Proverbs 1:1-8 ~ obtain guidance

We are looking forward in expectation for God's face to smile upon us.

How will we find God's help us make good choices and wise decisions?    

Proverbs 1:1-8

1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

2 To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth—

5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6 to understand a proverb and a saying,
the words of the wise and their riddles.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.

8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction,




32 For the simple are killed by their turning away 

Acts 1 - Judas tended to his own interests.




We ask to stay on Father God's good plan and path. Pleasing God. And in pleasing God having the fruit of His Holy Spirit.


God blessed Abraham, to be a blessing to millenniums. Hezekiah was blessed to be an archaeological and Word of God treasure to understand the how high, deep and wide looking for God's blessing can be to all of us.


God is Pro Instruction and Anti-Condemnation. Hence the Words of the New Testament - no condemnation in Jesus Christ. Romans 8. We do not do away with the Law, but realize Jesus fulfills our gaps and encourages weak knees and drooping hands not to flag. God wants our determination and faith. This passage is giving us the challenge to be in His Grace.


God starts with His 10 Laws. The Law is orderly. And gives us His Son who says worship God in Spirit and in Truth. Jesus fulfills the Law.


So Decision Making.

We run to the new library - Google. Instead, we need to carefully consider the source.

We want our source to be genuine and good and loving.So the equation equals = God. We need resources from God. God does not remain in hiding. God tells us His nature.




HOWEVER, what God wants is you. Be yourself. He is passionate for you, as Your Father. He wants your thoughts, not repeating old phrases like a heathen to Him. God has created gifts and talents in you.  God expects we will need and call to Him as we go forth. God knows we will have difficulties.


God has no care for mindless servitude and platitude. Conversation where you tell Him what He said and He gets to have that conversation with your real self. That is what God wants - you to be the best you He created.  God sees Good. You are His Creation.

Zeal!

We want God to be zealous about us. 

And He gave us brains to discern what He is telling us. We want to be able to face decisions in action, path and words.  His Love to our soul. James says we are invited to ask God His Wisdom. God is encouraging us to rely on Him.


We want God to be zealous about us.

I have a friend who is a retired doctor and to watch him in Decision Making is important. It's a display of wisdom. This is how he faces our new clients with his decision making ability from Medical School and in emergency situations.

1. He applies himself to the decision in attention and will not be rushed. Decision Mode.
2. He discerns the situation carefully by listening.
3. He always repeats the facts.
4. And then he applies the facts. Not in panic, in logic, in prayer, in goodness. He is a godly doctor trained in decision making.
5. He treats others as part of the team. See one, teach one, watch the next person do one.

He is orderly. Making a logical set of directions.

We want the Wind of the Holy Spirit to direct us and not just circle. We set up a framework for decision goals. God wants us to want His Help

Our first step is to decide how we will make decisions - logic, self, impulse, flowchart, prayer, asking advice, from whom, journal facts, rethink old stories and events???

Wisdom  Goal.

Jesus did this. Jesus every day was looking for the direction of God.

Discern Blessings in Decisions

1. God 

Matthew 23:37
How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

Father God, I will be willing! To be gathered by You. In Your Direction. I know You are God and Your Blessings are abundant - I ask Your Help.

2. Love yourself.

Do this in good health and truth. Apply Joy and Self-Control. Often be a place to refresh God's Deep Love in who you really, really are.

2 Timothy 1:16-27

16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, 17 but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— 18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day!

Father God, I will be willing! To be refreshing to God. See His Great Love for you.

3. Love others.

Guard your heart. Our Love comes from God and then is put forth again. Love is not following the world. Wisdom is the passage Jesus tells us about Creation - the work of God. The starting out - is Wisdom. Jesus did not run to the Temple to display being the Glorious Resurrected Messiah.  Use humor in life. Have Joy. Often. Jesus did. God comes first.

Show Mercy. Love the People God Puts In Your Life. Especially the ones who show mercy.

God intends our Good Works to lead to more Good works. A life continuing.

See good in people God places around you.

Hebrews 6:7

For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God.

Father God, I will be willing! As far as it depends on me, I will live at peace with everyone. Refreshing You!

"Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night!!!"


God tells us life Will Test our metal. 

 Jesus told us there would be days like this. 

In John 16:33 Jesus says: "In This World You Will Have Trouble. And Jesus overcomes the World."

Who ya gonna believe? The toothpaste casino adds? God was right. Our decisions will be tested and all shook up. Jesus said the house would have the winds assail the house. The house that stands believes in Him. 

Like Hezekiah. Hezekiah had the whole Assyrian Empire about to knock down all his life, efforts and history. His earthly father had established an 'out' to tear the Temple apart and give up the gold by convincing the people to worship away from the Temple. Hezekiah believed God instead of his earthly kingly father and had the most successful kingdom apart from David himself.


See with Your Eyes of Faith.
Building a House is building a name. Having a name that means reliable, kind, dependable actually gets us respect often unreported to the individual with the good name. We fail to feel the Love God is giving us for our diligent care. We have to see with our eyes of faith - Love and Care will continue to be appreciated by God and streams forth like light from the clouds unannounced.

God tells us the Heavens proclaim the Glory of God. 
Usually no noise is heard.

God notices when we bring Heaven to earth.

Father God, I will be willing! To see with eyes of Faith.







 

When you know that the Season is Changing. And the Wind of the Holy Spirit is needed. Or you are just hopeful to have change.

Pray. Earnestly tell God the reasons. Stay in truth and in gratitude for Jesus - within the Law of the Spirit.

When Trouble threatens to swamp your lifeboat. Look for truth. We are told in Romans we know Truth. Lean upon God. Great struggles in the Bible tell us to look at the One who is Good. When truth is running off, ask God in. God will help.

Sometimes we have to remember where to look for real goodness - God.

Pray for the Holy Spirit who is Jesus Christ the Lord!

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.

Jan Karon's famous Mitford books tell us about Father Tim praying the prayer that is Always Successful - Thy Will BE Done.

Father God, I am willing! I will cast my cares upon You. You Love me. I will strengthen and rest in You.

The Noah Step. The difficult one.

Are you doing your life right? Did you mess up God's purpose for your life? Is your life meaningful?

Guess. What. Moses could have asked this question. Many times, even as he went up Mount Nebo to see the Children of God go forth into the Promised Land.

Gratitude.
Our honest prayer for honest situations. 

We are not large enough to be perpetually punished. Jesus took our sins. We might face overcoming poor decisions. It's when we give up in the gloom of unworthiness, then we have stepped out of the Light of His Love.

We might foolishly try to put our selfishness first again and again - but we cannot blame God for that. God did put us here to grow up to go Home to Him. Even the Prodigal Son had to grow up some. To find some humility.

It's a Promise. The Word of God is Fulfilled. God's purpose for our lives will be good.

Do we Really believe God has good purpose for us?  Similarly, the demons  shrieked at Jesus had a continual shriek "What purpose do you have for me God? What will You do to me?"

Would God call us not to be us?  No. Does He love us as we are and give us Gifts and Talents to fit in to His Plan. Yes.

Jeremiah stood fast.

 




Jeremiah saw terrible, terrible times. Being a prophet - he said, he didn't really want the job. God surely did not smite Jeremiah in vengeance for wanting better. Peter wanted away from what he grasped was very large and Good.

Jeremiah looked on the purpose God had for him and chose to believe God is Good. And His Word to me is for a Hope and a Future. In the midst of despair, Jeremiah bought an Estate. And you bet your boots after the third round up to enslavement in the Babylonian Empire - Jeremiah remained. And after the war was basically done - more foolish people tried to escape to Egypt.

 Did Jeremiah? No. Because the Lord knew that His plans for Jeremiah were for Good. God would fulfill His promises to Jeremiah.

God created us to be us. 
How radical if God said to me - you are not someone else? 
To find our highest purpose is to be in grace of His plan.
The plans of God are done by God. 
Moses didn't bring forth the Exodus - this required generations. 

When Moses finished, God provided Joshua. God helped Joshua. God helps those who loved the Lord and work according to His Purposes.




 
Remind yourself.
We want to live well doing our part. Especially  text gratitude of the good things. Good News.

God is God.  Look up. The One who Loves you is Good. Alleluia!!!





Father God, I am willing!- I will look to You in the expectation of the adventure Life has for me. 

You are Abundant Life. I will drink deeply of Living Water and see Love.

In Jesus I ask Your Blessings on us and look for the Victory. In Your Righteous, I ask for every good thing to do Your will for those I love and You have given me. Thank You my ears are a little quieter and for allergy season to go easily. Cover us all with Your Goodness in Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 97:11 ~ Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart +

Psalm 97:11

Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.




For whom?

Luke 1

77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven


Why would the Light of the World, Light of mankind, soul knowledge of the New Covenant do this?


Jeremiah 31

32 Not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them," declares the LORD. 33 "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 "They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the LORD

What about the Mother of God? Mary. Did she have Light sown joy in the righteousness and upright in Heart?

Mary was surely facing a difficult set of circumstances.

And what did she say to the Good News?


Luke 1:51-53
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.


Is Mary wrong?

No. And we will say this out loud with clarity. James, the Brother of Christ and Son of Mary mentions the rich in goods of this world 6 times with chastisement. And while Mary, descendant of David might have some bitterness to being treated roughly by the wealthy. God intended her words for the God purpose of humility within our apparently full spirits and pocket books.

And if we heard Mary say this for the first time in 1 A.D. we might say this sounds bitter coming from a young woman the Sanhedrin Council History records was a descendant of David, not from Solomon, but of David's child Nathan to her father Heli.

[****** People sometimes ask if Jesus is really Historical - real. Yes, when we are using the Sanhedrin and Roman Histories to see the records of Jesus ancestry, Bar Joseph, of Nazareth and His Mother Mary - the answer is Yes. See the first 320 years A.D. of Roman and Caesarean History. And the Histories of Eusebius and Josephus and many, many others.]

We have no way of knowing, other than James, about Mary's attitudes. We do know Jesus didn't go home when Mary, Simon, Jude and James came to pick Him up and return Him to Nazareth. We know Jesus said twice about His Mother and Brother's, the people who do the Will of God deserve to be called His Family.


So in these questions of motive, Jesus enters into this life.

John 1

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

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.



Who shall be part of 'Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart'?


We know the Saints ran off and deserted God when He needed prayer in the Garden. And the next day? They were Zero Help. And with this group of befuddled men - Jesus returned to fix breakfast on the beach on the Day of Jesus' Very Own Triumph Over Death. And Jesus surely did not fire, leave or desert them for being always confused.

Jesus Christ Emmanuel Light of the World

We cannot say  the Light of Jesus Christ functioned in the disciples as they attempted to scurry Children away from Jesus.




Luke 1

To give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.

And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy.

Luke 2

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”




We find what Father God is teaching us - only God is good. We can see truth in the Words of God from Mary and perhaps some anger. We look to Jesus to teach us of Father God.

This applies to Paul as life became a narrow path to God. Peter and Paul were not comforted by all the fruit of their hand, they found life narrowed. The truth is here. We are learning to be the Light of Christ - by - what means - by faith. We have to depend on very few people - because God tells us in Genesis - it is not good to be alone - and the truth is when we all will reach our final destination before Jesus - our soul presented as we are the Prodigal Child to God - we are - by faith - by faith - by faith - learning to be the Light of Christ Jesus the Lord - in ourselves.

2 Timothy 4:11
Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.


What do we learn about this? The Light of God, the light of mankind is here.

Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.


This is us as we ask God to dwell within us and we believe.

Hebrews 6

17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever




Mary said and the rich are sent empty away? The Prideful. The Arrogant. The self-serving. Those willing to say follow 'My Example'. The 'self' righteous. Not Nicodemus. Not the Stewart of Herod' s wife. Not Lyda - the seller of purple. Not Sosthenes the ruler of the temple. Not Jairus. And Caesar??? Well St. Constantine was formed from the horrible fire and trouble life will give you. This man was forced by the Emperor - to kill a good family off for their tortured refusal to dismiss Jesus. Eusebius was the eyewitness to the event traveling to Nazareth. What was Diocletian - prideful, self-serving, self-righteous, arrogantly well off. Filled with the power of his show of his own force.

And what was St. Constantine? St. Constantine the Great - Saints & Angels - Junior Emperor and Emperor called the "Thirteenth Apostle" in the East. The son of Constantius I Chlorus, Junior Emperor and St. Helena, Constantine was, and is, judged for MILLENNIUMS. Why we can't find out who shot President Kennedy and yet we feel we can judge a man's soul is ... beyond me. We could surely judge the disciples poorly if we felt inclined. Man judges is not of the Bible and yet, yet, yet the Bible includes flaws of people to see God returns to them and to us.

What Jesus would do for Constantine and for me - beyond compare. What Jesus would do for you. Astonishing. God just saunters through life - wanting to save - all of us. Hold us in His Pinions.
Held in the Arms of Jesus. This Love. The Promises. The Truth. The Way. The Life.







We have to see this in small doses to grasp the Enormity of God Almighty, King of Kings. Light of Light. True God.

Our, our, our Abba,

Jesus us gives us the Strength to look at our lives to rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

We want to worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the our own understanding. The Scriptures repeat and repeat so the Living Word of God bursts to the flame of Life in our soul we call heart.

We want, Father God, to gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of our own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know Him and the power of Jesus' resurrection.

We want press on to make it our own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

In Jesus, putting what lies behind, behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. With Jesus we will press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

With the help of Father God, let us hold true to what we have attained.

We know Jesus our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Jesus. And in this living hope, we lift up those we love and the people God has given us. For health, for long life, for the willing blessings of God to gladden us each day. Finding His mercies. For the people we have prayed for and will have the joy to do this today. Thank You for Your many, many blessings. With Joy and Love and Faith forever with expectation.

Alleluia, Alleluia Alleluia Jesus is Mine. Amen in Christ Jesus the Lord..

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

John 1:29-45 ~ The Spirit remained on Jesus

John 1:29-45

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!


32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.

38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?”

And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”

Luke 1:78-79

"Because of the tender mercy of our God,

whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high

79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.”


So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.

40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him,
“We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee.

He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”

44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”


We see in John's Gospel Chapter One, right from the very beginning - Jesus is called by Andrew "Messiah." This is an amazing claim. Andrew has found John the Baptist to be Spiritually amazing and has followed John the Baptist as a Prophet of the Most High God. Andrew has inquired and searched his heart and determined after a few short hours, "Jesus is the Savior Son of God."

John wastes no time in saying in Chapter 4, Jesus has boldly and without preamble announced He is the Christ to the Samaritan woman.




John 1

48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”

 Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 

49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Why is the Profession of Faith and Belief of Peter so acknowledged?

Perhaps because Jesus tells of Peter's roll which was prophetically filled. Then again, Jesus tells us of Amazing 2,000 tear old Church yet to have been even discussed. This is told over and over - Peter acknowledges Christ Jesus as God.

Peter has followed Jesus with fear, awe, wonder and has found Jesus to be the Word of Life.

Peter has first hand, eyewitness to the Works of God. And has worked through with blessed eyes seeing God.



What would Peter choose to say about Jesus, what would be the most important things Peter would see?

1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

1 Peter 1:23
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

God who renews us to start again. And we should be mindful of God's Profound Mercy.

1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.

1 Peter 1:9
For you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 2:11
Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

1 Peter 2:9
You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.




Father God,

When Jesus and His chosen Disciples set out to tell us about the Journey of Faith, Peter wanted us first to be mindful of the Journey, to establish the goal and the framework God was establishing.

And Jesus told us several times about emotions. Jesus said we could have anger and that's was fine, just don't sin. Jesus encouraged us to not have fears. Jesus continued to work with His chosen through their fear. Jesus told us we are not responsible for words and actions of others. Jesus told us we are responsible for the words and deeds we put forth.

Father God, an interesting example of rubber and glue.

Mark 7
14 And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”

17 And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?”

Jesus is our Lord God and we bless You Father, You meet, fill and bestow with all of Your Favor. Jesus as Savior of all the World. Jesus bless us with forgiveness of our personal sins and flaws. Thank You for Your mercy to me and to the ones I love and we cover the people You have given us.

And this follows along perfectly with the teaching of Jesus' Peter.

Thank You, Jesus for covering us with Love and Mercy. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 91:5 ~ You will not fear

Psalm 91:5

5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day.


Castles - in time of plague -

Spain 1596–1602 plague
South America 1600–1650 malaria
England 1603 London plague
Egypt 1609 plague
30–90% of population Southern New England, especially the Wampanoag people 1616–1619 Unknown cause. Latest research suggests epidemic(s) of leptospirosis with Weil syndrome. Classic explanations include yellow fever, bubonic plague, influenza, smallpox, chickenpox, typhus, and syndemic infection of hepatitis B and hepatitis D. ,
280,000 Italy 1629–1631 Italian plague of 1629–1631 plague
Wyandot people 1630 in Ontario smallpox
Thirteen Colonies 1633 Plymouth Colony smallpox
Thirteen Colonies 1634 Connecticut River area smallpox
England 1636 Newcastle plague
China 1641–1644 helped end the Ming Dynasty plague
Spain 1647–1652 Great Plague of Seville plague
South America 1648 yellow fever
Italy 1656 Naples plague
Thirteen Colonies 1657 Boston, Massachusetts measles
24,148[17] Netherlands 1663–1664 Amsterdam plague
100,000 England 1665–1666 Great Plague of London plague
40,000 France 1668 plague
Spain 1676–1685 plague
76,000 Austria 1679 Great Plague of Vienna plague
Thirteen Colonies 1687 Boston, Massachusetts measles
Thirteen Colonies 1690 New York City yellow fever
18th century
Death toll (estimate) Location Date Article Disease Ref.
Canada, New France 1702–1703 smallpox
Sweden 1710–1711 Great Northern War plague outbreak plague
Thirteen Colonies 1713 Boston, Massachusetts measles
Thirteen Colonies 1713–1715 New England and the Great Lakes measles
Canada, New France 1714–1715 measles
France 1720–1722 Great Plague of Marseille plague
Thirteen Colonies 1721–1722 Boston, Massachusetts smallpox
Thirteen Colonies 1729 Boston, Massachusetts measles
Spain 1730 Cadiz yellow fever
Thirteen Colonies 1732–1733 influenza
Canada, New France 1733 smallpox
>50,000 Balkans 1738 Great Plague of 1738 plague
Thirteen Colonies 1738 South Carolina smallpox
Thirteen Colonies 1739–1740 Boston, Massachusetts measles
Italy 1743 Messina plague
Thirteen Colonies 1747 CT, NY, PA, SC measles
North America 1755–1756 smallpox
North America 1759 measles
North America, West Indies 1761 influenza
North America, present Day Pittsburgh area. 1763 Native American victims of Biological warfare during the Siege of Fort Pitt, part of the French and Indian War. Smallpox
>50,000 Russia 1770–1772 Russian plague of 1770–1772 plague
Pacific Northwest natives 1770s smallpox
North America 1772 measles
North America 1775 particularly in the northeast unknown cause
England 1775–1776 influenza
Spain 1778 Cadiz dengue fever
Plains Indians 1780–1782 North American smallpox epidemic smallpox
Pueblo Indians 1788 smallpox
United States 1788 Philadelphia and New York City measles
New South Wales, Australia 1789–1790 amongst the Aborigines smallpox
United States 1793 Vermont influenza and epidemic typhus
United States 1793 Virginia influenza
United States 1793–1798 Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793, resurgences yellow fever
19th century
Death toll (estimate) Location Date Article Disease Ref.
Spain 1800–1803 yellow fever
Ottoman Empire, Egypt 1801 bubonic plague
United States 1803 New York yellow fever
Egypt 1812 plague
Ottoman Empire 1812 Istanbul plague
Malta 1813 plague
Romania 1813 Bucharest plague
Ireland 1816–1819 typhus
>>100,000 Asia, Europe 1816–1826 first cholera pandemic cholera
United States 1820–1823 arising near Schuylkill River fever[ambiguous]
Spain 1821 Barcelona yellow fever
New South Wales, Australia 1828 amongst the Aborigines smallpox
Netherlands 1829 Groningen epidemic malaria
South Australia 1829 smallpox [
Iran 1829–1835 bubonic plague
>>100,000 Asia, Europe, North America 1829–1851 second cholera pandemic cholera
Egypt 1831 cholera
Plains Indians 1831–1834 smallpox
England, France 1832 London, Paris cholera
North America 1832 New York City, Montreal other cities cholera
United States 1833 Columbus, Ohio cholera
United States 1834 New York City cholera
Egypt 1834–1836 bubonic plague
United States 1837 Philadelphia typhus
Great Plains 1837–1838 1837-38 smallpox epidemic smallpox
Dalmatia 1840 plague
South Africa 1840 Cape Town smallpox
United States 1841 especially severe in the South yellow fever
20,000+ Canada 1847–1848 Typhus epidemic of 1847 epidemic typhus
United States 1847 New Orleans yellow fever
worldwide 1847–1848 influenza
Egypt 1848 cholera
North America 1848–1849 cholera
United States 1850 yellow fever
North America 1850–1851 influenza
United States 1851 Illinois, the Great Plains, and Missouri cholera
United States 1852 New Orleans yellow fever (This one changed my grandmother Anita's life)
1,000,000 Russia 1852–1860 third cholera pandemic cholera
Ottoman Empire 1853 what is now Yemen plague
4,737 Copenhagen, Denmark 1853 Cholera epidemic of Copenhagen 1853 cholera 
616 England 1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak cholera 
United States 1855 yellow fever (This one changed the life of my father's family)
worldwide 1855–1950 Third plague pandemic bubonic plague
Portugal 1857 Lisbon yellow fever
Victoria, Australia 1857 smallpox
Europe, North America, South America 1857–1859 influenza
Middle East 1863–1879 fourth cholera pandemic cholera
Egypt 1865 cholera
Russia, Germany 1866–1867 cholera
Australia 1867 Sydney measles
Iraq 1867 plague
Argentina 1852–1871 Buenos Aires yellow fever
Germany 1870–1871 smallpox
40,000 Fiji 1875 Fiji measles
Russian Empire 1877 Baku, now part of Azerbaijan plague
Egypt 1881 cholera
9,000 India, Germany 1881–1896 fifth cholera pandemic cholera
3,164 Montreal 1885 smallpox timeline
1,000,000 worldwide 1889–1890 1889–1890 flu pandemic influenza



As I was saying - Castles - in time of plague - we'd like to have one!!!

King Henry VIII was serious about saving himself when Plague visited England during his reign.

Henry would quickly draw up a Great Plan visiting the healthier air of the countryside. Three purposes. One - to save himself.  Two -  showing the Monarchy Power and Influence requesting a Royal Party for Henry and his Court- great in number. Three - bankrupt nobility making the Crown come in First!

Unfortunately, the castles Henry brought the Court trailing along - yes - plague traveled with Henry.


We know today from epidemic studies, DNA saved human beings from plague. Rather a God Plan than Human Plan. Pope Clement VI was widely known placing torches or fire cannons around him in hope of forcing plague away. This wisdom came from the people who prayed for the Papacy. The fires kept the fleas away. God does amazing things yesterday and today. We can expect this tomorrow too.




What plagues do we have in the USA.

Probably complacency.

People fail to truly appreciate each other. Frequently troubled marriages have ease of friendship and economics.

Cornelius Vanderbilt is an odd choice for a Bible Study. He pushed all other people out of his way getting monopolies making the fortunes of his gilded era. He was one very tough hombre. Late in life, he married an unwilling female cousin. He was as rude to her as his first wife. She couldn't wait to be a widow. Cornelius knew this and said to willing and expectant relatives, who had not worked for their fortune - something grim and true. He told them they would become too grand to appreciate the monopoly on all trains entering NYC and would sell their cash cow. To spend more and enter into the fray of "Glorious Society" forgetting they were immigrants who had Family Fortune based on running a steamship ferry. He told them to wise up, keep the monopoly and try to live more simply. He was right. And as the fortunes were divided, spent in glorious living, more and more unhappiness and divorces and unusual circumstance did occur.



My very blessed and fortunate Great-Grandfather would sit his family down for a meal, in later life, and he would look down the table and say, "Eat Heartily. This might be your last meal."

I don't think he added, "Bon Appetit" or "Salut".




What's in your Castle?







Father God,

We will all have a day where our Time is planned to go Home. One third of the population saying Jesus as Lord - we are talking about multitudes upon multitudes - as seen by Joel. Your Beloved being covered in the grace of Jesus Christ, Wonderful and Auspicious God.

Father God, warm and tender our hearts as Jesus did on the Emmaus Road. Help us to be to You, like Daniel, who knew God is God. Help us not to live as Grumple Stillkins.

Let us remember again,
God is Good and Your Goodness. Real Goodness.  Life is strong and filled with real Hope of God. The Strength of God - Peter Knew Jesus is God and Jesus is Words of Life. Eternal Life.

Remembering wonderful Step-Grandfather Reverend Tate said, "Hell is going on a long vacation with the ones you love, in a little car!!!" And let us with gratitude -  real gratitude - realize we could be parted forever from the people we truly love - and remember again - strive as communicators in our insignificant conversations.

Rembrandt's Road to Emmaus

Let us truly, and really appreciate, the people we have in our hearts, let us encourage and build them up. Knowing we want our Beloved to feel loved. To be appreciated. We want to walk the path God has given us to know we did our best. Today, today, today we pleased Jesus.

Our lives continue forever - and yet, the gift of time teaches us - Today is our life and we really want empowerment making the most and best of our God Given treasures He Gives to us today. Filling our tomorrow is filled with joy. Knowing His pleasure  we worked for Wonderful Jesus. Father God embolden and empower - helping us - to be love and encouragement to the ones we Love and the people You have Given us.



Abba, thank You I feel well,  praying again for ears  have gone a bit louder today and feel confident this is Your Plan and Good will arrive. Thank You for my parents, and their continued goodness in our lives - as in-laws are family of the heart - decades of love. Thank You for Edward's health and innovations at conversations for entertainment, warmth and value.

Thank You for my children. Living and alive in Heaven. Thank You for our home and the people You have Lovingly, Lovingly given me. I appreciate Your steadfast love so I don't run down the hallway and give a swift kick or verbal punch .I am grateful for the Forgiveness my people, from You, have given me. I am grateful Your mercies renew and Your Mercies are diligently given in my life.


Hosea 14 Repentance to Bring Blessing

We will never again say ‘Our gods’
to what our own hands have made,
for in you the fatherless find compassion.”

4 “I will heal their waywardness
and love them freely,
for my anger has turned away from them.

5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
he will blossom like a lily.
Like a cedar of Lebanon
he will send down his roots;
6 his young shoots will grow.
His splendor will be like an olive tree,
his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.

7 People will dwell again in his shade;
they will flourish like the grain,
they will blossom like the vine—
Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.

8 Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?
I will answer him and care for him.
I am like a flourishing juniper;
your fruitfulness comes from me.”

9 Who is wise? Let them realize these things.
Who is discerning? Let them understand.
The ways of the Lord are right;
the righteous walk in them,
but the rebellious stumble in them.


What is our Father God? Tender mercy and renewed Strength of hands and heart and tender Love.


Matthew 13
31 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

Jesus You have told us. "How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings!!!"

Oh, the places He would go. You uphold Life by Your Word.  A Beautiful Promise and Sure Truth. Life Forevermore in Jesus the Only Son of God. God is Truth.

Jesus our Wonderful. Amen in Jesus Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

John 1:3-5 ~ Light shines

We are doing a Bible Video Study of Ray Vander Laan.

And I have to tell you everything Ray Vander Laan pointed out to us comparing The Creation with the comparison of Moses building the Tent Tabernacle for God was - incredible. Moses' Creation. A comparison of the Universe to what was in Moses' hands.


God used two pages in the Bible to tell of Creation. (Peter was more elaborate and spoke of one day to God is Thousands of Years.)

Moses spoke to God in 50 pages of 3,000 pages to tell of the Tent Tabernacle. The released slaves use their creativity to worship God. A thanksgiving. Comparing and contrasting the Joy Jesus tells us in Proverbs of Creation - Jesus laughed with delight.

Moses is completely enthralled with the area God has helped him to carve out in this time, in this life - to honor God.

Ray Vander Laan makes a powerful, meaningful point that this is - the space - we make for God. In the heart. In our time. In our life. What we bring to the Lord He has not given us - Gratitude.






I almost felt shocked at the idea. Moses time was for Moses. Moses is Magnificent. And because life is real - the tent of Moses is carved out of the desert - Prince of Egypt - Harsh conditions. Fearful conditions. And Moses was glad for his time to have with God.


We have something exactly like Moses...

Today. This is our life. Today, we get the same choices. Just like Moses. This is your life. Your time. And perhaps your desert. We all have to solve our life puzzles. And bring to our lives - the time, heart and space we give to the Lord God.

Just like Moses, we get our life to believe - thank You.

We can use our lives to do the work God has given mankind - Believe.




Ray Vander Laan pointed out that the Menorah is actually an artistic representation of Moses' Burning Bush.

And when you look again, this combines Aaron believed Moses. And Aaron added to the love by adding in Aaron's Budding Almond Branch. Later Isaiah would add on and say the Budding Branch is Jesus.

And Solomon would contribute to the life long efforts put up for Solomon, and God, by David. Solomon would take the Light of God to be Powerful and Large.

Like Moses - you have your time now with God.


Like the people of God - you have your time to think what the Light of the World is in your life.

John 1:3-5

3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.



Father God,

When Jesus lived and moved among us as Grace upon Grace, He did all things well.

The people begged him to lay his hand on him. And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.

Jesus had what few people of the Bible have - immediacy. What Jesus does is not undone. His Word is to be filled.

I want to say Thank You my ears are better today than in months. I say, with profound gratitude. Thank You, Jesus, Abba, Holy Spirit and ask for Your continued Blessing. We will continue to pray with great joy for the people who have shared their concerns with us. And lift them like the incense You requested in the Tabernacle of Moses to The Book of Revelation. The aroma of Your beloveds' concerns is wonderful to You.

Blessings abound and with Your Help, we will see them. Be the Light revealing Your Goodness to open hearts, open minds, open eyes and open ears. In Jesus we will see Your Glory. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †