Information to help you understand this blog.  The scripture used is Matthew 4:1-11.  You will find I use “day 42” and will wonder why I am using day 42.  Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights.  The tempter came to him on day 41.  The main question:  Can we make it through the fasting (40 days and nights) and the day we are being tempted?  Can we make it to day 42?  The day when we can say, “Satin tried, but I refused to fall into his trap, refused to bow down to him, and told him to go away.”

 CAN I…….

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

40 days and 40 nights!  Now I might look at those rocks and think, “Some warm wheat, with butter would taste pretty good right now.”  I might look at the tempter (Satan) and see he had a bigger plan than me eating a slice of bread.  I might … Okay, take the might out.  I would hesitate just a smidgeon.  After all, my tummy is way past grumbling.  40 days empty.  My tummy is shouting, “Give me some pancakes, with syrup and peanut butter.”  Would I turn to the tempter and say, “No.  I can make it to day 42.  Besides I want the Words of God.  They feed my soul.”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.  “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down.  For it is written:  ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

40 days and 40 nights!  I do believe that I would be extremely shaky.  Standing up there on the highest point of the temple would be more than scary.  What if I fell?  Every bone would break.  Every organ …..  But the devil says the angels would catch me.  Why is he asking me to do this?  Ah ha (picture a light bulb over my head)!  Would I look at the devil and say, “Hey devil.  I might be hungry and weak, but I know God will protect me and I don’t have to test him.”  I can make it to day 42.

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”

40 days and 40 nights!  I must say the devil is persistent.  I love mountains and the world does look different from up there.  You can see for miles and miles and miles.  Everything? Would I consider the value of all the houses and businesses and the cattle and EVERYTHING?  I am a good person and could use all that wealth to help others.  My mind is not working at 100%.  I am so hungry and weak.  40 days and 40 nights … would I have the ability to turn away from having enough to fulfill my every desire?  Looking the devil in the eyes, would I shout, “NO!  I ONLY WORSHIP THE LORD MY GOD! I WILL NOT SERVE YOU.  I can make it to day 42.”

Satan has many names.  He is called tempter, devil, and evil one.  His name changes and he comes to tempt and destroy us when we are at our lowest.  He comes on the 41st day when we are hungry and tired.  He comes when our bodies are vulnerable.  When our minds are not thinking straight.  Can we make it to day 42?

Satan has many names.  He is called patient because he can wait until he finds the exact second to tempt us.  He comes on the 41st day when a loved one had died and our grief makes us weak.  When the pain racks our body and we want relief.  When an unanswered prayer has made us question our faith.  Can we make it to day 42?

Satan has many names and many traits.  He can look like the answer to our every need.  He will offer us food and comfort and promise us the end to our pain and he will use our questioning as a wedge to drive between us and God.

40 days and 40 nights.  A day of temptation.  Can we make it to day 42?

 WHAT IS BREWING? BEGINNING?

The line “winds in the east, there's a mist comin' in like something is brewin', about to begin” is from the movie, Mary Poppins.  Are there times, in the Bible, when this statement would apply?

For sure the statement would apply to Noah. What was brewing was something called rain and what was about to begin was the building of an ark. Can you picture Noah hammering away and his neighbors laughing at him? I bet none of them offered to help. I bet not one of them offered him a cup of coffee or a meat lover’s pizza.

Noah had such a faith and trust in God. He did not really know what was brewing and he did not know when it would begin, but he did as God instructed.

What about Zachariah? I do not think he had any idea that something was about to begin. There he was going about his business. Performing the acts of a High Priest. This was something he might only do once, maybe twice, in his lifetime. He would have taken this honor extremely serious. He would have been focused when something started brewing and something most certainly did begin.

The Arch Angel, Gabriel, came to tell him that his prayer had been answered. Gabriel was not there to answer the prayers of that day. He was there to tell Zachariah that his prayer for a child would be answered. Zachariah had most likely given up on this prayer. From all I could find, Zachariah was in his mid-late 80’s when the angel told him there was going to be an addition to their family. Elizabeth was no spring chicken either. How could she conceive? She was barren!

But nine months later, that something did begin: a bouncing boy was born. Can you image taking care of a baby when you are 90? Or having a teenager when you are 105?

The adulteress woman knew things were brewing and she was in fear of what was about to begin. This story is called the adulteress woman, but it really has little to do with her. If killed, she was collateral damage. And why her? We know the woman was caught, but I suspect the woman was set up. Those “religious” people were still trying to get Jesus and they knew there was no way out this time. No matter how he handled this situation, he would be wrong.

All of this did not mean much to the woman. She was scared. She did not know what would happen. She just knew that kneeling in front of this man called Jesus would be the last thing that ever happens to her. She knew she would die and those stones would hurt. But (that word that changes so many of our actions) Jesus knelt and drew in the dirt. His words then caused confusion. He was telling the men to throw those stones. She waited. Then she heard stones being dropped and those that were with sin started walking away.

The adulteress woman was waiting to die. Instead she was told to go and sin no more.

The line "like something is brewing and about to begin" happens over and over in our lives and it always leads to something we dread: CHANGE. Noah had to change. His life changed completely as he took on a monumental task. Zachariah had to change. He was going to be a daddy. The adulteress woman had to change. She was to sin no more. And I bet each of them were not sure how to handle the change in their lives.

How do you handle change? Do you embrace it? Do you just go along with it? Do you fight it? I hope you embrace it, because change is going to happen. And, honestly, if you are not changing … if you are just standing still … wanting everything as it is this moment … God cannot use you. He needed the woman to stand up. He needed Zachariah to believe. He needed Noah to pick up a hammer. What in your life is brewing and something about to begin? How do you need to change so God can use you?

Sooooo, Stand up. Believe. And pick up that hammer.

 MKR

Are you wondering what MKR stands for? It could be Mary’s Kind Regards. It could be, but it is not. MKR stands for My Kitchen Rules. No not “my” kitchen. A TV show from Australia. The contestants are teams of any combination — mother/son, father/daughter, friends, relatives, married couples, almost married, or thinking about it, work buddies. These home cooks go through various cooking challenges and, like all shows of this nature, are eliminated one team at a time.

I love this show and always have my favorites and my I-do-not-want-them-to-win. There is one thing for sure. I am glad God does not …

“What are you glad I do not do?”

Wow, it is only the first day of a new year and you need to have a conversation with me already?

“It is nice to see you too, Mary. You are avoiding my question. What are you glad I do not do?”

I am glad you do not judge me against what others do. You judge me on my actions and my faith.

“That is …”

And when I am going through challenges, you are there to help me through them. You do not toss me to the wolves and say, “Good luck.”

“Yes, that is …”

And I do not have to be something (as in the show a home cook) to qualify for all you have to offer. I am a believer. I am enough!

“You are …”

And on the show, only one team wins the title and the $250,000. All, who believe, win your prize. All are freely given the title “Child of God” and all are freely given eternal life.

“Can I get a word …”

Well, I assume you have something to say about this.

“I can say this much. You still interrupt me! Maybe that should be your resolution: I will not interrupt God.”

Don’t make resolutions. They do not last long enough to bother.

“My goodness, child. No wonder you do not know what I want you to do. ‘I will listen’ could be another option for a resolution.”

Mouth zipped.

“I doubt that, but mixed in with all your words are things you should remember. I judge fairly, will always be with you during trials/challenges, and offer my gifts freely to all who believe.

And never forget, you are my child and you are enough.”

I am enough. I don’t have to feel like I am not good enough. Or try to be something I am not. Or change so I fit in. God said I am enough. Wow. I want to shout so the world hears: I AM A CHILD OF GOD. I AM ENOUGH!

Now this is the way to start a New Year. A conversation with God when I am not in trouble.

It is a new year and a great resolution would be to begin each day by saying, “I am a Child of God. I AM ENOUGH.”

A NEW YEAR

A new year.  Whoop-te-do.  I am so excited.  I mean, it’s not like this hasn’t happened before.  I have more than one new year under my belt.  We never were the big, fancy party type.  We were more the stay at home, kiss at midnight, and go to bed type.  Now we are the go-to bed at our regular time and figure we’ll tell each other Happy New Year when we get up.  It just isn’t that big of a deal.  Should it be?

Why is a NEW year any different than a NEW month or week or day? Do we really believe that one second, on the clock, … one second that separates 2024 from 2025 is that important?  Is a second that important?  IT MOST CERTAINLY IS!

Our prayer for 2025 is that in one second, two world leaders will shake hands and there will be peace.  Our prayer is that in one second, a scientist will shout, “Eureka!  I have found the cure for cancer.”  Our prayer is that in one second, a baby will take a breath and live.  Our prayer is that in one second, hearts will be changed and turn from hate and violence.  Our prayer is that in one second, we will live in a world where life is valuable and humanity is a way of life.

Matthew 25:1-13 is the parable about the wedding feast.  Cliff notes: While waiting for the bridegroom to appear, the virgins had their lamps.  There was one slight problem.  Five of the ten had not filled their lamps.  When the bridegroom was coming, those five did not have enough oil and had to go buy some.  The bridegroom arrived, the door to the banquet room was shut, and the banquet began.  Sadly, those that were not prepared were too late.

One second! One second and the open door was shut.  Can you imagine being one second away from the door?  Can you imagine the sound the closing of the door made?  One second!

World peace would be amazing.  A cure for cancer would be wonderful.  A baby loved enough to be allowed to live would be ….  No more hate and violence would be … Having respect for life and a heart for humanity would be …

BUT our prayer for 2025 should be that all would see God in a rose, in a field of corn, in the sky, in the ocean, and in the stars and say, “God is real.”

BUT our prayer for 2025 should be that all would hear the Word of God and find His love.

BUT our prayer for 2025 should be that all who believe in the birth of God’s Son, Jesus, and in Jesus’ resurrection from the grave would spread the Good News using their words and their actions.

BUT our prayer for 2025 should be that all would open their hearts and minds to the truth and believe.

BUT our prayer for 2025 should be that all accept Jesus as their Savior before the door closes.

Is one second important?  Ask the virgins that left to get lamp oil.  Is one second important?  Ask the virgins what it was like to see and hear the door close.  Is one second important?  I guess it depends on which side of the door you are on.

AFTER THE BLOG WAS WRITTEN:

I was telling some of my family about this blog and our son-in-law said a second didn’t matter and then said maybe in our faith life but not so much in our secular life.  We have some good discussions, on scripture, and usually agree.  Since Christmas I have been thinking about this and disagree that a second does not matter in our secular life.  I pointed out, in the blog, that a door can shut in a second.  But what about our day to day lives?  Does a second matter?

In one second, a decision can be made to text and drive.  And a wreck can happen.  And a family might be killed.  And a parent might cry over their dead child.  Or the decision can be to text later.

In one second, a decision can be made to join the crowd and take that pill.  And a girl can end up raped.  And a boy becomes addicted.  And a life is changed forever.  Or a decision can be made to walk away.

In one second, a decision can be made to ignore your loved ones or the friends you are with, as you scroll endless posts on pages by people you have never met.  And your spouse feels rejected.  And your children feel ignored.  And your friends wonder why they are there.  Or the decision can be made that the time with your family and friends is valuable.

One second separates 2024 from 2025.  In one second, a decision can be made … and a life changed … as the right or wrong path is taken.

First posted December 15, 2006. 

THE GIFT

The Gift appeared under the Christmas tree as if by magic.
As I picked up the package, I could tell it was special.
I did not shake it, I was afraid whatever was inside would break.
The paper made my fingers tingle, it seemed to glow.
This small gift had been wrapped with much care.

As I untied the bow, I stopped.
Anticipation and excitement filled the air.
The clock ticked, but time seemed to stand still.
I began to wonder if this gift really was for me.
Could there be a mistake?

I opened the box and then I understood.
Coming from the gift was a feeling of strength --
a gentle, quiet strength - and a feeling of peace.
The Gift was for me, but not for me to keep to myself.
This was a gift to share, a gift with no limit of time or space.

Inside the box was a simple paper, a birth announcement.
"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David,
a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."

ANTICIPATION: PART 3

I love to travel!  We have flown a few times, but usually we set off in the pickup.  Our roles are simple: Bill drives and I navigate and talk.  I have a skill.  I can read a map.  I can get us from point a to point b.

Each trip has had a lot of anticipation.  Picking where we would go.  Ordering AAA tour books.  I miss them.  They told about all the little towns we were driving through.  Yeah, I know.  Google will do that too.  Writing down our route and marking it on the atlas.  How do people travel without an atlas?  Yeah, I know.  GPS.  Now I wonder how we ever traveled without the map on my iPad.  All those side roads that are waiting for us to discover.  But, we still take an atlas.

Often anticipation and reality are not the same.  The Mile Post, a must if you are driving in Alaska, said the 19-mile side road was a must.  We would see wildlife.  We would be amazed.  The reality was that Bill saw a porcupine out his window.  That was the extent of the wildlife.  The amazing part is that we did not get stuck, because all 19 miles was …..  mud.  Bill loved that.  To this day he will remind me of the 19-mile mistake.

Why am I telling you this?  Because I can picture the Wise Men looking at charts and star patterns and trying to decide the best route to find Jesus.  I can hear them having a discussion on which way to go.  I can see a table covered with confusion.

Hallmark has put an image in our head.  The three Wise Men are seen on the horizon … alone.  They arrive at the stable … alone.  Reality is extremely different.  The Wise Men or Three Kings were not traveling alone.  There were a lot of camels other than the ones the they were perched on.  There were camels to carry the water, the food, the tents, and all those maps.  There were people to take care of the camels, the food, the water, and, heaven forbid, if one map blew away.

Anticipation was following the route they had picked out.  Reality was they were lost.  They had to ask for directions.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.  When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.  And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.  And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, Art not the least among the princes of Juda: For out of thee shall come a Governor, That shall rule my people Israel.  Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.  And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.  When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Matthew 2:1-10

These Wise Men, with all their knowledge and with all their maps, had to ask for directions and, just to make sure they finally found their way, God put a bright star to guide them.

Now you need to get another Hallmark picture out of your head.  Jesus was a young child.  The family was now living in a house.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11

The anticipation was finding the King of the Jews.  The reality was that they found the King of the Jews.  For once, the anticipation and the reality were the same.  They found Jesus!!!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

I CAN FIND JESUS.  YOU CAN FIND JESUS.  We can find Jesus the same way the Wise Men did.  We can search — Read the road map known as the Bible.  We can ask for directions —- Find Christians who will give you information.  We can follow the light — The Holy Spirit will be your guiding light.

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.  And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.  And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.  Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Luke 1:26-35 KJV

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

ANTICIPATION: PART 2

The children and most of the women were sleeping.  A few women were having trouble sleeping and they were talking quietly.  Part of the shepherds were sleeping so they would be ready for the shift change. 

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Luke 2:8

I picture the shepherds walking around and keeping their eyes open for any threat to their herd.  They did not anticipate any problems, but they knew danger could quickly become a reality.  I am sure the shepherds did not anticipate a heavenly choir.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Luke 2:8-9

Sore afraid?  Well, duh!  It is dark.  Almost everyone is asleep.  Even the sheep are getting some shut eye.  Then this light surrounds them and an angel of the Lord appears and the scripture says they were “sore afraid.”  Can you say UNDERSTATEMENT?  Can you picture the confusion?  Not one shepherd was anticipating the sky to light up.  Not one shepherd anticipated the angel of the Lord appearing in the sky.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:10-14

For sure the shepherd’s anticipation and their reality was extremely different.  Fear not.  Good tidings.  Great joy.  A Saviour.  A multitude of heavenly host.  And then, just like that they were gone.  The sky was dark again.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Luke 2:15

It is often asked, “Why a stable?”  Think about it.  If Jesus was born in the inn, would they have let the shepherds in?  Of course not.  They would have turned them away.  BUT, a stable is a place the shepherds were familiar with.  They walked right in.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

Luke 2:16-18

The second question that comes up is: Why shepherds?  Think about it.  They traveled around.  They could easily tell what they had seen.  They created an interest in the birth of Jesus.

Anticipation and reality are not the same thing.  The shepherds were anticipating a normal night.  The reality is they met the Son of God.  The Good Shepherd.  The true Shepherd.

And they were the first to spread the Good News.

 

ANTICIPATION:  PART 1

I have been anticipating how our new home will look when it is all decked out for Christmas.  The Nativity will be on the same table as it has been on for the last who knows how many years.  We will have to get a new tree.  A smaller tree.  I am picturing it in my mind, but will it turn out good? For sure I am no design expert.

Anticipation — What will the house look like?

Per the dictionary, anticipation is the act of looking forward, especially pleasurable expectation.

I wonder if Mary and Joseph’s anticipation was a “pleasurable expectation.”  A visit by an angel, visiting a cousin, and a dream must have them anticipating what will happen next.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Luke 2:4-5

They were headed to Bethlehem.  Mary was expecting at any time and the trip had to be physically brutal.  Joseph had to watch as Mary suffered.  I am sure they were anticipating their arrival.

Do you suppose Mary was picturing a bed?  A bed where she could rest.  She was so tired.  She could tell the baby would be born shortly.  As Bethlehem came into sight, did Joseph give a big sigh?  He was so tired and Mary looked exhausted.  Bethlehem — now they could rest.  Now they could begin to prepare for the birth.  The birth.  A Son.  Name him Jesus.  Joseph anticipated quickly finding a room.

The innkeeper told them he had no rooms.  I can see Joseph look at Mary and realizing she needed to lay down.  NOW.  This was not what he had anticipated.

Is there not one place?  I can feel the anguish, as Joseph asked, “Surely there is somewhere we can have some privacy.  My wife is about to deliver.  We will take anything.  A stable?  Yes.  Even a stable.”

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:6-7

Anticipation and reality are not the same thing.  I am sure Mary anticipated delivering God’s Son in a room in the inn.  The reality is a stable ! A STABLE! How could this happen?  God’s Son is lying in a feeding trough.

Mary and Joseph look at the baby one more time.  And then they rested.