2 Timothy 7 ~ the gift of God

Hans Zimmer Musical Score for Pirates

Pirates of the Caribbean 

"Bible-thumper on this ship?"
"A missionary is the story. What I heard, was he got captured in a raid. The rest on the ship got killed, but not him. First Mate wouldn't let it happen, on account his premier standing with the Lord."
―Jack Sparrow and Scrum concerning Philip Swift


"You are different."
"Different?"
"Are you not? You protect."
―Syrena and Philip Swift



Destinations. We are all going the same way. And we are all on the same journey. To Jesus the Lord.

To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek Him the greatest adventure; to find Him, the greatest human achievement. ~ St. Augustine





Jesus told us we are part of Eternal life the minute we truly believe. He said we would have the Way, the Truth and the Life.


Have you been on a journey lately? Consider this journey.

St. Augustine has made mention.

A person who is a good and true Christian should realize that truth belongs to his Lord,
 wherever it is found,
 gathering and acknowledging it even in pagan literature, 
but rejecting superstitious vanities and deploring and avoiding those who 'though they knew God did not glorify him as God or give thanks but became enfeebled in their own thoughts and plunged their senseless minds into darkness. 



What would God think of ongoing adventure?

Admonitions of Ipuwer housed in the Leiden Museum  

Papyrus 2

Indeed, the river is blood, yet men drink of it. Men shrink from human beings and thirst after water.

Indeed, gates, columns and walls are burnt up, while the hall of the palace stands firm and endures.



Papyrus 5

I have separated him and his household slaves

Indeed, the hot-tempered man says: "If I knew where God is, then I would serve Him."

Indeed, runners are fighting over the spoil [of] the robber, and all his property is carried off. Indeed, all animals, their hearts weep; cattle moan because of the state of the land.


Papyrus 7

Things have been done which have not happened for a long time past; the king has been deposed by the rabble.
Behold, he who was buried as a falcon [is devoid] of biers, and what the pyramid concealed has become empty.

The Residence is thrown down in a moment.
Behold, Egypt is fallen to pouring of water, and he who poured water on the ground has carried off the strong man in misery.

Behold, the Serpent is taken from its hole, and the secrets of the Kings of Upper and Lower Egypt are divulged.

Behold, the Residence is afraid because of want, and [men go about] unopposed to stir up strife.

Behold, noble ladies are now on rafts, and magnates are in the labor establishment, while he who could not sleep even on walls is now the possessor of a bed.

Behold, the possessor of wealth now spends the night thirsty, while he who once begged his dregs for himself is now the possessor of overflowing bowls.

Behold, the possessors of robes are now in rags, while he who could not weave for himself is now a possessor of fine linen.



Papyrus 9
 
Behold, the strong men of the land, the condition of the people is not reported [to them].
 All is ruin!



How is your prayer life?

Still, quiet. Filled with:


2 Timothy 7
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and self-control. 8So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord


Isaiah 11:2
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.


Consider.

John 3:8 E
The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.




Exodus 13:21
By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.

Moses stood where there was no path. No escape.
 

The Gospels record Jesus was called to assist even when Hope was over. Life had ceased. And Jesus has found a Way!

 


Imagine standing at the Ocean. And the strong wind is in your face. And you pray
to the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings. Your faith tells you, God is Present. You are heard.

Psalm 116 

1I love the Lord, because he has heard
my voice and my pleas for mercy!

2 Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live!

3The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
4Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”

5Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
our God is merciful!
6The Lord preserves the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me!

The Wind rises up up up
and the Water rises up up

Mark 4:39
And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Exodus 14:22
And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.


And -

Psalm 93:4

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea-- the LORD on high is mighty.

John 1:27

He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.

And Now we pray.


Holy, Father Lord God Almighty.

You alone are Worthy. Consider the thoughts of our heart and turn Your Face Upon us.

Send Your Holy Spirit over the waters and the land. Renew hearts of love for You.

The Power of this Great Work is Yours Alone.

And we will live, breathe, and know, move and have our being because of the activity of God who makes all things.

For the Glory of God who works in us His will, His Holy Spirit to act in order to fulfill Jesus' good purpose.

In Jesus Christ the Lord, our God, Savior and Advocate.

We thank You for Your answers.  Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Isaiah 2:3-5 ~ let us walk in the Light of the Lord

Jeremiah 23:23-24

“Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord."

1 Timothy 1:17

To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

John 4:24

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

Romans 8:37-39

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ecclesiastes 8:16

16 When I gave my heart to know wisdom and to see the task which has been done on the earth (even though one should never sleep day or night), and I saw every work of God, I concluded that man cannot discover the work which has been done under the sun. 

Romans 8

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope

21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

22For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?

25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.

These Brave People have Served to Give us Freedom. Isaiah 2 tells us of what war is to accomplish and fulfill. This is the Hope fulfilled of Freedom:

Isaiah 2:3-5

The word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

4 He shall judge between the nations,

and shall decide disputes for many peoples;

and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,

and their spears into pruning hooks;

nation shall not lift up sword against nation,

neither shall they learn war anymore.

5 O house of Jacob,

come, let us walk

in the light of the LORD.

Psalm 90:2

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Isaiah 6:3

And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Pray without ceasing

Isaiah 12:2

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

John 5:17

Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

Our Abba,

The Heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His Hands.

He walks upon the wings of the wind; He makes the winds His messengers.

The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed.

He will hear their cry and will save them.

And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

We have a fine history of Noble men and women giving their all for the concerns of this Nation. The cost has been terribly high. Freedom is still with us. The Freedom to worship. Freedom to pray. Freedom to speak. Freedom to assemble. Freedom to travel. Freedom to wear a cross. Freedom to display a bumper sticker. Freedom to be educated. Freedom of choice. Freedom to seek Justice. Freedom to expect respect. Freedom to vote. Let all the hopes and obligations of each citizen be held with intensionality, deliberation, leading to the upbuilding of our People. To Your Glory and for the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ.

Help us to see what is noble, good and pure and rejoice. To remain grateful for what has been accomplished. With Hope for what will be gained pleasing to You.

Blessed be God, for our families. Our hope for their continued safety and opportunities in God's Grace and Mercy.

For this we are Truly Grateful and Thank You God for Your People. And the Gifts given to us. 

In Jesus Christ. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 63 ~ My soul thirsts for You

Galilee in Spring

Psalm 63

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
3 Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.

4 So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
6 when I remember you upon my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
7 for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

8 My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.

9 But those who seek to destroy my life
shall go down into the depths of the earth;
10 they shall be given over to the power of the sword;
they shall be a portion for jackals.

11 But the king shall rejoice in God;
all who swear by him shall exult,
for the mouths of liars will be stopped.


What is the purpose of everyday life?

We meet that purpose every day. For some they are leaving their parents' house and heading out into the world. And that is an odd feeling to know you do not know what is ahead. Like knowing you are driving off a cliff. And you know you will land alright, but not what is ahead.

And others of us have settled lives and have a good idea of what the year will look like. Some are glad, some are bored. Some have trouble.

The purpose of life is to find seasons of seed parables. To find how we deal with all seasons and recover. To believe in season of unseen. To find God is helping.

This is Pentecost. And in the Belief God IS Helping. What was unseen and believed becomes Seen. Like the Resurrection. Like Jesus behind locked doors. Jesus teaching 500 for 40 days. Jesus seen in the Ascension to explain His Destination. Jesus not leaving His Disciples abandoned.

Has this been seen other than the early Church? We all can agree this is like the Burning Bush. And as Genesis says the Holy Spirit was above the waters of creation, now we find in the New Covenant, The Holy Spirit dwells with mankind saved by the Salvation of Jesus.

Does this still exist? When Peter Marshall, Presbyterian Minister and Chaplain to the United States Congress, died - the people in his hospital room - witnessed the scene of Acts 1 Again. God meeting mankind.  The Light of the Holy Spirit made the whole room ablaze with Light. Guideposts records the passing of a Christian woman married 50 years and running a farm with her family - as she died - the room filled with unbelievable Light.

God's Purpose is always fulfilled.

Moses told the people who lived by the Nile of Egypt they would find their homeland to be a place of milk and honey. And by faith the people of the Exodus by passed Jericho which is very tropical and beautiful. And they had the land divided up to them.

This is Bethlehem of Judah. Jerusalem was not fulfilled in the Promise of the Exodus, although promised to the Tribe of Judah, until David became King.

 Bethlehem of the ages. The 1500s looks like the 1880s. And, then, today with Irrigation.

Exodus 33:3

Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey.

The Pools of Solomon in Bethlehem. 1880 to today.

The act of God is amazing. And our Generation is blessed to be just one generation away from 'Israel would never exist again and had not for 2,000 years'. And in one generation, one lifetime, Israel is the land of milk and honey.







Numbers 16:14
"Indeed, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor have you given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards Would you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come up!"

Deuteronomy 6:3
"O Israel, you should listen and be careful to do it, that it may be well with you and that you may multiply greatly, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey."


Jerusalem 1880 and 1860 and today

Pool of Bethsaida

Mount of Olives




Today, let's look at Jerusalem
and Israel

 Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane

Jezreel Valley the trip from Nazareth 79 miles from Bethlehem

We still see dry areas of Israel in summer - but the millenniums of people from Israel would be astonished.





How will we interpret this for ourselves? When God speaks, this will be the Plan of God.

We can hold on to God's Plans for us.
Believe when we hold on to God is Loving, Righteous and Good.
Believe when we hold on to Jesus, He is for us eternally.

A God of the Universe is Capable and Worthy of our esteem and prayer life.
His Promises are real and we can put our trust there.

Titus 1:2
In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

2 Peter 1:4
By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

John 14:18
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

John 4:24
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

John 14:21
Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.




Abba, Thank You for Your Promises.

We lift ourselves.
We lift our souls and cares.
We lift those we Love.
We lift their cares.
We lift the people You have given us to pray and care for.
We lift our work places, our schools, our Churches.
We lift our Nation.
We lift the praying World, believers of Jesus Christ
We know that as we trust in You, we will see Your Wonders, Acts, Love and Mercy.
Alleluia we are covered in the Name of Jesus. Always our Amen in Jesus.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 ~ rise first

Jesus opens His arms in Victory

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 

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.

1 Thessalonians 4:15
5 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

Just as the Time Jesus was being raised victoriously into Life.

Matthew 27
51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many.

The Great Sleep

Daniel 12:2
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.

Acts 7:60
"Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, do not charge them with this sin.' And when he had said this, he fell asleep"

John 11:11
Jesus "said to them, 'Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.'

John 6:40
"For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day."

Many times in the Old Testament we read - someone slept with his fathers.

 Even The Book of Revelation deals with sleep as Heaven is discussed for the whole book:

Revelation 6:11
Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer

Acts 17:11
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.


1 Corinthians 15:50-52
I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 

For many years, we've all heard about marvelous life after death stories.

Jesus was asked about people returning from the dead, when Jesus was asked in:

Luke 16:30
"'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'


One of the most famous recorded returns is Pam Reynolds Lowery (1956 – May 22, 2010) was an American singer-songwriter. In 1991, at age 35, Pam died on the table for many minutes and was clinically recorded as brain dead with no life during a seven hour operation. She was operated on with ear plugs. When she woke up she was able to tell about floating, knowing the operating conversation, the tools used and being in Heaven with her grandmother. 


http://www.today.com/health/i-crossed-over-survivors-near-death-experiences-share-afterlife-stories-t12841


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2032591/Woman-comes-back-to-life-after-being-dead-for-17-hours.html

http://www.storypick.com/death-experience/

http://www.today.com/news/pronounced-dead-man-takes-miraculous-turn-2D80555113

http://www1.cbn.com/content/dr-chauncey-crandall-raising-dead

https://www.amazon.com/Dying-Be-Me-Journey-Healing/dp/1401937535

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/29/us/to-heaven-and-back/


10 Astonishing Near-Death Experiences- Wow - (Link)

Revelation 20:4-6

And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God.They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.

Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.


Now could John have meant only the people who have endured the actual tribulation, end times? The Book of Revelation is not just Scripture explaining the end of all times, The Book of Revelation is about us - meeting Jesus - the end of our lives.

Life is a test and if we do not worship other gods - if we do not worship the traditions of man - which are have variations in generation to generation, if we work to be in the world and not of the world. If we do not bear the mark of overly safe and comfortable - not spreading God's Love - We are called like the Disciple John - who was not actually beheaded - and did overcome the beast of fear during the time of Jesus' death and resurrection.

Revelation 1

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw -

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."

What was John doing?

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!


Some of John - who called Jesus The God of Love - said this of his experiences with our Hero Jesus, repeating what Peter said about Jesus being Life:


1 John 1
That which was from the beginning,
which we have heard,
which we have seen with our eyes,
which we looked upon and have touched with our hands,

concerning the word of life—
the life was made manifest,
and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life,
which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—

3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete!

Father God, In Jesus we will not let our hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Jesus. In Your Word we learn the truth, and the truth sets us free.

We are to Love one another. As Jesus has loved us, we must love one another.

Father, We ask You and You will give the advocate of Your Holy Spirit to help us and be with us and our loved ones forever. Thank You, Jesus! Amen

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †