1 Samuel 9 ~ Behold

1 Samuel 9

6 But he said to him, “Behold, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor; all that he says comes true. So now let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us the way we should go.”






8 The servant answered Saul again, “Here, I have with me a quarter of a shekel of silver, and I will give it to the man of God to tell us our way.” 9 (Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, “Come, let us go to the seer,” for today's “prophet” was formerly called a seer.)

10 And Saul said to his servant, “Well said; come, let us go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was.

11 As they went up the hill to the city, they met young women coming out to draw water and said to them, “Is the seer here?”

12 They answered, “He is; behold, he is just ahead of you. Hurry. He has come just now to the city, because the people have a sacrifice today on the high place. 13 As soon as you enter the city you will find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat. For the people will not eat till he comes, since he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those who are invited will eat. Now go up, for you will meet him immediately.”

14 So they went up to the city. As they were entering the city, they saw Samuel coming out toward them on his way up to the high place.



So Samuel anoints Saul. Why was there ever a time period of Saul? Saul would begin to ignore the one who anointed him and try out being king. Saul was anointed king so why shouldn't Saul be king. And eventually Saul is so enamored with being king - priests would be slaughtered for feeding David. Why wasn't the time of Judges extended until the people were ready for King David.

Because we are important to God. He does not erase His People and His Creation to create ease upon the earth.

We are given gifts. Samuel shook with fear to anoint David - after all Samuel had anointed Saul. Samuel - seer of God - had not seen David. God had seen David. He had given Saul the prodigal life. God gave David the prodigal life. And some of our greatest challenges are at the top and the desire for more. And the challenges are for Noah - after he has completed the task God has given him and he is deciding "is Noah really happy?"



On rare occasions God has found exactly what God hopes to see. The faith of a Word of God in the Roman centurion. The humility of the Canaanite woman who would take the scraps under God's table. The man who saw in Jesus the Love God is.

Mark 12
32 And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”



When we wonder at the sequence of Saul. When we doubt the gift of Samuel. We are over looking God's plan. We have more answers than God. Like Saul did. Like David did. Like Noah did.

We have devalued the process of God. We have failed to grasp Jesus came to die for me. Jesus died for you. Not the collective. The Word of God is for you. The attributes and gifts God has are in me. Are in you. We are indeed part of the Body of Christ. We just do not have the ability to say what God does is not what we'd do if we were God. Lately I have not attached molecules and created water or life.

We have to value life. God's Plan. Lately, I have been considering my body makes benign tumors since I was 17. Only one medical test I've had shown poor liver function. I'm not a drinker. And I have sat and considered why this should be. I have no family history of this. The memory took years to rediscover. A dear family friend I'd grown up, Geeg, invited me to swim with a girl - it was the summer we were all going into 5th grade - 1974 - who had recovered from a year and a half of Hepatitis. She no longer was jaundiced at all but her friends had all abandoned her. Her liver function numbers went up and down. We had never met her before, but both sets of our parents discussed this and decided the young girl needed to be supported. We were the 3 girls who swam all afternoon long. Shared French Fries. And as I was not looking - we had all agreed not to share beverages - she had sipped from my straw on my soft drink. It had been emotional. This young girl cried and said it was right, she was well. I swam in the chlorinated water and washed out all my mouth and throat. This young girl went off to the ladies room and my life long friend was in tears and we said a prayer for health.( A long ago family friend was a liver specialist and he said livers can just decide to quit). The next week this young girl, I met only once, died when her tired liver suddenly deciding to leave this earth.

After remembering this - for a year, I have been upset with this 5th grade girl. Suddenly. And now I have decided the mercy was more important. And she may have given me a gift. I was studied in my 40s for an afternoon at MD Anderson - why I've had 4 benign breast cysts/tumors. We have had breast cancer in my family on my paternal side. Perhaps - the gift is my liver makes benign tumors. Something you think upon in the process of benign arm cysts. Maybe I will in old age come to Heaven and find this 5th grade girl and throw my arms around her and thank her.



We love to say and it's politically easy to say "Life is a Journey".

1 Samuel 9
27 As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to pass on before us, and when he has passed on, stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God.”


Even Samuel. Even Saul. Even David. Should look to Jesus and want to be close to our Father. John walking with Jesus found God to be "God of Love". And avoid the pitfalls of Continual Blessing, place of honor, place of envy, physical tiredness and hard work in life. Rejoicing in Jesus from Mark's Gospel 7th Chapter - a woman, a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth could hold Jesus in conversation. And find His Love.

Mark 7 and Jesus 32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears.


Jesus is our Savior. A very personal tender, loving Savior. The Plan of God's is His. And His Purpose has good for us all.

Jesus has shown He continues with us. The Syrophoenician believed in the Goodness of God's Will. The Centurion believed God was good and easily capable. The man who Loved God with all his heart saw God as mercy. And this is the Strength of God is Joy. Believing is pleasing to God. Even the father who looked upon Jesus and asked, "I believe, help me to have more faith!" Jesus had compassion upon his love and faith.




Abba our Father,

Our Joy is to invite Jesus in this prayer and encourage the Strength of the Holy Spirit You place in all of us.

To place before You the desires of our heart and wait to see Your answers. To place my son going far from home into Your Love. To pray for the end of cysts and tumors. To believe.

Psalm 40 says to wait Patiently for God and He will hear my cry. With confidence we will approach Father God in His Heaven in our prayers. And believe we will not be the angry man healed after 38 years by the Pool of Bethsaida. And will be the Child of God who heeds His care and love.

Praying for those we love and have been asked to pray for. Knowing very well, many things are far beyond our reach.

Isaiah 54:13
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and
great shall be the peace of your children.

Upon our prayer concerns and for those we know pray - seeing our prayers stretch with all the faithful across this Creation God calls good - Father God to lift His Countenance as His Smile gives us His own Peace, continually Cover us in the Name of Jesus and Bless us considering the vast Peace of God Himself.

And asking all the Willingness of You, our Loving Father to pour out Blessings!

Thank You, Jesus, in You our Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 86 ~ Incline your ear, O Lord

Psalm 86

A Prayer of David.

1 Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you--you are my God.

3 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day.
4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

6 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.
7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.
8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.

9 All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.

10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

14 O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them.

15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant.

17 Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.




This Psalm is of David.

UP Verses: 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. 13, 15, 16, 17

DOWN Verses: 1, 3, 6, 7, 14

So is the Life of David in Jesus. Life - Jesus told us there would be days to come. Troubles to overcome.


Micah 7:8
Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.

Proverbs 24:16
for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

Job 5:19
From six troubles He will deliver you, Even in seven evil will not touch you.

Psalm 37:24
When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.




In the 1990s suicide was the 13th leading cause of death in the USA.

In 2016, Centers for Disease Control prevention lists suicide as number 9.

Drug overdose deaths in 2016 most likely exceeded 59,000, the largest annual jump ever recorded in the United States, according to preliminary data compiled by The New York Times.

Church going is declining according to some sources by 2%.




We feel we are not informed unless we read the news.
55% Turn out to Vote. The same as 1888.
Voting has a higher chance of changing the world than being daily immersed in bad news.



2/3rds of all marriages where the husband has a college degree - will only end by death do us part.
Divorce typically causes most friendships to end and the divorcing couple will have to start over. Why? We went people to show us stability and morality.





I've seen people or families in the time of their lives. Happy - on top of the world and sometimes a little smug. And someone comes along and shows them their "all that" is not. And when you get to be half of a century old - you start to realize more and more - the Bible is real.  The wicked will fall away and down. The diligent of God continue with Love. Love is remembered and counts.


A lot of life is this. Really.

John 6:29

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

God did not say coast and enjoy believing God.
God did not say not reading the Bible is ok - just enjoy today.
God did not say do the rest of your lives and show up to Church every now and then.

God is real. God said WORK. God said faith is sometimes NOT what you see.


My Grandmother did what people should not do. Her life got harder as she lived longer. She married the love of her life - my grandfather - who had an itsy, bitsy problem with alcohol. And after 25 years of marriage, swearing not to let the problem conquer them - they weren't welcome in a lot in their small Mississippi town because they were drunk daily. And if you are drunk, you are not using all your mind to pray and see solutions God is going to put in front of you.

It's pretty hopeless to hope as a widow- drunk, at age 68, that you will remarry. Grandmother did. And an Episcopal Priest who expected her to fly right. And put up with her until she did. God is in business to do the improbable. With Faith. And my Grandmother did have faith. Lots. 3 of her 4 Great Grandchildren are named for her Love and for her.





Grandmother had a next door neighbor for 42 years. Virginia McMurray's husband had coached Ole Miss Football. Grandmother had the big Antebellum house and Virginia had the tidy 1930's cottage everything is cute as a bug house. Grandmother took naps. Virginia gardened. Virginia belonged to two Churches and was poor. Grandmother lived alone and Virginia and her son shared her house and had some squabbles. Some of the squabbles  - my Grandmother agreed with Virginia's son. Virginia's husband had died youngish and suddenly. People knew Virginia was poor and she wasn't always at the top of the list to include. Virginia was known to attend most Church events and take people who couldn't drive. And Virginia  taking care of those not at the top of the list - does not put you at the top of the list.

They lived next door to each other for 42 years. And some years - with their differences - they were kind. Some years they sniped. Some years they tolerated. Some years they wept together. Some years they envied. Sometimes children who prospered where held up as badges of honor and envy. Sometimes they wept again. They always did do honesty. And manners.

Grandmother died and I lost track of Virginia. She had always been good keeping up with us. I called Virginia and found something absolutely marvelous. Virginia, poor overlooked, loving, honest, diligent, kind, optimistic, real Virginia had in her late 80's been made the MC of the Oxford 4th of July Parade. And for a week, the entire week, people spoke at parties telling 60 years of Virginia has really been a good woman stories.

Virginia lived a life of 80 plus years that said, "Do not grow weary of doing good."



Sometimes honestly, Virginia would tell of being weary. And Virginia would make the choice to believe her optimism made the world around her a better place. Virginia was right. In late life Virginia had Breast Cancer. And Virginia beat Breast Cancer back and lived on. In her nineties she walked miles for the Breast Cancer Cure.

Abba, Oh Abba,

When the Saints,
When the Saints go Marching In. O Lord how I want to be in their number
and March with Virginia Too.

I sing a song of the saints of God,
patient and brave and true,
who toiled and fought and lived and died
for the Lord they loved and knew.

And one was a doctor, who told of his true family to give his patients hope
who knew from his care who was seriously ill and practiced in to his 80s
Dr McKinney to two generations in my family.

And one was a queen, named Ebby who lived to be 104 and took calls all day long from people who
needed help and sent band equipment to impoverished kids and mattresses to veterans in trailers,
taking huge sheet cakes to her Church each Sunday and dedicating the pipe organ to her late husband.

And one was a shepherdess Margaret on the green of Emporium;
making wedding dresses and flower arrangements and gardening for Joy and Jesus.

And one was a Priest named Bill who was dying of heart failure in bed at age 90
when a prayer group in Texas prayed and others asked Jesus
and Father Bill got out of bed 25 years younger.

And one was named Aunt Clarice who lined her halls with cousins photos,
nieces and nephews and gave college, living room furniture,
widow relief, Christmases, and a clothing store operated to keep a family fed.
Yelling Heaven is All Real. Heaven is ALL REAL as she entered God's Kingdom.

And one was a Stockbroker who called his son from the Pearly Gates and said
Follow Me - I'm going far with God. Who'd taken care of Grandmothers, sisters in laws,
children, wife and grandchildren. Saving his son's leg from listening to God.

They were all of them saints of God, and I mean,
God helping, to be one too.

They loved their Lord so dear, so dear,
and his love made them strong!
and they followed the right for Jesus' sake
the whole of their good lives long.


And one was a soldier, named Cory, and one was a priest, named Tate,
and one was slain by a fierce wild beast; of alcoholism,


In Jesus there's not any reason, no, not the least,
why I shouldn't be one saint too.

They lived not only in ages past;
there are hundreds of thousands still!!!
All the true stories of prayers offered and wallets and purses returned complete.

The world is bright with the joyous saints
who love to do Jesus' will.

You can meet them in school, on the street, in the store,
in church, by the sea, in the house next door;
they are saints of God, whether rich or poor,
and I mean to be one too.

Jesus lifting up the Lives of our Loved Ones.
Jesus encouraging the Holy Spirit to dwell within me, you and our Loved Ones, the people we pray for.
Jesus lifting this Generation of Father's Loving their sons.

Jesus having our prayers of faith, hope and Love lifting us up.
Jesus Love still at Work, Blessing us, this Nation, the World knowing the prayers of the faithful
are pleasing to God.

Be with us in our Ups and Downs, and we will do as Jesus says, "Rise Again!"

The Light Shines in the Darkness and has not overcome.

Jesus is our Alleluia. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

1 Corinthians 4:1-5 ~ It is the Lord +

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court.

In fact, I do not even judge myself.

For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.



Evangelism.

We all have a different viewpoint. And is this good? You bet. Father God has given us all gifts and abilities.

The main event in Salvation has one Point. Jesus Christ.

Are you bad at Evangelism? I have a true and encouraging story. A Canadian Nurse was traveling a snowy road about 3 years ago. She was 62 years old and had always considered 'the religious' as foreign, clickish and uptight. God probably 'existed' but the 'religious'... were another story. The nurse was traveling her regular way to work one very cold winter night and she suddenly had a feeling. It was dark and very, very cold in the empty rural roads she was traveling. She felt as if something was wrong with her car. This is not good. A person can freeze to death on these dark snowy roads. The car did not feel as if it was acting up, she just suddenly had some fear. And miles down the empty, frozen, snowy roads the car began to rev up and down. And soon the car seemed to lurch. This was truly alarming.

And as a real problem was truly present, the 62 year old nurse thought the convenience/gas station would be closed. But she could stop. And suddenly she felt as if the Lord God Almighty was telling her not to worry, He had always loved and cared for her. Her talent was caring for others and He would surely care for her. Joy and calm filled her. The Lord told her without words that someone would be waiting at the closed Gas Station and would help her. The Lights of the Filling Station stayed on all the time. She pulled in and a man was standing next to his car under the bright light. She got out and explained her problem. The young 20s man said, I know the problem, I had the cable to my battery go out last week and the cable I bought was wrong. But he had the cable with him, the one he didn't need and it fit her car. The problem was fixed in about 15 minutes.

The nurse told the young man what had happened with all the details. He said God is good like that. And she asked him if he was an angel. The man assured her he was not an showed her his license. She said she felt odd telling him this. And he said his family was Christian and had set of stories just like this. He asked her if she was religious. She said no. He said he wasn't really either.

They contemplated the events quietly. The nurse said she now believed fully Jesus is God. And her life would change. He told her yes, this was Jesus and he'd keep thinking upon this. And they departed. The nurse now loves Jesus with all her heart. He'd helped a sinner, an agnostic and had Loved her.

His Love changed her life.

God is God in evangelism.


I have a cousin who was fully healed of being mute until he was 13. The family said he probably had some kind of Autism looking back at his life. He is in his 80s now. He's been a street preacher to the Homeless for most of his life. And says he has seen 50 people accept Jesus and has created about 5 Churches, still running. Even my cousin says Street Preaching doesn't necessarily meet the need. And he is proud of his 5 Churches teaching the Love and attributes of God to be loved and relied upon. He says this is what his life's work has brought in Kingdom work. He is a humble man and he has satisfaction, not something other than "Well done, Child of God."

God is God in evangelism.


We did Youth Ministry at our house about 5 times a week from 2001 to about 2006 and had many Bible Studies here until about 2008 or 9. And we have seen about 3 people accept God - really about 5. A lot of the 80 or 90 young adults are out in life and not in Church. Has the seed perished? Not at all. God has planted the crop and God will bring in the Harvest.

God is God in evangelism.


We have had family get sarcastic on our faith. We've had old friends get sarcastic about our faith. The Bible tells us to be unashamed. And in doing so - a conversation is created. Usually sarcasm about faith happens because this person feels there is a lot of work, unbelievably, unobtainable work of 'clean up' that isn't within their ability to get right with God.

You know something - God says He - Father God the Almighty - has placed His Spirit within His children. Even the people seeking - have real Bible, Holy Spirit, insight in them. Not the kind that isn't of the Bible. But real Bible insight. Even in the conversations where you are explaining your own faith - you learn from others on their Journey being the Prodigal where the Father would run to His Beloved Child.

Your times of learning and God has blessed you - are of great interest to those interested enough to talk about Father God.

Not really the Sunday School Lessons or the 'horrid culture' discussions - but when you felt closest to God.  Then you have interest - the insights to God people want to know deeply inside of themselves.

This matters and is created during times where we have "the right to be heard."

God is God in evangelism.

Youth Ministry and our 5 years we were Catholic during the 1990s have taught us something valid. Evangelism is not hit and run. Evangelism is the right to be heard for leading a life that cares for people. Evangelism is when hearts are open and ready. One very wise mom and long time Sunday School volunteer calls this "The Teachable Moments". Adults would call this "Evangelism is actually a discussion and welcome to the conversation" and occurs in God's timing.

God is in Evangelism.

Dr Ed Young of  Houston's 2nd Baptist has told the events of his own evangelism  Dr Young grew up in the Church. And as he headed to college he felt saved and felt Church life could come later. Off to college he went. And as he returned, a woman from Church felt Ed could use rebuking. Loud rebuking. Frequent loud rebuking. Finally Ed would just go in his house and hope to not run into her. Ed never discussed this with his college roommate who was his good friend

 One evening, his sophomore year, his college roommate said, "Have you noticed, Ed, that I am a moral agnostic and you and I live the same life? This comforts me. Your belief and my agnosticism run at the same level." This conversation grew inside of Ed Young and changed his belief. His life.  His career.

The Bible says gently have an idea what you would say to support your belief in Jesus Christ.

(Ed's roommate is now part of the Believing Body of Christ!)

God is God in evangelism.

Some people who go door to door for their faith - lose their faith. They feel rude and unwanted and unwelcome. If this happens - this was not their gift. But real meaning in belief happens when mankind is loved by Jesus.


Be prepared to say why we love Jesus.

And be real and be sincere. Let the person asking talk. Listen to what they say. I learned to pray for the ones I love by remembering a loving moment with them. The prayers of a Righteous Man availeth much = Love covers a multitude of sins. The Greatest of these is Love.


Jesus is not formula, a numbers game, a score card. God is Love. You knew that!

Abba

We pray that You, our Father God, the source of hope, will fill us completely with joy and peace because we trust in You. Then we will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Believe the Holy Spirit dwells is us. Help us each day to dwell with You and know You love us.

Inviting the Holy Spirit to dwell in those we Love and Care for.

Believing You cover the world with Your Love and our prayers connect us to You. Your almighty Love.

Thank You God the cysts Edward and I had were benign. Thank You Jesus.

Prayers for pain from surgery and nausea recovery. And Good Health for us all.

Jesus Christ go with us with our gentle Word we carry for Jesus Christ. And the opportunities for Jesus to join the conversation of willing hearts and souls.

Jesus is God. Alleluia. Your Word is Good! Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 91 ~ my refuge

Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will saya to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

8 You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

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.”

Matthew 17:5
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Matthew 12:18
“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations."

Matthew 22:37
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.







John 3:35
The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.

John 8:42
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me.

John 11:36
Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

John 13:1
Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

John 13:34
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

John 14:15
“If you love me, keep my commands."

John 13:35
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Abba,

We ask Jesus to pray and travel this life with us. Dwell with us, Jesus, Holy Spirit.

The Joy of the Lord is our Strength. Love carries burdens, making the path easier. This is the Way, Truth, Life.

Hate is too hard a burden to want to hold on to.

For the Glory of Jesus, place me and my loved one's in Your Protection. Let Your Love Guide us each day and those around us.

Abraham was loved for God for his mercy,

Genesis 18
32Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.”

He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” 33 And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

With more of God's Holy Spirit increasing our Hope,
We recall with Love those we Love
Increase our Love
and pray more of God and His blessings for our lives today stretching to Eternity. Infinity and Beyond!

The closeness of God to hear our Hope in Him for our needs, health, arms, healing, surgery, and the Joy of God to spread to those we love and pray for. For all the people God has placed in our lives we recall the ones upon our hearts and minds.

Father be mindful with mercy for our lives - keep us on a path of meaning and Your care as we journey in this life. Go with us, Please!

We end our prayer rejoicing with Father God the prayers of the faithful cover, cover, cover the earth with God daily. Seeing with Father God again the absolute Goodness He sees in His Creation yesterday, today and tomorrow. Our Father God's Word is Good.

Concluding our prayer with Gratitude for - all of Father God's Love and Word is True.

Jesus Christ is our Alleluia and Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Mark 12:28-34 ~ Most Important of all

We had a wonderful Sermon today on The First Commandment, which tied so much of the Bible together - we were indeed warp speed.

The Light of God.

Mark 12:28-34

“Which commandment is the most important of all?”

29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall 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: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

32 And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”



This is an important place to Jesus - being right up next to the Kingdom of God.

At God's Heart.

Jesus is giving us His Name, covering us from our sins.
Bringing us as Worthy as Jesus' own to Father God.
Jesus is delighted with His Father.
And is Bringing us - bought at a tremendously High Price.
Giving to Holy, Holy, Holy Father God a new Kingdom and a new earth.

It's not just the Temple curtain that split. The floor of the Temple split also with earthquake. Jesus is splitting Heaven to toss out Satan. He is suddenly saying earth has no boundaries - all of mankind - is sought to be saved.

Surely this is the Son of God.

This is a very Large God. Perhaps as Large as the Universe. Asking us to present Father God with something all the parables about weddings and invitations is telling us - God would go out on a limb and put us in a life sometimes having High Winds howl. And God is asking us if we - the prodigals - want to give Father God our trust, our love, our heart, our soul, and our mind and will. And here we find the beginning of the Kingdom of God.



Elijah found himself confronting eternity in a cave. Life had gotten very, very serious. And we find God was gentle with Elijah. Not in the howling justification of a false prophet murderer. Elijah was post traumatic stress for what Elijah had witnessed of God's Power. How would Father God comfort Elijah? Of Course God Knew. To speak softly to Elijah's soul.



Moses. Michelangelo got a little Latin as a Second Language Upset. Carving the Statue of Moses. Rays of Light from a man speaking to Father God Himself.

Cecile B. DeMille might never have known God's friend Charlton Heston without the gaffe. Even if people were confused for 500 years - what was Michelangelo thinking??? All things work together for good!

However if God decided Cecile B. DeMille might miss some of Michelangelo's Work
- God might say wonderful and good Cecile B. DeMille might have missed the Elijah moment -
Really fabulous and loving Cecile B. DeMille might have missed - Our God is a Personal God.

Our Father God is God of Love.

Our Father God is God of Encouragement.

Our Father God would call a deaf man aside and make motions so healing was not placed upon him like a Lion.

Our Father God would walk with the blind man to have a quiet moment and put warm living water on his eyes.

Our Father God might send this man quietly sent to the Pool of Siloam to have time to process momentous change.

Our Father God would be such a loving Creator of the entire Universe that when the Blind Man has Jesus' own Living Water upon his eyes. Jesus stays with him to make sure all is understandable, reliable, clear as life floods the formerly quiet senses.

Our God does not just take away deafness, our God stays to see that words are clear.

Our God does not just heal at the Pool of Bethsaida after 38 years and leave. Jesus finds this man with 38 year hoping - to speak with him again.







Where is the Moses Moment ??? I didn't know until Today. Moses says "Not me God, Not me!" And our Father God says, "I will be with you."

Same yesterday, today and tomorrow God of Elijah.

God understands the frailty of mankind. Immortal, steadfast, immovable God understands the fuss, fret, fried, fricassee, fraidy cat. Of mankind encountering God's pretty vast Creation.

Isaiah could See.

Isaiah 43

1 But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel,
"Do not fear,
for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!

2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.

3 "For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior"


Jesus understood. Jesus commanded, "Love"

Matthew 28:20
"And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the age."









We get things tangled up trying to understand God so Vast and Loving.


Galatians 4

1 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.




4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.


Faith is the assurance of the unseen. We have to wade through a lot of life and still believe the work of mankind is to believe God.

We have to believe as we drain the swamp, with this alligator or that one - Father God is God and His Word is God's Word.

This is massive - to believe you are God's... heir. Special. Loved. Chosen. Held in tenderness. Agreeable to God. God is for you.


8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.

Name it and claim it, what seemed important and in ten years, five, a year - is tiddly winks.





9 But now that you have come to know God,
or rather to be known by God,
how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?



We labor to fill our calendars...


10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.



And now will we tune out what is meaningful, precious, as smothering, burdensome and weary? Enviable and snide this :


12 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first,
14 and though my condition was a trial to you,
you did not scorn or despise me,
but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.

15 What then has become of the blessing you felt?

For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me.





+

Jesus cried out to those listening to Him, "You Know Me!"

++







16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.

18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!

20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.




Since the days of God walking in the cool of the Garden, mankind has wanted to pick and choose knowledge of good and evil.


21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law?

The Law is every Word of God. God does not chit chat. Often. :) However God says tell Me every part of your life and what you need and want. Be thankful for My Replies says God.


The Law tells us to be kind even to the stranger and sojourner. And Abraham saved Isaac (as he should), hoped for encroaching blessings on Ishmael, and wanted us to be quiet about Abraham's second wife Keturah - Genesis 25 - as he sent his own sons by Keturah away.


22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.


What is mankind You are mindful of him, O God? We make messes and messes. And the story of Genesis says Jesus delights in us as His own.

27 For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor!

For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband."



28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.


Jesus saw promise in His own Brothers as they mocked Him to go to the Festival.


29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit,
so also it is now.


Day after intense day the Pharisees hounded Jesus. Being God, Jesus understood where fear should be placed. Jesus did not fear. He trusted God that if God would know even the Sparrow, all things were going to work out for Good for those who love the Lord and work according to His Purpose. Jesus in the middle of Living Water. feeding the Multitudes, Living the Plan of God was asleep in the storm in the boat. To wake to save easily.


30 But what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman." 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.


The Work of mankind is to believe God. What is the Word of God? Is this for You and Your daily life? Are you the chaff or the heir?

Most Important of All

The Glory of God is His Love. His Mercy. His Delight. His Tenderness. This is the Prodigal's Father. John saw God and said, "God Is Love." God says Jesus is the Highest of All Names.

Looking to Father God, we can be trusting God. Looking at all the details makes us understand to hold on to our Truth. Even explaining Galatians 4 can make us forget what a loving, loving, loving, tender, tender, tender Jesus we have.

Scripture repeats explaining

God's tenderness

is steadfast love.

Our Abba!

Isaiah 42:5
Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it

We ask for an increase of the Holy Spirit just asking Jesus to pray with us. And Increase of God's Love around the praying world.  Really.

For all who Love God, the Church, her People and Pastors - more communicating with Love.

Our Living God, Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.”

When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit."

And more of Your Holy Spirit we receive with Joy. Your Willingness to be with us. Thank You, Abba.


With more of God's Holy Spirit increasing our Hope, we recall with Love those we Love and pray more of God and His blessings for their lives today stretching to Eternity. Infinity and Beyond. The closeness of God to hear our Hope in Him for our needs, health, arms, healing, surgery, and the Joy of God to spread to those we love and pray for.

We end our prayer rejoicing with Father God the prayers of the faithful cover, cover, cover the earth with God daily. Seeing with Father God again the absolute Goodness He sees in His Creation yesterday, today and tomorrow. And we end our prayer with Gratitude for - all of God's Love and Word is True.

And that is our Prayer Plan. And this is a pleasure, You say God is God's Joy - God and to us - His Beloved.

Thank You for Rain in Texas. Reign of God. Your Word is Truth

Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

John 6:40 ~ Everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life

John 6:40

For it is My Father's will
that everyone
who looks to the Son and believes in Him
shall have eternal life,
and I will raise him up at the last day

Romans 5:8
God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 2
4 Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5 made us alive with Christ,
even when we were dead in our trespasses.
It is by grace you have been saved!


Because of the established purpose of God's Plan, we must look at the entire world as each person, God would willingly save.

Many people wonder if God loves them. The people who spend time wondering about Father God's thoughts, have God on their mind. And in their heart and soul. A seed of Jesus' parables is growing.

I recently had a talk with someone who wonders if God loves them and almost all their life has expressed Love for God and wonder. In my prayer life, I have had a 'knowing' of what I know. God loves this person very much. This is another person who feels cut off from religion and tired of people supposing this dear soul to require work. And as I assured this dear soul of the certainty the good life and kind heart is very pleasing and acceptable to Father God - Love bloomed. A soul glowed. All posture and thoughts changed to being a glowing Light. It's the guess work of opinion suppressing the Light of Christ Jesus.

The assurance of Father God's love encouraged the response, "I know that. I did Know!"

Joy. Pure Joy.

God's love crowds out the gloom, the meh, the wet blanket. God's Love causes Light, Joy, Love, Peace.


What does God have to say for all of us:

Luke 1
"go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of 
the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
79 to shine
 on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet
 into the path of peace.”


The Joy of "This Little Light of Mine" is for us all, who love Jesus, the understatement of the millenniums!!! The wonder of allowing this Light within to be appreciated and admired is to adore God dwelling within. Comforter. Yes. God explains. Understands. Displays His Mercy.




Our Loving, Loving Abba!!!

We ask Jesus to go with us to pray. Opening our hearts to Jesus, displaying all Your Mercy.

Psalm 22:9-10
Yet You are He who brought me forth from the womb; You made me trust when upon my mother's breasts.  Upon You I was cast from birth; You have been my God from my mother's womb.

We celebrate Your Word is Truth. Romans 1 says we have an understanding within us of God's Mercy. And even in polls, we see most people believe in Your Heaven. Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. Jesus “has put everything under His Feet.”

Father God, You raised Christ from the dead. Thank You.

In fact the dead are raised. Thank You.

Christ has been raised, Your Love has given us faith. Thank You.

Because of Jesus we are still in Your Mercy. Thank You.

Those who have fallen asleep, who are in Christ, upheld safely and joyously. Thank You.

For this Way, Truth and Life - we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most blessed. Thank You.

Thank You!!!




Father God please dwell in us and those we Love. Please increase the Holy Spirit by sincere invitation, we ask.

Father God, in Your Parenting and Love for us, be in the prayers of the faithful cover us daily. Father God, You delight in Your Beloved Children. Delight in us again yesterday, today and tomorrow. Forgive us when we are weak, when we are wrong, we are sorry for all the ways we are frail and determinedly wrong.

We ask for health all through out our bodies, arms, hearing, seeing, and the heart You give us. Speak Your Word of Life, Thank You. Guide us to completion in new endeavors, we ask. Surround us with Your Loved Ones.

Love and bless the hearts, souls - Life for those we Love. Guide, Lead, Protect and Nurture. And the people You have given us, we give Blessing to in Jesus. For employment pleasing to You. Neighborhoods giving You joy. Cities, Churches and our Nation. Knowing You cover our lives with Your Word. Covering the world. Empower those knowing Your Love to be able to give witness to Your Love.

We give You Thanks for Your Plan. Enable us to fulfill Your Plans. Thank You when we cannot, we know You are God. God You are God of Love, Encouragement.

Your Way is Mercy. Thank You.

Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †