John 6:29 ~ Believe

 

Strive

1 Corinthians 9:24

Tells us of the urgency of a race, to win.

Jesus explains the work of Life:

 

John 6:29

Jesus answered and said unto them,

This is the work of God, 

that ye believe 

on Him 

whom He hath sent.

Life is short, eternity is long

flowers in the field

the grass withers

and its place knows it no more

Psalm 103:15-16

“As for man, his days are like grass; 

he flourishes like a flower of the field; 

for the wind passes over it, 

and it is gone, 

and its place knows it no more.”

Jude 1:3, Brother of Christ, says,

 “Beloved, 

when I gave all diligence 

to write unto you 

of the common salvation, 

it was needful for me to write unto you, 

and exhort you

 that you should

 earnestly contend

 for the faith 

which was once delivered 

unto the saints

We wrestle with God

We wrestle with God's Plan

We wrestle with our abilities

We wrestle for Love

We wrestle for meaning

and meaningful life

and we stand firm in our Faith

We take hold of every argument

and find

the strength of Faith

The Scriptures are written

by the Holy Spirit

and the Saints of God.

When we hear of the gentiles, the un faith filled,

the enemies,

there are, of course, these real

and difficult times.

And yet, we are wrestling like Jacob did,

for our faith to be strong.

God's Grace poured out

Life Given

For me

and you,

the undeserving.

Stand for the faith

Contend

Strive

Ephesians 1:19

That you may know

 the hope of His calling, 

the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 

19 and the surpassing greatness 

of His power 

to us who believe. 

These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, 

20 which He exerted in Christ 

when He raised Him from the dead 

and seated Him

 at His Right Hand

 in the Heavenly realm.

Philippians 3:21

Who, by the power that enables Him

 to subject all things to Himself, 

will transform our lowly bodies 

to be like His glorious body

Ephesians 2:10

For we are His workmanship, 

created

 in Christ Jesus 

for good works, 

which God prepared beforehand, 

that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 3:7

I became a servant of this gospel 

by the gift of God's grace, 

given me 

through 

the working of His power.

Romans 15:30 

Now I urge you, brothers,

 by our Lord Jesus Christ 

and by the love of the Spirit, 

to join me in my struggle 

by praying to God 

for me.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Thanks be unto the Lord

1 Kings 17:2-24 ~ So Elijah went and did according to the Word of the Lord

 

 

1 Kings 17:2-24

2 And the Word of the Lord came to him: 3 “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 4 You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 

5 So Elijah went and did according to the Word of the Lord. 

He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. 6 And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. 7 And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.

8 Then the word of the Lord came to him, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.”

 10 So Elijah arose and went to Zarephath. 

And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks.

And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” 

13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” 

15 And she went and did as Elijah said. 

And she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

17 After this the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became ill. 

And his illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. 18 And she said to Elijah, “What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!” 

19 And he said to her, “Give me your son.” And he took him from her arms and carried him up into the upper chamber where he lodged, and laid him on his own bed. 20 And he cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by killing her son?” 

21 Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, 
“O Lord my God, let this child's life come into him again.” 

22 And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. 

And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived. 

23 And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper chamber into the house and delivered him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives.” 

24 And the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.”

The Scriptures are so necessary. A path during difficulties and peace. Way. The necessary of real situations, sometimes messy, sometimes baffling and painful. Truth. And all of God's Promises. Life. God says abundant life.

I Kings 17: 1

17 Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, 

“As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, 

before whom I stand, 

there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, 

except by my word.”

If you sit with High School Students, or people of the Church, doing a Bible Study on Abundant Life and questions are asked. 

And eventually... in a long Bible Study book on Abundant Life, eventually, you are going to find no one is answering the questions. Why? Life doesn't seem very abundant, like the years before the Pandemic, in a time of great employment numbers for all people. Ennuie.  Nous sommes ennuyes.

Or in 1942, the setting for "Mrs. Miniver" the Academy Award-winning movie of pre-World War II.  So many choices about every day life, we have taken for granted. Peace time isn't terrifying. One day tells its tale to the next.

And then in each life, something will occur. Personally, Nationally, Close by tragically, Medically, Family changed forever, Domestically or Weather. It won't be something a parent, aunt, uncle or grandparent knew a lot about.

And the lesson from 1 Kings 17 is alive again.

Consider Charleston, SC

Charleston survives, thrives and renews.

And this wasn't a hugely bouncing era:

Yet, Charleston began to come back, renew. As dead as Ezekiel's dry bones, these

bones began to take on Life and to be Abundant.

John 10

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 

11 I am the good shepherd. 

The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The Bible is a road map to overcoming.  Today, we had a good rainstorm at my house. We missed out on a huge rain last week. Yet, you have to be glad for others to have the good news of rain.  With successful rain in the area, (the waters are biblically stirred) and then one, then another and someone, then all are going to have widespread healing occur. Rain!

And like Charleston renewals ... and revivals, then rain, and more rain, and abundant rain will happen. Faith. Time. Expectation.

Charleston began to share. You need dinner plates. I have napkins. Your shutter fell down, I know how to fix this. My steps need repair, you have spare lumber. I can help push your wall straight. And your family comes, I have a tea service. She has tea. And your next door neighbor just received Sugar. More sugar, please. 

Charleston hospitality became an example during the 1920s Golden Age. Delight to celebrate after World War II.  More colleges drew more people.

The example of 1 Kings 17.

Faith. To be placed where God intended you. Community of Church. Hearing the Word. 

The people of Charleston were never famous for vengeance.  Consider the days of Jesus as living in Judah as Grace upon Grace. Jesus Christ mentioned 1 Kings 17 and the widow of Zarephath, the people wanted to stone Jesus to death or toss Him off a cliff. There is some serious repression going on - there.

Hospitality of 1 Kings 17, water, flour, shelter, when inconvenient

Hebrews 13:2 

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, 

for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

1 Peter 4:9 

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Romans 12:13 

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Matthew 25:34-46 

Then the King will say to those on his right, 

‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, 

inherit the kingdom prepared for you 

from the foundation of the world. 

For I was hungry and you gave me food, 

I was thirsty and you gave me drink, 

I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 

I was naked and you clothed me, 

I was sick and you visited me, 

I was in prison and you came to me.’ 

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 

‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, 

or thirsty and give you drink? 

And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, 

or naked and clothe you?' 

Fear

When was it easy to share for Charleston? 

And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.”

It wasn't a power game of take. This was: I need help, you might need help and I will give to you again later. Trust. It wasn't a game of power, give to me, I will like that. This was a time of trust, when circumstance was difficult.  Indeed. 

Mercy

And then circumstances were even. Mellow. Peaceful. All people rested comfortably. Until:

One person had health and comfort and the next one would have a child die.  Comfort faces extreme distress.  Words are spoken. Trust is thrust aside. 

Elijah met Naaman. Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.  And Elijah gave Naaman directions. Which were not a respectful or attention direct miracle. Naaman had to forgo pride and do as Elijah told him. When he found, the Lord had given Naaman his heart's desire for doing as 1 Kings 17. Do as the Lord asks of you.

Elijah meets with his own Naaman in 1 Kings 17.  The widow flies in his face, rejects his trustworthiness, and flouts being kept alive. Life. Big Deal, Now Help Me.

Elijah is called to repay the kindness with humility and doing his very soul best to trust the Lord again.

Even in the time of fellowship, mercy and grace will be asked again. The people of Charleston faced homes without fathers, sons and even grandfathers. Loss was surely experienced. Mercy

was given again and again.

Expectation. Faith and Trust. Mercy.

Mercy

Most of the extreme work in 1 Kings 17

is Mercy

Elijah wasn't asked to build a house or a barn. The widow of Zarepheth wasn't asked to scrub the floor, till wheat, plant 1,000 acres. She didn't dig a well.  When the son was dying, Elijah wasn't asked to give his Kidney.

Most of the action is prayer, expectation of good. Mercy.  Kind deeds and words. Forgiveness.

Jesus never expected His disciples to be able to feed 5,000 or even 1,000. Jesus never said, one of you, lift down the paralyzed man.  He did expect them to share and go among the people to bring what was on hand. To share. The Gifts God has provided.

Way. Life. Truth.

This is rebuilding, renewal and revival. Because a fight this strong, makes the Battle His.

We hope for His Mercy, we give His Mercy.

Abba, our Father,

Thank You for the gift of Jesus Christ.

Thank You for the gift of Salvation in Jesus Christ.

Thank You for the gift of seeing Jesus

washing feet

after His Feet were washed.

Jesus the Blessing

of Sharing His Blessings.

Jesus giving us the understanding of You,

Your Exact Nature.

Jesus brings us the Kingdom Today.

Your Blessings Renew Daily.

Thank You, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Let us Bless the Lord

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Thanks be unto the Lord

Romans 12:9-10 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection

1960s view of Peter's House in Capernaum. Graffiti found on Peter's walls proclaiming Jesus as Lord and this as Peter's home. This became a House Church and was added on to later.

Luke 4:38-44

38 And He arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.

40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But He rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that He was the Christ.

42 And when it was day, 

He departed and went into a desolate place.

 And the people sought Him and came to Him, 

and would have kept Him from leaving them, 

43 but He said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” 44 And He was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Romans 12:9-10

Let love be genuine. 

Abhor what is evil; 

hold fast to what is good. 

Love one another with brotherly affection

View of Capernaum

We read in Scriptures, when people were fed  loaves and fishes, they wanted Jesus to stay. A similar thing happened in Jesus' Adult Hometown Capernaum. When they saw  HE healed all, they wanted Jesus to stay.

Matthew 8:16-17
That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

Matthew 12:15
Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed Him, and He healed all who were ill.

Matthew 14:36
And sought Him that they might only touch the Hem of His garment

Mark 1:32-34
That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Mark 3:10
For He had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch Him.

Mark 6:56
56 And wherever He came, 

in villages, cities, or countryside, 

they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of His garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

Luke 5:17
One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick.

Luke 6:19
and the people all tried to touch Him, 

because power was coming from Him

 and healing them all.

Luke 17:12-14
12 And as He entered a village, Hhe was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed

Jesus is recorded as being an amazing healer of many people - nine times.

Isaiah spoke of Jesus 700 years before this happened.


Isaiah 42

Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people on it
and spirit to those who walk in it:
6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations,
7 to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.
8 I am the Lord; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
9 Behold, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare



For our sake - Jesus sacrificed His Life to give us the Promise of God's Forgiveness.

Zechariah 13:6
And if one asks him, ‘What are these wounds on your back, on your chest; wounds between your hands?’ He will say, ‘The wounds I received in the house of my friends.’

Matthew 27:19
While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."

Jesus is Merciful.

John 19
10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”



The Mercy of God is overwhelming.

1 Peter 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 

According to His great mercy, 

He has caused us to be born again 

to a living hope 

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ 

from the dead

Matthew 9:13

Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ 

For I came not to call the righteous, 

but sinners.”

Hebrews 4:16

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, 

that we may receive mercy 

and find grace 

to help in time of need.

Abba, Father, 

Father GOD, we open our hands in prayer, 

that You, the Light of the World 

- would be merciful to our prayers.  

That You would bless us. 

Saying to us "Bless you and keep you, My people." 

Shine Your Face upon us and be gracious to us. 

Lift Your countenance upon us and give us peace. 

Put Your Name, Jesus, upon Your people and bless us. 

Please let the blessings You would give us be plentiful 

and let the Blessing of Forgiveness be first. 

Heal the hurting, uplift the families. 

Send Your vast blessings. Father God, 

You are truly are as vast as the Universe itself and as gentle as a breeze. 

Speak the Word, Father God, and we know Your healing. 

Prayers for healing in health are being answered.

And new prayers for health, today.

We pray for the work being done at our house

to be well, in patience and in kindness. Completion of the Project.

Dwell in us, Father.

Help the ones we Love to have You dwelling in them.

Help us to Seek You First.

And we will finish well in Jesus Christ.

We ask You for healing

in the Nation,

mankind,

families

and the weather

Economics.

All the things we pray for diligently!

Trouble, the Word of God says

Glad Tidings

Seasons of Trouble

came to pass.

Praise Your gift of life in Jesus. 

Waking up to answered prayer

and receiving RAIN!

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus perseverance