No man witnessed the Resurrection. So how do we believe that it really happened? Scroll Down to February 1st post about the only Resurrection we ever remember. The Romans executed over 30,000.
Who rolled away the stone? No man could alone. God sent an angel to roll away the stone, not to let Jesus out, but to let us in to show He was not there. The Crux of Christianity. The angel told the women---Go tell the disciples and Peter! God had the angel "drop" Peter's name---you know, the one who denied him three times before he hung on a cross. What encouragement to betrayers---that would be all of us.
Mark 16:9 He appeared first to a woman named Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She told the disciples that He was alive....but they would not believe it.
Mark 16:12 He appeared in another form to two no-names, as they were walking into the country. They told the rest... but they did not believe them.
Mark 16:14 He appeared to the eleven themselves and He rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart... because they had not believed God? No, because they did not believe those who saw Jesus after He had risen.
Mark 26:15 His Resurrection Words spoken to them: "Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
And I've never seen this verse before, Mark 16:20: While they preached the message, the LORD worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs. God, would you work with us today, confirm your message!, as we live the Gospel with our words and life.
As we close the Book of Mark, I am deeply touched in this chapter as I read that the disciples couldn't believe "those who saw Him after He had risen." They couldn't believe a woman who had seven demons cast out of her. They couldn't believe two unnamed disciples...so, they hardened their hearts in unbelief. They probably would have believed John or James, even Peter, but not Mary Magdalene! Jesus thought enough of these three people to grace them with His Presence. You know, my husband and I are no longer credible people with ministries (but we will find our place, real soon!). We are no-names. People believe Beth Moore. People don't believe people with no-names. Yet, every day, my LORD appears to me in some way or another. He is so taking care of us in ways that it could only be explained in terms of God! He is Risen. He is Here. Hold on tight---we may be a no-name but HE is calling our names!
Bev, I have utmost respect for "no-names." God knows your soft heart and He knows you by your fruit. You are full of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfullness, Gentleness & Self-control. Your life Glorifies Him and He loves you deeply. I hope that's enough!
ReplyDeletep.s. I love you, too!
p.p.s... When I think of you, I see your beautiful smile!
ReplyDeleteBev, I certainly don't consider you a "no-name".
ReplyDeleteYour blog has changed my life.
You have brought a family of Pearls into my heart.
God has used you in such a mighty, powerful way and you emanate Him in your words, your smile and your willingness to share your thoughts and bear your soul.
I totally agree with Ang.
I love you too!
No one on here is truly a No Name....for He has written on each heart and each life and we all know each others name. I understand where you are coming from Bev....no public recognition, but like Jan said, your words Bev have written or used by God to write on each of our hearts. I've read the words He has given you since January of 08 and He has moved mightily in my life because of your love and devotion for Him and to Him. Thank you for the verses you sent me in 2 Chron....some of my most favorite in the whole Bible.
ReplyDeleteIn today's reading what jumped out at me, was that He tells us that He first appeared to Mary Magdalene. I'd never seen that before.....I thought maybe He appeared to her first because she loved so much because she had been forgiven so much. The longer I walk with Him, the more I love Him...wishing that I could have loved Him this much thirty years ago. The song is so true." the longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows"...
No man rolled away the stone....it was ALL God and had to be ALL God, so that there could be no other explanation. "But God"
Have a blessed week end everyone.
Awww, thank you all! I really struggle with being demoted and put on a shelf, so-to-speak. If you are really walking with God, He will use you. But I have to keep coming back to Crabb's thought that it is not about what happens "to" you but what happens "in" you that matters. And I CANNOT DENY that there is more going on inside of me than ever before. I know I am loved and accepted by my Beautiful God and He is Enough even if nothing else ever happens for me again. I think maybe my struggle is because we have been stripped away of so much. But it's just worldly things and like you said, worldly recognition. I just want to end my life well, whatever that means, whatever that looks like. Thanks for allowing me to share with you all. You mean much to me! I do appreciate your words and lives seeking hard after Him!
ReplyDeleteLiving this Mystery with you all, With Gratitude!
Love! Bev
Bev, I will never forget the first time I met you at the SSMTC Jan 22,2010. You glowed Jesus and I was not the same as I sat next to you during that evening. Whenever I see you I see the smile and glo of Jesus loving me. That evening was so fast, we really didn't have time to visit but so much was transferred by the Spirit in that brief hour for which I am so thankful.
ReplyDeleteYou are certainly a not a no name. Your blog posts as I read how you described your move to Austin and then when the bomb of cancer exploded at Easter just a few months after you moved to Austin provided me so much insight for me to remember as I come in contact with friends who have the same issues. Bev you and Bob are gifted at what you do and because of your gift of the blog I have come to make new friends in the Pearls. You bless me so much. I am so thrilled that not only did God bring you into my life but becuase of your leadership many new friends in the Pearls.
Thank you for reminding me it is what God wants to do Inside of me that is more important than what I feel about the outside.
I love you and pray God's continued amazing Grace in your lives. This is a Song I must Sing, Sylvia
And the last will be first...
ReplyDeleteYou all touch me in ways that are hard to give words to. I come here for companionship in solace, for encouragement to know other women with very different walks yet similar struggles, and for wisdom which you all graciously exude.
Bev, your servant's heart and humility are part of what I love most about you. No pity parties or claims of "Unfair!" My mother used to tell me, "Annette, not everything in this world is fair." Truth is, not much in this world is fair. But His eyes are on the ones who have been wronged. Not a sparrow falls...He sees.
Much blessing and love to each of you. Deborah, where are you, my friend?