Psalm 58 ~ Surely there is a reward for the righteous

 

 Psalm 58

A Miktam of David.

58 Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods?
Do you judge the children of man uprightly?
2No, in your hearts you devise wrongs;
your hands deal out violence on earth.

3 The wicked are estranged from the womb;
they go astray from birth, speaking lies.
4 They have venom like the venom of a serpent,
like the deaf adder that stops its ear,

5 so that it does not hear the voice of charmers
or of the cunning enchanter.

6 O God, break the teeth in their mouths;
tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord!

7 Let them vanish like water that runs away;
when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted.

8 Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime,
like the stillborn child who never sees the sun.

9 Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns,
whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away!


10 The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;
he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.


11 Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
surely there is a God who judges on earth.”

So what does your view on the world look like?

Well, in the last few months, this was the view from my window across the back 3 acre pond. My mother's very charming 87 year old boyfriend was worried about the neighbor across the pond. She is in her 8th decade and lost her husband, then had his Azalea bushed taken out because, frankly, they just drink and drink water. So, Jack said he was worried the neighbor was perhaps ill because the house and the yard looked a little forlorn.

And we got out the binoculars and I took a quick look and said she just was older and the house looked pretty much the way it does with one person living there. And... in about 3 weeks time - voila all the, and I mean, all the, windows all over the house were ON. It was night all the blinds are usually up and there were two mature adults running from room to room with hands up.

Well, that got our attention. We don't know our neighbor well. It's too different streets and the pond does not have a gap. We have had a few hollered conversations across the pond in 16 years about things like - wood beetles. And drought resistant Plumbago. And ducks. So, Edward said get the binoculars. Of course, of course, of course we did. And we (I) saw mature people with their hands in the air running from room to room in a fast pace and then we saw they were yelling into the phone. Very agitated. And we worried. Of course we did. So we had to, of course we did, we had to see if we got a glimpse of our 80 year old neighbor. Because, thankfully this was not a burglary, but was a interior flood, or a hospital visit. Something was ON.

And of course, we had to keep checking. You know, if you are not handy with binoculars, probably you should not stand in a lighted room with your elbows out - checking on the neighbors. Because you find out that in the middle of disaster, suddenly the lights go off at the neighbors and they want to know why you thought they were interesting. Which provides you with hilarity and then some embarrassment. But you find you surely are not going to use the binoculars any time soon.


Now the good news is, the 80 year old widow has a boyfriend/perhaps husband and is now using the house as a vacation house and when it is not - then all the lights go on - toddlers run through the unfenced yard and - the boyfriend runs after the toddler. So Rejoice with those who rejoice annnnnnd don't get the binoculars on those who are weep - or are apparently agitated.

So how is your view of the world?

And of course, you were told that story, to tell you the next story.


Social Media. We all have view of the world. It's interesting to see facebook belonging to other people - the view changes. And in your 50s, you see more conservative viewpoints with the young people who reveal all. Om.

And here lately - the world has become Navy Blue. We have opinions on opinions that table to tennis to opinions.

And it looks a lot like anger. The Bible runs to two hundred words on anger in the Old Testament alone. There are not a lot of variables on the word angry. We all basically understand each other when we deal with angry people. Duh. Anger.

However... when you get to "Fear" you have variables. Trembling. Anxiety. Worry. Alarm. Concern. David has arrived at Psalm 58 from - fear. C'mon the man literally lived in a ditch in a place called Ziklag and is as bad as this sounds with kidnapped family (1 Samuel 30).  We seem to have a whole lot of fear. The government changing is like Houston in the middle of a Hurricane. This has Arrived. Changes are - - - wot - wot - wot - Swift. Who said Big Government could make Big Changes? What !


We are the generation when we look at our pictures - no one had ever said cell phone - rotary phone with fire to make the dial work - maybe. PC what's that the Presbyterian Church. Personal Computer was next. Then Politically correct. Which is just a version of my justice looks superior to your justice. Only my opinion matters.


So what are we talking about all this anxiety after people voted and a decision was made.


We are afraid.

Afraid health care won't be there.

Afraid our parents won't be there. Afraid what condition they will be in.

Afraid our children will be conscripted in war.

Afraid a Job won't be available to keep us, our our parents and children alive.

We are afraid at the outrageous cost of education.

We are afraid the specific training or education will mean zero.

We are super concerned with attitudes of unkindness. Fear.

We are afraid of the very loud and weird opinions that suddenly have become paramount.

We are afraid that our life was not posh or important and is ending with not splash.

We are afraid of endless days of the blah.

We are a nation afraid of the "other" opinion. And then we flock in circles were we are comfortable and listen to far out opinions from Hollywood and/or our boss.And are seen as the reverse of this too.

Be clear what the anger is about in "Opinions."

This is plain ol' old fashioned fear.

If Ashton Kutcher stands up and says his America does not have harsh borders at the airport and the diverse communities are welcome - he has some fear. (Ok, I have some concern too - there are 8 countries terror activities never came from on the list ok ok ok.) But you know he is saying this too, "I am reading the polls said Trump would never be elected. And om, he was. And people are saying Hollywood is in a bubble and now people are getting the axe. What if this set of people are the people that would be the unusual ones and like the weird far out from Hollywood. I'm saying that, om, I - Aston Kutcher - have some anxiety that the fringe is going to be cut off and that could mean, Ashton Kutcher isn't loved any more. And, you know, life is so odd right now with facts go this way and that even between news reports, om, maybe you all really do like Trump and the polls are wrong so - I think I will say something about the greater good."


We all might applaud Ashton Kutcher for being in touch the way we all relate to real concerns in a real world.

I personally was told by someone in conservative politics, in 1993,  that the leftist politics planned the bathroom agenda in the year 1993. Now this worries me. I am concerned when I hear that the bathroom has become a think tank.


I think we should avoid think tanks and go with making more Heaven come to earth. And listen beyond the anger to what the fear is. And find consolation. And look at life rejoicing with the fact we can find reason to rejoice with one another. And create some rejoicing.

God. God is not going to desert us when we do find we have anger. In fact one of His best pieces of advice is "Be angry."  He often says, "Fear not!" But when you get to anger - God says - ok be angry - just don't sin. Pretty good advice to keep life running smoothly. God - He is - Good.

Think tanks - any situation in the Bible is going to be found. It's not where Angels fear to tread - this is really - where God - would go - how intricate and messy - He would dwell - to help you up. And that is - Good News. God is Love and you can find all the advice you need to have a hope and a future - In His Word.



Father God, We pray for our Nation and the comfort of the Holy Spirit to surround, enable, help with love and wisdom - the care we need to find within ourselves for God first, ourselves second and others second as well. Knowing God, You Will. In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 90 ~ May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.

A man of God walked a long way. He had been a Prince, a son of Pharaoh. He had found his life offered a lie, he was not a Prince of Egypt, but a Hebrew, a slave, a no count. Fortune had just thrown him a bone. And this bothered him - his people were not seen as worthy. He struck and killed in anger.

He walked a long way to Midian. To be welcomed. And walked a long way as the family shepherd. Many, many journeys as a Shepherd. Many years to think of palaces and family lost. Family unknown.

And then he walked along way explaining the God, the Mighty, "I am." To his wife, sons and father in law. And walked to Egypt where he could well be killed for this. Meeting Aaron for the first time, putting his sons at risk in the long desert walk to the Land of Goshen.

And here Moses encountered - more of a public servant than a ministry opportunity. The people were - - - grateful? No.

And David understood Moses. And David placed Moses' Psalm prayer in the Book of Psalms.

Moses prays for happiness.

Psalm 90

A prayer of Moses the man of God.

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3You turn people back to dust,
saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”
4A thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.
5Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—
they are like the new grass of the morning:
6In the morning it springs up new,
but by evening it is dry and withered.

7 We are consumed by your anger
and terrified by your indignation.
8You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.
9All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.
10Our days may come to seventy years,
or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

11 If only we knew the power of your anger!
Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
12 Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

13 Relent, Lord! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.




14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.







15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.

17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

Forty... years.

What I see in the Prayer of Moses is profound. Moses expects to see what Jeremiah saw.


Lamentations 3:22-23

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness!



And Moses whitewashes nothing.
Moses says (( am sure not blaming God for his murder of the Egyptian slave overseer) that God has brought the circumstances to Moses to ensure Moses is willing, able, and confident to do the Good Works God intends Moses to walk in.


15
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16
May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.
17
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

Charles Wesley knew this.

"GOD BURIES HIS WORKMEN, BUT CARRIES ON HIS WORK"

Alleluia. This is the God who in His mercy carried these men who believed very far. This is the God who listens to us pray. And carries us as tenderly. And with His Glory and Love. Alleluia - our cares to Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

John 5:28-47 ~ how will you believe My Words

John 5:28-47

For an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved.

35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.

36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.

37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.

39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.

44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father.

There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope.

46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.

47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

Father God tells us something in an Imperial Style. He had done this with Nicodemus - visiting at night.


John 6:29
Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”



We all have days where we gather with those we love and we think about our life. Our goals, our daily life, our dreams, our childhood, our parents, our grandparents. The good years, the bad years, the decisions past, the decisions of today and the future.

Charles Dickens was a philosopher of human conditions applying just as easily today. Circles of loved ones who will praise God and see His hand blesses and gives "opportunities for a solution". How are we letting the river of life run over our river rocks? How are our conversations going? There was a study completed in the 1970s telling about the offspring of famous preachers. The result of the studies showed that the offspring of preachers "preacher's kids" mostly flow upward in life. Norman Vincent Peale called this learning Positive Thinking.

The Bible says, harshly, believing in Jesus can be divisive. Yes, this is undoubtedly true. Jesus tells us we have to work to believe. A sentence of Scripture to ponder... if we don't place Jesus and His Words and Love first we have settled for a ride down some road. What road? Well, surely, the goodness of mankind is going to lead us in humanistically, superlative fashion down the right path. No, according to fiction, history and our lives - we realize agenda can push, pull, turn, destroy, harm and abuse for self glory.



We have to fight for the ability to believe. To say - "I have seen the work of God in my life, and I will believe God is present here today." I've also seen in the belief - like Joseph - accepting mercy towards Mary - in the work of belief - God becomes as apparent as the Road to Emmaus.

The Scriptures tell us - the disciples were always halves. Half belief this is God and God alone can do these amazing acts of Life. And then they believed the old life, the old every day, the old disappointments would prevail and this Awe and Wonder of the Lord God and His Majesty - would fade off and they should run for the hills. Just like the Children of the Israel in the Exodus. 40 years.

David - believed and saw his anointed dream being given and fade away to be redeemed again - to fulfillment.


If we do not fight to believe daily - we wonder off and down.

God says place Him first above agreeing even with loved ones. God says do the Work He gives. God says believe. And in this Joy of the Lord God Father of All, we find we will have Joy to give. Endurance to share.
Building a Hope and Future.


Even on the days this arrives.

I have talked to so many young people who, when asked about the guiding person in their life - it is a grandparent. Not everyone is appreciated all the time - but with diligence - the one who believed God - who cooked the meals and made curtains, cookies. The Grandfather who taught about the car and the mechanics. The Grandfather who guided around the parents. The moral compass - this is where adult people  see. Who provided what no one else applauded. Framework to say - this is a safe place. This place knows integrity, honor, reliability, diligence and Jesus.


Pigpen - this might be your spouse and you say - we will not go there. This might be your parent - who changes your course of direction. This might be the grandchild who has been bartered away by parents having a good time. But where Jesus would love - we will go there.

Why? Don't we really Believe God. I do. I want my today to have struggles having meaning, enduring meaning of grit and integrity. I want my life to say, " I believed God."

Because in the end, the one Father - who put me on this mixed up journey called life - is going to call my name and I will go to my Father God. Knowing this life - this long college ride of good, bad, fun and little of both - is going to tell My father what I did to my soul and to help those around me have His Eternal Life because of His Love.


Father God has said, where we lead the people, birds will gather.

Some days this is noble and pure and the birds are noble Eagles.

Other days all complain life isn't fair and we need to take and shirk. This is where the Vultures gather.

And then other days - wild unexplained problems will occur and these dark birds wildly attack are actually the visible signs of the ongoing Spiritual Battle God says is real and is the show of good and evil battling. Do not be alarmed at fiery trials.



And then, I want to be able to put all this - in more Capable and Loving Hands - the Hands that Gave Life - Jesus' Hands. Jesus who worked to do not His own Will and turn aside. Jesus who works so we know Father God.

Abba, Father, Into Your capable Hands, we place our today and all our cares where we will believe Your best is our today and our tomorrow. In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Micah 6:8 ~ love kindness

One famous King asked, "Can't we all get along?" A very Kingly and Christian Idea.

Micah 6:8

He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?



“Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.”

Pope John Paul II


We have been the Easter People for so long, we have forgotten how unique, astonishing and awe inspiring Jesus is. We almost have to have Linus read us the Scriptures to understand the Greatness and Majesty of our God.

Look what the difference is between the Truth of God and fiction  or even regular History- - -


If we had a Western Movie of Jesus, He might be asked to allow the bad men who killed him to escape. But later the Posse and the Sheriff would make sure that men toppled off the top of wooden buildings, men would fall through windows as Justice was enforced. After much death and dying, Justice would prevail. Men would die, but our hero would be riding off to make another movie.

If we made Jesus part of Roman History, this King of Kings might poison His brothers, ask nephews to torture and kill the innocent like Diocletian. Mothers might poison lovers. Or like Eagles, cull children to enable the strong to survive. Morals would be put down to obtain position to be King/God.

If Jesus were a Sci-Fi movie, sure sleep might happen for three days and then the other inhabitants sleeping near Him are heedlessly disposed of, killed, because we know that only the hero matters. Jesus might fight off aliens and quasi-humans, and some might go squish, but the hero is not going to be forfeited until he has walked off with the girl.

If Jesus were, "The Mummy" what would be bad about the bumbling disciples obtaining the curse. What would be bad about them loosing organs and eyes and eventually being a human sacrifice enabling the Hero Jesus would live. After all this is God, so the humans are not needed. Just let Jesus sit on the Throne when all the people had died and the plagues killed them. Only the King matters.

If Jesus were a detective movie, Jesus would be brilliant and the guilty would be carted off to never be seen again. Jesus would shine.









What kind of King would expect and ask for healing lives and bodies - for us to provide kindness - mercy

What Kind of King would give His Son. Showing Life given by the King of Kings, is innocent. Revealing Good. Has provided unspeakable blessings and mercy.  And what does He say of you?

You matter to God.

What if you grew up with your siblings giving you trauma? Your story is living and active in Joseph. God would want to be part of your life.

What if you are adopted? You learn God wants to be part of your story and tenderly placed you into the river of life - where waiting arms of a willing mother - were glad to nurture and welcome you.

What if you had a life of being blind and having multiple families and children and just buzzed on to a new life and one day you realized you had not made any real meaning in life? Jesus would anoint your eyes and sit listening to you about the people who were giants in your life and made you feel unclear. Jesus would stay to heal you. Mark 8.

Suppose you had pushed out all the opportunity in your life - by substance abuse and dark days. Jesus would heal you and lead you as you are and want to be there for you today and in your recovery. Luke 5.

Suppose you were one of the many, many children who have lived with hunger? 1 Kings 17:7-15 Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath. God does not stay apart from those who have suffered.

Mark 5 a man with demons and, perhaps, mental illness wanted to go with Jesus. Who gives him the gift of ministry to tell of Jesus' healing him.





Or perhaps, you know you are Jabez. You are grateful for God for what you have been given. Teddy Roosevelt was.

Perhaps you are Jairus' daughter, you were given so much care by parenting and God - you are blessed of God.

Maybe you are Mark, your life has included you in many God blessings.

Or you have a great job like Lydia, seller of beemers, or purple dye. Acts 16 and you give back.

Maybe you are Salome, and have stood with people to comfort them and recognize the goodness of Jesus.

God who loves you - tells you His desire is to bring the world to salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. God tells us in John 1 - the light of all mankind has the true Light of Jesus Christ.

What matters? We believe in our heart Jesus is the Christ of God and desires to give Life.

What matters to God in our response? Our heart. Our words. Our faith has led us to be Life bringers. To be like God. Who calls His Holy Spirit, "Comfort."



Father God,

I thank You for the comfort Edward has provided. I have had Tinnitus and with my late at night nap - I had that cease and stop and make lovely silence. I thank You for prayers from the saints.

My oldest son has a Graduate School opportunity and I am praying for the Lord Jesus to make the most of this.

We have new neighbors and the children fill the streets with joy and fun. The adults gather to see the wonderful children.

Bless this Nation. See the humor in the first picture. And call us all to work together in Jesus Christ to provide a place where the goodness of God has room to improve lives and warm hearts to make life meaningful.

I lift up the prayers for the people I love. For the people You have given me and their concerns they have shared. Thank You we have the Power to approach You in Jesus and see what You will bring. Thank God for the Strength You Provide where we are just people. And honored by Your Love and Your interest and Care. In Jesus the Lord. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Acts 5:14 ~ added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women

What is Salvation?

A work of God!


Acts 4:4
Many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of believers now totaled about 5,000 men, not counting women and children.

Acts 5:14
14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women

John 6:29
Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”



A woman in Canada is in her mid 60s. She had never believed God before. This was for other people - the glories and the pitfalls of faith. She is rather hard pressed to pay bills. Suddenly driving through a snow storm, she has faith that if she gets to the next little, tiny town, someone is going to help her and it will be free. She knows what she knows that she knows. God has heard her prayer.

She barely reaches the tiny town late at night and pulls into a convenience store. A man in his twenties is standing in the parking lot. He says your car is older and making a noise, and I have that part in my car. He places the part in her car. She asks what she owes him. He replies his car didn't need the part and she can have it. She asks him if he is an angel. He laughs and says no he is very real. And shows her his driver's license. She tells him about her sudden faith in life.

He says, that is a wonderful answered prayer and he was glad to help and he leaves. Her life is now changed. Father God and Jesus have touched and warmed her heart. God is for her.





A teenager goes to a weekend of the Holy Spirit. His name is Adam and basically he likes church gatherings. He listens to people tell him their stories of the Love of God for them, what prayers are answered. How faith is met. Adam cries like he will not stop. And in the midst of his tears, he stops and says, "I came here to have a good weekend." The rest laugh with him.

And he looks at his hands and says, "My life will never be the same. I have no doubt that God is real and He Loves me. Jesus has died so I will never die."



French scientist Blaise Pascal died in 1662 his servant found a small piece of parchment sewn into his coat. At the top of the paper Pascal had drawn a cross. Underneath the cross were these words.

In the year of the Lord 1654
Monday, November 23
From about half-past ten in the evening
until half-past twelve.

Fire

God of Abraham, God if Isaac, God of Jacob
Not of philosophers nor of the scholars.
Certitude. Certitude. Feeling. Joy, Peace.
God of Jesus Christ,
My God and thy God.
“Thy God shall be my God.”
Forgetfulness of the world and of everything, except God.
He is to be found only by the ways taught in the Gospel.
Greatness of the soul of man.
“Righteous Father, the world hath not know thee,
but I have know thee.”
Joy, joy, joy, tears of joy.

Jesus Christ.
I have fallen away: I have fled from Him,
denied Him, crucified him.
May I not fall away forever.
We keep hold of him only by the ways taught in the Gospel.
Renunciation, total and sweet.
Total submission to Jesus Christ and to my director.
Eternally in joy for a day’s exercise on earth.
I will not forget Thy word. Amen.







A 24 year old bartender walks into a place to be tested for STD's to have a new sexual relationship with a man at least a decade and a half older than she is. Neither look particularly enthusiastic.

She says she always wanted to know God's love, especially since her family has literally died off and she is an orphan. She really would like to know Father God, but the prayers bounce off the ceilings. And Church is something that makes her enjoy the music and the songs are uplifting, but the Sermon goes on and on and she really just wants to leave. And when she tells Christians about this, they tend to want to move away from her. She'd like to know God, just hasn't worked out. You know?

She is prayed for that God would be a Father to her. That God's Loving Mercy would help her see the Path He has planned for her since before she was born. That Father God would encourage her, lead her and guide her where His Plan leading to Heaven for all eternity and call her Home to her Father God. That daily she would feel new mercies arrive again. For Father God to protect her and keep her from temptation and evil and surround her with a message of Life and Hope. To see His Words are Life. And keep her always forgiven for flaws, weaknesses and sin, keeper her safe in His Righteousness. In the name of Jesus. Amen.


She opens her eyes, orphan no more.
And says, "I need to get to Church, how do I learn to do Church."

She says she agrees God's Word is so Vast this is overwhelming. She laughs and cries that babies can't eat steak and milk is for babies. But anyone who wants to know God can read a paragraph or a sentence every single day of their life. Matter of fact she promises she is going to read at least a sentence of a Bible all her life. Now she needs a Bible. A Bible is found. She holds this safe between two open palms, the Word of God pressed closely between these hands. Now she is 'set'.

Church is a message of hope and encouragement. All the trials we face, Father God is not going to leave or abandon us. We need to nourish our souls the way bodies are nourished.







A four year old boy loves Prayers. He loves to sing at night. God is sending peace. God sets the prisoners free. God Answers Prayers. This four year old boy says he wants Jesus in his heart. He is asked to wait to be an older boy. The sweet and wise boy says
any time Jesus is asked, Jesus will go there.

Jesus is invited in. Jesus will never leave. Home is now assured where Jesus will make a way, truth, Life.





A man returns to a city he knew before. Time changes everything. He is not finding the people he knew. His family prays for him to not be without friends. A former friend is found and now the young man has found more people to do activities with. And there is a real guess of the praying people one of these people is going to be a believer and changes will happen in God's time.

What happens with this Salvation?

Acts 2:

41 Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day. 4 2They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.


Why would anyone be devoted to Prayer?


Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Father God helps us with our anxieties. We are safe to bring our cares to Him, He cares for us.

John 15:7
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Father God answers prayers. All of them.

Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing

Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.



Where will this take us?


Proverbs 31

25 Strength and dignity are - clothing,
and - laughs at the time to come.

26 - opens mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on our tongue.




Father God,

People who love You plant seeds of the Joy You bring. We are not always encouraged to see growth.

Yet all seeds planted tenderly, should know God waters, tends and must call.

We are glad to put our cares in Your Hands, Father God.

In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Matthew 2:1,9b-11 ~ behold, wise men from the east

 

James Tissot, explaining the Journey of the Magi

Matthew 2:1,9b-11

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem


9.... they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 

11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. 

Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 


The Scriptures repeat and repeat. Sometimes in the most unusual ways.


James 2:14-25

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.

23 And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?


26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.





The second part of our Scriptures is written by James, the brother of Jesus. Who certainly did not spend Jesus' ministry in step with Jesus. Jesus remarked that whoever did the Will of God was His Family. Jesus, being God, knew His Brothers would participate in all His Brothers and Mary would return.


Acts 1
13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.



In fact, part of Constantine's conversion, In 303, the Emperors Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius issued a series of edicts rescinding the legal rights of Christians and demanding that they comply with traditional Roman religious practices. Bishop Eusebius records being an eyewitness of the young Constantine being sent to Nazareth to torture and coerce the descendants of Jesus' brothers to defy Jesus as God. They refused, even upon bribery, and died. Constantine is said to have been like Pilate, and moved by their devotion to Jesus and Constantine's fate depending upon his adherence to Diocletian.

A.D. 312. Constantine I was the first Roman Emperor converting the Roman Empire to Christianity.





Jesus made room for His Brothers to have journey. And said something about the process of life.


Matthew 20

20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius[a] for the day and sent them into his vineyard.

3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went.

“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’

7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.

“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’

13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

One of the things Jesus never remarked upon -  tardiness. Jesus, instead, has the Bible inform us - events are timed according to God. Jesus knew His James, Joses, Jude, and Simon would be very, very glad to see Jesus return to them for 40 days alive and well in defeating death for us all.

Abba, You are God Most High, You reign, let the earth be glad!

For life's journey to God
let the distant shores rejoice.

Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all peoples see our God's Glory.

Worship Him!

Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad
because of Your judgments, Lord.

For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.

Let those who love the Lord practice only good,
for He guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Light shines on the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart!

Rejoice! Rejoice, Emmanuel!
The Lord!
You who are righteous!
Praise His Holy Name.

Jesus the Lord, please cover us with Your Name daily.
Cover those we Love and the People You have give us.
The Blessings of our earnest, good and Loving Jesus
exalt our hearts and carry us in His Good Will and Love.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †