The Scriptures - Ask and you will receive. Jesus Christ came to save sinners.

We are living in a unique time. Something new to the earth and the history.

My grandmother's life began in 1898 and she and her six brothers and six daughters rode in two covered wagons to see grandparents. And Grandmother saw the landing on the moon with real joy. Mother saw the polio vaccine steady the planet and parents watching over children. I saw the internet in the early nineties unfold a story about Cardinal songbirds and the time to load up was 30 minutes. I said call me when the water warms up. And my children explained video games and computers to me that we use effortlessly now.

Will my great-grandchildren be married into the family? Will they share core values of mine, knowing Jesus Loves them and sustains them? Will they know who Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are?



My grandmother's era was vastly different even as our culture changed since 9/11.

The Donny Doberman says a lot about today's college indebted for 30 years generation. They don't count on company retirement. They are unsure of our government systems. They don't know if they will marry. And children? Hopefully after a marriage.





Suddenly the Headlines tell us we are in the Roman Empire in the first century A.D.

How are we similar?

Caesar Augustus wanted a census of the Empire. The first of it's kind. Results of this census have recently been located. Bam. Truth. Augustus wanted Knowledge of who we are and what did people do and age and marry and think. With the census he began to re-shape marriage and make inheriting much more difficult - which in turn endangered the family unit - all civilizations - people - need to rely upon.

How we are like Jesus' time ?

The disease of cutting was not in the Psychology books when we went to college. And there are a lot of cutter's out there. Even parent's of cutter's worry and stress about this.

We have 28 Sexually Transmitted Diseases STD and Zika mosquitoes make this the first STI illness.

The headlines read like the Roman Senate.

The Roman weather was so weird, people contemplated if it was the end of the world with earthquakes and weather that was just off.





Christianity has been changing since the end, or the duration, of World War II. Where the liturgy was just read and at the end of the war people said well, we survived and that ol' liturgy didn't help much. Leaving the congregations to be older people today.

The Hour of Power and the Crystal Cathedral fell- why - it's hard to be shiny and happy about all that 'it's all good" attitude. People have dramatic things in life. Like Alcoholism. 30% of Americans have an alcohol disorder. Huffington Post says Online Porn Statistics Porn Sites Get More Visitors Than Netflix, Amazon And Twitter Combined. The Editor got so upset with the story - the story was removed.

The Pew Report says we face a 2% loss of Church regular attendees - every year. Now, really, let's not get too fussed - 85% of Americans identify themselves as Christians who pray and go to Church. But we see changes.

50% of new births do not have marriage committed parents. We hear lots of screaming about the divorce rate and find men with a college degree face long, long term marriages of 2/3's .... SUCCESS RATES.

Churches report that people at age 50 60 return to Church.

The number of churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention grew by 294 to 46,793, a 0.63 percent increase over 2014. This is the 17th year in a row the number of SBC churches has grown. We are seeing a trend in smaller Churches.

Bringing us... To Evangelism Today !!!

The challenges facing Youth Ministry for decades - are the Evangelism challenges of today. Meet the needs of a culture that, if honest, has problems. We have solutions to find and because the adults are less talkie about what they really think and need in their worship times. What faces them ... REALLY.

We knew a woman who had business with us and was lovely. She had a mutual friend. All was just dandy. And unknown the the upper middle class community - her son was in his late thirties - mentally ill, prison released, drug using and as she tried to help him - he shot her and killed her. Her family life was undisclosed to those fairly close to her. I found out a year later - the story on the news - was this gracious lady.

Why didn't she tell. We live in a world where the gentiles over you are much more admirable. We envy the sharp tongue and the sharp elbow. We envy the violent the Bible warns us not to.

In fact, when One Mission of the 30 local Churches get together to worship - The Pastors refrain is "All is Not Right Behind the Trees."


We get into Bible Studies and we do just like this post, complain the good old days are gone. We judge ex-Presidents on their souls - like we are informed. We expect us all to pony up to one opinion.

And... the result is evangelism of the newbies - has them exiting as soon as they can find people who want to know them as they are.

We aren't told that they are worried to death the spouse is an alcoholic porn watcher.
We aren't told the child is flunked out of 4 universities and likes cocaine with a pot chaser.

We aren't usually told the child has a prison record.
We can't share if there is a new car - the tithe machine might happen.

We can't say too much about cancer. It's depressing.
We don't share the child is mentally ill.

My kids are living with their significant other. And now, we say that and don't say, "Let's pray they get married."

We can't say the child is in-debt for college and will never own a home.

We can't say that the medical bills are eating us alive and bankruptcy is the largest case for medical bills.

Will we help someone at Church get a job? What if they bring in a host of tell the others who I really am stories.



Now my Bible Study has met together for about 16 years.

And if I have a problem with my Bible Study partner, I find a time to meet them face to face and explain the rest of the story.

I don't treat this group like they need all of my life handed on a plate.

I'm dealing with a mother who is ill and a husband with a terminal diagnosis of 3 damages brain lobes - with stories of my ability that could go on and on - he is 6/4" and is sometimes angry and a lot of cussing and cussing and I know in Bible Study to keep this succinct. Edward is my beloved one who houses the soul of Edward.  Even when all day there is not a kind word. And yet, if you ask for support and don't talk too much - Edward is loving. And now on loan to me. Edward worked harder for my mom to go home than anyone expects of a spouse.

We have learned not to engage into a culture of "I Am Over You." That is sheer death in bringing the culture
into Christ sharing times.




What the HECK IS EVANGELISM???

It is when you say, "I'm going to pray for you." And if they are delighted, you say "Let's pray Now." And generally you are going to get - "Please!"

What the Heck is EVANGELISM?

SO GLAD YOU ASKED, It's when your Grandmother says when the Uncle is a r a t - that she "is Never Going To Stop Praying for MY SON !!!" And unlike Eli and Samuel - My Grandmother got results when the R A T was in his 70s and Jesus told his heart "I Love You." And a heck of a lot of the trauma there - was solved.


My favorite Bible Study on the Planet is Bill Hybels' "Just Walk Across the Room." We give back our gratitude to God - who gives us Eternity. And we explain "I love Jesus because of ..."

For me this the ability to read three Chapters of the Bible and come away saying this for the rest of my life:

1. My eyes have seen Salvation. And no one is going to personally debunk my real dreams of seeing Heaven like Isaiah - but God had stepped out of the room - I am not Isaiah. Where I was asked to "sell chairs" and now realize these are Heaven's seats.

2. My eyes have seen the down fall of the wicked. Yes. I am in my 50s and see bad habits have shown me real and spiritual death. Living Parables.

3. My eyes have seen God goes before me. My Bible and my Church Going have taught me - I depend on God for my strength and my joy and my delight and my security and HE WILL. People - even the ones we love - come and go - but God beckons us to live in Love forever.



What is Salvation?

A Work of God the Father. Learning to single out one person you love. Salvation comes from love. When the heart is open. Surely pray for many. But we live in this Generation.


What is Evangelism?

We live in a world where God said this about this generation...

"I will put my covenant in their hearts to know I am God." Jesus says that the Light of God shines in all of mankind. If you talk down to someone who has opinions about God - you are shutting down the fact that the Body of Christ has many talents and functions and ideas.

Evangelism is LISTENING. And this is gentle. We find a thought of scripture and we share not a herd of cattle but one pearl. Because the Truth is - God Saves. We do one thing - WE PRAY.

If we are reciting Sunday School lessons of our youth. This is not going to work. Jesus never did this. Jesus said " Zacchaeus come down from that tree, I am coming to your house!"

And do you know that Acts 1 tells us the lot went to Mathias. The newly minted 12th disciple and some of the very early Church believes  this was the changed life and changed heart of one who is LOVED BY JESUS and actually is like Simon/Peter and is -  Zacchaeus/Mattias. Now did Zacchaeus/Mattias rock the planet and change the world for the lot falling on this loved heart? NO. Why? Because JESUS alone is God.

We have to quit yapping out the cereal box stories of "gotta believe this" and listen to what a soul sings who is created by God for God. What that Person's unique soul tells their Unique Father God Creator.

John the Disciple wandered around, like you and me, saying "What?"

And in the decades passing, he realized he did really well to support Jesus to the very end. Because John knew something we need to Sing Daily in our Hearts.

GOD IS LOVE.

And when we love GOD. We are seen as righteous in the Eyes of God.

And that ... is where we want to be. Eternally today the gates of Heaven are open to us in Prayer.
The very seat of Father God is available to us in Jesus.




Father God,

All sparrows are known to You. Every single one. Because in Your unlimited Creation and Ideas and Solutions and LOVE. You love all of Creation.

And just like the Doberman in the video - each Child of God relates and reacts to You in exactly the way a Vast God reacts to us.

You are the God of Love.

Unfurl and surround, uphold and uplift each loved one we have. Each prayer request we know. The desire of the Nation of  extreme worriers now. Bless the voting to Bless Your Name and Your Heaven.

We need You, We expect You, We will see You.  Thank You for Your Work. Amen Amen Amen
Alleluia Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Philippians 2:3 ~ Value others above yourselves

Philippians 2:3

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves

This has been one of the most unusual weeks. Always look for the good in every situation. Our family all lived and no one went to the Hospital in our family.

My mother has made a miraculous recovery from Hospice calling on her 3 times. She went to the Symphony on Sunday with her long-time, wonderful boyfriend. After he dropped her off, a teenager ran a red light and his car was then the size of a coffee table. Miraculously, he has only scrapes on his right arm. 3 cars in that accident.

On Tuesday night, my mother's car was being taken leisurely for a drive by a friend with her permission. And it was night and a black SUV was hit in a dark residential street until the car would go no further. No injuries. My mother was not there, but apparently the doors no longer open when the damage was in the front end. We believe it is also a total loss. The number of phone calls was amazing.

My brother is an attorney and he took over our care of the accident and the insurance. He called me to say he had been driving, 2 weeks ago,his 2 level ATV with 4 dogs a regular road on the way to the El Paso desert. A man in a truck, probably texting, pushed the ATV over with 4 dogs. The truck was totaled, the ATV rolled with 4 dogs and a roll bar. My brother hurt his lower back and is ok, one dog is damaged for life. One dog is scraped up.

In between, we have house guests from Germany and North Carolina going with my son to the Baylor TCU game. A house full of guests and car accidents in Dallas and El Paso.

Edward went on Friday to Dallas for a National Disc Golf Tournament and as he got to Rice, Texas, he saw a motorcycle accident where the driver rolled and rolled and rolled and rolled, no helmet, probably to his death. In front of Edward. Immediate Assistance occurred for the driver and his motorcycle team as Edward, in shock, went past the accident. 911 reported he was one of many to call.

As Edward called me, I was on my cell phone and a driver then ran the Long Lake stop sign with a mere glance at the shrubs hiding 50% of the street.

When Edward arrived at his mother's house, she reported going to pick up the dog through residential streets and seeing 3 separate accidents.




One Fatality. 7 Accidents. 4 total losses.  One incredible incident of 'what stop sign'.

There was no rain in these accidents. Only one was at night. Only one was on a highway.

The path we decide to take.


Auto insurance tells the driver not to admit fault. Most of this was texting. The Television show "Mythbusters" found texting is as dangerous as being 4 times over the legal limit of alcohol.

Every car accident has a driver. Every driver has to live with what they have done to others.

Philippians 2

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,a 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,b 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.


I hold my phone up to the traffic, but I have realized I am not alert enough. I will not answer texts while I drive. I don't want to be the driver causing one of these accidents.

When life events holler loudly, we realize the forces of life need to be examined. Serious events.  Deliberate Life. Deliberate Choices.



Our Father in Heaven,

Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is He who made us, and we are His
we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Jesus please pray with us for this earnest prayer. When we drive, we offer the people near us pasture - safety, harbor. Cover us in the Name of Jesus we ask.

And we need not make memories lasting all of our years.

Thank You, Father for keeping us safe. Help us to avoid seeing the death descriptions on Reddit. We pray for the safety of ourselves and the ones we love. Including a very ill 19 year old cat, Scoop the cat.

Asking for Your Good Will to preserve our lives and make our passing to You, pleasant for those who love us. Good health. A passing showing we Trusted our God. Asking for Your Steadfast Love on those we Love and pray for. The cares and concerns we all have in presenting our soul back to You.

Your blessing and protection on our roads, cities, Churches, jobs, States. 

And Especially for voting for our Nation as offer prayer. If You would see the promises made at the Conventions to see what we hope for, be pleased in Jesus' Name with Your people and help guide this nation. Remembering our children and grandchildren with Your Love.

We need Your Blessing. Your Will and Your Plans are our Hope and Future. We want to abide in You and Your Word. Our Hope and Refuge.

In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Isaiah 7:14 ~ Immanuel 'God is with us'

If you are over 40 years of age, you might notice a change in the the questions presented to the lay people often brought up as a puzzling question about faith.

We have dropped questioning the Virgin Birth of Christ Jesus. In the 1970 and 80's this was repeated so often people got loud and opinionated.

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (which means 'God is with us').

My father and I had the debate. He said how would that be possible. I said if the blind see and deaf hear and Jesus walks on water, why not if God's Word goes forth? My father said that was a complete summary and did bring definition. Eventually, this calmed the nationwide debate.

What else was the contributing factor?

The most amazing collection of Archaeology ever found. The very House of David has been questioned to be of fable.

Found:

A steele telling of David.

The Biblical directions to David's Palace found his home. The prison cell found a bulla of the Biblically accurate account of Jeremiah and Baruch in the prison cell.

The stables of Solomon.

The water wells of Hezekiah, seals backing up the amazing prosperity of Hezekiah.

Pontius Pilate was found to exist in records in Rome and two archaeological finds in Israel. He had been said to be fiction.

A pottery shard linking Goliath to David in Goliath's home town.

The sarcophagus of Caiaphas and of Herod. The house of Caiaphas.

The census of Jesus' birth in Luke 1 found in Rome.

The earthquake stone geologists said occurs in the right year.

The very Hittite nation with the library backing up all the Biblical accounts.

The Ipuwer Papyrus found at the base of the Pyramids follows exactly in eyewitness account of the Plagues of the Exodus. Is now housed in Holland in the Leden Museum.

The Babylonian Chronicles identical to the details of the Babylonian exile with dates and records feeding the House of David.

The King Uzziah's leprosy archaeological tomb warning.

The foreigner's pool found at the Temple mound.

Eyewitness letters, two of Jesus' miracles.

Prison Maritime records of Peter and Paul.

The Archeological find of Peter's bones researched for 80 years and the graffiti matching Peter's home in Capernaum.

The History of the Roman Empire showing the fear of the miracles continuing from the Acts of the Apostles.

The end of the fiction the New Testament was written in 400 A.D with 104 Chapters as clear as if written yesterday, see above. This is possibly written during the life of John the Disciple with the sacred name style of papyrus coding.





And as the finds continued to add up - faith has increased in the veracity of God's Word.


There is one wonder of God rarely considered. The lack of bones found in Israel. Recently a Canaanite cemetery was found to great rejoicing. World wide news recorded the find. And unfortunately no skeleton has been found to explain the giants recorded in the Bible. However we know Goliath existed. And then we can believe in faith, Goliath was 9 feet tall.

A little something "Og" from the Bible:


Deuteronomy 3:11
Og king of Bashan was the last of the Rephaites. His bed was decorated with iron and was more than nine cubits long and four cubits wide. It is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites.

Rujm el-Hiri same age as Stonehenge in the U.K.

This is a 13 foot bed. And a tomb about the same age and shape as Stonehenge is supposed to be the burial ground of Og. And, like most of Israel, contains no bones. The weather of Israel would keep bones.


So let's draw some vast conjecture about Matthew 27.

51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.


What Biblically repeats this action of God?

Ezekiel 37

37 The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. 2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”


What happened to these resurrected saints?

The New Testament has an idea.

Hebrews 11: 5
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.

Now here is our wild conjecture piecing together John 21 - the conjecture - the guess of what happened when John said the world could not contain all of the stories around Jesus Christ.


Picture three men who have experienced not only the hearing of the Disciples seeing the Living, Victorious Jesus. But have encountered the living saints.

One man tells the others his Uncle Fred had returned. For a time. The other two men are incredulous. Suddenly they have little to say. The man who has spent time with his late and sainted Uncle Fred is uncomfortable and indignant  the others don't believe him. He sputters the Good News his Uncle Fred had told him about the Kingdom of Jesus at hand. And repeats the story again more loudly.

The second man interrupts him and says, "I'd never say this to anyone, but I remember Uncle Fred clearly. I - om - I had a weekend with The Elijah."

The third man says, "My entire family had Sabbath with ... Moses."

The three men say, "Peter and the apostles are actually going to the Temple today to talk about Jesus the Son of God." And all agree not to tell others about Uncle Fred, The Elijah and The Moses, but they do agree all of them to see Peter at the Temple.

And what happened to Enoch and all these bones? There is no Ascension. Probably like John in The Book of Revelations - the dimension opened. Suddenly they were in Heaven. And Jesus ascended to make sure we knew Jesus had gone to His Father and our's.

The Multitude had seen our Living Jesus do His Ministry. But imagine if the living bones had borne witness to the multitudes who flooded the Temple itself?

Our Abba,

David told us in Psalm 40

Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

John 20:30
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book.

Job 26:14
See, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard

Thank You, Father for the Wonders of Your Ways.

We lift up to You, the ones we love and their cares. Our neighborhoods and Churches. Work places and Nation.

We rest securely remembering Your Love, Mercy, Power and Joy. You are our Father and have great Love.

1 Chronicles 13:8
David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.

Our God is a God of Love and Joy. Alleluia in Jesus. We bless and bless and bless Wonderful Jesus for the people of His heart who give us the love and joy of Jesus. I have several friends who just hearing a small text from them, or a call, makes my heart tender and the prayers flow forth. Thank God for the people who do know Jesus dwells within them. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Romans 8 ~ The Law of the Spirit of Life has set you free in Christ Jesus

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Romans 8

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do.


This is an amazing and utterly true of the Proclamation of Jesus the only Son of God. The Christ.

And the contingency is correct as well.

3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God



God has said many, many times that He judges the heart. And we do not see the heart, but instead see only a glimpse of the soul and God tells us to see the deeds as fruit of the soul.

We are to be cognizant of not being the judge, instead being the compassionate merciful with wisdom.

God tells us we are so blind we have been given many glimpses of God's Holiness to understand we do not see all the heart instead see only the layer. God tells us to guard our heart and be merciful and humble to God.

God tells us of some of the complexities.

The Song of Songs is about the holiness of Love God gives us. The beauty of a bride for her husband - a gift of God. God's Plan. Beauty.

Then see the complexities of Mary and Joseph. Joseph was compassionate. Through improbability, the possible and impossibility of angelic announcement. They found each other and overcame suspicion, cultural pressure, gossip, and found beauty in committing to God and their determination to find love. God chose them - as His Son's Parents. This is the true story of love, marriage and commitment.

Peter. Peter showed his wife and his devotion to her. His wife's mother lived with them and Peter brought her Jesus. Jesus prayed for her and she was healed. And just like Romans 8, his mother-in-law got up and served Jesus. Peter knew commitment and knew to place God first. His wife was sometimes in danger and still their marriage included Jesus first.

Speaking of in-laws. Can you imagine being Jethro. A man appears one day saying he is a Prince of Egypt. And on the lam from murderder. Years later, suddenly he acts oddly and is hearing from God. Upon seeing so many signs, Jethro takes his daughter and grandsons away. And as the events unfolded, he returned them in the midst of the desert. Jethro turns from many gods to realize. The Lord of Hosts is God Almighty. The other gods are meaningless. Jethro meaningfully and personally, sees that this is The Almighty King of Kings. God has gone beyond the borders.

David. David is the example not only of closeness and belief with God. Diligent 22 years of belief. David is the poster child of me first and the results of this. And why would David be loved by God. His diligent faith. His admission of flaws. His willingness to do right with GOD. David is the first example of letting go of a firm stance for God and instead doing self. A poster child of what not to do. The willingness to forgive and the willingness of inclusiveness to the blessings of God.

Continuing with the theme of God only works with sinners. Is King Josiah. An eight year old becomes King. And discovers - the Word of God. Scripture. Judah had fallen so far - the Word of God was unknown. The called become the qualified. God works within His Plan.

The weakness of mankind, with standing firm, will give Glory to God.

Stand firm. We will stand firm in Gratitude of God's Blessings. Our word and our deeds will be sincere. We will go to sleep each night having done our best for Jesus Christ.


‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 

Thank You, Jesus, Abba, Holy Spirit.

Show the people I pray for Jesus every day. Overwhelm them with His Love. Protect them. Overcome fear of death and anger. Bless their soul journey. Help them.

Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David And in this Plan of God, we will say, Your Will is Good. We lift up our concerns, this community, the Churches. Knowing this Nation and the World can rejoice in the Willingness of God.

We call on Abba in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 91 ~ The Most High, who is my refuge

 

Psalm 91

9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—


We all hope to find Jesus to be as Wonderful as the Gospels. To meet and spend time with Jesus is to find Love and Hope. To be so immersed in love to be renewed in Joy and Expectation. Even the pallbearers of the Widow of Nain had to stop and wait as Jesus merely touched the bier of the widow's son.

This is to be in love. To have all problems cast down. Jesus, it is written, has all things under His Feet.

I have been in Bible Studies were we asked why did the Book of Acts stop? And the truth is, in faith, believers probably do see amazing miracles each day. Seeing them is to find you are Salt and Light. Meaning - we have to look to see this.

Ephesians 4
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as
you were called
to the one hope that belongs to your call—
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”

We can neglect a gift. Or we can treasure and encourage and build up.

I have seen the true miracles were there is no other explanation. And I have seen the miracles disregarded twice. If not three times. Sure - but - we might just starve to death in this desert. Love is different than "in love". Love has endurance and faith. Even Jesus came down off the mountain top to find His work was in progress, to co-workers in a dither and the crowd demanding another series of awe.

 



Maybe this is what highly contributed to the fulfillment of God's Plan. The people wanted another go around of miracles - come off the cross Jesus - You saved others. Make Rome Go Away. 

The relationship of the crowd to Jesus the Lord remained at a level of 'what can you give me' and what power to I have over you for not giving to me. They remained in a flux of give to me. And we grant the King of Kings popularity to survive Herod and the Temple. Jesus acknowledged this when the people continued to ask to be fed for free.

Jesus returned to find His fearful 10 disciples. Jesus returned to find the 500. Jesus then spread to the rest of the world as those who had seen the Widow of Nain's son revive to live. Jesus spread through the multitudes for the millenniums as those people realized Jesus was King of All for Eternity. 









Love is different. Love requires something of God that we expect in a family relationship. We expect to share. Share the resources. Share the Glory. Let others have a turn having their day. Rejoice with them in their happiness. Love will bear all things (God would want to have borne). Love rejoices. Love says I bow to the will of another.


What do we expect when God is our refuge? To be filled with mercy and salvation requires what? Gratitude. Humility. Joy. Belief that God is God. Knowing His storehouses do not run out. Acknowledge this is indeed true. And yet we do not say "My Father who is in Heaven", Jesus taught us to pray "Our Father who is in Heaven" because what we are saying is we believe that our prayers are important to God. Important enough that God actually takes the time in His Word to ask for our conversation.

We pray "Your Will be Done" and we need to believe this is indeed good.

God is our refuge. Jesus says children ask their Father for a lot. And Jesus says God is not the judge who has to be pestered. And then Jesus says we can be so bold to have access to God and feel free to tell Him again and again what we need in Prayer. Because we know God is indeed working. One of my favorite sermons of my life of 5 decades is to remember one I heard as a pre-teen from Father Ted Nelson of Dallas. Fr Ted said he knew when his son really did require something and he paid attention. So this is with prayer.

Do we need the ones we love with us in Eternity? Then our obligation is to ask Jesus to fill them with His Love. And expect this of God. Because Salvation really is of God.

And really, if we pray expectantly - we should never fail to be in complete Thanksgiving for the answers we see. And sometimes that 'No' is for the absolute best. And can be a "Wait".

Good and Blessed of God. Father God is our Refuge. And our God Almighty is the Refuge of the ones we love. And all of our cares and concerns. Our thanksgivings for needs met and solutions to problems at home well at hand. And joy in His helping the timing of our prayers. And His joy to be our Father.

Blessing us, He is our refuge in our Churches believing in Jesus. Forgiveness to overcome the comment and the advice for life unwanted. To begin to trust again in the love in the Light of Christ. And in our work places. Our State. In the unbelievable election. In our Nation yesterday, today and tomorrow. For all the people who ask Abba in the name of Jesus - He sees us and His creation as Good. Covered in the Name of Jesus, Jesus Lives in me and in you. Amen - so be His Will as Good.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †