I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
She Saw the Lord
Mary Magdalene is one of the most well-known women from the Bible. She was with Jesus through much of His ministry, to the end of His life and after His resurrection. The first time we meet Mary in Scripture, Jesus has already worked a miracle in her:
“...Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out…”
Luke 8:1-2 (NIV)
Imagine feeling helpless, tormented, hopeless. Indescribably crushed under the oppressive weight of evil and without any way out. You may not need to imagine it–you might already identify with what Mary was going through.
But then, Jesus came and set Mary Magdalene free.
In a moment, He relieved her of her torment. She was healed. And she saw Him. She followed Him. From a distance, she watched the crucifixion as her Savior gave His life for all (Mark 15:40). And then, she saw where he was laid (Mark 15:47).
Ever faithful, Mary Magdalene and two other women who followed Jesus rose early in the morning and went to anoint Jesus’ body.
But there was no one there.
At this empty tomb, Mary wept in grief thinking Jesus had been taken away. But then she heard Jesus’ voice:
“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned towards him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means ‘Teacher’).”
John 20:16 NIV
Jesus then trusted her with an important task. “Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God” (John 20:17 NIV).
The news of Jesus’ resurrection took flight through Mary Magdalene, the woman who had once been crushed by suffering. Of all the people He could have chosen for this moment of glorious discovery and critical communication, He chose her.
And she went to the disciples with the very same news that had changed her life to begin with: “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18 NIV).
Jesus Does The Impossible
Jesus’ statement in Matthew 19:26 is often taken out of context. Many people have taken this verse to mean that they can do anything they want in life because God can do the impossible. Often this can lead to selfish prayers and a small view of God.
In order to understand what Jesus is saying, we should read the preceding verses. In Matthew 19:16-22, a young man comes to Jesus asking for eternal life. Jesus tells him that he must give up all of his earthly possessions—something the young man is not willing to do. Because he failed the test, the young man failed to inherit eternal life.
Jesus says in Matthew 19:23 that it is very difficult for a rich man to enter heaven. The point is that loving Jesus requires everything we are. Our ultimate love cannot be split between Jesus and something else.
The disciples then ask, “Who can be saved?” Jesus responds in Matthew 19:26 that it is impossible for man to save himself—but it is possible with God. God can do the ...
