Many collect autographs of famous authors.

I’d rather collect their quotes. I have filled several once empty pages of my Bibles with Scripture references, notes from sermons and quotes by writers, speakers and pastors. They were ‘keepers.’

Quotes by the most gifted speakers and writers do not come close to those ‘written in red.’

Red-letter edition Bibles clearly designate every word attributed to Christ. Each word is of extreme importance. Words such as ‘therefore,’ ‘but’ and ‘truly, truly’ are not to be overlooked. Jesus did not mince His words and I surely don’t want to miss their significance. Listeners could either heed or reject His words. The discerning individuals were astonished.

“When Jesus had closed this address, the result was that the crowds were dumbfounded at His teaching, for He was teaching them as one who had authority to teach, and not as their scribes did (Matthew 7:28-29 Williams New Testament).”

In awe, I read His words. In need, I hide them in my heart that I would not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11).

Little things can be so annoying. Insects fly in my face. Smoke gets in my eyes. Sand gets in my shoes. My husband puts an empty box back in the pantry. I open it expecting to find something inside; instead, it is empty!

Mary and the other women expected to find Jesus in a borrowed tomb; instead, it was empty. “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus (Luke 24:1-3 NIV).”

Seekers found an empty grave; they were not annoyed, they were confused. “While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen (Luke 24:4-6a N.I.V)!”

Jesus had risen; he conquered death and the grave! Miracles can be so captivating. A farmer plants a little seed in the ground and it grows into a bumper crop. Severe storms destroy everything in their path and a little bird sits perched on a branch. A little boy offered his meager meal to Jesus and the Master used it to feed multitudes. Jesus touches a life once filled with sin, empties it and pours in his Spirit!

 
With God all things are possible! Published articles in Mature Living Magazine, Secret Place, Daily Devotionals for the Deaf, Light from the Word Daily Devotional. Available now in book store: FORGET-ME-NOT DAILY DEVOTIONAL http:/ebooks.faithwriters.com/ebook-details.php?id=520
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 October 2012 07:53

I can nearly hear the sound of the proverbial pin dropping….

The Israel nation had waited with great expectations for their promised Messiah; religious leaders and scribes thought they had envisioned His persona and discerned His purpose.   

One day, an unassuming local entered their synagogue worship service and took them by surprise.

 “And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book, and found the place where it was written.  

THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE DOWNTRODDEN, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD (Luke 4:17-19 NAS).”

After finishing His text, He closed the book, returned it to the attendant and sat down. Synagogue worshipers gave Him close attention. (Verse 20)

“And He began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing (Luke 4:21 NAS).”

The pin dropped; to this day, scoffers search for it in haystacks and needle his followers.