John 14:23-27 ~ Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid †

John 14:23-27

 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep my word, 

and My Father will love him, 

and We will come to him and make Our Home with him. 

24 Whoever does not love Me does not keep My Words. 

And the Word that you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.

25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, 

whom the Father will send in My Name, 

He will teach you all things 

and bring to your remembrance 

all that I have said to you. 

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. 

Not as the world gives do I give to you. 

Let not your hearts be troubled, 

neither let them be afraid. 

About 5 years ago, I was in a Bible Study for a few weeks about the Holy Spirit. And the room was filled with people I've known for 23 years. We studied all the passages about the Holy Spirit and one of the women said to me, later, I get tired of hearing about the Holy Spirit! I love Jesus, I know Jesus, I understand the Lord and His Love (she does!), but I don't get the Holy Spirit other than, He is one of the Holy Trinity. I'm tired of the elusiveness of this.

Why don't we put a few aspects of the Holy Spirit with our Father, Jesus and see if this isn't more readily available in our hearts.

We do understand and Love Jesus. And Jesus is not going to roll out of us like the movie "Ghostbusters" and the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man. And if we know our souls have Jesus, then we know the Holy Spirit lives within us. Now, we know we have the Light of mankind, Light of the world, Light of nations and Light of Heaven.

Advocate, sighing within us when we can't pray. 

Romans 8:26

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. 

For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, 

but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us 

with groanings too deep for words.

1 Kings 19:12, 13

A fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; 

and after the fire a still small voice.

So it was, when Elijah heard it,

 that he wrapped his face in his mantle 

and went out and stood 

Gabriel announces how well he knows God, saying, 

"I stand in the presence of God."

When we are close to the Lord,

The Holy Spirit is stirring the waters within us.

Our soul sings within us.

Isaiah 6:2-4

Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: 

With two wings they covered their faces, 

with two they covered their feet, 

and with two they were flying. 

3And they were calling out to one another: 

“Holy, holy, holy 

is the LORD of Hosts; 

all the earth is full of His glory.” 

At the sound of their voices 

the doorposts and thresholds shook,

 and the temple was filled with smoke

Revelation 4:8

And each of the four living creatures had six wings

 and was covered with eyes all around and within. 

Day and night they never stop saying: 

"Holy, Holy, Holy, 

is the Lord God Almighty, 

who was and is and is to come!"

Psalm 72:19

And blessed be His glorious name forever; 

may all the earth 

be filled 

with His glory. 

Amen and Amen.

Abba, Father,

Dwell in us, please, Father.

Dwell in those we Love.

Help us to seek You first.

In Jesus Christ, we will finish well.

To see

to bring

to be

more daily

Thy Kingdom come

Thy will be done

on earth

as in Heaven

In Jesus Christ is 

Our Love, Joy and Hope.

Thank You for Jesus.

To You, our Father, be the Glory

Amen and Alleluia

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Lord Jesus 

Psalm 138 ~ Your Right Hand delivers me

 

Psalm 138

I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;

before the gods I sing your praise!

2 I bow down toward your holy temple

and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,

for you have exalted above all things

your name and your word!

3 On the day I called, you answered me;

my strength of soul you increased [you made me bold in my soul with strength].

4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,

for they have heard the words of your mouth,

5 and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,

for great is the glory of the Lord!

6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,

but the haughty he knows from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

you preserve my life;

you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,

and your right hand delivers me.

8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;

your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.

Do not forsake the work of your hands!

When we read the Scriptures with our hands and souls open in prayer, we read them, then they truly speak to us. Sure, some passages have a phrase containing a favorite verse, and we will look to it as our favorite spot in our home or yard. Yet sometimes, you read a passage, and part of it leaps to you, your eyes are opened to the Scripture.

When I've read Psalm 138, sometimes it Is the joy of God. Or another day, the thrill of a situation solved. In times of difficulty, the promise of the LORD who says to me, He would never forsake me, I am the work of His hands. This is the Scripture being living and active to us.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, 

sharper than any two-edged sword, 

piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, 

of joints and of marrow, 

and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

I was part of the team that fixes the light meal for our Wednesday Church Service. It fits yesterday's readings so well!!! And today's! Let me share part of a favorite sermon of mine from years ago

You made me bold in my soul with strength

Years Ago, Decade, Favorite Sermon, One, Thereof

This is a true story. 

Susan opened her door one day to find her next door neighbor, Betty, there. Her neighbor said, "We've lived next door for some time, we haven't known each other well, but I've come to tell you we are moving away."

Susan asked if it was a job transfer. No, replied Betty, nothing like that. Susan was filled with concern with the look on Betty's face, Betty was staring at the floor with a woebegone, stricken look. Susan asked if Betty would share the trouble with her.

Betty said, "I guess the main trouble is my husband and I are hopeless alcoholics. We've tried therapy, but really don't have the money for years of help. We've tried Alcoholics Anonymous, but we can't find the strength to stick with the program. We are loosing the house, they are coming to take away one of the cars today. We will divorce. We just aren't good for each other." Betty's voice cracked. "If it weren't for my son, I don't know if I'd care, but I don't know what will become of him to be from such a broken home."

Susan said to Betty, quietly. "There is a solution."

Betty looked up to see Susan, "What solution would that be?"

Susan said, "Jesus heals people. Jesus saves people."

Betty replied, with some scorn, "Oh, religion. We've done that from time to time. Well, I mean I believe in God, but He hasn't been around much or seemed to care much really."

Susan said, "Well, you really want to change is what you are saying. Isn't it? You want help with all of your heart. You want the solution, isn't that the truth in what you are telling me?"

"I've never heard it put exactly that way, but yes. Yes, it is what I am saying." Betty said.

Susan asked Betty to ask Jesus into her heart. Betty said she didn't know how. Susan and Betty got down on their knees together and this is what they prayed, "Father God, I am a sinner and an alcoholic. I need You. I cannot give up alcohol on my strength alone. I need Jesus to come and live in my heart. I am about to loose my marriage, my house, my car and I don't know what to do. Please help me. Please help me to see a way forward. I ask for your help in Jesus' name. Amen."

3 nights later, their neighbor Bill, Betty's husband, came over. He said, I understand Betty came over here. She is completely different and things are changing in my household. I don't know what you did to her, but I need that too. That night Sam, Betty and Bill knelt for prayer on their hard kitchen tile and prayed for Bill to have Jesus live in his heart. Bill surrendered his life to Jesus.

And what happened? 

The marriage was saved. 

Their son did not grow up in a broken home. 

The house was saved. 

The job was saved. 

Betty and Bill were saved. Forever. Eternally.

That is what Jesus does. 

He saves the broken, the bruised reed. The undeserving. He is the Light that Shines.

John 5:17

Jesus said to them, 

"My Father is always at his work to this very day, 

and I, too, am working."

Luke 18:1

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them 

that they should always pray 

and not give up

For great is the glory of the Lord!

Abba, Father,

Blessed Be the Name of Jesus

and those who call upon Him

Blessed be those who have

their hope in You

Thank You for hearing our prayers

and answering us

as our Father.

In the Highest Name of

Jesus, Alleluia,

Amen

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Lord Jesus 

Psalm 34 ~ The Lord Heard

 

Psalm 34

I will bless the Lord at all times;

    His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;

    let the humble hear and be glad.

3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

    and let us exalt His Name together!

4 I sought the Lord, and He answered me

    and delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to Him are radiant,

    and their faces shall never be ashamed.

6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him

    and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encamps

    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints,

    for those who fear Him have no lack!

10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;

    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

11 Come, O children, listen to me;

    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 What man is there who desires life

    and loves many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep your tongue from evil

    and your lips from speaking deceit.

14 Turn away from evil and do good;

    seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous

    and His ears toward their cry.

16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,

    to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears

    and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

    and saves the crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

    but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

20 He keeps all his bones;

    not one of them is broken.

21 Affliction will slay the wicked,

    and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

22 The Lord redeems the life of His servants;

    none of those who take refuge in Him 

will be condemned.

Romans 8: 27, 28

And He who searches our hearts 

knows the mind of the Spirit, 

because the Spirit intercedes for the saints 

according to the will of God. 

28 And we know that God works all things 

together for the good 

of those who love Him, 

who are called according to His purpose. 

Romans 1:7

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: 
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:9

God, who has called you into fellowship with 

His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Romans 8:30

And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, 
He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.

Romans 11:29

For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable.

1 Corinthians 1:2,3 

 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus 
and called to be holy, 

together with all those everywhere 

who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 their Lord and ours: 

 Grace and peace to you 

from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are told God gives us abilities to walk in Good Works. Sometimes when we don't even deserve the mercy, God is very merciful inside us. And strengthens us. To Love again.

Blessed are the Merciful, they shall receive Mercy. I am blessed freely and without fully deserving.  We have been so fortunate to have Texas rain in July, during a heat wave. To have air conditioning and live in the antibiotics generation. Daily He loads us with benefits. Be blessing seekers and blessing finders.

Abba, Father,

Worship the LORD in the splendor of His Holiness;

 tremble before Him, all the earth.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His Name. 

Jesus.

Psalm 145

One generation shall praise Your works to another, 

And shall declare Your mighty acts. 

On the glorious splendor of Your majesty

 And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate. 

Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts

 And I will tell of Your greatness.

Our Father God is God of ALL Things,

Ancient of Days,

A Wellspring,

Living Water.

We in confidence and jubilation lift up our Loved Ones 

and their care to You.

The People You have given us shall know Our God Reigns.

We ask this Nation Rise up in the Name of Jesus 

for His Glory and our Hope.

We pray of the Goodness of His Creation 

to Proclaim the Love of Jesus and His Saving Mercy.

And we shall know the Greatest of All of God's Miracles 

- The Salvation of Jesus - 

And we proclaim 

Thank You for Jesus. 

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Lord Jesus 

Psalm 139 ~ The wings of morning. And the uttermost parts of the sea.

 

The American Independence Day Celebration with fireworks started July 4, 1777

John Adams. On July 2, 1776, two days before the Declaration of Independence was signed, he wrote this letter to his wife: "This day will be most memorable in the history of America," he predicted. "I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival... It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade... bonfires and illuminations [fireworks]... from one end of this content to the other, from this time forward forevermore." ...and so it was. On July 4, 1777, the first anniversary of America's country-hood loved their illumminations!

 Psalm 139

1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!

2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

3 You search out my path and my lying down

and are acquainted with all my ways.

4 Even before a word is on my tongue,

behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

5 You hem me in, behind and before,

and lay your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high; I cannot attain it.

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?

Or where shall I flee from your presence?

8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!

If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

9 If I take the wings of the morning

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 even there your hand shall lead me,

and your right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,

and the light about me be night,”

12 even the darkness is not dark to you;

the night is bright as the day,

for darkness 

is as light with you.

13 For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, 

every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, 

O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.

I awake, 

and I am still with you.

19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!

O men of blood, depart from me!

20 They speak against you with malicious intent;

your enemies take your name in vain!

21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?

And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?

22 I hate them with complete hatred;

I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me 

in the way everlasting!

Abba, Father,

Every part of creation is under God's intuition and influence.

Praise be to You, Oh Lord, Father and God 

of all.

And blessed be your Son, Jesus.

Amen.

May the Lord God Almighty

Bless us

and Keep us

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes Bless The Lord Jesus

Yes Thank You Father