READING MARK AND LUKE

Today, the snow is on the ground and the cold is in the air.  It is lovely to look at if you don't need to get out into it.  This morning, I spent an hour and a half just reading slowly and studying the chapters I read.  It was very enjoyable.  I usually must read fast to cover the ground, but with the snow, I had no meetings with my staff so I could take the time.  To me, time to read is a joy.  Now, I found so many things to write about, but I can only mention a few... which few?  Here are some: 1) TWO THANKFUL SOULS?  In Mark 14:3, we see two people: Simon the leper, and a woman with an alabaster box of ointment, called a sinner.  The disciples said: "Why was this waste of the ointment made?"(vs. 4) and Simon (a Pharisee) said: "This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner." (Luke 7:39)  Now, here is what struck me.... both were sinners: Simon and the woman.  But one was also saved and healed!!  Simon the leper!  He had to have been healed of his leprosy or no one would have attended his meal!  IF anyone should have been thankful, it should have been Simon.  How thankful are we?  He has saved us, sealed us, indwelt us, empowered us, encouraged us, loved us, ..... WOW!!       LORD, thank you for all you have done, and forgive me for times I have not been thankful.  Forgive me for thinking circumstances have anything to do with the grateful heart I should always manifest, but don't.  Help me Lord, to always remind myself that no matter the challenges of life, I'm saved, sealed, indwelt, empowered, encouraged, loved....!! 2) DESERT TRAINING- Luke 1:80, tells us about John the Baptist.  It says of him:  "the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the desert till the day of his showing unto Israel."  The days in the desert were not wasted years!!  Sometimes we think we are in a place that no one thinks about, and we are hidden from the limelight, and nothing we do makes any difference.... but this is desert training!!  Only until we can do right when no one sees, and no one knows... are we getting prepared to serve God when people can see!!  In the desert, we get to know God, and God gets to test us to reveal to us just what our strengths and weaknesses are.  Be patient in the desert... you are in training!! 3) ARE YOU SUPPOSING??  In Luke 2:44, Mary and Joseph were "supposing him to have been in the company"  when they "went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance."  I wonder how many people think they are saved because they go to church or because their loved ones are saved, or some other thing.... when all the while they are simply "supposing".  Do you know you are saved?  I hope you know that you know!!  Another thought, .... in Bethlehem, their relatives were there as well, but they did not come to the birth, nor have room for the young couple with baby Jesus; but now, years later, they imagine young Jesus is simply playing with his cousins... time had healed things.  They had rejected Mary because of her unexplained pregnancy, but now they were married and time had healed things they did not understand or approve of.  Time will heal your hurts too.... be patient in the desert! Well, I've just got started and could go on for another hour, but I've been at this for a while this morning.  I've enjoyed the reading, and I wish I had more time to share with you. Pastor Mike Mutchler