Psalm 134 ~ He made Heaven and earth

Psalm 134:1-3

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

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

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

Behold! I tell you a mystery. 

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

1 Thessalonians 4:13-16

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Father God,

For the years You have supplied every need of ours according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Thank You Jesus.

God, our Father, You will and strengthen us, You have helped us, You do uphold us with my righteous right hand. Thank You Father for the strength from these years.

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl."

From Your fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. Thank You Jesus for being our rock and fortress.

God works in us, both to will and to work for Your good pleasure.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.

Thank You Father for Rest and Renewal. Our Joy and Strength is in Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 93 ~ The Lord Reigns

His Robe would fill the Temple

Psalm 93

The Lord Reigns; He is robed in majesty;
the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

2 Your throne is established from of old;
you are from everlasting.

3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
the floods have lifted up their voice;
the floods lift up their roaring.

4 Mightier than the thunders of many waters,
mightier than the waves of the sea,
the Lord on high is mighty!

5 Your decrees are very trustworthy;
holiness befits your house,
O Lord, forevermore.

Where we sit in the portions of the Universe is small. However to our God, our Father, there is no ceiling.

Our Abba creates the Heavens and calls each Star by name. No sparrow falls without His knowledge and compassion. The earth and the fullness thereof is His. He spoke for Life and said let there be Light and Jesus the Lord is the Light of the world existing in all of mankind.

Why would Father God be mindful of us? He called us to Life. He gave us our name, Psalm 139 says He planned our lives before we were created by His Will.


Isaiah 49

Listen to me, O coastlands,
and give attention, you peoples from afar.
The Lord called me from the womb,
from the body of my mother he named my name.


‘Come out,’
to those who are in darkness, ‘Appear.’
They shall feed along the ways;
on all bare heights shall be their pasture;
10
they shall not hunger or thirst,
neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them,
for he who has pity on them will lead them,
and by springs of water will guide them.
11
And I will make all my mountains a road,
and my highways shall be raised up.
12
Behold, these shall come from afar,
and behold, these from the north and from the west,
and these from the land of Syene.”

13
Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;
break forth, O mountains, into singing!
For the Lord has comforted his people
and will have compassion on his afflicted.



With this being Our Father God, why wouldn't we have expectation each day? What we see as mundane like the Pentateuch - written by Moses of the "Exodus" ~ Father God sees as filled. With rich, rich, rich blessings. Hebrews 7 - an unchangeable, eternal God willing to make incredible sweeping statements of His Willingness. We call this miracles.

Look at the Heavens and see -

See from the Heavens, God arranges the stars and our own bodies - Vast to Minute.


And when we truly appreciate the Cloud in the Temple of Solomon - let us remember this:

Habakkuk and Jeremiah knew hardship and believed God's mercies renew each morning. Abraham lived in a tent under large Oaks.

We willingly look for His mercies renew - every day. Searching to see this. Sadly, for me, I find this sometimes just brushing my teeth. Maybe clean teeth - clear my mind.

And when we serve the Lord who has brought forth amazing times in His world, ways and Bible - we can know - there is no ceiling with God. We can run our mind over things like the split rock on Golgotha geologists point to 33 A.D. and remember the Empire of Rome feared the Name of Jesus.

And we open up our prayers to the Lord Most High. Not because we are so significant, but because Jesus said we can trust implicitly the Lord God with our cares. And He taught us to pray "God's Will be done to bring more Heaven to Earth." We are blessed to reach the very Throne of Father God, with us as a mere breathe, by the Majesty of Jesus. Basking in His Salvation.

Father God,

We lift up to You, the times and the stories and the troublesome news. I trust You to bring this to Peace in Jesus. I believe You hear our prayers and I lift up the Nation to the World praying in the Name of Jesus. We can place our cares in Your Hands.

We ask you to share the Jet Stream - the rain of the West Coast to be shared across the places wanting, needing the rain. The cold of the Northeast to be shared in the South where we are far too warm.

As a Marvelous Shepherd who has compassion on us, we lift up our communities and Churches and work places to become a willing place to share our life experiences with the Love and Help of the Lord God.

For Your Joy! And the upbuilding of the Body of Christ. In Jesus let us in wisdom, love, compassion, care and faith and hope fulfill all the Calling You have for us. Let us walk in the Good Works You have created for us to walk in. Your Blessings flow and Your storehouse does not diminish.

Giving thanks in the Body of Christ the places we all have that have been difficult and You have seen us through. Giving Generously of our Sincere Gratitude. Knowing our loved ones have been helped. And resting in Your Good Will. In Jesus we trust those we Love to Your Help and Love. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

James 5:11-18 ~ we count as blessed those who have persevered

Seeing with the eyes of Faith, Jesus Christ for us at the intersection of God and man

 

 The Book of James 5:11-18

11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 

14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.

If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 

16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. 

He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 

18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.



God is amazing. 

Perseverance.  For 500 years the children of Israel slaved for Egypt. Without pay. And as they crossed the Red Sea on dry land, they had most of the gold available to their slave owners. Provision for the new nation and for the Temple. God was smart- they did not get to quickly spend this. Proverbs tells us a huge bulk of money newly created is quickly spent - like on the gold calf.

Perseverance. The persecution of Christians began in Rome, 16 years after Jesus died. And in First Council of Nicaea of 325 A.D., many of the Bishops, like Nikolaos of Myra, later called St. Nicolas - had to be released from prison to attend for worshiping Jesus. Those centuries of persecution required perseverance.

David had to wait 22 years. Noah had his sons grow up in 20 to 40 years,  during the building of the Ark. Joshua waited 40 years.

James knew his Brother Jesus for 33 years. James knew of the perseverance of Jesus. And of Mary for living out God's Plan. Jesus' Gospel tell us twice Mary, with the help of Jesus, did very well.

And the people living out God's plan,  knew He would pour out a blessing.


Given all these years:

Romans 8:27-28
27And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.


David always believed God would fulfill His Word.

Noah always believed.

James is witness to the faith of Jesus.

Living Romans 8:27-28 is faith. And believing His mercies renew daily and using that blessing to carry us further tomorrow - every day. Living this:

Romans 12:9
Love must be sincere.

Jesus never did fire the apostles for being sincere.

This is letting us be grateful for the blessings and gifts of God. Presenting our souls back to Him as a gift.

Ephesians 2
19 Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens of the saints and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. 21 In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

We are the Temple of the Lord. The Light of Christ dwells in us.

Abba, our Father,

When we read of Your perseverance, our hearts burning within us, tell us You are a God of Love.

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" When Peter saw the strong wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Peter always knew of being lifted from the waters and carried to the boat supported only by Jesus. Jesus made the foundation firm.

For we do not have a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed Him.

Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.

Jesus fed multitudes and healed multitudes. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."

Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

Father we draw near to You, in the Name of Jesus. We give you tenderly the ones we love. And we know You will do the Wonders of Your Love. And with our cares. Especially this Nation. All around the world - those who depend upon You. Your victory in Your Word and in Your Son. Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

1 Thessalonians 3 ~ Good News

Texas is not in fall colors unless you count wheat colored grass or mild brown and barely yellow.

1 Thessalonians 3

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 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, 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.

Pennsylvania is showing the beauty of fall!!!

The Holy Spirit uses the Word "Beloved" 66 Times in the New Testament
Paul uses the Word "Beloved" 31 Times


The Holy Spirit uses the Word "Love" 235 Times in the New Testament

James, the Brother of Christ, writes 4 Chapters and uses Beloved and Love 6 times. Jude 4 Times in one Chapter.

John one of the most eloquent of Jesus' writers - 25 Times.

This won't even begin to encompass words like care, concern, genuine, encouragement, zeal, sincerity, commitment, standing firm, faith, and hope.


Romans 12

10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another. 11 Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.

Luke 1:4
so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught



Abba, our Abba,

As the many children of Our Heavenly Father. Not our earthly fathers limited as mortal, our Heavenly Father in Love and abundant mercy.

Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God, for He has given the early rain for our vindication; He has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before.

Father, You give us Jesus, eternity, Your forgiveness, Your mercy and in Thanksgiving Joy. We live, and this is given to us. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over.

In this mighty journey we will be steadfast in You. Lifting to You, the ones we Love, and our cares. This Nation and the world asking You with Hope, Faith and Love. The Name of Jesus covers us. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Philippians 2 ~ Therefore God has highly exalted Jesus and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name

Philippians 2

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.

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.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation,

among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 

Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 

 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 

22 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Salt

This Chapter reveals an earnestness in ministry.

 A joyful message about our ministry to Jesus - in our daily words and conversations. A daily message uplifting us! A genuineness in our daily walk. Being centered on Jesus just in our conversations. The reassurance, assistance, favor, cheer and inspiration we would hope to hear from Father God to us.

Truthfully, for me, I'd much rather see Christmas begin now, instead of skeletons and ghouls! I love Christmas Lights. Personally, I feel like singing Christmas songs. I was at a hardware store recently and the man working there told me Halloween is so gruesome now with latex cat, dog and horse bones that working there makes him shudder. And you can see why - human bones are not going to be done away with lightly. And real gore is another thing. So the Christmas Lights reflect the Light is still shining, still overcoming.

I'd go so far as to celebrate the Abundance of the Provision of God in October. And shop for Christmas. Pumpkins - you bet. Indian corn - you better believe this is fabulous. Children in cute costumes and excited about the journey - you know this. We have Tricker Trunk at Church.  Other than that om, no, I think it's too gross sometimes. I am walking my dog and he runs from some of the displays. 

Now, I think it would be wonderful to do something similar to Halloween like Christmas Carol for Christmas Candy would be spectacular. All the Christmas Lights make that event - spectacular.

Rejoice in seeing, we have served the Gospel. Jesus is a God of Love.

This Chapter is indeed about this Joy. Do not be sorrowful. Choose your Joy. Train peaceful fruit. Therefore, strengthen hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ is in this book of Philippians.

See this fruitful yield with eyes of expectation in God.
 
Encouragement
Love
Comfort    Complete Joy          Listen

Same mind Accord    Give others Significance    Equality

Salvation Hold  Fast to the Word of Life   Shine

Rejoice   Genuine Concern

Above all, and I say it again, Let Love be Genuine.


Speak the Gospel at all Times.
Use Words when Necessary.


Father God, 

Please help us to have, acknowledge and understand every good thing accomplishing Your will. Forgive our sins. 

We want to be a place where You dwell with pleasure. In Your grace, we shall thrive. We want to abide in our lives in Your Word.

We ask You to be God in our lives and bring all the Fruit of the Spirit. In Jesus we ask the way of our lives is guided in the fruitfulness of green pastures. The quietness of living water. Your Holy Spirit refreshing our souls. Let Your Truth, Way and Life guide us along the right paths for Your name’s sake. Your Holy Spirit comforts me.

We are lifting up prayers for our concerns, our needs, those of our Loved ones. For our jobs, communities, Churches and this Nation in this time of elections. 

Our joy overflows, for in certainty, Your Goodness and Love are part of all the days of our life. And when You call us Home, we will dwell in the Kingdom You have established in Great Joy. In great privilege and expectation, in the Highest Name of Jesus Christ the Lord, we ask. Amen. The will of the Lord be done.  Alleluia!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †