Amos 9:5-15 ~ For behold, I will command

 

Amos 9:5-15

The Lord God of hosts,
he who touches the earth and it melts,
and all who dwell in it mourn,
and all of it rises like the Nile,
and sinks again, like the Nile of Egypt;
6 who builds his upper chambers in the heavens
and founds his vault upon the earth;
who calls for the waters of the sea
and pours them out upon the surface of the earth—
the Lord is his name!

7 “Are you not like the Cushites to me,
O people of Israel?” declares the Lord.
“Did I not bring up Israel from the land of Egypt,
and the Philistines from Caphtor and the Syrians from Kir?
8 Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are upon the sinful kingdom,
and I will destroy it from the surface of the ground,
except that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,”
declares the Lord.

9 “For behold, I will command,
and shake the house of Israel among all the nations
as one shakes with a sieve,
but no pebble shall fall to the earth.
10 All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword,
who say, ‘Disaster shall not overtake or meet us.’

11 “In that day I will raise up
the booth of David that is fallen
and repair its breaches,
and raise up its ruins
and rebuild it as in the days of old,
12 that they may possess the remnant of Edom
and all the nations who are called by my name,”
declares the Lord who does this.

13 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord,
“when the plowman shall overtake the reaper
and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed;
the mountains shall drip sweet wine,
and all the hills shall flow with it.
14 I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel,
and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them;
they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine,
and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit.
15 I will plant them on their land,
and they shall never again be uprooted
out of the land that I have given them,”
says the Lord your God.




I love Matthew Henry. Any day of the week, he is beautiful and eloquent - loving and tender as God. The English language has changed in the 250+ years he had his Bible Commentary:

Matthew Henry’s commentary on Amos:
GOD employed a shepherd, a herdsman! One who cares for others tenderly. And uses this tender person to reprove and warn the people. Those to whom God gives abilities for his services, ought not to be despised for their origin, or their employment. Like the advice of Gamaliel - what comes from God should not be tampered with. God places His Holy Spirit in all who believe. Good news.

Let us continue earnest in prayer for the fulfillment of these prophecies, in the peace, purity, and the beauty of the Church! God marvelously preserves his elect amidst the most fearful confusions and miseries. When all seems desperate, He wonderfully revives His Church, and blesses her with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. And great shall be the glory of that period, in which not one good thing promised shall remain unfulfilled.



God does this! HE is a giver, a bringer, a maker of blessings! Who can do it! The Great I Am has determined to do it! God's Power of Whose Grace is engaged for doing this mighty work! Verses 13 to 15- when are these days? - In the awakening of the Holy Spirit within us - And - Possible in each day.


People say they want blessings - and we are made to adapt. We can adjust to lack of blessings and find joy - however - we work the other way too. We adapt to being blessed and become fussy blessing receivers. Abraham was a fussy blessing receiver. David did far better being a dodge Israel mercenary than a king in a palace.

What will be our response to blessings of God?

This is a Very Large Topic  reacting to God's blessings. A God sized topic.

Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph bears a grudge"

Jacob had been hugely blessed of God by all his workings, yet Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed Esau came to meet him with 400 men; and he divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and the herds and the camels, into two companies; for he said, "If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the company which is left will escape."

Israel in the Exodus - Deuteronomy 1:32-33
"But for all this, you did not trust the LORD your God, who goes before you on your way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night and cloud by day, to show you the way in which you should go"

2 Kings 17:14-15
However, they did not listen, but stiffened their neck like their fathers, who did not believe in the LORD their God. They rejected His statutes and His covenant which He made with their fathers and His warnings with which He warned them And they followed vanity and became vain, and went after the nations which surrounded them, concerning which the LORD had commanded them not to do like them

Matthew 19:22
But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.

John 2:24
But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men

God tells us where all good things come from:

Psalm 44
O God, we have heard with our ears,
our fathers have told us,
what deeds you performed in their days,
in the days of old:
2 you with your own hand drove out the nations,
but them you planted;
you afflicted the peoples,
but them you set free;
3 for not by their own sword did they win the land,
nor did their own arm save them,
but your right hand and your arm,
and the light of your face,
for you delighted in them.

4 You are my King, O God;
ordain salvation for Jacob!

5 Through you we push down our foes;
through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.
6 For not in my bow do I trust,
nor can my sword save me.

7 But you have saved us from our foes
and have put to shame those who hate us.
8 In God we have boasted continually,
and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah


Psalm 32:9
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. 9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you. 10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, But he who trusts in the LORD, loving-kindness shall surround him.…

Sorrows of the wicked...Wouldn't trust involve - trust - to make peace?


Instead.

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Thank You Father God for blessings. Help us to be wise, loving, with joy and be blessed and be a blessing. We ask in Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

 

 

 

Luke 10:21-24 ~ In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them

Movie: "The Nativity Story" (2006). Up in popularity this week 17% -IMDB Internet Movie Database

Luke 10:21-24 -

21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

23 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

Isaiah 30:18
Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; 
he rises to show you compassion. 
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!

We have to really observe to see what surrounds us, with curiosity and joy. Be intentional. Zechariah, a priest, met Gabriel in a Holy Place. And he asked how God could complete a miracle. Mary met Gabriel and asked how God could complete a miracle. God saw two hearts asking a similar question, but saw deeply - one was doubtful and one was worried. Similar yet apart. God deals with humanity tenderly when humanity seeks earnestly. Look for the narrow path, this makes life meaningful.



I had the nicest of blessings surrounding me today.
And without this list on this blog, this would have completely passed me by. And no gratitude would have occurred. Lunch with my husband and son. The gratitude of having family nearby really. Having an acquaintance bless me with a Christmas gift and laugh with joy to have that acknowledged as such! Lord Jesus Christ bless those who give marvelous gifts. 

Giving Christmas gifts from the internet to have them arrive as new treasures - to be pleased and have gratitude. Having time and being able to give a message of His - to bless me to recount gratitude. To Love.

To have an old friend of a decade show up to help us and have the items on hand to allow the fix!

Being in relationship with God to tell Him - oh, I'm having a grumpy moment - and knowing that is ok to be real. To have the idea to see something pretty and share an evening beverage with a loved one who will listen and laugh with you. Enjoying the intelligence of bested with amusement.

Getting in the Christmas rush but being relaxed enough to enjoy the children in line in front of you ~ seeing the creative way children pick up what is for sale and fly it like an airplane or rocket - completely immersed in their imaginations instead of irritated by the long line. Seeing how much people will celebrate Christmas with beautiful lights - even the public displays. Realizing the Light of Christmas does still bring the Light of Christ. Seeing Joy.

Knowing tomorrow you will see one of your favorite people on the planet, even if he is fussy from exams. Seeing our young puppy, with his Second Birthday, today respond to conversation as an intelligent creature of God. Having a home to fuss over and bring in Christmas joy. Being able to see the beauty, with the gift of eyesight.

Finding we all claim to be busy and sometimes have the down doldrums of the season. Because this isn't just a season of rush, rush but of expectation worriedly held. Know there is a gift we overlook, when the season has rest, learning to lean into the rest with gratitude instead of caffeinated over expectation.

When we take the time to have real gratitude, we realize again, Church doesn't feed God as much as we are fed. And the Christmas season when received with deliberate gratitude is given for our Joy for what God brings as well. For our many, many blessings, Praise You, Father God, for the oasis You bless and provide. An overwhelming blessing. For providing people to admire and appreciate.

Isaiah 65:23
They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them.

Matthew 16:16,17
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven."


Christianity isn't a religion; it is a relationship. Christianity is not a philosophy; its approach to life is concrete. It isn't just Jingle Bells, this is a preparation for a God. When Jesus was born the angels didn't send out a Coca-Cola commercial guaranteed to make us feel good. What is required is a list of good. A deliberate count. The wide highway will cause your blessings to breeze past.

The angels said, as messengers of God Almighty, was:

Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.

How did Abraham please God?

Romans 4:2-4 (New American Standard Bible)
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS."

Romans 10:9
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

That is a lot of saved - a God sized portion.

“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

Consider the shepherds, called forth by God, they heard the message and what did they do?

Luke 2:8-15
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about!"

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Can we hear this and not be blessed? I think it's not possible. The Gospel will call deep in our hearts, warming us. Blessings and gratitude take time to assess.

God Bless Us All. In Jesus. Praise You God for opening eyes to see blessings. Amen. 

 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of His righteousness

John 1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.


9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

Isaiah 61 

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.

5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the Lord,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.

7 Instead of your shame
you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.

8 “For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations
and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”

10 I delight greatly in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness

as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,

so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness
and praise spring up before all nations.

John 20:29
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

We sat with friends from Church and spoke of meaningful Christmases past. And some of our most vivid memories went back to the early part of the last century. Grandparents departed to Heavenly Home leaving memories of goodness and love. And Church Services. Where peace and contentment catch up with our eternal beings to create contact with God. We had Church meals and pie! Fellowship for people creating Christmas or Advent Joy.

This is an out reach time of year for Churches. To create a peaceful time. To add to peace. Making a narrow path to God.


Bethlehem City at West Conroe Baptist Church ~ Reached 40 people and new found belief.
1855 Longmire, Conroe, Texas 77304 A way to drive to see what Bethlehem looked like!

Don't miss out on Church. This Season has a Lot of Hope. We Expect Jesus and realize there are miles to go. Faith, Hope and Love. Let the Love Father God has for you fill your heart.

God help us to fill those we love with renewed hope for years ahead filled with love. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

Isaiah 11:6 ~ and a little Child will lead them

Isaiah 11:6
The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.


'Exodus: Gods and Kings'

Clearly an epically Biblical Visual Masterpiece. Astonishing.

The gods must be crazy - because the critics who say this is a biblical rehash have gone utterly mad. Rolling Stone might call this a think piece.

Biblically accurate? This is very well written from a CNN talking heads perspective of real events found in the 13 B.C. papyrus found at the base of the Pyramids, The Ipuwer.

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 After all those horrific events the government should have planned better for. The papyrus carefully removes the name of the Pharaoh involved in that ulta-weeeeeeird storm. Listing the plagues one by one. Whining. Unhappy. In shock.

This is indeed not a verse by verse recreation of the Bible. In the first few scenes you have a pictorial image of a living man on a crucifix. Arms open in supplication. Willing to embrace salvation.

We are the people of the New Testament. Intrigued by the absolute power of the Holy Spirit's enormity erupting in one individual in a cataclysm of events changing life in the Old Testament. And we are, mostly, fairly aware of the story.

The questions raised in 'Exodus: Gods and Kings' are the questions raised by being a New Testament Christian facing a world inhabited by the releasing of the Holy Spirit. Ridley Scott ends the movie by saying this one was written for his brother. This is any man facing the daunting task of being in relationship with the God of the Universe. A God bent on Salvation using the Holy Spirit and limited scope of the talents of mankind.

The overwhelming scope of explaining to family that God has called you to go His Path. And finding out, like Abraham, a typical reaction might be to use all of your talents you have at hand, your determination, drive, poise, leadership and realizing this is not within your depth to fix.

The history of the Pharaoh works as being "that Pharaoh", Ramses the Great had a huge battle and came home to be a man of peace and a man determined to build Egypt. Interestingly enough Pharaoh Akhenaten had documentation of the words Judeo-Christian monotheism and the words: Joseph, (reported to be Vice Pharaoh and an amazing man) Israel, Goshen, Yahweh appear in tax records and official Egyptian documents and also in Thutmose III.

In an "Om What" moment, we see the Red Sea plague overshadowed when the actual plague causes the chill in chilling. The water becomes red and blood from the immediate release of God's Word creating (what we see in Red Tide today)- bacteria. The opposite of the life giving blood of Jesus Christ.

As a refuge, Moses is reminded of the promise of love in covenant. A literal oasis. Rest from the world at work.

God is God and He will not be summoned to do our bidding. God arrives as a Child. To speak with the Father and Creator of the Universe would be overwhelming. "The Shack" by Wm Paul Young describes our soul as garden and the Holy Spirit is a Chinese Woman while Father God is an elderly African American Woman. This Child is, of course, profoundly more intuitive, wise and benevolent than an actual child. Loving. Asking for Justice.

Moses is almost undone by relying upon himself. And not. Leaning upon a God who has giving him talent and ability. Moses puts down his pride when he is to face failure and loss of human life. In Faith, Moses expects to see God come to their rescue. God asks more. God does not appear until the people are willing to go forth in faith.

Moses is finally able, then willing, to admit the sin of his pride and need of a Savior. God does not show up to obtain the applause of Moses or the people. God acts as God.

The Exodus does not occur until a relationship of the bond of mankind has begun to form. And God establishes Moses from fugitive to family man in the largest sense of the Word. New Age? Not at all. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.

If you were looking for regurgitation - you will be disappointed.  If the makers of the film were looking for classic film classification - they will be disappointed. The lasting films are the ones telling the Word of the Lord. Even when the film is so well done.

If you wanted to see man grapple with the Wonders of God of the Universe in Relationship - you will be affirmed and sustained to see Moses want the people - all of them - to understand the Love and Salvation of Father God. The Movie wisely draws from the studies on prayer - positive prayers, affirmation and aspirations for others are vastly rewarded. Selfishness, oppression, judgment, and violence are not looked with favor by God Himself. Man is capable of drawing judgment upon himself.

Visually - astonishing. The Glue Society captured a new audience in the 1990s of internet interest from God's perspective of the Exodus.

'Exodus: Gods and Kings' captures the perspective of the wolf, the lamb,leopard, goat, calf and the lion and yearling together. United by a Child of God. Reminding us to look to see God in others. And to have our criticisms be more open minded to larger questions of more importance. We are all invited to have a seat at the Table of God.

Lean into this film. Draw from the compassion.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things


Father God draw communities together in love and freedom. Build us up in Your Faith and establishing us in prayer - calling upon Your Holy Spirit. Keep us in Your Love as we wait expectantly upon Jesus' mercy to bring daily mercy and Life Abundant.

Remind us to be save all around us from hurt and suffering, darkness, despair and doubt with Love. Our Goal is Your Kingdom for Eternity. Heaven. Recognizing sin and moving past and way from that.

Praise You Lord Father God for being able to keep us from stumbling and present us before Your Glory without fault and with Great Joy to You. You are our Savior filled with glory, majesty, power and authority in Jesus Christ before all ages now and forevermore! Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

2 Chronicles 33:10-20 ~ when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea

2 Chronicles 33:10-20

10 The LORD spoke to Manasseh and to his people, but they paid no attention. 11 Therefore the LORD brought upon them the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria, who captured Manasseh with hooks and bound him with chains of bronze and brought him to Babylon.

12 And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 13 He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom.

Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God.

14 Afterward he built an outer wall for the city of David west of Gihon, in the valley, and for the entrance into the Fish Gate, and carried it around Ophel, and raised it to a very great height. He also put commanders of the army in all the fortified cities in Judah. 15 And he took away the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built on the mountain of the house of the LORD and in Jerusalem, and he threw them outside of the city.

16 He also restored the altar of the LORD and offered on it sacrifices of peace offerings and of thanksgiving, and he commanded Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel. 17 Nevertheless, the people still sacrificed at the high places, but only to the LORD their God.

18 Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer to his God, and the words of the seers who spoke to him in the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, behold, they are in the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.

19 And his prayer, and how God was moved by his entreaty, and all his sin and his faithlessness, and the sites on which he built high places and set up the Asherim and the images, before he humbled himself, behold, they are written in the Chronicles of the Seers. 20 So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his house, and Amon his son reigned in his place.

2 Kings 20 Hezekiah, one of my favorite people in the Bible,  had a flaw. He wasn't too concerned with the future of his sons.

16 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord: 17 Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. 18 And some of your own sons, who shall be born to you, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” 19 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The Word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?”

A Seal found that is a from Manasseh, son of Hezekiah, King of Judah

Papyrus of other Kingdoms have the archaeology of a tribute to Esarhaddon in 674 and 668. ANET 291 (Esarhaddon, ca. 673, made 22 kings, including Manasseh, transport tribute to Nineveh), 294 (Ashurbanipal was presented gifts by Manasseh and helped by him to conquer Egypt in 668/667) .

 Yet God, is a Father and like David expected Father God to be merciful - God still is. In the Old Testament and Today.

2 Samuel 24:14
David said to Gad, "I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands."


Manasseh, son of Hezekiah, moved God - just from a prayer offered in desperation.

What we are really all looking for in Christmas is to give something meaningful. To move the ones we love.

About 15 years ago, we were moving into our second home and we threw out three 40 gallon trash bags from the boys' rooms with just bits of junk in them. It took about 2 days to sort out the junk from the still intact, working toys and as we carried it to the trash, my husband remarked "There goes about 2 Christmases." He was right. (Of course this is part of life! But we've worked hard to put one lasting gift into each Christmas.)

A meaningful gift - it prompts us. We are challenged us to write a letter - to tell the ones you love - what you've shared with them. Why they are important to you. It's so much better than a warm sweater.

Christmas memories are made from more than a trip to the store. Today I found the marshmallow rocket guns my college age sons didn't care about. But I have realized the fine young men they are growing to be and find joy in seeing them develop. We might load Christmas clothes in a box, but surely this is just one day. What we realize each day is what gifts God had given us in our children. Never fail to tell the ones you love again - they are treasured, admired and loved for being the loving people they are. People want to receive gifts for Christmas, but mostly they want to know they are treasured even when life hasn't surrounded them with blessings that particular year.

God found love and mercy for a man in distress, we want to be loved and to love - not just for successes. We always are told God loves our children even more than we do. God proves this in this story. A Christmas Story of the type of Father God He truly is.

Father God, this Christmas is suddenly busy. Help us all each day to provide meaning and joy, especially to the ones we love. We ask to be centered in You, Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

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 †

<><

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 †

<><