Expectations have a way of creating unique and often disappointing situations. We can get so wrapped up in them that we dismiss anything that doesn’t align with them, because we believe that our way is the only way. The bible tells us differently. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Jesus was constantly demonstrating that by upsetting the status quo. What people expected or what the culture believed, was not how Jesus responded. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the…

When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’  When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order.  Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” (John 11: 24-26) While Mary was traveling with Jesus and His disciples she saw and heard many miracles and teachings. One day after Jesus had finished praying He was driving out a demon that was mute.…

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;  Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. (Luke 8:1-3 Mary’s story begins surprisingly like many of ours; she had demons. While our first thought is to think of someone being possessed by evil spirits, the truth is that our enemy, satan, is an evil spirit and he is constantly…

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1) Mary Magdalene experienced Jesus’s rescuing power in her life. But being freed from her demons didn’t automatically remove her difficult circumstances. No doubt she had painful memories, relationships that were strained or broken, and consequences that came from life gone awry. But also, she had Jesus. No wonder she ended up becoming one of His devoted followers, exchanging the roof over her head for a tent, and familiarity for a whole new kind of wilderness wandering. She had found the kind of rest that only comes from communing with the Creator, and she wasn’t about to lose His presence. (The Chosen) There…

For the month of April we will discover some of the many lessons that can be learned from studying the life of Mary Magdalene Overview – A New Creation in Christ Mary Magdalene was a woman with a troubled past.  She had been possessed by seven demons before Jesus set her free.  After her healing she became a follower of Jesus and is mentioned as one of the women who traveled with Him and contributed to meeting the needs of His group.  Her devotion to Jesus was evident in her dedication to Him not only during His ministry but during His crucifixion and after His resurrection as well. Mary is…

What just happened! Yesterday was a day like no other and the believers were emotionally crushed and in observance of the Sabbath, were at their homes. The stillness must have been deafening compared to the uproar of the events the day before. How their minds must have been trying to remember the words that Jesus spoke and comprehend their meaning now that He was dead and buried. Was this real? What would happen next? As the believers sat in silence, the Pharisees remembered and were actively trying to prevent the predicted outcome. The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.  “Sir,” they…

In order to prepare my mind and heart for today I read each version of the Good Friday events from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I’m a visual learner and as I read the passages my mind would recall the scenes from the movie The Passion. Tears filled my eyes as I read about the brutal treatment that was given to my Lord. I thought of how exhausted He must have been, the sadness at betrayal and abandonment of some of His followers, the pain from the beatings and the mockery that He endured. Over and over in the passages it said, “these things happened that Scripture might be fulfilled.”…

The Thursday before Easter is known as Maundy Thursday, which is derived from the Latin word for “command,” and refers to Jesus’ commandment to the disciples to “Love one another as I have loved you.” On this night Jesus and His disciples celebrated the Passover meal together and it’s when Jesus explained and shared communion (The Lord’s Supper) with them; giving them a new commandment, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” This was something that Jesus had eagerly desired to do with His disciples before He suffered. To be in that room watching Jesus interact with His beloved disciples, eating with them, talking with them, reclining with them, must have…

Wednesday is right in the middle of the week. It’s a day that seems pivotal for our attitudes and mindsets. During Passion Week there was no exception. The bible tells us about two people who, at that moment, on that day, made decisions that forever marked them and changed them. One was Mary, the sister of Lazarus, and the other was Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples. Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him.  “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.” While…