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“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” - Hebrews 4:15 ESV

The Son of Man was a man in every sense of the word. And I’ve often wondered as well about what it would have been like knowing Jesus in Nazareth, before his ministry.

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He was "tempted as we are, yet without sin" for BOTH male and female! What a work he did! What a savior he is for all of us!

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I ve often thought about JESUS growing up, one of his young friends killing a bird with a sling while they were playing David and Goliath. Then JESUS picking up the bird n it flying away, it's not n the bible but I love to imagine about HIM

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There is a point in the life of Jesus that I would have loved to be a fly on the wall to witness. Obviously we have no idea what was involved related to His maturation into the adult Jesus. I like to think each day He experienced events which added to His understanding of who He was/is. I'm sure much of that came from His visits to the local synagogue, reading the Scriptures.

It's that picture that I have in my mind. I see Jesus, say He is 14 years old. He is standing in the synagogue, reading what we know as Isaiah 53, and as He read and considered it, for the first time as a human, He realized what His ultimate purpose was/is; He was to be abused and crucified.

I see such an event to be fascinating beyond my comprehension, and I marvel at my Savior!

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Beautiful and inspiring, thank you!

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What a beautiful post and a beautiful version of Mary, Did You Know. Thank you.

Also, a lovely picture of you and your puppy. Have a blessed holiday.

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I love the rendition of 'Mary Did You Know' beautiful harmony. Many times I reflect on the love He has for us that He came to earth to save us. He restored our relationship with the father by taking all our sins upon himself. To come to earth for this purpose is difficult to comprehend or fully appreciate but so grateful He did. Thank you for sharing Jesus story. Love your Christmas picture. Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year.

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I can’t listen to any version of that song without tissues. Merry Christmas to all❣️🎄👼🏼

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Thank you for writing these devotionals! They are one of the most important highlights of my week. A balm for my soul. May God continue to richly bless you!

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MARY DID YOU KNOW | Joyful 6 | Singing Siblings | Pentatonix cover | Christmas Carol https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlwBAgxrBds

JESUS, You knew?

"Would you have left heaven for us…. for us? "Sherri Tenpenny

JESUS, You knew?

A long-awaited moment of thoughtful anticipation had arrived, planned from eternity's past. The King of kings must now step down from His place in Heaven as all the angels would thus bow down in admiration, the King, leaving all His glory and majesty behind to deliver hope to a desperately lost world, a hope that only He could bring, an everlasting resolve to the tragedy of sin. Humanity would forever perish without Him. No one in all of heaven would be worthy. No one else could do this loving mission of sincere humility and mercy.

JESUS, You knew?

"He came to his own people, and even they rejected him." John 1:11 NLT

He came and was rejected by His own.... for us?

JESUS, You came down from Heaven knowing that Your own people would reject You. Those waiting would look upon You with scorn and contempt and conspire together to plot Your cruel and horrific death. They could not accept that their anticipated Messiah had arrived, bringing Salvation to free them from their sins. An everlasting atonement that would complete the LORD's promises to bring them peace.

But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. "How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes." Luke 19:41-42 NLT

JESUS, You knew?

Some would accept Him.

"But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12 NLT

Let us pray. . . JESUS, we cry out to You, knowing we are sinners. Forgive us of our sins. We believe in You, and we receive You. Come now, JESUS, fill us with Your Spirit, we ask. Make us new, heal our sicknesses, and help us to bear the pain, suffering, and hardships we must endure now and in our future. Come, oh GOD, be with us, we pray, be with us forever.

"When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." Mark 2:17 NLT

JESUS, You knew?

Reborn from above

"They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God." John 1:13 NLT

"Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don't be surprised when I say, 'You must be born again." John 3:6-7 NLT

Immanuel. GOD is with us.

"So, the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son." John 1:14 NLT

John 17:4-8 NLT: "I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

"I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me."

JESUS, You knew?

MARY DID YOU KNOW | Joyful 6 | Singing Siblings | Pentatonix cover | Christmas Carol https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlwBAgxrBds

GOD bless you all!

The second half of this comment, "JESUS knew," the continuation, part #2, is found here (Advent 2023 | Week 3 by Jenise Cook) https://substack.com/inbox/post/139392752 in the comments section. Entitled. "Mary, did you know?" Printed here. For your convenience.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

"Yes, God was in the thick of things and He encouraged Mary throughout her life by giving her evidence of His presence with her." Jenise Cook

Mary, did you know?

Standing near the cross were Jesus' mother, and his mother's sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene." John 19:25 NLT

Dear Mary, did you know you would be standing there someday looking up at your Son as He hung nailed above you on that cross? Oh Mary, a chosen woman from among many, did you know that your heart would be crushed with overwhelming sadness as you looked into the eyes of your beloved Son, Yeshua.

Mary, did you know?

"Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, "God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed." Luke 1:42 NLT

Oh, my dear, beautiful Mary, still blessed above all women because your Son will rise soon, and your child will bless all people everywhere, for He will save them from their sins, so all who call out to Him will find everlasting peace.

Mary, did you know?

Acts 2:21-24 NLT: "But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved."

People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip."

Mary, did you know?

Oh, our dear Mary, did you know your life would impact all of Humanity? Mary, thank you, wonderful woman, from all the hearts who are grateful for everything you did. All your precious tears of sadness have now forever turned to joy.

"Rejoice, rejoice!

Christ is born

Of the Virgin Mary –

Rejoice!"

MARY DID YOU KNOW | Joyful 6 | Singing Siblings | Pentatonix cover | Christmas Carol https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlwBAgxrBds

GOD bless you all!

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Thank you, Dr. T. Very good things to think about as we traverse Advent into the Christmas season.

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I have to admit I have never thought of Jesus when he was a toddler. Now that you brought me to this point, I wonder if he was so excellent that Mary compared his brothers to him. Like "James can't you be like your big brother, Jesus?" Hahaha.

Thank you Dr. Tenpenny for this incredible piece.

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Merry Christmas and a happy healthy new year ahead Dr. Tenpenny . 🙏💝

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Thank you Dr. T for this message. As a mother of a young teenage son, it tugs deeper at my heart, the great sacrifice of our Lord and certainly Mary. She was chosen to deliver our savior but also chosen for incredible heart break and loss. Thankfully she didn’t have to suffer that loss long before she saw that her son on earth was truly God’s son, and indeed our dear Emanuel! Continued prayers for healing, Merry Christmas to you, Christmas blessings to all! 🎄✝️🙏🏼

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Excellent post, Dr. T!

Jesus knew His mission, He knew all the powers (etc.) that He'd have victory over. He knew He would be setting us free, rescuing and redeeming us who believe in Him and pledge our loyalty to follow only Him.

Love your thoughts about the Virgin Mary, and what she experienced.

Thank you for exalting Jesus Christ our Lord!

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Thank you Dr. Tenpenny for sharing this perspective. May this Christmas season be blessed as you walk with the Lord.

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Jesus' gift to us of his humanity is one of the greatest gifts he gave us. I meditate on this and refer to it often, reminding others that Jesus REALLY knows what we go through as humans and how that tells us how well he knows us, our struggles, our temptations, sorrows, and yes, triumphs. PRAISE GOD!! 🙏🏻❤️✝️

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