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.
Luke 9:1, “Jesus called the twelve together and he gave them power and authority over all demons and to heal sickness.”
In the next verse, Jesus sent the disciples out to minister to the people in Luke 9:2, “He (Jesus) sent them out to proclaim God’s kingdom and to heal the sick.”
Our author, Juan Huertas reminds us that each week as we leave Sunday morning services and we are dismissed with the phrase, “Go in Peace” is an opportunity to go into the world sharing the love of God with everyone we encounter. Go in Peace! Go and spread God’s Shalom – God’s healing, wholeness, completion, integration, salvation – in the world. Go – you have authority; you have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to be Christ in the world.
Our WORSHIP has ended.
Now our SERVICE has begun.
My church used to say this at the end of our church services every week and I loved it. I’m not exactly sure when it started and when we stopped but I miss it dearly. It reminded me that Sunday morning was just the beginning of my week and it continues until I’m back in the Sanctuary the next week.
I’ve known for some time that anyone can be a witness for Jesus and that our actions speak much louder than our words. I’ve long been interested in learning more about the scriptures and understanding the meanings held with them. I’ve attended church for as long as I can remember and I have such fond memories of church activities during my youth. Family and church have always been synonymous for me throughout my entire life. I have been so blessed throughout my life to have strong Christian role models, from Sunday school teachers to ministers. My parents sacrificed so much so that my brother and I, both could attend a Christian elementary and high school (Grace Christian Academy). Growing up in rural America, college had never really been on my radar but when the opportunity presented itself, again my parents sacrificed so I could attend a Christian college (Judson College now Judson University). To say that I am blessed is such an understatement! As I look back on my life so far, it is so clear to see in hindsight that God has been preparing me for the life I get to live right now. I get to share my thoughts through this medium with all of you, you bless me by your support. I am honored to serve my church as an Elder and privileged to lead a weekly bible study and a monthly devotional with a women’s group. I have long desired to attend seminary with the possibility of maybe becoming a minister someday. Who knows, that may still happen but either way I’m thankful to be in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. If my actions lead only one person to know salvation, to God be the glory!
Friends, as we start out a new week let’s be reminded of the endless possibilities to represent Jesus in our daily lives. Take time to made eye contact with someone, hold a door open, say thank you and you’re welcome, think before you speak a word in frustration or in anger, be the better person, be Jesus in a world of need.
John 13:35, “This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.”
Love. It’s the easiest and hardest thing to do. We, as a society use the word to describe a plethora of things from people, places, things, animals, jobs, cars, and even our selves to name a few. The Bible certainly tells us about love several times throughout the scriptures.
According to the Christian Bible Reference the word “love” appears in the KJV 131 times in the Old Testament and 179 in the New Testament. The amounts increase based upon the translation used, below is an example of NASV, NIV and NRSV.
What does the word love mean? According to Merriam-Webster it is:
• affectionbasedonadmiration, benevolence or common interests
• anassuranceofaffection
• warmattachment, enthusiasm, ordevotion
• theobjectofattachment,devotion, oradmiration
• abelovedperson
• unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good
• thefatherlyconcernof God for humankind
• brotherly concernforothers
• aperson‘sadorationof God
I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s timing. I just received my daily email from Abbey of the Arts and the quote is perfect for our topic today.
To be honest with you, I spend a lot of time contemplating “love” especially with regard to the Jesus’ commandment to us, to love one another. Not just a family member, not just the neighbors on my street, not just the people I like, no…Jesus meant everyone, everywhere. Sometimes I get caught up in the idea I have to like someone to be able to love them, but Jesus didn’t say that. He simply said, “Love one another.” John 13:35. How do we reconcile to people we have never met, who live and work under different circumstances and live under different kinds of government and who worship differently than we do. The “unknowns” can certainly be scary. I have a friend who recently shared a story with me where she described having a disagreement with her husband, I don’t recall the details, only her response, “Yes! I love you but I don’t like you very much right now!” That provided a lot of clarity for me about “loving.” Love is possible in the midst of not fully liking or agreeing with another. There’s a big part of me that thinks this might be close to what Jesus is telling us to do. Loving without restraint and barriers or even boundaries is hard, at least it seems that way to me. I suppose my human self-preservation and protection mode kicks in when it comes to things like immigration and humanitarian efforts, I mistakenly place myself in a position of arbitrary control when in fact I have none. You see I’m a “rule” follower and enforcer mentality and I’m not opposed to either cause and in helping others, I just tend to be very concrete in my thought pattern and too often too rigid. As a Christian and as a child of God, I want to love others and help others I’m just cautious and timid, maybe even lacking a bit of faith. I’m. It giving up though and I certainly do not want you to either. Our world is hurting in so many ways right now, I believe in the power of prayer and in God. My hope is to work towards a common ground goal and be supportive of world peace, learning to respect people’s choices and to love them especially when I’m not sure I even like them.
Friends, thank you for spending some time reading my thoughts, feelings and emotions. Feel free to leave me a message if you want. Let’s continue to support one another and to prayer for each other. Let’s place our trust in God! May your day be filled with joy, laughter and love. ~Peace~
Below are some bible verses about loving one another.
1 Peter 4:8 EVS, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
Romans 12:10 EVS, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
1 John 4:7 EVS, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:11 EVS, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
Romans’ 13:8 EVS, “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
Galatians 5:13 EVS, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
John 15:12 EVS, “ This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
1 John 3:11 EVS, “This is my commandment , that you love one another as I have loved you.”
Leviticus 19:18 EVS, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am theLord.”
1 Thessalonians 3:12 EVS, “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,”
Breath Prayer:Praise the Lord! …I am loved by God.
Luke 6:37, “Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Judge:
• one whomakesjudgments
• one whogivesanauthoritativeopinion
Condemn:
• todeclareto bereprehensible,wrong, orevil usually after weighting evidence and with our reservation
• topronounceguilty
Forgive:
• toceasetofeelresentment against
• togiveupresentmentof or claim to requital
Antonym for Judge:
• approve
• flatter
Antonym for Condemn:
• exonerate
• clear
Antonym for Forgive:
• punish
• blame
Luke records in chapter six, the words of Jesus, “Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged…”. The verse goes on to tell us to not condemn and to forgive. This verse is something I honestly contend with on a regular basis. As our author, Juan Huertas puts it, “human beings are quick to make assumptions in microseconds in order to categorize people and circumstances.” Sometimes this happens due to the nature of our jobs and other times it’s just the nature of a specific situation we are experiencing. Making judgment calls are necessary, it is entirely a different story if we pass judgment for no other reason than “because we can.” Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should do it! None of us are perfect, though we may strive for perfection, in the end we are all fallible human beings.
There’s many ways to try to combat the ills of judging others, to include at times condemning them. One such way is to mentally and emotionally placing ourselves in the place of those we are judging. Metaphorically speaking, walking around in their shoes. And, a second way is to remind yourself of the last time you were judged by a peer or boss, how did it make you feel? Do you really want to make someone go through those feelings? Remember, we are talking about judgment not supportive conversation for growth.
Once we start down the path of judging, condemnation is always close behind, before we even realize it, we are judging, condemnation turns the tables and we are neck-deep into talking about someone and making assumptions about their life, their actions, their clothes, their car, you name it, nothing is regarded as sacred. This can happen within minutes but the damage caused can last a lifetime. If we could just train our brains to work more closely with our mouths, life would be so much smoother. If for a split second, we could pause and think about the ramification of our words and imagine for a moment the tables were turned and we were in the “hot seat” and it was our reputation and personhood that was being judged. This reminds me of the “Golden Rule” taught to me in elementary school, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Those are strong words!
Jesus tells us to forgive and we will be forgiven. I like to think of it this way as well, “Forgive others as you want and hope for forgiveness.” If I want, hope or even expect to receive forgiveness from others I must be willing to extend forgiveness as well. When we cease to forgive, we have no more hope. Society as we know it will be no more. Compassion will have died. We must practice forgiveness, we must be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. Sharing the love of God with everyone we meet, whether it is done in word or deed, all to the glory of a God!
Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Brothers and sisters, friends and family I pray that you experience the love of God in real tangible ways today! Let’s continue on our path through the Lenten season, remembering the great sacrifice of God, our Father and of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. ~Peace be with you~
Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of world. A city on top of a hill can’t be hidden.”
The scripture verse today tells us that we are the light of the world. We are Jesus in this world. Being a disciple is not something we do just on Sunday’s and other church functions. My opinion is quite opposite, I attend church services and functions for a variety of reasons, instructions being high on the list. I also attend for the opportunity to connect with other believers and renew my strength in Christ and strengthen the bonds of brotherly/sisterly love. It provides a space to have conversations face-to-face that often gets missed in our technological world of texting, iMessaging, emailing to list a few. It’s a chance to shake hands and exchange hugs, make eye contact with another person. These are all great things to help us interact in the world around us in our daily lives. At church it’s typically rather easy to know that you’re a believer in Christ, plus most of us wear those name tags so we are even more easily identifiable. But what about when we are in the grocery store and the lines are long and there’s a stressed out mom with not one crying child but two and she’s just wanting to get milk and diapers and go home. Or you’re in traffic and you’re on a schedule but there’s a traffic accident and no one is moving, cars are surrounding you, horns are being honked, tempers are flaring and people are shouting and pointing at their wrist watches and fit-bits, as if they are the only ones that matter. It is in these moments that we are called to be a “light” to the world. We are to shine so bright that people stop and pause as if time itself had been suspended just for their benefit. A moment of clarity, a brief snippet of time to take a breath and realize things are going to be fine. A deep breath to recalibrate our senses, to stay in the present state of reality and stop our imaginations from going all haywire. One kind word in a moment of utter chaos can make all the difference. It may not fix the situation but it will force a break in the rhythm and current course and hopefully change the outcome to something more positive and at the very least a different direction.
What is the point in attending church, reading the Bible and studying the Bible If when we are in the world we look, act and sound like everyone else. How do people know that you are different, how would someone know if you have a personal relationship with God, with Jesus?
Do they know by your words?
Do they know by your actions?
Do your words and actions tell the same story?
As disciples our countenance should speak loud and clear to the people we meet.
Are you a city on a hill?
Do you shine for Jesus?
As we continue our journey through Lent, reconnect as needed with God and seek his will, his strength and his light! God bless you friends!
Breath Prayer: Lord of light,…help me shine for you.
DISCOVER 
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