Matthew 18:1-10 ~ become like a child

Better Than A Hallelujah Amy Grant

Matthew 18:1-10

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 

2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.

Yes, the child of God who seeks Him earnestly, draws His attention. Loving earnestly. Loving God first.


We all have a Sermon we heard we remember the rest of our lives. I remember Father Ted Nelson said his own son would ask him all the time casually for this that. For salt to tennis shoes. When a certain tone was applied, Father Ted would stop in his tracks to fully hear. Knowing the necessity. The urgency. Isn't God the same? God has created this life to teach us we are bringing our essence to Father God.

We choose where we put our time. We pick where we will put our hearts with earnestness and sincerity as God would want. Why wouldn't God have every right to choose who will enter Eternity - the Home of God Himself.

Salvation is deep and broad. A world sized mission of Father God. Why wouldn't God be allowed the privilege we give ourselves - too choose where we put our hearts and where we invite people in.




Look at this passage as prayer.

1 Chronicles 4

1The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal. 2Reaiah the son of Shobal fathered Jahath, and Jahath fathered Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the Zorathites. 3These were the sonsa of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazzelelponi, 4and Penuel fathered Gedor, and Ezer fathered Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem. 5Ashhur, the father of Tekoa, had two wives, Helah and Naarah; 6Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah. 7The sons of Helah: Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan. 8Koz fathered Anub, Zobebah, and the clans of Aharhel, the son of Harum. 9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”b 10Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harmc so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.


What part of this passage as prayer is going to draw the Heart of God. The list of credentials and names. Or. The loving and needing portion - perhaps of a child praying to God.

The Second part of the Scripture today:

Matthew 18
5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

7 “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!

You never know when someone is praying.

Because a day to God is thousands of years, consider who is a Child of God.

John 1:12
To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

As long as life offers tests, there will be prayer. In school, on a chair, over here, over there. 85% of the USA prays believing God is caring and loving them during prayer.

Matthew 25:40
‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’



Abba,

You have taught us earnestness is the most important with Love as we pray. And Jesus knew sometimes tongues and minds go still in urgent need. Jesus gave us Words to Pray. The Lord's Prayer.

We never go wrong to simply tell You. And ask You to Live in us.


For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

In His Eternal Home according to the riches of his glory
he may grant you to be strengthened with power
through his Spirit in your inner being,

For Jesus Christ to dwell in your hearts through faith

God of Love Steadfast Encouragement
—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

may have strength
to comprehend with all the saints
what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

Knowing the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,

Being filled with all the fullness of God.

Our God,
Father,
Almighty,
Shepherd of our Souls,
The Prodigal Father running to us.
He is able to do far more abundantly
than all that we ask or think,
according to the power at work within us,

To Jesus Christ
Displaying God the Father as
healer of the blind
freeing and healing the deaf
the lame rise up and walk
the leper is cleansed
the dead have life and are returned to their loved ones
To this Jesus at work, living, dwelling within
To Jesus be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.
Amen!

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

1 Kings 13:1-10 ~ This is the sign the Lord has spoken

1 Kings 13:1-10

And behold, a man of God came out of Judah by the word of the Lord to Bethel.

Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make offerings.

2 And the man cried against the altar by the word of the Lord and said, “O altar, altar, thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and he shall sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who make offerings on you, and human bones shall be burned on you.’”

 3 And he gave a sign the same day, saying, “This is the sign that the Lord has spoken: ‘Behold, the altar shall be torn down, and the ashes that are on it shall be poured out.’”

4 And when the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar at Bethel, Jeroboam stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, “Seize him.” And his hand, which he stretched out against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back to himself.

5 The altar also was torn down, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign that the man of God had given by the word of the Lord.

6 And the king said to the man of God, “Entreat now the favor of the Lord your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me.”

And the man of God entreated the Lord, and the king's hand was restored to him and became as it was before.

7 And the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me, and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.”

 8 And the man of God said to the king, “If you give me half your house, I will not go in with you. And I will not eat bread or drink water in this place, 9 for so was it commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘You shall neither eat bread nor drink water nor return by the way that you came.’” 10 So he went another way and did not return by the way that he came to Bethel.

Some Background History: 
While still young, Jeroboam was promoted by Solomon to be chief superintendent of the slaves. Upon hearing the prophet Ahijah (1 Kings 11:29-39), he began to conspire to become king; but was discovered, fled to Egypt, remaining under the protection of Pharaoh Shishak. Upon the death of Solomon, Rehoboam assumed the throne. The 10 northern tribes revolted against Solomon's son and asked Jeroboam to become king. 

Rehoboam's poor conduct helped Jeroboam, and Jeroboam (not of the Davidic line) was accordingly proclaimed a new king of Israel . Jeroboam fortified Shechem as the capital of his kingdom. and in Dan and Bethel,built "golden calves," which he set up as symbols of God, pulling worship away from Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, but to bring their offerings to his shrines. He became distinguished as the man "who made Israel to sin." This miracle made no abiding impression on him. He was in constant war with the "House of Judah." 

Not your usual reaction in this passage, a unique reaction. Usually people have fear and trembling when dealing with Mighty Acts of God. The Scriptures do not record God trying again with Jeroboam. God must not have cared for the reaction. The Word of God, He sent forth, was fulfilled.

What happened to Bethel used as the altar of golden calves instead of God's Word?


Amos 5:5
Do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will be reduced to nothing.

Bethel is never mentioned in the New Testament. Lastly mentioned in Maccabees. After the writings of Eusebius and Jerome, he found no further references to Bethel in the written historical record. There are ruins of a Middle Ages Church between Bethel and the ruins at Beitin.

Isaiah 55:11
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.


The Scripture passage is always picked unseen. Yesterday we looked at Matthew 9, the woman who reached out with her hand and touched the hem of Jesus' robe to be healed. Jesus did not usually speak with disdain to people. Unless they held themselves out to be leaders and were not true leaders of Israel. We find the man who had over thrown David's grandson in Israel putting up golden calves and leading in the Synagogue. The man is wise enough to make the sign called for with the altar. It's doubtful that the pulling down of the altar was hard for him. With the loss of an arm pending.

And when he obeys the sign and asks for prayer - prayer is given. Prayer is answered. God was more merciful to the usurper of the Davidic line than He was to Zechariah, the priest, for doubting the message of Gabriel. God reacts strongly to those with who are obedient and in faith.

Jesus also shared the non-ancestor king's response to the altar:


Matthew 23

18And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ 19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. 22 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.


















Father God, You give us each day. Thank You. Help us always pray with faith. Going with confidence to You. Let our reactions, words and ways be pleasing to You. As we walk Your path, we ask for Your Blessings to be sincere, to do what is asked of us, knowing in all situations, You are God and will have Your way. Thank God. 

We ask this of You for our Path with You. Joy. Love. Gratitude. Protection. Guidance. Wisdom. Your own Encouragement. Thank You for Your Steadfast Love. We bless the Name of Jesus for Mercy, Forgiveness and Grace. We ask for good health for ourselves and the ones we love for Your Word. Your Path is where we want to be. We place our loved ones in Your Care.

We pray in the Name of Jesus to give You each day and be on Your Path. Thank You for Your Answer. In Jesus. Amen.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 91 ~ Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him

Psalm 91

14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation

Today I was reading Matthew 9 and realized something I had been thinking and discussing today. I have always pictured the woman grasping the blue fringe of Jesus. Hard. With faith and complete Will. Determination of focused prayer. Muscular Christianity...

Yet Matthew 9 tells us clearly she touched Jesus' hem. Just as we want Jesus to touch our lives, hearts, thoughts and life.

She was not looking for unshrunk new cloth to change the fabric of her life, she wanted to make the fabric whole and well. A Jesus cured patch, if needed. She wanted the touch of Jesus to create Life, not paralysis. She believed the worthiness and holiness of Jesus covered her request. His association to her, not what she could bring Him. She believed dead hopes would rise. She hoped in Jesus - He had compassion for her, because she was harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

The person of faith Jesus looks for desires mercy, not sacrifice.

Jesus was displaying a Gentle Holy Spirit not a rigid dress of the 'religious'.



This would show us, this 'showing' of the Holy Spirit, would show us what Jesus says about His Father. Each day Jesus works only in the willingness of God. Jesus says He does the work God gives Him to do, Jesus tells us He has no power apart from the Father. St. Augustine says we do what we can with the quiet lives we have.  And in trying to please Father of All,  Father of Jesus, Creator of All Things - visible and invisible - we please God in believing in His Goodness and His Willingness. John calls this Grace upon Grace - God of Love.


Jesus arrives to fill all the Word of God. With what He gives us, we would not want to be unappreciative and instead in our relationship with God - we lean on His Love, Mercy and Goodness. This is God we approach with confidence, love and appreciation.







I learned today of the tallit - the fringe. Can you picture Jesus wearing something showy or more Jesus like?

Eventually the tallit was no longer worn as an outer garment but an inner one. Some think this change took place after Israel was exiled from the land into Babylon because the tallit wearer, clearly marked as a Jew, would have been subject to persecution or discrimination. The Bible changes the definitions in Ezekiel. Very religious Jews would wear the “innerwear” tallit, with only the fringes visible. In this way they fulfill the commandment of Numbers 15:39, which requires the wearer to “look upon” the fringes. This inner tallit is called the tallit katan (tah-LEET ka-TAN) or small tallit.


The tzitzit originally contained a cord or thread dyed blue. After the Roman wars (70 A.D.), the dye industry suffered a severe recession. The community became poor, and the requirement of the blue cord was dropped. According to others, the color changed to all white when a dispute arose as to what shade of blue. At the time of Jesus' natural death, and the destruction of Jerusalem and Temple, the color of the cords became white.


Jacob Milgrom, Numbers. The Traditional Hebrew Text with the New JPS Translation (Philadelphia and New York: Jewish Publication Society, 1990), p. 411. Much of the following material on the significance of the tzitzit is based on Milgrom’s discussion.

Ezekiel 44:17 does not contradict this, because many of the regulations described for Ezekiel’s temple are different than the laws found in the Five Books of Moses. The Mishnah (Kilayim 9:1) confirms that the priests who served in the Temple in the time around Christ wore the linen-and-wool mixture.




Our Abba,

We come to You seeking Your real help and Love. Not the paralysis of doubt and loss, instead boldly and with confidence Jesus says, "My Father and Yours." We enter into prayer with You, our conversation.

We touch the living Jesus. Still at work with His Father. Asking like John 17, You to pray for us and with us, Jesus.

We thank You, Abba, for the Life of Jesus. The Sacrifice Jesus made. The Mercy covering us. Requiring our mercy to others in gratitude.

You will be the fabric of our lives, we will live, move and have our being - our essence - our soul with You. We will see Your willingness in our lives. When we seek to see You.

We believe the worthiness and holiness of Jesus covers our requests. Jesus Love for us, not what we could bring to You Almighty Father. We believed dead hopes rise. We love Jesus - He has compassion for us, because we are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

The person of faith Jesus looks for desires mercy, not sacrifice. With Your help, we will see Your willingness and go with Your blessings to bless others. Asking health, provision, Love, Joy, peace, encouraging qualities, encouragement and faith. Lifting up our loved ones to be Loved and held in Your Path for goodness, protection, abundant Life. Lifting our communities, jobs, Churches and government to the gracious blessing of God our Father.

And rest our cares with You, Father God. Amen in Jesus and Your Good Will be done.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Luke 17:1-6 ~ faith

Jesus loved figs. Fruitful lives. Love, Joy, Peace, Forbearance, Encouragement, Gentleness, Hope, Faith. We tend our 'garden' God provides the fruit and fruitfulness.

Luke 17:1-6

And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. 3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 

6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like...




So many times I do my Bible study reading for the morning, and I am struck with the wonder - Father God fills each day of the many, many days of this earth with earnest, sincere, on-topic, incredibly useful, needed like dry ground - - - "Word of God" to Live with. Live for. Live with the Comfort of the Holy Spirit.

And frankly some days I have to really read the Scripture to see what God is pointing to.

And today I was feeling 'pressed' as grown sons explore opportunities across continent and across planet. I felt upset with others and family for selfish deeds ... "people". I felt righteously indignant. Justifiably upset. And downright crabby. A stew of "Prodigal Son's Older Brother."


THIS. Is a poor place to meet a Loving God. All this self righteousness of being "right". What do we give to others in all this "being right ourselves". I was ready. Man, hand me that rock, I will git 'em. And really, really, really - we aren't looking for being 'all that'. 'All that' gets you the accolades of fleeting admiration. "All that" awakens... verse 5. "What have you done for me lately?" Or 'What could you do for me?????"

Jesus is doing valor, valient, brave Work. Work lasting... at least 4 millenniums - we know of. Jesus is doing God the Father work. Jesus is Protecting His Children. And explaining if you teach your children fear and low living - you are giving them a millstone. If you teach your children no valor, no integrity, no wisdom - you have tempted them to learn from commercials. Or any ol' source.




This Scripture truly is 4 milleniums old - do THIS. "Ok, easy, we do that," we think. Ok great. Now, God, what are you going to do for me?


It's no wonder Jesus cries out, "You Know Me. Hear with your ears."

Because when we do really hear from Almighty Father God, we are changed. Renewed. Amazed. Confounded. And when we KNOW we have heard from God, the Creator of ALL, how you are struck to the basic core. To your depths - GOD has Forgiven and LOVED you completely as you really are.



And when the Authority of Jesus arrives in your heart. Then you know you are that LOVED. And you see clearly God is providing a road map to His Home, His Kingdom and for Eternity.


The Storm truly calms. You can see clearly the Light of God. Jesus.

Our Abba,

The Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you."

We obey You by keeping the Commandments. By being Loving. By participating in the Law of Liberty and expecting Your Goodness to see us in Spirit and in Truth. And because of the Name of Jesus, Your Will moves mountains. Faith is filled again and again. Alleluia for the Love of God to cover our concerns and the ones we love. Knowing our prayers join others in one accord and being grateful for the prayers God calls the communion of the saints in Acts 1.

The Light of God will be Love and drive out the dark. Jesus heals us. Jesus has forgiven what we asked of Him with our gratitude. Jesus guides us. Jesus, like His Words in the passage, protects us.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for the Blessings You provide to us to bless all. This is the Blessing of God Almighty. Amen in Jesus.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

James 1 ~ Count it all joy

James 1

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:

Greetings.

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

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Creation... waits.
With longing for the sons of men. Jesus is Son of Man.

When we are not afraid of loss, of hurt, of ruin. We are more open. We find Joy.

Verse 9

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.


The lowly brother has had to find more than the world offers to find Joy. Church missionaries to 3rd World nations report joy in finding other meanings in life. He is exalted to find Joy.

The humiliation of the rich - we might enjoy that. But instead humility draws God. Not pride.


James 3
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.

Jesus says Salvation is a work of a camel going through the eye of a needle. Rather impossible, and easy for God.




Mark 10
42 So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those regarded as rulers of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.


We are supposed to trust God so much, we find Joy like Paul did. In all circumstances and not need to draw up a wall of self-righteousness, a wall of works, a wall of needed security to form happiness. Not in being partial. The Perfect Law of Liberty. Jesus said He is giving us a New earth. And the jaded, sophisticated, moneyed, society Roman Empire met new Believer Jews of Jesus.

The first Century did not encounter regular society. They found Hope, Love, Faith, Joy. The Joy Jesus says He finds as God. Proverbs 8 Jesus enjoys and delights in mankind. John 14, 15, 16 Jesus finds Joy. The people trusted God for their needs and did not worry as much.

Finding as we worry in life, God's Plan will be done. Expecting His Plan is Good. Meeting God with sincerity.


Why? Why should we help God? This world is filled with halves. And is imperfect. Causing some to shake their fists and say God is flawed - forget this. This world is a glimpse of the next. How do we know? There are people in the last 10 years who have been dead so long their flesh turned black and all of their body became rigor mortis. And they return from even the beginning of organ donor harvest to tell of a Miracle of Life.

Why should we help God? Having the Joy of Heaven and of God spill over into this life. Presenting our brain to God? Instead, presenting our soul to God. The essence of life, memory, determination of choice, where our Life is. And where we invite God to dwell with us.



Abba,

In this faith we work in all circumstances to find Love, Joy, Peace, forbearance, faith, encouragement, hope, Faith.

Thank You, Father, for the Widow of Nain, the miraculous sign of Life for her son. God is still working and we can believe and trust Jesus with the ones we love. And as we do this, we believe God has all of life, all of this Nation, all of the world in His hands. What gift will we give You, Father, that You have not given us? Thanksgiving. Jesus is God. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Ephesians 2:4-10 ~ Gift of God

Ephesians 2:4-10

God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith.

And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.


John describes his Savior as God of Love. Let's look at God.

When His cousin, John the Baptist, died, Jesus had a unique to God response. He fed 5,000 people with no real amount of food. By God's Word and giving Thanks. A funeral from Jesus to John the Baptist. And then Jesus walked on water, just as the Holy Spirit did in Genesis 1. And when Peter could not walk with Jesus upon the water, immediately Jesus reached down and enabled Peter to have His Strength and help.

Now I am aware we have written this down recently. And yet, this is what I am talking about - Having the Strength of God. Jesus Christ, Son of God, has this.

Most of us know someone who has survived a tremendous illness or accident. Generally, they do not fix breakfast for 11 men. Usually, there is not an argument after victory over death about favoritism - like the Disciples had in John's 21st Chapter. The Disciples took one look at Jesus Christ and decided to let their real personality all hang out. Flap in the breeze. Their Jesus looked strong enough to deal with them as themselves.

What did Jesus do next?

He went for a long, long walk - the Road to Emmaus.

1 Corinthians 15:6
After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.


What was Jesus doing? Acts 1 tells us what the Messiah, Savior, Son of God our Father - is doing. Jesus is teaching. He is not suffering. He is preaching. Jesus is breaking cultural norms. Jesus is appearing and teaching women. Jesus - is - Triumphant.


Now, how would God do even more?

Mark 16:19
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

Abba,

Jesus is Astonishing.

Jesus is Amazing.

Jesus is completely filled with His Father.

And You, have given us... Your Son.

What would Jesus do with me? Jesus would call me His Own. God's Beloved Child.

Will all we have within us - Thank You for Salvation, cover the ones I love with Jesus. And as the Beloved of God pray for this, around this world that belongs to You, Father God, and the fullness of the earth; we know the Holy Spirit covers our world with our prayers and You are pleased.

Holy, Holy, Holy is our Lord God, Jesus Almighty. Alleluia. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

James 3:17-18 ~ make peace

James 3:17-18

The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Jesus Christ, Son of God, tells us in the Gospel, He is open each day to the willingness of God. Jesus' work schedule is determined by the Father and God sends Jesus across the Sea of Galilee 3 times one day with full intentionality.




Acts 8:26-40

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”

This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went.

And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.”

30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”


34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?”

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.




This is a time of year, where many believers have someone they care about, who has gone to Church for Easter Sunday. We have experienced this in my family. The Word of the Lord came to my dear loved one and he heard about many trials would be resolved and he would become a Pastor. He is going off to law school. His friend was told he would be enabled by the Lord to do school quite soon. His friend goes off to Harvard for the MBA Program in the fall. We are in the time of the New Covenant. Those who, with sincerity, proclaim Jesus, are doing His work.

What will we do for those who dabble and wither after Easter? We will think about the advice of men proclaiming the Gospel who had to run for their lives from their 'failures'. Those persecuted for having faith. Those who have the fire of the Holy Spirit and persevered. For those lowly men are recognized today for their faith and their persecutors have vanished.

And what was their Biblical advice? Persevere. Love. Faith. Hope. Joy. See what is good. Rebuke what is wrong, rarely. With courage. Speak the truth and believe Jesus is the Truth. Who is your Neighbor? The one who treats you with mercy. Do not grieve as one with no hope. Persist in prayer. Do not cast pearls before swine. The Seed Parables are the seasons of life. Do not believe in your ability to determine what season will remain. Believe in prayer when fruit is unseen. Go where Jesus is the way, the life and the truth. Whatever is noble, whatever is pure. Set your mind there.

My Grandmother Anita prayed, seemingly unheeded for her son. She saw from Heaven in his 70's "The Purpose Driven Life" would be a key for Jesus to dwell within her son. And my grandmother did not spread copious tears for her son who hated and loathed Christians, instead she believed and stayed in her belief. Anita did not sigh and say what horrors God would have to bring on her son to make him a believer. Did he face horrors? He did not. One Sunday he wanted to hear a message, and the Lord Jesus gave him 'ears to hear'. Grandmother Anita was a worrier and, yet, she just simply believed her son would know the love and salvation of Jesus. And he did.




Abba,

Who sits at the right hand of Jesus God, where John and James argued over? I would venture a guess this would be Mary, Mother of Jesus. She gave strong action to save Jesus. And at the table Joseph, who saved Jesus and made a family that blended as one family.

Mary tells us about the treasures of her heart in the Christmas Gospel of Luke 2. We can just as lovingly place the ones we love in the Treasures of Father God's heart.

Knowing our Abba is God of Love. God of Steadfast Encouragement. And we will will stay with our Jesus in conversation and hopes. And this night smile knowing we have pleased the Father of Jesus, our Father. Lord over all. God of God. King of Kings. And Father God lifts His smile upon us and we have peace being covered with Jesus Christ Victorious

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever

Always Alleluia in Jesus God. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Matthew 11:5 ~ Good News

Mary Magdalene has greeted John and Peter, telling them the body of Jesus is missing - the tomb is open.

The Disciples do not fear Jesus' body is vandalized. And they begin to run to the tomb.


Why would John and Peter believe this of Jesus.

Matthew 11:5
The blind receive sight,

the lame walk,

those who have leprosy are cleansed,

the deaf hear,

the dead are raised,

and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.


These men loved and knew the Son of God. Had seen His Power. They believed Jesus is alive.

John 5:17
Jesus answered them, “My Father is working now, and I am working.




Abba,
In the Love, Joy, Peace, Encouragement, Steadfast Love shown to be You, our Father in Jesus.

You are were we trust to place our loved ones, our cares, the Church, the communities, the Nations.

And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that we may be filled with all the fullness of God. Praise to Jesus who is able to do infinitely more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Boldly we ask in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †