Resurrection - Fact or Fiction

 When my church called for members of the congregation to read scripture on Sunday mornings, I volunteered and am called upon to do so every 4 to 6 weeks. I have been encouraged to make any short comment about the reading that I might feel appropriate and practiced with the music team prior to service.

> This week I was given ICor. 15:3 - 10 to read. These verses reflect Paul's comments to the Corinthian church about the number of people who witnessed Christ after His resurrection from the dead, focusing on the truth about the Good News.

 

* In Christianity, the resurrection of Jesus is the most compelling piece of evidence that He is Savior and the Son of God.  From the very first day,  the enemy has planted seeds of doubt regarding the resurrection.

 

> An interesting statement is that Jesus was seen by 500 people at one time - after His resurrection. I have heard this scripture before but never read where the event was documented in the Bible, so I went to seek it out.

IT'S NOT !

In deed, I went to search out the passages and there are none. What I did find was a lot of anti-Christ comments on how this proves He did not rise from the dead as our Savior and Son of God.

 

> This is ignorance at it's best. So many set themselves up in judgement of situations they know nothing about; never read or study. I dare any doubter to PROVE Jesus is NOT risen from the dead. There is more documentation to the contrary - if you open your eyes.

 

> Let me begin by stating ancient history does document Jesus as existing in ancient Nazareth.  The major question is that of His status as Son of God, Creator and Savior of mankind - His divinity.

 

> Then, let me state, He was dead when taken from the cross. This is documented with the statement that water flowed from His side when pierced with a Roman soldier's spear and witnessed by those present. This "water" is the content of the protective sac around the human heart. If the sac is pierced, a clear fluid runs out and the heart stops.

 

 

 

> There were many other encounters listed as witness accounts: Mary Magdalene was first Jn.20:11-17, Matthew tells that she was with another woman Mt.28:7-10, two followers on the road to Emmaus Lk.24:13-27, Apostles in the Upper Room Lk.24:36-49 and Jn.20:19-29 (Thomas was not present but other followers were), Thomas Jn.20:24-28, James (brother to Jesus) also stated by Paul ICor.15:7. Paul states his life changing encounter on the road to Damascus Acts9:1-19. He appeared again in the Upper Room Mk.16:9-19 to the 11 Apostles. 

 

> Let me also remind everyone that the Dead Sea Scrolls, The Apocrypha and the Agnostic books are incomplete. No one can be positive the encounter with the 500 witnesses did not happen; written documentation has just not yet been found. 

 

> John 20:29 Jesus tells Thomas of those blessed for belief - without physical evidence.

In John 20:30 & 31, John tells us of witnessing versus believing.

In Mark 16:14 we are again told of the blessing of belief without proof. 

 

> It is our FAITH in things not seen that will bring the greatest reward.

 

 

 

> Indeed, the benefits of knowing our Savior in our personal lives - finding Him within ourselves in the quiet moments, is what will bring us the greatest reward - that of knowing Him on a personal level.

Fiery Furnace

Today, let's look at Daniel 3:16 - 18
We find "some astrologers" coming to the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, to denounce the Jews.  In all likely-hood, because they were not able to get these teenagers to do as they were told.  After all, these Jews were servants in the king's house and were not complying to the rules.  They were refusing to worship the idol set up by the king.  These "tattletails" were crying to the king like a child who could not make a baby brother do what they told him.

I want to interject some interesting notes:  These were Jewish teenagers, from the tribe of Judah, being faithful to the God that brought their ancestors out of Egypt, the land of stressful slavery.  Their Hebrew names were Hananiah (meaning: God Has Been Gracious), renamed Shadrach, meaning Command of Aku (Babylonian god of the moon).   Mishael (meaning: Who Is Like Unto God), renamed Meshach, meaning Who Is What Aku Is.  And Azariah (meaning: Helped Of God) renamed Abednego, meaning Servant of Nebo (Babylonian god of wisdom).   Further, these young men were from royal families of nobility among the Jews noted to be highly educated with aptitude and intellect.  Beautiful Hebrew names changed to names of idols.  What a terrible change of names for them.  From their view point probably very demeaning.  I think I would be a bit angry over the name change.

Moving on, verse 16 gives us the reply of these three young men.  In front of the mighty king who held their lives in his hands, they refuse to defend themselves.  What beautiful pride in their faith.  They tell the king their god is mighty enough to save them from fire and this king and furthermore, if their God does not save them from certain death, they refuse to serve or worship false gods or the image the king set up.  WOW !!!  They lived in the palace, clothed in finery and had food available to them from the king's kitchen.  Young men ready to die for devotion to God.

Do you know a teenager today who would stand like this in front of  Napoleon, Hitler, Stalin or Hussein?  No wonder God chose to save them from the burning furnace.  They did not even smell of smoke.  The king praised God and gave a command to anyone who spoke against the God they worshiped.  He even promoted them.  What an amazing testimony from God.  What would you do in such a situation?

There is a message in verse 3:26 & 27 which talks about the king calling them out of the fire and noting their clothes were not even singed by the fire that had burned others who even approached it.  God calls us to come out of death; come out of your fire - your trial.  Come out of a world that is often times anti God.  Come out of a past of death unto life with Him.  Life more abundant today and life eternal tomorrow.  This is our God.
Amen

Genesis 5

Very few people like to read the "begats" in any chapter.  Names are difficult to pronounce and few are interested in tracing family trees in the Bible from thousands of years ago.  It can be interesting, though.  Nothing from God is by accident or without reason.  The bible is like an onion that can be pealed layer after layer.

In the fascinating Hebrew language (The language God gave Adam;  the language that Moses and all the profits used to write original manuscripts of the Old Testament),  names have meaning that relates to the person or the story being told.

ALSO, any time anything appears in the Bible for the first time, it is significant.  This is no different with the first "begats" of the Bible found in Genesis 5.

If we take each name listed, in the order that it appears and translate the meaning, we find a hidden message that is revelation, prophecy and shows the divine order of this Book of God's word.  Let's check this out:

Adam, in Hebrew, translates "Man", Seth - "Appointed", Enosh - "Mortal", Kenan - "Sorrow".  Mahalalel translates "God's Splendor", Jared - "Descended", Enoch - "Teacher".  Methuselah translates "His Death Will Bring", Lamech - "Disparaging", Noah - "Rest".

It is easy to break these down into three sentences:
1.  Man (was) appointed mortal sorrow.  This refers to the fall of man (Adam) in the garden.
2. God's splendor descended teacher.  Who descended from heaven as our great teacher; the splendor of God?
3. His death will bring disparaging rest.  Jesus suffered humiliation, degredation before His agonizing death so we might rest through faith in him.

Genesis 5, is not only some boring "begats" but here we see God's plan for the ages in the fifth chapter of the first book that Moses wrote.  It is prophetic promise of salvation for mankind through "the splendor of God".  I don't know about you, but this helps strengthen my faith.  Such a statement gives credibility to Moses knowledge of God, God's perfect order, God's love for man, God in charge and I want to know more of this amazing God of Gods.

One more point:  These begats are broken into 3 sentences.  Three is the number of perfection - God in three parts.  These three sentences reveal to us not only a trinity but inform us that God's plan is perfect.  We can trust in our future as Christian believers.
Amen

Redemption Covenant

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.   Bible says, "Once and for all."

Here's how it works:  

We do our best to live according to Jesus example and don't worry about anything else.  We are pure in the sight of God.  We do not have to work for our salvation; God gave it to us through Jesus.  When God the  Father, looks at us He only sees righteous beings.  He cannot see past Jesus pure blood of His son that covers us.

The blood sacrifice was installed when God killed animals to clothe Adam & Eve after they sinned.  Then, God was angry with Cain because he gave an offering of vegetables from the ground that God had cursed.  Abel followed what he was taught and gave a blood offering.  Nothing is cleansed without blood.  We don't need animals because we are redeemed to God by Jesus blood.

We don't have to stop and repent of every wrong thought throughout our day.  Recognize you did did it and know you have been forgiven - 2,000 years ago.  It is done for us for all time.  Jesus cannot crawl back up on the cross to be another sacrifice every time someone sins.   The plan is magnificent in it's simplicity! ! !  What a clever God we have.  What a loving Jesus.

We are the righteousness of God through what Jesus has sacrificed.  God is righteous because of His loving grace to us.  We are righteous in His sight.

As God's perfect law, the 10 Commands make a great guide line.  Just don't expect to keep them or judge yourself when you fail.  You do not have to follow the letter of the law for your salvation.   You cannot get into  heaven on your own efforts.  YOU NEED THE BLOOD OF JESUS.  He already shed it.  You are going.  You have your ticket.  Stop trying to make your salvation all about you.  It's all about Jesus.  Only He is perfect enough to atone for us.  

Believe.  Faith.  Love God above all else and love your neighbor as much as yourself.      -      Easy- peasy!

God made it easy for us because man failed time after time.  God knew we could not save ourselves.  Accept it.  Be free.  Claim Jesus.  The great "I Am".
Amen

A Study of Gideon

It takes only three chapters: there are miracles, an amazing battle, the rise and fall of a hero, action and revenge, Judges 6,7,8.  In the book of Judges you can find all the men and women in charge of Israel before God appointed the first king, Saul.  Ooooops!  God did not appoint Saul.  The people wanted a ruler so bad that they insisted on him.  If you don't know how that turned out; well, let's just say God knows what He is doing.

The Hebrew name Gideon means "Warrior".  Gideon was marked with a purpose when he was born.   There is no evidence that Gideon had ever served as any kind of warrior until God called  him.

Read Verse 2 and then look up Isa 2:19, Jer 48:28 and 49:8  
I submit to you that these verses refer to Petra (Grk), also called Selah (Heb).  Both these names refer to a place next to Wadi Musa, "Valley of Moses" and offers supernatural protection.  A place where the Hebrew people wandered for 40 years. This place of red rock caves is invisible from the air and impenetrable from the ground.

Selah was the capitol of Edom.  Edomites descended from Esau, a red head.  The word "Selah" means lofty, craggy rock, stronghold, cliff.  "Selah" is also a pause in prose where one listens and God speaks.  (See Psalms)  God's word is a place of safety and rest.  *I will do a more indepth study of this in the future.

V 6:11 tells us that God manifested Himself.  (see V 14)  Gideon was threshing wheat to hide it from the Midianites, who were taking everything from the Hebrew people.  Gideon is also addressed, by God, as a "mighty warrior".  This is a positive statement from God to a man who is hiding from his enemies. 

V 12 & 13:  Gideon is talking frankly with what he believes is an angel and complains of all the troubles that have come upon his people.  Never mind that the Hebrew people have chosen to follow another god - or, rather, false gods of the Midianites.  

In V 14, Gideon is told to use the strength he has to go up against the Midianites.  God will not give him any super power.  He is expected to work on faith.

In V 15, good ol' Gideon argues with God, showing his weakness in faith.  In V 16, God tells Gideon all he needs is God in order to strike down ALL the Midianites like there were one man.  A strong statement to counter Gideon's weak argument.

V 17:  Now Gideon wants proof of God's word; a sign.  But, he is willing to make an offering to God, recognizing Him for who He is and showing gratitude and honor.  God tells Gideon He will wait - just as He waits for our gifts and offerings of faith.

In the few verses that follow, we see Gideon taking much time to prepare matzos and cook meat.  He is instructed on how to make this offering and watches as God consumes the offering with fire.  Ex.3:2, Nu 22:22, Ex 12:8
Then, Gideon built an alter to the Lord and called it "Jehovah Shalom" (God is Peace) because he had seen the Lord (pre-incarnate Jesus) face to face.  Guess Moses was not the only one.  Ex 24:11


Gideon goes on to tear down the alters and Asherah pole his father had made to Baal.  I recently viewed a short film about the Asherah pole and Baal worship.  Baal worshipers used to sacrifice young children to be burned alive.  Priests of Baal would publicly conjugate with women (representing the Goddess Asherah) then, the people would have public orgies.  Mass graves have been uncovered holding hundreds of carcasses of children.  No wonder God detested this idol worship.


In Judges:6:37 & 39, we find Gideon asking God for proof of a promise to make the Israelite army victors over the Midianites. In Judges 7:10 & 11, we find God offering yet another proof. This demonstrates the patience, understanding and grace of our Heavenly Father. We ask for something and God blesses with even more.

Great Battle Scene: Read in the book of Judges 7:2 & 8   Now see this amazing battle in Judges 7:19 - 23 WOW! This is better than an action adventure movie! Three hundred men surrounded an army that was so big it could not be counted (they were thick as locusts and camels were so many they could not be counted).

The three hundred shoulders were armed with shofars (trumpets made from ram's horns) and earthen pottery with a torch (light) inside. No swords, arrows or spears. They split into companies of 100 each and surrounded the Midianites. When Gideon gave the signal, 300 blew their trumpets and broke the pots. This would make one heck of a racket and shown a lot of bursting lights. Anyway, the Midianites (thick as locusts) were so confused that they turned on each other and ran off. Now, I would like to see this on the big screen: a multitude, action, camels stampeding, trumpets sounding, fireworks, confusion - great stuff!  Not one soldier of Gideon's was killed and the Midian army had to be chased down.


Amen

The Twelve, Part 1

 Jesus lived in Nazareth.  This is the simplest scenario for His missing years, most likely working at his father's trade, carpentry.  (Dare Crabtee's 1884 book, "The Journeys of Jesus".)  In that time, carpenters were also stone masons and builders.  He would have studied Hebrew scripture, spending time in the synagogue every day.  As oldest, He would have become head of the house after Joseph's death.  Mark 6 supports all this by recounting how when He began to teach at the local synagogue, people were surprised that a familiar person from their community had such wisdom (a prophet in his own home town).  Crabtree states, "It seems that Jesus grew to manhood's estate working with his hands while He acquired wisdom and knowledge from the great book of nature surrounding His mountain home, and also a perfect understanding of the written revelation handed down by the Hebrew fathers."

Jesus had many followers who believed His teachings.  Within this group, He had an inner circle of twelve young men that He selected for the mission of helping Him to spread His message.  Those men were "The Apostles", a term which comes from the Greek "apostolos", meaning "person sent".  Luke tells us they were handpicked, by Jesus, from the larger group of disciples, after a night of solitary prayer on a mountaintop.

This elite group was made up of Simon (later called Peter), Andrew, James the greater, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the less, Simon the Zealot, Thaddeus (also called Lebbaeus, Jude or Judas), and Judas Iscariot.   Some scholars see this number as alluding to the 12 tribes of Israel.   The Bible is a book of numbers and the number twelve is significant.  Twelve, in Hebrew, represents government.  There were 12 precious stones on the breastplate of the priests.  In Revelation 21, the foundations of the walls of the New Jerusalem will be of the same 12 precious stones.


The apostles must have been between the ages of 15 and 20, except Peter.  All were bachelors but Peter.  Hebrew men received a wife at the age of 18.  Peter was the only man noted to have a wife.  Mt 8:14   Education for Jewish children ended at age 13, when they were considered to be men, expected to follow in their father's trade and old enough to leave home.  Matthew had a profession; the others were apprenticing at their trades.  (Matthew might well have been second oldest.)  Mt 11:25, Lk 10:21, Jn 13:33  In Ex 30:14 a temple tax is instated, that Jesus and Peter paid in Mt 17:24-27.  The others were under the age of 20 so did not need to pay the tax.  A Rabbi began teaching at age 30, as Jesus did.  Students were younger than teachers.  Youth further explains their temperament, fear, hiding, running away and their eagerness.  Jewish boys, ages birth to 2 years, were killed when Jesus was born so there were none the same age.

Higher education (over the age of 13) was under a local Rabbi, in a synagogue.  Jesus was radical in His time, teaching everywhere BUT a synagogue.  He was "anti religion".  His message was radical, teaching love, when the culture was about hate and aggression.  Jesus movement was originally called "The Way".  Acts 9:2, 24:14

The apostles' identity is more as a group than individuals.  We only know a limited amount about the most familiar ones.  Peter and Andrew, who were brothers and worked as fishermen, were Jesus' first two recruits.  He approached them while they were casting their nets into the sea and offered to make them "fishers of men".  James the Greater, and his brother John, "the sons of Zebedee", were also fishermen.  Matthew, whom Jesus saw in his collection booth and recruited with two words, "Follow me".

Thomas' recruitment isn't described in the gospels.  He is described as being so loyal to Jesus that he offered to die with Him.  He has become known as "doubting Thomas" for asking of proof at the news of Jesus' resurrection.  Thaddeaus' biggest moment comes at the Last Supper, when he asks Jesus how He will show Himself only to the apostles after His death.  Judas Iscariot is known mostly for stealing money from the apostles and for betraying Jesus, but then committing suicide in remorse.  (Because of his remorse, I wonder if his life would have been different had he had the opportunity to be forgiven as Peter did.)

Simon is described by Matthew and Mark as a Canaanite and in Luke as a Zealot, likely for his strict adherence to Jewish law.  We know little about Philip, except he was from the same town, Bethsaida, as Peter and Andrew, and that he was present when Jesus performed the miracle of feeding the five thousand.  He advised Him prior to the meal that it would be too expensive to buy food for so many.

Two of the apostles are mystery men.  The only New Testament mention of Bartholomew and James the less are in lists of the apostles.  I have heard speculation that several of the apostles could have been relatives of Jesus due to the small towns they came from in close proximity to each other.

Being an apostle wasn't an easy job.  Not only were they expected to leave  home, job and travel with Jesus, but they also underwent a sort of on-the-job training in which He hone their minds and spirits to prepare them for a task of continuing His work.  In Matthew 10, Jesus gave the apostles a description of their eventual duties as missionaries and teachers and how to perform these duties.

If that wasn't difficult enough, Jesus also informed them that they would have to live a life without physical comforts.  They were instructed to travel without money, only the clothes on their backs and the shoes on their feet. When they arrived at a new city, He expected them to rely on the generosity of others for food and shelter.  If they could not find a humble host, they were told to move on, with the knowledge that the inhospitable would be punished more severely than Sodom and Gomorrah.

Before they reached the time of working on their own, they had plenty to do and learn.  In Matthew 17, they witnessed an example of Jesus casting out a demon from a mentally disturbed boy.  When they asked Him why they couldn't perform the same feat, He explained they needed more faith.  "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, 'Remove hence to yonder place', and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you."

The betrayal and violent death of Jesus was an experience that would certainly have helped the young apostles mature by taking them through trials of their human frailties.  The example is the emotional Peter.  When he refuses to believe Jesus' prophecy that the apostles will scatter after the arrest and execution, Jesus responds by informing Peter that he will deny knowing Jesus three times - a prediction that comes to pass, causing Peter's shame to break his pride.  Humbled, he now becomes more firm in his stand for Jesus.

In Matthew 16, Jesus had chosen Peter as leader - the "rock" upon whom he would build His church, and would provide him with the keys to heaven.  In Acts 1, Peter assumed the lead, by guiding the process of selecting Matthias to replace Judas.  He demonstrated that the apostles could perform miracles when he went to the temple in Jerusalem with John and healed a lame beggar in Jesus name.  This filled the crowd around them with "wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him."  Peter's preaching was so effective that in one day 3,000 people were converted to the new faith.  His healing became so famous that he achieved the reputation that even his shadow passing over a person could heal them.

Of all the apostles, it was Thomas who took the evangelical mission the furthest.  He is thought to have traveled east through modern-day Syria, Iran and eventually reached India.  He covered even more territory than Paul, who traveled the Mediterranean region preaching to the gentiles.

The apostles' mission was a dangerous one.  In the end, eleven of them were martyred.  Only John died of old age.  However, they accomplished their goal, as evidenced by the widespread acceptance of Christianity today.
Amen

To be continued . . . . . . .

A Funny Thing Happened On Our Way To The ER

You know, for the past few days, I have been dealing with medication issues.  At 71, I have been so blessed to be on only one prescription drug - blood pressure.  It runs rampant in my family.  Recently, my prescription no longer works.  I hate drugs and for other health reasons need to stay away from as many as I possibly can.  I take lots of herbs and vitamins for prevention, exercise, drink lots of water and try to be cautious of what I eat.  

I refuse to be that old lady who sits with friends and discusses her doctor appointments, prescription drugs and side effects while waiting for my next meal.  Had to make an emergency run to the hospital when my blood pressure went over 200; elevated 30 points in just half an hour.

We decided to make an emergency run to an Emergency Room about 10:00 pm.  My husband was concerned about some road construction so we took and alternate route.  Just minutes after using our detour, there was a single head light looming on the horizon.  As we got closer, Steven slowed down realizing the light was stationary.

In my travels, I have had the opportunity to drive through some harrowing situations and this brought one to mind.  A time when going through the Appalacian's,  I had to pass through an area where people were putting things in the road (fires, trees, effigy figures) to stop cars for the purpose of robbery.  This came to my mind.  I was uncomfortable with him stopping and slowing down was giving me concern - just from a past memory.  We are in a rural area that has never had such an issue.  Funny how our minds work.

As we approached the light, it became obvious that it was one working headlight on a car that was stopped with the entire front looking like a wadded piece of tin foil.  There was a young couple in the road behind the car, pacing with a flashlight.  We stopped to inquire of the situation.  They had no phone, the young woman was in early stages of pregnancy and had blood on her.  She was in shock and ranting about a rented car, hitting a cow and what they would do about the car.  The young man was pacing with her, scanning her with the flashlight for cuts and she kept saying she was pregnant but that she was "okay".  It is only providence of God that I had my phone with me.  

My husband's phone is for work use only and he left it on his desk at home.  I only turn mine on when away from home so he can reach me.  Seldom do I carry it if I am with Steven.  I called 911 emergency and reached a town 45 miles away.  It took awhile to get reconnected to the correct county, decide what county road we were on, what was the closest EMT, exactly where we were and establish the fact that we were not the victims but rather on our way to the ER for help ourselves.  Can you believe this?  My husband was getting stressed but I found it to be quite amusing.   All I could think was, "Something strange happened on our way to the ER".  Soon, other vehicles approached with phones, willingness to help and more knowledge of the area than we had.  We were soon back to our personal objective.

Long story short, we spent several hours at the ER with a wonderful nurse and an amazing D.O. who was 75 years old.  I love old family doctors.  They are the real knowledge -   Too few and far between.  I am adjusting to new medication while being monitored and feel there was a reason we were on that road at that time on that night.  Prayers are sent up for that couple - who did not show up at the hospital we went to.  

What was God up to?  Others were on that same road with phones.  We were the first to arrive - on our own emergency mission.  Why did that couple not have a phone?  I thought everyone but Steven and I had phones.  That exact place and time came together.  We will never know their names or see them again.   I wonder about the young woman and her unborn baby.  My heart goes out; she was in obvious shock.  Was it a test for us to stop?  Was it a test for someone else on that road that night?  We could have been minutes earlier and hit the cow ourselves.  We never know but God is always aware and close.  He shields and protects His children.

I am confused about His reasoning but God is good.
Amen

P.S.  It was a cow - a large one and she was dead.

My Personal God

"My God" has made Himself personal to me:

I called on Him when I prayed "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep" during my parents divorce.  I was seven years old and He made His presence known to me.

He put His wings around me during the abuse I endured at the hands of a stepfather, and sent me a savior; my grandfather.

He advised me when I was molested by three teen boys at a bus stop. I was 16.

When there was disappointment over missing high school graduation, due to minor surgery, He was there holding my hand.

I held fast to Him through the loss of two children at birth.

During marriage to an alcoholic, He advised me through His spirit.

He was there to console me after the death of Grandfather, the only earthly father I have known.

An angel, in the form of a police officer, was sent when my brakes failed early one morning on busy city streets.

I prayed "Our Father" in an ambulance after a car accident.  It left me with 44 stitches to my face, a broken foot and crushed vertebra, but He chose to spare my life.

Late one evening, in New York, He sent an angel to perform a miracle and save me from an assault in a public parking lot. 

Again, He held my hand during surgery for malignant tumors, consoled me when I learned that I would never have children and held my hand during the hysterectomy ten years later.

I had traveled across this country for forty-five years to sell my art work.  I remember dangerous driving conditions, storms in the mountains, icey roads and being lost - a lot.  My God was sitting next to me in the passenger seat every inch of the way.

In Alabama, He sent an angel with yet another miracle to keep me from an auto accident with two little girls in my car. 

During a time of great depression, from many wrong choices through the years, He spoke and saved me from suicide.

He has loved me from my conception, with a plan for my life.  Thirty-five years ago, my God placed me in His church, changed my life and my way of thinking and, twenty-six years ago gave me my greatest earthy treasure, a husband who truly loves me.

My God bandaged emotional wounds and started the healing.  He has always made Himself personal to my needs.

He sent me a healer and holds my hand every time I take a treatment for liver failure.

He stepped in to fill a huge void when my mother died and consoles a great loss, again, when my brother died young.

A compound fracture in my ankle was set without anesthetic by a strange doctor in a strange hospital in a city far from home.  I was alone for surgery - except for my God.

Throughout my life, and even now, my God has been with me every minute to make sure I did not suffer more than I could bare.  He has been there watching, teaching, protecting; keeping my heart, my body and my soul in His ever gentle arms.

My God took hate, fear and guilt and replaced them with joy, compassion and peace.

My God is the magnificent "I Am" who made time and space and lives on the sides of the north in the third heaven.  Every existence exists in His thought.  He knows every inch of every star in the universe, every grain of sand on every beach and cares enough about me to know how many hairs are on my head - He is the keeper of my soul.

My God loves, protects, blesses, teaches, comforts, heals and answers my prayers. Getting to know Him is a lifetime of joy and amazement.

The Christian life is not easy but the rewards are great.
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