Luke 1 ~ He has helped

Time to return to normal days - tomorrow is January 7th - The Wise Men have arrived - then - Regular Life Resumes.


We all have a different regular life. Different viewpoints. Levels of ability. Age. Background. Willingness - willfulness.


Consider Mary and King David.

The Tel Dan Stele is a broken stele using the phrase "House of David" refers to a Davidic dynasty.

David's Palace was found using the Old Testament. Learning David made his palace outside the city gates to prove he relied upon God and had a biblical view.

From the David Palace Excavations

David's Palace was Phoenician architecture as was Temple; The Temple used the cedars of Lebanon and Phoenicians developed a distinct style of stone masonry.


Ivory tools from the Palace.


David was an anointed Shepherd who went far from Bethlehem.

Goliath's hometown, Gath, found a pottery shard, mentioning the fight between King David and Goliath.


Bethlehem was mostly Shepherds and Barns like this:

King David


King David has something few people talk about and the first time I heard this sermon on a radio program I highly doubted this. However, as I believe the Scripture I see this is true.

David was a conqueror. He made Israel the largest this Nation had ever become. David did not spurn trade with wealthy nations. He used their architecture in his palace, located outside of City Walls - choosing instead that God alone had brought him securely and would be his protector. David chose to Shepherd all of Israel and welcomed the people who had always played it safe with money, position and political caution.

David collected all the materials for the Temple.

The Temple required 7-1/2 years to construct and the efforts of about 180,000 laborers, (I Kings 7:13, 5:6, 13, 14; II Chronicles 2:17-18).



The materials assembled for the Tabernacle are d in Exodus 35-38. The total quantity of gold collected was approximately one ton; of silver, 3-3/4 tons; and of bronze, 2-1/2 tons. At approximately $500 per troy ounce, or $6000 per pound, or $12,000,000 per ton. Silver currently is priced around $12 per troy ounce, or $144 per pound, which is $288,000 per ton. Hence, the gold and silver used in the Tabernacle built by Moses would be worth over $13 million today. Exodus 12:35 states Jews were given gold, silver, and ornaments by the Egyptians at the time of the departure from Egypt. The golden lampstand in the tabernacle weighed a talent and would today be worth a half million dollars for its gold alone. A replica of this Menorah is now in the Temple Institute in Jerusalem. (These prices for Gold are old.)


The plans were made, and David amassed the materials (I Chronicles 28:1-19; II Chronicles 2-4; I Kings 6-7). These materials included 100,000 talents (Ref. 3) of gold and 1,000,000 talents of silver, (I Chron. 29). From his own private fortune David also gave 3,000 talents of gold and 7,000 talents of high grade silver. This is an enormous quantity of gold and silver by any standard: 100,000 talents of gold = 3750 tons, value today = $45 billion; 1,000,000 talents of silver = 37,500 tons, value today = $10.8 billion. In round numbers, the wealth of the First Temple was about $56 billion. Or if we take the current Gold Price Per Ounce $1,232.40 = $137,984,000 Billion. (Larger than Presidential hopeful Donald Trump's 4 Billion. We have to credit all to God and some to the God inspired Egyptians.)


Josephus wrote of the hoarding of wealth by the High Priests. The Second Temple was not wealthy although the Temple Tools returned from the Babylonian Exile. The plunder Titus carried to Rome could well have been worth tens of millions of dollars. Cicero wrote of great influxes of gold to Jerusalem. Josephus, Wars of the Jews, has told of Tradition saying the intense flames of the Temple fire melted the gold and silver and it ran between the cracks of the rocks. Roman soldiers then totally dismantled the Temple stone by stone to extract the gold, Matthew 24:1-21.



David spoke of a Nation worshiping God. Still much in evidence of human failings.

Mary, the Mother of God, and King David have different opinions about wealth. 

Mary knows shepherding. She knows Bethlehem. She understands where she is placed in the Kingdom of Israel now Judah. She is raised up by God's Word. Mary is different and the same as David because she would see wealth different in later life from the influence of God.

The Sanhedrin Council roundly denounces Mary, The Mother oF God as poor. In need of work, unable to rise to professionalism pleasing to the gentry of the Temple lawyers and High Priests. They are just plain rude. And acknowledge she is the daughter of Heli. Luke 3 explains Heli.

Mary spoke of puppet state, where the King plays for the Emperor. And the wealthy work the laws of this. The Essenes left the Temple, saying it was empty of the Holiness of God and wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The Talmud, the Sanhedrin Council becomes very interested in Jesus. In learning his birth and his parents, in making Jesus look bad. Lying of course to smear him.


What we do learn by the Sanhedrin upheaval are facts and their desire to sabotage Jesus. Joseph has died and Mary is poor, yet her father is Heli. David's Line, the Davidic Line through Heli. Remember Herod paid attention to the Magi - Biblical or Spiritual knowledge. Herod was always intrigued by God. Entirely possibly the Davidic line was removed from Bethlehem, which has so many prophecies written about Bethlehem and placed in obscure Nazareth.

Luke 1

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”


Mary is reporting what Isaiah says in  

Isaiah 7
21 In that day a man will keep alive a young cow and two sheep, 22 and because of the abundance of milk that they give, he will eat curds, for everyone who is left in the land will eat curds and honey.

23 In that day every place where there used to be a thousand vines, worth a thousand shekels[j] of silver, will become briers and thorns. 24 With bow and arrows a man will come there, for all the land will be briers and thorns. 25 And as for all the hills that used to be hoed with a hoe, you will not come there for fear of briers and thorns, but they will become a place where cattle are let loose and where sheep tread.


Mary knows about what her joyful prayer states. There is a severe inequality of wealth. And the Roman Empire has created another time where a remnant of the faithful are left.

Jesus the Lord, Emmanuel - tells us of a different way to live - our lives in the creation God calls good yesterday, today and tomorrow. Bringing Heaven to earth, as the Lord's Prayer tells us. Saying God rewards those who seek Him.



His (Jesus') mother and His brothers (not sisters mentioned here however) were standing outside, seeking to speak with Him." Matthew 12:46

Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:16, Acts 1:13

Mark 6:3
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.




James the Just writes of being the son of Mary and living this life. A Brother of Jesus. Learning from the Christ of God.


James 2
2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves

James 1:10
But the rich should take pride in their humiliation – since they will pass away like a wild flower

James 1:26
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless

James 2
5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

James 5
5 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. 4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.






There are always what Jesus calls "it rains on the just and the unjust." Parallels to now and the First Century Christians.

Jesus in His Victory had something to say about what He wants. To save the entire world.


James goes on to tell us what he has decided after Jesus becomes the Victorious Risen Messiah.


The Book of James

James 1
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.


James 2
2 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.


James 3
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.





Jesus says He gives us a new commandment - The Law to Love.

The Roman Empire was won. And the next 1,000 years the Roman Empire continued in Constantinople. 


Living Parables. His Story.

 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Mark 1:1-20 ~ Prepare the way of the Lord, make His path's straight

.

Mark 1:1-20

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,

“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”

4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. 

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.  

17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”  

18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

~ Prepare the way of the Lord, make His path’s straight.

A famous biblical quote, when this passage seems to zig and zag from an amazing Spiritual baptism into denigrating into temptation in the wilderness. Why?

Jesus was both man and fully Divine. The blind -see! The lame - hear! While Jesus' siblings at first mocked Jesus, telling Jesus (in John 7) not to mind the Pharisees were looking for Him, but to go to Jerusalem for the festival to prove Himself. The Pharisees know, in probability, this ministry is not headed in Jesus' favor:

The point I am trying to make is this - because Jesus was man, God gave Jesus choices in the beginning, the middle and even the end....

Matthew 26:53Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?



Were the events making a straight path for the Lord? Yes, Jesus, being God, knew what was in the heart of man - and, yes, Jesus strove for us daily - placing mercy and sacrifice above honor. Our lives don't always make sense to us. We really don't see eternity - it is another reason to trust the Lord - His plan is at work even in our lives.

In faith we remember Jesus told His mother, His time had not come for wonders of God. But it was. In love and harmony, Jesus stepped forward to help His mother and His ministry unfolded.

The cross isn't a straight path. It is the cross section - the Upward Force of God meeting at the intersection of God taking our sins, flaws, mistakes, embarrassments, lukewarm-ness, indifference and washing our sins white. East becomes West.

God uses our welcoming attitudes & actions affirming love, and what is not what we would label as good to move His plan forward. In the life of His Son and in our lives as the adopted children of God.












 

Isaiah 28:16
So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.

Abba, Blessed are You, Lord God. Blessed is Your Son, Jesus Christ. Forever.  Just at the Shepherds began the New Year, we will with this love and warmth in us. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †
 

Matthew 13:1-2, 45-46 ~ Jesus got in a boat and sat down

A New Year, a Voyage

Matthew 13:1-2, 45-46

1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying:

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.


The twelve gates of Heaven are always open. Each gate has an open gate of one large pearl.

We all know collectors. Stamps, teapots, coins, paintings, antiques, flowers. And some people know what they know that they know - this is a destination - life.

This one merchant had one thing in life. The search of a pearl. And when he found a pearl fitting his search, this is what the merchant settled upon. And this was his aim, his plan, his voyage and destination.

This is the story of harbor and safe passage. A remarkable voyage. One soul interesting to Jesus the Lord.

Imagine being John and one Sunday siting at home, John encounters Jesus at his own home. Suddenly John was in Jesus' Home.


John to Jesus. First salvation. A Brother. Home. Warmth. Love. An incredible journey.



Father God,
In January so many people head back to employment and schools feeling a need for greater sunlight. We pray that each day, we are nourished by You. Like Jesus, we lean to Your Plan and are at peace.

Strengthen us in Your Goodness, keep us on Your Plan and Path, guide us, lead us, protect us, enable us. To enjoy Love, Joy, Peace, Steadfast Hope and Faith. Being salt and light to those we Love and the people You have given us. Strengthen all who call on Jesus to the Glory of His Name and for Your Kingdom.

In Jesus, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †
 

Psalm 67 ~ Let the peoples praise You, O God

Psalm 67

May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

6 The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!




Rick Warren is quoted as saying all systems in life are broken. We all get a choice if we will love God. Love one another and love ourselves. Achieving a balance.

And within this balance is shrugging off what does not truly matter.

Clinging to what is noble, pure, good and worthy of our care, attention and concern, love.

How will we do this. Sincerity of heart. Applying the Word of God with Love. Letting God be God. Believing and trusting God.

Counting the Blessings of the Day. Finding Joy, Peace and Love. Encouraging.


Psalm 68:19

Grump English Standard Version
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah

New American Standard Bible
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation. Selah.

King James Bible
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
less. Love more, search each day to see the real blessings.






Father God,
I thank You for good medical care Edward received. For the people who work hard for others.

To see the care we have for one another. To see our family care. To have a meal together. To be grateful for health. To love and encourage. To be honest. To be ourselves. To rejoice in seeing young people going forth. The tender warmth of home. To have a New Year. To Have Belief in God for our Hope and Future.

To push aside what tries to rock our boat for no good in depth cause. To overcome the irritations of life we all share.

In the warmth of drawing near to the Lord, to reset, renew, rejoice.

For ourselves, the ones we Love, the people God gives us. The communion of saints around the world, those who are and those who will be, for the Church on up to the Kingdom of God.

The comfort of knowing we will be in Father God's House - His chosen and beloved Kingdom.

Covered with God's willing love and joy, the Name of Jesus - Blesses us. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †
 

Mark 6 ~ That they might touch

Mark 6

6 He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 

 Nazareth Synagogue

 

2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 

4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 

5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And he marveled because of their unbelief.
And he went about among the villages teaching.

7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. 

10 And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11 And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 

12 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 

15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” 

And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 

16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 1


 Where was Herod as he worried about Jesus and John the Baptist?

Herod's Palace in Jerusalem.

The Palace of Caesarea and the fresh water pool

Masada

Judean Desert Herod Palace Herodium



7 For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.

21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” 23 And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 

26 And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison 28 and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 







29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Jesus and his cousin, John the Baptist


30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 

31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 

33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 

34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.

And he began to teach them many things. 

35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” 

And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii[f] worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 

38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” 

And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 

39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 

42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.

 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them.

And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. 

But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.


53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him 55 and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. 

56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment.

 And as many as touched it were made well.

Abba Father,
We lift up those we Love to You. That the Words of Your Mouth would be the fringe of our prayer. That we do not grasp for You, instead, looking to Jesus, we go in the direction of Your Willingness.

And Give You great Thanks for the New Year. For opportunities of more Joy. Each day seeing Your Mercies Renew. The Fruit of God is Love, Joy, Peace, Encouragement, Steadfast Love and His Enduring Love.

Rejoice for the Days to Come. In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †
 

Psalm 130 ~ With the Lord there is steadfast love

Psalm 130

A Song of Ascents.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
2O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

3If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?

4 But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.

5I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
7O Israel, hope in the Lord!

For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.

 
Psalm 130 is recited as part of the liturgy for the High Holidays, sung responsively before the open Torah Ark during the morning service from Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippur. A Song of Ascents. One of the Dead Sea Scrolls (11QPsa) attributes 3600 tehilim (songs of praise) plus other compositions to David. Other Psalms in the 130s by David are: 131, 133 and 138—145. In my opinion, this looks very possibly to be a Davidic Psalm.




A Psalm for the High Holy Days. Especially New Year's Day. Where we have hopes for Happiness for this new, new year. Moses tells us in Psalm 90, Moses prays for Happiness. Jesus in the Gospels goes where His Father leads Him for the day. Dealing with reasons people are unhappy. Many, many times - Jesus as God directs first for forgiveness. Displaying God needs no reason other than Love to forgive us our sins, flaws and weaknesses. Jesus begins healing with forgiveness.

Happiness is fine. The larger purpose and portion would be to be Blessed of the Lord God Almighty. This is not circumstantial and is endearingly Eternal. Steadfast.



We begin the New Year being blessed by God for His Glory. This Psalm is Jesus covering us by His Holy Name. The Blessing given to Aaron in 1500 B.C. states we are covered by the Name of the Lord.

Being the Easter People, Alleluia, we are Blessed to know to call upon the Name of Jesus.

Abba, Father,
We give Thanks being covered by the Name of Jesus. Knowing to call upon You to cover those we Love in Your Strong Name. Covering this prayer from those we know - to the communion of saints - all the way to the Nation and surrounding all the planet - where yesterday, today and tomorrow - You see Your Creation as Good. Amen and Amen in the Alleluia of Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †