Matthew 10:1-7 ~ The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Matthew 10:1-7

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.  

²  The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

⁵  These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, ⁶  but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 


 ⁷ And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

Bill Hull was our Sermon on Sunday. 
http://www.amazon.com/Bill-Hull/e/B001JS5RLO

I did not get there, a neighbor had a collapsed chimney in the middle of the night and we were awake. Since this didn't work out, due to oversleeping, I decided to find Bill Hull on line.

Pastor Hull begins by telling about "The Cost of Discipleship." Bonhoeffer. Who was the example, like Jesus, of putting all his life into Salvation. Jesus makes us like Christ because HE is about others. When we seek self-fulfillment - am I closer to God - we are missing the fact - Jesus was about others.

Jesus points this out in the very short passage, Jesus sends the 12-  out to do healing.
Jesus isn't here long to do His ministry, and HE does not insist they sit at His feet.

Discipleship is to follow Jesus. If Jesus was living my life, what would I do to please Jesus. Given His Word for me to do, how will I do my life best.

Jesus did ordinary things for many years. Although Mary had quite a few successes.

Discipleship is to have encouragement, strengthening, nurture in God to do His Will.

This is not cheap grace. This is working His Word for our lives.




Ministry is telling the Good News. Ministry is sharing how Jesus has helped you. Ministry is sharing the Good News in other's life. When you give Agape Love, this is your life experience.

Even the chilly hearts I've told about the BBQ the Katrina refuges gave our Church, who fed them, have melted hard hearts and been almost in tears.

We take up our cross, a death reserved for criminals, and we follow Jesus. We please Jesus.



My pool was recently re-plastered. Wow, this was needed. This was a gift to us, given by someone who cares and is family. My mom. And because we got a very, very good quote we didn't get all the information we needed.

However, I had shared the Good News with the man having a new baby, who had fixed our pool a few months back. I had questions about pool plastering. And the man who told me he just couldn't meet the price we got, came over and told us we found good sub-contractors. And he explained about the start up done on new pools.

Without this man having a new baby, with whom I'd shared the Good News of Jesus, we wouldn't have known what to do.



People want to be told about Jesus.

Jesus wants us to be the people who fulfill our vows. Listen and obey the Word of God given to us. People believe when we give our word - this is what we do.

The World actually hungers to know Jesus.

And then they want to know if Jesus will still love them in their brokenness. In the doubts and in their failures. Does Jesus really never leave or abandon us. Jesus is that Good.

The circle is Love, without beginning, without end. Father God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.


Mark 3:34
Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!


Father God, 

Thank You for Pentecost. Having the Holy Spirit each day is Joy, Peace, Love, Patience, Goodness, Steadfast and Self Control. Thank You.

Help me to be doing God’s will and be Your brother and sister and mother.
In the Name of Jesus, Thank God. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

2 Timothy 7 ~ For this reason

Hans Zimmer Musical Score for Pirates

Pirates of the Caribbean 

"Bible-thumper on this ship?"
"A missionary is the story. What I heard, was he got captured in a raid. The rest on the ship got killed, but not him. First Mate wouldn't let it happen, on account his premier standing with the Lord."
―Jack Sparrow and Scrum concerning Philip Swift


"You are different."
"Different?"
"Are you not? You protect."
―Syrena and Philip Swift



Destinations. We are all going the same way. And we are all on the same journey. To Jesus the Lord.

To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek Him the greatest adventure; to find Him, the greatest human achievement. ~ St. Augustine





Jesus told us we are part of Eternal life the minute we truly believe. He said we would have the Way, the Truth and the Life.


Have you been on a journey lately? Consider this journey.

St. Augustine has made mention.

A person who is a good and true Christian should realize that truth belongs to his Lord,
 wherever it is found,
 gathering and acknowledging it even in pagan literature, 
but rejecting superstitious vanities and deploring and avoiding those who 'though they knew God did not glorify him as God or give thanks but became enfeebled in their own thoughts and plunged their senseless minds into darkness. 

Claiming to be wise they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for the image of corruptible mortals and animals and reptiles' St. Augustine commenting also on [Romans 1:21-3]




Admonitions of Ipuwer housed in the Leiden Museum  

Papyrus 2

Indeed, the river is blood, yet men drink of it. Men shrink from human beings and thirst after water.

Indeed, gates, columns and walls are burnt up, while the hall of the palace stands firm and endures.



Papyrus 5

I have separated him and his household slaves

Indeed, the hot-tempered man says: "If I knew where God is, then I would serve Him."

Indeed, runners are fighting over the spoil [of] the robber, and all his property is carried off. Indeed, all animals, their hearts weep; cattle moan because of the state of the land.


Papyrus 7

Things have been done which have not happened for a long time past; the king has been deposed by the rabble.
Behold, he who was buried as a falcon [is devoid] of biers, and what the pyramid concealed has become empty.

The Residence is thrown down in a moment.
Behold, Egypt is fallen to pouring of water, and he who poured water on the ground has carried off the strong man in misery.

Behold, the Serpent is taken from its hole, and the secrets of the Kings of Upper and Lower Egypt are divulged.

Behold, the Residence is afraid because of want, and [men go about] unopposed to stir up strife.

Behold, noble ladies are now on rafts, and magnates are in the labor establishment, while he who could not sleep even on walls is now the possessor of a bed.

Behold, the possessor of wealth now spends the night thirsty, while he who once begged his dregs for himself is now the possessor of overflowing bowls.

Behold, the possessors of robes are now in rags, while he who could not weave for himself is now a possessor of fine linen.



Papyrus 9
 
Behold, the strong men of the land, the condition of the people is not reported [to them].
 All is ruin!



How is your prayer life?

Still, quiet. Filled with:


2 Timothy 7
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and self-control. 8So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord


Isaiah 11:2
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.


Consider.

John 3:8 E
The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.




Exodus 13:21
By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.

Moses stood where there was no path. No escape.
 

The Gospels record Jesus was called to assist even when Hope was over. Life had ceased. And Jesus has found a Way!

 


Imagine standing at the Ocean. And the strong wind is in your face. And you pray
to the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings. Your faith tells you, God is Present. You are heard.

Psalm 116 

1I love the Lord, because he has heard
my voice and my pleas for mercy!

2 Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live!

3The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
4Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”

5Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
our God is merciful!
6The Lord preserves the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me!

The Wind rises up up up
and the Water rises up up

Mark 4:39
And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Exodus 14:22
And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.


And -

Psalm 93:4

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea-- the LORD on high is mighty.

John 1:27

He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.

And Now we pray.


Holy, Father Lord God Almighty.

You alone are Worthy. Consider the thoughts of our heart and turn Your Face Upon us.

Send Your Holy Spirit over the waters and the land. Renew hearts of love for You.

The Power of this Great Work is Yours Alone.

And we will live, breathe, and know, move and have our being because of the activity of God who makes all things.

For the Glory of God who works in us His will, His Holy Spirit to act in order to fulfill Jesus' good purpose.

In Jesus Christ the Lord, our God, Savior and Advocate.

We thank You for Your answers.  Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

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!  †