Genesis 12:1-4 ~ I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

 

Genesis 12:1-4

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

Abraham and Moses are a message of hope. Life is for Living.

Age 80? Norman Vincent Peale said, if you are alive, there Is Hope.

For most of us reading this passage, we are part of Abraham's blessing, but the Lord is not going to make a great nation from us.  I worked on my cousin's Estate, there were 12 children in the early 1900s and it comes to 34 descendants, not a nation. Perhaps one of us will have children and progeny that will become a nation. It's vital to look at the Scriptures and be fed from them, not to just remember the good old days of Biblical history.

How will we apply this Scripture to our lives? We are called to grow up, in maturity to the LORD.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 

The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

People, who aren't listening to the Lord themselves, would look at this passage and say Abram was ready to move away from Haran.   Spiritually, Abraham was being called to be the soul God intended him to be. God didn't send a pack of people with him, cheering him on. God moved him out of polytheism and into obedience to the Lord. 

God's blessings are always of interest to us, let's look at them: children, children's children, honorable reputation and greatness come from God. And very importantly… Gratitude. And:

Galatians 5:22-23

The fruit of the Spirit is 

love, 

joy, 

peace, 

patience, 

kindness, 

goodness, 

faithfulness, 

gentleness, 

self-control;

 against such things, there is no law.

Genesis 48:15-16

15 And he [Jacob/Israel] blessed Joseph and said,

“The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked

the God who has been my Shepherd 

all 

my life long to this day,

The angel who has redeemed me from all evil, 

bless the boys;

and in them let my name be carried on,

and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;

and 

let them grow into a multitude 

in the midst of the earth.”

Jacob's special blessing on Joseph's children is the one Jacob considers to be the best blessing. He tells us he has witnessed God as his protector, the helper, the Holy Spirit. A redeemer from all evil; in himself and in others. 

Jacob expects God's blessings to be carried on in the generations to come.

It is important to remember Jacob/Israel is a blessings thief. Wrestling even God for a blessing.

Jacob had real tragedy in being outcast from his family at his dad's death (his own behavior), being cheated by his employer and family, the death of Rachel & in the years (learning how it feels to be the one cheated) they were not married. Jacob's married life created a lot of unhappiness (for all the people involved!!), his children developed poorly leading up to the disappearance of Joseph - a lie carried out by all of his sons. Reuben slept with his concubine/wife. Jacob ends up leaving the promised lands from severe famine - the Promised Land, being settled in Gishon where the Egyptians as a nation hate shepherds.

Yet, Jacob says, not tragedy, he sees the blessings of God. Jacob didn't live life on the Good Ship Lollipop, but wrestled with God to see the blessings.

Isn't it great - a blessing - how in the die-young, ancient world - God uses the flawed heroes of the Bible to point out they didn't get right and didn't get it right, yet opportunity is ahead with repentance, hope and faith. These are the patriarchs because they always see God as part of the path, refusing to feel abandoned to trouble-the events of life.

So, how do our Biblical patriarchs do with God's blessing? 

Abraham lied to a Pharaoh and later a king about his marital status and then allowed his wife to enter their harem. Abram separated from Lot over material needs. Abraham's faith wavered for God to complete His promise. He had a child out of wedlock and failed to care for the child's mother. 

Abraham failed to treat his second wife kindly. Scriptures are vague on how well he treated the children from that union. Jacob had similar issues - still both men were counted as righteous - for their faith in the Lord. 

God isn't looking for perfect people, but repentance and affirmation of lack of self-righteousness. Admission of sin and a trust in God to help.

God's blessing was not just material, but for the Lord to save them from their sins. Their flaws. 

Misfortune happened to both men, but both considered themselves blessed.

Psalm 146:8

The LORD gives sight to the blind, 

The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, 

The LORD loves the righteous.

Praise be to You, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and our God of all comfort. You are wonderful, O God. Praise be to You, O Lord God.

As a mother comforts her child, so You comfort me, Father God.

 You are the comfort of Israel. Please Father God, give endurance, encouragement and a spirit of unity among the body of Christ.

In Your great mercy You have given me new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Thank You for Your listening with compassion and empathy to my prayers.

Praise be to You, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in the Heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Thank You God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Jesus Christ 

is the same yesterday, 

today, 

and forever.

Abba, Father!

WE PRAY 

BLESSINGS 

And

Gratitude

Every Day

WE PRAY

for

THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL

To be 

the Voice

of LOVE

Joy, Peace, Patience,

Goodness,

Faithfulness,

gentleness

and

SELF CONTROL

And ask You

for appropriate leadership.

Let's pray

for the departure

of what

 is not

good.

Worldwide leaders

condemned the erratic and unfaithful Sermon

given by Bishop Budde.

Who previously condemned 

President Trump

for saving St. John's Church from arson,

saying President Trump wasn't kind

to the homeless during arson,

and not a person to hold up the Bible.

Then condemning him for following the vote

the Vote of the People

for The Laws of the Land

and ceasing gender mutation on children,

as the Catholic Church Condemns

as a failure to provide Dignity to each Person.

Worldwide leaders said, 

“The Sermon represents a church

not led by Jesus Christ and His Teachings

and Word. 

A broken down

liberal refuge institution seeking only donations.”

We pray the Blessing

of Growth

upon the Good Church

Proclaiming

The Entire Word of God

and the 

'Growing' Portion

of the Episcopal Church.

And the Anglican Church they belong to.

Remembering 

the fall of the Episcopal Church

from 

17 million people

To 500,000.

The Anglican Church of The United States

fuels the genuine and compassionate

blessed outreach 

of the Worldwide Anglican Communion

GAFCON

and 

not the portion of the 

Episcopal Church in 

THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL

We Pray

for Leadership

in The National Cathedral

Shining

The Light of Love Peace and Joy

upon

The Teachings of Jesus Christ.

God of Love

God of Encouragement

God of the Bible. 

The safety 

of those

helping the earth 

to heal.

Let evil and practicing evil

depart 

far 

from us

and our children.

With Your Help

We will act justly

 and to love mercy

 and to walk humbly with You, our God.

Cover us

in peace worldwide.

Please, Father, remember

North Carolina has flooded

California has fire we have never seen.

Give us more of 

Your Strength

and Hope.

Dwell in me,

Dwell in us,

Dwell in those we Love,

Help us to seek You first.

And we will finish well, 

in Jesus Christ. 

Help us seek and find 

and bring,

to become,

 more Heaven

to this earth.

Gentle rain for California

putting out the fires

speedy insurance

claims

and fast rebuilding

realizing the standard building codes

even of Reagan

were safe.

Peace

THE GRAHAM MINISTRY

SAMARITAN'S PURSE

IS 

DOING INCREDIBLE
SHAKE NORTH CAROLINA
SHAPE NORTH CAROLINA

Love and Mercy and Work.

GIVE TO

 SAMARITAN'S PURSE

Please.

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/

And in Jesus - This Hope.

Faith and Love - we will rise up Believing Jesus.

Amen

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes The Lord Fulfills His Purpose

Thank You Jesus The Lord

Psalm 119:97-120 ~ Hold me up that I may be safe

Psalm 119

is

about Ascension

What would Jesus say?

You can bet Jesus, with all the Books of the 

world would not fill

what Jesus has said

would have something to say.

Matthew 11:13-15

For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Matthew 19:26

Jesus looked at them and said,

 “With man this is impossible,

but 

with God 

all things are possible.”

Do you remember Samson?

His birth announcement to his

father, Manoah, and his mother

had the Angel of the Lord, called Wonderful,

ascend

2017, Angel with trumpet over Old Faithful geyser

it's fuzzy

because I took the photo with my family of 4.

Judges 13

17 And Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that, when your words come true, we may honor you?” 18 And the angel of the Lord said to him, 

“Why do you ask my name, seeing it is Wonderful * ?” 

19 So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it on the rock to the Lord, to the one who works [works of the Lord] wonders, and Manoah and his wife were watching. 20 And when the flame went up toward heaven from the altar, 

the angel of the Lord went up in the flame of the altar. 

Now Manoah and his wife were watching, 

and they fell on their faces to the ground.

Matthew 19:26

Jesus looked at them and said, 

“With man

 this is impossible, 

but 

with God 

all

 things are possible.”

†

Psalm 119:97-120

Mem

97 Oh how I love your law!

    It is my meditation all the day.

98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,

    for it is ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,

    for your testimonies are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the aged,

    for I keep your precepts.

101 I hold back my feet from every evil way,

    in order to keep your word.

102 I do not turn aside from your rules,

    for you have taught me.

103 How sweet are your words to my taste,

    sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through your precepts I get understanding;

    therefore I hate every false way.

Nun

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet

    and a light to my path.

106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,

    to keep your righteous rules.

107 I am severely afflicted;

    give me life, O Lord, according to your word!

108 Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,

    and teach me your rules.

109 I hold my life in my hand continually,

    but I do not forget your law.

110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,

    but I do not stray from your precepts.

111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever,

    for they are 

the joy of my heart.

112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes

    forever, 

to the end.

Samekh

113 I hate the double-minded,

    but I love your law.

114 You are my hiding place and my shield;

    I hope in your word.

115 Depart from me, you evildoers,

    that I may keep the commandments of my God.

116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,

    and let me not be put to shame in my hope!

117 Hold me up, 

that I may be safe

    and have regard for your statutes continually!

118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,

    for their cunning is in vain.

119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,

    therefore

 I love your testimonies.

120 My flesh trembles for fear of you,

    and I am afraid of your judgments.

Yes, you are probably thinking this is more of a Sunday School lesson for children. So, Mem up. Told by a Nun. And another ol' Samson story, same ol Samekh. And actually, you most likely know Mem, Nun and Samekh.  Yep, the Hebrew alphabet. 

David might have written Psalm 119 to teach his children the Alphabet and ascend.

Ok, let's go.

St. Frances of Assisi, we could expect him to levitate.  And so it was said St. Francis did levitate, and gave oral history. However, a funny thing happened on the way to the canonization. 

The four stages of canonization are Servant of God, Venerable, Blessed, and Saint. 

The difficulty, in 1245 A.D. Catholic Saint fact finding, (nineteen years after he had died), a detailed investigation into Francis’s life was made by the Church. Authorities interviewed many people who knew him, and none of them mentioned levitation. 

So, there is some brevity in the levity. 

Even in 1200 A.D.

And in 1200 A.D. 

Tommaso d'Aquino

Born in the family castle of Roccasecca, near Aquino, controlled at that time by the Kingdom of Sicily

Tommaso was supposed to be an Abbott because he was a younger son, but he wanted to join the Dominican Order. His family was horrified and locked him away for a year. Tommaso was to walk in his reverend maternal uncle's footsteps. The Order of Dominic, was brand new, and sought to establish a new kind of order. The Order of Dominicans would bring the dedication and systematic education of the older monastic orders, like the Benedictines, to bear on the religious problems of the burgeoning population of cities. But with more organizational flexibility than either monastic orders or the secular clergy. Benedictines stay in monasteries and study. They were in the right order of hierarchy.

Tommaso's idea of being a man among the people did not pan out. Tommaso began by declining Pope Innocent IV's offer to appoint him abbot of Monte Cassino as a Dominican. Tommaso's works in the universities prevailed, he was sent to teach and was raised further up.  He produced works for Pope Urban IV. Then, in February 1265, the newly elected Pope Clement IV summoned Thomas to Rome to serve as papal theologian. As Tommaso rose, his ideas drew the inevitable conflicts, and the Franciscans decided they didn't like Tommaso. Conflict. But the popular thought was a heresy at the time. Heresy and Truth tend to collide. Bishops were upset.

Tommaso was called in 1274, Pope Gregory X summoned Thomas to attend the Second Council of Lyon. The council was to open 1 May 1274, and it was Gregory's attempt to try to heal the Great Schism of 1054, which had divided the Catholic Church in the West from the Eastern Orthodox Church. At the meeting, Thomas's work for Pope Urban IV concerning the Greeks. This was a huge ongoing conflict. Tommaso felt his work was still but straw before God.

On 6 December 1273. 

One of Thomas Aquinas memorable days with His Father. Our Father. Thomas Aquinas is known for his Summa Theologica (Total Theology), which discusses the pros and cons of the Plato-Aristotle dictum. 

In 1273, at the Dominican convent of Naples in the chapel of Saint Nicholas, after Matins, Thomas lingered and was seen by the sacristan Domenic of Caserta to be levitating in prayer with tears before an icon of the crucified Christ.

Because of St Thomas Aquinas 

and his conversation with Jesus,

The Chapel of S. Nicola in the ancient Church of S. Michele Arcangelo in Marfisa, later incorporated into this Napels Basilica. One of 24 chapels.

Cappella di San Nicola

Basilica di San Domenico Maggiore

Christ said to Thomas, 

"You have written well of me, Thomas. 

What reward would you have for your labor?" 

Thomas responded, "Nothing but you, Lord."

What will 

the

Gold Road of Heaven

look like?

ABBA, FATHER,

And in Jesus - This Hope.

Faith and Love - we will rise up Believing Jesus.

The safety 

of those

helping the earth 

to heal.

Let evil and practicing evil

depart 

far 

from us

and our children.

With Your Help

We will act justly

 and to love mercy

 and to walk humbly with You, our God.

Gentle rain for California

putting out the fires

speedy insurance

claims

and fast rebuilding

realizing the standard building codes

even of Reagan

were safe.

Peace

Dwell in me,

Dwell in us,

Dwell in those we Love,

Help us to seek You first.

And we will finish well, 

in Jesus Christ. 

Help us seek and find 

and bring,

to become,

 more Heaven

to this earth.

They ALL SAY

THE GRAHAM MINISTRY

SAMARITAN'S PURSE

IS 

DOING INCREDIBLE
SHAKE NORTH CAROLINA
SHAPE NORTH CAROLINA

Love and Mercy and Work.

GIVE TO

 SAMARITAN'S PURSE

Please.

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/

And in Jesus - This Hope.

Faith and Love - we will rise up Believing Jesus.

Amen

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes The Lord Fulfills His Purpose

Thank You Jesus The Lord