Psalm 121 ~ help comes from the Lord

3D Photoshop of Starry Night, by Vincent Van Gogh

Psalm 121


1 I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.

Where are we going?

To our Father God.

Are we there yet?

No, we have miles to go before we sleep.


To whom shall we answer?

In 1875, British poet William Ernest Henley published the poem, called "Invictus" with these famous lines: "I am the master of my fate / I am the captain of my soul."

Master Whom?

The Shepherd and Guardian of our Souls.

1 Peter 2:25
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.


Master of our Fate?

Luke 10
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

Our Fate is Sealed. In Jesus Christ. For a long time. And God called us by name...

Psalm 139
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.

13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.

How shall we go for all things for Victory in Jesus?

1 Corinthians 14
Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 4 0But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.


1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace--as in all the congregations of the Lord's people


1 Corinthians 13:7
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things



Father God, Help us to be cheerful givers, allowing grace to abound in us. That we might be found sufficient in You. For all things at all times in every good work. Help us to rely upon You, Your Righteousness endures forever. In Jesus. Amen.




 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves  †

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Romans 8:38 ~ the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord

Romans 8:38

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Each day, Father God, we seek You, Your love. Lead us away from temptation and deliver us from evil. To Your Glory. Let us live in Your grace and truth. As our sins are forgiven, let us live mercy, truth and forgiveness to the sins done to us. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Titus 3
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.


1 Thessalonians 4
16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Jesus Christ is coming again.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Matthew 7: 12-14 ~ So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them

Matthew 7

12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

The narrow way to the gate or the hard way. Not the wide path of a freeway.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

How should we proceed? Go with ease and in the ideas of the crowd. Agree politely with everyone?

Pick the High road. And let God be Sovereign in all things. God of all things.

Let Him pick our opportunities and worry less.

Matthew 6
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

If we trust Father God with all things, why fuss? God is so vast, He works well in the quiet.

Father God, let us be on Your path. Keep us centered on You. In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Philippians 3 ~ Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord

Unresting, unhasting, as silent as Light, nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest with might.

Philippians 3

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.


Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Life promises white water, defining moments.

Paul tells us of sarcasm from Greek sarkasmos, from sarkazein - to rend the flesh. How severe is this criticism? A dog tearing off limbs. Loss of things. Loss.

We will
all
face
loss in this life.
This Scripture is about how extreme life can be.



Ephesians 6
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 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, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Spiritual armor never has to be removed. The Word of God stands firm.

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

1 Peter 1:25
The word of the Lord endures forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.

Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.

Once we are properly equipped with this prayer, how will we face Loss?


Worship by the Spirit of God 
Glory in Christ Jesus 
Our confidence in Him
Not our own righteousness
Gain Christ and be found in Him
 
Faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith 

I want to be known by Jesus, for the power of His resurrection

Romans 10  I will confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead,  and I will be saved.


I am not perfect. I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 

In Hope, I will be straining forward to what lies ahead

I  will press on toward the goal for the prize 
the upward call of God in Christ Jesus

Hold true to what we have attained

Isaiah 44:24
"This is what the LORD says-- your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself."

Ecclesiastes 11:5
As you do not know the path of the wind,
or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
the Maker of all things.


He will unite all things
  All things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

  With God all things are possible
   I can do all things through him who strengthens me
  All things are possible for one who believes

John 1:3
All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 3:35
The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.

John 13:3
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God

John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

God bless the trees, flower and fauna. All the animals. As well as mankind. God looks upon His creation and sees good. Today. Father God, You bless us with transparency - letting the continuing blessing of Your mercy rest upon us in Peace. We are privileged to pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Psalm 146 ~ Their spirit

Psalm 146

1 Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

2 I will praise the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.


3 Do not put your trust in princes,
in human beings, who cannot save.
4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.

5 Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God.

6 He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever.

7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
8 the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous.

9 The Lord watches over the foreigner
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

10 The Lord reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.

Praise the Lord.

John 16
I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, 5 but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

Colossians 3
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Mid Life Crisis? Different Crisis?

The glass is full. Until we see that as empty.




Life is indeed like the Mississippi River. Days take on a pattern, life goes along. Sometimes we sigh.

Today is the day we weave the fabric of our lives.

Life will promise to bring white water. In that season,  HaNggg Onnn
Drama and selfishness... won't bring any - true reward.
Well meaning advice, given with love, isn't walking your particular path.
Days will come where -

Jeremiah 20:9
But if I say, "I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.

If we are alive, we can put forth our hands. And Try.

Psalm 39
I was mute and silent, I refrained even from good, And my sorrow grew worse. 3 My heart was hot within me, While I was musing the fire burned; Then I spoke with my tongue: 4 "LORD, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am.


Why would we look up?
Only God is good. And He is our destination - for all of mankind.
Thank God, for something greater than my needs or wants.
Infinitely purer.

Psalm 16:2
I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”

And what shall we look to see -

Hebrews 11:1
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

What do we actually hope for -
- God is For Us. That if we look to Father God in dark moments of despair - He would say something to us like - "I like your smile!" Or - "You handled that well." "In tough times - you lift people to go further."


We hope with all our longing -

Matthew 15
32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion"

Matthew 4:19
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will"

Because in our deepest longings - we need to remember Jesus spent a lot of time going to see His beloved. Jesus reaches us where we need Him to be.


Mark 7
31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him.

And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is,
“Be opened.” 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.



A Blessing.
God gives us Comfort.

And we in turn, learn to give comfort God gives us.


Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Psalm 29:11
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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