lent

AIM – Angels in Ministry – Even in the Wilderness, Mark 1 and the Psalms

Standard

Fast Fast – we like everything FAST! And yet we yearn to slow down…

We also think too fast and comprehend too slowly – we are human.

We need a moment!

Even Jesus went to the wilderness – more for just a moment – He went 40 days at times – such a long time…  Actually He wanted to go, did not hesitate – and he went to rest NOT like a spa but to be apart from the world but in the mind of His SPIRIT – Jesus went to pray, to fast, to be tempted like us humans, and to demonstrate worship in the way He knew was the best way – to completely TRUST – by being completely in God’s Hands.

And God sent angels.

God ministered to Jesus (like to us) with extra hands of angels. God told Jesus (and those there at John the Baptist’s scene) that He was Pleased with His Son. Then Jesus took the time out to go to the wilderness. Mark’s gospel is the shortest but to the point:  And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

Jesus already knew that the Spirit led Him there – required Him to Trust – would be there WITH HIM. 

Angels are everywhere – the wilderness is wild but not barren.

My cat sits sometimes looking at the wall – I wonder of her wondering – but I think she is looking at angels who are telling her to sit – to wait – to rest. I can’t even imagine the angels who are attending me attending us – except that they are – and that they are for all of us for God’s Spirit in us sake. Angels are working all the angles in our lives – especially the spiritual battles that we are not even paying attention to. “Angels are all around us” – we say this phrase but do we know the scriptures? I went to google and “AI” found angel scriptures. Really “AI” is algorithms for the searching, then let us say “AIM”, I will make a new acronym, to be “Angels in Ministry” – and for us to be in the receiving. The AIM of life in this wilderness of earth is for us to be in the receiving – in the trust – in the living of our lives. 

All around us is God’s AIM – that is God’s Angels in Ministry.

Let us accept their help.

Amen

—

Mark 1:9-13 NKJV

 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

MORE AIM – Angels in Ministry:

Psalm 91:11-12: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone”.
Psalm 34:7: “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them”.
Hebrews 1:14: “Are not all of them ministering spirits sent out to serve, for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?”
Matthew 18:10: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.”
Exodus 23:20: “See, I am sending an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.” 

Mere Mortals, March Lions, and Dust Trails, Ashes in Lent

Standard

Ash Wednesday is a day to remember there is no escapism from our mere mortal status, from dust to dust, us AND our oppressors, the Lord is the One who will fight for us. The battle belongs to the Lord. Mere Mortals are Made More with God shepherding.

For after lent comes Easter – we are to remember that we ARE saved – Jesus rescued and rescues and will come again.

And so escapism scenarios, and just plain hiding from life won’t work. Escapism is not the same as surviving best. Yes, we all do wobble, but Psalm 23 says to WALK through the valleys of shadows, don’t stay and linger. 

In another “March in like a Lion” themed instance, Isaiah warns about the escapism of the ancient Israelites and Judah-ites thinking Egypt is their friend or at least a less evil compared to being carried away to Babylon for an exile said to be for 70 years. The Lord is purposeful in His ways, and Isaiah also told of the eventual downfall of Babylon. Isaiah later also speaks of a Messiah to save. We know Jesus came and finished the prophecies, and Jesus will come again and defeat evil one and for all. Even evil is exiled from existence eventually. Wait upon the Lord. 

Salvation Secured Saving – it is the Lord who Saves. Be available for transport and be working for the Lord despite danger and disillusionment with the world. Make moments meaningful despite monumental challenges. 

With coming from ashes and returning to ashes, we are to be reminded about God’s creation in us and God’s win over sin and death. Our ashes could be from burning through life, fiery and giving it your all until there’s nothing left in the tank. God’s ashes are His handiwork to move us more freely, and God-efficiently, thru life and into forever.

Don’t fear the ashes of death. Won’t in our travels we be lighter then? Dust trails behind us and in front. We will be rescued and restored, we will be with our Lord.

March Lions roar, but WITH the Lord, our souls will surely soar!

Amen 

—

Isaiah 31-32:4 NIV

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord. Yet he too is wise and can bring disaster; he does not take back his words. He will rise up against that wicked nation, against those who help evildoers.

But the Egyptians are mere mortals and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out his hand, those who help will stumble, those who are helped will fall; all will perish together.

This is what the Lord says to me: “As a lion growls, a great lion over its prey – and though a whole band of shepherds is called together against it, it is not frightened by their shouts or disturbed by their clamor – so the Lord Almighty will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and on its heights. Like birds hovering overhead, the Lord Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it.”

Return, you Israelites, to the One you have so greatly revolted against. For in that day every one of you will reject the idols of silver and gold your sinful hands have made. “Assyria will fall by no human sword; a sword, not of mortals, will devour them. They will flee before the sword and their young men will be put to forced labor. Their stronghold will fall because of terror; at the sight of the battle standard their commanders will panic,” declares the Lord. whose fire is in Zion, whose furnace is in Jerusalem.

See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.

Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. The fearful heart will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear.

A Palm Sunday Services Prayer to Share

Standard

Lord we are entering Holy Week.

Greater Love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Today Palm Sunday, we are waving our palms and saying Hosanna, seeing You Jesus as a great king. May we see You Jesus as OUR King, a Heavenly king and not just an earthly king. May we be walking with You this whole week, still saying Hosanna as we want to grow – grow from the sheep being fed – to disciples being led.

May our Hosannas come with hope everlasting and a willingness to believe. Oh Jesus, Lord, please keep us from becoming that crowd that scorns You, denies You, and leaves You hanging by Friday. We ask Lord to remain walking step by step and be a witness as we all get to Thursday, Your last supper on earth, Your Passover feast, to break bread with You. We want to try to stay awake with You in the garden. We WANT to be Your friend, but our sleepiness is shown in Your tears. And please console us on Friday, Lord, open our eyes to see why such darkness was necessary in death and then truly allow us to see the Light overcoming darkness, by GLORIOUS Sunday.  Let us not remain those wondering Saturday people, lost and hopeless. Bring us Lord to Easter and understanding, Jesus let us taste in Your resurrection and Life.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that who-so-ever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

So today Lord, we are Your people who lay down their coats and palms, may we continue all week and for all of our days to lay down our plans for Yours, lay down our expectations for Your enrichment. Kneel at Your cross and tomb then keep walking and share your Good News:

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Please Lord send your Holy Spirit. As we receive Your Word today may we be filled with Your Spirit to open our ears and hearts to hear Your Voice as Shephard, know You as Prince of Peace, and to understand You and Your plan for us.

And Sweet Jesus, may we continue this Holy Week being led in praise and in measured steps, one day at a time.

We love You Lord because You loved us first.

Amen