How does it feel to be criticized? Often it can sting a little or maybe even make us mad. Sometimes it depends on how the criticism was delivered. Delivered alone and in a positive attitude, criticism can be good. But criticism delivered in a harsh way, in front of other people or in a crowd, can be demeaning and maybe even angering, sometimes evoking a reciprocal response. It may want us to give it back to them.

Jesus, his disciples and some friends were at a house in Bethany having dinner. It was within days of Jesus being betrayed, arrested and then crucified. A woman, believed to be Mary, the sister of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, was there. She performed an act of pure love and sacrifice to Jesus. She was criticized and rebuked harshly in front of all. What she said after this public open admonishment at a dinner is a lesson for us all.

How does it feel to be criticized? Often it can sting a little or maybe even make us mad. Sometimes it depends on how the criticism was delivered. Delivered alone and in a positive attitude, criticism can be good. But criticism delivered in a harsh way, in front of other people or in a crowd, can be demeaning and maybe even angering, sometimes evoking a reciprocal response. It may want us to give it back to them.

Jesus, his disciples and some friends were at a house in Bethany having dinner. It was within days of Jesus being betrayed, arrested and then crucified. A woman, believed to be Mary, the sister of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, was there. She performed an act of pure love and sacrifice to Jesus. She was criticized and rebuked harshly in front of all. What she said after this public open admonishment at a dinner is a lesson for us all.

Alyosha teaches about the purpose of Jerusalem for establishing the Kingdom. God encourages and uses His people to be involved, participate in being co-builders of His Kingdom

Alyosha teaches about the purpose of Jerusalem for establishing the Kingdom. God encourages and uses His people to be involved, participate in being co-builders of His Kingdom

JESUS IS THE REVELATION OF THE GLORY OF GOD!

JESUS IS THE REVELATION OF THE GLORY OF GOD!

We all have faith in something. We have faith that the sun will come up and go down each day. That our heart will beat another beat, that we will be able to take another breath. It might be a little more difficult to have faith that our jobs will be secure, that we won’t get sick and that nothing bad will happen to us. Sometimes bad things happen. The Bible tells a story of 2 different people, on the same day at the same time that needed something from Jesus. One had a sick daughter that was dying and the other was a woman who had been sick for 12 years. Both were desperate. They both brought what they had in their faith department to Jesus on that one day. The man had faith that if Jesus just touched his daughter that she would live. The woman believed that if she could just touch the garment of Jesus, she would be healed. Both were right. You see, they had their beliefs, or their faith and the amount of faith that they each had…they brought to Jesus. The faith that you have, just bring it to Jesus. He can work with it.

We all have faith in something. We have faith that the sun will come up and go down each day. That our heart will beat another beat, that we will be able to take another breath. It might be a little more difficult to have faith that our jobs will be secure, that we won’t get sick and that nothing bad will happen to us. Sometimes bad things happen. The Bible tells a story of 2 different people, on the same day at the same time that needed something from Jesus. One had a sick daughter that was dying and the other was a woman who had been sick for 12 years. Both were desperate. They both brought what they had in their faith department to Jesus on that one day. The man had faith that if Jesus just touched his daughter that she would live. The woman believed that if she could just touch the garment of Jesus, she would be healed. Both were right. You see, they had their beliefs, or their faith and the amount of faith that they each had…they brought to Jesus. The faith that you have, just bring it to Jesus. He can work with it.

Have you ever had test anxiety? I can still remember as a young boy in school, having test anxiety. I was good at tests, except for math. I would pray, God please let me get through this test. And I did, but I was always anxious.

One of my daughters was talking to me about some general life stuff and she said, “Sometimes I wish I could just go back to a child and not have to handle all this stuff. It was easier then.” I have felt the same way myself sometimes. But there is no going back. And God doesn’t want us going back. He wants us to go forward, to grow….to mature, to be complete, and to be perfected. Just a couple of verses in James really focuses on how to not only get through “it”, whatever it is at the time, but how to be successful and to grow.

Have you ever had test anxiety? I can still remember as a young boy in school, having test anxiety. I was good at tests, except for math. I would pray, God please let me get through this test. And I did, but I was always anxious.

One of my daughters was talking to me about some general life stuff and she said, “Sometimes I wish I could just go back to a child and not have to handle all this stuff. It was easier then.” I have felt the same way myself sometimes. But there is no going back. And God doesn’t want us going back. He wants us to go forward, to grow….to mature, to be complete, and to be perfected. Just a couple of verses in James really focuses on how to not only get through “it”, whatever it is at the time, but how to be successful and to grow.