Luke 9 ~ The Majesty of God

Luke 9

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 

3 And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. 4 And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 

5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8 by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. 9 Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.





 

10 On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. 11 When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. 

12 Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.”

 13 But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” 

They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” 

14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 And they did so, and had them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them.

Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

 

18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 

19 And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.”

 20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 

And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

21 And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”


23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 

25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 

26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

 

 28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.

 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 

32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 

33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 

34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 

35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” 

John 9:5

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. 40 And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 

 41 Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 

43 And all were astonished at the majesty of God.

But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, 44 “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

   

46 An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 

47 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”


49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” 

50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”


51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”

55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village.


57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 
 

58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 

59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 

61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 


62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Our Abba,

We give You thanks for Jesus. Wonderful. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of Your nature, and Jesus upholds the universe by the Word of His power. After making purification for sins, Jesus sat down at the right hand of Your Majesty on high.

When we suffer from concerns, we will not stay in discouragement. According to the eternal purpose Jesus our Lord accomplished. That in the dwelling of You - Abba, Holy Spirit and Jesus -through faith in Jesus - we may enter Your presence with boldness and confidence.

Praying each day prayers that for my grandmother Anita took forty years - believing with Hope and surety - You and Jesus are still working each day.

With Joy lifting up those we love to Jesus. Our cares, communities, Churches, this Nation and the world of Christians praying for the Holy Spirit to bring more Heaven to earth.

We praise the Name of Jesus covering us. Remembering His wings gathering His beloved to Him as chicks to their mother. We understand Jesus' Love for us. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Genesis 22 ~ God tested Abraham

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn painting of Abraham and the Angels

1 John 4:8

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Psalm 18:30
This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

1 Peter 1:15
He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct

Genesis 22:1-2

22 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” ² He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

Genesis 22:9-13

⁹ When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. ¹⁰ Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.  

¹¹ But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” ¹² He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” ¹³ And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.

Genesis 22:15-18

And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven ¹⁶ and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,  

¹⁷ I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, ¹⁸ and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

The passage people discuss when they talk about believers being weird about faith. Odd. Off. Mental. (Those crazies going around killing for "God".)

Because if your spouse or your child came home and said they wanted to kill someone and heard from God - you are going to be - UPSET.

And this is happening around the world today - killing for God. Jihad.

Why was Abraham chosen to be Father of the Nations? Well Bible readers know because He believed God and this was credited to him as righteousness. 






Romans 4 goes on to say how this aspect of Abraham touches us today.

20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 

23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. 

It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Saying what we do  has to blend into what God tells us all. The Scriptures show us in several places - He wants us to abide in Scripture. John 14, 15, 16, 17 to name a few.






Abraham could have Grabbed on To God for dear Life and asked for Mercy. And expected His Grace. In times of Trouble. Approaching  God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16




 




The Our Father Prayer tells us - God has many children. We are part of the Body of Christ. 

This is why you are fully assured if someone tells you Jihad public or private is not from God today.

 

 

 God is God. 

Salvation is fully a work of Jesus. We cannot heft anyone into Salvation. The first step is assuredly 'Called by Jesus.' I've heard salvation stories that exist - today - from only conversations with God and assurances and the Faith God Gives.

And Abraham was having Pretty Marvelous Prayer Times with Almighty Father God.

In fact, why did The Lord  did bring Abraham into being "Father of the Nations"? Not only did Abraham believe God - Abraham argued with God and said what if and if this, then and why and 'why would You'. Abraham went on to, unfortunately, to  question if God would fail to bring this about - Abraham and Sarah began to try to plan for the Lord God Almighty. And had the sheer audacity to say "Sure, this was a mistake and Hagar didn't want all this - but bless the son I created to make sure that You did Your Work." I.E. Clean up for me - thanks.

God very much liked something about Abraham. He believed - creating an open door for God. And he wanted God to be compassionate to sinners. Because Abraham identified with the fact that if God was going to kills sinners in a city - Abraham knew - oh no - Abraham is a sinner too. Abraham was going to argue for God to be Loving.

God - identified by John - is Love.

Now this chapter says immediately - God tests us.

And The Lord's Prayer is the Son saying to the Father - lead us NOT into Temptation and deliver us from evil. Well. Jesus is saying - oh, Abba - help His Children stay on the good side. C'mon see John and James - they are here helping Jesus - and they are doing it for a Large Place in Heaven. And see the disciples chasing away children - oh NO. And the others asking for fire on the Samaritans. Oh Son of Man - look at - that.

Jesus is saying, "They need an Advocate." Really. "Because look at these People - Abba - I walk on Water and they say 'How does HE do that?"

Abraham does, in my opinion, the same thing. He hears the Lord say another round of Killing. Except this time it's Isaac. If Abraham had said, "No. I don't believe You. You said test the Spirits. This one does not sound like GOD. You create life and life exists by Your Word Alone. NO. The Author of Life has control of all things under His feet. You bring out the Angel of Death and YOU do that. No."

Father God says His anger only lasts a moment. His Word witnesses to this.

What do you think God would do? Smite him for saying "You are the Author of Life and Your Word abides."

I, personally, think God would have said, "THAT'S RIGHT only Judge your actions as Pleasing to a LOVING God."

And If Abraham had seen like David, that Isaac, his son, began to die and trusted God with the outcome - GOD would have been very, very pleased to be Trusted to be Merciful.

And because Abraham believed God to be merciful - like David did - God would be merciful. Just exactly like the Parable of the Talents. Never, ever, ever say to God - this :




Matthew 25

24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 

26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

What is the Willingness of our Father who wants to save 'the world'?

23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’


And if we wanted to oversimplify - we would say God gives talents for Life and not death.


And the point is - the Word of God spoken was for Abraham. Exactly like Jesus healed the deaf man in private. Exactly like Jesus healed the blind man privately. Exactly like the Word spread far and far and far and far - because the Light of the World is for Shining.

TODAY

How will we relate to this from millenniums ago - when we feel like Life is truly testing us - this is a time to stop and consider.

The Lord's Prayer says - we face temptations - trials. And if we feel tested - then consider how present Father God was during the years Abraham felt God had forgotten him. How present God was when Jesus asked Him the same question. Where is God?

Abraham felt that he had become insignificant to God.

Instead God wanted to see how Abraham was doing with something all those who believe hold in common - THE INVITATION OF GOD - To present our gratitude to Father God for being - invited to - Eternity of His Home.

2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Hebrews 3:6
But Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast.

Abba, Our Wonderful Father,

You are He who searches our hearts knowing the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Let the words coming from my heart. And the words of my lips - be pleasing to You, my Rock and Redeemer.

Lifting up with joy our cares, the ones we Love, our Churches, communities, jobs, Nation. With all the Saints all over the world. Trusting our God to show Himself to the hearts of those who truly seek the goodness of Jesus.

Even Job knew to expect the mercy of God when he felt lost.

Job 19

23 “Oh that my words were written!
Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
24 Oh that with an iron pen and lead
they were engraved in the rock forever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.


Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 61 ~ from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint

Psalm 61

1 Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
2 from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
3 for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.

4 Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6 Prolong the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
7 May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

8 So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I perform my vows day after day.

Israel has deserts, lakes, beaches, mountains, rivers, arid places, lush forests and farms. David knew most of the places in Israel from travel, work as a shepherd, work for King Saul as a warrior or musician & fleeing as if he were a criminal. He came to know Israel as a King and Father.

David knew what it felt like to be backed into a corner and to stay there. He knew a lot of trouble in life, God called David to know something Greater. Wherever David was, whatever the situation, David knew the comfort of God's plan being in place. The House of God, was merely a tent, but the promises of God are a mighty fortress. David would honor the ways God had for him to walk in, David would uphold the Word of the Lord.


1 Samuel 2:30
Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,' but now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

1 Chronicles 29:28
Then he died at a good age, full of days, riches, and honor. And Solomon his son reigned in his place.


Psalm 112:9
He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.

Psalm 103
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

³ who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Father God, when we do not see all of our path, help us to remember the comfort of David. We trust in You and we have Your comfort. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

<><

Isaiah 29 ~ the Lord

John 10:7

Therefore Jesus said again, "Very truly I tell you, I am the gate"

Isaiah 29

2 Therefore this is what the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, says to the descendants of Jacob:

“No longer will Jacob be ashamed;
no longer will their faces grow pale.
23 When they see among them their children,
the work of my hands,
they will keep my name holy;
they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob,
and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.

24 Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding;
those who complain will accept instruction.”

  Jeremiah 33:9  Heaven

And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it.

1 Corinthians 8:6
Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

Ephesians 3

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
15 from whom every family
in heaven
and on earth derives its name.

16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.


10/17/14
This study is too wonderful not to share again.

The Independent out of the UK reports the largest-ever study provides evidence that 'out of body' and 'near-death' experiences actually have real findings. Speaking about the evidence provided by a 57-year-old social worker Southampton, Dr Parnia said: “We know the brain can’t function when the heart has stopped beating." And yet...

2,060 patients from 15 hospitals in the UK, US and Austria, and has been published in the journal Resuscitation

Experts currently believe that the brain shuts down within 20 to 30 seconds of the heart stopping beating – and that it is not possible to be aware of anything at all once that has happened.

But scientists in the new study heard said they heard compelling evidence that patients experienced real events for up to three minutes after this had happened – and could recall them accurately once they had been resuscitated.

Dr Sam Parnia, an assistant professor at the State University of New York and a former research fellow at the University of Southampton who led the research, said that he previously that patients who described near-death experiences were only relating hallucinatory events.

One man, however, gave a “very credible” account of what was going on while doctors and nurses tried to bring him back to life – and says that he felt he was observing his resuscitation from the corner of the room.

Speaking to The Telegraph about the evidence provided by a 57-year-old social worker Southampton, Dr Parnia said: “We know the brain can’t function when the heart has stopped beating.

“But in this case, conscious awareness appears to have continued for up to three minutes.

“The man described everything that had happened in the room, but importantly, he heard two bleeps from a machine that makes a noise at three minute intervals. So we could time how long the experienced lasted for.

“He seemed very credible and everything that he said had happened to him had actually happened.”

Of those who survived, 46 per cent experienced a broad range of mental recollections, nine per cent had experiences compatible with traditional definitions of a near-death experience and two per cent exhibited full awareness with explicit recall of “seeing” and “hearing” events – or out-of-body experiences.



Dr Parnia said that the findings of the study as a whole suggested that “the recalled experience surrounding death now merits further genuine investigation without prejudice.”

Dr Jerry Nolan, editor-in-chief of the journal which published the research, said: “The researchers are to be congratulated on the completion of a fascinating study that will open the door to more extensive research into what happens when we die.”

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 134 ~ He made Heaven and earth

Psalm 134:1-3

1 Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
2 Lift up your hands to the holy place
and bless the Lord!

3 May the Lord bless you from Zion,
he who made heaven and earth!

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

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.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-16

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 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.

 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.

Father God,

For the years You have supplied every need of ours according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Thank You Jesus.

God, our Father, You will and strengthen us, You have helped us, You do uphold us with my righteous right hand. Thank You Father for the strength from these years.

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl."

From Your fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. Thank You Jesus for being our rock and fortress.

God works in us, both to will and to work for Your good pleasure.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.

Thank You Father for Rest and Renewal. Our Joy and Strength is in Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †