Mary Cantell

May

17

Let love win

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The church in Corinth had a number of problems in its day; among them, divisions and contentions arose as to who was the better teacher. Within their infighting, they split apart and began to follow different leaders…among them were Apollos and Cephas.

Why the split? Why had contentious groups and factions formed among the brethren? Had they taken their eyes off of Jesus?

“…let there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment…”

~ 1 Corinthians 1:10

 In his letter to the Philippians, Paul encouraged them also to do everything within the fellowship of a united spirit, intent on one purpose—to love without selfishness or empty conceit—while maintaining the same mind and heart and to let each one consider one another as more important than himself.

At times, we need a self-awareness check, lest we get too full of self. Sometimes, self takes a wrong turn. In gentleness and love, we need to heed to a willingness to learn from one another and accept that we might not always see things the same way. Or is the goal to win the battle at all costs, despite the crossfire over being right? Love would rather be wronged. There should be a spirit of love so present that the differences in the matter become secondary and not what really counts. Love is always the goal. In our personal relationships, all that matters is that love wins.

May

08

Praise for our mothers

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Our mothers are the true day-to-day heroes. How blessed are those who’ve been nurtured by a Godly woman…one who takes the responsibility of raising her offspring under the guidance of her heavenly Father…who rises to every occasion to help support, encourage, and teach her offspring the way they should go, often selflessly and at every opportunity.

A good mother’s love often extends beyond herself. Sacrificially, she’ll deny herself before her children. She gives and gives until it’s time to give again—even as her children are grown, they will always be a part of her.

Next to Jesus, there is no other love like a mother’s love. Whether here on earth or at home with the Lord, we remember you today and every day with our utmost love and appreciation.

Mothers are God’s special gift to this world. Today, all mothers—grand, foster, and surrogate—are being celebrated. You are a blessing to your children and they are blessed to call you Mother. We hope you have a lovely day!

 

Lucy and Lena Parisano, my beloved mother and grandmother

May

02

He’s coming for His bride!

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With every covenant God has made with man from Abraham through Noah, David, and on down through the years, God has remained faithful to Israel, an unfaithful people. Though man let go of his end of the relationship and left God in the back seat through sin, he has always kept his promises.

God, by his grace, has proven over and over how much his people—the church—mean to him. Our Lord rejoices over us. Knowing this, we should rejoice always while serving him in our lives.

The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness” ~ Lamentations 3:22-23

 As the story of Hosea and his wife Gomer, God delivered a powerful message to the people regarding their unfaithfulness. As Hosea’s wife, Gomer was unfaithful to her husband, returning to a life of prostitution, so God felt betrayed by Israel’s infidelity as well. However, it wasn’t the end of the story. It didn’t end in divorce.

Though man broke the relationship through sin, God found a way to restore the intimacy. That is where Jesus Christ enters the picture. The penalty for our sins ends at the foot of the cross. The Bride of Christ is now clothed in pure whiteness without spot or blemish thanks to Jesus. We look forward to the marriage supper that, one day, will be. Until then, like the parable of the ten virgins, be ready to meet the bridegroom as we are his bride!

Apr

24

Under His wings

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The Lord speaks to us in different ways to let us know he’s always with us. Through his Word and even our dreams, oftentimes his communication comes in that still, small voice to give us assurance that he is with us. We can hear his voice whether we are alone or even in a crowd. Though with all that goes on in life, being still enough to hear doesn’t always come easy.

Take the time to step away from all of it and listen for him. You can sometimes sense his presence in the silence of a forest…the rolling of the ocean waves…the serenity of a mountaintop…and in your own heart.

As children of the one true God, the fact that he upholds us with his hand and loves us enough to carry us throughout our lives, we should rejoice every day that the Creator of the Universe has his eye not only on the sparrow. His eye remains on each of his children, as we are the apple of his eye.

Even to your old age I will be the same,

And even to your graying years I will bear you!

I have done it, and I will carry you;

And I will bear you and I will deliver you ~ Isaiah 46:4

Apr

17

Jesus is Alive!

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What Jesus endured while on earth is stirring in the deepest of ways because what he suffered on that cruel Roman cross was what every one of us deserves. Pierced, bruised, and crushed—an innocent lamb led to slaughter. Many would have passed out from only a portion of what Jesus suffered That was the fate of our beloved savior.

The compassion of God is truly greater than anything we’ll ever come to know. The more we dwell upon the flogging…the stripes upon his back…the nails in his wrists…and the crown of thorns he wore, along with the mental anguish of the brief separation from his Father while he bore our sins, we can more fully understand the magnitude of his suffering. Though because of this miraculous feat, we are now set free spiritually from everything that besets our souls forever.

Isaiah tells us:  By His stripes we are healed. The greater meaning of it all, we’ll understand in heaven, but for now, we can rest in the truth of God’s word that these things were designed from the beginning for good. All praise, glory, and thanks to God!

Apr

10

His triumphal entry

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As Jesus approached Jerusalem on his way down from the Mount of Olives, a donkey—the most peaceful of animals—attended him. Rather than a horse that would signify a warrior’s entrance into battle, our humble Lord strode on the back of a gentle beast of burden. No pomp and circumstance. No earthly coronation. “Who is he?” some asked among those who waved their palms in the hopes of being liberated that day. But Jesus had other plans—for now.

 

At seeing the people, Jesus was disheartened to the point of tears because he knew their fate…the imminent suffering that would soon befall the city at the hands of the Romans. While some were excited and shouted, “Hosanna to God in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”; others were not so pleased…namely, the chief priests and Pharisees.

 

This day was among the last before his crucifixion. Sadly, even the apostles didn’t quite understand the prophecies that were being fulfilled and that this was not an earthy victory march but a heavenly one. Most everyone there did not understand that Jesus was preparing to die for them. The victory march will come later when he comes back to earth, and we pray, Lord Jesus, that it is soon.

 

Maranatha, Lord!

Apr

03

Magnify the Lord

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God’s Word tells us to let our light shine before men so that the world may see our good works and glorify God, our Father, in heaven. We don’t perform good works to prove ourselves worthy, nor are we saved by the works themselves. We do the works because of the Holy Spirit living inside us, who fills us with the power and desire to serve our Lord.

Oh, magnify the Lord with Me, and let us exalt His name together ~ Psalm 34:3

The psalmist David entreated the people to exalt the Lord together. In a trial while dealing with King Achish, David underwent a struggle for his life, and David was certain the Lord was the cause for his deliverance.

Singing to the Lord, praying, praising, thanking, teaching, preaching, witnessing for Christ daily in our walks are ways to magnify the Lord. Lifting up his name is the least we can do for the loving savior whose light lives within us. Why keep a light under a bushel? Do we light a candle to put it in the closet or hide it under the bed? No, we put it high and lifted up on a candlestick so His light may shine.

 

Mar

27

Make a joyful noise

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When the Jews were released from captivity after a time of discipline at the hands of the Assyrians, and then later, the Babylonians, as well as their earlier rescue from slavery in Egypt, there were so many reasons for God’s people to shout aloud to Him in their Promised Land.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms” ~ Psalms 95:2

What better way to communicate to the Lord than through prayerful and joyous singing. In addition to the book of Psalms, God’s word is full of verses that encourage believers to worship him through music.

Ephesians 9:15 says we are to speak to each other in psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.

Colossians 3:16 says to let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

The word also says to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. No matter the skill or pitch of your vocal cords or whether you can even carry a tune, God is honored when the sound you make comes truly from a place of worship as all he really hears is the sound of your heart.

Mar

20

Is it the end?

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God’s children all around the world are groaning to see the Lord coming back in the clouds, and we feel that blessed time is nearing. The chatter around the water cooler these days is that we are in the final end times. But God’s word says that when we hear of war and rumors of war, this is merely the beginning of the birth pangs.

The world has been in the end times ever since Jesus ascended into heaven. Philosophers have waxed on the engaging topic of Jesus’ return for centuries now. With every catastrophe, we think this is it! But no one knows–only the Father.

God’s word also tells us that as long as we have life and breath on earth, our work as loving kingdom builders is our priority. While the strain of living on earth when we can all practically taste heaven is not arduous with the Lord supplying the strength. He will come soon enough. How precious is our life on earth despite the struggles when our strength and hope are strong in the Lord!

               

Mar

14

Walk in newness…

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To observe a seedling poke it’s head out of the garden soil where it’s been buried until it germinates and eventually comes to life, the image reminds us of how Christ was buried and then raised from the dead. We, too, are given newness of life when we put our faith in Christ and die to our old selves daily.

     “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer  I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” ~ Galatians 2:20

The Lord’s love for his creation is evident all around us as the seasons change and the cycle of life continues at his will.  As followers of Jesus, we are renewed as we follow the Lord and put on the new self instead of yielding to the old inner man, which is dying daily.

     “Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” ~ Colossians 3:10.

The mercies off the Lord are new every morning, and we are renewed daily in Christ as we seek Him for everything. Great is His faithfulness toward his children.