Acts 26 ~ I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today

Paul before Agrippa, by Nikolai Bodarevsky

How will we find this Scripture Living and Active Today?

 

Acts 26

26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”

So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: 2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

4 “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. 6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

9 “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic,[a] ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”

24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”

25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”

32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

I am Thankful for...

Agrippa was the last of the Herods. And campaigned with Rome when Rome struck Judah. In 66 AD, before Titus destroyed Jerusalem, at the time Jesus would have died of old age, Agrippa was comfortably in Rome with his good friend the Historian Josephus. Josephus and Agrippa discussed and wrote a lot of history together and Josephus kept two of Agrippa's letters, available to be seen today.

Agrippa, like all the Herods, was well educated in Rome. He was housed in comfort to die childless at age 70 - as Roman Praetor - a title granted to men acting in one of two official capacities. This Agrippa was not in power when Jesus was alive.

Now remember with me, Agrippa and Josephus thought there was something to - JESUS. They both thought that if Jesus remained a power after His Death - one should pay attention.


Paul spun his wheels giving his witness to Agrippa? Hmmmm.
How was Paul able to testify so well in this trouble?

My Thanksgiving was wonderful thank you!
Not many are so fortunate.  Many people expected family to gather and life to have some Joy. And found disagreements, hostility and a return of old arguments.

So... with extrapolation, there was a presentation with drama at Thanksgiving. It's a funny thing about people, they are not going to raise their hand and say "Wow, you put a question mark in my mind to discuss deeper issues with some thought for some time."

And what Paul did - was plant a powerful seed carried to Josephus and regardless if you feel kind about Josephus saying what is what in history about Christians - there is no doubt Josephus spoke three times and one was the idea that Jesus supporters keep going. The other one was clearly that the death of James, was the death of Jesus' brother and a saint. Jesus was honored by these men and their voice resonates today.


This was not fruitless Christian Witness. Thank you, Paul.

Comforts Given

How did Paul do so well with prison and death and Caesar and his testimony.

And of course, we can say the Holy Spirit aided him. Yes. I agree. Thank Jesus.

And this, Jesus did not lead Paul to this moment like an impossible leap off the cliff job. Paul wrote us about his comforts - so that today - we could take comfort in our lives that Jesus cares very deeply about. Telling us if we have seen Jesus in action, and believe Scripture - we know our Father God and the comfort and interest HE has in our lives.

Paul was not building a Cathedral. Paul was building a relationship with Father God - the light that lights all of mankind. Paul was putting relationship ideas there.

And Paul told us again and again and again and again and again - Paul genuinely cared for and loved the people he told about Jesus.

Romans 12:15
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind

I adore the movie "Zombieland." And the set of rules he keeps towards staying alive. This rule could be very important like keeping limber. Thanksgiving Rule Number Three - rejoice with rejoicers. Weep with those who weep. Thanksgiving Rule Number Four - when they call you names and yell at you - don't yell back - there is no ANGER AND RAGE WITH THE RAGERS!!!

How did Paul get to the point where he loved the people he told Jesus about?
Good question. The Bible is very real. People really did a number on Paul. He was beaten and destroyed and chased by the good people.

Life had revealed to Paul - situations change fast.
Paul realized this very important Rule in Life. You could call this Rule Number Two, if you like:

1 Timothy 6:
6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.

Paul has been seasoned to do the Life Paul clearly understood.
Paul has had many, many trials and has overcome. He is a little proud as he tells us

2 Corinthians 11
24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren

Now, you might be like me and say "Oh, no. God Forbid." Ok, right I don't want these things either. Give me the life of Billy Graham, and I rejoice. Hezekiah!!! But I have noticed in 5 decades of life - God is teaching me to do my life. He is building abilities, aptitude, endurance, overcoming, and glee at overcoming.

Romans 5
3 Not only so, but wec also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

So if you had a difficult Thanksgiving... Paul had worse.
If not, call the police.

If you survived?!!

He that fights and runs away, May turn and fight another day; But he that is in battle slain, Will never rise to fight again. ~Tacitus

You just did like the Amazing Paul. You have learned to survive and to sharpen up in love and wisdom.

1. Survival - actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment!

2. Perseverance - let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

3. Love - the greatest of all things in letting you know you LIVE and Live Abundantly - is to Love.
Love those around you. God sees all hearts and says Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow HE has decided to save us through His only Son. God will pour love into open hearts.

4. Character - having dodged bullets and found ways to zig zag! We can relate to life and pass our opportunities, wisdoms and rejoicings along to others.


There actually is great contentment with godliness. When we believe the Father, Author of Life, Creator of All things Loves you - your heart is going to be warm. When our soul is the only surviving part of us - we had better make that a good place to dwell. In contentment - we will find our first Spiritual fruit - Love and Joy.

Bloom where you are planted, find Thanks. And Giving.



Father God, You have said
All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.

The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.

You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him.

We believe Your blessing Father God, for ourselves, the ones we Love, the People You have given us. We believe Your Blessing for Our Jesus and Scripture believing Churches. We believe this for Your people around the world. We will believe this for Our Nation. And in Jesus - this Hope, Faith and Love - we will rise up believing Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Revelation 21 ~ coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God

Revelation 21

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 

2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place [tabernacle] of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people [peoples], and God himself will be with them as their God. 

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.”

5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” 

9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 1

0 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 

12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed— 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia [About 1,380 miles; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters]. Its length and width and height are equal. 17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits [about 18 inches or 45 centimeters] by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement. 18 The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, clear as glass. 

19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.

22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.

 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.

 27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.




We are running a race. All have the same destination according to Joel 3 and Romans 1.
Where are we running to?

Well one of the things we believe as Christians is that we want to share how much Father God loves us and when we are accounted for - believe Jesus, as God's son, would call us His Own. And cover us with His Righteousness.

Now, we can never do this:
Pay for our Salvation with good deeds.
Be punished to earn our Salvation again.

Well if we don't do good deeds, we haven't pleased God. And God is big and scary?

Isaiah tells us in His 66th Chapter and Acts 7

1 Thus says the Lord:
“Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool;
what is the house that you would build for me,
and what is the place of my rest?
2 All these things my hand has made,
and so all these things came to be,
declares the Lord.

And perhaps people fear to be blind zealots and declarers of the Most High God, as if He needs and yearns and feeds upon us like Isis thinks He does.

Mankind fears we will all be like Mr. Smith clones in the Matrix Movie, blindly being filled with God and not having room to be photographers, dabblers, football game watchers, paper napkin for Thanksgiving contemplators. Mankind fears his essence is unneeded.


We have not pleased God if we believe He "needs" us to prompt Jesus.

Joshua had a very balanced understanding of Father God. He wanted us to be centered on God. Leaning not to the right of austerity and duty. And not to the left of God is Love and all mercy and it's all good all the time. Joshua knew if Joshua followed the framework of God's goodness putting this forth for his household choosing to serve the Lord and for those who loved God, they would have success in God. God told them to believe Him with courage.

What did Father God say about this balance and God? Not tsk tsk.

Deuteronomy 28
12 The Lord will open to you his good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands. And you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. 13 And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you shall only go up and not down, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, being careful to do them, 14and if you do not turn aside from any of the words that I command you today, to the right hand or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

David spent years of quiet time shepherding his family's livestock. Anointed of God as a child, David lived great hardship training to do Father God's Good Work prepared for him to walk in. David was equipped to do what God called him to do. And David loved Father God expecting Father God to just sneak in His goodness in all ways. David knew Father God to be a Good Father.

David knew the Love coming down out of Heaven from God, having the glory of God.

How High, How Deep, How Wide is the Love Father God has for you, His Child. His Beloved. God created and knows all the Heavens and all the stars. He surely knows the name He gave you and your gifts and talents.

2 Samuel 7

Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me.[c] Your throne shall be established forever.’” 17 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.


18 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 19 And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord God. You have spoken also of your servant's house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord God! 20 And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord God! 21 Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it. 22 Therefore you are great, O Lord God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23 And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making himself a name and doing for them great and awesome things by driving out before your people, whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, a nation and its gods?

Revelation 21 is another passage of His Word and His Promises telling us 2 Samuel 7.
Jesus Himself told us - know the Scriptures - know the Power of God.


Hebrews 12  


1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 

 12-15 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled

 18-19 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking.

 28-29 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.  


Isaiah 40:31  
They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint!!!! 

 Luke 1:37  
For nothing will be impossible with God



 Father God, dwell within us each day, be our strength, our hope, our direction.

 Your beloved reaches out hands in prayer, that You will touch each day with Your hope, faith and Love. This is the day that the Lord has made. In You and in us, 

Jesus Christ dwell in our lives daily. In the highest name of Jesus Christ, all honor and glory to You, O LORD. Amen. 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Prayer and the Bible

When we repeat Scripture we are doing something pleasing to God.  The Word of God IS Jesus Christ the Lord.

2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 




I'm currently taking a video class on the Power of God's Healing by Rev Francis MacNutt and his wife Judith at my Church HopePointe Anglican. https://www.facebook.com/ChristianHealingMin. This married couple, the MacNutts,  have had God's Amazing Successes with Prayer for Fifty Years. Successes like the The Book of Acts  - like this -

Ephesians 2:7
In order that in the coming ages, He might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

My mother's dear friend  Patricia, a doctor, was healed from failing blood vessels in her eye and cataracts from following Judith and Francis' MacNutts Prayer and Healing Services Honoring Jesus Christ.

This has been profoundly wonderful in Jesus. Our class at HopePointe Anglican prayed for a man who was from Arizona and headed with reoccurring mouth cancer to M.D. Anderson for a physician's referral for mouth cancer surgery. He decided, being Agnostic, to reply quite kindly by email to our class's offer for a healing prayer visit that he'd appreciate the prayers but not a visit. When he arrived at M.D. Anderson, the Lord had healed his mouth cancer. My husband has been ill and has responded with healing for the last 8 weeks. A lady in our class has had her several year cancer scan report zero cancer found for the first time, recently.

The mystery of faith is amazing; Reverend Francis MacNutt points out - God heals willingly. The sins we have were taken on by Jesus on the Cross. We are not God and His will and His ways awe and inspire us about the Great Love God has. Francis goes on to saying God heals with vast, pervasive empathy pervasive. He is forgiving and gentle.

We prayed for an Episcopal Priest at age 89 with heart failure, bed bound, he is healed.



Jesus was asked by two disciples about power in Prayer. God answers us lovingly - when we pray His Will Be Done.

Jesus tells us in Romans 9:15
For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

The mystery of God alone knowing our hearts. His ways, His Plan. Jesus tells us this:

Luke 4:26
And yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 "And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian."

Proverbs 14
9 Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is good will. 10 The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy.

Prayer is conditional and depends upon God's Loving Will! 
Like the Garth Brook's song "Thank God for Unanswered Prayers" - God is Greater than our wisdom. We thank God for His Will and Plan! God is our Hope and Future!

Acts 1:24
Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart."

Hebrews 13:21 
Jesus our Lord equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may HE work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.

Thank You, Father God, You hear us in all our prayer requests, for the Glory of God. Be with the students doing work this time of year and all who faithfully call upon You, to be upheld in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.


Amen.


Thank YOU, Father God, You hear all prayer when we call upon Jesus. Your ways are not our ways, but Your wisdom, goodness and Love exceed beyond our imaginings. Bless You for Your Plan. Your robe would not fit in the Temple, but Your Word fills the very Universe.

We love because Your Great Love is a spark that Lights all of mankind. Father God, Your Word is eternal, help us each day to have words and actions that cause You joy.

Forgive us when we do not cause You Joy, please. Be our Loving Shepherd and help us to be willingly centered upon You in Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

John 1:29-34 ~ I have seen

John 1:29-34

~ (Revised Standard Version)

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

This is he of whom I said, `After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.' I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel."

And John bore witness, "I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, `He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' "

And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."



Recently I watched a special on the 2,500 to 3,000 year old mummies found scattered in China. It was really well done, they documented the success and failure to obtain DNA from each mummy and told about the known history of each person. One was a 5 year old boy buried with beautiful blankets, woven with great care. The loss of the blankets to the family indicated how much the child was held in esteem. Another a young woman with beautiful skin clothing and jewelry. A man they thought might have been a king, buried with a horse. Everyone was surprised to find the DNA indicated a high level of travel, there was Eastern European, India and a blend of DNA from around the world.

It is human nature to come from the beautiful miracles of John the Baptist's birth and Jesus' to wonder how John can say, twice, he didn't know Jesus. Or Jesus came before John, when John is older.

Jesus is the Word of God, with God, in the beginning of creation. Proverbs also tells us about the joy Jesus found in Creation. Jesus was... before John.

How and why didn't John the Baptist know Jesus - his cousin? Why can't we be more surprised by the rest of the 1st Chapter of John. Men meeting Jesus for the first time declared to each other "this is the Son of God" in both verse 41 and verse 49 of John 1. This is far more astonishing - Jesus has men leaving their way of life behind to become His disciples in a mere afternoon of listening to Jesus.

So why, why doesn't John recognize his cousin Jesus? It's pretty obvious when we add up what we know. It seems we must look at this question. John's parents were old when he was born. As people become very aged, they do not travel greatly. Traveling was difficult even for the young. John's parents lived 90 miles from Jesus. John surely heard, in his youth, about Jesus and the "funny circumstances" surrounding the quick wedding of pregnant, un-wed cousin Mary. When we see the Gospels record only cousin Elizabeth's support for Mary, we must also remember John the Baptist probably heard more of the rumors from more of the family - who are not remembered in the Scriptures.

So .... why didn't John recognize Jesus??? For the same reasons we didn't recognize Jesus until we invited Him to be part of us. Before we really knew Him: we heard about Jesus from other sources. Not all the sources were credible. Family (Church) is sometimes boring and the time it takes to get there and back is too long. Why put the effort into going when people aren't always nice? We missed the family get-togethers (Church) for so long, people hassle us about That too. If you don't remember the family stories correctly there is mocking. It's all a big tangle to sort out and we have other things to do.

Then, more importantly, it comes to the decision time. As John grew spiritually into God's plan for him, Jesus became important to him. John took the time to dwell and think about who Jesus is. God revealed not just family, a good man, but a Savior. John, bravely, and with certainty says, "And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."


Father God,
When John the Baptist died, Jesus gave food to thousands, we call that gathering where food is given - a funeral luncheon. Honoring someone Jesus loved. Ephesians tells us as God's Word, we will live in Heaven sorting out all things with Jesus' Awe of Grace upon Grace. Not just Thanksgiving for today, Thanksgiving for all days. Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.

We Give You Thanks, Father God, for Your Wonders and Your Promises to us and to those we love and we will not be far, instead in diligence prayer conversation. Jesus The Lord. God Almighty. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

1 Timothy 4 ~ For everything created by God is good

1 Timothy 4

  Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.


6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers




This Post is very long winded. If you read this Post all the Way Through ~ You will be Encouraged.

Oskar Schindler (28 April 1908 – 9 October 1974) an ethnic German industrialist, spy, and member of the Nazi Party who is credited with saving the lives of 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his enamelware and ammunitions factories




How did Oskar get to the place where his faith made a difference?

He was an adulterer, a parent freeloader, had children out of wedlock, was in debt and jailed, was arrested for public drunkenness, employed as a spy, worked as a double crosser, jailed for kissing a Jewish girl. And he did more to save lives more than most saints. What is a saint? A saint is someone who believes God and works to make their words and actions pleasing to God every day. Why? As a thank you for the price we were bought with. A precious, innocent Son - saving, healing, redeeming and forgiving - put to death as a criminal so Father God would overlook my flaws, sins and weaknesses and welcoming me as God the Father, and His prodigal child.

I don't know about you, but reading about Oskar Schindler - he might have had generational sins and Jesus did what Jesus does - overcomes.

After World War II was over, Oskar was given a gold ring inscribed "Whoever saves one life saves the world entire." Because everyone wanted to get Schindler.

Schindler must have set his hope on a living God - because most people did not do as much as he did.
Jesus the Savior of all people, especially those who believe enough to do something so very risky - to save lives.

Command and teach these things.
Watch Your Progress.
Keep a close watch on yourself
And on the teaching
Persist
Save yourself (by staying with the Authority of God)
and your hearers.

I grew up in a denomination that had 12 million Americans. In the 1990s they began to preach that "the New Testament was written by us and we could change that." "We have always brought Scripture to the current times" and times have changed. I grew up in these parochial schools when the Gospel whole and full was preached and believed. My step-grandfather was a priest in this Church for 50 years. And he said that going to the National Convention in the 1970s told him the Church was going to fall for their liberal view on divorce. Tate said that divorce and Church go hand in hand. And he was basing that on something Biblical and True.

About the time in the 1990s, I went the funeral of a good friend's mother. She had been very, very active in her Church for 37 years and the Minister got up to praise her saying, "This Fine Lady knew that her duty was her Church - right or wrong - loyalty." It was the chorus of the whole eulogy.

I came home and told Edward about all the confusion of the Sermons and the Eulogy and Edward said, "This is like the Sound of Music where the nun cuts the Nazi cables and says, 'Reverend Mother' I have something to confess.' The Reverend Mother says no, in effect, to give justice with mercy is good. We left our life long Church to find Scripture honored.


Judgement, we are called to be in Wisdom. Not in comfort.
We are called not to be Judgmental to discourage the path of others.
We are called to be in Wisdom to avoid the perils in our path.

We are trying to accomplish the Gospel of Love. God is Love. Putting God's Instructions and His Plan in place, is our direction.

Few of us grow in comfortable arm chairs.

We have reached the point in the World again. Terrorists groups who desire to instill fear, hurt, kill and advance the Kingdom of Heaven screaming "God is Good" have us believing that putting ourselves at war to fight those who hide would work. Have us believing maybe our culture is in dire straights.

And as God works to bring Good out of adversity; Have us believing now we want to look for teachable moments to express why we Love Jesus beyond the traditional pat answers.


Micah 6
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God



Life is getting different from Mary Tyler Moore.
Different from Leave it to Beaver.
This society will understand this statement - we have children in our families and know people with social and behavioral and attitude and religious beliefs. Children
who had drug and alcohol issues. We have had parental neglect and substance abuse and unemployment
and attitudes of the Jesus awareness and love during Civil Rights and afterward.

From entertaining the TV each night and lot's secretly nod and go out to Church and pretend to agree
with philosophy that sounds naive and unreliable
or like if you agree you are weird or a secret, but we nod
And sure we all want to be a martyr.
And does this show? Yes. the Crystal Cathedral is done.

THE TRUTH IS THE SCRIPTURES ARE TRUE. LIVING A LIFE OF FAITH - WILL SHOW US THIS TRUTH - LIVES, MOVES, FILLS OUR BEING AND TRIUMPHS.

There are 3,000 True Pages in the Bible - we can't do them all every day - we need to be brave, truthful, reliable and find what GOD would have us do Today. Go to sleep saying earnestly, "Father God, I hope You are pleased with me Today with what You Brought."

We act like we are gearing up to Street Preach - We need to put our real lives and our real choices
and come up with the True Answer of  Not Someday
TODAY How Do We Please God.

I have heard people, not from my Church, say that they are Church teachers - of mothers of young children and teenagers learning about God and when their dating grandparents come - then they tell the teens - the grandparents can cohabitate - it's ok. Their kids don't come home much now. This one I spoke up on. Mildly, I said "Nope, that's not the policy at our house." My brother called me on this and I said because that could get soooo bad. My brother is an attorney and after I fed him all the Dr. Seuss of on a train, in a plane, in the air situations - even he said, "NEVER MIND." Ha.

My son said the worst person at his athletic gym job was the Leadership of another Church. Mr Leadership was  daily outraged the High School Swim Team could swim and he wanted his own lane fully knowing what time the Swim Team met. He then showed up at our opening Church, not his own Church, to get the microphone and preach about God's Goodness. No one tells the Church what their spokesman is doing daily.

And you know, this one was my fault. I had a responsibility to call that Church, get that Minister/Pastor on the phone and say, "Hey, your Leader needs to pipe down, my son sees him daily and he is making a splash."  My son said this man was instrumental in helping him want away from the faithful of Jesus. So for this one, Father God, I apologize a lot and earnestly.

The Truth is we have to really seek God to apply our gifts and talents to the spectacular
culture we have now.

We do not do well to be the Shove It Down Your Throat Door Knockers of Perpetual Jesus.
Edward tells the joke of the man who stands at the door with the Police and says, "You can't fool me, I see you are Jehovah Witnesses!" Yep, easily disregarded.

Or the Truly Good Hearted Person who is going to let you know in Power, That They Are Muscular Christianity And You are Overpowered. Tsk tsk tsk. They Have The Answers. And their attitude says the tsktsk should work?

Well obviously they are terrible people. NO. We have been taught to preach the Gospel the way some of our more Authority Driven Parents have Indeed Parented Us - Just Like This. This is the way I was brought up since I was in third grade - DO THIS. And we do NOT. Because we think - secretly! "I hated being taught like that!" And the truth is - these are the nicest people. Like your mom and dad, saying if you don't do your homework, Oh My GOD In HEAVEN - You Might Wind UP Under A Bridge!!!"

We are actually in the point in Society where we have to defend and maintain and soften and help the people who think we still need to run down and flattened and "Serve" by GOT ALL THE ANSWERS ALL THE TIME CHRISTIANITY.





What are we going to do with all this?
Use Wisdom to See The Scriptures which really deal with real life and not just use subtitles.

We are not all Missionaries.
We are not all Evangelists.
We all Participate in the Great Commission - we just need to effectively learn our skills, our calling, our part
and please God every day - with the Life Today - He has Given us. 

Noah knew his job was his calling. And he got drunk and permanently made his relationship with his son not so fine. Noah did this for the terrible sadness of seeing so many people perish around him.

Paul spend a lot of time, as did Peter, preaching to the already faithful. It is a genuine calling to bolster the lives of the faithful. 

I got some super great advice recently that will change my life. It echoes what Beth Moore said in one of her Bible Studies that "No" is sometimes the right answer.

My advice was a horse back teacher who said don't ride every horse you see. This is in Salvation too. Feel free to tell someone and get that co-helper and not wrangle.

I have someone recently who told me they read fantasy about Elves and Fairies and now take the magazine and do the articles that are magic. And, hilariously, some of this is malicious. So, it's real. Yep, it's real. And most of us get a handle on - sorcery - is not something you just say nod to. The Bible says flee. Flee.

What else is flee? Sexual sin. If your handyman, your friend's husband, or the neighbor decide to put hands upon you or if they just suggest something explicit or a man starts asking for lunch and visits - time to not go see them or do lunch - or have a paved path to Sexual sin. Out.

I was asked to help out with alcoholism. A person with severe alcoholism. I did. And was willing to help, and did. Until it became so severe it was an out of wack sexual thing. And My Church - Saw This - And that Person was spoken to by The Lady in Authority and that ended. That is Serving God. And I am still grateful to have that assistance.

What if you neighbor cusses you out over something you are astonished for and realize later didn't happen? You respond with kindness and give some distance. What if the next thing that happens is you are chewed out over Speeding at 24 mph. You start wondering if you have seen them doing something else that might warrant real concern and if there are odd patterns. And later they walk down the street out, of their way to speak politely. Well I tell you what, that is the absolute best for FORGIVE.

What do you do with people who just want to be near you because they want something from you, like you have money. You know God used Oskar Schindler's ability to run a business and turned him into a saint.

We think that we are supposed to be :

Judgmental - we are, we are supposed to chose a Godly framework for our lives. Yes the Scriptures promote the idea of Wisdom.

What do you do if your worker for 13 years quits doing the work
and you find out that they have terrible, terrible, terrible personal problems?
Like the police are involved and it's not their fault. Well, you invite them to have a conversation with you and look at you to discuss what can be done. Even if all around you say, if they don't work, they don't have a job, so fire them. So the appointment is missed and they lie to you they did do the work and they arrive 2 weeks later. Well, you frankly, do not know what to do and you praise GOD your husband was there and didn't like the look on their face as they lied and they were told - here is two weeks - we won't debate the fact you haven't been here for a month and so long. And you pray for them.
Thank God for people who help you, like a husband who said, "No."

Turn the other cheek. Wow, we just think we should hang a plaque or a shingle and live there.

What if it needed more communication? The Bible is filled with disagreements and earnest and needed fights. For Growth.

What if you were supposed to say "Do not Disregard me"

1 Timothy 4:12 Message
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are insignificant, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

What if people were called to be responsible for their
attitudes and actions for all their life like people could see them?

Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture
to exhortation,
to teaching.

Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy



What Gift do we have?

If you have eyes - see
If you have ears - hear

Exxon is our largest, most profitable company.
They offer retirement and clear set of rules  for work and reward.

I knew a woman everyone liked and was promoted in Society to run a Ballet Society among other things.
She was terrible, absolutely terrible to her family in terrible ways.
She did not end well. Her family mostly did not end well. Elbows out and fake to the glamour hilt -
will not sustain any of us.

I knew a woman who had flaws, yet even when she had Christian doubts - she sustained her family, her company, her Church, her philanthropies - she lived to be 104 years old this year - and she left her company to her employees. Her motto in her Ebby life was - return your phone calls daily. Be kind daily. Answer your phone messages daily. Hope the best for all people. Encourage others.

I know a man who had no direct descendants. He did his best to father his family. He was thorough, a perfectionist, direct, and gave to his family and gave. He was not any success until he was 60 and he rose the head of his industry. Making magazine covers 10 years after his death. I am very proud of my great-uncle in law who lived a full life to age 94.

I have been part of priests families. I have seen Churches not do right by their ministers, pastors or priests. I see Godly men rise again. One long time priest, last year, saw his 30 year Church have all new staff and not care for his dying family. He had trouble finding a priest to bury them. A sad turn of events when you are in your 90s. And what did he do? He lamented and his family came to him and said, "We long for you, live near us." And that good priest said, "The Staff turned over, they don't know us, I have been given a God Opportunity." Joy is a Fruit of the Spirit. There is no doubt where this Good Father goes, goodness will be seen near him.

This year I have seen a married couple suffer and worry and suffer and ponder and set doctor appointment for their mother in her 90s. She has heard things and worried things and feared things that were not there. They were given advice to just let her be. No. 3 Doctor appointments gave her anti-seizure medicine which fixed almost all the troubles. And a new home to care for the elderly that actually is a home and not huge facility. That is Diligence. God Bless the Socks off of them!!! 

+ In their jobs, they see and hear hardship, they always respond to great affect - "I will Pray for you." People today really respond to this positively. And this couple prays.

God Bless European Auto in Willis today for the amazing gift in working on my tires and in removing the tag that says "Service Now" for no great reason. God bless Robichau's Jewelry for giving me a seed pearl for my cross.

God Bless L. for the work she put into her husband, when others said,  oh man - flee. And her 10 year good work has returned her husband to her.

+ God bless her willingness to tell her situation, because that willingness to get out there and tell overcoming personal addiction to porn has changed their family to be stronger. Helping overcomers in others.

God Bless the lady I sit next to each Thursday, who fought for her daughter to return from a few dire and choice drugs she learned at rehab. She and her husband believe Jesus is Lord and they were not going to give up. Her daughter is fine today. She helps others know the Lord.

God Bless the retired doctor I sit next to each Wednesday, his wife has helped him for 15 years from severe viral illness. And he sees recovery happening. His wife has supported and supported him and every evening she gives him a scalp massage. Just to let him know, he is her love. 

+ He is so nurtured, he is bold to ask people if they know the Gospel, believe the Gospel and will adhere to their beliefs.

God Bless the nurse who researched her husband's failing and enlarged heart. Who did so many years of research and so many diligent phone calls - a new procedure was found which  saved him and gave him an absolutely normal heart.

+ She encourages people to listen to Chrisitian music and radio to adhere to His voice and His Love. 

And what do we say when good people disappoint us? Our God is Jesus, not Christians. Because if we rely on people, we will always have ups and downs we all have. But if we rely on God, we will rise up.

Like God?

Jesus went on His walk on water to the Disciples at 3 in the morning.
This is the Ministry of GOD.
Jesus is Living Water soaking, renewing, restoring and being JESUS.

Jesus tells us He would get out of bed,even if He was comfortable. Especially if we needed
to help someone else! Father God surely enjoys us when we pray for and are doing
acts of kindness with mercy.

Father God,
We expect You. And in our expectation, You have said we will experience "Days Will Come" when all we want is Grace upon Grace of You, Father God. Father, You have chosen us to Live.

On Your Strength we will rely, Father God, in troubled waters. Remembering Jesus is The Living Water to the man looking for the actual event when the waters were stirred to bring healing. The Word of Jesus healed him.

Using our eyes to see and our hears to hear "Good News." When we are the Easter People, we look to find the Good News God is Living and Active, Working Today. Being encouragers, finding His encouragement, diligently, and in faith.

We are Truly Thankful, Jesus The Lord. You have given us Life. Amen and Amen to the Glory of Jesus Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †