One of the most challenging aspects of sharing as a Christian blog writer is that you must obey the Rule of Brevity: KISS (keep it simple, stupid!). Readers may become easily confused, and may not recall the most necessary information when you tell them too much all at once. Those choosing to be effective as ministers, especially those sharing by a written rather than spoken word, must rely upon the operation of GOD to create and maintain a proper balance between ones divine awareness of human need, and ones human realization of what others are prepared to accept. The honest writer must make every effort to be thorough and complete, yet, must confess dependency upon the higher, holier mind of one who truly does have experience and knowledge of all that may be called holy or sacred. With this in mind I encourage readers to continue with my presentation on Mary.
THE BATTLE AXE: Mary (06/13/2014)—(4.) For Jesus, being about the Father’s business was a matter of being in obedience to divinity, doing as he was told, serving as a spokesperson (we say, prophet), and teaching specific doctrines he had received from heaven, that were not created by himself or anyone else in the earth. Believers should not be surprised that the holy writings documenting the ministry and operations of GOD for Salvation record few expressions of tenderness by Jesus toward his mother. The Savior loved and respected his mother, Mary; and also demonstrated this from the cross. Even so, Jesus never worshiped Mary. (5.) At the least, Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, is to be received as a sister in the New Testament, and a member of the household of GOD. As such, she is not to be condemned, despised, disrespected, ignored, insulted, or slandered. Christian believers who accept that nothing is impossible for GOD are not offended by the thought that Mary, first, would be anointed and endowed from her own conception and birth, would be continually encouraged to grow showing humility and love toward GOD, would suffer humiliation as the mother to Messiah, would strengthen the early church by her presence and counsel, and finally would be exalted, preserved, and lifted up from the earth to GOD and Christ. Now, as are all those in the presence of GOD, Mary is alive, she is holy, she is immortal, and she is pure. Given that all those who correctly respect and venerate Mary only do so through operations of the Holy Spirit, believers in Jesus endure no damage or loss of their salvation when asking that Mary intercede by prayer, by speaking to her son, or by her continuing to show reverence to GOD. Those who acknowledge Mary do so on the basis of their faith, love and Spirit. Jesus has not commanded any to deny his mother. Those who oppose Mary do so on the basis of their own enmity, flesh, and sin. (6.) For many Christian believers the bottom line regarding Mary as the mother of Jesus is that such teachings are “meat”, not “milk”. The eternal love of the Father appears, and is embodied and incarnate within the flesh of the mother. Followers must be able to discern and recognize the Holy Spirit operating as agent of both the Father and the Son, who equally exalt Mary for the eternal benefit of heaven and earth. Things that come to us from the ministry of Jesus through operations of the Holy Spirit also include knowledge of a visitation by Mary before the birth of Jesus to comfort her cousin Elisabeth (who would give birth to John the Baptist). At that time, both expectant mothers behaved in the role of prophetess, and were moved to praise and speak as those anointed by GOD and endowed with the Spirit of Prophecy. That Mary should intercede for the lives of men is no less commendable than Abraham making appeal for Sodom and the cities of the plain. That Mary should reflect and emanate glory from the GODhead is no more an offense than when the face of Moses shone following his experience of 40 days and nights in the divine presence. See Proverbs 31: 29-30, Luke 2: 41-52, Luke 11: 23-28, Luke 23: 26-31, Galatians 5: 14-16, Hebrews 6: 1-3, Exodus 34: 29-35 and James 4: 10-12, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. (Luke 1: 46-55, KJV)
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. (Romans 16: 2, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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