Psalm 27 ~ the goodness of the Lord

Psalm 27

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold [refuge] of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.

3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet [in this] I will be confident.

4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire [meditate] in his temple.

5 For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.

6 And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
9 Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the Lord will take me in.

11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.

13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!

2008 years ago, just 2 of the Lord's days, Jesus is living Holy Week. To Jesus this would be the week of His sacrifice for us. His death.

2 Peter 3:8
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.

Jesus has made a choice, He knew raising Lazarus would lead to His arrest. Jesus is taking time with His disciples in Ephraim, Bethany, Bethphage, the Mount of Olives, brief trips to Jerusalem. Jesus is spending time with the ones He loved. The Gospel of John from Chapters 11 to 17 talk about the final week of Jesus' life before His trial and death.

Luke 12:49
I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!

Look at some of the small things. A celebration among friends - Jesus has saved Lazarus from death - so Mary, Martha and Lazarus have a dinner for Jesus. Martha serves dinner for Jesus, Lazarus rests with Jesus at the table. The house is perfumed as Mary anoints Jesus and the beautiful perfume fills the air. And what does Jesus do with this wonderful evening? He gives this joy to His disciples. He will, later this week, wash the feet of Peter and the other disciples.

Jesus has taken time to live in joy the remainder of His days. His joys, He will share. How do we know?

John's Gospel in the 17th verse, during Jesus' prayer for us:

John 17:13
But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

Jesus told us in Psalm 27. We will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Jesus dwells in the house of the Lord all the days of His life. Because the Kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus rests securely with His Father.

Father God, we are Your beloved. When two or more are gathered together You call us Your Bride. Jesus was never the reluctant Bridegroom. We attend to Jesus this week. We listen for Your voice and are filled with Your Joy at the Bridegroom's voice. Your joy is ours. This week You will atone for us, but You did not drag Your feet, but spent Your time in with the ones You love.

Your Fire is still burning, Lord Jesus Christ. This week help us to spread the Fire of the Holy Spirit. We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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1 Samuel 30 ~ strengthened himself in the Lord his God

Pilgrimage, hiking Ziklag, part of the Negev desert and semi-desert region of southern Israel.
Archaeological explorations reveal some of the earliest presence in Ziklag is early Israel.

1 Samuel 30

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire 2 and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way. 3 And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4 Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. 5 David's two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 6 And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.” 9 So David set out, and the six hundred men who were with him, and they came to the brook Besor, where those who were left behind stayed. 10 But David pursued, he and four hundred men. Two hundred stayed behind, who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor.

11 They found an Egyptian in the open country and brought him to David. And they gave him bread and he ate. They gave him water to drink, 12 and they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. And when he had eaten, his spirit revived, for he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three days and three nights. 13 And David said to him, “To whom do you belong? And where are you from?” He said, “I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite, and my master left me behind because I fell sick three days ago. 14 We had made a raid against the Negeb of the Cherethites and against that which belongs to Judah and against the Negeb of Caleb, and we burned Ziklag with fire.” 15 And David said to him, “Will you take me down to this band?” And he said, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will take you down to this band.”

16 And when he had taken him down, behold, they were spread abroad over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing, because of all the great spoil they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah. 17 And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day, and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men, who mounted camels and fled. 18 David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and David rescued his two wives. 19 Nothing was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken. David brought back all. 20 David also captured all the flocks and herds, and the people drove the livestock before him, and said, “This is David's spoil.”

21 Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow David, and who had been left at the brook Besor. And they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near to the people he greeted them. 22 Then all the wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except that each man may lead away his wife and children, and depart.” 23 But David said, “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us. 24 Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.” 25 And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day.

26 When David came to Ziklag, he sent part of the spoil to his friends, the elders of Judah, saying, “Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the Lord.” 27 It was for those in Bethel, in Ramoth of the Negeb, in Jattir, 28 in Aroer, in Siphmoth, in Eshtemoa, 29 in Racal, in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, in the cities of the Kenites, 30 in Hormah, in Bor-ashan, in Athach, 31 in Hebron, for all the places where David and his men had roamed.

David in the desert, or semi-desert. This is both a historical Biblical event and a allegory for us. The Negev dessert gave the Children of Israel a visual understanding of being cut off from the Living Water of God.

This is all about "the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord!'

Trouble had found David, doubled and re-doubled.

Psalm 11:4
The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD'S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, And the one who loves violence His soul hates.

How did David handle this? More like Joan of Arc than a Project Manager. David realized this was deep, deep trouble. And David turned to prayer and an answer from God. David was "greatly distressed" yet he believed God had the answer for him. As the problem was solved before God, with David's actions God directed, David was able to be merciful - not just to his own family - also to the men who didn't travel or fight to release the kidnapped women and children from their captors.

This is an allegory of lost children, lost family and mercy towards others.

Matthew 18:6
Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Colossians 3:25
25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

Romans 11:
19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

John 11:40
Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

Acts 16:31
And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.


Job 8:4-6
When your children sinned against him,
he gave them over to the penalty of their sin.
5 But if you will seek God earnestly
and plead with the Almighty,
6 if you are pure and upright,
even now he will rouse himself on your behalf
and restore you to your prosperous state.

Father God, when the wild winds and storms of life are present, hide us in the shelter of Your wings. Let us draw upon Your wisdom to find our words, our work, our peace. Help us to rely upon You, in faith, for our loved ones. We ask You to send Your word of protection for ourselves and the ones we love.

Thank You, Father God for all the times of mercy, protection and love You've given us.

In the middle of our difficulties, let us remember to treat others as we would treat You. In the name of Jesus Christ help us to make the path straight for the way of Your Son, Jesus, our Lord. Amen.



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John 10:19-42 ~ I and the Father are one

Model of Solomon's Porch in Jerusalem
Photos of existing building thought to look like the interior of Solomon's Porch






John 10:19-42

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me [What my Father has given to me], is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” 33 The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? 35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken— 36 do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” 39 Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.

40 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained. 41 And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” 42 And many believed in him there.

At the Feast of Dedication, people would be brought to the Temple by the sounding of the shofar - a ram's horn. Jesus and the people would have heard the prayers called from Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy 6:4-6
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your hearts.

How difficult it was for that generation to see Jesus as grace and truth dwelling with them. The Second Commandment said not to have images to worship; yet worship in the Temple in that era had been replaced by rules (Herod's appointments), buildings and (Roman puppet state and controlled religious) authority. In trying to follow the Law of not worshiping images - religion had become an image. As if God was safely tucked in the Ark and hidden behind the curtain - the every day work a day instead of Glory in a relationship with Him.

Isaiah 6:9-10
9 And he said, “Go, and say to this people:

“‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand;
keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’
10 Make the heart of this people dull,
and their ears heavy,
and blind their eyes;
lest they see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears,
and understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”

Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

The government was indeed upon Jesus' shoulders; God's given Son. In persecution during His ministry and the cause of death upon the cross is suffocation, from the weight displaced upon His shoulders. Yet Jesus is the Prince of Peace for us. In His victory and in His Eternal Kingdom, Jesus is the King. Hallelujah.

Genesis 49:10
The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,
until tribute comes to him;
and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.

2 Samuel 7:12-16
When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.


Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [God with us].

Matthew 1:21
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus [God saves], for he will save his people from their sins.”

Isaiah 29:13
13 And the Lord said:
“Because this people draw near with their mouth
and honor me with their lips,
while their hearts are far from me,
and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men

Deuteronomy 18:15
The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—

Deuteronomy 18:18
I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.

Isaiah 8:14-15
And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.”

Psalm 35:19
Let not those rejoice over me
who are wrongfully my foes,
and let not those wink the eye
who hate me without cause.


And of John the Baptist:

Malachi 3:1
“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.

In the first chapter of John's Gospel, we see John, Simon, Andrew, Philip and Nathanael are ready to follow Jesus upon meeting Him.

John 1:9-18

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

Father God, You told Moses no one would see Your face and live, yet You gave us Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord to live among us. The Dead Sea Scrolls wrote during the time of Jesus: the lame would walk, the blind would see, the deaf would hear and the poor would have good news preached to them. Thank You, You are still working today.

Help us in Your example, knowing the days You lived in were filled with materialism, position, career, children, political strife, war and riots - remembering not to be the ones worshiping image as they did in the time of Jesus.

In Your mercy we are saved. Forgive us our wrong doings, our sins, forgive us and let the Light of Jesus Christ shine in our lives. Help us to remember what we do to one another - we do to You. In Your name let us take each day of our lives and give it to You knowing with the eyes of faith - we live the plan You have for us in hope and joy. We will live to Your Glory, In the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

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John 17:9-23 ~ Love them

John 17:9-23

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible


9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one [from evil]. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them [Set them apart for holy service to God] in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself [I sanctify myself; or I set myself apart for holy service to God], that they also may be sanctified [may be set apart] in truth.

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

Jesus spent a lot of time in prayer. The first time God communicated with mankind was right after our creation - God blessed the male and female He created. Almost immediately Adam and Eve wanted to be God. Then prayer is not mentioned until the 20th Chapter in Genesis when restoration of Abraham's marriage and health in marriage the subject. The 2nd time prayer is mentioned Abraham's servant prayed looking for Isaac's wife. The 3rd, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer.

We love to know Jesus is our mediator. We love knowing Jesus prayed for us. It's so interesting to learn the first 3 times the Scriptures tell us about prayer - it's about marriage. Loving each other as yourself.



Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I read recently in a blog, About the Master's Business, nervousness persists after prayer when we use the Lord as our prayer bellboy. It struck a chord with me.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

And the best advice on supplication prayer:

Matthew 6:5-8
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

How? In expectation, knowing God will hear you. Asking for His will. Talk to Him like your best friend - like your spouse.

1. Eyes open - John 11:41 / John 17:1
2. Tears shed - 1 Samuel 1:7-10/ Psalm 126:5-6
3. Shout/applaud/cheer - Ezra 3:11-14/ Psalm 47:1
4. Sing - Psalm 100:4/ Ephesians 5:19
5. Loud voice - Acts 7:60
6. Unison - rush together making the same noise - Acts 4:24
7. Speak to obstacle - Joshua 10:12 "Sun stand still"
8. Speak with no sound - I Samuel 1:7-10
9. Say "Amen" to others prayers - I Corinthians 14:16
10. Fast - 2 Samuel 12:16/ Isaiah 58:6

11. Stand up - Nehemiah 9:3-5
12. Kneel - Ephesians 3:14/ Philip.2:9-11
13. Lay down on bed - 2 Kings 20:2
14. Lay face on ground - 2 Chronicles 7:3
15. Walk - 2 Kings 4:33-35
16. Squat/bow down - 1 Kings 18:42/ Psalm 95:6
17. Dance - 2 Samuel 6:14-16
18. Walk away be restored - Matthew 5:23-24
19. Sackcloth & ashes - 2 Kings 19:1
20. Sit - Matthew 26:36 / Mark 14:32,37-38

21. Bow head - Isaiah 58:5
22. Raise hands in praise - Psalm 134:2/ Psalm 143:6
23. Raise hands in authority - Exodus 17 8-15/Hebrews 12:11-12
24. With two or more - Matthew 18:19
25. Lift hand in blessing - Luke 24:50
26. Lay hands on (for commissioning) - Hebrews 6:2/ 1 Timothy 4:14
27. Anoint - Mark 6:13/ James 5:13-15
28. Spread it before the Lord - 2 Kings 19:14-15

29. In expectation - Matthew 21:21
30. With persistence - Luke 11:8
31. In hope, always - Luke 18:1

Father God, the one You love has a need. You've asked us always to have hope, to pray in expectation and so I put forth the need, the hope, the desire that You will send Your word forth to help. We ask for Your healing and strength. I earnestly give this to You, praying that Your will be done. I will rest in Your Word. And look forward to Your will accomplished. In Jesus Christ's Highest Name. Amen.

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John 8:21-30 ~ I am

John 8:21-30

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 23 He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” 25 So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. 26 I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.”

27 They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” 30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

Jesus plainly and clearly bore witness to Himself.



Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Jesus repeated what God said to Moses:


Matthew 22:31-32
And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God:
32 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not God of the dead, but of the living."


Matthew 28:22b
Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.


John 5:17
But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I am working."


John 6:35
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.


John 6:51
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."


John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."


John 8:18
I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.


John 10:9
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.


John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.


John 10:14
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.


John 10:38
but if I do them [works], even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.


John 11:25
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."


John 12:32
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.


John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.


John 15:1
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser."


John 17:9
I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.


John 10:30
The Father and I are one.


John 4:26
Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he [Messiah, he who is called Christ].”


Mark 14:62
And Jesus said, "I am [the Christ, the Son of the Most Blessed] , and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."





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Luke 11:1-28 ~ answer from within (The Lord's Prayer)

Luke 11:1-28

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible


Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread,
4 and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”

5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence [persistence] he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for [bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for] a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” 16 while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

24 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

27 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” 28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

We eagerly want to repeat Jesus' prayer. We put this prayer up on walls, we memorize it, we offer it as corporate prayer. Corporate prayer is important, we offer prayers together in harmony.

Perhaps we need to remember this as well. Jesus said:

Matthew 6:7
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

If we offer up prayers just by rote, we are that swept house, put in order, without the Light of Jesus Christ. God is always looking towards the intentional, loving soul. I know in times of sheer trouble I've repeated the Lord's Prayer because I just was completely overwhelmed and almost incoherent. I know Jesus would say, "It's okay, I hear you."

How do I know? Scriptures say this about prayer as well:

Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

The next passage, after the Lord's Prayer tells us more. God Almighty, maker of the Universe, and Jesus Christ His Only Begotten Son, want to be addressed as a friend. A friend. Someone who intends good for you. Your LORD expects you to be impudent, persistent, like a best friend. God isn't looking for the safe prayers - He is looking for those great, late at night gab times when things somehow become clear. He expects you to inconvenience Him like He is your parent. He expects you to put time into your faith - your conversation - your heart. He is looking forward to seeing you live your Life by His way and His truth. Why? Just as John was asked to be Mary's son, you are God's Child.


“Father, hallowed be your name. Father God, You are my parent. Just because You want
to be. Thank You.
Your kingdom come. Today has been a beautiful day. Thank You for spring. Someday I will live with You where we will see each other every day. I wonder if the Cathedrals show us even a glimpse of anything You have in Your Kingdom, since it is Eternity.
Give us each day our daily bread, Father God, I have some real needs I'd like to put before you. I need Your provision.
and forgive us our sins, Father God, today I made mistakes ....
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Help me to be forgiving and not resentful, bitter or full of grudges. Let Your living water flow into the peace of forgiveness I long to give.
And lead us not into temptation.” Abba, we create our own temptations, help us to get out of them. Not trapped like fly paper. Help us to see the exit in temptation.

Deliver us from evil. You've told us there is a spiritual battle greater than me, I trust in You for Your protection.

For thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory. Lord, help me to align what I want for my life to Your Glory and Your plans. I do not do this on my own steam, but I rely upon Your mercy and Your acts. I rest in You. In Jesus' name. Amen.



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Luke 10:25-42 ~ put Him to the test

Luke 10:25-42

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 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.”

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii [denarius was a day's wage for a laborer] and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

People think a lot about what they need and what defines them. Here we have 3 paragraphs on growth/love, need and ease. It reminds me of two things - a movie - the 1942 movie Mrs. Miniver. Nominated for 12 Academy Awards and winning 6. Mrs Miniver won another award in 2006, The American Film Institute's list celebrating the most inspirational films of all time. And in 2009, National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant and will be preserved for all time.

Mrs. Miniver is about the small concerns we have in times of ease and the need for greater care, the grace we rise to, in times of war. I had my own Mrs. Miniver moment about 10 years ago, we moved into our new home and it was time to clean the carpets. I used a friend's Church friend, it was more expensive than I'd ever even considered paying, but my friend assured me of her own experience with the company, high quality, unique cleaning process and Christian need for a new business. When the equipment and men showed up, the vacuum cleaner looked like a 1950's model and the cleaning machine - not much better. I began to feel like hyperventilating over the high cost. I asked numerous questions and began to irritate the senior tech. The junior tech came back down the stairs. I suddenly realized this was one of the Lost Boys of Sudan we had in our area. He realized I had jerked to attention. He was as black as coal and looked like he was 7 feet tall. He looked at me with a lot of compassion. He said, "Madam, be at peace - all will be well." I realized how much he had seen and lived with. How small my concerns were. I replied, "I am sure it will be."

My small concerns had irritated the senior tech, just having another day on the job. I learned a lesson I have never forgotten from the compassion and well chosen words of a man who has seen a lot in his few years, a lost but found young man barely out of his teens from Sudan.

An article in our local paper said the Lost Boys had all returned, one by one to to Sudan to help their fellow man. Our local Churches had provided them with houses of volunteers to live with, help to pay for college and bicycles (we live in an area where this worked and was cost effective). These men (about 50 men and 2 women) had done well in school, had attitudes of gratitude and returned to their homeland to promote loving their neighbor as themselves. These young men left the people they lived with very impressed with their Christian faith and with their desire to better their part of the world.

Father God, we do not hear the continuation of the Samaritan neighbor who was treated with such kindness. You returned again to Mary and Martha, when Lazarus had died, saying how You love them. Martha was treated with such compassion by Jesus, in her petty need, she was the one who went out to greet Jesus. Thank You, Father, for Your compassion even to those at ease. Help us to remember the compassion of the Lost Boys when we feel the root of bitterness creep into our souls where You would have us have an attitude of gratitude.

Jesus, help us us not seek revenge or grudge when we are wronged. Let us be grateful for Grace in our own lives. And let Your living water flow and nourish our compassion to others. Let us be able to give, knowing it is more blessed to give. Let our contemplations of growth and love not be circular, but bless our souls to arrive at wisdom and steadfast love. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be always pleasing to You, Abba. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.


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Mark 16:1-20 ~ they did not believe it

Mark 16:1-20


1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"

4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

6 "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "

8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
12 Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13 These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.

14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

We have known since Sunday School age, you can always spot a disciple / apostle - because they wear robes, halos, beards and have silver saint spoons in their mouth since birth.

What about the phrase "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" ... it sounds medieval.

And did these saints really know Jesus - then bolt when He had trouble? Hide when Our Lord was being prepared for death, then let the women prepare His body in the tomb?

Seems saints were not born with silver saint spoons, rather, they have grown in their faith like spiritual fruit. The kind of real growth that meets drought, cold, heat and flood.

The first day of the New Covenant - when God decided to create Heaven and abolish death by giving us His Son, Jesus - no one was feeling peaceful. Easter Sunday had a tremendous amount of fear. All of the Saints were acting very humanly. They were hiding, filled with trembling & astonishment. The embalming of Jesus was left to the women (the disciples were so hidden they didn't know the body of Jesus already has 75 pounds of spices) because the men were in fear of their lives. None of the children of God had it remotely figured out.

This first day they had more disbelief than hope. And God didn't take the hope from them or punish them for their less than saintly reactions. They didn't know how to react.

What happened next is known throughout the world. This is the fear of the Lord, it is only the beginning of the wisdom. They did recover from their fear. Not because they became more saintly, but through God. With their belief, with their courage, with the overwhelming help of God's Spirit, Jesus Christ changed the heavens and the earth.

1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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John 6:41-51 ~ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Jesus

John 6:41-51

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father.

47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”


Ephesians 1:10
And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

Salvation is a gift from God Almighty.

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.

Belief grows into worship, into action. Man can debate Salvation. Ultimately, finally and completely it is God's Plan.

Matthew 7:13-21
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

And let's ask a difficult question. Why does it say:

Romans 10:13
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Romans 10:13 is repeated in Acts 2:21 and in Joel 2. What is the disparity between wide salvation and the narrow gate? It is was it all comes down to. The ultimate question. Do you believe the Lord will He save you. Belief is part of salvation. Nations, nations will live in the Kingdom of Heaven. But without belief....some day when nations and multitudes come to the valley of decision, there will be a time when you and God are fully known to one another. A glorious day. Jesus, our mediator, will judge.

Where do you stand in your faith?


Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I have done things not pleasing to You. I have lived my life for myself. I am sorry and I repent. I ask you to forgive me. I believe You died on the cross for me, to save me. You did what I could not do for myself. I come to you now and ask You to live in me. I give You my life. Help me to live every day in a way pleasing to You. I love you, Lord, and I thank you that I will spend all eternity with you.

Amen

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