Proverbs 24 ~ Lest the Lord see it

Solomon Sacrificing to Idols. Sébastien Bourdon (1646-47) was also a prolific history painter. Louvre. 1 Kings 11:8-10

Proverbs 24

1 Be not envious of evil men,
nor desire to be with them,
2 for their hearts devise violence,
and their lips talk of trouble.

3 By wisdom a house is built,
and by understanding it is established;
4 by knowledge the rooms are filled
with all precious and pleasant riches.
5 A wise man is full of strength,
and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool;
in the gate he does not open his mouth.

8 Whoever plans to do evil
will be called a schemer.
9 The devising [scheming] of folly is sin,
and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.

10 If you faint in the day of adversity,
your strength is small.
11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,
and will he not repay man according to his work?

13 My son, eat honey, for it is good,
and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul;
if you find it, there will be a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.

15 Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous;
do no violence to his home;
16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again,
but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
18 lest the Lord see it and be displeased,
and turn away his anger from him.

19 Fret not yourself because of evildoers,
and be not envious of the wicked,
20 for the evil man has no future;
the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

21 My son, fear the Lord and the king,
and do not join with those who do otherwise,
22 for disaster will arise suddenly from them,
and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

23 These also are sayings of the wise.

Partiality in judging is not good.
24 Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,”
will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,
25 but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
and a good blessing will come upon them.
26 Whoever gives an honest answer
kisses the lips.

27 Prepare your work outside;
get everything ready for yourself in the field,
and after that build your house.

28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause,
and do not deceive with your lips.
29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;
I will pay the man back for what he has done.”

30 I passed by the field of a sluggard,
by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,
31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;
the ground was covered with nettles,
and its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then I saw and considered it;
I looked and received instruction.
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.

Proverbs is uncomfortable. We had a Bible Study years ago, we were supposed to read aloud several of the Proverbs verses, then change readers, in order, and by chapter. By the end of the reading of a couple of chapters, some people were truly miffed. Which is precisely why Scripture finds itself - in each generation - in a perpetual game of disdain, rejection, ignorance, study, love, adoration, and fascination. And this has gone on for 3,000 years.

I read Proverbs 24 and it pinches. On different days, I will be pinched in different aspects. Is God pleased with my sins showing up? No, He is a Holy and Righteous God. Not that signing the papers for Hospice was a sin, but it makes one mindful of who they are. Thanks be to God, for Jesus Christ. I do not have to live in an unforgiven state. In my weakness, God is strong. Paul said God intertwines all things for His glory and for good. Life is anticipation just what adventure He will provide.

Romans 7:24-25a
24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Paul, one of the writers of the New Testament.

We experience trauma in life and wonder if God has suddenly found our secret selfishness leading into sin. We have wonder if cancer, if death, if divorce, if bankruptcy of if job loss is a direct result of our sin from a vengeful God. The answer is clear. Jesus took our sin from us, at one time, on the cross. Trouble will come in life, sometimes we earn it. Neglect our spouse, we are left. Other times, trouble finds us. We live in God's plan, with joy, knowing God does not provide circumstance to merely grieve us.

I am grateful for the pinch of Proverbs 24. I am not left to wonder what God thinks from on high and from far away, as an absent landlord - Deist philosophy. Instead, we have God who writes to us, what He says is not brushed away as a remark merely to overcome. Not an opinion to think upon and decide for ourselves. The sting of Scripture is that of our Father, parenting us. No loving Father leaves His children without direction. The response is up to us. Solomon experienced God, but wanted God to speak to Him in a manner Solomon chose. If Solomon is to be remembered for his wisdom, it is Solomon's return to God's plan as he looks for real meaning in his life, not just temporal values.

God chose to live with us and chooses so today.

John 1:14,16
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.

And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

The Lord God - the Father of those doing His will - bless and prosper those doing His Will. In Jesus. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 108 ~ Your steadfast love is great above the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds

Psalm 108

My heart is steadfast, O God!
I will sing and make melody with all my being!
2 Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn!
3 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
4 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!
6 That your beloved ones may be delivered,
give salvation by your right hand and answer me!

7 God has promised in his holiness:
“With exultation I will divide up Shechem
and portion out the Valley of Succoth.
8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;
Ephraim is my helmet,
Judah my scepter.
9 Moab is my washbasin;
upon Edom I cast my shoe;
over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

10 Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
11 Have you not rejected us, O God?
You do not go out, O God, with our armies.
12 Oh grant us help against the foe,
for vain is the salvation of man!
13 With God we shall do valiantly;
it is he who will tread down our foes.


Life gives us so many coincidences, that if you aren't looking for them, they will fly by. My son and I were discussing a painting on the wall of Italy, and the next thing occurring - one Italian tree - right there. This isn't the usual thing in a Texas Landscape. Christians call these things, God incidences.

We were watching "The Wonderful Planet'.  From space, you can see our Northern American forests turn the green planet to orange as the huge fall foliage approaches. It was amazing. I turned to Alexander and said, that looks exactly like marble or a stone........... We are systems within systems. God balancing the universe.

God's earth, created at His Word, sometimes called the Big Bang Theory, creating a system on our earth of rain, becoming water, washing into the ocean, and becoming humidity and storms creating the cycle again. The Spirit renewing us as we rely upon HIM. His Sky Reflecting His Glory.

We have so many different areas of our lives, it is good to remember, the analogy of the beautiful forests, animals and the beauty - the things we Wish we could see each day - as reflections of God's Glory. What we hope to see in His New Heaven and New earth in His Eternal Kingdom.

And some of the other boundaries - as a reminder; there are boundaries on earth. We will reach a day of Decision for the LORD; on our lives as Good and for evil.

God is Holy. And in our decisions to be His -

With God we shall do valiantly.

Father God, keep our eyes open and aware of the Wonders You provide. Help our hearts be open to Your Glories and Your Path and Plan. Reestablish and renew our appreciation of Your many kindnesses and compassion to us. 

Help us to be as bold as "Merry Christmas" and say "God bless you" for the times someone sneezes. Or even to not just say 'I will pray for you' - instead saying "I Will pray about this and ask Jesus to Bless your concern."

We hand our loved ones and our cares into Your capable hands. We ask for summer rain to refresh us and Your earth. In Jesus. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Isaiah 61 ~ Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.

Oak of Mamre old view, near Hebron, Palestine. Created by De Bar, published 1882

Historic Photo of the tree in Hebron, Oak of Mamre. Circa 1865.  For many, many years the Oak acorns were prorogationed from the old Oak.

Isaiah 61

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners^[blind]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the Lord,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.

7 Instead of your shame
you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.

8 “For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations
and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”

10 I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness
and praise spring up before all nations.

A long time ago, we had a home in our neighborhood, a colonial with blue shutters and shake wooden roof. Above the house was an amazing giant of an American Elm. The great tree was almost a Sequoia with a base of at least a six foot diameter. It made the house have a hidden and majestic quality. The neighbors agreed it was a delight to see when you turned into the main street. One day there was a ferocious roar and a team worked for two days to cut down the tree. The new owner of the house proclaimed the healthy tree to be too big and dangerous. One of the cutters told him the tree was older than the Declaration of Independence, it was a shame the tree had not been in the Dallas Arboretum.

The owner was amazed the neighbors were not pleased. He said he had to protect the shake roof. Unfortunately for him, a huge wind came up and destroyed the roof later in the year and the insurance would not pay to replace the shake roof. He was rather horrified and said he'd bought the house for the unusual roof. If the tree had been there to shelter the roof.....



 to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.

Now this is a true analogy. Stories in the Scriptures repeat and repeat. Abraham traveled a long way to dwell in the land promised to him.  After a long journey, these Oaks were an oasis, and called the Oaks of Mamre

Genesis 13:18
So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the LORD.


Genesis 18:1
The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day.

Genesis 12:3
"I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

How long did Abraham and his children look forward to the Oaks of Mamre being home? And what happened to this blessing?

Genesis 35:27
Jacob came home to his father Isaac in Mamre, near Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed.

Isaiah knew of Abraham's Mamre Oaks. The Oaks of Righteousness. Because for millenniums Oaks were reseeded to keep Abraham's Oak Grove going. Hebron, the city of Sarah and Abraham is also known for their venerated graves.  The Tomb of the Patriarchs, in Hebron.

God rejoices in HIS creation. The Cedars built the Temple.

Psalm 29:5
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

Psalm 80:10
The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches.



Psalm 104:16
The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.

Queen Victoria planted this area of the forest and built the wall.

Isaiah also gives us a theme for the city in which he dwells, Jerusalem.

They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the Lord,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.

David worked for 22 year without any apparent vision of success other than an anointing of God. Upon Saul's death, a concubine's son was crowned. And still David believed. Upon being crowned later, David, of the Tribe of Judah, decided to move the capital from Shiloh to Jerusalem. All the way back to Joshua, who succeeded Moses, the Tribe of Judah had been unable to claim the area around Jerusalem. This is why Jerusalem is called the City of David.

 The Temple of the LORD was entirely covered with gold.



Isaiah knew of these blessings through Hezekiah, who inherited the promises of David (if you look at the genealogy of Jesus, you will see Jesus claims both Hezekiah and Abraham). Hezekiah had a very practical father, King Ahaz. Ahaz was busy in his reign directing nature worship on the hills. All very poetic to be sure. Howeever Ahaz was hoping for the Temple, with the great trees, and then gold over the entire Temple, to be forgotten and broken into bits to keep the Assyrian army at bay. Hezekiah started with this practicality, and later listened to Isaiah to have the greatest reign in Israel after Solomon. His people were the only, in all of the Old or New Testament, who flocked to give to the LORD until they were asked to quit giving.


I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness
and praise spring up before all nations.

Father God, we ask to participate in the blessing you gave Abraham. We ask to be blessed and to be a blessing in return. 

When life gives us cursing, give us the power to discern if we are to rebuke that evil will flee or to wait patiently upon You.  Let us ask blessings for those who give us trouble - far away blessings. Give us the ability to be peacemakers and the ability to turn and depart. 

Let us remember to see with Your eyes mercy and Love. We thank you for the good news of Jesus Christ, healing the broken hearted, a crown of beauty, joy and the ability to have a heart for praise. Help us to grow into Oaks of Righteousness, bringing further Good News of the Love You give us. 

We would like to be the people You have blessed. In the Highest Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.


PS 
Father God. Lately I have heard a friend tell me Macular Degeneration, another friend said she is feeling like she is dying. I saw a dear Church family man in heated bent over prayer. And elder lady in our Church is unable to do her beloved bible study group in her home. There was a motorcycle accident with Church family husband and wife on two bikes. And and injury falling and in recovery. Edward has a severe diagnosis and lifts his day up in Jesus, with fewer tremors. Recently my High School best friend sent us Word she is marrying her long time beaux  and he was christened in a river.  Happy and blessed BBQ Wedding Reception. Another lady from our Church is widowed for 10 years having nursed her older husband for a long, diligent time and is engaged now!

I know my dear friend BBFHS has seen hard, difficult, dire times and she keeps telling her witness that Jesus is Living Water going where He is needed - we get bogged down and we are lifted when we know Jesus. Her FB page is alive with Christian witness. Jesus cured a woman I know from precancerous conditions in her stomach - her life has joy and good health again. Jesus is the Wind of the Spirit. We cast our cares upon Him and He truly cares for us. When we are bent with worries, Jesus would fold His Arm around us - like a mother hen with her chicks.

Thank You Father GOD, Lord Jesus truly saves. Amen in Jesus.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Matthew 1:18-24 ~ The Birth of Jesus the Messiah

The Nativity, painted by Ted Henninger

 

Matthew 1:18-24

8 Now the birth of Jesus Christ [the Christ] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed [engaged] to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”  (which means, God with us). (Isaiah 7:14)

24When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife!

Jesus is the Greek version of the Hebrew name Joshua, meaning 'God is salvation'.

Mary had choices, the angel heard Mary agree to God's plan. Joseph, also, had choices multiplying after looking for compassion. Jesus had choices as well. The Pharisees wonder if Jesus will flee - what choices Jesus would make. Jesus was asked for an interview by Greek Jews of Crete - Cretans have a reputation for laziness and gluttony - perhaps they heard Jesus was an eater and drinker - they wanted Jesus on Crete. Titus was one of the 70 disciples (2 were taken by fire, recall!) and Titus lived to be quite old according to old Church histories - the age of 94 as Bishop of Crete. Jesus was walking a different path. One of Salvation.

John 7:30-35
30 At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come. 31 Still, many in the crowd put their faith in him. They said, "When the Christ comes, will he do more miraculous signs than this man?"

32 The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him. 33 Jesus said, "I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me. 34 You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come."

35 The Jews said to one another, "Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? 36 What did he mean when he said, 'You will look for me, but you will not find me,' and 'Where I am, you cannot come'?"

John 12:19-28
19 So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

27 "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!"

Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 

Jesus, being in the world, was presented with options. Jesus, being God, wanted to fulfill God's plan of salvation. Because Jesus is our atonement, He is our Messiah. 

Thank you, Father, for the gift of Your Son. Thank you, Jesus, for your willingness to be grace and truth living among us. Thank you, Holy Spirit, You never depart from us.

Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Joshua 1:5
No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Proverbs 3:3
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Matthew 28:20
I am with you always

Father God, when You look to our Souls the only eternal aspect of us. What do You hope to see? You are not that far from us - dwelling within us - yet You are vast we ask to see with Your eyes what You delight in.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Love!!! Affection, appreciation, fondness, friendship, passion, respect, tenderness, yearning, adulation,
allegiance, ardor, attachment, cherishing, delight, devotedness, enjoyment, fidelity, involvement, and like.

Joy! Comfort, delight, elation, glee, humor, pride, satisfaction, wonder, exultation, frolic, gladness, gratification, indulgence, merriment, rejoicing, revelry, and good humor.

Peace ~ love, hope, bounce, reconciliation, truce, unity, affability, concord, tranquility, calm, forethought, groundwork, restfulness, reflection, optimism. Generosity.

Forbearance. Fortitude, endurance, moderation, restraint, temperance, easy going. PATIENCE.

Goodness ...the expectation thereof!

Faithfulness - the willingness to do the right action even at a cost. Knowing you are giving more than what what would have been done for you. Loyalty. Endurance. Recreating a spark. Remembering past gratitude. Adherence. Care. Constancy. Dependability, trustworthy, giving truth.

Gentleness - tenderness and kindness.

Self-control - restraint.

When we turn to the Lord - the Lord is Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And when we behold the Glory of the Lord we are transformed into the image of His Glory - and we differ in degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is a Holy Spirit.

Father God, You ask us to look for what is pure and good and each day God's mercies renew. It is in loving - we renew.

In Jesus,  we lift to You these qualities in ourselves, our loved ones, our friends, Church family, co-workers, merciful neighbors, and our communities, Churches, State, the Nation and the Nations worshiping You Father God. We ask Your blessings! Amen in Jesus. Always.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Matthew 18:10-14 ~ truly, I say to you, He rejoices

Matthew 18:10-14

10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven [For the Son of Man came to save the lost]. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 

13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.  

14 So it is not the will of my [your] Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Haters gonna hate.

What are going to do with today's evangelism? Sincerity.

If you look at 3 decades ago tapes of famous evangelism - you see some terrible fake, cheesy grins plastered on their faces. You just know the fruit from the tree is wholesome, but lemme tell you, I've wanted to write sincerely and say - please - Stop with the look. Yuckkkk. Let love be sincere.

Let us hear the reality - when your family had a fire in the house - people yelled at each other.

And I've seen some "peace-seeking, I'm Okay, You're Okay"s turn rabid over Christian viewpoints. Woooow. Joshua was told - be centered on balance - Jesus.

So... who is the hater..... the deist, the universalist, the humanist, the Christian?

Consider this - the Christianity that is rapidly fading away - is - the denominations who debunk the Bible! Hater Churches of put down fail to keep and hold. Fake uptight have failed to Love. The 1970 and 1980 Churches of perpetual optimism have fallen short of Sincerity and failed to reach Truth. The Easy Grace Churches find that in hard times - they fail to hold their easy come faith.

Where God's Love and Encouragement  Churches to Hope in Him with help facing the difficulties of life - in sincerity - Grow. Where the Holiness of God is encouraged.

We get to be the Best Church we can deliver. Our small lives - make the Church. Reach out in Love and never, never, never, never, never surrender the Good Fight to say God is Love.

What we need to abhor with understanding is the one who would pull God away from us.
Saying we are sad people who need an invisible friend. Run from people saying all of this is hypocrisy. Saying God would never lift His finger to help. Incorrectly saying the Bible is not the Word of God. Those who ridicule faith in God. Or debunk thinking God would not provide God Opportunities for us. Then we need to be counted as - sometimes silent - but always praying. God tells us not to fight because a useless quarrel is useless. But Prayer is not wasted. When the right to be heard is someone in the room needing to hear faith - Definitely SPEAK.



We get to pick Our Attitudes DAILY. Are we iron sharpening iron. We get decide to rise above or sink with bad attitudes wearing us down. We get to feel the Mercies of God renew each day. And pray with open hearts and open hands for loving hearts to continue on His good Path - Pleasing God.

Mostly in our evangelism - work to the teachable moments.

I watched a savvy Minister on TV speak to really neutral to skeptical reporters.

There wasn't dealing with a hater, but extremely different viewpoints of looking at Salvation. The Minister enjoyed talking to the bulldog, lock jawed reporter. He was amused at the tactics of the reporter - the Minister had game. The reporter could tell the Minister was amused and made witty come backs, the interview was going wellll; the reporter was happy. Later, the Facebook people made open minded, Scriptural comments. It was interesting and upbeat. Very unusual for a Salvation discussion.

When we look at the Law... who gets in to Heaven....

Luke 19:
1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.

 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”  

9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

It becomes more easy when we acknowledge this: we are never going to walk down the street, look up in a tree and be able to know the soul of a stranger. Religion is out. Relationship, not with human opinion, but with Jesus Christ has begun.

Who gets the shot at Salvation?

Joel 3:14
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

On that day, of Salvation, every single one of us will be known like Zacchaeus who lived in Jericho where Jesus was passing by.

Don't you believe with me that on the Day of Salvation - Jesus will tell us what He has seen in us that in our personalities, histories, lives and opinions He has rejoiced with us?

~ What about good men, who didn't know of Jesus. Will they be saved? Jesus never met the Centurion. Or his servant. What did Jesus do? He Found the Centurion in Faith and matched Faith for Faith.

Salvation....

1 Timothy 1:15
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

And this is for all people....

Philippians 2:12
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

It does Not say, work out the Centurion's salvation. What role do the others play in the centurion's salvation?

Luke 7:
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.

Intercession with prayer and Jesus.

Salvation.... it isn't a religion, it is a relationship.

Father God, Glory to You in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom Your favor rests. Because of Your grace given; the sacrifice of Jesus Christ Your Son, we are Your beloved. Help us to walk humbly with You and not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to. Help us look to You in all circumstances as the light of the world, increasing our measure of faith You've given us.

There are different kinds of working, but You are the same God working in all men. Equip us, please, with everything good for doing Your will. Please work in us what is pleasing to You. You daily load us up with Your benefits, please let us see them with grateful hearts, enlighten our eyes in faith, that our souls and beings may rejoice in Your hope and salvation. For the people we love and pray for, our neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, friends, Churches, State and Nation. We lift to You in expectation all of our prayer concerns. Amen. through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

2 Kings 19 ~ And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth.

2 Kings 18

When Hezekiah had paid the tribute of all the silver from the Temple and stripped the gold from the Temple doors. The king of Assyria sent his supreme commander, his chief officer and his field commander with a large army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem to threaten Hezekiah, puppet king of Judah.

36 But the people remained silent and said nothing in reply, because the king had commanded, “Do not answer him."

2 Kings 19

When King Hezekiah heard this, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the temple of the Lord. 2 He sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the secretary and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz. 3 They told him, “This is what Hezekiah says: This day is a day of distress and rebuke and disgrace, as when children come to the moment of birth and there is no strength to deliver them. 4 It may be that the Lord your God will hear all the words of the field commander, whom his master, the king of Assyria, has sent to ridicule the living God, and that he will rebuke him for the words the Lord your God has heard. Therefore pray for the remnant that still survives.”

5 When King Hezekiah’s officials came to Isaiah, 6 Isaiah said to them, “Tell your master, ‘This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid of what you have heard—those words with which the underlings of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. 7 Listen! When he hears a certain report, I will make him want to return to his own country, and there I will have him cut down with the sword.’”

8 When the field commander heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish, he withdrew and found the king fighting against Libnah.

9 Now Sennacherib received a report that Tirhakah, the king of Cush, was marching out to fight against him. So he again sent messengers to Hezekiah with this word: 10 “Say to Hezekiah king of Judah: Do not let the god you depend on deceive you when he says, ‘Jerusalem will not be given into the hands of the king of Assyria.’ 11 Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the countries, destroying them completely. And will you be delivered? 12 Did the gods of the nations that were destroyed by my predecessors deliver them—the gods of Gozan, Harran, Rezeph and the people of Eden who were in Tel Assar? 13 Where is the king of Hamath or the king of Arpad? Where are the kings of Lair, Sepharvaim, Hena and Ivvah?”

14 Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. 15 And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God.

17 “It is true, Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these nations and their lands. 18 They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. 19 Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God.”

20 Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I have heard your prayer concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria. 21 This is the word that the Lord has spoken against him:

“‘Virgin Daughter Zion
despises you and mocks you.
Daughter Jerusalem
tosses her head as you flee.
22
Who is it you have ridiculed and blasphemed?
Against whom have you raised your voice
and lifted your eyes in pride?
Against the Holy One of Israel!
23
By your messengers
you have ridiculed the Lord.
And you have said,
“With my many chariots
I have ascended the heights of the mountains,
the utmost heights of Lebanon.
I have cut down its tallest cedars,
the choicest of its junipers.
I have reached its remotest parts,
the finest of its forests.
24
I have dug wells in foreign lands
and drunk the water there.
With the soles of my feet
I have dried up all the streams of Egypt.”

25
“‘Have you not heard?
Long ago I ordained it.
In days of old I planned it;
now I have brought it to pass,
that you have turned fortified cities
into piles of stone.
26
Their people, drained of power,
are dismayed and put to shame.
They are like plants in the field,
like tender green shoots,
like grass sprouting on the roof,
scorched before it grows up.

27
“‘But I know where you are
and when you come and go
and how you rage against me.


Because you rage against me
and because your insolence has reached my ears,
I will put my hook in your nose
and my bit in your mouth,
and I will make you return
by the way you came.’

29 “This will be the sign for you, Hezekiah:

“This year you will eat what grows by itself,
and the second year what springs from that.
But in the third year sow and reap,
plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

Once more a remnant of the kingdom of Judah
will take root below and bear fruit above.

For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant,
and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors.

“The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

32 “Therefore this is what the Lord says concerning the king of Assyria:

“‘He will not enter this city
or shoot an arrow here.
He will not come before it with shield
or build a siege ramp against it.


By the way that he came he will return;
he will not enter this city,
declares the Lord.

I will defend this city and save it,
for my sake and for the sake of David my servant.’”

35 That night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies! 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there.

37 One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisrok, his sons Adrammelek and Sharezer killed him with the sword, and they escaped to the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son succeeded him as king.


Hollywood likes the scene of 2 Kings 18. The Assyrian King's bold idea to have his general address the people to ridicule their leader is used in several recent movies. This was used in the movie "Exodus: Gods and Kings". It's pretty theatrically terrifying.

However The Movies have never made a classic movie of Hezekiah. And really - classic, enduring movies are the movies repeating the Scriptures instead of changing them to be one person's unique interpretation.

Yet...we have all lived 2 Kings 19. We have family, friends, loved ones, neighbors who love to tell us our faith is mistaken, misplaced, and not intelligent. When Life offers us no opportunity to comment with correction - are we a disappointment to Father God? And even if the tone of the conversation is warm enough to say "You believe what you believe and I believe differently" with kindness, yet the sorrow of not making a bridge to God - have we been a head shake to our Father God?

Clearly, when no word can come to make assurances of faith - being kind or even silent with prayer - is Not Wrong.
God speaks with us in our hearts and we know when there is no opportunity that day. The people were told to be silent. God handled the rest. Father God well understands there are seasons to speak and seasons always to pray. We should not rest in the season permanently!

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Even this passage explains that the Word of God protects Israel and their enemy is struck down. His Plan Endures.

Isaiah 51:6
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.

Psalm 103

10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

Hezekiah dared to strip the Temple of the money to function and to remove the gold from the doors. God is honoring Hezekiah for turning to Father God so completely. God could very well have laughed and said, "Oh last resort?" Jesus tells us God is our Father and glad to help.

Judah was never conquered by the Assyrians.

Father GOD, We pray for a path forward in Jesus. That God would bless us with a gentle peace for our journey with God. And in the Eternity You, Father God, provide in Jesus, help us strengthen, restore, renew the dear ones we know we will know for eternity. And help us not leave those behind. In our neighborhoods, friends, co-workers, State and Nation. AMEN and ALLELUIA.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †