Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem
I once worked for a Jewelry Company in a big mall. I was the Bookkeeper, but I was also responsible for Inventory and sometimes even sold a diamond ring. It was an interesting job, but Jeff, my boss, had a terrible voice that grated on my nerves. I couldn't put my finger on it why his voice bothered me, it was just awful.
One day, as I was doing the books in the back room, I was singing unconsciously. Jeff came in, and objected to my singing.
"Don't you ever sing?" I asked.
"No. I NEVER sing," he replied. "In fact, I was probably the only kid in history that RECITED my Bar Mitzvah instead of singing it. The Rabbi couldn't STAND hearing me sing!"
That got me to thinking about the age when kids make their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. For the girls, it's not so bad, but for the boys, it is at the EXACT age when their voice is changing. It must be torture for the teachers teaching these boys to SING!
Years later, I became a vocal coach, and had a lot of students who sang with a world-famous boy's choir. But boys grow up, and many of them were unceremoniously booted from the choir when their voices changed. This, of course, added to the kid's awkwardness and embarrassment during an already difficult time.
I tried to encourage the boys, saying that they already knew the techniques, the exercises, the theory, and the music. Now, use that knowledge and be the best BARITONE you can possibly be!
Today's Scripture was on the calendar the day Jesus returned to His home town of Nazareth. Seeing that He had come home, the community was pleased to have Him go up to the Bema and read from the Scriptures. he may have even sung it, in a beautiful adult voice. I can just imagine the whispers: "His Mother must be so proud! What a nice young man her little boy has become! Too bad he didn't stay on as our village carpenter. And what a nice voice he has!"
But then, Jesus turned and said:
"TODAY THIS HAS BEEN FULFILLED" (Luke 4)
What a scandal! How DARE He? We knew him when he was just a kid! Isn't this the carpenter's son? They became so angry that they chased Him out of the synagogue. Their fury was understandable. Can you imagine if a young man from your home town, whom you had watch grow up, suddenly said that he was the Messiah?
I guess that is where "Faith" comes in. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. When the Word takes root and blossoms, it produces Faith and that can bring about miracles.
Come and Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.
"He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." (Romans 4:25)
God Bless America!
Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.
This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.
Hallelujah and Amen
ML/LTOS