Matthew 7:7-28 ~ good fruit

Matthew 7:7-28

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 

20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 

26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

One day, a man named Espalier went on a journey. He was invited to see the New World in an English ship and with an old Spanish ship.The journey at times was to be tortuous. Fraught.

They had to turn back for leaks. Started out and return for leaks again.

Psalm 107

15 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
16 For he shatters the doors of bronze
and cuts in two the bars of iron.

600 miles off course the ship was thoroughly shaken, and her upper works made very leaky. Events appeared to be fixed. And they all continued several days together, which was some encouragement unto them; yet according to the usual manner many were afflicted with seasickness.

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
prisoners in affliction and in irons,
11 for they had rebelled against the words of God,
and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor;
they fell down, with none to help.
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
and burst their bonds apart.

And some who swore evilly died in a most desperate manner. Then the ship encountered many times, crosswinds, and met with many fierce storms. And then decisions had to be made into serious consultation with the master and other officers of the ship, to consider whether to return, rather than to cast themselves into desperate and inevitable peril.

17 Some were fools through their sinful ways,
and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
18 they loathed any kind of food,
and they drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.

And truly there was great distraction and difference of opinion amongst the mariners themselves.
But in examining of all opinions, the master and others affirmed they knew the ship to be strong and firm underwater; and for the buckling of the main beam, there was a great iron screw the passengers brought out of Holland, which would raise the beam into its place; which was done. The carpenter and master affirmed that with a post put under it, set firm in the lower deck, and other ways bound, he would make it sufficient. 

And as for the decks and upper works they would caulk them as well as they could, and though with the working of the ship they would not long hold firm, they would be safe as long as they did not over-stress her with sails.

So they committed themselves to the will of God, and resolved to proceed.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
whom he has redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.

..after long beating at sea they fell with that land which is called Cape Cod: they were not a little joyful!

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way
till they reached a city to dwell in.
8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
9 For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

After some deliberation amongst themselves and with the master of the ship, they resolved to sail southward to find someplace about Hudson's river for their habitation.

20 He sent out his word and healed them,
and delivered them from their destruction.
21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

But after they had sailed that course about half a day, they fell amongst dangerous shoals and roaring breakers, and resolved to bear up again for the Cape.

Some went down to the sea in ships,
doing business on the great waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the Lord,
his wondrous works in the deep.
25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;
their courage melted away in their evil plight;
27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men
and were at their wits' end.
28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
29 He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

and thought themselves happy to get out of those dangers before night overtook them.

Being thus arrived in a good harbor and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of heaven, who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof." 

Espalier had not understood. The journey had seemed so perilous, sometimes without hope. He had begun as the great adventurer - for God. The Way had been fraught.

Hunger would plague these Mayflower adventures for God.

Later generations, what would the settlers see?

Espalier would say ~ The People of God were being equipped! When the season was right - fruit would be harvested!!!

And the fruit would be placed well within reach!

Love. Learn. Hope. Good times. Lean Times. Lean to the Father. Life is a Test. A Big Fat Test. HOME! As God's Children. Glory. Glory. Alleluia He reigns.

Is the story of the Mayflower unique? To the United States?
 No! Simon the Zealot, Disciple of Jesus wanted a better life. The ups and downs of Psalm 107? See the Book of Judges. Perhaps a King? See First and Second Kings. And all of Chronicles.

The Ancient of Days tells us the pendulum of life has a purpose.
His. The Book of Life. Struggle has a purpose. Learn. Use discernment. Seek Him. Become His. Seek wisdom and His Will. Rejoice. Endure. Survive. Hope. Cope. Help. Love.   

Today our free radio proclaimed the United States is done. Oligopoly - the reign of a few has begun. Do you you have Freedom of Speech? The Supreme Court recently upheld this.

Do you still have the voting power?
Each day our Father GOD is giving us choices. We must value what we have and not believe the worst of our opportunities.Unless we see a path forward, search for forward, we can sink in the root of bitterness. Bitterness - by it many become defiled. Don't make me say anything about apples and barrels here.

This Summer, we went to Michigan to see our Son. In the last decades, Michigan Apples are planted and pruned to have the fruit to be clearly within reach.

Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, 
even the God of our salvation. Selah.

Psalm 103:2-4

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness,
but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish,
but that all should reach repentance.

Philippians 4:19 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

James 1:12 

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, 

for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life,

which God has promised to those who love him.

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 future

Abba, Father God, 

We wait upon You, O Lord.

Daily You Bless us and as we lean upon You, we trust more and more. We have asked You have given. Thank You for these Blessings and fruit.

We have at times staggared and worried in this life. The Battle is Yours and the way we win is prayer. You are our strength and our shield. 

In You we lean to have refuge. Our desired Haven.

You have Built our lives Father GOD! You have filled us with Good Things to Be Blessed and Grateful. Steadfast Love and Wonderous Works. Founded on Your Rock.

 A Royal Priesthood of God. Praying for Israel and our leaders. Our families, friends, neighbors and those who need You Now. Elliott and Dee.

You are the Light of the world and our Hope and Future. In name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

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Proverbs 16:9 ~ the Lord establishes

Proverbs 16:9

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.




Patmos Island, Edward was remembering going there in 1980. He said the cave was very nice and the view was astonishing. Like being on top of the world to see the endless sea and sky touching. Much as it looked when John was climbing the mountain the first time.

The Lord's own Disciple on Good Friday didn't see the next step, Jesus never left or was going to forsake him.

Consider how the Life of John, the Beloved Disciple, matches the Scriptures for Israel.

Father God's provision for John is great wealth. Abba provided for all of John's needs. In unusual ways. Blessing Seekers are Blessing Finders.

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy 30:19
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live

Deuteronomy 1:8
See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land the LORD swore he would give to your fathers – to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – and to their descendants after them.

Deuteronomy 29:29
The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

Deuteronomy 10:12
And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul

Deuteronomy 6:7
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up

Deuteronomy 4:7
What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?

John experienced this and so did the Island of Crete for seeking Jesus.

Deuteronomy 7:6
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession

John, the Beloved Disciple, had an Exodus from the coming difficulties of the Disciples of Jesus. Like Israel, there was another Exodus, like John went safely to the Island of Patmos.


Deuteronomy 7:1
When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations – the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you






Deuteronomy 7:8
It was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 8:9
A land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills




Deuteronomy 1:6
The LORD our God said to us at Horeb, "You have stayed long enough at this mountain.

Deuteronomy 1:11
May the LORD, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised

Deuteronomy 28:1
If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth

Father God's provision for John is great wealth. He has provided all of John's needs. In so many unusual ways. Blessing Seekers - Blessing finders!!!

† John 13:34 
A New Commandment I Give You:
Love one another. 
As I have loved you,

Abba,

We give our cares to You.

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

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

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

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

Thank You God, for Your Goodness.

Teaching us to observe all that You have commanded us. 

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age

Jesus is with us

We know this and clearly with expectation - Lift up our cares, our lives. And the ones we love. The People our Father God puts in our lives to last and have harmony. For the healing of Elliott and Dee.

 For His Goodness. For the Nation and all the believers. 

To bring more Heaven to earth.

Jesus Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

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Psalm 72:1-8 ~ prosperity for the people

Psalm 72:1-8

1 Give the king thy justice, O God, and thy righteousness to the royal son!

2 May he judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with justice!

3 Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness!

4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor!

5 May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!

6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth!

7 In his days may righteousness flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!

8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!

Yesterday we looked at Titus 2. 
The meaning of Titus 2 completely explains what we all understand as the Holy Spirit. Nothing about Titus 2 is out of line or debatable.

Titus lived among those on Crete and this is historically regarded as "Good People" who tried to meet Jesus and have him come with them. Paul visited Titus, regarded as being one of the 72 Disciples. Titus lived a good life among good people. Something we all rejoice in. The Trail of Jesus talking about the cities is historically accurate. The life of John is Blessed. The Life of those on Crete is equally blessed.

Warms hearts to see Father God taking care of His People.

Titus 2, Psalm 72 of Solomon and Deuteronomy

Brings up something debated today like Baseball. Go Astros!!!

 "Prosperity Gospel"

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz.

Chances are good I've walked past a good looking car or Mercedes, and you have to understand ... being a believer in constant prayer... the prayer for that make and model has tumbled out. And there may have been a color preference too. And this has probably repeated... a few times. God did tell us to talk to Him about all things. Do we expect Jesus to be my waiter? We do not.

Rich, poor, Greek, Jew - God has all the line up in His Scriptures as His Beloved. The Acts of the Apostles finds all nationalities, races, ages and social standing.

Some religions have tracked the likelihood of blessing monetarily. Mormons have done this. Bishops are the wealthiest God has "blessed." We find the desire for money has caused harm. The Old Testament explains how the ambitious weave into trouble into the Davidic Line. And The Acts of the Apostles and the end of the Gospels include the wealthy as well as the poor.

Deuteronomy - we love to compare this to the dryness of Papyrus. What God is really teaching us that is Good is this - when we give God good choices - doing this with sincerity - God is going to provide a path to Bless. This isn't the Prosperity Gospel this is what Deuteronomy says.

Poverty isn't just money, poverty is anxiety, poverty is cruelty, poverty is lack of health. When God is giving His Deuteronomy Blessings for believing and altering natural behavior for what would please Father God - God tells Joshua - one of the most long term faithful men in Scriptures, waiting 40 years for what God would do next - have Courage. Don't just give God good behavior - give God Courage. Optimism can require Courage. Optimism can require Faith.

We build good lives seeking to Love the people God has given us. To Shepherd them. To believe God is Shepherding our given people and we look to see them show us what God is revealing to them in their lives.

1 Corinthians 13:12,13
12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

We aren't told all of God's Plan. He expects us to Truth Him. To love the people He has given us.

When we consider The Real Blessings of God and our efforts - consider Joshua.

Waiting upon the Lord with all hope and courage for 40 years in the desert. Jesus is called Yeshua. The example of Joshua.

Yeshua (ישוע, with vowel pointing יֵשׁוּעַ – yēšūă' in Hebrew) was a common alternative form of the name יְהוֹשֻׁעַ ("Yehoshua" – Joshua) in later books of the Hebrew Bible and among Jews of the Second Temple period. Not the Prosperity Gospel, the real application of Deuteronomy to Abba.

Jesus spoke about what He thought about the Prosperity Gospel when He told the large crowd seeking Him in the morning, they were following Him for the Bread. Jesus was direct with a huge and large crowd.

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please him, 

for whoever would draw near to God must believe

 that he exists 

and that he rewards those who seek him.

We Know How to Please God.
Give Justice with Mercy and walk humbly with God.

We please God in prayer by Blessing Seeking the as is of life. Understanding what we do not find as a Blessing - Just might be. We bless our relationship with Father God by explaining our thoughts on our needs. Genuine Love.

God Wants to Save the World in Jesus Christ

Thank God, He loves me for who I am.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Always be joyful 

and never stop praying. 

Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.

Thanks, Abba, Father God, 

You've listened to me for so many years with so much love. I love you. 

Amen, amen, amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

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Titus 2 ~ teach what is Good †

Titus 2

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine.

They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us

from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.



How is this easily dismissed? Moral Dessert. Doing all we can for reward. Dismissed as Insincere. One of the biggest arguments against "Goodness" is Gain. Reward. Means to an end.

Christ for Moral Desserts.

God dismissed the racquetball volley of inner quandary. Scoffers will Scoff. Fact of life. God said this about Moral Desserts...

1 John 4:18-19
The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because He first loved us.

God says the Basis of all His Promises are His Love for us.

Abraham believed God's Promises and this was credited to him as righteousness. Abraham failed many times. Jesus said He had come to fulfill every Word of God. Every iota and every dot.

Jesus informed us - no one is good. All have fallen.

Making something straight forward out of something that could be complex. God is God. Alleluia. Amen.


† Jesus said when we love, His commandments are not burdensome.






Abba,

Thank You for your blessings. Thank You for the beauty of today. Thank You we heard of no fatalities in the 17 mile Tornado in Dallas.

We will not treat You as our waiter. We will be blessing seekers with Gratitude. We will be honest about our lives, circumstances and the failures in ourselves.

We will Bless You God by being mindful and grateful for Your Mercies. More Heaven on earth. More of Your Glory.

We ask Your Help to do what You'd have us do. And cover us all who ask for Jesus in the Name of Jesus.

We are Blessed. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

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