A Sign .
Matthew 12:38-42

38. Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." 39. But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign; but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41. The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42. The queen of the South will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

We’re not really much different from the scribes and Pharisees are we? We look for a sign that Jesus is for real. We look at the world and see so much pain and hurt, violence, fear, war, death and destruction. And we ask, “Where is our God?” The divorce rate continues to climb, our children get into trouble, the addiction rate in this country is epidemic. Video games incite violence and desensitization in our children. The media shouts at us how bad things are and the alert level stays at elevated. So, “Where is your God?”

My God is alive and well. I see Him at work in the youth of our church and two other churches who just got back from a mission trip. They spent two days painting, hauling trash, roofing, light construction, building fences and shoveling gravel to make a parking area for the Petersburg Urban Ministries. I am so proud of them and how they represented not only their own churches, but “the church.” They were Christ to all who witnessed them working together in one of the poorest communities in our area.

To see them, and their witness, gives me hope that the future does hold promise. My God was alive and well in Petersburg on Tuesday and Wednesday! He slept on the floor of a church, and he ate sandwiches in a parking lot for lunch and he worked until he ached. And he shared an evening meal and fellowship with other youth he hadn’t met before. My son told us it was hard to leave, because he had made some new friends. When you’re part of Christian community, the friendships come easier and they seem more meaningful. I’m sure all the youth took away with them a bit more defined sense of who they are and an assurance that they really can change the world for the better.

We are the signs of Christ in the world. What we do and say matters. How we conduct our lives and how we treat others gets noticed. We make a difference by our very lives. The prophets waited so long for Jesus. They remained faithful as they waited. They testified to the coming Messiah and they waited in anticipation of their Savior. We have the benefit of his resurrection! We have no excuse! We’ve been given the only sign we need! We have much work to do in the world! And our Savior compels us to get busy!

I hope today you represent the Risen Christ to a fallen and sin-filled world. And that you are the sign others are seeking.

Mary  ¶ 7:31 AM

  He Has Overcome the World .
John 16:17-33

23. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name. 24. Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. 25. "I have said this to you in figures; the hour is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in figures but tell you plainly of the Father. 26. In that day you will ask in my name; and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 27. for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from the Father. 28. I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father." 29. His disciples said, "Ah, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure! 30. Now we know that you know all things, and need none to question you; by this we believe that you came from God." 31. Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe? 32. The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to his home, and will leave me alone; yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33. I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

When Jesus told the disciples he would soon no longer speak in figures, he wasn’t kidding! The Cross really answers any questions the disciples might have posed. “Oh . . . this is what he meant!” And how sad for them that they felt they must run and hide to avoid a similar fate! Peter did more: He denied his beloved teacher! I think it’s so interesting—and so loving—that Jesus told Peter ahead of time about the denial, and the apostles about their actions to remain safe after the arrest and crucifixion. They may have denied that they would turn their backs on him at the time of the prediction, but must have been comforted somehow as they cowered in fear and dread in their homes.

Jesus knew, of course, that it would happen. And he didn’t want them to beat themselves up with shame and self-loathing for being less than they thought they were. It must have been pretty humbling, too for these select few! I’ve often wondered if, being human like us all, they didn’t have a sense of pride and perhaps a glimmer of self-importance at being the chosen ones. You really couldn’t blame them. Jesus was quite dynamic and mesmerizing. And they must have reveled in seeing his miracles performed and savored the time afterward—the afterglow. And they surely relished the intimate meals and relaxed evenings after dinner, reclining at the master’s side and hearing him tell them of a wonderful future.

I wonder, too, if they started scratching their heads and exchanging puzzled glances when the tone changed to the sadness and the danger that was to come. The foretold grieving over the loss of their teacher and friend, their beloved companion for three years, was just too hard to imagine. And what years they had been! Life changing! Mind boggling!

But Jesus knew, of course. Since he walked the earth as a man, he knew mankind’s tendencies and flaws. He knew they would run and hide. But he knew they would come back around, too! And he wanted them to understand that the real work would begin when they were ready to hit the streets again! If you are afraid, it’s okay. The Holy Spirit will be with you. You will not be alone! Be of good courage! Take heart. Be brave. The world will hate you. But I have overcome the world!

That’s what Jesus wants us to understand too. It’s not always easy being faithful. The world doesn’t see things the way Christians do. In fact, so often I’ve discovered that “the world” is diametrically opposed to what I stand for! And that is so frustrating! Life would be so much better for everyone if they believed in the Risen Lord! We could all live in peace. We would take care of each other. We would love each other.

But short of heaven, we’re not going to see that kind of existence. All we can do is strive to achieve as much of the promise as we can—to bring about as much of heaven on earth as we can muster.

I hope today as you minister to this fallen world, that you’ll remember Christ’s encouragement to all disciples. “In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." And that you’ll tell everyone you know that He has overcome the world.

Mary  ¶ 5:42 PM

  Whose Reality Is It, Anyway! .
John 8:42-47

42. Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I proceeded and came forth from God; I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45. But, because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46. Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47. He who is of God hears the words of God; the reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God."

These are hard words to hear! No wonder the Jews were upset! Jesus is telling them, in no uncertain terms, that there is one way and only one way to heaven. These people have spent most of their lives ardently trying to conform to the rigid rules that have perverted the laws written by the prophets. By the time Jesus came on the scene, it was literally impossible for anyone to achieve “perfection” because the most minute detail was addressed in the re-defined laws—making it impossible for anyone to obtain salvation. The priests and other temple officials has established themselves as an elite class and they didn’t like Jesus stirring things up!

But Jesus is going beyond thumbing his nose at the religious leaders. He’s breaking it down—plain and simple—believe me, and what I say, and you’ll be saved and spend eternity in heaven. Not easy—but simple. And that simple statement of faith and truth undermines everything the temple elite has taught! No wonder they wanted to get rid of this guy! What a rabble-rouser! But to call them children of a murderer! Wow! He’s not fooling around. He's really saying that not only are they going murder him soon, but that they have "murdered" the law as well!

This passage does apply to us today, too. Christ’s message is often hard for us to hear. It’s not easy to decide to live for Him at the expense of acceptance by the world. It’s not easy to do the right thing, when everyone around you is not. It’s difficult to be positive and pleasant and kind in a world that lives by self-centered satisfaction and degrading of others who don’t live up to some pre-conceived standard. If someone is different than we are, they cannot be up to our high standard! Why would we need to live by the truth of Christ, when we have everything we need?

We have a car, a house, a job, a family, friends. . . But do we have a relationship with Jesus Christ? Or are we like the Jews in this passage? Why don’t we hear the words of God, given to us through Jesus Christ? I think it’s just too hard to hear them—even today—maybe especially today! The media latches on to every negative, ugly aspect of human nature; the “reality shows” are anything but uplifting and positive—and exactly whose reality are they depicting? Why is Donald Trump firing someone, and people eating disgusting things and doing dangerous stunts, talk shows that demonstrate the dregs of society, and news that is so slanted toward one political agenda or another in any way indicative of our status as saved?

I know I’m on a bit of a soap box this morning, but this past weekend we watched so many wonderful programs about the life of Jesus on multiple stations. And programs about the Pope, and other life-affirming, uplifting programming. Why can’t this be called “reality tv?” That is my reality! I am a Christian. I do hold myself to a higher standard! I do hold others to a higher standard. But I try not to judge them—and certainly do not hate them, degrade or minimize them. I am a sinner and I live a world full of sinners. But I have heard the word of God through Jesus Christ. And I am unable to accept a world that honors any less.

I hope today you join me in modeling and rejoicing in our status as SAVED! And that you will tell others the Good News, when they ask, “Why are you happy?”

Mary  ¶ 9:07 AM

  HE IS NOT THERE!

HE IS RISEN!

HE IS RISEN INDEED!  ¶ 8:30 AM

  Those Who Have Faith and Keep Their Souls

Hebrews 10:32-39

32. But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33. sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34. For you had compassion on the prisoners, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36. For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised. 37. "For yet a little while, and the coming one shall come and shall not tarry; 38. but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him." 39. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and keep their souls.

One of my dear friends and I talked about how it feels when you first turn your life over to Christ – she described it as almost like falling in love. And I think that’s a pretty accurate comparison. We walk around all starry-eyed. Nothing can make us mad—we’re so happy to be saved—isn’t it just wonderful!? Wow! I never realized I could feel this good! I just know I’m going to feel this way forever! We really to intend to! We desperately want to! Because life before then, no matter how much fun, didn’t offer us this feeling that we’re feeling right now.

Part of it may be that we just can’t believe how lucky we are! God loves ME? In spite of everything I’ve done? Jesus died on the cross to take away ALL my sins? Amazing! Unbelievable! You don’t care what people think of you—because you’re SAVED! You don’t care if they think you’ve lost your mind! You don’t care if they think you’re crazy or weird, or out of touch with reality! Because you have a new reality now and it’s just so great.

Then one day you wake up and you’re a bit slower getting out of bed to face the day. Yesterday wasn’t as terrific as it should have been, and, honestly, today’s not looking much better. What happened? Where did that feeling go? When did I stop living like I’m saved? When did I lose sight of my purpose? I used to go to bat for the underdog, I helped out anyone who needed it, any time they needed it. The world has gotten a bit grayer and bit sadder and bit lonelier. That blazing fire that burned in you once, is now barely a spark.

Paul encourages the Hebrews and us not to let that fire grow dim. Keep fanning the flame. Keep remembering how you felt when your stomach did flip flops just thinking about the God of second chances, and third and fourth, and how he sent a Savior for you. Just remember how it felt to be right and good and strong and that’s what mattered more than being accepted and understood and accommodating. We have need of endurance. Christ offers us the light at the end of the road. Keep looking toward the light and you won’t falter or fall. Keeping walking toward the light and you won’t lose your way.

I hope today you have faith and keep your soul. And that you joyfully accept and endure whatever life sends your way because you know the reward that waits for you in heaven.

Mary  ¶ 8:36 AM

  Flames Will Not Set You Ablaze .
Isaiah 43:1-3a NIV

But now, this is what the LORD says - he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;


“Fear not, for I have redeemed you.” Webster’s defines redeem as: to recover by discharging an obligation; to ransom, free, or rescue by paying a price. The fourth definition is my favorite, and the one that really speaks to me today: to convert into something of value. God offers us his grace and comfort and we can enjoy them and rejoice in them because he has converted us into something valuable. We are valuable to him. Is there really any greater reason to rejoice? Do we really need the approval of man, if God already approves of us so much that he redeems us?

“I have summoned you by name.” So many of us were brought up believing that God wasn’t “personal.” In my past faith tradition, it was taught that we only had access to God through an intermediary—a priest. We could not ask God for forgiveness, we confessed our sins to a priest, who forgave us “for God.” Then we performed an act of penance—generally recitation of prayers. And then we started with a clean slate. It works for a lot of people. But I personally like the fact that I have a personal relationship with God. My God has summoned me by name. He knows me. More than that, he likes me so much he redeemed me!

“You are mine.” I could not imagine being valued more than to be called God’s own. For him to claim such as me is beyond imagining! In my sin and with all my flaws and in my humanity, I fall so short every day of what and who I want to be—desperately want to be! But God claims me for his own anyway. Wow. What could I ever fear in this life? What could be more powerful than the intentional, deliberate and absolute hold God has upon me and my life!?

God will be with us through everything we experience in our lives. We don’t need to worry about our well-being under even the most difficult circumstances, because we matter so much to God that he won’t leave us to our own resources any longer than we can absolutely bear. God comforts and reassures us that He is ours-yours and mine-and he cares about us. He is my God, my Savior.

Are you struggling with something in your life? Is it hard just to function in the world some days? Are you in a relationship that isn’t healthy, or living a lifestyle that isn’t healthy? Are you wondering why in the world you’re even here on earth and what in the world you’re supposed to do? All of us have bouts like that. Probably more than we like to admit. But God offers us the answer, the solution, the reason: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”

I hope you spend today comforted in the knowledge that God claims you for his own. And that you remember no matter where you go, or what you do, God will be with you.

Mary  ¶ 7:26 AM

  He Who Knew No Sin .
2 Corinthians 5:14-21

14. For the love of Christ controls us, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. 15. And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 16. From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once regarded Christ from a human point of view, we regard him thus no longer. 17. Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. 18. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19. that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20. So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

We are new creations because of Christ’s death. That’s been said and heard a lot. But what exactly does that mean? A new creation. In what way? Why? How? Paul contends that through Christ’s death, we all died—to sin. Christ had a physical resurrection on earth, we have a spiritual resurrection when we die to ourselves and our life of sin and take on the attitude of Christ. As new creatures, we view others in the world differently. We no longer look at another and say, “you’re a sinner.” Now we look at them and say, “I’m a sinner and I have been saved by the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.”

I looked up the word “reconcile” in the dictionary. Webster’s defines it as: to cause to be friendly or harmonious again; to bring to submission or acceptance. Using this definition, I see pretty clearly that Paul is saying Christ’s death and resurrection brought us back into harmony with God. Since we are all part of God, created in his image, our sin kept us from being reconciled to him. When we turn away from our old lives, we come back into harmony with God’s will for our lives. More than that, our ministry becomes one of reconciliation—bringing others to Christ.

Paul compares us to ambassadors. Have you noticed that anywhere in the world where there is an uprising, a revolution, or impending internal strife, the ambassadors are typically among the last to leave? That’s because they represent their government. That’s our job too—go first to “establish a relationship” and stay to the very end, to maintain a steady presence and influence—to reconcile a situation if possible. As Christ’s ambassadors, we are to bring others to Him and then help them maintain a relationship with him and other believers. And we don’t cut and run when it gets tough.

The other definition of reconciliation addressed being brought into submission or acceptance. This definition is a bit more challenging for us as human beings! We like to be strong and liked and valued and honored. To effectively minister to our lost and fallen world, we must first submit to Christ and a life of servanthood. We must first be reconciled to him and to our heavenly father. We become less, He becomes more. And we must accept our place in the pecking order—far below our Lord! We no longer are dead center. We no longer need to be recognized and acknowledged and honored. In fact, once we are reconciled to Christ, we don’t need man’s acknowledgement—only that our message is acknowledged. Only that He is honored by our words and by our actions and by how we live our lives.

We become the message because of Christ’s redeeming act of reconciliation. We are reconciled with God because of Him. So our message becomes one of reconciliation. Wow. That’s a big job!

I hope today you live in harmony with and acceptance of Christ’s message. And that you become the message through your words and actions.

Mary  ¶ 7:24 AM

  The Air We Breathe .
Psalm 33:1-20

1. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. 2. Praise the Lord with the lyre, make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! 3. Sing to him a new song, play skilfully on the strings, with loud shouts. 4. For the word of the Lord is upright; and all his work is done in faithfulness. 5. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. 6. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth. 7. He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle; he put the deeps in storehouses. 8. Let all the earth fear the Lord, let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! 9. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood forth. 10. The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nought; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. 11. The counsel of the Lord stands for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. 12. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! 13. The Lord looks down from heaven, he sees all the sons of men; 14. from where he sits enthroned he looks forth on all the inhabitants of the earth, 15. he who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds. 16. A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 17. The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save. 18. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, 19. that he may deliver their soul from death, and keep them alive in famine. 20. Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and shield.

Interesting occurrence this morning: I was reading in Isaiah—Chapter 33, in fact. When I typed in the scripture to pull up for my post, I typed in Psalm 33. I’ve been thinking a lot about the Schaivo case and the Lundsford girl—how could one not, with all the media coverage. And this past weekend the 2nd anniversary of our invasion of Iraq. There’s more, of course. There always is. So much pain, agony, suffering, death, despair. That’s what I was reading about in Isaiah. And yet there I did see hope and salvation—for the righteous and the good and the faithful.

It’s hard not to judge many of the “players” in each of those scenarios. It’s difficult not to say one person is wrong and another right, since we are not in the midst of it all. How do I come to terms with the Couey guy—this habitual criminal, and sex offender? Isn’t he sick? Hasn’t he been ignored, worse—let down by “the system?” How does my heart not break for that little girl’s father? When you come right down to it—how in the world do you get out of bed and go out into a world that is home to killers and criminals and sinners?

One way. Only one way. We remember who made the oceans, and placed the stars in the sky. We recall the creation story and we look back on our own lives and see all the times we were redeemed. We look to the heavens and renew our faith in a God who loves us and wants good for us, a God who fashioned us of his own breath and placed within us a speck of Himself—a soul. Isaiah talks about all the awful things that will befall the people who have not obeyed God. It predicts disaster and suffering. Isaiah is sharing what God has revealed to him about what happens when we don’t live as children of God.

Psalm 33 uplifts, encourages, and reminds us how to live in this world. It directs our eyes to heaven – and our hearts to God. The counsel of the Lord stands forever. If I didn’t believe that with every fiber of my being, I literally couldn’t go out into the world some days. My job would be insignificant. My work at church would be fruitless. My life would be meaningless. But because of my God, and the gift of His Son, the opposite is true. Those of us who are saved, must minister to this fallen world. We are compelled to declare the good news of the Risen Lord. We have no choice! We are unable to be silent! After all, God speaks to us every moment of every day—through the clouds and the rain, the sun and the stars, the air we breathe.

I hope today you’ll feel God’s love and power coursing through you with every breath you take. And that you’ll exhale that love back into your world.

Mary  ¶ 7:37 AM

  Godliness with Contentment .
1 Timothy 6:3-10

3. If any one teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching which accords with godliness, 4. he is puffed up with conceit, he knows nothing; he has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, 5. and wrangling among men who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6. There is great gain in godliness with contentment; 7. for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world; 8. but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10. For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs.

These verses caught my eye this morning on several levels. First of all, we’re buying a house and so money is a topic of conversation—or at least it would seem to be. But really, we’re focusing more on how we’ll arrange our furniture and on how we’ll enjoy more space, and where my husband can plant his new garden—and he’s almost giddy at the thought of his “700 sq. foot garage!” The lender would not be that thrilled to read that we’re not really even thinking about the money. We knew how much we could comfortably pay for a house without making that our purpose for working. We’ve never wanted anything big and fancy—we’re pretty simple, down-to-earth types. I can really relate to verse 8: but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

The lender sends me daily updates of what documentation they need to prove we have money, to prove we will have money, to prove we’re complying with all their requirements. And I’m just not too stressed about it! Don’t get me wrong—that’s their job! They’re in charge of money. So we’ve adopted the attitude that we don’t need to be! God has always, absolutely always, provided for us. He has never left us with nothing. He has always given us, in fact, more than we earned, certainly more than we deserved—not just financially, but certainly financially as well as in other ways.

This is quite a different perspective for me. Several months ago, after a very stressful year of working on a big project with high visibility and a great deal hanging in the balance for our owners, I couldn’t be quite as “laid back” about money (or anything else!) – for the company, for myself-what I was worth (certainly more than they were paying me!), for all the things I wanted out of life—more time with my family, less time traveling. And my husband just finished up his first year at a new job. So the last 12 months have been quite a roller coaster for us!

Don’t get me wrong: I advocated for a raise for myself, and for additional staff to help me carry out all the grand plans that were made as a result of my work last year! And I got both. But what I really got was a realization of what is important. When it came down to it—I told my boss I would be satisfied if I could only pick one (money or help) I would opt for an assistant over money – even though I got both. I only asked for that—but received more than I expected. I deserved neither—we had a mutually agreed upon arrangement: I show up for work and do what they tell me to do and they give me a paycheck every month! It really does come down to that! Though in the midst of it all I did not have nearly that healthy, faith-grounded attitude!

So how does this all tie into the scripture? It’s about focus. It’s about grounding. It’s about what we place our faith in – rather in whom we place our faith. What is the basis for our life decisions? It is Christ-centered? Is it about living out our lives as disciples? It’s okay to make money – the more the better in my book! But if that’s all I’m working for, I’m going to miss out on so much! I’m not going to have time to spend with my family and friends. I’m not going to enjoy my home—which I’ve worked hard for and saved money to buy. More than that, my relationship with my Lord will suffer. Because if He’s not front and center, then nothing else matters.

I hope as you start out this work-week, you’ll take a few minutes to decide the focal-point of your efforts. And that you’ll decide to work to live, not live to work.

Mary  ¶ 7:25 AM

  Work to Pay the Bills; Live for Jesus .
Acts 13:26-27, 30-41

26. "Brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27. For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets which are read every sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning him. . . . 30. But God raised him from the dead; 31. and for many days he appeared to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32. And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33. this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, `Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee.' 34. And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he spoke in this way, `I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.' 35. Therefore he says also in another psalm, `Thou wilt not let thy Holy One see corruption.' 36. For David, after he had served the counsel of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers, and saw corruption; 37. but he whom God raised up saw no corruption. 38. Let it be known to you therefore, brethren, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39. and by him every one that believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40. Beware, therefore, lest there come upon you what is said in the prophets: 41. `Behold, you scoffers, and wonder, and perish; for I do a deed in your days, a deed you will never believe, if one declares it to you.'"

Through this preaching Paul establishes Jesus as an historical figure, a fulfillment of the prophets, and as a redeemer to all people—all—whether you are a Jew or not. Paul doesn’t hesitate to point out, either, he has taken the message to the Gentiles intentionally. The Jews were getting bogged down in Mosaic Law, and the religious leaders didn’t like the fact the Paul, and his companion Barnabas were continuing the work Christ had begun in them.

Jesus has God’s divine blessing—and many saw the heavens open and the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus! They still have a fire in their bellies! They’re still excited and awed at being party to such an indescribable event—it was a blessing to them of the highest order! And it fueled their faith even still. And that is why they would not and could not hide and cower and sneak around to spread their message. It was too important! Everyone must hear the Good News! In Rick Warren’s book, “The Purpose Driven Life,” he shares the story of sitting at his father’s deathbed, and at the end he became pretty incoherent. But some of his last words, which no doubt helped to form Warren into the man he is today were, “One more soul for Jesus.” That must be how Paul felt!

Paul, Barnabas and the others had a great sense of urgency, too, because they believed that Jesus was returning imminently! The must have felt, "It might be tomorrow—certainly in our life time—so we need to work fast. We need to put in long hours and convert as many as possible, because we don’t have long!" They didn’t even fear death because they knew they would be Jesus again—and very soon! Well, over the years, we’ve kind of lost our sense of urgency, haven’t we? Isn’t our faith something “extra” in our lives? Don’t we treat our faith life like we do our work life and our life as a parent, a spouse, a child, a friend? And besides, everybody knows Jesus isn’t coming today! It’ll be in a thousand years, or 10,000! I still have time—when my kids are older, when my job is less hectic, when I retire, when . . . if . . . but . . . someday . . . Believe me—I get it! I do it! Guilty as charged!

So I’m begging you to join me today, right now, to change your focus. Make your faith first. Commit to make every decision based on your faith. Work to pay the bills, but live for Jesus. Make your faith life the center of your life. I make that decision 100 times a day some days! But I keep making it in the hope that one time it’s going to stick! Because I don’t want to be included as a scoffer and perish! I want to join Christ in Heaven one day. Because I do believe the deed that was unbelievable really did happen!

I pray today you make your faith life the only life you live—everything else will fall into place. And that you declare that God raised Jesus from the dead for absolutely everyone, if we’ll only say. “I believe.!

Mary  ¶ 7:33 AM

  Chosen .
Acts 10:34-48

34. And Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, 35. but in every nation any one who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36. You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37. the word which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38. how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39. And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40. but God raised him on the third day and made him manifest; 41. not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42. And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43. To him all the prophets bear witness that every one who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." 44. While Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45. And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46. For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47. "Can any one forbid water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" 48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

This is kind of a long passage today, but I didn’t really know what to leave out! Peter opens his mouth and powerful, compelling words are broadcast to all who will listen. Peter has been called to the house of Cornelius—a Gentile. Of course, Gentiles and Jews did not associate at that time—the Jews felt the Gentiles were “unclean.” Cornelius has had a dream or a vision from the Holy Spirit to send for Peter. A crowd of Cornelius’ family is gathered around, curious to hear what Peter has to say about the whole situation.

Peter declares that we no longer should live by the “old rules.” That God’s grace is available to everyone because of Jesus Christ. Everyone. No longer are the Jews alone God’s chosen. All of us have the promise of eternal life in heaven because of the cross. Isn’t it amazing how history unfolds? God has such a perfect plan for us all! He uses the Holy Spirit to impart in us the “secret knowledge” that only He can impart!

And as Peter speaks, the Holy Spirit descends upon this family! They are speaking in tongues! Everyone gathered around Cornelius’ house – all the Gentiles – trying to figure out what in the world Peter is doing here hears them! They must have been incredulous! They must have been scratching their heads mumbling, “I thought we were the chosen? What’s up with this?"

We have the benefit of history and the scripture to tell us “what’s up.” God sent his precious son to earth, to walk among us. He laughed and cried. He sang and slept. He experienced loss and rejoiced at wedding parties. He was a man—yet more. He chose to be a man. He cast aside heaven for us! It is unimaginable! And it’s true!

Each of us is now God’s chosen because of Him! Christ died for you and me. And he died for everyone we have ever known or will ever meet in our entire lives. Serial killers and drug dealers. Tiny babies and ancient old men. Husband, wives, children, friends, lovers, parents. Everyone! He chose us. And he offers us Himself. When we accept Christ as our savior, we all are baptized into a great, expansive, peculiar and amazing family! We are the chosen. No one can stop us from declaring the good news!

I hope today you declare to everyone you meet that they are chosen. And that you will rejoice in being so valued, that the Holy Spirit imparted that truth deep within your mind, heart and soul.

Mary  ¶ 7:25 AM

  Full to Overflowing .
Psalm 51:15-17

O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. For thou hast no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, thou wouldst not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

God has been teaching me this lesson my entire life! I have a strong tendency to speak first and think later! And boy, have I said some really stupid, at a minimum foolish, and sometimes hurtful things because of my thoughtlessness. Some of them I’m sure I don’t even remember or realize the impact they had at the time. Some that I do remember, I would take back still today if I could. But I can’t! All I can do from this point on is to ask God to speak through me. Beg Him to place in me the desire to speak only His words, His wisdom, His truth.

I do praise Him when I am intentional. I thank Him continually throughout the day for His presence in my life; for the work he continues to do to me and within me. I am aware in no uncertain terms that he continues to refine me – to polish me like gold or silver – to make me acceptable to him. He takes all my regrets and turns them into lessons on how to love better and more deeply. He takes all my arrogance and pride and uses them to teach me humility and gives me the heart of a servant. He takes all my feeble attempts to convince the world I am worthy of love and acceptance and turns them into longing for Him and a desire to lead others to him.

We spend a lot of time and effort doing things to make God happy. Then we say, “See, I did this for you!” But the truth is, there is not one single thing in this lifetime that we could ever do for God! What in the world does he need us to do for him? Can we make thunder? Can we create a universe? Do we know the instant time began? Have we ever set a star in the night sky or determined the sun should rise at just a particular moment? We know the answer is NO. But we still try to do more and more to make ourselves worthy and acceptable.

God doesn’t need us to prove it! He made us! So he already knows what we’re “made of.” He looks within our hearts and observes our ardent desire to be like His son. He sees within our minds and perceives that we long to know Him “up close and personal.” He peers within our souls and sees a reflection of himself—however dim. And he tells us that we have nothing to do. Only to be as He made us—perfect and good and strong and longing for Him.

Why is it so hard for us to see ourselves as a reflection of our Maker? I think it may be that in our brokenness we cannot see for the cracks in the mirror of a lifetime of disappointment, pain, loneliness and fear. If we would close our eyes and use the mirror of our souls, there we would find God and His light would be reflected back to us. Then we would feel the joy of being not only accepted, but loved completely, absolutely, without any conditions or parameters.

A broken spirit and a contrite heart. I’m not there yet, but I am striving for it. Each day God breaks down one more little piece of the wall my experiences have built around my soul. Each hour he chips away a bit more. Someday—very soon, I feel—the floodgates will open – the God-sized hole in me will burst open wide and empty out everything that prevents me from being one with Him. Then I will be full to overflowing with His love. And there will be not stopping me!

Broken. Contrite. That’s what God wants. And in exchange he offers himself.

I hope today you are ready to “go for it” when God opens the floodgates within your soul. And that you find yourself full to overflowing with His love.

Mary  ¶ 7:36 AM

  Far More Abundance .
Ephesians 3:14-21

14. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15. from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16. that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, 17. and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18. may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19. and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God. 20. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, 21. to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.

Wow! Read each statement thoughtfully and deliberately. These are some powerful words! First of all, to bow one’s knees was a deeply reverent stance, as standing to pray was the usual. What an amazing blessing this is! First Paul declares that we are each a member of God’s family—our birthright is through Him and his covenant. Paul intercedes for us to find the inner strength needed to live as we should—and for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which affords us that strength.

Christ is, after all, love personified. Paul’s prayer reaches to heaven that we might be filled with that love, and that we may each somehow begin to grasp the breadth, length, height, and depth of God’s love for us through Jesus Christ. His hope is that we will “feel” that love emanating from heaven into the deepest reaches of our souls. Again, this is an amazing blessing! That love is, of course, incomprehensible and indescribable. I don’t think that we, as humans, are capable of letting go of our humanity long enough for that perfect and complete love to manifest itself in our lives.

God loves us more than we can imagine! There are no words ever thought of – in any language – that could fully explain it! There is no thought ever conceived that could fully comprehend a love that transcending and complete. God is absolutely crazy about us! He can’t stand to have us apart from Him! He longs for us to join Him in heaven! He’s so anxious that we attend that ultimate party in heaven with Him, that He sent us a way to get there! We don’t need a map, just the Cross. We already have a personal invitation, embossed in gold, on the finest paper.

Paul goes on to tell us that God loves us so much, that He grants us even more that we ask for! That’s because we can’t conceive of God’s abundance and generosity. We ask for a little bit, and He gives us more than enough—to overflowing. We ask for drink, and He gives us a river! We ask for a morsel of bread and He sends us cake and ice cream! We ask for acceptance and He gives us His name. We ask for hope and He gives us Jesus. We ask and He responds with abundance.

Paul has told the Ephesians that He is not a gifted orator! He hasn’t lived a model life in his past. He doesn’t have anything to offer anyone except the Good News of the Risen Lord! God uses each of us to spread the Good News, not because of our great skills and abilities, but in spite of our weakness, our self-doubt and our lacking. God loves us that much. He’s that big. If we turn our lives over to Jesus, our words take on His meaning, our actions reflect His love, our prayers become more ardent and powerful because the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.

Ask God to give you a life full of love and abundance and hope and joy. He’ll give you heaven. He’ll give you more than you could ever deserve or earn. He already gave us Himself. Now he’s waiting for the “happy ending.!

I hope today you make “big” requests of God. And that you receive far more abundantly than all you ask or think.

Mary  ¶ 7:37 AM

  Life and Godliness .
2 Peter 1:3-11

3. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4. by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature. 5. For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6. and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7. and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8. For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9. For whoever lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10. Therefore, brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall; 11. so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Again today, we have a “hard” path to go down! But Peter is saying that God has given us what we need to progress along this path by sending us Jesus Christ. And even more: the Holy Spirit guides and directs our path. Okay, maybe we CAN do this! Through our knowledge of God, we have everything we need spiritually to live in this world. Our responsibility is to use all those things! That’s where the “hard” part is!

What matters, is not what others think of us. Of course, we want to live as upright a life as possible. But what we must have first and foremost is an internal assurance and an inner strength and confidence only possible through God’s gifts of grace, understanding of the scripture through the divine indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and demonstrated in the life of Christ. His resurrection is what gives us authority to speak. Faith is what allows us to endure ridicule. The Holy Spirit is what helps us know when to speak and how to deliver our message in the most effective way.

Peter is talking to believers about what’s going on within themselves. Okay, so you’re saved. Now what are you going to do? We can avoid the corruption and sinful ways of this world by practicing self-discipline and introspection based on the life Christ led in his human form. We grow in our faith as we study the bible and reflect upon God’s greatness and power to create the world and to make each of us divinely drawn to Him. We refine our faith and live a more upright life through practicing the spiritual disciplines.

We have all these tools and resources freely given and available to us. But they have no value, no power, without our intentionally making use of them. God’s grace makes the offer—it’s up to us to accept the terms! Work each day to achieve faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brother affection, and brotherly affection with love. These ideals are not easy, but they are possible because of the triune God.

I hope today you make your calling and election sure as you go out into the world. And that you anticipate with excitement and wonder your entrance into the eternal kingdom at the end of time.

Mary  ¶ 7:35 AM

  The Source of our Light and Joy .
John 12:37-43

37. Though he had done so many signs before them, yet they did not believe in him; 38. it was that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "Lord, who has believed our report, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" 39. Therefore they could not believe. For Isaiah again said, 40. "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they should see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and turn for me to heal them." 41. Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42. Nevertheless many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43. for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

I can understand that many people had trouble believing Jesus was the “real deal.” There were a lot of men proclaiming they were the savior! There were a lot of prophets declaring they knew the truth and they were the answer to the prophecies of old. By the time Christ came on the scene, life was very difficult for the Jews. They were oppressed and beaten down—literally and spiritually. They had very few rights under Roman rule. And after all, they had been waiting hundreds of years for the Messiah! They had become so hopeless that they were unable to accept that “one of their own” could be the fulfillment of the prophets of old.

In a way, I think verse 43 is kind of harsh. These people were terrified! And the synagogue was the center of their lives. To be put out of the synagogue would have disgraced them – and their families. They would have lost standing in the community. If one were a merchant, they would be boycotted. If one were a teacher or other learned elder, they would be shunned and rejected. Times were very hard. Hopelessness is almost impossible to overcome. Sometimes you can get so far down, that you literally can’t see “up.” Beyond that, it’s inconceivable for us to think about giving up everything in our lives—our reputation, our livelihood, our way of life.

And yet, that’s what Jesus bid us do. Follow him. Don’t look back. Walk away. Trust him. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure I would have to decline. Oh, I would regret it the rest of my life! I would wish I had what it takes. But, honestly, I don’t know if I’m made of the right stuff. Our church recently housed a missionary couple when they “retired” after decades of service in Africa. One of the individuals who greeted them when they arrived at the small “refugee house” we maintain on our grounds said that they each had one suitcase. One. Everything they owned fit into one suitcase each.

Now, we’re not all called to be missionaries. We’re not all expected to live without any possessions. We’re not all filled with a need to do a lot of the things other people do to serve God. But we are all called to follow Jesus. Don’t look back. Walk away. Trust him. Don’t look back on your former life: sin and shame and fear about the future. Walk away from the things of this world that have become idols in our lives. Believe and trust that Christ walks beside us through every moment of our lives. And waits for us in heaven.

It is not easy to be a follower of Christ. He told us it would be difficult—in fact, nearly impossible. He said we would be shunned and ridiculed by our friends and neighbors—maybe even by our own families. He said that there would be many situations in which we would be the “odd man out.” People look at Christians differently than the rest of the world. People are often uncomfortable around us, because they don’t understand the source of our peace and our hope for the future. They don’t like it when our true joy at living in the light of Christ reflects onto them the darkness of their own lives.

Jesus never told us it would be easy. I thank God every day of my life that he sent his son to heal me. I rejoice that I don’t have to look back, don’t have to fear the future, don’t have to rely on the approval of man and especially that I have a God who allows me to be less than perfect, and loves me anyway!

I hope today you shine the light of Christ into a dark and hopeless world. And that others will look at you and ask the source of your light and joy.

Mary  ¶ 7:27 AM

  I Am “His Own” .
John 10:11-18

11. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12. He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13. He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. 14. I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, 15. as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16. And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd. 17. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 18. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; this charge I have received from my Father."

I believe I used this scripture recently – maybe not from John – but from one of the gospels. I was drawn to these verses again this morning as I reflected upon the tremendous privilege of being considered worthy of Christ and His sacrifice for us! We are “his own.” The people of this day fully grasped the language Jesus used in teaching them. They knew the difference between a good shepherd and a “hireling.” If shepherds oversaw large flocks, hired help was required to care for one part of the flock. But the hired help only relied upon wages and would not consider risking severe injury or especially death to protect the shepherd’s flock!

Jesus is declaring himself as the one true shepherd of the flock. He will lay down his life—in fact he’ll do anything—absolutely anything—to save us. He will willingly, voluntarily, obediently lay down his life for the salvation of our souls. No “hireling” would do that! No “false god” would offer us eternity. When the wolf comes, only One stands between us and that enemy. Only One places his body firmly in front of us—disregarding personal risk—to protect us. I would throw myself in front of moving semi to save one of my children—I understand loving a child that much. But this is so much more—this love is so much greater, more expansive, more all-encompassing!

Jesus came to earth, walked with us, taught us and preached the Good News to us. He offered himself to save us all. And he didn’t just offer eternity to the “chosen!” No, he offered to anyone who chose to follow him. There are so many thieves – vying for our souls. Money, power, prestige, you name it, they interfere with the one and only thing we need in our lives! Our pastor talked yesterday about pride being one of the biggest obstacles to being healed and whole. He gave examples of all the ways pride manifests itself and I don’t think too many of us could say, “Nope, you didn’t include me in that example.”

Pride is Satan’s way of distracting us. It’s his way of interfering with the Good Shepherd. He likes it when we listen to the wrong master. He likes us to roam off and try it our way—away from the power and protection of our Savior. He wants us to wear ourselves out running after the things of this world. He wants us to be weak and frail and beaten down so that he has an easier time of getting us to follow him. He offers the “easy way.” Christ offers the best way. Satan prods us that it’s better to be right. Jesus tells us there is only way to be right.

I hope today you choose to follow the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for you. And that you’ll declare to Satan “I am ‘His Own’.”

Mary  ¶ 7:24 AM

  Laborers for the Harvest Matthew 9:35-38

35. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity. 36. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38. pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

This takes place just before Jesus selects the twelve apostles from the band of disciples that have been following him around and hearing him preach and teach. Up to this point he had been working somewhat independently. He had not broadcast the Good News far and wide yet. He had been “planting seeds” within his own town, and the surrounding towns. He was laying the groundwork for his broader ministry—and that of the apostles.

Word was certainly starting to spread about this odd man with amazing gifts and abilities! He could heal the sick and cure every ill in one’s life! Of course at this time there were many so-called prophets and sorcerers performing tricks, and perhaps they actually were able to cure some people—by controlling their minds and making them believe what they wanted to be true. But that power was not from God—it was from man—or even from Satan.

Jesus was unique among all the others: he was preaching the gospel of the kingdom. God’s kingdom which he was about to offer to mankind on the cross. Of course there was no way for his early followers to know what was ahead. They were just inexplicably drawn to him. They could not resist when he invited—more implored—them to join him in his mission. They we unable to say no when he told them to leave behind everything they knew and trusted and believed in, to become his followers.

How did that happen? How was that possible? These men were all hard workers. Some of them were probably relatively wealthy. They had families and jobs and homes—they had a life for heaven’s sake! And yet they dropped what they were doing and followed this odd man with the fire in his belly and light of love in his eyes at his mere behest. At this point, Jesus was still beseeching his followers to pray for “the few.” The Holy Spirit needed to act within each of them so they would be ready when he approached them.

What about us? Could we walk away from our current life? Could we give up our comfortable beds and our nice cars and our families and our jobs? Could we walk away and never look back? Could we obey without question and follow without regret? Could we invite the Holy Spirit in and say “take me, I am yours.” Could we ask to be led and shaped and refined to the point that we would not even resemble the person we are today? Could we take up a cross with Christ?

Christ asks much of us. He wants us to be one who stands out from the crowd. He wants us to step forward and boldly proclaim the Good News. He doesn’t want us to look back—but rather to the Cross. He doesn’t want us to regret our past or our present—only rejoice in the future promise of life with Him in heaven. He doesn’t want us to hesitate or falter. He wants us to jump up and down and flail our hands and urgently request to be called upon! “Take me, please, please!” He longs for us to say, “Sign me up, I’m ready!” He waits for us to realize that there is nothing on this earth, and nothing in this life worth holding on to at the risk of losing our relationship with Him.

I hope today you flail your hands and do whatever you need to do to answer the call of Christ. And that you join the few, the proud, the saved.

Mary  ¶ 7:20 AM

  The River of His Delights .
Psalm 36:7-9

7. How precious is thy steadfast love, O God! The children of men take refuge in the shadow of thy wings. 8. They feast on the abundance of thy house, and thou givest them drink from the river of thy delights. 9. For with thee is the fountain of life; in thy light do we see light.

Isaiah 12:2-3

2. "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." 3. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Jeremiah 2:13

for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

John 4:13-15

13. Jesus said to her, "Every one who drinks of this water will thirst again, 14. but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." 15. The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw."

I started in Isaiah this morning and turned right to verse 3. Then I followed my bible notes to the other verses. We know without doubt that water is absolutely essential for life. One can live for a long time without food, but not very long without water. When I think of water, though I think of the ocean—my favorite place to be! The never-ending waves falling against the sand. That’s one place where I have a sense of immortality and of God’s abundance.

More than all of that God identifies himself as “the fountain of living waters” in Jeremiah. He chastises his people for fashioning cisterns—broken cisterns—for themselves. In other words, they stray from His word and from worshipping Him. They craft their own gods. They have forgotten the source of all life. And God isn’t happy about it! Jeremiah describes God as a “well of salvation.” He was referring to God’s grace that would be afforded us through Christ.

Psalm 36 declares God not only as the fountain of life, but as the source of all light. Our creator. Our abundant provider and protector. Faith in God is all we need to live abundantly. Belief in Him will afford us everything we need for life. All of these Old Testament scripture foretell of the coming Christ—the ultimate sign of God’s abundant, unspeakable, bountiful and gracious love.

In John, the Samaritan woman at the well, said to have been dug by Abraham himself, beseeches our Lord, “give me this water, that I may not thirst.” Isn’t that we all are looking for? We are so thirsty for the living water of Jesus Christ. Sometimes though, when we see the price we pay for following Him, we fashion our own cisterns. We settle for what the world offers. We take the easy way out. We convince ourselves, “water is water; light is light.”

God is the abundant source of all life through Jesus Christ. Following His footsteps to the cross is the only way to be quenched. In a parched and barren world, there is one source of life that never runs dry. God told us for decades—centuries—that all we need to live is Him. And when we still could not—or would not—understand, He sent Jesus. Lover of unclean Samaritans, healer of demon-possessed cripples, and the salvation for every sinner. He is the living water. He is the light.

I hope today you’ll drink abundantly from the well of living water. And that you’ll reflect His perfect light into the world.

Mary  ¶ 7:35 AM

  He Will Give Us Rest .
Matthew 11:28-30

28. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Sometimes we can get the “blahs.” Life isn’t especially bad, but things are just kind of plugging along. Nothing we can put our finger on, but nothing to “write home about” either. That’s when Jesus wants us to rely upon him. He doesn’t want us to lose hope in the midst of the mundane and the ordinary. We’re not expected to be happy and clapping our hands with excitement all the time! And it’s a good thing, because often we can’t remember the last time we felt like that!

Sometimes we are heavy laden with the weight of living in the world. No matter how much we pray, no matter how diligently we study the bible, no matter what we try to do, we can’t lose that malaise—that unsettledness. I think that may be when we’re the most vulnerable in our relationship with Christ. Remember Satan was in heaven once, with God and has the same divine knowledge that He does! And he uses every opportunity to dig in and make himself heard. When our guard is down and we can’t really put our finger on what is wrong, that’s when we need to check all the windows and doors!

The love of Christ offers us such comfort. He is so kind and gentle, and He extends to us His gentleness and kindness when we seek it. He wants us to be comforted every time we think of Him. Being yoked with Christ allows Him to bear the brunt of our burden. It lightens the load and makes it more manageable. Rather than weighing us down with all the problems and all the sin and evil in the world, Jesus draws us to himself, like a parent pulls a frightened child into their lap and strokes their hair.

Jesus also wants us to continue to labor in bringing about God’s kingdom on earth! He knows the work is hard—sometimes backbreaking! But He assures us he will be there along side us every step of the way.—even when we don’t see Him, he’s there. Even when we don’t feel His presence, he is supporting and uplifting us. He knows we are heavy laden with the woes of this world. He won for us a better world at the end of time. Until then, he labors with us to make this world a better place.

I hope today you feel the weight of world lifted off your shoulders. And that you are comforted in knowing that Christ walks beside you throughout every second of your life.

Mary  ¶ 7:22 AM

  What Sort of Man is This? .
Matthew 8:23-27

23. And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25. And they went and woke him, saying, "Save, Lord; we are perishing." 26. And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27. And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"

Psalm 65:5-8

5. By dread deeds thou dost answer us with deliverance, O God of our salvation, who art the hope of all the ends of the earth, and of the farthest seas; 6. who by thy strength hast established the mountains, being girded with might; 7. who dost still the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples; 8. so that those who dwell at earth's farthest bounds are afraid at thy signs; thou makest the outgoings of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.

The first thing that struck me in Matthew is the question, “What sort of man is this?” Peter, Andrew, James and John have just left behind everything they knew—abandoned their fishing nets, their families and their lives to follow this man! And they shake their heads and tremble with fear at Jesus’ calming the sea! They had just awakened him and begged him for help! Did they just want him to help bail out the water that surely had come over the bow of the boat? Or was it that they had followed him initially because of his magnetic pull. Because of his irresistible persona, one could not help but follow him when personally called!

I don’t think at this point the disciples, or anyone else for that matter, really had the big picture of what was going on here! They followed this man, without knowing why . . . they beseeched him to help, without being sure of what exactly they wanted him to do . . . they must have been thinking either, “What in the world have I gotten myself into?” or “Wow, I’m sticking close to this guy, he might just be the ‘real deal’.” In any case, they were in absolute awe of him and frightened at being in the presence of such power!

My Bible Reader’s Companion states: Faith grasps what unbelief cannot. Isn’t that profound? It was faith that made them follow Jesus. They weren’t aware of his divinity at this point. They had seen him around town, they had heard him preach. But they knew he was a carpenter—a laborer and tradesman—just like them. How could he calm the sea? How could he command the elements? They surely ran their minds back through the Psalms. Surely they recalled the verses from Psalm 65. Were they wondering then if this was the real deal?

I wonder if this is when that “light bulb” lit up in the minds. I wonder if this was the “point of no return” for them? This Jesus not only declared that He was the fulfillment of the law, he demonstrated it through miracles and signs. We need more than faith sometimes. We need signs and miracles. We ask for something we’re pretty sure isn’t going to come to be. But when it does we declare how wonderful God is! What are we expecting? Where does faith enter in?

Didn’t Jesus tell us to ask and we shall receive? The disciples asked Jesus to help them—and he did! But he gave them much more than what they asked for – or expected! Jesus will do that for us, too! All we need to do is ask! The God who controls the morning and the night, the mountains and the seas also hears our feeble prayers. And he answers them!

I hope today you tremble in awe of the loving, kind, mighty God who walked the earth 2000 years ago. And that you’ll pray with confidence that God hears every prayer—and answers!

Mary  ¶ 7:30 AM