Romans 13:11-14 ~ Besides this you know the time

This Blog Post Might Not Be for the Very Christmas-y
and Might Not Be Your Cup Of Tea at this Time.
This is about Encouragement in Swift or Sluggish Water of Holiday Holly Golly Next Year.

Romans 13:11-14

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep.

For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 

13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in wild parties and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality, lust and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

I have to say this seems like a very un-Christmas sort of Passage. And then again, this is a Christmas sort of passage. Last year we had a death in the family. This year a friend had a death in the family. I'm not sure this is always sad. I think some death at this time of year is the remembrance of what we cherish and the time to go on Home to God. My great-uncle was recalling his mother's birthday and how happy that day was for him when he was 6 years old and, later that day, he was in Heaven in his 94th year. He said it was a great day and how happy that day was for her as well. I think my great-uncle picked up that conversational thread with my great-grandmother Julia that very day.

I read a Christian blog recently and the Title felt free to cuss. It was "The b.s. That God Never Gives Us Too Much To Handle". No one is going to escape the times that are difficult. I know of one person people considered to be problem free - she really had trouble when her adult children began to experience real life trouble in their twenties. Problems we all live through and, suddenly, her friends did say she was almost undone, consumed with sorrow and worry, as her children faced life - and it seemed to be worse for her to live these situations out through the ones she loves. Maybe that requires a very earnest "Thank God" for having problems we have to work through and not our children. There just might be some very real truth to the Scripture saying the Comfort we receive enables us to help our loved ones to be comforted. And sometimes that Holy Spirit Comfort is Earned.

And Jesus again caresses a healed place in us when we are truly able to comfort, in the comfort we have received, and pass on again. Giving meaning today to the phrase "He healed them all."

We have to not love our own problems. We have to love the days when we are lighter. And treat the days we are not so light with honesty to recover. Communicate and apologize.

God loves Solutions and Going Forth! A new wind. A new reason to be grateful. A new approach.

Psalm 96
Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.

6 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth!

10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!

This Quote is 2 Corinthians:9, 10

When people tell me their prayer requests about grief, they will listen intently to the problems of famous and talented Claude Monet.

I have a coffee table book I've had for years. During the times that I grieved so for my infant daughter being stillborn, some days it was tough just to go outside for the tears and swollen face of grief. The embarrassment. When, actually, grief is part of life. We form very important ideas of our existence sometimes through fire.

Back to Monet book, so I was in the doctors office and like my cousin Bob said, "Grief is like standing in the ocean with your back to the ocean and surveying the houses along the coast, suddenly, without warning - grief is like a wave of the ocean that knocks you down to your knees." And I was about to cry, again. I picked up the book that I have owned for two decades to hide. The doctor's waiting room had the same copy. And found something about grief that people with grief hold on to like a rope. I'd certainly never noticed when looking at the paintings before, a time table of his life events:

Claude Monet was so callous - as his first wife lay dying, he painted the colors her body changed as her spirit left her body. I've never liked the painting, or the story. That does not relate to me. And I paint. But the next part of the events, excuse Claude Monet. He lived to paint like famous baseball players life to have a baseball continually in their hand. For two years after he experienced death, he could not paint. He found routine life almost too hard to bare.

Eventually he remarried his wife's dear friend, because they wept together. She had lost a parent and her best friend. And Claude Monet found joy again. Unfortunately, his second wife had many children. To feed and educate. And the lovely part was - she was a dear woman, who loved all those around her. Claude Monet did as well. And then her child died. And for two years they grieved and he could not paint. And then as life improved, a nephew who was part of their daily fabric died. Then a parent, then the daughter-in-law who carried them from the grief. I cannot recall the exact details, but Monet had to face that death was part of life.

Claude Monet wrote,"Grief is a terrible burden, but eventually you must decide where you are going." He did not elaborate. He was part of the art world focusing on beauty. But the phrase rang in the sincerity of deeper and abiding meaning. A man who spent twelve years adjusting to love not being nearby has something meaningful to say.



Grief is not always for death. Grief is for aging and for seeing illness. Grief can be for permanent life changing events. We see people moving when their college age children go to school, to be near them, I applaud going with the Winds of the Spirit.

Grief can be mild. Not experiencing all the Holidays "You are Supposed To". Grief can be "Not Living Up To Your Parents' Expectations." Grief can be seeing life is very different than our early childhood years and the way people spend their time.

Comfort exists among the Saints ~
 the Communion of Saints.

People who will pray for us for weeks just knowing a wooden floor has extreme issues and expecting God to show up. People who are sad because their small business needs a new boiler and Christmas for the kids. We pray - Jesus, You are Indeed Lord. You will fix the solution and or create the worry to be able to give the comfort to others. You Will because You are God and You are Love. Amen.

Friends who tell you about their grandson needs prayer and you find out - you had the same illness and it baffled the doctors and really what was needed was a topical antibiotic prescribed all over the body. And later they tell you about hypobaric chambers they read about for your spouse. The Communion of Saints.

One Person's Troubles become the Strength Given to the Next Person.
One Person's Expectation of Jesus Christ becomes a Miracle.
One Person's Solution found from diligent prayer becomes the Next Beloved Person's Joy.

Worries become the beauty of tomorrow. Solutions for the next generation. For the comfort we are given, is comfort again when shared. This art is Wolf Kahn. Seeing the color in the trees, helps us to remember to see the forest when we see the one tree.

Father God we weep with those who weep, because life has taught us to do that. Let us remember that in faith we can laugh at the time to come. Our future is Your hands. We hope to have Your face, Father God, to shine upon us.

Not being the ones making only our own purposes and puny plans Evil recognizes God and fears what He will ask of us. In Jesus Christ, let us put real hope in the revealing of His purpose for us. Rejoicing in all life is given through Jesus Christ. Trusting again. Asking His mercy, grace and forgiveness to get back up on the Deep Breathe Forward to Jesus Path.And taking new steps with firm knees and new hope again. In You we Trust Father God. Amen.

Know your Season. Celebrate. Jesus is the Reason.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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John 5:30-47 ~ The will of Him who sent me

John 5:30-47

30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. 31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true.

33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.

36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.

39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”


Jesus has just told us the Scriptures, all of the Scriptures are Centered Upon Jesus Christ the Lord.

( And speaking of Center of the Universe -Maybe the actual December 25th Birthday is in the realm of God to promote. And the appearance is we lucked into the Birthday? Jeremiah 9:23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”)


Because if we do this -

Matthew 6:33
Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

What is our center?

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Does our Center in Jesus Christ move?

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

In a leap of faith then, we must believe this -

2 Corinthians 5:21
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

And doesn't this Scripture run in tandem withour Father God - who created Jesus, the Scriptures, the world and the universe - with His Word?

Hebrews 13:20-21
Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Father God in Your Abiding and abundant Grace, help us in faith and Love found in Jesus. Bless us to have a life called trustworthy for fully accepting Jesus came into the world to save me, a sinner. 

I have found mercy. In Your perfect patience enable my life to help my beloved ones believe in Jesus Christ. Leading us unto eternal life You gave us.Abundant Grace - You are Jesus Christ - in You we find the center to Love You and others in an abundant Life. You, Father God, are Love. Let Your Light Shine. Forever. Amen. God is Good.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Mark 7 ~ yet He could not be hidden

Mark 7

And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. 

 But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. 

Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 

 But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs.”

 29 And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” 

30 And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

Psalm 91
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.

12 On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.

15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

 

A Facebook friend, Malone, has said today:
As I listen to Christians in America, it seems to me that the vast majority of us are de facto Semi-Pelagianists. 

God’s grace makes us uneasy. Grace doesn’t feel right or fair. It’s like we’re getting something we don’t deserve or didn’t have to work for at all; that we didn’t get it the old fashioned way by earning it. It’s as if Someone gave us something exceptionally amazing at Christmas, something it turns out that we really loved and needed, and it’s not that we just forgot to get Him anything in return, we actually chose not to get Him anything at all. EXACTLY. And, for me, that’s what puts the “Merry” in Christmas.

An idea we have been thinking on for two millenniums - what we owe God and His ability, in effect, to come out of the larger Tupperware box we place Him in.

We debate Christmas. 

The commercialism. What goes around comes around. Oliver Cromwell made England without Christmas for 18 years. If you had a ham on Christmas Day - you might be placed in the stockades. "Christ's Mass" had a ring of Roman Catholicism about it, the season was changed to "Christ tide" and any celebration confined to one day - of fasting. Shops were forced to stay open - business as usual.


Grace wasn't given to this Holy Day. And Grace from Love is the reason for the Gift.

Today. This is the Day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. God lists Joy as the second fruit of His Holy Spirit.

Christmas - Jesus Christ the Lord - is a Gift.


Ephesians 2

7 so that in the ages to come He might show
 the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 


8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.


Joy is remembered. In this life - Joy is something rare and to be treasured.

 

The Christmas Truce (German: Weihnachtsfrieden; French: Trêve de Noël) - unofficial ceasefires along the Western Front of World War I around Christmas 1914. In the week leading up to the holy day, German and British soldiers crossed trenches to exchange seasonal greetings and talk. In areas, men from both sides ventured into no man's land on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to mingle and exchange food and souvenirs.

If I had to pick being Cromwell Go Along with Current Ideas or Silent Night Christmas Truce, I'd far rather be the verve in that Silent Night. I'd rather be included in the wonder of love and the miraculous acts of God found in the Christmas Truce. I'd put forth my brain to ask in the Sovereignty of God, if really December 25th is the Real Date of the Birth of Christ. I'd rather be leaning upon God's authority than rest safely in the what of what of every day.

When we gathered recently to remember what our best Christmas memories were - it wasn't the cap gun or the video game or the doll - we remembered the loved ones who gathered to celebrate the Birth of Jesus. The Gift of Christmas is the Love we give. And the time we have given to us by loved ones. 


The Joy of God is remembered far longer than all other -

Father God, help me to remember gratitude and the joy seen in today. Thank You that Grace is indeed unearned.  We thank You that You are still working and the faith is mysterious because Your ways are not ours. The joy in Looking Upward and away from ourselves. Give us your good gifts, and help us to be loving and grateful. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Psalm 28 ~ To you, O Lord, I call

Psalm 28

1 To you, O Lord, I call;
my rock, be not deaf to me,
lest, if you be silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,
when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands
toward your most holy sanctuary.

3 Do not drag me off with the wicked,
with the workers of evil,
who speak peace with their neighbors
while evil is in their hearts.
4 Give to them according to their work
and according to the evil of their deeds;
give to them according to the work of their hands;
render them their due reward.
5 Because they do not regard the works of the Lord
or the work of his hands,
he will tear them down and build them up no more.

6 Blessed be the Lord!
For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.

8 The Lord is the strength of his people;
he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Blue, blue Christmas?

The radio station Air One in Houston is having a Christmas Season of picking Joy. We cannot always chose the emotion of Joy, however, in reality, we largely are able to do this. Sometimes just by praying the Lord's Prayer.

I've volunteered for two and half years in the community and I'd like to recall this particular person who decided to choose joy. The Gospel of John begins with a promise given - John is speaking of the Glory and Light of God he has promised not to disclose of Jesus' transfiguration. Luke 1 begins with the life story of a barren Priest of God. And in leaning into God - faith, hope and Love are discovered to change lives.

A young boy of sixteen told me his story. At age 12, his family, who had a lot of experience with the slum situation of prison institutionalization had his parents tell him - they were permanently done with him. He was cast aside. He spent the next two years in and out of juvenile detention centers. And he recalled with me that his grandfather advised him to become one of the people who like to be in prison where meals and shelter are provided. As the grandfather had done.

And the system began to give him strength in counseling to see - no one deserves to be abandoned by their parents. Nothing he could ever do would earn that as a punishment. And he said this with strength of truth on his side. I marveled at him. And did see that he had held this truth to his soul. I saw the beginnings of a man who would understand love and commitment building the framework, the hard work, of where happiness could dwell.

He was beginning to understand where God held him in his life.

Why? The institution. No. Just like the Gospel of Luke there was a barren Priest. A man who had had the calling of God Almighty to begin a Church and had failed, twice. This minister of God arrived at Juvenile Detention because his calling had failed. And he began to visit and know a 14 year old boy. And to preach the Gospel without words.

The homeless boy was given a sofa because that was available. And introduced and taken to GED training where he earned his GED at age 14. And a job was found. Not many jobs are available to young men with a record and a GED at age 14. A job was found cleaning construction sites at night, 5 nights a week. The construction company began to like the boy. The boy found an apartment.

And when this young man found violence in his new home life - he learned to walk away. Go for a long walk to find the others he lived with agreed with this stance and approved. The Minister who had failed was learning - that his failure was saving a dear life.

A new life was being created. And the new life worth living called for commitment and self-denial, stamina, thinking, and trust in God for Hope. And a man of sixteen was looking very pleased that he knew a few profound things to set his life in order. The minister and the boy found that when he turned eighteen, he was going to have a job with the full-time job of the minister in a career he could earn a living in the rest of his life. How? The Minister knew a few things that pertain to being blessed by God.

Giving back to the community? Sometimes - the community gives a whole lot back themselves just in the Hope their soul brings forth.

Thank You God for the Reason for the Season. Even in fish, You were known to put Your hands in there and feed us!

We thank You in Jesus Christ for our blessings of Strength and fire in the Holy Spirit. A fire millenniums ago Mose found to be a sustaining fire of infinite beauty. Blessed are You Lord God. In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

One of the most ancient of Christian inscriptions, God fishes among the Living

Psalm 80 ~ O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Psalm 80

7 But let your hand be on the man of your right hand,
the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!
18 Then we shall not turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call upon your name!

19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts!
Let your face shine, that we may be saved!

This is the Season we remember God's auspicious celestial beginning for His Son Jesus. And this is the Graduation of my son Alexander. One is a day of family joy - the other celebrated for millenniums!




Psalm 80
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.
2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,
stir up your might
and come to save us!

3 Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Psalms 33:6
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host.

Psalms 148:2
Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!

1 Kings 22:19
Micaiah said, "Therefore, hear the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left

Psalms 103:21
Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will.

Luke 2
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

"This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

Nehemiah 9:6
"You alone are the LORD You have made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their host, The earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them You give life to all of them And the heavenly host bows down before You."


Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing.

Proverbs 15:30
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.


Matthew 11:15
He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Matthew 13:16
But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.

Psalm 97:11
Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.

Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."



Psalm 65:12
The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy


Psalm 68:3
But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy!


Psalm 92:4
For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

1 John 4:19
We love because He first loved us.




Father God, I offer up a prayer for my sons from 1 Chronicles 29. Forgive us our sins covered in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Blessed are You, Lord Father God.

O Lord, the God of Your people, our father, forever and ever of the people in all nations seeking Your Love in Jesus. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord Father God, and You are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from You, Abba, and You rule over all. In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our Father God, and praise your glorious name, Jesus. We pray Your blessing on our Nation and the strength of restoration and hope in Jesus Christ.

What will we be able thus to offer willingly? Our grateful thanks, for Your Blessings You willingly bestow. For all things come from you, and of your own blessings we have been given.

Draw us close to You and keep us near, centered on You.
Father God, all this abundance that we have been provided, help us to build for You. For Your holy name and blessings comes from Your hand and is all Your own.

Help us know and have wisdom; knowing you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to You.

O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you! We ask in Jesus the Lord.

Grant to my sons a whole heart that they may keep Your commandments in Your Holy Spirit, performing all, and that they may build Your Will on Heaven and earth for which You have made provision. Let all good things be provided that Your Will be done in Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Philippians 2 ~ Proven worth

Philippians 2

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation,

among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.


Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.


19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.

 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

We know Salvation is a free gift of Jesus Christ. And in that Love, when we go Home to Jesus, we hope He is pleased and encouraged in our lives - we have indeed brought the Love of Jesus to our loved ones. Proclaiming Jesus is necessary. We sometimes become anxious about our service to Jesus Christ, if we are honest. We hope to be messengers and ministers to others. And face some concerns in this.This Chapter reveals an earnestness in ministry.

What if we could accept and see Philippians - this is a joyful message about our ministry to Jesus - in our daily words and conversations. A daily message that is for uplifting us! A genuineness in our daily walk. Being centered on Jesus just in our conversations. The reassurance, assistance, favor, cheer and inspiration we would hope to hear from Father God to us.

Rejoice in seeing, we have served the Gospel. Jesus is a God of Love.

This Chapter is indeed about this Joy. Do not be sorrowful. Choose your Joy. Train peaceful fruit. Therefore, strengthen hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ is in this book of Philippians.

See this fruitful yield with eyes that see.

Encouragement
Love
Comfort    Complete Joy          Listen

Same mind Accord    Give others Significance    Equality

Salvation Hold  Fast to the Word of Life   Shine

Rejoice   Genuine Concern

Above all, and I say it again, Let Love be Genuine.


Speak the Gospel at all Times.
Use Words when Necessary.


Father God, help us to have, acknowledge and understand every good thing accomplishing Your will. Forgive our sins. We want to be a place where You dwell with pleasure. In Your grace, we shall thrive.

We ask You to be God in our lives and bring all the Fruit of the Spirit. In Jesus we ask the way of our lives is guided in the fruitfulness of green pastures. The quietness of living water. Your Holy Spirit refreshing our souls. Let Your Truth, Way and Life guide us along the right paths for Your name’s sake. Your Holy Spirit comforts me.

Our joy overflows, for in certainty, Your Goodness and Love are part of all the days of our life. And when You call us Home, we will dwell in the Kingdom You have established in Great Joy. In great privilege and expectation, in the Highest Name of Jesus Christ the Lord, we ask. Amen. The will of the Lord be done. Alleluia

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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