Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.
John 15:1-17
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Philippians 2:19-30
19 I hope to send Timothy to you soon if the Lord Jesus allows it. Then I will be cheered up when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like Timothy. He truly cares about how you are doing. 21 All the others are looking out for their own interests. They are not looking out for the interests of Jesus Christ.22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself. He has served with me like a son with his father in spreading the good news.
23 So I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.
24 And I'm sure I myself will come soon if the Lord allows it.
We have lived Pandemic and we all hope to live a total Pandemic Recovery. We have seen fights in the airline flights and no one manning the booths of the airline on the most travelled time.
This year is starting with hope. This year is talking about health and recovery. For all age groups.
Yet, I think we look at 1 of every 4 families have some dysfunction and separation, 1 in every 3 in the USA has a substance addiction. 1 in every 3 find necessities moving from reach as they work. Another 1 of every 3, worries their finances wain. We see every system and every organization and see flaws teaching us.... we need to rely on God as Good. Jesus said only God is good. I Corinthians 13 tells us if we give away all we have and have not love, we are nothing. The Good Samaritan goes on to tell us the merciful one is the neighbor. Not the one rushing on with the career thoughts. Jesus did not disclose to His own Brothers if He was going to the Festival, as they goaded Him.
And
Today, our Father wants to save the world in Jesus Christ. His Good Creation and all the fullness thereof is still yesterday, today and tomorrow.
The Scriptures tell us to be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves. And to be in Jesus, Abide in His Word. Abide in the wisdom of Proverbs. Be fruitful for the Lord. To love one another.
How are we going to condense, process, be fruitful about Paul admitting, easily, the Lord is in charge and not everyone is helpful or innocent?
The Prodigal Father let go of what he couldn't control and stepped out of the picture to allow God to be God. Wait upon the Lord. The 10 Talents said believe God is good and wants us to trust Him in our plans for today and tomorrow. Take risks, believing God will help us grow or move us along, as He did for all of His Children.
Heaven is like a Tree, welcoming. Allowing all the birds of the forest to come in and take shelter.
Jesus said to the Disciples to not be so faithless and afraid. Peter learned to swim to Jesus. And continued to wrangle with the Lord after He rose from Death. Jesus frankly told the Disciples, you aren't told the reasons and the seasons. Jesus said, don't worry so much about tomorrow. And the people who relax and worry less are far more the faithful.
When Jesus returned Victorious. He chose 500 to spend time with. He knew husbands would travel with wives and John would need family. Sounds like Eden. And to enjoy Eden, we have to believe God is wanting to talk with us.
Jesus had an idea about fraught circumstance. Jesus said trust God's Will for our lives.
The Lord wants to talk with you. He wants to save you. To Love you.
The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.
Abba, Father,
Our Father, Who art in Heaven
Dwell in me and those I love,
now all of our hearts,
God of Love, God of encouragement.
Hallowed, Holy is the Name of the Lord.
Jesus, the Christ of God.
Beloved Son.
We remember John 17 and ask us as we pray,
You would pray with us.
Your Will be Done
Yes, Jesus is the exact nature of God.
Alleluia.
We want to seek You First, Father,
to see Your Will on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this Day.
The encouragement of Life as a gift and adventure
Fully worthy of our prayers and attention to blessing
Fully in Gratitude.
Give us day our daily bread.
Nothing without the Lord is meaningful
help the physical bread and the earned bread
to be Jesus, Living Bread.
Forgive us our Trespasses.
Just as Christmas is You, trusting us with Your Son,
You fully expect us to have loving and grateful hearts
God doesn't have to see as dark or sinful.
God sees us worthy of Eden to talk to.
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
God doesn't say SIN, He expects us
to treat each other as part of meaningful lives
to enjoy and create more of Heaven on earth.
Lead us not into temptation
of being demanding, unsatisfied,
to take our blessings and make greed
diminishing the goodness in life.
Deliver us from evil
God is clear there is evil in the world.
And God has hope those on the wrong path
will find their heart again.
For Thine is
the Glory
of Life Given and Life to be Enjoyed
and Eternal,
For Thine is the
Power
in The Name of Jesus
in Your Word
and in Your Faithful
Promises.
To change hearts and create Life.
And the Glory
The Glory of God
is to find His Goodness.
Giving us Jesus.
Amen.
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