Psalm 92 ~ For you make me glad by your deeds, LORD; I sing for joy at what your hands have done.

Psalm 92

A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath.

1 It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High,
2 proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night,
3 to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.

4 For you make me glad by your deeds, LORD; I sing for joy at what your hands have done.

5 How great are your works, LORD, how profound your thoughts!

6 Senseless people do not know, fools do not understand, 7 that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever.8 But you, LORD, are forever exalted. 9 For surely your enemies, LORD, surely your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered.

10 You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured on me.

11 My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries; my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes

12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 13 planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. 

14 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,
15 proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”





The peace passing all understanding. Is the truth. And yet, Father God does not intend for us to stay in peace. How can we say this. Because this life has a purpose - to be presented with emotions, hardships, good times, joy, tears, fears and pressure. To do what He wills with this life - to grow up.

Did Mary rejoice in Father God. She did. And she left home for months.

Did Gideon? He was in complete fear and demanded more signs.

Did Zechariah rejoice in the plans of God? Zechariah - a priest standing with Archangel Gabriel displaying attitude for,  probably, the hardship of being childless. Feeling as if he had an injustice put upon a godly man.

The man at the Pool of Bethsaida had been there 38 years and he tattled on Jesus to the authorities. Jesus diligently kept doing what God wanted Him to do and we see Jesus moved on to the town of Bethsaida to heal again.

Leaning into the acts of God.  Believing God draws all things to Him in His timing.

These are not the unknowing of God. These are the people of God encountering God and being forgetful, as I have done, of trusting God and pleasing God. We all have done this and need to put more into looking to God and His goodness.




The point of life is to make a path with God, who knows our flaws and weaknesses, still there. God says we are sinners. We work with mercy, expecting mercy, giving mercy - working on staying on the Path of His Plan. If we stay in bitterness or upset, we fall to bitterness and end up being the people we would really dislike being - the nine healed lepers who had no gratitude for God. The man who was healed after 38 years without awe and reverence.

Wouldn't we all want to be the woman  healed from 12 years of suffering, the woman who had the initiative to hold on to Jesus.

As always, the idea is to be centered on Jesus. Bridges are important and built on the expectation of mercy. Blessed are the merciful, they shall receive mercy. Jesus told the Parable of the Good Samaritan to exist under God's Banner. The Banner over us says, "God's Love." God wants us to be fruitful - stewing over injustice isn't fruitful. We positiion ourselves to have Joy.

In studies of happiness, we speak with God with sincerity. And let Him have our hurts. He would even place them in His Hand and knowing they are well cared for. His storehouse has more joys - all His Promises. And we bounce with life, letting God's Will be the motivator, inspiration and joy. Forgiveness is part of believing God. Trusting God. God is in charge.




Our focus -

~ Singing to find joy

~ Finding His mercies renew. Waking up in the morning looking for His Mercies.

~ Sleep.

Proverbs 3:24
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.


Works of God have this

For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

The Exodus was a work of God. Life is a work of God's.

Believing His Thoughts are higher than we see.

John 5:24
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.



When we believe God, we have comfort.

John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

John 16:13
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.

John 14:16
I will give you another Helper, to be with you forever



Abba, Abba, Abba,

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.

We lean upon You with Confidence in Jesus. Asking You to hold our cares. Provide good fruit in life and we grow there and produce Spiritual maturity. Pleasing to You and Your Plans.

Bless those we Love. Surround them with Your Love and Help. Thank You Father for Your many, many good gifts and the Love You give. In Jesus, Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Mark 16:1-8 ~ they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away

Mark 16:1-8

¹ When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. ² Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³ and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

⁴ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. ⁵ As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 

⁶ “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” 

⁸ Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

 
Jesus had gone on.  The Good News would go forth.

By the Will of God.

For 4 centuries, the fragile papyrus of Scripture would be destroyed. Today, we can go to the store and just purchase a Bible - something many people have died to bring us.

Lives were allowed to be sacrificed,  for many more to hear the saving hope in Jesus' Love.

Because Jesus died for us. And our faith in Him, is so important. We have this list.

 The Roman Colosseum was build by the gold from the destruction of Jerusalem and The Temple of God in 81 A. D.

When Jesus died, Claudius was Emperor of Rome. It was Claudius who imprisoned Paul, the first time. In the remote, far away country of Judea, the name of Jesus Christ and His promises and His Word, created unease for Claudius. Imagine this could occur in the time there were no mass methods of communication. It is historical fact. 16 years after the death of Jesus. Claudius has gone from prominence to being an enigma in history.

Jesus Christ has gone forth.

Claudius – Imprisoned Christians. Reigned 25 -54 AD. Emperor during the death and resurrection of Jesus. Imprisoned Paul, for his first imprisonment, house arrest.

Nero – Tortured, burned and vilified Christians. Blamed them for burning Rome . 54- 68 AD

Galba – Put St. Paul and others to death. 69 AD

Otho & Vittelius– only 4 months as Emperor

Vespasian – Sent Titus to destroy Jerusalem in 70 AD, it was the natural end time of Jesus’ life. It is said it is the prophecies Jesus spoke of, His forgiveness was given to the people of His generation. In that destruction, the Temple of the Jews has not been built in 2,000 years. (In 300 A.D, a third temple had the materials gathered, but earthquake, war and fire put an end to that.) Jewish Sacrifice has not been practiced for 2,000 years, it is forsaken. The Jews don’t even know why. God said Jesus was the sacrifice for you.

Titus – See Arch of Titus, still standing, in Rome today. The Temple Tools minus the Ark of the Covenant, is carved in the marble. The profit from the sack of Jerusalem is used for the Coliseum. The Coliseum was used to burn Christians until Constantine naively adopted Christianity thinking Christians would be model citizens. Still a triumph for the 1,100 Bishops, Priests, Christians proclaiming Jesus Christ for 300 years even if they would be burned alive for it.

Domitian – Hauled St. John from Ephesus and exiled him to Patmos. Continued to be fearful of Christians. Conducted one of the fiercest battles against Christians. Under Domitan, the Church split in half. Domitan Heresy - the Church is only for saints. Domitan tortured until Christians surrendered every fragment of the Gospels and New Testament he could find. 81-96. Because of Domitan – we have the word traitor . Part of the Church wanted to forever exile anyone who lied to get out of torture or gave up Scripture. Forgiveness is the business of the Church and Jesus Christ.

Because of Domitan, we only have 15 fragments of the Gospel before 96 AD. But these portions exist and date to 30 AD. Hebrews 9 tells us when Paul wrote Hebrews, the Second Temple is in operation.

+

The Love of Jesus Christ opening His arms to slaves, lepers, women, the poor, the wife of the steward of Herod’s household, Nicodemus of the Sanhedrin Council and Josephus. Ian Wilson records a letter from a Jewish rabbi, of Lyracanthra, saying it would be the end of Judaism because of the incredible miracles of healing, restoration, life transformation and complete hope. These are letters confirming the Gospels show the Rabbi to be extremely unhappy. Josephus, the Israeli General turned traitor, turned Historian says Jesus was the Christ and his brother James formed the later Christian Church until martyred in 62 AD.

Trajan (c. 53 - 117) Philosopher Pliny the Younger's letter to Trajan on the subject of the Christians and the response of Trajan to Pliny the Younger. On Early Christian Writings. How to torture Christians to discredit the claims of Jesus Christ.

Hadrian (c. 76 - 138) Foxe's Book of Martyrs -- Persecution Under Trajen...... The forenamed authors, Antoninus and Equilius

Antoninus Pius (c. 86 - 161) Instead of stirring up persecution against the Christians, he extended to them the strong hand of his protection throughout the empire. Rather than give occasion to that oppression which he regarded as inseparable from an emperor's progress through his dominions, he was content to spend all the years of his reign in Rome, or its neighborhood. Under his patronage the science of jurisprudence was cultivated by men of high ability, and a number of humane and equitable enactments were passed in his name. 161 – 180 166 Christian persecution returned - The period was one of ever-increasing calamities. The earthquakes which had alarmed Asia under Antoninus were but the prelude to more serious convulsions. The Tiber rose to an unprecedented height and swept away the public granaries. This was followed by a famine, and that by a pestilence, which spread from Egypt and Ethiopia westward. Everywhere on the frontiers there were murmurs of insurrection or invasion. The year 166 was long known as the "annus calamitosus," and it was in that year that the persecution broke out and that Justin suffered. These calamities roused the superstition of the great mass of the people, and a wild fanaticism succeeded to an epicurean atheism. The gods were wrath, and what had roused their anger but the presence of those who denied them?

Marcus Aurelius (c. 121 - 180) The Thundering Legion incident (174)

During the war with the Quadi in 174 there took place the famous incident of the Thundering Legion (Legio Fulminatrix, Fulminea, Fulminata) which has been a cause of frequent controversy between Christian and non-Christian writers. The Roman army was surrounded by enemies with no chance of escape, when a storm burst. The rain poured down in refreshing showers on the Romans, while the enemy were scattered with lightning and hail. The parched and famishing Romans received the saving drops first on their faces and parched throats, and afterwards in their helmets and shields, to refresh their horses. Marcus obtained a glorious victory as a result of this extraordinary event, and his enemies were hopelessly overthrown.

That such an event did really happen is attested both by pagan and Christian writers. The former attribute the occurrence either to magic (Dion Cassius, LXXI, 8-10) or to the prayers of the emperor (Capitolinus, "Vita Marci", XXIV; Themistius, "Orat. XV ad Theod"; Claudian, "De Sext. Cons. Hon.", V, 340 sqq.; "Sibyl. Orac.", ed. Alezandre, XII, 196 sqq. Cf. Bellori, "La Colonne Antonine", and Eckhel, "Doctrina Nummorum", III, 64). The Christian writers attributed the fact to the prayers of the Christians who were in the army (Claudius Apollinaris in Eusebius, Church History V.5; Tertullian, "Apol.", v; ad Seap. c. iv), and soon there grew up a legend to the effect that in consequence of this miracle the emperor put a stop to the persecution of the Christians (cf. Euseb. and Tert. opp cit.).

It must be conceded that the testimony of Claudius is the most valuable of all that we possess, as he wrote within a few years of the event, and that all credit must be given to the prayers of the Christians given to Tertullian

Lucius Verus (co-emperor) (c. 130 - 169) with Marcus Aurelius
180 - 192

Commodus (c. 161 - 192) All these who failed to follow the decree were brought to the Senate and were tried. This decree was a forceful attempt to put down Christians completely. But the followers who believed in Jesus Christ refused to accept this and many were ready to face the trial. "The Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs" written.

Persecution slows down -

Pertinax (193)

Didius Julianus (193) .

Septimius Severus (193-211) Edict makes it illegal to convert to Christianity; persecution especially in North Africa, ca. 203: Perpetua & Felicity martyred in Carthage (North Africa)

Caracalla (211-217)

Macrinus (217-218)

Elagabalus (218-222)

Severus Alexander (222-235)

Maximinus (235-238)

Gordian I and II (238)

Balbinus (238)

Pupienus (238)

Gordian III (238-244)

Philip the Arab (244-249) .

Trajanus Decius (249-251) 250: Major Empire-Wide Persecution; Christians required to participate in Emperor Worship. Bishop Fabian of Rome martyred; Bishop Cyprian of Carthage exiled; Origen of Alexandria tortured to death.

Trebonianus Gallus (251-253)

Aemilian (253) .
Valerian (253-260) ca. 258: Bishop Cyprian of Carthage martyred
Gallienus (253-268)
Claudius Gothicus (268-270) .
Aurelian (270-275) some persecutions
Tacitus (275-276)
Probus (276-282)
Carus (282-283)
Carinus (283-284)
Numerian (283-284) .

Diocletian (284-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders. Personally sends troops to Nazareth, the Bishop of Caesarea Eusibius records Diocletian offering clemency to the nephews carefully recording their ancestry to Jesus Christ. All refuse and are tortured and put to death. Diocletian sends troops to Turkey to place the Bishop Nicholas (also known as St. Nicholas or, in German, Santa Claus, in prison.

& Maximian (286-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian Churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders

Constantius Chlorus (305-306)
Maxentius (306-312) .
Galerius (305-311)
Licinius (311-323) 311: Edict of Galerius: toleration for Christians, allowing them to worship openly

Constantine was forced as a nephew to the Emperor to go to Nazareth and torture and kill the descendents of the Brothers of Jesus. All refused to decant Jesus. All perished. A week Constantine would have to change his life. Bishop Eusebius is eyewitness to Constantines arrival and departure for this purpose.

Constantine (307-337) 313: Edict of Constantine (Edict of Milan): toleration for all religions, including Christianity; ends persecutions

Constantine's position on the religions traditionally practiced in Rome evolved during his reign. At first he prohibited the construction of new temples and tolerated traditional sacrifices; by the end of his reign, he had begun to order the pillaging and tearing down of Roman temples. The day Christianity officially arrived in the Roman Empire was in 325 A.D. The First Council of Nicaea is regarded as the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church. Invited by Emperor Constantine, about 318 world-wide Bishops (including St. Nicholas), who had risked their lives and were condemned for serving Jesus, traveled across continents and oceans, continued to risk their lives in dangerous travel, to express the basis of the Church today and choose the Books of the Bible.

(* The above information was gathered from several sources and paraphrased.)

The triumph of Christianity is actually a very remarkable historical phenomenon. ...

We begin with a small group from the backwaters of the Roman Empire. Judea wasn't even a province to send someone important to govern. Syria was the overlord for tiny Judea. 16 years go by and Claudius is very worried. After two, three centuries go by, lo and behold that same group and its descendants have somehow taken over the Roman Empire and have become the official religion. Believing in Jesus Christ and having life transformations. The life and death of Jesus Christ and the promises He brought. John 1:35-42 ~ He said to them, “Come and you will see.”

Father God, let us always remember to be grateful to the people who have protected Your Word and who proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen.


The Lord. Jesus Christ. Son of God. Knows your name. Today.

Father God,
You know the desires of our heart. Your will be done, Your will is for Goodness and Love.

Bless us with peace for giving our cares to You.Bless our Loved ones in Your care. And the prayers of the faithful in conversation with You, circle the earth. The goodness of the earth and it's fullness are Your's. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Amen in Jesus.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Genesis 18:1 ~ And the Lord appeared to him

Genesis 18:1

1 And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day.

2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.

4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5 while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.”

So they said, “Do as you have said.”




Abraham has traveled from all he knew to go where God wanted him to be. And had found shelter in the nation to be his.

Imagine seeing what Abraham saw that day. Abraham had a gift for seeing the unseen.

Mary - what a sight she was seeing.

46 And Mary said,

Luke 1
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name."


Jesus knew where to look.

Luke 9:16
And taking the five loaves and the two fish,
he looked up to heaven
 and said a blessing over them.
Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.


And in looking - Jesus could see hearts.

Luke 19:5
And when Jesus came to the place,
he looked up
 and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.”


Jesus always sees within us.

Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

John 1:42
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, rock).





Christians have times in life when Jesus is going to reach out and grab their soul - Light floods us in the direction we would go - pleasing Jesus.

It's up to us and our prayer life to hold on to the convictions Jesus has given us. To Believe God and stay there in faith.

Abba,
Help us to stay with You in Faith.

Giving our hearts to You, to tend to us and the ones we love. We rest our cares with You.

In Jesus our Alleluia will be found. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Matthew 2 ~ When he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee

Jerusalem - the Land Allotted to the Tribe of Judah

Matthew 2

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 

9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. 

And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 

14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 

17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead.” 

21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 

23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Finding Joseph

We know Mary was from Nazareth in Luke 1. And we know Joseph had not married Mary when Jesus was born.

We know Joseph went up from Nazareth to Bethlehem (Luke 2:4), but we do not 'know' Joseph was from Nazareth. Maybe Joseph felt Mary would have more support near her family.

In this passage, going to Nazareth was a surprise to him - verse 22. Apparently, Joseph had set his sights on the tribe of Judah land - Jerusalem.

God wanted us to know the economic conditions of Jesus.

Isaiah 7

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. 17 The Lord will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria!”

18 In that day the Lord will whistle for the fly that is at the end of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

19 And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines, and in the clefts of the rocks, and on all the thornbushes, and on all the pastures.

20 In that day the Lord will shave with a razor that is hired beyond the River—with the king of Assyria—the head and the hair of the feet, and it will sweep away the beard also.

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

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



We do know Joseph was honored to be Davidic, when Mary's family were not the kings (David's minor son Nathan) and her family was not very honored according to Luke 1. Repeated in the Sadducean Council records.

We are told by Isaiah, Joseph had farming and , later in the Gospels, carpentry too. He had enough confidence and talent to head to Egypt to support his new family. Isaiah says he has a home, some flocks and is wealthy enough to have cattle. And donkeys. Perhaps a horse. Because it appears here to be a surprise to be in Nazareth, we assume Joseph sold his home to be in Egypt and Nazareth. Really, Joseph thought to live in Jerusalem. The Prophet Samuel farmed outside of Jerusalem.

Farms in Israel are typically the grain crops on the flat land and the figs,  olives and grapes on the hills. Article reference from MD Harris Institute.

~ Yes he went up from Nazareth to Bethlehem - means merely he collected Mary for the trip.
~ This does not mean he reports in to Bethlehem as a Nazareth man
~ Joseph travels with pregnant Mary from her hometown
This passage says how he picks Nazareth for Jesus to grow up there -fulfilling Scripture about Jesus as a Nazarene.
~ Joseph is reported as being a just man, Joseph is not written to be a Nazarene.

Funding the change in nationality - Joseph could have had funds when he sold the family house and livestock and go to Egypt. A manager, or family member would do this.This would be difficult if he had living aged parents and siblings. He might have been an only child. It could say he is interested in the marriage betrothal because he is alone.

However, we could all certainly believe this is a matter of Heart . God has a certain "style" and the matter is Love. Usually God puzzles the people involved in the process to a certain extent, or the people 'seeking' the answers. Wonder is a very strong motivator to learn. God giving the Mother of Jesus to a man she wouldn't just adore and love. The Gospels record Joseph's family was one solid family unit twice.



All the facts do not necessarily indicate Joseph was old. Or odd. Joseph dreams, he does not see visions. Yet Joseph is not a Levi descendant, he is from the Tribe of Judah. The family needs a man who can work his flocks, his livestock and lift and build. These are not old man tasks. Look at the buildings in Nazareth - these are rock - not just tables and chairs.

 We all have a good idea Joseph built houses. The Betrothal time was house building time.

 If he had children, this would be bad parenting not to report they all went to Bethlehem.


The details are interesting. Consider curds.

This had to be a process of work. This is a busy household. Curds indicates a level of industry and involvement within the family. This takes time.

Collecting honey? This is a process of faith. There is no Benadryl. You have to believe God is going to help.

Donkeys and carpentry when the city is made all of stone. There is a Real Level of Youth at work here. We don't here Joseph is retired. Stone Masons and Carpenters make these buildings together in columns and beams and wall bearings.

Hoes, Vines, Briars, crops. Jesus is busy as a young child - getting the bucket. Get a ladle of water. Briars? Weeding the food. Mary is busy. Jude, Simon, Joses. The sisters of Jesus. Joseph too.

Cows eat a lot to produce milk and curds. Grass is harvested. Flocks are tended. Birthing. Watering. Joseph is also a Shepherd. Teaching the long range mission of Shepherding to the Lord God, Father of All. His Son - Jesus.


Isaiah 7
19 And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines, and in the clefts of the rocks, and on all the thornbushes, and on all the pastures.



Not to mention, bow/arrow and fishing rod. Capernaum fished - so did Jesus!!! Isaiah thought - you and I should know!!!

What would we have in common with Joseph?

He was fulfilling God's plan in his life in small incremental steps. Living daily. And in this daily living - Joseph creates a Holy Family. With two incredible mentions of his family. Few of us have the chance to save God Himself - Joseph did this in not having Mary stoned. In believing God this was of God. Going to Egypt. Moving to Nazareth. Joseph is very incredible - just as we can be. Doing small things each day honoring God in our lives. Joseph is a very 'today' concept for living each day.

This family well understood Shepherds Abide - in the field. Jesus knew about Shepherding in many different levels - thanks to Joseph.

Our Father, our Abba,

Guide us well in Your Family. We trust in Thee.

Surround, embolden, embrace, lead, protect and guide us and our loved ones. We trust in You to do this for all families named in earth and in Heaven, this day and always. In Jesus! Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Acts 1:1-14 ~ It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority

God is God. The Good News.

Acts 1:1-14

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.


God's Will. The best way to end a prayer. Thy Will be done. Or start a prayer.

Jeremiah understood God's will.

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."




Do we trust God's Will? Honestly, we would all have to lean to "we want to." Yet when the chips are really important, we might whine like small children to God.






And Jesus replies in the New Testament outside of the Gospels.
Alive.
Warm.
Available.
Acts Chapter 1 abuts John's Gospel and the 21st Chapter - where the Disciples felt cozy enough to argue with the Victorious Son of God. Whew, good to know, whiners unite in feeling abashed and not destroyed.

Perhaps even God gets pushed and doesn't want to be conversational with prayer whiners, too. Jesus is not forthcoming to the question of getting the Roman Empire out. The Jews thought Jesus was going to be Solomon, Hezekiah and Genghis Khan rolled into Merlin. We can all say to the prophets and the Magi, again, .... Isaiah was how well understood when the Magi went to see Herod to see the new King?

People.

It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority


And going back to the point, Jesus does not reply directly to being asked about the Roman Empire. This encounter with the Disciples, 40 days after the John 21 squabble,  Jesus is more politely asked if He failed to measure up as the Messiah/Solomon/Hezekiah/Genghis Khan/Merlin King. "Hey? What about the Roman Empire???"

Wow, "What if"! What if the Disciples had behaved Loyally during the Trial and Death of Jesus.

What if the Disciples had not started asking about how long John would live. What if they had not all hidden (minus John).What if men, not women, had intended to bring the spices to Jesus' body? What if the Brothers and Sisters of Jesus were there to see the tomb was empty.  If it was the tomb of the Disciples' families tomb and, therefore, they could have held Vigil the night of His Death near His tomb?

 The sight of what they could have seen! Another Transfiguration - The Light of the World. The Body of Christ's becoming Victory over DEATH.

Maybe whining about our own way isn't such a good idea. Or not going with God, when we can.



So, if ...
we had gone like Jeremiah did to God's Will - during the time of the Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Only Son of God - and Jesus had felt like being emphatic about the Will and Plan of God instead of listening, all the time, to our complaints...

What would Jesus have said about failing to conquer the Roman Empire?

(Can YOU BELIEVE THEY WANTED TO SAY TO JESUS - HEY! Om our Government? Our Glory? Your Mission?)

What could Jesus have Said???

Ephesians 3
20 Now to Him who is able to do infinitely more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, 21 to Him be the glory.

Jesus could have said, "Have Faith. The Roman Empire is going to start becoming unglued about a man's death (we know God's Son) in Judea, suburb of Syria - where no good Roman wants to be the Governor. And days will come - that will be difficult. The faith of the world will begin to rise. The love Christians have for one another will increase, the difficulty of the times will increase the desire to assist each other, fellowship will increase. Goodness will increase to speak of the comfort of Gods' Son."

"Remember that Church I told you about that doesn't exist? I told you in Caesarea. Well, when Emperor Nero burns down Rome, that area of the fire, Christians are falsely accused of killing Romans in the fire, this will eventually become The Vatican. This is where Peter is below the altar by 80 feet. His bones will exist because his grave was covered by a rock. And upon this rock, above where the Emperor will install Peter in a Church above his grave. Upon this Rock I will build my Church. Love."

And what happens to the Romans? Another -  if  - the Disciples had stayed with Jesus and could ask?




Jesus could reply something like this:

Solomon would have known.

Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

The Magi knew. They had this completely right.

Isaiah 60:3
And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Micah the Minor Prophet knew:

Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

The Disciples would come to understand.

Matthew 5:
43 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Jesus knew
Luke 12:14
But Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed Me judge or executor between you?"

Abba, our Father,

Day by day, to see Thee more clearly,
love Thee more dearly, day by day.

~ To know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,
that we may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now we see again Jesus is able to do infinitely more than all we ask or imagine,
according to His power
that is at work within us.

What is the Glory of God? Where we want to dwell.

To Jesus Christ, Son of God to Him be the glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus,
His body we pray to dwell in and Jesus is us, to our loved ones,
throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen we boldly and confidently ask as we approach Your Throne because of
The Love and Glory of Jesus Christ God.
Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †