Blessed are the Merciful

 "Blessed are the Merciful, for they shall receive mercy." 

Matthew 5:7 ESV

These beatitudes describe the nature and Spirit of Christ Himself. He calls us to live in these blessings of a Christlike attitude; so that in our daily lives we will express the nature of Jesus.

Merciful - Strongs #1655 eleemon. The word eleemon describes a person who is kind, compassionate, sympathetic, and merciful. This sensitive word combines tendencies with action. A person with this quality finds outlets to express His merciful nature. 

When Jesus Christ came; He lived among us and witnessed and experienced the struggles of humanity. One particular time, there was a feast for the Jews and He went up to Jerusalem for the feast.  He was led to go to the pool of Bethesda. In this place there were many sick people laying around the pool. They were blind, lame, paralyzed, with no hope of recovery, just waiting for the movement of the water, believing it would heal them. He came for the one who had been there the longest. He was ill for 38 years. 'When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He bent down and said to Him, "Do you want to be made well?" The man said, "Sir I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise up and walk." I imagine him looking at Jesus, like really, how do I do that? And then he starts moving his legs and feeling life in them. Immediately he was well. He picked up his bed and walked.' John 5:6,7 (This healing is illustrated in the "Chosen" movie series in Season Two, Episode 4, "The Perfect Opportunity").

Jesus was moved with compassion for suffering people. He demonstrated mercy as He approached the man. He showed us what God is like. He made a path of forgiveness that we may follow Him. As a man, He experienced all that we experience; pain, heartache and temptation. Let's look at some scriptures in Hebrews and I John:

"Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest... to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (That's us.) For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted."  

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, 

that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." 

Hebrews 2:17,18,  4:16

Because of His incredible, sacrificial mercy, He was willing to go to the cross to make propitiation for our sins. What powerful mercy He has obtained for us! 

"My Little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not ours only but also for the whole world." I John 2:1, 2

 What does the word "Propitiation" mean?

Propitiation Strongs #2434 Related to hileos, "merciful" Used in the NT only in I John 2:2 and 4:10. The word describes Christ, through His sacrificial death, as appeasing the wrath of God on account of sin. It also pictures His death as expiatory providing a covering for sin. By means of the atoning death of Christ, God can be merciful to the sinner who believes in His Son, and reconciliation is effected. 

 Propitiation is Merciful!!!    God's Mercy... Jesus' Mercy... Our mercy to others.

Jesus was moved with compassion

"When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them; because they were weary, confused and helpless. Matthew 9:35,36 NLT and NKJ

Blessed are Those Who Hunger

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."

Matthew 5:6,  

Lord, I come before You in humility. Open the eyes of my heart... eyes to see and ears to hear that I may grasp this beautiful Beatitude that You spoke on the Sermon on the Mount nearly 2,000 years ago. Over the millennia, millions of Your followers have read and meditated on these Beatitudes, seeking the meaning and how each one of them could bring godly changes in their lives. Lord give me insight that You want me to share in this blog. 

Righteousness

How can any of us attain to true righteousness? "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Only Jesus Christ was completely righteous, having no sin at all.

"As it is written:

'There is none righteous, no, not one;... none who understands;... none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside;... there is none who does good, no, not one.' 'or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...' Romans 3:10-12, 23, Psalm 14:1-3

Seems to be a pretty bleak and discouraging, right? Where is our hope of ever achieving righteousness? He tells us to hunger and thirst for righteousness. How do we do that?

Hunger -  To long for, to famish, to satisfy our craving to nurture our hungry and starving bodies.

Thirst - to thirst, seeking the water we need to keep our bodies hydrated.

These are both powerful action words. Jesus wants us to seek after and crave righteousness... to desire righteousness with our whole heart, just as we do to nurture our bodies. In the world that we live in it seems like righteousness is impossible to achieve. As the verse above say's "There is none righteous, no not one..." 

Those listening to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount were likely very convicted in their hearts from the messages Jesus gave that day. As He spoke they could envision in their own hearts where their sin was. They longed to make things right. They hungered and thirsted for righteousness. That hunger deeply inspired them to repent of`their sins.

It is the same for us today. If we have been in conflict in a relationship, it is important to repent to the one who we hurt. We need to come before God and ask Him to reveal our responsibility in that struggle; so that we may reconcile with the person we have hurt.

There is a favorite verse of mine in Psalms penned by King David:

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me to the way everlasting!" Psalm 139:23, 24

So how do we remedy unrighteousness and sin?... basically to hunger and thirst for righteousness, to repent before God. We need to seek His righteousness. So what is righteousness? Here are some definitions.

Righteousness: dikaiosune Strongs #1343, equity of (character or act) specifically justification and righteousness.

Righteous: dikaios Strongs #1342, equitable, innocent, holy, just, righteous

Equity, Equitable: Thorndike Barnhardt Dictionary Fair, Just

Faith in Christ

'For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,.. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: "The just shall live by faith."' Romans 1:16,17

Here is the good news. The verse above says that "There is none righteous, no, not one;..." 

Continuing in Romans 3, here is the hope! 

"But, now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For their is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God sent forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." Romans 3:21-26

What I love about the word of God is that truth is found through so many authors, Moses, kings, prophets, disciples, and apostles. And yet, through so many voices speaking through the inspiration of God we find consistency of truth, each a verification of the truths through thousands of years. 

In this blog post we are "hearing" from Matthew, Paul and next is John. Herein lies more truth.

"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." I John 5-10

"My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for our only but also for the whole world." I John 2:1, 2

Propitiation: Strongs #2434 Atonement

Wow!!! God is our light. If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and through the precious blood of Jesus, God's Only Son we are cleansed from all our sin. When we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins. And He cleanses us from all unrighteousness!

We hunger and thirst for Him, our Jesus, our righteousness!!!

*Note: When John wrote his gospel, Revelations, and his epistles he was an elderly man... persecuted, and then banished to the island of Patmos. He lived and wrote in a cave. So as he was writing to his readers, he called them his little children. John was the only apostle living. The other apostles were martyred for their faith in Jesus.

(My husband and I had the incredible opportunity to go to this island and peek into the cave... seeing the place where he did his writing.)

Blessed are the Meek

Reading: Matthew 5:5, Matthew 21:1-5,

"Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth." 

Matthew 5:5

Blessed are the Meek:

What is meek? Does it mean weakness? Does it characterize a weak person? Or is it a character trait that is expressed in our dear Jesus? Is it also a character trait that is abiding in us as His followers? Let's seek out that blessing as we search the meaning and depth of this beautiful word. We will also journey through a some verses where it is used.

Before I understood the true meaning of meek, I thought it was weakness. However, meek does not suggest weakness. Rather it is controlled strength. That strength brings a confidence with humility and self control. Meekness is an important part of our character. When Jesus included this word in His Sermon on the Mount it was a trait He wanted us to have. The very foundation of all of these Beatitudes are actually Jesus' own nature, His innate character. These character traits are the life qualities He desires for us to rise to.  So let's dig in a little deeper. 

The Triumphal Entry 

In Jesus' last week of life, He drew near to Jerusalem. The Jewish people longed for Messiah to come in power and majesty. They had heard about the miracles He had done... He must be The One... their Messiah. They envisioned Him coming down from the Mount of Olives and ride into Jerusalem on a majestic horse to rescue them from Roman occupation and tyranny. But that is not what Jesus' decent from the Mount of Olives was meant to be. Rather a humble entry... Him riding on the foal young donkey, as seen in Zechariah's prophesy from long ago. In their hopes and longing for Messiah, they did not recognize Him, their Savior!!! Even though Zechariah's prophesied this very thing. (We will see more on this during Passion Week)

"Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your King is coming to you,  

Lowly, and sitting on a donkey." 

Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21: 5

Meek is also translated as lowly. Here is the definition from the Strong's Concordance. It is a great word describing Jesus' character.

Lowly, praus (prah-ooce) Strongs #4235 & #4239 A humility that is considerate, unassuming, gentle, mild, meek. The Zealots were looking for a warlike Messiah who would use force. Jesus showed a greater power than armed might, rather the power of humble wisdom and penetrating love. Meekness is not weakness, but power under perfect control. 

Wow, what an incredible word... better yet what an incredible Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ!!! 

Here is another verse where Jesus used the word, Lowly:

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls..." Matthew 11:28, 29

I love this verse. It speaks right into our hearts... hearts longing for rest in the busy culture we live in. When we are overwhelmed, He calls us to come to Him... to seek His rest. 

 "Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth."

 For they shall inherit the earth:

What does this mean, to inherit the earth? And why would the meek inherit the earth? How could this happen in today's world that we live in? Many powerful, arrogant people are controlling the earth. How could this be that the meek shall inherit the earth? I believe that this lies in the mystery of God's plans into the future. There is a verse in 2 Peter that comes to mind:

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away... Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness...?  

"Nevertheless  we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."  2 Peter 3:10-13

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught His disciples, (us too) how to pray:

This is our hope and prayer even now:

"Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your Name. 

Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven... 

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen"  

Matthew 6:9-13

Yes, the meek will inherit the earth in the future. Though, this is now as we look forward to the day that the Lord will come. We look forward to Him coming soon as we live in difficult times. While we watch for the new heavens and new earth where true righteousness dwells, in the meantime, it is our time now on earth to live in the strength of meekness... to be filled with the Holy Spirit, demonstrating the power of humble wisdom, and penetrating love. Let's follow Jesus and to reach out to others to come into His Kingdom.

Meekness is not weakness, but power under perfect control.

Mourning for A People

Reading: Luke 19:28-44, 2 Chron 7:14 Daniel 9:1-19

"...He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem... ' Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, 'If only you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.' " Luke 19:28-44 NKJ

Catch the deep grief Jesus expresses for these people, who would soon send Him to the cross. They did not fully realize that their Messiah walked among them! Look at His heart. He wept and grieved for what would come upon them. It brings me to tears.

Do we as believers have a sense of loss and grief for those who are lost? Do we have a heart like Jesus, a heart like God... or a heart like Jonah?

Jesus Wept

Jesus Wept by James Tissot

Reading: John 11, Hebrews 2:6, 14-18 and 4:14-16,

"Jesus wept."
John 11: 35 NKJ

So what can this verse mean to us today?
Why did Jesus cry when He came to Lazarus' funeral? Was He crying because He loved Lazarus, (vs 36) and would miss His friend? Lets get into the story.

When He arrived in Bethany, Martha came to Him and said, "'Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that what ever You ask of God, God will give You.' (21,22) Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again.'" John 11: 24-27 NKJ  Martha knew Lazarus would raise in the last day, but she was hurting now.

Then... when Mary came "she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, 'Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died'. Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping,... He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, 'Where have you laid Him?' ... 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus wept." John 11:32-35 NKJ

Forgiven Much, Loves Much

Reading: Matthew 5:4, Luke 7:36-

"Blessed are those who mourn

for they shall be comforted." 

Matthew 5:4

In the last post we spoke of godly sorrow and true repentance. Is there an example in the gospels of this godly sorrow and how Jesus views forgiveness? One is found in Luke 7.

A Pharisee named Simon, invited Jesus to his home for dinner. While He was there a woman came who was known for her sins. She brought an alabaster jar of precious oil. She stood at His feet behind him weeping; and then began to wash his feet with her tears and her hair. She kissed His feet and anointed them with the costly oil. What were the thoughts of the men observing this? Simon was thinking that if Jesus were really a prophet He would know that this woman was a sinner.

Jesus not only knew she was a sinner, but He knew what Simon was thinking.

Brokenness, Promise and Comfort

"Blessed (happy) are those who mourn; for they shall be comforted." Matt. 5:4 NKJ If the word 'blessed' means happy or fortunate; how can mourning be happy? And where is the comfort anyway? In the post Blessed are those who Mourn we saw how the mourning spoken of is not necessarily those in bereavement, but those who experience the sorrow of repentance. Godly sorrow is not to be regretted because it leads us to salvation. This salvation is eternal life; but it is also life now. A whole new life opens up before us. Old things pass away and everything becomes new. (2 Cor 5:17) When we are open before God, see His perspective in life situations, we recognize our sin and experience the sorrow of repentance. Then in asking the Spirit to change us; genuine transformation takes place. With a Spirit led life, much of the misery caused by sin is avoided. Besides we are truly happy and blessed when Christ lives in us. He is perfect love, perfect joy and perfect peace. (Shalom, Shalom = Perfect Peace) We experience His nature through the Spirit with true conversion and salvation. Then no matter what comes our way, we are one with God, one with His nature.

Peter preached an anointed sermon at Pentecost to a crowd and they were cut to the heart and asked the apostles "... what shall we do?" Peters reply was:

"Repent... be baptized...and 
you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the Promise is to you and your children."
Acts 2:37-39 NKJ

The promise and the gift is the Spirit Himself! 

Jesus sends us the gift of the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father. John 15:26 He refers to the Holy Spirit in John 14-16 as the Comforter. He is our Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor and Strengthener. When we experience the sorrow of repentance, we receive the promise of the Holy Spirit who is our comfort.

Sometimes we haven't sinned or done anything to cause the brokenness and sorrow we experience. Sometimes we just go through seasons of grief from living in a world still under the curse of Adam's sin. And sometimes we will experience death and loss of a loved one. Jesus said, "in this world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.' John 16:33

Be blessed by some precious verses on comfort, mourning and brokenness:

Gethsemane Detail  by Carl Bloch

"Blessed be the God and 
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies 
and God of all comfort,
who comforts us in our tribulation,
that we may be able to 
comfort those who are in any trouble,
with the comfort with which 
we ourselves are comforted by God."
2 Cor. 1:3, 4 NKJ
 

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,.. to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." 

Isa 61:1-3 NKJ

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (sorrows)."
Psalm 147:3 NKJ
 

"For thus says the High and Lofty One,
Who inhabits eternity, whose name is holy:
I dwell in the high and holy place,
With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, 
To revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite ones... "
Isa 57:15 NKJ

I love all these verses, but look at the last one. Do you want to be there with the High and Lofty One? Look who He dwells with... him who has a contrite and humble spirit. This is who He revives, look to Him.

There are seasons we go through in life. Sometimes it is the newness of spring, the abundance of summer, the harvest of autumn. Then the cold winds begin to blow and the trees lose their colorful robes. * Soon everything looks gray and bleak; and the trees are naked. Yes naked and their once beautiful robes have fallen to the ground and blown away. The tree is now exposed, every flaw to be seen by all. But all is not bleak. You see, in winter the sap in the vines and tree's goes deep within the core of the tree. Winter is here. When you are in a winter place, go deep in the vine, abide in Him, our True Vine, and then listen for the voice of your beloved:

"Arise, my darling, my beautiful one and come with me.
See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come...
Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me."
Song of Songs 2:10-13 NIV

 

* This particular winter of 2025, we had quite a lot of snow and then very strong winds. It was too heavy of weight for many of the trees in our area.  There were many broken branches. One large one broke at our home and it blocked our driveway. All around town very large trees tipped over with the whole root ball. Thankfully now that is over and the spring flowers are coming up. 

The season of singing has come. 

Also, I had the privilege to see this incredible painting in a Carl Bloch exhibit. The image above is just a small clip. The original Carl Bloch painting was huge... life size of Jesus in a large landscape setting. In front of this painting were many chairs where us visiting could sit in silence and take in that moment.

Blessed are Those Who Mourn

Blessed are Those Who Mourn "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. In my blog posts in days gone by, I didn't feel like I could write about the experience of mourning with an authenticity because there had been few that had passed away. More recently, our family lost 5 dear relatives, aunts, my brother and a friend, in about 6  months. Dear people that we loved, that were a part of our life were suddenly gone after years of being a part of our lives. What remains is an emptiness of connection without them. It is so important for family and friends to comfort one another in their loss. And if you are in grief right now not only lean on family and friends; but also you can seek the LORD in your grieving heart for comfort. Here are some verses you can look upon. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 NKJ

Blessed Are those Who Mourn

Reading: Matt. 5:4, 2 Cor. 7:8-11,

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." 

Matt. 5:4 NKJ

Often when we think of mourning we relate the word to the passing of a dear loved one. This last year has been a time of grief; many family members and friends have passed away. And there is great sorrow... the empty place at the table... even more difficult is the empty place in your heart, knowing you can't just pick of the phone and talk... get together and hang out. They are gone and we will not see them until we cross over into eternity, in Christ. Bereavement is certainly a trial that God will comfort us in and we can comfort one another in. 

Here are some verses speaking of God's wonderful comfort:

"Blessed be the God and 

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

the Father of mercies 

and the God of all comfort, 

who comforts us in all our tribulation, 

that we may be able to 

comfort those who are in any trouble 

with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 

2 Corinthians 1: 3, 4 NKJ

However, there is also another mourning spoken of in the Bible that is not necessarily bereavement, rather it refers to those who experience the sorrow of repentance. What is the sorrow of repentance?

What He has Done

Reading: Matt. 5:3, Luke 4:14-30, Rev 3:17, 18, Eph 1 and 2

"Blessed are the poor in spirit." 

Matt. 5:3

After Jesus was tempted by Satan we read: "Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit's power... When He came to the village of Nazareth, His boyhood town, He went as usual to the synagog on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, 

because He has anointed Me to preach to the poor; 

He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, 
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." 

Luke 4:18, 19  NKJ

He rolled up the scroll, handed it to the attendant and sat down. All eyes in the synagog were fixed on Him. Then He said  

"Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing". 
Luke 4:21

They were moved by His speaking, but they began to wonder, how this could be? The passage spoke of was foretelling the coming of Messiah. Then it began to sink in, Jesus, Joseph's son, whom they knew all of His life had just proclaimed to be the great Messiah, the Anointed One of God!!! This did not end well for Jesus that day. However, we will stay focused on what He said, because through this prophecy in Isaiah, He is telling us who He is and what He came to do. Read those verses above again and be moved by who He is and realize He came not only for the people at that time, but He also came for us today. He spoke to his disciples about “The Spirit of truth.” He told them, “You know Him for He dwells WITH you and will be IN you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”  And He did through the coming of His Holy Spirit, who is among us today.

Are you poor? Poor in the wealth of this age? He is anointed to preach to you. Are you broken hearted? He came to heal broken hearts.  Do you see yourself as poor in spirit... poor in possessing the wealth of the kingdom of God? Or do you see yourself as sufficient, as rich, having everything you want and not needing a single thing from God? Do you see your own wretchedness apart from Christ or are you too blind to even see how poor and miserable you really are compared to the riches of the Kingdom?  We need to see ourselves honestly in light of the Glory of God. In this season of my life, I am lacking.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus says to the church of Laodicea:

"You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. 
I don't need a thing!' 

And you don't realize 
that you are wretched and miserable 
and poor and blind and naked. 

So I advise you to buy gold from me, 
gold that has been purified by fire. 

Then you will be rich... " 

Rev. 3: 17, 18 NLT

What are kingdom riches? What was Jesus talking about?

Who are You, O Lord?

Reading: Matt. 8:27, Mark 4:41 NKJ  

Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt

In yesterday's reading in Luke 5, we saw the change in Peter after they caught the boat loads of fish. He suddenly realized that Jesus was not an ordinary man sitting in his boat. In the next verses we'll see His men overcome with awe in Him once again.

"Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing! But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith? Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, and they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, 'Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obeys Him?'" Matt. 8:27, Mark 4:41 NKJ 

I Am a Sinful Man, O Lord!

Reading: Matt. 5:3
Luke 5:1-11,

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, 

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 

Matt. 5:3

Jesus preached all through Galilee. On one occasion the multitudes pressed against Him so close and there were so many of them, they could not hear Him speak. He was standing by the Sea of Galilee and saw two fishing boats. So He got into Simon's boat, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the people. 

When He stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." Simon said, "we have worked hard all night and caught nothing, but at Your word I will lower the nets. Yes, Simon saw himself as the expert. What did Jesus know about fishing? Simon did not realize who was sitting in his boat. We do, because we know the rest of the story, Jesus' whole story. But this was all new to Simon at this point. Well, since Jesus said to do it he reluctantly put out the boat into the deeper water. Dear reader. are you reluctant to do what the Lord says? I have been. It shows little faith. Well, to Peters surprise... his amazement... actually his astonishment...they caught so many fish their net was breaking. They filled two boats so full they began to sink.

"When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, 'Depart from me,  for I am a sinful man, O Lord!' For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken. Jesus said to Simon, 'Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.'" Luke 5:8-11 NKJ

This moment right here... this moment in Simon's life is the moment of his conversion. Though Jesus was remarkable, winsome, and even a little mysterious in some of the things He said; He looked like an ordinary man. It was at this moment that Simon realized that Jesus was no ordinary man. Like Isaiah, this was Simon's moment that "he saw the Lord".  He saw the glory of Jesus Christ. He caught a glimpse of who Jesus really is. In light of the authority and power of Jesus Christ he recognized his own sin and spiritual poverty. He was not only surprised, amazed, astonished; He was in the state of fearing God, who was actually sitting in his boat. This is where being poor in spirit begins... where true conversion begins and where transformation continues if one gets sidetracked from complete abiding moment by moment.

Where are you right now? Are you a follower with a true conversion? Or are you like Peter before the huge catch of fish...  a follower that has not had that revelation of the glory of Christ and realizing your own poverty in light of Him? Is He sitting in your boat? Do you see His glory in the ordinary that becomes  extraordinary... even little things, little signs of the hand of God moving in your life to draw you near to Him that could easily pass by unnoticed. Or like David, we can look into night sky, a sunrise or sunset, a rainbow, majestic mountains or a beautiful lake or sea, even a glimpse into a child’s eyes and see the glory of God’s beautiful creation.

At some point, I may write about what I call “Pennies from Heaven - when the ordinary becomes extraordinary.” It was and is a season in my life of a lot of physical pain and quietly, little ordinary things began to happen, opportunities that were brought to me... not initiated by me... and I took a deep breath and said “yes”, even though I did not feel like it. Little did I know where those “yes’s” would lead.

Who do you say that I am?

Reading: Matt. 5:3, Matt. 16:13-16, Matt. 17:1,2

So far in reading about the Beatitude, "Blessed are the poor in spirit..." we have looked at the lives of Isaiah, David, Peter, and the other disciples as they had an encounter with God, or with Jesus. In the light of His amazing glory, they suddenly realize their own pitiful state of being a sinner. Today we'll look at a couple experiences Peter, John and James had with Jesus and then their comments later in life after He ascended to heaven. Here we will see who Jesus was and is.

Jesus asked His disciples: "'Who do people say that the Son of Man is? 'Well,' they replied, some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.' NLT  Jesus knew that people perceived Him as a prophet, one of many men, who spoke for God. But still just a mere man. Jesus was more than any one of those men, He was the one and only unique man to ever walk on this earth . Next Jesus asked them,

'But who do you say I am?' 

Peter answered, 

"You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God" 

Matt 16:13-16 NKJ

Peter got it! After all he had experience with Jesus, He knew who Jesus really was and he dared to say it. 'You are the Christ,' the one and only Messiah in all of human history that God sent to save humanity. Even more penetrating, 'the Son of the Living God', the one and only Son of God Almighty! After Peter said this, Jesus said to him, 'You are Blessed... because My Father in Heaven revealed this to you.'

"Six days later Jesus took Peter, James and John, 

and led them up to a high mountain to be alone. 

As the men watched,  Jesus' appearance was transformed 
so that His face shone like the sun, 
 and His clothes became as white as light." 

Matt. 17:1,2 NLT

They witnessed even more of His glory being revealed. Imagine the sense of awe they must have experienced that day as they gained an even greater picture of His glory! Much later, after Jesus ascended to the Father; Peter reflects on his experience with Jesus:

"For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw His majestic splendor with our own eyes when He received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to Him, 'This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.' We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place- until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts." 2 Peter 1:1:16-19 NLT

Who am I, O Lord?

Reading: Matt. 5:3, Psalm 8:3, 4, 2 Sam. 6 & 7, Psalm 128:1-4,

"Blessed are the Poor in Spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven". 

Matt. 5:3 NKJ

This week we are looking at a few examples of God's people who were poor in spirit before Him. Today, we will look at David, who penned the following Psalm (song). I can imagine him sitting on a hillside, with his sheep bedded down for the night, looking up into the heavens, in awe of it's vastness and glory. By comparison he must have felt so small and insignificant.

"When I look at the night sky 

and see the work of Your fingers, 

the moon and the stars, you set in place-
what are people that you should think about them, 

mere mortals that you should care for them?"

Psalm 8:3-4 NLT

Here we are thousands of years later. The same moon and stars are there, moving in their preordained course through the heavens. In comparison to the vast universe we are small and can feel insignificant. Who am I, O God, that You should think about me and care for me? God answers David's question about 1,000 years later with the coming of Jesus. His answer is our hope. Perhaps David asked this question when he was a young man, maybe as a shepherd. If so did he maintain his spiritual poverty before God, even when he was king of Israel?

Woe is Me

Reading: Matt. 5:3, Isaiah 6:1-5

"Blessed are the Poor in Spirit, 

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven". 

Matt. 5:3 NKJ

Yesterday we looked at how Jesus used a small child to explain the humble attitude needed to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This attitude of humility begins with the realization of our need for God. The NLT Bible puts it this way:

"God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him..."  

Matt. 5:3 NLT

How do you do this as an adult? How do you become poor in spirit? I think of what Jesus said to Nicodemis:

"I tell you the truth, unless your are born again, you can not see the Kingdom of God." This really confused Nicodemus. He said, "What do you mean? How can an old man go back to His mothers womb and be born again?" That's not happening, neither will we ever become a child again.

Note: 2/18/24:

We have been watching the Chosen Series. I am really inspired by Episode 7 of the First Season.  The "Nicodemis" character met with "Jesus" at night. It is very Biblical, mostly quotes from John 3 and Psalm 2:12

So how can we have a child like heart and mind set, as an adult? We need to be transformed by renewing our minds as Paul says in Romans 12 "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." 12:2 NKJ  In this we become children of God.

What could happen that would change your life forever?

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

Reading: Matt. 5:3, 18:1-4

"Blessed are the Poor in Spirit, 

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven". 

Matt. 5:3 NKJ

Since I originally wrote and posted this blog post I came across an updated version of the Amplified Bible. It fills in and defines text bringing even more understanding to the verses.

“Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired]

 are the poor in spirit 

[those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], 

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:3‬ ‭AMP‬‬

https://www.bible.com/1588/mat.5.3.amp

The first beatitude is "Blessed are the Poor in Spirit,. What is the meaning of "poor in spirit?" The Amplified Bible defines “poor in spirit” as not being spiritually arrogant, and regard themselves as insignificant. I also like how the New Living Translation states this beatitude. "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him." Both of these versions bring enlightenment and understanding.

In contrast those who are "poor in spirit" are the opposite of the Laodicean people that Jesus addressed in Revelation 3:17. He said "You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing! And you don't realize that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked."
The Laodiceans were so comfortable in their wealthy way of life that they did not realize their need for God. They were the picture of the end times church. In our day and age, how many of us actually realize our need for God? Do we look toward Him to satisfy our souls or do we look toward our world, the culture found on the internet to satisfy our deepest longings? Do we understand how wretched we are without God? Are we so blind as to not recognize how sinful, miserable and poor we are apart from the atonement of Christ? Do we even know that our hearts are completely open and naked before God and that someday we will have to give an account? Hebrews 4:13 In the woke politically correct culture that we live in today, everything is upside down and sadly I think most people do not recognize their need for God, yet live needlessly in great pain and confusion.

In light of that, we will look at what Jesus taught about greatness and entering the Kingdom of Heaven:

Carl Bloch

"... the disciples came to Jesus and asked: 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' Jesus called a little child to Him and put the child among them. Then He said, 'I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes humble as this little child is the greatest in the 

Kingdom of Heaven.'" 

Matthew 18:1-4 NLT

Little children do not have very much in the way of possessions,  pride and accomplishments in this age. They know they are little, not able to care for themselves and they understand their need to be loved and cared for by their parents. Similarly the poor in spirit realize their own spiritual poverty in comparison to the greatness of God. They understand their need for Him and His grace. This childlike faith, the perspective of needing God is the entry point into the kingdom of heaven. A person who is poor in spirit recognizes that 'I can do nothing of lasting value without Him'. Jesus tells us in John:

Blessed Are

Carl Bloch

Reading: Matthew 5:1-3

As Jesus traveled, teaching, and healing; crowds of people came to Him. He went up on a mountain, sat down, and began to teach them His famous Sermon on the Mount. He started this sermon with what is called the Beatitudes by saying:

"Blessed are...."

What does it mean to be blessed?

It means to be happy. It is the special joy of being saved by Jesus and having God's favor. Blessing describes a life of joy the true children of God experience. More on Blessed in the previous post, Beatitudes

The Beatitudes

Reading: Matthew 5:1-3

As Jesus traveled all through out Galilee, crowds of people were drawn to Him. They were seeking hope, much like us, like me today. He taught the crowds and He healed them of all kinds of sickness. Do you ever wish you could have been there to see Him... this young winsome, compassionate man; who was teaching and healing. He brought hope to sick and discouraged people. When He saw the crowds, He went up on a mountain, sat down to teach them beginning with:

"Blessed are...."

Today we begin a new series in the Beatitudes that Jesus taught to the crowds in His famous Sermon on the Mount. 

What are the Beatitudes? 
The Beatitudes are blessings that Jesus proclaimed on the Sermon on the Mount. My dictionary describes them as supreme happiness, bliss and blessing.
 

Why are they important to us? 
In them we see a path to blessing, salvation and transformation both now and forever, through the redemption of Jesus Christ.

Advent Three - The Light of Joy Breaks Through

Week Three
December 15-21, 2024

The Light of Joy Breaks Through

We began this Advent Journey two weeks ago with the theme of the week -  The Light of Hope Shines in the Darkness. The key verse from Isaiah describes the darkness of human plight contrasted with the prophecy of hope that a great light will come. About 700 years later the Light of Joy Broke Through! That light is Jesus Christ. That first week we examined the darkness that came into the world through Adam and Eve's sin. Then we looked at the prophecies of the coming hope, a Son of promise and a Son to be a King - Jesus Christ. In the following week - The Light of Faith Revealed in Struggles, we looked into the lives of Zacharias and Mary. Each had an angelic visit with a seemingly impossible message to believe. Yes, they and their family around them, especially Joseph and Mary's parents must have struggled in their faith to believe that Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. How could such a thing happen? And Mary, what a struggle for her! This is portrayed with excellence in the Nativity movie.

This week, ... we see the joy surrounding the coming of Jesus. We look at  Jesus in Matthew, Luke and John; as well as prophecies in Isaiah tied in with the Nativity Story. This week light three candles.

Sunday   
An Angel Visits Joseph 

Angel Visits Joseph - Tissot

Matt 1:18-25, Isaiah 7:14, Col. 1:15, John 1:1-3

Not only was Zacharias' and Mary's faith challenged; so was Joseph's. How could he believe that his fiance got pregnant by the Holy Spirit? So unlikely, until an angel appeared to him as well. Beyond that miracle though is prophecy of who Jesus is and His mission.
Read More

Monday 
Genealogy of Jesus 
Matt 1:18-25, Hebrews 2:17, 18 4:15

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

This about the people in Jesus' ancestral line. So many interesting people. There are fathers and sons listed in this genealogy record. Some of the names are a little difficult to pronounce; but each one represents a person and a life lived. More importantly, these were the people God chose to bring forth His son. They must have been pretty amazing people, right? Many of them were people of strong faith, devotion toward God and humility. But they were also people, like you and I... capable of mistakes and sin... lying and deceiving... and in some cases, really big sins... like adultery, prostitution, and murder. Why would God allow His Son to come from such sinful people? In speaking of God's Son, the author of Hebrews says:
Read More

Tuesday 
Joy to the World 
Luke 2:1-7

"Joy to the world, the Lord is come.
Let earth receive Her King.
Let every heart prepare Him room."

There was no room for them in the Inn. So He, the King of all heaven and earth was born in a stable to simple peasants. Through the ages since His Coming, millions have prepared room for Him in their hearts across the face of the earth.
Read More

Wednesday 
Simeon See’s God’s Salvation 

Simeons Moment

Luke 2:21-38

"... my eyes have seen Your salvation

Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples,

A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people Israel."

Luke 2:30-32

Enjoy your reading today in this rich passage. I hardly know what to emphasize, there are so many wonderful things here. Read More

Friday 
Light of the World 
Luke 2:30-32, John 1:4-13, 8:12, fulfills Isaiah 9:2

Simeon said as he blessed baby Jesus:  

"... my eyes have seen Your salvation 

Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, 

A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, 

And the glory of Your people Israel."  

Luke 2:30-32

Today we will look at Jesus as a grown man and as the light prophesied by Simeon. The Apostle John says of Jesus: Read More


Saturday 
The Brightness of His Glory 

Luke 2:30-32, Heb 1:1-3, 2Cor 4:6,7, 3:18

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and

the exact representation of His being,

sustaining all things by His powerful word.

Read More

This concludes Week 3 of our Advent Readings.

The Light of Joy Breaks Through. 

Now we move to the fourth and final week of Advent.

The Light of Peace, the Prince of Peace is Born 

Yes, The Light of Peace, because the Prince of Peace is Born!

Advent Two - The Light of Faith Revealed in Struggle

Week Two
December 8-14, 2024

The Light of Faith Revealed in Struggle

 This week we look into the book of Luke in the New Testament of the Bible and explore the challenges of faith brought about by announcements of an angel to Zacharias and Mary. Each of these people were average everyday people; who experienced something extraordinary! They became integral parts of the story of the Coming of Christ as a baby and foretelling His ministry as a man. Let's take a look into their lives. Light your second candle this week.  For these readings we will call it The Light of Faith.

Sunday
John’s Birth Announced to Zacharias
Luke 1:1-25

Zacharias and Gabriel - Tissot

As you read Luke 1:1-25 consider the story of Zacharias and Elizabeth. They had no children because she was barren and now they were getting old. The dream of having a child had long faded away leaving traces of sorrow for what could have been. See through the eyes of Zacharias' as he walks into the temple, perhaps the air is heavy with the scent of frankincense and light is filtering through the haze. There is a sense of holiness and the glory of God is thick. Then something extraordinary happened, something that would rock his faith to the core.  Experience the awe of this amazing story. 

Read More

Monday
Gabriel Announces Christ to be Born of Mary 
Luke 1:26-38

Annunciation - Rosetti

Mary was a humble young woman, born to a peasant family who lived in difficult times. Imagine as you read, being Mary, just a teen and being visited by the angel Gabriel. She must have been frightened. When Gabriel see's her concern and says: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God". 

 
But how confusing for her to hear she will give birth to a son. "How can this be since I do not know a man?" She must have wondered what Joseph and her parents would think. What would happen to her, to be pregnant without a husband during that time in Israel? Read More

 

Tuesday
God’s Answer to David 
Luke 1:31-33, 2Samuel 7:12-22

In Luke 1:31-33, Gabriel told Mary,

"... you will conceive... and bring forth a Son and shall call His name Jesus. He will be Great and called Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His Father David... and of His Kingdom there will be no end."

These verses fulfill a promise made to King David in 2Samuel 7:11-14. How does this apply to Advent, the Promise of the Coming of Christ? Does it tell us who he is? Read More

 

 

 

Wednesday
Mary Visits Elizabeth 
Luke 1:39-45

Today's reading is a favorite for women every where, especially those who are moms and enjoyed the wonder of carrying a new life. My favorite verse is:

'At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her, 

and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  

Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary,

"God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 

Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 

When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 

You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said."' 

Luke 1:41

Read More

 

Thursday
Mary’s Song of Praise 
Luke 1:46-56

Yesterday we saw what Elizabeth spoke to Mary. Here is Mary's reply:

James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum

"Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!...
For He took notice of His lowly servant girl, and
from now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One is Holy
and He has done great things for me.
He shows mercy from
generation to generation to all who fear Him.
His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
Luke 1:46-55

Read More

Friday
The Birth of John 
Luke 1:57-66

The Visitation- Tissot, Brooklyn Museum

Elizabeth delivered her son and they named him John, meaning, "The Lord has shown favor".  Her neighbors and relatives rejoiced at the great mercy the Lord had shown her!
Joy emanates from God's favor and grace.

The neighbors of Zacharias and Elizabeth witnessed the miraculous work of God and marveled. Zacharias could then speak again for the first time since the visit of Gabriel. Then fear came over the people. They kept these sayings in their hearts, acknowledging that the Lord is with John and wondered what kind of child he will be.

Fear (Phobeo):frightening fearful sight...to be in awe of, revere... reverence.

What does it mean to fear God? Read More

Saturday
Zacharias’ Prophecy for His Little Son 
Luke 1:67-80

Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, praised God for His faithfulness to keep His promises to His people.  He spoke a prophecy over his John, and Messiah saying,

"And you, my little son,
will be called the prophet of the Most High,
because you will prepare the way for the Lord.
You will tell his people how to find salvation
through forgiveness of their sins.

Because of God's tender mercy,

  the morning light from heaven
is about to break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and
in the shadow of death,
and to guide us to the path of peace."
Luke 1:76-79 NLT

Read More

This concludes Week 2 of our Advent Readings. 

The Light of Faith Revealed in Struggle. 

You can see it in all of the lives touched deeply in the Promise and Coming of the King, Jesus Christ. Tomorrow begins Week 3, titled:

The Light of Joy Breaks Through

Advent One - Light of Hope Shines in the Darkness

Week One: December 1, through December 7, 2024

The Light of Hope Shines in the Darkness

This week we will look at the Old Testament, beginning in Genesis. We will see Christ in creation, the creation of people and then evil and why it was necessary for Jesus to come.  We will also see Noah, the Tower of Babel, Abraham, Samuel and King David... amazingly it is all related to the coming of Christ.

First Candle Lit

Light the first candle in your Advent wreath: It is the candle of Expectation or Hope (prophecy). For thousands of years God spoke to His people through the prophets. (People who hear God speak) They spoke of a Chosen One, a just King, who would come and deliver His people from darkness and the misery caused by sin. Their prophecies are recorded in the Bible and gave God's children hope. They anticipated and longed for the coming of a Chosen one. These prophecies weave through Biblical history, like a gleaming golden thread in the great tapestry of time. A prophet named Isaiah wrote about the darkness and discouragement of the people and most importantly about a very special child who would come and be a righteous and just King. Look at the Sunday post below to see how Isaiah describes Him.

Sunday  

A Great Light Will Shine
Isaiah 9:2-6

A Great Light will Shine

"The people who walk in darkness 

will see a great light. 

For those who live in a land of deep darkness, 

a light will shine... 

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. 

The government will rest on his shoulders. 

And he will be called: 

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 

Isaiah 9:2-6 NLT

Blessings ~ Sheri

Read More:

Monday

God Created
Genesis 1

The story of the Advent is the story of the coming of Christ. The story of Jesus Christ actually begins in the very beginning of the Bible on the first page of the book of Genesis and extends to the very last page of the book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ. In fact, there are many places in the New Testament that speak of Jesus being right there in the beginning of creation with God. In the book of John he refers to Jesus as the Word and says,

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. 

He was in the beginning with God. 

All things were made through Him and without Him nothing was made that was made." 

John 1:1-3 NKJ

"In the beginning" is very reminiscent of in the first words in Genesis"
 Read More:

Tuesday

The Fall of Humanity

Genesis 2, 3 Isaiah 9:2, Romans 5:18, 12 -19

In yesterdays post, God Created, we learned about how God created the heavens and the earth. The first thing he did was to speak light, beautiful glorious light into existence. If you remember, in our first Advent post A Great Light will Shine Isaiah is quoted:

"The people who walk in darkness will see a great light." 

Isaiah 9:2 NLT

Adam and Eve Expelled from the Garden

 What did he mean by that? Where did this darkness come from? We will see in this post. Strangely, it is part, a very important part of the story of the Coming of Jesus Christ. It tells us why He came.

 

Read More:

Wednesday:

Evil Multiplies 

Genesis 4 - 12

This post is a summary of how sin multiplied as shown in Genesis chapters 4- 12: 1-3... 2 Chronicles 16:9, Hebrews 11: 8-10

When Adam and Eve decided to eat the fruit; it was a decision to not trust God and believe what He said. Once they ate the fruit, evil entered into their hearts and marred the goodness God created them to have, when He made them in His Own image. And when they had their first two sons evil was passed along to them as well, in the attitude of the heart. Every human being has a choice... will I trust and follow God or do things my own way? 

Along with evil came great tragedy and sorrow.  Then as this evil spread evil it resulted in the deep darkness that we saw in Isaiah in our first Advent post A Great Light will Shine. What does this have to do with Advent, the coming of Christ? Keep following and you will see.

In this post continues the spread of evil and darkness. Aw, but there is hope too found in two men whose hearts were loyal to God. Read more

Thursday:  

Abraham’s Son of the Promise

Reading: Genesis 15-22

Long ago, there was a man named Abram, who had a wife named Sarai. They were childless and were getting very old. Abram cried out to God:
'O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don't even have a son? Since You have given me no children;... a servant in my household will inherit all my wealth.'  And then the Lord said to him, 'No your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir. Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him,
Read More


Friday: 
Samuel and the King 

I Samuel 1, 16



As we saw yesterday, the Lord said to Sarah "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" With in the year, 90 year old Sarah miraculously had a son. Many years later there was a woman named Hannah who longed to have a son. She went with her husband to Shiloh for a sacrificial meal. During the meal, she got up to pray. She was in deep anguish and was crying bitterly. She made this vow to the Lord: "Oh Lord... if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime..." I Samuel 1:9-12 NLT  The priest Eli was watching her and assumed she was drunk.  But Hannah told him how she was praying out of great sorrow. Eli said to her..."May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of Him." vs 17  Read More

Saturday: 
David’s Question to God 

Psalm 8:1, 3 amplified; 4



Long ago, a shepherd boy, penned the following Psalm (song). I can imagine him on a hillside, bedded down with his sheep, looking up into the heavens, amazed with it's vastness and glory. By comparison he must have felt so small and insignificant. As he gazed in awe of this creation he asked God the following question: Read More

This concludes Week One of Advent - The Light of Hope Shines in the Darkness. Beginning tomorrow, the start of Week Two; The light of Faith Revealed in The Light of Faith Revealed in Struggle. In this week we fast forward to the time just before the coming of Christ. We will look at not only the Light of Hope seen in the prophesies of the Coming King; but also the struggles of faith in the people God chose to be part of the story to bring forth His Son.