Friday – We Walk With Jesus – Day -1

Holy Week 2023 – Reality and Faith United! Starting Friday, March 31st 2023 until — Easter Sunday, April 9th 2023
Written By: David Anson Brown

March 31, 2023
Jesus and His disciples in the village of Bethany – 9th of Nisan

Then Jesus six days before the Passover [Holy Week] came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom He raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him.

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. ~ John 12:1-3

And when they [Jesus and His Twelve Disciples] came near to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and **Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sends forth two of His disciples, And says unto them, Go your way into the village [Bethphage] opposite to you: and as soon as all of you be entered into it, all of you shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. And if any man say unto you, Why do all of you this? say all of you that the Lord (Owner) has need of him; and immediately he will send him here. ~ Mark 11:1-3

Personal Reflection #1 – Anointing Oil
Mary Anointed Jesus with very costly and very precious oil. Biblically oil is a symbol of acceptance. To anoint someone is to accept them, to accept them for who and for what they are. Judas on the other hand did not want to bother with anointing Jesus. He didn’t even want to be bothered with other people anointing Him. Mary was accepting Jesus. She had accepted that He had come to die for her in her place and was anointing Jesus for His coming burial. The cross of Jesus was something that even the disciples had not yet been able to come to grips with yet Mary had and Mary acknowledged and accepted Jesus for it. Having accepted the gift from Jesus that He was to die in her place for her sins she had now entered into a place of rest and comfort. Rest in that she did not have to work to amend for her own sins and comfort in that all things would be taken care of for her through God who is also King, her King Jesus.

As we begin our walk with Jesus let’s pause and reflect (Selah) about acceptance … are there people in our own lives who we need to anoint and to accept even though we don’t understand them?

How much could our fellowships gain by this one simple act of anointing one another in the simple affection of acceptance. Anointing others with the precious oil of acceptance can only come from our own rest and security through the knowledge of what Jesus Himself has done and will do for us in our lives.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life [eternal] for evermore. ~ Psalms 133:1-3

Are we anointing and accepting of ourselves?

Biblically people are allowed to anoint – refresh themselves with oil (Matthew 6:17).

In fact it is crucial that we accept ourselves. God has already accepted us. He created us and He is for us.

How is it that we can reject what God has already accepted?

Are we anointing and accepting of Jesus?

Even today we can anoint Jesus with His precious costly oil of acceptance by accepting His accomplishments in His sacrificial death and eternal resurrection life for us and by trusting in His authority and Kingly rule over and in our lives.
We would like to be bold enough to take the steps to walk where Jesus walks, but it is now evident even on this day, day one, that Jesus does not walk as a human walks but that He walks as God walks. For us to walk with Jesus we are going to have to be bold and remove our focus from others and place it on God.

Old & New Testament Holy Week Prophecies
Therefore thus will I do unto you, O Israel: and because I will do this unto you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel. ~ Amos 4:12
We have also a more sure Word of Prophecy; unto which all of you do well that all of you take heed, as unto a Light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the Day Star [TriUne God – Holy Spirit] arise in your hearts: 20 ~ 2 Peter 1:19

Holy Week 2023 – Reality and Faith United! Starting Friday, March 31st 2023 until — Easter Sunday, April 9th 2023
Written By: David Anson Brown

Accountability & Authority
Author: Pat Aman
July 8, 2008rev2023

John 17:11-13 “While I was with them, I was keeping them in Thy name which
Thou hast given Me; and I guarded them, and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

A lot of times, people have the impression that being in a position of leadership means that you get to make the important decisions and pick the things you want to do. There is some truth in that, but not nearly as much as you might think.

Leadership also means making unpopular decisions that have a long term goal in mind.

I have just had to make one of those
decision in the last month. I can tell you it was not an easy decision to make, because it not only included myself, but others. But I feel with all my heart that I made the right decision. I feel that in making this decision it will help everyone involved to be able to step back and take a better look at what and where God wants us all to be. Start over new and refreshed, as God leads.

It can also means working over the weekend to finish personnel reviews so
your subordinates get their raises. It means going to meetings and being accountable to managers above you for the actions of those employees. Even when their actions are not acceptable to you, you are responsible. It means dealing with that difficult person who has caused a problem between himself and another group.

With the authority that comes with a position, there are responsibilities. The further up you go, the more and more accountable you are to more and more people. In business, the Chairmen of the Board of the largest companies are still accountable to the shareholders.

John 18:8-9 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; if therefore you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 that the word might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom Thou hast given Me I lost not one.”

Jesus made Himself accountable to the Father. Jesus prayed for guidance and strength from the Father. In the selected passage from John 17 above, He returns the disciples to the care of the Father. He accounts for them all, even Judas Iscariot. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked that if there were any other way possible, other than the terrible trial He would
face on the cross, to make that available to Him. But even He who called, taught and led the disciples, submitted His will to the Father’s requirements, for their benefit and ours. He didn’t have to suffer the agony on the cross, or the moment in time when Jesus was separated from the Father. It was the first time in all eternity they had been apart, which may have been the greater trial. Just like the old song goes, “He could have called 10,000 angels to destroy the world and set Him free.” He
stayed true to the plan made in eternity past between the members of the Trinity, to save mankind. Personal accountability to hundreds of prophetic tasks, and the sacrifice of personal time to be with the people teaching and healing and His students, left Jesus’ with little time for Himself.

Were there moments of powerful confrontation where the established
authorities were confounded and shown for the hypocrites that they were?

Yes, of course.

Were there moments of triumph when Jesus showed a flashing glimpse of His power?

Lazarus climbed out of the tomb bound hand and foot in grave clothes at Jesus verbal command. Jairus’ daughter was called from death at the gentle instruction of the Master. To see his friend restored to family and friends, and a child restored to thrilled and grateful parents must have been very satisfying. To see the response of the people accepting Him for who He said He was, people moving from the Kingdom of Darkness to the Kingdom of Light, must have been cause for great joy. And still these times came with a price. If it is the will of God that everyone be saved, then to have even the Pharisees reject such evident displays of power, when they were seeking a visible sign, must have been sadly frustrating. Knowing they sought His life instead of acknowledging the sign that they were seeking before them, that there was still no room to talk must have been painful.

Being a leader often means going it alone for a time. You have a conviction that more time needs to be spent in prayer by your group at church. People’s schedules being what they are makes this unpopular with
some and simply impossible for others. If you are committed to this course of action, simply make it known that you will be there 30 minutes early and anyone is welcome to join you. You may be the only one there early for a month. If you skip once, your ability to sell your conviction of the
importance of that time will be tarnished. Remain faithful to the call of God and watch what happens over time. This simple act of faith may be blessed beyond your wildest dreams.

Luke 19:16-17 “And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, be in authority over ten cities.’

Blessings, Love and Prayers
Pastor Pat Aman

Nehemiah 8:10)

“The Joy Of The Lord, Is Your Strength.”

(Proverbs 17:22)
“A Merry Heart Does Good, Like Medicine, But A Broken Spirit Dries The
Bones.”

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2023 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of © Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……….

God’s Chariots
Author: Pat Aman
June 8, 2008rev2023

Hannah Whitehall Smith, quotes someone as stating:”Earthly cares are a heavenly discipline.’ but they are even something better than discipline–they are God’s chariots, sent to take the soul to its high
places of triumph.”

Hummmm? What a thought to think about. Sometimes I can tell you they do not look like chariots to me. Sometimes to me they look like enemies, sufferings, trials, defeats, misunderstandings, disappointments,
unkindness.

But if we would realize and see them as they really are, we should recognize them as chariots of triumph in which we may ride to those very heights of victory for which our souls have been longing and praying.

Looking at a couple of Biblical examples: Mary and Martha could not understand Jesus’ delay. Why did He not come? Why did their beloved brother Lazarus have to die?

And Abraham could not understand why God should ask that he sacrifice his
son Isaac.

Moses could not understand why God kept him 40 years in the wilderness.

Joseph could not understand his brother’ cruelty.

I have learned through the years that it is not always given to us to understand while we are in the middle of our particular situation.

I know that at very turbulent times in my life, Psalm 43:5, sprang into meaning for me. “Midnight hours” as we have heard the old folks say, yes that midnight hour I have experienced it. It appeared that every door had closed tightly in my face, that God was silent, and that He would keep me
waiting forever for the answers I do desperately needed to hear.

Psalm 43:5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

But, I soon learned that in that Midnight hour when things seemed impossible that help would come, guess what? It did come. It came from God’s own resources. See, God is not confined.

Whatever our necessities, however great our difficulties, and though to all appearances help is impossible, I promise you that God will show up.

Our hope should stand in God and on His Word. And yes, in the (midnight hour,) the right time, God’s time, help will come.

So, whatever you maybe facing, stand, just stand, and believe and wait on your Heavenly Father to come and step in, and lift you up and take care of you.

I promise you the wait will be worth it all.

Love, Blessings, and Prayers,
Pastor Pat Aman

(Nehemiah 8:10)
“The Joy Of The Lord, Is Your Strength.”

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2023 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of © Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……….

Wisdom, Knowledge and Commonsense
Walk In Your Gifting
Author: Pat Aman
June 6, 2008rev.2023

Joe and I have two daughters. They both are very intelligent. They both have degrees in Chemistry and Biology.

Now as for myself, I do not have that much of knowledge about Science.

I love Bible Theology, History and Literature. And I can teach on these subjects, they are my gifting.

But because I have listen to them talk Science with their Dad who is also
acknowledgeable about Science, I can relate to some of the things they talk about. And I have learned a lot by helping them study for tests. And helping them prepare for their Boards, in their careers. But, still these subjects are not my gifting.

But, I will let you know that I would never try to put myself on the same level with them, because that is not my gift, an I do not have the knowledge that they have, because that is their gift.

My Wisdom on this tells me that if I worked in a Science Laboratory, I would probably do something wrong, mix the wrong chemicals and blow the Lab up. You would be reading in the Newspaper, “Pastor, destroys Chemistry Lab. Not sure what she was doing there, but under Investigation. More news to come, when pieces put back together.”

Even though they are younger than I am, I still would not try to use my
age to make myself knowledgeable enough to fill their shoes, because
Science is not my gift. See, I am using Wisdom here.

If I have a Science or Math question, I will call my daughter Tara, she
has taught Math and Science. She now has her Doctorate in Education and in the Administration Field of Education. And yes, when I taught the GED for Central Carolina Community College, I did call her about a Geometry problem. And she walked me through it as I wrote her explanation on the graph board for the students.

And if I need Medical advice about our animals, I will call my daughter Anna, because she is a Surgical Veterinarian.

But, I have had both my daughters tell me that mama we appreciate you, because even though you may not be knowledgeable on a certain subject, you never try to act like you do. Also, we love you because you do have the Wisdom to not try to be something you are not, and your wisdom Mama is greater than our knowledge most of the time.

So, Wisdom verses Knowledge. Yes! I believe with all my heart that wisdom
comes with age. Knowledge comes from learning. But without Wisdom, knowledge fails.

Joe and I will be 70 years young on our next birthdays. So, we are already both over a half of century old. We have gain a great bit of knowledge, but we both will tell you that we wish that we had the Wisdom back then that we do now.

Col 1:9-10 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

In the Bible the word most used for wisdom is “hokmah,” which refers to
skill. Hokmah is used to describe the skill of craftsmen, sailors, and other workers. These workers, having the knowledge of their trade, also had the skill or wisdom to perform their trades.

My Ministry Gift, (Job,) is Pastor/Evangelism, Teaching Bible and starting/organizing the work area of church the local church. I possess the knowledge of all the components required in filling this positions.

Obviously from being a Pastor/Evangelist, I possess the knowledge of all the components required Pastoring and building a church and helping a church to grow. I know where thing needs to fit together to make a church run as it should, and also, God gives me the Discerning Spirit to know what positions that people need to be placed in, within the church, and what position they need to be removed from, if they are trying to do something that is not their gift.

Some may say or even think about themselves that they have the knowledge to Pastor/Evangelize a church, but they lack the skill or wisdom to apply this knowledge to the actual task of doing it. Their lack of wisdom prevents them from successfully doing the job correct.

Just like when I taught in the public school system, but had retired, I had a Principal come to me and told me that they were having a Math teacher to leave just a few weeks before school was to let out, and he wanted to know if I would come back and teach her class. I told him no, because I was not comfortable with Math.

See, it was Algebra, and I am sorry, but Math is not my gift. Now I could
have said yes, and went in and tried to teach the class, but it would have
been very boring to them, and they would not have learned, because I did not have the capable knowledge of teaching them, so I use Wisdom to say NO! Now again, who would have suffered because of me not wanting my pride bruised, and I had taken the position? The students. The Principal said he really respected me for not taking the class, and being honest with him.

Now, yes, in my years, in the school system, I did fill in a time or two
in a Science, Math, and even a Spanish Class, but I had to go straight by the book, and notes that the teacher left for me to follow. Why? I did not have the capable knowledge to teach these subjects. Did the students learn, yes, only because I had the Wisdom to know I needed to follow the teacher’s notes and also, I was not embarrassed to call on the students in the class whom understood the subject and helped the others?

You may say didn’t that make you feel foolish? No! I would really have made myself look foolish for trying to teach someone, something, that I did not understand myself.

Similarly, we can read the Bible everyday and we can even memorize passages in the Bible. We can know all about the Bible. We can memorize how many books are in each Testament. We can memorize where each book is placed in the Bible. We can even read devotionals everyday. We know where to find what; we can tell people what passages to read for different situations. But, do we have the skill, the wisdom to apply this knowledge to everyday life? Do we have the wisdom to put all the pieces together?

Proverbs 2:10-12, When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man.

In the spiritual realm a person who possesses hokmah in reference to God is one who is both knowledgeable and experienced in following God’s way.

So in the Bible’s Wisdom literature being wise means being skilled in godly living. Having God’s wisdom means having the ability to cope with life in a God-honoring way.

Crawford H. Toy wrote, “wisdom is the knowledge of right living in the highest sense.”

My prayer is that everyday you will gain both knowledge and wisdom. I pray that you will practice living in a God-honoring and Christ-Centered manner. Have a great day and may God bless each of you.

Blessings, Love and Prayers,

Pastor Pat

(Nehemiah 8:10)
“The Joy Of The Lord, Is Your Strength.”

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2023 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of © Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……….

The Calling of the First Disciples
Author: Pat Aman
Apri 12, 2008/rev2023

Matthew 4: 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20. At once they left their nets and followed him.

People come in and out of our lives. Sometimes we feel with all our heart
that these people love and support us. They will even give you advice saying things like, “I know you are suppose to do this and that.”

But when you step out to do it, they may turn against you. Maybe because they are facing hardships, and you are they dart board, (Praise God, if I can or have been someone’s dart board, I am glad I was there for them to have someone that they can let steam off, or even maybe blame for their hurt,) or maybe because they cannot understand you taking a step of faith, really there is not a good answer to this question. I have found out that is just life.

I can tell you that people will come in and out of your lives. Maybe they are there for just a Season. Some will understand your new step of Faith, others will not. This is because they may not be strong enough in their walk to understand your new walk.

Life doesn’t always go exactly as we expect it to. Sometimes we find out that there is something or someone in our life that isn’t the best for us.

Why am I telling you this, because I want you to know that when you step out to follow Jesus, not everyone will be with you. Even those whom have said they are for you, but they are really not. And this can cause hurt if you let it. Which can lead to unforgiveness on your part, which can hinder your new walk, your new journey.

I know it is hard, but, embracing change and making difficult decisions to walk away in love from a situation and people that is no longer serving you can be the first step towards success in your personal journey. Get it, your personal journey, not theirs.

“Remember, not everyone is ready for your new journey. So, to not try to take them with you. ‘Pat Aman’”

The disciples, they left they’re businesses, families, and friends to follow Jesus. They probably had friends and family who thought they had lost their minds. People who even laughed at them, and said they would never make it.

I know it was hard for them, but they knew that Jesus had a task, a ministry for them. They knew that they were men with an assignment straight from the heart of God. They knew they would get talked about,
lied on, and even face death for Christ sake, but they still followed their Master.

The same is for us as well today. When you make a commitment to do God’s Work, remember that you will face challenges. And one of the hardest challenge is to forgive them that hurt you, during your new transition. But once you jump that
obstacle, you will make it. For forgiveness is the key to love, and love is the key to success.

Blessings, Love, and Prayers,
Pastor Pat

(Nehemiah 8:10)
“The Joy Of The Lord, Is Your Strength.”

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2023 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of © Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……….