Psalm 113 ~ Home

Psalm 113

Praise the Lord!

Praise, O servants of the Lord,

    praise the name of the Lord!

Blessed be the Name of the Lord

    from this time forth and forevermore!

From the rising of the sun to its setting,

    the Name of the Lord is to be praised!

The Lord is high above all nations,

    and His glory above the heavens!

Who is like the Lord our God,

    who is seated on high,

who looks far down

    on the heavens and the earth?

He raises the poor from the dust

    and lifts the needy from the ash heap,

to make them sit with princes,

    with the princes of his people.

He gives the barren woman a home,

    making her the joyous mother of children.

Praise the Lord!

When we think of Memorable Baptisms, I can think of only a few. Jesus Christ and His Willingness to Please the Lord and fulfill all Righteousness. The Philippian Jailer who knew he was going to die by the Roman Empire because Paul and all the jailed had been released, with the Lord, instead he was Baptized with his entire household, Celebration of Salvation. Acts 16.

What is vastly millenniums old, is new again. The man living in the cemetery cut himself and Jesus healed him.  And then this amazing story of Baptism, we must think of with all the sad operations on untested, too young, victimized lives of children. One day, there will be a Tsunami of lawsuits on all the adult people involved.

Acts 8

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter

    and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,

    so he opens not his mouth.

In his humiliation justice was denied him.

    Who can describe his generation?

For his life is taken away from the earth.”

And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea

Similar to John 6:1-21, immediately, the boat Jesus traveled in was on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. 

Which part should we start with?

 immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading

Einstein's Theory of Relativity - Space Travel - Warp factor ~ Tells us about the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Dimensions melt. Theory for some - Word of God for Jesus.

Jesus has no trouble walking on water when the waters were rough. The Sea of Galilee is prone to sudden rough seas brought on like a wind shear phenomena caused when cool air off the West mountains falls down into the Jordan River flowing into the Sea of Galilee. Hot air trapped around the lake rises suddenly and the waters become very turbulent, inhibiting westward travel over the water. The severity and suddenness of these storms are compared to an earthquake storm. I'm guessing Jesus is really not using the water as a footpath. God healed the widow of Nain's son - with His Word. The Word of God is Living and Active. Something for this generation to think of - how Jesus walked on a Stormy Ocean. In the dark.

Baptism, for learning to go forth when the water in life is rough. Jesus is there with us.

He will not leave nor forsake us. Alleluia. 

We would have to agree, the Baptism Philip participated in with the Holy Spirit is remarkable. 

The other heartfelt Baptism's are the eagerness of the Baptized. The infants in Christening gowns made with all the Joy of Jesus' own seamless robe. Chifton. 

And the one I always, always wept and had joy, was Archie Bunker sneaking off with Joey to make sure Joey was going to be Baptized.  I think Jesus probably enjoys this one too! And I've heard the Lord enjoys Humphrey Bogart films.... In one of the OH GOD movies with George Burns.

The Psalm is about change. Do we really see the Lord changes us?  In God's Good Creation, He calls Good Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, we live change constantly. And God is said to uphold the Universe with the Power of His Word. 

Almost all the Christian world, praying, 2/3rds say they have known a miracle, only God could bring forth. We have to believe God answers prayer daily, that looks worse than Archie Bunker. I only hope He thinks we are as funny!

I'm going with Archie Bunker on Baptism. We all should try this. At least once. 

1 Peter 2:3

Now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Ephesians 1:7

In Him 

we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, 

in accordance with the riches of God's grace

1 Peter 4:10

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, 

as faithful stewards of God's grace 

in its various forms. 

Exodus 34:6

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, 

"The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, 

slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness!"

Luke 10:21

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, 

"I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, 

because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, 

and revealed them to little children. 

Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure."

Lord, we are grateful

grateful

grateful

not masks and pandemic

in 2022 and 2023

Thank Jesus. 

Abba, Father,

Thank You for Jesus Christ.

He is the Bread of Life.

Help us, we pray for Your Blessings,

Dwell in us

and those we love, earnestly pray for.

Help us to seek you first.

You are the Bread of Life,

Help us to have Your blessing to 

have hearts pleasing to You

and the aroma of Love

Encouragement

Mercy

Hope

with all

good diligence.

Thank You, Father,

for our many blessings.

Help us to chose Your Joy

and to

see with willing hearts and eyes,

to be Blessing Seekers and Appreciators.

In Jesus Christ

Our Lord

Our Savior

Wonderful Jesus,

we find

Our Alleluia in You.

Amen.

Isaiah 40:26

Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? 

He who brings out their host by number,

 calling them all by name, 

by the greatness of His might, 

and because He is strong in power

 not one is missing.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus 

Acts 10:34-43 ~ He is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead

Acts 10:34-43

34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him. 

36 As for the word that He sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that He did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree

But God raised Him on the third day and made Him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after He rose from the dead. 

42 And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His Name.”

Romans 6:4

We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death 

in order that, 

just as Christ was raised from the dead 

through the glory of the Father, 

we too may live a new life.

Matthew 21:25

John's baptism – where did it come from? 

Was it from heaven, or of human origin?" 

They discussed it among themselves and said, 

"If we say, 'From heaven,' 

He will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' 

Colossians 2:12

Having been buried with Him in baptism, 

in which you were also raised with Him 

through your faith in the working of God, 

who raised Him from the dead. 

Baptism is the invitation

to participate in

the 

Promises of God

in 

Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 3:21

And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also 

– not the removal of dirt from the body 

but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. 

It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ 

Baptism is the Gate to what is eternal.  Crossing to the Promises of God. How many in the USA are baptized? 17% of Catholics and 15% of Baptists. The rest aren't really tabulated.  The worldwide Catholic Church records 1.27 billion or 17.8 percent.

 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, 

is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 

while we do not look at the things which are seen, 

but at the things which are not seen. 

For the things which are seen are temporary, 

but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Abba, Father,

You, Our Father, has loved us so much that 

we are called Children of God. 

And we really are His Children!

John, Your Beloved Disciple calls You, "God of Love." 

 The willingness to do the right action even at a cost. 

Knowing You are giving more than what  would have been done for you.

 Loyalty. Endurance. Recreating a spark. 

Remembering past gratitude. Adherence. Care. Constancy. 

Dependability, trustworthy, giving truth.

Gentleness - tenderness and kindness.

Paul calls You, "God of encouragement!"

Comfort, delight, elation, glee,

 humor, pride, satisfaction, wonder, exultation, frolic, 

gladness, gratification, indulgence, merriment, 

rejoicing, revelry, and good humor.

We pray rightly over Christians

Please You Bless us and Keep us,
Make Your Face Joyfully Shine upon us,
Be Gracious to Damar and your children!

May we Lift up Your Face to Smile upon us.
Cover us in Your Peace, the Very Peace of You, Our God, Knowing Your
Willing Plan for a Hope and Future.

To place the Name of Jesus in our souls. Jesus before us,
Jesus behind us, Jesus Living Water pouring and flowing surround us and those we Love. Help us to Seek You First. Dwell with us.

Dwell in those we Love.

Help us to seek You first.

Help us to have more Heaven upon earth, please Jesus,

pray with us and hear our prayer.

For all the Times You've 

Helped Thank You.

We Thank You.

Alleluia and Amen in Jesus Christ.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus

Matthew 9:9-13 ~ Mercy

Matthew 9:9-13

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.”

 And he rose and followed him.

10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.

And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? 

But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

†

When I think of the Liturgy, my thought is the Books of the Bible, Word of God, arranged to read the entire Bible in 3 years.  A daily plan to be in the Word of God. Almost as the random or organized way life unfolds for each of us. Routine and SURPRISE.

Today, I'm surprised. Liturgy is more than the box I know the word to be. 

 

The Larger Community was doing something as a people, in my area. At Christmas, we saw shops weren't so very crowded. Restaurants began to slow down, when this is the busiest. Before the Freezing, Cold Weather Storm, Christmas week was slower. Now, really, this doesn't have to be a bad thing. Even when the economy isn't all fired up in Texas.

But this week, the people, spontaneously, as a people showed up. We had bicycles and families and couples, with retired people, out to walk about their neighborhoods. No one announced this. Lots of children on bikes. And two restaurants were crowded enough to just wait and wait.

Why? Maybe they were all caught up in Southwest Airlines and now gathered with Family. Maybe they knew unhappy travelers. Maybe Christmas gave gifts to treasure and enjoy, we all remember the year we got, "A New Bike."

Maybe we had adults worrying how Christmas would provide and relieved they did the Good Work appointed to them. 

The Good News and Truth is, our neighborhoods looked like Spring Break when the weather is good and all are so pleased.  I think this is Joy that 2022 is in the rearview mirror. Hope for a new beginning. 

What I enjoyed seeing was the faces of the children. This was Joy time.

Renewal, regeneration, rejoicing, recreation, rejuvenation. Remembering

what gifts God has given us.

I love Mother Teresa and Batman share a quote. We have only today, let us begin.

I remember 2021 and everyone was mad at everything, everyone and Football. Football does this and doesn't do that and this and that.  And suddenly, everyone was happy with the Supreme Court letting the football coach who prays be celebrated, instead of the dog house. Yay! Now, we are all thrilled, all together, with Damar Hamlin and his recovery. Damar's toy drive, suddenly everyone contributed. Hope for Damar.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/daily-aspirin-therapy/art-20046797#:~:text=Yes.,911%20or%20emergency%20medical%20services.

Speaking Proactively about Hope!!!!

Serious Matters. Hope.

Former NFL and Purdue University player Uche Nwaneri has died at age 38, the Jacksonville Jaguars said just 5 days ago. Another heart problem SAD or enlarged heart. Time for us all to consider how much baby aspirin is good for us. And if we shouldn't take some Fish Oil.

I want to be part of the Glory God gives us in this life. And the next. Pro thinking Health. Not, repeat, not over doing aspirin and in moderation with Fish Oil. Maybe some Niacin in what.... Moderation.... and with your doctor.  Since I had very mild Covid at Thanksgiving, I've awakened to some numbness in my injured right arm. Now I am taking some of these products in Moderation. We don't anyone of us want to turn our insides into a river. Just moderation.

Back to the Hope.

Even the birds of the field rely upon our God

Matthew 6:34

So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. 

Today's trouble is enough for today.

Psalm 118:24

The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. 

Psalm 16:9

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; 

my body also will rest secure

Psalm 13:5

I trust in your unfailing love; 

my heart rejoices in your salvation.

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the LORD with 

all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

I'm grateful for the prayers happening around the world. Grateful for the prayers given to the Lord in 2020, 2021 and 2022. 

John 7

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, 

"If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 

38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 

'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" 

39 Now this he said about the Spirit

Psalm 28 

Blessed be the LORD, because He has heard the voice of my supplication. 

7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; 

My heart trusts in Him,

 and I am helped; 

Therefore my heart exults, 

And with my song I shall thank Him. 

8 The LORD is their strength, 

And He is a saving defense to His anointed

Abba, Father,

 Help us, Father, to put aside what pulls us down

and look to You in Hope.

Let us Seek You first and

find Heaven on earth.

We pray more often and we know for our Loved Ones.

Help them during this time. To feel Your Love and know Hope.

Jesus to Bless and Strengthen our Families

and Friends.

Prayers for Health and Safety for us all.

Let us freely tell You when we are afraid and discouraged

and feel You encourage us and lift us up.

And in Jesus to overcome the reluctance not to

Show our Hearts and Hopes for our future

Help to Encourage one another.

To be Nourished in Jesus

To put our efforts forth in wisdom and heart.

Be Generous with 

Time, Talent and Treasure.

Try Again.

Open our Hearts to Love, Joy and Peace.

Pray for the Nation,

Justice and Cool Minds

For Peace.

For God's Love and Goodness to bless us to be more respectful and kind of persons.

Help our Legislatures

Pray for the world in need of Jesus

Blessings on our Churches and People

and 

for the world we want to share in.

God's Willingness to Speak Healing, we ask in Jesus.

Lord Father, Thank You for

hearing our Prayers

in 

The Highest Name of Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus