Isaiah 25:1-9 ~ LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

Isaiah 25:1-9

1 O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

2 For you have made the city a heap, the fortified city a ruin; the foreigners' palace is a city no more; it will never be rebuilt.

3 Therefore strong peoples will glorify you; cities of ruthless nations will fear you.

4 For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall, 5 like heat in a dry place. You subdue the noise of the foreigners; as heat by the shade of a cloud, so the song of the ruthless is put down.

6 On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.

7 And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations.

8 He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.

9 It will be said on that day, "Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation." 

Jeremiah 17:15
They keep saying to me, "Where is the word of the LORD? Let it now be fulfilled!"

Psalm 72:11
May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.

John 14:13-14
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Matthew 8:11
I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven

John 14:20
In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

Revelation 21:4
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Matthew 1:23
They shall call his name Immanuel, which means, God with us.

Father God, Let my name be engraved upon Your hand. You are the Rock I stand upon forever. For I know that My Redeemer Lives! I place my life, my cares, my hope, the ones I Love into Your Hand. In Jesus. Amen.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

2 Samuel 21 ~ And Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants

2 Samuel 21

Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year. And David sought the face of the Lord. And the Lord said, “There is bloodguilt on Saul and on his house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.” 2 So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them. Now the Gibeonites were not of the people of Israel but of the remnant of the Amorites. Although the people of Israel had sworn to spare them, Saul had sought to strike them down in his zeal for the people of Israel and Judah. 3 And David said to the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? And how shall I make atonement, that you may bless the heritage of the Lord?” 4 The Gibeonites said to him, “It is not a matter of silver or gold between us and Saul or his house; neither is it for us to put any man to death in Israel.” And he said, “What do you say that I shall do for you?” 5 They said to the king, “The man who consumed us and planned to destroy us, so that we should have no place in all the territory of Israel, 6 let seven of his sons be given to us, so that we may hang them before the Lord at Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of the Lord.” And the king said, “I will give them.”

7 But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Saul's son Jonathan, because of the oath of the Lord that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. 8 The king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Merab the daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite; 9 and he gave them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the mountain before the Lord, and the seven of them perished together. They were put to death in the first days of harvest, at the beginning of barley harvest.

10 Then Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it for herself on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until rain fell upon them from the heavens. And she did not allow the birds of the air to come upon them by day, or the beasts of the field by night. 

11 When David was told what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done, 12 David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of his son Jonathan from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, on the day the Philistines killed Saul on Gilboa. 13 And he brought up from there the bones of Saul and the bones of his son Jonathan; and they gathered the bones of those who were hanged. 14 And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the land of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father. And they did all that the king commanded. 
And after that God responded to the plea for the land.


15 There was war again between the Philistines and Israel, and David went down together with his servants, and they fought against the Philistines. And David grew weary. 16 And Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants, whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of bronze, and who was armed with a new sword, thought to kill David. 17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid and attacked the Philistine and killed him. Then David's men swore to him, “You shall no longer go out with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.”

18 After this there was again war with the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Saph, who was one of the descendants of the giants. 19 And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, the Bethlehemite, struck down Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.[c] 20 And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. 21 And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimei, David's brother, struck him down. 22 These four were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.


Giants and our everyday life.

The giant (right), was apparently unearthed in County Antrim, Ireland, and found to be 12ft 2in high. Its girth of chest was 6ft 6in, and length of arms 4ft 6in. There are six toes on the right foot. This skeleton was on display in exhibitions in Dublin, Liverpool and Manchester.

Giants sound very improbable.

Tennessee River, USA - giant human footprints with 6 toes
Crittendon, Arizona, USA - sarcophagus of a giant who sported 6 toes on each foot
County Antrim, Ireland - fossilised body of a giant with 6 toes on the right foot
Kiribati (Pacific Ocean) - a number of footprints of giant men, most of them with 6 toes on each foot

The United States has a large number of skeletons found over 8 feet, google if you must.

TURKEY: a human finger bone which is twice the length of the average adult bone today.
In the Hittite Museum in Ankara, Turkey; In the late 1950's, during road construction in south-east Turkey (in the Euphrates Valley), many tombs were uncovered, which contained the remains of giant humans. At two sites the leg bones were measured to be about 120 centimeters (47.24 inches).

Joe Taylor, Director of the Mt. Blanco Fossil Museum, in Crosbyton, Texas, was commissioned to sculpt an anatomically correct, and to scale, human femur of one of these ancient men. One part was a human fingerbone which is twice the length of the average adult bone today.

Giants are probable considering all cultures report giants and we see gigantism in genetics.

Giants in faith - David. David had conflicts of life we look at in our daily realities.

And the problems we face. Perhaps we could have scooted through this chapter. So much of David's Biblical History is about war, loss of life and destruction. Here David has a chance to clear his dynasty from Saul's descendants. He takes that opportunity. Because David is man of God, we know he must have felt some dismay in the taking of a king's children and grandchildren.

The huge problem is not recorded until Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had stood watch day and night over the bodies of her sons and grandsons. David then buries Saul and Jonathon.

David was so busy, he is at war again when his weariness of his daily work almost gets him killed. A haunting chapter to be sure, the mother, not wailing at home but living day and night to protect her loved ones' bones. Rather like Aaron being invited into the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle to splash blood all over.



God is blamed, so many times in the Old Testament for how incredibly harsh He is. This passage emphasizes:

John 2:25
He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.

Isaiah 40:30
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted

2 Samuel 12:13
Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die."

This is what God does with the tugs and pulls of life. 



John called this Jesus, the Son of God he walked with - the God of Love.
God sees the pull and tug of insignificance, of evil meets good and the inconsistencies of mankind. And then we blame Him. In reality, God is Living Water, going where He will. And thank God. He will show up when we seek him.

What would Father God say about the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Mera the daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite?

Isaiah did glimpse His glory and said, Isaiah 49:
“Can a woman forget her nursing child,
that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget,
yet I will not forget you.
16 Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are continually before me.
17 Your builders make haste;
your destroyers and those who laid you waste go out from you.
18 Lift up your eyes around and see;
they all gather, they come to you.
As I live, declares the Lord,
you shall put them all on as an ornament;
you shall bind them on as a bride does.

19 “Surely your waste and your desolate places
and your devastated land—
surely now you will be too narrow for your inhabitants,
and those who swallowed you up will be far away.
20 The children of your bereavement
will yet say in your ears:
‘The place is too narrow for me;
make room for me to dwell in.’
21 Then you will say in your heart:
‘Who has borne me these?
I was bereaved and barren,
exiled and put away,
but who has brought up these?
Behold, I was left alone;
from where have these come?’”

22 Thus says the Lord God:
“Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations,
and raise my signal to the peoples;
and they shall bring your sons in their arms,
and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders.
23 Kings shall be your foster fathers,
and their queens your nursing mothers.
With their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you,
and lick the dust of your feet.
Then you will know that I am the Lord;
those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.”

Rizpah would grow old and die. Her children and Rizpah would not be forgotten. God is saying He is in charge of these memories and these people. God is Love. And God would put His hands into the fish to feed the five thousand. God will be in Charge.


In all situations:

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the LORD; 

Be strong, and let your heart take courage; 

Wait for the LORD!

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

John 6 ~ Jesus is the Bread of Life.

Jesus taught part of John's 6th Chapter in the Synagogue in Capernaum. This relief of the Ark of the Covenant is found in Capernaum's White Synagogue.

John 6

After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 

5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 

7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 

10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 

11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”

15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

22 On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.

25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 

26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 

28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 

30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 

32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 

34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 

40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 

43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. 

47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 

53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 

59 Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 

70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him.

Manna

Nothing is impossible with God. Nothing.
Jesus is the Bread of Life.
And was manna plentiful? Yes. Manna covered the ground and was easy to be filled.
Like Living Water - soaking, plentiful.

If we were to look for the Manna on this earth - would we find that Manna? Maccabees 6 records the Prophet Jeremiah hid the Ark, with God's help, on Mt. Nebo near where Moses rested forever and watched the Children of Israel march on to the Promised Land. The Ark of the Covenant contains the Branch that Budded and Manna.

Could Jesus arrange archaeology? We see the Scriptures proven daily in this lifetime. More and more shows us God speaks the Truth. Affirming God wants us to do His work and believe. The answer would be: yes, in God.

John 6 is about the Synagogue. And in the White Synagogue with ruins to explore - in Capernaum - this refers to the Bread of Life.

Matthew 11:23
And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.


However, the real point is
Jesus.
Jesus is readily available. When we seek Him - we find Jesus.

His Ways are not our ways.
His Righteousness is not debatable.

Only one boy thought to bring food.
5,000 people were not fed. They ate their fill.

The crowd wanted to make Him King - Jesus left.

Jesus walks on water, without Peter. And the boat immediately goes were Jesus wants to go.

Jesus comforts His disciples. The ones granted to Him by the Father. These are the ones doing the work God gives to mankind. To believe.

Father God bless me to do Your Work. And bless those You have given me to do the work You give as well. In Jesus, Amen. 

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

1 Kings 13:1-10 ~ The man of God

1 Kings 13:1-10

And behold, a man of God came out of Judah by the word of the Lord to Bethel.

Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make offerings.

2 And the man cried against the altar by the word of the Lord and said, “O altar, altar, thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and he shall sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who make offerings on you, and human bones shall be burned on you.’”

 3 And he gave a sign the same day, saying, “This is the sign that the Lord has spoken: ‘Behold, the altar shall be torn down, and the ashes that are on it shall be poured out.’”

4 And when the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar at Bethel, Jeroboam stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, “Seize him.” And his hand, which he stretched out against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back to himself.

5 The altar also was torn down, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign that the man of God had given by the word of the Lord.

6 And the king said to the man of God, “Entreat now the favor of the Lord your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me.”

And the man of God entreated the Lord, and the king's hand was restored to him and became as it was before.

7 And the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me, and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.” 8 And the man of God said to the king, “If you give me half your house, I will not go in with you. And I will not eat bread or drink water in this place, 9 for so was it commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘You shall neither eat bread nor drink water nor return by the way that you came.’” 10 So he went another way and did not return by the way that he came to Bethel.

Some Background History: 
While still young, Jeroboam was promoted by Solomon to be chief superintendent of the slaves. Upon hearing the prophet Ahijah (1 Kings 11:29-39), he began to conspire to become king; but was discovered, fled to Egypt, remaining under the protection of Pharaoh Shishak. Upon the death of Solomon, Rehoboam assumed the throne. The 10 northern tribes revolted against Solomon's son and asked Jeroboam to become king. 

Rehoboam's poor conduct helped Jeroboam, and Jeroboam was accordingly proclaimed a new king of Israel . Jeroboam fortified Shechem as the capital of his kingdom. and in Dan and Bethel,built "golden calves," which he set up as symbols of God, pulling worship away from Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, but to bring their offerings to his shrines. He became distinguished as the man "who made Israel to sin." This miracle made no abiding impression on him. He was in constant war with the "House of Judah." 

Translocate - Verb (used with object), trans·lo·cat·ed, trans·lo·cat·ing. To move or transfer from one place to another; cause to change location; displace; dislocate.

Saint Pio (Pius) of Pietrelcina was said to have translocated to be with people in prayer. This information is not readily available in his saint literature. It would be difficult to prove and might cause someone to cry out, "Seize him!" In order to ascertain the situation. This lack of faith didn't work out well for Zechariah in Luke 1 either.

Not your usual reaction in this passage, a unique reaction. Usually people have fear and trembling when dealing with Mighty Acts of God. The Scriptures do not record God trying again with Jeroboam. God must not have cared for the reaction. The Word of God, He sent forth, was fulfilled.


Bethel is never mentioned in the New Testament. Lastly mentioned in Maccabees. After the writings of Eusebius and Jerome, he found no further references to Bethel in the written historical record. There are ruins of a Middle Ages Church between Bethel and the ruins at Beitin.


Amos 5:5
Do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will be reduced to nothing.

Bethel is never mentioned in the New Testament.

Isaiah 55:11
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.


Father God, You give us each day. Let our reactions, words and ways be pleasing to You. We pray in the Name of Jesus to give You each day and be on Your Path. In Jesus. Amen.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

Luke 7:1-10 ~ Say the Word, and my servant will be healed

Luke 7:1-10

When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them.

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

Father God, this is truly the Way Jesus healed long ago and today. We say as the Catholic Church does today, "Speak the Word, Lord, and I shall be healed." And in Jesus Christ, we are. Father God, we rest in this and for our loved ones. Amen.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

Revelation 1 ~ And has made us a kingdom, priests for His God and Father, be power and glory forever and ever! Amen.

The paintings of Jesus are interesting! The shroud has 3 dimensional qualities enabling Jesus' face to be captured - which matches pre 400 A.D. early Christian art of Jesus. Akiane Kramarik began painting Jesus at age 4. The Book, "Heaven is for Real", Colton Burpo identifies Akiane's painting of Jesus as the Jesus he met in Heaven. Colton said, "They finally got one right." I see vast similarities between the Shroud paintings and a New Creation face of Jesus. And explains the reasons the Disciples took time to understand. 2 Corinthians 5 explains new heavenly bodies. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies.

Revelation 1

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and has made us a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, be power and glory forever and ever! Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”


9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 

19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches."

 

Verse 6
We have just found where we add upon the Words of Jesus in the Lord's Prayer:

For thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory forever.

Dying takes a toll on people - so our Lord Jesus gave John "a praying on Sunday" living vision of His new Kingdom - Heaven. And John faints completely.

After John recovered, I imagine he was extremely glad to see Jesus. Jesus the Lord - Who is and continues to be 
"Alive Forevermore."

Why does Jesus appear with His Face like the sun shining at full strength? Revelation fully describes the amazing wonders of the Throne of Our Father God. Creator of All Things. John has arrived at the Throne of God Almighty. The place where Moses spoke to God. 

Exodus 33
17And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” 18Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” 21And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, 22and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”

Exodus 34
5The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 6The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7keeping steadfast love for thousands,a forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty."

This is the New Kingdom of God given by the sacrifice of Jesus.

John 17
3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.

Our Father God.

John 6
46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.


During John's long, long life - John learned and knew of many, many of the aspects of Jesus, Son of God, Savior.

John 21
25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

And the most important aspect of Jesus for us today, told to us by John:

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Thank You, Lord Jesus Christ. For what You have done for me. Thank You for what You have done for my loved ones and the ones You have given me. Our Hope is in You, Lord. In Jesus, Amen.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

John 6:52-59 ~ Jesus said these things

Painted by James Tissot

John 6:52-59

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

59 Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.

Painted by James Tissot

God does what God does. Amen.
And usually He wants to see us go forth with some Faith - unseen.
Into - the unknown - with - Hope. Believing God is telling us what is True.
Believing this plan has a hope and a future - because - of - Love.


The Disciples faced the news that they were to eat the body of Jesus.
These were kosher men.
They had seen the blind walk, the deaf hear and the lame walk.
Surely GOD would not tell THIS to Jesus???

Mary merely said God's will be done.

Jeremiah said he was only a youth.

Simon Peter had said that he was sinful and Jesus should go away from him.

Now Simon Peter and Jesus watched the 70 disciples.

What would happen next?

Jesus Christ and His Disciples painted by Nikolaj Nikolajewitsch

John 6 

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”

61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this?

62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?

63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)

65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

 Jesus Christ and His Disciples painted by James Tissot

66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.

67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?”

 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Why didn't God make this easier?

We easily could quote Isaiah 55 and say, "My Ways are not Your Ways. My Thoughts are not your thoughts."

And instead let's look at what Simeon said. He spent his life righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before Simeon had seen the Lord's Christ.

Luke 2

4 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), 

so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

That is the point who we - are.

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding


Peter was called to do this out of the herd of the 70 disciples:
Romans 12:2
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.


Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Job 9:4
4 His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?

Psalm 26:2
Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.


Father God, May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD Jesus, my Rock and my Redeemer.

I ask in the name of Jesus the Lord. Let me trust in You Lord and lean to Your understanding.  Pardon and deliver me from my offenses. Help me to Do the things You would plan for me and to help those I love and You have given to me. Amen.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

Psalm 99 ~ You have established equity; in Jacob You have done what is just and right.

Psalm 99

1 The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake.
2 Great is the LORD in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name-- he is holy.

4 The King is mighty, he loves justice-- you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right.

5 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the LORD and he answered them.

7 He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.

8 O LORD our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds.

9 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy.

God loved Jacob. What wasn't to love? He stole his brother Esau's blessing twice - once at the dinner stew pot and then again from his dying father. And then... he skipped out on the deathbed and fled far away to his mother's brother.

What a guy! Guy... the word actually has evolved to becoming informal for a man. And the word Guy started out as someone who tries to blow up other people and be safely away. Surely not the bold way to kill someone. Guy Fawkes. So perhaps for Jacob running out on his stolen from ,and dying father,  - Guy is not such a bad word.

And God loves Jacob. Named him Israel, gave him 12 sons, one daughter and named His Beloved People and Nation after Jacob.

I guess we could say Jacob evolved. And that would be wrong. God loved Jacob so much He gave Jacob a taste of his own medicine. Father God was parenting Jacob.

Because Jacob saw something very astute, deep, abiding. 

Jacob asked Esau first. Obtained his permission. And what did Jacob take with his brother's permission - Words.

Jacob merely stole Words. Father God saw the wisdom in this. Father God saw the wisdom of permission asked for by Jacob. Words.

With several Words, Father God created the Universe. And His Son.
 Jesus, laughed with Joy in Proverbs for the beauty of creation. 

With what power does God uphold the Universe? 
His Word. 
With what force did Father God tell us about His Promises to us? 
With His Word. 
What do we call the Scriptures - The Word of God. 

Proverbs 8
23 Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there;
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above,
when he established the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,
30 then I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing before him always,
31 rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man

John's Gospel begins with the Big Bangs - God's Word. Genesis.


John 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 
2 He was in the beginning with God. 
3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, 
and we have seen his glory, 
glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 
17 For the law was given through Moses; 
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 
18 No one has ever seen God; 
the only God, who is at the Father's side,
 he has made him known.

Jacob took from his family.
From Isaac he took -  one blessing.
And in understanding Father God, that one blessing Jacob received - Jacob turned around and gave to all his sons and grandsons. 
Believing the blessing of God  -was to give Blessings. 
Believing  God is so Vast and so Loving - His Blessings are for His people.

Jacob had seen Jesus, intuitively, and knew the blessing. 

Isaiah 30:18
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

James 2:1
Hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.

This is what Jacob saw in Father God and this drew Jacob's heart to be in God's path.


Father God, draw those we love to be on Your path. We ask this for them and for our own soul to You. There is no place God will not send His Love. There is now place God will not send peace. In the name of Jesus all things are possible, Amen.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><