Matthew 4:4 ~ Jesus answered

Matthew 4:4
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

One of those weeks.

2 Corinthians 4:8-12
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

Some weeks you just wish He was calling you to sit in the sun, feet in the sand, taking a little wine for your stomach. C'mon Light!!! Shine!

An unusual, beautiful video - 
this is worship with image and music
Jesus Let Your Light Shine
Denny Bryant

This week:
True words, hard to hear.
An opportunity for a prayer solution.
An argument between two loved ones, telling them not to make this with me, in public.
A prior friend, being centered on self. Very uncomfortable and unhealthy.
Seeing a lot of elbows out.
A very vital trip to the doctor for a loved one, long delayed. High tension. I'm weeping.
Change. Very intimidating, even for the disciples of Jesus walking with Him. With fear.
Hearing a loved one cry with pain.
Dismal weather, unusual cold weather.

Putting the spade into the earth He gives you, in Gratitude.
Knowing He is present.
Speaking to grown sons, seeing wings and roots.
An old skirmish, with vast hopes of healing proclaimed.
Communicating differences and similarities and reducing the "they" in life to the "we" in the Body of Christ.
Knowing in the brain, that even in times of change, He is going to be there.
Knowing emotion is human. Knowing the heart will follow the brain. Relying upon soul.
Seeking Words of Life in His Word.
Knowing we are in His Plan and we need Him to be here, He and will.
Knowing Spring is coming. Migrating birds arrive to attest to more sunshine. Thank you, Father God.

And Then.
Expectation. God Is GOD.
My Jesus has not brought me this far, to drop me on my head.
My God tells the Truth.
My God is for me.
My God is Love.
I can Expect Him and be Strengthened.

In Jesus, I will face speaking with people. When I hurt.
When the weather is grey and we all are hoping for more sunshine.
And after this is accomplished, I am again Strengthened. In Jesus.


In times of pressure, in times of quiet - we ask - are we doing enough. For Him. For the ones we Love. Last week, I felt a little angry about this and I prayed, "Father God, I just don't see how I can do better, more, faster, and which direction. In Jesus. Really. Amen."

KSBJ, Proverbs 31 came back with the same question, saying, "God would definitely tell us, when we do what we can- doing what we are equipped to do - God would say, 'My Child, don't stress yourself."

I hear Christians say - I'm not doing enough. I'm not doing this wisely. I'm not witnessing enough. 

We definitely have promptings of Jesus.

Does this sound like God in this conversation?
"Dad, Dad, I hit a ball and ran to second base. It was so exciting. And then the ball flew past me and I had to go with the team back to the bench."

"Well, son, I saw you hit the ball. Good job. However, if we work on your hitting, maybe next time you will get a home run."

We know parents do say this. However, if your Parent says this to you a lot. You are provoked. Discouraged. Worn down. God doesn't dispense guilt as a Fruit of the Spirit.

This is not what I say to my children, I want to Encourage Them. Let them know how much I love them. In Truth. Jesus says, Luke 4:23, Physician heal thyself.

Beloved of God. Parent thyself and heal.

We cannot really convince people to change political parties. We rarely (Yeah Edward, good work!) convince anyone to quit smoking. We only, in moments of profound joy, see new believers. God equips us to do His Work. He says so. Salvation is ... God's. Our Father God says He calls people.

Proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven. Joy. Strengthening of real. God uses weakness to proclaim Him. He is the center. Say when He gives the opportunity - I Love Him.

This week I heard the story of a woman called to Jury Duty. She goes up to the Judge and beautifully sings an acapella Hymn of Praise. She is dismissed. That is not fruitful. She has suggested the Judge doesn't know Him and the procedure of the place doesn't evoke Him. Discomfort lingers and is dismissed with fruit loops. Remember with me, Paul was invited to speak or he spoke on the street. We have to believe, God would work with us to create opportunities He can call fruitful.

And somewhere we believe if we did this routinely - we would get better at it and be accomplished.

I believe our Catholic Priest who said, something Jesus would agree with. Say a little something about what you believe with sincerity. Be available when asked. Preach the Gospel; if you have to use words. If an opportunity passes you by, go back. If your voice squeaks, it's okay. You hit the ball for Him. God is going to Love your effort. HE Loves You.

God says the battle is His. His workmen go home. His Words endure forever.

Even men who wear collars get tongue tied. That's okay. With prayer. He is affirming Love.

Matthew 11
Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”


2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Both of my grandmothers lived quiet lives. One was very quiet, not well off and taught Sunday School for 42 years in the Methodist Church. When Heaven received her soul, that was quite a night. Grandmother Anita had a season in the Great Depression where she fed 25 or more people a day from her two bedroom wooden frame house. She adopted a very abused child. And had a very quiet life. Her Father God was thrilled with her. Her flaw was she was a constant worrier and still delighted in Him, and He in her.


My Grandmother Bit has four great-grandchildren, three are named for her. Her family nickname was Bit because her own father said, "She is a Little Bit of Love." Her encouragements, her love carried us as her grandchildren went from an affluent, stable family into no family through gift of divorce, alcoholism, and love of money - into a family pointing to her encouragements when Life is tough. Her gift of Love made this weary clan glad to be one of the sheep of this clan's pasture. She married an Episcopal Priest giving us our grandfather. Her life was preaching the Gospel through Love, not words. Making me say, "Lord! Let me be one in that Number!"

Psalm 100

1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.


Praise you Father God, when the earth is in rest and renewal. Thank You, God, we can come to You in Expectation of Your blessings. Fairest Lord Jesus, Thou art God. And mankind Your Children! We Are Yours! Your People! Let us be the sheep You find each day.

We give You great thanks for Your Church. For the Gates of Heaven that never close. Thank You for Your Word to Nourish and Feed us. Because we rely heavily on Your Goodness. Your enduring Love. AND look forward to seeing Your Faithfulness continuing to the generations and the unborn faces we have yet to rejoice in! Father God, You are for us, for a hope and a future, plans to prosper us and not for harm. We look forward to the blessing of Healing to Your Joy. Your warehouse of blessing does not run out. You would bless us to renew each and every day - our Hope each day. In Jesus. Amen.

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