The Body of Christ defies boundaries. Borders. Class. Denomination. Language. Nationality.
Uniting the Body of Christ in Jesus. Jesus pulls us together in Love. Creating an orchestra. Making The First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas our House too. One Body.
Matthew 11
1 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?"
4 And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written, "'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.' 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 16 "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, 17 "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'
19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."
20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you."
25 At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
If we push all aside and say in realization, "God has all things under His Feet." We realize the Words of God seek to find rest for our souls. We can overwork so many things. And not have rest. God desires us to know God is Love.
Father God,
When shocking events occur, we rest all of our burdens on You. Knowing the Battle is Won. The Glory and Victory are Your's. And when we rest these burdens with You, we rest in Your care. Your's is the Vast Victory. Your's is the Eternal Salvation.
We pray for our Nation and the world - to all of us be far from Harm. Johnnie Langendorff and Stephen Willeford. Willeford saw the gun battle outside the Sunderland Springs First Baptist Church, both men and made sure the battle did not continue. We bless the unnamed man with him, as well.
These people held fast to You in Love, and You will have them with You. Your people hurt, You will comfort.
,
We pray for an increase in the Holy Spirit. We pray for the arrow of violence to pass us all by.
In the Name of Jesus and His Power and Glory. Amen.
We know we have seen too much of this in recent years. This type of violence has occurred in Texas before. September 16, 1999 a shooting during a youth rally at Wedgwood Baptist Church with 7 dead. “This has the appearance of being a very troubled man who for whatever reason in his own mind sought to quiet whatever demons were bothering him.” FBI agent Bob Garrity told reporters in 1999. What Agent Garrity told reports held true as they discovered the shooter's problems. Yesterday, the local Sherriff interviewed by KSAT 12 said this shooter was a, "Gutless coward. One we have seen to much of the likes of him in these days."
Is it possible we can help? What can we do? We Will Help.
When we acknowledge God as the One in Charge, we remember Jesus told us to pray and not give up hope.
God is saying we can all help.
With God's Help we will find Grace and Peace.
We will ask Jesus to pray with us. We will pray with the emotion of love for those we pray for. We are going to remember the depth of our care. Not only for the people we Love. We are going to think of the sanctity of small town America. Our grass roots. We are going to remember the faith and the steadfastness of hope we have in Jesus, our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are going to remember how we and others we love have been so helped to sit in the pews of Church and Thank God for His Steadfast Love. We are going to be grateful for the people who worship with us. We are going to Thank God for the faith and labor of love and the steadfastness of Hope Jesus truly gives us. We are hopeless no more. Jesus has empowered us to Pray.
The Word of God is not just a word. The Word of God is Power in the Holy Spirit and has full conviction.
We will remember Johnnie Langendorff. Remember December of 2016 outside of Honolulu, Hawaii. Samoa Tokelau Seventh-Day Adventist Church on Banyan Street in Kalihi was saved by a Church Elder for grabbing the shooter's hand holding the gun. Knowing Todd Beemer and the Heroes of Flight 93. We know what kind of men you proved to be among us.
We know we want the Word of God to brim and spill over with Love and Peace. Yet in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, we will not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. We will be in expectation of God's goodness, with informed belief about those who sleep in death to rise with Christ Jesus.
Our faith in God, in Jesus Christ, has gone forth everywhere. We will be in Living Hope and Expectation. Serving the living and true God, waiting for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us. We are delivered from wrath, I believe by praying. We will pray for the violence to end.
Matthew 11:12
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it.
Witnesses in Sunderland Springs, Texas say the shooter began by shooting the neighborhood outside of the Church. He then targeted people going into the First Baptist Church - upon seeing them take Sanctuary in the Church - he became evil and entered into God's House.
The Children of God, His Beloved, His Babies were Hurt. In the aftermath, the people, who by instinct, ran into the First Baptist Church of Sunderland Springs, Texas to help and were horrified to see the massive wounds and life taken. Some had to turn back, not knowing what to do. We know Father God bled with them.
Where was God, some will ask.
The Wrath of God was invoked and Justice was swift. The shooter's violent path ended with the fury, savagery of running.
The Lambs of God will be treasured and Live.
The Lambs of God will obtain Mercy, Solace, Care, Kindness and Love.
The diligence of steadfast process in Jesus.
Jesus has told us, "Today, you are with me in Paradise."
(However, we can only publish Posts when I remember to push the Publish Button on Monday. For good brain health all around, Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit. Amen.+)
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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