Matthew 4:13-19 ~ the Way

Capernaum

Matthew 4:13-19

13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—

 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 

16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 

17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said

Capernaum

Jesus started out collecting His Disciples. And Jesus overcame Life and Death, to go and collect His Disciples. A very perfect Circle.

Jesus is making a way, Truth and Life.  Jesus settles in Capernaum - not Tribe of Judah lands.
Jesus is making all things new.


John 21 Wonderful to know after Holy Easter.

After Family Easter. After a busy week. Jesus making Breakfast at the Sea of Galilee. Where Peter got in and swam to Jesus and then in the most Amazing thing ever shown to mankind - the Disciples squabbled.

Even God shows us continually Holiday after effect - even the Transfiguration Mountain had an after effect let down, where Jesus found the Disciples are Squabbling again.

Capernaum

Telling us we need Jesus. The Bible is Real. God has so much good patience and Love for us.


Seeing the Sea of Galilee shoreline, wouldn't you picture it being dramatically deep? Not portions where a robe would have mud and knees would be muddy.

Capernaum

God took the 13 mile Lake we call the Sea of Galilee and made real life. Golden sunsets are going to be less evident due to work done on the Shore Line like John 21. The Sea of Galilee has been a working lake. In Progress.

Even the Jesus Boat was found during work and horrible draught - forcing construction people to go to the old ways - fishing. God is in charge. God is above all our circumstances. God is Teaching His people.

We have to trust, if we are a Child of God in any situation, that good Bible advice is good. We have to be able to say to worry, "That's enough now." Doing the right thing - nourishes - your soul - your soul is the only part of you where you have real estate in eternity. Your brain is not going to survive death and go on.

David knew about hard circumstances. And in effect, David said this, "You can't control the weather in your life, but you can dance in the 'reign'."

The New Testament says to have faith. Jesus said Always Pray with Hope. Jesus said know the Scriptures, know the Power of God.

Easter is the perfect time to say that again.

Matthew Chapter 28, Verse 29 b.

Jesus said, "Know the Scriptures, Know the Power of God.

Luke 18, first verse a

1 And Jesus told them they ought always to pray and not lose heart

We can't change the weather easily. God's Will is His. Thank God. We can Trust God in the storms. Believe in God's Power and Authority. God's Love. God's Mercy.

David and Father God have given us good advice about dancing in all weather.

Psalm 23:6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

To follow Jesus with Awe and Wonder. To find His Love. To understand His Measure and see His Exact Representation in Jesus.

Our goal is our footprints leave Goodness and Mercy. Our actions please us and please God. This is a good purpose.

Let us live the Circle unbroken.

Jesus began calling His Disciples close to Him. He did this again in the Resurrection.

Jesus knew the world around Him would provide what Jesus calls "Trouble", Jesus had the endurance and faith to overcome. We see Jesus had squabbles with His Family during their advice to Him to go to the Festival. In the Transfiguration and Even Easter.

Jesus is about Love, Faith and Joy in Overcoming.


Luke 2 presents a Circle.

Simeon - this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 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.”

We find Easter has pierced the soul of many with Jesus' death on the cross. Many hearts were revealed on Good Friday.

And in Jesus Overcoming, we find:

Peace, According to the Power of God's Word

Our eyes have witnessed salvation as eyes of faith

John 14 tells us Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us forever with God's own Kingdom.

And as we study the changes in mankind - we find a Light has shown to His Glory.

Abba,

Help us to stay on Your Path. On Your Path we know Jesus is with us. We ask for ourselves and the ones we love. Guide us and lead us. Empower and protect us. Encourage and sustain us. Let us have Your Joy within us. To place our Hope in You. To be glad for Your protection.

Help those in Need especially from illness. Comfort those in affliction with Your Help and Works. 

Bless our neighborhoods, jobs, Churches. Our nation and the people of faith around the World. Help us to know Jesus is our Good Foundation. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! † 

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 ~ Stand firm in the faith

Psalm 103:2
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 

14 Let all that you do be done in love.

On this Saturday, we are still in Easter week. This is utterly astonishing to me.

Shane and Shane God is Alive.

We have had company from Michigan and Dallas (from Holy Week and on) and rejoiced with local family, new puppies, new wellness, new illness, new jobs, new complaints, new roof issues, new household repairs as well. Landscape puppy issues. Housetraining. Home Insurance Issues. Aging Parent issues. Phone calls about important aging issues and sad news. Kindness reports, kindness given. Three roofing people.  And then another item - with three house repairmen to analyze the problem. Three repair interviews first. Accounting issues, checks received. Checks looked for. Car issues. Garage issues. Trips multiple to Home Depot. A new sewing project to have good stewardship on household goods on hand.

We fixed many dinners for family and received dinner being brought. Many trips to the Grocery.

New exercise program. Enjoying and loving seeing neighbors out in the sunshine. Happy texts. Fix immediately texts. Get a Doctor Appointment - what is that thing. What do you say discussions. Fusses. Congratulations. A son going to Japan a Law Professor invited him. Documentation searching.




Are we sure we are still in Easter Week?

We Are. Jesus is Alive.

God, Himself, is Good to us.

In every situation, we are like the proverbial car with cans tied to the bumper.

Yay Opportunity! Worry added. Can I do this? Can do. Will this hold. Is this perpetual. Hi there, good to meet you. Oh, go away. Thanks for trying. Oh - thanks - for - trying. Disaster. Repair. Did this happen this way last time? No. Yes. Fix. Alleluia. Do we have to discuss this? Yes, so glad we did. So boring. So teachable.

Traveling down the road of every situation, thought, work and deed - we wonder if we are still in Easter. Again. Yes.

The Bible tells us something about every busy and routine and new left curve of Life. The Seed Parable - do not let the cares of life choke you out from God's Love. Do not become so trampled - your seeds do not have time to relax, joy and enjoy and rejoice.

We live, Live. Live in every single Word of God.

1 Corinthians 16 

Opportunity.

13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 
14 Let all that you do be done in love.

15 Now I urge you, brothers—you know 
that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, 

and 

that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— 

16 be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. 

17 I rejoice 

at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus,

because they have made up for your absence, 

18 for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. 

Give recognition to such people.!!!

We were having such a busy day - I was focused on the repairs and how to. Edward said, "Remember this morning, we were given an entire blessed, thought about, unasked for - blessing - a cinnamon pancake."

Blessings are so incredibly Powerful of God. Renew. Reset. Rejoice. Remember. Remember. Remember.

Easter - Easter Eggs - Remember to search for your Blessings Renewing Daily.

Remember to be so grateful to the unknown, good young, woman who walks up to say leaning in, "Jesus Bless You."

Remember when the bee stings, and the dog bites~  all things work together for Good for those who Love the Lord and work according to His Purpose.

Remember the joy of running into multiple neighbors of great Joy several times on walks around the neighborhood.

Remember you were invited to lunch this week and a joy on Sunday Night and something next weekend as well.


Even when Repairs to the household cause real hyperventilation.

And apparent disaster - diverted.

And then running out of Home Depot for the 6th time in 3 or 4 weeks - to say to Father God,
"Can You, Father, believe this is still Easter Week?"

And I felt the Holy Spirit tell me - stand as tall as your head will reach up.




 This aligns all the body and suddenly you feel better than rushing here and there.




 I felt the Holy Spirit say to my soul - take deep enough breaths. Feel God's air - flow in and out.




Let every aspect of your life - be part of Father God. Remember as you enter doorways - to count Your Blessings. Each door - remember God's Love.



This Easter stand firm. Stand firm. Stretch upwards to God. Breathe God in with deliberation.

Love God. And in His Love give to the people God has put in your Life. The Life God - Himself- our Father Gives freely to us Giving us Jesus Blessing Daily.

We have Seasons. Some are quiet and blessed. Some are quiet and lonely. Some are fine. Some are filled with all aspects of Life. Find God's purpose for us all in all Seasons. God's Love fills up our hearts.

Abba, Our Abba, Our Father,

The Wind of Life blows where it will. Let this Wind find us remembering Your Blessings. Let us find this Easter Week, we are eager to take the time to find and Bless You for our Blessings.

Fill our hearts, fill the hearts of those we Love. Thank You for the people You have given us. Jesus bless them and bless them and bless them with Your Love.

Let the Holy Spirit sweep this Nation finding Easter Week and Your Willing Blessings.

Bless the work of our hands and the thoughts of our heart and the words of our mouth to cause You to Lift Your Face and Smile.

Help us as we need You in all aspects of our lives. Where we know and even where we do not know even to ask. Let Your Living Water soak and nourish us all. You are Love. Reign upon us.

The Lamb of God is for us. You have Given us Your Son, Your Word, Your Promises. Thank You.

Let all nations and all of Your Beloved Children find more Heaven and more of Your Good Will on this earth.

The Words of Jesus bless us. Thank You. Alleluia. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! † 

John 16:20-24 ~ sorrow will turn into Joy

John 16:20-24

 You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.

22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Jesus spoke the Truth. The disciples would have such sorrow they would hide behind locked doors for days. Beginning only to come forth when Jesus was told to be alive. Of course, even seeing the young man in Nain and Lazarus come alive - they did not believe Mary Magdalene saying  Jesus is Alive.

Jesus works with fearful people and doubters. He always has. God, being God, hopes we take even disaster and imminent death with trust.

Jesus tells us when we truly see Jesus - see Him - then we will have profound Joy and in this straight communication and sight - we will be so aligned with God - what we ask Him is His Will and God rejoices with us in Doing His Plan. Being so in His Plan - prayers with miracles are given.

In in this Seeking and Having Found Jesus, Father God delights in seeing His Plan unfold. I would guess there are some Celestial Candid Camera moments for Answered Prayer. It's written Heaven rejoices over one Saved Soul.

Luke 15
5 And when he finds the one lost sheep, He joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’
 
 I wonder if Heaven watches out-takes videos of faces when Prayers are Answered.

Jesus has always known He is a bringer of Joy.

Luke 2:10
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Luke 10
17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

Luke 19:37
When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen!!!

God tells us in Genesis - He sees this creation as Good. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.

Jesus tells us in John - He has Joy in being part of this Life. Father God sees much more of Life than we do. In Jesus is life, and that life is the light of all mankind.

John 15:11
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

John 16:21
joy that a child is born into the world.

John 16:22
So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

John 16:24
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

John 17:13
“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them."

Jesus spoke of Heaven as Paradise and Joy.

Matthew 13:44
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.


Jesus brought the shaken, worried, deserting Apostles - Joy in His Victory.

Luke 24:41
And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”

Luke 24:52
Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

 
God tells us when we meet overwhelming circumstance...


People facing overwhelming circumstance - who Love God in steadfast ways - impress their children. With their calm. Their courage. Their resolution that God's Plan will prevail. This time in our lives - we see brave people teach their children - courage in trusting God. Finding solutions to enjoy the day. Belief God is going to care for them.

No trumpet sounds. No hearty speeches - a calm reassurance. God will do what He will do - and this is okay with them.

Today...
What will God do to offer us Himself...



Acts 2:28
You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in your presence.

God has made us all unique and qualified to do the Work He give us in believing Him.

And we see people who are putting their trust in Him. In ways that don't say I expect Him to send chariots and horses - but they fully understand - God is caring for them. 

God bless, comfort, protect, uplift those who do the Will of God. Believing God's motions are so momentous
that they will be part of God's Huge Heaven. And will find themselves - Surprised By His Overwhelming Love. Because they had the humility to rely upon God. As their Father God. Knowing Jesus loves them. Fully expecting His Grace.

They do this work -

John 6:29
Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”



Father God, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your Sight. O Lord Jesus, my Rock and my Redeemer. Today, help me go forth in You. Doing good to the ones You have given me. To tell them of Your Love. Helping them see they are wonderfully beloved in the Plan You have given us - written in Your Holiness and Goodness in the Book You have written. The Book of Life. 

The Name of Salvation is Jesus. The Highest Name given. Let us be the ones in great joy to bow our knees and give all the Joy that dwells within us Calling To You - JESUS IS LORD. And seeing the Wonders You Create in All of this Life and the Heaven we will be with You. Emmanuel. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †