Acts 1:9-14 ~ Jesus was lifted up

Acts 1:9-14

9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 

13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.


When we read the Scriptures, there are times we are feeling alone, pressed, or both. Jesus has told us we are not orphans and He has told us we will know "Days Will Come." Jesus is clear. Even as He ascends to His Father after 40 Days, Jesus is making sure the faithful know He has not run off to the Jewish Dispersion on the Island of Crete. When we feel let down, when we ask all we would of God, remember Acts 1 - Jesus tells us where He is. Jesus tells us all authority is His. We are held in His Will.

God told us in Genesis it is not good for mankind to be left alone. And as Jesus went up to Heaven, His beloved were left with those who would pray together and hold themselves with love to Father God.

There is Good Reason God calls His Holy Spirit "Comfort."



Thank You, Father God, for giving Comfort. For giving Strength. For the Goodness of God. The people He gives. The Holy Spirit giving Peace. We pray this for all we love and for the People He has given us. In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Jon 28 ~ God understands the way

Job 28

1 “Surely there is a mine for silver,
and a place for gold that they refine.
2 Iron is taken out of the earth,
and copper is smelted from the ore.
3 Man puts an end to darkness
and searches out to the farthest limit
the ore in gloom and deep darkness.
4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives;
they are forgotten by travelers;
they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.
5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread,
but underneath it is turned up as by fire.
6 Its stones are the place of sapphires, a
and it has dust of gold.

7 “That path no bird of prey knows,
and the falcon’s eye has not seen it.
8 The proud beasts have not trodden it;
the lion has not passed over it.

9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock
and overturns mountains by the roots.
10 He cuts out channels in the rocks,
and his eye sees every precious thing.
11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle,
and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light.

12 “But where shall wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
13 Man does not know its worth,
and it is not found in the land of the living.
14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’
and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
15It cannot be bought for gold,
and silver cannot be weighed as its price.
16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,
in precious onyx or sapphire.
17 Gold and glass cannot equal it,
nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.
18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal;
the price of wisdom is above pearls.
19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it,
nor can it be valued in pure gold.

20 “From where, then, does wisdom come?
And where is the place of understanding?
21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living
and concealed from the birds of the air.
22 Abaddon and Death say,
‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.’



23 “God understands the way to it,
and he knows its place.



24 For he looks to the ends of the earth
and sees everything under the heavens.
25 When he gave to the wind its weight
and apportioned the waters by measure,
26 when he made a decree for the rain
and a way for the lightning of the thunder,
27 then he saw it and declared it;
he established it, and searched it out.

28 And he said to man,
‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”



Job lived during the time of Jacob. And he understands gold mining 50 feet straight down in Ethiopia, where the Queen of the South carried treasure to King Solomon. Job sees mineral mines.

Something we are familiar with today. And Ethiopia has begun to mine for gold in this way again.

We have so many changes, in all that surrounds us. Today looking through my photos I found this.

I was pretty excited to see my angel in my clouds photo...until I realized this IS "The Doggie-Nose-Smear in the Window"!!!






Awwww...

Pew Reports

Newspaper printed circulation -down

TV viewers decline

All Fox viewers decline and yet is most watched.

http://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/category/ratings

What is up? Internet news. Wow. One source publishes Chelsea Manning's direct release of military secrets led to the death of 52 people in the military, that week. And another source says this is like Wikileaks and, therefore, filtered.

Alternative facts...

Bias...

Presidential Ratings. Gasp. Trump according to Gallup and Drudge has popped up to a 55% approval rating same as - - - President Obama.  About the same as all USA Presidents - except President Truman - people loved President Truman.


http://www.pewresearch.org/data-trend/political-attitudes/presidential-approval/


Anything else??? Yes, we are an echo of rumor , riot, demonstrations and brutal opinion - similar to the 1st Century of the Roman Empire. Where what was interesting??? POLITICS !!!

Rasmussen reports half of America feel the media has a bias against President Trump. And the Law Enforcement communities have political opinion and bias as well.  Bias has become same ol.

What was America doing today??? Demonstrations about Immigration... Something of major proportion in Roman Politics. Welfare. Work. Political Agenda.

What do we know of Acts 24. Governor Felix??? Oh that's easy. Governor Felix was as well known through the Roman Empire as Brad Pitt. Why? His brother was famous climber in Rome. Climbing is interesting.

Felix - younger brother of the Greek freedman Marcus Antonius Pallas. Pallas was Secretary of the Treasury during Emperor Claudius. Felix was part of Josephus' Antiquities. xx. 7 and is called Claudius Felix, or for Claudius's mother Antonia Minor, a daughter of Triumvir Mark Antony to Octavia Minor and niece of Emperor Augustus. According to Tacitus, Pallas and Felix descended from the Greek Kings of Arcadia. Felix became the procurator by the petition of his brother.

Felix’s cruelty and licentiousness, coupled with his accessibility to bribes (see Book of Acts 24:26) and if you were very, very cool you vacationed in Pompeii. Felix's wife did this in 79 A.D. and went to her death in Pompeii.

Politics was fascination and images were held on coins.

Want some fun? Golden Gate Times shows the entire hour of President Donald Trump calmly taking on the News Media and the photography shows the Press Corps completely smiling and enjoying the debate. Very, very, very, very, very interesting. Well worth the time. The faces of the press are wreathed with smiles and astonishment. Wow.

According to New York City Publisher Bloomberg - Drudge Report - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-02-16/how-to-stay-sane-in-a-world-of-crazy-news -

"How to Stay Sane in a World of Crazy News
Another day, another firestorm. Nine experts on ways to keep up — and keep your head from exploding."

Stress is way, way up.

If we summarize this quickly, Bloomberg says if it provokes an emotional response - the story is manufactured to "play" the reader. And deserves a very thorough re-check.

Bloomberg says limit the news to your family - with small children. And avoid being a newshound looking for the newest scandal.

Definitely something from the Bible.

Jesus would not be in dismay. Jesus calms the storms and sleeps easily.

2 Peter 3:17
Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.

You know to Whom You Belong. Rejoice. You are Child of the King of Kings. Jesus is still working and so is His Father.

Coincidence? When you hear news - you have been informed. Live the adventure.

Romans 8
27 And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

You are a Child of the Lord of Lords. Pray for the people facing harsh circumstance. Pray for the Clarity of the news. Pray to see good come from this to Glorify God. Expect to hear from Jesus. You are the positive, praying force; You and Jesus are Up.

Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

John 15:7
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Father God, loves to hear from you, telling Him how this relates to Scripture. Pray. Have faith. During the French Revolution - the Cathedrals and Churches had God mocked by sacrifices to other gods. During the Second Century the Roman Empire had truly weird, weird weather and thought the world was truly ending. For 2 Millenniums , prayer has been answered. Have Faith.

Hebrews 7 says God is going to Pitch Hit. He is not always predictable in what He is going to do. Expect Turbulence. Bette Davis says: "Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night." Jesus said, " Days will Come." We gotta Believe Jesus.

For years we've had 6 companies reporting the news. Now we leak everywhere. So Interesting. God is not confined to what people do. He never needed to be fed. And His Acts of Mercy and Goodness are what He brings to us. Not what we bring to Him. Romans 12. Live the adventure.

Same? We surely, certainly and without a doubt could not skip saying with Joy and verve - Jesus is the same Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. No disappointment there.

There will always be a battle of good and evil. We just have to pray. The Battle, fortunately, for us, belongs to God - Who Wins.

Good News. God is in the same business for Millenniums, providing Love, Joy, Peace, Encouragement, Goodness and Hope in Faith.

What we know and what we believe and what we want to live and what we want to see in those who live as part of our lives - IS THE SAME. We want to have people near us who get along. We want sincerity, integrity, reliability, kindness, and respect. We want to fill our lives with this goodness. And Jesus Christ helps us to be strong and to give this as to continue along His path. We want to see the world behave with less embarrassing actions and words. We want to cheer to hear Good News. In God - we Will. And in this Strength - In the Goodness of God - we are more than Conquerors. Daily.

David was met with people who suddenly wanted to get along. And David was found to be a Shepherd. Moses - found ways to get a long and looked for a system to work with compatibility. Jesus tells us in the New Testament how to be congenial and how to be apart from less than uplifting. Discern God's Good Path. This is where God is going to bless, protect, encourage, enable, build, strengthen the framework where Love,Joy and Peace will abide.


Abba, 

To God be the Glory as we build our lives, our families, our Churches, our communities, our Nation, our cities and as we hope for more Heaven on Earth. 

Let the Light of Christ shine in each of us in the abilities You place in us and our willingness to work with Your Willingness. 

The Love, Joy, Peace, Encouragement of God's Love dwell in us Richly, to deepen and love one another.

Jesus is God. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 8 ~ When I consider your heavens, the work of your finger +

 

Psalm 8

1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
above the heavens.

2 From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.

3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under his feet,
7 all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Aspects of God we adore and see His Tender Love:

God our Refuge

God answers prayers today. The Faithful all have wonders of God to speak of with warm hearts today. We can find in Father God strength to have courage over fear and go further than we would ever imagine with God.

Gifts. God does not desire His Children to be without Gifts.

Our Father wants us to find our gifts. He does not desire for us to be orphans in the storm hoping for His benevolence. God wants us to find our gifts, enjoy what He gives us and be pleased with Father God for the good He has put in our lives. Just as Jesus healed by leaving the crowds to have a private, intimate moment. God seeks to love us in a personal relationship. Not as God with all the show.

God looks through the haste, the schedules and finds time to see us as we are. Hoping the same care from us.

God's Love

Father God wants what is evil and tells us we disappoint God and need a barrier, to be gone. God travels far from His Throne to come to us in our human and frail condition. Jesus says He has such compassion for us and wants to throw His arms around us.

Zacchaeus in the tree, was told to come closer, to open his heart, his home, his life. Jesus wants us to be with Him. We are invited in constant prayer. St. Patrick had to do this with the Druids, who said God would not want us to know or glimpse God directly. God wants to reach us like Gideon. Father God would reach into prison to bring Paul out. God would throw a snake into the fire, to say, this is My Beloved. God chose what was weak, to show God is Strong. Jesus constantly drew people to private places to have conversation, prayer and healing time.

The Earth God filled with His Glory

Psalm 72. We can see in this age of photography wonders mankind would not have known of to humanly write God's Word.

Glory of God and His Wisdom

Scientists discover 'Zealandia' - a hidden continent off the coast of Australia

 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/16/scientists-discover-eighth-continent-zealandia/
Geologists claim to have discovered a new continent to the east of Australia: Zealandia. At 4.9 million square kilometres of land mass, 94 per cent of which is under water, Zealandia would be the world's smallest continent.

God alone is God

How will we ever understand all of the Truth in God's Wisdom

Genesis 11:1-9

 Now the whole earth had one language and the same words.






The Compassion of God

Isaiah 40

28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.

29 He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.



Our Abba, Most High, Most Loving, Most Merciful,


We ask of You for Your Son Living Water within us. The water You will give us will become in us a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Father, the Faithful believes You, as the Scripture say, ‘Out of our heart flows rivers of living water.’” Help us to refresh and encourage the Believers of Jesus in all stages of their journey toward Life.


We celebrate Jesus remembering ~

And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.
Isaiah 44:3

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.

Welcome Lord Jesus, Power of the Living Holy Spirit of God. Our Father Almighty.

Jesus does not shrink from inviting us - Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.

Abba, fill all of us, every fiber, ever cell, every place within us.

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

Thank You, Abba, for Jesus. Every day and for eternity. Fill the ones we Love with You, our God. Fill the people You have given us. Fill our communities and Churches, this Nation. Believers around the World. We ask for more Heaven on earth and the Helper and Comforter with us to Guide us each day and each hour. Bless our thinking, our words and our ways to You. Blessed are You, Lord Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Hebrews 4:15-16 ~ mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need

Happy Cheerful Sub-Tropical Rain for April Flowers !!!

If you sit and plan your vacation, would you pick 40 years in the not tropical desert? Probably not. And when you read the Exodus - do you think - why do they whine again - what is wrong with them?

Recall with me, Exodus 12:37–38, the Children of Israel numbered "about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children," plus many foreigners  (like Moses' Princess Mother) and livestock. Numbers 1:46 gives a more precise total of 603,550 men aged 20 and up.

We doubt God. He says we do. God says calls our faith this: John 5 - "If you don't believe Moses, how will you believe the Words of Jesus." Paul says Faith is the belief in things unseen. Jesus says God gives mankind "work" to believe.

How will you believe Father God's mercies renew every day - if you don't look? And record and text yourself.




When we read 603,550 men aged 20 and up, we see a nation, but what does Father God see?

If we believe Father God and we are able to see God's opinion.

Hebrews 4:15-16

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 


Isaiah 55:6,7
Seek you the LORD while he may be found

Ephesians 2:18 
For through him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Ephesians 3:12 
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.



So in our Prayer Journey, We got past the 12 open Gates of Heaven and the large pearl.

We see the New Jerusalem, so Beautiful to Father God.

We know

We have found the shining water leading to the Throne of God. And we will find the trees of Life.

Following them to the Throne of our Father God.

Father God appears to favor Almond Trees.

And as we follow the path of Living Trees to the Streams of Water...

We will find Abba's Throne surrounded with Emerald Green.

Revelation 4
3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.

Where Father God would appreciate the reading of this Psalm.


Psalm 131

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.

3 O Israel, hope in the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore.

Where we, as a Child of Abba, Almighty God, are welcome at His Throne.

Jacob's Child. Jacob's Children. It does not matter to God - 12 sons 1 daughter -  320 million - 7 billion

Isaiah 40:26

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

God has many, many times in the Exodus called the Nation of Israel "The Children of Israel".

This is our Father in Jesus Christ who inhales prayers and understands fully what His Holy Spirit reveals to Him.

1 Peter 2:10

Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God.

Even more than Israel a nation of many, many people - this - to Abba is just the Children of Jacob. This is our God, who calls the stars by name because He has named them. To Father God, the many people are just His Children and Children of Jacob - He has called Israel.

So many lists of names. These are not names. These are the Beloved and well known to our Abba.

Into His Loving arms - you are welcome.
And there freely tell Your Father of Your concerns, joys and loves.


Luke 15:10
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Luke 23:43
Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

Luke 12
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 8 I tell you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will also confess him before the angels of God.


Father God,

We understand You to clearly say, come directly to Me, My Child.

Father God, may the meditations of my heart and the words of my mouth be pleasing and acceptable to You, my Father God.

I Give You my heart and this prayer. And cover these prayers and please bless them and keep them. May Your face shine upon these prayers and be gracious to them. Lift up Your Face to Smile upon my prayer. And keep these prayers covered in Your Name - Jesus Christ - with Peace.

The Lord Jesus Christ, The Lord, The Lord. Jesus has done all things well. Jesus even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

May we rest and renew to draw encouragement from You and see the mercies of God renew again each day. You have the Word of Life. Thank You Jesus for this and my many blessings. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Proverbs 1:1-8 ~ obtain guidance

We are looking forward in expectation for God's face to smile upon us.

How will we find God's help us make good choices and wise decisions?    

Proverbs 1:1-8

1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

2 To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth—

5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6 to understand a proverb and a saying,
the words of the wise and their riddles.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.

8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction,




32 For the simple are killed by their turning away 

Acts 1 - Judas tended to his own interests.




We ask to stay on Father God's good plan and path. Pleasing God. And in pleasing God having the fruit of His Holy Spirit.


God blessed Abraham, to be a blessing to millenniums. Hezekiah was blessed to be an archaeological and Word of God treasure to understand the how high, deep and wide looking for God's blessing can be to all of us.


God is Pro Instruction and Anti-Condemnation. Hence the Words of the New Testament - no condemnation in Jesus Christ. Romans 8. We do not do away with the Law, but realize Jesus fulfills our gaps and encourages weak knees and drooping hands not to flag. God wants our determination and faith. This passage is giving us the challenge to be in His Grace.


God starts with His 10 Laws. The Law is orderly. And gives us His Son who says worship God in Spirit and in Truth. Jesus fulfills the Law.


So Decision Making.

We run to the new library - Google. Instead, we need to carefully consider the source.

We want our source to be genuine and good and loving.So the equation equals = God. We need resources from God. God does not remain in hiding. God tells us His nature.




HOWEVER, what God wants is you. Be yourself. He is passionate for you, as Your Father. He wants your thoughts, not repeating old phrases like a heathen to Him. God has created gifts and talents in you.  God expects we will need and call to Him as we go forth. God knows we will have difficulties.


God has no care for mindless servitude and platitude. Conversation where you tell Him what He said and He gets to have that conversation with your real self. That is what God wants - you to be the best you He created.  God sees Good. You are His Creation.

Zeal!

We want God to be zealous about us. 

And He gave us brains to discern what He is telling us. We want to be able to face decisions in action, path and words.  His Love to our soul. James says we are invited to ask God His Wisdom. God is encouraging us to rely on Him.


We want God to be zealous about us.

I have a friend who is a retired doctor and to watch him in Decision Making is important. It's a display of wisdom. This is how he faces our new clients with his decision making ability from Medical School and in emergency situations.

1. He applies himself to the decision in attention and will not be rushed. Decision Mode.
2. He discerns the situation carefully by listening.
3. He always repeats the facts.
4. And then he applies the facts. Not in panic, in logic, in prayer, in goodness. He is a godly doctor trained in decision making.
5. He treats others as part of the team. See one, teach one, watch the next person do one.

He is orderly. Making a logical set of directions.

We want the Wind of the Holy Spirit to direct us and not just circle. We set up a framework for decision goals. God wants us to want His Help

Our first step is to decide how we will make decisions - logic, self, impulse, flowchart, prayer, asking advice, from whom, journal facts, rethink old stories and events???

Wisdom  Goal.

Jesus did this. Jesus every day was looking for the direction of God.

Discern Blessings in Decisions

1. God 

Matthew 23:37
How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

Father God, I will be willing! To be gathered by You. In Your Direction. I know You are God and Your Blessings are abundant - I ask Your Help.

2. Love yourself.

Do this in good health and truth. Apply Joy and Self-Control. Often be a place to refresh God's Deep Love in who you really, really are.

2 Timothy 1:16-27

16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, 17 but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— 18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day!

Father God, I will be willing! To be refreshing to God. See His Great Love for you.

3. Love others.

Guard your heart. Our Love comes from God and then is put forth again. Love is not following the world. Wisdom is the passage Jesus tells us about Creation - the work of God. The starting out - is Wisdom. Jesus did not run to the Temple to display being the Glorious Resurrected Messiah.  Use humor in life. Have Joy. Often. Jesus did. God comes first.

Show Mercy. Love the People God Puts In Your Life. Especially the ones who show mercy.

God intends our Good Works to lead to more Good works. A life continuing.

See good in people God places around you.

Hebrews 6:7

For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God.

Father God, I will be willing! As far as it depends on me, I will live at peace with everyone. Refreshing You!

"Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night!!!"


God tells us life Will Test our metal. 

 Jesus told us there would be days like this. 

In John 16:33 Jesus says: "In This World You Will Have Trouble. And Jesus overcomes the World."

Who ya gonna believe? The toothpaste casino adds? God was right. Our decisions will be tested and all shook up. Jesus said the house would have the winds assail the house. The house that stands believes in Him. 

Like Hezekiah. Hezekiah had the whole Assyrian Empire about to knock down all his life, efforts and history. His earthly father had established an 'out' to tear the Temple apart and give up the gold by convincing the people to worship away from the Temple. Hezekiah believed God instead of his earthly kingly father and had the most successful kingdom apart from David himself.


See with Your Eyes of Faith.
Building a House is building a name. Having a name that means reliable, kind, dependable actually gets us respect often unreported to the individual with the good name. We fail to feel the Love God is giving us for our diligent care. We have to see with our eyes of faith - Love and Care will continue to be appreciated by God and streams forth like light from the clouds unannounced.

God tells us the Heavens proclaim the Glory of God. 
Usually no noise is heard.

God notices when we bring Heaven to earth.

Father God, I will be willing! To see with eyes of Faith.







 

When you know that the Season is Changing. And the Wind of the Holy Spirit is needed. Or you are just hopeful to have change.

Pray. Earnestly tell God the reasons. Stay in truth and in gratitude for Jesus - within the Law of the Spirit.

When Trouble threatens to swamp your lifeboat. Look for truth. We are told in Romans we know Truth. Lean upon God. Great struggles in the Bible tell us to look at the One who is Good. When truth is running off, ask God in. God will help.

Sometimes we have to remember where to look for real goodness - God.

Pray for the Holy Spirit who is Jesus Christ the Lord!

Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Jan Karon's famous Mitford books tell us about Father Tim praying the prayer that is Always Successful - Thy Will BE Done.

Father God, I am willing! I will cast my cares upon You. You Love me. I will strengthen and rest in You.

The Noah Step. The difficult one.

Are you doing your life right? Did you mess up God's purpose for your life? Is your life meaningful?

Guess. What. Moses could have asked this question. Many times, even as he went up Mount Nebo to see the Children of God go forth into the Promised Land.

Gratitude.
Our honest prayer for honest situations. 

We are not large enough to be perpetually punished. Jesus took our sins. We might face overcoming poor decisions. It's when we give up in the gloom of unworthiness, then we have stepped out of the Light of His Love.

We might foolishly try to put our selfishness first again and again - but we cannot blame God for that. God did put us here to grow up to go Home to Him. Even the Prodigal Son had to grow up some. To find some humility.

It's a Promise. The Word of God is Fulfilled. God's purpose for our lives will be good.

Do we Really believe God has good purpose for us?  Similarly, the demons  shrieked at Jesus had a continual shriek "What purpose do you have for me God? What will You do to me?"

Would God call us not to be us?  No. Does He love us as we are and give us Gifts and Talents to fit in to His Plan. Yes.

Jeremiah stood fast.

 




Jeremiah saw terrible, terrible times. Being a prophet - he said, he didn't really want the job. God surely did not smite Jeremiah in vengeance for wanting better. Peter wanted away from what he grasped was very large and Good.

Jeremiah looked on the purpose God had for him and chose to believe God is Good. And His Word to me is for a Hope and a Future. In the midst of despair, Jeremiah bought an Estate. And you bet your boots after the third round up to enslavement in the Babylonian Empire - Jeremiah remained. And after the war was basically done - more foolish people tried to escape to Egypt.

 Did Jeremiah? No. Because the Lord knew that His plans for Jeremiah were for Good. God would fulfill His promises to Jeremiah.

God created us to be us. 
How radical if God said to me - you are not someone else? 
To find our highest purpose is to be in grace of His plan.
The plans of God are done by God. 
Moses didn't bring forth the Exodus - this required generations. 

When Moses finished, God provided Joshua. God helped Joshua. God helps those who loved the Lord and work according to His Purposes.




 
Remind yourself.
We want to live well doing our part. Especially  text gratitude of the good things. Good News.

God is God.  Look up. The One who Loves you is Good. Alleluia!!!





Father God, I am willing!- I will look to You in the expectation of the adventure Life has for me. 

You are Abundant Life. I will drink deeply of Living Water and see Love.

In Jesus I ask Your Blessings on us and look for the Victory. In Your Righteous, I ask for every good thing to do Your will for those I love and You have given me. Thank You my ears are a little quieter and for allergy season to go easily. Cover us all with Your Goodness in Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †