I want to share two Truths with you again today! The first is found in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan for today. Look at Luke 11:27-28:
27 Now it occurred that as He was saying these things, a certain woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, Blessed (happy and to be envied) is the womb that bore You and the breasts that You sucked! 28 But He said, Blessed (happy and to be envied) rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey and practice it!
What was Jesus saying here? Some have the religious idea that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was somehow sinless and exalted. They also refuse to admit that Mary was ONLY a virgin until Jesus was born and THEN Joseph "knew her"! The fruit of their marriage was more children, both sons and daughters, but THAT is for another blog post! Mary was indeed BLESSED! But she was NOT sinless! She, too, needed to be born again! In fact, as we have seen previously, she did NOT even understand what Jesus was doing at the beginning of His earthly ministry! Also, she was THERE in the upper room! Not only was Mary born again, she was also filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in new tongues! AMEN! What Jesus is saying above is that the MOST important thing each of us can do is to hear the Word of God with the intention of obeying it, and then do so! Look at Luke 10:41-42 from yesterday's reading:
41 But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; 42 There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her. AMP
This was Mary Magdalene, but this TRUTH is for every one of us! AMEN! HIS Word should be our top priority! It IS the "good portion" that we ALL should be feasting on daily! The next Truth we'll look at is concerning God's Grace! Look at John 1:17 from both the KJV and the Amplified Bible:
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. KJV
17 For while the Law was given through Moses, grace (unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ. AMP
Grace is the undeserved favor we have received because of the Blood of Jesus that was shed for US! Now look at 2 Corinthians 12:9:
9 But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! AMP
Grace is God's great gift to us and His grace is for EVERY born again believer! I have been in conversations with so many people in the last few months who want to put others under the law of sin and death again! Notice that it is USUALLY others that these people are referring to! YOU must settle it in your own heart, once and for all, that sin has been dealt with FOREVER! Once you receive Jesus as Lord and personal Savior, you will still sin on occasion, but you are no longer a sinner! You are now a saint who may sometimes sin! SIN will NOT keep a born again believer out of Heaven! The ONLY sin that will do that is the sin of rejecting Jesus! The Word of God tell us THIS in 1 John 5:11-13:
11 And this is that testimony (that evidence): God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who possesses the Son has that life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life. 13 I write this to you who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) the name of the Son of God [in the peculiar services and blessings conferred by Him on men], so that you may know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you [already] have life, yes, eternal life. AMP
AMEN! NOW continue to put the Word of God first place in your life, choosing the "good portion" that Mary chose and you will continue to grow and mature in the things of God. WHEN you miss it, by making a selfish decision to do something your own way instead of God's way, go to 1 John 1:9 and restore your fellowship with HIM! Your relationship will NOT change! YOU, as a born again believer, are a child of God and a member of the Body of Christ! NOTHING can separate YOU from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:35-39)! AMEN! Here is a very appropriate song for today called "Scandal Of Grace" by Hillsong:
Shalom in Him!
