Mark 10 ~ the disciples asked Him again

Mark 10

And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.

2 And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3 He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” 5 And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ 7 ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

10 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11 And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”


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.


17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 

18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 

19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 

And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 

27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 

28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 

29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”


32 And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. 34 And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”


35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 

36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 

37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 

38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” 

And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 

41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 

42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

Father Brian White gave a good Sermon on Marriage at HopePointe Anglican Church, Sunday August 21st.  http://www.hopepointe.org/sermons






The disciples were a representation of man today. Of you and of me.

What does God want of me? Not hardness of heart!

To Trust God with verve and joy. Like Children.




The Title of this 10th Chapter of Mark is - Ask Jesus Again Until You Understand Him.

Verse 9, what God wants, is the equivalent of:

17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

God is always way ahead of us. Jesus tells us, God does not expect us to be perfect. And He understands we are not all good. God expects us to be mortals who spend a lot of time wondering issues and what God thinks.

God has noticed not all things in life are fair. Life is temporary. God tells us this is within His Power to make Eternity far better and more Just. God makes all things possible. Gravity. Planets and Solar Systems. His Word upholds Life. Why not the condition of His Kingdom? Seems very probable.

Peter states the obvious a lot. God cherishes Peter.


The disciples tell us they felt in awe and afraid of Jesus a lot. They put up with Jesus because He... makes the blind see, the deaf hear and they want personal glory. This is the story of James and John. James and John boldly state they want to use Jesus for personal eternal glory. Jesus tells them that they need to make sure not to be impudent, authoritative, rude, superior, filled with self power, and jockey for an overlord position. Every day. Seems Jesus likes polite people who are not so worried about power.

Jesus does indeed seem to upset the every day apple cart.

The Disciples hear Jesus preach not to be hard hearted. Immediately they push Children out of the way. This is a very good reason why John's Gospel tells us that Jesus did so many things in His time that the books of the world could not hold all of the amazing things around Jesus. If the Disciples could rebuke Children from enjoying Jesus. We probably need to review, see, understand, grasp what Jesus says on so many levels. Re-read, renew. Use all our understanding to see what small thing is here that will actually pull our heart to the Real and Living God Who Honors His Son, Jesus.

This is the Chapter that says, "Keep on Asking Jesus."

This tells us that even when the disciples were afraid and bewildered and selfish, they felt Jesus was so loving
they could come to Jesus. Boldly and with confidence to tell Jesus who they really were and what their lives
actually really did. And Jesus would still keep them.



The Blessing of Numbers 6 tells us what we want from God, from Abba, and He intersects with us.



22 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,

24
The Lord bless you and keep you;
25
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

27 “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”



Father God,

Your Word communicates Your Heart to us. We learn You want to bless us.

Because Father God you will keep us. Eternally.

You, our Abba Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve. We hope that you will find such joy in us, that Your Face radiates Joy.

We want your gracious favor.

And in Your favor, Your Face lifts in a Smile to us. And we know peace. The goodness of real peace.

We want the Name of Jesus and His free gift of Salvation. And because eternity begins today, we are blessed in faith, hope and Love.

In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 97 ~ The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!

Psalm 97

1 The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!

2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and burns up his adversaries all around.


4 His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.


7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols;
worship him, all you gods!

8 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!

6,900,000,000,000 gallons of rain in one week

The catastrophic Louisiana flood is the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Hurricane Sandy four years ago.

"Thousands of people in Louisiana have lost everything they own and need our help now," said Brad Kieserman, the Red Cross' vice president of disaster services operations and logistics.

"This disaster is the worst to hit the United States since Superstorm Sandy, and we anticipate it will cost at least $30 million -- a number which may grow as we learn more about the scope and magnitude of the devastation."

Tens of thousands without homes is testing local hospitals' operations, especially in light of reduced federal funding for hospital preparedness. The hospital system was full tilt ready from the experience from Hurricane Katrina Triage Hospital experience.

Officials at Medical Center-Baton Rouge, concerned storms might cause them to lose electricity, transferred about 57 critically ill patients to affiliated facilities across the state on Sunday.

1,000 Year Flood.

13 lives were lost.

We see that in the middle of disaster. Appropriate steps were learned and followed.

The devastating floods in Louisiana stretch over 20 parishes.

What created the pathway to so few deaths?

We all know this is a disaster. But where is the Joy in the few number of deaths. The willingness to get in the amazing rain and go out and help one another.

What causes people to risk the weather to help one another?


John 1 

4 In him was life,a and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

9The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.


Philippians 2

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,a 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,b 7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant






Father God,

We need to see, understand, proclaim, and pray for recovery of Louisiana.

We need to take the time and say the grace was given in this 1,000 year flood. The rescuers who did not think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

In Louisiana we have seen,

One body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,

They, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

6Having gifts of faith; service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.


This rescue was time and time again:

Genuine Love. Holding fast to what is good.

Loving one another with brotherly affection.

Let us not forget to outdo one another in showing honor.

Let us have zeal, be fervent in spirit, let us Serve the Lord. Seeing the Good. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. More prayer is needed for recovery.

Let us see them contributing to the needs of the saints and seeking to show hospitality.

We give thanks Father God, this is today and these are Your People. We ask for even more abilities to help people like this in need. And give thanks for the times we helped.

In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Ruth 2 ~ Favor in His Sight

Vintage Photo of Bethlehem

Ruth gleans in Boaz's field

Ruth 2

 Now Naomi had a kinsman on her husband's side, a prominent rich man, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, "Let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain, behind someone in whose sight I may find favor."

 She said to her, "Go, my daughter." So she went. She came and gleaned in the field behind the reapers. As it happened, she came to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

 Just then Boaz came from Bethlehem. He said to the reapers, "The Lord be with you." 

They answered, "The Lord bless you."

 Then Boaz said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers, "To whom does this young woman belong?" The servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, "She is the Moabite who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab.

 She said, 'Please, let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the reapers.' So she came, and she has been on her feet from early this morning until now, without resting even for a moment."

Then Boaz said to Ruth, "Now listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Keep your eyes on the field that is being reaped, and follow behind them. I have ordered the young men not to bother you. If you get thirsty, go to the vessels and drink from what the young men have drawn." 

Then she fell prostrate, with her face to the ground, and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take notice of me, when I am a foreigner?" 

But Boaz answered her, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. May the Lord reward you for your deeds, and may you have a full reward from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge!"

 Then she said, "May I continue to find favor in your sight, my lord, for you have comforted me and spoken kindly to your servant, even though I am not one of your servants."

At mealtime Boaz said to her, "Come here, and eat some of this bread, and dip your morsel in the sour wine."

 So she sat beside the reapers, and he heaped up for her some parched grain. She ate until she was satisfied, and she had some left over. 

When she got up to glean, Boaz instructed his young men, "Let her glean even among the standing sheaves, and do not reproach her. You must also pull out some handfuls for her from the bundles, and leave them for her to glean, and do not rebuke her."

So she gleaned in the field until evening. Then she beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. She picked it up and came into the town, and her mother-in-law saw how much she had gleaned. Then she took out and gave her what was left over after she herself had been satisfied. Her mother-in-law said to her, "Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you." 

So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, "The name of the man with whom I worked today is Boaz." 

Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, "Blessed be he by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!" Naomi also said to her, "The man is a relative of ours, one of our nearest kin." 

Then Ruth the Moabite said, "He even said to me, 'Stay close by my servants, until they have finished all my harvest.'" 

Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, "It is better, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, otherwise you might be bothered in another field."

 So she stayed close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests; and she lived with her mother-in-law.



The Bible and history fit together. Setti II Pharoah of Egypt records fighting with a half brother called Moses. He is close in history to the beginning of the Iron Age. Judges 1 tells us Jerusalem is not conquered as the chariots are iron. Boaz is the son of Rahab the woman who helped the Exodus occur in Jericho. David brings history to life in the Psalms because this is still new history. The 14 generations record all this. History is horse shoes and these facts put this together.

Also interesting is the way God intricately fits lives together. Boaz understands how a foreigner needs help. His mother Rahab is a foreigner. He understands what having a different accent and dialect does to a foreigner. He has a soft place in his heart for people who help.

Father God has prepared his heart for the good works he is to walk in.

Even in times of trouble, we are given the opportunity to be blessed and have gratitude.

My mother is surrounded by people who want to share what old age is like. They want to comfort her and each other. Her neighbor goes to see her brother in law from a stroke and visits my mom. She waters my mother's plants every day.

It's distressing to see what isn't well yet, and we find reasons to cheer her on. She is talking this week, unlike last week. My mother is far from despair. There are reasons to rejoice.

Life doesn't always cater to us. In these times, we have to look at our blessings, sometimes with a pick and a shovel. Sometimes with a magnifying glass. God wants us to Expect His help.

God wants us to see one of our obligations is to find Joy in His making the day sufficient.

Ruth was a foreigner. With a bitter old woman, calling herself Bitter/Mara, picking in the fields. She was to share good fortune and in the blessing of sharing - to really be blessed.

The older generation is impressive. I've heard them say this is like living past the Black Plague and their determination to go forth with valor and helpfulness is something we don't talk about. This is a backbone of our nation and they are valiant.

Father God,

I am grateful to see such comforts. I am grateful Isaiah 55 says You Abundantly Pardon. In this Grace, mercies renew daily and we take up the journey with Joy, Faith, Hope and Love.

When we have worry or even sudden panic over immediate changes. God says do not burden yourselves too much. You are the Abba who gave to Jesus the ability to pick Peter up in the Sea of Galilee and get Peter into the boat. We want to be covered by Jesus all our lives in Your Strength.

In Your Words are Life. And in finding Your Words, we have Joy.

Bless this upon our loved ones, the people praying and this Nation. Your Yes. In Jesus we ask. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Isaiah 55 ~ Our God, for He will abundantly pardon

 

Isaiah 55

“Come, everyone who thirsts,come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.


2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.


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.

4 Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.

5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know,
and a nation that did not know you shall run to you,
because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.

6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;

7 let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God,
for he will abundantly
pardon.


8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.


10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.


12“For you shall go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall make a name for the Lord,
an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

 
I had the great privilege to be sleepless last night and out of town. I went into the bathroom where the light would not disturb anyone and the Bible was opened. I sat upon the floor and felt nourished.

“Come, everyone who thirsts,come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.


We were in town to fill out the Physical Rehabilitation admission papers for my mom. This was also her 83rd birthday.


2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.

We had given her a birthday cupcake and the blood sugar test came in about 40 minutes after her cupcake. It was a small party. Her blood sugar was High. Time to rethink raw sugar. She received insulin.

3 Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;

Mother is continuing to be more deaf than hearing. Her old hearing aid was more a suggestion than an aid. It has been awhile since my mother called me for prayer. Church was hard for her, Her generation is not in Church due to old age, nursing homes and departure to Heaven.

This is a side effect of steroids and antibiotics during her Pneumonia. We are seeing a very upbeat Mother again. I don't think she has been this focused on wellness in a long time. Maybe her needs are more basic. I am praying for the Lord's Mercy to my mother.

and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.

God is Love.

4 Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.

5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know,
and a nation that did not know you shall run to you,
because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.

We are glorified knowing Abba wants us to Him for always. Heirs to His Promises.


6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;

Today.


7 let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God,
for he will abundantly
pardon.


God's compassion on us is amazing.
He tells us in Proverbs only two people understand us. Ourselves and God.
God wants to save ... the world. We feel very safe judging the culture. God has compassion.
Abba is Love.


8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

God does not need our voices, our works. Everything in the heavens and earth are His.
If we do not praise God, the rocks will cry out. God GIVES. Salvation and nothing ever offered
comes close to eternal Love.

God sees His creation as GOOD. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. God Gives. Jesus.
Nothing compares.
Nothing compares.
Nothing compares. To You. Abba.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God alone is good.

10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

The Word of God upholds - Life.
Isaiah stood in God's Temple and found awe and wonder for the Word of God.
Peter said The Word of God is Life.

it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

The Almighty. Ancient of Days. Lord of Lords. King of Kings.



12“For you shall go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

We have been from Dallas to Houston six times this month. For my mother's health.
The first trip Texas looked pretty green.

The second trip after a harsh August week, Texas looked ready to burn up and blow away. Rather a typical August Texas look. And I have to tell you that was depressing when your mother looks ready to dry up and pass away. Very depressing. And we have had more than a week of God's Blessings with rain. Texas looks exactly like Isaiah 55. And I wept with joy to read Isaiah 55. We listened to Christian music and watched green Texas, blue skies, grey skies, white clouds, grey clouds and dark clouds dance with the wind creating a symphony of color and texture in the fields and forests and plains of Texas. There is joy here.

13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall make a name for the Lord,
an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

We were headed home today. Where we have a Cypress to see from the back windows.
Our amazing 100 plus year Wax Myrtle came down during a prior hurricane. We kept the beauty sliced in logs that look like Birch Trees. And love to see them still. We do have white, pink and trying to grow again purple Crepe Myrtles.

Our home is home and we have had so many Bible Studies here. Thank God for our home.
Jesus is Lord.



Father God,

I am weary today and grateful. Remembering names is tiring when death has been asked to leave. I am pleased to pray for renewing of minds. For myself, Edward and my mom. There might be a mind or two to pray for in our group additionally. Can't we all use prayer - like a parched Texas has.

Praise Abba, Holy Spirit and Jesus for answered prayer. To Jesus and His Father we lift high our needs and concerns. We lift high those we love. We praise Jesus for being Love and hearing our prayers.

Thanks Be unto the Lord for the Gift of His Living Word. Abba. Jesus. Holy Spirit. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

1 Thessalonians 3 ~ that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father

1 Thessalonians 3


Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker^[servant]  in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers,^{[brothers and sisters]} in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 

8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.



We have a place we love to have coffee. In fact the architecture and the trees look a lot like a place in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. And I was sitting alone waiting on coffee, etc. Thinking about all the clients I've done volunteer work for and with who were hurt by someone they dated, lived with or were divorced from. For the single people, I occasionally asked, what started this problem? And was told, life is pretty dull.

We also have a favorite place to breakfast, where two walls of windows open widely. And the wait person asks us, "What will you do for fun today?" Later she told me she is looking to find out what the community events are that day. However, really I think she is a voice of the Holy Spirit.

Endeavor or drudgery.

What will excite us about life today? What mercies renew and we are truly pleased. And give Father God the joy of our joy. The way children of all ages please their parents, mostly.



Father God,

Help us set our sails today to catch the Wind of the Holy Spirit sweeping us in the adventure You give us. Each day there is something. Walking the dog, who just about does cartwheels to get to go with his favorite person. Giving an 83 year old Mom a visit. Finding a lost object with help.

Hearing from your child far away. Waking up early and having eyes to see the sun come up through unusual Texas rain in August with mist and green, green colors.

Singing "Thank Heaven for Little Fits" as if you are Maurice Chevalier. Because Father God lets us have our temper. Thank God for His Word telling us about angry, anger and mad about 1500 times. So be angry and do not sin. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Finding ways to express who we are honestly to You.

Feeling tossed by life circumstances and asking Jesus for Psalm 131 - to be held by Father God. Psalm 145:18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him in truth.

Remembering with joy the people, past, present and future we are given as gifts in our lives.

God is Good. Truly Good. Thanking Father, our Abba, knowing He is present today to make our tomorrow something we do with more shoring up because God helps us do today.

Thank You, Abba, for hearing all our prayers. For the people we love, the near and far people all over the world, the past people, and the future people. Knowing our prayers cover this Nation and the people who want to know we all pray for the community world wide of believers and lovers of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Abba. Thank You. Jesus Thank You. Amen.

In all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly.

Amen and Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †