Reading Scripture helps us know God's Love. Every Bible verse is written for you. Jesus Christ is all mankind's Light. John 1!

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Isaiah 58:1-12 ~ A day acceptable to the Lord






Isaiah 58:1-12


Will you call this a fast,
and a day acceptable to the Lord?

6 “Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’
If you take away the yoke from your midst,
the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,

10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness
and your gloom be as the noonday.

11 And the Lord will guide you continually
and satisfy your desire in scorched places
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail.

12 And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to dwell in.


 


One of the reasons we have seasons of rain is to enjoy the sunshine - this is usually expected, here in Texas.

One of the reasons to volunteer service to God is to see - that what we call routine lives - are actually blessed lives. To find our gratitude again. Today - was one of the few days in my life - I witnessed actual hunger. And had occasion to pray to Father God for real need.

We live in a throw away culture.
Our grandparents and parents threw out housing that people paid cash for. Because you could get a better neighborhood - for ? A way to experience less trouble. Apartments have been around since Julius Caesar - his mother was a landlord to tenants in their family investment of their apartment home in Rome. People have moved away from apartments for years - millenniums - why? To divorce themselves from trouble.












We divorce for cause these days.
I know a personal and real story of 3 marriages I'd like to share.
Asunder - God says this is when a Vow is over.


The first two wives in these marriages were in a Bible Study together.
For six years and one wife plucked up her courage and told these very close friends that her husband was leaving on Friday's for work and would not come home until 1 p.m on Monday morning. Her husband was not talking to her and she decided she would divorce him after 25 years of marriage. She considered her husband to be ill with alcohol and grave troubles as well.

The next wife in the Bible Study said that she tremendously, tremendously appreciated someone would share that with the small, loving group and she began to sob and sob. She said that her marriage of 25 years had seen a vast change in her husband. He had begun Yelling and Screaming at small things. Hitting them in the arm over and over. It had gotten so bad the kids and the wife had made one of the bedrooms that had a door lock the get out the window room with all four of them. They would all get in a car parked in the front where a key was hidden under a mat. And then the father had taken up similarly with a woman and would leave most of Saturday and most of Sunday. The three sons and the wife at any-breakfast-late-place they could find had said the father being gone was the best part of the week.

The wife continued to say the odd part of the hit-you-escapes was that the husband never blocked the bedroom or questioned them when they returned very late. The wife and the three sons remembered the father from years past and said this was an alteration. The three sons said get a divorce. The wife said she hated to see them weep. But she would sit and recall with them the husband in years and years past.

The two wives sat and contemplated divorce. The first wife mentioned - did - her husband had quit speaking to her as he lived there and left for weekends. For Just Cause. It wasn't good - The Dallas Morning News reported in the 1990s that 60% of fathers who leave voluntarily - never come back to visit their children. This happened. The family decided they weren't worth much as a unit. Their ties of loyalty disintegrated.

The second wife said she felt the Lord had called her to stay. And said she fully supported the other woman's decision to leave her husband. Which was true for about 6 months, then the Bible Study changed the time so the divorcing wife could never go. And phone calls were not really returned. Because the group was for married women.

It wasn't easy for the woman who decided to stay. She and her sons were still jumping out of the window. And then they started staying on the patio quietly for the lights to go out as their father went to bed. And in about a year they could all just huddle in the locked bedroom. For about 20 minutes. And they prayed for him. And a couple of years later they found the father was quite ill. No one was quite sure what he had something about heart or brain was mentioned. The wife just didn't say; she said it wasn't something her sons liked to talk about. And about 5 or 7 years later the man died. The family left was reported to be amazingly close and loving. Devoted to each other.



The next marriage is the true story of one of my neighbor's Hindu marriage. Sadly this is not Christian. But it surely could be. They met at age 25 at the arranged wedding alter. Neither looked pleased. After the festivities were over the groom asked the bride if she loved another. She said she did. He said I did as well. The groom said I have an idea that will either fix this or fix us. He said taking of virginity is unpleasant. And he had no desire to take something like that unless willingly given. He said I will be your brother and your best, best friend for the next two years. I will listen and fix what ever problem life brings you with complete loyalty and care for two years. By then I will be 27 years old. At that time I will be educated very well and can earn enough money to divorce you and you can tell your parents later I beat you. She agreed. And for two months the groom had to remind his bride not to tell her troubles to her mother-in-law, but her groom. Eventually she told him and she said she was so surprised - he cared. And fixed. And helped. He had to remind his bride a few times that she was not so caring of his troubles. Eventually they worked out how to help her support him correctly. And they had a second anniversary. The bride was taken to dinner and the groom was nervous. She asked him why. He said today we agree what will happen to us. She said she had forgotten. He wasn't especially pleased to hear that. And he said are we divorcing or we going to be married? And SHE SAID ARE YOU NUTS WE ARE MARRIED. And he said we are not really. And she said well I wondered when you'd get around to that. And on their 50th Anniversary, where a very large party gathered - the participants agreed - this was one of the Happiest Marriages they had ever seen. And the Groom spoke and he said, "This has been the happiest 48 years of my life!" And the wife said, "I've been happy for 50 Years!" The groom glared. The wife laughed. And their son said if only the world could experience that kind of marriage!


What is asunder?
When we take a vow of marriage we are told - no man can put a vow to God asunder?
We are pretty blithe about that.

Asunder is - when you are separated from God.
1 Corinthians 7 tells us this is Peace.
When a spouse tears you away from God - God Will Put That Marriage Asunder.














We are quick to take trouble and place that far from us.

God is not thrilled with a dab will do you religion.


Isaiah 58
“Cry aloud; do not hold back;
lift up your voice like a trumpet;
declare to my people their transgression,
to the house of Jacob their sins.

2 Yet they seek me daily
and delight to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that did righteousness
and did not forsake the judgment of their God;
they ask of me righteous judgments;
they delight to draw near to God.

3 ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not?
Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’
Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,
and oppress all your workers.

4 Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to hit with a wicked fist.
Fasting like yours this day
will not make your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is such the fast that I choose,
a day for a person to humble himself?
Is it to bow down his head like a reed,
and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?
Will you call this a fast,
and a day acceptable to the Lord?

A wife told me yesterday of loosing her husband, he coded in the hospital and was without air for 13 minutes. Now he is unable to talk or walk. The nursing home was reported - he was found covered in feces and bed sores. He came home and his step-daughter and daughter-in-law changed there lives - going home on weekends. His wife said for the first few months she was unhinged. And with the love of her own daughter and the daughter-in-law she and her husband are changed people. After six months, she is thinking of having a small water view for her husband to see. Being able to fish at night. She works full time. His wife says he is a changed man, but he is hers. 

His step-daughter has M.S. I told her mother we will pray that her kindness to her step-father will have Father God's favor for her illness. Her illness has made her much more aware of what illness does in people - using her circumstances to want to bless others.






We adjust pretty fast to our own lives - I take my blessings for granted.
Last week I caught myself with tears in my eyes for my troubles. I have a few.

Yet, we are forget - others are in far different circumstances than our usual circumstances.
The lady I met today with Hunger in her life - was wondered over about the truth of her need. Shame covers real need. I saw shame.


When I encounter judgment - sometimes what we really encounter is an unwillingness to see life would be

different - one life to another.

After spending years as the Older Prodigal Brother and Simon giving Jesus Dinner - I see that Jesus sees much farther. When I have been astonished to find that I Need Jesus as My Savior

Amazing Grace rushes in. When we Cry out - in immediate need. When we fast.
God does not ask us to have shame. He asks us to repent. God never sent the disciples out alone - He sent them two by two. God equips us to do His Work.

What is the work of God - David said that goodness and mercy are the prints we leave behind.



Father God, Isaiah went to Heaven and found You Will arrive in our Scorched Places - You are Living Water.

Your Glory Lord Will fortify us to do Your Plan . We call to You, Father God - You  willingly Answer.

Father, You pour Yourself out where You are needed.   Father God, please guide  us continually. Your Light rises in the darkness - You shall be called the repairer of the breach.

We pray for the health of Jackson and for Jim - who brought his family closer together.

Father we seek You  daily, Jesus did, and we delight to know Your ways. In this Love, let us rejoice and have Your salvation cover us and those we Love. We ask in the Highest Name of Jesus. Amen.



♔ Lord Jesus Saves














Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Luke 3 ~ John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?


We can joke, but let's look at message we rush past in the Joy of the Christmas Story!



Luke 3


3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.

Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.

And all people will see God’s salvation.’”

7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”


10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.

11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.

14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.

19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.


21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph,

the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat,

the son of Levi, the son of Melki,

the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,

25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos,

the son of Nahum, the son of Esli,

the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath,

the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein,

the son of Josek, the son of Joda,

27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa,

the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel,

the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melki,

the son of Addi, the son of Cosam,

the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,

29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer,

the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat,

the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon,

the son of Judah, the son of Joseph,

the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,

31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna,

the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan,

the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse,

the son of Obed, the son of Boaz,

the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,

33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram,

the son of Hezron, the son of Perez,

the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob,

the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,

the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu,

the son of Peleg, the son of Eber,

the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan,

the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem,

the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,

37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch,

the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel,

the son of Kenan, 38 the son of Enosh,

the son of Seth, the son of Adam,

the son of God.



 The Mikvah around the Temple Mount





The Mikvah that was probably used by the 3,000 converts after the First Easter in the Book of Acts.




My God will strengthen and sustain those who call upon the Father of all of Creation. The Lord God Almighty. Who began His Word - with Jesus the Lord.

John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Surely a very unpolitical thing to say. And a serious thing to say. John was pretty bold to say that. John was in wake up mode. Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order. ~ John Adams


The fifteenth year of Tiberias' reign was AD 27 or 28, and the place of John's emergence was out of the wilderness into all the region around the Jordan River. This is concrete. We tend to wave off what John had to say - ok, religious talk.

No - John had real commentary on Spiritual Issues. Issues so profound John's birth had an Archangel announce to a Priest in the Temple of God - this un-conceivable child would have a task from God Himself.

You have to wonder if God should have sent the Archangel Michael? When Michael contended with the devil for the body of Moses - Michael was polite. Gabriel seemed to be hasty with the punishment. And yet, perhaps Mary had heard of Gabriel visiting her cousin-in-law Zechariah. Properly informed - Mary knew she should be more polite herself. However, this is speculation - and yet - we all will go to Heaven to meet Jesus - so perhaps we should consider Heavenly visitations with angels. This is a worthy point of remembering!

Mikvah - John’s baptism was an adaptation of the mikvah, or ritual immersion bath, - part of Jewish life for generations and symbolized a spiritual cleansing. Spiritually part of the preparation for undertaking a new beginning. Jewish men took a mikvah each Sabbath in preparation for the new week. Women took a mikvah after each monthly period as a spiritual cleansing. On Yom Kippur the High Priest took 7 mikvot (plural of mikvah) during the ceremonies in preparation for entering the Holy of Holies.

Jesus came to John for a mikvah at the beginning of His ministry. And John was privileged to touch God.

John is reminding people this Baptism of the Holy Spirit will save them from their sins and they will avoid the wrath all in Israel felt could descend from the lack of a Davidic King and the Temple being appointed by Rome's puppet King Herod.

John's baptism - a mikvah - was a sign of a changed mind (repented) about their need for a Savior and were taking a new direction regarding their salvation. No longer would they focus on keeping the Law but would look instead to the coming redeemer whose arrival John was announcing.

Today, Baptism is a public declaration the people surrounding this Child of God want a spiritual cleansing and the new direction toward God has been taken. I love the affirmation of The Anglican Church to promote a relationship with Father God and renounce evil.

Father LORD my God, many 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.

You bring good news to earth of Heavenly things. We lift up our voices with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your God!"

We will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before You, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands!

We thank You knowing blessings will arrive - in expectation - Thank You Father God. Amen in Jesus.











♔ Lord Jesus Saves
















Isaiah 43:1-7 ~ Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west





Isaiah 43:1-7


But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
Cush and Seba in exchange for you.

Because you are precious in my eyes,
and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
peoples in exchange for your life.

Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
and from the west I will gather you.

I will say to the north, Give up,
and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the end of the earth

Life for all of us goes up and down in years like the Stock Market.



During one Series, the crowds and the other players were tough on the Babe. Some antagonistic  name-calling from the Giants bench. Babe could usually take foul-languaged banter coming at him from opponents -  he could dish it out, too, - This time he found these personal attacks to be too much.

After one of the games he charged into the Giant clubhouse to find an abusive player. Fortunately, tempers  cooled before any fighting occurred.

Babe Ruth had a stellar career. All people age and all people change. About the all-time great in baseball  - Babe Ruth. His bat had the record of 714 home runs. “The Babe” was the be all of Baseball fans, but  time took its toll, and his ability and popularity began to wane. The Yankees traded him to the Braves.

In one of his last games in Cincinnati, Babe Ruth began to falter. He struck out and made several misplays  allowing the Cincinnati  Reds to score five runs in one inning.

 As “the Babe” walked toward the dugout, chin down and dejected, there rose from the stands an enormous storm of boos and catcalls.

A little boy jumped over the railing, and with tears streaming down his cheeks he ran out to the great athlete. Unashamedly, he flung his arms around “the Babe’s” legs and held on tightly. Babe Ruth scooped him up, hugged him, took his hand and the two of them walked off the field together.  -

The fans went quiet. And an enormous regret swept over the field. Babe Ruth left the field to the cheers of the crowd remembering Babe for all the years he had given all to Baseball.

Moments Together For Couples: Devotions for Drawing Near to God and One Another
By Dennis Rainey, Barbara Rainey



God sees all of us. All of our thoughts. Jesus knew all that was in mankind.
Many times Jesus saw people need to see something like the little boy to be shepherded and guided down right paths. Jesus had compassion on the people. And wanted to take them under what He called His Wing.

Jesus really does see something in mankind. And the multitudes followed Jesus away from their lives and astonished the Temple, the king, Pilate and the Sanhedrin. Jesus knew He was creating a new Heaven and a new earth.


Jesus was of course speaking to all His beloved:

1 Peter 5

5 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

In Jesus. Amen.



♔ Lord Jesus Saves




Tuesday, June 23, 2015

1 Corinthians 1:1-7 ~ So that having every grace you are living in the hope of the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ



Multitudes met in the Temple after Jesus was triumphant over death. Sosthenes was a synagogue leader identified in Acts 18.

1 Corinthians 1:1-7


Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the purpose of God, and Sosthenes the brother,

To the church of God which is in Corinth,
to those who have been made holy in Christ Jesus, 
saints by the selection of God, 
with all those who in every place give honor to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
their Lord and ours:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give praise to my God for you at all times, because of the grace of God which has been given to you in Christ Jesus; So that in him you have wealth in all things, in word and in knowledge of every sort; even as the witness of the Christ has been made certain among you:
 So that having every grace you are living in the hope of the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.




What if God wanted the apostle John to live until Jesus returned, what would it be like - to be able, in this life, to meet an actual apostle of Jesus Christ?!!!

What would Paul say to us today? What would it be like to receive a letter in the mail from Paul? This letter begins to tell us what Paul would say to you, a child of God, adopted by Jesus.

Paul would let you know, right away, where he stands; Paul works for Jesus Christ’ purpose. He’d write to you, to tell you, God has called you to be a saint. Only because God has personally chosen you. But you aren’t called to be a lonely saint; just as Paul has Sosthenes, his friend, (who is as close to him as a brother) you will have others who join you to give honor to Jesus Christ.

Paul says you have: love, you’re given forgiveness and peace, you can give forgiveness. Not from Paul, but given from Father God and Jesus.

Next, Paul says you are a new beginner in Jesus, so take things carefully.… Nope, this isn’t said at all. No. Paul says you are God’s, Paul is grateful for you. Paul says you live in the hope of Jesus’ gift of eternal life and eternal forgiveness, living faith, hope and love, living God’s purpose for you – you have all the spiritual gifts you need.

Paul tells you, you are a workman approved by God, you are God’s own child. When you don’t do something correctly, because you are human and need a Savior, God’s grace is coming to you.

But what if the day you read this Wonderful, Today, Good News Letter of God and you are a person of deep faith but this Psalm ...

Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Does not seem to be working for you? And although you have faith - you have ill health, money worries, job worries and just a lot of glum going on in this season of your life?

2 Timothy 2:10-14
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

God is faithful. Life is temporary - trouble is temporary. Grab all the peace that passes your way and hold on to His Peace. Remember 2 Timothy 2.

Father God we thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank God. Amen.




♔ Lord Jesus Saves





Sunday, June 21, 2015

Luke 10:21-24 ~ In that same hour He rejoiced in the Holy Spirit





Imagine the first week after the first Easter, where the Parables of Jesus were explained as His Glory is Revealed. Death cannot hold Jesus the Lord.

Luke 10:21-24



21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 

22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” 

23 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”




Remember with me, Jesus did not explain the parables to the crowd. Jesus explained His Parables to His Disciples. Multitudes and multitudes came to the Temple - Josephus said this would be 1.2 million people based upon the average Holy Day Attendance in the Temple in Jerusalem.











Imagine, after the Easter of Jesus' Triumph -  the crowds learning there was far more to Jesus than free bread and fish.


Isaiah 30:18
Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

The multitudes were learning this as the Generation of Jesus.

Isaiah 65:23
They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them.


Matthew 16:16,17
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven."




Christianity isn't a religion; it is a relationship. Christianity is not a philosophy; its approach to life is concrete. When Jesus was born the angels didn't send out a Coca-Cola commercial guaranteed to make us feel good. It wasn't like a Christmas card saying, " Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men."

No, what the angels said, as messengers of God Almighty, was:

Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom He is well pleased.

How did Abraham please God?


Romans 4:2-4 (New American Standard Bible)
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."

Romans 10:9 
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Faith made Abraham the pick of God. Belief. Abraham got on his feet and he went. He expected God to be good and he argued with God for other people to be allowed to live. He argued with God to bless his illegitimate son. Abraham was one who believed God was so large He could bless everyone - rather like Jacob having to take his blessing and then return the blessing to all his sons and a few of his grandsons.

“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”



Consider the shepherds,
called forth by God, they heard the message and what did they do? Why are these characters in the field chosen?

Luke 2
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child."



We who grew up with the Bible knew of God's abundant love for a shepherd boy overlooked by his own father. A boy who defended sheep. And thought so much of an anointing of God that a child stepped up to kill a warrior giant. Who fled a jealous king to become a mercenary. Still trying to find the Holy path as he lived in a ditch.

Why did God bless and choose His Only Son to be this oddly lived life in remembrance?

Acts 13:22
And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'


Father God, Thank You for Your Steadfast Love. Bless the People who Love.
In Jesus. Amen.





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About scripture-for-today.blogspot.com/

We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He has saved all who call upon His name and rely on Him for His Grace. The Scriptures are living & active and are for understanding the Lord Almighty. Biblical readings are chosen from the Ecumenical Christian Church and the Nicene Council, 325 A.D., approved Apocrypha. People remember not just from reading, but by sight and orally- an image has been added as well as audio readings. God tends to link the passages together with fascinates - this blogger, Anne-Laurel Gardere

A simple blog, scripture-for-today.blogspot

This blog is pretty simple, but for a reason. This blog isn't about agenda or me, it is for the joy and love to found by reading the Scriptures. Ultimately, it is you and the Lord.

The Scriptures are Father God's letter to you. He wanted you to know more, to know He loves you.

Thanks for Joining us today!!!


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Email registry at bottom.! “All Scripture is inspired by God” (2 Timothy 3:16). Men “moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Peter 1:21). The Holy Spirit carried men along, moving and guiding them as they wrote in their own words what God wanted them to say. The Bible is unique; comprised of 80 separate books, & written over a period of thousands of years by more than 40 writers with one Author, spanning the centuries, different states of peace & war & different situations in life. The Bible answers the question: of who is God, who is man & what can their relationship can be. Although the Bible was written on perishable material and copied by hand for many centuries, its accuracy is not in doubt, proven by Dead Sea Scrolls and papyrus from 2,000 years. The Bible has survived persecution & criticism to be read with great interest in each generation. The Bible gives witness to the greatness of the Creator. A loving Father concerned for all of his creation. With each verse of the bible witnessing to God is love and the multitude & vastness of His attributes. The Bible was written for you. <><

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Jesus, the Good Shepherd. If you see a painting or photo on this blog, know who the artist is, and I didn't, please email me: holdenll@hotmail.com



New Posts by Subject Matter

Overcoming



The World Changed Rapidly after the first Easter

Our God of All





Posts by Subject Matter





Blessings, Anne-Laurel





Who Jesus Is
1 Timothy 1:1-11 ~ God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope
Matthew 16:13-20 ~ who do people say the Son of Man is?

Good News for us to remember and Think Upon
Animals are found in Heaven ~ 6 Prophets See Animals in Heaven

Anger, Jealousy=Trouble




The Bible explains the Bible, Prophetically

Bible - in your hand, today

Bible Accuracy



Blessing







Blessing our Father God

Blessing - unaware

Boundaries

Brothers
Christmas - His Word Upholds the Universe - December 25th


Psalm 135 ~ who is in your midst
John 1:1-14, 16, 29-51 ~ He was in the world

Details - Putting it all together and discovering it is about God

Psalm 108 ~ In triumph I will parcel out Shechem

Determine your own path, just love Him

Judges 16 ~ like any other man
John 4:43-54 ~ Doing what Jesus says


Earthquake

Every Day, Still Today
Today, Yesterday, Tomorrow


Exodus - History












Heavenly Hosts
His Messengers of Light












Elements of Nature Displaying HIS Glory
Exodus 40:16-38 ~ In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was erected.

I Decide What is Right and Wrong - God noticed this in the Garden of Eden from Eve

Individualism and Groups

It's the End of the World as We Know it, And I Feel Fine. (One of our most read posts.)
Grandpa - The Bible is Really the Life Story of People and
their Abba









Gates of Heaven


Gifts of God, all of us


Giving - God certainly is





























Glory


God sees His Creation as Good!!!


Gravity






















Good Friday

Gossip

Gratitude

Greatest

Grief, Forgiveness, Homecoming


Hated Emotion - Fear




































History - Is There History Showing Jesus was Alive - VERY EXTENSIVE HISTORY

Holiness


Holy Spirit ~ Manifestations

Homeward Bound, still a sojourner

Honey, Do this

Invitation
John 3:31-36 ~ that God is true

Israel - Destroyed Completely and Rebuilt. A sign of Jesus. Existing today.

Jesus clearly put a Foundation for His Resurrection to be Believed by the Multitudes of all of Israel and the Nations

Jesus and His Childhood Privacy
Nazareth - What Jesus did See Growing Up

John the Beloved Disciple


The Journey of Joseph


























Live It
Psalm 117 ~ Praise the Lord
Psalm 82 ~ rescue the weak and the needy
2 Samuel 4:1-12 ~ David answered
Hebrews 12 ~ Thankful
Psalm 31:3-8,17-21 ~ Thou hast redeemed me
Isaiah 40:1-11 ~ His reward is with Him
Matthew 13:31-32 ~ the birds of the air come and perch in its branches
Matthew 6:25-34 ~ your heavenly Father knows that you need
Luke 11:29-32 ~ Rise up
Psalm 126 ~ shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves
Luke 14:15-24 ~ there is still room
Joshua 1:1-9 ~ I am giving
Acts 5 ~ speak in the name of Jesus
John 1 ~ the Light shines
John 3:5-8 ~ born again
~ they went on from there and passed through Galilee
Judges 20 ~ Israel

Losing a Loved One - Passing ON

Revelation 21:22-27 ~ those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life

Not Being Tossed Back and Forth with Emotion
Ephesians 4 ~ speaking the truth in Love

Marriage
Romans 7:1-12 ~ bear fruit for God
1 Corinthians 7 ~ For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband
Genesis 37:12-24 ~ when Reuben
Psalm 143 ~ Your steadfast love
Psalm 86 ~ For great is your steadfast love

Media... taking it down the path
1 Corinthians 10 ~ Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God





Mercy, an Inseparable Component of Truth
Matthew 23:23-26 ~ clean
1 Samuel 12 ~ serve the Lord with all your heart
Matthew 22:34-40 ~ The great and first commandment. And a second is like it

Miscellaneous
Job 38 ~ Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.
Psalm 19 ~ the heavens declare the glory of God
2 Kings 5:1-15 ~ a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper
1 Chronicles 13 ~ the Lord blessed the household of Obed-edom










Peace




Pharisee ~ Religion
Luke 11:42-46 ~ Woe to you Pharisees!


Pictorial Images of the 12 Tribes of Israel








Picture It


















Overcoming, with God's help!


Positive Attitude in Trouble




Prophets - the Law and the Old Men in Robes or People who Love the Lord. Flaws and Virtues. What They Sought in the Lord and What Drew Them to Him.



Praise



























Prayer

Psalm 91 ~ Prayer is always heard, God has an open door policy



Prayer Needs




Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words

Promises

Prosperity Gospel











Repeat and Repeat







Rest

Restore

Revelation 8:2
Seven Angels who stand before God

Revisionist History - Moses and Jeremiah said
there would be days like this
Deuteronomy 8
Jeremiah 23


Rock


SALVATION! What is needed?

Science - Blinded me - No - He Who Opens the Eyes of the Blind - With Science!!!

Second (3rd or 4th) Rate Seventh Level of Heaven

Seventh Level of Heaven







Shepherd

Smile!



Time Management





Life and Travels of Paul

Shroud

Transfiguration



True
The World Changed Rapidly after the first Easter



Trust Him

Uncomfortable Scripture

Video Game Player

Visual







Who is like our God?

Willingly

Works and Grace
Mark 1:4-11 ~ You are my beloved Son; with You I am well pleased

Worry

Wrathful, Nasty Old God from the Old Testament

Yahweh




Years - Thousands of Them are Yesterday in His Sight


80 Books of the Bible
Holy Spirit Approved by the First Council Nicaea and St. Nicholas
Included by the Essenes in the Dead Sea Scrolls
Today included by the Catholic Church
God wants to save the world.
The Apocrypha has Purpose; other cultures blend here.





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