Matthew 3 ~ Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance

Matthew 3

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In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea
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(and) saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
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It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: "A voice of one crying out in the desert, 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'"
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John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
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At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him
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and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.
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When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees 7 coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
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Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.
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And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
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Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
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I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.
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His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
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Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
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John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?"
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Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him.
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After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him.
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And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

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Psalm 49 ~ in times

Saint Joseph with infant Jesus. Painted by Guido Reni in 1635.

Away in a Manger - Listen


1 Timothy 3:16

He appeared in a body,
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.


When Jesus was born, angels and a great company of heavenly hosts proclaimed and rejoiced over Him. Father God used all manners and ways to proclaim His Son. Even as an infant, Jesus had danger in His life. Joseph was chosen and special in Father God’s heart. A descendant of David, Joseph would have been high on the list of available bachelors in little Nazareth. But Joseph determined to show mercy to his pregnant betrothed. Joseph had wisdom to listen to his dreams. Joseph helped Jesus to grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.


Psalm 49

1 Hear this, all peoples!
Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
2 both low and high,
rich and poor together!
3 My mouth shall speak wisdom;
the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
4 I will incline my ear to a proverb;
I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.

5 Why should I fear in times of trouble,
when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me,
6 those who trust in their wealth
and boast of the abundance of their riches?
7 Truly no man can ransom another,
or give to God the price of his life,
8 for the ransom of their life is costly
and can never suffice,
9 that he should live on forever
and never see the pit.

10 For he sees that even the wise die;
the fool and the stupid alike must perish
and leave their wealth to others.
11 Their graves are their homes forever, [1]
their dwelling places to all generations,
though they called lands by their own names.
12 Man in his pomp will not remain;
he is like the beasts that perish.

13 This is the path of those who have foolish confidence;
yet after them people approve of their boasts. [2] Selah
14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;
death shall be their shepherd,
and the upright shall rule over them in the morning.
Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell.
15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,
for he will receive me. Selah

16 Be not afraid when a man becomes rich,
when the glory of his house increases.
17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away;
his glory will not go down after him.
18 For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed
—and though you get praise when you do well for yourself—
19 his soul will go to the generation of his fathers,
who will never again see light.
20 Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.


Footnotes
[1] 49:11 Septuagint, Syriac, Targum; Hebrew Their inward thought was that their homes were forever
[2] 49:13 Or and of those after them who approve of their boasts


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Isaiah 9:1-7 ~ His dominion is vast and forever peaceful

Isaiah 9:1-7 (New American Bible)


The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.

You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, As they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils.

For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, And the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames.

For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.

His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, From David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains By judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

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Isaiah 8:16-9:1 ~ The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.

Spent much time listening to people telling you about the inadequacies of the church & of the Lord? Sometimes the fear of tragedy & tragedy separates people from God, sometimes it is superstition or new age and sometimes it is being busy.

Isaiah named his two sons & the Lord told him to name one son Mercy and the other “In making speed to the spoil he hasteneth the prey”. The Lord says Israel was offered God as her husband and Israel is letting fear rule her; afraid of tragedy, following spiritual voodoo and offering this to all the people as direction.

This passage acknowledges Israel is fallen and imperfect, but offers the Light of God. God will give His light to the Gentiles. Jesus’ ministry occurs in the land told about at the end of Isaiah 8.


Isaiah 8:16-9:1

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6 The record is to be folded and the sealed instruction kept among my disciples.
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For I will trust in the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob; yes, I will wait for him.
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Look at me and the children whom the Lord has given me: we are signs and portents in Israel from the LORD of hosts who dwells on Mount Zion.
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And when they say to you, "Inquire of mediums and fortune-tellers (who chirp and mutter!); should not a people inquire of their gods, apply to the dead on behalf of the living?"--
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then this document will furnish its instruction. That kind of thing they will surely say.
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First he degraded the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; 10 but in the end he has glorified the seaward road, the land West of the Jordan, the District of the Gentiles. Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness; for there is no gloom where but now there was distress.

Chapter 9
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The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.

Footnotes

[6] This people: Judah. Waters of Shiloah: the stream that flows into the pool of Shiloah in Jerusalem, its slow current symbolizing the silent, divine protection which Judah has rejected. God will therefore summon the mighty Assyrian army, symbolized by the River with it’s swift current (Euphrates), to devastate Judah, which, however, will not be entirely destroyed, because it is the land of Immanuel.

10)Zebulun . . . Naphtali: Judea, which was first to be attacked by the Assyrians; God, however, redeems it, as he redeems all his people. Seaward road: from Damascus, across southern Galilee to the Mediterranean Sea. District of the Gentiles: northern Galilee, inhabited by pagans; cf Joshua 20:7; Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:15-16 refers to this, since Jesus began his public mission in Galilee.

Great encouragement given to the people of God in the midst of those distractions; they are assured, 1. That the enemies shall not gain their point against them (v. 9, 10). 2. That if they kept up the fear of God, and kept down the fear of man, they should find God their refuge (v. 11-14), and while others stumbled, and fell into despair, they should be enabled to wait on God, and should see themselves reserved for better times (v. 15-18).

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John 3:22-30 ~ given to him from heaven

This church in England has an advent festival where 50 groups within the church each decorate a Christmas tree. The people attending purchase a ticket; it's a huge charitable project, bringing people from all over, into the church.

John 3:22-30

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).

25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”


John the Baptist knew the great truth: Jesus is the light of the world. Father God gives us so many wonderful, good things from heaven. We celebrate all the gifts He so willingly blesses us with at Christmas. We are thrilled in the innocent jumping and leaping - the anticipation - in children at Christmas. Adults look for Christmas lights and Christmas carols in the car.

Suffering can be a great surprise. But Jesus told us we would suffer and He promised He had overcome the world. Recently I was reminded, even Pope John Paul II suffered, physically, near the end of his life.

John knew the repentance he called for was extremely unpopular, and even with so many good gifts in life, John was willing and determined to press on. We do the same as John the Baptist 2,000 years later. With the comfort of the Holy Spirit giving the greatest help, the abundant joy and wonderful gifts we receive in life, we celebrate again and again the light coming into the world. And look forward to many more Christmases.

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Psalm 30 ~ I will exalt you, Lord

Psalm 30

1 I will exalt you, LORD,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 LORD my God, I called to you for help,
and you healed me.

3 You, LORD, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
you spared me from going down to the pit.

4 Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people;
praise his holy name.

5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.

6 When I felt secure, I said,
"I will never be shaken."

7 LORD, when you favored me,
you made my royal mountain [Mount Zion] stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.

8 To you, LORD, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:

9 "What is gained if I am silenced,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?

10 Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me;
LORD, be my help."

11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
LORD my God, I will praise you forever.

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Isaiah 7:10-25 ~ And it shall come to pass

Isaiah 7:10-25 (American Standard Version)

10 And Jehovah spake again unto Ahaz, saying, 11 Ask thee a sign of Jehovah thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. 12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt Jehovah. 13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David: Is it a small thing for you to weary men, that ye will weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 Butter and honey shall he eat, when he knoweth to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land whose two kings thou abhorrest shall be forsaken.

17 Jehovah will bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father's house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah- even the king of Assyria.

18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that Jehovah will hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. 19 And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the clefts of the rocks, and upon all thorn-hedges, and upon all pastures.

20 In that day will the Lord shave with a razor that is hired in the parts beyond the River, even with the king of Assyria, the head and the hair of the feet; and it shall also consume the beard.

21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall keep alive a young cow, and two sheep; 22 and it shall come to pass, that because of the abundance of milk which they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the midst of the land.

23 And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, shall be for briers and thorns. 24 With arrows and with bow shall one come thither, because all the land shall be briers and thorns. 25 And all the hills that were digged with the mattock, thou shalt not come thither for fear of briers and thorns; but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of sheep.


Man and God see things vastly differently. King Ahaz, Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, is shaking with fear for his people & his present worries from Syria and Ephraim – Israel. The King refuses to ask for a sign when asked, remembering and quoting scripture not to test God. And Isaiah begins to tell him that Syria and Israel are not his worry, God has not forgotten his promise to King David. God will deliver his people.

The Savior, Jesus Christ, will be born. Ahaz is worried for today, but the Lord is seeing today sweep into centuries. The triumphant plan of God unfolds, in His time, and for His good purpose.

The new worry of Assyria, not yet even a concern, will be vanquished. God will bring fruitfulness from the desert and fruitful, plentiful areas will be thorns and briars. The Lord is talking about passage of time. The reward of the Lord comes with choosing the good over the evil.

God is pleased with Ahaz and blesses him in verse 17. Ahaz is blessed with a son to be born, Hezekiah. Hezekiah will choose the good over the evil and please God by listening to Him, seeking His paths and leading His people.

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Psalm 26 ~ assembly

I am just old enough to remember when Christmas purchasing and playing Santa for my younger brother changed. Used to be when Christmas toys were purchased, as you paid for them, someone assembled the toys for free for the fortunate child and the adult buyer. Then times changed & the buyer paid an extra fee to have the bicycle or toy assembled. And finally, no assembly was offered.

Life is always assembly required. We have choices to make for every decision in life. David is asking for a prayer to be answered from the Lord in Palm 26. One of the most vivid sermons I remember, from my childhood, was a sermon on prayer; Father Ted said as a father to a teenager, his son made a request for something just about every time he walked into the house. Sometimes it was for an errand, sometimes it was for homework, or a particular something to eat, but he knew when something serious and attention getting was about to be discussed as his son talked earnestly about his son’s performance as a student or as a well-behaving member of the family. Father Ted said he could usually answer his teenager while reading the mail and walking through the room without a lot of deep thought. But Father Ted knew that if his son began a petition, he was going to have to sit down, make eye contact and give thought to the request and the conversation.

Father Ted said we should, as christians, be in prayer conversation with God all the time, but when we really need God’s attention in prayer, we should remember to thank Him for the good gifts we have in life and be able to point out to Him our endeavor to grow in ways that please Him. Psalm 26 is a guide to prayer by a man who was said to be the apple of God's eye. Life is assembly required, and it is about choices that please God, who loves us so much.

Psalm 26

1 Vindicate me, O Lord,
for I have walked in my integrity,
and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
test my heart and my mind.
3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
and I walk in your faithfulness.

4 I do not sit with men of falsehood,
nor do I consort with hypocrites.
5 I hate the assembly of evildoers,
and I will not sit with the wicked.

6 I wash my hands in innocence
and go around your altar, O Lord,
7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,
and telling all your wondrous deeds.

8 O Lord, I love the habitation of your house
and the place where your glory dwells.
9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,
nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 in whose hands are evil devices,
and whose right hands are full of bribes.

11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12 My foot stands on level ground;
in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.

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Luke 21:20-28 ~ redemption

Arch of Titus built in Rome, c. 73 A.D., for fall of Israel

carved depiction - Arch of Titus - of Temple treasures captured & carried in triumph

May 14, 1948

Hebron and Israel reforestation, 2008

Jesus told us the seasons of earth changing events would have signs. 12 years ago, the set of novels called “Left Behind” written by Dr. Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins stirred people’s imaginations about the book of Revelations. But we are extremely fortunate to live in the earth’s history of the last 60 years. When Titus pulled Jerusalem apart, as Jesus foretold, the Romans then built the Titus Arch celebrating the conquest of Israel. After 1,935 years, Roman Jews proudly walked under the Titus Arch, for the first time, because Israel was again a nation, May 14, 1948.

Looking at the signs of the times: we have witnessed, in just a lifespan, the rebirth of Israel. We do not have the miraculous events of the Exodus, but Herman Wouk’s book “The Hope” tells of amazing story of Israel’s birth as a nation, the fantastic against-all-odds struggles & win of the 1967 war.

Just like the Left Behind series, we don’t stop to have the shock and awe realization that we live in an amazing time in the earth’s history. Israel is alive and well.

Some amazing facts about Israel today:
- highest ratio of university degrees to the population in the world
- only liberal democracy in the Middle East
- Relative to its population, Israel is the largest immigrant-absorbing nation on earth. Immigrants come in search of democracy, religious freedom, and economic opportunity.
- Most books purchased per person
- highest percentage in the world of home computers per capita
- Invented in Israel: cell phone, most of Windows XP & NT, AOL instant messenger, Pentium chip & voice mail
- more scientific papers per capita than any other nation by a large margin - 109 per 10,000 people -- as well as one of the highest per capita rates of patents filed.
- highest average living standards in the Middle East. The per capita income in 2000 was over $17,500, exceeding that of the UK.
- fourth largest air force in the world
- most impenetrable flight security. U. S. officials now look to Israel for advice on how to handle airborne security threats.
- third highest rate of entrepreneurship in the world
- more museums per capita than any other country
- only country in the world that entered the 21st century with a net gain in its number of trees, made more remarkable because this was achieved in an area considered mainly desert.


Luke 21:20-28

20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

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Isaiah 4:2-6 ~ a refuge and a shelter

Isaiah 4:2-6

2 In that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel. 3 And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem, 4 when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning. 5 Then the Lord will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory there will be a canopy. 6 There will be a booth for shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.

Historically, this is right - the Roman Empire came after numerous struggles with Judea. The people seeking the way of the Lord recognized Herod was choosing the priests. The Essenes left Jerusalem and went to the Dead Sea, proclaiming the Spirit of God was stifled in His Temple.

Jesus is the purification, the cleansing, providing the way, the truth and the life as God did for the Children of Israel in the Exodus. When we look for a refuge and shelter - Jesus is. He is our strong name to call upon. God says there is not a higher name. He is our peace, allowing us to sleep as the storm rages around us. Just as He did during the storm on the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus is our refuge and our shelter. Now and in the day of Isaiah.

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Luke 20: 41-21:4 ~ The Lord said to my Lord

Recently, we’ve had a lot of things occur in our community, in the nation, in the world (all over the news) that are far from encouraging news. People are well known to quit listening to the news when it is a serious and turbulent time. These chapters of Luke are the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Lord encourages giving people and gives them eternal acclaim for their generosity.

When the world says too little, too shabby, too wobbly, not glittering, not sparkling, bent down and creased with worry; God reminds us what is important. God lets us know in Psalm 110 that he isn’t God put neatly into the box labeled “Sunday-sit-up-straighter & put-your-best-foot-forward”. He is the God of establishing His goodness, in His time, in His good purpose. He is Emmanuel; God with us, God as part of our day & part of each circumstance. God is willing to put his Son in the middle of all the goodness and the hypocrisy of man to bring us His plan for our salvation.

Luke 20:41-21:4 (Today's New International Version)

41 Then Jesus said to them, "Why is it said that the Messiah is the son of David? 42 David himself declares in the Book of Psalms:
" 'The Lord said to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand
43 until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet." ' [from Psalm 110]

44 David calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?"

45 While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, 46 "Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely."

Luke 21

1 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 "Truly I tell you," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

Psalm 18:21-50 ~ the ways of the Lord

Yesterday we looked at repentance. This Psalm of David is also in 2 Samuel 22. David is a victorious king agreeing with God all the sacrifices he made not harming King Saul & avoiding bloodshed have benefited David.

There was a famous comedian who became so puffed up in his own success, fame and fortune; he forgot one of his earliest and best appealing qualities - talking about his faith. Like David, he forgot the humility we gain in repentance is a good thing. One of the comedian’s early sayings was God could do what ever He wanted – throw a boat right over a hedge. David would agree with him and says that in v. 29 he can leap right over a wall. Think about how high the surviving walls are in Jerusalem.

With God helping us: He secures all of the high places, giving us light to make the darkness flee.

Carol of the Bells sung by the Barlow Girl - Listen


Psalm 18:21-50

21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord,
and have not wickedly departed from my God.
22 For all his rules were before me,
and his statutes I did not put away from me.
23 I was blameless before him,
and I kept myself from my guilt.
24 So the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

25 With the merciful you show yourself merciful;
with the blameless man you show yourself blameless;
26 with the purified you show yourself pure;
and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous.
27 For you save a humble people,
but the haughty eyes you bring down.
28 For it is you who light my lamp;
the Lord my God lightens my darkness.
29 For by you I can run against a troop,
and by my God I can leap over a wall.
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.

31 For who is God, but the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?—
32 the God who equipped me with strength
and made my way blameless.
33 He made my feet like the feet of a deer
and set me secure on the heights.
34 He trains my hands for war,
so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You have given me the shield of your salvation,
and your right hand supported me,
and your gentleness made me great.
36 You gave a wide place for my steps under me,
and my feet did not slip.
37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them,
and did not turn back till they were consumed.
38 I thrust them through, so that they were not able to rise;
they fell under my feet.
39 For you equipped me with strength for the battle;
you made those who rise against me sink under me.
40 You made my enemies turn their backs to me,
and those who hated me I destroyed.
41 They cried for help, but there was none to save;
they cried to the Lord, but he did not answer them.
42 I beat them fine as dust before the wind;
I cast them out like the mire of the streets.

43 You delivered me from strife with the people;
you made me the head of the nations;
people whom I had not known served me.
44 As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me;
foreigners came cringing to me.
45 Foreigners lost heart
and came trembling out of their fortresses.

46 The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock,
and exalted be the God of my salvation—
47 the God who gave me vengeance
and subdued peoples under me,
48 who delivered me from my enemies;
yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me;
you rescued me from the man of violence.

49 For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations,
and sing to your name.
50 Great salvation he brings to his king,
and shows steadfast love to his anointed,
to David and his offspring forever.

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Isaiah 2:1-11 ~ the Lord alone

Yesterday someone asked how I was doing. The truth - although this is a season of grief in my life, I’m not doing too badly. Grieving isn’t a season anyone would ask for & the Lord knows that as a fact. Grief recovery says that guilt is a sign of the grieving process. Grief is also a part of the readings for Advent. Isaiah talks a lot about the need for redemption. I’ve heard plenty of sermons on redemption. Who is a fan of repentance? It makes me feel uncomfortable and wonder which issue to focus on.

The seasons change for a reason, we aren’t supposed to do the same thing all the time.

Romans 12: 2b
be transformed by the renewing of your mind

My son pointed out to me that grief and thanksgiving can go hand in hand. God doesn’t have to give at all. He is not indebted to us. He fills the world with wonders and we can be complacent and careless.

John the Baptist came to make straight, to prepare, the way for Jesus. John the Baptist’s baptism is the baptism of repentance. Isaiah says:

Isaiah 6:5
"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."

Acts 20:26 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.

Rick Warren wants to point out each Sunday that redemption is important. “Our actions are changed by our hearts, our hearts are changed by our minds, and our minds are changed by the Word of God. All behavior is based on belief. If somebody gets a divorce it is because they have a belief behind that: "I think I'll be happier" or whatever. Behind every sin is a lie of unbelieving. You think you are doing what's best for you, but you have been deceived. The Bible tells us that Satan deceives us. Change beliefs first. Trying to change behavior without changing beliefs is a waste of time. Say I have a boat on auto pilot headed north. If I want it to head south, I have two options: I could wrestle the steering wheel or (the better way) change the auto pilot. Change always starts in the mind. "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Rom. 12:2). The Bible teaches clearly that the way we think affects the way we feel, and the way we feel affects the way we act."

Isaiah 2:1-11

1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
2 In the last days
the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.

3 Many peoples will come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths."
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

4 He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.

5 Come, house of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the LORD.

6 You have abandoned your people,
the house of Jacob.
They are full of superstitions from the East;
they practice divination like the Philistines
and clasp hands with pagans.
7 Their land is full of silver and gold;
there is no end to their treasures.
Their land is full of horses;
there is no end to their chariots.

8 Their land is full of idols;
they bow down to the work of their hands,
to what their fingers have made.

9 So people will be brought low
and everyone humbled—
do not forgive them.

10 Go into the rocks, hide in the ground
from the fearful presence of the LORD
and the splendor of his majesty!

11 The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled
and human pride brought low;
the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

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Luke 20:9-18 ~ the owner of the vineyard

Luke 20:9-18


9 And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. 10 When the time came, he sent a servant [1] to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. 13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15 And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 17 But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written:

“‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone’? [2]

18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

Footnotes
[1] 20:10 Greek - bondservant; also verse 11
[2] 20:17 Greek - the head of the corner

Yesterday in Scriptures for Today we read:

Revelations 7: 9-10
9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
"Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb."

The same Holy Spirit telling us countless numbers exist in heaven, tells us salvation belongs to God and to the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. Universalism is the theological doctrine all people will eventually be saved - refuted in this passage. This passage is our reminder: Jesus is the cornerstone of our salvation.

Give the gift of Christmas, the only gift that is lasting and meaningful. Be the light of God shining in the world. When God gives you the opportunity, let people know salvation is through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ reaches out to us in our brokenness and redeems us.

Salvation is offered to all the children of God, He asks that we:

Romans 10:9-11
9 If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, "Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame."

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Isaiah 2:1-5 ~ the Light of the Lord

Handel's Messiah - Listen

Isaiah 2:1-5

1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

2 In the last days
the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established
as chief among the mountains;
it will be raised above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.

3 Many peoples will come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths."
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

4 He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.

5 Come, O house of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the LORD.

When the Bible tells us about Heaven, we just see glimpses. Most people are interested in Heaven. Dwight L. Moody tells of a man who lost a loved one & began to pour over the Scriptures. It is a good thing to be able to comfort each other by being able to know what the Scriptures say about Heaven. This passage tells us 'nations' will be taught by the Lord.



1 Corinthians 13:12
12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.


1 Corinthians 2: 7-9
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written:

“ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”





Isaiah agrees with the book of Revelation:

Revelation 21:1-4
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."



Revelations tells us how many people will be heaven and how salvation is given:

Revelations 7: 9-10
9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:


"Salvation belongs to our God,


who sits on the throne,


and to the Lamb."

Heaven is walking in the light of God. Our Christmas lights are glimpses of the Light. The first chapter of John tells us about Jesus:

John 1:3-9
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

The Nativity (also known as the Holy Night or as Adoration of the Shepherds) is a painting finished around 1529-1530 by the Italian painter Antonio da Correggio

6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

Psalm 97

¹ The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
² Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
³ Fire goes before him
and burns up his adversaries all around.
⁴ His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
⁵ The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.

⁶ The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
⁷ All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols;
worship him, all you gods!

⁸ Zion hears and is glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O LORD.
⁹ For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.

¹⁰ O you who love the LORD, hate evil!
He preserves the lives of his saints;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
¹¹ Light is sown for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
¹² Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!

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Esther 2:1-18 ~ Esther's banquet

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn painted, 1660

The Thanksgiving holiday is great time to celebrate the story of Esther. Esther is a woman who knew what was important in her life when thrown into lavish circumstance. Esther did not value her own safety over the safety of others or value a powerful position over doing right.

Unlike the book of Daniel, Esther doesn't have any circumstance promoting the power of God. Daniel has a dream, a prophesy, a firey furnace and hand writing on the wall. Similar to the New Testament, Mordecai and Esther rely upon prayer, acting as a child of God and doing unto others as they would have done to them. God acts in the Book of Esther as an unseen hand.

Psalm 77

19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.

Thanksgiving celebrates the abundance of God’s provisions. Esther was chose by God, and had this celebration because she really was a fabulous soul, dedicated to the words of Jesus:

Matthew 22:
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.

Esther 2:1-18 (New Revised Standard Version)

After these things, when the anger of King Ahasuerus had abated, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed against her. Then the king's servants who attended him said, "Let beautiful young virgins be sought out for the king. And let the king appoint commissioners in all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the beautiful young virgins to the harem in the citadel of Susa under custody of Hegai, the king's eunuch, who is in charge of the women; let their cosmetic treatments be given them. And let the girl who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti." This pleased the king, and he did so.

Now there was a Jew in the citadel of Susa whose name was Mordecai, son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite. Kish had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with King Jeconiah of Judah, whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had carried away. Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is Esther, his cousin, for she had neither father nor mother; the girl was fair and beautiful, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai adopted her as his own daughter. So when the king's order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered in the citadel of Susa in custody of Hegai, Esther also was taken into the king's palace and put in custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women. The girl pleased him and won his favor, and he quickly provided her with her cosmetic treatments and her portion of food, and with seven chosen maids from the king's palace, and advanced her and her maids to the best place in the harem. Esther did not reveal her people or kindred, for Mordecai had charged her not to tell. Every day Mordecai would walk around in front of the court of the harem, to learn how Esther was and how she fared.

The turn came for each girl to go in to King Ahasuerus, after being twelve months under the regulations for the women, since this was the regular period of their cosmetic treatment, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with perfumes and cosmetics for women. When the girl went in to the king she was given whatever she asked for to take with her from the harem to the king's palace. In the evening she went in; then in the morning she came back to the second harem in custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch, who was in charge of the concubines; she did not go in to the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.

When the turn came for Esther, daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had adopted her as his own daughter, to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king's eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised. Now Esther was admired by all who saw her. When Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus in his royal palace in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign, the king loved Esther more than all the other women; of all the virgins she won his favor and devotion, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. Then the king gave a great banquet to all his officials and ministers - "Esther's banquet." He also granted a holiday to the provinces, and gave gifts with royal liberality.

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Nehemiah 11 ~ applauded those who voluntarily offered

When Jesus saw Jerusalem he proclaimed his love for the city. In Revelations, Jerusalem – reformed- is part of heaven. God, His Word and his people all have the understanding Jerusalem is a special place and holds an important place in God’s heart.

Luke 13:34
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

Nehemiah 11, the people are happy when someone volunteers themselves to live in the city destroyed due to the destruction of Israel and return from Babylon. At this point in Israel, it is better to live independently from Jerusalem.

This reminds me about a movie of a Thanksgiving family reunion that was too full of Hollywood liberalism for me to watch. Until the preview scene: the brother locks all the car doors to verbally abuse his grown siblings and they are desperate to jump out fast. It’s just a repeat of childhood. Both sides of our family have this episode of past remembered anger and hilarious remembrance. Watching this family filled with dysfunctional scenes created by human flaws and failed communication; we could all recognize a scene or two from our own lives.

By the end of their Thanksgiving, these adult chicks were ready to abandon “Jerusalem” and flee back to their independent lives. Until the dad sinks down to lament that everyone is so happy to leave. This strikes a cord and everyone listens. He remembers small moments in their childhood and circumstance that were silly, but everyone remembers the joy of the moment. A complete family filled with joy for the big future. Their reunion is rekindled; the love will be carried back into their lives.

In the last four decades we have all heard discussion on the decline of the family. When our last senior pastor was moving to his new ministry, he accurately told our church family we are a family and have this joy and pain in our community of human frailty. We read in church, today, church attendance in our city is down 10% in 10 years. This census records that only 20% of children could recognize a photo of Jesus. I have heard 3 different families say they were church going and believers, but it became easier not to dress and hustle the kids to church. All 3 families had their kids ask them, “What was that man doing on the letter ' t ‘?”.

At Thanksgiving, we will feed our family for the day. Let's remember to give God the blessing of blessing our children by giving them His love.

Psalm 87

1 He has set his foundation on the holy mountain;
2 the LORD loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

3 Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God:
Selah

4 "I will record Rahab and Babylon
among those who acknowledge me—
Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush—
and will say, 'This one was born in Zion.' "

5 Indeed, of Zion it will be said,
"This one and that one were born in her,
and the Most High himself will establish her."

6 The LORD will write in the register of the peoples:
"This one was born in Zion."
Selah

7 As they make music they will sing,
"All my fountains are in you."

Nehemiah 11 (The Message)

1-2 The leaders of the people were already living in Jerusalem, so the rest of the people drew lots to get one out of ten to move to Jerusalem, the holy city, while the other nine remained in their towns. The people applauded those who voluntarily offered to live in Jerusalem.
3-4 These are the leaders in the province who resided in Jerusalem (some Israelites, priests, Levites, Temple staff, and descendants of Solomon's slaves lived in the towns of Judah on their own property in various towns; others from both Judah and Benjamin lived in Jerusalem):

4-6 From the family of Judah:

Athaiah son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, from the family line of Perez; Maaseiah son of Baruch, the son of Col-Hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite. The descendants of Perez who lived in Jerusalem numbered 468 valiant men.

7-9 From the family of Benjamin:

Sallu son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah, and his brothers Gabbai and Sallai: 928 men. Joel son of Zicri was their chief and Judah son of Hassenuah was second in command over the city.

10-14 From the priests:

Jedaiah son of Joiarib; Jakin; Seraiah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, supervisor of The Temple of God, along with their associates responsible for work in The Temple: 822 men. Also Adaiah son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malkijah, and his associates who were heads of families: 242 men; Amashsai son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, and his associates, all valiant men: 128 men. Their commander was Zabdiel son of Haggedolim.

15-18 From the Levites:

Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; Shabbethai and Jozabad, two of the leaders of the Levites who were in charge of the outside work of The Temple of God; Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the director who led in thanksgiving and prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his associates; and Abda son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. The Levites in the holy city totaled 284.

19 From the security guards:

Akkub, Talmon, and their associates who kept watch over the gates: 172 men.

20 The rest of the Israelites, priests, and Levites were in all the towns of Judah, each on his own family property.

21 The Temple staff lived on the hill Ophel. Ziha and Gishpa were responsible for them.

22-23 The chief officer over the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica. Uzzi was one of Asaph's descendants, singers who led worship in The Temple of God. The singers got their orders from the king, who drew up their daily schedule.

24 Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, a descendant of Zerah son of Judah, represented the people's concerns at the royal court.

25-30 Some of the Judeans lived in the villages near their farms:
Kiriath Arba (Hebron) and suburbs
Dibon and suburbs
Jekabzeel and suburbs
Jeshua
Moladah
Beth Pelet
Hazar Shual
Beersheba and suburbs
Ziklag
Meconah and suburbs
En Rimmon
Zorah
Jarmuth
Zanoah
Adullam and their towns
Lachish and its fields
Azekah and suburbs.
They were living all the way from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom.

31-36 The Benjaminites from Geba lived in:
Micmash
Aijah
Bethel and its suburbs
Anathoth
Nob and Ananiah
Hazor
Ramah and Gittaim
Hadid, Zeboim, and Neballat
Lod and Ono and the Valley of the Craftsmen. Also some of the Levitical groups of Judah were assigned to Benjamin.

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Psalm 33 ~ He is our help and our shield

Matthew Henry’s Commentary says Psalms are important summary of the Old Testament while bringing the promise of the New Testament. He says Psalms reach all people and help them communicate directly with God. All the Books of the bible do this, but Psalms tend to put it all in one place. In a warm and tender moment, Matthew Henry says about Psalms, “It is good to be here.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13
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.

I don’t intend to dwell on the loss of our daughter as we read together Scripture for Today. I had a few questions asked of me about losing a child and faith. I believe when we experience loss, it allows us to learn better how to comfort one another. I believe with all of my soul that Isabelle lives and she serves & served God’s purpose for her life. A friend told me - I take great comfort from it- although God knew Isabelle’s days would be very short in God’s book of life, He chose to create her and loves her immensely. I grieve, the grief recovery sites say it can be for up to 2 years, but I do not grieve as one without hope of God’s goodness.

Is God good?

But in this thought provoking season, I have learned deeply I am one who is saved by grace not by being nice enough, clean enough or by works. As I have cried unfair and not good to the Lord, I have read Job and realized what used to be a theory (hardship, grief, fairness in God's actions), is very uncomfortable to experience. In Psalm 139, (the baby Psalm) the Lord acknowledges there is no where to go where He is not with us. And I will confess, as I read Job and felt his cry and the Lord’s answer that would we judge Him for goodness, I really wanted to crawl under the sofa and not have my thoughts seen.

A very wise Minister once told me years ago in times of stress or emotional pain, it is good not to make life changing decisions. After Isabelle’s death, I did not want to abandon my faith, but clung to it. In my emotions, I did not always feel that God is good all of the time, but I believed it.

God is good. All the time.

It is a great and wonderful thing we have a God who grieves with us when we grieve. God wept over Lazarus.

Because I know God, my family, including Isabelle, and my friends do not want us to suffer over Isabelle, I am able to put the sadness down mostly and be thankful for what is good in life. It IS good to have a daughter when last year she did not exist, she is a treasure in heaven to look forward to. It is good to know with time it won’t hurt so much. It is good to know my life is still part of God’s plan. It is good to acknowledge Americans do poorly with people who grieve, the people who avoid me for my sadness will again be part of my life and the love in friendship will continue. The tender mercies of God are renewed each day. It is good to be here.

Psalm 33

1 Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!
Praise befits the upright.
2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

4 For the word of the Lord is upright,
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
and by the breath of his mouth all their host.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;
he puts the deeps in storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.

10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
the plans of his heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

13 The Lord looks down from heaven;
he sees all the children of man;
14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out
on all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 he who fashions the hearts of them all
and observes all their deeds.
16 The king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
and by its great might it cannot rescue.

18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.



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Psalm 1 ~ like a tree

Christian Church - same Management for 2,000+ years

Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man [1]
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law [2] of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

Footnotes
[1] 1:1 The singular Hebrew word for man (ish) is used here to portray a representative example of a godly person; see preface
[2] 1:2 Or instruction

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2 Kings 20:1-11 ~ Thus says the Lord, I have heard your prayer

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2 Kings 20:1-11

1 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.’” 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, 3 “Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4 And before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: 5 “Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord, 6 and I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David's sake.” 7 And Isaiah said, “Bring a cake of figs. And let them take and lay it on the boil, that he may recover.”

8 And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the Lord on the third day?” 9 And Isaiah said, “This shall be the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he has promised: shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?” 10 And Hezekiah answered, “It is an easy thing for the shadow to lengthen ten steps. Rather let the shadow go back ten steps.” 11 And Isaiah the prophet called to the Lord, and he brought the shadow back ten steps, by which it had gone down on the steps of Ahaz.

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Revelation 4 ~ day and night they never cease to sing, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty"

Speaking for myself, the photo above makes me feel uncomfortable. It isn’t the still small voice that Elijah heard.

1 Kings 19: 11
And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before Jehovah. And, behold, Jehovah passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before Jehovah; but Jehovah was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but Jehovah was not in the earthquake:

12 and after the earthquake a fire; but Jehovah was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

Even in the passage of Elijah’s talk with God, God was letting Elijah know that He is almighty. Listen to God telling us through Isaiah 55:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Recently, our community went through Hurricane Ike. The uncertainty of basic necessities like…food. The memory of Hurricane Katrina as the officials told us not to get on the highways and flee. Our area is still cleaning up and repairing as news report financial worries all over. In our house, we had just learned that our soon-to-be-born daughter wouldn’t live. We couldn’t get in the car, anyway, the baby was trying to come early.

Ezekiel: 29 Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Are my ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?

And yes, the vision of God’s throne is unfamiliar. God is different than we are. I haven’t created any universe. And yet, God, tells me He loves me and knows me. He lets me know that love in His word and in that quiet voice. God’s love is so high, that one day I will see God’s throne.

Romans 8: 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Revelation 4 (Revised Standard Version)

[1]
After this I looked, and lo, in heaven an open door! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up hither, and I will show you what must take place after this."

[2] At once I was in the Spirit, and lo, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne!
[3] And he who sat there appeared like jasper and carnelian, and round the throne was a rainbow that looked like an emerald.
[4] Round the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clad in white garments, with golden crowns upon their heads.
[5] From the throne issue flashes of lightning, and voices and peals of thunder, and before the throne burn seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God;
[6] and before the throne there is as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.
And round the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind:

[7] the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle.
[8] And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all round and within, and day and night they never cease to sing, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!"
[9] And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives for ever and ever,
[10] the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne, singing,
[11] "Worthy art thou, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for thou didst create all things,
and by thy will they existed and were created."

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Psalm 100 ~ we are His people, make a joyful noise

I am the vine, you are the branches - John 15:5

Father God loves us & as we read the bible, it is God Almighty, creator of all things, speaking to us into our souls in our current situations.

James Earl Jones beautifully reads Psalm 100 set to music - Listen

Psalm 100

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

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Psalm 101 ~ when will you come to me?

Matthew Henry's Commentary says Psalm 101 was written by King David as his kingship began. This is a good Psalm for our country. David asked God to be with him and wrote,"Oh when will you come to me?"

Census says: the majority of Americans believe in God and pray. We can trust God in all circumstances. When economic conditions are shaky, we can have hope. When life creates uncertainty and pain, we can have faith in God. We can remember in love, God gave us this country as our heritage, we remember His goodness and faithfulness to us.

As our new President takes office, it is a good time to pray for God to help govern us and bless us with His continued love spread out over the generations. We will pray for Israel, that our country will continue to show favor to God's first chosen people.

Psalm 101

I will sing of steadfast love and justice;
to you, O Lord, I will make music.
2 I will ponder the way that is blameless.
Oh when will you come to me?
I will walk with integrity of heart
within my house;
3 I will not set before my eyes
anything that is worthless.
I hate the work of those who fall away;
it shall not cling to me.
4 A perverse heart shall be far from me;
I will know nothing of evil.

5 Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly
I will destroy.
Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart
I will not endure.

6 I will look with favor on the faithful in the land,
that they may dwell with me;
he who walks in the way that is blameless
shall minister to me.

7 No one who practices deceit
shall dwell in my house;
no one who utters lies
shall continue before my eyes.

8 Morning by morning I will destroy
all the wicked in the land,
cutting off all the evildoers
from the city of the Lord.

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