.  These differences in wording do put a slightly different slant to the meaning.

In Mt 10 we find the first commission assigned to the apostles.  Verse 11:25, "little children" originally read "disciples" who actually are children in their stage of spiritual growth.  Chapt. 12:31&32 reveals what might be the "unpardonable sin".  

It is very interesting, in lieu of Matthew's view of Jesus as King, that in verse 21:3 he refers to Him as THE Lord (not "my" Lord). 

Many parables are recorded by Matthew along with Peter's declaration, Jesus prediction of His death, the transfiguration, healing, divorce, the little children, His entry into Jerusalem, taxes, hypocrisy, woe to teachers of the law, signs of the end time, the plot against Him, last supper, the garden, His arrest, trial, Peter's denial, crucifixion, burial and ends with His resurrection.  

I find it interesting in 27:25, "All the people [Jews] answered, "His blood is on us and on our children!"  Surely, they had no idea what a curse they were pronouncing on generations.

This record ends with the resurrection, ascension and promise to be "with you always, to the very end of the age.".  
Amen
  
* I'll be back in a few days with notes on the book of Mark.

A Short Thought

During a recent Sunday School class discussion, there were comments on how to forgive those who wrong you or for whatever reason, you don't like or don't want to be around.

One comment has stayed with me and I would like to share it with you:

When there is someone that you need to forgive (for any reason), or just accept, imagine that Jesus is standing behind them and saying to you, "I love them".

This is a very interesting exercise and I have to admit it is working for me.
Amen

Be An Example, James 1:27

I was shopping with a friend one day when she sped up her car to keep me from handing a couple dollars to a man on side of the road with a sign asking for food money.  She explained to me that so many people in the city, asking for financial help don't actually need it; they are con artist.  I will admit she has a point.  There are just such people out there taking advantage of the good spirit of many. 

To prove a point, I went to Strong's Concordance and looked up the word "give".  There are five pages of verses with the word "give" quoted.  That does not even include "giver", "given" or "giving".  Of course, there are more verses about what God gives to us than those commanding us to give.  However, if God can give us so much, shouldn't we pass along to others?

Here are a few of those verses:
Gen 14:20- Then Abraham GAVE Melchizedek a tenth of everything
Pro 25:21 - If your enemy is hungry, give him food
Mt 10:8 - freely you have received, freely give
Mk 6:37 - Give them something to eat
Mk 10:21 - Give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven
Mk 12:17 - Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's
Lk 6:30 - Give to everyone who asks of you
Lk 11:9 - Ask and it will be given you
Acts 3:6 - Peter offered all he had
Ro 12:20 - If your enemy is thirsty, give him something to drink
Jms 2:16 - Help with physical needs
Jms 1:27  (My personal favorite)  Pure religion is caring for widows and orphans


Although we need to discern in our giving (that's just being responsible with what we have), nowhere are we told to question who we give to or what they will do with what we give.  We are merely told to give to others, especially if they ask of us.

With some American Indian blood running through my veins, I am reminded of a teaching from my youth that says:  When you have a successful hunt, you are to share with anyone who asks.  During the days when I was returning from a successful art show, I remember many times there were people with signs, asking for help.  In Iowa, I was approached in a parking garage for food for a hungry family.  Stopping for gas on I-70, I was asked for a donation for cleaning my windshield.  I laughed to myself as I drove off with a windshield dirtier than when the man started.  

In Ohio, I was looking for a place to have breakfast and called to a man, on the corner, with a sign to join me.  It was a fascinating meal, listening to him talk about high school and his family.  The waitresses all knew him.  It seems he frequented this particular corner.  He ate breakfast and ordered lunch to go.

Times when I was not asked:  There was the faces of three boys in a dollar store who were short some change to pay for a couple trinkets, when I made up the difference.  Or the Indian boys, in Oklahoma, who had only pennies for ice cream that cost more than a dollar.  They were amazed to get help for the sweet treat. 

I remember a woman in a diner in South Dakota trying to get attention to be seated and being ignored.  She was not dirty, just an old Indian woman, with a couple dollars for pie and coffee.  I sat her down with me and demanded a menu for her.  It was enlightening to listen to her talk about her life on the reservation and where she lived now.  She had ordered a four course meal with lots of coffee, boxed up everything she could not finish, along with desert, and asked for quarters to do her laundry.  I wrote her name in my Bible so to never forget and still pray for that poor unfortunate.

This text is not written to brag but to show an example, ITim 4:12.  Many, many people do so much more than my occasional small treats.  My point is that we do not have to give huge amounts to impact someone.  And, I was rewarded by being so well entertained.  People have stories we are not aware of.  It takes our mind off ourselves for a few minutes and reminds us that others also suffer and so often more than we do.  I need to help others to keep myself humble. 

Amen

"I Am A Christian"

Not too long ago, I was in our local dollar store to pick up some household items.

I wasn't in the store very long when I heard a  woman's voice that sounded upset.  Naturally, as a "curious" person, I wanted to know what was going on; so . . . I listened.  I mean, it didn't take much straining to hear her.  This woman had the kind of voice that seems to permeate the atmosphere.  (Know what I mean?)

She was asking about the price of an item.  No idea what the item was and it is not important.  She was at the register complaining that a price had been rung up that was incorrect.  The clerk was explaining that it was the price listed in the register.  The lady customer was countering, emphatically, that the price on the shelf, where she found it, was different than the price being rung up.  We've all been there.  And, it does happen that a  price can be in the register that has not been changed for a sale.  This lady did not seem to be considering the possibility of an excusable error.  In fact, she was getting quite agitated.   After a couple minutes of discussion with the clerk was getting her nowhere, she asked for the manager.  As far as I can remember, the price difference was just a matter of less than a dollar.

The manager was prompt on the scene and asked the customer to show her on what shelf in the store she found the price of this item.  The customer marched the manager straight to the shelf with the price.  The manager, seeing the issue immediately, patiently explained that her item was not in the correct location in the store.  The manager further explained that people frequently pick up items and leave them in different locations when they change their mind about a purchase.  

Apparently, this lady did not like her answer.  Her agitation was growing as could be witnessed by her volume.  Here and now, I can no longer be accused of eaves dropping; the entire occupancy of the store was within hearing range.  

The manager was leading her customer back to the register to settle the situation.  A line of customers was forming and half of this woman's purchases had been rung up.  We were in the middle of a "incomplete checkout".   


Discussion continued further as the customer was getting more and more upset.  She was insisting on the price that was on the shelf where she found the item in question.  The manager, to her credit, was even in tone, volume and patience as she continued to repeat the actuality of the situation.  This customer, for whatever reason, finally relinquished and very sharply declared, "Well, then, I don't want it." 

By this time, I had joined the line of waiting customers and could witness the situation first hand.  With, pursed lips this lady refused to say another word, pushed her money into the hand of the manager, threw her change into her purse and mumbled something under her breath.

As she turned with her cart, I could see her purse in the baby seat, which sported a decal that declared, "I am a Christian".

Amen

He Does It For Us

We do not need great faith.
Jesus has faith in Himself; enough for all of us. Mk. 9:23.   In this verse Jesus questions the man's faith in Him (Jesus) and replies that everything is possible for Him (Jesus).   (Original Greek text leaves off the first word "believe" in v. 23 and shows a question mark: "If you can?" (Jesus acknowledges the man's doubt.) Jesus further states "Everything is possible for HIM who believes." (meaning Jesus).   We only need to know that our Savior has enough faith for all of us.  We can borrow from Him by just asking of Him for the faith we need.

We only need enough faith to believe HE can move our mountains and HIS faith will do it for us.  We merely ask.  After all, we have no ability to heal, yet we pray for others and miracles happen - through the faith of Jesus.
Amen

Do not stress; just ask.  I like to say, "If you are worried, pray.  If you pray, why are you worried?"  Think about it.  Let go and let God.  What makes you think that all your worry can do even an ounce of what God can do?

I love this picture

Jesus worked on Sabbath to show us we should rest in Him.    In all His parables sitting down refers to Him sitting down because we are so busy trying to fix our problems.  When we sit (rest in Him), He will get up and do it for us. 
There is strength in the calm.  Listen for God's quiet voice to comfort, instruct, advise and direct.  Jesus "sat Down" at the right hand of God after the resurrection; He is now our advocate to God the Father. 

In the NT, there is no talk of "waiting on the Lord God" because He has already come.
 
He works through the meek and the weak just to show He is doing it for us.  David was a boy when he killed Goliath,  Daniel and Joseph were young boys when they were taken and promoted to high ranking offices that helped their people.

Christians are amazing people.  Just the belief of a mustard seed is needed - the belief to ask.  Not your faith; the faith of Jesus.  I have the belief of a mustard seed but never moved a mountain until I showed belief in the ability of Jesus to change things.  Mountains (problems) move.


Money problems?  Jesus does not need money; He has the riches of the universe.  He waits for you to show your belief in Him enough to ask.  He says "believe in me".  Like grace - You don't have to do anything. You cant' earn it. It's a gift.  It's free.  The grace of God/Jesus provides love, protection, generosity, understanding, tolerance and so much more.



We get so caught up in doing and pushing what WE feel He wants that WE forget Jesus can and will do it for us.  WE want people to do good; WE want our family to believe; WE want what is best for our kids; WE know that the old hymns are the best; WE want the Pastor's wife to dress different; WE want the girls to stop dying their hair blue; WE want, WE want.  We want because WE know what God wants and WE are sure WE are told to do this.  Oh, come on.  How dare WE presume to know the mind of The Supreme Being Himself ?  Or His timing, or His goals? Or His unfathomable love and grace.
STOP IT !

Let go; relax.  Jesus can do it all for you and . . . He wants to.

Amen

My Story - Epilogue

Yeah, my story has a great ending.  

Looking back over my life, I can see how blessed I am.  All the trials have made me who I am today.  Perfect?  No!  But, I have learned, matured, grown spiritually, come into a personal relationship with God and am so grateful for all of it.

God did not do any of the bad things.  People were given free choice from the time of Adam and Eve.  My parents made choices and I made my choices in response to their actions.  It is obvious that I made poor choices - one after another for many years.  And, look how it just spiraled to that turning point with the loaded gun.

God does not do bad  God is total, complete love.  As a good father, He created us and knows what we need and want better than we do.  It's not easy to trust a spiritual being when everything we relate to is physical.  Faith and belief are not easy in this world.  It takes a desire and a lot of practice - a lot of trial and error.  Not to worry, the blood of Jesus covers the believer's mistakes.  You get a "do over" - every time!  Keep doing it over until you get it right.  It starts with your first step.  Jesus does not push; He waits.  You have to take the first step in faith and practice belief.  Here is another easy part:  if you need faith, just ask for it.  That first step is submission by getting on you knees and asking for everything you lack.  The father's love makes it easy.

The enemy knows where we are most vulnerable.  He knows every weak spot.  He prowls the earth like a hungry lion searching for who he can devour.  Constantly in our head whispering everything negative and telling us we are not worthy; prodding us to do and be everything Jesus is not. 

God turns bad to good:
Because my father left, I got to know an amazing grandfather.

Because of the sexual abuse, I learned to cherish physical relationship as the ultimate expression of love within the privacy of marriage.

Because I was betrayed by a close friend, I know how to be a friend.

Because of the molestings, I am cautious and aware of my surroundings.

Because of poor choices in husbands, I learned to let God have His way.  

Because I lost children, I have a passion for them.

Because of many trials, I was blessed with amazing friendships for support. 

Because of a restless spirit, I have traveled all over this country, been places, seen things and met all sorts of people. 

Because . . . because . . . because . . . get it?

My husband and I are not wealthy but we have everything we need; what a great blessing.  Sometimes, I feel downright rich. 
Note:  We have learned that any time we get a financial windfall (like a bonus at work or I sell art I was not offering), to hold on to it for awhile before we spend it.  Many times, a reason for the money comes shortly after we receive it.  So many times, God has provided BEFORE the need.  What a blessing to be able to ask our Heavenly Father for advice in every part of our daily lives.  When the answer is immediate or obvious, our faith gets a boost.  Fear fades and confidence grows.

As we mature in our relationship with Jesus, we have learned how to be grateful and show daily praise.  We are making Him the center of our married lives.  He shows us His amazing love and understanding time and again.  Our lives have become miracles.
Amen