The Stone Was Rolled Away.....

I'm a huge fan of Max Lucado and the way in which he writes. Here is an exerpt from our Bible Study that just excites me...wanted to share it with you!

Matthew 28:2-4 Talks about the stone being rolled away by the angel..here is Max's take on it.

"Why did the angel move the stone? For whom did he roll away the rock?"

"For Jesus? That's what I always thought. I just assumed that the angel moved the stone so Jesus could come out. But think about it. Did the stone have to be removed in order for Jesus to exit? Did God have to have help? Was the death conqueror so weak that he couldn't push away a rock? ("Hey, could somebody out there move this rock so I can get out?") I don't think so. The text gives the impression that Jesus was already out when the stone was moved! Nowhere do the Gospels say that the angel moved the stone for Jesus. For whom, then, was the stone moved?"

"Listen to what the angel says: "Come and see the place where his body was" (Matthew 28:6) The stone was moved - not for Jesus - but for the women; not so Jesus could come out, but so the women could see in! Mary looks and Mary, and Mary is grinning the same grin she had when the bread and fish kept coming out of the basket. The old passion flares. Suddenly it's all right to dream again."

"Go quickly and tell his followers, Jesus has risen from the dead. He is going into Galilee ahead of you, and you will see him there." Matthew 28:7

"Mary and Mary don't have to be towld twice. They turn and start running to Jerusalem. The darkness is gone. The sun is up. The SON is out. But the Son ins't finished. One surprise still awaits them. Suddenly Jesus meets them and greets them and says not to be afraid. They fell and worshiped him! The God of suprises strikes again. It's as if he said, "I can't wait any longer. They came this far to see me; I'm going to drop in on them." God does that for the faithful. Just when the womb gets too old for babies, Sarai gets pregnant. Just when the failure is to great for grace, David is pardoned. And just when the road is too dark for Mary and Mary, the angel glows, and the Savior shows, and the two women will never be the same. The lesson? Three words. DON'T GIVE UP."

Is the trail dark? Don't sit.
Is the road long? Don't stop.
Is the night black? Don't quit.

God is watching. For all you know, right at this moment he may be telling the angel to move the stone.

The check may be in the mail.
The apology may be in the making.
The job contract may be on the desk.
Don't quit! For if you do, you may miss the answer to your prayers.
God still send angels. And God still moves stones!

Baby Jenna

Many of you have asked about Baby Jenna. She and her family still are in need of your prayers every day! I am posting a link which is free to sign up for and you can see pictures of her and get updates posted by her mom, Christy.

www.carepages.com

Once you register just go to BabyJLW you will find Baby Jenna.

Love you all!

Lora

Gospel Baptist Ladies Bible Study Group...

Here are a few things to ponder over the next month. (I've already discussed it with a couple of you.)

On day 5 of lesson 4 it talks about the theif who accepted Christ. I want you to think about the point that Max Lucado makes when he said that the thief was the last one to show love to Christ before he died. Had you thought of it that way? If today were your last day on earth could you say you had done an act of "love" for Christ?

I also went back and read chapter 23 of Luke. Verse 12 of chapter 23 makes the statement that Herod and Pilate became friends that day. The day they both rejected Christ and refused recognize him as Lord. AND...it says that they had been at "enmity" before that. What fused that friendship? Just found it interesting. I'll be anxious to hear your thoughts on it next month.

Here's another thought......What was the difference between the theives? Why did one suddenly change and see his need of a Savior? Why was his heart softened? Here are a few thoughts...

1. He had a momma who had been praying for him.
2. Someone at sometime in his life had taken him to temple.
3. Someone had shown him grace..and the love of Christ.

I can't wait to hear your thoughts! Like I always say ladies....it is not just black words on white paper...These were REAL people. These were historical events. Dig deep...use your sancitifed imagination and lets ask the Holy Spirit to teach us all! I love you!

Lora

p.s. Also notice that in the story of Martha and Mary...it wasn't Martha's service that was the problem...it was her attitude....Can't the same be said of all of us at one time or another?....But He is Forgiving! Hallelujah!!!!

ATTENTION LADIES AT GOSPEL BAPTIST

There will be no Ladies Bible Study tonight due to inclement weather. Go ahead and work on lesson 5 and we will cover both next month. Miss you girls already!!!

FYI

Just click on the pic to make it larger :)

Hannah Jacklyn...and her Snow Picture Shoot

More of Hannah's Snow Pics

Hannah's Photo Shoot in the Snow

Hope our resident photographer is at it again. She took these shots of Hannah today.