Read: John 2:1-11 “Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’” John 2:6-8 (NIV) When living in Adelaide, the Barossa Valley became a wonderful place to visit when we had overseas visitors. Each winery has different wines with unique flavours and for different tastes. It is fun to discover which one is to your liking.

St Paul does tell us in 1 Timothy 5:23: “Stop drinking only water and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” (NIV) Of course we need to take this in the context of the day – the water around was not filtered nor spring fed. It was not always the best to drink and caused stomach illnesses. This miracle of Jesus turning the water into wine was the first one recorded. The weddings in Jesus’ day could last up to a week and it was up to the families to make sure there was enough wine and food for all the guests. Those getting married must have been close to Jesus’ family as Mary (Jesus’ mother) was helping with the serving. She would have been horrified for the family that the wine had run out. It would have been a huge shame on them.

Remember back to Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem with all the visitors and all the things that happened – Mary kept and pondered over all these things. So, it was not surprising for Mary to tell the servants to do everything Jesus may tell them to do. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we also followed all the directions that Jesus tells us to do in the Bible. Maybe during this Lenten season and as we get closer to the cross – Do whatever Jesus tells you! He told the servants to fill the jars to the brim and we are told they were huge jars. Jesus doesn’t do little things – He gives in abundance, full to overflowing. As we f ill our lives with Jesus and His words of life, remember that He blesses abundantly. You will be filled to overflowing with His grace and love!

Prayer: Dear Jesus, fill my life to overflowing with your grace, love and peace so that I may overflow with these blessings and pass them on to those around me. Amen.

Read: Luke 17:11-19 “One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him – and he was a Samaritan.” Luke 17:15-16 (NIV) “Ten unclean and nowhere to go. Ten men cleansed as clean as snow. One returned to give God thanks, but nine went away. God gives gifts to us every day. Favors His people in every way. Hope restored and pain relieved. Do you ever give thanks for a gift received?” ~ Medical Mission Sisters I often wonder why I remember the words from songs I heard as a child, but when I hear the words to other songs today – they don’t stick. The song above was played quite often on a record when I was growing up and it had quite a rousing tune (maybe not by today’s standards - reminds me now of ‘Sister Act’). As you can see it was all about the ten lepers who came to Jesus asking for cleansing so that they could return to society.

They were told by Jesus to show themselves to the priest, and on the way, they were healed. Ten percent of those healed returned to thank Jesus. The Bible has a lot to say about ‘giving thanks.’ So, obviously it is an important part of our Christian living. In fact, it’s one of the most powerful things we can do! Why? Because a thankful person is focussed on God… and all the good things He does in our lives and in those around us. People have a need to be appreciated and be encouraged by words of appreciation. Imagine then how God would feel when someone remembers that it is God who actually gives and provides us with all we need for daily life. Jesus heals and helps every one of us each day. Don’t forget it is God who brings these blessings.

Jesus asked the one leper who was cleansed where the other nine were. It wasn’t like Jesus wasn’t going to then heal the other nine, but He responds with joy to the one who comes and thanks Him. Jesus mentions the man’s faith… for it is through our faith that we recognise that every good gift comes from our Heavenly Father. T hank God today for all the blessings you have received!

Prayer: Thank you, dear Jesus, for all you do for me, my family and my friends every day. You bless me, help me and give me the greatest gift – life everlasting! Thank You! Amen.

Read: Luke 14:1-6 “Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?’ But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.” Luke 14:1-6 (NIV) Just this last year, we had a young woman come to stay with us for an extended weekend. She was a friend of our daughter and told us that she just needed to have some time to have a Sabbath and Noosa was a great place to rest, recuperate and read God’s Word. Have our lives become so busy that we can’t take a Sabbath (time for God) every week – rather we need to book it in as one would a holiday?

I remember as a youth, no shops were open on a Sunday and closed at lunchtime on a Saturday, which allowed people to have a forced break from shopping at least! Sabbath in Jesus’ day was regimented. The Pharisees and leaders of the Law required that no one do anything on the Sabbath – no cooking, cleaning, working, or preparing anything. These laws were to give people a day of rest from their everyday work and remember that it was God who saved them. The Old Testament people were prone to forget God which is why God had remembering the Sabbath as one of the Ten Commandments. (Maybe we need reminding of this!) When Jesus came, he brought a new law to spend the Sabbath in spiritual rest and in God’s work – God would come to His people and bring them His life and forgiveness.

It was a day for God’s people to rest in Him. Jesus came to turn all the laws upside down and bring them back to the original purpose of living as God intended. God wants us to spend time with Him but not to the detriment of helping those in need. This is what Jesus was teaching His disciples. The man with ‘dropsy’, or excess fluid was in danger of a heart attack and needed help – not tomorrow when it wasn’t the Sabbath, but today. Jesus asks us to listen, to rest and to be with Him. He also asks us to help those in need. Find your Sabbath day and spend it with God and listen to His leading!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, use my hands in service to you. You have given me the opportunity to spend time with you, also help me to see the needs of those around me and help them as you would. Amen.