Psalm 134 ~ Thank You Father God!

Psalm 134

1 Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
2 Lift up your hands to the holy place
and bless the Lord!

3 May the Lord bless you from Zion,
he who made heaven and earth!

 Recall with me... Stephen.

“When good men die, it is not death, but sleep.” —Callimachus

Matthew Henry says this about Stephen's death:
He fell asleep; he died; his death being thus expressed, in that,

1. He died quietly, as one fallen into a sleep.

2. Because of his certain hope of the resurrection.

3. As easily to be raised again by Christ, as one that sleeps is to be awaked by us.

4. It is an ordinary Hebraism to express death by sleep; which made St. Luke use it amongst them, with whom it was frequently thus expressed.





Acts 7

54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 

But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 

57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 

59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.


1 Thessalonians 4:13-16
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus,
God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 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.




Paul says in the Holy Spirit -  some go directly to Jesus.

 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Behold! I tell you a mystery. 

We shall not all sleep,
but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.


How will we know if we sleep or rise immediately -
Zechariah was told:

Luke 1:19
And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news."

And Mary was never told Gabriel was Gabriel. And yet - she knew.

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth


How will we know if we sleep or rise immediately - we will know what we know we know.


Acts 20:32
Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Psalms 5:11
Let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Isaiah 27:5
Let them come to me for refuge; let them make peace with me, yes, let them make peace with me.

Psalms 97:11
Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.



Father God, we open our being to You. Flood us with the warmth of Your Love. And in that Love we are led to better ourselves to please You. And Bless those around us. 

We ask for this blessing for ourselves, the ones we Love, the people You give us, spreading out to the Nation to Trust in You. In Jesus The Lord. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Matthew 12:1-8 ~ read what David did

Matthew 12:1-8

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. ² But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” ³ He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: ⁴ how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? ⁵ Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? ⁶ I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. ⁷ And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. ⁸ For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Wonders and symbols. Like the shape of heart. For many years people thought, maybe until Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simon's dissections this was the shape of a human heart. And now we know it is the shape of a pig heart? Nope, not evan that. And we've known it collectively for about 700 years. And yet it has Such Appeal. What if we are responding in wonder to the shape of our souls? We cannot know this. But our soul is all we have that we carry into eternity. And even to believe in eternity we have to Believe in Jesus Christ.

God tells us something in Matthew 12 about the Grace of God. David built Israel up. Yet God placed David in Bethlehem to grow up - quietly. The youngest of 8 sons, not even called when Samuel showed up to and asked to see all of the children. David relied upon the LORD to be merciful to him and he relied upon HIM best in need. 

Ephesians 6:4
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” 

David trusted God when trouble arrived. He trusted the LORD was not merely provoking him, making provision instead.  Aaron's sons died when they did not sacrifice to the Lord correctly. The difference,  David trusted God, David expected God - delights - in doing Good. David knew God would push good forward in all ways possible. And God gave him leeway.  Why? It was Love. 

Yet when God did punish David, it was for acting without Love. 

Micah 7

Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity
and passing over transgression
for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not retain his anger forever,
because he delights in steadfast love.
19 He will again have compassion on us;
he will tread our iniquities underfoot.
You will cast all our sins
into the depths of the sea.
20 You will show faithfulness to Jacob
and steadfast love to Abraham,
as you have sworn to our fathers
from the days of old.

What was David - the builder of his relationship with God.  He built with so much trust. He built himself. His father's family. His city. His nation. And sacrificed his family. Because he was flawed. Yet God redeemed that.

Titus 1:1-15
To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

Titus 1:7-9
For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Romans 3:22-29
the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

And how shall we know.

Micah 6:8

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God. 

John 15:22
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you

One of my favorite portions in the Bible is the one leper who turned back to give thanks to Jesus. Deciding there was a reason to go back and thank this MAN who had healed him. His life was amazingly changed. His name is not recorded - yet for 2 millenniums Christians have rejoiced with this healed man. Today I was so touched to wonder why we know Mark 10:46-52 - Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight - How we know the name of Bartimaeus. Because he put his life on hold and he followed Jesus. He just started to follow Jesus the minute he could see. I was thrilled for our Jesus. The Lord! The Lord! The Lord! Jesus.


Father God, help this Nation, our loved ones, the people you give us - to delight in Bartimaeus. Who knew where all his goodness sprang from and knew without doubt - Father God delights in doing good. Help us to keep the Joy of You ever present and in our times of doubt and despair - trust in You in what is unseen - to receive Your blessings in endurance of Hope, Faith and Love. We give our cares up to You. In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 44 ~ Awake

Psalm 44

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

4 You are my King, O God;
ordain salvation for Jacob!
5 Through you we push down our foes;
through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.
6 For not in my bow do I trust,
nor can my sword save me.
7 But you have saved us from our foes
and have put to shame those who hate us.
8 In God we have boasted continually,
and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah

9 But you have rejected us and disgraced us
and have not gone out with our armies.
10 You have made us turn back from the foe,
and those who hate us have gotten spoil.
11 You have made us like sheep for slaughter
and have scattered us among the nations.
12 You have sold your people for a trifle,
demanding no high price for them.
13 You have made us the taunt of our neighbors,
the derision and scorn of those around us.
14 You have made us a byword among the nations,
a laughingstock among the peoples.
15 All day long my disgrace is before me,
and shame has covered my face
16 at the sound of the taunter and reviler,
at the sight of the enemy and the avenger.

17 All this has come upon us,
though we have not forgotten you,
and we have not been false to your covenant.

18 Our heart has not turned back,
nor have our steps departed from your way;
19 yet you have broken us in the place of jackals
and covered us with the shadow of death.
20 If we had forgotten the name of our God
or spread out our hands to a foreign god,
21 would not God discover this?

For he knows the secrets of the heart.
22 Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.

23 Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord?
Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!
24 Why do you hide your face?
Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?
25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust;
our belly clings to the ground.
26 Rise up; come to our help!
Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!

Roman Solider Sandals

A whole lot of violence and tension in all kingdoms - in all lives.

What is enduring? Love. The violence passes away. The lesson of Hope, Faith and Love remains.


Who actually are the writers of Psalm 44, with the Holy Spirit - from the Levitical clan, this Psalm was written by the Sons of Korah. Remember Asaph? What was Asaph's job during the reign of King David? He was chief in offering praise to God in music. He is Biblically recorded as being a chief musician and seer, or prophet.

Temple Curtain

Imagine... those men of the Bible encouraged the arts.
These ancient believers lived believing in gratitude towards Father God. Asaph, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote Psalm 50 and 73-83. So very different from popular culture in viewing Biblical patriarchs.

However, this Psalm is one the Holy Spirit allows complaining about the absence of God. Why would the honored Temple musicians and David's brother's children, who are - grandsons of Asaph - complain God is absent? They also held the honored public post of Gatekeeper to David's city. We are supposed to wonder. What is your answer?  Enduring. Suffering and Overcoming. Finding Gratitude and Hope.

1 Chronicles 16:5
Asaph was the chief, and next to him in rank were Zechariah, then Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals,

1 Chronicles 16:7
That day David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the LORD in this manner

Twelve Psalms are written by the Sons of Korah with the Holy Spirit. The grandchildren of Asaph, one of the chief musicians.

1 Chronicles 26

¹ The divisions of the gatekeepers:

From the Korahites: Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph.

² Meshelemiah had sons:
Zechariah the firstborn,
Jediael the second,
Zebadiah the third,
Jathniel the fourth,
³ Elam the fifth,
Jehohanan the sixth
and Eliehoenai the seventh.

Asaph and his children blazed a path.
David saw them doing so. David understood the way his people needed to be treated. Asaph was the grandson of the prophet Samuel, but Asaph is not recorded as living with David as a political outlaw in caves. David forgave a lot of men for not following him during the dark hours.

David did not treat the men who joined him, only in victory, as sheep for the slaughter.

Nor did they whitewash the difficulties of life. By being real and recording realities - we can seek the Psalms in times of Trouble and see that God steps in! Endurance and not being weary in good works - has a reward.
The deep, millenniums deep belief - Good Will Be Ahead in Jesus Christ the Lord!




Father God, thank You that You do not sleep as Baal did when Elijah taunted Baal. 

With You, we trust in You to ordain salvation. You are the creator. You plant. You delight in the giving victory. David rested in You, in faith, when the days were filled with affliction and oppression.

 We wait upon You being the hearer of our prayers and the hope for our days. When circumstance defines our lives and we feel frustrated, help us to look to You in faith to either create change or perseverance in love in our characters. 

We pray for the Comfort and Love in those we Love and for the People Jesus has given us. For our Nation to be built up in our Trust. And for the red tides to be healed in Texas. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Hebrews 2 ~ Such a Great Salvation

Jezreel Valley, Israel

Hebrews 2

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

 It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.


5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere,

“What is man, that you are mindful of him,
or the son of man, that you care for him?
You made him for a little while lower than the angels;
you have crowned him with glory and honor,
putting everything in subjection under his feet.”

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. 

At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying,

“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

13 And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”

And again,

“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,  and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but
he helps the offspring of Abraham. 

17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 

18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

If Father God did not test us, we would not grow.

Keeping our eyes on the Cross keeps us centered.

Such a Great Salvation
I will not neglect my salvation. I will never forget my Father God.

I will go through my life with my Father God. With the Strength of Jesus Christ the Lord.

Psalm 23
A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

This 23rd Psalm is the Journey.
The Lord is my Shepherd. Not other people and their thoughts.

The journey is Personal. The Relationship is clearly trustworthy. The Relationship is faith.

Eyes on Jesus. Faith on Jesus.

I will not neglect my salvation. I will never forget my Father God.


Father God,
Cover us in all weathers and all seasons, that we will grow in Hope, Faith and Love.
In Your Goodness, Righteousness and Mercy. We will rejoice as we see prayers answered.
Knowing with gratitude, these Gifts come from Your Love. Thank You, Father God and Your Son, Jesus.

We are still praying for rain in Texas and for the red tide to be healed, Father.

We give all our cares to You and say Your Will is Good for our lives. 
We trust in You and fling ourselves, 
the ones we love, 
the people You give us 
and this Nation in Your Goodness. Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Matthew 9:35-10:1 ~ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.

Matthew 9:35-10:1

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

10 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction


We all are in the same direction - we are ascending to Jesus Christ the Lord!

Father God says we all have good works created for our gifts and talents.

Collectively we have virtues - we love our children and we want to be effective!

Let's think on being Very Effective for Jesus Christ and having His blessings equip our lives in Amazing Wonders of His Love.

When our Hero Jesus calls us "Friend", we know we want to help Our Shepherd! And invite every blessing of His in every aspect of our lives.

Jesus Himself joins us in prayer and prays with us: Hebrews 13:21
May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

Life is a lot like the Movies "The Matrix" collides with "Mame". There Is No Spoon and Life Is a Banquet.
The 12 Gates of Heaven are Open - God has those Gates open for us. Jesus said, The Kingdom of Heaven Is At Hand.  When we are cultivating Fruit we are working towards "Joy, Peace, Love, Goodness."

How will we prosper in Father God?

If we are bringing forth the Son of God, we should lead by example of our lives.

Are we encouragers? Jesus convinces us. Paul writes again and again and again and again and again of how much he loves his flock.

Ripe for prayer? The Early Church swept in. SWEPT IN LIKE A WIND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Prayer was Needed!





This is how we tell the Kingdom of God is at hand:

James 5:16
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Isaiah 35:5
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall hear.


Look through the Leaves to Get Light on the Good Fruit of Others.

Jesus is Proclaiming - Loudly - Pray It Like You Mean It!!!

And when we get together and pray - we are so privileged and grateful
to participate in a room where God has placed us - The Kingdom of Heaven - the always open and His Throne - is - at hand.

A GRATEFUL SPIRIT TOWARDS GOD AND HIS ACTIVE PLAN IN OUR LIVES.
GOD IS A SOVEREIGN AND LIVING, GOOD GOD.

How will we look at God's Word and Effectively Apply what we read to our specific lives, our specific path and draw all we need for the Fruit of God to bloom and grow and create Joy, Peace, Love, Patience, Goodness?

How will take Christian radio and apply this? How will we listen to the Sermons, the small groups and draw the Goodness of God into all of our lives?

We must do something Jesus told us about.
Not memorize the Scripture for our 'knowledge' - to be in God's Word to understand who God is and His attitudes and His work in Your Specific Life. God fills the Universe - what He does with Sam Stone is not what HE is going to do with you. You will find your areas of comfort, comfort, comfort. The Holy Spirit IS A COMFORTER.

Satan will accuse us of our failures and leave us there. Jesus is Father God running to you - as you get on His Path. Jesus is the Encourager. Jesus is the Strengthener. Jesus is the Builder. Jesus is the Goodness of God made manifest. Jesus is even indignant when we ask Him, "Are you willing?" Jesus replies, Kindly, Strongly, Affirmatively in indignation, "I AM WILLING."






Father God willingly has so much HE Desires and Delights to show us, but we must be willing to look into his Word with open eyes. 

Ask the right questions for your life and your circumstance. God has not lost your address - He knows all your numbers. Stay in the facts of God's Word given. This is the PATH and the Nature of God Himself.

Once you have full understanding to the Height, width, broadness of God's Love - The deeper you dig, the more gold you’ll find. The Truth Will Set You Free in God's Meaningful Word.

Write down your important observations. This is your heart to Father God and His answers.

ALWAYS ASK GOD FOR HELP FROM THE PEOPLE HE HAS GIVEN YOU.


Talk It Over - where you share life. With Godly, Godly, Godly people.

PRAY!

Eat together, bless the time and the people given. Give thanks! Nurture one another.

Deal gently, generously, kindly together.


Ask the simple questions, always ask the simple questions. Start there.
Now ask why this interests you.
What do you feel? Ask Father God to help you. Feelings are ALL OVER THE BIBLE. This is the Go To In Honesty Place.

OK we know what Jesus did and how He RESPONDS. How does this fit into Today. What possible event in the Bible Relates? The Bible is COMPLICATED and Messy and Helps.

How would you explain your answer to a non-Christian friend or neighbor?

Start an argument? Discuss freely. This is Truth. Agreeing with each other, and with every word can be pretty boring. In real earnest agreement - well then - WE DELIGHT TOGETHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

Do you really agree? Why? If we Confront Our Disbelief - We Grow.
We are too ready to conform and be polite - GIVE WITNESS TO THIS AND FIND THE ANSWERS.

Make sure the rubber hits the road. Effective Growth. Involves works that are good when we have this opportunity presented and in our daily lives. We can never re-earn our Salvation - this is Thanksgiving.

Encourage each other in Father God.

How will we effectively see our prayers answered?

1. Gratitude for Father God's goodness.

2. Gratitude God covers us with His Goodness.

3. His Kingdom is truly at hand, you have Your Father's attention. This Scriptural Power says you have His blessings to bring more Heaven to earth - to your life.

4. Believing all good and needed gifts are from Father God and He will continue to provide.

5. Being completely honest with God in our areas - we are not good in. Sin. Flaws.

6. And in dealing with others, agree that sometimes after forgiveness not to live rent free in our lives, thoughts and troubles - give cheek to forgive, understand, move forward with a laugh with compassion and/or walk away. Remind yourself - this is a child of Father God's.(Compassion for Father God!)

7. Temptation - circumstance, and in today's world - taking the Word of God to bring you Up, not to comfort you in being stagnant.

8. Protection and in Wisdom - Going where Jesus would go - in safety.

9. The purpose of Study of God's Word and Prayer - is His Glory and His Kingdom - where we dwell in Joy! Because our Father delights. He Delights. In Giving us - His Kingdom.

10. Saying the name of this Love - with Joy - Jesus the Lord.
Jesus The Lord.
Jesus The Lord !!!

Father God, In Jesus the LORD, 
We would delight to Be in You Always and in Eternity. We pray for the ones we love AND the people You have giving us - for this Love. For this Nation and the World. 

Help us when we have God Opportunities - to please You. We ask You to guide, bless and protect us in creating God Opportunities.

You call us Good as Your Creation. We join the waiting of Creation, having You direct, guide and lead us in Your Blessings in Hope, Patience and Diligence.

We lift up the ongoing weeks of red tide along Padre Island and Texas beaches near Corpus Christi.  We ask Father God to send rain and a swift new current of clear water.  We ask Healing of the exteme toxicity for the fish and the water and people depending on the tourism and fish for a living. 

Our hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through Your Holy Spirit - given to us. Amen and Amen in Jesus!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

1 Samuel 9 ~ Behold

If you want directions to the Prophet Samuel 's the site of his 1100 B.C.house or tomb, the Prophet who anointed David and Saul, you would need to read the directions in the Bible to find this - Today.. One of the biblical proof''s would be Judas Maccabeus, in 167 B.C., honored the site as Samuel's tomb. In 1 Samuel 25, Samuel was buried at his house in Ramah. Today Nebi Samuel and the surrounding archeological excavations are now part of a National Park. Samuel's house was also where Saul went to meet him for the first time.

1 Samuel 9

There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth. 2 And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.

3 Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. So Kish said to Saul his son, “Take one of the young men with you, and arise, go and look for the donkeys.” 4 And he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. And they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they passed through the land of Benjamin, but did not find them.

5 When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, let us go back, lest my father cease to care about the donkeys and become anxious about us.” 

 6 But he said to him, “Behold, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor; all that he says comes true. So now let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us the way we should go.”

7 Then Saul said to his servant, “But if we go, what can we bring the man? For the bread in our sacks is gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?” 

8 The servant answered Saul again, “Here, I have with me a quarter of a shekel of silver, and I will give it to the man of God to tell us our way.” 9 (Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, “Come, let us go to the seer,” for today's “prophet” was formerly called a seer.)

 10 And Saul said to his servant, “Well said; come, let us go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was.

11 As they went up the hill to the city, they met young women coming out to draw water and said to them, “Is the seer here?” 

12 They answered, “He is; behold, he is just ahead of you. Hurry. He has come just now to the city, because the people have a sacrifice today on the high place. 13 As soon as you enter the city you will find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat. For the people will not eat till he comes, since he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those who are invited will eat. Now go up, for you will meet him immediately.” 

14 So they went up to the city. As they were entering the city, they saw Samuel coming out toward them on his way up to the high place.

15 Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed to Samuel: 16 “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have seen my people, because their cry has come to me.” 

17 When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall restrain my people.” 

18 Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate and said, “Tell me where is the house of the seer?”

19 Samuel answered Saul, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for today you shall eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is on your mind. 20 As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father's house?” 

21 Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?”

22 Then Samuel took Saul and his young man and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, who were about thirty persons. 23 And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Put it aside.’” 

24 So the cook took up the leg and what was on it and set them before Saul. And Samuel said, “See, what was kept is set before you. Eat, because it was kept for you until the hour appointed, that you might eat with the guests.”

So Saul ate with Samuel that day. 25 And when they came down from the high place into the city, a bed was spread for Saul [and he spoke with Saul] on the roof, and he lay down to sleep. 26 Then at the break of dawn Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Up, that I may send you on your way.” So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went out into the street.

27 As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to pass on before us, and when he has passed on, stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God.”

Behold ! This is a word we don't hear enough. The ability not just to hear & see, but to observe and reason!

Life moves faster and faster. My oldest son was fortunate to go to a very privileged school when he was young; we routinely received school messages from the principal, or the priest, or guidance counselor saying it is wonderful to have all types of lessons & athletic competitions, but every child really learns from having time to themselves. We need to have time to discover for ourselves our...soul.

When you read this passage of Saul do you rush through it because Saul didn't turn out to fulfill his potential? Handsome, wealthy, tall, considerate of his father, polite, diligent for the needs of his family, faithful and humble. I really had forgotten Saul had so many blessings.

Proverbs 14:10
The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.

Of all Saul's attributes, the most important, Saul understands to seek direction from God. By Samuel 15 (notice the Scriptures do not have a book of Saul) the Lord is replacing Saul, Saul transferred his respect for God to the ability to make fast decisions for himself. Saul began to honor all of his own decisions as wise.


We may rush through the Biblical chapters of Saul, but even Samuel cared for Saul and mourned his trouble. Saul may have made a hash of it all, even murdering the priests for doing God's will. At the end of Saul's life, Samuel tells Saul he will be with him.

God knew and saw all of Saul's life; as we would recall a movie we have already seen. Saul did not do well all of his days, yet the Lord lived with Saul in Saul's heart, knowing his joy and his bitterness. The Lord loved Saul and gave us his life as lesson to remember to seek the Lord and realize He is close to us, even when we feel invincible, or overwhelmed, un-blessed, and pressed for a decision.

How will we keep God's Holy Presence with us? Solomon wanted God and spent a lot of time in High Places, not the Temple asking God to speak with him. Saul too felt the need for God. Father God tells us He can be found doing His Will.


Matthew 28:20
Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
 And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Remember Samuel loved Saul and mourned him.

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another


The Bible is Living and Active.

This is a story for TODAY:
Saul is the story of loyalty. Saul was honored as king. Saul killed priests or the idea of holiness and holy decisions. Saul mocked his son and swore at him. The nation was not led by a well man. He had evil tempers and they were soothed by music and now he had chased away the one who soothed him.

Saul is a story that David, Israel, his sons stood by Saul and lived God's plan with him. Perhaps 1 Samuel 9 reminded them of where they started. And what was important in Saul.

This is a story of honoring, loyalty and God's Plan. We can substitute this name for the person we have loyalty and honor towards them, not whitewashing what is true. This is a complicated part of God and He gives us road maps of Bible Saints who are in difficult situations and challenges us to keep love (like Jonathon) in faith and hope and understand with gratitude Scriptures point out complications and honor. God gives us work just like David, Jonathon and Israel.




May the Lord Father God bless us and keep us as we entrust our cares to Him. May He make His Face shine upon us as we live trustfully and faithfully in Jesus.  May the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY LIFT HIS FACE and be Gracious to us and give us Peace. Telling us He blesses us as a blessing of Him, not what we deserve or earn. And may we have this Peace as we Believe His Word. In Jesus for us, the people we love, the people He gives us and this Nation. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 126 ~ Our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy

Psalm 126

A Song of Ascents.

1 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.

We are all ascending.
Just as the rain fills the creeks and they are tributaries to rivers and rivers to oceans.

Every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus is Lord.

Restoration is a wonderful thing.
And just as celebration occurs - my 2 year old Springer Spaniel is giving my grand-dog little cheek kisses with joy to have his friend return - just as celebration occurs - my Springer realized if I walk my granddog - he is going to miss out on a day of walking for the grand-dog's turn.

Even shouts of joy have the potential for weeping.

Just as we take our children, our balmy days, our spouses, our friends
as forgotten Blessings and great things of the Lord.

I am Profoundly Grateful for steam. Steam saved the lungs of my first born son, Cal. Jackie and Jack Kennedy were not as fortunate in the White House - due to timing. I am profoundly grateful for Cal being a preemie and having all kinds of preemie issues to causing the Neonatal ICU teach me infant CPR and having me pass this when I surely only wanted to go home. This saved the life of our second son while having pizza about the time of my second son's first birthday. Thank God we live in times of CPR.

I am profoundly grateful for Thyroid medication. 4 generations of my family - even unusually - the men - have suffered from thyroid and 2 generations died of Thyroid. Today this is merely a pill in my hand. With gratitude for this and no goiters!

I am Profoundly Grateful for cataract surgery. My grandmother and my great-grandfather both had early cataracts and had very severe coke bottle glasses. Today, after 6 years of fear and waiting for technology - I have read out of my eye again and now my brain must adapt to 2 eyes to see from. It's time for surgery when you don't know if that is an 18 wheeler or an elephant coming down the road.

I am Grateful to Father God for processes He has given me to strengthen my fervor to walk the Path His Words have given me.

Each day we have the mercies of God renew and we work to see God makes the day sufficient, sometimes we must work this.


I heard a true story of a nurse, Tricia, who married a man with an enlarged heart. As the years passed she carefully researched new technologies. Her husband grew worse and worse and could hardly walk. She knew the answer was 'no' to heart transplant at the time. And she knew that cutting and removing sections of the heart would not do well for him as a young man. 

One day she heard of new procedure very, very different. To put denatured alcohol into the heart, cause a heart attack and the muscle of the heart shrinks and dies. Tricia called the doctors for weeks to find what to do and what doctor to see to do this. After years she found a doctor willing to do this on her husband in his forties.  He had the operation and the pressure in his heart chambers is better than other men his age with no prior heart trouble.
Redemption.

 Redemption.One fine day, the sheaves will be golden.
Jesus will be there. Jesus, our Hero. Jesus at our hand. Jesus, in His hands, we will be.

Jesus is Lord! Jesus is Lord! Jesus is Lord! Be with us all and bless us, Father God!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †