Questions or answers?
How can loving visits and conversations effectively add value to relationships?
God’s creative blessing of childbirth is a process in life which He chose to become part of.
Elizabeth had been about five or six months along when her virgin cousin Mary miraculously became pregnant with Jesus who was conceived by God to save us! After a long journey our Savior traveled in the womb of His mother Mary, they finally arrived at Elizabeth’s home and their conversation began. Elizabeth’s own unborn baby John (who would become John the Baptist) leaped within her womb at the sound of Mary’s greeting! By sense of Who Mary was carrying, Elizabeth’s important question, “why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” applies to all humanity! Mary answered with a song! Blessed cousins Elizabeth and Mary were filled with the Holy Spirit. Their concerns were cared for as they celebrated life, by faith, in each yes and amen. They experienced miracles, believed and trusted the Lord. Mary’s visit lasted about three months. [listen to more about the visit]
Luke 1:41-43
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| In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? Luke 1:41-43 |
Why should Jesus come for any of us?
Still today we see conception and childbirth as types of miracles of life beginning in an imperfect place. Each and every one of us needs a Savior from sin, death and the power of the devil, whether we admit it or not. Glory to Jesus who is The Answer given for us! He willingly, humbly, and perfectly obeyed our Heavenly Father’s loving purpose so that each of us may trust His work for our salvation.
Before and after birth, the Maker of all things provides everything we need. Wondrously, we were fed through a cord that connected us to nutrients from our mother. Strength came to tiny muscles by swimming and kicking within mom’s womb. If she went to church, we went along and our tiny ears heard hymns and the spoken Word of God flowing through her body and spirit. Medical teams with God-gifted skills began guiding our transition from cord to breast to solid food.
Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you. Psalm 71:6
Ever since the fall from perfection, everyone ever conceived (except Jesus) has inherited sin. All newborns and people of any age need to be rid of it, but we cannot accomplish that on our own. We can’t even claim or decide to love our Creator on our own without faith that is given to us by nutrients we receive from the Word of God. God commands Baptism for all people (Matt. 28:19) for forgiveness of sin, rescue from death and the devil, and to bring salvation to all who believe. Unbelievers will be condemned (Mark 16:16). God wants everyone to be saved and to fully understand the truth (1 Tim. 3:4). Baptism is the life-giving, grace-filled process of receiving water in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5-8). The Holy Spirit fills us with desire to follow and trust the Word which answers our questions about the beautiful Light given to and for us. An adult’s greatest work is raising infants up to study God’s Word. Praying, holding dearly the precious promise of eternal life given by the merit of Jesus, we cling to the saving Word for spiritual growth. Throughout our lifetime of repentance, dying to sin in Christ’s righteousness and purity, we look forward to be raised as He was raised (Romans 6:4)! Learn more about the baptism of Jesus, how it is tied to His death, resurrection, and ascension in which He blesses His people forever.
Luke 6:28
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bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Luke 6:28 |
Can we expect to have an intimate relationship while pretending to know what is on another person’s heart, without asking and listening?
Giving someone a great (or weak) answer, repetitively, isn’t the best way to communicate if a question wasn’t asked. When we’re stuck, wondering how to get unstuck, we do well to remember the onus of our own sin does not fall on anyone else.
The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. Ezekiel 18:20Our Creator knit each individual together in our mother’s wombs without a cookie cutter. We’re created to think and take personal responsibility as capable adults. Sin tempts us to get out of these duties. We ought to pray, Lord, have mercy on me, whenever we’ve fallen for temptations. We each have marvelous (and terrific) differences. One person needs help and another person is equipped to help (if the connection can be made). One commonality we do have is that each of us are loved by God. Rather than being the harshly rigid answer-person, why not pray first, then ask a number of questions such as what is on your heart? or how can I pray for you? to discover what’s beyond ourselves?
We are created to bless one another which, ideally, occurs when a mutual desire to understand each other exists. In a sinful world, we can expect people refusing to grow in God’s love will abuse of His gift of relationship as it was designed to be full of grace. All humans lack complete goodness. Each of us have a degree of selfishness which we may not even recognize in ourselves. Emotional, spiritual, mental and physical illnesses weigh us down, more than necessary, when we leave God out of the picture or give Him only a tiny space in the canvas of our lives. It’s quite possible one or more people will curse you or abuse you because you trust Christ and maybe they don’t very much, or at all.
Beautiful restoration happens as honest prayerful faith receives Jesus’s blood, sweat, and tears He gladly paints into each of our messy work-in-progress lives.
God cherishes each one of us as His own beloved children when He sees us connected to His Son. Jesus took all kinds of human abuse, even crucifixion, then victoriously rose from death and sits with Our Father Almighty. He teaches, mediates and gives peace in the middle of our troubles and failings. Christians gladly receive grace, mercy, forgiveness, protection, comfort
and friendships; plus, Jesus says we have the benefit to pray for those who
mistreat us. Praying for someone is a wonderful way to love them. Christ is full of compassion for those who trust Him to remove fear concerning curses, abuses and all difficulties of this life including illness, even death.
“Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace” Luke 8:48
Luke 7:50
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| And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:50 |
Can you relate to the faithful, tearful woman who loved Jesus and came to Him?
Jesus didn’t put this sinful woman down, make a scene, use power to control her, or abuse her in any way. He noticed this woman’s gratitude, her love that came from being
forgiven much. Rather than pointing out disappointment over her many
sins, Jesus held her up and praised her sorrow, honesty and actions. He
was delighted to pardon her. Her situation was utilized to teach the proud, outwardly religious, critical man about contrition, faith and the fruits of repentance. Jesus doesn’t oppress, belittle, tend to be harsh, punish, hurt, and refuse kindness; He forgives, encourages, and gives peace. What a tender example of genuine love!
“Human beings can destroy the body but not the soul.”—Lutheran Study Bible on Luke 12:4
Luke 12:6-7
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| Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7 |
Who do you trust?
If you’ve ever been condescendingly told that you were worth nothing, that you cannot be forgiven or someone’s love won’t be shared with you unless you fulfill that person’s certain conditions and desires—ouch, that hurts badly. Let go of those false words by looking to Jesus who sweat blood and poured out His compassion for you at the cross to protect you from lies. Well-recorded in the Bible by several witnesses, Jesus uses simple illustrations to express Our Heavenly Father’s love and the incredible value He gives sinners whom He redeems. If you wonder what you are truly worth, look at your Creator and the price He paid to save you and everyone. Jesus’s grace is sufficient for mercy and goodness.
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9–14
Luke 21:33
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| Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Luke 21:33 |
The teaching of Jesus was, is, and always will be true.
The Word is Truth, Wisdom and Creator of all things. Not to be ignored, He promises to return and is making all things new. The Almighty God warns us not to worry or be dulled by concerns of the world; instead, worship, pray, and watch yourself so that you are prepared for the unexpected Last Day. Today, the Word is still spoken and is growing among those who hear and share it. If you need a boost, or if you’ve never looked into being built up by the Word, please, get into it because your life depends on it. I pray you will discover how connections with Christians help you through difficulties of this life and point you to certain hope in the everlasting future God wants for us together with Him.
Luke 23:26-43
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| And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:26-43 |
Jesus desires relationship, knows us well and prays for us.
Jesus walked with and asked His friends questions as a way to teach. He was and still is the perfect listener. On our journey with Truth, we are gently reminded us of His love and God-given time. We can ask ourselves if we are taking opportunity to be curious about sins of prodigality, pride and hypocrisy. During this period of grace, we may evaluate ourselves as the sinners we are, repent and come to know Christ’s humility, generosity, mercy and kindness. True worship is given to us for forgiveness and to strengthen faith as we receive Close Communion. We sing praises and thank the Lord by working and sharing.
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Luke 22:19
Salvation comes through the human person Jesus who also is all-powerful, all-knowing and everywhere God. It is finished. The destruction and the power of Satan will never hold back forgiven believers from eternally loving Jesus in paradise.
“Some days seem long though life is brief. And death is waiting like a thief. When vision fades and dreams go dry, we will on unseen things rely.” —from an excellent hymn: I AM Forever WHO I AM
Links listed alphabetically
- Abuse
- Cadillacs
- Domestic Violence
- Forgiveness
- Humility
- Is It Abuse?
- More forgiveness
- Omnipotence
- Persistence
- Priority
- Self-Worth
- Thanks
- Transformed
- Video summary
Pray
“O God, by Your almighty Word You set in order all things in heaven and on earth. Put away from us all things hurtful, and give us those things that are beneficial for us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (C62)” Treasury of Daily Prayer
