Matthew 16:24-28 ~ will find life

Matthew 16:24-28

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life^[soul] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 

27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Yesterday we looked at Scripture telling us He loves us as we are. How wide, how high, how deep is His love.  Creating us to be uniquely ourselves.

Today we are looking at self-denial leading to Heaven ~ His Kingdom. Suffering is just Not my favorite part of loving the Lord. We once heard a Baptist Pastor who cried when he spoke of Peter saying crucify me upside down, not as my Lord. And that sight will melt your heart & remind you just how seriously the men who followed the Lord were willing to go.

We will Sing of the Saints of God and I want to be one too, but this is not my favorite verse and I would like to tackle this.

Usually, my reaction to this verse it to hope, with prayer, a cross is Not required of me. One of the phrases I think about when integrity and determination is required of me ~ "When the line is drawn, where will I stand." Will I be happy with myself, feeling I've pleased Jesus. Our Hero. Our Savior. I want to do my best for the Lord, however Passion of the Christ is a wonderful, life changing, soul jerking, sadness to see Innocence and Goodness die for me. I watched that at our house with our Couples Class again. And we sat and cried our hearts out. Jack, a wonderful Christian, said something so profound, "How could we watch that, without knowing Easter is coming."  We are the Easter people and Alleluia is our song. 

We are so cavalier about placing a cross around our necks. God has shaped our world ~ this is victory over death. When Jesus said this, He did indeed mean to die for our beliefs. In the Early Church, not all chose to die, but to flee, not forgetting to carry the Gospels and New Testament, God spreading His Word in their living determination to please Him.

Jesus turned to Peter, as a lot of disciples left, hearing we were to eat His flesh and drink His blood. Jesus, with His amazing compassion, knows how we react to hard statements. Peter told Jesus, what so many of us know. Jesus has the words of life. And is compassion for the weak.



Matthew 11:13-19
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.”


We are dealing with carrying a cross seriously, not being glib. This is something, if we are honest, we would have to grow into. Peter fled. All the disciples fled. Only John went peacefully into the world knowing he as the beloved disciple had stood for Jesus. Jesus does not ask lightly.

In my entire life, I've only heard one person cling to the verse about carrying a cross. And that was a loved one who was dying. And felt equipped for the journey Home. This changed for them from the beginning of the illness, to the hope of redemption. Clinging they said, not to any old cross, But HIS cross. This I understand fully. 

One of the reasons we see almost all the disciples willing to give up earthly lives for Him, the deep breath of forgiveness given to them. Once they tasted peace, they were unwilling to live unforgiven. 

Solomon said the house of mirth is the house of fools. And Jesus created a New Covenant with God for us. Saying, if the Bridegroom is with us, how can we fast. And sent His Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Creating an opportunity for us to face the true and sometimes grim realities the Scriptures tell us exist with an attitude of Jesus in the Ship, asleep, trusting God. Looking to the future with hope, trusting that God will provide and we will encounter suffering with Real Hope. 

Romans 5:3-5
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 


So do we glory in our sufferings? I will tell you this with certainty!!!! I got past those suckers!!  There is a Christian song out there saying You trust me in my problems to look to You. I do believe the Lord could say that to me!  And the song - "Stronger" ~ you bet, crank that song up LOUDER.

Peter so bravely endured a cross given to Him, but Peter's hope was and is Jesus. Who does not want to be seen as being loving. We expect this in Jesus, not calling Him fierce and determined, saying He has these beautiful attributes.

1 Chronicles 16:33

Then shall the trees of the forest

 sing for joy 

before the Lord, 

for He comes to judge the earth.

1 Chronicles 29:17

I know, my God, that you test the heart

 and have pleasure in uprightness. 

In the uprightness of my heart 

I have freely offered all these things, 

and now I have seen your people, 

who are present here, 

offering freely and joyously 

to You.

Abba, Father, 

I'd be dishonest to say - let me have a cross to carry. 

Forgive me Father God. For asking for comfort. 

I want to be the beloved disciple.  

I prefer Lord, with deep gratitude, knowing You paid the price for me. 

Knowing nothing I could ever do would save me, 

only the Goodness of You being innocent 

and taking my stripes for me. 

I will not fear, but trust You as life unfolds, You dwell with me. 

When my life requires me to be bold for you, be brave, 

let Your unfailing Love and Steadfast Mercy 

lead me in the paths of righteousness for Your name's sake. 

I so acknowledge each day, 

I need Your Salvation.  

Lord Jesus. Amen. 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Lord Jesus 

Acts 1:1-15 ~ together

 

Acts 1:1-15

1 In the first book,  Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up, after He had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen. 3 He presented Himself alive to them after His suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 And while staying with them, He ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, He said, "you heard from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"

7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

9 And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as He went.

Behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, Who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven."

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.

14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled"

The movie, Places in the Heart, 1984, could have been the Story of Jacob. Jacob wants more than he can have. His mother says he should have more. Isaac is dying, so the time is right to take the Abraham Blessing from Esau. 

Then a tumble down of God events to create in Jacob an understanding of taking as injustice. The loss of his home. To be less than admired or put first in his uncle's home. Taken advantage of. Loss of the 14 fertility years with Leah. Surrounded by family, he never thought to create. The need to leave his uncle. The ways of evil, the curse placed on Leah, from her underhanded dealings. Like the Exodus, to travel in harsh terrain. Never having the Holy Land seem peaceful or Holy to Jacob.

We never find Esau and Jacob living in harmony for any long period of time. Time and tide with human ability to create dissention has pushed apart the Holy Family Abraham had longed to see. Like David's grandson Rehoboam - the end of the Dynasty of Israel. 

It's another reason than simply being in complete understanding of Jesus' location in Acts 1.

Jesus lets us know, He is not pushed by time and tide. His direction is straight to God, upward.

Acts 1 has the ending we would all long to have. Forgiveness. All the people have fully understood the currents of a Jacob life we live. And have decided that Love is the most important portion.

Acts 1 is simply the most miraculous portion of peace. Mary, her family, Jesus, the Disciples. This is the Work of God and a Glimpse of Heaven.

Ephesians 2:8-9 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. 

And this is not your own doing; 

it is the gift of God, 

not a result of works, 

so that no one may boast.

Abba, Father,

Father God, each day, let me walk with You. 

Let the meditations of my heart and the words of my mouth, 

be pleasing to You. 

My Rock and my Redeemer. 

In the Blessing 

You gave Your Beloved:

Bless those I love

and Keep them

Let Your Face to Shine upon us

and Be Gracious to us, please.

Lift Your Countenance and Smile

Give us Your Peace

and Cover us 

in 

The Highest Name of Jesus Christ.

The Lord!

Amen

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 ~ Joyful

2 Peter 3:18 

Growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

To Him be the glory 

both now 

and to the day of eternity. 

Amen.

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

I perceived that there is 

nothing

 better for them than to be joyful 

and

 to do good as long as they live; 

also that everyone should eat and drink 

and take pleasure 

in all his toil

—this is God's gift 

to man.

We went to Steve Miller's Concert tonight in The Woodlands.  Edward and I won two tickets to see Steve Miller in 1999. Two seats. KVIL Radio, in Dallas, didn't push their winnings too hard, and we sat in Row 8, with 7 Rows empty in front of us. Steve asked us what we did to the people in front of us. 

So, we met on an island 

of seats to have front row 1, on Row 8.

On.

Steve probably wouldn't remember

We probably couldn't forget it.

This is our 4TH CONCERT. We went as adults, took neighbors, kids and then the mother-in-law. But I want to ASSURE YOU, Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin' Into the future. Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin' Into the future… but you NEED to get the Live Version of July 29, 2023 

1970s Lives On Perfectly

Steve Miller Band, The Woodlands, Texas - this truly is the best concert of Steve Miller Band. Nothing, not one iota, has slipped. This was all the beauty, all the talent, all the grace, all the wisdom, of a man who truly knows he is BLESSED. If you had to sum up Steve Miller, you'd have to say gentle humor, gratitude and graciousness. Last time we saw Steve Miller, he was promoting Bob Dylan's son. Very talented. Gracious Steve.

So, Get the Live Version of Steve Miller, July 29, 2023. 

This man doesn't slip at all. The energy and the perfection. And he throws in what some of his all-time favorites, and ours, sound like when he plays at home. Extreme Talent and variation.

This was a tapestry of Steve Miller talking about the past, the future and the Joy.

A PACKED and JOYOUS AUDIENCE.

Every single second.

Our son worked for his first summer in High School because he had to have a Les Gibson guitar.

And who is Les Gibson to Steve Miller? Les Gibson married in the household of Steve Miller, his parents were Best Man and Maid of Honor when he was 4 years old. Steve was shaped by Les Gibson.  The musical history is alive with great memories we would like to see on the Huge Screen. 

Steve dedicated  

Romans 8:28

 

And we know that for those who love God 

all things work together for good, 

for those who are called according to His purpose.

Big Ol Jet Airliner to the many musicians he has been close to, who have taken the Big Ol Jet

to their Heavenly Rewards. Reminding us, Steve will do that sometime, with all beautiful sincerity and warm memories, earnestly and with no regrets. The perfect note - as always. The Beat was Up.

And then we added to hearing The Kingfish Blues Band. 

Remembering Muddy Waters and Little Walter, the world's best harmonica artist.

Alive in Heaven and the little house in Clarksdale, Mississippi - in The Delta Blues Museum.  He has Played with ALL THE GREAT BLUES ARTISTS. Steve Miller didn't stay in the Dallas Oak Cliff Blues Nightclubs of his St. Marks High School years with Boz Scaggs, Na, Miller moved on to Chicago and Blues. 

We will all nominate Steve and The Steve Miller Band for their place in the Delta Blues Museum. 

The great story about Steve Miller's career was his mom, explaining to St. Marks School, he had his mom's permission to be in Oak Cliff Nightclubs every night at age 13. Why? He was killing it and bringing in the money grown men would love to begin with today. Back then, y'all, Oak Cliff wasn't where you'd see your mom hanging out in Blues Bars to drive you home to do Algebra. Now, there are weddings and all kinds of ways to get downtown on time.

Psalm 23:1-6 

A Psalm of David. 

 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures. 

He leads me beside still waters. 

He restores my soul.

The Gratitude Steve Miller has, has the crowd air punching the sky and saying, "That's what I'm Talking About." So, glad for this man. Bring new directions and making a tapestry of wit, wisdom and musical, unbelievable ability.  

Then going further, remembering 1968. Civil Rights fights. Fires. News. Unrest. Disquiet. And Steve Miller said Just Like 1968. Doesn't that feel better? To have someone remember those news times.  Upheaval.  Let's all pray the Pandemic makes us better instead of mean and bitter. 

And then...

Romans 12:10

 

Love one another with brotherly affection. 

Outdo one another in showing honor.

After we learned what it was like to live during the Civil Rights Unrest, like today, We heard, gently, be good to each other. Learn to build each other up and not do the harshness. Be good to each other and find ways to be, just, kind. Find kinder things to say.

Little unusual to see Scripture from Amazing. Ok. Sure. But St Francis had this same appeal.  

“Preach the Bible at all times, if necessary, use words.”

Isn't the quote.

“It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.”

This Heart wasn't preached.

This is walking, jazzing, triumphing

and not just warming

completely captivating 

ALL

of us.

 

1 Peter 4:7-19 ~ in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ

Luke 18:1

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them 

that they should always pray 

and not give up

For great is the glory of the Lord!

Abba, Father,

Blessed Be the Name of Jesus

and those who call upon Him

Blessed be those who have

their hope in You

Thank You for hearing our prayers

and answering us

as our Father.

In the Highest Name of

Jesus, Alleluia,

Amen

Fly Like an Eagle

Laiter

Laiter

Laiter!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Lord Jesus 

Psalm 103 ~ The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed

 

Psalm 103

  

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

    and all that is within me,

    bless His Holy Name!

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

    and forget not all His benefits,

3 who forgives all your iniquity,

    who heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit,

    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

5 who satisfies you with good

    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord works righteousness

    and justice for all who are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,

    his acts to the people of Israel.

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,

    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 He will not always chide,

    nor will He keep His anger forever.

10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,

    nor repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

    so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,

    so far does He remove our transgressions from us.

13 As a father shows compassion to His children,

    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him.

14 For He knows our frame;

    He remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;

    He flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

    and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast Love of the Lord 

is 

from everlasting to everlasting 

on those who fear him,

    and His righteousness to children's children,

18 to those who keep His covenant

    and remember to do His commandments.

The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,

    and 

His Kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the Lord, O you His angels,

    you mighty ones 

who do His word,

    obeying the Voice of 

His Word!

21 Bless the Lord, all His hosts,

    His ministers, who do His will!

22 Bless the Lord, 

all His works,

    in all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

The Works of The Lord!

1 John 4:8

God is love.

Psalm 111

Great are the works of the Lord,

    studied by all who delight in them.

3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work,

    and his righteousness endures forever.

4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;

    the Lord is gracious and merciful.

5 He provides food for those who fear him;

    he remembers his covenant forever.

6 He has shown His people the Power of His Works,

    in giving them the inheritance of the nations.

7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;

    all Hs precepts are trustworthy;

8 they are established forever and ever,

    to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

9 He sent redemption to His people;

    He has commanded his covenant forever.

    Holy and awesome is His Name!

Ephesians 2:8-9 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. 

And this is not your own doing; 

it is the gift of God, 

not a result of works, 

so that no one may boast.

1 John 4:2

2 No one has ever seen God; 

if we love one another, 

God abides in us 

and 

His Love is perfected in us.

Philippians 4

I can do all things 

through Him 

Who strengthens me.

Romans 8:28 

And we know that for those who love God 

all things work 

together for good,

for those who are called according to his purpose.

Matthew 11:5

The blind receive sight, the lame walk,

 those who have leprosy are cleansed, 

the deaf hear, the dead are raised, 

and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.

Genesis 2:15

The Lord God took the man

 and put him in the garden of Eden

 to work it and keep it.

Exodus 32:16

The tablets were the work of God, 

and the writing was the writing of God, 

engraved on the tablets.

Proverbs 16:9

The heart of man plans his way, 

but the Lord establishes his steps.

1 Chronicles 9:13

heads of their fathers' houses, 

1,760, mighty men 

for the work of the service of the house of God.

1 Samuel 14:44-46

And Saul said, “God do so to me and more also; you shall surely die, Jonathan.” 

45 Then the people said to Saul, “Shall Jonathan die, who has worked this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As the Lord lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day.” 

So the people ransomed Jonathan, so that he did not die. 

46 Then Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines, 

and the Philistines went to their own place.

2 Chronicles 31:20-21

20 Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, 

and he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. 

21 And every work that he undertook

 in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law 

and the commandments, 

seeking His God, 

He did with all his heart, and prospered.

Colossians 3:23-24

 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 

24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance 

as your reward. 

You are serving the Lord Christ.

Job 37

14 “Hear this, O Job;

    stop and consider the wondrous works of God.

15 Do you know how God lays his command upon them

    and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?

16 Do you know the balancings of the clouds,

    the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge,

17 you whose garments are hot

    when the earth is still because of the south wind?

18 Can you, like him, spread out the skies,

    hard as a cast metal mirror?

19 Teach us what we shall say to him;

    we cannot draw up our case because of darkness.

20 Shall it be told him that I would speak?

    Did a man ever wish that he would be swallowed up?

21 “And now no one looks on the light

    when it is bright in the skies,

    when the wind has passed and cleared them.

22 Out of the north comes golden splendor;

    God is clothed with awesome majesty.

23 The Almighty—we cannot find him;

    Je is great in power;

    justice and abundant righteousness 

he will not violate.

24 Therefore men fear Jim;

    He does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.”

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful 

and to do good as long as they live; 

also that everyone should eat and drink 

and take pleasure 

in all his toil

—this is God's gift 

to man.

Luke 1:37

For nothing will be impossible with God. 

Psalm 73:28

28 But for me it is good to be near God;

    I have made the Lord God my refuge,

    that I may tell of all your works.

1 Corinthians 

Let all that you do be done in love.

Abba, Father,

Dwell in us, please, Father.

Dwell in those we Love.

Help us to seek You first.

In Jesus Christ, we will finish well.

To see

to bring

to be

more daily

Thy Kingdom come

Thy will be done

on earth

as in Heaven

In Jesus Christ is 

Our Love, Joy and Hope.

Bless those working for

Post Pandemic Healing

and Care.

Thank You for Jesus.

To You, our Father, be the Glory

Our God is an Awesome God! 

Amen and Alleluia

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes Bless The Lord Jesus

Yes Thank You Father