Genesis 22 ~ God tested Abraham

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn painting of Abraham and the Angels

1 John 4:8

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Psalm 18:30
This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

1 Peter 1:15
He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct

Genesis 22:1-2

22 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” ² He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

Genesis 22:9-13

⁹ When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. ¹⁰ Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.  

¹¹ But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” ¹² He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” ¹³ And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.

Genesis 22:15-18

And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven ¹⁶ and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,  

¹⁷ I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, ¹⁸ and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

The passage people discuss when they talk about believers being weird about faith. Odd. Off. Mental. (Those crazies going around killing for "God".)

Because if your spouse or your child came home and said they wanted to kill someone and heard from God - you are going to be - UPSET.

And this is happening around the world today - killing for God. Jihad.

Why was Abraham chosen to be Father of the Nations? Well Bible readers know because He believed God and this was credited to him as righteousness. 






Romans 4 goes on to say how this aspect of Abraham touches us today.

20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 

23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. 

It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Saying what we do  has to blend into what God tells us all. The Scriptures show us in several places - He wants us to abide in Scripture. John 14, 15, 16, 17 to name a few.






Abraham could have Grabbed on To God for dear Life and asked for Mercy. And expected His Grace. In times of Trouble. Approaching  God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16




 




The Our Father Prayer tells us - God has many children. We are part of the Body of Christ. 

This is why you are fully assured if someone tells you Jihad public or private is not from God today.

 

 

 God is God. 

Salvation is fully a work of Jesus. We cannot heft anyone into Salvation. The first step is assuredly 'Called by Jesus.' I've heard salvation stories that exist - today - from only conversations with God and assurances and the Faith God Gives.

And Abraham was having Pretty Marvelous Prayer Times with Almighty Father God.

In fact, why did The Lord  did bring Abraham into being "Father of the Nations"? Not only did Abraham believe God - Abraham argued with God and said what if and if this, then and why and 'why would You'. Abraham went on to, unfortunately, to  question if God would fail to bring this about - Abraham and Sarah began to try to plan for the Lord God Almighty. And had the sheer audacity to say "Sure, this was a mistake and Hagar didn't want all this - but bless the son I created to make sure that You did Your Work." I.E. Clean up for me - thanks.

God very much liked something about Abraham. He believed - creating an open door for God. And he wanted God to be compassionate to sinners. Because Abraham identified with the fact that if God was going to kills sinners in a city - Abraham knew - oh no - Abraham is a sinner too. Abraham was going to argue for God to be Loving.

God - identified by John - is Love.

Now this chapter says immediately - God tests us.

And The Lord's Prayer is the Son saying to the Father - lead us NOT into Temptation and deliver us from evil. Well. Jesus is saying - oh, Abba - help His Children stay on the good side. C'mon see John and James - they are here helping Jesus - and they are doing it for a Large Place in Heaven. And see the disciples chasing away children - oh NO. And the others asking for fire on the Samaritans. Oh Son of Man - look at - that.

Jesus is saying, "They need an Advocate." Really. "Because look at these People - Abba - I walk on Water and they say 'How does HE do that?"

Abraham does, in my opinion, the same thing. He hears the Lord say another round of Killing. Except this time it's Isaac. If Abraham had said, "No. I don't believe You. You said test the Spirits. This one does not sound like GOD. You create life and life exists by Your Word Alone. NO. The Author of Life has control of all things under His feet. You bring out the Angel of Death and YOU do that. No."

Father God says His anger only lasts a moment. His Word witnesses to this.

What do you think God would do? Smite him for saying "You are the Author of Life and Your Word abides."

I, personally, think God would have said, "THAT'S RIGHT only Judge your actions as Pleasing to a LOVING God."

And If Abraham had seen like David, that Isaac, his son, began to die and trusted God with the outcome - GOD would have been very, very pleased to be Trusted to be Merciful.

And because Abraham believed God to be merciful - like David did - God would be merciful. Just exactly like the Parable of the Talents. Never, ever, ever say to God - this :




Matthew 25

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.’

What is the Willingness of our Father who wants to save 'the world'?

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.’


And if we wanted to oversimplify - we would say God gives talents for Life and not death.


And the point is - the Word of God spoken was for Abraham. Exactly like Jesus healed the deaf man in private. Exactly like Jesus healed the blind man privately. Exactly like the Word spread far and far and far and far - because the Light of the World is for Shining.

TODAY

How will we relate to this from millenniums ago - when we feel like Life is truly testing us - this is a time to stop and consider.

The Lord's Prayer says - we face temptations - trials. And if we feel tested - then consider how present Father God was during the years Abraham felt God had forgotten him. How present God was when Jesus asked Him the same question. Where is God?

Abraham felt that he had become insignificant to God.

Instead God wanted to see how Abraham was doing with something all those who believe hold in common - THE INVITATION OF GOD - To present our gratitude to Father God for being - invited to - Eternity of His Home.

2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Hebrews 3:6
But Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast.

Abba, Our Wonderful Father,

You are He who searches our hearts knowing the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Let the words coming from my heart. And the words of my lips - be pleasing to You, my Rock and Redeemer.

Lifting up with joy our cares, the ones we Love, our Churches, communities, jobs, Nation. With all the Saints all over the world. Trusting our God to show Himself to the hearts of those who truly seek the goodness of Jesus.

Even Job knew to expect the mercy of God when he felt lost.

Job 19

23 “Oh that my words were written!
Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
24 Oh that with an iron pen and lead
they were engraved in the rock forever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.


Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 61 ~ from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint

Psalm 61

1 Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
2 from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
3 for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.

4 Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6 Prolong the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
7 May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

8 So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I perform my vows day after day.

Israel has deserts, lakes, beaches, mountains, rivers, arid places, lush forests and farms. David knew most of the places in Israel from travel, work as a shepherd, work for King Saul as a warrior or musician & fleeing as if he were a criminal. He came to know Israel as a King and Father.

David knew what it felt like to be backed into a corner and to stay there. He knew a lot of trouble in life, God called David to know something Greater. Wherever David was, whatever the situation, David knew the comfort of God's plan being in place. The House of God, was merely a tent, but the promises of God are a mighty fortress. David would honor the ways God had for him to walk in, David would uphold the Word of the Lord.


1 Samuel 2:30
Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,' but now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

1 Chronicles 29:28
Then he died at a good age, full of days, riches, and honor. And Solomon his son reigned in his place.


Psalm 112:9
He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.

Psalm 103
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

³ who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Father God, when we do not see all of our path, help us to remember the comfort of David. We trust in You and we have Your comfort. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Isaiah 29 ~ the Lord

John 10:7

Therefore Jesus said again, "Very truly I tell you, I am the gate"

Isaiah 29

2 Therefore this is what the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, says to the descendants of Jacob:

“No longer will Jacob be ashamed;
no longer will their faces grow pale.
23 When they see among them their children,
the work of my hands,
they will keep my name holy;
they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob,
and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.

24 Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding;
those who complain will accept instruction.”

  Jeremiah 33:9  Heaven

And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it.

1 Corinthians 8:6
Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

Ephesians 3

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
15 from whom every family
in heaven
and on earth derives its name.

16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.


10/17/14
This study is too wonderful not to share again.

The Independent out of the UK reports the largest-ever study provides evidence that 'out of body' and 'near-death' experiences actually have real findings. Speaking about the evidence provided by a 57-year-old social worker Southampton, Dr Parnia said: “We know the brain can’t function when the heart has stopped beating." And yet...

2,060 patients from 15 hospitals in the UK, US and Austria, and has been published in the journal Resuscitation

Experts currently believe that the brain shuts down within 20 to 30 seconds of the heart stopping beating – and that it is not possible to be aware of anything at all once that has happened.

But scientists in the new study heard said they heard compelling evidence that patients experienced real events for up to three minutes after this had happened – and could recall them accurately once they had been resuscitated.

Dr Sam Parnia, an assistant professor at the State University of New York and a former research fellow at the University of Southampton who led the research, said that he previously that patients who described near-death experiences were only relating hallucinatory events.

One man, however, gave a “very credible” account of what was going on while doctors and nurses tried to bring him back to life – and says that he felt he was observing his resuscitation from the corner of the room.

Speaking to The Telegraph about the evidence provided by a 57-year-old social worker Southampton, Dr Parnia said: “We know the brain can’t function when the heart has stopped beating.

“But in this case, conscious awareness appears to have continued for up to three minutes.

“The man described everything that had happened in the room, but importantly, he heard two bleeps from a machine that makes a noise at three minute intervals. So we could time how long the experienced lasted for.

“He seemed very credible and everything that he said had happened to him had actually happened.”

Of those who survived, 46 per cent experienced a broad range of mental recollections, nine per cent had experiences compatible with traditional definitions of a near-death experience and two per cent exhibited full awareness with explicit recall of “seeing” and “hearing” events – or out-of-body experiences.



Dr Parnia said that the findings of the study as a whole suggested that “the recalled experience surrounding death now merits further genuine investigation without prejudice.”

Dr Jerry Nolan, editor-in-chief of the journal which published the research, said: “The researchers are to be congratulated on the completion of a fascinating study that will open the door to more extensive research into what happens when we die.”

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

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 †