Mary lifted the lamp just enough to peer out of the window, then quickly lowered it back to her side. The house must be kept dark, for the guards were nearby. And if not for the strange noise she had heard, Mary wouldn't have taken the chance. For these were perilous times. King Herod had stepped up his campaign of persecution. Now Christians, some Mary loved and called friends, were being arrested and tortured. Even the disciples of Jesus, James and Peter had been captured. And to find favor with the Jews, Herod already had James killed. Now Peter was in a prison cell awaiting the same fate. "Not if I can help it.", said Mary softly. "For this is a house of faith! In it we worship the Almighty, Living, God! Furthermore, no enemy, not even the great Herod can stop God's will from being done!" And with that, Mary turned defiantly and headed for the great room where the others were gathered. 

Mary's house was indeed a house of great faith, prayer, and worship. And that was all due to her nephew, Barnabas. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. A follower of Jesus, it was through his ministry that Mary and her son, John Mark, came to know the Lord. Barnabas had taken John Mark under his wing, and helped him become a mighty evangelist for Christ. And watching all her nephew and son gave to God, no matter the cost, Mary knew she could do no less.

Opening up her home to fellow believers was both risky, and dangerous, but Mary felt led to do just that. It was important that those who needed a safe haven to pray and worship could do so freely. And even though at any given moment the doors could burst open and Herod's guards take them all, Mary was never afraid. For she trusted in God alone, and knew the promises of Jesus; her Savior who gave His life to save hers. And it was those very promises she was clinging to now.

As Mary returned with her lamp to the gathering room, the mood was somber. The fragrant voices of many prayers filled the air from the people on their knees. A vigil was being held for Peter, and petitions were being made to God for his release from prison. For tonight was the disciple's scheduled execution and time was running out. 

It was getting late, and the people were tired, but not a single one lost hope, nor resolve. "We'll stay as long as it takes.", said a man kneeled in the corner. And as others around the room agreed, Mary was filled with love and happiness at the strength of the fellowship around her. When suddenly, that happiness was disturbed by a loud knock at the gate.

"Who could that be?", a startled Mary wondered. "If it were Herod's men, surely they wouldn't bother to knock. Yet who would come at such a late hour?" Not wanting to arouse suspicion, reluctantly Mary sent her servant girl Rhoda to see who was calling. The minutes Rhoda was gone felt like hours. And just when Mary thought she couldn't take another second of waiting, in ran the girl, out of breath and too excited to talk. 

Finally after a few deep breaths Rhoda managed to get out, "Our prayers have been answered. It's Peter! Peter is at the gate!" Surely the girl was mistaken. In her zeal and the shadows of the night, she must have mistaken whoever it was for Peter. But the girl persisted. "I tell you it's Peter!, she declared. Even when someone offered the explanation of the stranger being Peter's angel, the girl wouldn't back down. And as Mary looked into the girl's eyes, now filled with tears, there was another knock at the gate. Knowing her servant to be truthful, Mary and the others went themselves to see who was knocking.

Her heart skipped a beat when Mary opened the gate and saw her beloved friend and leader Peter, standing on the other side. Afraid of attracting unwanted attention, quickly they ushered the disciple in. After they had tended his wounds and filled his belly, they gathered around to hear Peter's tale. They listened in amazement as Peter told of the appearance of God's angel, who had rescued him from prison. He spared no detail, and everyone who heard began praising the Lord for His love and faithfulness. 

Although Mary wanted desperately for Peter to stay, the danger was too great. He needed to leave before the morning light and news of his escape reached the ears of Herod. "Mary", said Peter. "Tell what you have heard and seen here to James and the brethren." And after grabbing a small sack of food for the road, Peter turned, smiled, and headed out into the darkness. 

As Mary locked the gate, she looked up at the stars and said a prayer of thanks. If she were to be honest, there had been times when she wondered if all of her sacrifices had been worth it. But in His grace and love, God had blessed Mary by letting her see His mighty hand at work in the miracle He performed. And as she blew out her lamp and climbed into bed, joy filled Mary's heart. For God was faithful, His promises rang true, and He had rewarded her obedience far beyond what Mary could have imagined. Excited and rejuvenated, Mary could hardly wait until morning to continue the work of the Lord.

(Mary, Mother Of John Mark, is one my heroes. She risked everything to follow Jesus. And so I ask myself, can I be a Mary? Am I willing to place everything I hold dear in the hands of the Lord? Is any sacrifice too great? Am I as powerful a prayer warrior as she? And do I have the faith to trust that God answers all petitions made by the ones He loves?)

Hi Girls!

We've reach another woman in our study who is hardly mentioned in the Bible, but one who played a huge role in the church during it's infancy. I'm so thankful to be taking the time to study Mary, the mother of John Mark this week, for she is a woman who is overlooked more often than not these days, yet truly deserves recognition for the huge role she did play. O, hang on girls, I think this will be a wonderful study this week and I can not wait to dive in!!

The story Mary, the Mother of John Mark is found in:

Acts 12:1-19

Colossians 4:10

And quite possibly Acts 1:12 - 2:13, but I'll talk about that more later in the week. 

As always our themes for the week will be:

• Monday: Her story--a portrait of her life
• Tuesday: Her life and times--background information about the culture of her day
• Wednesday: Her legacy in Scripture
• Thursday: Her promise--the Bible promises that apply to her life and yours
• Friday: Her legacy of prayer--and praying in light of her story

We want to also encourage you to be thinking along these lines as you study Mary, the mother of John Mark throughout the week. Ask yourself:

Friday February 26^th-Samaritan woman at the well

John 4: 7-42

Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14

Growing up I knew of Jesus, but I really did not know Him.  Like this Samaritan woman, she knew that He was coming but did not really know Him.  I can tell you the day I received Him as my Lord and Savior my life was not the same again. 

Lord, I have been watching and waiting for You, the Messiah to come and that You would tell us everything we need to know.  On that, day when I went to draw water You were there.  When I saw You there I was concerned seeing You were a Jew and the Jews and my people do not get along or talk to one another. But You were different.   You wanted me to draw water for You, but in turn You told me that You had living water and that I would never thirst again.  How strange I thought.  I want that water!  My thinking was that I would not have to come and draw water again.  You told me that Your water was a well of water springing up to eternal life.” I want that water, Lord.  When you asked me to go get my husband I could not lie I had no husband and then You told me that I had answered correctly because I had, had 5 husbands but the one I was living with was not my husband.  Right then I knew You must be the Messiah because You knew about me without me telling You.  You changed my life that day! I now believe in You Jesus, the Messiah!   I was so excited to meet You and I wanted to share with others that I left my water pot behind and ran home to tell anyone who would listen to me that I met You the Messiah!  They did listen and also came to know You, not just because of what I said but they went to You and asked You to stay with them.  They believed because they also heard from You and knew that You are the Messiah!  My life is now changed and I live each day to serve You.  You are my Lord and Savior!   You have put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to You my God so that many will see, fear and will trust in You. Amen

EVERY WEEK WE MEET FOR PRAYER AND WE WOULD LOVE TO PRAY FOR YOU.  LEAVE YOUR REQUESTS HERE AND WE WILL BRING THEM BEFORE THE FATHER.  OR, EVEN BETTER, COME JOIN US! Here's the Link

Lyn

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“The most basic need a soul has is to experience unconditional love and acceptance.” -unknown

The Samaritan woman was on the fringes of society and she well knew it. A Jewish man would not typically even acknowledge her existence. And yet, the unthinkable happened for Jesus had an intentional encounter with her at a well. No wonder she was in disbelief.

“The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)”

‭‭John‬ ‭4:9

But what this woman experienced that day was true unconditional love. 

“Unconditional love is not based on the performance of the receiver, but on the character of the giver.”-Unknown

This unconditional love is promised to you and I as well.  It’s quite remarkable when you think about it.  We are mere specks of dust in the vast expanse of the cosmos and yet the God of the Universe extends unconditional love and acceptance to each of us. 

God is Holy and certainly this woman living in a lifestyle of sexual sins would not be worthy of His forgiveness and offer of eternal life... and yet He offered what only He could offer, living water.  He does the same for us. He loves us and meets us in the midst of our sinful entanglements to offer us hope and extend his mercy and grace.

“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus‬ ‭3:3-7‬ ‭

He knew everything about the Samaritan woman and He knows everything about us. And yet,  He is patient with us and keeps tugging at our heart strings and convicting us of our need for Him because He wants to save each and every one of us.

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭

He is the God of 2nd chances, and will keep picking us up and dusting us off for as long as our hearts allow Him to correct us and teach us. He promises us redemption from even the darkest, most desolate places if we will accept his love and mercy.

“who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,” Psalm‬ ‭103:4‬ ‭

He did not dismiss her because of her failures. He welcomed her because He knew that she would be grateful and yield her heart to Him.

“He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” Psalm‬ ‭103:10-14‬ ‭

And since we are talking about an encounter with Jesus at a well, I found this analogy fitting. 

Our prayer and God's mercy are like two buckets in a well; while the one ascends the other descends. -Mark Hopkins

Jesus is waiting to talk to you. He knows everything about you and yet He loves you. As you humble your heart and lift your prayers up to Heaven, He promises to extend to you from above, His abundant wisdom, mercy and grace.

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”

‭‭James‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭

 Tuesday, February 23, 2021

As the woman headed out, the noonday sun beat hot against her skin. Beads of sweat formed on her brow as she hurried along with her empty pots to Jacob's well. The other woman had already collected their water and were now resting in the cool of the shade. Oh how she longed to join them. But she still needed water and this was the best time of day to go unnoticed. 

To beat the heat, the women of the city drew their water for the day in the early morning hours. And as much as she wanted to do the same, she found the scorching rays of the sun easier to face than the whispers and stares of the others gathered at the well. She just couldn’t take their looks of shame and words of condemnation. So what if she lived by her own rules? And even if she was sinning, what business was it of theirs? Who were they to judge her! Filled with indignation, the heat she felt on the outside was equally matched with the heat of anger she felt burning inside.

Approaching the well, she noticed the figure of a man reclining nearby. "That's odd", she thought. "Why would someone be sitting out here in this heat? I wonder what he wants?" Growing closer, she saw that the man was clearly Jewish and staring directly at her. "He  must have lost his way.", she thought. For no Jew would purposely come to Samaria. Meeting his gaze, a feeling of peace washed over her, and the anger she felt before quickly dissipated. It was as if his eyes penetrated her very soul. And although she knew a strange man should be approached with caution, for some unexplainable reason she had no fear, and dare she even say, something about him felt like an old familiar friend.

"Give Me a drink," requested the Man. The woman's jaw dropped in disbelief. Who was this man that He dare speak to her in public? And with him being a Jew and her a Samaritan no less! Didn't he know they were enemies? She asked, "How is it that you can request a drink from me? "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink', you would have asked Him" replied the man, "And He would have given you living water." Living water? What kind of trickery was this? This man carried no pot, and no rope to lower the pot to the water. And surely he wasn't crazy enough to think himself greater than father Jacob who had provided the well! Undoubtedly the heat must be affecting his mind.

Yet the man didn't look crazy. And motioning toward the well he continued. "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whosoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." Now to never again be thirsty or to have to draw water from the well sounded too good to be true. But if there was even the slightest chance that it could be real, she was going to take it. And so she asked, "Sir, give me this water."

But instead of giving her a drink, the man requested that she go get her husband and bring him back to the well. The woman hung her head, and looking at the ground she softly replied, "I have no husband." Studying her intently, the man went on to say that not only did he know she had no husband, he knew about her five previous ones, and how she was currently living with her boyfriend. Stunned to the core, and staring at him incredulously, her mind raced with trying to figure out he could possibly know these things. "He must be a prophet!", she concluded. Unbeknownst to her, she was about to find out that he was so much more. 

After questioning the man about the proper place to worship she declared, "I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us." The man rose and standing before He replied, "I who speak to you am He." And as he reached out to touch her hand, the veil was lifted from her eyes. No longer did she see a stranger before her, but instead her beloved promised Savior. 

No sooner than the Lord revealed himself, His disciples came to be at His side. And as they questioned Jesus about His conversation with the woman, she dropped her pot and ran back to the city. She couldn't wait to tell everyone she met about her life changing encounter with the Messiah. 

The women told all who would hear about Christ’s knowledge of her many sins, and His lack of condemnation. She shared how He choose her, a Samaritan woman, to reveal Himself to. And she spoke about the living water that the Lord alone offers to all who thirst. Many were swayed by the passion of her testimony and ran out to see Jesus for themselves, and numerous Samaritans were saved that day. 

Our memory verse for this week is Psalm 90:14..."Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." 

Hi Girls!

We're off to study another woman with a very checkered past this week. Probably the most checkered of all the women we will study, as far as we know of. She had an awful lot going against her;

•  First being a Samaritan - Jew went out of their way NOT to associate with any Samaritan
• And then an immoral woman- even her own people wouldn't associate with her. 

I cannot wait to get into her story! You'll find it here:

Samaritan Woman at the Well: John 4: 7-42

Be sure to study with our themes in mind this week:

• Monday: Her story--a portrait of her life
• Tuesday: Her life and times--background information about the culture of her day
• Wednesday: Her legacy in Scripture
• Thursday: Her promise--the Bible promises that apply to her life and yours
• Friday: Her legacy of prayer--and praying in light of her story

We want to also encourage you to be thinking along these lines as you study this week. Ask yourself:

Unstuffed Peppers

1 cup uncooked instant rice

1 pound ground beef

2 medium green peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 jar (26 ounces) marinara sauce

1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning 

1/2 cup shredded Italian cheese blend

1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

1 tablespoon butter

Friday February 19^th-Martha, Mary and Lazarus’ sister

Martha was a servant and she excelled in hospitality.  She paid attention to every detail.  She was not someone who sat around, she kept busy enjoying serving others.  But, like Martha we who love to serve sometimes get tired and forget to take time to rest and get refreshed.  We worry and fret.  Are we doing enough? 

Be hospitable to one another without complaint.  As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.    [I Peter 4:9-10]

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” [Luke 10:38-42]

Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.  [John 12:1-2]

Lord, You know how much I love to serve.  I love preparing for company and making sure everything is just right.  It brings me much joy to attend to their needs and just make them feel at home.  Thank You for gifting me with such details of hospitality.  It can be exhausting and I forget to sit down with them and enjoy their company because I worry if everything is just right.  I think of the day You came to our house and I was so worried if I had done enough.  I just wanted everything to be just right for You.  I was so frustrated I even asked [harshly I admit] that You would make her help me.  In Your loving and gracious way You reminded me that I needed to sit like my sister Mary and enjoy You.  So many times Lord I rush around and get things done and I admit not always with a grateful heart.  I complain!  Help me Lord to sit with You before I serve anyone. To serve them as if I am serving You.  Help me Lord to serve You with a grateful heart.  For all that I am is from you.