The 'Synoptic's' in a shell

 These past few months I have had the great pleasure of studying the Synoptic Gospels, it has been a great time of deeper understanding and revelation! Some of you may be wondering (like I did) what do we mean by the Synoptic Gospels? The definition stated by scholars is; ‘to see the good news alike’ and the Synoptic Gospels include Matthew, Mark and Luke. These three gospels do a wonderful job in describing the amazing life of Christ; they describe it almost like fraternal triplets. Scholars classify Mark as the ‘priority’ gospel, you may ponder why does he get priority? Not priority in the sense of importance, but priority as it was the first gospel to be written. Matthew and Luke then incorporate parts of Mark and also add further information to their gospels from what is suggested as a Q Source (from the German word Quelle meaning source). As much as we like to harmonize the gospels we should also be incredibly excited to see them as complementary; like a beautiful musical orchestra, each piece playing its parts to create an amazing and lasting symphony.

Another wonderful thing we can learn is that each writer had a specific target audience. Matthew wrote specifically for the Jews, so his writing included more teaching, powerful fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy and he challenged the Jews to see the long awaited Messiah. Whereas Luke and Mark were focused more on the Gentile reader. Mark specifically appeals to the Roman Gentile, hence more doing than saying. It is a Gospel of action. Luke focuses more on the Gentile Greek and does a great job in linking Christ and the beginning of the church. Again we get to see the beauty of scripture and how God’s heart and passion in wanting all to come to know Him.

Scholars estimate that Jesus ministry started around 27-29 AD. He was about 30 years old. We should be encouraged that God always has a specific time and season and His timing is perfect. Prior to His ministry this time frame could be seen as His ‘silent days/years’ He was being prepared for the most amazing mission ahead. His first year started out with him selecting His disciples and He performed His first miracle in Cana. Then we see a great time and ministry classified as His Early period in the Galilean Ministry. He officially calls the twelve disciples and during this time period His profound sermon on the mount is professed. During the Middle Period of His Galilean Ministry we begin to see a gradual attitude shift towards Jesus as doubt and unbelief of some set in. Then the later period of His Galilean Ministry was very powerful. Not only did He amaze people with His teaching and miracles there was an incredible turning point of this season during the visit to Caesarea Philippi. It was here Jesus revealed to the disciples the great depth of who He truly was and the unthinkable task ahead. As lofty as this was for the disciples to comprehend they eventually embraced it. This was the appointed time, a time for Jesus to do what he had set out to do and also a powerful time of preparation for the disciples to step up to what Jesus had ordained and trained them for. We should never underestimate our times of small beginnings or training, God deems it necessary for where He will take us and how He will use us.

If only we could have been present during that amazing time, to be among the growing crowds, to diligently follow Him as he taught and healed. To be privy to His amazing parables and experience the great manifestation of His presence. We may not have been present physically,  yet thanks to the the synoptic writers we are privileged to experience the great depth and insight of the life and time of Jesus the Messiah. Jesus embraced many titles, he was also noted as the master teacher and one of his most popular and effective ways of teaching was through parables, which comes from the Greek meaning ‘to put things side by side.’ Parables were a powerful tool Jesus used not only to teach but provoke thought and explain a multitude of subjects. Mike McClaflin noted they can be classified into 4 topics; The Kingdom of God, Salvation, Discipleship and Future Events. (McClaflin, Mike. 2000. The Life of Christ in the Synoptic Gospels).

I can only imagine that one of the hardest things for the synoptic writers to document was ‘the Passion week’ (Passion coming from the Latin word- ‘Pasio’ which refers to suffering and enduring). This week was a week like no other for Jesus. The inevitable lay before him and he knew what was required. Yet even in the midst of this unimaginable task He continued to heal, teach and amaze the crowds. He also endured rejection from two of his disciples, and those closest to him fell asleep while he shed drops of blood while praying. As that horrific night began, McClaflin notes it was an irregular and unfair trial; it was at night time, there were no defense witnesses and the death sentence should not have been proclaimed till the following day (McClaflin, Mike. 2000. The Life of Christ in the Synoptic Gospels). Not only that he suffered the humiliation, He was mocked, abused, tortured and suffered unimaginable pain, all for the sake of our sins.

We are very grateful to the Synoptic writers for the the amazing portrayal of the incredible life of Christ, and the reflective portrayal of the agonizing, horrific and altruistic sacrifice that was made. I love the way Robert Stein describes it; “The crucifixion was not some tragic mistake or human derailment of what God intended. On the contrary, as Jesus taught at the Last Supper, the betrayal that led to the cross lay completely within the sovereign plan of God. Jesus went to the cross willingly, knowing that it was God’s plan” (Stein, Robert. 1996. Jesus The Messiah- A survey of the life of Christ. p 200). There is no mistake with God, His divine decrees are powerful, purposeful and  immutable! Thank God for the ransom He paid, the precious death of The Savior was the end of His ministry and life but the beginning of our incredible freedom and reconciliation….. so we can be the men and women God has called and to live on purpose for Him!!

By. Lindsay C. Williams

Waiting............

I bet everyone could list at least 10 different things they are waiting for at this present moment, from the smallest thing to waiting for a bus to something as intense as waiting for a child or a spouse etc. The list is incredibly long and personal to each individual.
Why is waiting so hard and why is it so easy to despise the waiting time?
The story and faith of Hannah really encourages me and is a great example of waiting. Married to the love of her life, Hannah was desperately eager to add to her family as she waited to have a child. Not only did she have to endure the pain of waiting on this miracle but she also had to undergo the constant mocking and chastisement from Peninnah.
I can not imagine what Hannah went through, but she did NOT stop waiting, she did not stop trusting, she did not stop praying and pouring out her heart to the one who knew it all- her Father!
The Lord Remembered her!!!! Her waiting was not in vain and at the proper time she gave birth to an amazing son. The birth of Samuel was right on time, he was born in a time when Eli’s sons were not doing what they should have been and in a time when the Philistines were vehemently overtaking Israelite land. The Israelites needed a man of God who would intercede for them and remind them of the amazing God they served!
Hannahs faith and waiting was not in vain she learnt to trust and rely on God more and the promise was not too late but in God’s perfect timing!!!
My prayer as we wait on him is that we will not despise the waiting time and the opportunity to learn and draw closer to him. Also to really trust that his timing is more amazing then we could imagine!

Nothing BUT A Number!

On my way home from prayer last week I was thinking just a few more months of enjoying life in the 20’s, how a decade or two flies by.... After battling all the things and plans I had envisioned for such an age I have come to the conclusion that the prospect of turning 30 really is nothing BUT a number!!! However it is incredibly tempting to get caught up with where Society & the Masses think I should be or what I should have attained etc, and I know personally their are many things I thought I would have accomplished, seen and experienced by now.
Is there really a scale one can measure their life by? I know everyone has their own scale and expectations, however I know I am NOT living for everyone else. Each path is hand crafted by the maker, and He has the perfect plan, NOT me!! So day by day I continue to trust that I am where He would have me, the one who knit me together in my mothers womb, the one who opens doors and closes them. The one who makes a way when their seems to be no way! The one with whom a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day. So instead of counting down my days, or reliving what should have been, I choose to embrace each one and know that with him each day can only get better. Moving forward in HIM, for HIM and with HIM!!! 

The Broken Yoke!

What an incredible time of fasting it has been.. Giving up (whatever it is you have fasted) and in exchange received moreeee of HIM!!! WOW!
Isaiah 58 has been a wonderful time to learn more about his fast rather then our own notion of fasting! Something that really encouraged me this week was:
Verse 6:“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

How amazing is our God, he unties the yokes!!! So that we can be set free! Wahoo finally, freedom from those things that have held us bound. Free from the lies, free from sin, free from the past, free from those nagging things that keep trying to attack! I know sometimes though we can grow very acquainted to those yokes, especially when they have been a part of us for so long, maybe a particular lie you believed or a habit you became very accustomed too? Sometimes it can even be tempting to go back to those yokes and become best friends again, BUT not only does he untie us from those yokes, HE BREAKS THEM!!!! Once he has untied them we do not have to go back, we are free and can move forward and embrace true freedom!

I pray today that what ever yoke you have bee untied from, allow him to BREAK it, when its untied it not meant to be hung in the closet so we can come back to put it on later. He wants to untie it and break it! Today as he continues to untie may you enjoy seeing him break it too pieces, and as you give him those ashes enjoy his beauty!!!

Like the song says “He is here, he is here, to break the yoke and lift the heavy burden”.

Lessons I learnt from the guy with the long name (Mephibosheth)- You Are Not Forgotten.

In 2 Samuel 4:4 we are told that Jonathan had a son, he was only 5 when Saul and Jonathan died. He was already lame, then he was dropped by his nurse and became crippled in both feet, his name was Mephibosheth. That was all that was mentioned about him and then the next chapter goes on to another story, I was wondering why was this chapter with this unfortunate information put there, I thought it was quite sad, a crippled orphan. But then I remembered God always has a plan and when we read on a few chapter later we get to see that amazing plan in 2 Samuel 9:1.
It’s amazing that David was so adamant on finding someone from Sauls house to show kindness too for Jonathan's sake. When the servant tells Kind David about Mephibosheth, David wanted to see him at once, and at that moment Mephibosheth went from being FORGOTTEN to REMEMBERED and KNOWN

God had NOT Forgot Mephibosheth and  used David to remember him,  

In verse 7- David told Mephibosheth he would:
1. RESTORE- All the land that belonged to his Grandfather Saul.
2. ALWAYS SIT at the Kings Table.
3. His Sons & Servants WILL BE BLESSED.
Mephibosheth had called himself a dead dog because this is how he felt and could not believe he had been remembered!!!

Maybe today it seems like you have been forgotten, maybe it seems like a situation has gone from bad to worse. But I pray and believe today:
1. You will be remembered
2. It will get better
3. You will be restored
4. It will go from great to excellent

Sometimes it may seem like family, friends & people left you behind and went ahead of you. Or maybe you just feel forgotten and like you don’t matter or your dreams and hopes don’t have a future. Maybe there has been a particular on going struggle or situation. It means Gods victory is going to be greater. I pray today someone will look for you to show you kindness and remember with God you are NEVER FORGOTTEN!

Don't be held back by the past OR fear the future unknown....

How do we really live the life we have been called to? Years can go by and potential lost, lives unfulfilled and hope dissipated. Fear of the past, mistakes and unproductive time rear their head with deceit and lies then fear of the unknown creeps in.

I am reminded of the Israelites coming out of captivity from the treacherous hand of Pharaoh in Egypt. As they departed they found themselves at the verge of the red sea, it was like coming to the edge of a horrendous cliff, without absolutely no where to go and no hope of an escape. Behind them the Egyptian armies hotly pursued, their mission and focus was to retrieve their slaves! Yet confronting the Israelites was the mighty raging red sea in all its glory.

Despair like never before presented itself, sandwiched between struggles of the past charging behind and fear of the unknown was immediately before them. The crashing waters offered nothing but despair, however to turn back and concede defeat was surely something they thought they would not have to do. What were they to do???

Suddenly hope was birthed as God did the miraculous, as God reminded his people that his ways were not there ways as he lifted the mighty magnificent Seas and created a pathway! Dry land was before them, in the great deep was hope and a way of escape! 

Even though a way of escape had been made, it was still not that easy to cross! They had to rely upon and depend on GOD like never before. Excitement of leaving the past behind, but also anticipation of the land before them what if the water didn't hold up, what if it fell on them, what if they got half way and it started to move, but if they didn't take that step of Faith their past would have kept them in bondage. But to move forward, was confronting fear of the unknown and all that was before them! However there was no going back, no hope in the past but hope in the future and the true deliverance that comes from trusting the one who holds it all. The one who leads and guides and always makes a way!

William McDowell's chorus reminds us; “I won't go back, I can't go back, to the way it used to be,
before your presence came and changed me!” Even when the future looks uncertain, when it seems daunting, going back is never a option! God did the impossible for the Israelites, when all seemed to be lost, he raised and parted the amazing sea, today may we look forward and remain hopeful as he parts every sea in our life, as he makes a way in the great deep, so we can step forward into his destiny and all he has in store for us!

Inspired to Shine my Light!

So excited my Bestey just got approved and finished her Pre-Field Orientation. So what does all this mean, you may ask? It means.......... She is officially a Missionary Associate (Yayyyyyyyyy) and early next year she will be going to Spain!!!!! Her heart and passion is to work with victims of Human Trafficking, to restore hope and share the Love of Jesus with them.

This past year seeing her dream unravel and manifest has been such an incredible blessing. At times it was not easy for her, but she has a heart and passion to live the life God has called her too and have a great impact on a hurting world! I know this is just the beginning of a wonderful journey ahead and I am even more excited to see the next chapters!

I'm so totally proud of her and and incredibly inspired, she has encouraged me so much by this amazing step of Faith and Obedience. It makes me realise that if you seek God and seek to be an open vessel he will use YOU! It encourages me to know that I too can be an asset in his Kingdom and together we can all stand to make a difference! 

I pray today for anyone who feels like they can not be used by God that you will remember Psalm 57:2- I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me. (Pastor Mark's favorite scripture ;-)

I also ask you will pray for her as she takes this step of faith and may it encourage each and everyone that this world needs us and we can make a difference with God on our side.

The best is yet to come.