Mark 8 ~ He comes in the glory of His Father with the Holy angels

The crowd is 4,000 people.

Mark 8

8 In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, 2 “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. 3 And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.” 

4 And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” 

5 And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” 6 And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. 7 And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. 8 And they ate and were satisfied.   <><

And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. 

9 And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. 10 And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.


11 The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. 12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 13 And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.

14 Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 16 And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. 17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” 20 “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” 21 And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

22 And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” +++

27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.

31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”


34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when 
he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”


+++ This Scripture is my brother John's favorite Scripture - not until this generation can we see this is brain surgery requiring this type of healing. Not understandable except through a mirror darkly - until today - this generation.

Almost all Christians have sung, "It Only Takes a Spark to Get a Fire Going." We could begin with Mary saying yes to God's plan with courage and belief. Joseph showing mercy to obtain mercy in God's direction. Or Jesus simply calling the disciples to follow Him.


When scholars estimated the size of the last Presidential inaugural to be 1.8 Million people, the Temple Mount - Mount Moriah, the 36 acres of the Temple - were then estimated for size capacity during Passover. We know Jerusalem was usually populated at about 80,000 people. Using these numbers and assuming  75% of the surface area was usable, the Temple Mount could comfortably (10 sq ft/person) hold 100,000 people at one time; a more "tightly packed" crowd of 250,000 (4.5 sq ft/person) would also have fit; at "mosh-pit density" a crowd of 400,000 could have occupied the Temple Courts at a time. Passover sacrifices where done at several intervals throughout the day, so a much larger group used the Temple Services during all the day. Like our Easter Services today in Churches!


Josephus describes in The Wars Of The Jews, (Book 6, Ch. 9) a calculation used to estimate the number of people in attendance in Jerusalem during Passover,: "Upon the coming of that feast which is called the Passover, when they slay their sacrifices, from the ninth hour till the eleventh, but so that a company not less than ten belong to every sacrifice, (for it is not lawful for them to feast singly by themselves,) and many of us are twenty in a company, found the number of sacrifices was two hundred and fifty-six thousand five hundred; which, upon the allowance of no more than ten that feast together, 
amounts to
Two millions seven hundred thousand and two hundred persons.


Jesus did go to the Temple and teach when Holy Days did occur during His Ministry. Yet somehow, we really do want to know the number of people in the country of Judea who understood Jesus' Amazing Ministry going forth to Heal -the blind seeing, the deaf hearing and the times the Scriptures record, "He healed them all."

This calculation used allowed this Presidential administration to be able to plan the Inaugural. It holds water.


Luke's 7th Gospel -The Widow of Nain was a complete miracle where a young man was dead and, like Elijah, included many, many witnesses and resurrection from death to life.

11 Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 

12 As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 

16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” 17 And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.

Jesus was not being merely a demonstrator of His own Glory ~ Jesus was explaining to many witnesses - about the Power of God. Victory over death. Witnesses could see and understand.

Job 33:29
"God does all these things to a person-- twice, even three times--"

John 5:17
But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

We know Palm Sunday worried the Roman and Temple authorities.

Luke 23:27 At the Crucifixion of Jesus -
A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.

What caused a large number to become multitudes?
 Jesus, the Son of God, in Victory.

Jesus said we live by every Word of God. The Holy Spirit did not record half or a quarter of the Temple. The Word of God Says - "Multitudes".



Matthew 27:52
and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.

1 Corinthians 15:6
After that, Jesus appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.

John 21
24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

And after innocent Son of God - Jesus died for our sins, the earthquake and the torn veil, the day turning to night caused the Roman Centurions to understand. And when He Rose in Victory. They became as dead men reporting the empty Tomb.

Acts 5
12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico [in the Temple Mount]. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 
15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.



We have learned this could be up to two and a half million people. Explaining why 1434 miles / 2307.8 km / 1246.11 nautical miles from Jerusalem to Rome would have the Emperors of the Roman Empire in panic mode in 16 years. For almost 400 years all New Testament Scripture was hunted to destroy all of this. The Bible in your hand was brought with great courage and sacrifice. Papyrus 46 is 300 chapters of Scripture produced, and wonderfully preserved - clearly legible all written while the Disciple John was alive.

 Two million people turned out on Times Square when World War ll ended.

Again, I'm saying, Jesus said we live by every Word of God. The Holy Spirit did not record half or a quarter of the Temple. Or a great number -  The Word of God Says - "Multitudes". 


 
We know from Scriptures thousands converted at a time. What makes this Salvation possible? Jesus of course - no written test - not complicated. Relationship with Father God. Believing God is so merciful to save those who believe and call upon Jesus.  God opening up His Kingdom to save the world. GOD. Jesus returns and the first thing He says to Mary Magdalene - what He said to John, last - chosen, loved, cared for, adopted - Jesus says "Your Father and Mine."

This is a God of Love .A Personal God, creating through His Word - all things. 
My Father. 
Because of what Jesus did for me. 
Forever.

Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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<>< Is one of my favorite Scriptures. Jesus put His Hands into fish, the aroma of fish, to feed His Beloved Children. Jesus - acting as Living Water - water going, filling, completing, nourishing - all places - all circumstances.  Soaking - reviving. This is Jesus the Lord.

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Psalm 96 ~ For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised

Many times Churches use a light swung from the ceiling to show Bread of the Presence. Consecrated Host. Living Bread.

Psalm 96

1 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; [of holy attire]
tremble before him, all the earth!

10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.”

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy

for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and the peoples in his faithfulness.

I loved Bill Hybels' (Pastor of Willow Creek) book, "Just Walk Across the Room." The heart grabber of this - his friend decides he must look at Jesus' love after his own dad died and he was told he must look at Jesus because he would not go to Heaven without him. This lengthy friendship resulted in the Love of Jesus being glorified.

We should all look for the opportunities to share God's love with others. In the 5th week, the video was pretty hilarious and we laughed a lot in our group.

The main theme today is being more clear on having a one minute personal story - how God's love changed our lives. The video gave rave performances - not to be too long, rambling. Avoid being fuzzy, unclear, wobbly. Not to be weird and give God stories best shared in a small group who love you and know you. No to lots of esoteric Religious speak - i.e. too many thee's and thou's are not easy or comfortable. And flee from giving holier than you, speak downs.

Years ago, I went to a Christian renewal weekend. During this time, I realized the people surrounding me had a love for Father God causing them to glow with joy. We were in the very rural country - it was so dark outside. We were in the Chapel - the Priest said the Light in the lantern represented the Presence of Christ. Remember Jesus as the Light of the World. We were asked to decide, did we indeed believe or would this merely be a light. It was a question I had been asking myself. I knew I had a decision, I knew Jesus as Lord. Suddenly I was given a peace, a joy, a Love. I was filled with the Light of Christ. I'd never felt such Love wash over me.

Jesus has helped me realize. In all the trials, the joys, the love, the memories. The endurance, the perseverance - God has given me a life worth leading. The day will renew with Jesus every day. Forever.

Over the years, as I've journeyed as a follower of Jesus Christ, I've felt the Light - the free gift of salvation - given to me - strengthen me in times of need. Lift me higher in joyful times. Giving me more compassion to others. Growing me to go home to the Lord. The Lord is my rock. Blessed Be Jesus the Lord. Forever.


John 1
The Light Shines in the Darkness and the Darkness has not overcome that.

Thank You, Jesus Lord God. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Psalm 87 ~ And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; for the Most High himself will establish her."

Living in the internet age is a blessing when I am not able to put my finger on the Word, I look through pages on sermons & commentaries for the meaning I am looking to express.

St. Patrick drove the snakes from Ireland, the human snakes inciting war & human sacrifice. He did this without a-how-to-book, without a phone call to a spiritual guidance counselor, without visual aids. Patrick had his faith and the word of God. Led by the Holy Spirit of God, his life made a huge impact.

St. Patrick ~ Thomas Cahill, Catholic author of the best-selling book How the Irish Saved Civilization ~ "Some 1,500 years ago a teenage boy from what is now Great Britain was kidnapped and enslaved by marauders from a neighboring country. Not since Paris absconded with Helen of Troy has a kidnapping so changed the course of history.

The invading marauders came from fifth-century Ireland. The teenager they captured eventually escaped, but returned voluntarily some years later. In the meantime, he had become convinced that he was handpicked by God to convert the entire country to Christianity.

Apparently, he was right.

In the process of converting the primitive people of Ireland, however, the former slave experienced a conversion, too. In the years that followed, he not only shared God with the people of Ireland, but also grew in his understanding of God through them. Cahill says, "The early Irish Christianity planted in Ireland by Patrick is much more joyful and celebratory [than its Roman predecessor] in the way it approaches the natural world. It is really not a theology of sin but of the goodness of creation, and it really is intensely incarnational." His use of biblical quotations, Cahill says, "is far more accurate and appropriate than many of the Fathers of the Church."

It's hard to grasp just what an accomplishment that was, says Cahill. When Patrick decided to "willingly go back to the barbarians with the gospel," Cahill explains, "he had to figure out how to bring the values of the gospel he loved to such people. These were people who still practiced human sacrifice, who warred with each other constantly and who were renowned as the great slave traders of the day.

"That was not a simple thing. This was before courses were given to missionaries in what is now called inculturation—how to plant the gospel in such a culture," Cahill says. "No one had ever even thought about how to do it; Patrick had to work his way through it himself.

These two brief documents, Patrick's Confession and his "Letter to Coroticus," are the basis for all we know of the historical Patrick. The uncontested, if somewhat unspecific, biographical facts about Patrick are as follows:

Patrick was born Patricius somewhere in Roman Britain to a relatively wealthy family. He was not religious as a youth and, in fact, claims to have practically renounced the faith of his family.

When Patrick looked back at the end of his life on his service to Ireland, Cahill says, he must have been pleased with his accomplishments. By the time of his death, or shortly thereafter, "the Irish stopped slave trading and they never took it up again." Human sacrifice had become unthinkable. And although the Irish never stopped warring on one another, "war became much more confined and limited by what we might call the 'rules of warfare.'

"I think that though he probably died knowing that he had succeeded in his mission," Cahill adds, "he also died hoping that success would be permanent and not temporary."

In fact, Patrick's success couldn't have been more permanent. Not only had he accomplished what he'd set out to do—convert the nation to Christ—but in the process he'd retrieved from obscurity the primary objective set by Christ for his apostles: the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth.

And so it was that a young Briton named Patricius died an Irishman named Patrick. And neither Ireland nor Christianity was ever quite the same."

Psalm 87 

1On the holy mount stands the city he founded; 2 the Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. 3 Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. Selah 4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush — “This one was born there,” they say. 

5 And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; for the Most High himself will establish her. 6 The Lord records as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” Selah 7 Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.”Selah

John 7:38 
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Psalm 126 ~ Joy

Psalm 126
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad!

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.


The most played funeral song in the United Kingdom is "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life."

So, that isn't a novel approach to a funeral in the U.K...

Restoration - God repeats events, aspects and situations too.

Abraham argued with God for lives to be spared.
Then Abraham was asked about an important life and did not argue...my opinion is God wanted Abraham to say No. God is God and is in charge of life and death. God wanted Abraham to argue God is Good.

Moses stood as God's ambassador to the Red Sea.
Elisha parted water for the Children of Israel.

Prophets cured outside of Israel during starvation
Prophets cured outside of Israel for leprosy as well.

Zechariah had trauma happen in the Temple.

2 Chronicles 24
20 Then the Spirit of God clothed Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, and he stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God, ‘Why do you break the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.’” 21 But they conspired against him, and by command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the Lord. 22 Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness that Jehoiada, Zechariah's father, had shown him, but killed his son. And when he was dying, he said, “May the Lord see and avenge!”


Two Gospels refer to Zechariah. Father God was indeed thinking of Zechariah. The next Zechariah is John the Baptist's father.

The next Zechariah failed to believe the impossible is possible with God. John the Baptist's father doubted God and did not grab hold of the horns of the Altar which as a Priest - he knew these were the mercy fail-safe part of the Temple - and he was seeing an angel in God's Temple. Perhaps God is reminding us Zechariah could have forgiven and also cried out for God to save him.

The Temple saw quite a few miracles. Once people get past doubt. Zechariah was very angry at being killed. Love up builds.

Joseph was a poor boy, of a Dynasty, who became the Pharaoh's Visor living by faith.
Joseph was a poor boy, of a Dynasty, who became God's Son's Visor living by faith.

Elijah did show up for the Transfiguration. Yet Jesus did say John the Baptist was a repeat conversation with God thinking of Elijah.

Why does God repeat things like the Samaritans tossed out of the Second Temple  - Well, Jesus found them in the Fourth Chapter of John's Gospel? God is thinking of these things. Like Jesus remembering Solomon in one Gospel during being shown the Temple the Day of Palm Sunday. Remember, Jesus was there. His Glory filled the Temple. The sight was a lot like what the Hubble Telescope shows us God is creating the birth of new stars. Isn't God fascinating?

God is Love. God wants to see His people up built.
He is reminding us of what HE has taught and what He wants to have happen better.

The Song - bright side of life???
Life is disparaged. When you stop to look at it.

What we do matters. To each other. To God.

Matthew 21
28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

Believing makes a Path acceptable to God.

John 6:29
Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."


Take the GLORY - of being Love.
THE STRUGGLE - with time, money, troubles and riches of the world.
THE OVERCOME - from embarrassment, repent, plain problems just given to us.
THE HOPE - God is for us.
THE LOVE - God is.
THE FAITH - All His promises are for us.
AND JESUS - Our Redemption and Savior. Son of God.

The bumps and bruises. take the events that still bring a tear to our eyes. And say - God has Fathered us. I am grateful. For what has been so difficult. We can be grateful to learn - God has brought me this far - that what He brings forth, we will do together. We expect the Goodness of God. Our Amen is in Jesus.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Isaiah 55:12
 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Psalm 126 ~ When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion

Psalm 126

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.



What would you restore to your life? Not winning the lottery. This is Restoration.

This is an important difference. God is telling us something important in what we would restore.

When we think of Heaven. God says this is a Restoration.

God has given us - we acknowledge - a taste of Heaven. Jesus said He could see a new Heaven and a new earth. Father God has given us all glimpses. Of what is possible in Him.

When you think of what you would restore. You have something of great worth. And very definite reason for gratitude.

What can you give Father God that He has not given you? Gratitude. An Earnest and Sincere, Contrite Heart. With Joy.

Father GOD. There is great privilege in Calling Upon You. You are God. Thank You. Amen.


Mark 7
31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him.

3 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 

35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36 And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 

37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Thank You Father God, You are all knowing. Wise. A God of Restoration. In Jesus we set our Hopes. Dear God, Thank You for Our Blessings! Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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John 17 ~ After Jesus had said this, He looked up to Heaven and said, “Father."

 

John 17

After Jesus had said this, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, so that the Son may glorify you. 2 For you have given him authority over all humanity so that he might give eternal life to all those you gave him. 3 And this is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent—Jesus the Messiah. 4 I glorified you on earth by completing the task you gave me to do.

5 “So now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world existed. 6 I have made your name known to these men whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they realize that everything you gave me comes from you, 8 because the words that you gave me I passed on to them. They have received them and know for sure that I came from you. They have believed that you sent me.

9 “I am asking on their behalf. I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those you gave me, because they are yours. 10 All that is mine is yours, and what is yours is mine, and I have been glorified through them. 11 I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by your Name, the Name that you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them by the authority that you gave me. I guarded them, and not one of them became lost except the one who was destined for destruction, so that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

13 “And now I am coming to you, and I say these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, because they do not belong to the world, just as I don’t belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world but to protect them from the evil one. 16 They don’t belong to the world, just as I don’t belong to the world.

17 “Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 It is for their sakes that I sanctify myself, so that they, too, may be sanctified by the truth. 20 I ask not only on behalf of these men, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their message, 21 so that they may all be one. Just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be one in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me.

22 “I have given them the glory that you gave me, so that they may be one, just as we are one. 23 I am in them, and you are in me. May they be completely one, so that the world may know that you sent me and that you have loved them as you loved me. 24 Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am and to see my glory, which you gave me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

25 “Righteous Father, the world has never known you. Yet I have known you, and these men have known that you sent me. 26 I made your name known to them, and will continue to make it known, so that the love you have for me may be in them and I myself may be in them.”

Luke 11:1

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray"

I glorified you on earth by completing the task you gave me to do.

They were yours, 
and you gave them to me

Because the words that You gave me -  I passed on to them

I am asking on their behalf.

Holy Father, protect them by your Name, the Name that you gave me - Jesus Christ the Lord God.

I say these things in the world so that 
they may have my joy made complete in themselves

The world has hated them, protect them from the evil one.

Glory that You gave me, so that they may be one, just as we are one.

Father, I want those you have given me to be with me

You gave me because You loved me before the creation of the world

So that the love you have for me may be in them 

Amen Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Romans 8:31

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us

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Luke 12:35-48 ~ Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.

 

Luke 12:35-48

35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

41 Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Titus 3
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one,
to avoid quarreling,
to be gentle,
and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, 
but according to his own mercy,
by the washing of regeneration
and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
9 But avoid foolish controversies,
genealogies,
dissensions,
and quarrels about the law,
for they are unprofitable and worthless.
10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Psalm 90
Lord, you have been our dwelling place
in all generations.

2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3 You return man to dust
and say, “Return, O children of man!”
4 For a thousand years in your sight
are but as yesterday when it is past,
or as a watch in the night.

5 You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning:
6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.

7 For we are brought to an end by your anger;
by your wrath we are dismayed.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.

9 For all our days pass away under your wrath;
we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
10 The years of our life are seventy,
or even by reason of strength eighty;
yet their span is but toil and trouble;
they are soon gone, and we fly away.
11 Who considers the power of your anger,
and your wrath according to the fear of you?

12 So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
13 Return, O Lord! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil.
16 Let your work be shown to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands!


John 11
38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

It's hard to fine the balance.

We say too much.

We are pushed aside.

We are thrust out of the inner group.

We are suckered in.

We are used.

We ask respect.

Why not stay home.

We are in circumstance wildly beyond expectation.

We are in endurance.

Told to be bold. Told to hush.



Why not quit when no one is pleased?


Because. Usually Someone is pleased. When you want to please God.
The goal is not applause. God is pleased more completely. Pleasing God is putting the steam in your soul to go forth.

Usually when someone will speak up to put you down - you did something.
Something worth while. Even Winston Churchill said so.

Scripture can be difficult. Life can be difficult.

Narrow path. When you please the ones who love you. God and then the people who invest time in you. It's the wide highway that applauds.

Who would tell you when they got cussed out twice today? Who would you tell that you cussed pretty badly later in the day. Who do you tell when your chair was almost kicked out from underneath you. Who would say something when you are called fat and slapped on the rear in public.

People leave when someone is asked an imbalanced question. Because of illness. Or they pretend not to know. I know someone who avoided a leukemia patient for a year. And when confronted said they didn't know. Why. She would probably die and the explanation wasn't needed.

Some people will do something like bring you a plant called Columbine. Just to get in your head. Or take the sunglasses your son gave you, because they wanted a piece of something special.

There really are people like that even when there is mortal illness in your family. We explained just this week what competing in adult sports and games is really like to a young adult. Few people comment on the outrageous aspects of their lives.And they don't know that you know. Or that you cared. And when they do find out you cared, sometimes they cry.

Some days are difficult. Really difficult.When your word is doubted and really basically - you speak the truth at all times.

 Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home.

We are Loved Cherished Believed Strong

Children of God. 

That is what is important. 

Each of us is unique, important and special to God. And in life, the just and the unjust get rained on and sunny days. We get to decide we are living a life worthwhile.  We can focus on the stain on our shirt or on the immeasurable grace Jesus gives us daily. God will listen. Love. And Care. Always.

Pray for my family please. We discussed mortal illnesses for two hours today. Your prayers are appreciated.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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