Jesus our Advocate

 From Michael Horton's book, "Hope When Your Heart Breaks," pages 35-36

Martha told Jesus the next step He should take, but Jesus wasn't taken in by Martha's worriers and control.  Jesus sees a bigger picture and seeks a greater purpose.  Martha may have been preparing lunch, but Jesus was preparing an eternal banquet.  Martha railed at Mary's fault, but Jesus rejoiced in Mary's faith.  So, He answered Martha.

To Mary, it may not have even mattered what Jesus said.  In her split second of utter humiliation, Jesus didn't let the feeling linger.  He did hesitate or allow the awkwardness to prevail.  Before Mary's face could become flush with hurt feelings, Jesus filled the gap.  He leaped to her defense, stepped in to help, and showed He cared.  At what appeared to be the point of her greatest failure, Mary saw the Son of God advocating for her.

He does the same for you.  You may feel like you want to disappear, but Jesus insists on being your companion when you are most vulnerable.  He calls you a worthy friend.  The apostle John knew what it was like to be brushed off and embarrassed.  But he also knew Jesus.  Later in his life, John reflected honestly about sin and failure.  He said, "If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (1 John 2:1).  We have an advocate.  John experienced Jesus caring defense.  Mary did too.  When Jesus Christ, the Righteous One speaks up for you, there's no one who can speak against you.

Psalm 13

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?

  How long will You hide your face from me?

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?

  How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, O Lord my God.

  Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in heath;

  my enemy will say, "I have over come him, and my foes will rejoice when I fall."

But I trust in Your unfailing love;

  my heart rejoices in Your salvation.

I will sing to the Lord,

  for He has been good to me.

NIV 

I trust when dark my road

In God, my faithful God, I trust when dark my road
Great woes may over take me, Yet He will not forsake me
My troubles He can alter; His hand lets nothing falter

My sins fill me with care, Yet I will not despair
I build on Christ who loves me; From this rock nothing moves me
To Him I will surrender, To Him, my soul's defender

If death my portion be, It brings great gain to me
It speeds my life's endeavor, To live with Christ forever
He gives me joy in sorrow, Come death now or tomorrow

O Jesus Christ, my Lord, So meek in word and deed
You suffered death to save us, Because Your love would have us
Be heirs of heavenly gladness, When ends this life of sadness

"So be it," then I say, With all my heart each day
Dear Lord, we all adore You, We sing for joy before You

Guide us while here we wander, Until we praise You yonder 

If you don't have a home church, why not join us at Christ the Redeemer this Sunday.  Location is 43rd Avenue and Olive.  Worship at 9 am and Bible Class and Sunday School at 10:15 am.  Blessings!

Why a dog is man's best friend

Humorist Dave Berry provides the answer:

You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, "You're right! I never would have thought of that!" 

Faith does not go on vacation

For faith does not rest and declare a holiday; it bursts into action, speaks and preaches of this promise and grace of God, so that other people may also come up and partake of it.

Martin Luther, "Luther's Works," Vol. 15, page 273 

Better late than never - the Friday Funny!

 From Mitch Albom, "Have a Little Faith."

The pastor of the little country church began his sermon with a stirring reminder: "Everyone in this church is going to die!" The minister looked around and he noticed a man in the front row with a huge smile on his face.  The minister asked, "Why are you so amused?"  The man answered, "I'm not from this parish.  I'm just visiting my sister for the weekend."

Page 231

When Christ is present in our lives

From my journal...

To the extend we are Christians, we stand above the law and sin.  Christ is the Lord of the law.  He is present and lock in our hearts, just as a precious stone is firmly mounted in a ring.  When the law accuses us and sin terrifies us, all we need do is look at Christ.  When we have taken hold of Him in faith, we have the victory over the law, sin and death...because Christ rules over all of these, we won't be harmed.

Martin Luther, "Faith Alone," July 14 devotional