The Transfiguration

Watering the Garden
THE TRANSFIGURATION

Jesus took three of his disciples John, Peter and James up on a mountain with him to pray. While praying an extraordinary thing happened. His appearance changed and his clothes became white and glistening, plus two individuals from the Old Testament, Moses and Elijah, appeared and spoke with him. The three discussed Jesus’ upcoming death.

Scripture:
And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen. (Luke 9:28-36)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
We have learned that three disciples witnessed Jesus, while on a mountain praying, being transformed and speaking with two Old Testament prophets, Moses and Elijah.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

Humility in Prayer

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HUMILITY IN PRAYER

Jesus stressed the importance of humility in prayer when he shared with us this parable. We see that the first man in the parable was self-centered and self-righteous. The second man was humble before God.

Scripture:
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)

Another example regarding humility in prayer is brought forth in the Old Testament book of Psalms.

LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:” (Psalms 10:17)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
God will respond to and exalt those who come humbly before him.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this study of His word, Amen.
Susan

Blessed Nation

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BLESSED NATION

As a result of hearing and doing the word of God bountiful blessing are promised. The children of Israel lost those blessings over and over again because of their disobedience.

Because we are a Christian Nation, our country too has been blessed, but those blessings can be lost if we turn our backs on God. The scripture reads, “And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.” We ARE called CHRISTIAN.

Scripture:
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.

And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee. And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee. (Deuteronomy 28:1-14)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
The nation that will learn and do the word of the Lord will receive great blessings.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan

Forgiveness

RAINING TRUTH WATERING THE GARDEN

Watering the Garden
FORGIVENESS

Jesus explains that we will be forgiven in the same manner as we forgive.

There are those who wrong us in ignorance. Remember Jesus’ statement while dying on the cross. “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Later, in the book of Acts, we have the example of Steven asking for the forgiveness of those who were stoning him. He said, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge”. These words of Paul confirm that he did the same: “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me. I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.” (II Timothy 4:16)

Jesus, Steven and Paul asked forgiveness for the people because of their ignorance and so can we.

We are not asked to forgive people who have intentionally harmed others or ourselves, unless they have repented or asked, but in order to have peace of mind; we may choose to forgive them in our hearts. Carrying hate in our heart can be destructive to our own life.

Peter questioned Jesus how often a person should forgive another. In the book of Matthew, Jesus answered Peter in depth: “I say not unto thee, until seven times; but, until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:22) The total of seventy times seven equals four hundred and ninety.

Scripture:
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:14-15)

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. (Mark 11:25-26)

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. (Luke 17:3-4)

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
We are forgiven in the same manner as we forgive. Jesus, Steven and Paul forgave others who had not asked because they understood their ignorance. We are not required to forgive those who do not ask, but for our own benefit we should.

Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this
study of His word, Amen.
Susan