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 †

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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 †

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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 †

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Psalm 90 ~ For a thousand years in Your sight are but as yesterday when it is past

Remains of Tabernacle Dwelling
First Temple built by Solomon

Wall closest, Archaeological ruin of First Temple Wall.
Models of Second Temple






Night at Golgotha, Vasily Vereshchagin

 

Arch of Titus, Conquering Jerusalem, relief on the wall. The Ark of the Covenant is missing. The gold from the Temple was used to build the Colosseum. Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD, the time of the natural death of Jesus, if He'd lived to be old.











Way of the Cross, Good Friday Service at the Colosseum

4th Century Church of St. Peter's built by Constantine. Built to look like the Royal Stoa of the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem.
4th Century Church of St. Peter's built by Constantine
St. Peter's Interior Today.
Stained Glass Cathedral Rheims
Lyon Cathedral
Wells Cathedral
Country Church painted by Dzvinka Stifel
Beautiful altars




Psalm 90
A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.


1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place [our refuge]
in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3 You return man to dust
and say, “Return, O children of man [of Adam] !”
4 For a thousand years in your sight
are but as yesterday when it is past,
or as a watch in the night.

5 You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning:
6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.

7 For we are brought to an end by your anger;
by your wrath we are dismayed.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.

9 For all our days pass away under your wrath;
we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
 
10 The years of our life are seventy,
or even by reason of strength eighty;
yet their span [or pride] is but toil and trouble;
they are soon gone, and we fly away.
11 Who considers the power of your anger,
and your wrath according to the fear of you?

12 So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
13 Return, O Lord! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil.
16 Let your work be shown to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
17 Let the favor [beauty] of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands!


Psalm 90:4
For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.

2 Peter 3:8
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

Two days ago, Jesus Christ offered Himself as our sacrifice. Death was abolished and a new Heaven was written of by the apostle John, breathed out by the Holy Spirit ~ in the eyes of our Father God.

When we stand in our sanctuary, Church, praising God, we are - in His eyes - a mere breath away from the events we see posted today. We are just dust, but Precious in the eyes of God. God is God of the Living. Many generations Living with Him; He is our refuge!

Luke 5
36 He told them this parable: “No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. 37 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. 38 No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. 39 And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’”

This looks like New Covenant to Father God. We take our old concerns and bring them to Father God so very vast and He takes these concerns and gives us regeneration in the Holy Spirit when we look to Him in Faith. Jesus tells us in John 16 the depth Father God loves us as we Love Jesus. Our Father. Who saw His Creation is Good in the Old Testament and affirms us in the New Testament saying God wants to save the world in Jesus Christ.

In the vastness of our Father Almighty, in the unknowing time is our Ancient of Days, Redeemer God creates us to have parts to play in the Body of Christ. We are acknowledged in His Word as separate parts with God given talents to use to bring Forth our lives in His Plan. We are named by God in Ephesians and given our part to do. When we love someone, we listen to them. God asks us to listen, the heed, to grow, to abide and to be in Him.

This is what our Father asks of us.

Father blessings of healing, renewal of purpose, forgiveness and joy we ask to have as we gather as birds gather in the trees You spoke of. In faith, we will draw close to You Father God and rest, nourish, dwell and go forth. In Jesus, we pray for this for our loved ones and the people You give us. The highest name of Jesus cover us. Always we pray, Amen.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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1 Timothy 4 ~ Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come

Early second century Papyrus 46, includes both chapters of Timothy in the index.

1 Timothy 4

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 

4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but 

Godliness has value for all things, 
holding promise for both the present life 
and the life to come. 

9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 

10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 

13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.


God is wise. Telling us to watch our lives, which centers on the relationship to God. Our hearts. Watch our own lives to see if our heart and actions would please God. Persevere in being in honest conversation to God. Realign ourselves to God when we fall back. Persevere.


Mark 3
9 Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. 10 For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.

It is not one season where we get right with God. We seek to please God. He is our destination. We can never earn with perfect lives our Salvation, but God knows mankind and merely trying to please God to our best capacity is pleasing to God. This is the very essence of God - God is Love. This is why Jesus is pressed in by the crowd. God is Good.

Jesus tells us John 16 how much the Father loves us. Just for being in Love with Jesus. This is one of the ways we show we love God, by listening and doing the Words of the Holy Spirit.

Thank You Father God, for the healing You have done for centuries. Be with us today and help us to look to you in sincerity, joy and Love. We need You, Father God, far more than you need us. In Jesus we pray today for all manner of healing in ourselves, our beloved families, friends, Churches, careers, this nation and the world. Amen.


Ephesians 3
That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

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

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Psalm 107 ~ The Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast Love endures forever!

Psalm 107

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
whom he has redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.

4 Some wandered in desert wastes,
finding no way to a city to dwell in;
5 hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way
till they reached a city to dwell in.
8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
9 For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
prisoners in affliction and in irons,
11 for they had rebelled against the words of God,
and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor;
they fell down, with none to help.
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
and burst their bonds apart.
15 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
16 For he shatters the doors of bronze
and cuts in two the bars of iron.

17 Some were fools through their sinful ways,
and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
18 they loathed any kind of food,
and they drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them,
and delivered them from their destruction.
21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

23 Some went down to the sea in ships,
doing business on the great waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the Lord,
his wondrous works in the deep.
25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;
their courage melted away in their evil plight;
27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men
and were at their wits' end.[all their wisdom was dried up]
28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
29 He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

33 He turns rivers into a desert,
springs of water into thirsty ground,
34 a fruitful land into a salty waste,
because of the evil of its inhabitants.
35 He turns a desert into pools of water,
a parched land into springs of water.
36 And there he lets the hungry dwell,
and they establish a city to live in;
37 they sow fields and plant vineyards
and get a fruitful yield.
38 By his blessing they multiply greatly,
and he does not let their livestock diminish.

39 When they are diminished and brought low
through oppression, evil, and sorrow,
40 he pours contempt on princes
and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction
and makes their families like flocks.
42 The upright see it and are glad,
and all wickedness shuts its mouth.

43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.



Life can be crunchy.

Very oddly crunchy.

When you get to almost middle age, Life. Can. Hand. You. Crunchy Circumstance to be defeated or mull endlessly.

Jesus on the waters. This is exactly as I see Jesus greeting me as the promises of God are fulfilled. Jesus will be merciful to me, I just know in my knower.

And that's far from just polite. It's an odd thing what two millenniums can do to polite. Winston Churchill knew something of right and wrong.

I like a man who grins when he fights.


I am certainly not one of those who need to be prodded. In fact, if anything, I am the prod.

Winston Churchill

And as I am in recovery for crunchy - I'd have to say I have lived down some disapproval for loving Jesus. And for not being perfect.

Jesus was always for our freedoms to do what He loves and rejoices in. The Goodness of God that draws us to Him.

Freedom of Information. "A Family Thing"
Aunt T.: If he looks white it's 'cause his daddy's white. I don't know how he look, I can't see him like you can, and don't need to. I don't have the blessing of being able to separate people by lookin' at 'em any more.

Living life abundantly is being open minded. Have you experienced child death? I have, let's talk.

Do you still feel that you are open enough? Gandhi said he found reason to love Jesus, just not the Christians.

Gandhi is regarded as peaceful. So...
let's see why Gandhi might find a way for this to be reasoned out.

Luke 9:50
Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”

Proverbs 4:27
Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

Being centered on Jesus and not emotion, approval, and over thinking. The concept of dwelling on what Jesus wants from us. Be. Be in Jesus.


Isaiah 42:3
A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.

Isaiah 35:3,4
Strengthen you the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Perhaps you have both experienced this trauma but at opposite ends of the same spectrum. The spectrum ends up in the Lord's hands, eventually.


Who is Jesus?
God is a Mom.
Genesis records Adam was both male and female. God is open minded to open hands and hearts. Jesus only lived to be 33 years old, having walked our lives with vim and vigor. Proclaiming mercy over sacrifice. Daily.

Matthew 23:37 -
How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings

Matthew 9:36 -
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd.


Isaiah 40

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that her warfare is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the Lord's hand
double for all her sins.

3 A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

6 A voice says, “Cry!”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass,
and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers, the flower fades
when the breath of the Lord blows on it;
surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.



Isaiah 40 is about your comment that life is not crunchy but sometimes exceedingly fragile. God assures us in this passage about recovery, healing, passing,

The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.


Because:

26 Lift up your eyes on high and see:
who created these?
He who brings out their host by number,
calling them all by name,
by the greatness of his might,
and because he is strong in power
...not one is missing.



For those in  pain, we grieve with you. For intolerance we cry - open your hands and your ears. For your judgment - we ask peace. The blessing of God is waiting upon God to do a lot of what is outside our hands - And that is Good News.

For your life experience, open your sails.

For greater peace, open your heart. God is not against you. God is For You. God is Love.

Loves has been born of God and knows God.

Judge not, that you be not judged.

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

”It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but even more to stand up to your friends.” -Albus Dumbledore, Philosopher’s Stone.


Proclaim Jesus Christ -
was born -
for all the world.


1 Timothy 3

I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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