Matthew 4:4 ~ Jesus answered

Matthew 4:4
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

One of those weeks.

2 Corinthians 4:8-12
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

Some weeks you just wish He was calling you to sit in the sun, feet in the sand, taking a little wine for your stomach. C'mon Light!!! Shine!

An unusual, beautiful video - 
this is worship with image and music
Jesus Let Your Light Shine
Denny Bryant

This week:
True words, hard to hear.
An opportunity for a prayer solution.
An argument between two loved ones, telling them not to make this with me, in public.
A prior friend, being centered on self. Very uncomfortable and unhealthy.
Seeing a lot of elbows out.
A very vital trip to the doctor for a loved one, long delayed. High tension. I'm weeping.
Change. Very intimidating, even for the disciples of Jesus walking with Him. With fear.
Hearing a loved one cry with pain.
Dismal weather, unusual cold weather.

Putting the spade into the earth He gives you, in Gratitude.
Knowing He is present.
Speaking to grown sons, seeing wings and roots.
An old skirmish, with vast hopes of healing proclaimed.
Communicating differences and similarities and reducing the "they" in life to the "we" in the Body of Christ.
Knowing in the brain, that even in times of change, He is going to be there.
Knowing emotion is human. Knowing the heart will follow the brain. Relying upon soul.
Seeking Words of Life in His Word.
Knowing we are in His Plan and we need Him to be here, He and will.
Knowing Spring is coming. Migrating birds arrive to attest to more sunshine. Thank you, Father God.

And Then.
Expectation. God Is GOD.
My Jesus has not brought me this far, to drop me on my head.
My God tells the Truth.
My God is for me.
My God is Love.
I can Expect Him and be Strengthened.

In Jesus, I will face speaking with people. When I hurt.
When the weather is grey and we all are hoping for more sunshine.
And after this is accomplished, I am again Strengthened. In Jesus.


In times of pressure, in times of quiet - we ask - are we doing enough. For Him. For the ones we Love. Last week, I felt a little angry about this and I prayed, "Father God, I just don't see how I can do better, more, faster, and which direction. In Jesus. Really. Amen."

KSBJ, Proverbs 31 came back with the same question, saying, "God would definitely tell us, when we do what we can- doing what we are equipped to do - God would say, 'My Child, don't stress yourself."

I hear Christians say - I'm not doing enough. I'm not doing this wisely. I'm not witnessing enough. 

We definitely have promptings of Jesus.

Does this sound like God in this conversation?
"Dad, Dad, I hit a ball and ran to second base. It was so exciting. And then the ball flew past me and I had to go with the team back to the bench."

"Well, son, I saw you hit the ball. Good job. However, if we work on your hitting, maybe next time you will get a home run."

We know parents do say this. However, if your Parent says this to you a lot. You are provoked. Discouraged. Worn down. God doesn't dispense guilt as a Fruit of the Spirit.

This is not what I say to my children, I want to Encourage Them. Let them know how much I love them. In Truth. Jesus says, Luke 4:23, Physician heal thyself.

Beloved of God. Parent thyself and heal.

We cannot really convince people to change political parties. We rarely (Yeah Edward, good work!) convince anyone to quit smoking. We only, in moments of profound joy, see new believers. God equips us to do His Work. He says so. Salvation is ... God's. Our Father God says He calls people.

Proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven. Joy. Strengthening of real. God uses weakness to proclaim Him. He is the center. Say when He gives the opportunity - I Love Him.

This week I heard the story of a woman called to Jury Duty. She goes up to the Judge and beautifully sings an acapella Hymn of Praise. She is dismissed. That is not fruitful. She has suggested the Judge doesn't know Him and the procedure of the place doesn't evoke Him. Discomfort lingers and is dismissed with fruit loops. Remember with me, Paul was invited to speak or he spoke on the street. We have to believe, God would work with us to create opportunities He can call fruitful.

And somewhere we believe if we did this routinely - we would get better at it and be accomplished.

I believe our Catholic Priest who said, something Jesus would agree with. Say a little something about what you believe with sincerity. Be available when asked. Preach the Gospel; if you have to use words. If an opportunity passes you by, go back. If your voice squeaks, it's okay. You hit the ball for Him. God is going to Love your effort. HE Loves You.

God says the battle is His. His workmen go home. His Words endure forever.

Even men who wear collars get tongue tied. That's okay. With prayer. He is affirming Love.

Matthew 11
Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

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

30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”


2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Both of my grandmothers lived quiet lives. One was very quiet, not well off and taught Sunday School for 42 years in the Methodist Church. When Heaven received her soul, that was quite a night. Grandmother Anita had a season in the Great Depression where she fed 25 or more people a day from her two bedroom wooden frame house. She adopted a very abused child. And had a very quiet life. Her Father God was thrilled with her. Her flaw was she was a constant worrier and still delighted in Him, and He in her.


My Grandmother Bit has four great-grandchildren, three are named for her. Her family nickname was Bit because her own father said, "She is a Little Bit of Love." Her encouragements, her love carried us as her grandchildren went from an affluent, stable family into no family through gift of divorce, alcoholism, and love of money - into a family pointing to her encouragements when Life is tough. Her gift of Love made this weary clan glad to be one of the sheep of this clan's pasture. She married an Episcopal Priest giving us our grandfather. Her life was preaching the Gospel through Love, not words. Making me say, "Lord! Let me be one in that Number!"

Psalm 100

1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.


Praise you Father God, when the earth is in rest and renewal. Thank You, God, we can come to You in Expectation of Your blessings. Fairest Lord Jesus, Thou art God. And mankind Your Children! We Are Yours! Your People! Let us be the sheep You find each day.

We give You great thanks for Your Church. For the Gates of Heaven that never close. Thank You for Your Word to Nourish and Feed us. Because we rely heavily on Your Goodness. Your enduring Love. AND look forward to seeing Your Faithfulness continuing to the generations and the unborn faces we have yet to rejoice in! Father God, You are for us, for a hope and a future, plans to prosper us and not for harm. We look forward to the blessing of Healing to Your Joy. Your warehouse of blessing does not run out. You would bless us to renew each and every day - our Hope each day. In Jesus. Amen.

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Leviticus 11 ~ the gecko, the monitor lizard, the wall lizard, the skink and the chameleon.

Leviticus 11

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 2 “Say to the Israelites: ‘Of all the animals that live on land, these are the ones you may eat: 3 You may eat any animal that has a divided hoof and that chews the cud.

4 “‘There are some that only chew the cud or only have a divided hoof, but you must not eat them. The camel, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is ceremonially unclean for you. 5 The hyrax, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you. 6 The rabbit, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you. 7 And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. 8 You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.

9 “‘Of all the creatures living in the water of the seas and the streams you may eat any that have fins and scales. 10 But all creatures in the seas or streams that do not have fins and scales—whether among all the swarming things or among all the other living creatures in the water—you are to regard as unclean. 11 And since you are to regard them as unclean, you must not eat their meat; you must regard their carcasses as unclean. 12 Anything living in the water that does not have fins and scales is to be regarded as unclean by you.

13 “‘These are the birds you are to regard as unclean and not eat because they are unclean: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, 14 the red kite, any kind of black kite, 15 any kind of raven, 16 the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, 17 the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, 18 the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, 19 the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe and the bat.

20 “‘All flying insects that walk on all fours are to be regarded as unclean by you. 21 There are, however, some flying insects that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground. 22 Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper. 23 But all other flying insects that have four legs you are to regard as unclean.

24 “‘You will make yourselves unclean by these; whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean till evening. 25 Whoever picks up one of their carcasses must wash their clothes, and they will be unclean till evening.

26 “‘Every animal that does not have a divided hoof or that does not chew the cud is unclean for you; whoever touches the carcass of any of them will be unclean. 27 Of all the animals that walk on all fours, those that walk on their paws are unclean for you; whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean till evening. 28 Anyone who picks up their carcasses must wash their clothes, and they will be unclean till evening. These animals are unclean for you.

29 “‘Of the animals that move along the ground, these are unclean for you: the weasel, the rat, any kind of great lizard, 30 the gecko, the monitor lizard, the wall lizard, the skink and the chameleon. 31 Of all those that move along the ground, these are unclean for you. Whoever touches them when they are dead will be unclean till evening. 32 When one of them dies and falls on something, that article, whatever its use, will be unclean, whether it is made of wood, cloth, hide or sackcloth. Put it in water; it will be unclean till evening, and then it will be clean. 33 If one of them falls into a clay pot, everything in it will be unclean, and you must break the pot. 34 Any food you are allowed to eat that has come into contact with water from any such pot is unclean, and any liquid that is drunk from such a pot is unclean. 35 Anything that one of their carcasses falls on becomes unclean; an oven or cooking pot must be broken up. They are unclean, and you are to regard them as unclean. 36 A spring, however, or a cistern for collecting water remains clean, but anyone who touches one of these carcasses is unclean. 37 If a carcass falls on any seeds that are to be planted, they remain clean. 38 But if water has been put on the seed and a carcass falls on it, it is unclean for you.

39 “‘If an animal that you are allowed to eat dies, anyone who touches its carcass will be unclean till evening. 40 Anyone who eats some of its carcass must wash their clothes, and they will be unclean till evening. Anyone who picks up the carcass must wash their clothes, and they will be unclean till evening.

41 “‘Every creature that moves along the ground is to be regarded as unclean; it is not to be eaten. 42 You are not to eat any creature that moves along the ground, whether it moves on its belly or walks on all fours or on many feet; it is unclean. 43 Do not defile yourselves by any of these creatures. Do not make yourselves unclean by means of them or be made unclean by them. 44 I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground. 45 I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.

46 “‘These are the regulations concerning animals, birds, every living thing that moves about in the water and every creature that moves along the ground. 47 You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between living creatures that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten.’”

Edward and I argue this one frequently, compared to Acts 10 - The Great Vision Peter was given allowing food to be considered clean and to welcome Cornelius the centurion.

God describes this basically as:

Job 1:21
"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

End of Kosher-  which allowed the Jews to flourish in relatively old age and give birth without dying. 

God's Plan is His. His Stories written are for us to learn from. Everything is His, in His Season. And the Book of Job teaches us to trust.  The end of kosher, probably cleared up some nasty bacteria. God generally, usually, always, Tells the Truth.

God changed what He would accept near Him. He did not make wrong right and right wrong. God welcomed Aaron into His Dwelling knowing Aaron was going to be horrid and messy. Aaron is second billing Exodus - yet hardly forgotten. God loved Aaron so much his staff bloomed. Then God invited Cornelius and the rest clamored to be with Him.

The changing of Heaven because of Jesus' Sacrifice does not do away with the fulfilling of the Old Testament. God has found a way to reveal His more compassionate nature to people who would run more than a mile, with an inch given. God is not an imp or a dog, waiting for us to include Him. The disciples who cared for Jesus to the end and for the disciples at the end - lived a fine old age. Jerusalem was sacked. God doesn't clear the guilty.

The Law kept people safe. And created a show.

In elaborate ritual, there is safety. However, God intended people to do exactly like Jesus and be among people. Being in the world and not of the world requires our hearts to stay right with God. Being fake eventually wears out the good fruit. This is probably why the people in Scripture have real issues and mess. If one becomes a plaster saint, one is frozen in a display which can cool the heart. God created all different types of people and flaws, we have to be glad in our individualism. Staying close to God is doing what He chooses for us.

Why did Jesus call John the Baptist - least in Heaven. One of the reasons would be John's job was to be in Faith - it was John's Job. Don't pick at the threads of what upholds you. And create flap and doubt when the ones you love are depending upon you.

Why all the fuss about Church? Church can be fussy. Jerusalem and Israel are always in a flux, when they don't claim what God would give them. Why not avoid the struggles? The basic need inside of us is to connect to what God creates in our lives and what He gives us to do. God says:

Proverbs 14:10
Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.

God connects to us more than any human being. If we aren't nourishing our souls - we are starving.

God does tell us about starving and disinherited - in the New Testament - Galatians 5

sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The Fruits of the Spirit, are just vastly more appealing.

Jesus knew people. So He threw in the Salt part.

Life tests us. Psalm 7, 11, 26, Revelation 2, James 1, Hebrews 12, 1 Corinthians 2, 1 Peter 1, Jeremiah 3, Exodus 3. Basically all the heavy hitters of the Bible have weighed in on the opinion our hearts are examined. David, John, James, Paul, Peter, Jeremiah and Moses.

God lives with us.

John 1:4
13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

The Holy Spirit is Real. The Body of Christ works together. The coals together create Warmth of Love, Fire of the Holy Spirit, and Light. 


Salvation is from God. Jesus would agree.  Even in the Old Testament.

Psalm 3 
O Lord, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul,
there is no salvation for him in God. Selah

3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah

5 I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.

7 Arise, O Lord!
Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.

8 Salvation belongs to the Lord;
your blessing be on your people! Selah

Father GOD - Encourage us to be worthy of You! Salvation is Yours and we claim that for our Beloved Ones. With Loving Hearts we pray for the people you give us and ask Your blessings on them. Each day help us to encourage our souls, and bring forth Joy of You. Accepting no less - in Jesus. Amen.

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Isaiah 45 ~ Truly you are a God who has been hiding Himself, the God and Savior of Israel.

Isaiah 45


“This is what the Lord says to his anointed,
to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of
to subdue nations before him
and to strip kings of their armor,
to open doors before him
so that gates will not be shut:
2 I will go before you
and will level the mountains;
I will break down gates of bronze
and cut through bars of iron.

3 I will give you hidden treasures,
riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the Lord,
the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

4 For the sake of Jacob my servant,
of Israel my chosen,
I summon you by name
and bestow on you a title of honor,
though you do not acknowledge me.

5 I am the Lord, and there is no other;
apart from me there is no God.

I will strengthen you,
though you have not acknowledged me,
6 so that from the rising of the sun
to the place of its setting
people may know there is none besides me.
I am the Lord, and there is no other.

7 I form the light and create darkness,
I bring prosperity and create disaster;
I, the Lord, do all these things.

8 “You heavens above, rain down my righteousness;
let the clouds shower it down.
Let the earth open wide,
let salvation spring up,
let righteousness flourish with it;
I, the Lord, have created it.

9 “Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker,
those who are nothing but potsherds
among the potsherds on the ground.
Does the clay say to the potter,
‘What are you making?’
Does your work say,
‘The potter has no hands’?
10 Woe to the one who says to a father,
‘What have you begotten?’
or to a mother,
‘What have you brought to birth?’

11 “This is what the Lord says—
the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker:
Concerning things to come,
do you question me about my children,
or give me orders about the work of my hands?
12 It is I who made the earth
and created mankind on it.
My own hands stretched out the heavens;
I marshaled their starry hosts.
13 I will raise up him in my righteousness:
I will make all his ways straight.

He will rebuild my city
and set my exiles free,
but not for a price or reward,
says the Lord Almighty.”

14 This is what the Lord says:

“The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush,
and those tall Sabeans—
they will come over to you
and will be yours;
they will trudge behind you,
coming over to you in chains.

They will bow down before you
and plead with you, saying,
‘Surely God is with you, and there is no other;
there is no other god.’”

15 Truly you are a God who has been hiding himself,
the God and Savior of Israel.
16 All the makers of idols will be put to shame and disgraced;
they will go off into disgrace together.
17 But Israel will be saved by the Lord
with an everlasting salvation;
you will never be put to shame or disgraced,
to ages everlasting.

18 For this is what the Lord says—
he who created the heavens,
he is God;
he who fashioned and made the earth,
he founded it;
he did not create it to be empty,
but formed it to be inhabited—
he says:
“I am the Lord,
and there is no other.
19 I have not spoken in secret,
from somewhere in a land of darkness;
I have not said to Jacob’s descendants,
‘Seek me in vain.’
I, the Lord, speak the truth;
I declare what is right.

20 “Gather together and come;
assemble, you fugitives from the nations.
Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood,
who pray to gods that cannot save.
21 Declare what is to be, present it—
let them take counsel together.
Who foretold this long ago,
who declared it from the distant past?
Was it not I, the Lord?
And there is no God apart from me,
a righteous God and a Savior;
there is none but me.

22 “Turn to me and be saved,
all you ends of the earth;
for I am God, and there is no other.
23 By myself I have sworn,
my mouth has uttered in all integrity
a word that will not be revoked:

Before me every knee will bow;
by me every tongue will swear.
24 They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone
are deliverance and strength.’”


All who have raged against him
will come to him and be put to shame.
25 But all the descendants of Israel
will find deliverance in the Lord
and will make their boast in him.

We had a very thought provoking Sermon today. He was clear and in line with God about honesty, truth, straight paths, desires of the heart, and letting our Light shine for God. The Holy Spirit.

In the middle of the sermon, I opened the Bible and the page opened upon Isaiah 45, my finger was upon verse 15. Isaiah encountered prophecy in His life. And - with this being God and all His Hosts - immediate success was assured. Wait. Oh, that's right, the Scripture's are Real. Isaiah worked for four kings of Israel and only the third one actually listened to him - believing God had something to say through Isaiah.

I've been given a prophetic Word. Several times. And upon the discloser, my faith-filled soul doubted this was His. However, the Word from God had witnesses. Was during Communion, the Presence of Jesus, and had the Gospel of Luke 7 to accompany the Word of God. And as this began to be fulfilled, more people spoke of His Plan. The ring of Truth with the Love. Prophesy is to be done with order and Faith, Hope and Love. God loves His Plan and His Word - is fulfilled. God never asks us to be without Gratitude for Today. He gives us the blessing, the opportunity for a prayerful solution, and sufficiency for each day. God asks for Love.

We think about what God gives us.

Begin with Prayer, with all our Soul to Jesus.

Connect the tools at hand - Give God the Glory. 

Do His Word and Promises to us.

Giving Thanks and Complaining and Confessing and Going Forth in What HE Brings to Our Lives.  
Love the People He Gives you!

Stay Praying Without Ceasing!!!

Alexander, my youngest son, remembers a day very well. We had a day we were left on vacation without a car; several people were called away. Edward had business and I had two small children who were now stranded and Unhappy. We went on a walk and we agreed to pick up things of interest, as long as nature was not harmed. We called this a Treasure Hunt. What we ended up with was Gorgeous and Unusual. I'd scan that picture if this was a legalistic issue. However, the pic represents a day a prayerful solution became a Memory of Merit. A BLESSING.

Needless to say, I was hideously angry, profoundly hurt and then depressed. Joshua took on "An Opportunity for a Solution" and found balance was important. My children were not allowed to know the unhappiness. Only the going forward. And I have no doubt Alexander and Cal will someday do this Treasure Hunt with joy again with their children.

This is a day of Overcoming. And it was!

Be Centered on Jesus

Prayer is like this. Salvation is not our good works. God Does Not Ask us to save people. Pray for them, Love them, Encourage them.  God Saves People.

We see a physical need in front of us. I can tell you when Cal was a baby, he was attached to a monitor for apnea with wires and lights. People were the most discouraging factor, almost. Prayers were not offered, however eyes were averted. And the curious were often not comforting. I know Brave, Stout-Hearted Men who don't want to go out in public on Oxygen Containers.

My Grandmother-Anita was overcome with osteoporosis. This left her disfigured in her elderly years, and she never had anyone offer to pray for her. I imagine if she had, the undiscussed health factor would Not have been welcome. However, if you had passed her and prayed, I'm sure she would have said "Blessings To You."

In Prayer. God does not call us to confess the sins of others. God does not require us to help Him with Judgment. Especially on top of God's Word. God does call us to encourage, proclaim HIM, give Justice with Mercy and privately take people to the source. And not only that - GOD exists within our heart - can we doubt God would listen to prayer without the need to run to someone and say "I PRAYED FOR YOU." Give God the Glory and pray.

On of the things we all have in common is we have our cares and concerns traveling after us. Our Families, our Children, our Careers, our Friends, our Nation, our Finances, our Health, our Extended Families, our Chores, our Opinions, others Opinions, our Neighbors. We get the idea.

There is one plan - Pray.
There is another thing - we can only do what He would give us to do. 
We cannot do what He would not give us the ability to do. 
We know what direction to Aspire to - The Path HE gives us in talents and abilities.

There is something to do - avoid the people who would make fun of you for goodness.  Avoid the pot holes. 

And then after you have fretted. Used your intellect, exercise this - "Your Will Be Done." God - Is - God of Possibilities.

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Psalm 39 ~ when I was silent and still, not even saying anything good, my anguish increased.

Peter had an auspicious beginning, saying, "Jesus - I'm just a simple man - Jesus, look away from me, that I might have peace."

Peter proclaimed Jesus to be the Son of God. Was given the Keys to Heaven (12 Open Gates in Heaven! OH Father GOD!) and spoke deep from the heart saying Jesus' words were The Gift of Life! No other place, would Peter wished to be. Being so comfortable with Our Risen Savior - as to argue what would happen to John for his good behavior. People.

This is a Psalm of King David, but I bet we all have things to say - and how to say them to help others? Or just to we kind, yet explain?

Psalm 39

I said, "I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
as long as the wicked are in my presence."

2 But when I was silent and still,
not even saying anything good,
my anguish increased.

3 My heart grew hot within me,
and as I meditated, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:

4 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.

5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Selah!

6 Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.

7 "But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.

8 Save me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools.

9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth,
for you are the one who has done this.

10 Remove your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

11 You rebuke and discipline men for their sin;
you consume their wealth like a moth—
each man is but a breath.
Selah

12 "Hear my prayer, O LORD,
listen to my cry for help;
be not deaf to my weeping.
For I dwell with you as an alien,
a stranger, as all my fathers were.

13 Look away from me, that I may rejoice again
before I depart and am not more."

Jesus did not slay Peter for being honest enough to say, "What happens to John now?" God uses the weak to tell His Story. 

Thank you, Father God , that even today there are blessings everywhere. People seek to instruct, to guide, to give advice, prayers. There are Blessings for giving guidance blessing others . We give thanks for times praying together, even silently, for Blessings to overflow.

When we consider our Bodies, a Place we want to have God live, perhaps those visions in God's Word - the Living Water flowing from the Temple are also the healing of tears. We could all be more peaceful, when we witness tears.

Give Me Jesus-Jeremy Camp
 

We hesitate to speak up to worried about giving offense. Miscommunication was something Jesus worked against and spoke with honesty.

Matthew 15
15 Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”

16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them.

This is honest communication, a request for information - and a request for more attention. These people are comfortable together. Jesus sat while teaching us on the Mount of Olives. (We hear Him today in Scriptures.)

Matthew 14:
25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

30 But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Mark 10:32
They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him.

God loves faith - and God loves us - so much so - Emotion does Not Offend Him.


Mark 4: 37
 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

41 They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

Painted by Liz L. Swindle

Jesus lived this life comfortably. Happily.

Jesus begins the Gospel of John - laughing with Nathanael. Matthew's Gospel has a determined father naming Him - Jesus.  Mark tells us John the Baptist begins in the wilderness, making paths straight.  Luke's Gospel tells us of Gabriel, who stands in the Presence of God,  having been sent to speak to us and to tell us good news...

Jesus Christ gave us an example of Life Lived Abundantly and Jesus gave Victory over sin and death. From everlasting to everlasting You are God. Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever


The words of the Lord are flawless,
like silver purified in a crucible,
like gold refined seven times.

Who can proclaim the mighty Acts of the Lord
or fully declare His praise?

Peter knows Jesus. He fully comprehended the fullness of God in Jesus.  

Peter wants us to unfold His Words - giving Light; Imparting simple understanding. 
Making our ears attentive to wisdom and inclining our hearts to understanding; 
calling out for insight and voices raised for understanding.
Seek this like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures.


1 Peter 2:25a
Now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 2:2a
Long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation —

1 Peter 1:13a
Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9a
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession

1 Peter 3: 9-12a
Bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer."



Philippians 2
So that at the name of Jesus
EVERY KNEE WILL BOW,
of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

AMEN.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.


Father GOD we lift our lives, hopes, fears, dreams to Thee. Please Jesus always be here. Your beloved one so asks for this family to be Built in Your good favor always. Amen.

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Matthew 13:43-44 ~ the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father

Psalm 33:6

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

 

Matthew 13:43-44

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

Whoever has ears, let them hear.

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."

Heaven evokes a response!

Joy!

Putting oneself completely - forward!

Investment of all one has!

Shining with Joy!



Why would Jesus say a field...

These are Churches and Abbeys, Senanque Abbey is a Restored from ruin by owners (middle photo) and back to Christian ownership. 

Another field might be a Prayer Virgil, after an act of violence

Vigil in Aurora, Colorado 2012

Angelic shape appeared in the clouds above Sunday’s prayer vigil for the victims of the “Dark Knight” massacre.Crystal Fuller says she sees the holy shape in a photo she took of the sky above the site after the service was over.

“I noticed it afterwards. I had it posted and … one of my friends, Barbara Masias, said, "It's an angel and I saw it!" Fuller wrote. Fuller said the shape of the angel appeared directly above the Century 16 theater complex in Aurora, Colo., where crazed gunman had acted. Thousands attended the candlelight vigil at the Aurora Municipal Center Sunday evening, a day of prayer and remembrance for the 70 involved in the massacre.

Ephesians 4
Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Jesus told us to rely upon our Father, mentioning another field.

Luke 12
22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Lilies grown in Israel.

The apostle Matthew spent three years with Jesus and he wrote, "Jesus came, enjoying life" (Matthew 11:19 Eating and drinking with friends He defended).

Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

1 Corinthians 10:26
The earth and all that is in it belong to the Lord!

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