CARPENTER OF LIVES
Today’s Reading: Mark 6
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
The carpenter’s shop in Nazareth at Nazareth Village.
GOOGLE MAPS – See where Reynold took the photo Click HERE.
Key Verse: Mark 6:3
“…Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and Brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.
They called Him “the carpenter” to belittle Him, but in reality that term praises Him. He is truly “the Carpenter of lives.” In the previous chapter, there are three examples of His higher carpentry. Firstly, He spoke the words, “Go home,” to the formerly demon posessed man, and Jesus became the Rebuilder of lives and families (5:19). Secondly, Jesus said to the woman who touched the hem of His garment, “Go in peace,” and He proved that He was the Rebuilder of the human body (5:34). Thirdly, Jesus became the Rebuilder of life itself with the word, “Arise,” spoken to the little daughter of Jairus. This “Carpenter of lives” is available to take the rebuilding contract for your life, your family, and for your circumstances. He also said, “I will build My Church” (Matthew 16:18). His hands were not as often portrayed in art; they were a working Man’s hands. Those hands are at work today if we ask for His carpentry. Go ahead, ask!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, forgive me for the “do it yourself” job I’ve tried to do on my life. Please take over. Fix the construction mess I’ve made of things. You read the plans You have for me and please implement them, because You definitely know best! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I took a year off from my formal theological studies to fulfill my promise to the people of a northern community to plant a church. In my personal time, I committed to reading a sermon each day from books I had collected. I knew the saying, “readers are leaders.” I was now 20 and by November I had run out of money and decided to be a carpenter like Jesus. I borrowed tools and showed up at the Army Camp Petawawa announcing, “I’m a carpenter.” There were no certification procedures for carpenters then. I got the job, which lasted for several weeks. The cold, the challenges, and the rough atmosphere were testing my level of determination. I often drew comfort from the knowledge that Jesus was in the same trade until He was 30.
Yours in honour of the Carpenter of lives,
David
Friend and mentor,Rev John Fortier would always encourage me with this quote
when I doubted myself as a baby Christian: ” …6 God began doing a good work in you. And he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again. I am sure of that.” (( Philippians 1 International Children’s Bible (ICB) ))Pastor Chris used this today in his message.It is not used enough.It tells new Christians especially that after we surrender to Him,He begins working in us to clean out the weeds and rocks so His (spiritual) seed can grow within us.Even when we don’t feel Him near,He is there working slowly.pulling out each root of each weed one by one so as not to harm us.This takes a lifetime as new weeds are unknowingly added throughout our lives. “Ephesians 6:12 International Children’s Bible (ICB)
12 Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world.”…against Satan and 1/3 of the angels who revolted and were cast down…cast down to this world.Satan (he is not omnipotent so most likely it is one of his fallen angels,demons.) can and does place emotions,which become thoughts,in our minds and that is our battleground when we do not recognize when this takes place.Nuff said,just my take on it all.God bless
Control (I believe this to be a fact.)
Satan blends his thoughts with yours,
You think they came from you,
For his goal is to close all doors,
To control everything you do.
He starts this at an early age,
His lies make you the liar
And if you are in a rage,
That’s when you fuel his hellfire.
But just like Satan who sneaks in,
There is Another who is true,
For He knows well about sin
And what Satan wants with you.
He will only enter if invited,
A slave is not His goal,
He seeks a fire be ignited
From within to make you whole.
G W(Bill) Marshall / 13 June, 2013
“…. the evil one comes and snatches
away….” Matthew 13:19a (NIV)
Charles Stanley agrees in this video:
https://youtu.be/1j0j0XD_gsE
“I go to prepare a place for you…” He is still ‘a carpenter’,a builder.
Amen!!! He is still a builder….”I go to prepare a place for you”
Blessings
Love the Jesus building families and lives analogy from David, and yours a out preparing a place William. The Lord gave me the promise of completing the work He has started for my son Chrisropher . I am holding onto it even though he is soon to be 50 and hasnt turned back to the Lord yet.
The message we were blessed with this Sabbath day was presented by Nick.Wojcik (not sure of the spelling of his last name). He is an evangelist born without arms and legs.
His message of salvation was powerful, given to men in prison!
Lord thank You that You came to set the captives free!! Amen and Amen!! To set me free in You!!
Yes Irene, Nick is a real inspiration to all, have seen him on Gospel programs, God has a purpose for everyone of us!
Lord we pray for rain to put out the fires! We confess that we have sinned against you and each other, we are sorry, please forgive us, Thank You for total forgiveness of all our sins
Lord please give common sense to people, do not discard a lit cigarette, do not leave a camp fire burning, DO NOT CHILDREN PLAY WITH MATCHES!
Lord I pray the Holy Spirit will enter the hearts of the people and bring them back to worship; You are trying to get people’s attention to worship the One True God, The Father, The Son and the Holly Spirit, in Jesus Name we Pray amen
Thank You Lord for melting and molding me into the person you planned for me to be: You are the Potter and I am the clay, so melt me and mold me in Your way today!! For Your Glory and purpose!!!
Spirit of the Living God fall afresh on me; melt me, mold me, fill me, use me, Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me……
Amen to all the above comments and Williams poem.