Galatians 2:11-21 ~ I do not nullify the grace of God

Galatians 2:11-21

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing  the circumcision party.^{[fearing those of the circumcision]} 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that a person is not justified ^{[or counted as righteousness, three times in verse 16]}  by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness^{[or justification]} were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

Even in the last chapter in John's Gospel, the disciples are not completely unified. We are all in different stages of life, with different viewpoints stemming from self-interest and the gifts GOD has given us.

1 Peter 4:10
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

1 Corinthians 4:1 
So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.

1 Peter 5:12
With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.


Paul wrote concerning this dilemna:

1 Corinthians 9:20-23
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 

 Peter wrote:

1 Peter 4:8-11
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹  Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰  As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: ¹¹ whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

 It was a time of controversy. What distinguishes this from a lot of opportunities for growth - both Peter and Paul were seeking to glorify God.  And as they realized, Paul, the complete and total Jew educated at the feet of Gamaliel, had a heart for the gentiles - people who did not know the one, living God. And Peter, a wealthy fisherman, from Capernaum, loved the Jews seeking to know more about Jesus.  They split their gifts and parted, going forth to use the best of their abilities to serve God. 

The Grace of God, going forth for 2,000 years to build the Body of Jesus Christ. 

Each day, Father God, remind us in ways we see and understand, we love a Living God and seek to use the gift of life given to us, to further give thanks for the blessings He gives us. To You, Father God, be the glory and honor. The joy of being the unique person You have created us to be, using our talents to the Glory of God, in Jesus Christ the LORD. Amen.


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Psalm 107 ~ their desired haven

Psalm 107

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 107 is one of my favorite Psalms because it hits me where I live. And it evokes all kinds of emotions and memories for me. My husband loves and has loved working in the print industry for 16 years of the 21 years worked; the economy has hit this industry. And it is commission, earned pay. Some years he has led the sales force and others we have really, really, really struggled. Usually on Memorial Day and a few times at Christmas.

When the boys were very little, I went to a showcase house in Dallas and prayed. I prayed, LORD all of the earth is Your's. If You would just give Your Word, I would have a showcase home. And I promise I would be nice to everyone. And I remembered my prayer again when my son, Cal and I went to the Dallas Arboretum and we had a very memorable prayer about home and asking God's will.We moved into our lovely 3rd home after having the opportunity to completely paint and re-do the interior of our second home for 10 months making all that work, profitable. We'd lived in the house about 6 weeks when the neighbors told us, it had been the showcase house for our area in ... 1990ish. It had been a house we had both decided we would own from looking through the front door glass and seeing a pond named Long Lake.

And having blue dragonflies didn't hurt. Long Lake is the lake in "The Hobbit" before they meet the dragon.  And "The Hobbit" is somthing we have read and been read to as children and love.  Allen, our minister friend, dragged us to all the Trilogy movies.

But home faces financial times, family times and change.  And so Psalm 107 is my desired haven, and at the same time, the wild winds of life have done their worst. Especially during Hurricane Ike and infant stillbirth.

Today, we have been blessed to know we will be able to live in this house and leave it to grandchildren if we want to. And blessed to have two healthy sons in their early 20s.  A college graduate who returned to show us, what it is really like to live with a fraternity boy away from home for 5 years.  And a younger son who turned 21 this summer.

Today, I cleaned a side yard, a back yard, rounded up weeds, cleaned up a childhood fort with a new awning, carted trash around, cleaned out a composter, scraped algae,  arranged charitable donations, cleaned a closet, a bedroom, a bathroom, a guest bath, promised to clean another closed and discovered my husband's office looks exactly like... Animal House. I don't clean happily. In fact, I think about bodily harm in disgust and I make weird noises and shutter.  My grandmother loved to say she was privileged to have loved ones to clean for. And valuable ideas and convictions formed in her mind.  It leaves me.... upset.  Because I want them there, no doubt. I just want to tazer them. I want them to sing Clean Up with Barney. I don't want to find I now have a new 6 pack waiting for me in an unlikely place. Or week old glasses. Or dog vomit and diarrhea.  And fruit smoothy that looks like that. On expensive wooden boxes.

And then in the middle of remembering French curse words from my childhood, I sit down to read and write the blog. And here it is - Psalm 107. My desired haven.

From Ghoulies and Ghosties and Long Legged Beasties .......................... - And things that go bump in the night, like college aged vampires, -  GOOD LORD - Deliver us.


And Lord, Father God, help me to remember. Voices that used to sing the Barney Song can easily move to China for years. Prayer for my husband as he visits the GP and the urologist and possibly the neurologist. He has had one week of a respiratory illness, a cyst, and some memory issues.  Help me each day to remember the really good things my Grandmother felt so dearly. Keep me out of the tazer store. And let gratitude and joy be the guide to the LOVE You have for all of us.

Your Word, Lord GOD, my FATHER, is still Living and Active. Able to make hearts new.

 In the highest name of Jesus Christ the LORD.

 Amen.


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Matthew 19:16-26 ~ only with difficulty will a rich person enter the Kingdom of Heaven

Herod's Palace in Jerusalem

Matthew 19:16-26

16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

There is a portion of the Bible I have been unable to find again, but it is an Old Testament prophecy saying in Jesus' day, there will be enough, but not an abundance. It says something like a cow, several goats, and possibly a horse to go with a donkey. Enough to farm, to work, to eat and not worry. And it was accurate for Nazareth.

However, in Jerusalem, the Davidic line was overthrown by the second exodus return from Babylon; for the first time the Herodians, not of the Davidic line, were calling themselves kings.In 63 B.C, the Roman Republic set up  Syria and Judea as a Roman client state with Judea being a suburb. Judea survived 103 years before yielding to the Herodian Dynasty in 37 B.C. Herod the Great married a Hasmonean princess, Mariamne (they had previously overthrown Rome), and planning to drown the last male Hasmonean heir at his Jericho palace. It was a time of such great riches, Oxford historians said it wasn't until the 14th century A.D that the wealth would be repeated.

The Temple was run on money, with the donations being declared by brass trumpets, both to announce the gift or tithe and to prevent theft.  The more money given, like the Scripture on Corbain, given to the Temple instead of parents, assures us position was determined by gifts. In one part of the Bible, we learn of elaborate prayer given to cheat widows of their houses.

Luke 20:45-47

And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 47 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

It was a time when wealth signified the very blessing of God.  It is done today in the Mormon Church. I had been a patient of a prosperous Mormon doctor for many years, I liked him very well; he had been made a Bishop in the Mormon Church, because they could see the blessing of God in his very prosperous salary.

One of the problems with a prosperity driven Gospel, - he had committed a sin, it was found out, he was supposed to repent in front of the congregation as he had been asked to resign his Bishop position.  Instead he took the opportunity to thank the congregation for the many memories he'd had of being a Bishop and treated the supposed rebuke as if he'd won an award. It really did not earn him the respect of his Temple and he lost most of his clients. 

This points out, we do not all really want to be Mother Theresa. And yet we have the desire to do what needs to be done to continue in God's favor. Combined with our unwillingness to be something we prefer not to be. When in actuality, this hits all of a little close to home. And we could become glum thinking about how we all fall so very short of God's holiness.  And Jesus being Jesus - does for us what he did for Peter (who was from the largest household in Capernaum and also closest to the Synagogue).

Matthew 14:31
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Unfortunately, the man in the Gospel isn't named and we do not know what was his fate. We do learn how much the disciples believed material wealth gave them God's favor. This time echoes another time. Genesis 6. Noah's time. What did cause God to render judgement to the earth instead of Jesus' needed mercy?

Genesis 6:5-6
⁵  The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. ⁶ And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.

The English Standard Version of Scripture regards this wickedness as partially explained with violence. We have come from a very violent last century in history. However, the Revised Standard Version finds this wickedness to be the desire for power as in position. Right to Life believers say that aborting life generally comes from a desire to prosper, as in power for position.  

We are always in God's blessing to pray for others. And to yearn for them to walk with God's blessings. However, Salvation comes from God. It is His work and He has done so much for us. To Him be the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory.  In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.



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Revelation 22:8-21 ~ if anyone adds to them

Revelation 22:8-21

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, 9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”

12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

 

… Thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1: 21

…His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The Might God,
…The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6

… God hath made that same Jesus… both Lord & Christ Acts 2:36

…Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world! John 1:29

…they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, the song of The Lamb Revelation 15:3


…Behold, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah Revelation 5:5


..and the Bright & Morning Star Revelation 22:16


..and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life 1 John 1:1


…we have and advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ The Righteous 1 John 2:1


…whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us. Luke 1:78


…Before Abraham, I Am. John 8:58


…And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. John 1: 34

…are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25


…We have found the Messiah which, is being interpreted, the Christ. John 1:41


…I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6


…through the knowledge of the Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. II Peter 2: 20

..a name written King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Revelation 19:16

…I am the Light of the World. John 8:12

…The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world… John 1:9

…I am Alpha & Omega the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come

The Almighty  Revelation 1:8  

Luke 2:10 

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

                                            

I was once asked if I felt badly about adding my words after the Scripture. I replied I didn't because I always make sure to make the Scripture bold and my words are not bold. I do my best to be a servant of the LORD. 

I love to see all the names of the LORD and feel so good to see them in one location. The Scriptures tell us once we all have a guardian angel. It is a stunning and awe inspiring thing to realize God gave Jesus, our Savior, His Angel. Just as Nazareth saw Jesus' blended family as whole and holy, Father God has once again proven to us that we are part of His Family.  Adopted before Jesus died on the cross, as John was, and confirmed to Mary Magdalene - He is our God and Father. For always. In Jesus Christ the LORD.

Amen.

 

 

 

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Matthew 18:21-19:2 ~ forgive your brother from your heart

Matthew 18:21-19:2

 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” ²² Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

²³ “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.^{[a monetary unit worth 20 years' salary]  25}  And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. ²⁶ So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ ²⁷ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.  

²⁸ But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii,^{[a day wage]} and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ ²⁹ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ ³⁰ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 

 ³¹ When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. ³² Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ³³  And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ ³⁴  And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,^[torturers] until he should pay all his debt.  

³⁵  So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

19 Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. ² And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

And He healed them there

The true feeling of forgiveness is exactly the same as the one we all experienced as a child, when we would swim underwater and come up gasping for air. 

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Luke 1:46-55 ~ He has filled

 

 Road to Bethlehem by Joseph Brickey

Luke 1:46-55

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible   

 

⁴⁶ And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷      and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
⁴⁹ for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
⁵⁰ And his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
⁵¹  He has shown strength with his arm;
     he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
⁵²  he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
     and exalted those of humble estate;
⁵³ he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
     in remembrance of his mercy,
⁵⁵  as he spoke to our fathers,
     to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

  

 Luke 1:38  
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said."

Mary believed God. Mary, the teenage girl, a virgin, dragged around the country, heavily pregnant. For a census she probably did not care much about, by a new husband - who considered having her stoned to death. A quick marriage ceremony and learning to live with the 500 to 1,500 people in Nazareth. (Where the 3rd century Church reports the Romans asked his nephews to denounce Jesus & Jesus' great, great nephews were put to death in an attempt to kill off the spread of Christianity, for 400 years).  After the holy family had flight to Egypt, they returned years later to Nazareth, Mary and Joseph had a seamless family; they were seen as good parents in the small town. A hard thing to do, not to favor or disfavor the Son of God.

Mary had a very difficult thing to do, returning to Nazareth to raise kids - the lady who was pregnant during the betrothal.  Mary even had to live down the Sanhedrin Council gossip still available in the 1st Century Talmud, upon the Sanhedrin discovering to their discomfort the miracles of Jesus. The Talmud ponders the problem of a living Jesus and denounces his mother. The Sanhedrin later try to cover up the quick, night trial without all the council present and again denounce Mary. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Still she lived in peace. And her family is recorded as being a seamless family, although blended. Jesus would agree with their parenting in the Scriptures.

Mark 6:2-4  
When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
 

Why would Jesus adopt John as his family. Perhaps partly, not to send Mary empty away even after she and His brothers had called for Him to leave with them.

Luke 8:21  
And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you." But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
 

John 19:26

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

Acts 1:14  
These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.  

1 Corinthians 9:5  
Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas?

We do Mary a disservice when we fail to recognize her role as a mother and a wife. A mother who tried to rescue her Son.  A mother the Scriptures record as not repeating her mistake. Jesus honored Mary and He limited her role.  

Luke 11:27

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! But he said, Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

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Matthew 12:1-32 ~ by whom do your sons cast them out

Matthew 12:1-32

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” 3 He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

9 He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”— so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
20 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 

29 Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

We are in an age. A very unusual age. Our grandparents paid for their houses before they moved in. We accept the way our culture works, sometimes without thought.  When you look at the School Board problems in America from 100 years ago, you might have seen the simple things, but you would have seen truancy & child labor left off of the list. The golf links lie so near the fence, the little children can see the men at play. 

Another part of our culture we don't look at clearly, many of the people who have experienced substance abuse and have faced up to it, remain in programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and their lives are healed because their addictions are being treated for what they were, soul weariness.  These people begin to clearly understand the soul, the actions, the physical are clearly connected.  As they become tuned into hope for their souls, their lives are changes and grow as they begin to take care of others. Like sponsoring others. And helping people who are unable to help their own children. These people are brave people.

We used to whisper adoption or condemn it and we used to whisper cancer. Yes, we have increasingly seen younger children being involved in STDs and pregnancy, but we also see young people thrilled at the chance to be parents, to love. Willing to ask for help.  

It is only in rejecting the people willing to step forward, we tie up the Holy Spirit in God's willingness to use the weak to shame the strong. Always pray.

John 5:17

But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

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.

Philippians 2:13

for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Philippians 1:4

Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy

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Psalm 20 ~ in the name of our God set up our banners!

Psalm 20

May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and give you support from Zion!
3 May he remember all your offerings
and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah

4 May he grant you your heart's desire
and fulfill all your plans!
5 May we shout for joy over your salvation,
and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!

6 Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with the saving might of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand upright.

9 O Lord, save the king!
May he answer us when we call.

Clark was remembering the miracle he saw in a Catholic Church, seeing a young boy have his leg grow more than 2 inches in the priest's arms during a Wednesday Service.  He left Law School and started his Masters in Theology. He made the point, we all love miracles. And love when God shows up.  Doing the work of Faith is actually what this takes. Believing when we don't see the evidence adding up, God is at work. 

we trust in the name of the Lord our God

Galatians 3:5-9

Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— ⁶ just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?

 

⁷ Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. ⁸ And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” ⁹ So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

And Abraham's blessing led to ours in Jesus Christ.

Luke 10:23

 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! ²⁴ For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

And what does Jesus tell us He gives us when we call. A relationship.

John 21:10-13

 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. ¹⁰ Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” ¹¹ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish.

Psalm 68:19

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.



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