With God, anything is possible. Yet, sometimes we don’t know what’s in us until we do something that to us seemed phenomenal. In the beginning, only God knows the phenomenal within us. As we seek God out – the phenomenal is revealed. Christ before us. Christ behind us. blessed are the eyes that see. Luke 10:17-24
Beatitudes Matthew 5:3-12
Milkmaids were probably among the least of the servants in a home and yet no doubt their work was very important in providing food as well as income. Important particularly in a weakened economy, is the ability to provide for one’s family. Surely, eight “milkmaids” is a generous gift when most of us would be happy with one such provision. Regardless of our present condition a Jehovah Jireh assures us that there is no mountain to climb or valley to cross in which our needs wont be provided for along the way. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Thus, eight milkmaids for eight beatitudes and along with it comes eight rewards.
Genesis 22:9-14 So Abraham called that place ‘The Lord will provide’; as it is said to this day, ‘On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.
Jesus, the Word made flesh, the one in whom we believe, said to his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side” and the disciples agree to go (Mark 4:35-41). At this point the disciples had no reason to believe that they wouldn’t make it until a storm arose. After waking Jesus from sleeping in the stern of the boat they immediately questioned him “ Do you not care that we are perishing?” Jesus responds; “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith? Are these not the same two questions we must ask over in our hearts today as we face unexpected storms in our own life? We know that submitting in fear to an overwhelming situation isn’t the answer, and yet we forget that simply submitting the situation to God is. Thus, when our comfort level in life becomes distracted, falling back into unproductive behavior is often a form of fear; keeping us from moving forward in this journey. We know that God never promised us a storm-free life. In fact he assures us that we will encounter many storms (Matt 5:1-12). However, I believe in some ways his sleeping in the stern is a form of command to stop trying to fight battles we most assuredly can not win on our own, claim God’s peace and confess that God is with us! Blessedly assured that when the storm is over we will find our selves on the other side, not only as survivors but victors as well.
Lent: Day 36 – “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. John 12:20-36
Holy Week
Absolutely, no turning back! In this instance, a troubled soul is confirmation. Others want us to believe that God has forsaken us, but the enemy is a liar! For the enemy of life seeks every opportunity to attack the human nature of fear and doubt. It is then however that we can be assured that the hour of God’s glory is come. Keep walking!
John 12:20-36 Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness (fear, doubt, etc.) may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness (fear, doubt, etc.), you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light…
1 Corinthians 1:18-31 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…
God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
crustybread 