Hebrews 9 ~ The first part compared with The Second Part showing the Bible is really, really old and not 400 A.D.

Hebrews 9 ~ The Message

^1-5 That first plan contained directions for worship, and a specially designed place of worship. A large outer tent was set up. The lampstand, the table, and "the bread of presence" were placed in it. This was called "the Holy Place." Then a curtain was stretched, and behind it a smaller, inside tent set up. This was called "the Holy of Holies." In it were placed the gold incense altar and the gold-covered ark of the covenant containing the gold urn of manna, Aaron's rod that budded, the covenant tablets, and the angel-wing-shadowed mercy seat. But we don't have time to comment on these now. (Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. English Standard Version)




^6-10 After this was set up, the priests went about their duties in the large tent. Only the high priest entered the smaller, inside tent, and then only once a year, offering a blood sacrifice for his own sins and the people's accumulated sins. This was the Holy Spirit's way of showing with a visible parable that as long as the large tent stands, people can't just walk in on God. Under this system, the gifts and sacrifices can't really get to the heart of the matter, can't assuage the conscience of the people, but are limited to matters of ritual and behavior. It's essentially a temporary arrangement until a complete overhaul could be made. 


^11-15 But when the Messiah arrived, high priest of the superior things of this new covenant, he bypassed the old tent and its trappings in this created world and went straight into heaven's "tent"—the true Holy Place—once and for all. He also bypassed the sacrifices consisting of goat and calf blood, instead using his own blood as the price to set us free once and for all. If that animal blood and the other rituals of purification were effective in cleaning up certain matters of our religion and behavior, think how much more the blood of Christ cleans up our whole lives, inside and out. Through the Spirit, Christ offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice, freeing us from all those dead-end efforts to make ourselves respectable, so that we can live all out for God.

 
^16-17 Like a will that takes effect when someone dies, the new covenant was put into action at Jesus' death. His death marked the transition from the old plan to the new one, canceling the old obligations and accompanying sins, and summoning the heirs to receive the eternal inheritance that was promised them. He brought together God and his people in this new way. 

^18-22 Even the first plan required a death to set it in motion. After Moses had read out all the terms of the plan of the law—God's "will"—he took the blood of sacrificed animals and, in a solemn ritual, sprinkled the document and the people who were its beneficiaries. And then he attested its validity with the words, "This is the blood of the covenant commanded by God." He did the same thing with the place of worship and its furniture. Moses said to the people, "This is the blood of the covenant God has established with you." Practically everything in a will hinges on a death. That's why blood, the evidence of death, is used so much in our tradition, especially regarding forgiveness of sins. 

^23-26 That accounts for the prominence of blood and death in all these secondary practices that point to the realities of heaven. It also accounts for why, when the real thing takes place, these animal sacrifices aren't needed anymore, having served their purpose. For Christ didn't enter the earthly version of the Holy Place; he entered the Place Itself, and offered himself to God as the sacrifice for our sins. He doesn't do this every year as the high priests did under the old plan with blood that was not their own; if that had been the case, he would have to sacrifice himself repeatedly throughout the course of history. But instead he sacrificed himself once and for all, summing up all the other sacrifices in this sacrifice of himself, the final solution of sin. 

^27-28 Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences. Christ's death was also a one-time event, but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever. And so, when he next appears, the outcome for those eger to greet him is, precisely, salvation. 

Hebrews 9 ~ English Standard Version

Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. ² For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence.It is called the Holy Place. ³ Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, ⁴ having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. ⁵ Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

⁶ These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, ⁷ but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. ⁸ By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing ⁹ (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, ¹⁰ but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

¹¹ But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent ( not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) ¹² he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. ¹³ For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

¹⁵ Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. ¹⁶ For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. ¹⁷ For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. ¹⁸ Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. ¹⁹ For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, ²⁰ saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” ²¹ And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. ²² Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. 

²³ Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. ²⁵ Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, ²⁶ for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷ And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, ²⁸ so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

The mystery of faith - as beautiful as we all know the sky can be, day or night. Remember with me - Hebrews, scholars know was written while the Temple was being used daily for sacrifice. So Hebrews is older than 70 A.D. - the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by Titus.

Take a second and absorb it. This text says the Temple is in operation. It is not written in 400 A.D. In faith the Bible says the daily sacrifice will stop. Do you realize many Jews today do not know when Jews quit sacrificing. I mean during the 2nd Exodus, the slavery in Babylon, which we know occurred 2 Adar (March 16) 597 B.C. Wonder. Wonder of Wonders. We know the Temple was destroyed and the Samaritans were the remnants of 3 tribes of Israel continuing to make the daily sacrifice at Solomon's ruined Temple. The Sacrifice stopped at 70 A.D. - the year Jesus would have died of old age. Why did the sacrifice stop for the last 2,000 years after the 2nd Temple was destroyed, but not for the 1st. The correct answer would be Jesus.

Here are some links to the cuneiform's archaeology show the Bible is the Truth of God's Word. (Can you imagine how many people suffered, died and went to Heaven to bring us Scripture we are so blessed to be able to run to Walmart and just buy it?)

Daniel 2:1-23 ~ O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked

Jeremiah 20:10-13 ~ He rescues the life

Ezekiel 1 ~ The Voice of the Lord

Esther 2 ~ suggested

Ezekiel 39:21-40:4 ~ I will set my glory among the nations

Look at the way this Chapter is constructed. We begin at the top (the heavens), a God Plan and move to the most holy objects. Judaeo-Christians today and at the time Hebrews was written - have something in common - we all would like nothing more than to find Benjamin Netanyahu was right in asking the Vatican - that the Vatican does hold one of the Temple Tools from the First Temple. (And it is not going to be the Ark because Maccabees tells us Jeremiah hid the Ark at Mount Nebo and the Arch of Titus does not record the Ark being recovered.)

Exodus 37 ~ He also made (A list of some of the Temple Tools)

The Table you see here is the Bread of the Presence

There is an interesting story about the Ark written in one of the ancient Talmuds. The Talmud is not the Word of God - it is the Sanhedrin Council and their musings of God. Going back to the time when it wasn't even called the Sanhedrin Council. That the Ark Cherubim moved to face each other when times were good and moved away from each other when Israel fell from His grace. Yet we miss the point and it is a good point - God told David He did not dwell in a Temple - but the Ark is a Mercy Seat. Meaning God is so comfortable and at home in His Temple that He has a seat there. It tells us about God.


Then the next paragraph is about the day to day dealing of the Priests who get so comfortable in the Temple - like John the Baptist's father Zechariah - when the Angel Gabriel appeared, in Luke 1, Zechariah decides to question Gabriel rather than grab hold of the horns of the altar for mercy. Now. Doesn't the second paragraph bring home an analogy to us. We all get so caught up in the life we see and hear - we forget to be in awe of what God brings us.




Which brings us to the 3rd paragraph. Jesus Christ Unblemished as our LORD and Savior. We get to turning on the television at night and reading liberal far out things forgetting the absolute Holiness of GOD. Would you turn on that program if you Know Jesus is sitting with you?

Which brings you to the fourth paragraph. If you believe Jesus died for you - a sinner - you believe in the New Covenant. Which means you believe the Holy Spirit of God dwells in you.

And the fifth paragraph.

1 Corinthians 6:20
For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Sixth paragraph

1 Timothy 1:15
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

Rejoice, Rejoice. The Scriptures use this word over 200 hundred times.

1 Peter 1:7-9
So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Isaiah 55:3
Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.


Hebrews 6:18-20
so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.











Father God,
Your Word says You is taking care of us, for those seeking HIS Will. We pray that the people we love remember all the times, Your love and comfort have soothed them. For the Nation and the people of the World looking to Jesus.

We trust in Your Goodness for our lives and trust You, we will have Your Wisdom and Your will open our heart to Your Good Plan and Path.

Each day we say, Jesus the Lord in all of us. Most welcome Jesus!

Thank You for this Day. Amen!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Luke 11:1-13 ~ HOW MUCH MORE WILL THE HEAVENLY FATHER GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM!!!

Luke 11:1-13

1 Now Jesus (our Hero, our Beloved, our Savior, OUR JESUS!) was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
3Give us each day
 our daily bread
4 and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”

5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves!!!

6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;

7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’?

8 (and Jesus in JOY He tells us fills His Heart in John 16 and 17 says!) I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he IS his friend, yet because of his impudence (!) he will Rise and GIVE HIM whatever he needs!

9 AND I tell you! Ask! and it WILL BE GIVEN to you! SEEK! And you WILL FIND!

KNOCK! And it will be opened to you!!!

10 For EVERYONE who asks receives! And the one who seeks... finds! And to the one who knocks ~ it WILL BE...opened.

11 What father among you, if his son asks ford a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,

HOW MUCH MORE WILL THE HEAVENLY FATHER GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM!!!"



Lord Jesus, using the Economies of Father God - Pour out a Blessing of Love!




Malachi 3:10

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.



Jesus is sooooo close. Close. Close.
What is the tithe God wants? Hearts!
God is so close - He Never Departs. Ever. Ever. Ever.

FatherGODisthatclose!

Psalm 63:6
On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.



What is the TITHE Father GOD Truly, Truly, Truly Seeks?
Thanksgiving that pours and pours and pours out from a Soul filled with Love.






John, the amazing, closer than a brother, disciple summed Jesus up. Brought us into His Fullness.

God is Love!!!

Was echoed through the Body of Christ in His Fullness to the Holy Spirit as Paul wrote this in Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Comfort, Encouragement, Dignity, Gentleness and Strength!

1 Corinthians 16:14
Let all that you do be done in love. 






Amen and Amen Let Love Resound in the Name, the Highest Name of Jesus!
RESOUND
Jesus The Lord, The Lord, The Lord !
in all of us,
in our Beloved

Let the Banner of Christ BE Love Triumphant.
Let the Joy of His Songs, Sing to our Hearts.
Listen to His Call of Love, His Charge.

Let Justice roll down like waters of righteousness in an ever-flowing stream!
Let our sacrifices be sure Thanksgiving.
And an our prayers an aroma of heart given Joy.

Our God, Our Father, Our Jesus, Our Hero - will open the windows of heaven
for you and pour down a blessing until there is no more need!

Jesus the Lord, The Lord, The Lord. Amen. Amen. Amen.



This is love: not that we loved God,
but that HE loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.          Amen.
1 John 4:10

From His Family becoming Ours!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 103 ~ For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast lov

Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!


2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

14 For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.

17 But the steadfast love of the Lord
is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.

19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!

21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!

22 Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.

This week I went to the Hallmark Store to buy Valentine's Day cards. I was delighted to see a row of red and white alternating cars in front of the store. Probably about 10 or 14 alternating red and white cars with a white beer truck in front of the parked cars. I felt very lifted by the knowledge that Father God knows the numbers of hairs on my head and the sparrow that falls has His Attention.

We think that our prayers, our thoughts, our hopes, our frustrations, our wondering is far from His sight.

This is not what the Word of God manifest - Jesus the Lord - says.


John 14:13
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.



Father God,

Thank You for making each day renew in Your Tender Mercies. Thank You for the Joy of seeing those cars all over the front of the Valentine's Day store. The Blessing of this Day, that Valentine's color is sometimes the only color in the month in February.

Your Joy lifts our hearts to You, again. We see Jesus' Grace upon Grace.

Blessed be the Name of Jesus and Blessed are our prayer requests for the Love of God to be manifest to those we love. Thank You for Your Steadfast Love.

Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Mark 10:13-16 ~ He took them in His arms and Blessed them

 

Mark 10:13-16

 

13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 

14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.


When Jesus was telling of His new Kingdom, He said, what we do to the least of them - we do to Jesus. Jesus was telling of Heaven.

This Lent, let us draw from Jesus blessing the Children to know our hearts to Jesus in open sincerity - this is where He dwells and is pleased. Lent is the preparation to draw close to Jesus in trust, confidence and love.

Father God,
A blessing and good to be near You.

I will make the Sovereign LORD my refuge.

Let us draw near to Father God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with Jesus' Grace.


Father God, for ourselves and the people we love and are given - We will call upon Jesus, knowing we will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done. We will have confidence to enter the holy places by the Highest Name above all names - Jesus the Lord. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Titus 2 ~ our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ

Titus 2

2 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 

6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Mistake
Sin
Carrying High  - Jesus Christ as a Banner of Love and Forgiveness.

Titus is a progression in the 12 Disciples.



Titus 1

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,

4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith:

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.



Jesus is leaving us a map of what being led by Jesus Christ looks like. Peter, married, was not a mistake. Oops - Jesus goofed. Actually, Christianity was born, died and Killed Death in Victory in a Syrian suburb. in a non-media world, 16 years later the Emperors trembled at the Name of Jesus.

The New Testament was not echoing the Exodus with Moses being told to stay on Mt. Nebo and watch the progression. Right. Peter is just as active as Paul and his life has mattered. Fully. Almost 100 years of archaeology has decided Peter's grave is 80 feet below the Vatican Alter showing, again, Jesus as God knew exactly, totally, completely, what was happening.

80 feet below the St. Peter altar is the grave of Peter, the fisherman, friend, follower, forgiven, fisher of men - Peter. And the Rock the Gates of Hell have not prevailed against for 20 sets of centuries.

Peter, was not oops. Peter was making a life people made sure his home and his grave were completely graffitied to keep the Fire of Jesus burning. His skeleton shows his feet were cut from the cross.

What is the Map?

Saint Titus is not in the Gospels. Titus is not recorded in the Book of Acts. This is the second generation. Men who had witnessed the power of the Name of Jesus, changed lives, careers, patterns of being shy, saw people rise from the dead, life time problems healed.

Titus is like Paul, like us. Jesus has found us.  We have not gone to sit at the feet of Jesus in this life.

The miracles of Jesus reach through time, and, immediately, Jesus is with us.


8 years, 80 years, 180, 580, 1000, 1800, 2080 - people witness the Name of Jesus is Life.


How has Paul reached the point, he not only fellowships with the men who did walk with Jesus in awe; Paul has shown himself as sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Paul has zeal for good works, but over and over Paul has told us - we can never earn the Grace of Jesus.

With this fruit of the Spirit that adds on to Love, Joy, Peace, Patience of Galatians 5 - We find Timothy, Titus. Silvanus. Luke, Mark.



The Scriptures are not about dusty roads and robes with sandals, the Scriptures explain to us of where faith leads. Growth.



Proverbs 31:25,26   is Spiritual Growth:


She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.


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


Titus had a long life. Just as Jesus told Chorazin and Bethsaida woe to them for not believing. Titus was placed on the Island of Crete. Where the Greeks of the dispersion welcomed Jesus. Is this unusual? Father God is good to those who pray and call upon Him with faith.

Psalm 91
15"He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16"With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation."


Psalm 40:5
Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.


Lent is the preparation of Easter. Everyone prepares differently. Some branches of Christianity practice beautiful Easter music and what they will say to visitors. Some reflect on what they did last year that would be done better to please Father God. This Lent I am going to be grateful to Jesus for my given Salvation. Jesus walked this life going to people who needed Him. He appeared and healed sometimes to the entire crowd.

This is still amazing.

This Lent I am going to lift someone I love in prayer who has asked for more of life to provide a way forward. I will look to see the answer Father God provides. He may say "No. in His Time, or Yes." But I believe this Lent asks us to hold up those we love to Jesus. I am going to do as Jesus said, I am going to fast in ways that are healthy, for me that is giving up sweets, exercising more.

We are preparing for the Celebration of Salvation. Jesus' Victory over death. And I will lift up a specific prayer for a loved one who has told me how much that person needs His help. And something will advance for the Kingdom of God.

If you are going to pray more and fast for Lent, why not decide who would need more of Jesus the Lord and pray and fast for His blessing upon that person. This is someone I have known for decades and decades.  Jesus Himself told us fasting and prayer make huge difference. This loved one had defended the faith, has wondered about the faith, has proclaimed the faith and has lately been down. Wondering if Father God cares and loves. I am in complete expectation of the joy of eternal life of my loved one, but this is the Season to pray for this lamb of God. We will pray for God's blessing of faith, hope and love.


May the Power of Jesus Christ fill our petitions and prayers for more of the Love of Jesus Christ within us and those we Love. May our fasts be pleasing to Father God and our expectation of Joy be tender upon His Heart. In Jesus the Lord. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Luke 18:9-14 ~ God be merciful

Luke 18:9-14

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 

11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 

13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”



This joyous email was sent to me ~ to share we are deeply committed to offering Jesus our lives, hearts, souls - we are flawed and fallen in sin. Jesus in His Grace, Power and Mercy lives to bring us God as our Joy and Strength. Nothing we could do would earn His Grace.  Jesus is our Feast in our souls.

Thank You, Father, for this Morning's Service. 


By Dr. Peter Leithart


Jesus' instructions about fasting:

He tells His disciples to fast with anointed heads and clean faces (Matthew 6:16-18).
Washing and anointing are normally preparation for feasting (Ruth 3:3);
they mark the end, not the beginning, of a fast (2 Samuel 12:20).

Jesus turns fasting inside out.
He wants us to dress for a feast when we're fasting,
dress for a feast when we are feasting,
dress for a feast for every occasion in between.

We can be allegoric: Jesus Himself is our festal clothing, His Spirit the oil anointing our head, baptism the water that cleans our faces. Whether fasting or feasting, we have this anointing and this washing. Fasting or feasting, we wear Jesus and His Spirit, our festal robe and light-giving oil.

But there's something else going on.

Jesus came to inaugurate the Feast of the Kingdom. That feast is still ahead of us! Jesus began the Feast of the Kingdom already here and now. The feast is future, and the feast is present. We do not have to wait for a joy already granted.

Our practice fasting should reflect the reality of the new covenant, the maturity we have reached in the risen Son. When we're children, there's a chasm between hunger and satisfaction, between suffering and glory, between losing and winning. As - if - we mature we learn to see a glimmer of success embedded in our failures, the glory of our sufferings, the joy in sorrow.

Jesus tells us to discover the feast in the midst of the fast, the fullness at the center of our hunger.

As you enter Lent, act the part of grownups: Wash your face; put on that pomade; let the joy of the Spirit fill your heart. The feast that is ahead has already begun, and it has invaded our fasting.

Father God, 

We are the Easter People! We Expect Jesus. Jesus is Here. Jesus lives, celebrates and strengthens us for all joy and all storm. Jesus has washed us with His needed Grace.
Our Savior our Hero.

And our Alleluia is present with us at all times. No one will ever earn the Grace of Jesus. Alleluia will be held in our hearts, even in silent expectation of God, with love, joy and hope  - Jesus is alive. 

We will only endure Good Friday, knowing the Fulfillment of Easter.

Jesus our Hero. And we will hold His Feast continually in our hearts, in all seasons. I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. Come be in my soul and in the ones we love.

Let us always remember Jesus telling us of His willingness and joy, from Christmas to the Feast of the New Covenant and in His Vast Forgiveness.

We will hold High Jesus in our Souls. Amen and Amen always in the Highest Name of Jesus.

Habakkuk 3
Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, 18Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. 

Jesus the Lord!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †