I certainly can’t say it any better than Eugene Peterson in The Message. Read these words! Memorize them! Use them! It matters!
Blessings to you and yours!
Marie
Category Archives: New Testament
Two Who Waited
One of my favorite parts of the Christmas Story is that of two people who waited patiently for the Messiah. Simeon and Anna were both New Testament witnesses to the Christ Child. Their stories are as follows (from the NIV, Luke 2):
Simeon at the Presentation of the Child by Rembrandt
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God…
Anna by Rembrandt
Luke 2:36–38 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Simeon and Anna were the first to see Him in a public place. They were the first witnesses to who He really was. More importantly, they were not afraid to say, to other worshippers in the Temple, who He was.
Simeon and Anna were the last of the Old Testament prophets. Their entire life purpose was to listen for and to God. Also, they shared with the other worshippers what they had heard God say in the temple. They did not sugar-coat the words but spoke clearly and with conviction.
Both of their names point to a strong, long-lasting faith. Simeon means obedient and listening. Anna means gracious, one who gives.
Dr. William Smith in Smith’s Bible Dictionary suggests that she was probably more than a hundred years old when she spoke over Jesus. (If she was married at approximately 14, lived with her husband for 7 years, and had spent 84 years after that in the temple, then she was at least 105 years old.) It is possible that Simeon was also quite old. Tradition has it that he was one of the 72 translators of the Septuagint. If that is truly the case he was over 200 years old at the time of this incident.
So, what is in this story for us. First, Isaiah 40:31 pops into my mind when I think of the words ‘they that wait upon the Lord…’. In all the years they waiting for the Birth neither one gave up on God’s promise and they were rewarded with seeing Him personally. We often wonder when God will finally act on one of His promises or our requests. Simeon and Anna are a great example of waiting and waiting and waiting… Second, a life of prayer is important to seeing God’s work. Although the scripture says Anna had lived, prayed, and fasted in the temple since her husband’s death, it does not mean that we have to live in our churches to experience God. He is everywhere! And finally, we can trust that God will follow through on His promises. God will and can do what He says He will. Our trust and obedience in matters of faith always lead to God’s blessings.
Blessings to you and yours!
Marie
This post was written as part of Blogs By Christian Women Holiday Tour. You will find several really excellent posts and blogs in the list below.
| 12/6/16 | Michele Morin | http://michelemorin.wordpress.com |
| 12/6/16 | Heather Olson | http://grace-filledgifts.blogspot.com/ |
| 12/6/16 | Sherri Autrey | http://sherriautrey.com |
| 12/7/16 | Gwen Williams | http://www.thejourneyofhealing.com |
| 12/7/16 | Marie Bungard | http://asatisfiedspirit.com |
| 12/7/16 | Lottie Staggs | https://www.lottiebrooke.com |
| 12/8/16 | Lee Felix | https://www.likemindedmusings.com |
| 12/8/16 | Amanda Brown | http://www.skgfun.com |
| 12/8/16 | Susan Bricker | http://leanintothelord.com |
Search Me
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive (wicked) way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
When was the last time you dedicated time to searching your heart for offense and wickedness? What would happen if we were to do that on a regular basis? If you’re ready to do a little (a lot of) soul searching read on.
Many times our anxious thoughts come from an unforgiving heart. If we are refusing to forgive, for any reason, that is offensive to God.
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15
Did you notice verse 15. If I (you) do not forgive others He will not forgive me (you). Those are powerful words. I can’t bear the thought of not being forgiven, can you?
Are there situations and issues in your life that you think are unfair and you are unwilling to forgive those who have harmed you? Of course, there are. Everyone has them. There are people and actions that seem, or really are, unfair and out of our control at the time they happen. What should we be doing about that? Let God have total control of all that happens to us, against, for us, without us… Give it to God! Ask Him to make you totally aware of any anger, bitterness, resentment, or envy you are harboring against anyone. Only when the burden is given to Him can we move forward and forgive.
Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit in me. Psalm 51:10
Blessings to you and yours!
Marie
Who Has Your Back?
Who has your back? Who’s on your six? Do you realize that in putting on the armor there is no mention of our backs , perhaps for good reason. Let’s take a look at Ephesians 5:10-18.
We are first commanded to put on the FULL armor of God. All of it! Not just once, but twice. When we have it all on we can stand against the evil one and the evil forces of this world. Did you see the word stand. No sitting down to get the job done.
The Belt of Truth Refers to personal integrity, i.e., knowing the truth and speaking the truth. Simply put – Don’t lie.
The Breastplate of Righteousness What is righteousness? Honoring God by making the right choices.
Fitted Feet It was absolutely imparative that a soldier would have the solid footing given by strong and fitted sandals. Then he could stand strong and move as needed to defeat the enemy. The rest of this verse refers to the spreading the Gospel of Peace which is a reference to sharing the Word whenever the opportunity arises. In other words – Be ready to talk about God.
Shield of Faith In battle the shield can be moved in any direction to deflect arrows, rocks, anything thrown at you. Shields of ancient times were made of leather and soaked with water to extinguish fire. The shield saves the soldier from harm just like our faith does for us.
Helmet of Salvation The helmet obviously protects the head. Simply said – God protects me.
Sword of the Spirit The sword is the only piece of offensive gear in this list. All the others are used defensively. It is used to reflect the Word of God.
And then we are to pray. In any and all ways in the Spirit for all occasions for everything and everyone. When this process is complete we are ready to face anything the evil one can throw at us.
But wait! What about our backs? Who has our back? Quite simply, God does. When confronting an enemy in battle our body is in a face forward position. If someone sneaks in from behind we turn around. The evil one is too vain to stay hidden, he wants to be seen eventually. When all is said and done, God is really all around us. Front, back, side, top, bottom…
Heavenly Father, help us to use the armor You have provided. Give us strength, courage, faith, and wisdom. Help us stay firmly rooted in Your Word, surrounded by Your love. Lead us forward in the full knowledge that the battle is already won. Make it so in Jesus name.
Blessings to you and yours!
Marie
You can also find this post in Pondering and Prayer.
4 Short Days
Have you ever wondered what Jesus was doing between the Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday) and the time of His arrest (Holy Thursday)? He was teaching every day in the temple (Luke 19:47). Some very important concepts and lessons were taught in that very short period of time.
Luke 20:20-26/Mark 12:13-17/Matthew 22:15-22 When asked if it was right for Caesar to exact taxes from them Jesus responded with, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” From this I ascertain that we live in the world and must abide by the laws of our country. We model our faith when we obey the government. It is not against our Christian beliefs to do so.
Luke 20:39,40/Mark 12:18-27/Matthew 22:23-33 When asked what commandment is the most important Jesus quotes the Schema (Deut. 6:4,5). First, love God, then, love people. So simple, yet so difficult to do. We all to often want to say, OK but I don’t have to like them. Not so! Jesus did not intend to separate the two feelings. All people are to be loved. We don’t have to like what they do, and we may have to remind them, but we must love them.
Luke 21:27-ff Jesus was asked what will happen in heaven when the woman arrives in heaven after all seven of the brothers she has married have died. He makes it very clear that heavenly thoughts are very different than earthly thoughts. While here on earth we will think of earthly things but while in heaven our thoughts will be focused differently.
There is so much more He taught during those four last days. Do take the time to read these teachings. They’re still for us no matter what era we live in.
Almighty God, maker of heaven and earth, give us wisdom to understand what we need to know. Grant us insight into Your Holy Word. Put those in our paths that we need to share The Story with. Above all keep us safe and secure in your loving arms. Make it so!
A Satisfied Spirit 
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