bralypossible

[bralypossible]

WWJD

“When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” John 2:13-16. (NIV).

“Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.”“ Matthew 21:12-13 (NIV).

Jesus flipped tables. 

Jesus flipped chairs.

Jesus made a whip, knocking over merchandise and spilled coins out onto the floor.

This act of anger is something that always puzzled me growing up. The first time I heard it, it felt out of character for Jesus to “make a scene” and “violently overturn” property.

Up to this point, Jesus’ ministry has been one of parables, preaching to mass gatherings, speaking in allegory and metaphors to Pharisees and tax collectors, and the healing touch of his hands, but in this instance, He chose to flip over tables and chairs and spill merchandise and money out into the street. Why?

In olden times, people would travel hundreds of miles to the city of Jerusalem for Passover. During Passover, they would often make sacrifices by burning calves, doves, sheep, or other various animals to make up for their sins. It was hard enough for a family to travel long distances, and even more taxing to carry and care for an animal they were going to sacrifice in a couple days. So people would often travel to Jerusalem, then purchase an animal to sacrifice when they got there. Makes more since, right? Of course, the priests would put a high tax on these animals or often cheat people out of their money by charging more than what the animals were actually worth. No different than what corporations do today (another conversation for another time).

That is what was happening in this story. At this time in Jesus’ ministry, He has been foretelling of His resurrection of the cross, telling people that there will be an ultimate sacrifice coming and people won’t have to sacrifice animals anymore to atone for their sins. That people wouldn’t need to come to the Temple to meet God cause God would be with them. There would no longer be a need to go to the High Priest to speak with God, you could go to Him directly. 

“Well, Aly, if that was the case, why didn’t Jesus just say that? There’s no need to flip tables.”

Jesus did tell them, maybe not directly, but it’s written all throughout his ministry. He consistently called out the Priests and the Pharisees for their wrong doing, their twisting of God’s word and oppression on the women, the poor, the Gentiles, and the Samaritans. 

Jesus was not only a man of words, but a man of action. That couldn’t be more clear than when He willingly was persecuted, beaten, whipped, spat on, bled, had his skin ripped open as people who claimed to love Him literal hours before, were now chanting that they wanted Him dead. He still stood up. He still carried a 100lb+ wooden cross miles up a hill, placed it into the ground, then aligned his body to the T-Shaped wood as Roman soldiers nailed him to it and watched him hang for hours until His last breath, 

Maybe sometimes words aren’t enough. 

Maybe sometimes to get the point across and have people truly listen to the seriousness that Jesus wanted us to know, He had to flip some tables.

There’s no doubt that He got peoples’ attention by doing that. 

Hypothetically speaking, if America was a temple, a place where God dwells where-for hundreds of years-a majority of people continue to mock, steal, kidnap, belittle, judge, and be unjust towards simple because of the color of their skin, do you think Jesus would just use words to help attain peace, equality, and equity for all people? 

Do you think after decades of ridicule and years of having film and photo proof of police and white supremacists brutally murdering or brutally harming unarmed people of color, that words and posters would be enough? All while those enacting these treacherous acts of violence get away with a slap on the wrist?

Nah. I think Jesus would flip some tables. He’d overturn some chairs. He’d march alongside of the underdogs as we breathe in smoke from tear gas. He’d walk into the fire because He knows how to stir something within people. 

I, personally, am not a fan of looting or destroying property of small businesses who have been hit hard enough by this pandemic.

But I understand.

I understand your pain.

I understand your fear.

I am sick of the torture. I am sick of hearing and watching handcuffed men and women cry out that they can’t breathe.

I am with you. I am walking in the fire with you and I believe Jesus is walking with you too.

If you are out there, protesting and/or rioting, please be safe. Wear masks, record everything. Have rags at the ready and a first aid kit in hand and milk in bottles. Above all, be on high alert  cause not everyone who shows up to these rallies are allies, remember that. Not everyone seeks peace, but I believe this catalyst has sparked inspiration across the entire nation.

They definitely hear us now. Beyond the shadow of a doubt, they hear us and the entire world is watching. 

#blacklivesmatter #jesussaves #jesusislord #black lives have value

[bralypossible]

Sometimes you need to bake 🧁

💕

Sometimes you need to color 🎨

💕

And sometimes you just need plain Jesus ✝️

💕

Definitely going through this hard time of not having too much to do I start to stress bake, color, or do anything that involves getting my mind somewhere else besides what’s happening in the world. These last few weeks I won’t deny that picking up my Bible was the last thing I wanted to do. But reading it the past few days I realize it’s the major thing I need to do right now. God knows what’s going to happen through all this. God knows the outcome. So I shouldn’t fear. And when I do I should go to him. We all miss our busy lives... but one day we are gonna miss waking up and remembering how wonderful it was just to slow down. To spend time whether FaceTime or in the house with loved ones. We are gonna miss it. So cherish the moments you have now. Because when life gets busy again. It’s going to be hard to remember how to turn yourself off. ⏰

#jesusislord #fearisavirus #jesussaves #jesusitrustinyou #yelling into the void

[bralypossible]

I'm afraid of what I'm risking if I follow you into the unknown.

Brendon Urie, Disneys’ Frozen II.

#relatable #disney #onward #jesussaves #jesusislord #chrispratt #tom holland #phoenix gem #panic! at the brendon #panic! fandom

[bralypossible]

Lament

~ /ləˈment/ ~ a passionate expression of sorrow. 

“I cannot keep from speaking. I must express my anguish. My bitter soul must complain.” -Job 7:11 (NLT). Last week, B and I both spoke about fear and how to handle fear when it presents itself, using this current pandemic as an example.

I reside in Ohio, where most of the world recognizes us as the state leading the nations response on what to do to flatten the curve on COVID-19. We were the first ones to shut down all schools & universities. We were the first ones to shut down all non-essential stores. The first ones to open unemployment benefits, etc, etc. When schools shut down, my work had everyone on one week of paid leave. I thanked God that I still had a job & that we were able to provide for others during this time & that I didn’t have kids. Then the executive order came where all non essential jobs were closed til April 6th. My boss  worked to give us work at home projects as I watched many members of my community not receive the same grace. Then Friday came. I got a call from my boss that I was being laid off. As soon as we hung up, I immediately updated my resume & references on LinkedIn, applied for unemployment, all while balling like a baby. Monday morning, I had two interviews with one company and was offered a temporary 30-day full time position where I could work from home that paid $14/hr. I thanked God for the quick turnaround time, but after doing a lot of math, I started freaking the fuck out. The human side of me is screaming! I worked SO hard to be more than an hourly employee. I’ve trained, I got the education, I did the grunt work, all to be written off as non-essential and am now competing for jobs that pay less than $20k yearly. I am fearful of the future. I’m afraid of letting the job opportunities that come easy define my worth. I’m sure there are many others (over 10 million, to be exact) that are in my shoes. If you are fearful, let this comfort you: the book Lamentations, in the Old Testament means a book of complaints. Yes, there is an entire book in the Bible dedicated to complaints, yet that book ends with hope. The people freaking out, all while worshiping our Lord God.

I lost my job on Friday. Jesus died on the cross on Friday. Monday came with a job offer for me.  And Jesus rose from the grave. 

It is okay to be scared, to be upset, even mournful. God wants to hear all of those things from us. I encourage you to get out all the emotions you’re feeling, and in the end, praise God. The loss & grief of Friday is happening for a lot of us, but I promise you: your Monday is coming. 

Complain, sob, be angry. And when you’re done, praise God.

#passover #biblestudy #bible stuff #job bible study #friday #bestfriend #joy comes in the morning #joywave #coronavirus #lament #greif #loss #redemption

[bralypossible]

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 (NLT).

It’s no secret that the year 2020 has turned from one of hope to utter despair. That may sound drastic, but it’s the truth. This pandemic has brought financial hardships, supply shortages, and fear filled hearts. 

Who would’ve thought that something so small would cause so much distress? From people not taking this serious enough and adding to the curve, to people literally threatening the life of others over... toilet paper. Something so mundane and not exactly essential. 

Researchers have predicted that there are three different ways to respond to fear: we either fight, take flight or tend & befriend. The last one has come to light in recent years. Studies showed that some people who responded to high stress situations took to taking time out of their day to have coffee with a friend or check on those in their life to see if they needed a helping hand. 

Isn’t that what Jesus did? Before he went to the cross, he hosted a dinner, washed his friends’ feet, and broke bread with them. When Lazarus died, Jesus wept (John 11:35). He tended to his loved ones who were mourning and he mourned with them. 

I don’t share these thoughts or ideologies to try and skim over the fact that fear is real. Fear is real. Fear is in the car, buckled in the seat, but fear is not driving. 

In this time of social distancing, we can still tend & befriend those in need. School districts from all over who only had 48 hours notice of closure, were able to find ways to feed students & their families for the remainder of the school year. Some CEO’s have given up their salaries to help their bottom line. Nursing homes are offering an opportunity for people to “adopt a grandparent” who they can video chat with during the visitor restrictions and not feel so alone. 

It’s okay to experience the sensations of fear, but it doesn’t have to stop us. 

Practice social distancing.

Wash your hands.

Tend & befriend those in need.

Fear may have a seat, but like this small virus, fear will not overcome you cause we know who is truly driving.

#jesusislord #jesusistheway #drivetastefully #jesussaves #blog post #biblestudy #bible stuff #best friend #covid-19 #cantstopme

[bralypossible]

Fearing God

In my faith I have struggled with the phrase “fear God” in the Bible. In my head I think fear and love are the completely opposite of each other, but tonight doing my Bible study and beginning the book of Proverbs I finally figured out my answer! And man is it a relief to know it’s not what most Christians think. 

Fear and being afraid are often confused... a lot. And that's exactly what I did. But the fear the Bible talks about is a matter of understanding that He has a claim on us. He wants us to belong to him, to have a relationship with him where we respect and obey Him. And then in return He lovingly provides us everything we need in life. 

In the book of Proverbs it mentions fearing God in the beginning (1:7) and then also the complete end of proverbs as well. (31:30) God wants us to understand that fearing him isn't actually being literally scared of Him. But a sign of respect and acknowledgment in our lives as we push forward day by day. The relationship provides a type of framework that allows us to become wise, and keeping our relationship with Him in the center of our daily life. It is not just a manner of doing, but also being. In another way its about doing the right things for the right reasons. Proverbs will guide me and others who wish to read it to a different type of freedom knowing God has the knowledge we need in this lifetime. If only we choose to use it.

So my question would be (if you like answering questions) do you want Gods claim on your life? Truly? Where you fear (respect and obey) so that you can gain true wisdom? It sounds like such and easy yes but even I struggle sometimes daily to say yes to this.  

#jesussaves #mightygod #fear #nofearhere #jesusblog #biblestudy

[bralypossible]

Just because you don't see movement doesn't mean God's not moving

CCV, Ashley Woodridge 

#jesusislord #ccv #loveconquersall