©Kerrie O'Hearn Marquart

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©Kerrie O'Hearn Marquart
Showing posts with label Role of the servant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Role of the servant. Show all posts

Saturday, February 9, 2013

The Great Commission

Today I am thinking about the Lord's Great Commission.  Do you know what that is?  I hope so but many do not know.  Before our Lord came to earth as a man and flesh, the Jews were taught that they were God's chosen people and that God and the Messiah, if and when he came, was only to be shared with their own people. And they were God's chosen people but they did not accept Jesus as the Messiah.
Image of The bible with a FISH Symbol focused on the words "The Great Commission".

Matthew 28:16-20

New International Version (NIV)

The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

But After the Son came, we were taught that the gospel should be preached to ALL THE PEOPLES OF THE WORLD, even the Gentiles (persons of non-Jewish heritage and beliefs).

Luke 24:46-48  "And he said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day; and that this message of salvation should be taken from Jerusalem to all the nations: There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.  You have seen these prophesies come true."

John 3:16-18 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.
  There is no eternal doom awaiting those who trust Him to save them.  But those who do not trust him have already been tried and condemned for not believing in the only Son of God."

When I did my 2 year Bible Teacher's course back in the early 1980's, I had trouble memorizing the important points, (there are so many!) in John as there was so much material to cover.  So I made up a song of the concepts:

I cannot write music so you will have to wonder at the tune to this-ha!

♫The Word was made flesh
    I am the bread of life
    I am the Light of the World
    I came so that they might have life.
    I am the good shep-herd.
    Washing the disciples feet
    Love one another as I have loved you

   The Spirit will guide you into all truth,
   The high priestly prayer. ♫

The chapter of John is often called the "I Am" Chapter because it tells exactly what Jesus is.  What a blessing!  Read John and see how many of the concepts in my little song you can find.

So much in this gospel touches my heart!  Bread of Life-Jesus sustains us and nourishes us.  Light of the world-we do not have to dwell in the darkness of sin, we can walk in His light that shines everywhere!  I came so that they might have life- Jesus came not to punish but to guide us to eternal life with the Father in Heaven.  I am the good Shepherd- Jesus watches over us just as the shepherd watches over his flock, night and day, and searches for a lost lamb until he finds him and returns him to the fold.

Washing the disciples feet--I love this one.  Jesus in the role of the Servant.  He is showing the great love he has for the disciples, that he serves them because he loves them by the act of washing their feet even though He is the Son of God!  It was a custom in bible times to wash a visitor's feet when they came into the house after walking a long distance on dusty roads.  It was a humbling experience.  I used to wash my husband's feet sometimes at Easter time and he was both surprised and humbled by the experience as I felt filled with the Spirit performing such a simple act and taking the role of a servant for a few moments.....

As we approach the Lenten season, I hope you take something away from my blog today, food for thought, an inspiration, a yearning for the Word, the desire to be closer to Jesus and the Father.

Praying for you all and please write if you have special needs for prayer. God Bless and love, 
My Christian heart to yours...

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Still struggling with loss...

I am still struggling with the loss of my beloved Bill.  Sometimes, it seems to be getting better and then I hit a slump where I miss his presence so much, I can hardly stand it.  I know he is with the Lord and not suffering any longer but when you have been a caretaker for 7 years, it is quite disconcerting when you feel you no longer have a purpose in life.
I find it hard to fit in anywhere now that I am one.  God is providing much for me...work, earnings and sustaining me just as he always has.  But my feelings of loneliness are quite overwhelming at times and I break down.  All this is normal in the healing process of losing a loved one but even though we know and understand the process, it does not make it any easier.  I keep as busy as I can and I love gardening and picked my first tomato from the vine on Sunday!  


Today, I did not have to work so I decorated the front of the house with flags and red, white and blue flowers.  I am slowly getting back into reading again and am enjoying a new book and of course never get tired of reading the Bible.  


I find myself thinking a lot on our role as servants of the Lord and want to serve wherever God would use me.  I am most gratified when serving others for good.  (References 2 Cor 4:5, Philippians 6-7, Mark 9:35, 1 Peter 4:10 and John 15:12-13)


How are you handling your losses?  I hope you are getting out and about and serving the Lord in some capacity.  Sometimes, it is as simple as sharing a favorite dish that you cook with neighbors.  Do whatever you can to help others and in the same way, you also help yourself.  I am still taking one day at a time..... as the song says.


Much love to my faithful followers.  I am hoping to get back into the habit of posting more.  Thank you.
My Christian Heart to yours...