"ONE THING IS NECESSARY"


Luke 10:38-42         


Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.

But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.

Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

"GOD HAD US IN MIND"

Hebrews 11

"BY FAITH"

 

11 Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, ^[a]the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

² For by [faith—^[b]trust and holy fervor born of faith] the men of old had divine testimony borne to them and obtained a good report.

³ By faith we understand that the worlds [during the successive ages] were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible.

⁴ [Prompted, actuated] by faith Abel brought God a better and more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, because of which it was testified of him that he was righteous [that he was upright and in right standing with God], and God bore witness by accepting and acknowledging his gifts. And though he died, yet [through the incident] he is still speaking.

⁵ Because of faith Enoch was caught up and transferred to heaven, so that he did not have a glimpse of death; and he was not found, because God had translated him. For even before he was taken to heaven, he received testimony [still on record] that he had pleased and been satisfactory to God.

⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].

⁷ [Prompted] by faith Noah, being forewarned by God concerning events of which as yet there was no visible sign, took heed and diligently and reverently constructed and prepared an ark for the deliverance of his own family. By this [his faith which relied on God] he passed judgment and sentence on the world’s unbelief and became an heir and possessor of righteousness (^[c]that relation of being right into which God puts the person who has faith).

⁸ [Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go.

⁹ [Prompted] by faith he dwelt as a temporary resident in the land which was designated in the promise [of God, though he was like a stranger] in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs with him of the same promise.

¹⁰ For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God.

¹¹ Because of faith also Sarah herself received physical power to conceive a child, even when she was long past the age for it, because she considered [God] Who had given her the promise to be reliable and trustworthy and true to His word.

¹² So from one man, though he was physically as good as dead, there have sprung descendants whose number is as the stars of heaven and as countless as the innumerable sands on the seashore.

¹³ These people all died controlled and sustained by their faith, but not having received the tangible fulfillment of [God’s] promises, only having seen it and greeted it from a great distance by faith, and all the while acknowledging and confessing that they were strangers and temporary residents and exiles upon the earth.

¹⁴ Now those people who talk as they did show plainly that they are in search of a fatherland (their own country).

¹⁵ If they had been thinking with [homesick] remembrance of that country from which they were emigrants, they would have found constant opportunity to return to it.

¹⁶ But the truth is that they were yearning for and aspiring to a better and more desirable country, that is, a heavenly [one]. For that reason God is not ashamed to be called their God [even to be surnamed their God—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob], for He has prepared a city for them.

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was put to the test [while the testing of his faith was ^[d]still in progress], ^[e]had already brought Isaac for an offering; he who had gladly received and welcomed [God’s] promises was ready to sacrifice his only son,

¹⁸ Of whom it was said, Through Isaac shall your descendants be reckoned.

¹⁹ For he reasoned that God was able to raise [him] up even from among the dead. Indeed in the sense that Isaac was figuratively dead [potentially sacrificed], he did [actually] receive him back from the dead.

²⁰ [With eyes of] faith Isaac, looking far into the future, invoked blessings upon Jacob and Esau.

²¹ [Prompted] by faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in prayer over the top of his staff.

²² [Actuated] by faith Joseph, when nearing the end of his life, referred to [the promise of God for] the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his own bones.

²³ [Prompted] by faith Moses, after his birth, was kept concealed for three months by his parents, because they saw how comely the child was; and they were not overawed and terrified by the king’s decree.

²⁴ [Aroused] by faith Moses, when he had grown to maturity and ^[f]become great, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,

²⁵ Because he preferred to share the oppression [suffer the hardships] and bear the shame of the people of God rather than to have the fleeting enjoyment of a sinful life.

²⁶ He considered the contempt and abuse and shame [borne for] the Christ (the Messiah Who was to come) to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt, for he looked forward and away to the reward (recompense).

²⁷ [Motivated] by faith he left Egypt behind him, being unawed and undismayed by the wrath of the king; for he never flinched but held staunchly to his purpose and endured steadfastly as one who gazed on Him Who is invisible.

²⁸ By faith (simple trust and confidence in God) he instituted and carried out the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood [on the doorposts], so that the destroyer of the firstborn (the angel) might not touch those [of the children of Israel].

²⁹ [Urged on] by faith the people crossed the Red Sea as [though] on dry land, but when the Egyptians tried to do the same thing they were swallowed up [by the sea].

³⁰ Because of faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encompassed for seven days [by the Israelites].

³¹ [Prompted] by faith Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed along with those who refused to believe and obey, because she had received the spies in peace [without enmity].

³² And what shall I say further? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,

³³ Who by [the help of] faith subdued kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promised blessings, closed the mouths of lions,

³⁴ Extinguished the power of raging fire, escaped the devourings of the sword, out of frailty and weakness won strength and became stalwart, even mighty and resistless in battle, routing alien hosts.

³⁵ [Some] women received again their dead by a resurrection. Others were tortured ^[g]to death with clubs, refusing to accept release [offered on the terms of denying their faith], so that they might be resurrected to a better life.

³⁶ Others had to suffer the trial of mocking and scourging and even chains and imprisonment.

³⁷ They were stoned to death; they were lured with tempting offers [to renounce their faith]; they were sawn asunder; they were slaughtered by the sword; [while they were alive] they had to go about wrapped in the skins of sheep and goats, utterly destitute, oppressed, cruelly treated—

³⁸ [Men] of whom the world was not worthy—roaming over the desolate places and the mountains, and [living] in caves and caverns and holes of the earth.

³⁹ And all of these, though they won divine approval by [means of] their faith, did not receive the fulfillment of what was promised,

⁴⁰ Because God had us in mind and had something better and greater in view for us, so that they [these heroes and heroines of faith] should not come to perfection apart from us [before we could join them].

 

ALL THROUGH THE AGES, GOD HAD YOU IN MIND!  "BY FAITH," COME TO HIM THIS LAST DAY OF THE YEAR.

"TAKE COURAGE"

 

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence.

In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration;

but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]!

For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”

 

 

Joshua 1:6
Be strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

Joshua 1:7
Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

"THE FATHER'S HIDDEN THINGS"


Matthew 11

²⁵ At that time Jesus began to say, I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth [and I acknowledge openly and joyfully to Your honor], that You have hidden these things from the wise and clever and learned, and revealed them to babies [to the ^[i]childish, untaught, and unskilled].

²⁶ Yes, Father, [I praise You that] such was Your gracious will and good pleasure.

²⁷ All things have been entrusted and delivered to Me by My Father; and no one ^[fully knows and ^[accurately understands the Son except the Father, and no one ^[fully knows and ^]accurately understands the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son ^[deliberately wills to make Him known.

²⁸ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest ^]relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.

³⁰ For My yoke is wholesome (useful, ^[t]good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

 

DEAR PRECIOUS BELIEVER; ANSWER THE CALL, AND JUST "COME TO HIM." "I WILL EASE AND RELIEVE AND REFRESH YOUR SOULS."   JESUS

"THE LORD IS NEAR"

Philippians 4

⁶ Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

⁷ And God’s peace [shall be yours, that ^[tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall ^[garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

 

DEAR PRECIOUS BELIEVER; DID YOU KNOW THIS MORNING, THAT YOUR MIND MATTERS TO GOD? THE VERSES ABOVE ARE FOR YOU TO SEIZE UPON. HIS PEACE TRANSCENDS ALL YOUR UNDERSTANDING, AND HE DESIRES FOR YOU TO BE FREE FROM ALL ANXIETY. PEACE BE UPON YOU.

 

"IN HIS SIGHT"

 

Psalm 19

 

 

¹ The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork.

 

² Day after day pours forth speech, and night after night shows forth knowledge.

 

³ There is no speech nor spoken word [from the stars]; their voice is not heard.

 

⁴ Yet their voice [in evidence] goes out through all the earth, their sayings to the end of the world. Of the heavens has God made a tent for the sun,

 

⁵ Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; and it rejoices as a strong man to run his course.

 

⁶ Its going forth is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the ends of it; and nothing [yes, no one] is hidden from the heat of it.

 

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the [whole] person; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

 

⁸ The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure and bright, enlightening the eyes.

 

⁹ The [reverent] fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

 

¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold, even than much fine gold; they are sweeter also than honey and drippings from the honeycomb.

 

¹¹ Moreover, by them is Your servant warned (reminded, illuminated, and instructed); and in keeping them there is great reward.

 

 

¹² Who can discern his lapses and errors? Clear me from hidden [and unconscious] faults.

 

¹³ Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then shall I be blameless, and I shall be innocent and clear of great transgression.

 

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, impenetrable] Rock and my Redeemer.

"ONLY BEGOTTEN"

John 3:16-17

 

¹⁶ For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

 

 

¹⁷ For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.

 

 

Acts 1

 

1 In the former account [which I prepared], O Theophilus, I made [a continuous report] dealing with all the things which Jesus began to do and to teach Until the day when He ascended, after He through the Holy Spirit had instructed and commanded the apostles (special messengers) whom He had chosen.

 

³ To them also He showed Himself alive after His passion (His suffering in the garden and on the cross) by [a series of] many convincing demonstrations [unquestionable evidences and infallible proofs], appearing to them during forty days and talking [to them] about the things of the kingdom of God.

 

⁴ And while being in their company and eating with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised, Of which [He said] you have heard Me speak.

 

⁵ For John baptized with water, but not many days from now you shall be baptized with (placed in, introduced into) the Holy Spirit.

 

⁶ So when they were assembled, they asked Him, Lord, is this the time when You will reestablish the kingdom and restore it to Israel?

 

⁷ He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power.

 

⁸ But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.

 

⁹ And when He had said this, even as they were looking [at Him], He was caught up, and a cloud received and carried Him away out of their sight.

 

¹⁰ And while they were gazing intently into heaven as He went, behold, two men [dressed] in white robes suddenly stood beside them,

 

¹¹ Who said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was caught away and lifted up from among you into heaven, will return in [just] the same way in which you saw Him go into heaven.

 

Dear precious believer;  This morning the story continues, it does not end with the day's celebration. We who believe, look to His return, with the the two men dressed in white we proclaim, "This same Jesus!"   "HE WILL RETURN!"

"NOT ASHAMED"

Romans 1:16

 

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God’s power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek,

 

 

Luke 2  In those days it occurred that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole ^[a]Roman empire should be registered.

 

² This was the first enrollment, and it was made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

 

³ And all the people were going to be registered, each to his own city or town.

 

⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

 

⁵ To be enrolled with Mary, his espoused (married) wife, who was about to become a mother.

 

⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her delivery,

 

⁷ And she gave birth to her Son, her Firstborn; and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room or place for them in the inn.

 

⁸ And in that vicinity there were shepherds living [out under the open sky] in the field, watching [in shifts] over their flock by night.

 

⁹ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone all about them, and they were terribly frightened.

 

¹⁰ But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people.

 

¹¹ For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!

 

¹² And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find [^[c]after searching] a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

 

¹³ Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an army of the troops of heaven (a heavenly knighthood), praising God and saying,

 

¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [^[e]men of goodwill, of His favor].

 

¹⁵ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing (^[f]saying) that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.

 

¹⁶ So they went with haste and [^[g]by searching] found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger.

 

¹⁷ And when they saw it, they made known what had been told them concerning this Child,

 

¹⁸ And all who heard it were astounded and marveled at what the shepherds told them.

 

¹⁹ But Mary was keeping ^[h]within herself all these things (sayings), weighing and pondering them in her heart.

 

²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.

 

²¹ And at the end of eight days, when [the Baby] was to be circumcised, He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

 

²² And when the time for their purification [the mother’s purification and the Baby’s dedication] came according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord—

 

²³ As it is written in the Law of the Lord, Every [firstborn] male that opens the womb shall be set apart and dedicated and called holy to the Lord—

 

²⁴ And [they came also] to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

 

²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout [cautiously and carefully observing the divine Law], and looking for the Consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

 

²⁶ And it had been divinely revealed (communicated) to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

 

²⁷ And prompted by the [Holy] Spirit, he came into the temple [enclosure]; and when the parents brought in the little child Jesus to do for Him what was customary according to the Law,

 

²⁸ [Simeon] took Him up in his arms and praised and thanked God and said,

 

²⁹ And now, Lord, You are releasing Your servant to depart (leave this world) in peace, according to Your word.

 

³⁰ For with my [own] eyes I have seen Your Salvation,

 

³¹ Which You have ordained and prepared before (in the presence of) all peoples,

 

³² A Light for ^[k]revelation to the Gentiles [to disclose what was before unknown] and [to bring] praise and honor and glory to Your people Israel.

 

³³ And His [legal] father and [His] mother were marveling at what was said about Him.

 

³⁴ And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, Behold, this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against—

 

³⁵ And a sword will pierce through your own soul also—that the secret thoughts and purposes of many hearts may be brought out and disclosed.

 

³⁶ And there was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having lived with her husband seven years from her maidenhood,

 

³⁷ And as a widow even for eighty-four years. She did not go out from the temple enclosure, but was worshiping night and day with fasting and prayer.

 

³⁸ And she too came up at that same hour, and she returned thanks to God and talked of [Jesus] to all who were looking for the redemption (deliverance) of Jerusalem.

 

³⁹ And when they had done everything according to the Law of the Lord, they went back into Galilee to their own town, Nazareth.

 

⁴⁰ And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him.

 

 

TO ALL MY BROTHER'S IN CHRIST, LET US FALL BEFORE OUR GREAT KING THIS DAY, IN ORDER TO RISE FOR HIS GLORY!

"ANCIENT OF DAYS"

Genesis 3:15         
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Isaiah 7:14   
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Micah 5:2         
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient
days.

Isaiah 9:6         
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.


John 1:14         
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.


Luke 1:35         
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.


Matthew 2:11         
And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.


Isaiah 53:1-12     
Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. ...

Revelation 11:15-18         
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.”


MERRY CHRISTMAS!

"CENTURION"

 

Luke 7:1-7

 

1.After Jesus had finished all that He had to say in the hearing of the people [on the mountain], He entered Capernaum.

² Now a centurion had a bond servant who was held in honor and highly valued by him, who was sick and at the point of death.

³ And when the centurion heard of Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, requesting Him to come and make his bond servant well.

⁴ And when they reached Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying, He is worthy that You should do this for him,

⁵ For he loves our nation and he built us our synagogue [at his own expense].

⁶ And Jesus went with them. But when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent [some] friends to Him, saying, Lord, do not trouble [Yourself], for I am not ^[a]sufficiently worthy to have You come under my roof;

⁷ Neither did I consider myself worthy to come to You. But [just] speak a word, and my servant boy will be healed.

 

 
Matthew 8:5-13

As Jesus went into Capernaum, a centurion came up to Him, begging Him,

⁶ And saying, Lord, my servant boy is lying at the house paralyzed and distressed with intense pains.

⁷ And Jesus said to him, I will come and restore him.

⁸ But the centurion replied to Him, Lord, I am not worthy or fit to have You come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant boy will be cured.

⁹ For I also am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my slave, Do this, and he does it.

¹⁰ When Jesus heard him, He marveled and said to those who followed Him [ ALL who adhered steadfastly to Him, conforming to His example in living and, if need be, in dying also], I tell you truly, I have not found so much faith as this with anyone, even in Israel.

¹¹ I tell you, many will come from east and west, and will sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,

¹² While the sons and heirs of the kingdom will be driven out into the darkness outside, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.

¹³ Then to the centurion Jesus said, Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed. And the servant boy was restored to health at that very moment.

 

 HUMILITY

 

⁸ But the centurion replied to Him, Lord, I am not worthy or fit to have You come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant boy will be cured.

LOVE TO MAN⁵

 For he loves our nation and he built us our synagogue [at his own expense].

MASTER'S LOVE

Now a centurion had a bond servant who was held in honor and highly valued by him, who was sick and at the point of death.

SERVANTS OF CENTURION

For I also am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my slave, Do this, and he does it. "I am  a Roman soldier," and he knew his servant was a "soldier of Christ."

When Jesus heard him, He marveled!

DEAR PRECIOUS BELIEVER; DOES JESUS MARVEL OVER YOUR FAITH IN HIM?

THE CENTURION, A MAN UNDER THE RULE AND AUTHORITY OF THE MOST POWERFUL EMPIRE ON EARTH, RULED BY A RUTHLESS DICTATOR AND HIS GOVERNORS.

THE CENTURION;  A FOOT SOLDIER, MOSTLY LIKELY A GREAT WARRIOR IN BATTLE, LOYAL TO CAESAR, AND TO ROME. A SOLDIER WHO TOOK MANY LIVES IN THE NAME OF THE ,"GLORY OF ROME." THIS MAN WAS NOTICED BY COMRADES SOLDIERS, GOVERNORS AND SENATE, AND MOST OF ALL, "CAESAR HIMSELF."

PROMOTED TO POSITION OF CENTURION, RULED OVER 100 SOLDIERS. THIS MAN MOST LIKELY HEARD CHRIST SPEAK, WITNESSED HIS MIRACLES. HE IN FACT HAD A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH JESUS. "BUT HOW?"

IN THIS MORNINGS MEDITATIONS, LET US DIG DEEPER AS THE HOLY SPIRIT MOVES UPON OUR HEARTS, AND IN JOY REVEALS THOSE THINGS WHICH MAY BE HIDDEN TO US.

COULD THE CONVERSION OF THE CENTURION HAVE COME FROM ONE OF THE MEN HE RULED OVER AS MASTER?

COULD IT HAD BEEN THE VERY SERVANT WHO WAS SICK TO THE POINT OF DEATH, AND WHOM HE LOVED?

COULD THIS SERVANT HAVE BEEN A  CONVERT, WHO BECAME A WITNESS AMONG THE 99 SOLDIERS INCLUDING THE CENTURION. THIS SERVANT'S OBEDIENCE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, SEIZED THE ATTENTION, THE VERY HEART OF HIS MASTER?

THIS SERVANT I DECLARE,was A GREAT WARRIOR (a soldier of Christ) , PERHAPS THE REASON WHY THE CENTURION DISPLAYS SUCH PASSION TO HIM. HE WAS LIKE HIM. HE WITNESSED HIS SERVANT'S TRANSFORMATION.

HE WON HIS MASTER'S HEART. HIS MASTER MARVELED AT HIS FAITH.

THE SERVANT'S SICKNESS, MOVES THE CENTURION TO SEEK OUT THIS JESUS FOR HIMSELF. WE MUST DO THE SAME. HE LEAVES THE 99, FOR THE ONE. FAMILIAR? I THINK SO.

THE CENTURION'S TRANSFORMED LIFE COULD BE DUE TO THE WITNESS OF HIS SERVANT, AND NOW HIS DEEP LOVE FOR his servant, the Centurion seeks out JESUS. IT IS IN THIS MOMENT, WE WOULD DO WELL TO CAPTURE THE DIVINE EXCHANGE.

 WHEN FINDING Jesus, HE MAKES HIS HEART FELT REQUEST. PRODUCING THE DIVINE RESPONSE THAT  TRANSFORMS US ALL.

¹⁰ When Jesus heard him, He marveled and said to those who followed Him [who adhered steadfastly to Him, conforming to His example in living and, if need be, in dying also], I tell you truly, I have not found so much faith as this with anyone, even in Israel.

SO I ASK YOU. DOES JESUS MARVEL OVER YOUR FAITH IN HIM?

SELAH,(THINK ON THESE THINGS).


 

 

"BLESSED"

Psalm 1

 

¹ Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.

² But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.

³ And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].

⁴ Not so the wicked [those disobedient and living without God are not so]. But they are like the chaff [worthless, dead, without substance] which the wind drives away.

⁵ Therefore the wicked [those disobedient and living without God] shall not stand [justified] in the judgment, nor ^[b]sinners in the congregation of the righteous [those who are upright and in right standing with God].

⁶ For the Lord knows and is fully acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly [those living outside God’s will] shall perish (end in ruin and come to nought).

 

DEAR PRECIOUS BELIEVER; WHAT IS YOUR TRUE DELIGHT, YOUR TRUE DESIRE? IF YOUR SEARCH IS FOUND IN THINGS, BUSINESS, MINISTRY AND THEIR SUCCESS, THEN YOUR YOUR DESIRES WILL ULTIMATELY LEAD TO DISAPPOINTMENT.

 

HOWEVER, IF YOUR ANSWER IS TO DESIRE AND DELIGHT IN THE PRECEPTS AND TEACHINGS OF GOD, THEN YOU ARE LIKE A TREE FIRMLY PLANTED BY THE STREAMS OF LIVING WATERS! EVERYTHING FOR THIS MAN WILL HAPPEN IN ITS APPOINTED SEASON, HE WILL GROW AND MATURE IN WAITING AND WORSHIP. WHEN HE MOVES FOR A CAUSE GREATER THEN HIMSELF, ALL OF HEAVEN WILL BE WITH THIS MAN. "HE WILL GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH!"

 

 

"ARE YOU DRESSED YET ?"



 Be

strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].

¹¹ Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

¹² For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

¹³ Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].

¹⁴ Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,

¹⁵ And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the ^[a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness ^[b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.

¹⁶ Lift up over all the [covering] shield of ^[c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].

¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit ^[d]wields, which is the Word of God.

¹⁸ Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).

¹⁹ And [pray] also for me, that [freedom of] utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel),

²⁰ For which I am an ambassador in a coupling chain [in prison. Pray] that I may declare it boldly and courageously, as I ought to do.

²¹ Now that you may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord [and His service], will tell you everything.

²² I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may ^[e]console and cheer and encourage and strengthen your hearts.

²³ Peace be to the brethren, and love joined with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

²⁴ Grace (God’s undeserved favor) be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying and incorruptible [love]. Amen (so let it be).

 

 

DEAR PRECIOUS BELIEVER; WHEN YOU SEE THAT  A STORM IS FORCASTED, YOU PREPARE BY DRESSING APPROPRIATELY. THEREFORE YOU DECLARE YOURSELF PREPARED.  THEN WHY IS IT THAT YOU LEAVE YOUR HOME EACH DAY, WITH YOUR ARMOUR HANGING IN YOUR SPIRITUAL CLOSET ?

 

OUTSIDE IT HAS BE FORCASTED,(REVEALED BY THE WORD OF GOD) THAT THERE ARE POWERS, WORLD FORCES, MASTER SPIRITS, HEAVENLY SUPERNATURAL POWERS,  CONTENDING AND PREPARED TO BATTLE AGAINST YOU ?

 

SO I ASK YOU AGAIN, ARE YOU DRESSED YET?

"WINGS LIKE EAGLES"

James 5:7         

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.

Isaiah 40:31         

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.


Habakkuk 2:3          
For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

DEAR PRECIOUS BELIEVER; TODAY WE FIND A CHALLENGE TO OUR INNER NATURE. "BE PATIENT, WAIT."  WHAT !!!  YES INDEED, THERE IS A APPOINTED TIME, SET BY THE HOLY SPIRIT-IT WILL NOT LIE, IT WILL NOT DELAY.

APPOINTMENT FOR WHAT ? "THE VISION!!!"

Proverbs 29:18

 

Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]—blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.

 

 

"SELAH"