A girl TRANSFORMED

 Psalm 27:11-13

King James Version

11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, 

and lead me in a plain path, 

because of mine enemies.

12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: 

for false witnesses are risen up against me, 

and such as breathe out cruelty.

13 I had fainted, 

unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord 

in the land of the living.

Having gone through terror, hardship, and uncertainty truly changes you.

That's what happened to young Sapir Cohen, who was once a Hamas hostage.

She was held hostage for 55 days but was eventually released.

Her boyfriend, Sacha, still remains captive.

In the link above, you will witness Cohen, as she goes back to the scene of those horrific events.

She recounts her experiences to compassionate interviewer,  Mati Shoshani of TBN Israel.

Mati remarks on her composure.

There is that strength, sadness, and sudden maturity.

As she was released, her relatives urged her to have her nails, and hair done.

But Cohen refused, calling those "stupid things".

You could see she has gone beyond the ways of the world.

Her objective now is to give strength to others, as she waits for Sacha.

While in captivity, she was able to comfort a 16-year-old girl.

That's when she saw she had a mission, because of her circumstances.

She was also able to "test" the humanity of her captors, through kittens.

It was reported that she was a shy, software engineer, but was spiritually transformed because of her experience.

GOD really gives us warnings.

Six months before 7 October, she felt "something bad" was going to happen.

As if in preparation, she was "led" by social media to Psalm 27.

The post urged her to read the Psalm for 30 days, which she did.

Remarkably, she finished on 7 October, the day of the tragedy.

That psalm helped get her through captivity.

Sacha, too, was reluctant to go to the kibbutz that day.

But she insisted,  and now, she regrets.

But you know GOD's ways.

He protects us from, and through, anything.

Giving us the premonition, and strength, for it.

Cohen felt the protection of GOD, and angels, as she was held hostage.

Having read the psalm, she also began to look to others, to comfort them, and watch over them.

That seems to be her task now.

To share her story of survival, through GOD's GRACE.

We pray she and Sacha be reunited one day.

Married, in the manner acceptable to CHRIST.

We pray, too, for the safe release of all hostages.

Satan has held the whole world hostage.

It's not only Israel who's been hostaged.

Her captors don't realize they are, too.

She went through a painful process.

But how Sapir has grown!

1 Corinthians 13:11-13

King James Version

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child,

 I understood as a child, I thought as a child: 

but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; 

but then face to face: now I know in part; 

but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; 

but the greatest of these is charity.

Related material:

FAITH

GODLY women

“Whom Shall I Fear?”: Sapir Cohen’s Message to YU

Related video:

Israeli Hostage Sapir Cohen Shares CHILLING Hamas Survival Story | TBN Israel

MOTHER of JESUS

 Proverbs 31:10

King James Version

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? 

for her price is far above rubies.

Who was the mother of JESUS?

What does the Bible say about her?

Why did GOD choose her?

What was her lineage?

These, we came to know, through SPIRIT.

She was prophesied.

Isaiah 7:14

King James Version

14 Therefore the Lord himself 

shall give you a sign; 

Behold, 

a virgin shall conceive, 

and bear a son, 

and shall call his name Immanuel.

She came from the line of David.

Psalm 132:11

King James Version

11 The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; 

he will not turn from it; 

Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.

In 2021, we wrote the post, "The HOLY SPIRIT and  2 BABIES".

The two babies were JESUS, and John the Baptist.

JESUS' mother was Mary.

John's mother was Elisabeth.

Both were righteous women, and cousins.

Making their sons cousins, too.

For this post, we shall talk about Mary.

And how she came to be chosen.

This, from Luke's gospel:

Luke 1:26-27

King James Version

26 And in the sixth month 

the angel Gabriel was sent from God 

unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin espoused to a man 

whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; 

and the virgin's name was Mary.

Luke 1:28

King James Version

28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, 

Hail, thou that art highly favoured, 

the Lord is with thee: 

blessed art thou among women.

Luke 1:29-30

King James Version

29 And when she saw him, 

she was troubled at his saying, 

and cast in her mind what manner of salutation 

this should be.

30 And the angel said unto her, 

Fear not, Mary: 

for thou hast found favour with God.

Luke 1:31

King James Version

31 And, behold, 

thou shalt conceive in thy womb, 

and bring forth a son, 

and shalt call his name Jesus.

Luke 1:32-33

King James Version

32 He shall be great, 

and shall be called the Son of the Highest: 

and the Lord God shall give unto him 

the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; 

and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Luke 1:34-35

King James Version

34 Then said Mary unto the angel, 

How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, 

The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, 

and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: 

therefore also that holy thing 

which shall be born of thee 

shall be called the Son of God.

Luke 1:36-37

King James Version

36 And, behold, 

thy cousin Elisabeth, 

she hath also conceived a son in her old age: 

and this is the sixth month with her, 

who was called barren.

37 For with God 

nothing shall be impossible.

Luke 1:38

King James Version

38 And Mary said, 

Behold the handmaid of the Lord; 

be it unto me according to thy word. 

And the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:39-40

King James Version

39 And Mary arose in those days, 

and went into the hill country with haste, 

into a city of Juda;

40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, 

and saluted Elisabeth.

Luke 1:41

King James Version

41 And it came to pass, that, 

when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, 

the babe leaped in her womb; 

and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

Luke 1:42

King James Version

42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, 

Blessed art thou among women, 

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

Luke 1:43-44

King James Version

43 And whence is this to me, 

that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44 For, lo, 

as soon as the voice of thy salutation 

sounded in mine ears, 

the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

Luke 1:45

King James Version

45 And blessed is she that believed: 

for there shall be a performance of those things 

which were told her from the Lord.

Luke 1:46-55

King James Version

46 And Mary said, 

My soul doth magnify the Lord,

47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

48 For he hath regarded 

the low estate of his handmaiden: 

for, behold, from henceforth 

all generations shall call me blessed.

49 For he that is mighty 

hath done to me great things; 

and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is on them that fear him 

from generation to generation.

51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; 

he hath scattered the proud 

in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, 

and exalted them of low degree.

53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; 

and the rich he hath sent empty away.

54 He hath helped his servant Israel, 

in remembrance of his mercy;

55 As he spake to our fathers, 

to Abraham, 

and to his seed for ever.

Luke 1:56

King James Version

56 And Mary abode with her about three months, 

and returned to her own house.

Another account is from Matthew's gospel:

Matthew 1:18-25

King James Version

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: 

When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, 

before they came together, 

she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, 

and not willing to make her a public example, 

was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, 

behold, 

the angel of the Lord appeared unto him 

in a dream, saying, 

Joseph, thou son of David, 

fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: 

for that which is conceived in her 

is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, 

and thou shalt call his name Jesus: 

for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, 

that it might be fulfilled 

which was spoken of the Lord 

by the prophet, 

saying,

23 Behold, 

a virgin shall be with child, 

and shall bring forth a son, 

and they shall call his name Emmanuel, 

which being interpreted is, 

God with us.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep 

did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, 

and took unto him his wife:

25 And knew her not 

till she had brought forth her firstborn son: 

and he called his name Jesus.

Such is the favor GOD found in Mary.

Honoring her by having her to be mother of JESUS.

There can be no greater honor, for any woman.

I was once Catholic.

And am grateful for the foundation this church gave me.

The nuns taught me about the "Holy Family" -- Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.

They taught me about the "Holy Trinity", which is:

GOD, the FATHER.

GOD, the SON.

GOD, the HOLY SPIRIT.

But the Catholic church erred greatly in one, among many things.

They called Mary, the "Mediatrix".

How they had diluted the gospel, by focusing on Mary.

Let this post honor Mary, the mother of JESUS.

But there is only ONE MEDIATOR.

And that's the LORD JESUS.

John 14:6

King James Version

6 Jesus saith unto him, 

I am the way, the truth, and the life: 

no man cometh unto the Father, 

but by me.

Romans 8:34

King James Version

34 Who is he that condemneth? 

It is Christ that died, 

yea rather, that is risen again, 

who is even at the right hand of God, 

who also maketh intercession for us.

1 Timothy 2:5-6

King James Version

5 For there is one God, 

and one mediator between God and men, 

the man Christ Jesus;

6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, 

to be testified in due time.

We shall write a few more things about the LORD's family in future posts.

More about godly women here.

Related material:

SON of GOD

JESUS

On ANGELS

PURE for GOD

 

1 Thessalonians 5:23

King James Version

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; 

and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body 

be preserved blameless 

unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to be "pure" for GOD?

Why must we be pure?

What does the Bible say?

For easy reference, we wrote these:

MIND

BODY

SPIRIT

SOUL

It's wonderful being born again.

Following the LORD's commands becomes easy.

Thanks to the HOLY SPIRIT who teaches us.

A result of our prayers to JESUS.

It is fun obeying the LORD.

1 John 5:3

King James Version

3 For this is the love of God, 

that we keep his commandments: 

and his commandments are not grievous.

For our strength is in CHRIST.

Philippians 4:13

King James Version

13 I can do all things through Christ 

which strengtheneth me.

Related posts:

Who Shall DWELL in GOD's Holy Hill?

BORN AGAIN classics

Sin AWARENESS

HOLINESS

All verses came from biblegateway.com and

kingjamesbibleonline.org

Image: Artur Aleksanian

The SIXTH day

 Genesis 1:31

King James Version

31 And God saw every thing that he had made, 

and, behold, 

it was very good.

 And the evening and the morning 

were the sixth day.

GOD created man on the sixth day.

It's time we understood the sequence of events.

How GOD created man, why He did, what was expected of man, and what happened after the fall.

Let's turn to the Bible for clarity.

BEFORE the fall:

Genesis 1:26-27

King James Version

26 And God said, 

Let us make man in our image, 

after our likeness: 

and let them have dominion 

over the fish of the sea, 

and over the fowl of the air, 

and over the cattle, 

and over all the earth, 

and over every creeping thing 

that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image, 

in the image of God created he him; 

male and female created he them.

Genesis 1:28

King James Version

28 And God blessed them, 

and God said unto them, 

Be fruitful, and multiply, 

and replenish the earth, and subdue it: 

and have dominion over the fish of the sea, 

and over the fowl of the air, 

and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Genesis 2:7

King James Version

7 And the Lord God formed man 

of the dust of the ground, 

and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; 

and man became a living soul.

Genesis 2:8

King James Version

8 And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; 

and there he put the man whom he had formed.

Genesis 2:15

King James Version

15 And the Lord God took the man, 

and put him into the garden of Eden 

to dress it and to keep it.

Genesis 2:18

King James Version

18 And the Lord God said, 

It is not good that the man should be alone; 

I will make him an help meet for him.

Genesis 2:19-20

King James Version

19 And out of the ground 

the Lord God formed every beast of the field, 

and every fowl of the air; 

and brought them unto Adam 

to see what he would call them: 

and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, 

that was the name thereof.

20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, 

and to the fowl of the air, 

and to every beast of the field; 

but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

Genesis 2:21-22

King James Version

21 And the Lord God 

caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, 

and he slept: 

and he took one of his ribs, 

and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

22 And the rib, 

which the Lord God had taken from man, 

made he a woman, 

and brought her unto the man.

Genesis 2:23

King James Version

23 And Adam said, 

This is now bone of my bones, 

and flesh of my flesh: 

she shall be called Woman, 

because she was taken out of Man.

Genesis 2:24

King James Version

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, 

and shall cleave unto his wife: 

and they shall be one flesh.

AFTER the fall:

Genesis 3:13

King James Version

13 And the Lord God said unto the woman, 

What is this that thou hast done? 

And the woman said, 

The serpent beguiled me, 

and I did eat.

Genesis 3:16

King James Version

16 Unto the woman he said,

 I will greatly multiply thy sorrow 

and thy conception; 

in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; 

and thy desire shall be to thy husband, 

and he shall rule over thee.

Genesis 3:17-19

King James Version

17 And unto Adam he said, 

Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, 

and hast eaten of the tree, 

of which I commanded thee, saying, 

Thou shalt not eat of it: 

cursed is the ground for thy sake; 

in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; 

and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, 

till thou return unto the ground; 

for out of it wast thou taken: 

for dust thou art, 

and unto dust shalt thou return.

Genesis 3:20

King James Version

20 And Adam called his wife's name Eve; 

because she was the mother of all living.

An important thing to remember:

Genesis 5:1-2

King James Version

5 This is the book of the generations of Adam. 

In the day that God created man, 

in the likeness of God made he him;

2 Male and female created he them; 

and blessed them, 

and called their name Adam, 

in the day when they were created.

GENESIS is the foundation for everything about man, and woman.

Have we honored this?

Do we believe this?

As born again, I believe it why my whole heart.

That's why I'm posting it here.

Next post focuses on how men and women are to treat each other, according to Scripture.