John 10:1-21 ~ Truly I say to you

 

John 10:1-21

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 

2 But he who enters by the door is the Shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear His Voice, and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When He has brought out all His own, He goes before them, and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice. 

5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what He was saying to them.

7 So Jesus again said to them, 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 

8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, 

but the sheep did not listen to them. 

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come and go freely and find pasture. 

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. 

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 

12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand 

and cares nothing for the sheep. 

14 I am the good shepherd. I know My own and My own know me, 

15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; 

and I lay down My Life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My Voice. So there will be one flock, One Shepherd. 

17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down My Life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have Authority to lay it down, and I have Authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.”

19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 

20 Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” 

21 Others said, “These are not the Words of One who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

Paul was blinded and healed. 

The events are the same

as the Centurion asking

Jesus

to heal

with His Word

When we recognize the Authority of God, possibilities of great mercy and Love expand. Nothing is too difficult for The Lord.

We have all seen different aspects of this huge world. 

The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness, the world 

and those who dwell therein.  

We belonged, when I was in 3rd and 4th grade to an Episcopal Church in Garland, Texas, called "Church of the Resurrection." The Rector was Father Ted Nelson. So many aspects of Life. Ted, came to our house often, we fully attended St. Michaels and All Angels, in Dallas all my parent's married life, my newlywed years and I met Edward there in High School. But Ted was part of our life and we traveled to HIS Church from time to time and went on Wednesdays at noon. Father Ted Nelson had the gift of the Holy Spirit in healing.  When I say healing, I am telling you of a Lourdes Church in Garland, Texas.  Fund raising, in the Episcopal Tradition is once a year.  No money was suggested.  Ted prayed for my mother my sophomore year in High School and she was healed of a thyroid tumor the size of a huge strawberry.  She hadn't realized the tumor, but she found it with her life long doctor on a 2 year old driver's license. 

Why wasn't this a worldwide phenomena. God's Authority decides.

Matthew 13:11 

And He answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it has not been given."

The Church of the Resurrection had crutches, forearm crutches and all manners of things with wheel chairs donated upon healing. Wheel chairs and crutches would leave as the congregation or the visitors had need of the item.  Father Ted Nelson lived to be 92 years old. And died, hmm, about, in the late 1990s. Still well known in Dallas, he was the founding Rector for the Anglican Church, Christ Church in Plano, Texas. This is a huge and beautiful Church. Alive and active.

Father Ted saw me soon after my father died when I was 30 years old. I was grieving. Angry. And we were, by that time, at Christ Church.  Ted came and sat down in the pew with me. It was a very memorable conversation. Ted hugged me, he said, "You know I am a very busy man these days this is a much longer congregation and the Bishop has a list for me to get to each week. I was on my way out of the service and saw you.  I really do not have much to say to make grief end. I am so sorry about your father, you loved so dearly. I prayed for him when he came to mind."

"I do have a Father conversation for you today, and know God asked me to speak this to you. I wanted to let you know why I left "The Church of the Resurrection."  We had so many beautiful miracles of Jesus Christ. Everything comes from Jesus.  You know this.  And we had dry spells. God is in charge of who is healed. We would have 40 people who came to the altar rail to be healed. Not everyone was healed. That is when Jesus is truly Present when that healing takes place. I didn't know why the dry spell was continuing from months. And then we had a Parish Dinner and people stood up and yelled at me like I was to blame. And demanded healing. I rebuked them to understand on several occasions."

I added, "This happens in Scripture when the Exodus was happening in the desert."

Ted said, "That is a pertinent point. The Lord spoke to me and asked me, 'Ted, you may decide. Do you pick to stay where the people have become hard hearted, or will you go to the Church you have dreamed of building this Church into. Know that if you stay, it will remain angry and the same as it is. However, the next Church will be Holy. And will not be charismatic in the Holy Spirit as you have lived.' And I chose to work with those who are not hard hearted.  I always dreamed of exactly this Church. And feel my life will have done what I was placed here to do."

I asked him if his answer had pleased the Lord. Ted looked solemn and humble and said he believed, yes, he had pleased The Lord.  I think of Father Ted Nelson often. He clashed with my father loudly. I don't think I mind that, not at all. Not at all. 

So how does this Scripture relate to my childhood to adult years and today?

The Type of Authority is the same today 

                                                                 The Word is Living

And Accurate. 

Chose this Day, whom you will Serve.

Abba, Father,

So many times phrases

in Your Word

reach for our heart.

I am praying healing

for

Edward's eyes.

And for all of the Nations

Worldwide.

The Kindness of

Jesus Christ's Holy Spirit

to

reawaken

in our 

Lives.

Abundant

Love

Abundant

Life

The Phrase

the offers us

such

Glory

On earth, as it is in Heaven

Your Will 

be

done.

Help us all

find this 

Glory and Work

each day

filling our

moments.

To see

More Heaven on earth

To be more Heaven on earth

To live as 

Heaven on earth.

In Jesus Christ,

we live and move and

have our being.

Amen!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Thank You Lord Jesus

Psalm 34 ~ All

Psalm 34

I will bless the Lord 

at 

all 

times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;

let the humble hear and be glad.

3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

and let us exalt His Name together!

4 I sought the Lord, 

and He answered me

and 

delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to Him are radiant,

and 

their faces shall never be ashamed.

6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him

and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encamps

around those who fear him, and delivers them.

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints,

for those who fear Him have no lack!

10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;

but those who seek the Lord 

lack no good thing.

11 Come, O children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 What man is there who desires life

and loves many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep your tongue from evil

and your lips from speaking deceit.

14 Turn away from evil and do good;

seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous

and His ears toward their cry.

16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,

to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17 When the righteous cry for help, 

the Lord hears

and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

and saves the crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

20 He keeps all his bones;

not one of them is broken.

21 Affliction will slay the wicked,

and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

22 The Lord redeems

 the life of his servants;

none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.

Footnotes - Psalm of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech (Achish, the king of Gath, 1 Samuel 21:13), so that he drove him out, and he went away.

We have a friend, one we do not see a lot of, who is a Christian minister & his mother is a Psychologist. Other than being good fun, he is a calming presence, a voice of the Holy Spirit when the wild winds of life howl. He has given us good advice, isn't it easier to listen to good advice when life is calm? He gave this pearl of wisdom twice and finally it found a comfortable, enduring resting place in my memory.

And here it is:

When we are in a good place in our lives, we shake off irritating conversation. When we are in storm, irritants are amplified. We can never change the way other people behave, just our reaction to them.

We, in this generation, and definitely me, we don't like to let go and not have the last word.  Here we find, the more joyful and contend in heart just aren't that bothered.

Prayer. When we pray for other people to be blessed by the LORD, we change our own hearts. Renewal & Redemption - these are the lasting gifts!

Blessed are You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Abba, Father,

We ask Jesus Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith

We ask to be being rooted and grounded in love

and have strength to comprehend with all 

what is the breadth and length and height and depth

of Your Love.

To know 

the love of Christ 

surpassing all the books ever written 

fully know

We are filled with all the fullness of God

Your Promises,

Father,

Are Sure

Dwell in us, please, Father.

Dwell in those we Love.

Help us to seek You first.

In Jesus Christ, we will finish well.

To be

more Heaven today

to see more Heaven today

Thy Kingdom come

Thy will be done

on earth

as it is

in Heaven.

In Jesus Christ

is

Our 

Love, Joy and Hope.

We pray victory

for the officials

who want

prosperity

and Jesus

for

ALL.

ALLELUIA
AND
AMEN IN JESUS CHRIST

In Jesus Christ,

we live and move and

have our being.

Amen!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Thank You Lord Jesus

Psalm 116 ~ I love the Lord, because He has heard

 

Lopuck Watercolors

Romans 8:19

For the creation waits 

in eager expectation 

for the children of God to be revealed.

Psalm 116

1 I love the Lord, because He has heard

my voice and my pleas for mercy.

2 Because He inclined His ear to me,

therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.

3 The snares of death encompassed me;

the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;

I suffered distress and anguish.

4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:

“O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”

5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;

our God is merciful.

6 The Lord preserves the simple;

when I was brought low, He saved me.

7 Return, O my soul, to your rest;

for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

8 For You have delivered my soul from death,

my eyes from tears,

my feet from stumbling;

9 I will walk before the Lord

in the land of the living.

10 I believed, even when I spoke:

“I am greatly afflicted”;

11 I said in my alarm,

“All mankind are liars.”

12 What shall I render to the Lord

for all His benefits to me?

13 I will lift up the Cup of salvation

and call on the Name of the Lord,

14 I will pay my vows to the Lord

in the presence 

of all 

His people.

15 Precious in the sight of the Lord

is the death of His saints.

16 O Lord, I am Your servant;

I am your servant, the son of Your maidservant.

You have loosed my bonds.

17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving

and call on the Name of the Lord.

18 I will pay my vows to the Lord

in the presence of 

all 

His people

19 in the courts of the House of the Lord,

in your midst, O Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord!

5th Century Thessaloniki Church Thessalonians. Mosaic is the eye of Jesus Christ

… Thou shalt call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins. Matthew 1: 21

This House Church is like the Churches in The Acts of the Apostles. This is 5th Century Thessaloniki, Greece.

Thessalonians

The Porch is usually busy and people sit to have a meal or picnic or coffee. Birthday parties are part of the scenery.

Tourism has exploded in the last 15 years and now the roof has a new roof twice. With an additional roof covering the new roof on pillars. These are the older photos. The mosaic and the interior have been carefully cleaned and restored. 

The Church has exploded in tourism.

Tourists, I hear, aren't excited with the upgrades. 

Well, this is good to have upgrades.

The Church was in danger of the heavy roof

caving in. It was particularly old!

The Tourism has been miraculous

for the Church.

The reason for the 2nd roof.

The new roof started to settle and wave.

And so a roof of many pillars protects

those needing the Lord's extra Hand.

…Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world! John 1:29

…for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him. Romans 10:12

..and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life 1 John 1:1

A Garden surrounds the front of the House

and many of the plants are herbs to

share.

People visit and share in the watering of the garden.

This is called a Byzantine Church

this is code

after the nation fell

for Defeated Portion of

The Roman Empire

The interior art 

…we have and advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ The Righteous 1 John 2:1

… For “everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved.”. Romans 10:13

…And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. John 1: 34

…are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25

…I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

…through the knowledge of the Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. II Peter 2: 20

..a name written King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Revelation 19:16

…Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved. Mark 16:16

…The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world… John 1:9

...you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God...1 Corinthians 6:11

…I am Alpha & Omega the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come

The Almighty Revelation 1:8

.

1 Corinthians 15:58 

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

James 1:12 

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.

Psalm 112:7 

He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord

I believe the Lord.
I believe Jesus Christ.
And this is where I place all my hope and prayer.

I believe Jesus can move mountains.
And this is where I will place my belief.

May the glory of the LORD 

endure forever;
may the LORD rejoice in His works

Who looks on the earth and it trembles,

who touches the mountains and they smoke!

I will sing to the LORD 

as long as I live;

I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the LORD.
Let sinners be consumed from the earth, 

and let the wicked be no more!

Bless the LORD, O my soul! 

Praise the LORD!

Abba, Father,

Live in our hearts

Help us honor Christ the Lord as holy

With you we will always being prepared to make a defense

for a reason for the hope that is in our soul, mind, heart

And with Jesus we will do this with gentleness and respect

With Your gift of the Holy Spirit in Jesus' Name, having a good conscience

give us good behavior in Christ Jesus.

Hear, O Heavens, and give ear, O earth,

for the Lord has spoken,

The Lord God our Father gives us His Words.

The Word of God is Sure and Faithful.

Because of the Tender Love 

of the Most High

we will not cease to pray for our Loved ones,

for the people

 You have given us,

for the faithful prayers of all Your Beloved Children

surrounding Your Good earth

Asking that You, Abba, may be fill us with the knowledge of Your will

in all spiritual wisdom and understanding

Pray with hope!

Ending

Bad weather experienced 

And

be good weather again.

Praying for safety and prosperity in these days.

Please continue to pray for peace and the wishes of our parents and great

 and 

grandparents to be fulfilled in a peaceful and complete manner. 

Because we know our Father.

The Father of mercies

and God of all comfort.

Dwell in me,

Dwell in us,

Dwell in those we Love,

Help us to seek You first.

Peace and the Joy God gives us.

And we will finish well, 

in Jesus Christ. 

We are praying for 
NATIONS

to put

aside

Tyranny

and Cartels.

Abba,

We pray the impossible 

more Heaven 

on earth 

We can do absolutely nothing about Massachusetts killing babies.  Shake our heads at the horror of babies murdered. We can moan and cry and do absolutely nothing. And those babies will die badly.

 

Pray and make a path for these preborn children to LIVE.

To Know Your Love 

and

See the weary world REJOICING in Christ Jesus.

Life for preborn children. Human Beings. Babies.  Hoping for love and warmth to give and receive.  So many willing hearts and homes. Valid Adoption Agencies.  Hope for the biological mother, instead of a life of sadness.

The end of Abortion.

Asked why not affordable

Adoption.

Agree

LABOR
DAY

and the price of giving

birth

is and frequently 

and outrageously

and

unpatriotically

is

$50,000.

We pray

about

all

of these

valid 

true

concerns.

Saint Nicholas of Myra, b. March 270 – 6 December 343, Nicholas of Bari. Known as St. Nicholas. 

Pere Noel. Father Christmas. Santa.

If our Saint Nicholas 

buys 3 women out of being trafficked. 

We can certainly 

ask 

the mother to accept payment 

for bringing

God's Gift of Life 

into the world. 

Thy Kingdom come

Thy will be done

on earth

as it is

in Heaven. 

Blessed, Blessed, Blessed be the Name Jesus

Living God reign in us always.

Thank You.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Thank You, Jesus The Lord