Revelation 1 ~ And has made us a kingdom, priests for His God and Father, be power and glory forever and ever! Amen.

The paintings of Jesus are interesting! The shroud has 3 dimensional qualities enabling Jesus' face to be captured - which matches pre 400 A.D. early Christian art of Jesus. Akiane Kramarik began painting Jesus at age 4. The Book, "Heaven is for Real", Colton Burpo identifies Akiane's painting of Jesus as the Jesus he met in Heaven. Colton said, "They finally got one right." I see vast similarities between the Shroud paintings and a New Creation face of Jesus. And explains the reasons the Disciples took time to understand. 2 Corinthians 5 explains new heavenly bodies. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies.

Revelation 1

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and has made us a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, be power and glory forever and ever! Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”


9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 

19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. 20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches."

 

Verse 6
We have just found where we add upon the Words of Jesus in the Lord's Prayer:

For thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory forever.

Dying takes a toll on people - so our Lord Jesus gave John "a praying on Sunday" living vision of His new Kingdom - Heaven. And John faints completely.

After John recovered, I imagine he was extremely glad to see Jesus. Jesus the Lord - Who is and continues to be 
"Alive Forevermore."

Why does Jesus appear with His Face like the sun shining at full strength? Revelation fully describes the amazing wonders of the Throne of Our Father God. Creator of All Things. John has arrived at the Throne of God Almighty. The place where Moses spoke to God. 

Exodus 33
17And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” 18Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” 21And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, 22and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”

Exodus 34
5The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 6The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7keeping steadfast love for thousands,a forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty."

This is the New Kingdom of God given by the sacrifice of Jesus.

John 17
3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.

Our Father God.

John 6
46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.


During John's long, long life - John learned and knew of many, many of the aspects of Jesus, Son of God, Savior.

John 21
25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

And the most important aspect of Jesus for us today, told to us by John:

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Thank You, Lord Jesus Christ. For what You have done for me. Thank You for what You have done for my loved ones and the ones You have given me. Our Hope is in You, Lord. In Jesus, Amen.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

John 6:52-59 ~ Jesus said these things

Painted by James Tissot

John 6:52-59

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

59 Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.

Painted by James Tissot

God does what God does. Amen.
And usually He wants to see us go forth with some Faith - unseen.
Into - the unknown - with - Hope. Believing God is telling us what is True.
Believing this plan has a hope and a future - because - of - Love.


The Disciples faced the news that they were to eat the body of Jesus.
These were kosher men.
They had seen the blind walk, the deaf hear and the lame walk.
Surely GOD would not tell THIS to Jesus???

Mary merely said God's will be done.

Jeremiah said he was only a youth.

Simon Peter had said that he was sinful and Jesus should go away from him.

Now Simon Peter and Jesus watched the 70 disciples.

What would happen next?

Jesus Christ and His Disciples painted by Nikolaj Nikolajewitsch

John 6 

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”

61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this?

62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?

63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)

65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

 Jesus Christ and His Disciples painted by James Tissot

66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.

67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?”

 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Why didn't God make this easier?

We easily could quote Isaiah 55 and say, "My Ways are not Your Ways. My Thoughts are not your thoughts."

And instead let's look at what Simeon said. He spent his life righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before Simeon had seen the Lord's Christ.

Luke 2

4 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), 

so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

That is the point who we - are.

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding


Peter was called to do this out of the herd of the 70 disciples:
Romans 12:2
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.


Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Job 9:4
4 His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?

Psalm 26:2
Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.


Father God, May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD Jesus, my Rock and my Redeemer.

I ask in the name of Jesus the Lord. Let me trust in You Lord and lean to Your understanding.  Pardon and deliver me from my offenses. Help me to Do the things You would plan for me and to help those I love and You have given to me. Amen.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

Psalm 99 ~ You have established equity; in Jacob You have done what is just and right.

Psalm 99

1 The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake.
2 Great is the LORD in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name-- he is holy.

4 The King is mighty, he loves justice-- you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right.

5 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the LORD and he answered them.

7 He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.

8 O LORD our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds.

9 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy.

God loved Jacob. What wasn't to love? He stole his brother Esau's blessing twice - once at the dinner stew pot and then again from his dying father. And then... he skipped out on the deathbed and fled far away to his mother's brother.

What a guy! Guy... the word actually has evolved to becoming informal for a man. And the word Guy started out as someone who tries to blow up other people and be safely away. Surely not the bold way to kill someone. Guy Fawkes. So perhaps for Jacob running out on his stolen from ,and dying father,  - Guy is not such a bad word.

And God loves Jacob. Named him Israel, gave him 12 sons, one daughter and named His Beloved People and Nation after Jacob.

I guess we could say Jacob evolved. And that would be wrong. God loved Jacob so much He gave Jacob a taste of his own medicine. Father God was parenting Jacob.

Because Jacob saw something very astute, deep, abiding. 

Jacob asked Esau first. Obtained his permission. And what did Jacob take with his brother's permission - Words.

Jacob merely stole Words. Father God saw the wisdom in this. Father God saw the wisdom of permission asked for by Jacob. Words.

With several Words, Father God created the Universe. And His Son.
 Jesus, laughed with Joy in Proverbs for the beauty of creation. 

With what power does God uphold the Universe? 
His Word. 
With what force did Father God tell us about His Promises to us? 
With His Word. 
What do we call the Scriptures - The Word of God. 

Proverbs 8
23 Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there;
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above,
when he established the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,
30 then I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing before him always,
31 rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man

John's Gospel begins with the Big Bangs - God's Word. Genesis.


John 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 
2 He was in the beginning with God. 
3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, 
and we have seen his glory, 
glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 
17 For the law was given through Moses; 
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 
18 No one has ever seen God; 
the only God, who is at the Father's side,
 he has made him known.

Jacob took from his family.
From Isaac he took -  one blessing.
And in understanding Father God, that one blessing Jacob received - Jacob turned around and gave to all his sons and grandsons. 
Believing the blessing of God  -was to give Blessings. 
Believing  God is so Vast and so Loving - His Blessings are for His people.

Jacob had seen Jesus, intuitively, and knew the blessing. 

Isaiah 30:18
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

James 2:1
Hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.

This is what Jacob saw in Father God and this drew Jacob's heart to be in God's path.


Father God, draw those we love to be on Your path. We ask this for them and for our own soul to You. There is no place God will not send His Love. There is now place God will not send peace. In the name of Jesus all things are possible, Amen.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

1 Timothy 5 ~ I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

1 Timothy 5

Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10 and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

11 As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. 12 Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. 13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to. 14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. 15 Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.

16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.

People quote Paul as being anti-marriage. That's unfair.

This is the Holy Spirit
being Pro Body of Christ and Church family.

1. Give Honor - to an elderly man. Men as brothers. Women as sisters.
2. Honor those in need. Like this is a duty.
3. Honor your own family members first.
4. Flee from sexual sin.
5. Some people alone are going to really call on God. Others on sensuality.
6. Unlike Social Security, hope people with get up and go - get married. Let's get this changed. Life is for living. Not ruling they stay alone. If Social Security is earned, why not let the earners keep what is earned, i.e. this passage. Family and happiness should be a governmental goal. Happier people have fewer medical necessities. Good deeds have benefits even on a National level.
7. Church - actually lists to honor widows/widowers listing the people alone who did good deeds.
8. Pray for busy bodies to have husbands. They need them.
9. Do for your family - all that you can.
10. Elders of the Church deserve double honor.
11. Only make accusations when witnesses are able to prove the truth.
12. Scriptures do indeed repeat the same message - we will be rewarded for our good deeds and our ill deeds. And only God is equipped to judge us fully.

Jesus would have found this list completely unnecessary.
Why.
Jesus was completely among His people. Revealing the exact nature of our Father God.

Deuteronomy 6:5
"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! 5"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6"These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart."

Luke 10
27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

The widows have two lists. And the Body of Christ is to make actual lists of the needy. So there exists - this as well:

Acts 10:34-43 ~ Not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after He rose from the dead.



So where is our mission - if the Body of Christ is to serve the Body of Christ?

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.


How are we to balance out the fact the Good Samaritan is our Neighbor, the one showing Mercy?

Joshua 1
7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.


What will we do when we have not done all of this, when we have fallen short?


1 Corinthians 1:29-31
No human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”


Father God help me to honor this list. Help me each day to do what would please You. And when I fall short, please be my righteousness. And with Your mercy and favor - I will go forth and give thanks. Please be with those You have given to me. And help me to be a help. In Jesus the Lord, Amen.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

Psalm 71 ~ You will restore my life again

Snow Drops. Even a child will be able to plant these flower bulbs & produce amazing results with little effort. With the first rays of sunshine, the green shoots of snowdrops start to emerge. These little flowers are used to pushing their way up through the snow. Snowdrop bulbs are tiny; it's great to spot them poking through the snow, and knowing that spring is only a few weeks away.

God is good on so many different levels. We know He gave us, freely, gave us, His Son, Jesus Christ, God brings us into eternity with Him. We know we have eternal redemption and peace with Him. We trust Him to bring us home and, also, to care for our loved ones.

God is also concerned with our lives, He doesn't just forsake us. He promises He will never leave us or forsake us. We may see many trouble in this life, but His Scripture fully assures us, He is with us helping and caring. Lent is 40 days. God gives us opportunity all the time to renew, regenerate & grow. We can rely upon God, His love doesn't change. But in Jesus Christ, we are new creatures and we can look at our sins, habits or patterns and seize His hope and opportunities to change. 

Easter is 40 Days.


40 days after Easter, Jesus ascended to His Father
40 days of Flood, 40 days of waiting for land - Genesis 7
40 days of Egyptian embalming for Israel - Genesis 50:3
40 days, Moses was on the mountain with God, twice - Exodus 24:18, Exodus 34:28-29
40 days, the spies of Moses (God did not ask for) looked at the promised land - Numbers 13:25
40 years, the children of Israel wandered after not seizing the promised land - Numbers 14:33
40 days Goliath mocked Israel - 1 Samuel 17:16
40 days, Elijah strengthened by one angelic meal went to Mount Horeb where the Lord passed by and he heard the voice of God - 1 Kings 19:8
40 days to repent, Jonah warned the City of Nineveh until God would overthrow the city.
40 days the people repented in those 40 days and God spared the city - Jonah 3:4
40 days Jesus fasted in the wilderness - Matthew 4:1-2
40 days Jesus was seen on earth after His crucifixion - Acts 1:3

Psalm 71

1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.

2 Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness;
turn your ear to me and save me.

3 Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

4 Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of evil and cruel men.

5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.

6 From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother's womb.
I will ever praise you.

7 I have become like a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.

8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.

9 Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

10 For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together.

11 They say, "God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him,
for no one will rescue him."

12 Be not far from me, O God;
come quickly, O my God, to help me.

13 May my accusers perish in shame;
may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.

14 But as for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.

15 My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
of your salvation all day long,
though I know not its measure.

16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD;
I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.

17 Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

18 Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come.

19 Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God,
you who have done great things.
Who, O God, is like you?

20 Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.

21 You will increase my honor
and comfort me once again.

22 I will praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.

23 My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you—
I, whom you have redeemed.

24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
have been put to shame and confusion.




These forty days:
John 21:
25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

God loves to repeat Scripture, probably to teach and convince us of His Glory.

 Hubble Telescope 

Ezekiel 10:4

 Then the glory of the LORD rose from above the cherubim and moved to the threshold of the temple. The cloud filled the temple, and the court was full of the radiance of the glory of the LORD.

Acts 1:9-11
9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 

10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Luke 4:30
But he passing through the midst of them went his way.

Luke 24:50-53
Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God

Mark 16:19
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

 
Luke 15 
while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him

Matthew 8:11
and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Hebrews 4
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

The ascension. We know the Scriptures love to repeat events. To tell us God is capable, is true, will do what He says.  Who else has ascended in Scriptures? Enoch and Elijah.  Who else will ascend?

1 Thessalonians 4
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

The question would be, aren't we are eternal beings who love Father God? Eternity truly begins as we profess and believe Jesus is Lord - Son of God - Messiah - Savior.  David planned, in the Holy Spirit, never to see corruption of the grave. So - the question is, aren't we always alive? I believe so. Some will change in the twinkling of an eye and return to earth to be ascended - alive. We know this from near death experiences. I know this from the visit I had from my Aunt Clarice seeing Heaven and yelling of the incredible Glory - waking to find she had gone Home. And the Acts of God we ponder in our hearts. We thank You, Jesus.

Father God, let us be in that number running to Heaven to see You and Jesus as fast as You call us toward Home. We pray in Jesus for ourselves and the ones You give us and we Love. In Jesus, Your Glorious Will be accomplished. Amen.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

Acts 10:34-43 ~ Not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after He rose from the dead.

Acts 10:34-43

34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: 
“Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. 
He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.

They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.

43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Isaiah began writing about God as Father. Moses wrote of God as our Sanctification.  Jeremiah wrote of God as our Righteousness. Genesis told us of Jesus.

Moses saw  Jesus.
Numbers 24:17 
17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel

Ezekiel in Chapter 48:35 saw
YHWH-shammah: God Present and available when needed.

Believing in God through Jesus Christ we receive forgiveness being covered by His Name.

When you read of people encountering the Living God - they are overcome by the majesty and awe of God being all of what He has told us of Him.

People encountering God have a relationship with God. He is present with them in all aspects of their lives. This passage says eating and drinking with Jesus. The response to knowing the God of All Creation is usually wanting to please Father God. The passage says we have some fear of God. Jesus says this is wise. Have some fear over Him who can cast us out of Heaven. The Word of God continues saying  fear leaves, it is only the beginning of wisdom. Love remains. This portion causes the heart to lean to Father God and want to provide Him with what David did. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.

Stephen and Jesus saw Heaven. I want to be in that group that goes to God immediately. I want to see my Father God and Jesus. To eat and dine with them.

Psalm 16:10–11
For thou wilt not leave my soul in the grave or sheol; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Father I hope to be in the number who return to give great and powerful witness to Your Kingdom. That Your Words "Today you shall be with me in paradise" will call me forth to dwell in Your House forever. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><