Mark 2:1-12 ~ Which is easier to say

Painted by James Tissot

Mark 2:1-12

 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” 

So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 

12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”


Psalm 126

A feast of our eyes and senses

1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

One day when we are in Heaven, we will see this happen -  Jesus will make His memories alive for us to see. 

Our technology - our wisdom - is merely "seeing through the glass darkly" and Jesus will show us His life - - -  exactly. We will,  in Heaven, sit with Jesus and see His Life!!! Why wouldn't our gifts - wisdom - be from the Lord God, maker of Heaven and earth. And why don't we consider these gifts a shadow of what is to come in Heaven.

James 3:17-18
The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.





This day will be a prime example of the Joy Jesus had living here with us. As a man and fully God.

God will feed us - the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Staying in step with the Spirit - we do away with:
sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like - those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Jesus said blessed are the eyes of the ones who physically were able to see the Life and Wonders and Awe of Jesus living Grace upon Grace. More blessed are we! We did not see and yet we believe.  The man in the painting demonstrates helplessness and weakness - but God makes all things possible.

God is his strength, healing, and grace. Jesus turns this time into His Father's Glory. God is the center. 

I believe we will see this so clearly - that if we sit beside the path Jesus walked - we will see His feet create dust. 

John 20:29
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."


And Jesus will show us Himself - every day of His life on earth. Time is a concept God has created and changed even for King Hezekiah. We will see the actual days. A privilege of the Father of All, Father of Jesus, to show us His Son.

John 20
43 And they were all astonished at the greatness of God. While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus was doing, He said to His disciples, 44 “Let these words sink into your ears"


What other generation of the millenniums - could know seeing Jesus live each day if we wanted to - is really possible? Rejoice.





Because Father God is sufficient - Jesus, The Son of God, calls us His.


God encourage us to live the life God gives us. To press on in humility when the victory is unseen. To give us His Grace when life is good. Walking the path of our lives with faith, in all seasons of our lives.



Father God,
Please be the center of me and the ones I love. We hold on to You, Father God - look to Jesus -  for the free gift of Salvation - be within us as the fruit of Your Holy Spirit. 

We are nourished - in all seasons of our life - we will depend on You  and Your steadfast Love will see us through. We pray for our lives, the lives we love, the people You have given us. And as we do this, we know the faithful all across the world pray. And we look at our larger prayers for the Nation, the world and know our prayers have covered this in Jesus' Name as well.

 Amen in Jesus Christ.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Daniel 2:44 ~ God of heaven will set up a kingdom

Micah 5:2

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”



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.

Luke 2:30-32
30 "for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”


2 Samuel 7:12-16
When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. 

13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 

14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. 

15 But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’”

Daniel 2:44
“In the time of those kings,
 the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, 
nor will it be left to another people. 

It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it 
will itself endure forever.

And our Christmas Lights Testify

Isaiah 9:1-2
Nevertheless,
 there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. 

In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, 
but in the future 
he will honor Galilee of the nations, 
by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.

John 1
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.







Amazing to be the Easter People

Here is the Gift of Salvation of Jesus in those who want the Holy Spirit of God. His Comforter.

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Declares the Lord, I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord.

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord:

I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

What does God say about being our God?

God Testifies to His Own Heart and His Goodness. He tells us. God witnesses to the relationship of you and of me to our Abba, Our Daddy, Our Father God Who Loves you.

John 3:16    A God of the Universe sized Love.

For God so loved the world, 

that he gave 

his only Son, 

that whoever believes in him 

should not perish 

but have eternal life.

You are loved by the God of the Universe Ephesians tells us He named you. And Psalm 139 says He put your days in His Book of Life.

1 John 4:8 

John gives his eyewitness and 3 year eyes on Jesus.

God is love.

A Father of All of Creation would have to bend down to hear us and He does. With Compassion.

Romans 5:8

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Know His Good News for you.

1 John 4:16

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.

God is love,

and whoever abides in love abides in God,

and God abides in him.

Loving people have God abide in them.

Romans 8:37-39

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love,

but perfect love casts out fear.

For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

1 John 4:7

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 31:3

The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

Abba,
We boldly and with confidence draw near to hold You as we Pray. We ask to pray with Jesus. As He does in John 17 for us, today.

To Your Love and Your Mercy we bring our cares knowing how deeply You care for us. We rest our heart's desire with You, Abba. We bring our beloved ones. We offer up their cares. We do not return from our prayers downcast. We are tuned in to the mercies You bring us today. We are diligent when we have deep concerns. We will read Your Word and see Your comfort for today. We look for Life and Words of Life.

You are not the God of the dead. You are the God of the alive in faith and hope and with Your Love. We will truth the answers You bring us. We will not fail to see Your answers. And we rejoice with delight to know Your Hope and Your Future. We have no prayer too small and no prayer too large. For the Nation. For the Good News. For an increase of Your Holy Spirit in the faithful around the World. Jesus Lives. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Mark 8 ~ Discussing the fact

Mark 8

In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.”


And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?”

And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?”

They said, “Seven.”

And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. And they had a few small fish.

And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them. And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. 

And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.



The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 

And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.

Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” 

They said to him, “Twelve.” 

“And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” 

And they said to him, “Seven.” 

And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?”

 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 

Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”

And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.

And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. 

And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?

 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Jesus is so full of abundance, that if we do not fully picture his first sermon in Capernaum...

So Jesus is displaying the Abundance of God.
And of course Jesus has displayed this for millenniums and we never took the time to picture what Jesus really did.

Maybe because when you fully display all of Jesus - the overwhelming abundance is difficult to take the truth of Jesus in. We rarely focus on the Words of Scripture "He healed them all." "The Sea was still and quiet at His Word."

Jesus fully realized how unabundant life could be. And a lot of Jesus is Jesus coping with the difference between God and man. Jesus fully tells the crowd - you are here for the bread.




How did the life of Jesus go? Well really - GOD did very well with the life of Jesus. God never thought people were like trees walking. From Genesis until today. Father God took the time once in all of the millenniums to say how life is.  "God saw this is good."



Abba Father,

With all the saints, and all faithful in Christ Jesus: we lift up prayers and feel Your Grace to us and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

With Heaven, we pray Holy, Holy, Holy. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as You chose us in Jesus before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before You.

In love You predestined us for adoption to You as children through Jesus Christ,
according to the purpose of Your will,
to the praise of Your glorious grace,
with which You have blessed us in the Beloved.

In Jesus we have redemption through His blood,
the forgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of Your grace,
which Jesus lavished upon us,
in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of Your will,
according to Your purpose,
which You set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in You, things in heaven and things on earth.

In Jesus we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Jesus who works all things according to the counsel of Your will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of Your glory.

In Jesus we also, when we heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, and believed in Jesus, we were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of Your glory.

For this reason, because in our faith in the Lord Jesus and our love toward all the saints, we do not cease to give thanks to You, remembering Jesus in our prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give us the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, having the eyes of our hearts enlightened, that we may know what is the hope to which You have called us, what are the riches of Your glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of Your power toward us who believe, according to the working of Your great might worked in Christ when You raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And You put all things under Jesus' feet and gave Jesus as head over all things to the church, which is Your body, the fullness of Jesus who fills all in all.

Alleluia for ourselves, Jesus in those we Love, Jesus in those yet unborn, Jesus in the people we pray for. Jesus when we need His Help so much. Jesus when we are quiet and rejoice. Jesus always. Jesus in our cities, jobs, and Nation. Jesus in our culture. Jesus in our heart. Jesus in our thoughts. Jesus is God. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Mark 12 ~ A man planted a vineyard

Mark 12

1 Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed.

6 "He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, 'They will respect my son.'

7 "But the tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' 8 So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

9 "What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Haven't you read this passage of Scripture:
" 'The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;

11 the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes' ?"

12 Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

13 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn't we?"

But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. "Why are you trying to trap me?" he asked. "Bring me a denarius and let me look at it." 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose image is this? And whose inscription?"

"Caesar's," they replied.

17 Then Jesus said to them, "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."

And they were amazed at him.

18 Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question.

19 "Teacher," they said, "Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children. 21 The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third. 22 In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too. 23 At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?"

24 Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?

25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 26 Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob' ? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!"

28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"

29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

32 "Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, "Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? 36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:
" 'The Lord said to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
under your feet." '
37 David himself calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?"

The large crowd listened to him with delight.

38 As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely."

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

Hypocrisy.

Jesus was telling the Old Testament crowd something rather important. The leaders of the Temple of the Lord, in Jerusalem, no less, did not have things all figured out.

The Temple was having priests appointed by Herod, who in turn, was controlled by Rome. The Essenes left saying the Holy Spirit had departed, predicting the end of the world. Which, indeed, it was for them in 70 A.D. So, the Essenes had that right. Partially. For them.

The people were told to Look for a Davidic heir. If you look at Talmud records, available in Scotland today, the Sadducean Council were most concerned about the placement of Joseph during the census. And publicly told the people, Jesus was from Nazareth. Focusing on Mary's father Heli. For people to question a grown man's parentage? In the Sadducean Council, Jesus' fatherhood was slandered and libeled.

Perhaps Jesus was saying we are not capable of figuring out all of HIS great plans. He certainly was explaining HIS life in the first paragraph and yet the crowd heard Jesus with delight. Jesus is far larger than we are.

Jesus speaks of generations.
We are always building. Building our family up. Creating a place for the next generation to have the ability to thrive. We all have this responsibility when we have children. When we help our parents. And all of our work, we entrust to Father God's care, to bless the work of our hands.

Probably prayer is our most important work.
We all have things we are growing, but our most important work is the ones we love. What do we have if we do not have hope? God says all the time to entrust Him with our cares, loves and hope.



Father God,

Large prayers are not tall for You Living God, Father of All.

We lift up all the concerns we have talked about today. With Your Loving Heart. We lift up those we love. We lift up our ears for healing. We lift up gratitude for what is healed. We thank You as we see Your Works in our lives. We give You Blessings for what You do for our Loved Ones. We lift up their cares, knowing You Love. We lift up our nation and states. We lift up Hope for Your Help. For our jobs and the people we pray for. We say Please cover this with Jesus. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Romans 14:13-23 ~ Proceed from faith

Romans 14:13-23

13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual up building.

20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.


And


1 John 3
3 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.





Mike Pickard's Blog says "This verse, about Abram's faith, helps us understand how God can use an imperfect man like Abram to bring about his good purposes. Abram is counted as “righteous,” not because he is worthy (he clearly is not) but because he has faith in God who declares him worthy.



How are we going to obtain God? Creator of All Things, Ancient of Days, Shepherd and Captain of our Souls. Father of the Righteous in Jesus Christ. Father of All. He has named the Heavens. The Heavenly Host are His.

We connect with God only because our Father lives to Love and have Mercy. Father God bends far down to hear our souls connect to heart and mind. With belief and sincerity - God is going to be part of us. And when we believe God - He is going to help us continue each day to have a meaningful life of Joy. To take what is difficult and make Love. To give mercy and dignity to those around us.

Consider what we know of each day of Jesus. Jesus could hear the willingness of His Father, and our Father, each day and Jesus traveled to do the Will of God. Jesus tells us when we have seen Jesus, we have seen the Father.

If we do not hear the willingness of God and yet we are willing, God will do the impossible to make the willingness of Father God's Love come to us. Jesus went all over in the Willingness of God. And a few times Jesus told people to do things like go to the Pool of Siloam (Sent) (we want to be sent!) and stay out of the Village. Sounds like advice we'd all like to have from time to time. And when we didn't hear - God is going to sweep all things together for Good. As long as we Believe Him. Looking to see what is Good in Life.



We can't walk the same path as Father God of the Universe. God is Amazing and Astonishing. And Jesus demonstrated this path-walking, very thing, with Paul, reaching down immediately to help Paul walk securely with Jesus.

Jesus speaks to the Sea and the waters immediately cease. The Wind halts. And Jesus is recorded as bringing the boat immediately to shore in John 4.



When we Believe God is at work - we have given God the motivation to be at Work. God Himself commended His Beloved in the Great Chapter of Hebrews 11.

Because

Hebrews 11:6
Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.



Abba,

We love to remember Jesus as Grace upon Grace. From His fullness we have received.

We recall Jesus aided the father who professed his belief with far more compassion than His own Disciples who said "Teach us to pray."

Mark 9:23-24
23“If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!” 24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”

We believe in Your Word's the prayer of a righteous man availeth much. We pray for those who have asked us to pray for them, body, mind and soul. The overwhelming Love and Power of Jesus give healing, Love and hope. Remembering Jesus told us and healing ministries agree - more prayer the better. Praying with expectation.

And with Joy and Verve - we pray for those we Love and thank God for their blessings. We pray for those who display courage in their patience wait for the solution. We bless those who lead with Courage and Mercy. We continue daily to pray for the prayers that have been asked of us. With great expectation and great Comfort the Holy Spirit provides the strength and joy of You - to do our lives.

Blessing Father God for the summer providing more time to visit family and be there. Asking blessings on the elderly for fortitude, health and clarity. Giving thanks for opportunities for ourselves and our Children. The blessings of Home and Hearth and Education. Seeing the new season of summer with Profound Joy.

Carrying these prayers up to our work, our needs, our communities, our Churches. Knowing God will bless us for far away prayers like praying for the national government and our elected officials. Asking God to bring Truth to the news, more Good News and balance. And refusing to be discouraged. Instead letting God have room to show He is God and God is not worried. Blessing Abba for covering us in the Name of Jesus.

Amen in Jesus for today and tomorrow!

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Luke 2 ~ According to Your Word

We had a client for STI, and so I had a conversation with a man in his teens. His father had died in his late 40's and the late father had several families - raised none of his 9 kids - by many women. "Good Time Chuck." We think it's gone out of style to have lots and lots of children. Not to the men moving on fast.

The teen boy's goal in life - to be nothing like his father. He planned to be the first of "Good Time Chuck"'s family to go to college. But no one had really discussed his major or the likelihood of employment from the major. Smart young man, he asked for backup opinions on college majors and said he knew his High School College Admissions Counselor. I asked him if he was already here for an STI, why was he different than "his father". He used protection. I asked him if he knew that protection is sometimes implied and actually not in place. He said no way, no one wants kids in their teens. I told he we see clients every day who want children because they feel unloved. He sat stunned.

I asked him what it meant to him to be opposite his father. He said he was ashamed to say who his father was to the people who knew him or his father. "The father"  never tried to do anything other than please himself. And that appealed to women - a man who pleased himself. I asked him again, what did that mean to be his opposite. A college education. I asked him, since he appeared to be stuck, if that meant caring for the other's God would have him place permanently in his life. He said he would and did care for his mom because "Good Time Chuck" had left life difficult for her and her son.

I asked him if his father was married and he said twice, but that wouldn't explain the nine kids. I asked him if he intended to marry, he said yes after college. I asked him if he was going to say "no" to the temptations of a man women see holding a job and taking care of people. He said he hadn't thought of that since "Good Time Chuck" appealed to women as having a job and a way with people. He said he could see how women would want a provider, but he wouldn't want to do what had happened to his mom.

I asked him when he knew his father had nine children. He replied his mom had known "Good Time Chuck" had 2 or 3 kids, but not more. When he was born he was child number 5. I asked him what his father had said when his mom found out he was number 5. He said his dad was still 'hanging around' at that point and he said what he always said to avoid these things. What's that? "Oh baby..."

When had he found out his dad had 9 kids? When his mom forced him to go to his dad's funeral and he met his grandmother. He said his grandmother was very sad his dad had passed on from 'pleasing himself all the time', but most of the children refused to attend the funeral. His grandmother 'thought that was a shame.'  He didn't think he'd be contacting his grandmother again.

Romans 8.


This teenager said no one laid it all on the line with him. No one challenged him to do more. The truth is - we were where people lay it on the line and ask for more thought. But no one told him - life begins today. This is your life - today. Today you are building. Today you are making your life meaningful to God, to yourself, to your future self, to your loved ones - even to people unborn.

Listening to people when they really tell you their life - there are some people,,, according to this teen, "that you just put in the earth when they are gone, and you cover them up." And then there are those who taught you how to make food, make curtains, fix window blinds, clean a bathroom. Took you to Church. Learned how to mow a lawn with them. Wash a car. Got you to sing in the choir. Cared when life hurt. Made a path for you. Prayed for you.

This gives us quite a lesson on what to be grateful for.










Where are we going to get inspiration for this? What person in the Bible would echo this and tell us?

We are going with Joseph.

Luke 2

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”


13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”


15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.


21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29  “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
    according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31     that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and for glory to your people Israel.”


33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.

34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.


39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.


41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.

46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”

49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?”

50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.


52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.



6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.





We are all so sure Joseph was all in this ordeal. Joseph was chock full of mess handed to him. This passage tells us even when Jesus was a pre-teen, the circumstances were still overwhelming and unclear to them.

Yes, Joseph had had a dream after being merciful to Mary. Did he stay in this belief? This Dream was from God?!! Notice Mary is removed from her parents' house at a time for a 70 mile donkey ride where no one would say 'Great Plan'. Mary is being handed over by her family house at a very unpleasant time. Joseph is not the husband. Why did her parents say ok?

And women giving birth in odd places does happen. And the man doesn't always remain.



What did God do with the PRESSURE? What did the Body of Christ do?

The pressure was taken from them both with the arrival of Good News from 'Shepherds'.

The Body of Christ welcomed them into God's House for doing God's Plan. Gracious in spite of odd circumstances.

Mary went on to call this "treasures of her heart."



God was letting Joseph have the initiative for good. God was giving help for the initiative to remain. And still Joseph and Mary were walking with faith with Jesus right in their midst. We see they had 30 years of normal life. And Jesus in John 14, 15, and 16 reports their lives had Joy.

God was making unusual life have Joy. And having forgiveness. Romans 8. God's Plan for Jesus was for us to see how difficult life can be. And God would take our flaws, weaknesses and sins and make us holy covering us in Jesus. We can have hope for the future regardless of the mess of life.

Jesus is Love, faith and hope.


Father God, Our God, Our Father, Our Abba,

We receive the Holy Spirit to have courage. We will work on having less fear. We have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.

We know will have suffered with Jesus in order that we may also be glorified with Jesus in Heaven.

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Jesus who loves us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And in this Great Love, we pray boldly and confidently resting on our Father. For our cares, for the needs and cares of those we love. For the people we pray for, God has given us. And our jobs, schools, city, state and Nation. Knowing God hears us and our prayers are pleasing and good for His Answers. We Thank You, Abba. In Jesus. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †