Matthew 6:25-34 ~ and all these things will be added to you

Matthew 6:25-34

 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Life is a lot like being in the Mississippi River, we are pushed by tremendous forces we cannot see or control. We have eddies and resting places, we convince ourselves - now we in control. We have life in our own boundaries. But the people we love - move, they age, they change - we change. The things, the places, the people we love are not within our grasp, our vision… forever. It isn’t all sadness! There is more to come.


Prayer is the coin paid to Gratitude. ~Jessi Lane Adams


Our prayers should be for blessings in general, for God knows best what is good for us. ~Socrates


Be thankful that God's answers are wiser than your answers. ~William Culbertson


Prayer is exhaling the spirit of man and inhaling the spirit of God. ~Edwin Keith

 
As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools.


It is good for us to keep some account of our prayers, that we may not unsay them in our practice. ~Matthew Henry


Deep down in me I knowed it was a lie, and He knowed it. You can't pray a lie - I found that out. ~Mark Twain


And help us, this and every day, to live more nearly as we pray. ~John Keble

 
God can pick sense out of a confused prayer. ~Richard Sibbes


What we usually pray to God is not that His will be done, but that He approves ours. ~Helga Bergold Gross


Philippians 4:6-8 ~
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

I had the opportunity, today with someone facing real and profound circumstance - with great calm, to have this post brought up to me in conversation - which makes you feel - pretty blessed to have this quoted back to you. Edward and I had this conversation.

Seeing this man taking each day with peace, with determination to enjoy the day, to do the best with what is given to him, to have honest conversations about emotions and events surrounding his  circumstance.  And the next part of the conversation was about fatalism - is God so in love with His Plan - His Book of Life - that our prayers change His plans???

Matthew 5
Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the humble and gentle, for they will inherit the earth.
{I saw a new Heaven and a new earth.}




Fatalism - God just does what He is going to do. We are forgetting the eyewitnesses of Jesus. Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee 3 times 13 miles - 21 KM. Jesus was from time to time met at the shore by the person He was coming to visit. An unexpected visit for the beloved of God - about to see and know the Love of God in healing.

God has a purpose for our lives. Faith is - we are not just cog 083034805805t8pdipig-g9. God writes us Life is a Test. Jesus tells us when we are calm with His purpose - we are going to find more Joy. Because God interweaves all things for good. Believing God is working today, Jesus told us this.  God approves of us finding the day sufficient. Finding the blessings in that day.


Psalm 118 was a Psalm even Queen Elizabeth rested upon as she faced death in the Tower of London as an innocent teenager.

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
2 Let Israel say: "His love endures forever."
3 Let the house of Aaron say: "His love endures forever."
4 Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever."
5 In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free.
6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.

She suffered from terrible migraines and the people who cared for her were always in great concern. And God found a path for her to fulfill her purpose. Brave people are remembered for their bravery.

Jeremiah found an essential ingredient to the Wisdom of God - far above us. Jeremiah was surrounded by a nation being carried off into slavery - Jeremiah was telling them in the middle of these days - step by step what would happen next. And these events that were frightening and overwhelming - were part of God's Plan. And what carried Jeremiah through this???

God spoke this to His  people  listening to the voice of God -

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Psalm 29
And in his temple all cry, "Glory!"
10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

We are all headed toward the same goal - God. Because of Jesus and what He brought us - Father God. God is Love.

Isaiah 40:9
You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your God!"

Jesus said we are all headed to Paradise. In Joel, in Romans, in the Book of Revelation - all will stand before Jesus.

I can only imagine what it will be like

When I walk by your side

I can only imagine what my eyes will see

When your face is before me

I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory

What will my heart feel

Will I dance for your Jesus

Or in awe of you be still

Will I stand in your presence

Or to my knees will I fall

Will I sing hallelujah

Will I be able to speak at all

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine when that day comes

And I find myself standing in the Son

I can only imagine when all I will do

Is forever, forever worship you

I can only imagine, yeah

I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory

What will my heart feel

Come now Font of Every Blessing. Lord Jesus Christ.

What will we encounter when we find ourselves in front of the Living God?

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

 

James 2:13

 Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Matthew 6:33

The kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you

Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits!

Forgives all your iniquity

Heals all your diseases

Redeems your life

Crowns you with 
steadfast love and mercy

Satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's

Hebrews 4:16

Let us then with confidence draw near to the Throne of Grace, 

that we may receive mercy

 and find grace to help in time of need.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Matthew 7 ~ The narrow gate

Matthew 7

“Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”


28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.


The Scripture has one portion to start the whole 7th Chapter of Matthew's Gospel.

The Narrow Gate.  Relationship is the Key answer.


The Gate opens when we say "Jesus is Lord" and believe in our hearts.
We have opened up our soul to have the Lord God Almighty, Ancient of Days, Creator of All Things to dwell in us with Love. Jesus is God.

The first stage of my soul being open to God's Love was to realize - we are on different paths in the Body of Christ. As a teenager,  I took this very judgmentally. Really if I'd been listening with Love, I'd have found a Scripture verse that says

1 Corinthians 4:15
Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

What this verse is saying to a new teenage Christian believer is this - Look To God Our Father as your Gospel.

How do we deal with - don't be judgmental and not throw our pearls before dogs?
Carefully. And it is telling us in the Spirit of Truth - we don't owe everyone an answer. It can be turned into gossip.

Jesus is telling us the path to God is a narrow gate.
We are not looking for worldly approval. It's not always a good thing. And not seeking to be a rebel without a cause or create a stir to gain attention. Jesus didn't find that life was a smooth path. Neither did any of the apostles or anyone we know.

1 Corinthians 2:11
For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? No one can know the thoughts of God except God's Spirit.

A narrow gate is where you place yourself as you actually are before Father God. When we uncircle who we are to reveal to Him ourselves - He fully knows anyway - we are creating paths of honesty to God that create renewal and regeneration. We disclose to God when we feel like the movie "Nemo" - mine, mine, mine, mine.

We really are not looking for human praise - the praise of God is far more enduring than seasonal fruit even of Love, Joy, Peace. We seek God first. 

If I feel selfish and hide something away, I am not giving the ones who know me best the opportunity to bless or affirm me. This might well be a path that God affirms for me. And has always been His Plan. Recently, I told loved ones - I have an idea - and received blessings for that. It's a plan I've been in conversation with with God. And it's private in nature. Jesus healed a lot by calling people to a private time with only the two of them.

Seeking the narrow gate, seeking Jesus, is going to lead us to 12 more open gates. The timing is God's - which is another way to say God answers our prayers. Yes. No. Later. But all prayer is answered. Long term Christians - really do bounce - because they have learned - that life is full of circumstances - and we want to do unto others because - this could be us next. And That Mercy is Learned.

The Narrow Gate - where we sit and renew our soul to Jesus. Is going to take us further than the good seasons of good Spiritual fruit. We all can love Jesus as He calms the storm. But we all know the wild winds of life will sometimes howl. We have to be more than Seasonal Love, Joy, Peace, Patience. And tell Jesus how we really are. To avoid becoming false to Jesus. Hoping HE will count the good years. Like the Christian song says, "To praise Him in the storm." We will build our relationship to Jesus knowing God is God and we are His Beloved. Jesus is renewing us.

Psalm 126

1 When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.
6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.


Jude grew up all his formative years with Jesus as his brother. He believed firmly in Jesus as Lord and Heaven is the Kingdom of God. Jude knew Jesus had spoken of hell. Jude's comments on Heaven are very profound... let us look at what Jude learned from Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves†

To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:
May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
Common salvation - Contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
Our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
The archangel Michael did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.”

You must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.”

Beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

Have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire.

To others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.


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Mark 6:14- 56 ~ the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word

Mark 6:14-56

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 17 For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” 23 And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison 28 and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 

31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 

33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 

37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.”  

And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 

38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”

 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 

42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.

47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him 55 and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. 
And as many as touched it were made well.

Psalm 131
1 My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.

The Scripture passage of Mark 6 has a lot of Jesus' personality. Tenderly, Jesus reacts to his cousin's death. With privacy. With prayer. With healing of all who would come to Jesus and reach even to the fringe of his garment.

Jesus does not turn away from His ministry - even when pressed. Jesus is filled with human emotions and still does the task God would give Him.

Revelation 10

1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars.2 He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke.

4 And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down."

5 Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. 6 And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay!

7 But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."

8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: "Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land."

9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey."

10 I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.
11 Then I was told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings."

Jesus met life in critical ways.
Being God, He reacted wisely, with emotions we will all experience.
And He did not despair. Using His days wisely.

Jesus was with God in Creation. Creating all things.

One of the ways, Jesus is God. Jesus fully knew John the Baptist was in Heaven by the time Jesus was brought the news.

Jesus could indeed fully understand what John the Baptist was now living as his earthly life was gone and John had been newly placed in Heaven.

Jesus is the exact nature of God. Fully able to understand all of our emotions. Being in the boat with us. Not passing us by. And perfect comfort because Jesus is not part of something too large for God. Jesus sees fully the complete circle of the life of John the Baptist. He is not mourning John being gone forever - lost. Jesus is mourning the fact John suffered at the end of his days left to him. John had moments wondering if John was sufficient and died in full accomplishment of God's purpose - not mistaken and wrong. John spoke of his questions about his own purpose - addressing them to Jesus, correctly. Jesus was sorry John had spent time wondering.

Jesus displays God's aspects - John displays mankind's aspects. 
Jesus perfectly tells us in God's exact nature - Emmanuel - Jesus is with us.

Jesus did not share John's wonder about the purpose of John's life. Jesus understood John had made fast God's plan for John. Jesus was in mourning for John feeling fear and needing His comfort.

Jesus fully saw John's full circle arrival into God's Glory - as Revelation describes.
Jesus knew that John had been in the place of Elijah. Jesus loved John and created a memorial of John feeding five thousand. And letting those earnestly seeking Him be healed. Just as John the Baptist was healed that day.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Thessalonians 4:16

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

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1 Corinthians 2 ~ What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him

1 Corinthians 2

And I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—

These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.
 For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 

For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him?  So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.


We believe Jesus is Lord. These photos of Christian events don't alarm us.

The events would cause our hearts to be warm for years as we recall this.

Believers believe. I doubt the showing of God's messengers really changes lives. Even though to have participated, would be wonderful.

What changes lives?

The Power of God.

Our soul telling us of what God brings forth in our lives as fruit.

We understand what God has brought forth in us and He teaches us again.

The mind of the Lord is good - He is good to us as we learn and re-learn.

God is a Good Shepherd.

Pharoah dreamed the same dream for a year. Gideon's parents were sent the Angel called Wonderful twice. Israel has been destroyed and raised up. God does amazing things.

Isaiah 44
26 Confirming the word of His servant And performing the purpose of His messengers. It is I who says of Jerusalem, 'She shall be inhabited!' And of the cities of Judah, 'They shall be built.' And I will raise up her ruins again.

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.

Philippians 1
5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Nehemiah 9:6

 You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.

Deuteronomy 32:4

The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

Revelation 21

And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." 5 And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."

Deuteronomy 10:17

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God

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Psalm 108 ~ With God we shall do valiantly

Psalm 108

My heart is steadfast, O God!

I will sing and make melody with all my being!

2 Awake, O harp and lyre!

I will awake the dawn!

3 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;

I will sing praises to you among the nations.

4 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;

your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

Let your glory be over all the earth!

6 That your beloved ones may be delivered,

give salvation by your right hand and answer me!

7 God has promised in his holiness:

“With exultation I will divide up Shechem

and portion out the Valley of Succoth.

8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;

Ephraim is my helmet,

Judah my scepter.

9 Moab is my washbasin;

upon Edom I cast my shoe;

over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

10 Who will bring me to the fortified city?

Who will lead me to Edom?

11 Have you not rejected us, O God?

You do not go out, O God, with our armies.

12 Oh grant us help against the foe,

for vain is the salvation of man!

13 With God we shall do valiantly;

it is he who will tread down our foes.


We all wake up differently. I am far less talkative in the morning. What I have found is that sometime in the morning - I truly feel like saying, "Thank You, Father God, I am here today."

Enemies - we all have those who dislike us. We even create our own problems. God will strengthen us to do our lives following His Plan.

We need to be awake and alert for Him. To have that time when God is telling us His mercies renew - are recognized. Psalm 138 says God gives us strength.  We need to lean into that moment when God is renewing our souls.  God is making us sufficient for the day - for His purposes.

God's earth, created at His Word, sometimes called the Big Bang Theory, creating a system on our earth of rain, becoming water, washing into the ocean, and becoming humidity and storms creating the cycle again. The Spirit renewing us as we rely upon HIM. His Sky Reflecting His Glory.

God give us a system each day. In genuine comfort. Systems exist even if we are unaware, like natural systems that are apparently chaos. And actually are complex systems. Creating emerging behaviors. We can be unaware of our own patterns. Renewal is a Wind and repeat pattern of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer journals and even old prayer request cards show us God is Working. We need to be diligent with even texts of Joy in our own lives - repeat patterns and moments of Joy - can easily be forgotten. Our patterns can confirm our own repeat thoughts or we can look for new Wind in the Holy Spirit.

Ending our day knowing we have been in conversation with Father God. Asking Him to renew us with encouragement, strength and new thoughts as the day closes. Giving thanks that in Father God - He found our day sufficient and pleasing to Him.

God would never comfort us with a lie. God is Truth, Love, Joy, Peace, Mercy, Strength in His Righteousness. God is where we will place our faith, hope, trust, Joy and Love. God's promises are for us as we seek Father God. Jesus is the exact nature of our Creator, Father, Greatest Love, Greatest Power to Do His Will.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 37:39

The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in time of trouble.

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Psalm 33 ~ Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.

Psalm 33

1 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous. Praise befits the upright. 2 Praise the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings. 3 Sing to him a new song; play skilfully on the strings, with loud shouts. 4 For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. 5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.


6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle; he put the deeps in storehouses.

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

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

13 The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all humankind. 14 From where he sits enthroned he watches all the inhabitants of the earth— 15 he who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds. 16 A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 17 The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save.


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


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


Today,in Georgia and Alabama as we rode along, the sunset wasn't recoded well on my phone. But the sky was identical to yesterday's photo of the sunset in early spring. God uses these messages to say, "Know I am here in your lives. Know I Love You. Know and Believe I am true, that faith, hope and Love are the best of life. All of My Promises are for you and real."

Peace. We want to have this oasis of joy. God tells us to cheer up. This Life is guaranteed to have troubles. Jesus will solve, cover, destroy, finish, recreate situations for us to learn. No. Jesus says He will overcome. With the Heavens proclaiming the Glory of God -
I'd say - God is indeed correct, again.

God says His fruit is Peace, well yes, but Love is first and Joy. Finding this in the midst of the push and pull of life. Sometimes we put up with situations with an enforced sense of calm - to give Love. Then we let that Love as an action begin to plant the seeds of Joy and Patience. With the balance being - let Love be genuine.

Jesus is pronounced very similarily to Joshua. A compliment to Joshua for discovering the Balance of God's Work in our lives - daily.

To wake and ask God - please be part of my heart today. To say in effect - let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing and acceptable to You. Oh Lord, my rock and redeemer.


To be very aware when the mercies of Father God renew each day - to tell ourselves even by text - what is exciting about today. The wonder of the Wind of Life picking up. God says if we earnestly seek Him - we will discover this Presence of God. Even as you pray for the ill and the needy you see in stores and airports. God is a bringer of hope and healing. God does not lie. He is bringing Salvation to the World through Jesus Christ. Believe this - God says the work of mankind is to believe Him.

How will we do this - God is our help - we ask Him to do this with us.

God bless us all. He can do this in Jesus Christ, He Is God. Amen!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves +

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Joel 2:18-29 ~ Be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things!

Joel 2:18-29

18 Then the Lord became jealous for his land
and had pity on his people.
19 The Lord answered and said to his people,
“Behold, I am sending to you
grain, wine, and oil,
and you will be satisfied;
and I will no more make you
a reproach among the nations.

20 “I will remove the northerner far from you,
and drive him into a parched and desolate land,
his vanguard [face] into the eastern sea,
and his rear guard [his end] into the western sea;
the stench and foul smell of him will rise,
for he has done great things.

21 “Fear not, O land;
be glad and rejoice,
for the Lord has done great things!
22 Fear not, you beasts of the field,
for the pastures of the wilderness are green;
the tree bears its fruit;
the fig tree and vine give their full yield.

23 “Be glad, O children of Zion,
and rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given the early rain for your vindication;
he has poured down for you abundant rain,
the early and the latter rain, as before.

24 “The threshing floors shall be full of grain;
the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
25 I will restore to you the years
that the swarming locust has eaten,
the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter,
my great army, which I sent among you.

26 “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
and praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has dealt wondrously with you.
And my people shall never again be put to shame.
27 You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,
and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else.
And my people shall never again be put to shame.

28 “And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.
29 Even on the male and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit.

Blessings. Miracles. Answered Prayer. The great things of the Lord involve Mercy from our Father. When the people, God rescued from slavery, cried out for a king, God did not withdraw His support from them. In the same way - Jesus did not let Peter sink in the water. Jesus could have let Peter suffer... just a bit. He didn't.

Matthew 14:31
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Immediately - sin was pushed aside. Sin removed and God let His blessing flow.

John 6:28-29
28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

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

Hannah proclaimed after a wonderful work of the Lord:

1 Samuel 2:2
2 “There is no one holy like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10
9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

1 Kings 15:4
Nevertheless, for David’s sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and by making Jerusalem strong.

1 Chronicles 17:27
Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, LORD, have blessed it, and it will be blessed
forever.

O LORD, You are God! You have promised these good things to your servants. For You make us most blessed forever; You make us glad with the joy of Your presence. You give and thankfulness lives in us with Your Spirit. In thanksgiving, we say - Amen! Praise be to You, Lord Jesus Christ.Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves ♰

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Isaiah 51:9-11 ~ Everlasting joy: attain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing will flee away

Isaiah 51:9-11

“Awake! Awake! Clothe yourself with strength,
you arm of the Lord!
Awake, as in days gone by,
as in generations of long ago.
as it not you who split apart Rehab,
who pierced that sea monster through?

Was it not you who dried up the sea,
the waters of the great deep,
who made a road in the depths of the sea
so that the redeemed could cross over?”

“The scattered ones of the Lord will return,
and they will enter Zion with singing.
Everlasting joy will be upon their heads;
they will attain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away."

John 6:35
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."

John 6:40
For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

Ephesians 1:23
The fulness of Him that filleth all in all.

Joel, in the Power of the Holy Spirit, said we will all see Him. Paul also wrote of this Glory. John tells us all people will see Jesus.

Revelation 1:7
Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves ♰

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Easter 2015 Two Millenniums are Less than a Day to God