Luke-The Day Mary Heard the News-This IS Love

By Mary Vee
Luke the Physician 
Luke 1

From Luke's Notes

Photo Courtesy

My name is Gabriel. I am a messenger of God.

God sent me to Nazareth, a city in Galilee to deliver a message. This was the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy.

I was to speak to a young woman who was engaged to a man named Joseph. Joseph was from the same tribe as King David from long ago.

This woman was honorable, being a virgin before marriage, and her name was Mary.

I found her by herself and said, "Good morning, Mary. You are highly favored in God's eyes. He is with you."

Her eyes went wide. She trembled. My being here and speaking with her had startled her. To calm her down I gently said, "Don't be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God."

She watched me, waiting for me to finish my message.

"Mary you will become pregnant and give birth to a son," I said. "You will call his name Jesus. Your son will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever. His kingdom will be forever."

She gently shook her head and closed her eyes, thinking about what I'd said. She softly spoke, "How can this be? I haven't been with a man to become pregnant."

This was a good question. I explained God's plan. "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will hover over you and because of this, the son you will give birth to will be called holy, the Son of God."

I gave her a moment to think about what I'd said then told her, "I have more good news. Your cousin, Elisabeth is also pregnant. Even in her old age. Even though she has never been able to have children before. This is her sixth month of pregnancy."

Mary smiled.

"Mary, no word from God will be without power."

She nodded. "I understand. I am the Lord's servant. Grant to me all that you have said."

And with that, God's message had been delivered. Mary showed she understood. So I left.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns, Four Winds Press, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1981
* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org
*The Hasmonean Dynasty

Jonathan Goforth-Wang, Chief Storyteller

By Mary Vee
Year: December1895

Jonathan Goforth-36 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind and I are missionaries in China. 

As each new day passed in Changte, more and more men and women walked from near and far to hear about the God who loves them. I spoke with the men and Rosalind spoke with the women. We were swamped with work. That's not so bad. But, I didn't like turning people away because the sun was going down and everyone needed sleep.

We'd prayed for help. One day we saw God's creative ways of answering prayer. He sent us a man we'd met a long time ago, a former opium and gambling addict named Wang.

Wang looked hungry, tired, and dirty when he arrived. We fed him, cleaned him up, and helped him get rest. The next day, he looked much better. Not completely normal, but better.

I asked him if he wanted to help me preach that afternoon. He didn't say yes. He wept. "I had a feeling I needed to come here, but I didn't know why." Then he said yes. 

For three hours, Wang spoke from his heart. He talked about his addictions and how God saved him. The men listened intently. At the end of the time I expected Wang to be exhausted. Instead he was excited and ready to help more.

That night at dinner we sat at the table. "Wang, you are an amazing speaker. Where did you learn to explain things so well to people?"

A broad smile spread across his face. "A long time ago my job was chief storyteller in the province. People came from great distances to hear stories. I earned a good wage and had a good life." 

He looked down at his food and spoke softer. "I started smoking the opium pipe. The smoke hurt my throat, keeping me from speaking loud enough for the large numbers of people to hear my stories. I lost my job and needed money. That's when I started gambling.

"When I believed in the one true God, I stopped gambling and smoking the opium pipe. To pay my debts I had to sell everything. I had no food. No place to live."

After hearing his story, I saw why God sent Wang to help. He was a gifted storyteller who could share what God had done for him. "Wang, would you like to help me on a regular basis?"

"Yes, very much so."

So he and I worked out a schedule. Between the two of us, we preached to men who walked from far away to hear about what God had done. Some men sat half a day listening. Some forgot they needed to leave early enough to get home before dark.

God blessed the work. Two important Chinese men chose to believe in God. One was a well-respected doctor, the other, a wealthy man. 

By April of 1896, Wang, Rosalind, and I had preached the Gospel to 25,000 men and women.

The new Christian Chinese men helped to start Bible studies in the surrounding countryside. God had blessed the mission with an amazing storyteller.

Our next problem: we needed someone to help Rosalind speak to the women and we were still not allowed to ask the mission board for help. There simply were not enough missionaries. What will God do this time?

Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

.

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Luke-The Unbelievable Message

By Mary Vee
Luke the Physician 
Luke 1

From Luke's Notes

Photo Courtesy

My name is Luke. I am a physician. In my training, I learned to make accurate and detailed notes. These are so crucial for records.I do this for more than my patients. I've kept written notes about other events, especially the life of Jesus the Christ.

In the days when Herod was king of Judea one of the priests at the temple was named Zacharias. His wife was from the line of Aaron, the Aaron who was Moses' brother, and her name was Elisabeh.

Both Zacharias and Elisabeth were righteous before God. They followed His commandments and the ordinances of the Lord with out fail. 

Deep inside both Zacharias and Elisabeth wanted a child. They were getting pretty old and still had no son or daughter. They realized Elisabeth was not able to have children.

"Elisabeth," Zacharias said one day, "today is my turn to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense."

"This is a wonderful day, my husband." She was so excited. "God has blessed us with such an honor. You know all the people will be praying at the hour you go in to offer incense."

"I'm thankful for that." And Zacharias was. 

He put on his priestly garments and took the incense in his hand. Inside the temple, he walked by himself into the inner room. 

To his surprise an angel appeared to the right of the altar of incense. Fear overpowered Zacharias when he looked at the angel. He trembled and couldn't speak.

The angel said, "Don't be afraid, Zacharias. Your prayer has been heard. Your wife, Elisabeth will give birth to a son and you will call his name John. His birth will bring a lot of joy to you and your wife. Also, all the people who live by you and know you will celebrate this good news.

"Your son, John will be filled with the Holy Ghost from the moment he is first conceived. John will turn many people to the Lord. John will turn the hearts of fathers to their children. The disobedient will walk in the wisdom of the just. He will make the people ready for the Lord."

Zacharias swallowed and found his voice. He said, "How will I know this is true? You know I am an old man, and my wife is also old."

The angel said, "I am Gabriel who has stood in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you and to bring this message of good news. Now, you will not be able to speak until your son is born because you didn't believe my words which will come true at the right time."

Zacharias walked out of the temple. The people crowded close to him asking, "Why were you in the temple so long? Are you all right? What happened?" But he couldn't speak.

The people thought Zacharias must have seen a vision while he was in the temple. 

Zachary's tried to tell them what happened using his hands but they didn't understand. When the time for his service ended that day, he went home.

Elisabeth his wife became pregnant. She chose to stay at home for the first five months to take care of herself and the coming baby.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns, Four Winds Press, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1981
* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org
*The Hasmonean Dynasty

Matthew-Generations

By Mary Vee
Matthew 
Matthew 1

From Matthew's Notes

My name is Matthew. I was a tax collector before Jesus of Nazareth called me to be one of His followers. My life has changed completely since listening to His teachings and seeing His examples of how God expects us to live. These things will be discussed in greater detail in the days to come when I tell you what I witnessed.

For now, I want to start with telling you the generations of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham's son was Isaac

Isaac's son was Jacob

Jacob's son was Judah and his brothers.

Judah's son was Perez and Zerah by Tamar, their mother.

Perez's son was Hezron
Herzon's son was Ram
Ram's son was Amminadab
Amminadab's son was Nahshon
Nahshon's son was Salmon
Salmon's son was Boaz by Rahab, Boaz's the mother Salmon saved Rahab when the walls of Jericho fell.
Boaz's son was Obed by Ruth, Obed's mother. Ruth's mother-in-law was Naomi.
Obed's son was Jesse
Jesse's son was David, the king
David's son was Solomon. Solomon's mother had been the wife of Uriah
Solomon's son was Rehoboam
Rehoboam's son was Abijah
Abidjah's son was Asa
Asa's son was Jehoshaphat
Jehoshaphat's son was Joram
Joram's son was Uzziah
Uzziah's son was Jotham
Jotham's son was Ahaz
Ahaz's son was Hezekiah
Hezekiah's son was Manasseh
Manasseh's son was Amon
Amon's son was Josiah
Josiah's son was Jechoniah and his brothers at the time the Jews were taken as slaves to Babylon.
After many Jews were taken as slaves to Babylon, Jechoniah had a son named Shealtiel
Shealtiel's son was Zerubbabel
Zerubbabel's son was Abiud
Abiud's son was Eliakim
Eliakim's son was Azor
Azor's son was Sadoc
Sadoc's son was Achim
Achim's son was Eliud
Eliud's son was Eleazar
Eleazar's son was Matthan
Matthan's son was Jacob
Jacob's son was Joseph, the husband of Mary who bore Jesus who is called the Christ.

All the generations from Abraham until David are fourteen. All the generations from David until the Babylonians took the Jews into captivity are fourteen. All the generations from when the Babylonians took the Jews until Christ are fourteen.

Between the generations shown in the last post by Luke and this one, the descendants of Jesus can be traced. This information is very important to have recorded. The highlighted ones are names you may recognize.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns, Four Winds Press, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1981
* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org
*The Hasmonean Dynasty

Jonathan Goforth-I Asked. God Gave. But Not What I Thought I Asked For.

By Mary Vee
Year: fall 1893-1894

Jonathan Goforth-34 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind and I are missionaries in China. 

We were swamped with work. That's not so bad. But, I didn't like turning people away because the sun was going down and everyone needed sleep.

Rosalind barely had time to care for the children.

We talked over the need last night and took the problem to God. We prayed asking God to send us help. We couldn't ask our board because we already did and they said there were no missionaries available to send.

Rosalind and I prayed again this morning. And while I preached today in the city where many men gathered to listen--and if too many wanted to speak to me one on one I wouldn't have had the time, my heart asked God again to please send help.

In the back of the crowd, I noticed a man. His faced looked dark and skinny, like he hadn't eaten in a long time. His clothes worn and torn. He stepped to the side, his bare feet covered in dust and dirt.  

I stepped outside the chapel and sensed someone following me. I turned around and saw the beggar's eyes in the sunlight. Wang? "Is that you Wang Fulin?"

He nodded and kept his head low.

I stepped close to him. "I'm so happy to see you. Please, you must come to my home for lunch. Oh, Rosalind will be so happy to see you. Now, I won't take no for an answer."

Wang lifted his head and I'm pretty sure there was a smile under all that dirt.

I opened the front door, "Rosalind, honey, guess who's here for lunch?"

She walked out of the kitchen with a dishtowel twined in her hands. She blinked. "Wang?"

I pressed him to walk in the house. "Yes, it's Wang. Can you believe it? We haven't seen him in so long."

"Lunch is ready, Wang. Please join us."

Wang followed her to an empty seat. She brought out a plate. "Tell us what's been going on in your life? We've missed you."

He sipped some tea. "Thank you, Mrs. Goforth." He turned to me. "I did want to talk with you."

Rosalind backed toward the kitchen. Wang looked up at her. "Please don't leave."

She sat down and sipped her tea. 

"Go ahead, Wang. We're listening."

He took a breath. "I've read through the New Testament twice and the words meant a lot to me. I believed them. It's just, I don't see any hope for myself."

"Why is that?"

"You know I was a drug addict. I tried to break free. I really did. It was stealing my life." He looked from Rosalind to me. "If you hadn't referred me to the help at the mission I would have never beat the addiction. As you know I placed my faith in the God who loves me. I walked away from the drugs and the gambling. This was my livelihood. I had debts I couldn't pay. I lost everything.

"I walked the countryside with no place to go. Nothing to eat. At times I ate bark off the trees." He sipped more tea. "Yesterday, I had the strangest feeling. Something inside made me want to come visit you. I don't know what I'm suppose to do here. But this is where I'm supposed to be."

He's supposed to be here? Right here? Right now? I looked at Rosalind. She looked back at me and raised her eyebrow. Well....we did ask God for help. I kinda had something else in mind. Like a trained missionary, or, yeah. Not a beggar.

"Ok then. Let's get you cleaned up and fed." Then we'll talk. Could this really be true? God sent Wang to help us?"

An hour later, Wang had a bath, he wore clean clothes. They were mine and hung on him at least two sizes too big.

He stood looking at me with such a hopeful gaze. I smiled. "I'm going to preach this afternoon. Do you want to come along?"

I don't think anyone could have been any happier.




Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

.

Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.

Luke-The Importance of Accurate Records

By Mary Vee
Luke 1, 
Before Time

From Luke's Intricate Notes

My name is Luke. I am a physician. In my training, I learned to make accurate and detailed notes. These are so crucial for records.I do this for more than my patients. I've kept written notes about other events, especially the life of Jesus the Christ.

There is a man named Theophilus, he is most excellent. I felt he needed to see this specific record of what I saw and participated in during the life of Jesus so that he would know for certain what happened and whether he was instructed correctly or not.

Many have written a narrative about what happened among us. They've even search for us, his disciples and apostles, to insure their account was placed in good hands. I have a few of these narratives with me right now.

It seemed they all lacked some events and explanations I witnessed. 

I must admit the years I spent witnessing these events with Jesus the Christ, well, it was more than witnessing, I participated in a lot of them as well. He truly impacted my life. 

When Jesus began to teach, he was about thirty years of age. Now the list I am about to present must be written because it is an important genealogy. It will look long, but take a minute to read through the list. See how many names you recognize. I've highlighted a few you might recognize.

and Jesus was the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, 
the son of Heli
the son of Mattat
the son of Levi
the son of Melchi
the son of Jannai
the son of Joseph
the son of Mattathias
the son of Amos
the son of Nahum
the son of Esli
the son of Nagai
the son of Maath
the son of Mattathias
the son of Semein
the son of Joseph
the son of Judah
the son of Joanan
the son of Rhesa
the son of Zerubbabel
the son of Shealtiel
the son of Neri
the son of Melchi
the son of Addi
the son of Cosam
te son of Elmadam
the son of Er
the son of Jose
the son of Eliezer
the son of Jobim
the son of Mattat
the son of Levi
the son of Simeon
the son of Judah
the son of Joseph
the son of Jonam
the son of Eliakim
the son of Mela
the son of Menna
the son of Mattatha
the son of Nathan
the son of David
the son of Jesse
the son of Obed
the son of Boaz
the son of Salmon
the son of Nahshon
the son of Amminadab
the son of Ram
the son of Hezron
the son of Perez
the son ofJudah
the son of Jacob
the son of Isaac
the son of Abraham
the son of Terah
the son of Nahor
the son of Serug
the son of Reu
the son of Peleg
the son of Eber
the son of Shelah
the son of Cainan
the son of Arphaxad
the son of Shem
the son of Noah
the son of Lamech
the son of Methuselah
the son of Enoch
the son of Jared
the son of Mahalaleel
the son of Cainan
the son of Enos
the son of Seth
the son of Adam
the son of God

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns, Four Winds Press, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1981
* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org
*The Hasmonean Dynasty

Before Time-An Eye Opening Flashback

By Mary Vee
John 1:1-18
Before Time

From Inspiration Given to John

We struggle to understand the time before time because, in truth, it is beyond what we are able to grasp. Oh sure, some men, women, and children have imagined, but there is only One who knows.

Because in the time before time was the Word. You may wonder what is meant by "the Word." Well, first, the Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word was even with God in the beginning.

Everything that has been made was made by the Word. There isn't anything made that He, the Word, didn't make.

In the Word is life. This life is our light. The light shines in darkness, and the darkness cannot understand it.

There was a man named John who was sent by God. His job was to tell everyone about the light so that everyone might listen to him and believe. John wasn't the light. No. His job was to tell everyone who would listen to him about the light who was coming. This light was the true light.

But no one knew who he was, even though he created the world. He came to spend time with his own, to help them, and to make a way for them to go to heaven, but those people didn't want to listen to him.

But, for all the men, women, and children who would listen to him and believe he was the light, the Word, the one who had been with God and was God, to those people he gave the honor to become the children of God. These who believed were not only born once as babies with blood and flesh and will, they were born again belonging to the family of God.

The Word, who is God, left his heavenly kingdom to be born as a baby and grow to be a little boy then a man so that he could spend time with us. Those who truly see him see his glory to be like the only son of the Father, full of grace and truth. 

John, the one sent by God, told others about him saying, "This was the one I told you about. He may have be born after me but actually, he first lived before me. And through him we receive his fulness and grace. 

The law was given by Moses and said grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 

No man has seen God at any time. But the Father's only Son came to make known the Father to us.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*The Hanukkah Book by Marilyn Burns, Four Winds Press, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1981
* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org
*The Hasmonean Dynasty