TUESDAY, MARCH 29THA TIME FOR A STORY Jesus has a longer story to tell today, so he begins right away… For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner …

MENTORING MOMENTS – FAIR IS UNFAIR

Monday, March 28th, 2022

“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” ~Mark 10:20-21 (NIV)

Bible Reading • Mark 10:17-22

The Rich and the Kingdom of God

“As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.“

Challenge • Things To Ponder

Many have read this story in Mark and measured themselves against their own sense of “wealth and riches” and decide that this passage does not apply to them. Mark tells of a wealthy man wanting heaven but could not part with his worldly possession and travel with Jesus to get there. What if we took a hard look into our own lives. . . are there things we are unwilling to give up for heaven? It may not be money, it could be anything that keeps you from fully engaging with God. Wealth can be measured in others terms than strictly money; some are wealthy because of social status or family name, you might be influential based upon knowledge and experience, perhaps you spend all your time buying and collecting things; simply put, anything that separates you from God. Today, seek God and ask Him to reveal to you anything that keeps you from a deep(er) relationship with Him. If you discover something, confess it to God and ask Him to open your heart to be receptive to His Word and His Love.

💰 ▪️ 💰 ▪️ 💰 ▪️ 💰 ▪️ 💰 ▪️ 💰

Money in and of itself is not a bad thing or a sin and no one should not be ashamed of having it.

The only questions are:

• Does it allow greed to grow and fester within one’s heart separating oneself from God (?).

• Does having money breed sinful desires in one’s heart and mind, causing strife and isolation from others and especially from God (?).

Money is NOT:

the root of all evil—

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
— 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV) —

LOVE of Money is:

the root of all evil—

🧡 🙏🏻 💚 🛐 🧡 🙏🏻 💚 🛐 🧡 🙏🏻 💚

Prayer ~

Open the eyes of my heart oh, God that I may seen and hear your words. Help me to pursue you with a pure heart. Forgive me when I let my heart be wooed away from you by the temporary things in this life. I ask these things in Jesus name~Amen.

Further Study

Matthew 10:37-38 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%2010:37-38&version=NIV

Mark 4:1-20 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Mark%204:1-20&version=NIV

Mark 10:21 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Mark%2010:21&version=NIV

John 12:1-8 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2012:1-8&version=NIV

1 Timothy 6:8-10 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Timothy%206:8-10&version=NIV

1 John 2:15-16 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20John%202:15-16&version=NIV

1 Timothy 6:10 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Timothy%206:10&version=NIV

Friends, wishing you a beautiful week and. blessings upon you. Thank you for your support and words of encouragement as we continue to travel this Lenten journey. ~Peace 🧡

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/

Mark 10:17-22 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Mark%2010:17-22&version=NIV

MONDAY, MARCH 28A TIME OF COMFORT Today our mentor Jesus shares a deeply comforting promise, a reminder of his presence with us. He simply says… I am…

MENTORING MOMENTS – LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Sunday, March 27th, 2022

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
— Colossians 2:13,15 (NIV) —

Why Did Jesus Have To Die?

Jesus died to disarm the powers of sun, death, and the devil.

Bible Reading • John 10:11-18

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Questions for Discussion

1. The good Shepherd protects His sheep with His own life. How does this demonstrate the love of Jesus?
   • Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the world on the cross, so that you and I could have victory over death, spiritual death. Because of Jesus, the devil has been defeated. Jesus died on the cross willingly, knowing this was the only way to cleanse all humankind of the sin that separated us from God. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He will lead us to glory, a glory beyond our wildest dreams and guide us to the Father, His Father to spend eternity with them. Jesus loves us so much that He would have died on the cross if only for one of His sheep to be saved.
   • Isaiah 40:11 “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”
   • Psalm 23:1 A Psalm of David. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
2. Verse 18 explains that Jesus has the authority to lay down His life and pick it back up again. What does this tell us about Jesus?
   • “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” ~John 10:18
   • Jesus was of offerer and the offering on the cross. Jesus had sovereign authority to dispose of His life, He offered it so that you and I could be saved from the sting of spiritual death. The devil has no power over the soul once freely given to God. Jesus was not a debtor to life or death, He gave His life for our redemption. The grace of Christ is that He offered and laid down His life, no one took it. *A great resource is Matthew Henry Commentary ~see link below.
3. What do you want to say in response to Jesus.
   • Jesus thank you for loving me, for creating me, and giving me purpose. I am not worthy of the price you paid on the cross, it is only by your love, grace and mercy I am set free of sin and shame.

To Jesus With Love ©

Lord, fill me with your spirit 
Fill me to overflowing 
Help me spread your love
Through my actions
Through my speech
Through my prayers

I am nothing without you
Teach me your ways O Lord
Keep me within your loving embrace
Give me a humble heart 
Give me gentleness of words
Cover me with your abiding grace

I am a seeker O Lord
I thirst for new knowledge 
I am your willing servant
Guide me to your Truth
Chase after me when I go astray 
I am your child, I often wander way

Without you I am an empty vessel 
Without you I fill myself with selfish desires
Without you I am a stranger with no home
Without you I am poor sinful creature
Without you I would not be, for you are my Creator

You alone are my Rock
You alone are my Redeemer 
You alone are my Refuge 
You alone are my shelter 
You alone are my everything 
My Father, my Brother, my Spirit 

Your word tells me that I can do all things through you, help me to be ever present of your will, give me strength of perseverance until the day of your return or until you call me home.  

Your loving daughter. ©

March 24th, 2021
16:52 Solidas Park, IN

Friends, thank you for stopping by my blog today, I appreciate the support and encouragement. 💚🤗🛐🌻💜🌼

“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” —C.S. Lewis

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

References:

Colossians 2:13,15 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Colossians%202:13,15&version=NIV

John 10:11-18 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2010:11-18&version=NIV

John 10:18 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2010:18&version=NIV

https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/john/10.html

Saturday, March 26th, 2022

Review of Bible Stories • Week Four

Friends, this week we read about Jesus loving the little children; Jesus offering second chances to an adulteress; Jesus healed a man who had been born blind; Jesus healed a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years and he did it on the Sabbath; Jesus weeps with Mary and Martha over Lazarus and then Jesus raises Lazarus to life. What an incredible week to actively participate in the stories of Jesus’ ministry and healing. Jesus loved the unloveable, the sinners and those cast out from society. Jesus was teaching the disciples and His followers, the love God has for His children, the young and the older ones. Jesus taught that deficiencies of our bodies are not punishments from sins; our parent’s or our own. They can and most certainly bring glory to God through acts of faith and through miraculous healing from God.

I have found it interesting in life that people are quick to blame God when bad things happen and all too quick to pat themselves on the back in success. Why is it that seldom do we want to take responsibility when our own actions that result in negative outcomes (?) or is there another option, perhaps that we live in a conditional world where the devil/satan has domain…

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

1 John 5:19 “We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”

John 14:30 “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me.”

Day One • Jesus Loves The Least Of These

Day One • Bible Reading • Mark 10:13-16

“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.“

Day Two • Jesus Offers Second Chances

Day Two • Bible Reading • John 8:1-11

“…but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Day Three • Jesus Seeks The Lost

Day Three • Bible Reading • John 9:1-34

“As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. The neighbours and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, ‘Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?’ Some were saying, ‘It is he.’ Others were saying, ‘No, but it is someone like him.’ He kept saying, ‘I am the man.’ But they kept asking him, ‘Then how were your eyes opened?’ He answered, ‘The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, “Go to Siloam and wash.” Then I went and washed and received my sight.’ They said to him, ‘Where is he?’ He said, ‘I do not know.’ They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, ‘He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.’ Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.’ But others said, ‘How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?’ And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, ‘What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.’ He said, ‘He is a prophet.’ The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, ‘Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?’ His parents answered, ‘We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.’ His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, ‘He is of age; ask him.’ So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, ‘Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.’ He answered, ‘I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.’ They said to him, ‘What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?’ He answered them, ‘I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?’ Then they reviled him, saying, ‘You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.’ The man answered, ‘Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.’ They answered him, ‘You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?’ And they drove him out.”

Day Four • Jesus Is Not Self-Seeking

Day Four • Bible Reading • Luke 13:10-17

“Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are set free from your ailment.’ When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.’ But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?’ When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.”

Day Five • Jesus Weeps

Day Five • Bible Reading • John 11:1-44

“Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it, he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’ Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, ‘Let us go to Judea again.’ The disciples said to him, ‘Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?’ Jesus answered, ‘Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.’ After saying this, he told them, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.’ The disciples said to him, ‘Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.’ Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.’ Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow-disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’ When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.’ When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, ‘The Teacher is here and is calling for you.’ And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’ But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’ Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, ‘Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead for four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upwards and said, ‘Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’

Thank you for visiting my blog today. You are a blessing to me. 💚🙏🏻🤗🍃🌻

Prayer~ Lord Jesus, I pray for the person reading these words and that Your light shines in their corner of the world. I thank you Lord for the privilege to write, read and share your words with the world. ~Amen.

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

References:

Mark 10:13-16 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Mark%2010:13-16&version=NIV

John 8:1-11 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%208:1-11&version=NIV

John 9:1-34 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%209:1-34&version=NRSVA

Luke 13:10-17 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%2013:10-17&version=NRSVA

John 11:1-44 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2011:1-44&version=NRSVA

Friday, March 25th, 2022

Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” — John 11:35-36

Bible Reading: John 11:1-44

“Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Then Thomas (also known as Didymus ) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Jesus, knowing that He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, grieved and wept. When Jesus encounters Mary, (sister of Lazarus) in her brokenness, Jesus breaks down and weeps with her. *“Jesus, the Creator of life, grieved sin’s theft of life in this family.” Quote from Asheritah Ciuciu, “Uncovering the Love of Jesus.” page 115.

It was not accident that Jesus was not with Lazarus when he died; the death and rising of Lazarus was to show God’s glory and Jesus’ divinity.

Jesus said to her (Martha), “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” John 11:25-26

Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus and He grieved with them. Jesus loves you too, He will be with you and comfort you as well.

LOVE that celebrates people’s joy but does not mourn their grief is not love at all—

Grief takes courage. It takes energy. It requires sacrifice, especially when joining in a sorrow that is not our own. Grief is also a gateway to joy, joy in knowing that someday Jesus will return and dwell with His people where there will be no more death, no more sorrow and no more tears.

I can say that until I experienced grief in its fullness, I never truly understood the depths of love. Each runs deep and I have been blessed because of love and loss, God is the great comforter and healer, Jesus knows the human pains of loss and will hold you through each and every step.

Challenge Question

🙏🏻 Do you have an area of your life that you haven’t allowed yourself to grieve?

🛐 Using Psalm 88 as a guide, lament the brokenness in your life, and let Jesus’ presence comfort you, even as He weeps with you.

A Prayer ~

Jesus, my heart breaks for the sin and wickedness that is happening all around the world. Help me to have courage to face the sins in my own life. Help me face the brokenness and mistakes of my past. Help me to accept forgiveness. Allow me to grieve my wrongdoings and to grieve the wrongs done to me. Please provide your comfort as I grieve, open your heart and ears to my prayers. Lord, teach me to weep with those who weep. Help me spread joy where there is none. Jesus, I ask all these things in your Holy Name. Amen. 🛐🙏🏻💚

Further Study

Genesis 50:20 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%2050:20&version=NIV

Psalm 18 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2018:1-50&version=NIV

Psalm 44 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2044:1-26&version=NIV

Psalm 56:8 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2056:8&version=NIV

Psalm 88 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2088:1-18&version=NIV

Ecclesiastes 3:4 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ecclesiastes%203:4&version=NIV

Romans 8:19-23 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%208:19-23&version=NIV

Romans 12:15-18 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%2012:15-18&version=NIV

Revelation 21:3-5 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Revelation%2021:3-5&version=NIV

Friends, thank you for stopping by today. You are a blessing to me. You are loved by God, the Creator of all things, and that includes you. You are a gift! A precious child of God, created on purpose and with a plan. 🤗🙏🏻💚

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_wept

https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/4536

FRIDAY, MARCH 25THA TIME OF BLESSING Our Friday time of blessing with Jesus holds more treasures for us. Today, Jesus shares another gift from the …

MENTORING MOMENTS – MERCY ME

THURSDAY, MARCH 24THA TIME OF SHARED STRUGGLES As we gather with Jesus to hear another of his frustrations – the ones we often share – we are …

MENTORING MOMENTS – TRUE TRUST

Thursday, March 24th, 2022

Then he [Jesus] put his hands on her, [the cropped woman] and immediately she straightened up and praised God. . . . But] the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”
Luke 13:13-14 (NIV)

“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”
Hosea 6:6 (NIV)

Bible Reading: Luke 13:10-17

Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman on the Sabbath

“On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.” The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.”

The Sabbath

We first read about the day of rest (Sabbath) in Genesis 2:2-3, “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”

The Sabbath is mentioned next in Exodus 20:8-11,

Keeping the Sabbath is an affirmation that God is Creator and Sustainer of the world. Exodus 20:11; “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”

It is also an affirmation of Israel’s identity, Deuteronomy 5:12,15; “Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee. And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.”

Just as joy is more than the absence of sorrow, the Sabbath is more than ceasing to do work. Staying in bed all day does not amount to a keeping of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is to be a delightful and joyous, day giving thanks to God for His gift of all creation.

A good article to read and further study can be found by clicking this link:

https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/sabbath/?amp

Challenge Question

• How often do we get so caught up in what others think of us that we ignore the hurt of those around us?

💠 Next time you walk into a room, look around not to ascertain how you measure up, but to seek and find the person who needs a friend. Walk up to them and strike up a conversation, looking for ways to communicate Jesus’ love towards them.

📚Further Study 📚

Exodus 20:8-11 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Exodus%2020:8-11&version=NIV

Matthew 9:12-13 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%209:12-13&version=NIV

Luke 14:1-6 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%2014:1-6&version=NIV

Friends ~

Our world is moving 24/7/365 and not all of us have the ability to do the Sabbath, on the Sabbath. Some celebrate the Sabbath on Saturday, while others on Sunday. My upbringing was that Sunday’s were celebrated as the Sabbath. As a child and as a teenager, attending Sunday school and church services was a weekly activity I thoroughly enjoyed. I had wonderful role models and mentors that impressed my heart and my curiosity for learning. I was fortunate to have parents who encouraged me and my brother to be our best. They sacrificed and sent us both to a Christian school to get our education. God provided a way for me to attend a Christian College and the support my parents gave me was priceless. Some of my fondest memories are of the four years in spent pursuing a degree but the best part was the people I met and the bonds of friendships that were forged.

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is in the story of Esther, she was brave not for herself but for her people and their very lives. Esther 4:14b, “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther, placed herself in danger to save her people.

Keeping the Sabbath, strictly speaking for my life is more than a Saturday or a Sunday free from doing anything; the Sabbath for me is about honoring, praising and worshiping God because he created everything, including me. My hope is that others can see more of God and less of me. I wish you a beautiful day filled with unexpected joys. ~ Peace

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Bible Reading: John 9:1-34

“As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said. They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided. Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.” They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.”

This story of healing a blind man is the only recorded one that specifically states that he had been born blind. Many believed that the cause of blindness at birth to a child meant that the child either carried the sin of the parents or oddly that somehow the sins of the child himself caused the blindness. Jesus quickly tells his disciples that the blindness was not about sin, it was to display the works of God. The Jewish leaders were not interested in the truth about the healing of the blind man. They were more interested in themselves and their perceived notion of God and the coming Messiah. These educated men and scholars in the community knew the scriptures but did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the Chosen one of God. No, Jesus did not fit the mold of who they wanted him to be. They were blind to the truth. This blind man from birth had been an outcast to his own community because of his blindness and now after receiving his sight had become an outcast because of his faith in Jesus, the man who healed him.

The Rest of the Story

Spiritual Blindness ~ John 9:35-41

“Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”

Jesus, once hearing of the man he had healed being thrown out of the synagogue, left those He was with and went and found him. Jesus compelled by love went out to find this one man…why? This is Jesus, “The Good Shepherd” leaving the large crowds (the ninety-nine) behind went to find the lost (one) and bring him home. We need a heart like Jesus, to seek and find the lost, leading them to salvation in Jesus.

Challenge Question

Jesus’ love compels Him to seek and save the list.

• Does that same love beat wildly in your heart as well?
  • I am a constant work in progress as I believe we all are. None of us are without sin. Each day is a new day to share the love of Jesus to a hurting world. Be the best version of yourself, be authentic, be kind and ask God for guidance in all you do. I believe with all my heart that Jesus is the Son of God and He created me with purpose to bring glory to God.

Do you know individuals who are far from Jesus? Pray and ask Jesus to compel you with His love to seek them that He may save them.

Further Study

Psalm 146:8 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%20146:8&version=NIV

Isaiah 35:4-6 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Isaiah%2035:4-6&version=NIV

Isaiah 42:6-7 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Isaiah%2042:6-7&version=NIV

Isaiah 61:1-3 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Isaiah%2061:1-3&version=NIV

Luke 4:14-21 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%204:14-21&version=NIV

Luke 7:18-24 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%207:18-24&version=NIV

John 9:35-10:21 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%209:35-10:21&version=NIV

Friends—

Thank you for supporting my blog and sharing the love of Jesus. ~ Peace

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/

https://brookemccurdy.wordpress.com/2013/02/04/why-did-jesus-use-mud-to-heal-the-blind-man/amp/