Luke 10:21-24 ~ His Voice †

 

Luke 10:21-24

10 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 

6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

In criminal trials, all types of evidence is produced, found, studied and gather testimonial evidence and take depositions. Eventually, as the witnesses take the stand, there is something called, "Moose head undeniable, undoubtedly, truth." In a Mafia trial, a former Mafia member said, "If the Moose head could talk, from the wall, you'd understand this so much better. That Moose knows all, I can only tell you what I heard."

As Jesus began His Ministry, the 6 stone water jars contained up to 30 gallons of liquid. These stone water jars didn't move about as whim. Not as a man tossed about waves in his unbelief.

James 1:6-8

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, 

unstable in all his ways.  

When the master of the Wedding Feast gave witness, the Mother of Jesus, the servants, KNEW

they had seen an incredible Miracle.

The next event in John's Gospel is       John 3

3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 

3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 

4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 

5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 

8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Looking to the wind, as reliable, can be risky. And really, life brings us new situations all the time. A reminder the situations are in His Hand, Plan and within prayer.

John is saying, like the Road to Emmaus, the understanding of Jesus Christ fully began. Even the elite, like Nicodemus, are showing up to meet Jesus.

The Sheep of the fold. God tells us about this: 

 Romans 1 20-23 

For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, 

have been clearly perceived, 

ever since the creation of the world, 

in the things that have been made. 

So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

This isn't always about a lack of faith. This is about what to do with.... God. 

And answers questions 

about 81% of the United States celebrated Easter as the Risen Lord Jesus.

Jesus' Parables have tremendous merit. The Ten Talent Parables. What do we think God will ask of us in Faith? Jesus was very open. He declared God knows we will think He is an unrighteous Judge. But Jesus said, pepper the Lord with your Prayers and Petitions. You can move the hand of God. Always Pray with Hope. Believing all things work together for Good, for those who work for His Purpose. The Ten Parables tell us to believe God enjoys our efforts of faith.

God does not cast us as orphans into the storm.

He equips us. Daily loadeth us with His Benefits. 

Ephesians 4

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers 12 To equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 

 15 Instead, 

speaking the truth in love, 

we will in all things grow up

 into Him 

who is the head, that is, Christ.

The Mercy of Jesus! He does not expect us to walk on water, just to speak the truth in love.

And Grow. God might say, He uses our strengths and weakness to fulfill His Plan.

Never Forsaken

Father, Abba,

On the days we do not appreciate all of our blessings, 
help infuse our blessings into our heart, minds and soul. 

Let every blood cell carry gratitude in us 

to our Joy 

And the Joy of Jesus Christ.

Help us to gather wisdom without shrewdness. 

Let us have the joy of gladness in our fellowship without the endless gathering of resources and funds.

Lord, in Your mercy, send help, in these days of gloom and unhappiness. Let those of us having a good season shine the Light of Jesus Christ so gently and brightly the world is eager for Jesus Christ. Let those of us having a season of stress and sorrow, believe gently and bring the Light of Jesus Christ for all of us.

In the Great Love of Jesus, 

we all be saved as we put our trust in Him.

Bless You, Father, for Jesus Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus

Lord's Prayer

 

Jeremiah 31:23-26 ~ The Lord bless you

 

John 7:38 

 “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, 

rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

Jeremiah 31:23-26

Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Once more they shall use these words in the land of Judah and in its cities, when I restore their fortunes:

“‘The Lord bless you, O habitation of righteousness,

    O holy hill!’

24 And Judah and all its cities shall dwell there together, and the farmers and those who wander with their flocks. 25 For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.”

26 At this I awoke and looked, and my sleep was pleasant to me.

Lately, my mind has been thinking about the Scripture telling us: 

Psalm 18: 25,26

To the faithful, You show Yourself faithful, 

to the blameless 

You show Yourself blameless; 

to the pure 

You show Yourself pure, 

but to the crooked 

You show Yourself shrewd.

When we look at all of Jeremiah 31, we find seasons of goodness and stress change. Just as the quality of sleep changes in adults. And Jeremiah is the goodness of the fullness of the earth and the years Naomi found famine, yet God gave her a remnant to find His Blessings.

Bishop Sam Hulsey loved to find life with a beautiful lawn and garden, children as they are newly dressed in nice clothes.  Writing comfort to a mother who had lost her beloved and treasure daughter because he had grown up with the late child's grandmother.  Finding a bereaved parent in a beautiful occasion, to offer comfort again, and then apologizing for bringing up sorrow in the midst of Joy. And instead, Bishop Sam gave Joy always. Bishop Sam's explanation: The words of wrath apply in Scripture, but the sting is meant for those who are, by choice, separated from God. Jesus covers us from wrath and sorrow, bringing His Grace and His mercy.

The Disciples in the Boat felt far beyond overwhelmed, simply terrified. They surely felt abandoned and, with that feeling, wanted Jesus to act in wisdom and not sleep during the storm. They certainly didn't feel God was being wise. And in fact, probably felt the Unfair Judge was ignoring them. Someone took hold of faith in Jesus' Love and Yelled for Help. Jesus surely heard.

We need the explanation of famine. 

We need to see the Scriptures address real life and the troubles life has. Yet, we need to be reminded, Grace Overcomes. Only to reach out and ask Jesus with our words and our heart.  Given forgiveness to believe.

God gives rest to the weary. His Joy to share the Kingdom of God with us, the Kingdom is at hand.

Abba, Father God,

You are the Way, Truth and Life!

In the footprints of Your Living Word we find this:

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow (all You have Written)
all the days of life,
and we shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

You interweave all things for Good. 

When we are called according to Your Purpose.

Thank You, Abba, Holy Father, our Father God,
For all Your Word. Great is Your Word.

You are merciful to Your Children, You call Beloved.
From the small blessings to the great ones,
help us to reason to our thanksgiving, being grateful.

Help us to express our gratitude and thanks.
Be our way, truth and Life to let our lives be living
testaments to the Good You have Willingly Given.

We ask you to put the Name of Jesus Christ upon us 

and 

we are Blessed of God.

Jesus Christ, pray for us, Speak Your Word,

 bring more Heaven to earth.
To Rejoice in all of Your world.

We ask Your Abundant and Flowing Blessings upon us.
Keep us safe from disasters, quieten storms and keep the Oceans safe.

Help us to seek You first and Your Kingdom.

To Live Love, Joy and Peace. Uphold those we Love. We Trust You.

We ask for the world's complete recovery and Joy in Recovery.

We pray for Your Healing Word to be Spoken.

Jesus Son of God Himself Bless, Sustain, Comfort, Guide

this Nation in wisdom

and in all justice.

End the horror of injustice

and lack of solutions

We look to Your favor and Mercy upon us

in Jesus.

Help us to act with mercy and wisdom.

Jesus Christ Live in us. Amen!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus

Psalm 87 ~ All my springs are in You †

 

Psalm 87

A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song.

On the holy mount stands the city He founded;
 the Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.

3 Glorious things of you are spoken,
O city of God. Selah

4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;
behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush—
“This one was born there,” they say.
5 And of Zion it shall be said,
“This one and that one were born in her”;
for the Most High himself will establish her.
6 The Lord records as he registers the peoples,
“This one was born there.” Selah

7 Singers and dancers alike say,
“All my springs are in you.”

Imagine

Young Jesus, boldly staying behind for days to travel the old Jerusalem and the Temple.

Young Jesus having Joy to be with the Temple Teachers discussing His Father.

We could compare this go going boldly off to college or the first time away from home,

earning our own way. Yes! Jesus Loves Jerusalem! He would hold Jerusalem under

His Pinions.

When we feel God has control of the situation, but we would like control - very certainly in times of crisis - we feel life is rolling over us.

The long prayer for Baptism is sanctification of the water.

Over the Water, the Holy Spirit

Through the Water, the Children of Israel walked with dry feet, through the Red Sea

In the Water, Jesus accepted Baptism as a call of Righteousness before His Father

I've added on to this prayer for years. Gathering Scripture. And in saying the Prayer, I feel righted again with Father God. His Plan is a Hope and Future. And in being God our Father, He does not roll over us. God listens and answers with Love and Mercy. I can say this surviving my daughter being born and awake in Jesus at 36 weeks.

Abba, Father,

Thank You for Your Blessings, we rely, always, on Your Willing Blessings.

God Spoke, "Let there be Light."

Our Wonderful Jesus was created, God of God, Light of Light.

The Father adored the Son.

The Son adored the Father.

The Son delighted in the Father.

The Son delighted in the Father's Master Workmanship.

(God our Father has allowed Jesus full access to His Blessings and Abilities.)

The Holy Spirit hovered over the waters. 

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit made plans for the New Covenant.

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit looked into mankind and were delighted.

Our Father looked at His Creation and said,

"It is Good."

"It is Good."

"It is Good."

"It is Good."

"It is Good."

"It is Good."

"It is Good."

"It is Good."

"It is Good."

"It is Good."

And Father God assured us about His goodness saying, 

"It is not good for man to be alone."

The Children of Israel walked with dry feet through the Red Sea. 

We thank You for the People of Scripture - so real.

And this is where you add your people you pray for.

Jesus knew He would be born to a Virgin. 

1 John 5:6 

He is the one who came by water and blood,

not by water only, but by water and by blood.

And the Spirit is the who testifies,

because the Spirit is Truth.

He loved Mary, Joseph, James, Jude, Joses, Simon and His Sisters. In believing in their goodness, He gave them Acts 1 and Acts 2.

We pray for our Family. The Love of Jesus living and dwelling in us.

Jesus was baptized for the sake of Righteousness. 

He was baptized by John the Baptist and Father God spoke, 

"This is my Beloved Son, listen to Him."

And this is where you Bless God for the People who Bless you.

Above the Water.

Jesus began His ministry and went to the Pool of Bethesda. 

A man had been at the Pool for 38 years. 

And Jesus told him, "Your sins are forgiven, pick up your pallet and walk." 

We want to remember to be Grateful, warm and gracious. 

Not like the behavior of this man, turning Jesus in.

Jesus diligently and with Joy pressed forward. 

Jesus in and of the water.

Going to Bethsaida, hometown of Peter, Andrew and Philip. 

Jesus would not fail to mention Philip. 

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, 

“Do you see anything?”

He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” 

This man evidently worried a lot.

Like we all do.

Once more, Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. 

Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Our Jesus never forsakes us. 

Our God wants us to see with our eyes and see clearly.

Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.” 

Displaying Jesus is the Exact Nature of His Father,

 who has endowed and bestowed a great purposeful humor. 

We pray to be delivered from trouble. 

And be blessed with humor.

Jesus Living Water

Jesus was asked to heal a man who was blind,

 Jesus placed saliva and mud on the man's eyes and sent him to the Pool of Siloam to be washed and healed. 

We would like to be sent to the Pool of Siloam by Jesus. 

To be washed of our iniquities and illnesses. 

Blessed. 

And in being Blessed to bring others this Blessing of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Living Water

Jesus was asked to heal a man who was deaf and mute. 

Jesus placed His fingers in the man's ears. 

And this is where we pray for people with ear and hearing trouble. 

And Jesus touched the man's tongue 

and the man could hear and speak plainly again. 

Being mindful, Jesus told His Brother James, 

we are always invited to ask our Father for Wisdom. 

We ask You, for these many Blessings, Father God.

Jesus above the water

Jesus had sent His Ministers out two by two. 

After John the Baptist had died, 

Jesus fed the multitudes beside the Shining Sea of Galilee, 

He fed them Bread and Fish. 

Jesus mourned the loss of John the Baptist. 

We pray the Day of The Lord,

 we will encounter and be filled with the Mercies of God. 

We pray to finish well.

Jesus climbed the mountain to Pray with His Father. 

We would like to be able to climb this mountain with Jesus all the days of our lives, without pain and being encumbered. We pray to bring all we Love to See Jesus Pray with His Father. We pray to go back down the mountain and see Jesus, as Living Water, walk on water. We pray all of our loved ones see Jesus immediately raise Peter out of the water and to the safety of the boat. We ask this miracle for ourselves and those we Love.

We ask You, Father, to see the comfort and trust Jesus has sleeping in the Boat. 

We pray we see, with those we Love, 

Jesus calm the winds and the water to the perfect peace of Jesus Christ. 

This is our God. 

We ask to be sealed this day and always, for ourselves 

and those we Love in Jesus Christ, God's Son, Forever. 

We give thanks, our dear friend was healed and blessedly free of Cancer

in Heaven. For his family.

In Jesus, our Lord, we thank You for many prayers. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus 

John 15:11 ~ your Joy

 

Latin is Pate for Head and Pater for Father, 

essentially a Latin joke about

 how we Live

John 15:11

These things I have spoken to you, 

that my joy may be in you, 

and that your joy may be full.

The Nature of God, revealed in Jesus Christ, 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?

2013
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.  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 was Before the Pandemic!

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. 2019.

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 show us How Deep and How Wide and How Fervently and How Dearly God has placed the Light of Mankind in us - today. 2023.

The Light of Christ is in all 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,  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 †

Yay Jesus