The dictionary tells us the meaning of witness is:
• attestationof afactorevent
• one who haspersonalknowledge of something
• somethingservingas evidence or proof
• totestifyto
• tofurnishproofof
• tohavepersonalordirect cognizanceof
• see foroneself
• totakenoteof
• toconstitutethesceneortime of
IF BEING A DISCIPLE MEANS TO WITNESS, WHAT ARE WE WITNESSES TO?
As Christians, we are to share the story and love of Jesus Christ. Juan Huertas offers a great suggestion for increasing our knowledge of Jesus and His teachings but reading through the Gospels. If we were to read one chapter per day, we will have read all of them in 90 days! (Total-=89 chapters/89=days)
Matthew 28
Mark 16
Luke 24
John 21
As believers, we are all called to be witnesses and that witness can be done in many ways. One of the most obvious and expected ways to witness is by preaching, but not everyone is called to be ministers preaching from the pulpit. But, clearly we are all called to witness. Just as I mentioned several times this past week, we all have gifts and talents for sharing the “good news” of Jesus Christ…actions and words either together or separately. Pray and seek the will of the Holy Spirit to lead you to witness for Jesus. We are Jesus’ hands and feet, even his voice as we journey through life treating others with compassion and love.
Thank you all for your continued support especially throughout this past week, as my posts have been very sporadic. Hopefully, I’ll be back on a regular schedule soon.
Today, marks the end of another week, specifically “The Fourth Week of Lent 2019” and I’m so looking forward to continuing our study and meditation on our Lenten Journey!
~Peace~
Breath Prayer: Help me to be a witness…to your love, Jesus.
“The seventy-two returned joyously, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit themselves to us in your name.” ~Luke 10:17
Greetings friends – Shalom!
Happy Friday!
Our author, Juan Huertas in the pamphlet “The Sanctuary for Lent 2019” shares a verse from Luke chapter 10 about “The Seventy-Two.” The entire chapter provides five separate stories/lessons for us to ponder. The first is called, “Seventy-two Sent Out” verse 1 – 12; the second is, “Judgment against cities that reject Jesus” verses 13 -16; the third one is about, “The Seventy-two Return” verse 17 – 24; the fourth is about, “Loving You’re Neighbor” verses 25 – 37; and the final section of the chapter is called, “Jesus Visits Martha and Mary” verses 38 – 42.
Believe it or Not! We’ve probably all heard that statement once or twice in our lives. It’s a catch phrase for “Ripley’s Believe-It Not.”
When it comes to the Bible and it’s stories are you a “Believer(?)”. In today’s text, we read that Jesus sent out 72 individuals side by side in pairs to every city and place, giving specific instructions. As in verse 2, “He said to them, “The harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers for his harvest.” This truth remains today friends, the harvest is indeed is bigger day by day and the workers are truly too few. In an age of, “me-ism” and the I can’t believe in something I can’t see and touch and test for certainty. God’s Word is filled with promises and blessings, all we need to do is believe, have faith. Sounds too easy to be true, right. It really isn’t, trust God, the one who will never leave you. God and Jesus, both know that in our humanness we are weak. Even Thomas doubted that Jesus had risen from the dead, he needed proof!
“Thomas, the one called Didymus, one of the Twelve, wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into his side, I won’t believe.” After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!” Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.” Then Jesus did many other miraculous signs in his disciples’ presence, signs that aren’t recorded in this scroll. But these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name.” ~John 20:24-31
The life of Discipleship is and will most likely be challenging at times but the rewards far outweigh any troubles that come our way. All of Heaven rejoices when a single lost soul returns to Jesus. Sharing the live of Jesus makes my heart joyful and my dances when I can share my faith. When we live and treat others as Jesus would we are doing His work. No matter how small an act my seem to you, it could mean the world, and even more importantly…SALVATION to another. I wore a shirt yesterday that said, “My LIFE GUARD walks on water” that small act was spreading the message of Jesus, people smiled at me and commented about it, opening doors to share my story. Kind acts like holding a door or picking up trash may seem insignificant and wasteful but friends, they are NOT! Don’t let Satan convince you of that falsehood. Be the hands and feet of Jesus, the Holy Spirit will guide and direct your steps and your voice! Amen!
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” ~Philippians 4:13
~Peace to you as you step out in faith, knowing that in Christ ALL things are possible!~
Jesus stopped and said,“Call him forward.” They called the blind man, “Be encouraged! Get up! He’s calling you.” ~Mark 10:49
I am wishing you all a beautiful day, today! My you be supplied with all you need to make it through the day! I am again reminded today just how blessed and fortunate I am! Today’s reading tells us about a man who desperately wanted to see Jesus but others around him thought they were more deserving, and wanted to push him aside, as if the were ashamed of him. But, Jesus hears the man and in doing so teaches us the importance of each person’s value. We are all God’s children and none of us are more deserving over another, in fact, we are all undeserving because of Our sinfulness. It is only because of God’s grace and Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice that we are make clean and holy before God.
Most of us create “To Do Lists” whether physical notes or mental ones. As for my life, I use both. These lists are a good idea because they help us stay on track and hopefully keep us from forgetting things; however, a note of caution, lists can also make us narrow-minded and cause us to miss opportunities right in front of us because we are too focused on our list, the emphasis on “OUR” list. Just like the blind man wanting to see Jesus, we must ask ourselves, “Have I ever ignored someone in need?” or “Have I not helped someone even though I knew that I was more than capable of helping , but didn’t because I thought I was more deserving(?).
Friends, we are called into “Discipleship” and we are called to be “Jesus” in the world. In order to do these things, we MUST be open to the Holy Spirit guiding and leading us. Don’t become so rigid in your daily lists of things to do that we miss the opportunities and chances to be Jesus to someone who really wants to see him.
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, and throw out demons. You received without having to pay. Therefore, give without demanding payment.” ~Matthew 10:8b
~Photo taken on April 2, 2019 at Walt Disney World outside of “Enchanted Tales with Belle”
Good morning/Good Afternoon/Good Evening! To all my blog followers and friends, it is indeed a pleasure to be sharing my thoughts with you today. God is so very good, so very good all the time! My life has been extremely busy the past few days and will continue for a few more. I certainly appreciate everyone reading and liking the posts even though they have been posting at unusual times for me. I am currently on what some might call vacation or holiday, it has been a wonderful time and I’m blessed to be sharing the time with some terrific friends. I’ve been able to get some rest and relaxation, to put aside some everyday thoughts that clutter my mind and just have fun. These are all great times we all should do from time to time, knowing and trusting that God is always with us, no matter where we go or what we do. Isn’t that incredible and wonderful!!
Have you ever found yourself asking the question…what does God want me to do? Some of us might have even given thought to, why can’t God just give me a sign pointing me to what I’m supposed to do? Send me a letter or call me on my phone. We want straightforward answers, don’t we? Perhaps even easy answers at times. The answer is quite easy, it’s the application that we as believers have the most difficulty with. We are called to “Discipleship” to be Jesus in the world. Our author, Juan Huertas, says it like this, “Discipleship is about being, being God’s love in the world, being agents of healing, wholeness, and new life, being the people that do what Jesus does.”
Being Jesus in the world may sound difficult and it may be actual hard work but trust in Jesus, it is so worth it! Trust in the Holy Spirit to lead you to do the hard work.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” ~Philippians 4:13
Matthew 8:24-25, “A huge storm arose on the lake so that waves were sloshing over the boat. But Jesus was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, rescue us! We’re going to drown!”
We all need to be reminded that God is ever-present with us, myself I included. When things go bad or when sad things happen to us and around us, God has never left our sides. He is present always. Our Father loves us far beyond what our minds can imagine. While in the midst of difficult times it is extremely difficult to think something positive could come, let alone grow from it. Friend, trust me when I say they can and they do!! I, myself was and can be a doubter if these truths especially while experiencing them and yet God continues to bless me through the storms of life and bring about such positive changes I could never dreamed of.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; don’t rely on your own intelligence. Know him in all your paths, and he will keep your ways straight.” ~Proverbs 3:5-6
“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, OLord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” ~ Psalm 9:10
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares theLord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” ~Romans 15:13
Friend, it is my honor to travel this Lenten journey with you. Again, my apologies for the late delivery of today’s devotional and sharing of God’s Word. May your day be filled with all you require. My thoughts and hopes abound for you and your salivation in Jesus Christ. ~Peace, Go in Peace and live as Jesus in the world!
Mark 2:23b-24, “As the disciples made their way, they were picking the heads of wheat. The Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look! Why are they breaking the Sabbath law?”
Hello friends! I am slow in posting today! I am on vacation and and yesterday was a full and busy and emotionally charged day. In today’s companion devotional, Juan Huertas reminds us of things/practices we learned early in life while important can change as we grow and hopeful mature or at the least experience life. A beautiful practice of praying by kneeling and placing our hands together with a bowed head teaches us to be still, reverent and at peace to enter into conversation with the Divine! It’s an awesome experience and fully needed and I believe to be honoring to God. With that being said, as we are called to discipleship the work we do is often while upright and in the business of the world, how wonderful that we can call upon the Lord God Almighty at anytime and anywhere. Honor and cherish the things of the past and make room for new practices and ways to share God’s love in the world.
DISCOVER 
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