When we go to Church - we see at the Center - the Cross. The Symbol Jesus has overcome death, Jesus has Victory in overcoming the world - the Cost of God's Love for us. Personally and uniquely. This altar cloth is the people coming to Jesus The Lord.
Eyes on Jesus.
Joshua 1:6-8
"Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 "Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8 "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success."
Jesus kept on explaining Scripture of Ages and fulfilling all Scripture.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
How did Jesus do this? Overcoming. Working through things. Like His own Brothers being a work in process. Jesus allowing for the Journey.
2 Timothy 1
This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.
What did Jesus actually do to call mankind to Him in this life?
Galatians 5
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
This is the definition of Jesus: The Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
The news shows we are in climate of work, fear, anger and war. God is not worried.
The Victory of Jesus had the Temple over run with around 1.2 million people according to the numbers historically (Josephus) of what the Temple held when this was called "multitudes." The Victory continues as more that a third of the World believes Jesus is the Lord. This has gone up from a hundred years ago. And has been the Great Commission for 2,000 years. Christianity is the World's Largest Belief. The wild winds of life might howl - Jesus Christ is God and God is in Control. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Whoooooop.
Lately, I have been SURPRISED.
Surprised at the tone of people in fear. This Supreme Court decision is not shocking, at all. We follow in the steps of mankind. Historically. Greece did this and so did Rome. Nero (54-68 A.D.) participated in same sex weddings and so did a Roman Emperor in the 3rd century. The Roman Republic existed from 500 B.C until 27 B.C. when Rome became highly militarized with General Gaius Marius (107–27 BC) (The Step Grandfather of Julius Caesar.) Then existed in The Roman Empire until 476 A.D.
Was this the end of Christianity when the pendulum swung to the unusual marriage laws of Caesar Augustus in 14 B.C.? Absolutely... NOT.
Fear because of...
Bullies - what do you do with them? Well in 1st grade I encountered a HUGE 3rd grader who lived on a rather steep hill. I weighed about 45 lbs and he probably weighed 90 lbs. And he liked to run at me with his stomach puffed up and knock me over and then knock me over and then knock me over. One day as he ran at me and I was seriously worried that I would die from falling down the hill, which looked huge to me at 45 lbs. (But I survived the one in France when I was 30 lbs. God builds us up.)
One day as this kid ran at me - I saw. This was an overweight kid. In a dirty shirt. With pain on his face as he rushed me. With his belly button revealed in a shirt that was too small for him. And as he ran at me, he reminded me of one of my friends. And I said to him in a coo voice, "I see your belly button, oh, yes, I do." He came to a dead stop. And he was puzzled what to do. He said, "I'm going to knock you down that hill." And I said in the same voice, from out of no where, "Nope, you aren't, because I get back up." And he said watch me and he proceeded to slowly knock me down the hill. With his stomach. And I wrapped my arms around him and said, "I guess you needed a hug and we are going to roll down that hill together." And I held on to him. Enfolded him. And he said, after about three minutes, in this bewildered tone, "This is odd." I said I guess you needed a hug and you are very huggable.
And he asked, "Am I?" I said, "Yes, you are good to hold." And we stood there. For probably 15 minutes. And his friend came out from the next door and said,"What are you doing?" With his face very surprised. My huggable Friend said, "I'm trying to knock her down the hill and she is hugging me." I said, "He is huggable."
And his friend said, "Shake her off and let's run her down the hill." He said very, very softly. "I don't want to." And I said equally as softly, "If you shake me off I will hug you again." And he said, "What about him?" Still softly. "Well, he has to get his own hugs." Really. Was the reply.
AND... we were IN MOTION SUDDENLY. Fast - Bounced off and I had hurt feelings and my friend was running at me. He had pushed off and backed up by jogging backwards. He was running full tilt at me with a laughing bully to cheer him on. I felt like crying and was now in fear for the fast changing climate. And He ran at me and said softly, "Catch me. Only me." And I did what I was told, more out of fear. And he hugged me. And said, "RUN!" And I did and now I had a Huge Bully and a small bully chasing me. And as I got to the end of the hill - down barreled my Large Friend. I had made it, I was free of the hill! And I turned and saw my Large Friend headed my way. Both of us were so glad and He got another hug.
The next day it was time to go home about dinner time and there was my Large Ex-bully Friend. Waiting to knock me down the hill by himself. And we had about four hugs of dodge the hill. And we got to the end of his yard (end of the hill) and I said," I think instead of running fast down the hill I will stand here and enjoy the view." And he said, "Oh damn, no. The small bully will see us." I said, "Well you'll have to shake me off." "Oh, crud." So we stood there and he said, "Ok, time for you to go on home now, I won't chase you down the hill, I almost slipped!" (That comment made me rather angry as the glee faded - no kidding the hill was a a little steep.)
And the next day it was two bullies, but the game had changed. This time my Large Friend ran to make sure he got the hug and the little bully had no space to tackle. Smaller bully whined. My Larger Friend said, "Get your own hugs."
And one day soon, my friend Nori's mom said, "What is this about the child next door knocking you down the hill?" Oh bravo, perfect timing. I needed you two or three weeks ago. So NOW, she was determined to stand there in her fierce apron and watch me hug My large friend. Up goes the apron to her eyes. Oh wow, Adult help. Cry. Great.
The next day, Nori's mom said, "That was the loveliest thing I ever saw. His mom makes him leave the house from 8 a.m. until dark, he has little food and no supervision." When we gathered a hug watching crowd, the event began to be OVER.
I loved the interviewer for the respect given to T.D. Jakes, saying T.D. Jakes makes many things understandable and good to know in the love of Jesus Christ.
Know the truth and the truth will set you free.
John 3:8
The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Acts 2:1-47
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.
And...this about direction and Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Jesus traveled by wind, He caught the wind and went across the Galilean Sea 3 times a day to see - sinners. His People.
God says we were born to do His Work. Know the climate - know the 1, 2, 3, 4th Century of why God is important to our lives and we do not hunker down in the fear of the culture and instead we say "JESUS goes where He is needed and Jesus Will Help You."
What is the Good News of Jesus saves the living and the Widow's Only Son? "GOD has come to help His People."
Know the direction of God. T.D. Jakes continued, "We know know we exist as a Nation to protect individual rights and Christians will seek our rights under the Constitution."
"Churches, people, and individuals will do well to remain looking to Jesus to provide the doors of the Church to be open to the people of God. All People. Some Churches will be moderate, some conservative, some liberal and all individuals and their needs will be met in different aspects and blessings of God's Nature."
"We look to the Bible Believing Churches of Jesus to provide our Way, Truth and Life."
T.D. Jakes went on to say, " We know the Christian Church is slipping and that we are loosing numbers. We need our Churches to be welcoming to God's People." We need to do this personally and individually.
The WORD of GOD says the Body of Christ has many parts. We need to bring the Love Jesus has for us Forth. We do this because we all sit at a round table of God, we have talents, gifts and Love to see this issue differently and focus on Jesus. Father Brian pointed out WHY we WANT TO BRING JESUS FORTH FOR HIS GRACE - Because we have Children we want to fully know the Love of Jesus Christ and HIS SALVATION.
Why would we bother to give the Love Jesus Has? Because HIS LOVE fills US. GOD LOVES US FIRST AND PERFECTLY then we are blessed just to give a little bit back.
We can take all of our problems - make them into a pineapple and try to swallow that in just one bite. But Glory to God - Jesus gives us work to do and we do this - we take the work life gives us, we do the work with prayer and problem solving ability and prayer and prayer, and then we overcome. And then we say "WE DID IT! TADA!" And that overcoming gives us Hope, Character, Endurance, and FAITH. And in that LOVE, God says, "See you did shake in the bake and I Helped...!" AND when we have overcome that - God says with you - We got just a little bit stronger.
That is the way Life creates Hope, Faith and Love. And the greatest of these is Love and we GO FORTH WITH GOD. That altar covering is saying - All the People Go Forth to See Jesus. We can put down our worries and Cares - For GOD IS GOING TO KEEP CARING ABOUT US. Eyes on Jesus. Amen in Jesus for our loved ones, our families, our friends, our co-workers, Church, neighbors, State and Nation. Jesus has Overcome and Will and Will And WILL. OH Father God, Texas prays for a good few days of soaking rain and cooler temperatures if You will. Amen in Jesus.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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