14 A.D. Africa, Leptis Manga, Libya. All roads lead to Rome. And medically, all DNA leads to Africa. Eve. Mitochondrial DNA.
Matthew 6:33
Seek first the Kingdom of God
and His righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you.
Who had doubts? John the Baptist. Jesus did not hear of the doubts of John the Baptist with any glee. Jesus said Heaven knows of what John the Baptist speaks, and Heaven is strong. Peter spoke of the gladness of God's will and spoke of the hardships. His Brother Jude did as well. His Brother James always involved our Father and Heaven in every situation, or famous verse. Paul said some days are difficult. The narrow path has times we are not patted on the back. But in seeking God, we find the Joy of the Lord is our strength. All spoke of times they forged on, not with a great crowd of witnesses, but a great cloud of witnesses by faith.
This weekend, we heard two sermons. Both spoke of the difficulties we find in life. Real struggles. And both promise life will show us difficulties. Just by being human.
This weekend, Edward and I attended the 1962 movie, "Lawrence of Arabia." Blazing and unlikely history. The beginning of the formation of the Arabs and, later, with congruity, the reformation of Israel. As the movie opens, T.E. Lawrence is working on one of his 8 motorcycles with vim and vigor. And he dies on the hills of Dorset, riding his motorcycle too fast on a path too filled with hills to have allowed the speed. For years, suicide, assassination and accident have been debated. But those, who knew him best, claimed he pushed too hard for speed. And had been reckless in battles for speed.
We are all called both to wisdom and valor.
Our lives do blaze a path.
According to Psalm 139, the Lord says He will provide us His own Plan.
Elijah in 1 Kings 19 had been reckless. And yet, in his journey, the Lord gave Him Comfort and Help. No one gave Elijah assistance in this journey. The narrow path.
No one is given the vast highway of comfort all their lives.
We will all face times we act in our conscience and heart, our will, or to please others. And with endurance, we will please the Lord and have comfort. If you have lived through a family divorce, people will seek justification. Or entirely devoid of justification. But the trauma is real. No one jumps in to help. Families divide. People who have a very ill child will feel the times are difficult. Speaking about the pressures helps. Financial loss creates a tough road and one path the adult will have to cope with. Usually with the Lord's Help. Substance Abuse can be helped if the one leaning on substance will go for help. Otherwise, those surrounding this issue, will have to forge ahead with the knowledge seeking help can end the marriage. People who go for intense therapy about child trauma, will relive the trauma getting the help. We hope the Lord will provide those who want to relive this outside of the therapist. Divisions can happen. Divisions happen in careers, neighborhoods, cultures, entertainment, and even in AA environments. Some groups will decide where their attachments will forge and who will and won't be included. Even decisions in housing can cause lifelong divisions. Family death and will and asset division. And divisions can happen on sunny days riding the wide, comfortable highway. Leading us to make choices of the narrow path.
And we walk by faith. Not in Someone without Glory, Love and Mercy.
We read the Scriptures to gain ground when seemingly the ground is giving way.
To know how to find our Joy and keep our Joy. Not become bitter and angry.
To be someone, we like being. To have the Lord's approval.
In abundance, we hear the complaints of the churchgoers. Well, what about the Shepherds.
In this Pandemic season, Edward and I have known ten ministers to leave the ministry.
In 5 Churches. Only 1 Church we attended sank. The others we simply know with family. One worship leader, not clergy, left a Church on Sunday, telling the congregation, The definitive reason was deception. Another Church accountant, not clergy, quit after being asked to tell the congregation the Leader did not count up the donations each and every week and assess the appropriate category for attention and planning. The majority of the clergy reached the retirement age of 74, in ministry. Some said the Pandemic had aged them. One quit when told they were retiring, the exact week Justice Stephen Breyer was forced into retirement in the same way. And the forcing minister, was found out by outside Church Authority and asked to retire within a few months. Most quit as in the required age. Another said the prayers for the human situations were overwhelmingly sad. One changed careers. And wasn't happy after doing so. Some became such fundraisers, ethics were abandoned. Others fell into control issues.
Everyone is dealing with issues at all levels. Is this new within the Church. Yes.
We have a cultural problem. And instead of offering judgement, offer prayers. And mercy. It is rough to bring the Gospel.
Those holding forth, are doing so with stresses themselves.
Should we give up? God Almighty, no. Fight the Good Fight. We are there for the Lord Jesus and His worship. His Mercy. His Word. His Goodness. To abide and dwell within His Love. His Communion. Worship. Awe.
It's a season Rodney Dangerfield would say is rough out there. There is no reason to suggest we should put our head in the sand and not understand who feels pressure.
I only see one way out. We realize that the Lord is Good.
His People tell us, "God is Love." God forgave... Ahab. Raise your hand if you want to know Ahab was forgiven. He was a murderer. And so was Paul. And David. And yet, Jesus didn't wander into the Temple to give out carnations to the happy.
God is God. And that is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
We live, move and have our being because of God. Tomorrow is not given. Today is the day to be merciful. We will not obtain salvation from our career. We will not obtain salvation for trophies for being congenial and being good family members. Brownie points for hard work are not given. The human condition is to obtain Joy in the Strength of the Lord. And even this is a gift.
The Lord says Fight the Good Fight. To present our lives, hearts, minds and soul to the Lord for His Mercy. And to hear, well done. And each heart knows their heart is known to the Lord. The Joy of the Lord and His Love and Mercy is the way, truth and life.
Abba, Father,
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the Gospel.
Beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the Love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
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.
Bless us all, worldwide
with Healing
Safety
Prosperity and
Peace.
We ask healing
of Your Good Creation
The fullness of the earth is Yours.
The healing of those we pray for
in our heart and soul.
The safety of Your people.
Let evil and practicing evil
depart far from us
and our children.
The safety of Your people.
The Healing
of the Nation.
Wholeness
Holy.
Goodness.
Thank You for Jesus.
To You, our Father, be the Glory
Amen and Alleluia
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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