Category: Freedom

Jesus rescues a woman from stoning

by ComeFullCircleblog, posted in Faith, Forgiveness, Freedom, Grace, Mercy
AI generated image of Woman caught in adultery rescued from stoning by Jesus Christ


It’s interesting how the character and very nature of  Jesus is often overlooked . At times we lose sight of who he really is and fail to appreciate the sacrifices that he made and their significance to all humanity.

You may have heard of this story that I’m about to share with you but I would  like  you  to relook at it from a new perspective – one  of really seeking to know Christ.

Woman caught in adultery

The story goes that a woman was caught in the very act of adultery and she was taken to the leaders – the teachers of the law and the Pharisees. You see during that era Jewish customs dictated that any person – man or woman found guilty of adultery was sentenced to death by stoning. The witness or aggrieved party was given priority  to throw the first stone.The intention was to ensure that the accused would pay for their sin, a very high price to pay as those leaders ensured that they would not come out of that ordeal alive.

They brought her  to Jesus “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”  They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. John 8: 4-6

They sought his opinion not that they were lenient on the woman but used this to test Jesus, knowing full well that such a fundamental law was only punishable by death.

This came in the wake of Jesus having delivered another Woman from evil spirits – Mary in Luke 8:2   Jesus knowing their real  intention, did not fall for their trap, neither did he respond as they expected. In fact he did something seemingly bizarre.

“But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.” John 8: 6-8


Jesus’ response to the accusers

Let me back up a bit, Jesus had been at the temple courts since dawn that day, people saw him and gathered around him,he sat down to teach them. He was still teaching when the leaders brought in this woman to stand before the group.

It is evident that Jesus had been seated on the ground and he bent over to write there with his finger.The very ground he sat on was his seat,this signifies the mercy seat of God. He straightened up and challenged them “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” and he stooped again and continued writing.

The significance of this is quite mind blowing.The Mercy seat is first described in the old testament in the ark of the covenant, the atonement cover made of pure gold was also referred to as the Mercy seat.It was believed that the LORD himself communicated with Moses from here, it represented his presence among the people of Israel.
Exodus 25:10-22

Historically the High priest would sprinkle blood with his finger seven times on the atonement cover/mercy seat signifying making atonement for himself and his house hold as well as the people of Israel.Since the death and resurrection of Jesus, he is the mercy seat of God personified as his blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins of all peoples of the earth.

This is so important in understanding the story of the woman caught in adultery, they brought her to face judgement and brutal punishment, but instead she met Jesus who showed her mercy, spared her life because he was to soon shed his blood for her and others like her around the world. No one ever needs to pay for sins with their own blood for Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice once and for all. When we sin, we need to sincerely confess our sin to Christ and plead the blood of Jesus for the forgiveness for our sins.There is power in the blood of Jesus.

Nowhere else in the bible does  it indicate that Jesus bent down to the ground, let alone writing.The only reference we have that would be close to this is when God himself wrote the tablets of the covenant with his finger.He inscribed the commandments on a tablet of stone. Exodus 31:18

“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the WOrd was God.He was with God in the beginning.Through him all things were made;without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life and that life was the light of all mankind.” John 1:1-4

This essentially means that when God inscribed the stone tablets the commandments Jesus was right there with him for he is the Word!Halleluyah!

Jesus was well aware of the double standards of the leaders, they were living in sin and loved to show off their piety and holiness in eternal acts yet their hearts were far from God. Jesus saw their injustice, they only brought  the woman forward for stoning, her partner im crime, the man, was no where to be seen.
Yet knowing all this Jesus did not rebuke them harshly, nor did he give any of them menacing looks. He simply challenged them in a calm and controlled voice-” he who is without sin be the first to cast a stone.” At that he stooped again  facing downward and  went on writing on the ground.No one dared to lift a finger, they walked away , one by one – the eldest left first for they knew they had no right, for they themselves were sinners.

The sin the woman had committed obviously grieved the Lord Jesus more than anyone, as he is the Word of God made flesh  and is 100% holy- he had the right and authority to have her and her accusers  punished as well.Yet Jesus chose to forgive.
This is the very reason that Christ came.
“ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17

Jesus showed  mercy and grace,to all parties;to the woman for her adultery and the leaders for their injustice and duplicity. This grace is  available not   only for them alone, but all of us who have sinned.

The bible does not explicitly reveal what Jesus actually wrote on the ground that day,however we now  use scripture to interpret scripture and rely on the holy Spirt to give understanding.

It could be that he was remembering the time God wrote the commandments. “Thou shall not commit adultery he may have been retracing that on the ground with his finger knowing full well that she was indeed guilty and was to face the death penalty.Yet in his unfailing love and great mercies, he knew that is why he came into the world to redeem people’s lives from the pit to set captives free and reconcile them back to God Almighty.
This is why scripture says” Lord ….in wrath remember mercy “ Habakkuk 3:2

Jesus silenced her accusers, showed her mercy and  gave her a chance to turn a new leaf and to live a life of purity.
The crowd that were advocating from her death and stoning all left.

Jesus said to her “Woman,where are they? Has anyone condemned you?

“No one, sir” she said

“Then neither do I condemn you,”Jesus declared. “Go and leave your life of sin.”

Application today

We should not be too quick to pass judgement on others.
None of us is  God, no one is holy, we ourselves are sinners  and should not try to hide that fact under the guise of self righteousness, falseholiness. We however have all been called to be holy, a feat that we cannot achieve on our own but the Word of God sanctifies us.We ought to rely on the Holy Spirit to help us to be holy.

We should emulate Christ in giving others grace and mercy. “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.”Matt 5:7
Choose grace even in the midst of pain. It really does hurt Jesus when we live in sin, especially since we are made in his image and are welcome to approach his throne of grace to receive mercy and find help in our time of need. Yet we fail to do so and hide away from him. He is ready and willing to forgive if only we renounce sin and repent.

Likewise we should encourage each other to come out of sin and run to Christ. Jesus saves, he rescues and delivers.
He rescued that woman centuries ago and is still rescuing more people even today.
So why not turn to him and be saved?

Forgiveness and Healing

by ComeFullCircleblog, posted in Faith, Freedom, Walk of Faith

It really never occurred to me how intricately intertwined these two aspects are until today. Forgiveness & Healing.

Just came across a story that I have heard of and seen so many times before but today it really hit home.

The story is found in Luke 5:17-26 .Where Jesus was teaching and healing many at a certain house where the Pharisees and teachers of the law happened to present too.

There was a huge crowd as well as certain men tried to bring in a paralyzed man  to Jesus but were unable to reach him and found an ingenious way to get to him – Through the roof! They lowered him in the middle of the crowd right in front of Jesus!

Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralyzed man “Friend, your sins are forgiven”

This caused quite a stir among the Pharisees who wondered who could forgive sins but God alone? Jesus however knowing their thoughts and hearts said to them “….I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”

Let’s back up a little bit, to where Jesus said “Your sins are forgiven.”

This is the first instance in the gospel of Luke that Jesus says this when his intention is to heal the individual.  The earlier chapters   he healed through rebuking the illness, laying hands on the sick and declaring “Be clean”

Then it hit me, could it be that there are some illnesses or conditions that are as a result of something one did that required forgiving in order for healing to occur?

Well I figured one may do things either intentionally or unintentionally and end up defiling themselves. God does not want us defiled in any way. Furthermore one may at times forget what they did, especially if it was unintentional.
One thing that Jesus was intentional about was letting the people know that;
1) He had (and still has!) authority on earth to forgive sins and
2) His forgiveness leads to healing

I would urge you to review this scripture one more time Luke 5:17-26 and If you desire healing say this prayer.

Prayer

Father, thank you for your word and thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die for me on the cross. Thank you Father for showing me that your forgiveness of my sins brings healing .Father Please forgive me for my sins, those I did knowingly and unknowingly that have defiled me. Forgive me Lord and heal me .In Jesus name I pray ,amen.

Like the paralyzed man who was healed “he took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.” Luke 5:25

FREEDOM FROM FEAR

by ComeFullCircleblog, posted in Covid 19, Freedom, Inspiration, Mental Health, Walk of Faith

renderedIt’s high time I wrote about this subject. Now more than ever especially due to the current times we are living in,facing one of the worst pandemics ever in the 21st century.

The Covid 19 pandemic has wrecked havoc in the lives of many across the globe , not to mention the ripple effects it  has caused on all economies of the world, the markets, our communities and even families. There has been so much uncertainty, anxiety ,anger ,despair and fear gripping the hearts of all humanity.

Fear  according to google is an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm. I had always believed that fear is synonymous with anxiety until I came across these guys  who put it plainly that there is indeed a difference between the two.

“Fear relates to a known or understood threat, whereas anxiety follows from an unknown, expected or poorly defined threat.

“What about worry ?”You may ask –  This I found is to feel anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems.

Experts in psychology have given various antidotes or ways to overcome fear  and anxiety ranging from positive thinking ,making affirmations, forms of meditation and even humour.

What I cannot comprehend is how can a fearful mind create positive thoughts on its own? How can a sorrowful soul affirm itself and laugh off its sorrows let alone meditate on new thoughts that its unable to create.

I have found that these methods can only be successful if one roots himself/herself on something higher ,more powerful than our weak souls, on a supreme power that exists beyond time, that is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient all at the same time -the eternal love of Christ.

Fear is a very common emotion in us human beings, but it doesn’t mean that we should tolerate it in our lives. Neither should one accept it as the norm to the extent that  it is given a seat in your mind’s living room, propped up ok nice and cosy so that it doesn’t intrude in any other area of your life! Once it gets a foothold through your door it will invade the entire house!

Fear shouldn’t be ignored either, or simply wished away. It’s not just pure emotion but has an evil spirit that exploits the fear emotion. What we need to do is to identify it and deal with it head on!

The following passages gave me much insight-

“For GOD did not give us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power ,of love and sound mind” 2Tim .1:7
A very self explanatory verse.

“So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir” Galatians 4:7

Our old self was crucified with him so that the body that ruled by sin might be done away with ,that we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who  has died has been set free from sin.

We also know that fear is sin in the eyes of the LORD, hence we should no longer be slaves to any form of sin ,that includes fear as well.

Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin” John 8:34

For people are  slaves to whatever has mastered them “ 2Peter:2: 19

“Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves as  slaves to someone as obedient slaves,you are slaves of the one you obey-whether  you are slaves to sin,which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness.” Romans 6:16

“ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:17

The summary of all these verses is to look at what the scriptures says about fear, slaves, children and heirs.
Many often think that its pointless quoting several verses of scripture. Let me point it out to you that scripture is a compilation of various letters. To understand what your beloved is writing to you ,you need to read the entire letter! So here goes the summary;

  1. God did not not give us a spirit of fear
  2. God gave us a spirit of power, love and sound mind
  3. We are no longer slaves
  4. We are God’s children
  5. Since you are His children he has made you an heir
  6. You are heirs of God and co-heirs of Christ – means we share in his sufferings and in his glory
  7. Everyone who sins = slave to sin
  8. Fear is one of the many sins
  9. If one is fearful = one is a slave to sin
  10. Believe in Christ & surrender to him and you will no longer be a slave

More verses that talk about how to overcome fear

Psalm 34:4–5

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”

Psalm 23:4

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalm 27:1

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

1 John 4:18

‘There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…’

Hebrews 13:5-6
God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”[a]

6 So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”[b]

The Lord is in control of nature, If he could calm this storm ,what about the storms in your own life?

Jesus Calms the Storm Luke 8:22-25 New International Version (NIV)

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

The fact that Jesus asked them ,”where is your faith is very telling.I believed that he was showing them that with faith they too can face the storm and make it still

Psalm 46:1–3

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”

These scriptures are just the tip of the iceberg on how to deal with fear, I would encourage you  to read more of the bible and the LORD will give you more revelation and understanding. For starters you could chew on these.

The most important thing to remember is that we are to meditate on the scripture, what the word of the LORD says. No need to strike a pose while you meditate, you could do it when seated alone, while you are stretching, while standing in queue at the grocery shop or while waiting to get your covid test, as you take a walk or walking the dog, as you flip through the TV channels, as you work out, in a bus ,as you drive ,as you are doing the dishes, doing your house chores, as you are logging on to your virtual meeting, as you tuck the kids in at night and even as you lay on your bed. Meditate on the word, study it, ponder upon it ,let it sink in and marinate in your spirit and soul and the word will transform you into who you are meant to be and will sanctify you for his word is truth.

Last but not least, is worship. Worshiping God could be done in various forms song, dance, art, poems, spoken word .This beautiful song I rediscovered ,so simple many may over look it as an old boring hymn, but it is powerful. Worship is a weapon one could use when feeling overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. True worship goes up to the LORD as a sacrifice, surrendering your all to the LORD and praising him for his goodness and his power. I say true worship as there as some songs that are wrongly labeled as worship yet they are just feel good songs we sing and they do not glorify God in anyway. If anything they only temporarily lift the singers mood and as soon as you are done you come tumbling down.
Worship changes the spiritual atmosphere around you and the LORD will respond.

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Summary

  1. Only God can deliver us from all fear
  2. He is always with us, even when we do not see him or hear him
  3. He sees and knows what we are going through, he wants us to trust him always.
  4. He is our refuge and ever present help in time of need
  5. All nature is under his control
  6. Study and meditate on the word of God
  7. Worship – truly worship God

 

The Storm

by ComeFullCircleblog, posted in Covid 19, Faith, Freedom, Inspiration

Where is your faith_He is with you even in the stormBefore the storm, the sky was beautifully clear. Clear blue skies, thin clouds way up there, sun shining bright. Its warmth making even the flowers smile, a gentle breeze could be felt every now and then, the trees swaying as in a slow dance. Planes flying overhead, preparing to land as they approached the airport. They flew low enough that one could easily identify the airline from the brightly painted tail fins.

Life was normal. Well at least this was the norm; exciting weekends, fun and laughter with family and friends planning for the next get together with absolute certainty and parting ways with hugs, kisses and high fives. Work, school, church, seminars, conferences, fellowships, eating out, movies, theatres,  rush hour traffic, shopping, errands, impromptu trips. Meticulously laying out plans for the rest of the year, for family, work, hobbies interests ensuring that none of them clash.

It all seemed normal, and was not perturbed even when I saw some ominous clouds gathering in the distance. The looming storm seemed so far away, too far that it would never reach me and my loved ones. The storm’s epicenter was in the middle of a far, far away continent, in a town we had never heard of, the city of Wuhan.

Barely four months since the pandemic broke out in China, the ravaging storm has traversed all continents wreaking havoc, leaving thousands upon thousands dead, and over a million others infected, spreading like wildfire .The pandemic is now in my very own city, Nairobi. Major cities in the world are now on lockdown. Normal life is not normal anymore as we had known it.

This storm is not only taking the lives of many has also gripped the world with fear.
Most companies are laying off staff; others closing shop unable to bear the financial strain, those with jobs are urged to work from home.

The majority in my country live from hand to mouth and work in informal settings, bills still accruing, even having running water and soap to keep the vicious virus at bay is a challenge let alone setting a meal on the table.

Everything seems to have come to a standstill all around the world, the storm rages on striking the nations with fear .This virus does not discriminate; it affects people of all social status, all races and all religions. We are all in the same boat facing the same storm.

I recently came across a different kind of storm in the New Testament, a monstrous storm that threatened the lives of the disciples.

They were on a boat when this storm hit. The waves of the lake plummeted against the boat and swamped it, threatening to drown all the passengers. They however weren’t alone in the storm; Jesus was with them, his head on a pillow asleep. They woke him up.

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith? He asked the disciples.” The disciples were amazed and asked one another “Who is this?” He commands even the winds and the water and they obey him. Luke 9: 22-25

At this point in time, the disciples had seen Jesus in action before .They knew that he had done the miraculous before their very eyes .They had seen him heal the sick, even from diseases that were known to be incurable! He drove out evil spirits from people and had even raised a young boy from death to life! They knew that he wielded great power and authority.

It then suddenly hit me ,the storm that we all face today – the storm of the covid 19 pandemic that is trying to crush the entire boat and drown all occupants i.e. the entire world; it dawned on me  We are not alone in this storm ,the Lord is with us.

Just as he was with his disciples on the boat, he is still present. Only that most of us do not acknowledge him, let alone believe in him. Some may also think that he is too far removed from our realities, or too busy to make time for us or perhaps that we are too far gone from him and wouldn’t know where to start the conversation.

He said that he would never leave us nor forsake us.
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13: 5

He said that he would forgive us and cleanse us from our sins.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”1 John 1:9

He also said that everyone who calls upon his name would be saved.
“…whoever calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” Joel 2:32

Anyone who comes to him must first of all believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

He is with us even in this storm, we need only call out to him, he rebuked winds and waves in the past, he can surely rebuke this invisible wind and the Covid 19 storm will surely come to a sudden end.

#storm #covid19 #africa #asia  #europe #americas #oceania
#Jesus #Savior #hope # life #covid19willend