Luke 19:41-48 ~ for peace

Luke 19:41-48

41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying,

“Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”


45 And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.”

47 And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, 48 but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words.

Proverbs 8

22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; 23 Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.

24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth, 26 before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world.

27 When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28 when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, 29 when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command.

When he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, 31 rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man.

32 "And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.

34 Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. 35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD, 36 but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death."


Seasons. Lent.

I have a sarcastic, favorite person in my life - for many decades. He says people do not change. I have a realist who sweeps up and makes all things new to the best of her ability. And has decades where she wandered. Today, news arrived she has regrouped - recovered - regained ground - found her joy - found her compassion.




This passage is perfect for today:

Jesus is recognizing - in this passage - what the view looks like - not as a 33 year old Jesus - as Jesus of Genesis 1 - let there be "Light of mankind. True Light of true light. Light of the world."

Luke 1:

Jesus
77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
79 to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

Jesus is very boldly telling, not of the view of a 30 year old. Revealing Jesus as God. Before Abraham. Telling us of His unborn Church in Caesarea.






Proverbs 8 Jesus delights in the children of man. And Jesus has said:

John 2
24 But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all men. 25 He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.

Both viewpoints - the balanced viewpoint of Father God.


This brings us to Lent and our life journey.

How would we survive Lent, if we not adopting Jesus' viewpoint. John 14,15,16 and 17 display deep abiding Joy of Jesus in this life - Jesus provides for us. Jesus is the Future and Good -  Jesus wills for us. Jesus is not whitewashing - sugar coating - Jesus is based in facts and actions of His gift of a new Heaven to Father God. A new earth for mankind's voyage to Jesus Christ.

We will all have "Days will come upon you". And Jesus has said, in weeping, He understands depth of grief. He tells us do not mourn as those with no hope. How could we, the Beloved of Jesus, ever watch "The Passion of Christ" without Easter and the healed Jesus moves with Grace.

This voyage. We are under the hope life will not change. And will. We see old people in hospitals not surrounded with loved ones scattered far away. We find Rehabilitation Hospitals are not visiting centers - the elderly fear to visit as if it was contagious. The grieving widow is too sorrowful to bear.

And why should we look at this? Because from this - new life arrives. My mother recovers and as she does, her friends surround her. Her hearing returns. Her hope.

And what about for the younger generations? Even for the very, very famous - set backs can take years to recover from. The stars do not just bounce from marriage to marriage. Child loss is devastating. Child illness is life consuming. The truth is life is not ripe for opportunities all the time. The narrow gate. Why?

To have Gratitude. To have hope. We act as we believe. If we believe God has hope for us - we act accordingly. We appreciate the Gifts God has given us. We do not treat what God has given as something to throw away or disdain. We have Life - abundant Life - appreciating what we have had and what we will have.





We appreciate today. Jesus would have us do what with today? Be Grateful. Have the Fruits of the Spirit. Always. Galatians 6 says 2. Carry each other's burdens. 5. Each one should carry their own load.


We all have an opinion on Tomorrow. In Jesus, we have assurance.

Isaiah 40:31
They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Jesus has shown us His belief, work, Love, endurance, encouragement, wisdom.

"Days will come"

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Mark 9:23
And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

Jesus is God's Delight. Jesus has Joy. In His Blessings, Jesus wants to give Blessings. In studying prayer, people who have had a blessing, are very capable of praying this received blessing on to others. Someone healed from cancer, is very effective in praying for cancer. Someone healed of a heart healing, is capable of praying for hearts. Sharing abilities of Jesus - increases Joy.






Our Abba, as we open our hands to You in Prayer. We consider by grace we have been saved through faith. And this is not our own doing; it is the gift of God.

Having gifts, let us use them: in proportion to our faith. And if we know You, Father God, hear us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of You. We will ask for each day, each opportunity, each decision, every day - Father God who gives generously to all without reproach, we will ask for Wisdom and to see Your Willingness and it will be given to Your Beloved.

We ask for this opportunity with our gifts of God. "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

We pray this for our concerns, our lives, our hopes. We pray this over the people we love. The People You have given us. Healing, life, hearing, eyes, provision, opportunities. Hope, Joy, Love. Protection. And for this Nation to love You more. And for the Beloved of God - everywhere to have this of You, their Father.

Always we want to Listen to Jesus. Amen.

 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 100 ~ Serve the Lord with gladness

 Psalm 100

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!


Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.


Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!


For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

Luke 12

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?
And not one of them is forgotten before God.
7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

8“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God

Mark 10:16
Then Jesus held the children in his arms. He laid his hands on them and blessed them.

Isaiah 63:9
And the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

1 Timothy 2
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all

John 4:24
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth,



Father God,

Because of Your Son, Jesus, we have come to know and to believe the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Jesus has said these things to us,we place our trust in Jesus, we may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; Jesus has overcome the world.”

Now may the Lord of peace himself give us peace at all times in every way. The Lord Jesus be with you all.

We give Thanks You know our prayers. Amen in Jesus for His Joy. Our Lord God, our redemption. We cannot repay Jesus. We can do our best and be grateful to Father God Creator of all things, wants us as His own because of His Great Love. Our Jesus, our Amen rests in Lord Jesus. He is Worthy, our Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Proverbs 1:1-5,33 ~obtain guidance

Proverbs 1:1-5,33

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

but whoever listens to me will dwell secure
and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.



The Worship in Solomon's Temple and in Ezra and Nehemiah rebuilding God's Temple with the Children of Israel, worshiped with The Steps of Ascent. Our thoughts led from the everyday up to the Worship of God.

Jesus is alive and well in the New Testament. Jesus is teaching in Acts 1.

Acts 1

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”



12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.

14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,
“‘May his camp become desolate,
and let there be no one to dwell in it’;
and
“‘Let another take his office.’


21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us — one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.

24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”


26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.



1 Corinthians 15
5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive

What was the response to having Jesus teach them?

All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

And with the prayers, and with the presence of Jesus, more of Jesus was sought.


Proverbs 8

29 When He set for the sea its boundary So that the water would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth; 30Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, 31 Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And having my delight in the sons of men.

When we seek more of Jesus, He is pleased.


Abba Father,

We ask to have Your Son with us always. That each moment of the day is spent with an awareness of our meaningful lives. We want to stay on Your Path. In Your Will, with Your Love, Encouragement, Guidance, Protection. Help us each moment. This is our life, today. 

We pray this for ourselves, our Loved Ones. The people You have placed in our lives. Our communities, Churches. Our Nation and the prayers of of Your Believers around the world. Your Good Will to be accomplished. And the warm words John saw and lived.
For Your Kingdom, Power and Glory. Blessings of Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Hebrews 11 ~ created by the Word of God

Hebrews 11

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.


Does God Worry? No. God sees the unseen.

And through his faith, though he died, Able still speaks.
Cain and Abel - God had a plan. Nothing is unseen to Father God.

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 
Enoch did not worry God. Enoch had God's compassion.

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen
Noah did not worry God, Noah had God's Compassion and Care.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
God knew exactly where Abraham was going.

God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city.

Did God worry about Isaac? He did not. He knew the events.

By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.



God never worried Isaac would not be a father.
God never worried Jacob would be stingy with blessings.
God never worried Moses would move off to Gaul or Rome. And defeat the plan of God. God never worried Moses would marry in Egypt and stay a comfie Egyptian.


23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.

God did not sit up late at night and worry He would not be able to work the Acts of God. God did not lightly take life - He sent Jesus to live as an Egyptian, in His early years.


29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

God did not pace up and down worrying if they would walk past the heaps of water.
God did not sit and sigh thinking about the walls of Jericho archaeology shows us suddenly collapsed.

32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 
33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, 
enforced justice, 
obtained promises, 
stopped the mouths of lions, 
34 quenched the power of fire, 
escaped the edge of the sword, 
were made strong out of weakness, 
became mighty in war, 
put foreign armies to flight.

35 Women received back their dead by resurrection.
Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.
36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, 
they were killed with the sword.
They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—
 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

God saves the best for after our Journey through life.

39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.



Abba,

We give our cares to You.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Because of Jesus. And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy.

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?

Thank You God, for Your Goodness.

Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Jesus is with us.

We know this and clearly with expectation - Lift up our cares, our lives. And the ones we love. The People our Father God puts in our lives to last and have harmony. For His Goodness. For the Nation and all the believers. To bring more Heaven to earth. Jesus Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 91 ~ You will not fear

Psalm 91

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



Lent.

God is so very intricate, He uses His aspects to draw within human variations - explaining tenderly, He Loves You As You Are Right This Minute.

To some of us Lent has to be Somber.

And to others - one more aspect of Somber is going to make that Child of God run frantically home.

To some a Somber Litany is a Prerequisite. Or Easter is not observed correctly. The Good Friday Service must be Stations of the Cross to remember the exorbitant cost of Jesus. And to another, Good Friday is outdoors in the crisp sunset with the fall of the sun reminding us The Light of the world Gave His Life and all the music is love and praise Worship.

The variations are not incorrect. Just as God's Living Word is Living and Active.




Psalm 91
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day


The Cross. What does the Cross of Jesus Christ cause in you?

For some people, this is the symbol of gladness. Put this on purses, wallets, rearview mirrors, t-shirts, earrings, bumper stickers, blue jean pockets. Why? This is Protection. This is a prayer - a sigh of the Holy Spirit - to remind us to pray when we don't remember. To remind us Jesus' Abba is our very own Father in His amazing willingness.

To others, when they wear a cross, this is remembering the Huge Price Paid by the Lamb of God. This is worn to remind, we carry our Cross. When we are patient, when we hope, when we care, when we remember to love our neighbor as ourselves. When we try, after being pushed back.

Now shifting gears, with great care. If you are Baby Boomer or a Gen X, you remember Western Movies ran a direction and Horror Movies did as well. And in the Horror Movies - if you pulled out a cross - evil had to flee. We were not so absorbed with the tortured human mind. How do the two philosophies pan out? And important consideration, actually. If you resist the devil, it will flee. There is always a war we don't see.  The war of good and evil, the Bible tells us this fight is way, way beyond us and God is going to win. And when we encounter this fight in our lives - it can happen like a flock of evil black birds attack as in the example of the Movie "The Birds." Re-phrasing - trouble lands and is intense and it is a surprise, because we feel so innocent.

There is a difference between the War God Wins and our every day. Usually. And Thank Jesus Christ for that.

We have within us - sin. We all do. And that sin is - I had a hard day - I'm not helping the other person. No way. And. Om - God won't see that one. Right. That has a cost. I gave at the office. Nope.

And then, there is the reality God knows exactly what He teaches us about. The reality our world is not going to do anything but change. Our opinion is not going to matter much in 50 to 100 years. God's Opinion Will Still Matter. Human nature, not very changing. Good News - God does not Change. And in this Truth - there is real exorcism. A Dallas Priest shows his congregation a video of this Dallas Priest going to a suburban home where all looks regular until you see books flying across the room unaided from the book shelf. Why? Child Porn. The Diocese of London, England reports 700 exorcisms a year, quietly. And one report says a man who does not want to be possessed says "J C!!! F O !!!" And the intent of his swearing was to save himself. Not Blaspheme God. Does this work? Yes. Why. Because the Highest and Most Powerful Name of Jesus Christ is going to go with you in any situation where you cry out to The Most High God of All Creation - Jesus Christ - and He will rescue those who Cry Out to Him as God.

My step-grandfather, Episcopal Priest, once said the most ridiculous and stupid thing in all the world was to repeat G D. Frequently. What if God does damn for saying that? Betcha. The desires of the heart and the reasons, thereof, are of Critical Importance to the Lord of Light. Lord of Life. Savior of the World.


What prayer encompass our need in all situations? "Jesus". Cry out to the Lord God Jesus and you have yourself in the presence of God. He will aid you. You are guaranteed for sincerity - an answer. The truth is "Your Will be done" is what He is looking for. Faith and Trust.

So, what do we think about a terminal diagnosis and suffering. Is this the work of evil? Not if we believe yesterday, today and tomorrow are fully able and capable to be in the Hands of God. To be invited to participate forever - all of us will see Jesus. And the Plan and the Will and the Eternal of God of Love - is the Triumph.



Our actions tell a lot about our expectations. If we believe we fudge on by, we fudge on by. If we believe we are going to go to college and PhD or medical school - we are going to raise the standards of our conduct. Being in solid belief, our purpose is presenting our best to Holy and Blameless Jesus to fill in where we could only fall flat - we are saying - We Believe in the Plan and Righteousness of God.

This is Lent. We are lent our loved ones. We are lent good health. We are lent our parents. We are lent Mercy. We provide Light. We bring our Jesus Joy. We bring the God of Love Joy. We bring Him Joy, when we help the least of our brothers and sisters. This is Lent. We are preparing - our soul - to bring our soul to Jesus.

We always want Jesus to pray with us.

Our Father,

Who art in Heaven, Holy is Thy Name.
Jesus Christ, Highest Name above all others.
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done,
on earth as accomplished in Heaven.
Give us this day. Let us see Your Willingness and help us. Today is the day You told us in Your Holy Word, Hebrews. Today.
Be our daily Bread. Jesus the Living Bread coming from Heaven. Our nurture to our souls.
Forgive us our sins. Cover us in Your Holiness and Righteousness.
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation.
Deliver us from evil.

And as the Disciple John was eyewitness, Revelations 6,
Thine is the Kingdom,
Thine is the Power,
and Thine is the Glory.
Forever and ever. Amen.
Always in Jesus Christ.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Jonah 2 ~ I shall look upon Your Holy Temple

Jonah 2

  Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, 2 saying,

“I called out to the Lord, out of my distress,
and he answered me;
out of the belly of Sheol I cried,
and you heard my voice.

3 For you cast me into the deep,
into the heart of the seas,
and the flood surrounded me;
all your waves and your billows
passed over me.
4 Then I said, ‘I am driven away
from your sight;
yet I shall again look
upon your holy temple.’

5 The waters closed in over me to take my life;
the deep surrounded me;
weeds were wrapped about my head
6 at the roots of the mountains.

I went down to the land
whose bars closed upon me forever;
yet you brought up my life from the pit,
O Lord my God.
7 When my life was fainting away,
I remembered the Lord,
and my prayer came to you,
into your holy temple.

8 Those who pay regard to vain idols
forsake their hope of steadfast love.

9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving
will sacrifice to you;
what I have vowed I will pay.
Salvation belongs to the Lord!”

10 And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.



James 5:13
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

Proverbs 16:3
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

John 4:48
So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”

Acts 3:16
And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

Mark 16:20
And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.




Our Father,

Let not your hearts be troubled.

Believe in God, believe also in Jesus. In His Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, Jesus would have told you. Jesus goes to prepare a place for you.

Jesus will come again and will take you to Himself. Where I am, you may be also.

And we know the way to where He is going.

We lift our concerns to the Lord God. And work to Jesus in expectation. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Philippians 3 ~ receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us

Philippians 3

New Living Translation

1Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters,a rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you, watch Him Work these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.

2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those who want circumcision; who say you must be circumcised to be saved.

3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! 5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.

7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.c For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!



12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection.

But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,  but I focus on this one thing:

Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things.

If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. 17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.

20 But we are citizens of heaven,
where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.

And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.

21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.



And who would be some of the most likely to have danced in Heaven?

King David.

Jesus. He went to the Wedding at Cana and was know to imbibe, eat and enjoy fellowship. A time spent, several days with Mary, His Brothers and Sisters.


Galatians 5:22-26

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.


We are in Lent. Perhaps an unusual choice for Lent.

And then again, at the Last Supper, where Jesus was about to fulfill all of the  Millenniums of Word of God, pointing to Jesus - Jesus spoke in Chapters 14,15, 16 and 17 - Jesus told more in this one talk to His Disciples, than all the Books of the Gospel. And Jesus repeated again and again - Jesus had - Joy - in this Life.  Abide, live in His Word. Joy. This is what Jesus wanted His beloved Disciples who spent time in confusion, fear, healing, rejoicing, rebuking children, calling down fire, arguing political places in the Eternal Kingdom. Jesus Knew - Jesus knew was about to occur - The Shepherd fallen - the sheep scattering.

Jesus tells us, tells Peter, tells John, tells the Disciples, tells about-face Thomas, - - - what Jesus wants us to do is remember - - -  Jesus' Joy in Life. The Author of Life. The Light of the world.

Jesus is saying
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience,
Kindness,
Goodness,
Faithfulness,
Gentleness,
Self-control;
These things - no law prevents.

We are the Temple of God.And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Jesus has Joy.


Abba, Father God,

Recently I realized a difficult year in 2006, brought what I can see now as blessings. Believe the difficult things in life have a purpose the beloved of God's Salvation cannot see. Believe God sees further and His Plans are Good.

During the most Spirit filled time, as the Word of God was not held in the fetters of Latin and foreign language, the printed Word increased understanding and literacy. And during this time, The Renaissance, people truly believed "Father God is for me, talks to me, hears me, answers me." Their prayer life and waking conversations with God from 1000 A.D. and on, they believed they could rely upon God for signs. And the more they believed, the more they sought, the more God answered their expectations of His Love, Mercy and Goodness. This is the communion of saints, the History of the people of the World. His Story. His Word to you, His beloved Child.

The Children of Israel had to believe God to walk the miles. Step into the Journey with Faith. You might not see the exit, but walk with God.

Watch out for the first ... thousand steps, they are a doozie. You won't be back tracking. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Walking with Jesus, every day - with faith.

May our Father God of hope,
 fill you with all joy
and peace in believing,
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit,
you may abound in hope.

And in this, our Living God and His Living Word, we will put our most dearly beloved People, our cares and concerns, the People God has given us, our Nation, our hopes for the Christians and future believers around the earth and the fullness thereof belong to our Father God.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day."

Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!

I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.

And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security.

Our God is King. King of Kings. God of God. True God of True God. Jesus Christ Redeemer and Joyous Savior.

And here we will Stand with Him. 
Our Redeemer Lives and is King of Kings. 
Jesus of Nazareth. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Jonah 3 ~ The word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time

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British Museum, Assyrian Art

Jonah 3

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.”

3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth. [9 miles]. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.

6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”

10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

We grew up in the generation who said Nineveh never, ever existed. The Hittite Empire used to be in question with Pontius Pilate. And now we know, again, the Bible is correct. Nineveh was the largest city in the world for 50 years in 612 B.C.

The Bible proves the Bible.

Abraham was also told to go and Abraham did.

Abraham was from Harran, Harran was a major ancient city in Upper Mesopotamia near modern Turkey, 44 kilometers southeast of Şanlıurfa. The location is in a district of Şanlıurfa Province that is also named "Harran".

 500 km away, Nineveh was an ancient Assyrian city of Upper Mesopotamia, located on the outskirts of Mosul in modern-day northern Iraq. It is on the eastern bank of the Tigris River, and was the capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire.

David was sent to foreign nations. David believed, as Nineveh did ~ God is merciful. David blessed Israel from his travels. 

God made the Assyrian Empire incredulous of Israel and God. King Hezekiah, with the help of Isaiah, created an oasis doing good business all over the world. Rivaling King Solomon, even if the land amount was vastly smaller. The people pulled together for God, magnificently, partly because Israel - the entire nation had been devoured by Assyria. In fact some of Jacob's tribes would never be seen again. War and disaster were that close.

Jesus spoke of Jonah and his day. Jonah was not spoken of after his fit with the Castor Oil leaf dying. Jesus seems to think this was a shame. Jesus rounds out so many situations - saying over the ages - The Spirit of God - searches for justice with mercy.


Jesus was comfortable. He sat on the ground to teach His people. The people stood. Jesus sat in fishing boats and people stood. Jesus mentioned vineyards 20 times and was accused of being a wine lover. Jesus never altered His thoughts to suit people who complained.

Jesus spoke of Jonah. Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman. Jesus would not let fire be sent on the Samaritans.

Many things in life are repeats. Look not to mankind, look to the Bible of Jesus Christ.


Father God,

We thank You for hearing and answering prayer in vast answers.

I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!

Father God, we will rest in life when we have upsetting times with You. We will have emotion when projects are interrupted. Knowing seasons change. And in these emotions, God's work is thought upon and held more closely. Emotions cause us to grow.

We praise You to lead us in Your Good Plan and Path. Guiding us, leading us, protecting us. Thank You for Your Provision and we look to You for our comfort and joy. Thank God for the people we love. Thank God for the people You have given us. Bless them and encourage them. Surround them with Your Goodness and Your Hope and Future! We are so glad to be the people of Jesus Christ - God alone and Good. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †