Deuteronomy 13 ~ If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying

Deuteronomy 13

If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere.

Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. 5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death for inciting rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. That prophet or dreamer tried to turn you from the way the Lord your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you.

6 If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (gods that neither you nor your ancestors have known, 7 gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other), 8 do not yield to them or listen to them. Show them no pity. Do not spare them or shield them. 9 You must certainly put them to death. Your hand must be the first in putting them to death, and then the hands of all the people. 10 Stone them to death, because they tried to turn you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 11 Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and no one among you will do such an evil thing again.

12 If you hear it said about one of the towns the Lord your God is giving you to live in 13 that troublemakers have arisen among you and have led the people of their town astray, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (gods you have not known), 14 then you must inquire, probe and investigate it thoroughly. And if it is true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done among you, 15 you must certainly put to the sword all who live in that town. You must destroy it completely, both its people and its livestock. 16 You are to gather all the plunder of the town into the middle of the public square and completely burn the town and all its plunder as a whole burnt offering to the Lord your God. That town is to remain a ruin forever, never to be rebuilt, 17 and none of the condemned things are to be found in your hands. Then the Lord will turn from his fierce anger, will show you mercy, and will have compassion on you. He will increase your numbers, as he promised on oath to your ancestors— 18 because you obey the Lord your God by keeping all his commands that I am giving you today and doing what is right in his eyes.

Joshua 24:15
"If serving the LORD seems undesirable to you,
then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,
whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.

But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

<><

Deuteronomy 8 ~ man lives by every Word that comes from the mouth of the Lord

Deuteronomy 8

The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers. 2

And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you,
testing you to know what was in your heart,
whether you would keep his commandments or not. 3

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4

Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years. 5

Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you.6

So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him. 7

For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, 8 a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, 9 a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. 10

And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.



“Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, 12

lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, 13 and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, 15

who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water,
who brought you water out of the flinty rock, 16

who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. 17

Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ 18 You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. 19

And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. 20

Like the nations that the Lord makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God.

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 2 Timothy 1:9


27 Times the Word Blessings is recorded in 3,000 pages of the Scriptures.
15 Times the Books of the Law and the Prophets record the Word Blessing.

About the same way that Jesus asked faith in the actions and attitudes of people He healed.

FAITH, WORDS, ACTIONS, And ATTITUDES 

John 4:48

48 “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”

49 The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.”

The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52 When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.”

Luke 4:31-36

I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

35 “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.

36 All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!”

Luke 5:4-6

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

Luke 5:12-14

When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
 
¹³ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

¹⁴ Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

Matthew 17:26-27

Jesus said to him.  “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

<><

James 1:20 ~ the anger of man does not produce

James 1:20
The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.


Ever done youth ministry? The monkeys are Too Tame in the Video - but hey, it's an instructional idea.

We all get angry at God, it's just - it's not righteous.  And God isn't going to say - "Oh man, blew that situation. Look at Frank over there - what Was I Thinking."

God just doesn't have to be - Politically Correct. This is His Story and He knows the Days Written.

Consider a Very non-politically correct story of God. Actually two. Elijah had some interest in FIRE!!!

2 Kings 1:10
Elijah answered the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty."

Elisha had a similar Not PC moment.

2 Kings 2:23-
From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. "Get out of here, baldy!" they said. "Get out of here, baldy!" He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.

(Mauled means an animal wound to a person or animal by scratching and tearing. How much damage occurs to 42 boys when two bears arrive. And do you claim mauled if you scrap yourself on a tree climbing? Remember with me, this is reported as fire and death to all the boys.)

Elijah stood up boldly for God in a very difficult time of life - God was cast aside for human sacrifice. Something He has always abhorred. Elijah means "My God is Yah(weh)."


Why didn't God honor Life above the actual human beings with hearts, two arms and two legs.

He was in the process of affirming life.

God sees events Very differently that we do.

Isaiah 55:8
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.

God, Genesis and the Psalms inform us, the fullness of the Earth - Belong to Him.
The people who died are not - LOST - to God.
They have Gone Home. His Kingdom - His Valley of Decision.
We All have an invitation to leave this planet.
Personally. Significantly. For Long Term. I Pray. Let me be taken like a Camellia. Whole.
Intact. With My Boots On.

God tells us in the First Chapter of His Story - HE finds what HE gives us in this life - Good. He continues to find Life - Good - because HE is affirming life and creates more.

Is God angry? God is Not known in all the aspects of His Story of His Nature - Given to Us - as a God of Anger. How can we judge God for HIS anger?

No doubt, our seven to eight decades indicate - No doubt but we are the people, And wisdom shall die with us.

God says Fear is the beginning of judgement. He also says Real Love casts out fear. And in this extrapolation, Elijah would not get far with all the monkeys jumping up and down Screaming Baal is good as the idol claimed infant sacrifice is needed for crops to come in and financial blessing.

We love to scream about this passage and have it screamed to us - but - who reasons this out?

Look in the Hospitals - Life and Death are daily events to God. Life is not created by mankind - we have no idea how to create life - we merely use what He gives us. Life is, after all, a voyage Home.

We have these endless and silly debates about Salvation. WHO is Saved. Salvation is a Work of God. He never in the 3,000 pages of the Scriptures, once, remotely, asks if we could please Help Him Judge Salvation.

Instead - God says work. God gives mankind the work to believe God.

Work. Work out our "own" Salvation with fear and trembling. Fear is the beginning of wisdom. Real Love Casts out Fear. Worth repeating.

Philippians 2
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, 13
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15
that you may be blameless and innocent,
children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation,
among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16
holding fast to the word of life,
so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

So God allowed Elijah and Elisha to do something rude.

Jesus was confronted with a real and profound doubt - a rudeness if you will - to His Authority. John the Baptist is compared to Elijah by Jesus, after seeing Elijah in the transfiguration. (Witnessed by men - John trying not to overwhelm the listener.)

John sent a message to Jesus in his hour of death - asking Jesus - publicly- is He the correct person, as the Messiah.

God does not zap John the Baptist, yet He tells us of lack of faith takes us down. He is saying, in effect, if we can - "Let not our hearts be troubled" - to seize that.

Jesus does not set bears on the messengers. We don't have to say that twice. John the Baptist creates questioning in his own disciples instead of leadership. Proving once again, be it - TV evangelist, Christian Singer, Elijah, Elisha - any person - will let you down. But If we put our Hope in Jesus Christ - He will not disappoint us. We are not to expect a waiter or Santa or the Grim Judge. Only God is Good.

God said you can ridicule the name of Jesus and bother Him, but not to complain about the Holy Spirit. (Yes, of course, we are not supposed to take His name in vain.) The Holy Spirit brings God to us. Dwelling in us. God doesn't get fussy, but He wants us to understand how He strives for us and not to break the connection of us to Him. We seem to take God up on this, God is cussed, Jesus' name is blasphemed, yet rarely do you hear someone cuss the Holy Spirit.

We are assured, Jesus will not break a bruised reed. Jesus said if we "Let our hearts not be troubled,"  He creates a place for us in Heaven. Too far off you say - Heaven - what about:

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

A huge statement - that is under the category of - Unseen Faith. The eyes of faith have to see somethings unfold in thirty or more years.

The Scripture exists to explain the nature of God. There is always a need to dig down deep to find the reasoning.

Remembering Elijah did more than just one event.

~ Elijah knew who he was God’s representative
~ “Elijah called “the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead.” six times and was well known by this title - a rocky area - indicating a hard life - a journey to survive the area
~ Tishbe” means “to take captive” - Bringing God back into Israel.
~ Was direct and laid it on the line. He said there would be neither dew nor rain for years except by his word.
~ King Ahab's response - is not recorded. Scripture is silent. This demonstrates the promises and warnings of God’s Word always take precedence over man’s response or opinions.
~ God’s Word is true regardless of how people respond or react.
~ God sent Elijah to live with a widow in Zarephath and prevented starvation.
~ The widow's son died. Elijah stretched himself on the boy's body three times, and God restored the child's life.
~ Elijah challenged the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of the false god Asherah to a showdown on Mount Carmel.
~ Elijah called on the Lord, and God's fire fell from heaven, consuming the offering, the wood, the altar, the water, and even the dust around it.
~ Elijah over came fear and depression.
~ Elijah prayed, and rain fell on Israel.
~ An angel brought him food.
~ Elijah to anoint his successor, Elisha (God and his workmen feel the work goes on).
~ God sent chariots and horses of fire and took Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, while Elisha stood watching.

The righteousness of God does not need mankind. We are blessed to be Heard. God does more than that, and allows prayer to move His Hands.

Thank you for creating us to be who You want us to be. Today we choose to see ourselves as You see us, to believe in our life in You as You believe in us and to love each other as You love us. Thank you for the resurrection power of Your presence - living in us as individuals and in your Church.

We receive everything You desire for us this day. And the days to come.
In Jesus. Amen.

<><

2 Corinthians 4 ~ not destroyed

2 Corinthians 4

We are afflicted in every way,
but not crushed;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down,
but not destroyed;

Always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,”
we also believe,
and so we also speak,
knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus
will raise us also with Jesus
and bring us with you into his presence.



Afflicted? In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other

Anger Grief Fear

James 1:20
The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

God knows a lot of two year old adults. Consider conversation to God, in Honesty. Complain.

Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Look forward to God using this to help others. And healing. Many people love to rush to judgment and tell you - this is insurmountable. I have witnessed people permanently give up and stay home. I've done that. It is a mistake. However, with a broken ankle, it's difficult to run. The second year of grief, is frequently more difficult - the burden of saying - 'I should be better now.'

Proverbs 16:9 Time
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Fear

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

A right hand does what mostly - most of our work.

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

What was Jesus charged with as God's hand?

Matthew 3
"He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

The day of adversity and the day of blessing. Not just Jesus meek. Son of GOD.

God is not the reformed God of the Old Testament. He was as compassionate in the Old Testament. He spoke to Elijah in ...

1 Kings 19:11-13
And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

What do we expect from God?

Are we this generation?

14 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars

What doest thou here, Elijah?  
We do not play with God.


Psalm 26
7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,
and telling all your wondrous deeds.

If you could sit down to talk to God and have Him answer you, what would you discuss? You would have to have HIM stoop to your level. Like a Giant from Gulliver's Travels. Like Aaron splashing blood in His Holy of Holies. And in the midst of your front porch swing talk - you would hopefully realize - HE is God. Perhaps on one moonlit night, HE would explain That Nothing Is Impossible To HIM and even let you place your hand upon HIS.

If you were a two year old, you would still prattle on about yourself. And secretly tell Him that you could do a better job being God. But every now and then realize - how much God takes upon Himself every day. In the day of horrid adversity. Understanding all of the hearts, souls, no secrets are hidden.

And be in awe of who GOD is. I Am. Can you imagine ? Having to tell Moses this fundamental aspect of God.

God is so intent on providing - HE has to assure Moses of His name.

God is so Giving. He has to send Jesus to explain Himself. In His Story. If you have seen the Son, you have seen the Father.

Maybe we should quit preaching - Take Your Anger to God.

And start contemplating that Life is so complex. No house is built by throwing materials in the air.

We should quit believing the media what Life affords us in our choices - what we should "Really" Do with our lives.

If you were to really go into our homes. Would we be pleasing to God? Do we really believe that the Holy Spirit dwells in our Temple? And how far do we go and dare ask HIM to bear?

Take your anger to God?
Is HE our waiter or butler?
If your life is on the line -

Would you say to God -

I'm a good plant in Your garden - What did you leave behind?
What have you done for me lately - What have you truly given?
Why didn't You give me more - Were we faithful Stewarts?
Oh - that didn't count, did it? - What was your example to others? We all matter to others. God says we are all part of Him.
But they did it too. (Would God say "Really?")
I didn't know - God would say we did.

Mostly we have humdrum lives. And we want the attention of God! Youhoo! Yahweh!

How to start the conversation?

Hello God - You are Pretty Big up there. Want to um sit here?
Yeah. Let me dust that part off.
Hi! Yep. That's right it's me...

Haven't talked in a while with Real bad ole me. Why would you want to.
God would wrap you in His Wing.
Because God does a Lot of listening. He has to explain to Moses. I Am.
God shares something in common with us. HE thinks Life is good.
And very difficult.

Please come here God. Abba. Daddy.
You are holy. I'm not. Real not.
Is Your will for me good? Are You mad at me?
I'm not super thrilled with me, but I try to be.
And I fake that.

Surely You are mad at me.
Except God says - I call not the righteous, but Sinners.
Jesus sat with Matthew and Matthew invited all manners of people. God defended the partying.
God reads the thoughts of all of us. And wants to save the World.
(Usually at that point there is no subtitle that says, "But, not you."

God - You know me - no secrets are hid. All hearts open. What we are is a ol body wrapping a soul.

Your Will on earth as in Heaven -
You sure You are around here God? You are so quiet.
God is present in the lonely places - Jesus went there, regularly.

If you put a seed in the ground - do we watch for that?

Surely you don't expect the Lord to do everything for you. Do you? You gotta earn His presence. And then you gotta recognize HIM. And then you have to act on His Word. Almost like - people. Because God says He patterned people on Him. God has feelings. Lots of them.

Give us the DAY. Haven't we all heard - put your hand to the plow and don't look back? We have today. God says if we say - with important earnestness - "I'm Sorry." HE is going with not scarlet, but white. Because God is Not People. His Ways are HIS.

Give us the Day. What we looked for with a till or a magnifying glass - to check to see - Did He call? Where - what did I see? Then apply the work Jesus (almost ) always asked for in healing - do some work yourself. Give back. Like a child of a real - Parent.

God gives us problems to solve. Adversity. He wants you to come Home. But before you take the fun, fun, fun t-bird - Grow Up. Want more blessings? Don't we all enjoy our children when they whine? Gratitude -  is - a factor.

Forgive me the uh - sins. Yep. God wants you to say - Your Rules Apply. And then He wants you to fess up by saying to Him - why - you did that. Because He wants to talk about what caused the problem. That could take a while and lead to some real - healing.

And some anger - except - what does HE owe you? Now another round of conversation - God wants that too - God gives us desires in our heart - why - He is growing us into His self-aware, Life Abundant, use your unique talents and be more - fulfilled  - people. Because - HE is Your Father.

He puts a conversation in your heart to HIM - because you are answering His call to your Life.

Now. We explain how we feel about being sinned against - briefly. That is His Child too. And pray blessings on that person to. Real blessings. (I personally pray some people to be Very Blessed. Supremely Blessed on a variety of levels - in another state. And I live in Texas- so um - We ALL have work to do!)

Lead me not in to temptation - tell Him what you should ought not to choose to do. And say Help! And. Please!

Deliver me from evil. In myself. In others, in paths of no Light.

For we want GOD to succeed in HIS Kingdom, His Power and His Might. Because HE is For US! And HE alone is GOOD!

In the strongest name of Jesus, we pray. And now we do like the disciple Paul said and "Look to see how it will go with me." In expectation and deliberation and in examination of the day. Given! To us. In Jesus. Who really was a pretty wonderful Man. And wants to talk with you. And do the work of going to Church - to hear preaching - because - God not only died for you - but for His Church. Jesus survived death to do this - we might be able to put a little effort in it. Even if we sit in the back. To cry. To get out faster. Or just to be humble. All those reasons would appeal to Him.

Bring the Kids to My House, HE says. Because we need to be nourished. This is HIS House and His table is like His will - this is for us. But we have to do the work of claiming that - over the hassle - the stupidity - we call boredom - the lie of low self-esteem - and keep doing that because it's really hard to walk on a broken ankle when our feelings are tender and our souls raw.

Encourage one another. HE does.

Please vindicate me, O Father God.
Mostly I have walked with integrity.
Help me to trust in Your mercy when I have failed to trust.

Lord, prove me again. Try me.
Test my heart and my mind.
I want Your steadfast love and to walk in Your faithfulness.

I sit with all manner of people, as You did.
I am sometimes hypocritical. Help straighten my path to You.
I so not want to be placed with the wicked forever.

Bare with me, Jesus Christ the Lord, wash my hands and heart and
call me to redemption.

Help me to go around your altar, O Lord Father God.
I will proclaim of Your mercy in thanksgiving, breaking
silence into my relief and joy. Telling of your Wondrous
Deeds.

Help me to not be overwhelmed and bored - stupidly -
in Your House, Father God.
Help me to love the place where Your Glory dwells.
I do not want to be swept with sinners and the bloodthirsty.
I do not want to be known as one with evil devices.
And right hands fulled with bribes.

I want to say again - I walk in integrity.
Redeem me, Jesus.

Be gracious to me.

My foot will stand on level ground;
in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.

For I join with You, hoping with YOU, for Your good intentions to me.
In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Bear Hunt - ZIBRAH Song

<><

Psalm 130 ~ 2 O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
2 O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.


The Scriptures are unique. Thought to be Sunday School lessons of saccharine - instead we find real people. Real flaws. Mess. Trauma.

Genesis - God oddly enough puts horns on His altar. The point being, in times of trouble, hang on, God is something real to hold on to. This is one of the first stories in the Bible.

Abraham suffers infertility.

Isaac suffers twin sons who fight endlessly.

Jacob suffers heart-sick love and too many women and children fighting.

The Bible sees - alcoholism, incest, prostitution, the loss of family, jealousy, Christians who argue. Those who long for love and feel forsaken.

Through out Scripture we see families having generational gaps. The Scriptures see longing to be united in good circumstance, in Heaven, with all walls removed - the Spirit open.

Ephesians 2:14
For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall

Ephesians 2:17
He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

Corinthians 1:3-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

The Scriptures said what we expect from God - we will receive. If we expect Him to be remote and unknowable - that is what we find. If we draw near and seek - He will draw near. He promises when we reach to Him, He is there for us.

God has an open hands policy.

An open ear policy to prayer. In the name of His Son. Jesus.

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

God wants to save - the whole world.

1 John 4:9
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

You have to be God to aim that High. Blessed be the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen. Our all in all.

<><

Mark 10:18 ~ "No one is good--except God alone."

Mark 10:18
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone."

God has Mercy and God has Reason. ALL THE TIME.

And that Covers That. All the time.

<><

Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8 ~ Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father

Gibon Springs, redirected by Hezekiah, these are his tunnels for water.

It was Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the Gihon spring and channeled the water down to the west side of the City of David. He succeeded in everything he undertook. 2 Chronicles 32:30

Faith is not a wish to believe or a will to believe something contrary to reason. Faith is not living as if something were true. Faith is the acceptance of a truth based on the authority of God's revelation, as in Scripture.

- Fulton J. Sheen

The purpose of life is to grow up. To develop our core, our soul, into something we can hope would be pleasing to our Father God. The destination is Home - His eternal Kingdom. At hand now. Faith is unseen. He says so. God did not whisk the Children of Israel into the Promised Land. Of course this was possible for Him. He expected the Children of Israel to grow up. God wants us to pray, be grateful, give Him our hearts, and do some heavy lifting. Not handing Him the broom to clean up our unrepentant messes. Or treating Him as our waiter. Instead as our Hero, our Savior. Choosing Life, just as He sees it - as Good. Knowing to be the good Samaritan. Going the extra mile, because He does this for us. The destination is Home. His Home.

Jesus desires holy. And gives healing. Asking each time something from the recipient - His beloved. 

• Mark 5:24-29  The woman healed from bleeding - reached out - in faith.

• Matthew 9: 1-8, Mark 2:1-12, and Luke 5:17-26 - The paralyzed man - had friends to help do an action. Today we pray for people and offer to help them. Jesus told the healed man to pull his weight and rise. Knowing Jesus, we can say, He would want to see the man give back. Let the healed man give back. Creating a cycle of love, care, a meaningful life. Worth living... Rise.

²³ Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?

• Luke 17:11-13 10 Lepers were healed. Told not to sit and collect their own naval lint. Move on. Seek holiness, not stay in self-pity.

14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.

One was wise and sought out Jesus. Better than mere busyness. Jesus told him to do work too. The man seeking Jesus was affirmed on His path... Rise.

19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

• Matthew 9:27-31

Jesus heals two blind men. And gives them the task of discretion. A Light under a basket? Our God is about relationship, not glam. A life knowing the miracle was personal.

30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.”

• Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10. The Centurion's servant is healed in Capernaum. Capernaum, the beautiful city by the sea - where He said He had not seen such faith in all of Israel. Jesus was so impressed by the foreigner's understanding of the power in the Word of God, the Centurion was not asked for any further action. However, Jesus chose this place as His dwelling.

“I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

The Old Testament is still the Word of God, unity is found in God. Aaron's sons are more safe in the New Testament. ~ Alleluia. Good News! God's favor rests on those who seek His Good Will - usually.

Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8

Isaiah 38:1-6
1 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.” 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 and said, “Please, O Lord, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

4 Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: 5 “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. 6 I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and will defend this city.

Isaiah 38:21-22
21 Now Isaiah had said, “Let them take a cake of figs and apply it to the boil, that he may recover.” 22 Hezekiah also had said, “What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the Lord?”

Isaiah 38:7-8
7 “This shall be the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he has promised: 8 Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the ten steps by which it had declined.




Father God, Be with us in the days ahead and Today. Getting out of our routine - to find the gratitude You give us making the day sufficient. Expecting You to show up, seeing where You are working all things together for our good, in Faith. When we don't, letting eyes of faith be Your's.

Blessing upon the people who reach far into themselves to share. Speaking up, when opening themselves is difficult. May the God of all Heaven, all Heavenly Host, bless those who speak up even when their voice squeaks. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Using what they've got to broaden, deepen, and soothe the faith and the lives of those God gives them to touch. Let Hearts be untroubled. Let Joys be multiplied. Let families live in peace. With God we shall do valiantly. We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Give thanks to Him; bless His name!

The Old Testament and the New Testament are Your story in Oneness. Jesus, His sacrifice - His death - His Victory over death. We commit to You the upbuilding of the ones we love and pray for. Jesus is Your Son, Our Lord God and we praise You for Your redemptive Power. And Your Love.

May the our God fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may abound in hope.

In the Highest name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

<><