Psalm 61 ~ from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint

Psalm 61

1 Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
2 from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.

Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
3 for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.

4 Let me dwell in your tent forever!

Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah

5 For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6 Prolong the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
7 May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

8 So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I perform my vows day after day.

Israel has deserts, lakes, beaches, mountains, rivers, arid places, lush forests and farms. David knew most of the places in Israel from travel, work as a shepherd, worked for King Saul as a warrior or musician & fleeing as if he were a criminal. He came to know Israel as a King and Father.

David knew what it felt like to be backed into a corner and to stay there. He knew a lot of trouble in life, God called David to know something Greater. Wherever David was, whatever the situation, David knew the comfort of God's plan being in place. The House of God, was merely a tent, but the promises of God are a mighty fortress. David would honor the ways God had for him to walk in, David would uphold the Word of the Lord.

My Grandmother Anita said when we feel oppressed. Rise above this.

Max Lucado was on the radio, today, saying that if you invent the tool to send pizza, real pizza by email you might become a billionaire. But even so we have something - all of us - in common. Troubles. Difficulties, Problems. No one is granted a trouble free life.  What we do with faith and trust with our difficulties - makes us bitter or better. Worrier or trust in God. When we have crushing difficulties - where we loose heart and hope - this will define us - how we solve, overcome, endure, pray and go forth in the Eternal God.

My father told me when I was in my late thirties - I'd begin to worry about aging and decide I was old. Now, when my forties arrived - by the end - I would know some age. Not to worry. My mother told me on her 72nd birthday where she felt young and vital - that at age 52 she had worried life was ending in old age. Her advice was stop worrying about being old. Good advice -  enjoy life and be grateful and blessed. Nehemiah 8 with the Joy Jesus tells us He does have. The feast Jesus spoke of about His expectations in God.

Recently, we have known a 44 year old friend of Edward's to feel numb and go to the hospital and die in just 3 months. We know of a two year old very adored daughter who died peacefully in her bed. We know a man in his 50s who just quit breathing as he slept and is in the hospital now. Recently I've heard of 3 strokes. And a mother who died unexpectedly at age 42. There is rarely a guarantee of life like David. We have prayed for a family who lost someone in their 20s.  Almost all since September. I've never had such a season of all ages can pass on.

Psalm 103
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

³ who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 

This Psalm is a good one to remember as we see His tender mercies renew each day.  We need the Grace of God every day and to live with gratitude.

Psalm 112:9
He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.

1 Samuel 2:30
Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,' but now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

1 Chronicles 29:28
Then he died at a good age, full of days, riches, and honor. And Solomon his son reigned in his place.



Philippians 2

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.




Father God, when we do not see all of our path, help us to remember the comfort of David. We trust in You and we have Your comfort. In the name of Jesus Christ.

We will do what You call us to do. Do the right thing. Tell the Truth. Trust in Jesus as Lord. 

The Most Constant Promise we have. From You Father God - we have access to God every time we pray. This is not seen. Is not always felt. We can boldly come to Father God because of Jesus. We can be exactly like Aaron - ourselves - in the Holy of Holy. Because You are Abba - Father.

And bring the ones we love to You exactly like the man who came through the roof. And we can expect to finish our prayer heard. We give you the ones we Love, our communities, our culture, our neighborhoods where others Yell out Good News, our Churches and Nation. Knowing placing our cares in Your Hands is worthy, enduring, an honor, pleasing to You, Joy, Encouragement, Faith, Hope and Love. Thank Jesus.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Luke 9 ~ The Majesty of God

Luke 9

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 

3 And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. 4 And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 

5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8 by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. 9 Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.





 

10 On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. 11 When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. 

12 Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.”

 13 But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” 

They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” 

14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 And they did so, and had them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them.

Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

 

18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 

19 And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.”

 20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 

And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

21 And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”


23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 

25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 

26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

 

 28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.

 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 

32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 

33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 

34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 

35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” 

John 9:5

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. 40 And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 

 41 Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 

43 And all were astonished at the majesty of God.

But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, 44 “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

   

46 An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 

47 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”


49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” 

50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”


51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”

55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village.


57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 
 

58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 

59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 

61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 


62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Our Abba,

We give You thanks for Jesus. Wonderful. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of Your nature, and Jesus upholds the universe by the Word of His power. After making purification for sins, Jesus sat down at the right hand of Your Majesty on high.

When we suffer from concerns, we will not stay in discouragement. According to the eternal purpose Jesus our Lord accomplished. That in the dwelling of You - Abba, Holy Spirit and Jesus -through faith in Jesus - we may enter Your presence with boldness and confidence.

Praying each day prayers that for my grandmother Anita took forty years - believing with Hope and surety - You and Jesus are still working each day.

With Joy lifting up those we love to Jesus. Our cares, communities, Churches, this Nation and the world of Christians praying for the Holy Spirit to bring more Heaven to earth.

We praise the Name of Jesus covering us. Remembering His wings gathering His beloved to Him as chicks to their mother. We understand Jesus' Love for us. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Genesis 22 ~ God tested Abraham

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn painting of Abraham and the Angels

1 John 4:8

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Psalm 18:30
This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

1 Peter 1:15
He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct

Genesis 22:1-2

22 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” ² He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

Genesis 22:9-13

⁹ When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. ¹⁰ Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.  

¹¹ But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” ¹² He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” ¹³ And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.

Genesis 22:15-18

And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven ¹⁶ and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,  

¹⁷ I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, ¹⁸ and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

The passage people discuss when they talk about believers being weird about faith. Odd. Off. Mental. (Those crazies going around killing for "God".)

Because if your spouse or your child came home and said they wanted to kill someone and heard from God - you are going to be - UPSET.

And this is happening around the world today - killing for God. Jihad.

Why was Abraham chosen to be Father of the Nations? Well Bible readers know because He believed God and this was credited to him as righteousness. 






Romans 4 goes on to say how this aspect of Abraham touches us today.

20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 

23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. 

It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Saying what we do  has to blend into what God tells us all. The Scriptures show us in several places - He wants us to abide in Scripture. John 14, 15, 16, 17 to name a few.






Abraham could have Grabbed on To God for dear Life and asked for Mercy. And expected His Grace. In times of Trouble. Approaching  God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16




 




The Our Father Prayer tells us - God has many children. We are part of the Body of Christ. 

This is why you are fully assured if someone tells you Jihad public or private is not from God today.

 

 

 God is God. 

Salvation is fully a work of Jesus. We cannot heft anyone into Salvation. The first step is assuredly 'Called by Jesus.' I've heard salvation stories that exist - today - from only conversations with God and assurances and the Faith God Gives.

And Abraham was having Pretty Marvelous Prayer Times with Almighty Father God.

In fact, why did The Lord  did bring Abraham into being "Father of the Nations"? Not only did Abraham believe God - Abraham argued with God and said what if and if this, then and why and 'why would You'. Abraham went on to, unfortunately, to  question if God would fail to bring this about - Abraham and Sarah began to try to plan for the Lord God Almighty. And had the sheer audacity to say "Sure, this was a mistake and Hagar didn't want all this - but bless the son I created to make sure that You did Your Work." I.E. Clean up for me - thanks.

God very much liked something about Abraham. He believed - creating an open door for God. And he wanted God to be compassionate to sinners. Because Abraham identified with the fact that if God was going to kills sinners in a city - Abraham knew - oh no - Abraham is a sinner too. Abraham was going to argue for God to be Loving.

God - identified by John - is Love.

Now this chapter says immediately - God tests us.

And The Lord's Prayer is the Son saying to the Father - lead us NOT into Temptation and deliver us from evil. Well. Jesus is saying - oh, Abba - help His Children stay on the good side. C'mon see John and James - they are here helping Jesus - and they are doing it for a Large Place in Heaven. And see the disciples chasing away children - oh NO. And the others asking for fire on the Samaritans. Oh Son of Man - look at - that.

Jesus is saying, "They need an Advocate." Really. "Because look at these People - Abba - I walk on Water and they say 'How does HE do that?"

Abraham does, in my opinion, the same thing. He hears the Lord say another round of Killing. Except this time it's Isaac. If Abraham had said, "No. I don't believe You. You said test the Spirits. This one does not sound like GOD. You create life and life exists by Your Word Alone. NO. The Author of Life has control of all things under His feet. You bring out the Angel of Death and YOU do that. No."

Father God says His anger only lasts a moment. His Word witnesses to this.

What do you think God would do? Smite him for saying "You are the Author of Life and Your Word abides."

I, personally, think God would have said, "THAT'S RIGHT only Judge your actions as Pleasing to a LOVING God."

And If Abraham had seen like David, that Isaac, his son, began to die and trusted God with the outcome - GOD would have been very, very pleased to be Trusted to be Merciful.

And because Abraham believed God to be merciful - like David did - God would be merciful. Just exactly like the Parable of the Talents. Never, ever, ever say to God - this :




Matthew 25

24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 

26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

What is the Willingness of our Father who wants to save 'the world'?

23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’


And if we wanted to oversimplify - we would say God gives talents for Life and not death.


And the point is - the Word of God spoken was for Abraham. Exactly like Jesus healed the deaf man in private. Exactly like Jesus healed the blind man privately. Exactly like the Word spread far and far and far and far - because the Light of the World is for Shining.

TODAY

How will we relate to this from millenniums ago - when we feel like Life is truly testing us - this is a time to stop and consider.

The Lord's Prayer says - we face temptations - trials. And if we feel tested - then consider how present Father God was during the years Abraham felt God had forgotten him. How present God was when Jesus asked Him the same question. Where is God?

Abraham felt that he had become insignificant to God.

Instead God wanted to see how Abraham was doing with something all those who believe hold in common - THE INVITATION OF GOD - To present our gratitude to Father God for being - invited to - Eternity of His Home.

2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Hebrews 3:6
But Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast.

Abba, Our Wonderful Father,

You are He who searches our hearts knowing the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Let the words coming from my heart. And the words of my lips - be pleasing to You, my Rock and Redeemer.

Lifting up with joy our cares, the ones we Love, our Churches, communities, jobs, Nation. With all the Saints all over the world. Trusting our God to show Himself to the hearts of those who truly seek the goodness of Jesus.

Even Job knew to expect the mercy of God when he felt lost.

Job 19

23 “Oh that my words were written!
Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
24 Oh that with an iron pen and lead
they were engraved in the rock forever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.


Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †