As An Adult …

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Martha

“Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’  ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied.  ‘I am he,’ Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)  When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’  they drew back and fell to the ground.”  John 18:4-6

     Has it been a long time since you actually spent time reading in The Bible?  Maybe some have not picked up a Bible since childhood, or Sunday Bible School.  Some may have memorized verses as a child, but haven’t read them in context as an adult.  If it has been a long time pick up your Bible and read.  Your understanding as an adult is quite different than as a child. 

     As a child, I might have read the above quote and laughed at the idea of all the soldiers falling to the ground when Jesus spoke.  As an adult, I have a much different reaction.  As an adult I can read between the lines.  As an adult I don’t view it as humor, but as proof.

     This quote deepens my understanding of exactly what is taking place at Jesus’ arrest.  First, Jesus has full knowledge of all that has happened to make His arrest possible.  He knows that Judas is His betrayer and has done so.  Second, He has full knowledge of all that is going to happen and still meets His destiny head on.  He goes out to His captors and asks them who it is they seek.

     The third, and most telling part, is that when Jesus speaks, the soldiers draw back and fall to the ground.  In this instant Jesus is showing His power, letting all know, that without His consent, they would have no power over Him.  He is arrested voluntarily.

     A child might not fully grasp these implications, but as an adult, we are fully capable of understanding all that they mean.  We have no excuse.

     Imagine a love so real, so strong, so merciful and forgiving, that one would choose a destiny of torture and crucifixion.  And yet, that is exactly what Jesus did.  He did it for me.  He did it for you. 

     Now imagine His Agony In The Garden, knowing full well exactly what was to happen to Him; knowing every vile, torturous act that would befall Him on our behalf.  He consented by telling God, The Father, “Not my will, but yours be done.”  Then He went out to meet His destiny.  Our own destiny lies within His.

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Peace Be With You

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Martha

“The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!’  He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.”  Luke 8:24

       My prayer has been that all has been well with you in my absence.  Hopefully you didn’t have to face too many storms in life, or in weather.

     Today’s post comes from a paragraph in God Calling (A.J. Russell).  “What greater treasures can you have than Peace and Rest and Joy?  And these are stolen from you by doubt and fear and despair.  Face each day with Love and Laughter.  Face the storm.”

     Focus on being calm, even in the midst of turmoil or chaos.  Call upon His Holy Spirit to help calm your fears, to remove your doubts, to bring you peace.  Do not let Satan rob you of the Peace that surpasses all understanding, the Peace that is yours for the asking, yours for the taking.  Not without effort, but, none the less yours.

     Face your storm.  Be calm, be assured of His Love and Support.  All is well.  Say it; believe it; claim it.

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Taking A Break

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Martha

“By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.”  Exodus 13:21

     I would like to let you know that I am taking a break from writing and posting.  The next post will be Tuesday, June 14. 

     May God bless each of you in my absence.  Feel free to peruse archived posts in the column to the right of this page.  Remember He is always with you.  Take time to notice Him.  You will be well rewarded.

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Prayer: Ezekiel, For Thus Says The Lord

Posted on May 28, 2011 by Martha

“For thus says the Lord God: I myself will look after and tend my sheep.  As a shepherd tends his flock when he finds himself among his scattered sheep, so will I tend my sheep.  I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark…the lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal…”  Ezekiel 34:11-12,16

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Man Or Woman Up!

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Martha

“Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man.    Keep the charge of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn.”  1 Kings 2-3

     When we tell someone to act like a man, we usually want him to take charge of a situation and and behave like an adult.  The above Bible verse from Kings says just that.

     Often we know the changes we need to make in our lives, but for whatever reason, we don’t.  Once we identify what is not working in our lives, we lack the courage and willpower to let go of it.  We hold on tightly with clenched fists.  In doing so, we are not open to the good that the Lord has promised us, we are not open to our success!

     Man or woman, we must each take charge of our life.  The things that are out of our control will remain out of our control.  When we take charge and control the things we can, the ones we can’t don’t have as much power over us.  When we walk in His ways by living according to His commands regardless of what others think of us, and regardless of what others say or do, we are being strong, showing ourselves to be worthy of respect.  When we live our life in a way that others can respect we also respect ourselves. 

     Don’t let others dictate your thoughts, words, and deeds.  Be that man, or that woman who walks in His ways, who walks with Jesus.  Be that man or woman who succeeds in all that you do and wherever you turn!

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Let Jesus Off The Cross

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Martha

“In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; he has risen!  Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”  Luke 24:5-7 

Today’s post is from Journey Through The Stillness, April 18, 2010: 

I see my Risen Lord before me.  Jesus says, “Here is where you should dwell.  It is in The Risen Lord that a soul finds Love, Light, Solace, and Joy.  It is here a soul is COMPLETE.  When you seek forgiveness you must then let Me down OFF the Cross.  Yes, the Cross will have to be revisited.  It is human nature to sin.  But, the forgiveness is ALWAYS there for the soul who seeks it.  The contrite and humbled sinner who asks forgiveness is then lifted to live once again in the Glory of The Risen Lord.  The sinner who does not ask, dwells lost in guilt and despair wondering why, and wondering how to stop the pain.  Tell them, Martha.  Tell them to come to Me, the ONE who loves them no matter what; the ONE who loves them at all cost by giving my life up for them; the ONE who is always patiently waiting, hoping that they will seek Me.  Tell them I am EAGER to forgive them and EAGER to welcome them into life with the Risen Lord, and that it can begin right here on earth.  Martha, write as I tell you, then share it with all.  Be humble, be brave; I am with you.”

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The Way, Truth, & Life

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Martha

 “Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’  Jesus said: I am the Way; I am Truth and Life.  N0 one can come to the Father except through me.”  John 14:5-6

      To go along with today’s Gospel reading I am going to share an entry from Journey Through The Stillness (my personal spiritual journal shared publicly on facebook.)    

 November 29, 2010 – I enter into The Stillness and He immediately says, “The TIME has come.  Prepare the Way.  Point the lambs toward their Shepherd.  I will guide.  You point the way with your heart, your words, and your actions.  It will cause them to pause, to think, to LOOK.  Remember, if they but glance my Way, Look in my direction, I will guide them HOME to The Father, for I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life.  And remember, child, I am IN you and you are IN Me.  Together, as ONE.  Go and do as I ask.  It is TIME.”

     Look.  He is there, waiting.

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Lord, I Know My Unworthiness

Posted on May 21, 2011 by Martha

Lord, I know my unworthiness and I long to be that soul where your joy can shine forth to all.  Help me, Oh Lord, to learn your ways, that I might reflect your glory every moment.  Create in me that clean heart and kindle in me the fire of your love so I can carry out your every wish, for alone, I know I will fail.

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Lord, You Are Eternal

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Martha

“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.”  Isaiah 26:4 

Lord, You are Eternal.

Forgive me, Lord, when my sins are eternal in that I repeat them over and over again.  Bless and strengthen my resolve and efforts to do better.  Without your help I will fail.

Thank you, Lord, for loving me enough to eternally forgive me, as long as my contrition is sincere.  Thank you for the gift of Eternal Life with You.

     We sometimes forget that our actions and inactions have eternal consequences.  It is good to recognize this.  It is good to repent.  It is good to seek out the Lord’s help in our struggle with sin.  God Bless.

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The Shepherd’s Flock

Posted on May 15, 2011 by Martha

“He who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out.  When he as brought out all those that are his, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice.”  John 10:2-4

     Today’s Gospel tells of the Good Shepherd whose sheep know him and respond to his call.   Jesus is the Good Shepherd.  He calls each of us by name and bids us come with Him.  He knows us and wants us, faults and all.  He does not want us to continue in our faults but to become whole, all that we are meant to be, with Him.  He will go ahead of us. He will show us the way.

     One key thing to note in today’s Gospel is found in this statement:  “When he has brought out all who are his…”  We would be wise to remember that all are not His.  There are those who choose not to be of His flock, those who belong to Satan and would lead us astray. 

     Let us listen carefully to hear our name, and respond quickly to His voice.  Let us choose to be of His flock.  Let us choose to be His.

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