Month: November 2023

Black Friday=Greatest Gain for You and Me!

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I was thinking this morning about the designation ‘Black Friday’.  It seems that since the 1950’s the day after Thanksgiving has been called ‘Black Friday’.  It began as a term to describe the crowds,  like the street was black with pedestrians.  It then became a day  to retailers signifying when they began to turn a profit and moved from the ‘red’ into the ‘black’ as the volume of their sales increased.   In the Bible the blackest Friday would be the day of the crucifixion. It was the day when the skies turned black and darkness covered the land.  “It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.  Luke 23:44-46   The blackness of that Friday is a picture of the sin that Jesus bore on the cross for you and me.  His death on that darkest day brought the greatest profit for us.  John 12:46 puts it in perspective for us as to why that blackest of Friday’s had to happen.  “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”

risen

Even on that blackest of Fridays, the people were rushing around preparing for their Sabbath.  Since they could do no work on the Sabbath, they hurried to get Jesus down from the cross,  buried and settled in a borrowed tomb.  Mark 15:42-47 describes these events done in haste.  After the Sabbath was over, several women came back to the tomb to anoint Jesus with spices as his burial had been done in such a hurry they felt they had not been able to treat his body properly on that Friday.  “When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.”  Mark 16:1  Their walk to the grave site was done in sadness but their return was joyous as the learned of Jesus’ resurrection and defeat of sin and death.  An angel spoke to them when they got there, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”  What joyous news they had to share!

colossians 1 ;21

That blackest Friday brought death to Jesus and  burial brought the greatest profit to you and me.  Colossians 1:21-22 explains where we were on the black Friday and where we are now because of it.  “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,”    That was the the biggest gain or profit for mankind ever in history.  Christ reconciled us to God so that we can be in communion with Him and have our sin’s forgiven.   We are free to live a life in Christ that is pleasing to God and that is free from the penalty of death brought on by sin.  That Black Friday was the best one in history for you and me.

As you venture out today to do some shopping, think about that blackest of Friday’s and how much you gained through Christ.  Praise Him as you do.

Linda

P.S. I have posted this piece several times on Black Friday. It is a message I need to remind myself of especially before the Christmas Season. It helps to keep my focus on Christ and not on the world. Hope it helps you too.

Thanksgiving 2023, A Day for Giving Thanks

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I pray this has been a wonderful day filled with thankfulness. Whether you are alone or with family, it is a time to reflect and take stock on what God has graciously given to you this past year. Be it health, shelter, friends, wealth, an improved attitude, hopefulness or peace, God’s goodness puts it all into perspective. We could be ill, homeless, friendless, poor, experience depression or anxiety, despair or agitation BUT if we place our focus on Jesus, He will help us to see His good, His provision in whatever circumstances in which we are tangled. May you see this psalm in your day and in your own time. Let your voice be raise din thanks and praise.

A Psalm for giving thanks.

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2     Serve the Lord with gladness!
    Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.

Blessings this Thanksgiving and may you find a reason to praise God each and every day. Praise Him and claim Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” and 2 Corinthians 12:9 ‘But he (Jesus) said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.as you navigate each day.” He will provide all you need!

Linda

Jesus shows Sovereignty over….

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John Chapter 2 opens with Jesus, his disciples and his mother Mary in attendance at a local wedding. Weddings typically lasted multiple days as relatives and friends celebrated with the new couple. For whatever reason, the bride’s family was running short of wine. This would have been a major source of embarrassment for the family. Here is the scene as Jesus’ mother, Mary, comes to him seeking a solution.

John 2:1-10 “On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

Mary sought Jesus’ help in a difficult situation and knew he had an answer as she directed the servants to follow his orders. She knew that she could come to Jesus with her problems and that he would help in some way. She believed in him and his ability to change things for the better. Jesus simply gave orders to fill the jugs with water. The master of the banquet tasted the water and realized it was great wine. He questioned the bridegroom about saving such wonderful wine until so many of the guests had over indulged. Isn’t that just like Jesus to provide the very best and give it freely? The only ones who knew about it were the servants and the disciples. Mary had left the job to Jesus. Jesus protected the ‘timing’ of his revealing himself and still solved the problem.

Jesus showed his sovereignty over natural things by changing the water into fine wine. Here are the results according to verse 11 “ What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” Jesus’ solutions always glorify him and produce faith. His new disciples needed to experience him in action to solidify their new budding faith.

What has Jesus done for you to confirm your faith? Has He spoken to you though His Holy Spirit, given you a vision, a dream, a miracle or a friend to verify and confirm your faith? Each one of us is unique and God will confirm for all of us that we belong to Him! Romans 8:16 puts it this way “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Be open and willing to listen for His confirmation. God is faithful and will confirm for each of us that we belong to Him.

Linda

Confronted by Jesus, what to do?

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So far in the gospel of John Jesus has called Andrew and Peter to follow him. In this next passage from John 1:43-51 we see Philipp and Nathanael added to the group. Philp was a local boy and from the Galilee area and he found Nathanael and told him of Jesus saying he was the one whom Moses had written about.

43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

It would seem from the next words recorded by John, show Nathanael to be somewhat of a cynic and regarded Nazareth as a place of less culture and worth. He remarks, surely nothing good or noteworthy could possibly come from there. Philip is undeterred and still invites Nathanael to come and meet Jesus. 46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.

Jesus greets Nathanael head on with comments about his personality. This takes Nathanael by surprise and causes him to question this man. 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” 48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” 50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.” Nathanael comes away convinced of who Jesus is because he was able to tell him what he was doing even before meeting him. Jesus is amused as he says you are amazed at that small feat, you just wait there is so much more you will see.

What do we learn about Jesus from the calling of Philip and Nathanael? Some people, like Philip, need little persuading. They see and experience Jesus and step out in faith. Then there are the cynics and doubters like Nathanael. When they take the step into faith, they are totally convinced and ready to set their previous cynicism aside and join in. Like Andrew, Philip was eager to tell his friend Nathanael of who he had found. What about you? Do you seek to bring others with you to church or gatherings with Christian friends so that they may be exposed and hear about Jesus? Are you cynical and waiting for ‘proof’ before stepping out in faith. Where ever you are, Jesus will meet you there. He desires that all should know Him. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Being called to walk with Jesus and learn from Him is an amazing opportunity that will change your life. Step out and see for yourself. You will be convinced and not disappointed.

Linda

Who can you tell about Jesus?

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John records what John the Baptist said about Jesus to two of his disciples in John 1:36  “When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” Andrew was one of these the disciples and after following and spending time with Jesus he went to tell his brother Peter.

John 1:40-42 “ Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

I love this scene as it tells us so much about Jesus and His impact upon people. After meeting and spending time with Jesus, Andrew believed Jesus to be the Messiah. He could not wait to go and tell his brother Peter. Not only did he tell him, but he brought him physically to see Jesus. We also see Jesus meeting and telling Peter something about his future. He not only would believe in Him but would be a ‘rock’ in the church. As we know from the gospel accounts Peter was eager, impetuous and failed to claim Jesus as Lord on the night of the trials. However, we see a transformation after Jesus’ ascension and Peter’s work recorded in the book of Acts into the rock that Jesus proclaimed him to be in the early church.

As New Testament Christians, we need to ask ourselves, when was the last time we introduced someone to Jesus? Did you invite them to a service to hear more about Him? Did you invite them to join a Bible Study or volunteer to meet them and study the scriptures together? Our excitement over our Savior should be as compelling as Andrew’s was. If yours isn’t, pray about it and ask the Holy Spirit for an infusion of joy and purpose to tell others about our wonderful Savior.

What about your transformation? What do you see God doing within your character? As a believer you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and thus He is doing a work within you. Are you fighting Him or are you submitting and letting him mold and shape your character to be more and more like Jesus? We know that Peter’s transformation happened over time as he learned more about Jesus, his love and his ways of treating others, his hope for the future and what it meant to be a part of His forever family. It takes time. Take stock of your own growth and look at Galatians 5:22-24 where Paul describes the fruits of the Spirit. ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Are you seeing more of these traits within your character? If not, make it a matter of prayer with a repentant heart. God will transform us if we are willing. Paul exhorts us in Romans 12:1-2 to take this seriously and commit ourselves being willingly transformed. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Go back and read the scripture above again. How are you like Andrew? How can you be more like Andrew in the days to come?

Linda