Good morning to all on this last Sunday in March. Waine and I are in Thomaston. We have been traveling for the past two (2) Sundays. The second Sunday found us in Las Vegas a Brooks' Taekwondo tournament and last Sunday we were in Phoenix for Mackenzie's robotics tournament. Brooks' took two (2) 1st place finishes and one (1) second place finish. Unfortunately Mac's group didn't place. It was good to see them and how much they have grown and matured. Mackenzie will be graduating high school in May and going on to Harvey Mudd college in Claremont California. What a milestone--our 1s grandchild going off to college. Has it really been that long?? Building family history with your loved ones is so precious -- those memories will keep all of us a live even when we are gone.
I am continuing my journey in Romans, chapter 15 verses 1 - 33, "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.” Again, it says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with His people.” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol Him.” And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, One who will arise to rule over the nations; in Him the Gentiles will hope. ”May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about Him will see, and those who have not heard will understand. ”This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.
But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ. I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. The God of peace be with you all. Amen. " May God add a blessing to the reading hearing of His Word, amen and amen.
I felt compelled this morning to read and reflect on the Word of God. It has been an especially tiresome time for me physically. When I started practicing and God started building ZOe through me, my feet have taken the brunt and toll of 12-14 hour days. The tops of my feet hurt on a daily basis. At times its all I can do just to walk through the day. I am on a constant quest for shoes that will support me. I had Xrays done on my feet and the bones are twisted and I have calcium deposits where the pain is at its maximum intensity. Now I know that ZOe is where I am supposed to be. ZOe is God's measure of blessing to Waine and me so I have been puzzled about the pain I am experiencing. So now I am reading this passage in Romans. Paul has been everywhere preaching the Gospel of the Good News in Europe, Asia, Asia Minor and Africa. He has had to rely upon the kindness of Jews as he then spreads the Gospel to the Gentiles. I am sure it was a confusing journey for Paul. Yet Paul didn't dwell on the confusion and strife. He kept his eye on his mission and that was to be the Drum Major for Christ to the Gentiles. I am sure he was weary on many a day. I am sure his feet hurt more than mine and yet he kept pressing on preaching the gospel --the Good News that God through Christ is able to release JOY in our lives and present life as God intended.
I am proclaiming the ZOe of God on my feet. I will not be defeated by circumstance or fear but will rely on the very Promises of God that got me here. God knows my future and has forgiven my past. He wants me to have joy this day and every day. He wants me to be free of doubt and worry so that I can experience God's ZOe. I am sure Paul had doubts at time. He was a pioneer for Jesus. He not only was proclaiming something other than the Law as given to Moses, Paul was proclaiming that the Gentiles were children of God and also heirs to His Promises. The early Christian Jews also had to struggle to erase 3,000 years of teaching that they were the Chosen of God. The death and sacrifice of Christ makes all of us His Chosen.
Be triumphant today. Its Palm Sunday. Christ entered Jerusalem today some 2000 years ago to the cheers of many. He was not fooled and knew His day was coming when He would be the sacrifice and atonement for our sins. Embrace this Gift today and be joyful! Have a GREAT day and a Good week. Experience the ZOe of God.
Now may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Stephanie
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