Jesus in the sermon on the mount gave a clear mandate for how we are to feel towards those around us – even our enemies based on God’s character or how He feels towards all people, even those who scorn or diss Him.

Probably not since 9/11 (in 2001) has our nation and the nations of the world been so riveted to daily news from all sources. In spite of all of this, God is doing great works through this crisis. And He wants us to observe them and be a part of them.

One of the wonderful things about our God is that He is a living relational God, who speaks to His creation.

It was the Holy Spirit who taught John how to cultivate an inner/hidden life with God in the wilderness. It was the Holy Spirit who gave him utterance and boldness and fiery zeal for holiness and truth amidst an unholy and perverted generation.

Since God is the One who created life and who imparts life; since Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; only when we see Him and know Him and love Him can we experience and live life as He has intended for us to live it

All of this to say, for this woman to even enter this house, much less to carry on like she did probably for five to fifteen minutes - knowing she was being scornfully watched by these men of power and influence – something powerful and life changing had to have taken place in her life prior to this encounter with Jesus of Nazareth.

(This was a two week lesson I taught to our World Changers class, which is made up of young elementary students) I. Jesus gave us an example to follow (in all of life) John 13:15 “For I gave you an example….” Jesus I John 2:6 “The one who says he abides in Him ought Himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” The apostle John II. Jesus prayed often, Jesus prayed early, and Jesus prayed long. A. Often – Luke 5:16 “But Jesus Himself would often slip away i

Grumbling and complaining is evil because it basically communicates that God is not good nor just nor wise nor a good Father nor able to bring about needed change in our circumstances; and it all originates from the evil one himself.

Paul clearly did not believe he should never ever think upon those things again. While he refused to allow any shame or condemnation to enter his mind re: his sinful past, he clearly had regrets – especially about the way he harshly persecuted believers. And it was the occasional reflection upon his sinful past that caused him to see the greatness of the mercy of God towards Him.

Chapter three is somewhat of a timeout! It is a reminder of the dangers of getting so wrapped up in serving Jesus as Martha did, that we lose sight of savoring Jesus as Mary was able to do. It is Paul sensing a check in his spirit via the Holy Spirit, and thus he lays aside discussion of the advance of the kingdom, for something of even greater importance and that is – affection for, and pursuit of the King of this kingdom.