Friday March 26^th-Mary Magdalene-Luke 8:2

So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.  John 8:36

Mary Magdalene was set free from seven demons.  She never looked back.  She became a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.  We find her with the women praying, at the cross and the first to find Jesus’ body no longer in the tomb.  Once Mary was healed and saved, she practiced her faith in following Jesus and ministering to Him and His disciples.  Mary’s gratitude and love manifested itself in devotion to Christ. 

Lord, the day that You set me free from seven demons I was truly set free.  I was born again!  My desires changed into wanting to serve You only.  I never looked back but kept my eyes focused on You.  On the day of Your death I was so unbearably sad.  My heart ached for You, my Lord.  But that glorious morning when I went to the tomb and You were not there was shocking to me.  Where could You have gone?  And then You met me and assured me that You are alive.  YOU ARE ALIVE!  What a glorious resurrection day!  Because You are alive we can live victorious lives through You.  You conquered death to set us free from our sin.  We can trust in the fact that if You set us free we are truly free.  No turning back! Amen

Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?  If not won’t you cry out to Him and ask Him to forgive you a sinner and choose to walk with Him all the days of your life.  He only is our salvation from sin and death.  You can have eternal life in Him.  It’s as simple as ABC.

Take some time this coming week to spend it in His word.  Walk the way of the cross to resurrection day!

Matthew 26-28

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

Friday February 5^th , Mary Magdalene

I cannot imagine her life, living with 7 demons inside of her.  I am sure that she lived in a lot of fear and was probably always worried and anxious.  She had an encounter with Jesus and her life was completely changed.  She was a strong follower of Jesus Christ.  We find her with the women praying, at the cross and the first to find Jesus’ body no longer in the tomb. 

Luke 8:2-3-The twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.

John 19:25-But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

John 20:1-2-Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene *came early to the tomb, while it *was still dark, and *saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. So she *ran and *came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and *said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”

Lord, I was so tormented day and night.  I lived in constant fear and worry, with unhealthy thoughts running rampant in my mind.  I could not even take care of myself.  I was a mess!  People would look down up me and think she is a lunatic!  Many tried to help me but they could not.  The day You saw me and healed me completely was the best day of my life.  You set me free that day and I have not looked back.  It has been a joy to serve You each day of my life.  When I saw You on the cross, I just could not bear it.  All that suffering and there was not anything that I could do.  I stayed close by because I wanted to be where You are.  When they placed You in the tomb, I went there to see and brought spices to anoint You.  But when I got there the tomb was open and empty.  Where are you?  Who would do such a thing as take your body?  Then You met me there, and I thought you were the gardener,  You called my name and my heart leaped for joy! You are alive!  Now You are seated at the right hand of the Father and I know that I am not alone anymore because You are always with me, You never leave me nor forsake me.  I will serve You all the days of my life.  Amen!

Once Mary was healed and saved, she practiced her faith in following Jesus and ministering to Him and His disciples witnessing to His death.  Mary’s gratitude and love manifested itself in devotion to Christ. 

Have you met Jesus?  Has He changed your life?  We all have a testimony, don’t keep it to yourself, share with others what God has done in your life.   

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. 

Mary Magdalene is mentioned in all four gospels and we know that she was very close to Jesus. She was a very devoted follower of Jesus and supporter of his ministry. I believe that devotion came from an abundant gratitude from being rescued by Jesus from the dark clutches of evil. The Bible tells us of who she was before her encounter with Christ...

Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out...(Luke 8:2)

I can’t imagine having 7 demons to muck up my thoughts and desires and control my behaviors. It must have been a tortuous nightmare and one that she was powerless to rid herself of. We all have our sins and flesh to contend with but we are as powerless to free ourselves as Mary was. But, just like Mary, we have His promises of salvation and being free from whatever hold evil has over us:

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:13-14‬ 

‭

Mary was grateful and loved Jesus intently. Out of love and gratitude she stayed near Him as He traveled the land teaching. And she stayed near him as He hung on the cross suffering, and breathing his final breath. 

“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”John‬ ‭19:25‬ 

I’m sure the Crucifixion would forever be a place of mixed sorrow and joy.  It’s near the cross that we too will find His promises fulfilled that give us a hope and a future...

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and Morning Star
Shed its beams around me.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o’er me.

Near the cross I’ll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand
Just beyond the river.

And Mary, out of her endless devotion, was up early In the morning to go show reverence to Jesus by visiting his tomb. Because of that devotion, she had a special privileged encounter with the risen Savior. She was crying because his body was gone but Jesus called her by name and she then recognized her Lord was alive. 

She was one of the first evangelists of the wonderful news of a risen Savior. We too have the promise of an intimate relationship with Christ. We have to spend time with Him for these intimate encounters to occur. He wants to meet with us. He knows each of us by name and He wants to make himself known to us so we can share that knowledge with others. 

“But whoever loves God is known by God.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭8:3‬ ‭

Mary learned during her life that nothing could separate her from Christ or His love...not the demons inside of her ...not physical death ...not even an empty tomb. We have that same promise to trust in..

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans‬ ‭8:38-39‬ 

Hi Girls!

I hope you have been enjoying this study as much as I have. I've read about each of these woman before while moving through the Bible, but I never stopped to truly study the impact each of them had on those around them and all of history. 

Mary of Magdalene is a perfect example of this. I'm in such awe of her and the legacy she has left behind for all of us, but before we look into her legacy I wanted to just briefly touch upon the highlights of her life that are mentioned in the Bible just so we don't miss out on anything:

• Mary Magdalene was delivered by Jesus from seven demons. "...and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out" (Luke 8:2)
• Mary Magdalene financially supported Jesus’ ministry. Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others were helping to support them out of their own means. (Luke 8:3)
•  Mary Magdalene witnessed the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.  (Matthew 27:55-56). *Interesting note that I don't want you to miss is the order in which the women are listed and how Mary, the mother of Jesus is referenced. Mary Magdalene is listed before Mary the mother of James and Joseph (Jesus' half brothers). In Jewish writings the one of more prominence is generally listed first.
•  Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and reported it empty. Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” (John 20:1-2)
•  Mary Magdalene saw two angels in the tomb and spoke with them. Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb  and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.  They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”  (John 20:11-13)
• Mary Magdalene was the first person (man or woman) to see Jesus after His resurrection. Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. (John 20:16-18)
•  Mary Magdalene was the one who delivered Jesus' message back to the disciples. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:10)

First, Mary Magdalene life demonstrates that Jesus should be the center of our life. She depicts for us what one woman can do for the One who has done so much for her. Once Mary was healed, she immediately began to practice her faith by following Jesus and ministering to Him and His disciples from her substance and was there to the end; witnessing to His death and Resurrection to others. 

Second, Gratitude should be our driving force as to why we follow Jesus and serve Him and others. I believe Mary Magdalene felt she owed Jesus her very life, but don't we all?  Mary never forgot how much she owed to Jesus.

Third, Mary Magdalene's life demonstrates how very much Jesus elevated the role of women. We don’t know much about Mary Magdalene’s life before demons were cast out of her. But we can read in other areas and know how demon possessed people were treated. We also know that women were treated as second class citizens. I can't say for sure, but I feel as though she must have experienced some kind of shame from being possessed, but none of this stopped Jesus from healing her and allowed her to have a part in His ministry. 

Finally, Mary Magdalene is a wonderful example that our past is past. When I think of Mary Magdalene's life I immediately think of what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Anyone who belongs to Christ is a NEW person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!". 

All of us are given a second chance, a fresh start, the past is past and a whole new life has begun! This to me is my greatest takeaway from her life. BUT, I'm sure there's much more to her legacy and if you have discovered more, I hope you will share it with us on Women in the Word. 

Blessings, 

sue 

 Tuesday, February 2, 2021

The room was still dark when Mary awakened. For a moment the events of the past days seemed like nothing more than a horrible nightmare. As she rose and lit the oil lamp, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the polished water pitcher sitting on a table nearby. A tear stained face with swollen eyes, stared back at her. And instantly Mary knew it was no dream. She fell to her knees as the horrific images of her Savior being crucified came rushing back, and the tears began to flow once more.

Jesus Christ, Mary’s Master, Teacher, and Friend, had been arrested and sentenced to death. He was beaten beyond recognition, wearing a crown of thorns, and hung on a Cross. Many others who had followed this Man now deserted Him in fear. But not Mary. Her heart wouldn’t allow her to leave. And so there she stood at the feet of her Savior, whom she loved so dearly. She witnessed His unbelievable grace as He forgave those crying out for His death. She felt His amazing love as He turned the care of His mother over to His dearest friend. And with a broken heart, she heard Him take His very last breath. 

When it was over, Mary watched from afar as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea removed the body of Christ from the Cross. And after they had wrapped Him in linen filled with spices fit for a king, Mary followed behind as they laid His body in a tomb. And only after the tomb had been sealed with a stone rolled across it, did Mary return home to grieve her terrible loss.

That was two days ago. And now, in the early morning hours, Mary was off to meet the mother of James. Together they were going back to the tomb where her Lord laid. Oh how Mary had longed to go yesterday, but as it was the Sabbath, she had to wait. But at last, today, she could return to her Messiah. Loving and gently, she would properly anoint His body with spices she had so painstakingly purchased.

As she walked in the darkness, Mary’s mind wandered back to when she first met this Jesus of Nazareth. Her life then was one of agony and suffering. Being possessed by seven demons, Mary was battered and bruised, both physically and mentally. She was considered an outcast and shunned by society. But then Jesus came. And instead of turning away in disgust as so many others before Him, He turned toward her. “Mary”, He called. Mary looked into His face and suddenly felt a wave of love wash through her that she had never before experienced. Finally she was free! The demons that had ravaged her life for so many years had left at the command of this Man! And from that moment on, in loving thankfulness, she had devoted her life to following and serving Jesus. But now with His death, all of that had been ripped away.

As Mary neared the tomb, she wondered aloud who would help roll the stone away so the women could get inside and perform the anointing. But when they arrived, to Mary’s horror, she found the stone already removed and no body inside. The linens Jesus had been wrapped in laid crumbled on the ground, but His body was nowhere to be found. Instead some strange man dressed in a white robe stood inside. “Jesus is not here”, said the man. “He has risen, just as He said.” Confused and afraid, Mary ran back to tell her fellow disciples what had just happened. 

Racing back to the tomb with Peter, Mary stood to catch her breath while the disciple looked inside. After seeing for himself that the Lord was gone, Peter left to tell the others, leaving Mary alone at the tomb. This was just all too much for her, and Mary collapsed in a pile of tears. In the midst of her grief, she heard a man ask, “Woman, why are you crying?" Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking this man the gardener, she pled, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." Then suddenly the voice became the same familiar and loving one she heard calling her name all those years ago. “Mary”, He said. Instinctively she turned and answered, “Teacher!”

How could this be? Standing in front of Mary was Jesus, alive and talking to her! “Mary”, Jesus said again snapping her out her wonderment. “Pull yourself together and deliver my message to My disciples. For I have not yet ascended to My Father.”

Although she was pained to again leave her Lord, Mary obeyed. And as she left to share the good news, tears once again filled her eyes. But far from tears of pain, the tears she now cried were of joy and gladness. For her Savior had returned and had chosen her to be the first one to appear before. 

As she walked Mary now had a pep in her step, for she couldn’t wait to tell everyone of Christ’s return, His great love and His ability to rescue anyone from even the greatest depths of darkness.

 Hi Girls! 

We hope and pray you are learning a lot about each of the women we have studied thus far and their lives have made a positive impact onto your own! It's now onto week 4 and Mary Magdalene!

Our Memory Verse  for this week is Isaiah 43:1

..."But now, this is what the Lord says—He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.'"

Mary Magdalene's story is found in these passages:

Matthew 27:57 -61

Matthew 28:1-10

Mark 15: 40-47

Mark 16: 1-11

Luke 8:2-3 

Luke 24:1-11, 22-24

John 19:25 

John 20:1-3, 11-18

Have you noticed a pattern forming in that one week we have very little Scripture to study and the next week we have tons? We hadn't planned it that way, I promise, and we want to encourage you to read a few of these passages each day this week to discover all we can about Mary Magdalene. 

This will be how our study this week will run: 

• 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--a short Bible study on her life with application to your own
• 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 each woman throughout the week. Ask yourself:

Happy New Year 2021!! Are you ready for this new adventure in the Lord? I definitely am.  I know for sure I still have a lot more to learn from my failed expectations from last year, which showed me how much more I need to lean and trust in our Lord!

Today we are closing the book of Matthew and our 2020 study “Walking in Wisdom”, and we pray that each one of you who have been part of this had the opportunity to grow closer to our Heavenly Father!  We are so eager to start our new 2021 study on “Women of the Old Testament”, trusting our Lord will continue His amazing work of love in each one of us!!

As we begin reading today´s scripture we read that:“… after the Sabbath, near dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other [Mary went to look at the tomb”(28:1), and saw that the stone had been rolled away (Matt. 28:2; Mark 16:4; Luke 24:2; John 20:1 ). Entering the tomb, they saw “two men” (Luke 24:4), one of whom spoke to them (Mark 16:5) and told them:

“Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.” (28:5)

Let´s stop here for a moment and try to imagine the sorrow and fear they had experienced as they had witnessed ALL Jesus had endured; all the hopelessness; their failed expectations…What would be of their lives and their future without their Master? And then they found out He was not even there!!   

Many of us this 2020 felt the sorrow of “losing” a dear one, jobs, homes, health….  And we might look at this 2021 with “Sorrow Eyes”. I´m sharing the following post hoping it will bless you giving you hope for this New Year:

As we begin a New Year with many uncertainties still ahead, let us be intentional to seek God’s purpose in our lives… in whatever circumstance we find ourselves: ”…for He has risen, just as He said [He would].“ (28:6). Amen! Because He lives we must not waver but keep in our hearts Jesus´ words:

-Rejoice! (28:9)

-Do not be afraid. (28:10)

-… observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” (28:20b AMP-Emphasis mine)

Blessings,

Mari

-Come and praise Him with this Hymn:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzklihq_BLg

I love the example of faith shown by Mary Magdalene. Often people turn to the Lord, as they should, during times of trial. But after that trial has passed they put Christ on the back burner and go about their lives as before. But not Mary. After Jesus freed her from seven demons, in faith, she continued following Him even up to His crucifixion. And here in John 20 we find her at the tomb of the Lord. Expecting to see Roman Soldiers guarding the sealed tomb, instead to her shock and grief, Mary discovers the guards gone, the stone rolled away, and the body of her Master missing. 

Immediately Mary ran to find someone to tell, and came across Peter and "the other disciple whom Jesus loved", (many Bible scholars agree that this is John), telling them of Jesus' disappearance. After running back and finding the linens used to wrap Jesus lying in the empty tomb, the two disciples returned to their homes to continue hiding in fear from the Jews. But not Mary.

Mary Magdalene in her love and devotion for Jesus, stayed at that tomb grieving and broken hearted for her missing Savior. And it was while she was crying, that she peered inside and saw two angels. They asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping? “ (vs. 13) She explained how someone had taken away her Lord and she didn't know where to find Him. Now Mary might not have known where to find Jesus, but Jesus knew exactly where to find her. 

Suddenly, Mary immediately becomes aware of someone behind her. Although she doesn’t recognize Him, it's the Christ that she is so desperately searching for. Jesus asks her the same question as the angels, “Woman why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?"  Mistaking Him for the gardener, she asks where He has taken the body of her Lord. Jesus responds with, "Mary", and instantly her eyes are opened to who it is standing before her. Simply by calling her name, in that single moment Jesus dried her tears and healed her broken heart.

In John 10 Jesus tells us that He is our Good Shepherd who calls His own sheep by name and His sheep follow His voice. It was the name of Mary, spoken by Jesus, which opened her eyes to the truth. And upon seeing that truth, she fell to the feet of her Master, clinging to Him, refusing to let go. Jesus gently tells her she need not physically hold on to Him, for He had not yet ascended to the Father; after which no longer would He be known by sight or by touch but by faith. And in faith, after being given the command to go spread the news that Jesus is alive, off she joyfully goes to obey.

Like Mary, we all have wept and been broken hearted. We all have felt the ache of being separated from the Lord. We all have had moments of deep pain when we need most our own encounter with Jesus.  And thankfully, just like Mary, Jesus knows exactly where to find us. So listen for His voice. Let His love dry your tears and heal your heart. Follow where He leads, and cling to the love and promises of our Master.