Tadema
1 John 2
3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.
By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
Earliest portion of John's Books, Chapter 18. Ryland Papyrus 52 c. 125 A.D. (New critics have recently been saying later than this, but the fight is over Verb Usage and has been well documented in other uses as earlier.) John Ryland University in Manchester, U.K.
7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.
9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.
Earliest portion of John's Books, Chapter 18. Ryland Papyrus 52 c. 125 A.D. (New critics have recently been saying later than this, but the fight is over Verb Usage and has been well documented in other uses as earlier.) John Ryland University in Manchester, U.K.
One of the reasons I love to read John, is his longevity in the faith. John is recorded by early Church Historians and others as being in life in the 2nd Century. I appreciate his affirmation when asked about the other Gospels. I admire the view from His digs in Patmos, Greece. By the time John lived in Patmos Island, Peter had died. Which really means, this is the oldest Vatican we have.
God providing John Beloved with a magnificent view
of His Good Creation
I love the photo of the path to John's dwelling. Gently uphill. I doubt this looked much different when John lived here, so long ago. John is optimistic, matter of fact, believing in the Hope of mankind. John is the Disciple who tells us walking with Jesus is to know God is Love. God is for you.
We don't find Paul and John spoke often. Mary is given to John's care on Good Friday, Mary and John don't say much after this. Other than writing, the Brothers of Jesus travel with their wives to give Testimony to Jesus as the Risen Messiah. Constantine, while still only an heir, has his life changed going to Nazareth and meeting Jesus' great nephews, to torture them and Constantine, later, become a Christian. Is it up to us to decide 2,000 years later how significant a Christian Constantine was? He went to a lot of trouble to do this. Constantine's visit to Nazareth is recorded in Roman History and with the eyewitness of Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea.
Yet, this is the same Holy Spirit.
Paul says this about the Holy Spirit:
Romans 8:38-39
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 15:5-6
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus tells us the Father is still working and so is He.
A proper prayer for today.
Peter is known to complain to Jesus about John, in John's 21st Chapter.
1 Peter 3:15
In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
The Scriptures don't run us down and tell us how to sit up so straight. Usually, you can understand Peter and John were sometimes on the fussy side. Peter certainly can speak of being fallen, easily. The Scriptures are more about getting back with the Lord. He knows the Heavenly Host by name. And calls us flowers of the field. The Lord's written Word is the gate to understanding the Gates of Heaven are open for us always to pray. The Lord even gave Peter the Keys, knowing He intended the Gates to stay open forever. Jesus sat as He taught and was only horribly angry once. For Just Cause.
The Lord proves over and over, He delights in mankind and His mission is to save the world. Worthy, worthy, worthy.
Abba, Our Father,
We long for You to Speak, "Peace." "Calm."
Strengthen us to do the good works You have for us to walk in. In this time of great worry and emotion, hasty words may be spoken. Inadvisable decisions can be made and, then, with Your Help and Holy Spirit, strengthened into becoming Peace and Love. Jesus frequently told His People to hush. We will Stand Firm and be Strong. Knowing in this season, stand not be tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine.
Let Love be genuine with Mercy.
Jesus had been carefully placed in History, in Situation and with Mary and Joseph. The parents knew the feeling of being lost and shuffled as part of a great crowd. Jesus had been missing and now was realized He was needed. Jesus was found to be working. The Son of God was merciful to His Family. Jesus was Merciful to the crowd looking on during this time of Jesus thought to be Lost. His Parents were given time to regroup, and they headed home to quiet lives.
John 5:17
Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
John 6:29
Jesus told them, “This is the work God wants from you: Believe in the One He has sent.”
We long for Your Love and help, Father God, to have Your Kingdom, Power and Glory upon Your Throne. The Fringe of Your Robe placed upon all of Your Good Creation. Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts. We pray more of Your Good Will filling the whole earth with Your Glory.
We will remember our answered Prayers. And live this Day. Looking in expectation You will strengthen us to Seek You first and find Your Kingdom being glimpsed enfolding us in Your Good Creation.
You are our hope now, always and in the coming weeks.
Covering us with the Name and Power of Jesus,
God with the people of Afghanistan, again, in such upheaval.
GOD of All, Covering the worldwide Doctors, Nurses, Hospital Staffs and their prayers.
The young people bewildered by the world's upheaval. People with troubles.
Brave people. Holding up Life for one another.
A photo of the new growth in Australia, after the terrible fires of 2019
Giving Great Thanks,
the bird die off has stopped and
we are encouraged to feed the birds again.
heal the world as the birds have seen Your Mercy.
Just like Houston, a few months of sick birds
and then the illness is defeated.
Thank God.
We ask for Protection in the
Highest Name of Jesus
Amen.
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