Luke 9:51-56 ~ taken up

Luke 9:51-56

51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, He set his face to go to Jerusalem. 

52 And He sent messengers ahead of Him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for Him. 

53 But the people did not receive Him, because His face was set toward Jerusalem. 

54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them [as Elijah did] ?" 55 But he turned and rebuked them [“You do not know what manner of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man came not to destroy people’s lives but to save them”] 

56 And they went on to another village.


Rejection is part of life. Yet God works all things towards good.

Romans 8:28

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,

 for those who are called according to His purpose.

Recently, I was told the first half of life is collecting and the last half of life is watching us lose all we had. When thinking about this, I realized my grandmothers and my great-grandparents are not known as much for what they did as youths or even middle age.  When my Ward, my cousin Maxine died in 2010, her wishes were to disperse all she owned from our family living together in 1888 in Louisiana.  The family memories I know of this branch of our family, mostly happen from 1907 to 1960.

Instead of approaching aging as walking towards the end of the path, we should think of our later years not of weakness, but our legacy. 

Drawing from Scripture:

Psalm 25:7

Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!

The events of Kings, Chronicles, Proverbs and Psalms are the misfortunes of age and not youth. Most of my grandmother's flaws seem extremely forgivable and then covered with the Mercy of their parents.  Few and far between are the real touchdowns from the years' Bruce Springsteen calls "Glory Days."

 Proverbs 16:31 

 Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.

November 30, 1874, Winston Churchill was born. In the 1930s, Winston Churchill famously remarked in the House of Commons during an exchange with the Prime Minister, 1930s, he was confident history would find Baldwin wrong - huge grin - "because I shall write that history". He said something of the same to Stalin during the war, and of course, Churchill was correct.

We falsely believe our Grandchildren are going to remember our worst. Instead, we have a real chance to teach from the wisdom of gathered years. Love.

Æthelwold 'aetheling', thrown over nephew of Alfred the Great, passed over by his royal father, allowed Alfred the Great's massive Christian reshaping of the U.K. and world history. The movie Æthelwold remarked the only reason Alfred hadn't killed Æthelwold, Alfred believed in God. Æthelwold thought about this and announced, "Æthelwold likes God." "Really likes God!"

Luke 9:51-56 is the plan, the path, the driving Goal of God Himself and the end of Jesus Grace upon Grace on earth. And in this most undeserved, most Grace, Mercy of God Himself and His Son, Jesus the Christ of God, there is Mercy. Not to destroy life.

And this -  in great probability is the Mercy of God, that as we age the world considers us as 'past it' and, in reality,  the sake of God's goodness, allows splendor attained righteously.  The meek inherit the earth, what better plan of older people giving of themselves to the younger generations unselfishly?!

Ephesians 3

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 

from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 

that according to the riches of His glory 

He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit 

in your inner being

So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith

—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 

may have strength to comprehend with all the saints 

what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 

and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, 

that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 

 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, 

according to the power at work within us, 

to Him be glory in the church 

and

 In Christ Jesus throughout all generations, 

forever and ever. Amen.

Abba, Father,

Dwell in us

and help us to seek You first

Jesus, God of Encouragement.

Jesus, Hope and Future.

Jesus the Lord

saves the world

Amen.

♔ LORD JESUS SAVES †

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Philippians 2 ~ holding fast to the Word of Life

 

Sunday, May 25, 1986, when 5 million to 6.5 million people held hands for 15 minutes to form a continuous human chain across the contiguous United States.  Many participants donated $10 each to reserve their place in line. The proceeds were donated to local charities to fight hunger and homelessness and help those in poverty. The event raised about $15 million for charities after operating costs.

Baltic Chain May 1989 2 million participants in holding hands to form a Human Chain went continuous 675km, then added to be 800 km, and is credited with bringing down Communism in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. 3 million people in 1990 participated,  Ukraine.

There have been hunger relief chains and environmental human chains. 

These days, we would have to do a fist bump. We are all tired of the realities of Covid and trouble.

James 1:20

The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Look in the Hospitals - Life and Death are daily events to God. Life is not created by mankind - we have no idea how to create life - we merely use what He gives us. Life is, after all, a voyage Home.

Instead - God says work. God gives mankind the work to believe God.

Work. Work out our "own" Salvation with fear and trembling. Fear is the beginning of wisdom. Real Love Casts out Fear. Worth repeating.

Philippians 2

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now,

not only as in my presence but much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 

for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 

that you may be blameless and innocent,

children of God without blemish

 in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation,

among whom you shine as lights in the world,

holding fast to the Word of Life

so that 

in the day of Christ 

I may be proud that I did not run in vain 

or labor in vain.

So God allowed Elijah and Elisha to do something rude.

Remembering Elijah did more than just one event.

~ Elijah knew who he was God’s representative
~ “Elijah called “the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead.” six times and was well known by this title - a rocky area - indicating a hard life - a journey to survive the area
~ Tishbe” means “to take captive” - Bringing God back into Israel.
~ Was direct and laid it on the line. He said there would be neither dew nor rain for years except by his word.
~ King Ahab's response - is not recorded. Scripture is silent. This demonstrates the promises and warnings of God’s Word always take precedence over man’s response or opinions.
~ God’s Word is true regardless of how people respond or react.
~ God sent Elijah to live with a widow in Zarephath and prevented starvation.
~ The widow's son died. Elijah stretched himself on the boy's body three times, and God restored the child's life.
~ Elijah challenged the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of the false god Asherah to a showdown on Mount Carmel.
~ Elijah called on the Lord, and God's fire fell from heaven, consuming the offering, the wood, the altar, the water, and even the dust around it.
~ Elijah overcame fear and depression.
~ Elijah prayed, and rain fell on Israel.
~ An angel brought him food.
~ Elijah to anoint his successor, Elisha (God and his workmen feel the work goes on).
~ God sent chariots and horses of fire and took Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, while Elisha stood watching.

The righteousness of God does not need mankind. We are blessed to be Heard. God does more than we know and allows prayer to move His Hands

Jesus was confronted with a real and profound doubt - rudeness, if you will - to His Authority. John the Baptist is compared to Elijah by Jesus, after seeing Elijah in the transfiguration. (Witnessed by men - John trying not to overwhelm the listener.)

John sent a message to Jesus in his hour of death - asking Jesus - publicly- is He the correct person, as the Messiah?

God does not zap John the Baptist, yet He tells us of lack of faith takes us down. He is saying, in effect, if we can - "Let not our hearts be troubled" - to seize that.

Jesus does not set bears on the messengers. We don't have to say that twice. John the Baptist creates questioning in his own disciples instead of leadership. Proving once again, be it - TV evangelist, Christian Singer, Elijah, Elisha - any person - will let you down. But If we put our Hope in Jesus Christ - He will not disappoint us. We are not to expect a waiter or Santa or the Grim Judge. Only God is Good.

God said you can ridicule the name of Jesus and bother Him, but not to complain about the Holy Spirit. (Yes, of course, we are not supposed to take His name in vain.) The Holy Spirit brings God to us. Dwelling in us. God doesn't get fussy, but He wants us to understand how He strives for us and not to break the connection of us to Him. We seem to take God up on this, God is cussed, Jesus' name is blasphemed, yet rarely do you hear someone cuss the Holy Spirit.

We are assured, Jesus will not break a bruised reed. Jesus said if we "Let our hearts not be troubled,"  He creates a place for us in Heaven. Too far off you say - Heaven - what about:

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works (interweaves) for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

A huge statement - that is under the category of - Unseen Faith. The eyes of faith have to see some things unfold in thirty or more years.

The Scripture exists to explain the nature of God.

There is always a need to dig down deep to find the reasoning. God says we must seek Him, work to comprehend, work to be in relationship and we will find Him.

We thank God 

in the years of the Works of God

to know the Life

of St. Augustine

and the patience of his mother.

So many days, I've been encouraged,

remembering St. Augustine and his mother.

The Power of God in Love and Prayer.

And see Jesus with the patience

for His Brothers and Mary, who had seen Gabriel.

Abba, Father God,

Dwell in us and 

Help us to be Joy and Love to do so.

Bless those we love to be a Harbor for Your Holy Spirit.

In the Glory of Jesus, forgive us when we are not.

In Your Love help us each day to

give You Joy in Give us the Day.

Jesus Chris, Help Us Seek You First.

And for us to finish well.

Thank you for creating us to be who You want us to be. 

Today we choose to see ourselves as You see us, 

to believe in our life in You as You believe in us 

and to love each other 

as You love us.

Thank you for the resurrection power of Your presence - living in us as individuals 

and in your Church.

We receive everything You desire for us this day. And the days to come.

Bless this Nation with Jesus, Love, Peace and Prosperity.

Bless the world to Seek You and Find You.

On earth as it is in Heaven!

In Jesus. Amen.

Jesus, God of Encouragement.

Jesus, Hope and Future.

Jesus the Lord

saves the world

Amen.

♔ LORD JESUS SAVES †