John 15:11 ~ These things

John 15:11

These things I have spoken to you, 
that my joy may be in you, 
and that your joy may be full.

When we say pick our cross for Jesus. That sounds harsh. I'm immediately reminded of stories southerners tell of men who embarrassed their families carrying a literal cross through town. And then you wonder what the fruit is and if you will be the one who has to carry your cross profoundly sadly. Probably not the most sought-after idea in Scripture.

However - God is for mercy more than He is for Sacrifice. Jesus is God and we are never going to walk on water in this life. We will never have the joy of healing the blind and the deaf. We will see prayers of Jesus and Father provide healing.

What we do need to do is establish our Joy in God Himself.

Where is your willingness - your joy - your delight in Jesus?

The woman wearing the silver cross and blue shirt in the photo, kicked off an enormous debate in the U.K., in 2013, to be able to wear her cross.

Many people said she should change jobs away from the airline. The courts upheld her right to her belief in Jesus and to wear the cross.

Another woman -Audrey Jarvis, a liberal arts major, asked until she received permission to wear her cross necklace. Her boss at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, California said no. Sonoma State University said, “It was absolutely an inappropriate action for him to make that request of her,” the representative said, noting that the school’s president, Ruben Arminana is trying, through Kashack, to reach Jarvis for an apology. She spoke up and spoke up to wear her cross.

You have to love this persistence for something wonderful.

5 years ago we said 1/3 of the World population is Christian, our largest Christian world. Today we worry about birth rates of Muslims and Christians.  The birth rates of most Catholic nations are just as high as Muslim countries. The rest of the world is 12 to 16 babies as compared to 25 per 100 in the more populous religions. Billy Graham said this best - it's all going to work out. The Last Chapter of the Book is alive and active.

At the last Bible Study I attended, a third of the smaller group - about towards the end of all the Bible Study weeks - did say how they worship at home. This is after all  - deeply held conviction. In a major and growing denomination, of 8 women - 3 take prayer and prayer and then make communion at home. As Abraham or David might have minus the Theology Degree. This inward beauty is not just plastered about. Held tenderly as a practice to be closer to God. And yet - longing to help others have this internal and eternal Love.

We take our life's experiences and find a way to tell about how we really Love Jesus. Carefully choosing. I have a small fish with a cross on my car. And this year someone taking something out to my car said, "I like your fish and cross!" "Body of Christ!" "Body of Jesus Christ!" It's a lot like the First Century. This shared warmth. I love people to tell me, "I will pray for you." And as we left our Vacation Cruise, our concierge Armondo, put his hand on my shoulder and got misty-eyed and said, "I will miss you, God bless you."

These shared moments showing us How Deep and How Wide and How Fervently and How Dearly God has placed the Light of Mankind in us - today.

The Light of Christ is in all of mankind - John 1

Yes.
We are sure we are supposed to tell non-believers of Jesus Christ. Yes.
There is Adventure to be had in having on a cross - even on your car. We miss The Communion of Saints - goes far. Very far. The people of Jesus are the spiritual union of the members of the Christian Church. The Eternal Body of Christ living and the dead, those on earth, in heaven.

I heard on the radio of a man who loved to sing to Christian Radio and forgot his windows were all down and he was belting out the Song of Praise. The woman next to him rolled down her windows, had on the same radio station and they had a few minutes of Praise of God's Love. Wonder what they were singing?

Abundant - what God gives - Life.

With all heartfelt sincerity

Cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never, Never, Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, Serve the Lord.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people.

When we say we will carry the Cross of Jesus - we are also saying in our heart. Jesus as God's Son is the only one called to the Salvation of mankind. He is Worthy. Carry the cross - in your heart.

When we say our God is a consuming fire. We are saying our mind, our soul, our heart will carry Jesus with us with Great Love and Joy until our heart beats slowly and has burned out in the consuming fire and revives in our Eternal Home. A campfire of the warmth of God's Beauty has provided to our Thanks.

When we say Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, we carry this Love given to us - to share and rejoice and be humbled by His Grace.


And in the long road and in the warmth He brings to our hearts, we pray together that you and I and the people coming to God's love now and babies to be born and loved - are being rooted and grounded in love we may have power in Love, Hope and faith for the Joy and Peace God's Love brings.

As we live the consuming fire - together with all the saints, to comprehend in each of us the length and width and height and depth of His love. In faith, we fan the flame to know God saves the world today for mankind. The love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Amen in Jesus Christ.who alone is our Great Savior. Amen.

Our God Lives!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †