by George | May 9, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Mary Was There
When we think of Mary the mother of Jesus, our minds go back to the Incarnation, the birth of Christ. Her response to the angel who came to tell her she had been chosen to be the mother of our Lord was “… Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”
Luke 1:38
We are inspired by her courage, faith and servant’s heart.
But the story of Mary doesn’t end at Christ’s birth.
When the shepherds came to worship Christ and to share what the angels had said to them, Mary “… kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
Luke 2:19
When Jesus was 12, the family went to Jerusalem for the Passover. Jesus took this opportunity to go to the temple and have a discussion with the religious leaders.
Mary and Joseph realized He was gone, searched for Him, and found Him in the temple.
“So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
Luke 2:48-49
Jesus was no ordinary child!
Next, we find Mary at a wedding feast:
“And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it. ”
John 2:3-5
Mary knew that Jesus would take care of the problem, and He did. Hint: water into wine.
Later, she and her other children came to see Jesus.
“Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him.”
Mark 3:31
Was she trying to get Him to go home with them? It’s unclear.
Fast forward to the cross.
Mary was there, watching her firstborn Son die.
How her heart must have ached!
Even though He was suffering, Jesus took the time to make sure His mother was taken care of.
“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.”
John 19:25-27
Mary went to live with John.
When Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to the disciples, including John. Scripture doesn’t record Mary seeing her Son, but that doesn’t mean He didn’t appear to her. I imagine John brought her the wondrous news.
Perhaps she, along with Jesus’ brothers, finally, fully grasped that Jesus was really the Son of God.
Mary was in the upper room, praying with the other followers.
“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”
Acts 1:14
I wish I knew more about what Mary did for the rest of her life. What role did she play in the early church? We don’t really know, but we do know that she was there!
Like the disciples, she longed for the day when she would see her Son again, and by faith believed she would.
Her “step son” John wrote: “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
Revelation 22:20
Happy Mother’s Day!
by George | May 6, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
I Will Always Pray For You
“Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.”
I Samuel 12:23
A former coworker called me this morning. In a few days, she and her husband were going to be traveling out west to visit her daughter who is in the military. She said she couldn’t shake the feeling that she should call me and ask me to pray for their journey. It wasn’t a matter of being scared, she said, but for some reason she felt led to call and ask for prayer.
Samuel was old. The Israelites had made it abundantly clear that they
wanted a king, not his sons ruling over them. Instead of pouting, Samuel stayed on the job.
No retirement for him!
He felt it would be a sin for him to not pray for his people, and to instruct them in “the good and right way.”
It’s a privilege to pray for each other. James tells us:
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
James 5:16
I remember a prayer warrior friend of mine, who was getting more feeble, not able to do the things he used to do. He told me: “There’s one thing that I can do better than I have before and that is to pray!”
Let’s keep lifting each other up in prayer!
by George | May 4, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Possession Obsession
“Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
Luke 12:15
One of the most annoying things for someone who is addressing an audience is to have someone interupt them right in the middle of their speech. Even the most brilliant speaker could lose their train of thought.
This happened to Jesus, but it didn’t interupt His train of thought. Instead, He used it as a teaching opportunity.
Two men in the crowd were arguing over their inheritance. I can imagine one of them saying, “Oh yeah? Let’s see what the Teacher says about this! He’ll tell you to give me my fair share!”
So he yells out
“…Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.”
Luke 12:13
Jesus answers:
“… Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
Luke 12:14-15
Then Jesus elaborates further by using a parable.
“The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” ’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Luke 12:16-21
Next, Jesus reminds the disciples not to worry because God is taking care of them.
Jesus then gives them the proper perspective about possessions:
“Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Luke 12:33-34
So, my question for you is not “What’s in your wallet?” My question is:
“Do you have possessions or do they have you?”
