Nehemiah 8:10 ~ the joy of the LORD is your strength

The Road to Bethlehem by Joseph Brickey

The Davidic Line was told to report to Bethlehem and David's foretold Son was born. Because a Caesar in Rome wanted a census. God has unique and mysterious ways.

When David was to be crowned King of Israel, he called for his donkey to ride to be crowned. Jesus rode a donkey in his life and called for one when Palm Sunday wanted to crown Jesus King.

A donkey always wears a cross and there are various legends why. God chose a donkey to speak to Balaam in Numbers 22. What is the fascination with donkeys?

God is Love. And the Fruits of the Spirit are the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

God adores Joy. Good news!

Nehemiah 8:10
Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!"

And...

Job 39 explains God's joy in the Donkey and I'm throwing in the horse verse too. I would think that God enjoys the free animal and answers the question in verse 5 Himself! God sees Donkeys laugh and have joy.

5 “Who let the wild donkey go free?
Who untied its ropes?
6 I gave it the wasteland as its home,
the salt flats as its habitat.

7 It laughs at the commotion in the town!
it does not hear a driver’s shout!

8 It ranges the hills for its pasture
and searches for any green thing.

“Do you give the horse its strength
or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?
20 Do you make it leap like a locust,
striking terror with its proud snorting?
21 It paws fiercely, rejoicing in its strength,
and charges into the fray.
22 It laughs at fear, afraid of nothing;
it does not shy away from the sword.
23 The quiver rattles against its side,
along with the flashing spear and lance.
24 In frenzied excitement it eats up the ground;
it cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds.

Even young donkeys have a cross. My very smart young nephew found his donkey enjoyed running free through their living room. They are quite fond of their two donkeys and say it gives C shaped donkey hugs. My wonderful niece has a rescue horse.

Let's use this Psalm to close our Prayer.

Psalm 147
7 Sing out your thanks to him; sing praises to our God, accompanied by harps. 8 He covers the heavens with clouds, sends down the showers, and makes the green grass grow in mountain pastures.

9 He feeds the wild animals, and the young ravens cry to him for food.

10 The speed of a horse is nothing to him. How puny in his sight is the strength of a man. 11 But his joy is in those who reverence him, those who expect him to be loving and kind.

12 Praise him, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! 13 For he has fortified your gates against all enemies and blessed your children. 14 He sends peace across your nation and fills your barns with plenty of the finest wheat.

15 He sends his orders to the world. How swiftly his word flies. 16 He sends the snow in all its lovely whiteness, scatters the frost upon the ground, 17 and hurls the hail upon the earth. Who can stand before his freezing cold? 18 But then he calls for warmer weather, and the spring winds blow and all the river ice is broken. 19 He has made known his laws and ceremonies of worship to Israel— 20 something he has not done with any other nation; they have not known his commands.

Hallelujah! Yes, praise the Lord!

Makes a great idea to contact Shutterfly.com and make a Christmas Book. So, maybe, I'll follow my own advice! Google using the word 'Bible' and your phrase helps you find your verse.

The Magi brought Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh - but the Shepherds gave the song of the angels to Jesus. So the gifts of the heart where what Mary treasured in her heart. And lasted all the days of her life.

Father God strengthen us in Your goodness. We thank You, Father God, for Your way of Joy as You see fit. And rest for the day's renewal tomorrow. In Jesus we ask all the Blessings You would willingly bestow. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Mark 1 ~ I will send my messenger ahead of you

Mark 1

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way”—
3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’

4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”




Psalm 121
A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Psalm 128

2 Corinthians 6
New International Version

6 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”

17 Therefore,

“Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”

18 And,

“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.

No matter the crop, the soil has to be tilled. Starting a crop in uncultivated earth is the most difficult work. Daunting.

Today a young woman was evangelized. She professed a faith that allows her to sleep in Church. She was asked if she had ever heard the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as Lord. Indeed not. She slept. So, in one on one conversation, time was taken to explain to her the Good News of Jesus Christ. She nodded off. As she was in conversation.

When she awoke, she was asked what type of grades she made - "A"s. Reminds us of the preparation for the message and the Word of God saying you must be called by God to hear the Good News first. The Child of God is old enough to have a child - and has never heard the message of Jesus Christ.

This makes you realize - you want to teach your children when they are young - God tells us faith arrives with the faith of a child. And your grandchildren. This of course is the logic - if fewer people pray - more blessings for you! And also make that grandchild realize they are wheat and not weed.

My grandmother Bit had a tradition she upheld, she took a book and put photographs of us looking over the art. To remind us - Grandmother Loves You.

~ Christmas to do idea for your children, with your children, family or grandchildren ~

 It's an excellent tradition and I suggest doing this with a Children's Book about Father God's Love. If you have the time - write your favorite most loving Bible Phrases and put in Photographs and make a book.

Good memories last a lifetime!!!

So sending a message can be snarky or even rustling the leaves on a limb way out there...

That's right. Jesus, the Son of God had a messenger go ahead of Him. So... another example of the more royal treatment for God and not for you... except... John the Baptist decided to declare at the beginning - "I don't know Him." (John the Baptist probably meant they did not grow up together.) Look at it this way - not Even God gets the perfect messenger or the perfect environment. You have to go with what you have - today. Even God works with what is.

And just as Jesus got rolling - John wass in prison about to be killed and sends his messengers to publicly ask his Cousin, "Are You sure?" And Jesus has to withstand some public embarrassment. Replying with Good News "The Blind See, The Deaf Hear and the Poor have Good News preached to them." 

Today - There are some very notable new miracles when you Google miracles- this is still going forth. Why cancel out what God can do? Better to believe God is there. Hope is a good thing!


Father God, we ask for all the love of Jesus Christ which surpasses knowledge. Let us be filled with all the fullness of God. 

We believe we will be abundantly blessed beyond all we ask or think, according to the Power of God working within us. To Jesus Christ be the Glory and for the Church and in all the generations we pray that in Jesus Christ the Lord all the generations will dwell with Him within us. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Psalm 39 ~ I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good

Psalm 39
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.


1 I said, “I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
while in the presence of the wicked.”
2 So I remained utterly silent,
not even saying anything good.
But my anguish increased;
3 my heart grew hot within me.
While I meditated, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:

4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
even those who seem secure.

6 “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth
without knowing whose it will finally be.

7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.
8 Save me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools.
9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth,
for you are the one who has done this.
10 Remove your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
11 When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin,
you consume their wealth like a moth—
surely everyone is but a breath.

12 “Hear my prayer, Lord,
listen to my cry for help;
do not be deaf to my weeping.
I dwell with you as a foreigner,
a stranger, as all my ancestors were.
13 Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again
before I depart and am no more.”



Psalm 3
8 From the Lord comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.

Rick Warren lately said people tend to be turtles or skunks. What would Jesus say about our communications?

Matthew 6
6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Jesus said be salt and light. Be interesting. Add to the conversation. Help your loved one in God. Not be top dog  to your beloved.

Joshua was not relying on anyone other than the Holy Spirit to say not to the right, not to the left. God always says we are to love ourselves and to take care of our self worth before God.



We are supposed to be our best fake halo selves? No. Are we to hush up to fester inward? No. We are supposed to not be show offs. Not to be blow hards to one another. We are supposed to lift one another up with some humility and an idea to encourage each other without saying - praise me for my encouragement. God gives you mostly - to the ones He gives you.

Lord deliver us from the long discussion when fewer words work better. A blessing! Something to remember!

1 John 4:7
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

1. Be patient.
2. Encouragement is used by God to feed His people. Truthful encouragement.
3. God says our tongue is the hardest thing to control. We are given, for most of our time, to the ones we love. We are witnessing and helping the most to the ones God surrounds us with. We develop the character of those around us towards God in love and goodness, honesty and courtesy in love.
4. Some arguments are just words. We pray for what is put in our lives that isn't up to us. What isn't our choice, isn't necessarily ours to change - place this in the hand of God.


Romans 8
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

God does NOT knock us down to get our attention.

Again -

Revelation 12:10

10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Messiah.

For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down.



God speaks like the best parent

Revelation 3
I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich,
and white garments so that you may clothe yourself,
and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed;
and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock;
if anyone hears My voice and opens the door,
I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.


When we are blessed to do what Joel 3 says we all will accomplish - go before Father God on the Day He Calls Us Forth. Will He ask us what we did for strangers when we are called to Love? God is telling us to Love. Paul loved as he preached. For most of us we are called to have spouses, families, lives that involve a framework that leads like this - God, spouse, self, family, Church, job, friends, neighbors, others. Love is the call. We are called to give account that we cared for the ones He gave us. God is orderly. And His highest call is to Love and work this path.

We are called to be fun. To be honest. To educate. To encourage. To insist on teamwork. We are called to entertain. To enhance as salt enhances even chocolate. We are called to build the framework of what God would give us to allow the best possible chance for happiness. We are called to communicate earnestly in the best possible Light. We are called to build bridges. We are called to reveal ourselves and our problems - because this is Light and honesty. We are Light to be hopeful. To upbuild our love for God, for our spouse, ourself, family, Church, job, friends, neighbors, others and the community. Look for the good. When we focus on our problems - that is what we will see.

1 Peter 3:10
For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech."




David agrees with Peter. Millenniums apart and joined by God, Gods Word holds forth.

Psalm 34
1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

11 Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.


Father God,
I open the Door for You and say come to live in me, Jesus Christ the Lord. I will dine with You in the Joy found in Your mercies renewed each day. Forgive my sins and lead me in the paths of righteousness for Your mercy.

Strengthen me to see the good. Salve my eyes to see situations honestly and wisely. Let me change what You would have me change and realize that You are the one in charge. This is the day You have made. I will do my best and lean on You. In Jesus. Let me be one of the Number. Let us exalt God together and rejoice in His Salvation.

Father God, we pray for our Nation. Let peace come again to our citizens and to this world. Help our armed forces to upbuild the young men and women who work for our good.  Amen.

 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Mark 6:53-56 ~ As many touched Jesus fringe were made well.

Mark 6

53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him 55 and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was.

56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment.

And as many as touched it were made well.

Linen was worn frequently in the Bible and makes fringe easily.

Psalm 33

Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!
Praise befits the upright.
2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

4 For the word of the Lord is upright,
and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;
he puts the deeps in storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.

10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
the plans of his heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

13 The Lord looks down from heaven;
he sees all the children of man;
14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out
on all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 he who fashions the hearts of them all
and observes all their deeds.
16 The king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
and by its great might it cannot rescue.

18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.



Philippians 3 

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.

To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

!

Exodus time December 12th.

This is Very exciting. 97% of the Audience surveyed said they really want to see this film.

44% of the Critics like the film. A major criticism is that it is, "So Biblical." I'm in! This Movie Theater soon!!!



Here are some Rotten Tomato Splats!

The film itself turns out to be a traditional, linear account of the Moses story that could have been taken from one of David Kossoff's bible stories

OH GOOD!

To be absolutely fair, even if Exodus were cast with 100% racial/ethnic authenticity, it would still be a terrible film.

The History Channel says you can still see effects of the plagues from the air. The Ipuwer Papyrus us also called The Admonitions of Ipuwer. Its official designation is Papyrus Leiden I 344 recto. Currently in the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, Netherlands, after being purchased from Giovanni Anastasi, the Swedish consul to Egypt, in 1828. The sole surviving manuscript dates to the later 13th century B.C. (no earlier than the 19th dynasty in the New Kingdom). The Ipuwer papyrus runs neck and neck with the account of the Exodus. And when you look at Historical Documents in Egypt which date the exodus about 1447-1446 B.C. which also connects when the words Joseph, Israel, Goshen, Yahweh appear in tax records and official Egyptian documents.

Ok. The Exodus authentic would be a terrible film. I guess we would have to appreciate what the parallels would be today and  for our lives.

Let's do that.

Anyone ever work a job to provide for their family they just would love to leave?

Anyone stuck with needing God to help them? Asking for a miracle?

Naw? Ok! Let's all go home now.

Or.

What about just being in the world where the world does not offer you condolences, kind appreciation and generally tries to belittle you.

How would you survive that?

Well, for one, we live not in the desert traveling and traveling and afraid of starvation. God has made us far more comfortable than this amazing time of awe to see Moses speak with God.

God, today, says we can just reach for Him and He is right there with us. Jesus assures us this is quite true when we dwell in understanding His Word. We live in a time where our Hope of God is far more personal and far more internal.

When we clearly know how much God loves us, and listens to us, we surely are capable of escaping the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Criticism is to tear flesh. We worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put confidence in our soul as being Beloved of God. And as we worship, we see more people need the encouragement of God and our care and love.

We are the Easter People and Alleluia is our song. Sometimes we need to see the Power of God to realize the wonderful position we are in as the Beloved of the New Covenant. And yet, we are inspired again because God created the Universe merely with His Word. God has provided this world with 2,000 years of Jesus Christ and His compassion, therefore we are separated from harsher realities.

The Living Water of God, today, provides is with the assurance that we have the opportunity of Salvation. 

The Comfort the Holy Spirit has provided within us helps us to provide others with comfort today.

Moses told us a Word from God is louder than any trumpet mankind has ever heard. I imagine that hearing the heaped up waters descend upon the army of Pharoah made an amazing noise... and still... the noise of God created a sound they had never experienced before in their time frame.

People who literally hear God say that HE speaks with a gentle whisper more powerful than mankind can imagine from rocket engines or blaring bombs. The Exodus and the New Testament of God choosing to arrive as a baby are both wonders of God. 

Thank You, Father God, for Your Wonders. And You have not finished yet. 

I will wait upon God all the days of my life and dwell in the House of Lord for His Word to me. Alleluia. Christmas is coming again. This is as sure as the Promises of God for us in eternity who call upon Jesus. Speak the Word God and I shall be well. Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Mark 12:24-27 ~ know the Scriptures, the Power of God

Mark 12:24-27

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!”

Ephesians 1

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

18 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, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 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. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Numbers 6

22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

24 “‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’

27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

How will we receive Christmas Blessings?

Deuteronomy 30

“And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God has driven you, 2 and return to the Lord your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, 3 then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you. 4 If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will take you. 5 And the Lord your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it. And he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. 6 And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. 7 And the Lord your God will put all these curses on your foes and enemies who persecuted you. 8 And you shall again obey the voice of the Lord and keep all his commandments that I command you today.

9 The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, 10 when you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

11 “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.

15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 

If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules,then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse.

Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 
loving the Lord your God, 
obeying his voice and holding fast to him, 
for he is your life and length of days,
that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”


Christmas Blessings are obtained by giving. It's true. Mankind unite - give Christmas Gifts. Without giving, Christmas is not much fun. Are Christmas gifts presents?

How will we have Christmas Joy? Being a Blessing.

The Power of God.The glorious Father, giving us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation - He is God of the Living.

He is enlightening us in order to know the hope to which He has called you. God has placed all things under His feet. His incomparably great power for us who believe.

How to obtain His blessing - bless those who allow mercy to be sown. Keep praying for all you know to be kept in this blessing. The Lord's Face shines on mercy bestowed and graciousness. The Lord turns His face to those who give earnest peace.

Jesus said a Neighbor is Merciful.

Jesus gave us examples of the way of Peace. He didn't choose to be born into apparent riches. He chose to be born to merciful Joseph. Jesus chose to be born to Joseph who would go out of his way for his family to have peace. Jesus chose to be born to Mary who said "God's Will be done." Mary said she would take the life God gave her and do her best. Jesus chose to be born to a woman willing to go with her husband a long way for an obligation in difficult circumstances. Jesus chose to born into a family that pulled together and the Gospels report them, twice, as seamless as the robe Jesus wore. Someone made that beautiful and seamless robe for Jesus.

Jesus chose Brothers who made mistakes and bothered Him. Jesus sometimes told His Brothers to wait and sit outside. Jesus knew something about His Brothers and He expected their best to shine forth in time.

What Jesus didn't fuss about:

Jesus didn't fuss when Nicodemus came to see Him out of the spotlight. Jesus was a bit tart. Jesus didn't lavish compliments on a truth seeker who came at his own convenience. Jesus didn't spend his days angling for a place in God's Temple. Jesus did spend time in prayer looking at the Temple and in conversation with His Father. Jesus knew the Essenes had left declaring the Holy Spirit was missing from the Temple  - Herod was choosing the priests. Yet, Jesus entered the Temple at the very least 26 times. Jesus taught where people of God worshiped His Father.  Jesus loved what His Father loved. 

Jesus was teaching His beloved - God dwells within.  Jesus told His disciples of a new Church. Where people worship in truth. This begins within us, earnestly, living with Father God dwelling in our souls.

Jesus didn't spend His Glory on arriving back at the Temple to make any late declarations. 
 Jesus spent time with the Narrow Path people who had really loved Him. Jesus appeared to more and more people as they earnestly wanted to see Him. God is about Loving His Beloved. Let's be one of that number.

And Jesus left no doubt as to where He was going. Father God blessed all of those Jesus forgave with forgiveness. Peace arrived. The Brothers of Jesus wrote of Love. The disciples of God wrote of Love. Blessings arrived. Love earnestly. Love genuinely. Be patient. Love again.

Father God, let us follow the riches Jesus chose. Let us take the life You have willed for us and be filled with Love for You and Your blessings. We will pray earnestly each day for the ones You have given us. We will love and trust in You, Jesus. To Your Glory and Will be done. Renew, refresh and encourage our souls in Your Overwhelming Love again Father God.

I have Joy, joy, joy, joy - down in my heart to stay. Thank God. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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