Zechariah 4:1-7 ~ The Lord of Hosts

Zechariah 4:1-7 

1 And the angel who talked with me came again and woke me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep.

2 And he said to me, "What do you see?"

I said, "I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. 3 And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left."

4 And I said to the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?"


5 Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, "Do you not know what these are?"

I said, "No, my lord."

6 Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

7 Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of 'Grace, grace to it!'"



Jesus Light of the world, dwells within mankind because of God's Covenant. Jesus is our Cornerstone. The Rock of our Salvation.

We look at Matthew 1 and Luke 3, we find names we do not know. Father God knows all souls. Intimately as Abba. And as Jesus tells us of mankind, some are wheat, sheep, Beloved and some will chose to turn to self interests away from our Father. There is only one Plan. God's Plan.

God's One Plan is Accomplished. Our Abba is the Almighty God of All Creation.
Let there be Light.
The Creation is Good.
The Children of Israel are free.
Moses creates God's Lampstand.
The representation of Light is taken in captivity to Babylon.
The Tools of Moses and of Solomon are returned to the Second Temple.
The Jerusalem Temple is replace by Jesus and His Victory.
The Light of the World dwells in mankind.
Revelation - our light is drawn to Jesus, to His Home. To see His Great Light.

Only because from His Light we have received Grace upon Grace. From His fullness we have received. His Tender Mercy from on High.


When Zechariah tells us in Chapter 4 of the Messiah, Jesus - Zechariah is telling us the difference between the Power of God in the Gift of - Emmanuel - God with us. The Delight of Father God to move from hovering over the waters in Genesis 1 and being placed to sit behind the curtain in the Holy of Holies. Not just visited once a year.


Father God's delight to dwell within those who believe Jesus.

The Holy Spirit providing us an open gate where we can have our soul in the Holy Spirit - allowing us to have confidence that we are so blessed to have Father God's Willingness and Heart - He blesses us to hear us. The gift we will receive, an answer to our Prayers. God is Good.

Abba,

Emmanuel God with us. We have seen a Great Light.

Jesus gathered His Disciples who had seen His miracles for the Blind, the Deaf, the Lame and the Leper. Jesus' first Sunday all of Capernaum came to Hear Jesus. Archaeology tells us Capernaum was 2,000 people. Jesus did not just feed the 5,000, Millenniums of Believers have been fed.

Our King of Kings has arrived.

We ask You fill us, the people we Love. Knowing when Your Plan calls us Home - we want to be greeted by our Father. The Prodigal returns to Father God. As Elizabeth greeted the infant Jesus. Our Joy is in Your Love. Your Love saves us all. Your Good Will and Word. Your Promises eternally.

Christmas in our soul feeding our hearts, body and mind each day.

Great Thanks for the fires of California ending. For the Flu Season to be conquered and healed.

The Joy of Christmas to carry us into all of the New Year. The Light of Christ within us to bring us His Joy.

Jesus is Lord of All. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Ephesians 4:11-15 ~ He Gave

Jesus our Good Shepherd.

Luke 2

And in the same region
there were shepherds out in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”


15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 1

8 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.



Christmas in our hearts every day.

Ephesians 4:11-15

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

to equip the saints for the work of ministry,
for building up the body of Christ,
until we all attain to the unity of the faith
and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to mature manhood,
to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

Rather, speaking the truth in love,
we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.




The Word of God.

Has a reaction in us all.

St. Augustine found Children of God, His by His Will and adoption into Jesus - feel they don't do enough. Grown mature Christians with God on their mind 7 days a week wonder. We will never be capable of feeding, being God or obtaining His Goodness. His Word says we will all fall short. Father God does not need us. Father God sees into mankind - sees who you are - and He loves you today. Jesus saves you.

What would we do to bring our God Glory for His Love to us? St. Augustine says the Book of Acts is like the Exodus. An act of God, our Father, Himself. We please God when we try to please God. St. Augustine said when you Love those few people in your life. When you go a distance further and try to just share God's Love - you have Please Father of All, Vast and Wise Creator of All. Light of the World is pleased to dwell within in our Eternity, today, in our soul.

We help others to see a Plan and Path of God and encourage each other in good works. In lovely way, truth and Life ways.

We were blessed to have Christmas Carolers from Woodlands Church - were my neighbor is a Sunday School Teacher. Fifty 4th Graders singing the Joy of Jesus.  Sweet happy faces and younger sisters and brothers. Delighted to Sing Jesus. Blessings of seeing the Light of Christmas in the light of the Children and the Parents.


Christmas is a busy time. These parents - these children - blazed the Light of Christ. Christmas is busy and a gift was found for the community. I was busy with my maternal family visiting with walkers and careful care taken. And gently encouraged to gather sweet things to eat for sweet hearts.

Let the Circle be unbroken.

Abba, our Abba,
Merry, Merry Shining and Bright Christmas.

We give You thanks for Your Gifts.

Jeremiah 31:33 E
But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Romans 7:6
But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

Jesus told us in John's Gospel in the 4th Chapter to worship God with Spirit and with Truth. Love the Lord our God.

Thanking You the fires of California are having evacuation orders end. Asking for healing and protection against the Flu. So many have the Flu. God we look to Your Willingness.

We bring You Merry Christmas in our Hearts Father God. Love those we Love. Blaze us all with Your Love.

Jesus Lord God, Merry Christmas,
Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

John 1:1-14,17,29-35 ~ Lamb of God

Many, many Christmases for thousands of years. Jesus Victorious.

John 1:1-14,17,29-35

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."

32 Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God's Chosen One."

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"





This is my favorite chapter of the Bible, John 1.


John has not penned a few lines. John has met, walked, talked, witnessed Jesus.


John 21:24
This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.


John has seen Jesus walk on water. Rescue Peter. Calm the Wind and the Waves. Cleanse 10 Lepers. John has been there to see Multitudes Fed by only what Jesus could provide. John knows the impact - of these Living Words - "He healed them all."


John has to explain what John has lived seeing a government execution all of Israel had seen. Jesus serving breakfast to the men Jesus formed to be His Disciples in all Seasons. John 21.

How will John explain Jesus. Jesus is God's Word of Messiah made Real. John continues to live to be quite old. And John tells us he sees Jesus in mankind. The Light of Jesus Christ, of Abba, in all of mankind. Nothing of darkness has stopped the Light of Jesus.



Abba,

Bless us and Keep us this Christmas and always, we ask in Jesus.

We ask Your Face to Shine upon us.

We ask Your Graciousness. And rejoice when we think on our Gifts of Abba given to us with Love.

We want Your Face to lift and Smile upon us.

Give us, Father God, Your Peace. We will rest with You in certain faith and Love.

Cover us in the Name of Jesus and we shall be Blessed.

We lift up those we love. The people You have given us. And ask for more of Your Heaven upon this earth.

God of Love, our Hope is Jesus Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Philippians 4:4-7 ~ Peace of God

Philippians 4:4-7

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

How are we going to deal with "The Peace that Passes All Understanding" Today???

And I took a class on Evangelism. Telling us only tell about Jesus for the pure Joy to tell about Loving Jesus. Effectively.

So... Then I wanted to kick this out there and to this end... I met a young woman who told me she had been raised with Religion and wanted none of this. Her best friend is a Pastor's wife. She smiles. The light of her face is really shines. I just found I liked her and I wanted to tell her about Jesus.

And Baby, I rammed Jesus right down her throat and wiggled on her tonsils. I told my friend, who said, "Man, that one is not coming back." Well. She is. She was really gracious and said that made sense.

This the True Challenge to what our culture is seeing.

Not something exactly new, but our younger people do not see a reason

to follow the Faith of the Fathers.

Surely, not a new concept even to the last generation, which had the aftermath of World War II simply quit Church.

We have to have empathy, people find the possibility of Peace as positively the pod of "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers." As if we would all be preparing to die grinning like hyenas.

Really... we need to think upon this...

If Scripture is going to follow us around and bother us - and you are faithful - this one about "The Peace that passes all understanding" might do that. I've seen a woman with serious cancer cry because she is worried and Jesus would be so disappointed with her to be afraid. When Reverend Francis MacNutt talks about the miraculous healing of people he has witnessed, he tells us Father God is so gentle when we are healed, and in this Father God is like the mother of a foal trying out new legs. Reverend Francis MacNutt is a Harvard man.

The person who is healed becomes ginger and gangling trying to see if the miracle is permanent. Finding Father God delights with them in their amazement and joy in His Generous,  Loving Miracle.

This is what the group walking with Jesus saw in the Jesus they threw down their lives to follow:

Mark 10:32

They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were filled with awe

Christian radio has a song proclaiming we really believe Jesus has a gavel in His Hand. Many times in Scripture the word "Yar" is used, meaning  "reverence" and not fear

 Peace Passing ALL Understanding leading to a Blessing of Life Abundant.

Now, today, IF we want to tell about Jesus'

Love, Joy, Comfort and Plan

WHY? To encourage us to come home, and to tell the NEXT Generation to make them WANT To Know Jesus.

We have to understand that basic knowledge of Christianity says this:

We meet people who sincerely do not want to smile all the time like Homer Simpson's Neighbor. They want to look like they have a clue. And they surely do not want to die and not think in advance of what to say.

This concept is Frightening. And really inside our Nation, the highest martyrdom event I know is Cassie Bernall (November 6, 1981 – April 20, 1999) the girl killed in the Columbine High School massacre at age 17. The shooter asked if Cassie believed in God moments before she was fatally shot. She answered, "Yes"

WE HAVE A SALIENT POINT WE FORGET HERE.

80% of our Culture does Pray. 

BELIEVING IN GOD.

Yes. WE HAVE A SALIENT POINT WE FORGET HERE.

80% of our Culture does Pray. BELIEVING IN GOD.

We Believe the New Covenant. The Holy Spirit dwells within us and near us - because we have faith. We treat others with His own respect.

We will all will have times to Grasp on to a Willing God to help us. And yet the truth is God is present completely and willing dwells around us. We Celebrate our Living Father God - Emmanuel.

We live with - I'm gonna get there of WHY WOULD WE WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS JESUS.

Remember with me

Tell about Our First Love for the Lord. 

What is the Point of Scripture...

To choose what is good. Building up ourselves to a life of meaning and creating a culture wanting the more difficult path - choosing what is Good. Believing God will help us. God will reward us and Heaven and earth will see the difference.

John's Patmos Dwelling. The view is still very much the same! God is still working and He is still caring for us.

The astonishing thing about "Peace that Passes All Understanding is" This valid and necessary tool happens again and again and again because, when we see our loved ones who love Jesus passing to the Heaven of God's Kingdom, we see this Peace. And it's needed!

Now for the most part, Peace is not going to grow us.

And Father God sent us on this quest, this adventure to bring our soul home and show Father God what we have made of this place called Soul.

All these people experienced this Life, this ongoing River of Life, that pushes and perplexes and asks us to twist or go the straightened paths were clear thinking and good choices can remain to make the framework for our soul to keep the Fruits of the Spirit = Love, Joy, Laughter, Peace, Comfort, Rules of Conduct, Patience and endurance with characters of Faith, Hope, Love.

These people did not walk around with Peace allllll the time. Scripture IS ABOUT THE MESS OF LIFE AND HOW TO OVERCOME !!!

HEBREWS 11

17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.

23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.

31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.[d]

32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again.

Seek God and we will find... GOD.

Simply prayer and reading Scripture is going to place us as Children of Willing, Loving, Able Father God.

24 Hours of Faith will take us further.  Believing God is God and He is Good.

And when we have that Comfort, the Holy Spirit says this is COMFORT. We are going to want to get the kids to Church to experience what is Love and Nourishment to Our Souls.

This is the Balance, the goodness, the wonder of GOD we want People to Quest for.

Joy. And His Highest Name is - Jesus the Lord.

Father God,

Your Scriptures are alive and active. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

We Rejoice - When - We are touched and Renewed in the Giving Loving GOD. When the Good News rolls like Living Water - we find Joy.

Jesus appeared in the flesh,

was vindicated by the Spirit,

was seen by angels,

was preached among the nations,

was believed on in the world,

was taken up in glory.

Jesus will one day say to us all, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. We will join Him in the Holy City of God.

And in that day, let me be in the Numbers of The Saints Come Marching In.

Knowing All our prayers have been heard, listened to with care, with Love and Decisions. Lifting up prayer again in gratitude, David knew God would put forth the Blessing merely because this delights Our Father. For those who are ill, and worried, for those in new circumstances and for those with prayers to be fulfilled in His Time.

And Father God, let the family live together in beauty and peace of the generations. The people we love, and are given. We pray for our work places, Churches honoring Jesus and believing Scripture, our States and Nation. We lift up mankind to You, knowing Your Mercy is to draw all to You.

A God sized work. For His Glory.

Christmas in our Hearts. THANKS GOD. Really.

Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †