6 posts tagged “angels”
MAN MADE RELIGION
Read Colossians 2
Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. Colossians 2:4-5 NKJV
* * *
This newly formed church worshiped in a city with a mixed culture of pagan religion and strict Judaism. The Jews insisted on keeping the traditions of the law while pagan philosophers called for extreme neglect of the body through self imposed religion and worship of angels.
Paul warns the Colossian church, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” (2:8-10)
* * *
Lord, I praise You that we are complete in You. I pray that as I have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so (I will) walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as (I) have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. (2:6-7) Thank You Lord, for the free gift of Your salvation.
* * *
And you, being dead in your trespasses...He has made alive together with Him...having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14 NKJV
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MARY MAGDALENE
Read: John 20:1–18
They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." John 20:13 NIV
* * *
Mary Magdalene was one of the devout women who supplied the needs of Jesus and His disciples throughout His ministry. She had been delivered from demon possession as were others who followed Him.
Mary Magdalene stood at the foot of the cross with Mary, the mother of Jesus and later she came to the tomb to grieve – instead she had an encounter with angels. Then she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, so changed that she did not realize that it was He ─ until He said her name,"Mary." then she turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (20:16)
Mary Magdalene stood at the foot of the cross with Mary, the mother of Jesus and later she came to the tomb to grieve – instead she had an encounter with angels. Then she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, so changed that she did not realize that it was He ─ until He said her name,"Mary." then she turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (20:16)
Mary Magdalene was forgiven much and she loved much. Her life was dedicated to the ministry and to being a friend to other believers. God chose her to be the first one to see her risen Lord.
* * *
Thank You Jesus that You came to set people like Mary free from their sin. Help me to show my love for you by serving other believers.
* * *
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" John 20:18 NIV
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TAKE A SWORD
Read: Luke 22: 35–53
He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. Luke 22:36 NIV
* * *
It has been obvious up to this point that everything the Lord did had a purpose and was part of His Father's plan. Just prior to entering the Garden of Gethsemane for prayer, He gave the apostles specific instruction to sell their cloaks and buy a sword. They must have thought they were preparing to fight for the kingdom. But Jesus had a plan they never could have guessed. They said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is enough." (22:38 NKJV)
After a night of prayer in the garden; a contingency of soldiers and religious leaders came to arrest Jesus. When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" And one of them (Peter) struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. (22:49–50) What happened next would show everyone that Jesus laid down his life for us — it wasn't taken from Him.
* * *
Lord, I am unable to comprehend the love that motivated You to give Your only begotten Son to make such a sacrifice. Jesus said, "No more of this!" And He touched the man's ear and healed him. (22:51)
* * *
"Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?"
(Matthew 26:53 NKJV)
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WHO IS THE GREATEST?
Read Matthew 18:1–14
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Matthew 18:1 NKJV
* * *
Many of Jesus' followers were expecting Him to set up an earthly kingdom, as promised by the prophets. What they didn't realize was that Jesus was going to gather His subjects over the centuries into a much greater kingdom than they could imagine. Those who would be a part of His kingdom would come in humble obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
First, the King would be crucified, buried and then raised again the third day. After a time He would go back to His Father in Heaven awaiting the Day of the Lord when He would return ─ a time for which we also are waiting. Who will be great in that kingdom? Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (18:3)
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And so Lord, we will present the gospel to our children with confidence, so that they will believe and be a part of Your eternal kingdom. Thank You Jesus, for reminding us how much You love our children.
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"Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven." Matthew 18:10 NKJV
PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Read: Acts 1:1-11
He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 NKJV
* * *
After forty days of being with Jesus and rejoicing that He was truly alive, the disciples asked Him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6) He told them that it was not for them to know the times and dates, "But," He said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:7-8) Then just as they must have wanted to ask Him many other things, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight!
Lord, I can't imagine how alone they must have felt at that moment. We know now, and they knew in just a few days, that they would not be alone. Lord, I praise You that You have given us Your Holy Spirit to guide us. Thank You that Though we cannot see Him, He dwells within us and prays for us according to Your will.
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This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:11 NIV
TAKE A SWORD
Read: Luke 22: 35-53
He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. Luke 22:36 NIV
* * *
It has been obvious up to this point that everything the Lord did had a purpose and was part of His Father's plan. Just prior to entering the Garden of Gethsemane for prayer, He gave the apostles specific instruction to sell their cloaks and buy a sword. They must have thought they were preparing to fight for the kingdom. But Jesus had a plan they never could have guessed. They said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is enough." (Luke 22:38)
After a night of prayer in the garden; a contingency of soldiers and religious leaders came to arrest Jesus. When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" And one of them (Peter) struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. (Luke 22:49-50) What happened next would show everyone that Jesus laid down his life for us - it wasn't taken from Him.
Lord, I am unable to comprehend the love that motivated You to give Your only begotten Son to make such a sacrifice. Jesus said, "No more of this!" And He touched the man's ear and healed him. Luke 22:51 NIV
* * *
"Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matthew 26:53)
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