A Morning Cup of Tea: Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

Good morning! Today we begin chapter 13 of John. We will focus today on verses one through sixteen.
  Before the Passover, Jesus knew that his time was near. After supper Jesus laid aside his clothes, girded himself with a towel, and began to wash his disciples' feet. He dried them with the towel he had on. When he came to Peter, Peter said to Jesus, Don't wash my feet (v8, my words).  Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. To which Peter replied, Lord, not my feet only, but my hands and my head also.
  I think Jesus was saying there that we should love one another enough to do for one another, but also to allow a loved one to do for us sometimes. I also think there was symbolism in what Jesus said. When we are baptized, it is done in Jesus name. If we are not washed in the blood, we are not his. Of course we know that when we are baptized it should be a full immersion, a burial to sin.
  Jesus told Peter that if they are washed, they are clean --free of sin. He said they were clean, but not all. He already knew one would betray him. We will look more into that tomorrow.
  We don't wash one another's feet today, which was a courtesy shown to traveling guests back then, but we do certain things in hospitality. We provide a room for guests staying overnight, and we give them a chance to freshen up before feeding them. In other cases, such as a birth or a death, we bring food, we offer to wash the dishes or vacuum, or just jump right on in and do these things because it is a help. We do these things because we love one another. Sometimes though a person may want to help but not know what to do. When asked, tell them what would really help --folding the laundry, sweeping the front porch, take the older kids for an hour or so. 
 Have a great day.

A Morning Cup of Tea: Baptism, John the Baptizer

Good morning! This is the week that J and I stay home while hubby works the day shift. Not my favorite way to spend the Lord's day, but I can honor him by supporting him and taking care of my family. 
   J was up long before I was today so breakfast had to come first. I made a Dutch Baby Pancake that I will tell you more about later this week if you're interested. J has eaten, had his bath, and is in his room relaxing so now I can settle down and get my writing done.
  Yesterday we read John 3, and in it, we learned a little about baptism. As we discussed yesterday, and will read again tomorrow, Jesus himself didn't baptize anyone. His disciples did the immersing.
  When John's disciples asked him about Jesus and why people were going to him (I'm guessing they were wondering if John was okay with this), John told them that Jesus was the Christ, not he (John). He had only been sent to tell others about Jesus and prepare the way. 
 The whole chapter  brings up the subject of believing. Believe on Jesus and you will have everlasting life.Don't believe and you will be condemned. But what does it mean to believe? Simply saying "I believe" ? James 2:19 tells us that the demons believe, and tremble. We know they wont go to heaven because they do Satan's will, and not God's.
  A preacher once explained belief this way: There is a chair in the corner. You know it's a chair and you believe that if you sit it will give you comfort and rest. But if you don't sit on the chair, what good is it doing you? Many people believe there is a God, and even understand that Jesus is the Christ, but choose to continue a life of sin. At least sometimes I believe that it is because no one taught them there is a better way to live. We have to try and teach; through example in our own daily living as well as studying together. Invite them to worship. 
 Have a great day.

A Morning Cup of Tea: Baptism

 Good morning! I think it's going to be another beautiful day. The sun is shining, people are already busily driving down my street, and my dear son has been awake for who knows how long this morning. He woke me up this morning. I heard someone knocking and my sleep filled brain decided that it was hubby coming home from work and couldnt get in, or one of the neighbors needing something. It was neither; hubby is at work this morning, not coming home yet. It was my dear son, knocking on the bathroom wall.  He got me up and moving so that is what counts. 
  Today we are in the third chapter of John. Jesus had been invited to the home of Nicodemus, a Pharisee. Apparently Nicodemus didn't want anyone else to know he was wanting to learn from Jesus because he was there at night. Jesus taught him that he needed to be reborn (v3) in order to enter the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus either did not understand or thought it highly amusing that a man could be reborn. Jesus explained to him that we must be born of water and the Spirit. Baptism. Jesus continued teaching him, and taught that he himself would soon die in order that those who believe might be saved. John 3:16, one of the most widely known verses in the bible, says For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
  Stop and think about that a minute.  God loved the world --this means the people of Jesus' earthly time, those before him, and us, you and me. He loved us enough to send his only Son down to earth to teach, do miracles so that others might believe, and eventually, to die. He was sent to take our place. MY place. I have a son. If someone came to me and said Dottie, your son is in a place where if he dies he could save so many people. If he doesn't die, everyone's going to die. I would have a very hard time sacrificing my son's life for others, especially those who wouldn't understand that sacrifice, much less appreciate what he'd done. This was a tremendous thing that Jesus did, dying on the cross for our sins. And all we have to do is believe, right?
But what did Jesus tell Nicodemus? You need to be baptized. Now look at  verse 22 of this chapter. After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
23. And John also was baptizing in Enon, near Salim,because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
  If you read a little further,to John 4:2, John tells us that Jesus himself didn't baptize, but the disciples did. Is that a contradiction with verse 22? No. The baptisms were done on behalf of Jesus, so then it can be said that Jesus baptized. We are not saved through the person immersing us into the water, but through Jesus. To learn more about that, please read here and here .  
  I'll talk more on this chapter tomorrow. In the meantime, feel free to leave comments or questions, or discuss. I don't always answer, but I try to.  Have a great day. 

A Morning Cup of Tea: Go Ye Into All the World

Good morning! What an interesting day it has already started to be. I had to give a short cooking lesson already at breakfast; J was interested in the scrambled eggs.  I think he's decided he likes eating them more than cooking them. Now he's singing to me as I type. Have you ever tried typing at the keyboard with a cat between you and the keyboard. Interesting, to say the least. Growling wouldn't make me stop so she finally abandoned her post.
  Today we are in chapter 16, the very last chapter of the book of Mark. The Sabbath has passed, and now it is the first day of the week --Sunday.  Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James have come to the sepulchre to anoint the body of Jesus. Because he had died so close to the Sabbath, they weren't allowed to do this before his burial.
 Being women, they were wondering just who they could get to roll away the stone so they could get to the body. Imagine their surprise when they saw the stone already rolled away, and a man dressed in a white garment sitting there!
 They were very frightened at this, and I don't blame them!
  But he told them, don't be afraid. You seek Jesus, who was crucified. He is risen and is not here. Go tell Peter and the disciples to meet Jesus in Galilee.
  On their way to tell the disciples, Jesus appeared to them. They told this to the  disciples but they did not believe the women. Still they did not understand that Jesus was telling them truth when he said he would rise again 3 days later. Even when Jesus appeared to two of the disciples the others still did not believe.
  They did not believe until they saw him with their own eyes. Jesus scolded them for their unbelief.
 15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
 16. He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
  In verse sixteen, notice the word "and". That means we must believe and also be baptized. Jesus said it himself. Belief is an action. We must be obedient when we believe.  
 If a man said, I'm bringing you a car. It's yours, but you must take the key from my hand and start the engine to claim it. If you just took the key, the car wouldn't be completely yours yet. You didn't fulfill the agreement. You have to start the engine. 
 In order to keep the car running you have to take care of it with gas and oil and all that, right? Its the same for our soul. We have to continue reading the Word and praying, and live righteously.
 Have a wonderful day.
  

Monday Morning Report

Good morning! I think I should rename the post Monday Morning Mayhem, hee hee! Lots going on today.  First, if you read my Morning Cup of Tea posts, let me apologize. Today's post will be late because I left my bible in the car last night. Hubby took it to work with him.
  Today is Halloween. Some places have done their trick or treating this past weekend but there may be some little ghosts and goblins and whatever else is popular out tonight so be careful as you drive.
 I woke up late this morning;just did not want to leave my warm bed. But my doctor called and gave me some good news: my hemoglobin is up to 10.4! That's a lot better than it was a few weeks ago when he was seriously wanting to do a blood transfusion, but still not normal. I'm happy it's going in the right direction, however. Having no energy and being threatened with a hospital stay is not my idea of fun. I will continue eating good food and taking my iron and multivitamin as my doc suggests.
 As for the getting organized and getting ready for the holidays go, it's a slow but sure process on both. I was able to write out a menu for the week, although Saturday's lunch and dinner is still up in the air. When you aren't used to coming up with meal plans, it can be hard! 
 Today's Menu: 
   Breakfast - grits, fried egg and string cheese
   Lunch --meat loaf, mashed potatoes and spinach
   Dinner-- supposed to go to my mother's for chili.
  For snacks I have yummy honeycrisp  apples 
  For those like me, Flylady has Cruising Through the Holidays missions that should help us not get overwhelmed with all that needs to be done. She is already up to number 11 but don't let that overwhelm you. Start with where you are. I will be checking that today, as well as putting away some laundry and cleaning some shelves and cabinets in my kitchen. 
  I can hear you yawning so I'll let you know that we had a great time with friends from church on Saturday night. One family had an outdoors Halloween get together with hot dogs, hamburgers, and lots of goodies. The weather was cooler than we thought it would be, but it was still nice enough to be outside, especially with a little bonfire. Yesterday hubby was off all day so we were able to attend both services as well as the fifth Sunday fellowship meal. In lieu of a lesson last night we had our end of the month singing, and mostly older songs like Victory in Jesus were selected. I love those old songs, and they touch my heart each time I hear/sing them. We were also blessed to witness a baptism last night.That makes my heart very happy, to see another Christian sister among us.
  I've talked your ear off enough for now, and housework beckons. I hope you have a wonderful day.

A Morning Cup of Tea: Jesus Begins His Ministry According to Mark

Today we begin the book of Mark, which, at 16 chapters, is the shortest of the four gospels. From what I read in the Thomson Chain Reference in the back of my bible, this book was written for the Roman, or gentile people. 
  Mark opens the the first chapter by beginning with John the baptizer, the one who came before Jesus.
 2. As it is written in the prophets, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
 3. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
   John baptized (immersed) people for the remission of sins. (v4). He lived in the wilderness, and his clothing was of camel hair. His food was locusts and wild honey. I think most of this was because his mission was so urgent, he didn't give much thought to food or anything else. He preached that Jesus was coming, and he was such that John felt he was not worthy enough even to bend down and unlatch Jesus' shoes.
 Jesus came of course, to be baptized by John.   10. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
 11. And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
  Jesus went from there to the wilderness where he fasted for 40 days and was tempted of Satan, then the angels ministered to him. Mark does not go into detail about the temptations.
  After this John was put into prison and Jesus came into Galilee, preaching.
 15. And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
 Mark chapter one also tells of the first four disciples being called: Simon and Andrew, James son of Zebedee and his brother John.  From there they went to Capernaum, where on the Sabbath Jesus taught in the synagogue. The people were astonished at his doctrine, for he taught as that had authority, not as one of the scribes. (v22)
 It was here that Jesus drove out an unclean spirit from  a man in the synagogue. The spirit inside him knew who Jesus was. (v23-26) The people were amazed that he could tell an unclean spirit to come out of a man, and the man would be healed. Jesus' fame spread through the countryside.
 After this Jesus healed Simon's mother in law, and many others.  Mark continues telling of Jesus healing others, and trying to find solitude so he could pray. While there were followers who wanted to hear what Jesus had to say, or had a loved one (or themselves) who needed to be healed, I'm sure like celebrities of today there were people following him simply because of his fame. But even Jesus, Son of God, needed to be alone at times to pray and perhaps collect his thoughts. He was, after all, in human form here on earth. He had human needs just as we do.
  Mark seems to be going at a rather fast clip telling of Jesus, doesn't he? I'm  not the best by any means of retelling the events, so I do hope you will read along with me. Each writer of the gospel tells the life of Jesus in their own way, yet each has the same message. The "story" (dislike that word here, makes it sound like fiction) remains the same. I hope you'll join me tomorrow for chapter 2. 

A Morning Cup of Tea: He is Risen!

We are now in chapter 28 of Matthew. The Sabbath is over and the first day of the week (Sunday) is now dawning. Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, have come to the sepulchre. Suddenly there was an earthquake, and the angel of the Lord came from heaven to roll away the stone blocking entrance to the tomb, and he sat on it.
  v3. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.
   4. And for fear of him the keepers did shake and became as dead men.


Now, if I had just seen this, I don't know if I would still be standing,  running screaming, or falling into a faint as it seems the watchmen have done. What a sight it must have been, to see an angel come down and roll away a heavy boulder by himself.
  The angel spoke to the two Marys, and told them not to be afraid. Jesus has risen. He invited them to look in the tomb and see for themselves that he was gone.  He then told them to go tell the disciples the good news, and have them go to Galilee where Jesus would meet them. 
  As the women were headed to tell the disciples, Jesus himself appeared to them. They fell at his feet to worship him.
 10. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
 While the women were going to find the disciples, some of the watch men went into town to tell the chief priests what they had seen. The chief priests took counsel with the elders and came up with a cover story: When the watchmen fell asleep at night, the disciples came in and stole the body of Jesus. This was what they were going to tell the governor and anyone else. That was their story and they were sticking to it.
  16. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee,into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
 17. And when they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted.
 18. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying: All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

It's been a long journey and I know I need to go back and get the missing days here on the blog but I've enjoyed reading Matthew's account of Jesus. It's the first time I've read it completely. If you've read along with me, thank you for being part of the journey and I hope you will join me for the reading of Mark. Please, feel free to comment any time. I enjoy the company. :)