1 Corinthians 1:20-31 ~ God is wiser than men

1 Corinthians 1:20-31

20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."


A Living and Active Church for More that 15 Centuries; This Church is found in Greece, Osios David in the town of Salonica. It was built in the 5th century, see the waves in the tile roof. It has survived the centuries: wars, religious changes, famine and economic upheaval, you can see from the photos it is Enjoyed today. 

The first photo is the back of the church, the next photos are the front of the church. The early Churches were generally a house that expanded, see for example, below, the house of St. Peter in Capernaum. St. Peter's house was originally one of the largest houses in Capernaum (they were prosperous and placed next to the Synagogue. Rooms were added as more people gathered to celebrate the Father. This is a welcoming place where the Spirit of love encourages fellowship and joy.

Our Church continues the tradition today. We meet each Tuesday to work on needlepoint for the Church's kneelers, cross stitching, pin cushions with spools of thread, mending, knitting and crocheting. Web sites. Decorations for a down town Lutheran Church Nursery. Home Decor. Pillows. 

Prayers are discussed, people are affirmed, other people are prayed for. The door is always open and, from time to time, people stop by to be prayed for.

God loves gathering and non-idle hands.  People are free to be who they are, books are discussed. Prayer shawls are prayed over and taken to the ill. Healings and miracles are rejoice over to the Glory of God. Encouraging things are spoken.

And then we go to lunch!

Jeremiah 23:6
In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.'

So many times we fail to praise what HE gives us that is good. So much easier to complain. We forget our lives give a message to one another.  We must work for a peace that does not collapse like rain on tissue paper. A nicey peace looks like what a plaster saint would do. To over communicate loudly causes the heart to forget its own compassion. God sees the thoughts of all of us and wants to save the World. 

Only God would do that.


We forget that ominously "no one had to tell Jesus what was in the heart of mankind..."

His response to the ick we can muck up?

Bible Word about the Compassion, of Jesus Christ

Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "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.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Isaiah 40:11
Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.

Hebrews 2:17
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that
 He might become a merciful and faithful high priest
 in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Luke 7:13
When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, "Do not weep."

Matthew 15:32
And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, "I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way."




Isaiah 42:3
"A bruised reed He will not break And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice."

Isaiah 63:9
In all their affliction He was afflicted, 
And the angel of His presence saved them; 
In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them,
And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old. (Come Lord Jesus!)

Matthew 8:3
Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Matthew 8:16-17
When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: "HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASES."

Matthew 9:36
Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, 
because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 14:14
When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, 
and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.


 

Matthew 20:34
Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.

Matthew 23:37
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! 

How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling."

 

Mark 6:34
When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.

Mark 8:2-3
"I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat. "If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come from a great distance."

Luke 19:41-42
When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, 
saying, "If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.

John 11:34-38
and said, "Where have you laid him?" They *said to Him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. So the Jews were saying, "See how He loved him!" 

John 18:8-9
Jesus answered, "I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way," to fulfill the word which He spoke, "Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one."

2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, 
yet without sin.

John walked with Jesus Christ.

1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because
God is Love


Jesus our Hero - is Alive.

When He said He sent the Advocate, the Helper, the Holy Spirit - He didn't mean the vapor over the water in Genesis. God will comfort us, tell us to be less selfish, encourage us to speak up. Be merciful.


Matthew 5:9
God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.

Thank you Father God for these Blessings:



Thank you United States House of Representatives for your efforts to apply appropriate boundaries to the NSA. Thank you, Supreme Court Justices, for giving us cell phones as our means of communication and requiring a warrant for removal. 

Thank you to the very unsung heroes of our Police Forces who want to work the peace and put themselves on the line to do that. Thank you, John Anderson, my brother, for the years you spent defending the police from law suits almost always and usually from the offender.

Thank you United States citizens for voting to put in new Congress people and sending hope for new ideas and vim and vigor.

Father God, we pray the United States Government will prepare for the peace and end wars. Sometimes people have to work for their own peace.

Father God, when we think of our fellow man, let's remember Halloween candy is so feared and yet is safe. Let's remember instead All Saint's Day is in the neighborhood. Build up the Body of Christ in Love and encourage us to see Good News.

Father God bless the Conroe ISD for their new free credit High School combining with Lone Star Community College. Educate the nation for the blessing of good work. Innovations because these are really good people who love their students. I know one High School Principal who stays up all night to look for lost children. And works the next day. Mark Murrell, God Bless you. That little girl was found and does well.

We pray for the United States Armed Forces to offer a college degree as a free, earned benefit to the active duty people protecting and serving us. As well as technical degrees. And associates. 

Bless the Churches who don't give up, knowing Jesus is Alive and our Father God wants us to go forth in Him. 

Continue to bless those each day who pray to Father God asking for His help to never give up the assurance that He wants to answer. Life is one fat test of our metal - help us go Far with You, Father God, knowing You still see Life as Good. 

We will, Father God, get out a trowel and till that gratitude and be with God going forth to provide for our children and grandchildren the knowledge and fulfillment of His Love. We pray for educations to be main focuses of political campaigns - war no more. The gift of work with knowing the profit of the company is equitably split with the higher ups to the back door.


Thank You God we live in a free country were we gather in peace to be able to worship You.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amen in Jesus as Lord!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †


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VBS Snack with Blue Jello <><  <><  <><  <><  <><  < ><  <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><  <>< 

2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-32 Kings 22:8-13 ~ inquire of the Lord for me

2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-32 Kings 22:8-13


8 And Hilki′ah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilki′ah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. 9 And Shaphan the secretary came to the king, and reported to the king, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the Lord.” 10 Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, “Hilki′ah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king.

11 And when the king heard the words of the book of the law, he rent his clothes. 12 And the king commanded Hilki′ah the priest, and Ahi′kam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micai′ah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asai′ah the king’s servant, saying, 13 “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”


2 Kings 23:1-3

23 Then the king sent, and all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem were gathered to him. 2 And the king went up to the house of the Lord, and with him all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests and the prophets, all the people, both small and great; and he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant which had been found in the house of the Lord. 3 And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book; and all the people joined in the covenant.

Psalms 119:33-37, 40
33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I will keep it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, that I may keep thy law and observe it with my whole heart. 35 Lead me in the path of thy commandments, for I delight in it. 36 Incline my heart to thy testimonies, and not to gain! 37 Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; and give me life in thy ways. 40 Behold, I long for thy precepts; in thy righteousness give me life!


Matthew 7:15-20
15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit. 1 8A sound tree cannot bear evil fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits.

Actions are louder than words. Watch the way the hips move. Although words eventually reveal the heart.

Jesus be with us. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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1 Samuel 3 ~ And the Lord called again

1 Samuel 3 ~ Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.

2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place; 3 the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down within the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4

Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6 And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.”

Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for thy servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 And the Lord came and stood forth, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for thy servant hears.” 11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel, at which the two ears of every one that hears it will tingle. 12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 And I tell him that I am about to punish his house for ever, for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. 14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be expiated by sacrifice or offering for ever.”

15 Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. 16 But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” 17 And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.”

19 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. 21 And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

How you take the Word from the Lord.

A believer Believes.
A confusion is asked about.
God will not reexplain if He knows HE is understood because this is HIS Plan and His Plan only involves His understanding.
God isn't going to be talked out of His Plan.
Unless you are Hezekiah and you petition HIM in a life time of believing Him and putting Him first.

And you have to wonder about Eli. Eli had a life time of putting God first. Believing God. Abraham wrested God for the lives of the innocent. Why didn't Eli weep, ask God as Abraham did - why were his beloved children - shrugged over?

Abraham believed God would deliver Issac and did not argue as he did for saving 10 people. Perhaps Eli believed God would do that for compliance. Hezekiah would later shrug over his children being in times of war when he was at peace.

I vastly prefer a more honest approach to God our Father.

2 Kings 20
In those days Hezeki′ah 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 Hezeki′ah turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the Lord, saying, 3 “Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in thy sight.” And Hezeki′ah wept bitterly. 4

And before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: 5 “Turn back, and say to Hezeki′ah the prince of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you; on the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord."

God did not richly bless Eli. For a very important matter, when God is the prodigal Son's Father...

Malachi 4:6
"He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction."

Luke 1:17
And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

Mark 1:3
"'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"

What we expect from a Loving Father GOD is very important. Eli did recognize God is Love, yet God loved Abraham for asking for Mercy.

Father GOD we pray You would bless us in the fulfilling of Your Word. We pray Love, Hope, Joy, Peace, Prosperity. We ask for blessings to reign upon those doing Your Will. Thank You for answered prayer. You always answer faithful prayer. And we Praise You because you continually do that. In the Glory of Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †


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Mark 8 ~ Deeply in His Spirit

Blessed are the Eyes that see with Liz Lemon Swindle - artist

Mark 8

11 The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, to test him. 12 

And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.” 13 

And he left them, and getting into the boat again he departed to the other side.


 Now they had forgotten to bring bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.

 Nicodemus, in "Jesus of Nazareth" Movie

Our Father Lives in Heaven. He created and gave us glimpse of Heaven.
Hallowed be thy Name. Jesus the Lord.
Thy Kingdom come to make earth better during our time here.
I bet, Father, if You show people how, they would each day. Mostly.
Thy will be done on earth as Your Word has shown us to be. Amazing.
Give us the Day. Help us to use this with Gratitude, Verve and Good Cheer seeing what we need from each day.

Our Daily Bread. To earn this, be given this as a gift, to have the gift of work, to be pleasing to You in Balance.

To put in our spade and find gratitude and work with that task in joy. Be our Bread of Life, please, Jesus.

Forgive me my sins. Mostly self first. And having the thoughts that defile from within. I have overcome before in Jesus and will continue to ask His help.

Forgiven. To give forgiveness. As I have been blessed. Knowing that when I don't want to, part of me does. And that part is the road to discernment, to peace and bridges of the future. To want to put down the offended upset. To see error or to see giving that to God.

Lead me not into temptation. Seeing that God provides an exit.

Deliver me from evil. Because HE has and does. Forever in Lord Jesus.

The Kingdom I want and rejoice in - is The Kingdom of Jesus. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, the Glory. In the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.






You ever heard some one swear "Jesus". I grew up that way. Which was a strange combination of Parochial Episcopal School and my Daddy loved Jesus but also enjoyed saying "Jesus." No matter how you say that Name, there is Power in the Name. And sometimes my deepest sympathy went to Daddy to see him sweating and hollering.

So, go gently with me when I say. Jesus. The Lord.

Poor Jesus. He has so much work cut out for Him. I can see Pharisees raising their hands and looking like white chickens in those robes. My Daddy pointed that out to me once, which I thought - oh man - he does not get this. And you know, if I'd been willing - I'd have heard.

Can you see Jesus in the warmth of the day looking at the Pharisees in their garments with their hands up in the air - He might have even thought they did look like chickens.

Matthew 23:37
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing."


 

 
So, this looks like they get in the boat, sail away and that's Paul Harvey "The Rest of the Story". God always gets the best, greatest, most heart warming, if you look for it "seek find" moment. They forgot the bread. The story is going to continue.

We call this blog "Scripture for Today". How does this relate to your life - Today? God has humor. Today - or this week - your going to have to turn around - repair an "I forgot" or "And I need to do this." And you will wonder, I am I getting older, am I always going to do this. And the point is - that in all our moments of our lives - God is there. Like not having bread in the boat.

If we have this thought of mental chastisement and then we throw in God in our thoughts and prayer - He is going to be pleased. And Jesus is "That Guy", the one in the Boat with the clue. And HE isn't going to leave us chickens.

Even if they stomp back to the shore, to pick up the dang bread.
Morosely sail forth, wondering, if the bread is always going to be forgotten.
Study the horizon with a squint, wondering, if they are doomed to be without bread.
Huddle down, wondering, who has good bread right this moment and yank the shawl tighter.
Jesus - the Man with the clue - knows where the bread is and whether you need the bread.
And Jesus might even smile a little as you think this out.
Because

Really.


God has put humor in the Bible. I'm going to share with you this truth. It's timely and true. And it's part of Mark Chapter 8. Jesus is God.

22 And they came to Beth-sa′ida. And some people brought to him a blind man, and begged him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the village; and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see men; but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then again he laid his hands upon his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and saw everything clearly.

My Brother John called me from an Airport almost beside himself with glee that Jesus had to live this because this is what brain surgery requires. And you had to "live this" because medicine two thousand years ago couldn't "Know this"...

The humor is in the next sentence. And is Jesus the Lord !!!  (Well since you see clearly now...)

26 And he sent him away to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”

Which is pretty dang funny. Because the man didn't have bread, so...

Jesus the Lord, is, for every soul created - "The Rest of the Story!!!"

 ♔  Lord Jesus Saves  †


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John 2:1-12 ~ stone jars

Ten Years ago June 25, 2004 and some bells did ring - cousin Mandy (Miranda, Mom!) did meet Jeff.

So today... we are headed to the Evangelical Lutheran Church to see us all see this EVENT -

GOIN TO THE CHAPEL OF LOVE.... you can sing along!

The Groom takes some amazing pics of Beautiful Mandy with Pam's (Sister of the Bride) son Logan!
While Jeff, reticent, shy (cough) and camera able, takes this pics - know  - Mandy is 6 feet tall and did modeling in Milan!

How far back does family go? I can tell you, I remember when I towered over Mandy. She was a little thing. And those where Mighty Fine Days.

 How far back does family go...
Well, we could argue that all DNA mitochondrial originates from the same woman outta Africa.

Instead, I think I will take the time to saying our great-grandfather J.L. Wilson lost his Augusta and inscribed on her tomb only one fact - she was his wife Decades later he would sum up his life saying he was her husband.. He missed her and wrote lovingly of her to his children. For decades. She left behind "The Munner lives in Heaven" photo of her. A beautiful photo the photographer had artistically arranged clouds behind her.  Pop then planted Crepe Myrtles from their home. The iron fencing is from their home, as well, Pop said,"That look's well." Romantically, when Pop died, Hospice would tell you we get some say in the matter, he died on Munner's Birthday.

And I can tell you that they do not live below, but would Say To You - Pop and Munner have Gone Home.

Speaking of Love. 

Now, we all have read John's Gospel of Jesus, whom he personally did walk beside. (See Ryaland Papyrus of John's Gospel 60 A.D. and I'd sign up to live in the Patmos cave with the amazing views!) Mark, Peter's son, did cover that, saying, "They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were filled with awe!"

My mother is visiting, she would say "Jesus did the will of His Mom." However, we are going to look beyond the usual and go with the oh - I see that now - factor...

Jesus is attending a Party. With His Family. With His chosen friends and it's going to be memorable. By Paolo Veronese.

John 2:1-12

On the third day
there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there!

Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with His disciples!

When the wine gave out,
the mother of Jesus
said to him, “They have no wine.”

And Jesus said to her, “O woman, what have you to do with me?!
My hour has not yet come!”

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.

Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.

He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast.” So they took it.

When the steward of the feast
tasted the water now become wine,
and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now!!!”

This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested His Glory; and his disciples believed in Him.

After this He went down to Capernaum,
with His mother and His brothers and His disciples; 
and there they stayed
 for a few days!!!

1st Century Jar from the Second Temple in Jerusalem

Notice with me. Jesus is fulfilling John's first chapter in the second chapter. This is Good News!

Jesus spoke the Word of GOD over water and the water became more desirable and praised. Jesus is the Word of God made manifest.

All things were made through Him! With Him all things are possible!

In Him was life! A Wedding! A Party! A Vacation with Family and Friends! A Miracle! Good Wine and Lots and lots of that! The Spirit of God descends as a dove from heaven, and remains on Him. John explains Jesus by telling us Jesus did not grit His teeth and do life - Jesus is Joy.

Light is Shining! The true Light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. Wow.

This event was born because not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.

And from His fulness have we all received, grace upon grace.

For the law was given through Moses;
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ!

“Behold, the Lamb of God!”

The One we knock and seek to find. Leave the herd. And find the Way, Truth, Life.

May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples. This quote is from Genesis - and pray this with me for this clan and for His blessings upon all of us, in Jesus we have the privilege of calling upon Him to ask. Amen! Let us go forth equipped to do His will with joy, verve and gusto. Amen and Amen!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Esther 4 ~ a message

Esther 4


When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went through the city, wailing with a loud and bitter cry; 2 he went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 In every province, wherever the king’s command and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and most of them lay in sackcloth and ashes.

4 When Esther’s maids and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was deeply distressed; she sent garments to clothe Mordecai, so that he might take off his sackcloth; but he would not accept them. 5

Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs, who had been appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what was happening and why. 6 Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate, 7 and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. 8 Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther, explain it to her, and charge her to go to the king to make supplication to him and entreat him for her people.

9 Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach and gave him a message for Mordecai, saying, 11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—all alike are to be put to death. Only if the king holds out the golden scepter to someone, may that person live. I myself have not been called to come in to the king for thirty days.” 12 

When they told Mordecai what Esther had said, 13 Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” 15 

Then Esther said in reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. After that I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.” 17 Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.

Isn't it great people always know what God wants and they set out to accomplish that task.

Like Samuel. A Prophet of God.

1 Samuel 16
I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” 2 And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.”

6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest,[a] but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward.



We know today - indeed Esther was placed to act bravely and save her people. And Esther sat and pondered and worried and eventually gathered steam to act for God.

The Scriptures are much more real. People act trying to please God and rarely hear trumpets, have angelic announcements, and sort of struggle to go forth. It's when the Holy Spirit goes with these actions the circle is completed to great effect for God.

How refreshing for the People of God to realize what great company we can understand they, also, struggled to know how to act and behave.

Hebrews 12
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight,
and sin which clings so closely, and let us
run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2
looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted


Romans 8:19
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

And we, just put one foot in front of the next, wondering - is this the way - and even the desire to please God - does.

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