Showing posts with label Devotional. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Devotional. Show all posts

LastCall: Why Doesn't God Appear More Often? -Grace Thru Faith




Why Doesn’t God Appear More Often?



Q. In Genesis, starting in the garden, and moving forward in the Old Testament, there are several personal encounters with Bible characters and Jesus (Angel of the Lord). My heart skips a beat when I read about these personal encounters, just imagining what it would be like to have a personal encounter with Him. This is my question – why did those personal encounters stop? Or haven’t they stopped, but the majority of people just don’t know about it?  Do you have any thoughts on this question?
A. I am convinced there are many more personal encounters with the Lord than anyone realizes.  But in the Old Testament belief in God was based on evidence.  He appeared to them and publicly demonstrated His power on a regular basis to prove His existence.  Then He blessed His people according to their obedience.  In the New Testament belief is based on faith alone, and blessing comes to those who believe without evidence.  InJohn 20:29 Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen me you have believed.  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” He was talking about us.

Related Posts:

o   The Basis For Belief
o   Face To Face With God
o   How Do I Know If I Believe?
o   Psalm 80
o   Why Couldn’t Mary Hold Him?
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In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work herein is archived under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in reviewing the included information for personal use, non-profit research and educational purposes only.
‘Your Devotion with Emotion’

This material was brought to you by Broadcast(B.C.)Christianity. Last Call Digest, is a ministry of Michael James Stone, volunteers, and people dedicated to the Love of God and Salvation of Souls. It is an aggragate of Christian Material selected to Bless you and Prepare you for each and every day you read them. May God Bless You as You Do!! Reading these Devotions will help you to prepare daily for life, living, and your Lord. You will hear God Speak To You thru them.  Jesus  is Coming Very Soon.
“the simple format”
Broadcast(B.C.)Christianity, operates by you, with you, and for you. “Freely you have received, freely give”  Pass this on, everywhere you can, anytime you can, anyway you can. You will be blessed if you do.LastCallDigest@michaeljamesstone.com
Last Days of the Last Generation                                                           “Last Generation”
                                      The simple format                                                                                      “the prophecy site just about prophecy”
This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner.
The material is being made available in an effort to understand scripture, news, technology and society especially as it relates to God and Jesus. It is specifically for non-profit research and educational purposes only. I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. This is a completely non-commercial site for private personal use. No fee is charged, and no money is made off of the operation of this site. Nor is any implied reciprocal gratuities implied or construed.
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ClassicDevotional: Spirit-Filled -Streams in the Desert


Spirit-Filled


"And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and they spake the word of God with boldness. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection" (Acts 4:31, 33).




Christmas Evans tells us in his diary that one Sunday afternoon he was traveling a very lonely road to attend an appointment, and he was convicted of a cold heart. He says, "I tethered my horse and went to a sequestered spot, where I walked to and fro in an agony as I reviewed my life. I waited three hours before God, broken with sorrow, until there broke over me a sweet sense of His forgiving love. I received from God a new baptism of the Holy Ghost. As the sun was westering, I went back to the road, found my horse, mounted it and went to my appointment. On the following day I preached with such new power to a vast concourse of people gathered on the hillside, that a revival broke out that day and spread through all Wales."
The greatest question that can be asked of the "twice born" ones is, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?"
This was the password into the early Church.
"O the Spirit filled life; is it thine, is it thine?
Is thy soul wholly filled with the Spirit Divine?
O thou child of the King, has He fallen on thee?
Does He reign in thy soul, so that all men may see
The dear Savior's blest image reflected in thee?
"Has He swept through thy soul like the waves of the sea?
Does the Spirit of God daily rest upon thee?
Does He sweeten thy life, does He keep thee from care?
Does He guide thee and bless thee in answer to prayer?
Is it joy to be led of the Lord anywhere?
"Is He near thee each hour, does He stand at thy side?
Does He gird thee with strength, has He come to abide?
Does He give thee to know that all things may be done
Through the grace and the power of the Crucified One?
Does He witness to thee of the glorified Son?
"Has He purged thee of dross with the fire from above?
Is He first in thy thoughts, has He all of thy love?
Is His service thy choice, and is sacrifice sweet?
Is the doing His will both thy drink and thy meat?
Dost thou run at His bidding with glad eager feet?
"Has He freed thee from self and from all of thy greed?
Dost thou hasten to succor thy brother in need?
As a soldier of Christ dost thou hardness endure?
Is thy hope in the Lord everlasting and sure?
Hast thou patience and meekness, art tender and pure?
"O the Spirit filled life may be thine, may be thine,
In thy soul evermore the Shekinah may shine;
It is thine to live with the tempests all stilled,
It is thine with the blessed Holy Ghost to be filled;
It is thine, even thine, for thy Lord has so willed."
Fair Use Notice
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work herein is archived under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in reviewing the included information for personal use, non-profit research and educational purposes only.
‘Your Devotion with Emotion’
This material was brought to you by Broadcast(B.C.)Christianity. Last Call Digest, is a ministry of Michael James Stone, volunteers, and people dedicated to the Love of God and Salvation of Souls. It is an aggragate of Christian Material selected to Bless you and Prepare you for each and every day you read them. May God Bless You as You Do!! Reading these Devotions will help you to prepare daily for life, living, and your Lord. You will hear God Speak To You thru them.  Jesus  is Coming Very Soon.
“the simple format”
Broadcast(B.C.)Christianity, operates by you, with you, and for you. “Freely you have received, freely give”  Pass this on, everywhere you can, anytime you can, anyway you can. You will be blessed if you do.LastCallDigest@michaeljamesstone.com
Last Days of the Last Generation                                                           “Last Generation”
                                      The simple format                                                                                      “the prophecy site just about prophecy”
This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner.
The material is being made available in an effort to understand scripture, news, technology and society especially as it relates to God and Jesus. It is specifically for non-profit research and educational purposes only. I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. This is a completely non-commercial site for private personal use. No fee is charged, and no money is made off of the operation of this site. Nor is any implied reciprocal gratuities implied or construed.
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LastCall: Mary of Nazareth -Melody Green

 


Mary of Nazareth
A Teenage Girl ...and Woman of Courage

By Melody Green


Mary’s incredible life was more heroic and more intriguing than most of us realize. Certainly her absolute surrender and trust in God is worthy of imitation by every believer… of every age.


I realize not everyone who loves Jesus totally agrees on certain aspects of Mary’s legacy--but we must not let that obscure her truly incredible favor and her intimate relationship with the Lord.  I confess, I usually forget about Mary until Christmas, when I unpack my nativity and place her next to Joseph and baby Jesus. 
But we must remember that God Himself handpicked Mary
to be the earthly mother of Jesus, His only Son.





Undoubtedly, God had many young Jewish virgins in Israel to consider, but He chose Mary above every one else. That fact in itself is a stunningly profound statement about Mary’s character and faith.

What was it about Mary that made her stand out to God above all others? What did God know about her that we need to honor and imitate? Perhaps who Mary was, and all she faced, is difficult to grasp because of her culture.

She was an Orthodox Jewish girl living in a religious community with strict regulations. Today, with God’s grace available to us, how could we possibly imagine ourselves, or our daughters, in Mary’s position?

She wasn’t part of a local youth group with a cool worship band. She wasn’t contemplating a college degree or a career in medicine. Mary’s lifestyle and the conduct expected of her, cannot be understood by most of us today. But it was holy and as commanded by God.

I ask each of you, just for a moment, to try to put yourself, or someone you love, in Mary's situation. What hazards did Mary face? What was the potential cost of her obedience?

So let's go back to that time in Israel's history and try to learn from the example set by Mary – or Miryam, as she was called in Hebrew.

Close Your Eyes And Imagine...


Mary was a young Jewish girl probably between the age of 12 and 14. She was a virgin saving herself for her marriage. She had long dark hair, olive skin, innocent brown eyes, and strong Mediterranean features.

Mary lived in Nazareth, a small sleepy village in the Galilee region of the Middle East. Nothing much ever happened there. Still everyone knew everything about everybody in Nazareth, especially if they were caught breaking God's moral code!

Life was difficult in Nazareth with harsh Roman rulers in the land, but Mary labored alongside her family to make it. They weren't wealthy, but they were rich in other ways. Mary was raised in a devout Jewish home and knew God's Laws. She loved Him with all of her heart.

Girls in Mary's world weren't taught to read or write, and they married young. A good match was counted on for family survival. So Mary's focus, besides serving God, was to marry a good Jewish man and be an honorable wife and mother. She'd been trained her whole life for marriage. She had learned to weave, clean, harvest, care for children, and to keep a kosher kitchen. She had been trained to prepare the very important Sabbath meal, and the more elaborate Holiday Feasts.

Mary was taught a woman's role in Jewish prayers and blessings, and like all Jewish people she was waiting for the promised Messiah to come and deliver their people from tyranny and bondage.

I'm sure Mary often thought, "Oh if the Messiah would only come rescue us soon!" How could she even imagine that as a poor, unmarried teenager she would play a central part in God's mysterious plan to bring the Messiah to earth?

Now as it happened, a godly man named Joseph asked Mary's father for her hand. Suddenly she was engaged -- a legal contract so binding in Jewish Law that only divorce could dissolve it. Mary and Joseph were not actually married or intimate yet, but they were betrothed and their fidelity was promised to each other.

During their betrothal if Mary was unfaithful to Joseph he could take her before the religious leaders and have her legally stoned to death for adultery. Mary had seen women stoned before and it was a long, slow, bloody death. But she wasn't worried. She was pure and had no desire to change that until her wedding night.

This was a very exciting and joyous time in Mary's life. A big wedding was being planned and all of her childhood dreams were about to come true. She especially wanted her mother and father to feel honored in Nazareth by her purity -- and by such a godly man seeking her hand. Mary was about to become a woman and finally take her place as a beloved wife in her village!

But God had something a bit different in mind.

A Sovereign Vessel


What Mary didn't know when she was betrothed to Joseph, was that she was to become a sovereign vessel of the Lord. Of course, sovereign vessels are chosen very carefully. Not just any devoted Jewish virgin would do when it came to conceiving and raising God's only Son -- the Savior of the whole world. God wanted a girl He could trust all the way to the end -- someone who'd already proven her character.

God needed the very best. And what made Mary the best? That question reminds me of a very old movie I saw years ago. This movie was an allegory and in one part God needed someone to do an important job on earth. He asked the angel Gabriel for advice on who to pick. Gabriel said to God, "Well, do you want the SMARTEST or the HOLIEST?" God firmly replied, "I want the HOLIEST! I can MAKE him SMART!" Of course it was a just a movie, but I loved the way it was put.

I think it’s safe to assume that God knew Mary was the very best Jewish maiden in all of Israel to become the mother of Jesus -- and to endure all that was to follow. He saw her sincere and holy devotion to Him… knowing those qualities would equip her to hear and obey, even when she didn't understand. That kind of trust in God would carry her through the turbulent and unexpected course of her own life, and the life of her firstborn son.

Angelic Visitation


Now imagine this. Mary was all alone one night, perhaps praying or romantically dreaming about her upcoming marriage. Suddenly her room filled with a blazing light and the magnificent angel Gabriel appeared before her, with some very startling news, recounted below:

"God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth... to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.

"Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid. Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:26-33)

This was a mind-boggling message for anyone to hear, especially a teenager! Surely Mary had felt the powerful presence of God many times before -- in her times of prayer and worship, and during the usual Jewish traditions practiced in her home and at her Synagogue. She knew the Lord intimately, and was familiar with His presence. And this was a fact God was counting on!

Still, Mary had a question for Gabriel. She knew God didn’t mind questions, and she needed clarity before she answered Gabriel. Her question was practical not one of doubt. Mary was thinking clearly during this profound angelic visitation and handling it in a wise and mature way. Mary asked Gabriel how she could "be with child and give birth to a son," since she was saving herself for marriage. She says it best:

"How will this be," Mary asked him, "since I am a virgin?" "The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:34,35)

Then Gabriel kindly tossed in a bit more information. Perhaps he knew Mary might find it important to confirm his words. "Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:36,37)

Mary Responds


You could probably hear a pin drop in that room. Mary had a moment to respond, but it must have felt like an eternity. In an instant I'm sure she tried to count the cost of being pregnant before her marriage -- her family's good name, her reputation, Joseph's love and respect. And possibly a horrible humiliating death by stoning if Joseph rejected her. And even if Joseph did not insist on her death, her supposed adultery would forever make her undesirable as a marriage partner.

Mary's options flashed through her mind. What she would tell Joseph, her friends and family? Maybe, she thought, "I'll just tell everyone the truth. An angel showed up and I'm pregnant... but I haven't been unfaithful." Or perhaps, "God put this baby in my womb. It's His Son Jesus and He is the Messiah of the world, the One our people are all waiting for..." Even to her it all sounded like a bunch of pretty lame lies. Could anyone possibly believe her?

One thing was for sure -- Mary needed to respond. She couldn't know the full cost, but she knew enough about trusting God to answer. Certainly she could feel the powerful presence of the Lord as she had many times before. But what would her response be? Yes or no?

Mary answered, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1:38) Without passing this initial test we wouldn't be reading about Mary in the Bible today. But I think God had a pretty good idea about the answer she'd give.

Mary Leaves Town


There was no turning back now. Mary's submission to God might put everyone she loved in the path of a horrendous scandal. I don't think she wanted to face anyone, especially Joseph, before she could gather her thoughts and composure. Gabriel had told her that Elizabeth was pregnant.

If I were Mary, I'd want go check that out for myself! If it was true, it would be totally reassuring! So Mary did what most of us would do. She made some excuse and immediately left town to visit Elizabeth!

"Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed:

"Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished." (Luke 1:39-45)

Immediately the truth of the matter was confirmed. Then from Mary's lips tumbled one of the most beautiful and humble prayers recorded in the Bible. Remember she is 12-14 years old and cannot read. Her spontaneous prayer gives us a window into her heart -- and an inkling of why God chose her above all others. No one, of any age, could have prayed this way without having a deep intimacy with God.

Mary declared, "My soul glorifies the Lord And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior For he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him. From generation to generation He has performed mighty deeds.

“With his arm He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel Remembering to be merciful To Abraham and his descendants forever. Even as he said to our fathers." (Luke 1:46-55)

From our lips, our heart speaks. Mary could finally rejoice! She was now 100% certain her visitation wasn't a dream. She wasn’t crazy! And seeing Elizabeth's husband, Zechariah, using frantic sign language was perhaps a humorous postscript. (When the angel Gabriel visited Zechariah, a well-read priest, to tell him his barren wife would conceive, unlike Mary, he doubted God. So as a sign, Gabriel left him unable to speak until their son was born and named.)

Home To Face The Music


Mary stayed with Elizabeth three months before she returned home. She'd had time to pray and was ready to face Joseph, her family and everyone else. It's unclear what Mary said, but when Joseph heard her seemingly crazy explanation he was sure she was lying -- and didn't want to marry her. He was a good man and didn't want her stoned to death, so he planned to divorce her quietly, and just slip out of the picture.



Joseph must have been shattered. The woman he loved and trusted totally betrayed him. He couldn't believe his beautiful Mary was pregnant! I'm sure Mary was devastated too. I imagine she cried out to God with a holy desperation. She had trusted God to work everything out and most likely begged Him with tears to intervene immediately -- and He did!

The Lord sent an angel to Joseph in a dream. The angel said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins." (Matt 1:20,21)

When he woke up he knew the dream confirmed Mary's explanation. Not a lot is known about Joseph, except he was also hand chosen by God to care for and protect Mary and Jesus -- and to hear and obey God the many times He would give him specific guidance during their lifetime. With this dream Joseph passed his first of many tests.

So Joseph took Mary as his wife, but all of Nazareth must have had some lingering questions. Did Mary ever tell anyone what happened? She clearly wasn't into protecting herself -- but she would protect the Holy seed of God she carried in her belly.

Pregnant, Married, On The Move


At this time the ruling Roman Empire called for a census, which required everyone to go to their place of birth and register. Since Joseph was born in Bethlehem he and Mary were forced to make the 80-mile desert journey from Nazareth -- when Mary was in her ninth month.

Imagine Mary's discomfort and concern. She'd never had a baby and was certainly counting on being with her mother and girlfriends to coach her along. Traveling over bumpy rocks and hills to Bethlehem must have been painful and frightening. What if she had her baby in the middle of the desert? Still, she followed her husband and trusted God.

When the couple arrived in Bethlehem, things got worse. Mary went into labor and there was no place for them to stay. You know the story. If Mary wanted to get really mad at God, this would have been the perfect time! Did He expect her to give birth on a street corner? What was God thinking? But there is no record of Mary complaining... only one of yielding and trusting.

The Barn


Before the night was over God did provide a place - a stable. So there they were, Mary and Joseph, about to give birth to the Savior of the world, the King of Glory -- in a most inglorious place. Not to mention unclean, uncomfortable, cold and lonely. It must have smelled of urine, manure, rotting hay, and stinky animals.

But it was in this humble place that our Lord Jesus was born. He was wrapped in rags and laid in a feeding trough for a cradle. It marked the beginning of His journey on earth. It was also the beginning of Mary's joys and sorrows as His mother.

The only visitors that came were the ones God sent. Some shepherds from a nearby field arrived. They were the rough-necks of their day, but had heard angels singing in the night sky about Jesus’ birth and came to worship Him. And some Gentile astronomers also arrived. They were not part of Jewish life at all, but had read the heavens from afar and recognized the coming of a miraculous event! They started their journey towards the star over Bethlehem many months earlier and arrived just in time to worship Jesus, and bring Him gifts more meaningful than silver spoons and booties.

More Confirmation


According to Jewish Law, eight days after birth, when pain tolerance is at it’s peak, Jesus was circumcised. About a month later they took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to be presented to the Lord. While there, a devout man named Simeon recognized Jesus as the Messiah. He also gave a frightening prophecy to His young mother.

Simeon told Mary, "A sword will pierce through your own soul also." (Luke 2:35) She must have wondered what that meant, but it was one more thing for Mary to hide in her heart. All she could do was continue trusting God to orchestrate the future.

Meanwhile, King Herod heard the Jewish Messiah had been born and jealously ordered the slaughter of every male child aged two or under living in or near Bethlehem. But God had given Joseph another angelic dream telling him to take Jesus and His mother to Egypt where they'd be safe from Herod’s sword. But they were now refugees and on the run.

After King Herod died the Lord sent Mary and Joseph back to Israel, then guided them home to Nazareth. Now among family and friends, Mary and Joseph, who was a carpenter, raised Jesus. Many years passed and perhaps for them it began to seem more like a normal life after so much drama in their early years together. The privilege of raising Jesus to manhood must have been phenomenal. What an incredible and awesome responsibility!

Mary Alone


Many scholars believe Joseph died during Jesus' teenage years because the Bible simply stops mentioning him. So now Mary would endure the heartbreaking loneliness of being a widow, and a single mother too – either one being enough to crush a woman’s heart on it’s own. But she was also a mother with many treasured secrets hidden in her heart about her son Jesus.

As Jesus grew He continued to demonstrate the gifts that would eventually take Him away from His mother and Nazareth. I’m sure Mary must have felt it coming too as Jesus had begun gathering men to train and disciple in the ways of God. They all ended up at a wedding in Cana together and Mary must have had an urging from God when she insisted Jesus come to the rescue of the hosts who ran out of wine. Jesus reluctantly performed his first miracle, which led to the expansion of His earthly ministry. And further exposure of His calling.

As the fulfillment of Jesus' destiny drew closer, I’m sure Mary needed to give Him a greater release in her own heart. He'd lived at home for about 30 years. Now He would be thrust onto the center stage of human history -- and sent forth. Sadly, when Jesus returned to Nazareth with His message, He was poorly received. Mary must have had stabs of pain in her heart to see her son rejected by their friends and relatives.

We don't really know how much contact Jesus had with Mary once His ministry kicked into high gear. We know Mary sought Him out at least once while He was teaching in a home. Jesus didn't go outside to see her. Mary probably felt a strong sting of rejection, but perhaps the pangs of separation came in stages for the sake of building endurance for the coming sorrows.

I'm certain Mary kept track of Jesus, as any loving mother would. And that she kept talking to God about the things hidden in her heart. However their lives together as mother and son had shifted radically, forever.

Painful Separation


As the pain of the ultimate sorrow was set in motion, Mary must have comforted herself by remembering God's promise that Jesus was the Messiah. How will this be, she must have asked, as she did at the beginning with the angel Gabriel. Perhaps like His followers she was waiting for Jesus to set up His government, but she also remembered Simeon's word about a sword piercing her soul. Was that what she’d been feeling or was something worse yet to come?

I think these might have been the most challenging times for Mary since her visit from Gabriel. It is where she would need every bit of character, wisdom, faith and self-control that God had woven into her heart for over four decades.

Then Jesus was betrayed and arrested. In Jerusalem when Jesus was scourged within an inch of His life and the crowd cried out for the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus how did she maintain? Did she see Him scourged? Did she follow helplessly by His side as He stumbled bleeding, down the Via Dolorosa? Mary was probably there to see almost everything because we know for sure that she was at her son’s crucifixion.

At The Cross


Mary was a powerful and courageous witness to her own child's execution. Did she know He would rise from the dead? The disciples certainly didn't understand. Mary must have watched in unbearable sorrow as long dirty nails were hammered into her Son's wrists and ankles. She must have gasped in horror as the wooden cross was raised high, then roughly dumped into a hole in the ground, causing the nails to tear at her son’s flesh.

Mary knew this inhumane, torturous Roman execution was reserved only for the most despicable criminals. Her son was nothing like that. How Mary bore this grief I cannot imagine. As Mary watched, perhaps all the promises she had believed -- the very things she'd based her whole life on -- were being nailed to that cross with Jesus.

The Romans hammered a sign on top of the cross saying, "King of the Jews." But where was His promised throne? Wasn't His Kingdom going to last forever? Did Mary's heart cry out, son, why won't you save yourself? But Jesus said and did nothing in His defense. Surely, the most broken of all hearts in the crowd that day had to be that of His mothers.

Have you ever wondered if it was Mary who lovingly wove Jesus His rare seamless tunic? The very tunic the Centurions who crucified Jesus were gambling for. Whether she did or not, to watch people throwing dice for your dying child's clothing would certainly bring unspeakable anguish. She showed great courage simply by being there. But there was no way she would abandon Him in His death. She had said YES to God over 30 years earlier and she wasn't going to change her mind now.

Perhaps only a mother who has unjustly lost a child to a violent death could come close to understanding her pain. Mary gave birth to a naked baby, while hidden in an obscure and dirty stable. And now she was with Him at His death while He hung naked on a dirty cross on a busy highway. His nakedness was not hidden this time. On this day crowds were gawking and mocking Him. And maybe worse, preoccupied travelers passed in total ignorance of what was actually taking place. Spiritual history in the making.

Enduring To The End


Mary did indeed endure to the end. At the foot of the cross her sister and Mary Magdalene and the young disciple John were together. They were the only ones close to Jesus who were mentioned. The Bible says, "When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home." (John 19:26,27) Having made sure He provided for His mother's care, and for John's devastated heart, Jesus died.

After Jesus was resurrected He walked the earth for 40 days appearing to His disciples and many others, which I'm sure, included His mother. We know Mary continued on as part of the Early Church. She is mentioned as being at a prayer meeting in the Upper Room where, "They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus..." (Acts 1:13,14)

A Mother In Israel


Mary's turbulent life built within her a deep treasure of experience, wisdom and faith. Surely she used it to encourage the young believers around her. I can imagine them pressed close to Mary saying, "Please tell us again about Jesus as a child! And your visitation with Gabriel, and Elizabeth's baby, and the stable, and Joseph's dreams, and Simeon, and Egypt and..."

The persecution of the Early Church was intense. But Mary was again willing to be in the center of dangerous controversy. She again put her life on the line to follow God. She died to her reputation years before to endure gossip, hardship, and unfair judgments. She bravely watched her son and her Savior executed. Mary was continually willing to submit to God and pay the price to be on the cutting edge of God's desire for the ages.

Mary meant it when as a teenager she pledged, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1:38) She said yes back then and she never stopped saying yes to God.

Mary was favored among all women. But to whom much is given, much is required. Her personal sacrifice for that honor is something no other woman will ever have to make. For this and much more, Mary's faith and devotion to God is eternally worthy of our awe and imitation. Her life is an example of God's faithfulness to us when we follow Him with total abandon.

Mary's life of remaining faithful during suffering and adversity should always be an inspiration and challenge for all of us – young or old, male or female -- to be willing, steadfast, and faithful to walk in humility and trust even when we don’t understand. Mary was easily the most faithful and devoted woman of God in her generation – and perhaps of all time.







Michael James Stone

Fair Use Notice
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work herein is archived under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in reviewing the included information for personal use, non-profit research and educational purposes only.
‘Your Devotion with Emotion’
This material was brought to you by Broadcast(B.C.)Christianity. Last Call Digest, is a ministry of Michael James Stone, volunteers, and people dedicated to the Love of God and Salvation of Souls. It is an aggragate of Christian Material selected to Bless you and Prepare you for each and every day you read them. May God Bless You as You Do!! Reading these Devotions will help you to prepare daily for life, living, and your Lord. You will hear God Speak To You thru them.  Jesus  is Coming Very Soon.
“the simple format”
Broadcast(B.C.)Christianity, operates by you, with you, and for you. “Freely you have received, freely give”  Pass this on, everywhere you can, anytime you can, anyway you can. You will be blessed if you do.LastCallDigest@michaeljamesstone.com
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How Knowing Christ Will Change Your Life ~ WOW the Bible in 7 minutes a day





Philippians 2:12-16; 3:1-4:1,4-20; Psalm 139:13-16; Proverbs 27:1

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
 
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.

For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!

For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh.

If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.


But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame-who set their mind on earthly things.

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!


Let your gentleness be known to all men.

The Lord is at hand.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.

Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.


I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.

Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.

For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.

Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

Indeed I have all and abound.

I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 2:12-16; 3:1-4:1, 4-20

WORSHIP

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
Psalm 139:13-16
WISDOM

Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
Proverbs 27:1
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Are you utilizing your strengths most of the time? (99-2) ~ Barry Werner




Every leader has strengths and weaknesses. 

Effective leaders utilize their personal strengths and leadership skills a greater percentage of the time than they spend working on improving their weaknesses. Read 1 Kings 10:1-9.

God had gifted Solomon with extraordinary skill, wisdom, common sense, good judgment, knowledge and understanding. It seemed everything he touched was a success story and brought him more fame. The notes in the Maxwell Leadership Bible give us at least one reason why.

Great leaders play to their strength.

They don’t spend vast amount of time attempting to be a jack-of-all-trades. Instead, they deepen their ability to do what they do best, until they do it as well as anyone.

Solomon certainly lived by this principle. God made him the wisest and richest king of his day (1 Kings 3:12, 13). Other monarchs heard of his wisdom and wealth and eagerly sought an audience with him. From all over the known world, powerful rulers from distant lands made the long trek to Israel to catch a glimpse of this young phenom. Solomon provided rich counsel and gifts to others, and quickly became known for his breadth of mind and depth of insight.

How did Solomon gain such fame?

He focused on what he did best. Leaders would be wise to follow a similar pattern, called the 70-25-5 principle:

  • Give 70 percent of your time to your areas of strength.
  • Give 25 percent of your time to the areas you want to improve.
  • Give 5 percent of your time to the areas of your weakness.
Have you identified your greatest areas of strength? Are you spending the majority of your leadership time to influence others in the area of strength you identified?

Chart your daily activity to determine where you spend your time.

Effective, high achieving leaders spend 70 percent of their time working in the area of their greatest strengths.





Tags: Strengths, Weaknesses

« Who are you striving to please? (99-1)
Is building and maintaining character a priority for you? (99-3) »
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True Freedom ~ Raul Ries



“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”

Romans 8:2
There is a lot of talk in our world about freedom.

However, the freedom’s that are discussed in society today are often desires to do evil. Classic Christian Pastor Richard Newhaus said, 
“Freedom standing by itself inevitably degenerates into license. License, which is unbridled freedom, quickly becomes the enemy of freedom.”

The Bible tells us that true freedom sets us free from the bondage of sin. When the Spirit sets us free, He frees us to obey God and live holy lives.

The freedoms that people desire today are merely a license to sin.

Thought for the Day:


Freedom is not the right to do as a person pleases,
But the liberty to do as he ought.
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Do it now, not later ~ Mike MacIntosh



Then Jesus said to them,"All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night,for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' " But after I have raised, I will go before you to Galilee."


Mark 14:27-28


Don't let anyone tell you that being a Christian is easy.

Jesus here tells His disciples that their lives would be characterized by suffering and "scattering."

Being a Christian means that you are living a life that is completely different and opposite of the way the rest of the world thinks and lives their life.

So what does that lead to? You are an offense to the world around you. Putting your faith in Jesus Christ is contrary to everyone else's disposition of living for themselves.


And Jesus tells us that the world won't like it--or you.

The Bible is jam-packed with verses about why we suffer and how to get through it. Let me share with you just one.

Romans 8:18-39 is a wonderful summary of what it means to suffer as a Christian. Paul's point is this: suffering in your life now won't compare to the glory that awaits you.

Suffering is difficult, just like Jesus said, but knowing that this bit of suffering will result in a future glory of being with our Lord, face to face for a lifetime, makes it all worthwhile.

On the contrary, if we cave into our lusts, desires, and evil practices, and decide to live our lives apart from Jesus Christ, then the future "glory" looks awfully bleak.

So, what do you choose?


Suffering now just for a while, or suffering for eternity?

I choose to suffer now!

But here's the encouraging part. Read that last sentence above and let it really sink into your soul.Jesus says that after He is raised, He will go before us!You see, He doesn't leave us alone to suffer by ourselves.He is right there with us as we go through every event in our lives.

While suffering hurts and is very painful, He promises to come alongside of us, to teach us, to encourage us, and to help us get through it.

Our Lord is awesome! He loves you so much--enough to stay by your side when you are weary and troubled. He cares for you so much that He's willing to comfort you when you're in pain.

So while we suffer, take comfort in knowing that Jesus Christ is right there with you to guide and protect you.

And also remember the future glory that awaits!

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us".
(Romans 4:18)
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Given Ministry by the Grace of God ~ Bob Hoekstra


Of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. 


As we have seen, "give" is the language of grace. 


"I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus".


Our heavenly Father wants to give us all the blessings of His kingdom as a gift of His grace.
"Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure
 to give you the kingdom".


No wonder then that we are given ministry by the grace of God.


The Apostle Paul had a special stewardship entrusted to Him by God's grace. "If indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you".

This special calling given to him by God concerned the miracle of Jew and Gentile being made one in Christ (as the body of Christ): "that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel".

This wondrous "mystery of Christ" (Ephesians 3:4) was a distinctive emphasis of his ministry: "Of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power."

Paul repeatedly stated that this ministry calling was given to him by grace. "To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ."


On other occasions, Paul spoke of his ministry without referring to this special emphasis of Jews and Gentiles becoming one in Christ. Still, he described his ministry in the same terms of grace given to him.
"According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation".

Here, Paul views his service as a spiritual builder laying a spiritual foundation for the construction of godly lives. God's grace equipped him and sustained him in such service.


We are all called to serve our Master. In our hearts there is a desire to be used of our King. How comforting to know that our ministry will develop by God's grace given to us. 


Again, humble dependence is the path to such grace for ministry.



"To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given."
Lord Jesus, I long to serve You in ministry. I rejoice that ministry depends upon Your grace, not my abilities. Lord, I humbly bow before You, seeking You for the necessary grace to serve You in any way that You desire, in Your gracious name, Amen.
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"What's mine is yours" ~ Rick Warren




"Your generosity ... not only provides for the needs of God's people, but also produces prayers of thanksgiving to God." 
(2 Corinthians 9:12)





When we're generous with each other, we thank God for each other and we're drawn closer to each other.

One of my friends learned the connection between generosity and community when one of his neighbors came by to borrow a ladder. A few weeks later, my friend discovered his neighbor already had a ladder, but the neighbor borrowed one as a way of building a relationship.

My friend said, "When my neighbor borrowed my stuff, it made me feel like I was needed, and I liked that feeling. Now I do the same thing with other neighbors. For instance, my neighbor, Roger, has a Shop Vac, and I borrow it every Friday to clean my car. Roger even leaves it out for me on Fridays. I told Roger the other day that I could buy my own Shop Vac, but I liked the interaction with him. He told me not to buy one because he liked the interaction, too."

The Bible says,
 
"Your heart will be wherever your treasure is." 
(Matthew 6:21) 

Wherever I put my time, my money, my effort, my energy, wherever I invest myself - that's what's going to attract me.

For some of you, your heart may be in your home. That's where you're putting your time, your money, and your energy - fixing it up. Or your heart may be in your work. That's where you're putting your time, your money and your energy. Or it may be in a hobby. That's where you're putting your time, your money and your energy.

Wherever your treasure is, your heart's going to be there.

So, when I'm generous with you or with the poor or with anybody, that's where my heart tends to go. And every time I give to God, it draws my heart closer to God, and every time I give to you, it draws my heart closer to you. Giving or generosity creates community.

The first Christians were famous for their generosity.


"The community of believers... shared everything in common."
(Acts 4: 32)

They were a family; they shared it all: 'What's mine is yours, and you can share it with me.' It was voluntary. Christianity says, "What's mine is yours and you can share it with me."

When you're a parent, and you have little kids in your home, you enjoy watching them share with each other? When you see that your kids are unselfish, you're very happy with that.

And God is the same way.

When God looks down on us and He sees us being generous with each other He says, "That's My boy! That's My girl! They're doing what I want them to do."

Because God is generous, and He wants us to become like Him.
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God's Way Is Best~ Joyce Meyer



For who has known the mind of the Lord and who has understood His thoughts, or who has [ever] been His counselor?

— Romans 11:34





We need to come to the realization that God is smarter than we are.

His plan really is better. No matter what you or I may think, God's way is better than ours.

I look back now at many of the frustrating times I went through trying to give birth to things in my timing and being frustrated about waiting, and I realize now that I really was not ready for them.

God knew I wasn't ready, but I thought I was.

I spent so much of my time asking, "Why, God, why?" and "When, God, when?" I asked questions only God had the answers to, and He had no intention of telling me.


Remember, God wants our trust—not our questions.

I have discovered over the years that trust requires unanswered questions. When we face puzzling situations, we should say, "Well, Lord, this does not make any sense to me, but I trust You. I believe You love me and that You will do Your best for me at the right time."


God does not need our counsel in order to work; He needs our faith.

In Exodus 33:13 Moses prayed for God to show him His ways:


"Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You [progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, perceiving and recognizing and understanding more strongly and clearly] and that I may find favor in Your sight."

We should pray that prayer regularly, remembering that God's ways include His timing.
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