tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25197525664737709132024-02-18T18:12:55.682-08:00Lola's Perspectives & PotpourriLolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.comBlogger635125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-43601146047255503592024-02-17T12:08:00.000-08:002024-02-17T12:14:48.339-08:00COMMUNION, ETC.<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Tomorrow we are "celebrating Christ's death until He comes again" as we take the elements of grape juice and a small leaven-free morsel of "bread" to honor what He did at Passover, when He said to his disciples "This is my body broken for you. Eat all of it. And this is the cup of my blood shed for you. Drink all of it." Of course, He used wine, not juice, but our elements in that sacrament are just a symbol - a reminder of what Jesus did for us.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">God came to earth in the form of a baby and lived on earth for approximately 33 years, with the last 3 years being His time of ministry. He came to be the perfect Lamb, the only one who could totally free us from Sin and bring us back into relationship with God through sacrificing Himself on the cross so we could have forgiveness of our sins if we ask for His forgiveness and accept His grace. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">God so loved the world that He GAVE his one and only Son - fully God and fully human - God incarnate. Jesus chose to be obedient to the humiliation that he bore: the stripes of the whip that had barbs attached to the ends of the whip which ripped chunks of skin from his back as he bore the lashes; being spat on; and hit; and a crown of thorns crushed into his head. And painfully, having His followers run away in fear, and for the moment, deny knowing Him. And last, the indignity of the cross - hanging bare and exposed between earth and heaven, the bridge that would offer mankind the opportunity to be back in a personal relationship with God, as Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden.... </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">At the end of the Passover Meal the evening before He was so wrongly arrested and illegally tried for wrongs He did not commit, He told His disciples that each time they did this, i.e. PASSOVER (which is an annual celebration), to remember Him and His death until He comes again...and He will! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Most of the Jewish faithful missed Him the first time because He didn't come as the conquering hero they were expecting - one who would right all the wrongs and save them from the oppression of the Roman rule they were oppressed under. But this time He will come as the Warrior, riding in on His white horse, accompanied by an army that will vanquish the foe! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It sounds magnificent and charming - but what has to come before that happens is awful - and we are experiencing the beginning of those birth pangs. Matthew 24:6-13 shares what Jesus said would come at the end of time: (NIV)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I view Matthew 24 as the "Cliff's Notes" version of the Book of the Revelation of John, which goes into far more detail than I can comprehend. It is already upon us - and will be horrific. We cannot even imagine the bloodshed and devastation that will occur before Jesus returns to "make everything right" - but He will, and God is the only one who knows exactly when that will be. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">He tells us we will not now the exact day or hour - but we will know the season. From what I see, the "season" is getting close! And as I share in my book, LEAD ME TO THE CROSS, I believe God gave us an outline in the Feasts He commanded to be celebrated. He fulfilled all of the Spring Feasts of Passover, The Feast of Unleavened Bread, The Feast of Firstfruits, and the Feast of Weeks/ Pentecost in the year in which He died. Therefore, similarly I believe He will fulfill the final 3 feasts in the year that He returns. My goal is to be ready - and to be anticipating His return no matter how bad things get here! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Even so, Come, Lord Jesus. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-86663425597592332322024-02-13T18:24:00.000-08:002024-02-13T18:24:30.821-08:00FAT TUESDAY 2024<p><span style="font-size: medium;">TODAY IS FAT TUESDAY! Such a funny name when you think about it. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Rather than think about something I will sacrifice in the realm of food, I need to decide what I will purpose to do that is a positive contribution over the 40 days of Lent. I have committed to reading the daily entries in my book. It is amazing how God speaks to me again and again through His Word, but often with different thoughts than I experienced when I first wrote the Lenten Blog in 2010 that eventually became a book. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I love that God's Word is fresh and new to us every day. And I love the aspect of "wonder" that accompanies thinking about what was written for us to read and ruminate on. In fact, that idea of Wonder has been with me ever since I wrote in my blog during Advent through Epiphany. There is soooo much to wonder about. I look forward to whatever insights God will share this season! </span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-9601563230288653952024-02-12T13:00:00.000-08:002024-02-12T13:01:40.886-08:00LENT BEGINS ON WEDNESDAY!<p><span style="font-size: large;">A dear friend texted today that she is going to read through my book, LEAD ME TO THE CROSS, again this year for the Lenten season. That alerted me to check for when Lent begins - and shock! It is this Wednesday - just 2 days away (on Valentine's Day, which is poignantly appropriate). Easter/ Resurrection is coming on the early side this year, and so it is time to prepare for those who are interested. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow is the prelude to the Lenten journey - FAT TUESDAY, when people eat all the goodies that they will give up for Lent beginning the following day to "sacrifice" something they love to honor the 40 days (excluding Sundays) that are the precursor to celebrating Jesus' resurrection. Easter - or as I prefer to reference it - Resurrection Sunday is the MOST IMPORTANT date of remembrance in the Christian faith. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whomever believes in him shall have everlasting life. God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world, through him, might be saved. (Loose translation of John 3:16-17). </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We celebrate his coming as a baby at Christmas - God incarnate! Only God would do that - love those he created so much that he would choose to come to earth - fully God and fully human to become the ultimate sacrifice for our sins as the Lamb of God. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I am not promising to write every day this Lent - but I will read along with those who choose to join in on the journey of anticipation. Making this a spiritual journey as we explore Jesus' life on the way to Calvary where he was crucified - and the Sunday after when he was resurrected is powerful! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">LEAD ME TO THE CROSS is available on Amazon as an e-book in case you are interested. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-72262965995684542122024-01-06T12:06:00.000-08:002024-01-17T09:56:09.904-08:00EPIPHANY – January 6 – ALL KINGS DAY<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I have come to the end of my commitment to write in my blog through the Christmas season. </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Today is Epiphany. I have no idea why it has that name! It is best known as All King's Day - or in Spanish Dia de Los Reyes - the day set aside to celebrate the arrival of the Wise Men from the East. They were astrologers who watched the stars and one night in the night sky they discovered a new star - a special star that somehow they knew to be the star of a new king, and they followed the star. It has never occurred to me before this morning that when they set out on their journey they had no idea how long the journey would be - they were just compelled to follow, curious to know where it would lead them and determined to honor this new king. </span><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Ultimately it led them first to Jerusalem - where they asked Herod where the newborn King of the Jews was so they could worship him. </span><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Herod summoned the wise men to meet with him privately, and asked them when the star had appeared. That was very important information for him to know. He lied about wanting to go worship him, too. <u1:p></u1:p></span><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">After the astrologers left Herod, the star led them to Bethlehem - and it stopped right over the house where the young child was living! <u1:p></u1:p></span><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">There is sooooo much to wonder about! How many men were there in this entourage? How long did the trip take? Did others join them as they traveled and pointed out the phenomenon? Precisely where were they from? How did they know this was the star of a King, and particularly the King of the Jews? And what compelled them to follow it? What kind of star was this - that could lead them, and could hover over the specific location where the young child was living when they arrived?</span><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It was an "epiphany" for me when I first paid attention that they visited Joseph, Mary, and Yeshua in a house. The astrologers were not there at Jesus’ birth. There were no camels "from the East" and their riders beside the manger - but the star that arose at his birth was what led them to the house where the little family was living. The astrologers were certainly anticipating finding this baby King, but I have to assume Mary and Joseph didn't know they were coming. We are not given any information that would lead us to that conclusion. </span><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The wisemen went into the house - and brought expensive gifts - and worshipped the little boy who would grow up to save ALL people who were willing to accept God's offer of salvation. Then, being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they left to go back home via a different route than they had come. </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">That night, after the astrologers left the house, and Mary & Joseph had fallen asleep, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to take the child and Mary and flee to Egypt, for Herod was about to search for the child to destroy him.</span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And Herod did try. He was absolutely furious that the astrologers didn't come back and report to him precisely where he would find this child who was to be king so he could kill him, but since he had learned from them when the star first appeared, he had every little boy age 2 and under killed to "be sure" he killed this one who was to become king. That is the heartbreaking part of the story. </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Another epiphany was when I realized that the way this family managed financially to flee to Egypt and survive there until after Herod died, was those expensive gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh were all costly, and valuable as items to sell to get what they needed. God met their needs in an incredible way. </span><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">While we celebrate the arrival of the multiple 'kings, wisemen, astrologers' (as they are alternately referenced) we celebrate most of all the One who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and get to marvel at the miracles of protection that surrounded him. </span><o:p></o:p></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-84759691863422886682024-01-05T15:25:00.000-08:002024-01-05T15:25:29.615-08:00THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS – January 5: The Fruits of the Spirit<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Today is the Twelfth Day of Christmas. It is not a tradition I grew up with in my evangelical protestant faith - but it does provide a time of transition and "waiting" for us as we anticipate Epiphany, which was another event we didn't pay attention to in my family. Still, I like the times of anticipation. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Today it reminds me of the GIFTS God has given to us - and continues to give us and grow in us if we are willing to cooperate. My thoughts are specifically on the Fruits of the Spirit. Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering (most often listed as Patience or Patient Endurance), Goodness, Kindness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control. Can you imagine how different the world would be if people loved the Lord and sought to operate in the gifts that he so freely gives to those who seek him and ask for his gifts to grow in them?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>LOVE</b> - an action verb, not a warm, fuzzy feeling. Treating others the way God would treat them. Feeding the hungry, binding up the wounds of those who are injured, meeting the needs of the broken-hearted, putting others needs above our own.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>JOY</b> - knowing the JOY of having the Lord in our lives - and that if we leave this world with him as our Lord and Savior we are RICH! Nothing else is more important than our relationship with him. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>PEACE</b> - a PEACE that can come only by knowing God. Jesus didn't come to bring peace to the world - but an inner peace to those who accept him as Savior - and they become the ambassadors of his "peace on earth" poured out to others.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>LONG SUFFERING</b> - with God as our model. Exercising patience for God's plan to unfold. Waiting for the fruition of the seeds planted - spiritual seeds, not those of vegetables, fruits, and flowers. </span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Waiting for the Lord’s will to be accomplished even when we can’t see it happening.</span><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>GOODNESS</b> - being good as a reflection of Jesus in us - and we can't do it without him and the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>KINDNESS</b> - being kind and thoughtful to everyone, no matter how much we disagree with them or are offended by their behaviors, beliefs, or words.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>FAITHFULNESS</b> - being faithful! That's huge! God demands our faithfulness. It is not an option! It requires being intentional and takes discipline, discipline, discipline.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>GENTLENESS</b> - this is a huge one for me! Quite a few years ago the Lord spoke to me and said, "We are going to work on your gentleness." "Great, I thought! God's going to make me gentle as he wants me to be." Not! What he did was throw multiple experiences and opportunities my way in which to practice 'gentleness'. It was one thing after another - and I got a lot of practice! It is still an area I deal with often. God is still working, and I am still trying.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">and, last of all:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>SELF CONTROL</b> - this is soooooo important, and so terribly lacking in our world. People have lost their plumb line for being metered and measured with their word, their actions, and their expectations of others. We need ALL of the Fruits of the Spirit, but we definitely need a big dose of self control.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Years ago it was a fad to wear a bracelet that had the letters <b>WWJD</b> on it. I didn't happen to have one - but I appreciated the reminder: <b>W</b>hat <b>W</b>ould<b> J</b>esus <b>D</b>o? It is a reminder for just slowing down before I speak or act, and think about being like Jesus. What would he do? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">He was not a pacifist - as was clearly demonstrated when he threw the money-changers unceremoniously out of the temple and overturned their tables because they were greedy and taking unfair advantage of those who needed that service provided. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">He also called the religious leaders a den of vipers, and told them they were white-washed tombs. He didn't pull punches or sugar coat his words for those who claimed to be pure and weren't. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Even so, he exhibited all the Fruits of the Spirit - and doesn't ask us to do anything he didn't do himself. The difference is: he was God, and we're not, so we need his help to accomplish his will in our lives, even in the way we relate to others at the most basic level. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Lord, keep nudging! Keep reminding! </span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-36859332752067367782024-01-04T13:18:00.000-08:002024-01-17T10:03:35.361-08:00THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS – January 4: Obedience, not sacrifice<p><span style="font-size: medium;">At 40 days Jesus was brought into the temple to be dedicated to the Lord, as was customary for all first male children to be. Joseph and Mary were obedient to all that the Law required. They were devoted to following God, as we see in the account of Jesus' life when we learn that he was in the temple at the age of 12 discussing with the religious leaders. And, of that trip to celebrate Passover it was stated, "as their custom was." Jesus was in Jerusalem for the appointed feasts during his growing up - but his very first visit to the temple as a human was when he was a baby. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus obediently came to earth to become the ultimate sacrifice. When people sacrifice their lives out of obedience and sacrifice their desires out of obedience, they are truly reflecting the kind of love Jesus taught. But it is the OBEDIENCE part of that equation that matters. Sacrificing after failure to be obedient - out of guilt - doesn't cut it. If we want to walk in God's will and if we want our lives to reflect him, we have to be obedient. Not easy all the time, and not possible unless we have the Holy Spirit's help in nudging us the right direction. </span></p><div class="multi-passage-header" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); color: #424547; font-family: "Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) + 0.1rem); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) + 0.1rem + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 1rem auto; max-width: 65rem;">1 Samuel 15:22</div><section data-reference="1 Samuel 15:22" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 65rem;"><p class="mid-paragraph" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; text-indent: 2rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="37" data-ref="09015022"><span class="verse-num" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); line-height: 0; vertical-align: super; white-space: nowrap;">22 </span><span data-offset="1">And</span> <span data-offset="2">Samuel</span> <span data-offset="3">said</span>,</span></p><section class="line-group" style="margin: 2rem 0px;"><p class="line" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -6rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="37" data-ref="09015022"><sup class="crossref leading-crossref" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); font-style: italic; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 0.25rem; position: relative;"><a data-passage="Psalm 40:6–8; Psalm 50:8–9; Proverbs 21:3; Isaiah 1:11–13; Isaiah 1:16–17; Jeremiah 7:22–23; Micah 6:6–8; Hebrews 10:6–9" href="https://www.esv.org/Ps40.6-8%3BPs50.8-9%3BPr21.3%3BIs1.11-13%3BIs1.16-17%3BJr7.22-23%3BMi6.6-8%3BHb10.6-9" style="color: var(--link-color); text-decoration: none;" title="Ps. 40:6-8; 50:8, 9; Prov. 21:3; Isa. 1:11-13, 16, 17; Jer. 7:22, 23; Mic. 6:6-8; Heb. 10:6-9">w</a></sup>“<span data-offset="4">Has</span> <span data-offset="5">the</span> <span class="small-caps" data-offset="6"><span data-offset="6"><span class="small-caps-upper" data-offset="6">L</span><span class="small-caps-lower" data-offset="6" style="font-size: 13.3px; text-transform: uppercase;">ORD</span></span></span> <span data-offset="7">as</span> <span data-offset="8">great</span> <span data-offset="9">delight</span> <span data-offset="10">in</span> <span data-offset="11">burnt</span> <span data-offset="12">offerings</span> <span data-offset="13">and</span> <span data-offset="14">sacrifices</span>,</span></p><p class="line indent" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -4rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="37" data-ref="09015022"><span data-offset="15">as</span> <span data-offset="16">in</span> <span data-offset="17">obeying</span> <span data-offset="18">the</span> <span data-offset="19">voice</span> <span data-offset="20">of</span> <span data-offset="21">the</span> <span class="small-caps" data-offset="22"><span data-offset="22"><span class="small-caps-upper" data-offset="22">L</span><span class="small-caps-lower" data-offset="22" style="font-size: 13.3px; text-transform: uppercase;">ORD</span></span></span>?</span></p><p class="line" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -6rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="37" data-ref="09015022"><span data-offset="23">Behold</span>, <sup class="crossref" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); font-style: italic; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 0.25rem; position: relative;"><a data-passage="Ecclesiastes 5:1; Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13; Matthew 12:7; Mark 12:33" href="https://www.esv.org/Ec5.1%3BHs6.6%3BMt9.13%3BMt12.7%3BMk12.33" style="color: var(--link-color); text-decoration: none;" title="Eccles. 5:1; Hos. 6:6; Matt. 9:13; 12:7; Mark 12:33">x</a></sup><span data-offset="24">to</span> <span data-offset="25">obey</span> <span data-offset="26">is</span> <span data-offset="27">better</span> <span data-offset="28">than</span> <span data-offset="29">sacrifice</span>,</span></p><p class="line indent" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -4rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="37" data-ref="09015022"><span data-offset="30">and</span> <span data-offset="31">to</span> <span data-offset="32">listen</span> <span data-offset="33">than</span> <span data-offset="34">the</span> <span data-offset="35">fat</span> <span data-offset="36">of</span> <span data-offset="37">rams</span>.</span></p><p class="line indent" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -4rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="37" data-ref="09015022"><br /></span></p><div class="multi-passage-header" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); color: #424547; font-family: "Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) + 0.1rem); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) + 0.1rem + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 1rem auto; max-width: 65rem;">Hosea 6:6</div><p class="line indent" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -4rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="37" data-ref="09015022"></span></p><section data-reference="Hosea 6:6" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 65rem;"><section class="line-group" style="margin: 2rem 0px;"><p class="line" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -6rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="16" data-ref="28006006"><span class="verse-num inline" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); line-height: 0; margin-left: -2rem; margin-right: 0.5rem; vertical-align: super; white-space: nowrap;">6 </span> <span data-offset="1">For</span> <sup class="crossref" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); font-style: italic; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 0.25rem; position: relative;"><a data-passage="Matthew 9:13; Matthew 12:7; 1 Samuel 15:22" href="https://www.esv.org/Mt9.13%3BMt12.7%3B1S15.22" style="color: var(--link-color); text-decoration: none;" title="Cited Matt. 9:13; 12:7; [1 Sam. 15:22]">k</a></sup><span data-offset="2">I</span> <span data-offset="3">desire</span> <span data-offset="4">steadfast</span> <span data-offset="5">love</span><sup class="footnote" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); font-style: italic; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 0.25rem; position: relative;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/1S15.22%3BHs6.6%3BMi6.6-8%3BMt9.13%3BMt12.7/#f1-" id="fb1-2" style="color: var(--link-color); text-decoration: none;" title="<span class="footnote-embedded">Septuagint <i>mercy</i></span>">1</a></sup> <span data-offset="6">and</span> <span data-offset="7">not</span> <span data-offset="8">sacrifice</span>,</span></p><p class="line indent" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -4rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="16" data-ref="28006006"><sup class="crossref leading-crossref" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); font-style: italic; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 0.25rem; position: relative;"><a data-passage="Hosea 2:20" href="https://www.esv.org/Hs2.20" style="color: var(--link-color); text-decoration: none;" title="[ch. 2:20]">l</a></sup><span data-offset="9">the</span> <span data-offset="10">knowledge</span> <span data-offset="11">of</span> <span data-offset="12">God</span> <span data-offset="13">rather</span> <span data-offset="14">than</span> <span data-offset="15">burnt</span> <span data-offset="16">offerings</span>.</span></p><p class="line indent" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -4rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="16" data-ref="28006006"><br /></span></p><div class="multi-passage-header" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); color: #424547; font-family: "Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) + 0.1rem); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) + 0.1rem + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 1rem auto; max-width: 65rem;">Micah 6:6–8</div><p class="line indent" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -4rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="16" data-ref="28006006"></span></p><section data-reference="Micah 6:6–8" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 65rem;"><h3 style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: both; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); font-style: italic; font-weight: 200; letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 1rem 0px 0px;">What Does the <span class="divine-name">Lord</span> Require?</h3><section class="line-group" style="margin: 0px 0px 2rem;"><p class="line" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -6rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="33" data-ref="33006006"><span class="verse-num inline" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); line-height: 0; margin-left: -2rem; margin-right: 0.5rem; vertical-align: super; white-space: nowrap;">6 </span> <sup class="crossref leading-crossref" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); font-style: italic; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 0.25rem; position: relative;"><a data-passage="Hosea 5:6; Hebrews 10:4" href="https://www.esv.org/Hs5.6%3BHb10.4" style="color: var(--link-color); text-decoration: none;" title="[Hos. 5:6; Heb. 10:4]">b</a></sup>“<span data-offset="6">With</span> <span data-offset="7">what</span> <span data-offset="8">shall</span> <span data-offset="9">I</span> <span data-offset="10">come</span> <span data-offset="11">before</span> <span data-offset="12">the</span> <span class="small-caps" data-offset="13"><span data-offset="13"><span class="small-caps-upper" data-offset="13">L</span><span class="small-caps-lower" data-offset="13" style="font-size: 13.3px; text-transform: uppercase;">ORD</span></span></span>,</span></p><p class="line indent" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -4rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="33" data-ref="33006006"><span data-offset="14">and</span> <span data-offset="15">bow</span> <span data-offset="16">myself</span> <span data-offset="17">before</span> <sup class="crossref" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); font-style: italic; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 0.25rem; position: relative;"><a data-passage="Isaiah 57:15" href="https://www.esv.org/Is57.15" style="color: var(--link-color); text-decoration: none;" title="Isa. 57:15">c</a></sup><span data-offset="18">God</span> <span data-offset="19">on</span> <span data-offset="20">high</span>?</span></p><p class="line" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -6rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="33" data-ref="33006006"><span data-offset="21">Shall</span> <span data-offset="22">I</span> <span data-offset="23">come</span> <span data-offset="24">before</span> <span data-offset="25">him</span> <span data-offset="26">with</span> <span data-offset="27">burnt</span> <span data-offset="28">offerings</span>,</span></p><p class="line indent" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -4rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="33" data-ref="33006006"><span data-offset="29">with</span> <span data-offset="30">calves</span> <span data-offset="31">a</span> <span data-offset="32">year</span> <span data-offset="33">old</span>?</span></p><p class="line" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -6rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="35" data-ref="33006007"><span class="verse-num inline" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); line-height: 0; margin-left: -2rem; margin-right: 0.5rem; vertical-align: super; white-space: nowrap;">7 </span> <sup class="crossref leading-crossref" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); font-style: italic; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 0.25rem; position: relative;"><a data-passage="1 Samuel 15:22" href="https://www.esv.org/1S15.22" style="color: var(--link-color); text-decoration: none;" title="See 1 Sam. 15:22">d</a></sup><span data-offset="1">Will</span> <span data-offset="2">the</span> <span class="small-caps" data-offset="3"><span data-offset="3"><span class="small-caps-upper" data-offset="3">L</span><span class="small-caps-lower" data-offset="3" style="font-size: 13.3px; text-transform: uppercase;">ORD</span></span></span> <span data-offset="4">be</span> <span data-offset="5">pleased</span> <span data-offset="6">with</span><sup class="footnote" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); font-style: italic; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 0.25rem; position: relative;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/1S15.22%3BHs6.6%3BMi6.6-8%3BMt9.13%3BMt12.7/#f1-" id="fb1-3" style="color: var(--link-color); text-decoration: none;" title="<span class="footnote-embedded">Or <i><span class="catch-word">Will the <span class="small-caps"><span class="small-caps-upper">L</span><span class="small-caps-lower">ord</span></span></span> accept</i></span>">1</a></sup> <span data-offset="7">thousands</span> <span data-offset="8">of</span> <span data-offset="9">rams</span>,</span></p><p class="line indent" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -4rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="35" data-ref="33006007"><span data-offset="10">with</span> <span data-offset="11">ten</span> <span data-offset="12">thousands</span> <span data-offset="13">of</span> <span data-offset="14">rivers</span> <span data-offset="15">of</span> <span data-offset="16">oil</span>?</span></p><p class="line" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -6rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="35" data-ref="33006007"><sup class="crossref leading-crossref" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); font-style: italic; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 0.25rem; position: relative;"><a data-passage="2 Kings 3:27; 2 Kings 16:3; 2 Kings 21:6; 2 Kings 23:10; Leviticus 18:21" href="https://www.esv.org/2K3.27%3B2K16.3%3B2K21.6%3B2K23.10%3BLv18.21" style="color: var(--link-color); text-decoration: none;" title="2 Kgs. 3:27; 16:3; 21:6; 23:10; [Lev. 18:21]">e</a></sup><span data-offset="17">Shall</span> <span data-offset="18">I</span> <span data-offset="19">give</span> <span data-offset="20">my</span> <span data-offset="21">firstborn</span> <span data-offset="22">for</span> <span data-offset="23">my</span> <span data-offset="24">transgression</span>,</span></p><p class="line indent" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -4rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="35" data-ref="33006007"><span data-offset="25">the</span> <span data-offset="26">fruit</span> <span data-offset="27">of</span> <span data-offset="28">my</span> <span data-offset="29">body</span> <span data-offset="30">for</span> <span data-offset="31">the</span> <span data-offset="32">sin</span> <span data-offset="33">of</span> <span data-offset="34">my</span> <span data-offset="35">soul</span>?”</span></p><p class="line" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -6rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="32" data-ref="33006008"><span class="verse-num inline" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); line-height: 0; margin-left: -2rem; margin-right: 0.5rem; vertical-align: super; white-space: nowrap;">8 </span> <span data-offset="1">He</span> <span data-offset="2">has</span> <span data-offset="3">told</span> <span data-offset="4">you</span>, <span data-offset="5">O</span> <span data-offset="6">man</span>, <span data-offset="7">what</span> <span data-offset="8">is</span> <span data-offset="9">good</span>;</span></p><p class="line indent" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -4rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="32" data-ref="33006008"><span data-offset="10">and</span> <sup class="crossref" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); font-style: italic; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 0.25rem; position: relative;"><a data-passage="Deuteronomy 10:12" href="https://www.esv.org/De10.12" style="color: var(--link-color); text-decoration: none;" title="[Deut. 10:12]">f</a></sup><span data-offset="11">what</span> <span data-offset="12">does</span> <span data-offset="13">the</span> <span class="small-caps" data-offset="14"><span data-offset="14"><span class="small-caps-upper" data-offset="14">L</span><span class="small-caps-lower" data-offset="14" style="font-size: 13.3px; text-transform: uppercase;">ORD</span></span></span> <span data-offset="15">require</span> <span data-offset="16">of</span> <span data-offset="17">you</span></span></p><p class="line" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -6rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="32" data-ref="33006008"><span data-offset="18">but</span> <span data-offset="19">to</span> <span data-offset="20">do</span> <span data-offset="21">justice</span>, <span data-offset="22">and</span> <span data-offset="23">to</span> <span data-offset="24">love</span> <span data-offset="25">kindness</span>,<sup class="footnote" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); font-style: italic; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 0.25rem; position: relative;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/1S15.22%3BHs6.6%3BMi6.6-8%3BMt9.13%3BMt12.7/#f2-" id="fb2-3" style="color: var(--link-color); text-decoration: none;" title="<span class="footnote-embedded">Or <i>steadfast love</i></span>">2</a></sup></span></p><p class="line indent" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -4rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="32" data-ref="33006008"><span data-offset="26">and</span> <span data-offset="27">to</span> <sup class="crossref" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); font-style: italic; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 0.25rem; position: relative;"><a data-passage="Genesis 5:22" href="https://www.esv.org/Gn5.22" style="color: var(--link-color); text-decoration: none;" title="[Gen. 5:22]">g</a></sup><span data-offset="28">walk</span> <span data-offset="29">humbly</span> <span data-offset="30">with</span> <span data-offset="31">your</span> <span data-offset="32">God</span>?</span></p><p class="line indent" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -4rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="32" data-ref="33006008"><br /></span></p><div class="multi-passage-header" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); color: #424547; font-family: "Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) + 0.1rem); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) + 0.1rem + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 1rem auto; max-width: 65rem;">Matthew 9:13</div><p class="line indent" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); clear: right; color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; padding-left: 8rem; text-indent: -4rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="32" data-ref="33006008"></span></p><section data-reference="Matthew 9:13" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 65rem;"><p class="mid-paragraph" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; text-indent: 2rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="22" data-ref="40009013"><span class="verse-num woc" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); line-height: 0; vertical-align: super; white-space: nowrap;">13 </span><span class="woc"><span data-offset="1">Go</span> <span data-offset="2">and</span> <span data-offset="3">learn</span> <sup class="crossref" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); font-style: italic; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 0.25rem; position: relative;"><a data-passage="Matthew 12:7" href="https://www.esv.org/Mt12.7" style="color: var(--link-color); text-decoration: none;" title="ch. 12:7">i</a></sup><span data-offset="4">what</span> <span data-offset="5">this</span> <span data-offset="6">means</span>: <sup class="crossref" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); font-style: italic; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 0.25rem; position: relative;"><a data-passage="Hosea 6:6; Matthew 23:23; Mark 12:33" href="https://www.esv.org/Hs6.6%3BMt23.23%3BMk12.33" style="color: var(--link-color); text-decoration: none;" title="Cited from Hos. 6:6; [ch. 23:23; Mark 12:33]">j</a></sup>‘<span data-offset="7">I</span> <span data-offset="8">desire</span> <span data-offset="9">mercy</span>, <span data-offset="10">and</span> <span data-offset="11">not</span> <span data-offset="12">sacrifice</span>.’ <span data-offset="13">For</span> <sup class="crossref" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); font-style: italic; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 0.25rem; position: relative;"><a data-passage="Luke 15:7; John 9:39" href="https://www.esv.org/Lk15.7%3BJn9.39" style="color: var(--link-color); text-decoration: none;" title="[Luke 15:7; John 9:39]">k</a></sup><span data-offset="14">I </span><span data-offset="15">came</span> <span data-offset="16">not</span> <span data-offset="17">to</span> <span data-offset="18">call</span> <span data-offset="19">the</span> <span data-offset="20">righteous</span>, <sup class="crossref" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); font-style: italic; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 0.25rem; position: relative;"><a data-passage="1 Timothy 1:15" href="https://www.esv.org/1Tm1.15" style="color: var(--link-color); text-decoration: none;" title="1 Tim. 1:15">l</a></sup><span data-offset="21">but</span> <span data-offset="22">sinners</span>.”</span></span></p><p class="mid-paragraph" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; text-indent: 2rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="22" data-ref="40009013"><span class="woc"><br /></span></span></p><div class="multi-passage-header" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); color: #424547; font-family: "Gotham A", "Gotham B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) + 0.1rem); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) + 0.1rem + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 1rem auto; max-width: 65rem;">Matthew 12:7</div><p class="mid-paragraph" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; text-indent: 2rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="22" data-ref="40009013"><span class="woc"></span></span></p><section data-reference="Matthew 12:7" dir="ltr" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 65rem;"><p class="mid-paragraph" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; text-indent: 2rem;"><span class="verse" data-last-offset="21" data-ref="40012007"><span class="verse-num woc" face=""Gotham A", "Gotham B", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); line-height: 0; vertical-align: super; white-space: nowrap;">7 </span><span class="woc"><span data-offset="1">And</span> <span data-offset="2">if</span> <span data-offset="3">you</span> <span data-offset="4">had</span> <span data-offset="5">known</span> <sup class="crossref" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); font-style: italic; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 0.25rem; position: relative;"><a data-passage="Matthew 9:13" href="https://www.esv.org/Mt9.13" style="color: var(--link-color); text-decoration: none;" title="ch. 9:13">e</a></sup><span data-offset="6">what</span> <span data-offset="7">this</span> <span data-offset="8">means</span>, <sup class="crossref" style="font-size: calc(var(--sans-serif-font-size) - 0.4rem); font-style: italic; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 0.25rem; position: relative;"><a data-passage="Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6–8" href="https://www.esv.org/Hs6.6%3BMi6.6-8" style="color: var(--link-color); text-decoration: none;" title="Cited from Hos. 6:6; [Mic. 6:6-8]">f</a></sup>‘<span data-offset="9">I</span> <span data-offset="10">desire</span> <span data-offset="11">mercy</span>, <span data-offset="12">and</span> <span data-offset="13">not</span> <span data-offset="14">sacrifice</span>,’<span data-offset="15">you</span> <span data-offset="16">would</span> <span data-offset="17">not</span> <span data-offset="18">have</span> <span data-offset="19">condemned</span> <span data-offset="20">the</span> <span data-offset="21">guiltless</span>.</span></span></p><p class="mid-paragraph" style="caret-color: rgb(66, 69, 71); color: #424547; font-family: "Sentinel A", "Sentinel B", "Gentium Plus", Ezra, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: var(--serif-font-size); letter-spacing: 0.25px; line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; text-indent: 2rem;"><br /></p><p class="mid-paragraph" style="line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; text-indent: 2rem;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="mid-paragraph" style="line-height: calc(var(--serif-font-size) + var(--line-height-offset)); margin: 0px; text-indent: 2rem;"><br /></p></section></section></section></section></section></section></section></section>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-75343479411610242872024-01-03T19:30:00.000-08:002024-01-08T13:37:06.190-08:00THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS – January 3: Partnering with God<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Having the goal of actually partnering with God instead of just asking him to bless our plans is a challenge for an organizer like me. But KNOWING that he also is an organizer - and that his plans are always going to be better than anything I can imagine helps a lot. It just requires a little patience and a lot of listening. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm quite certain that I have gotten ahead of God a number of times - though just one leaps out at me at the moment. Getting ahead of God and following our own plan is characteristic of mankind. Abraham did. His wife couldn't give him the son that God had promised them, so she took matters into her own hands and gave Abraham her maid servant to essentially be a surrogate mother and bear a child for them. The result was Ishmael. (And family drama!)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">God still kept his promise. Sarah had a baby boy in her old age. Really old age! She was ninety. A miracle. It seems that Isaac had to be a miracle for it to be obvious that he was God's plan. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So - as I ponder and wonder - I wonder what God has in store for 2024 - and I truly want to partner with him, and have him be my guide - not develop my own wonderful plans and hope he approves! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It will be exciting to see what develops. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The entourage of wise men partnered with God - and they had the absolute joy of being led to the Christ child - and having angels direct their paths! </span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-49949834989966444042024-01-02T12:15:00.000-08:002024-01-08T13:31:41.566-08:00THE NINTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS – January 2 <p><span style="font-size: medium;">Barely awake - and wondering. That was how my morning began. What if?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What if there is a god who is beyond our wildest imagination - a god that wasn't merely the god of thunder, or god of lightning, or one of the many gods of Greek mythology, the following just being the primary ones the Greeks believed in, worshipped, and prayed to:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Zeus - Greek god of the sky and king of Olympus, whose temper affected the weather; and who (in Greek culture) was ruler over all other gods and goddesses</span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Poseidon - Greek god of the sea, whose temper controlled the seas, so sailors prayed to him for safe passage</span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Ares - Greek god of war, and son of Zeus and Hera, a cruel god who was not even liked by his own parents</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Aphrodite - Greek goddess of love and beauty; also goddess of fertility</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Hera - (wife of Zeus) Greek goddess of women, marriage, and queen of the gods, also goddess of families and birth, who took her vengeance our on other goddesses and on mortals</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Demeter - Goddess of harvest and agriculture, controlled seasons and crops</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Athena - Greek goddess of war and wisdom, and patron God of Athens</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Apollo - <span>Greek god of the </span>sun, music, poetry, art, dance, archery & healing</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Artemis - Greek goddess of the hunt and the wild; twin sister of Apollo</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Hephaestus - Greek god of fire, metalworking, and sculpture</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermes - The messenger god, who became messenger of the gods, as well as being the protector of travelers and merchants</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Dionysus - Greek god of wine, theatre, and fertility</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">These are just the primary gods who were worshipped by the Greeks. They built altars to them, sacrificed to them, believed that all of the terrors that befell them were because of them. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The internet cites that Hindus have twelve primary deities: Vivasvan, Aryaman, Tvashta, Savitr, Bhaga, Dhata, Mitra, Varuna, Amsa, Pushan, Indra, Vishnu (in the form of Varnana). But other Hindu deities are also mentioned: Brahma, Ganesha, Shiva, Lakshmi, Krishna, Shiva, Hanuman, Saraswati, Indra, Rama, Agni, Ardhanarishvara, Durga, Nataraja, Parvati, Trimurti, Bjairava, and Shakti.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Native American tribes have a total of 73 deities listed in Wikipedia. Mind-boggling! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Throughout time man has created many different images of his own making because deep inside there is a need to worship something greater than ourselves - to have something we can believe in whose will for life here on earth is beyond our control. In ancient Biblical times we can read about the god Baal, and the Asherah poles, which were a representation of the goddess Asherah. Even in our era, there are images of Buddha that are part of worship for those who follow Buddhism, and in India cattle are revered as holy. (The more I dig to try to learn more, the more I realize I do not know about ancient religious cultures.)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Even though this is just a cursory glance into the creation of gods throughout time, it is enough to make me wonder "What if?"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What if there is a god who is so amazing that he could speak the world into existence? A god so close that he cares about each one of us? A god who loves humanity enough to come die for us so we can be in a relationship with him? Not a religion, but an actual relationship? What if there is a god who actually hears our prayers, loves us in spite of our failures? What if?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The good news is: THERE IS!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">And in Exodus 20:3 God - the Almighty God who created the entire universe - tells us in the very first of the 10 commandments: You shall have no other gods before Me! Not other gods that are represented by carvings or statues. Not our children, or sports, or cars, or position in life, or wealth, or beauty. Nothing is to come before God - but when we put him first, he is generous and gracious, and honors our heart's desires unless they will dishonor him or become a stumbling block to us. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">There is only ONE God - the One who created the entire universe - and you! And me! And he alone deserves our praise and adoration!</span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-80045368826363333182024-01-01T11:59:00.000-08:002024-01-01T11:59:10.450-08:00 THE EIGHTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS – January 1, 2024 NEW BEGINNINGS<p><span style="font-size: medium;">I have grown to appreciate "do overs": to face the recognition that my first attempt was either totally wrong or ill-advised - and re-engage to start again and try to get it right. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I also love New Beginnings: a new day, a new week, a new month - and especially, a new year. Each provides an opportunity for "starting over", and that is especially true with a fresh New Year. What will it bring? What new pages will be written in our lives and our personal histories, as well as the history-in-the-making of our world. It's exciting - and creates some trepidation! But thank God, he takes away fear and invites us to lay our burdens and cares on him - because he cares for us.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Today - being the eighth day of Christmas would mean this is also the day we acknowledge the naming of Jesus. That was part of the circumcision ceremony that was prescribed to occur 8 days after birth. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So, Jesus' parents went to the temple as was the Jewish custom, to have Jesus circumcised and to give him the name the angel had told them: Yeshua, which means 'salvation'.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;">And </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;">at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;">he was called Jesus <i>(actually Yeshua)</i>, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (</span>Luke 2:21 ESV)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Luke 2:22-38 tells the story of that event. How Simeon had been told by God that he would not die until he saw the Lord's Christ, i.e., God's Messiah. How Anna, the prophetess came at that very hour and she also witnessed to seeing the Messiah. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Yeshua's birth was a New Beginning for our world. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2024 is a new beginning for us. What will I do with it? Will I honor my commitment for daily Bible reading and prayer? Will I seek reconciliation? Will I seek to be the person God create me to be? Will I both seek and follow His will, not mine? Will I be intentional about making the most of the life God has given me? Will I make a difference? We shall see! </span></p><p><br /></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-17437216691844128532023-12-31T19:49:00.000-08:002024-01-08T13:27:00.141-08:00THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS – 12-31-23; NEW YEAR’S EVE<p><span style="font-size: medium;">My middle daughter alerted me to the fact that today - without any dashes - is 123123. I would not have paid attention to that without her sharing that tidbit of information with me. It reminds me of how much all of us overlook. We don't even know what we don't know! That took me on a bunny trail with current implications. There is a LOT I do not know about the history of Israel, but I do believe I have a simple grasp of the nutshell version - the Cliff's Notes version....</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Jewish people have both a legal and a Biblical right to be in the land we know as Israel. Following is an abbreviated account documenting their right to Israel as their homeland.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">When God led the Jewish people out of Egypt in about 1440 B C, He promised them the land of Canaan (Israel). They didn't get to move into the land they were promised until after meandering in the desert for 40 years because of their blatant disobedience of God's instructions. When they did finally move into the land that God designated for them it was much larger than it is today, and was divided into prescribed areas for the 12 tribes of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">Over time, it was the people's disobedience that put them back into slavery again and again and/or overrun by occupying forces. Fast-forwarding, they eventually came under the rule of the Romans, and it was during that period that Jesus was born. With their either being captured and taken into captivity, or being ruled by others the Jews lost being a sovereign nation, which was their homeland gifted to them by God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">After being under the rule of various entities for over 2000 years, their country (though not as large as before) was given back to them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">British troops took over control of the territory from the Ottoman Empire October 31, 1917, and vowed to establish a national home for the Jewish people under the Balfour Declaration.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: medium;"><span>There was a huge Jewish immigration that significantly raised the Jewish population between 1920-1946. It was referred to as the Zionist Movement. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">On May 14, 1948, Israel was declared to be a nation. </span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif">Isaiah 66:8 is referenced many time in </span></span><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: medium;">prophesying this time of Israel's restoration:</span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text Isa-66-8" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-18931" style="position: relative;">Who has heard such a thing?</span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;" /><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-66-8" style="position: relative;">Who has seen such things?</span></span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;" /><span class="text Isa-66-8" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="position: relative;">Shall a land be born in one day?</span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial;" /><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Isa-66-8" style="position: relative;">Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment?</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial"><span class="text Isa-66-8" style="font-size: medium; position: relative;"></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif">The Arab nations around her have fought against her in multiple battles since that time, the first being Israel's fight to survive </span><span face="-webkit-standard, serif">in 1948-49, </span><span face="-webkit-standard, serif">with Arab forces battling the infant nation, who miraculously survived.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">Other major Arab-Israeli conflicts have occurred in 1956, 1967, 1973, 1982, 2006, and again now in 2023 - which will segue into 2024.</span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: medium;">One of the most incredibly sad things from my perspective is that they are all children of Abraham. The Arab nations are from the lineage of Abraham and Ishmael, and Israel is descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Ishmael was the elder half-brother to Isaac, but Isaac was God's chosen "miracle" child. Still, God promised Abraham that he would not forget Ishmael, and that he would make of him a great nation. </span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: medium;">Genesis 17:20 states: </span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial">"A</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">s for </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial">I</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">shmael, </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial">I</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"> have heard </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial">you</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">; behold, </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial">I</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"> have blessed him </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial">a</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">nd </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial">will</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial">make</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"> him fruitful </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial">a</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">nd multiply him </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial">great</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">ly. He shall father twelve princes, </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial">a</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">nd </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial">I </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"></span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial">will</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial">make</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"> him </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial">i</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">nto </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial">a</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial">great</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial">nation</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;">."</span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">The sibling rivalry that they had as Abraham's children has never disappeared, and, sadly, will not end until Jesus returns. </span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: medium;">The most important factor to consider at this juncture is that God made this promise to Abraham:</span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: medium;">Genesis 12:2-4 states:</span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text Gen-12-2" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-301"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">2 </span>And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Gen-12-3" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-302"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">3 </span>I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”</span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: medium;">The great nation referenced here is Israel, and all nations who bless Israel will be blessed, and all who curse Israel will be cursed. Jesus was the ultimate one to come from Abraham's lineage through whom all the families of the earth shall be blessed. </span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 19.200001px;"><span class="text Isa-66-8" style="position: relative;"><br /></span></span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-43236969789528275122023-12-30T14:01:00.000-08:002024-01-08T13:23:14.418-08:00THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS – December 30<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif">I would like to explore some of the attributes of God. Yesterday I commented on several Names of God – and there are many more – but it is good to remember the attributes of God.</span><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif">God is omniscient – He is all knowing. Nothing escapes his knowing. That is mind-boggling for us - he knows everything that ever was, everything that is, and everything that will ever be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif">God is omnipotent – He is all powerful. There is nothing he cannot do. He spoke the world into being - and it </span><i style="font-family: -webkit-standard, serif;">was</i><span face="-webkit-standard, serif">! It is comforting when I am struggling with something way out of my ability to manage that He can handle it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif">God is omnipresent – He can be (and is) everywhere at the same time. When Jesus was on earth, He was limited to being in one location at a time. He "saw" Nathaniel under the fig tree before he was actually present with him - and did have divine <o:p></o:p></span></span><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: medium;">powers - but physically he was not able to be everywhere at once - but God is!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">God is immutable – He cannot change and does not change over time. He truly is the same yesterday, today, and forever. That's assuring. People change. Our feelings about people change. God cannot change and will not change. We can count on Him to be consistently perfect. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif">God is eternal - He had no beginning and he has no end. We can't comprehend that because we are constricted by </span></span><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: medium;">living for only a "vapor" of time. God is. God was. God will forever be. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">God is just – He will judge the world with justice – and He judges us as individuals with justice. I know I deserve far less than God has blessed me with, yet I have experienced his discipline - and know that even in those times of correction, God has been just.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">God is merciful – and I am incredibly grateful that His justice is tempered by mercy. I have been overwhelmed with His incredible mercy toward me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">God is giving, and loving. In fact He is the plumbline for LOVE. For God so loved the world that He GAVE!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;">These are just a <i>few </i>of God’s attributes! Just the tip of the <o:p></o:p></span></span><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: medium;">iceberg! But thinking about them elicits joy and praise. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: medium;">Thank you, JEHOVAH, for sending yourself as a tiny baby so we can approach you through Him and experience the grace and mercy you so freely give!</span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-46655292913174270432023-12-29T21:45:00.000-08:002024-01-08T13:20:42.187-08:00THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS – December 29<p><span style="font-size: medium;">My husband and I rarely go to a movie - but this evening we went to see the 6:20 showing of THE BOYS IN THE BOAT at the Regal Cinema in Lacey. The draw for us was that he, our eldest daughter and son-in-law, and two of their children attended The University of Washington so it was personal. What a delightfully well-done movie. And what a treat to get to see it on the big screen! I highly recommend it if you like heart-warming, come-from-behind, against-all-odds, pull-yourselves-up-by-the-bootstraps movies. It was all of that and more! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The movie rewarded us with an opportunity to relive history. It was so authentically portrayed that I marveled at the director's success in the representation of the era and retelling of the story of true grit and success achieved - but I don't want to give the story away. I will just say it is well worth the price of admission! </span></p><p><span><span style="font-size: medium;">Today is the 5th day of Christmas. Another day to be thankful, to reflect, and, like Mary, to wonder and 'store up these things' in our hearts. the One and only true God, who bore the unspeakable name </span><span style="font-size: large;">YHWH, Jehovah, </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">Wonderful Counselor, </span><span><span style="font-size: large;">Almighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace</span><span style="font-size: medium;">, came to earth to be raised by a humble couple who were willing to endure the price of being wrongly labeled and misunderstood, but in spite of that knew that they had been visited by angels, and carried themselves with the assurance that the son they raised was God's own Son. What a marvelous mystery! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-313853516140127802023-12-28T18:12:00.000-08:002024-01-08T13:16:46.667-08:00THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS – December 28<p><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus (Yeshua) was born into a very broken world</span><span style="font-size: medium;">, a world ruled by the Roman authorities. If you watch THE CHOSEN it provides a visual for what it was like in Jesus' day during the time of his ministry. While I don't agree with how some of the characters are cast, I have enjoyed watching a couple of the seasons that were available to watch. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Our world, again, is very broken! </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus forewarned future readers about what would come at the end of time - and we are there: wars and rumors of wars comes quickly to mind. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Russia invaded Ukraine unjustly.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">China is threatening to take over Taiwan. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Hamas - the terrorist organization that rules the Palestinian area defined as Gaza - started a war October 7 when they slaughtered over 1200 people in Israel. They lopped off heads of babies. Burned some of them afterward. And burned others while they were still alive. Gang-raped girls and women and paraded them through the street as their prey. Shot entire families in their beds. Took civilian hostages.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On the other side of the line between the Gaza portion of Palestine and Israel, there are many others who are also caught in the crossfire and the death toll is horrific - but that is Hamas' fault - not Israel's. Israel exercised restraint before they sought to wipe out Hamas. Their war is not with the people who are innocently caught in the middle of their horrific political leaders and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Israel has warned the people repeatedly to get out of the areas they will target next. Theirs is an honest war - not murder. In addition, Hamas uses their own people as shields, thinking that if a lot of civilians are killed that the world will rise up against Israel and make them stop their legitimate retaliation. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If Hamas is not wiped out it will just live to rise again and do the same or worse the next time they attack. There is no honor in how they "do" war. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What concerns me for a lot of people is their failure to sort out the facts and think through what is actually happening. Additionally, here in the United States when I hear of or see people shouting </span><span style="font-size: large;">"From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free"</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> I don't think they have thought through what that means- so I want to provide an explanation. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The RIVER referenced is the Jordan River, and the SEA is the Mediterranean. From the river to the sea is saying they want every Jewish person slaughtered who lives in Israel, and for those who thought up this chant, they actually want every Jew in the world annihilated.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It is others' choice what they choose to 'march' for or against - but very important that they know what they are actually saying! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The reason for the hatred of the Jews? They are God's chosen people! So this defiance is ultimately against God. It breaks my heart that any group of people become a target. ALL LIVES MATTER! And as a Christian, I certainly know that Jewish lives matter as well as Palestinian lives. We are all created by God, and all of us make a choice whether to accept Jesus as Savior - or choose to reject God's best for our lives and live separated from the One who created us and came to die for us to have the opportunity for Salvation and living with him for all of eternity - or in exile away from him. And it is our choice! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It breaks my heart that innocent people are caught in the middle of any war. It also breaks my heart to hear that Palestinian children are brain-washed to believe that Jews are the ones who are evil. Not long ago someone reported that even in their textbooks for little children they teach math in this manner: If you have 5 Jews and you kill 4 Jews, how many Jews will you have left? That's sad! Very sad! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I know to the core of my being that Israel is God's land, that Jerusalem is where He chose to put His name, and that ultimately He will come to Israel's defense and judge ALL nations who have gone against her. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">P S: There is a difference between murder and killing. What Hamas did to initiate this war is murder. What Israel has been forced to do in response is killing. What the Bible teaches is THOU SHALL NOT MURDER. Killing is awful, but MURDER is sin! </span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-88230083909167103932023-12-27T17:22:00.000-08:002024-01-08T13:11:52.161-08:00THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS – December 27<p><span style="font-size: medium;">I cannot think about the "days of Christmas" without the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" wending its way through my mind. Many years ago I was told that the song was written during a time when talking about one's beliefs was not okay, and that the song was symbolic for sharing one's theology. I do not know if that is true or not, but it is a fun thought. I will relate an abbreviated version of what I found on Christianity.com:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree. The partridge is purported to be symbolic of Jesus, who died to save us; just as a mother partridge will shelter her young under her wings to protect and save them.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On the second day of Christmas the gift is 2 turtle doves, representing the Old and New Testaments, which are God's Word to us.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On the third day the gift is three French hens, which is for the faith, hope, and love that the Bible teaches. It also represents the Trinity: Father, Son & Holy Spirit. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On the fourth day of Christmas the gift is four calling birds, which represent the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On the fifth day of Christmas the gift is five gold rings, which represents the Pentateuch, which is comprised of the first 5 books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On the sixth day of Christmas the gift is six geese-a-laying. Each of the 6 eggs laid are symbolic of the days of creation when God formed the world:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">1. God created the heavens and the earth</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2. God created the sky and seas</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">3. God created the land and the plants</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">4. God created the sun, moon, and stars</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">5. God created fish and birds</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">6. God created land animals and man</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On the seventh day of Christmas the gift is seven swans-a-swimming. That represents the seven primary gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On the eighth day of Christmas the gift is eight maids-a-milking. These gifts symbolized not only that Jesus came to save everyone - even those of low estate; but it also represents the eight Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10): (1) the poor in spirit, (2) those who mourn, (3) the meek, (4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, (5) the merciful, (6) the pure in heart, (7) the peacemakers, and (8) those who are persecuted for righteousness sake.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On the ninth day of Christmas the gift was nine ladies dancing. They represent the Fruits of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patient Endurance, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On the tenth day of Christmas the gift is ten Lords a-leaping. These 10 stand for the ten commandments:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">1. You shall have no other Gods before me (before God!)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2. You shall not make for yourselves any carved image, or bow down to them, or serve them.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shall you labor and do all your work...for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them....</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">5. Honor your father and your mother.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">6. You shall not murder.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">7. You shall not commit adultery.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">8. You shall not steal.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">10. You shall not covet your neighbor's house, wife, male servant, female servant, ox, donkey, or anything else that is your neighbor's.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The eleventh day of Christmas is eleven pipers piping. They represent the 11 faithful disciples, but do not include Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. The twelve faithful were comprised of Simon Peter & his brother Andrew, James & his brother John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James & Judas (sons of Alpheus), & Simon the Zealot.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On the twelfth day of Christmas the gift is twelve drummers drumming, and it is connected to the twelve points of doctrine addressed in the Apostles' Creed. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">[Just as a point of difference, I do not like the way the Apostle's Creed is written. It takes Jesus out of Creator role - and being fully God as well as fully human, he was as equally Creator as he was human.]</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I do not know if this "collection" is legitimate symbolism, but it makes a nice story. </span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-85718899476487141152023-12-26T19:19:00.000-08:002024-01-08T12:08:56.579-08:00THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS – December 26<p><span style="font-size: medium;">In Canada today is Boxing Day. I have always assumed it was just a day to start boxing up all of the Christmas decorations - and I was surprised they extended their official holidays to include that activity; but when I searched online I learned that it started in countries associated with the British Empire as a special day to give gifts to the staff of Britain's upper class. That was a surprise. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It does make sense. The household staff would have been totally immersed in making the Christmas celebrations perfect for the Master and Mistress of the house - with little thought to their own hopes and dreams. So, I am truly pleased to find out that it was initiated as a way to be kind to others - to those who served. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Now it has morphed into a day to go out and find bargains - and it appears what it started out as has been lost. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">That is true of so many things. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As for being the second day of Christmas, we are in another period of anticipation, this time to honor the visitation of the entourage of wisemen - but in Jesus' day, they had no way of knowing they would experience such a visit. </span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-7466543955915669232023-12-25T10:23:00.000-08:002023-12-25T10:23:19.160-08:00CHRISTMAS DAY 2023 – Also THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS <p><span style="font-size: medium;">MERRY CHRISTMAS! And happy first day of the twelve days of Christmas!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As a preface to my blog entry today, I want to mention, as a reminder, that the evening and the morning were how days were established - so if Jesus was born in the evening, it would technically (for us) be Christmas Eve. We begin each new calendar day at midnight. They begin theirs at sundown.</span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 15pt 0in 7.5pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Birth of Jesus Christ – Matthew 1:18-25</span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">18 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. <b><sup>19 </sup></b>And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. <b><sup>20 </sup></b>But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. <b><sup>21 </sup></b>She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” <b><sup>22 </sup></b>All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">23 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">and they shall call his name Immanuel”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 12pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(which means, God with us). <b><sup>24 </sup></b>When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, <b><sup>25 </sup></b>but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 12pt 0in 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 12pt 0in 0in;"><span class="chapternum"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Birth of Jesus Christ – </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">Luke 2:1-7</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 12pt 0in 0in;"><span class="chapternum"><b><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">2 </span></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">n those days</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">a decree went out from</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">Caesar Augustus that all the world should be</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">registered.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"><span id="en-ESV-24967">2 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">This was the first</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">registration when</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">Quirinius</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">was governor of Syria.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"><span id="en-ESV-24968">3 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">And all went to be registered, each to his own town.</span><b><sup><span id="en-ESV-24969">4 </span></sup></b>And Joseph also went up</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">from Galilee, from the town of</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">Nazareth, to Judea, to</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">the city of David, which is called</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">Bethlehem,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">because he was of the house and lineage of David,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"><span id="en-ESV-24970">5 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">who was with child.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"><span id="en-ESV-24971">6 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">And</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"><span id="en-ESV-24972">7 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">And she gave birth to her firstborn son and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">wrapped him in swaddling cloths and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">the inn</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 12pt 0in 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span></p><h1 style="background: white; break-after: avoid; color: #2f5496; font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;">Isaiah 9:6-7 (prophecy written over 700 years before Jesus was born)</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></h1><p class="line" style="background: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.6rem; line-height: 2.4rem; margin: 0in; min-width: 0px;"><span id="en-ESV-17836"><span class="text"><b><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;"><svg height="6.5" viewbox="0 0 11.5 6.5" width="11.5" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M11.28.22a.75.75 0 0 0-1.06 0L5.75 4.69 1.28.22A.75.75 0 0 0 .22 1.28l5 5a.73.73 0 0 0 .53.22.74.74 0 0 0 .53-.22l5-5a.75.75 0 0 0 0-1.06z"></path></svg>6 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">For to us a child is born,</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;"><br /></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 6pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">to us</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">a son is given;</span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;"><br /><span class="text">and the government shall be</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">upon</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">his shoulder,</span><br /></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 6pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">and his name shall be called</span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;"><br /><span class="text">Wonderful</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">Counselor,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">Mighty God,</span><br /></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 6pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">Everlasting</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">Father, Prince of</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">Peace.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;"><br /><span class="text"><b><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span id="en-ESV-17837">7 </span></sup></b>Of the increase of his government and of peace</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 6pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">there will be no end,</span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;"><br /><span class="text">on the throne of David and over his kingdom,</span><br /></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 6pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">to establish it and to uphold it</span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;"><br /><span class="text">with justice and with righteousness</span><br /></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 6pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">from this time forth and forevermore.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14.5pt;"><br /><span class="text">The zeal of the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> <span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;"></span><span class="small-caps">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">of hosts will do this.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Isaiah's ministry was from 740 - 701 B C, and was centered in Jerusalem, so his prophecy was written during that time - likely in Jerusalem or nearby.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">There is so much we do not know - but we do know Jesus' birth was prophesied over 700 years before he was born. What an amazing miracle birth! And what an amazing God that he would humble himself and come to us in human form so we could relate to him, but even more importantly, to be the Lamb of God who would sacrifice himself for the sins of the world.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">And the name he was given was Yeshua, which means Salvation.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We don't know the actual date of Yeshua's birth, but he definitely deserves to be celebrated for coming. Happy birthday, Yeshua ha Mashiach. Thank you for coming to a very broken world to bring us salvation. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-48420951222323239222023-12-24T17:45:00.000-08:002024-01-09T11:11:58.822-08:00ADVENT 2023 – Blog #22: December 24 [Fourth Sunday of Advent: LOVE]<p><span style="font-size: medium;">The four Sundays of Advent are: HOPE, PEACE, JOY & LOVE. Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent and the day to celebrate LOVE. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">John 3:16 is a verse many people can quote - even if they are not Christians. It is even on roadside billboards and ballgame placards. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." the next verse is equally important: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." [ESV]</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">God loved so he gave. At Christmas we also give gifts to others to demonstrate our love. We reflect just a smidgeon of God's goodwill in doing so - but it is only a trace, for we cannot save anyone. But our giving just might be a catalyst for others to 'hear' that God is love. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Hundreds of books have been written about love and it is the theme of many songs. There are many facets of love, but God's love is agape love - a love so extreme that we cannot even begin to fathom it, let alone mimic it. However, we can embrace it - and in so doing, experience God's loving forgiveness through the power of the Holy Spirit by what Jesus (God incarnate) did for us on the cross. There is no greater love. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">An old Christian song states, "There is no greater love than that of Christ above, that made him come to earth, become a man, and by his death provide redemption's plan. There is no greater love, that's why I'm singing of God's love so rich and free, revealed at Calvary. There is no greater love."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">There is an old secular song that says, "What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of." It's true. Love gives instead of takes. Love covers a multitude of sins, and forgives even when the other person doesn't ask and forgiveness is not deserved. Love pours out over and over - and for the one who loves, the capacity to love just grows. I believe that degree of loving cannot be done in our own power, but only through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Love is an action verb. It changes who we are, and makes us more like Jesus. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">1 Corinthians 13 is often read at weddings - but is a good reminder for all of us every day:</span></p><p><span class="text 1Cor-13-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 1.6rem;"><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: -0.1em; display: inline; font-size: 2.4rem; font-weight: 700; left: 0px; line-height: 0.8em; position: relative;">13 </span>If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 1.6rem;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-13-2" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-28651" style="font-size: 1.6rem;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">2 </span>And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 1.6rem;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-13-3" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-28652" style="font-size: 1.6rem;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">3 </span>If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.</span></p><p><span class="text 1Cor-13-4" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-28653" style="font-size: 1.6rem;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">4 </span>Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 1.6rem;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-13-5" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-28654" style="font-size: 1.6rem;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">5 </span>or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 1.6rem;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-13-6" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-28655" style="font-size: 1.6rem;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">6 </span>it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 1.6rem;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-13-7" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-28656" style="font-size: 1.6rem;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">7 </span>Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.</span></p><p><span class="text 1Cor-13-8" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-28657" style="font-size: 1.6rem;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">8 </span>Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 1.6rem;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-13-9" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-28658" style="font-size: 1.6rem;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">9 </span>For we know in part and we prophesy in part,</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 1.6rem;"> </span><span class="text 1Cor-13-10" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-28659" style="font-size: 1.6rem;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">10 </span>but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.</span><span class="text 1Cor-13-11" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-28660" style="font-size: 1.6rem;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">11 </span>When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.</span><span class="text 1Cor-13-12" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-28661" style="font-size: 1.6rem;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">12 </span>For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.</span></p><p><span class="versenum" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">13 </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 1.6rem;">So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.</span></p><div class="copyright-table" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; min-width: 0px;"><div class="copyright-table-content flex-7" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex: 7 1 0%; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 19.200001px; margin: 40px -7px 8px; min-width: 0px;"></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-20538819079209718432023-12-23T11:33:00.000-08:002023-12-23T11:33:37.015-08:00ADVENT 2023 – Blog #21: December 23 <p><span style="font-size: medium;">Shepherds. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Tradition says they were usually older men and younger boys, i.e., those who were not otherwise employable. Sometimes the shepherds were the sons of the owners - like David was. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Bible certainly does not tell us anything specific about the ages of the shepherds who were watching the flocks out in the fields near Bethlehem the night Jesus was born. However, it is significant that Jesus' birth announcement was first made to people who were among those who did one of the most humble of tasks. That was not accidental! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus, the Lamb of God, who would someday be sacrificed as the payment for the sins of the world, was also to be known as "The Good Shepherd". </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Being a shepherd required being responsible and accountable. They have the enormous responsibility of protecting the owners' sheep from predators and poachers. Their role may sound humble - but it is incredibly important.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Those shepherds who were in the field that night just outside Bethlehem were treated to the most glorious announcement ever given! An angel appeared to them to tell them, "Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord...." Shepherds on a hillside, taking their turns being the ones to watch for danger, were the first ones to hear of Messiah's birth. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">And then, a host of angels joined the first angel, saying "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" I seriously doubt that the words in my ESV translation are the best representation of what they actually proclaimed - but they'll do. Perhaps I am just too connected to what I grew up hearing sung, "Peace on earth. Goodwill to men."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What the Bible does tell us is that when the angels disappeared back into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they did. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What they saw they shared. That is a good reminder for me. They testified to what they had experienced. God asks the same of us - to tell our story. Go tell it! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What an amazing experience - one filled with wonder! An over-the-top highlight of their lives.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-22446531415196382242023-12-22T15:10:00.000-08:002023-12-23T10:57:31.160-08:00ADVENT 2023 – Blog #20: December 22 <p><span style="font-size: medium;">I have never seen electricity - but I believe in it and what it can do. The proof is in the results. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">When I flip a switch, I am usually rewarded with the effect I expected. I don't notice that it works until it doesn't.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I have never seen an angel - but I definitely believe in them. But, far different from electricity, I do not pay attention to their activity in the world. They are hidden from me, and unless God chooses for them to be seen for some special 'mission' we do not engage directly with them.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">How different it was with events surrounding Jesus' conception and birth. Gabriel - one of the most revered angels - appeared to Mary and announced that she was chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. And, later, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to take Mary as his wife. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Amazing! I can only imagine that it was at that point when he got the confirmation he needed to believe Mary had not been unfaithful to him. And he obeyed, and they were married - but they didn't physically consummate the marriage until after the birth of Jesus. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We aren't told about other angel interactions during the pregnancy - but we certainly can assume that they were around: guarding, protecting, nurturing, blessing - as God's hands extended to this precious family who was chosen to be the earthly parents of God incarnate.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The next big event when we see the angels in full array was when an angel appeared to the shepherds to announce Jesus' birth, who was then joined by a multitude of angels praising God. I'll wait for the full story of that event to be shared in another blog entry. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Angels are God's messengers - but they are never to receive worship. They are just obedient servants. Well, at least those who were faithful to God are. When Satan defied God, a third of the angels went with him - and there is a constant battle that goes on in heaven between them and the warring angels on God's side. Until Jesus returns, that is. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Also - just for clarity, people do not become angels when they die. They are created beings, just as Adam and Eve were, but they re very different than we are, and there is no transition from human to angel that ever occurs. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Angels are fascinating, but mostly they are models of obedience. They are unseen actors both in heaven and on earth who serve at the will of God.</span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-86895418643508809282023-12-21T14:22:00.000-08:002024-01-08T12:00:04.468-08:00ADVENT 2023 – Blog #19: December 21 <p> <span style="font-size: medium;">Immediately after Elizabeth greeted Mary, Mary proclaimed:</span></p><p><span class="text Luke-1-46" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 19.200001px; position: relative;">“My soul magnifies the Lord,</span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 19.200001px;" /><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 19.200001px;"><span class="text Luke-1-47" id="en-ESV-24932" style="position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">47 </span><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span>and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,</span></span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 19.200001px;" /><span class="text Luke-1-48" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-24933" style="font-size: 19.200001px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">48 </span>for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.</span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 19.200001px;" /><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 19.200001px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Luke-1-48" style="position: relative;">For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;</span></span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 19.200001px;" /><span class="text Luke-1-49" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-24934" style="font-size: 19.200001px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">49 </span>for he who is mighty has done great things for me,</span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 19.200001px;" /><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 19.200001px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Luke-1-49" style="position: relative;">and holy is his name.</span></span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 19.200001px;" /><span class="text Luke-1-50" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-24935" style="font-size: 19.200001px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">50 </span>And his mercy is for those who fear him</span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 19.200001px;" /><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 19.200001px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Luke-1-50" style="position: relative;">from generation to generation.</span></span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 19.200001px;" /><span class="text Luke-1-51" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-24936" style="font-size: 19.200001px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">51 </span>He has shown strength with his arm;</span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 19.200001px;" /><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 19.200001px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Luke-1-51" style="position: relative;">he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;</span></span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 19.200001px;" /><span class="text Luke-1-52" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-24937" style="font-size: 19.200001px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">52 </span>he has brought down the mighty from their thrones</span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 19.200001px;" /><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 19.200001px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Luke-1-52" style="position: relative;">and exalted those of humble estate;</span></span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 19.200001px;" /><span class="text Luke-1-53" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-24938" style="font-size: 19.200001px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">53 </span>he has filled the hungry with good things,</span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 19.200001px;" /><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 19.200001px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Luke-1-53" style="position: relative;">and the rich he has sent away empty.</span></span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 19.200001px;" /><span class="text Luke-1-54" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-24939" style="font-size: 19.200001px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">54 </span>He has helped his servant Israel,</span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 19.200001px;" /><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 19.200001px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Luke-1-54" style="position: relative;">in remembrance of his mercy,</span></span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 19.200001px;" /><span class="text Luke-1-55" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" id="en-ESV-24940" style="font-size: 19.200001px; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">55 </span>as he spoke to our fathers,</span><br style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 19.200001px;" /><span class="indent-1" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="font-size: 19.200001px;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Luke-1-55" style="position: relative;">to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">And verse 56 tells us that Mary stayed with Elizabeth about 3 months and returned to her home. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">And Mary leaves us with wonder (amazement) and wondering. It is only in examining the texts that foretell Jesus birth - and then the scant history of what was recorded that we realize how much we don't know. What we <i>do</i> know is enough. A miraculous birth was about to take place for Zechariah and Elizabeth; and another miraculous birth was only +-6 months away. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I wonder who recorded the words Mary spoke through the power of the Holy Spirit that day; or if God recited them to Luke when he was writing the history. Reading and wondering leaves me with more questions than answers - but even within that we know all we were meant to know. Our belief in God is not a journey corroborated by sight - but by faith. Immersing ourselves in what we do know because it is written in God's Word for us to study and embrace is enough. God doesn't need us to know everything to trust him and his plan for us. Part of faith is being willing to walk out our journey with him only having each step revealed to us in his time. But - study we must! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">There is far more in the Bible to process than we work to dig out. That's why he tells us to study. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I memorized 2 Timothy 2:15 in the King James Version as a kid:</span></p><p><span class="versenum" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">15 </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 19.200001px;">Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.</span></p><p><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 19.200001px;">The ESV says it this way:</span></p><p><span class="versenum" face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">15 </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 19.200001px;">Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,</span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 19.200001px;"> a worker </span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial" style="background-color: white; font-size: 19.200001px;">who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.</span></p><p>That is the fruition of WONDER: Searching, learning, seeing, understanding, embracing, acting on. </p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-70915584560518935242023-12-20T22:54:00.000-08:002024-01-08T11:55:40.557-08:00 ADVENT 2023 – Blog #18: December 20 <p><span style="font-size: medium;">Today I want to focus on Elizabeth's greeting when Mary came to visit her. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Elizabeth was about 6 months pregnant when Mary arrived to stay a few months with her. The Bible documents their first interaction in Luke 1 beginning with verse 39:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">39 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">In those days Mary arose and went with haste into</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">the hill country, to a town in Judah,</span><b><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span id="en-ESV-24925">40 </span></sup></b><span style="font-size: medium;">and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background: repeat white; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;"><span id="en-ESV-24926">41 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">was filled with the Holy Spirit,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background: repeat white; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;"><span id="en-ESV-24927">42 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">and she exclaimed with a loud cry,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">“Blessed are you among women, and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">blessed is</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">the fruit of your womb!</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background: repeat white; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;"><span id="en-ESV-24928">43 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">And why is this granted to me that the mother of</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">my Lord should come to me?</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background: repeat white; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;"><span id="en-ESV-24929">44 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background: repeat white; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;"><span id="en-ESV-24930">45 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">And</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">blessed is she who believed that there would be</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”</span></span><b><span face="-webkit-standard, serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I absolutely love God's affirmation to both of them in that instant. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she (Elizabeth) felt her baby leap in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and under the power of the Holy Spirit she passionately proclaimed, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!.... And she heaped blessings on Mary for believing what God had revealed to her through the angel.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And Mary stayed with Elizabeth about 3 months, and then returned to Nazareth when Elizabeth was about to give birth. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We can only imagine what a joyous time they had together! Zechariah was unable to speak, and Elizabeth had been in isolation, so having Mary there to talk with - and share what God had done in each of their lives - and try to imagine what that would mean.... Lots to wonder about!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-14067784348514460672023-12-20T22:37:00.000-08:002024-01-08T11:54:35.830-08:00ADVENT 2023 – Blog #17: for December 19 <p><span style="font-size: medium;">Seriously! I was so focused on getting my Christmas Letter written on December 19 that I totally spaced on writing my blog entry! This is my second time missing a day, and I am literally shocked! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I do wonder about this amazing baby - God in human form - who was soon to come into this world. What was it like in heaven in the final days before his birth? Angels certainly were eager to come proclaim it! It is mind-boggling to consider all of the ramifications of angelic protection for him in utero, and even after his birth. Something more to ponder. To wonder about! This little Israeli Jewish boy, to be born in the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (aka Israel) and David, born to be the Savior of the world. Born to die for our salvation. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you, God, for your amazing plan of salvation - and thank you Yeshua, for your obedient sacrifice in giving up heaven for 33 years to come for us!</span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-37361017399795640102023-12-18T13:46:00.000-08:002023-12-18T13:52:45.226-08:00ADVENT 2023 – Blog #16: December 18 <p> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">LUKE 1:5-25</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 15pt 0in 7.5pt;"><b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Birth of John the Baptist Foretold<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">5 </span></sup></b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. <b><sup>6 </sup></b>And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. <b><sup>7 </sup></b>But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">8 </span></sup></b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, <b><sup>9 </sup></b>according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. <b><sup>10 </sup></b>And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. <b><sup>11 </sup></b>And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. <b><sup>12 </sup></b>And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. <b><sup>13 </sup></b>But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. <b><sup>14 </sup></b>And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, <b><sup>15 </sup></b>for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. <b><sup>16 </sup></b>And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, <b><sup>17 </sup></b>and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;"><br /></span></sup></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">18 </span></sup></b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” <b><sup>19 </sup></b>And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. <b><sup>20 </sup></b>And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” <b><sup>21 </sup></b>And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. <b><sup>22 </sup></b>And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. <b><sup>23 </sup></b>And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">24 </span></sup></b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;">After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, <b><sup>25 </sup></b>“Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14.5pt;">I cannot improve on Luke's story - so I have </span><span style="font-size: 19.333334px;">included</span><span style="font-size: 14.5pt;"> the text from the ESV. The Cliff's notes version is that Zechariah was OLD, and his wife was also "well advanced in years". She was barren - which many </span><span style="font-size: 19.333334px;">people</span><span style="font-size: 14.5pt;"> apparently believed to be a curse - but Luke records that both Zechariah and Elizabeth were "righteous </span><span style="font-size: 19.333334px;">before</span><span style="font-size: 14.5pt;"> God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord." Wow! That is an amazing credential to have affirmed. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14.5pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14.5pt;">Their story is yet another reminder that man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart. And in God's timing - so there could be no doubt it was a miracle - God answered this couple's most heartfelt prayer...one they probably had stopped praying for! It is a testament to the reality that "all things are possible with God!" </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14.5pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="Segoe UI, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 19.333334px;">Yesterday I talked about wonder. And I definitely wonder how Zechariah conveyed the angel's message to Elizabeth! On a tablet? In pantomime? There is no end of wondering once I get started! </span></span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-30989914127713601932023-12-17T14:30:00.000-08:002024-01-08T11:52:10.578-08:00 ADVENT 2023 – Blog #15: December 17 JOY & WONDER<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Today marks the third Sunday of Advent, and it is the Sunday that focuses on JOY! Joy is a choice! It is not to be confused with happiness. God really isn't nearly as concerned about our happiness as he is about our salvation, our character, our obedience, our Christian attributes. True JOY is found only in knowing Jesus as our Savior - and thereby knowing our ultimate destination when we leave this world. The joy of the Lord is our strength. It is salvation that brings us joy! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I first accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was 8 3/4 years old. My birth mother died when I was 7 1/2 - and my dad remarried 14 months later. My stepmother was the one who got us into church - and that was where I learned about God, and that Jesus loved me sooooo much that he died for my sins so I could be saved and go live with him FOREVER. It was great Good News, and I accepted Jesus very soon after my folks were married. It was in a little wooden white Assembly of God church in Wilder, Idaho. It was the "new" beginning to my story!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the choruses we sang as children was named JOY:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus and others and you, what a wonderful way to spell joy</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus and others and you. It's good for each girl and each boy</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">J is for Jesus. He takes first place. O is for Others you meet face to face </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Y is for You, and whatever you do, just remember: be glad and spell JOY!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">That song was a model for our choices, our attitudes, and our behavior. Others were always to be put before ourselves. It is still great modeling of how we are to be as Christians.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Choose JOY!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The other thing that is really on my mind today is WONDER. There is sooooo much to wonder about in the nativity story. I realized for the first time this year, for instance, that the Bible doesn't actually tell us Mary was a young teen when she gave birth to Jesus. We just know she was a virgin. But somewhere in history it was assumed and credited to be a credible part of the story. I alluded to that formerly. It is okay to speculate - but absolutely essential to pose our ideas as ours, not pass them off as 'what the Bible says', and that leaves us with wondering....</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">How old was Mary?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">How old was Joseph?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What ages were they when their parents arranged for them to one day be betrothed and married?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">How old was Joseph when Jesus was born?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">When was Jesus actually born? (not likely to have been December because the shepherds were out with their flocks)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Where exactly were the Wise Men from?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">And how many were there? (Three men certainly wouldn't have been traveling alone. How big was their entourage?)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Where were Mary, Joseph & Jesus living in Bethlehem when the astrologers from 'the East' finally arrived? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Did it take 2 years to get there - or did Herod just choose baby boys 2 years and younger to slaughter so he could make sure he included a wide enough span of time?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">And on and on. Wondering is fine. Defining the results of wonder as fact is not!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I wonder as I wander.....</span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2519752566473770913.post-29923891455932513312023-12-16T16:26:00.000-08:002023-12-23T10:34:23.552-08:00ADVENT 2023 – Blog #14: December 16 <p><span style="font-size: medium;">Sometimes death comes too soon. We can't help but feel that way. It is a tender, personal issue for me because I lost my birth mother when I was 7 1/2 years old. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Today I was privileged to be asked to lead the singing of two selections at a Celebration of Life for a very accomplished woman who died at the age of 56, just 2 months after first experiencing symptoms and subsequently being diagnosed with colon cancer. Two months! That's fast. She was less than a month younger than my first child. He was born June 8, 1967, and she was born July 4, 1967. Waaaaaaay too soon in our eyes. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I didn't know her personally, but by the end of her service I wished I had! She was amazing, and amazingly generous. She was from Cameroon, had her PhD in pharmacy, and had been the head pharmacist of various pharmacies during her 25-year career. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It was wonderful hearing the stories that were related about her life, legacy, generosity, and love. I was astounded by all she accomplished in her lifetime. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">For those who are left behind it is devastating. There are no words that can comfort her husband and son in such a moment - though we try, out of our caring and compassion.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I did not know her here, but I look forward to meeting her in heaven. My prayer is that those who attended the service today who do not know the Lord will take stock of their mortality and choose to accept salvation through Jesus so they can also see her again in eternity. That would honor her more than anything! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The selections the family chose were: "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "It Is Well With My Soul". In addition their family friend played "Amazing Grace" on her violin, and a niece - who is actually more like a sister - sang a rendition of The Lord's Prayer in the native tongue she grew up with in Cameroon. It was absolutely beautiful, and the service was a wonderful tribute to a life well lived.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I am glad I was asked, was available, and made the commitment. It was an honor to be present, and an honor to be able to serve. I feel blessed. </span></p>Lolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07176291887728534765noreply@blogger.com0