In the wilderness, Jesus experienced Solitude: “the state or situation of being alone.” Solitude may come to us by choice or by circumstance. Jesus was led into solitude by the Holy Spirit, but throughout His ministry, He voluntarily chose solitude again and again. But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. Luke 5:16 NLT…
Category: Open My Eyes
Insights in Scripture
Ash Wednesday
Ashes. Ashes and dust. A reminder. By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eatuntil you return to the ground from which you were made.For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:19 New Living Translation Ashes and dust. Messy. They symbolize the messy emotions of grief and repentance. I…
Led by The Spirit …
And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him. Mark 1:11-13 NLT ********** What makes…
Into the Wilderness
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. Matthew 4:1-2 New Living Translation And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” The Spirit then…
“No Matter What”
16 Rejoice always and delight in your faith; 17 be unceasing and persistent in prayer; 18 in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Amplified Bible I used to read these verses with a sense that God was expecting waaay too much of me. Always…
On Being a Christian
I’m grateful to be a practicing Christian. I’m always amazed when people say, ‘I’m a Christian.’ I think, ‘Already?’ It’s an ongoing process. You know, you keep trying. And blowing it and trying and blowing it. Maya Angelou
Feast
What is a celebration without a feast? Your Invitation: “This is what God’s kingdom is like: a bunch of outcasts and oddballs gathered at a table, not because they are rich or worthy or good, but because they are hungry, because they said yes. And there’s always room for more.” Rachel Held Evans ********** The…
Celebrate!
There are many “thou shalt nots” in the Bible, as we are often uncomfortably reminded. But God is not just about “don’ts.” One thing He emphatically wants His people to do is celebrate. 14 “Each year you must celebrate three festivals in my honor. 15 First, celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread. For seven days the bread you…
New Wine
In Matthew 9 (also Mark 2 and Luke 5) Jesus is questioned about fasting. Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. Matthew 9:15 NIV That makes sense. When Jesus is present there is…
Fruit of Righteousness
The fruit of righteousness, like all fruit, springs from a seed—the seed of grace implanted in the heart of all believers at the moment of salvation. (unknown) And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace [by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals]. James 3:18 Amplified Bible…