Luke 15 ~ he returned home to His Father

Can anyone tell us what Life is about?

We send our beloved children out to the world. Why do that? Because we know the purpose of life is to grow.

How can God stand far off in times we need Him. Why is there space between us?

Jesus did tell us days will come upon us. The river, or path of life, pushes us. As He Planned. Ephesians and the whole Bible, Psalm 139 - tells us God planned our lives - knowing - our souls, our name, the hairs on our head and our destinies. God sends us forth. Equipped.

 

Luke 15

A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and took a trip to a distant land

So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming, and was filled with loving pity and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

"Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. And a jeweled ring for his finger; and shoes! 23 And kill the calf we have in the fattening pen. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has returned to life. He was lost and is found.’ So the party began!"

Notice with me - this is not the whole of Luke 15. God knows. God knows. And He knows as surely as Aaron coming into His Holy of Holies, mess will happen.

Yet, as one of his favorite peolpe says -

“I've read the last page of the Bible, it's all going to turn out all right.”

God finds the lost and prepares a place for the found. Let the party begin. The Kingdom of God is at hand! In Jesus Christ the Lord. Today!!!

Romans 10:9

If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

AMEN!!! Let our 'amen' always draw forth Your will in our lives. So be the Will of the Father. Our Father GOD! Let the "Tada" be His! Go with us, Father GOD, on the Journey You have put forth for us. Before us, with us, behind us, Guide us.We love, know and expect You. We are so privileged to ask in the Highest Name, Jesus the Lord. Amen.





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Psalm 103 ~ Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits

Psalm 103

Thanksgiving for God’s Goodness written with David.

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The Lord works vindication
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far he removes our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.
14 For he knows how we were made;
he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for mortals, their days are like grass;
they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.

19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
obedient to his spoken word.
21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers that do his will.
22 Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.

A Medieval Ring Proclaiming Jesus Christ Dwells Within, Not a Display

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Jesus healed people who had waited a very long time.

Matthew 9
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.


John 9
32 Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind.

1 As he was walking along, he saw a man blind from birth.

2 “Master,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?”

3 “Neither,” Jesus answered. “But to demonstrate the power of God."

Jesus saw His people, their persistent faith and miraculous healing like this -

Jesus heals and the people of Israel see.

The Lord works vindication
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he keep his anger forever.

10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far he removes our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.
14 For he knows how we were made;
he remembers that we are dust.



Matthew 15
24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

 



 

15 As for mortals, their days are like grass;
they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.

17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.


Jesus knew of cities that flourish and those that are gone.

Jesus chose Capernaum - the place where the Centurion had so much faith in the Word of God - Peter, Andrew, James, John lived and chose to live in the adult town of Capernaum. A land filled with milk and honey - a jewel of Israel.

Matthew 4:13
Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—

Jesus spoke of the future of places.

Matthew 11
20Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Capernaum has 16 mentions in the Gospels. All these places sank and became ruins - sank into death and were covered over. Capernaum- with 16 mentions, does this as well. However, unique to Israel - Capernaum survives intact for 13 centuries. And was never a lost city. I truly believe - the Holy Spirit of God protected Capernaum. We still find Peter's house and the Synagogue.

If Capernaum had not fallen in the 13th century, (like a grain of wheat - a seed to be reborn) during history well recorded, we would not have the ability to see the city excavated to the time of Jesus in Jewish Israel! 




Nazareth was a lost city. In 296, Diocletian's army arrived to kill all the nephews of Jesus - who would Not renounce Jesus. They died to this earth, to Live for Him. Nazareth - is also known for the killing of precious sons.

Bishop Eusebius, a Historian from Caesarea, a large portion of Eubebius's faithfilled History is intact. Very reliable. Eusebius records being an eye witness of Palestine in 296, when Diocletian's army passed through the region.  (During the life of Constantine, Eusebius recalls seeing Constantine traveling with the army). The further story is that Emperor Diocletian sent an heir - Constantine of the Nicene Council (Emperor himself later) - to take the recanting of the family of Jesus or kill all the great nephews of Jesus. Emperor Diocletian felt a very strong conviction Christianity " would be wiped out " if the nephews of Jesus Christ would recant or be killed. Constantine was under ORDERS - to cajole, bribe, entice the nephews of Jesus to merely say "Jesus was a hoax. That guy." Constantine later by his own orders changed the faith of the Roman Empire to proclaiming Jesus as Lord. Unearthing vast details in Israel to bring home to Rome. Sending his own mother to the archaeological sites. Bring home things like the stairs to Pontius Pilate available for viewing today.

In exchange for recanting,  the great nephews of Jesus were to have pleasant lives in the pleasant land. These nephews of Jesus were not just executed but tempted. And not one did renounce their kinsman - Jesus Christ the Lord. They died - as I said - to this earth, to Live for Him. Their kinsman. Their Lord. Son of God.

Nazareth was where the family of Jesus perished under Diocletian.











So Capernaum was loved. Chosen. Special. What about the real City of David - where Psalms were written and David learned to think about God as he learned skills to save and shepherd the sheep?

Bethlehem were Jesus chose life - was never lost! David chose Life as well.

The Book of Daniel reports there are Angels specifically chosen to care for areas of the world. So, this is perhaps, not such a surprise! Around us God says a battle is always raging for good and evil. He also tells us this in His Capabilities and not dwell here. However, this is part of Psalm 103's message and we will touch upon this.

Daniel 10
11 And I heard his voice—“O Daniel, greatly beloved of God,” he said, “stand up and listen carefully to what I have to say to you, for God has sent me to you.” So I stood up, still trembling with fear.

12 Then he said, “Don’t be frightened, Daniel, for your request has been heard in heaven and was answered the very first day you began to fast before the Lord and pray for understanding; that very day I was sent here to meet you. 13 But for twenty-one days the mighty Evil Spirit[a] who overrules the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the top officers of the heavenly army, came to help me, so that I was able to break through these spirit rulers of Persia. 14 Now I am here to tell you what will happen to your people, the Jews, at the end times—for the fulfillment of this prophecy is many years away.”

15 All this time I was looking down, unable to speak a word. 16 Then someone—he looked like a man—touched my lips and I could talk again, and I said to the messenger from heaven, “Sir, I am terrified by your appearance and have no strength. 17 How can such a person as I even talk to you? For my strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe.”

18 Then the one who seemed to be a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning. 19 “God loves you very much,” he said; “don’t be afraid! Calm yourself; be strong—yes, strong!”






19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
obedient to his spoken word.

21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers that do his will.

22 Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul.

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Father GOD, thank You for the areas of the world where peace reigns. Thank You Father God for the areas receiving rain. Help us, Father GOD, to be people known to care for the planet you have given us.  With Gratitude - recalling the good shepherding not of Jesus, but also the history of those loving the Lord - like David. In the name of Jesus we ask for blessings on the people and areas we hold dear, guidance and open hearts. Amen.

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Psalm 134 Praise the Lord

Psalm 134

1 Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord
who minister by night in the house of the Lord.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
and praise the Lord.

3 May the Lord bless you from Zion,
he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.

For milleniums, we've debated - how large is Heaven..,

Revelation 7:4
4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

That answers - sealed - so how large is Heaven?

NOW THIS IS A GREAT ANSWER FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT - WHO IS MIGHTY TO SAVE!
AUTHOR OF SALVATION! JESUS CHRIST - THE GLORY OF A RISEN KING!

Revelation 7:9-12

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:

“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”


Our GOD REIGNS!

We seem to be getting a picture - Heaven is VAST. Father God's Promises - Faithful, Eternal, Unending!

Deuteronomy 28:12

"The LORD will make you abound in prosperity, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your beast and in the produce of your ground, in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you. 12"The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. 13"The LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you only will be above, and you will not be underneath, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I charge you today, to observe them carefully


Ezekiel 34:26
I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.…

Psalm 115
1 Not to us, Lord, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.

All you Israelites, trust in the Lord—
he is their help and shield.
10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord—
he is their help and shield.
11 You who fear him, trust in the Lord—
he is their help and shield.

12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless his people Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron,
13 he will bless those who fear the Lord—
small and great alike.

How Great is Our God. 

… Thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1: 21
…His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The Might God,
…The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6

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

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

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


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


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


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


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


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


…Before Abraham, I Am. John 8:58


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

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


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


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


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

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

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

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

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

The Almighty Revelation 1:8

Luke 2:10
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

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