Countdown to Easter Celebration - Day 10

Matthew 16:13-17:13, Mark 8:27-9:1 & 9:2-13, Luke 9:18-36

The 12 disciples have been travelling with Jesus, seeing miracle after miracle.  They've had turning moments, one moment in particular involved just the 12 and Jesus and a boat.  Many have turned their backs on Jesus, but the 12 remain.  They have now begun to believe that Jesus is the Messiah....but yet there is still disorder in the cities, in government, in families.  Many are questioning "who is this Jesus?"  In a quiet moment with His 12, Jesus asks of them "who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They respond with what they've obviously heard on the rumor mill "John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, one of the prophets..."  But Jesus asks them another question,  "Who do YOU say that I am?"

Who do the 12 followers remaining say that Jesus is?  Only Simon Peter claims him to be the Messiah, Son of the Living God.  Do the others believe the same thing?  Maybe they still have questions at this point...

Who do you think Jesus is? 

Let's move on to a significant event in Jesus' journey to the cross....His Transfiguration. 

Jesus leads Peter, James and his brother John up a high mountain.  Here he is "transformed in front of them, and His face shone like the sun.  Even His clothes became as white as the light."  There's another figure in the bible who's face shone like the sun.  Moses.  The glory of God was reflected on Moses (Exodus).  The disciples see here the glory of God reflected on Jesus. 

Guess who appears?  Moses and Elijah.  They appear and are talking with Jesus.  Then, a voice in the cloud says:
          "THIS IS MY BELOVED SON.  I TAKE DELIGHT IN HIM.  LISTEN TO HIM!"

The disciples fall on their face in terror. 

Jesus has the Glory of God reflected on Him, The Father claims Jesus as His Son.

Who do you think Jesus is?

We praise God because He is the God of order, we thank Him when He blesses us, we attempt to worship Him through the storms of life, we praise Him when we see the beauty of His creation, we recognize He put the moon and stars and sun in their place, we praise Him because He formed us in our mother's womb, We thank Him for sending us the Holy Spirit to convict us and guide us to the straight and narrow....

God became one of us.  He put on flesh and walked this earth in human form.  That's a hard thing to comprehend, a hard thing to recognize Him for. 

I can just imagine Peter's revelation as he watched Jesus transfigure into the glory of God and heard the Lord's voice... "This man who encouraged me to go on, this man who sat with me when I was lonely, this man who dried my tears...I have touched Him.  I have walked with Him. All along... I was with God!  Jesus is God!  ...."   Can you feel the excitement welling up inside just as it probably did in Peter? 

Who do you think Jesus is?

I pray that you continue in your search for who you believe Jesus is.  No man comes to the Father, but by Jesus Christ.  Seek first the Kingdom of God...  You'll find your answers in God's Word.  We need to see His Glory reflected in others.  We are blessed to have a place to meet and share with each other that Jesus is God! 

Today:  Make it a point to attend a church service this weekend.  Put it on your calendar if you don't already, regularly attend.  There are people there who want to worship with you and proclaim who Jesus is with you.  When you've prepared in your heart who Jesus is, then you are ready to comprehend exactly what He did for you.....

Freebie Friday - Freebies in My Mailbox

This was a great week as far as free stuff in my mailbox goes!  I wanted to show you what I got this week! 

Interactive DVD I can use as educational material
Sample box of Oatmeal Squares cereal (yumm breakfast)

sample Gevalia coffee

Coupon booklet from Publix

All of these came to me in mailbox this week. I paid nothing and used my "junk email addy" so I am not bombarded with emails I don't read.  However, I will tell you if you coupon, you may want to check that junk email inbox every now then.  These companies email me from time to time with a printable coupon, sometimes worth more $ off then I get elsewhere. 

If you've wanted to do the freebies, here's your proof there are some free things left in this world!  Read my how to do it safely post here.

You may still be able to score some of the freebies in our previous posts. 

Freebie Friday post #1
Freebie Friday post#2
Freebie Friday post#3
Freebie Friday post#4 

The Hunger Games..... True, Noble, Pure, Praiseworthy?

Have you seen The Hunger Games?  Have you allowed your children to see it or read the series of books?  If not, I'm sure you've see the hype.  I have, and I wondered what it was all about.  Thus began by search for a broader perspective....I'm not one to do what everyone else is doing very often, but I do often wonder if I may be missing out. 







True Woman | A Parent's Guide to The Hunger Games

Plugged In Movie Review : The Hunger Games 

Focus on the Family Book Review:  The Hunger Games

As an adult, I am able to filter things I watch or read through the Word of God. I am able to throw out of my mind (although I wonder why I don't just shut it off to begin with, as putting things out of ones mind could prove to be a more difficult task than just shutting the book or turning off the TV) what is not noble, pure, lovely, admirable, Holy....  As for my children, I still remain their moral authority.  Until the day that they can be trusted to deal with the consequences of their own moral decisions, I must take charge. 

After reading the above reviews, I don't think we will be giving in to any Hunger Games hype, books or movie.  I however, have young minds.  If you have older minds, teens, able to think through synopsis....are you talking with them about this movie/book series?  I like that Focus on the Family gives questions to discuss with your teens if you allow them to read the books. 

I caution you to search out the things feeding your teens minds.  Music, books, tv, games, computer....these my friends are the things upon which they are thinking.  Do these things line up with Philippians 4:8?  The bible is clear, whatsover a man thinks, he is. 

 The things your teens think, is that what you want them to be?  I'm not just talking about the lip service they pay you.  Our teens are pretty smart and know exactly what to say to us to keep us at a trusting distance.  What your children are consistently listening to, watching, reading....that is what they think upon. 

Philippians 4:8

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Countdown to Easter Celebration - Day 11

Jesus fed the 5000, walked on water, and upon arriving on shore, was bombarded by people who just wanted a touch.  All that touched the hem of his garment were healed.  Those that had been fed by the 5 loaves came seeking Jesus.  Knowing he hadn't boarded the boat with the disciples, they are in wonderment when they find him on the other side of the sea.  Maybe they came expecting another meal, maybe they came ready to see Jesus lead a revolt and be crowned as king. 

Jesus begins his famous sermon on the Bread of Life. 
 Jesus says:  I did not come to fill your belly.  I came to be the bread of life. Do not seek the food that spoils, but the food that gives everlasting life. 
 The crowd asks:  What must we do?  What are our works?
Jesus replies:   The works of God are simple:  Believe in the One God sent. 
The crowd asks:  What will be your sign?  What miracle will you perform?  Our ancestors ate manna from heaven as their sign....
Jesus answers:  Moses did not give that manna, but my Father in Heaven did.  The bread of God is He who comes down and gives life.   
The crowd demands:  Give us this bread always!!
Jesus gives these words to the crowd, and to us
                 I have come to give life.  He who comes to me will never thirst, never hunger.  You have seen me, yet do not believe.  I have all that my Father gives me, and I will not cast out anyone who comes to me.  I came from heaven to do the will of my Father, not my own.  His will is that I lose none he gives me.  My Father's desire is that all who believe in the Son shall have everlasting life and will be raised on the last day. 
                  I am the bread of life.  The bread I shall give is my flesh. 

From this sermon, many of his disciples no longer followed Jesus.  Many no longer walked with Jesus. Why remain if this is not the man to make everything here on Earth right?   He's not going to overthrow the rulers and feed us daily, why keep following?  

Jesus asks the 12 if they too will walk away.  Simon Peterrises and speaks. He says "Where else will we go?  You have the words of eternal life.We have come to believe that your are the Christ, the Son of the living God"
Why did the disciples stay?  They were worldly, expecting a new kingdom here on earth.  They'd seen the miracle of the 5000 just as the crowd that had now turned their backs.  Why did the 12 stay?  If you read the story of Jesus walking on the water, the 12 were the only ones there in the boat, in the middle of the sea.  They had a turning point there in that boat.  Maybe they recognized they were the kingdom to come.  They were the change they desired in the world.  Remember their turn of hearts when all was calm that night, they went from questioning to worshipping Jesus. 

Near the end of Jesus' Bread of Life sermon, he tells the crowd that he will give of himself, that he would give up his flesh for the world.  He would die.   

Today:  Have some bread.  Bake some bread.  Think of that bread as the flesh Jesus gave us to give us eternal life.

Photo source:  allrecipes.com

Lord In Heaven, I thank you that you drew me near, that you gave me to Jesus. God, thank you that all you ask of me is to believe in your Son in order to have eternal life.  Jesus I thank you that you are my guide, my protector, food for my soul.  I thank you that you gave yourself for me.  Help me remember the bread you give Jesus, and because of that bread I must serve you by serving others.  AMEN