Matthew 18:1-20 ~ little children

Matthew 18:1-20

 ~ (Today's New International Version)

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

2 He called a little child, whom he placed among them. 3 And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes a humble place—becoming like this child—is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.


6 "If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! 

8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

10-11 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.


12 "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 

14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

15 "If a brother or sister sins, go and point out the fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

18 "Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Having done youth ministry for several years, one of the life events I know -a good teenager with a drug habit - his new friends cleaned out the house during a party. Mostly it was pot with a few chasers of this and that. His new friends when they cleaned out the house - Did Not  do this with Mr. Clean, but took all the valuables and ran off. This happened twice, during two separate parties. He went and got clean and tried to tell people about being clean. He was rejoicing in being clean and thanking God.

Yet, he felt a little alone and daunted for trying to tell about the glories of being clean. Usually when we try to change the world around us - the best place to get comfortable with - is our own good changes.

Wow, the courage of telling and continuing to try.

What does the Scripture say - Jesus is the Word of God incarnate - what does His Wisdom say about Marijuana and Legalization.

I'd add this fact in quickly:
Jesus would Not be surprised there is an old substance compared to alcohol.

 If you have a glass from a vineyard (Jesus loved to refer to vineyards), you are going to have it out of your system in a matter of hours, Marijuana lasts 28 days. Makes me realize - Jesus drank. And loved vineyards enough to speak of them 21 times in the New Testament.




Genesis 1:29-30
And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

AND !

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.


Now many people would say, ok, but what would Jesus Say About This?


Matthew 15:10-16
And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

I've heard the argument hemp makes people only soothed. I'd say that is OVERSTATED. Stoned people can be argumentative. Now if you ask me if I've tried Pot, I'd truthfully say no. However I am alive - go around in many different situations and say I don't see a lot of difference between the words and actions in public behavior of overindulging in alcohol or marijuana. Additionally, I think the decisions made in marijuana tend to fall short of alcohol and see employers with heavy machinery needs agree.

Jesus continues in Matthew 15

Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

So interpreting this:
We shouldn't be offended with facts. Facts tell us knowledge and wisdom. Employers dealing with equipment and marijuana usage say there are more accidents caused by less clear thinking. Root up a plant? Yes, if your life is impeded by a grape vine or a pot plant - root out the plant.






Proverbs tells us that pain causes us to want to dull our pain.

What would God say to this pain life causes?

Luke 12 tells us so many thousands and thousands left their lives to hear what Jesus said they began to trample each other. People have sought Jesus - not for entertainment - but for inspiration and peace. Hope.

Jesus dealt wisely with this multitude:

Luke 6
19 And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.

The eternal words of Jesus say -

John 5:17
In his defense Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working."

Is following Jesus today immediately going to take our pain away?
Yes, for many very first time real believers - yes there is a mountain top experience of tranquility and joy. And then realities will push and shove like the parable of the seeds.  Hmmm. Jesus said not to let the cares of life choke out what is truly good. To let our hearts be open. Matthew 13.

Legalization was the topic of conversation recently. 
Government looking for ways to support the good things government does with a shrinking economy; the suggestion was ending the war on drugs by having more California Colorado type Marijuana Permitted Coffee Type Places to have more taxable dollars, less crime, more money and fund something already going around. After all, reasoning went, marijuana is just Hemp and grows naturally

 Jesus drank.

Here are some facts dealing with this I agree with. And point out the recent studies by University of Texas only involved 100 people.


"A 1988 University of Alaska survey showed that the state's teenagers used marijuana at more than twice the national average for their age group. Alaska's Failed Legalization Experiment In 1975, Alaskans could legally possess marijuana...until they opted to re-criminalize the drug. Alaska's Supreme Court held that under their State Constitution an adult could possess marijuana for personal consumption in the home. The court's ruling became a green light for marijuana use. A 1988 University of Alaska survey showed that the state's teenagers used marijuana at more than twice the national average for their age group. The report also showed a frequency of marijuana use that suggested it wasn't experimental, but a well incorporated practice for teens. Fed up with this dangerous experiment, Alaska's residents voted in 1990 to re-criminalize possession of marijuana. But 15 years of legalization left its mark-increased drug use by a generation of our youth."

Alaska has now gone back to legalization.

A Texas federal judge I spoke with said the establishment currently in Texas feels the highest pot usage is age 19-31 and they feel it impairs judgment in this age group being over indulgent in the usage. The thought is that if people past their life critical early stages were to use pot, the usage is much smaller and life moves smoother.

If you look at Amsterdam and the effects around Needle Park, in 2010, you would find yourself followed down the streets by the black market drug pushers. These characters don't take 'no' for an answer, they will follow people for city blocks. Legalization has led to an increase in drug consumption. This has led to an increase in drug seekers and a continuing problem for the countries surrounding Holland when the tourist are leaving. And curbing the AIDs epidemic? It has resulted in a 2% decline. Cannabis consumption among Dutch teenagers has increased.

California has seen violent crime around the areas growing marihuana to sell for legal usage.

People in the hotel industries and car rental industries in Colorado report they no longer have the necessity to purchase pot - as the tourists leave ounces of the substance as they return to the states with less liberal laws.

Emotion tends to determine the individual's decision on marijuana legalization.

One could quote facts till blue in the face.

Jesus would say protect the children. Even if it is the children with young fathers and mothers. A man I know well tells me frankly he enjoys a bowl frequently and he explains, being previously married to a school teacher and being a tremendous lover of children and their needs, that school teachers should never be pot smokers.

People tend to make up their minds more emotionally than logically on issues, it is important to see what facts are available from real life situations.


Father God let us be lead and guided by Your wisdom, favor and grace in Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 132 ~ For the Lord has chosen

Psalm 132

Remember, O Lord, in David's favor,
all the hardships he endured,
2 how he swore to the Lord
and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,
3 “I will not enter my house
or get into my bed,
4 I will not give sleep to my eyes
or slumber to my eyelids,
5 until I find a place for the Lord,
a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah;
we found it in the fields of Jaar.
7 “Let us go to his dwelling place;
let us worship at his footstool!”

8 Arise, O Lord, and go to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.
9 Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,
and let your saints shout for joy.
10 For the sake of your servant David,
do not turn away the face of your anointed one.

11 The Lord swore to David a sure oath
from which he will not turn back:
“One of the sons of your body
I will set on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant
and my testimonies that I shall teach them,
their sons also forever
shall sit on your throne.”

13 For the Lord has chosen Zion;
he has desired it for his dwelling place:
14 “This is my resting place forever;
here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provisions;
I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 Her priests I will clothe with salvation,
and her saints will shout for joy.
17 There I will make a horn to sprout for David;
I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
18 His enemies I will clothe with shame,
but on him his crown will shine.”

 

This is one of those Psalms we could call a mirror Psalm. It can lead to self-pity or it can cause us to remember:

Psalm 103:12,13
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

Psalm 132 is best when we use it to remember compassion for others.  And the depths of God's amazing forgiveness. Staying well clear of cheap grace. Remembering miracles creating awe when they occurred and still occur today. It would be great if miracles had an accompanying trumpet, but God works within that still small voice as well as His Mighty Acts.

Numbers 6:25
the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you



Job 22:28
You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways.

Job 37:15
Do you know how God lays his command upon them and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?

Psalm 50:2
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.

Psalm 80:3
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Psalm 80:7
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Psalm 80:19
Restore us, O LORD God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Psalm 118:27
The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us.


On David his crown will shine

Where do we get the halo idea? Moses had horns because Michelangelo read incorrectly this was horns. When Moses came from speaking with God “the skin of his face was radiant.” In fact, to protect people and to perhaps to continue his aura, Moses put on a veil. Michelangelo understood the Biblical verse  "karan" to mean Moses had horns. Some antisemitic people have believed all Jews to have horns. 

Ecclesiastes 8:1

Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

Let the Light that Lights every man shine in our hearts -  and May God continue to Bless, Guide and Lead us in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 32 ~ steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord

Psalm 32

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.

Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

Therefore let everyone who is godly
offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters,
they shall not reach him.

You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
or it will not stay near you.

Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!



The Popular Song "Love Stinks" - we all know the cords. Easily. And hugely, the people who believe it is within their grasp to rewrite God's Very Word, tell us, surely, God, a loving God, would never want Jesus to die to save humanity.

Nothing could be more wrong. Love is what makes life worth living. Daily. And eventually, in the work and the attitudes of life, there is That defining moment.  Does Love go forth?  Father God says to His Beloved, in His Own Son - I will go past the gates of hell and I will make Love Eternally Triumph.

We are all building day after day - And this IS up to us to build - well. To take the mundane moments in the narrow path and eventually the fabric becomes richer - like the Velveteen Rabbit. Grace upon Grace makes life what truly is beautiful. We wonder at pick up your cross. Perhaps we understand better - Give us this Day.

God tells us to look for what is good. Our attitudes set us on His Path. His Path tells us we Are gifted talented, able to give back. Able to give our attention. Our time. Our care. Our diligent prayer. Able to spend a weekend painting. Able to help move. Able to take a pie. Able to discern God's Will with the cheerfulness of knowing His Will will work out.

God says for us to have a mind that is renewed in Him. To be alert, to not look just survival mode. To have an attitude of gratitude showing an alert nature. Pleasant. Love one's self not to exclusivity. Politely putting down social media without any gripes or whine to others. Loving one's self in a healthy manner Jesus would approve.

Jesus tells us - My Child! What a blessing! Turning the other cheek can be walking away from a pointless argument or then having that needed discussion in a manner worthy of healthy communicating - honoring His other person's opinion. Being able to say 'no' to the sponge who will always just take service and want more. Only because God wants us to fight the good fight. All of us.  Do not deprive someone else of their ability to do something for themselves.



Sunshine on my shoulders makes me Happy.
Steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.

The Ocean tide makes a noise like a breathe. A good analogy for the steadfast Love of God.
Christians believing God  -Know what they Know - in Knowing Jesus as Lord.

JESUS CHRIST THE LORD

We know in Jesus some big Time KNOWS.
The Good News. All the universe is Planned. Part of God's Plan, created in His Wisdom.

You see God within you, then see GOODNESS.
Daily Amazing Wonders when we take the time to renew.
We need to UNtarnish. Shine Shine.

As we come home and unlock the door - remember, also to unlock Gratitude.

Shine. Shine. Shine! You are a Narnia Lamp. A Lamp of God. Let Love Shine in You. Let Love fill you. The pounding of the waves is the relentlessness of God's Eternity. When we have been there 10,000 years our years will not diminish. And He said That YOU, who believe Jesus, will not be left behind.

He Will Not Let You Be Left. HE Gathers YOU. 
Do not be ok - be assured. 
The Steadfast Love of God is like that ocean. 
Low tide is part of life and where is the water? Well, God has that water, that belongs to Him, on the other side of the planet because He decides.
 God has arranged circles of the deep like Alaska and the Caribbean - the author of the Word did not See. Yet Father God arranged this in His Word.

Father God, help us to Be. Be assured daily of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus. Opening our doors with expectation of Your Continued Goodness in ourselves, in the ones we Love, in the people You bring us, in our Nation, blessing us.

Remembering the Love God brings us Home yesterday, today and tomorrow. His Steadfast Love we bring in our lives. Drawing His Love forth to enrich our lives. May Father God bless us all in Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

John 15 ~ My Father is the vinedresser.

John 15

 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 

11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 

13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 

17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.


18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.

One of my most favorite memories as a child,  when our family ate dinner with my step-grandfather Tate, even before he married my grandmother Bit. Tate would arrive in his usual black pants, black leather belt and white button down. If it was summer, then the button down would be short sleeved.  Tate would wear his white Anglican Priest Collar.  Sometimes that would be removed. And dining tables were like the rest of life a few decades back, more solid.  Tate would contribute to the conversation and if I was very fortunate, he would bang on the table.

Jesus loved to talk to people - how do we know for sure, that indeed indeed, indeed Jesus loved dinner conversation?

The "Gospel" of John tells us all the time Jesus was active, active, active ! Going to see His Beloved Children - sometimes crossing over the Sea of Galilee 3 times to find the Person who needed Him that day. Jesus, we are told, moved, traveled, healed, soothed and gathered His Beloved People. Jesus had compassion on us and He longed to gather us under His protection - His Wing.

This Chapter is unusual - the Action of Jesus is not told.

John writes His life and explained, the "Gospel" of John records 13 14, 15, 16, and 17 were the conversation of that one evening. Before Jesus prays His joy in healing us - Jesus does not run down the planet to near despair - He says cheer up,  He has overcome the World. Jesus overcomes and He prays for us today.

Jesus dealt with people, landscapes, hills, politics and kings which were difficult in life and still expressed the value of His hopes, faith in Him and Love. Telling us keep the faith in Jesus!


Father God, when hopes disappoint us, we trust You will provide. And look to Your provision of new solutions! Lifting up people who handle the set backs in life and then are cheerful, like my son Cal. Bless You for Your wisdom and the joy of seeing Alexander being mature, calm and fun. Seeing my family work together to come together for July 4th. Looking over old troubles, with new clarity and seeing God makes a path. May God bless us all with His unlimited storehouse of blessings which begin with forgiveness and continue to gratitude. Amen in Jesus for ourselves and the Nation.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

John 9 ~ Lord, I believe

John 9

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.

8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “It is he.” Others said, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” 10 So they said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”

13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15 So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. 17 So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”

18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight 19 and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20 His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. 21 But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” 22 (His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.) 23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” 28 And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains."




I have usually dismissed the adult man's parents for being politically correct and not brave.

Today I was struck, anew, with their desire not to leave the Temple Worship. If your child could suddenly see- miraculously healed - and you had been taught all your life that God dwells in the Temple - sitting on the Mercy Seat Ark of the Covenant - you would Not want to be put outside. You would want to give Thanks and be in Worship.

Jesus goes to the healed man! Jesus does not want the healed man to have the joy of his healing botched. Jesus fully loves His People - Jesus spends time completing the miracle.

When you have seen Jesus - you have seen the Father. Thank God, again and again, for the honesty of the Scripture.

The New Testament tells us in several places of the struggles within the Church which Jesus told His Disciples of in Caesarea. There is New Testament glory in Psalm 1- staying in the Message of God - participating in Worship. We all need to see in Galatians 5 - there are a lot of differences between staying in the message of God and dwelling without it.

The Joy of Jesus is seen here again - Jesus loves what is healed - to stay healed

Blessed Father, thank You for allowing us to gather together in freedom to Worship You. Help us to have Your favor to proclaim Your Good News to the ones we Love and to the people You surround us with. Thank You for many times You have healed and continue to show You are Working. Thank You Father. In Jesus. God Bless us please. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Daniel 12:1-3 ~ those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

The Book of Life

Daniel 12:1-3 

“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.



There are so many things to like about this brief few verses of Scripture. We find we will have a wonderful hope in our future. And we find the wise shall shine Like the brightness of the sky above; Like the stars forever. And Yet not as a star. An important distinction. Mufasa speaks so soothingly, movingly and beautifully of the kings shining in the sky. Scripture could support that thought; today we know space is cold, quiet and empty. We do not secure an empty place, but a place of Love in His eternal Kingdom of beauty. And in reality, we know we do not see all the stars and to exist as a star is sight out of mind.

Father God makes something we understand as community. A place were we know when we read Scripture.

In this passage we learn Michael is considered to be a a great prince and archangel. Keeping peace. Surely a task fit for an archangel.

Jude 1:9
But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.”


^{God Gives us a Challenge}

Genesis 1:26
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.


Do you ask how to resist anger? As soon as you feel the slightest resentment, gather together your powers, not hastily or impetuously, but gently and seriously. For as in some law courts, the criers make more noise in their efforts to preserve quiet than those they seek to still, so, if we are impetuous in our attempts to restrain our anger, we cause greater discomposure in our hearts than before; and once thrown off its balance, the heart is no longer its own master. -- St. Francis de Sales


 Hebrews 1:14
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

2 Corinthians 10:3-6
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.



Deliverance and Salvation are works of the LORD GOD.

Even Archangels get irked. Thank God He is real and gives forth real Testimony.

David wrote Psalm 39
I was mute and silent, I refrained even from good, And my sorrow grew worse. 3My heart was hot within me, While I was musing the fire burned; Then I spoke with my tongue


Luke 1
Zacharias said to the angel, "How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years." 19The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20"And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words

We will never be privileged to know if this was the absolute plan of God or an anger Gabriel, we all love, displayed.

What is sure is that even in all circumstances.
God is Working. Working towards His Good we lean towards.
Thank God the Word He shows us has so many details - we see God is for us. Telling us the truth.


1 Thessalonians 5:9
For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,


Romans 10:12 
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”


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

Luke 12:8 
I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.


God tells us many times Jesus lived joy here. He does not spell this out - He tells of of amazing wonder and we must think that through - although He does tell us a few times. And in real life - joy irritation and humor carry us forth in His Great Plan. God giving us patience to "Rise Above."

~ And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Father God to You, darkness is not dark. Nothing is hidden. Help us to be in the Number when the Saints com marching in. Help those we love to be in that number and as we bring forth more light, in Jesus Christ the Lord - bless all of us unto the Nation itself. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Matthew 18:21-19:2 ~ He healed them there

Matthew 18:21-19:2

 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” ²² Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

²³ “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.^{[a monetary unit worth 20 years' salary]  25}  And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. ²⁶ So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ ²⁷ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.  

²⁸ But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii,^{[a day wage]} and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ ²⁹ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ ³⁰ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 

 ³¹ When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. ³² Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ³³  And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ ³⁴  And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,^[torturers] until he should pay all his debt.  

³⁵  So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

19 Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. ² And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

And He healed them there

The true feeling of forgiveness is exactly the same as the one we all experienced as a child, when we would swim underwater and come up gasping for air with great gratitude.

Thank You Father God. In Jesus.  God bless us all. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

2 Corinthians 8:7-15 ~ As you excel in everything—

Manna

2 Corinthians 8:7-15

7 But as you excel in everything—
in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness,
and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 10 And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 

11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.

12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15 As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

 

God is interesting. There is no limit to His Storehouse.

Deuteronomy 28
The LORD will make you abound in prosperity, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your beast and in the produce of your ground, in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you. 12"The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.

This is what Paul thought of the people he brought the Good News of Jesus Christ to:

You excel in everything— in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.


Paul had so many, many verses explaining of the Love God has for us.


If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

And now these these three things remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

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 of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.

Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you.

While they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.

This Scripture is found by just browsing Corinthians idly. Paul has pages and page declaring why he left his life to bring Jesus to - us. If you need a booster on how wide, deep and high is God's Love - look for this as you flip through the pages just telling us specifically of the Love for His people proclaimed in Jesus.


Manna - God sent renewal each day if we look for the moment in each new morning we see His Mercies renew each day. An inspiring part to manna - God's blessings do not have to be locked away - they are refreshed and renewed daily. In gratitude we see the sufficiency of each day. God not burdening us - but strengthening and encouraging us.

Father God, as we daily open our hands to You to invite You in -  we  are checking  we are New Creations in You. Open my heart to create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right Spirit within me.

Bring me the joy of Your Salvation, and uphold me with a willing Spirit. Renew my mind and help me in Your Will discern what is Your Godly will, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Let us put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Put in me love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

We place in Your Care and Love - our loved ones. The people you bring us and our Churches - may her doors open each day in Expectation of Your Glory, and our Nation. Knowing all Goodness is in You, Father God. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Matthew 12 ~ The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand"

The Cathedral of Basil the Blessed

Matthew 12

35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? 36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
under your feet.”’

37 David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

The large crowd listened to him with delight.

Luke 2:52
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

 
The real Jesus has personality, Joy in Healing and delights in His People. Jesus shows us His Nature. 

This is why Large Crowds saw Jesus raise the son of the Widow of Nain - her despair and need were the basis of the Multitudes of Believers storming into the Temple when Jesus was found to be Alive. Their Witness. The need only for Joy - when Jesus raised a leader of the Synagogue's daughter - privately.  Jesus didn't need the political pull - this was for this man's pain and his request to Jesus.

Not all the hearers of Jesus delighted in him. Jesus was known to see right into a Person and be able to tell us exactly what was what. Jesus is the Light of the World. And He is Truth with Grace upon Grace!

Here is an evangelical challenge  -What if you had to preach to Ivan the Terrible?

A Very Important and Striking aspect of Evangelism is this 
- What about God do we Love?   
This is Exactly how we convey Jesus the Lord to the ones we Love. The Gospel is received with Love in our Souls.

An aspect of God appealing to Ivan was Truth and was a Love for the People. Ivan wanted people not to be afraid of him. Basil was honest - Loving - bold.

Known as the Cathedral of Basil the Blessed, a Russian Orthodox Cathedral, it is the geometric center of Moscow since the 14th century. Built by Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible), it contains eight side churches arranged around the ninth, the tenth church was erected in 1588 over the grave of venerated Basil - Fool for Christ. Basil lived:

Proverbs 16:7
When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD,
he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.

Basil was an apprentice shoemaker in Moscow, but became a shoplifter. He gave to the poor to shame the miserly and help those in need. He rebuked Ivan the Terrible for not paying attention in church, and for his violent behavior towards the innocent.

Most of the time, admonishing anyone with name "the Terrible" wasn’t such a good idea, but apparently Ivan had a soft spot for the holy fool (as Basil was also known) and ordered a Church to be built in his name after Basil died. When Basil died on August 2, 1557,
Ivan the Terrible himself acted as pallbearer and carried his coffin to the cemetery.

Ivan appreciated being boldly told to be merciful and be a servant of Christ Jesus. Ivan appreciated Basil for living Basil's mercy, admonition and Love.

Basil - MUST have met with timing only sent by the Lord Father God Almighty, because the rest of Ivan the Terrible's reign was marked by a violent spiral downward. Basil's life was remembered as a servant of Jesus Christ and inspired many, including Ivan the Terrible's son.


What would have inspired a man to take on Ivan the Terrible?

Ivan had a Terrible Childhood. To read the summaries of Ivan's life is to disregard the full instruction of a man struggling to do the right thing in the 15th century. The rules were different. Ivan actually had a first wife the summaries disregard. Ivan judged her to be insane and weirdly judgmental - instead of killing her or putting her in a terrible mental institution - he had her put in a nunnery where he figured she had a chance.

Ivan traveled to France after one of the wars ended and he met young Charles IX of France. He saw how suppressed Charles IX was by his mother as regent. He lifted the young king in his arms and strolled out of the Court to explain to Charles, like Russia, France must offer hope and jobs and a way just for the people of the land. He was quite kind to the king and felt real empathy for him. Catherine the Great modeled some of her governmental ideas of trying to bring prosperity to the people based upon this man.

Basil did not just renounce Ivan as a Person.
Basil saw the chance of goodness in Ivan.
Basil, because of his Love, felt like there was a chance to reach Ivan.
Basil was seeing the good in Ivan. With Love.

Basil's life, giving to the poor, may have inspired the legends of Robin Hood 100 to 200 years later. Ivan the Terrible's son, Feodor commissioned more towers to be built, 30 years later, around Basil's grave and the Cathedral that became known as Basil's Cathedral.





Father God, teach us daily to speak the aspects of God into the hearts of the ones we Love.

Help us to remember all the time -Jesus is God's Living Word. Today, Jesus our God is Living and active bringing wonders to us. I had a bad dream and the phone made a sweet noise and I realized my dream was silly. Thank You for Your mercy God. Jesus brings us life and light.

Father God talkers of God just talk. When we show, today, exactly like the Early Church - the salvation of God is truly Love we have aspects to reveal in our actions. You have said "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 7:21

"An expert in the law stood up to test Him, saying, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?""What is written in the law?" He asked him. "How do you read it?"He answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."You've answered correctly," He told him. "Do this and you will live."- Luke 10: 25-28

Jesus tells us loving kindness reveals Salvation.


"I have not come to condemn the world, but to save it." John 3:17 Jesus has Bold Words.

"Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more."- John 8:11 Jesus conveys Himself as God.

Father God, We are supposed to sacrifice ourselves like Queen Victoria picked up her finger bowl and drank as her guest did. God says He honors mercy over religious sacrifice. We speak words of blessings for those You disagree with the most.

 Ephesians 3:12 Jesus, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. Jesus LIVES!

2 Corinthians 3:12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold

Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness

We will Gather, Father God. We will be filled with the Holy Spirit and pray for appropriate boldness of the Early Church's Love.

We ask Your Blessing for Our Freedom of Speech and we ask for Jesus to Live Giving Truth and Grace upon Grace.  Lord Please Bless Our Nation.

We pray that All Churches open the doors every single day to open in Worship and Food and Fellowship as the Book of Acts suggests. When Jesus blesses fish and bread because He does - if we open the Doors of the Church every single day expecting God - He Will Be There. We pray the opportunity to bring one Person to Church this year and that they meet the Living God for the first time.

We have no verse we can point to telling us to Judge someone for God. Father God grow the hearts of those we Love to say: Lord God, You Love Me. Thank You. In Jesus we Rejoice.

The Nation who relies upon God - will not be disappointed. Jesus Saves. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †