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Showing posts from March, 2014

Lent Devotional Day 25

Lent Devotional March 30, 2014 John 6:27-40 27 "Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal." 28 Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." 30 So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" 32 Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 They said to him, "Sir, give us

Lost Focus

Lent is the Christian season of preparation leading up to Easter that starts on Ash Wednesday and continues for 40 days. A time to clearly review the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  A time to review our lives, to pray earnestly seeking forgiveness and forgiving others, a time of repentance. To fast. A denial of something be it certain foods, television, social media whatever that has the most of our attention. We all have something we can give up. Something we can deny ourselves all for a better connection to Christ. So much has happened in my life these past 3 months, I can honestly say I have given up nothing. Not that I did not want to. It is because I unintentionally allowed other things to distract me. Today has been a day of reflection. I talk to the Lord as if He is sitting right here with me, which he is. I read the Word of God daily and I meditate on His Word but, I have lost focus. Today is my start in really seeking more, fasting honestly. My weakness i

Lent Devotional Day 24

Lent Devotional March 29, 2014 Mark 7:1-23 1 Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, 2 they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. 3 (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; 4 and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) 5 So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?" 6 He said to them, "Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; 7 in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.' 8 You abandon the commandment of God

Lent Devotional Day 23

Lent Devotional March 28, 2014 Mark 6:47-56 47 When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the sea. He intended to pass them by. 49 But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." 51 Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. 53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. 54 When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, 55 and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went, into villages or citi

His Grace Is Sufficient

Learned today that I have cervical spinal stenosis. What is it? It is where the cervical bones in your neck press into you spinal cord causing your body to have severe pain and to loose mobility of your limes, headaches and Lord knows what else. I have been battling chronic pain for years due to Degenerative Disc Disease and Arthritis. In the past few years things have changed, more pain and just shear agony. I am not detered by this. There are many people that live with disabilities, some you can see and some you can not. No disability is the same and no one deals with it in the same way. For me, I keep smiling through the pain and sometimes the inability to walk, sit or stand long periods of time. Even sleep is only a vision. I keep smiling because I know Who I serve. But God. I can not tell you the outcome or that it will all be ok. What I can tell you is that you are not alone. I can tell you that no matter what it is you face, you must keep smiling. If not for you than for oth

Lent Devotional Day 22

Lent Devotional March 27, 2014 Mark 6:30-46 30 The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. 35 When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; 36 send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat." 37 But he answered them, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, &quo

Lent Devotional Day 21

Lent Devotional March 25, 2014 Mark 6:1-13 1 He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. 4 Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." 5 And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching. 7 He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He

Lent Devotional Day 20

Lent Devotional March 24, 2014 Mark 5:21-43 21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. 22 Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet 23 and begged him repeatedly, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live." 24 So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. 25 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 for she said, "If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well." 29 Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 Immediately a

Lent Devotional Day 19

Lent Devotional March 23, 2014 John 5:25-29 25 "Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; 27 and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and will come out - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. John 4:5-42 5 So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. 7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (His disciples had gone to the city

Lent Devotional Day 18

Lent Devotional March 22, 2014 Mark 5:1-20 1 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. 2 And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. 3 He lived among the tombs; and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain; 4 for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him; 7 and he shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me." 8 For he had said to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!" 9 Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is

Lent Devotional Day 17

Lent Devotional March 21, 2014 Mark 4:35-41 35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." 36 And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37 A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" 39 He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40 He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" 41 And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" DEVOTIONAL Jesus returns to the sea. There are so many phrases that are worthy of thought in this passage, but for today, i

Screaming At Chronic Pain

The days and nights are a struggle. Movement takes much effort but I press on. Since the diagnosis of degenerative disk disease and arthritis I thought nothing of it. I did not have much in the way of symptoms. My days were normal and I seemed to enjoy them all. That was fourteen years ago. Now, shear anger and frustration, sadness and fear. Exhaustion mentally and physically. Chronic pain is no laughing matter. Sharp pain, stiffness, muscle spasms in my back, legs, arms and hands, neck. Headaches. Nothing seems to give me comfort for long. So much medication I wonder if I am the new CVC or a mini Walgreens, most of I can't even take. Disparate. Tests after test to only hear more disturbing results, possible disability. That is my life. I scream at chronic pain. Sleep is non existent. I think back to the woman with the issue of blood. She just knew that if she could just touch the hem of Jesus's garment she would be healed. Faith. I close my eyes and repeat, by his stripes

Lent Devotional Day 16

Lent Devotional March 20, 2014 Mark 4:21-34 21 He said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. 23 Let anyone with ears to hear listen!" 24 And he said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. 25 For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away." 26 He also said, "The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, 27 and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28 The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come." 30 He

Lent Devotional Day 15

Lent Devotional March 19, 2014 Mark 4:1-20 1 Again he began to teach beside the sea. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the sea and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. 2 He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: 3 "Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. 6 And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. 8 Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold." 9 And he said, "Let anyone with ears to hear listen!" 10 When he was alone, those who were around

Lent Devotional Day 14

Lent Devotional March 18, 20 Mark 3:19b-35 19b Then he went home; 20 and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. 21 When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, "He has gone out of his mind." 22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons." 23 And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. 27 But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered. 28 "Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphe

Lent Devotional Day 13

Lent Devotional March 17, 2014 Mark 3:7-19th. 7 Jesus departed with his disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him; 8 hearing all that he was doing, they came to him in great numbers from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, and the region around Tyre and Sidon. 9 He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him; 10 for he had cured many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. 11 Whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and shouted, "You are the Son of God!" 12 But he sternly ordered them not to make him known. 13 He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, 15 and to have authority to cast out demons. 16 So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17

Family Love

Today I had the blessing of having some of my family over for Sunday dinner.  My sons, a few of my grand children, my nieces and nephews. Great great nieces. My long time girl friend of 40 years. Everyone brought a dish and we fellowshipped. It really did not take much. Even with the rain, it was good. Jokes and laughter. My newest grandson being loved by all and the older children eating up the potato chips, Barbeque was their favorite. Basketball game on in the back of the house, the men. Movie and healthy gossip in the front of the house, us woman. Video game noise, pots and pans, spoons and forks all doing their job. Your family are all you have and it is important to love on them long and hard. Why? Because of life. Because the children grow up and move on. Because the elders get old. Because God calls His angels home. If you have your family with you love on them. Show it not just speak it. If you don't have your family, gather the ones closest to you. There is nothing b

Lent Devotional Day 12

Lent Devotional March 16, 2014 John 5:19-24 19 Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. 20 The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. 21 Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. 22 The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life." DEVOTIONAL On Sundays in Lent, the Daily Lectionary alternates with the Gospel for the weekdays. If the weekday Gosp

Lent Devotional Day 11

Lent Devotional March 15, 2014 Mark 2:23-28 and -3:1-6 23 One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?" 25 And he said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? 26 He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions." 27 Then he said to them, "The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; 28 so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath." 1 Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man who had the withered han

Lent Devotional Day 10

Lent Devotional March 14, 2014Share Mark 2:13-22 13 Jesus went out again beside the sea; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. 14 As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. 15 And as he sat at dinner in Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples - for there were many who followed him. 16 When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 17 When Jesus heard this, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." 18 Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees

Lent Devotional Day 9

Lent Devotional March 13, 2014     Mark 2:1-12 1 When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. 3 Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 "Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 8 At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 9 Wh

Lent Devotional Day 8

Lent Devotional March 12, 2014   Mark 1:29-45 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31 He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34 And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35 In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37 When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." 38 He answered, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the mes

Amazing Grace - A Personal Reflection

I have never been one to be caught up in emotions.  The reason is, as a child  I have seen a lot, felt a lot and at some point it just became pointless to be emotional.  The emotional I am speaking of are tears. Tears be it tears of joy, sadness, anger you name it, I was not shedding any tears.  As a result many would say to me, you are so strong. You are a strong woman or I wish I was as strong as you. Little did they know, I hated that word. Strong? What is strong?  I hated the comment even more. I wanted to scream and shout NO I AM NOT STRONG.  I am broken.   No, I was not strong, I basically internalized everything,  total shut down when needed.  I did not acknowledge much. I just went through the motions of each situation in my life and others lives too. Oh I was present in body but not in mind.  Broken relationships, move on. Countless break ups, move. Abandonment on every level, move on. Divorce, move on. Loss of a jobs, move on. Loosing many who I thought were my loyal friends

Lent Devotional Day 7

Lent Devotional March 11, 2014 Mark 1:14-28 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." 16 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea - for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him. 21 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just the

Lent Devotional Day 6

Lent Devotional March 10, 2014 Mark 1:1-13 1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'" 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins . 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

Lent Devotional Day 5

Lent Devotional March 9, 2014 Psalm 32 1  Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven whose sin is covered. 2   Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity,and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3  While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4   For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.     Selah 5   Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah 6  Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you;   at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters  shall not reach them. 7   You are a hiding place for me, you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.             Selah 8   I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9   Do not be like a horse or a mule, without unde

Lent Devotional Day 4

Lent Devotional March 8, 2014 PSALM 149 1   Praise the Lord!      Sing to the Lord a new song,           his praise in the assembly of the faithful. 2   Let Israel be glad in its Maker;           let the children of Zion rejoice in their King. 3   Let them praise his name with dancing,           making melody to him with tambourine and lyre. 4   For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;           he adorns the humble with victory. 5   Let the faithful exult in glory;           let them sing for joy on their couches. 6   Let the high praises of God be in their throats           and two-edged swords in their hands, 7   to execute vengeance on the nations           and punishment on the peoples, 8   to bind their kings with fetters           and their nobles with chains of iron, 9   to execute on them the judgment decreed.           This is glory for all his faithful ones.      Praise the Lord! DEVOTIONAL The people are glad in their Maker. We understand that, an

Lent- 40 Day's Of Sacrifice And Change Day 1 -

Today is Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. Many denominations will participate in the next 40 days of fasting, prayer and repentance until Easter. To focus on Jesus and the sacrifice he made by laying down his life for you and for me. If you are not familiar with the Lent season, visit your local bookstore, local church or talk to someone you know who is a christian. This is a time of renewal for the spiritual soul. A time of sacrifice and change. For the next 40 days, I will be sharing a devotional that will point you to Christ. Lent Devotional March 5, 2014 Share   Ash Wednesday SCRIPTURE Psalm 147:1-11  Praise the Lord!           How good it is to sing praises to our God;           for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting. 2   The Lord builds up Jerusalem;           he gathers the outcasts of Israel. 3   He heals the brokenhearted,           and binds up their wounds. 4   He determines the number of the stars;           he gives to all of the

Jump And Fly

Walking on the bridge to get to that spot. You see how high it is but your ready, so you tell yourself. Sweat dripping down your face, you are wondering if you have lost what's left of your mind. Your friends cheer you on shouting you can do it. You ask yourself are they really my friend?  You are not so sure about anything. because you have made many bad choices in the past that have resulted in failure. You have shouted to yourself that you will or won't do this or that. Sound familiar? Now your on that iron bridge ready to take the leap of faith to your possible death that is, if that cord snaps. That cord is buckled to the rail and to your ankles. You have put all of your faith in that little buckle. Your ready. You jump. That is faith in knowing. You sit in a chair without thought. It holds you. You get in your car ready to get to your destination, it takes you. Working faith is the same way. You seek the unknown knowing you will achieve it. Our faith wavers in sheer u