Category: Portraits of Life – Seeing God in All

I have discovered a new and exciting hobby of taking photos and sharing God’s Words as they inspire me to be in complete “AWE” of how great our God is! I hope you enjoy the photos.

Lent 2022 • Week Three • Jesus Loves Indiscriminately

Friday, March 18, 2022

Photo Credit: Me
WDW — February 16th, 2022

“Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.”
— Matthew 15:28 (NIV) —

Bible Reading: Matthew 15:21-28

“Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.”

🕛 🕐 🕑 🕒 🕓 🕔 🕕 🕖 🕗 🕘 🕙 🕚 🕛 TIMING IS EVERYTHING

The Canaanite woman in our story today is persistent, relentless and determined to get Jesus to heal her daughter. In the story, the woman pleads with Jesus and Jesus does not respond. We do not know how long she pleads with Jesus but we do know that it was long enough to annoy the disciples. They finally had heard enough and said to Jesus , “ Send her away, for she keeps crying out to us.” The woman just would not give up. The woman addresses Jesus, “ Lord, Son of David have mercy on me!” This woman, this Gentile is proclaiming who Jesus is and believes in His power to heal her child. Based on the fact she was a woman and a non-Jew, she would have had limited knowledge of scripture and law, neither would deterred her mission. Why should Jesus heal her daughter (?) … After all, Jesus was sent to the lost sheep of Israel.

He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” —Matthew 15:24

**To the biblical scholars reading this, I learned something new today through this particular story, I can’t believe I never connected this before, God’s timing is always “on time!” I now see the meaning/connection of Matthew 5:26, “He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” The children referring to the Israelites and the bread being Jesus. The woman is quick and clever in her response, “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Matthew 15:27.

This woman from the very beginning of her cries for help acknowledged Jesus as the rightful King of Israel, she called upon His compassion and displayed more faith, maturity and humility than the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Jesus affirms her faith and says to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.” —Matthew 15:28

The very people that Jesus came to save rejected Him, but when He traveled in to Gentile territory; Jesus found mature and humble faith that touched him deeply. This would be the beginning of the expansion of His rule and kingdom reign over all people everywhere. This would be the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through him.

Challenge

  • Have you ever found yourself frustrated by Jesus’ apparent delay to answer your prayers?

Yes, did I mention I tend to be impatient.

  • How might Jesus’ silence in your life actually be a sign of love?

Teaching me patience. Knowledge is something gained over time, with much studying and practical applications.

Further Study

1 Kings 17:7-24 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Kings%2017:7-24&version=NIV
Matthew 8:5-13 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%208:5-13&version=NIV
Matthew 15:21-28 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%2015:21-28&version=NIV
Mark 7:24-30 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Mark%207:24-30&version=NIV
John 1:11-12 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%201:11-12&version=NIV

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

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Friends—

Just wanted to share a blessing with you today in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day

May your joys be as rich as the ocean is blue. Your friendships as warm as the sun. May your blessings be many, your troubles be few. May your heart smile when each day is done. Bless you on St. Patrick’s Day and always.

The history of St. Patrick’s Day can be further explored by clicking the link below.

https://www.history.com/.amp/topics/st-patricks-day/history-of-st-patricks-day

A Blessing

The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Numbers%206:24-26&version=NIV

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

Lent 2022 • Week Three • Jesus Drives Out Fear

Thursday, March 17th, 2022

Photo Credit: Me
WDW — February 16th, 2022

Bible Reading: Matthew 14:22-33

“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Walking on Water, by Ivan Aivazovsky (1888)
The Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt, 1632.

🌊 🌩 💨 🌩 🌊 🌩 💨 🌩 🌊

Have you ever imagined what it was like to be in that fishing boat with the disciples when Jesus appeared and walking on water?

In Matthew’s account of the story, we know that Jesus had sent the disciples ahead while He prayed on the mountainside alone. Trying to put myself into the story, I don’t believe I would have reacted any differently than the disciples did…was it a ghost or an angel coming toward them on the water? Jesus, already knowing what their reaction would be spoke to them saying, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27). The way Jesus announced Himself reveals that He is God in the flesh. *I learned something new today, I love that God is still revealing himself to me through people, stories and books. Do you remember how God revealed Himself to Moses? God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘ I am has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14.

So Peter is excited when he knows it is Jesus walking on the water, he’s so excited he wants to join Jesus out on the water. And, what does Jesus do, He says, “Come!” Peter steps out onto the water, his eyes fixed on Jesus … until he sees the wind blowing the sea from the corner of his eye, at that exact moment Peter begins to sink. Fear overcomes Peter and he shouts out to Jesus, “Lord, save me!” Jesus does reach out and save Peter but says to him, “you of little faith, why did you doubt?” I know there have been and will undoubtedly be times when I will be more like Peter, than like Jesus. I say this only because I know that I must check my sinful nature on a daily basis. The Bible tells us, “ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. Jesus is the “Perfect Love.” (1 John 4:18).

*A second thing I learned today, or more accurately put, I expanded my grasp of God’s deliverance of God’s people with water.

Lastly, this is a cool factor for me and I hope it is for you too…

Challenge Questions

  • How has Jesus revealed both His divinity and His love towards you?

My salvation, I am not deserving of it; it’s only by the grace of God. Each day is a gift, we are God’s messengers to the world and sharing God’s love through daily acts of kindness.

  • Are there any sinking moments in your life that have caused you to doubt Jesus’ love for you?

I am guilty of doubts, but I also know deep in my heart and soul that God loves me and wants only the best for me. I tend to be impatient that leads me to make mistakes, I need to pray more, seeking God’s will and not my own. I am living proof that God always has a plan, even when we don’t fully know all the details. When my mom passed away, I doubted and I questioned, now nearly ten years later I am at peace knowing that God never left me. God has helped keep my moms memory alive through the many lessons she taught me, sure I miss her terribly and that’s the cost of having known her and loving her.

  • What would it look like to grasp Jesus’ outstretched arm and allow Him to walk you back to the boat?
  • Do you know anyone who might be doubting the love and trustworthiness of Jesus right now?

Many people are hurting around the world, my hope and prayer is that we can change the world by being the hands and feet of Jesus right where we are. We can start in our communities, in our work environment and pray for government leaders throughout the world for peace and kindness.

Further Study

Exodus 14:1-15:27 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Exodus%2014:1-15:27&version=NIV
Joshua 3:1-16 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Joshua%203:1-16&version=NIV
Isaiah 41:10 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Isaiah%2041:10&version=NIV
Isaiah 43:1-2 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Isaiah%2043:1-2&version=NIV
John 6:16-21 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%206:16-21&version=NIV
1 John 4:11-19 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20John%204:11-19&version=NIV

Friends—

I know today’s post is rather long compared to many that I had written but thank you for reading to the end. I loved the song I found “Wading in the Water” I hope you are blessed by its powerful message. As I remind myself and encourage you to remember, “JESUS DRIVES OUT FEAR!” Thank you for your support, it is most appreciated.

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

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/

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

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

Lent 2022 • Week Three • Jesus Does Not Envy

Wednesday, March 16th, 2022

Photo Credit: Me
WDW — February 16th, 2022

“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd…Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass…They all ate and were satisfied.”
— Mark 6:34,39,42 (NIV) —

“Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.”
— John 6:15 (NIV) —

Bible Reading: Mark 6:7-44

“Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.” But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!” For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him. Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist,” she answered. At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.” Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.”

Mark 6:7-44 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Mark%206:7-44&version=NIV

Friends—

Jesus was not exactly what some of the people were expecting from the King of the Jews. Many expected Jesus to arrive with an army and overthrow Herod and build his kingdom and rule. Certainly, the Jewish leaders were not impressed with how and with whom Jesus spent his time with; Jesus was drawn to the poor, the sick and the unclean. Jesus with love and compassion met people where they were and saw their needs and healed their lives. Jesus had also spent time with tax collectors and traveled with a band of men that did not at all measure up to the standards set by the Pharisee’s; thinking much of themselves and treated others more like subjects instead of their Jewish brothers and sisters.

Jesus is the great shepherd, we are his sheep. Jesus was sent by His Father, to do the will of the Father, not His own. Jesus was focused on His mission and he did not have to prove his divinity and certainly not His Kingship. Jesus was not envious of anything or anyone, He is the King of the Jews and His kingdom is not of this earth. Jesus’ message is simple and yet so profound that many have trouble grasping its simplicity. . . LOVE. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4

❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 LOVE 💙 💜 💖 🤎

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Challenge Question

How has envy robbed you of the opportunity to love?

Further Study

1 Kings 22:17 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Kings%2022:17&version=NIV
2 Kings 4:42-44 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Kings%204:42-44&version=NIV
Psalm 23:1-6 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2023:1-6&version=NIV
Psalm 37:1-11 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2037:1-11&version=NIV
Psalm 73:1-28 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2073:1-28&version=NIV
Ezekiel 34:5,23-25 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ezekiel%2034:5,23-25&version=NIV
John 10:1-21 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2010:1-21&version=NIV
Revelation 7:17 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Revelation%207:17&version=NIV

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

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/

Lent 2022 • Week Three • Jesus Sees Fully

Tuesday, March 15th, 2022

He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” ~Mark 5:34 (NIV)

“I am fully known.”
— 1 Corinthians 13:12b —

Bible Reading: Mark 5:25-43

“And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

🟪 🔹 🟪 🔹 🟪 🔹 🟪 🔹 🟪 🔹 🟪 🔹 🟪

This particular story of this unnamed woman goes much deeper than the fact she had been stricken with a bleeding disorder for twelve long years. Because of this condition she would have been treated as unclean according to the Levitical laws. Anything and anyone she came in contact with would have also been considered unclean. I can’t even imagine what her life had been like, most likely total isolation. Her dignity had all but disappeared. Her ears had probably forgotten what it was like to hear kindness and most certainly not felt kindness. So this woman, who believed that the man named Jesus could heal her, she devised a plan and executed it. In fact her faith was so strong she believed that simply touching his clothing would heal her. She was very adept at being ignored by people so she easily made her way through the crowd and seized the opportunity to touch Jesus’ garment as he passed by. She did not want to cause a scene or even be noticed, it was risky to touch anyone because of her condition, let alone Jesus. I can imagine what it felt like when Jesus proclaimed, “Who touched my clothes?” She probably froze and made no sudden moves to cause attention, and likely avoided any eye contact whatsoever. The truth is Jesus did know who touched him, so why did he push the issue with the crowd by saying again, “Who touched me?” At this point fear possibly overtook the woman and she falls at Jesus’ feet, likely trembling with trepidation and tells Jesus everything. I’m sure those in the crowd were gasping and I envision some picking up stones to throw at the woman. But at this moment, Jesus did what Jesus does and He says to the woman, “Daughter.” (I’m envisioning a “Hallmark Moment”…cue tears!). Jesus speaks to her endearingly, something she had nearly forgotten. Jesus wanted to know who touch him because not only did he want to heal her physically but also wanted to restore her humanity and dignity. God saw her, not just ugliness and uncleanliness. Jesus verbally commends her faith, He releases her of any culpability and blesses her with peace. The message of Jesus is … LOVE. It is a love that pursues, a love that sees and a love that offers the gift of being seen. Friends, we too can step up and receive God’s gift of belonging to Him.

Challenge Question

  • What areas of your life are you trying to hide from God?

Further Study

Leviticus 15:25-30 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Leviticus%2015:25-30&version=NIV
Matthew 9:20-22 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%209:20-22&version=NIV
Luke 8:43-48 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%208:43-48&version=NIV

Friends— this song is my prayer for all of us. Amen.

We may be familiar with many of the names of God. We know him as Elohim and Yahweh. But what about El Roi? That name doesn’t appear to show up in many worship songs. And yet, in today’s day and age, when we feel our most vulnerable, the most invisible, we can find hope and power in the name of God “El Roi.” You can read more about El Roi by clicking the link below.

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/reasons-to-praise-god-as-el-roi.html

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

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/