Ephesians 5:1-20 ~ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise

Ephesians 5:1-20

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 

Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 

11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 

12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.

 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. 

Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 

19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing 
and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 
20 giving thanks always 
and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ 

Which brings us to Father God giving this Scripture as His Word:



Psalm 97

Zion hears and is glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O Lord.

9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.

10 O you who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the lives of his saints;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

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

12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!


The Scriptures are not the cafeteria plan.

If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself. - Saint Augustine.

What does love look like?
It has the hands to help others. 
It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy.
It has eyes to see misery and want. 
It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. 
That is what love looks like.
St Augustine

Since you cannot do good to all, 
you are to pay special attention to those who, 
by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, 
are brought into closer connection with you. 
~ St Augustine

John 12:46

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.

Galatians 3:13-15

13 Christ bought us with His blood and made us free from the Law.
 In that way, the Law could not punish us. 

Christ did this by carrying the load and by being punished instead of us. It is written, “Anyone who hangs on a cross is hated and punished.” 14 Because of the price Christ Jesus paid, the good things that came to Abraham might come to the people who are not Jews. 
 
And by putting our trust in Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit He has promised.



When we look to the Scriptures and wisely admit, with humility, the example of Jesus
is too large for us. We are speaking the Truth. And Honoring God with our truth.

We wouldn't move away from the Word of God, we would ask Him like Elisha did. We would ask Jesus like the father of the son who needs Jesus. Help us. The Love Jesus has is worth never departing from the Son of God and His Holy Word. This Love is what describes Jesus.

Jesus going forth to all believers - soaking, seeping, renewing, restoring, replenishing giving Words of Life. The Prodigal children of Father God always turning to Him.


Proverbs 23

Listen to your father who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
 
23 Buy truth, and do not sell it;
buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
 
24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.


 


Father God,

We want Jesus Christ to Shine upon us. And claim in Faith, Jesus calls us His. Believing and Knowing the Grace of Jesus.

Do what we do with Love. Do not treat Jesus as a waiter to clean up for our mess, flaw or sin. Trust Jesus and His Word. We cannot earn what Jesus freely gives us in forgiveness of sins.

We do not want to add to the crudeness of popular culture. We want our life's path to be to the Way, Truth, and Life. We ask daily for His Love to dwell in us and those we care about and Love.

We do not use words to create a harsh life. We want our words to please the Heart of Jesus Christ. The goal is good and right and true. Giving Justice with Mercy. Being humble to the Lord.

We ask for Wisdom and rely upon Jesus to help us to live wisely, discerning His Will and His Word for His purpose for our lives. Rejoicing the Light makes paths straight and the desire to live His Plan for our lives.

Seeing goodness and giving Thanksgiving to Jesus. Fulfilling vows to Jesus.

Asking our soul to be the Home and Hearth in Joy for Jesus Christ the Lord. For ourselves, the ones we love, the People God has given us, our Churches, communities, states, Nation, the People Jesus calls to Himself.

We say to Jesus, Your Will is a Hope and a Future to me.

Blessed Be Jesus Christ the Lord. Forgives me in HIS Grace, Alleluia for His Mercy and Will. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Matthew 9:18-26 ~ If I only touch his garment, I will be made well

Matthew 9:18-26

While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.”

19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 

20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood 
for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 

22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.

23 And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.”

 And they laughed at him.

 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district.

When you look and read the entire portion of Scripture.

What do you see.

We have an unrealistic prayer. Grasping at straws.

The Willingness of Jesus - so very willing.

Long time suffering - reaching out to Jesus

Faith rewarded for many long years.

"Take heart, your faith has made you well."

 Jesus works quietly.

The crowd was rude to Jesus.

Jesus acted personally. His attention and intention was personal. Not to the crowd.

 Jesus is  Filled with God.

 

Now, of these 9 points. Which one warms your heart?

For some this will be: Jesus is filled with God.

I love and adore that Jesus is personal. Working quietly.

Any of these is the correct answer.
This is God speaking to you.


May the Power, Glory and LOVE of God Himself.
Fill Your Heart. Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 50 ~ I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine.

Psalm 50

1 The Mighty One, God the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God shines forth.



3 Our God comes; he does not keep silence;a
before him is a devouring fire,
around him a mighty tempest.


4 He calls to the heavens above
and to the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 “Gather to me my faithful ones,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”


6 The heavens declare his righteousness,
for God himself is judge! Selah



7 “Hear, O my people, and I will speak;
O Israel, I will testify against you.
I am God, your God.


8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;
your burnt offerings are continually before me.
9 I will not accept a bull from your house
or goats from your folds.


10 For every beast of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the hills,
and all that moves in the field is mine.



12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for the world and its fullness are mine.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,b
and perform your vows to the Most High,
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”



16 But to the wicked God says:
“What right have you to recite my statutes
or take my covenant on your lips?
17 For you hate discipline,
and you cast my words behind you.

For every beast of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.

The Donkey has a cross on his back. Beloved of David and Jesus.

 I know all the birds of the hills,
and all that moves in the field is mine.

Our God is an amazing God.

We are interested in our own lives. We all are.
Jesus told us not to focus so much on ourselves, but to remember He is in Charge.


Luke 12:
26 So if you cannot do such a small thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27 Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these

This week I have recovered from ear infections from allergy and has very quiet ringing in my ears. I considered this for a few weeks. And I decided, I can't do anything about this. This is Father God's hands. Some people say ringing in the ears sharpens their hearing. And I said to the Lord, "This one is in your hands. I'm powerless, but You can protect me and if You would, I'd be appreciative. I lean and trust in You."

Low and behold, the next morning, my ears were not ringing. Now the next day they did, but over the week, this stopped.

We have to approach Father God with appreciation of Who He is. I Am.

There are so many attributes of the Father, but one He has always appreciated is the People who say simply, "Say the Word." The Catholics go on to say, "And I shall be healed."

Catholics are pretty smart, every time they gather ~ they say a quick prayer for a merciful death. Many Catholics say this is a huge bonus for them! The proof of prayer holds out.

My Grandmother Anita prayed to die like a Camellia. Intact and functioning, without suffering ~ that prayer held her up. I even pray this for my pets when they gather together in the mornings and they all get pet vitamins. I pray, they get to listen, for a good day, in the Book of Hebrews "Today" and then I pray for a good passing on. Recently, Father God was good to our 19 year old cat Scoop. Scoop is holding out and eating again.

If we let go of some of our anxieties:

Matthew 10:29
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?
Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care.

If we are less anxious, we can hear Father God speak. John tells us of the awe he had of seeing Jesus and finding this Ultimate Care of the Father of all.

About 2013, I went to be prayed for with Father Mike Endecott. He asked if I was there to pray for my arm. I was a little disappointed, no I was praying for my son who we hoped would move. I said no I was going to pray for my son, my arm was fine. He replied quietly, "Sometimes this works this way." And as I got ready to go, Father Mike said, "Because you came to pray for someone else, Father God is probably going to have mercy on your arm."

In 2016, this week my son moved and my arm is going to the doctor. God is very interesting.

We really all have verse 16 apply to us all. I know this applies to me. I need the Name and Grace of Jesus to cover me. Abraham was declared good to the Lord because He believed Father God.

We serve a God, So Very Good, that the Sparrows are Covered and Cared for by the Father God of All. And this is in Whom, we Love and Trust. He will do what He says. On this we can rely, the Son is going to come up Tomorrow.


Father God,

When we Look to Your Word:

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD.

O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, Whose hope is in the LORD his God, Who made heaven and earth, The sea and all that is in them; Who keeps faith forever!

For this we pray, Father God, for those we Love, our concerns and needs, the People You've given us, our Churches, Communities and this Nation. We Lift them to You. Amen in the Name of Jesus!!!

a

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Matthew 25:14-30 ~ he will have an abundance

One of my favorite images of Jesus.

Matthew 25:14-30

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 

17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 

20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ 

21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 

23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 

26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 

29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

So a wealthy man called his mother from the airport. It was Mother's Day. And when he called he said, "Mom I know you get so upset and angry and - no of course not, you are never upset and angry and - About that large sum I invested for you - I haven't lost any money. No, no now listen. none of the money is gone in a year the S & P has not done well at all and we are actually even and that is g--- No Mother, this is actually good news. Now don't get so upset."

Now suppose this is God. Father God and this man has assumed his mother is all about her. All the time. The relationship is strained. Clearly this man sees his parent as fuming and easily angered. This is his view of the Parent.

God tells us in the Parable - He can act exactly like we expect Him to act. Father God says He can have hurt feelings.

Personally, I think Abraham made a mistake. I think if Abraham had wept and said, "No, I won't. Life and death are in Your hands and You have shown me You are a God of Mercy." Personally, I think God would have Applauded. Abraham had fought for the mercy of others and won before.

People ask, did God ever Laugh?

Isaiah 42:1
"Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations."

Numbers 6
24The Lord bless you and keep you;
25the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26the Lord lift up his countenance (smile) upon you and give you peace.
27“So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”

In Jesus we pray, Amen.




When we sin, Father God as a parent, really enjoys a lot of groveling? Especially when we know something is wrong and we aren't sure what.

1 Timothy 1
15 This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. 16 But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience, as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.

Paul is writing his son in the Spiritual life. He moves briskly. and the next sentence says I was shown mercy, God has patience. And wants us for about 15 minutes - no eternal life.


Matthew 9:13
But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Mark 2:17
On hearing this, Jesus told them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Luke 15:2
So the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."


Jesus never had ideas about mankind that were not factual. Jesus says His personality, His Spirit is filled with Joy.

God Answers Prayers.


John 14

1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me.

13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

Jesus met Peter's fears and did not shun Peter. Jesus didn't even let Peter squirm. John says Jesus perfectly displays, "God is Love."



When we pray the Lord's Prayer, we pray God's Will be done. We have to expect His Will be done and this is Good. Giving Him our concerns and trusting.


Father God,
Tomorrow I am going in to see the Surgeon about a tumor on my forearm. This condition has been in my family three times and I prayed 20 years ago this would not cause trauma in our family again.

Father, I confess to You, I am saved only by the Grace of Jesus and His Name. I ask You to Smile upon me and heal me or fix this easily. I ask that we never suffer from this again and call this, "Never Again." As in the condition doesn't come back.

I won't worry about nervous or not, I will be very real with You.

We thank You for Canada's Fort McMurray having 90% of the city survive. And the safety of the people. Thank You for the people recovering from stomach virus. When we prayed there was good news and we prayed continuation.

I will Trust in Jesus and in Your abundant Grace. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Matthew 3:13-17 ~ Beloved Son

Matthew 3:13-17

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?"

Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him.

After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove coming upon him.

And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."



A time of Jesus, the Holy Spirit and Father God:

In this Scripture we see the Living Water of Jesus combined with the Fire of the Holy Spirit being shown as a dove.

We know the fires in Canada have been devastating. CNN reports today the weather may be changing to help end the 400,000 acre wildfire.

And we know with God all things are possible and when we watch the news, let's see all of us pray together for the end of the fire, the 80,000 citizens and the Mercy of Father God. I cannot even begin to fathom the loss.

Miraculous things happen from prayer and should not be forgotten. Let's have gratitude for the Mercy of Father God.

See the water reverse in the 2nd minute.

Videos reported in 2006, 2008 and 2009 the Jordan River reversed the flow the day before Epiphany. Jesus tells us to always remember Jesus is still working and so is His Father.

And an eye witness account.
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-40252

When we center our faith upon Jesus, Father God does amazing Acts of God.

Rivers have been prone to reverse flow, however this reverse flow occurs only as the cross is in the water. This is the answered prayer, keeping their eyes on the Cross of Jesus Christ the Lord with faith.



Father God,

You have invited us in John 14, to pray asking in the Name of Jesus for Your Intervention. We pray healing on this land, these people and families, this town and upon ourselves.

Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow - Scriptures record You, our Father as the Living God.

We will cast up our cares and know Your Love.

In Jesus, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †