Romans 5: 6-11 ~ rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ

1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

1 John 3:5
You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.



Romans 5: 6-11
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Mark 15:21-22

And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. 22 And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull).

1 John 2:2
He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

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

John 10:17-18
For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”





Isaiah 53:5
But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:1-12
Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

Loved the acoustic David Crowder reflecting His Love.

This is Good Friday. Easter has yet to arrive. Pope John Paul II, Pappa said, "We are the Easter people and Alleluia is our song."

The Stations of the Cross, from The Via Dolorosa (Latin "Way of Sorrows") is a street, in two parts, within the Old City of Jerusalem.

Some will sing of God's mercies renewing us, taking our burdens.

We celebrate Jesus. 


1 Timothy 2: 5
For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus 

<><

John 15 ~ abide in Me

John 15

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin,[c] but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.

Isaiah 6:3
And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."


On Good Friday - How can we do less than consider Heaven - God's Gift and Promise to us?

God Displays to us small glimpses of His Glory.

If We Abide in HIM...

The botanical truth is that grapevines live 50 to 70 years depending on their variety. At age 3, they begin to provide fruit, as the grapevines age, they diminish - not producing as much fruit.

Rita Lotti was born in 1381 in Roccaporena, Italy. In the Province of Umbria, Italy. Rita had an amazing and difficult life.

A 600 year old grapevine, planted by Rita is a live today. The only other grapevine in the world to even come close to this amazing miracle is 400 years old and located in Yarra, Slovenia. Perhaps it would be a good time to tell you, Rita's Roses are also still alive and bloom in the garden. Yes, you know it, this woman is a Saint. Saint Rita of Cascia. Link - to her live of devotion and the fruit still alive today. Rita's life is too amazing to believe, but the proof is still alive. If you still feel a little sceptically, you can google the photos from the vine in Yarra, Slovenia and you will know Rita's vine is the real deal.

Rita's Grapevine grows from under her window and covers the convent.

Psalm 80:14-15 

Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine,  the stock that your right hand planted, and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.

We pray our  lives hold the actions & power of God. On Good Friday, we consider Jesus and what He has given His Life for - for you.

1. Believe God specifically creates us to live within His plan. 
2. Believes in the success of our godly desires/lives, even with insurmountable circumstances. 
3. Want to give God's love, to shepherd the people around them. Give love and care.





Genesis 1:12
The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

The idea of God Himself having gratitude -  How can we do less than to be cultivators of gratitude. Realizing our lives are gifts.

Genesis 3:8
And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day

Revelations tells us God's plan, from beginning to end.

Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God."

Acts 17:28
For “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’


Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.




 Father God, each day, we put our hands out to You. Give us Your love to do the plan for us. In the power, love and glory of Jesus Christ. Amen.

<>< 

Matthew 4 ~ every Word that comes from the Mouth of God

Matthew 4

4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ 4 But he answered, ‘It is written,

“One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,

“He will command his angels concerning you”,
and “On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.”’

7 Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”’

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; 9 and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ 10 Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written,

“Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.”’

11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee

12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

15 ‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
light has dawned.’

17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’


18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.


23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

Today's Scripture for Wednesday Holy Week is John 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. This is the day the New Covenant was celebrated. Jesus suddenly had a lot to teach. In a time of great trouble.

The first Communion was given. We readily remember Judas took communion and Satan entered into Judas. No one needs to speak up for one who would betray our Hero, God's Son, our Savior Jesus.

Besides, it isn't relevant to Holy Week.

Except - all the people at the table, minus John and Jesus, taking part in the New Covenant of Salvation did Judas words and actions to Jesus - The Son of God.

They sat witnessing the Incredible Life of Jesus. His Vast Miracles and were in Awe and Wonder of GOD. They were witnessing the creation of a new Heaven at hand - in front of them - and they - RAN out on Jesus.

If only Jesus had chosen better educated men - not so backwater - people who were more trained - people without a mortgage - maybe those voted "Most Likely to Succeed" - people without kids or a spouse - people who know the Bible better and don't stumble or look ridiculous - Professional Witnesses to GOD - You Know What I MEAN - NOT ME!!! NO, don't say it like that, say - People who are Effective for God!

Oh.

Compared to...

How divided were the groups of good guys and guys?

•  They know the miracles. Blind, see. Deaf, hear, Lame, walk, Lepers, cleansed, children - raised, Lazarus - raised. Poor have good news preached to them.
• They have known for quite some time - three Passovers - so, Three Years. Jesus has been claimed and claimed about as the Son of God.
• They know Jesus is a son of Joseph - Nazareth glosses over the - event. 
• The Sadducees in the still obtainable Sadducean Council Talmud get stuck on Mary's paternity. (Not discussing Joseph's Lineage.)
• Jesus just had a time of Parade and Acclamation.
• Jesus just offended the money guys in the Temple.  
• Both sides of the aisle offered up commentary pro and con.
• Then infants and babies offered up commentary. Ever one got quiet for a while.
• They all went home to think. Over-think.

So.

One more unusual event. Hmmm.

They all take a meal of Bread and Wine. The one that lots of the 72 disciples got really fussed about and said, "See You Later."   When Jesus first explained The Plan.

The Event ? The First Communion with Celebrant Jesus Christ Son of God the Lord.

The Reaction? Two men stay loyal to God. And Nicodemus,  Joseph of Arimathea and the multitudes of women who showed up to create an avalanche of love and grief for Him. Simon of Cyrene arrived.

The Counter Reaction? Eleven men and the Sadduceen Council's Night Group, Herod and Pilate - the  Guard employed by the Roman Emperor - Do this -

• They do what's Comfortable to Them.
• They Play it Safe.
• They Play with Words.
• One Dimensional Accusations are Thrown.
• Apparent Goodness is the Law.
• True Goodness is Discarded.
• Miracles are Not Valued. 
• Value jobs, positions and family above Justice.
• Their Primary Concern are institutions.
• The bottom line is Self.
• Their Hope is placed upon their own reliability. 
• They are Faithless.
• No Love is shown.
• Many hope another person will Act.
• They are not interested in The King, but the Prince of Safety. The Prince of Status Quo. The Prince of Delegation. The Prince of Call Someone Else. The Prince of What is Reliable.

What is Wrong with These People? They are Us. We need JESUS CHRIST THE LORD.

How could God's Only Son, Jesus - have had the First Communion go so wrong?

God was letting Himself see what the human equation is like for those who travel by their own power.
How sad, desperate, terrible life can be.

Surely this Table would be Blood Red for All Eternity
                                        - the remnants of this First Communion - 

Isaiah 1:18

 "Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool."

God has a Plan. He calls that Plan - The Book of Life.
And HE Sanctifies that Plan with a Name. - Jesus - The Lord of Lords. King of Kings. Creator of all things.
And HE Seals His Plan - with the Holy Spirit of God.
When? When does God send the Holy Spirit???

When?  Jesus - The Highest Name of above all names - Speaks His Word.


John 3:
the Son of Man be lifted up,  
 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
 
 ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.  For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed.  But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.’

There is only One who is Good.

Philippians 2
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

+

Matthew 7 ~ Do not judge

Matthew 7

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.



3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 
4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 
5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.


7 “Ask and it will be given to you; 
seek and you will find; 
knock and the door will be opened to you. 
8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.


13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’


24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 
25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 
26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”


28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because 
He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Why did Jesus die? All questions have levels and give thought to different issues. Sometimes a mere question will tell you what the bearer has in mind.

Our blog Scripture for Today has been publishing since 2007. We have thought each day of His Mercy to sinners. Me being with that category, myself.

How often do we ask with physical intent what killed Jesus?
One of the Mayo Clinic Doctors Examined What Killed Jesus  with 5 other physicians. Their website is very visited and highly graphic of the sacrifice Jesus went through for two days before He conquered death on the next three days.

The physical cause of death - the trauma - caused heart failure contributed to by the prophecy of Isaiah - the Government was upon his shoulders creating suffocation of the placement of His arms and His Body weight. 

Proverbs 4:20
My son, give attention to my words;
            Incline your ear to my sayings.        
         21 Do not let them depart from your sight;
            Keep them in the midst of your heart.
        22 For they are life to those who find them
            And health to all their body.
23 Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.
        24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth
            And put devious speech far from you.
        25 Let your eyes look directly ahead
            And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.

The way the people turned upon Him, killed Him - the emotional trauma. This is why water flowed for the spear at the end of His Life.  Jesus did give His Heart. Unguarded. And does today - to you - His Beloved. Jesus knew and knows what is in the heart of mankind. And wants to save mankind. Seek Him diligently.

Making Matthew 7 an interesting choice for Holy Week.

Matthew starts out by saying - Don't Judge. We all are Guilty.

Don't cast your pearls before swine. Isn't that judgement?
Watch out for false prophets.
What about what your children ask for?
Don't believe apparent goodness???

And some real - solid, easy to understand - instructions. Just like Proverbs.
For - Judgement?
NO! Discernment. We discern every day - almost every second.
Judgement is when your mouth says "you always" and inflicts a label. Judgement is what you don't want the person spoken of to hear. Judgement is final and unbending.

That solid, easy to understand instruction -
My Child, Jesus says, give attention to My Words -
Watch what your mouth says.
Are you that example of perfection?
Why do you allow dogs to have what is sacred - like the television blaring in your house and your radio.
Prayer comes first. If you are thinking - you can add more sentences on that thought - To the One Who Knows and Loves you Best.
Do the storehouses of God's Blessings run out? Are all things Possible with God?
Put your salvation first. Let others do the same. Let your aspersions be handed to Father God first in prayer and kindness.
Watch out for godly advice - generate your desire to Love and Serve God in your talents, gifts, and opportunities. Put your hands out like Isaiah and Paul - Sent Me, Lord! See how it goes with me, give me the opportunities!

Upon His Rock - do you do the Words of God? How are your fruits and talents to Your Abba? That is the discernment of Mercy we want from God. Go and do likewise.


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.

1 John 4:10
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Revelation 1:5
and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,


2 Corinthians 1 ~ New American Standard

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction
with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance,
so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

Thank You, Father, for Jesus Christ the Messiah. Lord of all.

Amen.

+

Mark 12:18-37 ~ God of the living

Mark 12

18 Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 19 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children. 21 The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third. 22 In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too. 23 At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”

24 Jesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? 25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 26 Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!”



28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.



35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? 36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
under your feet.”’

37 David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

The large crowd listened to him with delight.

We know our Hero Jesus.
Jesus goes where others don't go.
We know Jesus got His hands in the dirt to deliver His Child from Adultery.




Peter started out - with a hint -

John 1:40-41
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).

And with the hint - Peter did well. Peter did discover and answered a Good answer. Enabled Peter to see - the Works of the Father - in the Love Jesus - Is.

Peter knew the Power of God and the Scriptures.

John 6:68
Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the Words of Eternal Life."


When Father God gives His Words of Eternal Life - we begin to see our lives and events in Him. The Scriptures are Alive. Just as Jesus is Alive.


Look at the passage above - Peter finds Life with Jesus in this Passage of Today's Reading - there are a lot of parallels if you look closely with faith - reminders, faint echoes of conversations Peter had with Jesus.

We know our Hero Jesus.
Jesus goes where others don't go.
We know Jesus put out His hands immediately to deliver His Child from falling.

Peter - loved  and delighted seeing the large crowds listen to Jesus.  Peter was going to be badly mistaken.
No longer at Jesus' right side - Living his own way.

Why should we love The Lord our God? Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength?

Lamentations 3
The LORD'S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, 
For His compassions never fail.  
They are new every morning; 
Great is Your faithfulness. 

 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him."

Peter was again found by Jesus and fed. In Love and in Mercy.

Deuteronomy 31:6, Through the Millenniums !!!
Joshua 1:5,  
Psalm 27:14, 
Isaiah 41:10,
Jeremiah 1:8, 
1 Corinthians 16:13, 
2 Timothy 2:1, 
and most importantly -  

Matthew 28:2

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Jesus says, " And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

+

Psalm 34:8 ~ The Lord is Good

Psalm 34:8
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Hebrews 6:5
Who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age.

John 4:10
Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

Isaiah 6:3
And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

Once I went to Bible Study where the premise was seeking the reward of God is wrong. God says the opposite. To be in real relationship is to know - God wants to fill us and invite us to His Eternal Kingdom.

This is Holy Week. Good Friday is coming. Let us not forget Jesus took on our sins to have us as His Children.

1 Corinthians 6:20
For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Heaven is not the fulfillment of all about our stardom desires like the Lion King would proclaim. This is about becoming filled in the Presence by the Light of God's Love.

Revelation 21:22-27
And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.

Luke 23:43
And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see obscurely in a mirror,
but then it will be face to face.
Now I know partly; then I will know fully,
just as God has fully known me.

Revelation 21:18
The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, clear as glass.

Hebrews 11:16
But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

2 Peter 3:13
But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Jeremiah 32:27
"I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"


1 Corinthians 15:57
Thank God! 
He gives us victory over sin 
and death t
hrough our Lord Jesus Christ!


Ephesians One, Verses Eighteen to Twenty-three

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened
in order that you may know the hope
to which he has called you,
the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead
and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
far above all rule and authority, power and dominion,
and every name that is invoked,
not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

And God placed all things under his feet
and appointed him to be head over everything
for the church,
which is his body,
the fullness of him who fills
everything 
in every way.

<><