Luke 21:25-36 ~ My Words will not pass away

First Sunday of Advent!

Luke 21:25-36 (New Revised Standard Version)

"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."


~ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.


Facebook has really intrigued me and gotten my interest for about 2 months, but my interest has peaked and it's beginning to get a bit old hat. At first I wanted to answer everyone's Facebook (or FB) to nurture all of my friends, but selfishness has sneaked in and I really want others to respond equally as nurturing to my status updates.

Still, with texting and all the ways to connect to people we care about, the best method is face to face communication. Even when old friends tell each other the same stories, the care is there. Each year we pull out our Christmas decorations. Some years, we play Christmas carols and everyone helps; some years it seems arduous and I am fractious (thank the Lord for spell check), and by the end of it, I have been so grumpy, and other hard words, that I am ashamed.

Recently, our Pastor was telling me Advent used to be equally as penitent as Lent. Some church years we look to the joy of the Lord's coming again. I know without a doubt, I see Christmas as the joy Father God looked upon the mess humans can make and decided to wade into the midst of us to live. To be the hope we all crave. Christmas to me is the gift of God's child; innocence coming into the world, willingly, with all of God's wisdom and all of His might.

Even if you are like me and sometimes get the Christmas Scrooge, I see the message to keep Christ in Christmas and I rejoice. Ultimately, we are in a temporary season celebrating what is eternal. Unlike FB, texting, visting face to face ~ just like the fig tree, but today using a Christmas tree, we have a season coming to us saying, "Rejoice! All that is temporary will one day be gone, but God's Word is arriving!!"

John 1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

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Revelation 21:1-7 ~ the fountain of the water of life

Fountain of Montjuic, Barcelona, Spain. Built by Carles Buigas, in 1929, for the Great Universal Exhibition.

Revelation 21:1-7


1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; 3 and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away."

5 And he who sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true."

6 And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain of the water of life without payment. 7 He who conquers shall have this heritage, and I will be his God and he shall be my son.

Psalm 100 ~ A Psalm for Thanksgiving.

1 Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing.
3 Know that the LORD Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
5 For the LORD is good;
His loving kindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations.

As the book of Revelation comes to a close, God tells us His ultimate plan, He wants to live with us. God doesn't desire to live on a throne, watching us from far away, He wants to know us intimately. God Himself wants to live with you.

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Zechariah 2 ~ His Holy Dwelling

Zechariah 2

And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand! Then I said, "Where are you going?" And he said to me, "To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its breadth and what is its length."

And behold, the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him, and said to him, "Run, say to that young man, `Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of men and cattle in it. For I will be to her a wall of fire round about, says the LORD, and I will be the glory within her.'"

Ho! ho! Flee from the land of the north, says the LORD; for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, says the LORD.

Ho! Escape to Zion, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon. For thus said the LORD of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye: "Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me.

Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for lo, I come and I will dwell in the midst of you, says the LORD. And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of you, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.

And the LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem." Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD; for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.


O' Come All Ye Faithful sung by Celtic Woman - Link

Oh come all you faithful, the Lord comes to live and dwell among us.

John 1:12-14
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Father God promises us, again, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. He gives us villages without walls, where multitudes dwell. The fullness of the earth is also the Lord's. He sent His Holy Spirit and He dwells in the midst of us. We are the apple of His eye, He listens to us and our deepest desires. The Lord does not just dwell in heaven, but in us, where His Holy Spirit dwells.

Father God, dwell in me. I open my heart and my spirit to you. You have given us Your Son, Jesus as Christ the Lord. Thank You for the forgiveness You have given me in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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Psalm 126 ~ Restore our fortunes, O Lord

Both photographs are the Arugot River flowing thru the Judean Desert, & also called the Nigev Desert.

4,700 sq miles, or at least 55% of Israel's land area, Southern Israel, is the Negev Desert. Water is still very precious in this large desert. The Southern District is one of Israel's six administrative districts, it is the largest, as well as the most sparsely populated. It covers most of the Negev desert. The population of the Southern District is 1,002,400. It is 86% Jewish. The district capital is Beersheba, which blooms in the desert like a desert city - comparably to Las Vegas.

Psalm 126

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.

One of the prayers I offer to Father God, and fills me with joy, is asking that I might be comforting to others like the way Jesus describes Heaven. To help me, in His Grace, to be an oasis of love in a busy and sometimes harsh world.

Matthew 13:31,32
He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."

I like to pray for large prayers, I think that Father God likes expectant prayers. May you be filled with faith, hope and love during Thanksgiving and the Christmas Season! We will pray for God's blessing to come in and refresh us; like streams of living water in the desert, replenishing our souls, letting our light shine for the glory of God. In the highest name given to us, we ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

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1 Timothy 4 ~ in faith

1 Timothy 4

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

6 If you put these things before the brothers (& sisters - siblings), you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

In faith, men & women travelled, in unknown conditions, in small ships to begin a new life for themselves and would become a great nation. Thanksgiving isn't just a secular holiday, but thanks for all that God has given us in 1 Timothy 4.

A Relation or Journal of the Beginning and Proceedings of the English Plantation Settled at Plimoth in New England, written by Edward Winslow in 1621: "Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruits of our labor. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which we brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

Let's remember to give thanks for the blessings we have received from living in a free country. And continue to pray for the United States and our families that we will conduct ourselves in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. To be grateful we can freely read the Scriptures and teach them. Knowing that the United States is not the youthful, new country we once were, we will continue to pray for our nation to grow in faith and remember to treat one another with love.

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1 Timothy 5 ~ Good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden

Everyone in this Norman Rockwell drawing has a different look on their face for this Thanksgiving meal. A friend of mine has a Master's in Social Work, she says families fall into tried and true communication patterns. We had a wonderful Springer Spaniel named Spencer, who had worn paths in the backyard where he liked to travel. Not all communication patterns are helpful. Blessed are the Peacemakers.

1 Timothy 5

1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 For some have already strayed after Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24 The sins of some men are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

God tells us we are His creation, created for His purpose - to do good works:

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Matthew 6:3
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing

James 2:17-19
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

Why are the good deeds God created us to do in secret eventually revealed?

Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

We can never earn our way into salvation, and volunteerism plays out. We can give God gratitude each day, ask Him how to nurture others and ask each day that our actions, work and words bring Him joy.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word

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Job 6 ~ God would grant what I long for

The book of Job: When the Morning Stars Sang Together, painted by William Blake. 1825

Job 6 (American Standard Version)

1
Then Job answered and said:
2
Ah, could my anguish but be measured and my calamity laid with it in the scales,
3
They would now outweigh the sands of the sea! Because of this I speak without restraint.
4
For the arrows of the Almighty pierce me, and my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
5
1 Does the wild ass bray when he has grass? Does the ox low over his fodder?
6
Can a thing insipid be eaten without salt? Is there flavor in the white of an egg?
7
I refuse to touch them; they are loathsome food to me.
8
Oh, that I might have my request, and that God would grant what I long for:
9
Even that God would decide to crush me, that he would put forth his hand and cut me off!
10
Then I should still have consolation and could exult through unremitting pain, because I have not transgressed the commands of the Holy One.
11
What strength have I that I should endure, and what is my limit that I should be patient?
12
Have I the strength of stones, or is my flesh of bronze?
13
Have I no helper, and has advice deserted me?
14
A friend owes kindness to one in despair, though he have forsaken the fear of the Almighty.
15
My brethren are undependable as a brook, as watercourses that run dry in the wadies;
16
Though they may be black with ice, and with snow heaped upon them,
17
Yet once they flow, they cease to be; in the heat, they disappear from their place.
18
Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the desert and perish.
19
2 The caravans of Tema search, the companies of Sheba have hopes;
20
They are disappointed, though they were confident; they come there and are frustrated.
21
It is thus that you have now become for me; you see a terrifying thing and are afraid.
22
Have I asked you to give me anything, to offer a gift for me from your possessions,
23
Or to deliver me from the enemy, or to redeem me from oppressors?
24
Teach me, and I will be silent; prove to me wherein I have erred.
25
How agreeable are honest words; yet how unconvincing is your argument!
26
Do you consider your words as proof, but the sayings of a desperate man as wind?
27
You would even cast lots for the orphan, and would barter away your friend!
28
Come, now, give me your attention; surely I will not lie to your face.
29
Think it over; let there be no injustice. Think it over; I still am right.
30
Is there insincerity on my tongue, or cannot my taste discern falsehood?


The Bible is a road map God has given us for life on earth. He has seen all of life for millenniums. One of my theories about the purpose of life, is for our souls to mature and allow us to grow up and go home. Job is a difficult book in the Scripture to read, no one really wants to know about deep suffering. But instead of being run over with extreme experience or grief, God gives us Job to understand what true grief is like. Job is hard, let's read a different book, but Job is hope as well.

My first experience with the permanence of death was the loss of a friend in 3rd grade, who really suffered with Leukemia. I really grieved for him and his family. I've had some depression in my life and understand sadness, but nothing prepared me for the death of my dad when I was thirty. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most painful, how bad was it? It was probably a 72. I had no idea the scale could go higher than 10. I experienced what Job felt too. Please, someone take the crushing weight of this sadness, just for a moment. A friend to carry it. But grief must be dealt with internally. Sometimes grief is like having to carry an elephant. I felt this again when my daughter died.

~ Oh, that I might have my request, and that God would grant what I long for

Job found something important, Father God does not forget us. In His way and in His time, God does grant the requests of our heart and soul. Just as Job learned to wait upon the Lord and trust Him, we will too. In His time, we will stand and rejoice in being part of His Victory!

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Psalm 98 ~ make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!

Psalm 98

1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has made known his salvation;
he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.

4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!

7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who dwell in it!
8 Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together
9 before the Lord, for he comes
to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.

This isn't Advent, it's barely Thanksgiving, there is something exciting going on - not in the mainstream publications - something a majority of people feel and want to honor the Lord. Each week when we are about to celebrate Communion, we say, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!" This is about honoring the One who lived and dwelt among us. Jesus Christ giving us life.

This is the song, listen to the lyrics, this is what more that 86% of people want to say and exalt:

It's called Christmas! By Go Fish! - Link

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Psalm 19 ~ the heavens declare the glory of God

Light in the Sky, by Alexander Gardere http://www.alexandergardere.com/

Psalm 19 (Revised Standard Version)

The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
and their words to the end of the world.

In them he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and there is nothing hid from its heat.

The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring for ever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is thy servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

But who can discern his errors?
Clear thou me from hidden faults.
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in thy sight,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

~ The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

This time of year in Texas creates an inner harmony and peace in me. Last week we had full moon and the moonlight cascading into the windows at night. Friday was one of the most comfortable days with endless crisp sunlight and blue,blue skies. The most glorious colors in the piney woods of intense yellows, relaxed oranges and hint of red surrounded by the peace of dark green. Today was raining and dark clouds with hints of purple. A gentle misting turning into a gentle soaking rain. Sunday afternoon, seeing leaves changing outside, no need to go anywhere and a home filled with the ones I love - what could God provide that would be any better...

Thank you, Father God.

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Luke 17:26-37 ~ Just as it was in the days of Noah

First 2 photos are Noah's Ark replica in the Netherlands, 3rd photo Noah's Ark 1928 movie

Luke 17:26-37 (Today's New International Version)

26 "Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.

28 "It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.

30 "It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. 32 Remember Lot's wife! 33 Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35-36 Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left."

37 "Where, Lord?" they asked.
He replied, "Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather."

Jesus knew a lot about people & their priorities, He wanted us to remember just as the sun & the earth will come to an end when Jesus Christ returns in triumph, our lives will end too. This passage is not only about end times, but reminding us of the frailty of life. When the disciples heard Jesus discuss the end, they asked for specifics - Jesus told them only God knows. Life is in God's hands. If our goals don't have any interaction with the glory of God, how can we call on the name of the Lord to be saved? We all rely upon God to save us.

A. Powell Davies:
Life is just a chance to grow a soul.

Jeremiah 29:8-14

8 "For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Do not let your prophets who are in your midst and your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams which they dream. 9 'For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them,' declares the LORD.

10 "For thus says the LORD, 'When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. 11 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

12 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13 'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
14 'I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.


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Jesus told us there would days like this

Sistene Chapel painted by Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni

Jesus took his disciples to Caesarea Philippi, biblical scholars say, not only to let them understand Jesus is the Christ, Son of God, but because Caesarea Philippi was more connected to the Roman Empire than any other place in Israel. It had been build by the Herods, all officially titled as Kings of the Jews, to honor Rome and relent power to an earthly force instead of God. Scholars say Jesus was indicating the power of the Holy Spirit would use Peter to build His church in Rome, ultimately overcoming the Roman Empire.

Matthew 16: 13-17
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

The day Christianity officially arrived in the Roman Empire was in 325 A.D. The First Council of Nicaea is regarded as the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church. Invited by Emperor Constantine, about 318 world-wide Bishops, who had risked their lives and were condemned for serving Jesus, traveled across continents and oceans, continued to risk their lives in dangerous travel, to express the basis of the church today. That is why my Anglican Church honors the Nicene Creed and the Nicene Councils' choice of 80 books of the bible.


Wisdom 7: 22 - 30

22 for wisdom, the fashioner of all things, taught me. For in her there is a spirit that is intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile, clear, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen, irresistible, 23 beneficent, humane, steadfast, sure, free from anxiety, all-powerful, overseeing all, and penetrating through all spirits that are intelligent and pure and most subtle.

Proverbs 1:20
Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares

Proverbs 3:19
By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place

24 For wisdom is more mobile than any motion; because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things.
25 For she is a breath of the power of God, and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her.
26 For she is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness.

27 Though she is but one, she can do all things, and while remaining in herself, she renews all things; in every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God, and prophets;
28 for God loves nothing so much as the man who lives with wisdom.

Proverbs 4:6
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

Proverbs 7:4
Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding your kinsman

29 For she is more beautiful than the sun, and excels every constellation of the stars. Compared with the light she is found to be superior,
30 for it is succeeded by the night, but against wisdom evil does not prevail.

John 1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

For some of us it is uncomfortable to see the feminine use of wisdom, this is not something I invented, but it is something the Holy Spirit uses. Scripture tells us God sees the church as the bride of Jesus Christ. I believe the Lord God Almighty has love for the people who do not understand, in a deep emotional sense, what it is like to have a loving father. In the first creation story, God emphasizes before woman was taken as a rib from man, Adam was made in His image. God is telling us, in another deep & wonderfully kind way, He loves us, no matter if we are male or female. God loves us if we understand Him as a loving Father or as a loving Parent. God loves us and created us. We are wise to seek the Lord.

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Ruth 3:14-4:6 ~ she did so

Ruth 3:14-4:6 (New Revised Standard Version)

So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before one person could recognize another; for he said, "It must not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor." Then he said, "Bring the cloak you are wearing and hold it out." So she did so, and he measured out six measures of barley, and put it on her back; then he went into the city. She came to her mother-in-law, who said, "How did things go with you, my daughter?" Then she told her all that the man had done for her, saying, "He gave me these six measures of barley, for he said, 'Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'" She replied, "Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest, but will settle the matter today."

No sooner had Boaz gone up to the gate and sat down there than the next-of-kin, of whom Boaz had spoken, came passing by. So Boaz said, "Come over, friend; sit down here." And he went over and sat down. Then Boaz took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, "Sit down here"; so they sat down. He then said to the next-of-kin, "Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our kinsman Elimelech. So I thought I would tell you of it, and say: Buy it in the presence of those sitting here, and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not, tell me, so that I may know; for there is no one prior to you to redeem it, and I come after you." So he said, "I will redeem it." Then Boaz said, "The day you acquire the field from the hand of Naomi, you are also acquiring Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead man, to maintain the dead man's name on his inheritance." At this, the next-of-kin said, "I cannot redeem it for myself without damaging my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it."

Several of my friends have teenagers, we seem to talk a lot about the dating choices being made. Proverbs talks a lot about guarding your heart. This is a great passage in the bible, there isn't a chaperone, both Ruth & Boaz could be harmed in this exchange. Ruth proposes to a man, she knows him to be kind and will help Naomi, her elderly dependant. She goes out of her way to propose in an era when parents arrange a marriage - worrying for Naomi. Ruth & Boaz have two tremendous character traits in common, they are compassionate without looking for a reward - loving kindness - and they are people who do what they say they will. This is an excellent start for a relationship and the basis for true intimacy. Boaz looks out for Ruth's happiness and tries to find her a younger man, looking out for the happiness of the other makes a happy marriage.

Another bonus for the youth of today, there could have been a night of premarital sex (Ruth has been married before) to see if they are sexually compatible, but these two people want this to be lasting and important. The Bible is very upfront about who "knew" whom. This is a romantic story that would be told to their children and grandchildren. Their grandson, David, probably thought about it as he watched over the family flocks. David's grandmother was not a pure blooded child of Israel, in a culture where this is worth fighting and dying over. This is not a neat parentally arranged marriage. His grandfather was more concerned with her heart, her kindness to the elderly, than her credentials when women were not regarded as more than possessions. David's grandparents were quietly heroic in ways that were not popular or flashy. Actions and words matter, guard your heart.

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Jeremiah ~ let me go

Matthew 18:15a,16
If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'

Michael Jursa, associate professor at the University of Vienna, made the discovery in 1991. Nebo-Sarsekim is found in a perfectly preserved Babylonian Tablet. The tablet reads "the property of Nabu-sharrussu-ukin, the chief eunuch, which he sent via Arad-Banitu the eunuch to [the temple] Esangila: Arad-Banitu has delivered [it] to Esangila. In the presence of Bel-usat, son of Alpaya, the royal bodyguard, [and of ] Nadin, son of Marduk-zer-ibni, Month XI, day 18, year 10 [of] Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon (Reynolds 2007).

The Hebrew spelling of the name is slightly different from the cuneiform, but there is no question that it is the same person. Although the NIV translates Nebo-Sarsekim’s title as “chief officer,” the literal translation is “chief eunuch,” exactly the same as in the tablet.

Reflecting on his discovery, Jursa commented, “It is very exciting and very surprising. Finding something like this tablet, where we see a person named in the Bible making an everyday payment to the temple in Babylon and quoting the exact date is quite extraordinary.”

In "Antiquities of the Jews", renowned historian Josephus says it is Ναβωσαρις. Interpreted by by Christopher T. Begg and Paul Spilsbury as Nabosaris.

Jeremiah 40 Listen

1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord after Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he took him bound in chains along with all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah who were being exiled to Babylon. 2 The captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him, “The Lord your God pronounced this disaster against this place. 3 The Lord has brought it about, and has done as he said. Because you sinned against the Lord and did not obey his voice, this thing has come upon you. 4 Now, behold, I release you today from the chains on your hands. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you well, but if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, do not come. See, the whole land is before you; go wherever you think it good and right to go. 5 If you remain, then return to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon appointed governor of the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people. Or go wherever you think it right to go.” So the captain of the guard gave him an allowance of food and a present, and let him go. 6 Then Jeremiah went to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, at Mizpah, and lived with him among the people who were left in the land.

7 When all the captains of the forces in the open country and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land and had committed to him men, women, and children, those of the poorest of the land who had not been taken into exile to Babylon, 8 they went to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, Johanan the son of Kareah, Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, Jezaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men. 9 Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, swore to them and their men, saying, “Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you. 10 As for me, I will dwell at Mizpah, to represent you before the Chaldeans who will come to us. But as for you, gather wine and summer fruits and oil, and store them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that you have taken.” 11 Likewise, when all the Judeans who were in Moab and among the Ammonites and in Edom and in other lands heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant in Judah and had appointed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, as governor over them, 12 then all the Judeans returned from all the places to which they had been driven and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah. And they gathered wine and summer fruits in great abundance.

13 Now Johanan the son of Kareah and all the leaders of the forces in the open country came to Gedaliah at Mizpah 14 and said to him, “Do you know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to take your life?” But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam would not believe them. 15 Then Johanan the son of Kareah spoke secretly to Gedaliah at Mizpah, “Please let me go and strike down Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no one will know it. Why should he take your life, so that all the Judeans who are gathered about you would be scattered, and the remnant of Judah would perish?” 16 But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said to Johanan the son of Kareah, “You shall not do this thing, for you are speaking falsely of Ishmael.”

Jeremiah speaks to us in a troubled time. We can relate to the words: "release, chains, if it seems good to you, thinking it is right, afraid, not believing, let me go". It would seem Mizpah, 4 miles northwest of Jerusalem, situated on the loftiest hill, is the same place Levite's concubine was killed by the men of Benjamin. This led to civil war and destruction of the tribe of Benjamin, leading to more kidnapping and injustice because people began "thinking it is right".

The Scriptures have many situations repeat, why does trouble repeat? It is the human condition, people become self-sufficient, proud and begin to rely upon themselves as guide. The Lord shows mercy, again, by allowing the remnant to gather a harvest in great abundance. He honors His promise to Jeremiah providing the "hope and the future" in the midst of chains and capture.

We have a message today from Jeremiah 40. If we are in trouble, we look for the Lord to make a way and not carve out disaster upon disaster by relying on ourselves to provide solutions in the midst of a whirlwind. If we are in abundant harvest, we need to remember gratitude and look to the Lord to provide His way. We hear Christians not providing an immediate answer, but saying they will pray about it; prayer leads to solutions. Many times Jeremiah prayed and he is the one released in the midst of disaster, not by himself, but by the Lord.

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Luke 16:1-8 ~ children of light

Charlie Brown Christmas - Link

Luke 16: 1 - 8

Then Jesus said to the disciples, ‘There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, “What is this that I hear about you? Give me an account of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.” Then the manager said to himself, “What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.” So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, “How much do you owe my master?”He answered, “A hundred jugs of olive oil.” He said to him, “Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.” Then he asked another, “And how much do you owe?” He replied, “A hundred containers of wheat.” He said to him, “Take your bill and make it eighty.” And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.

The department stores have officially begun the season of Christmas, maybe the children of light should learn something from the children of this age. My grandmother was really a child of light, she taught me about giving at the age of 6. She gave me Christmas money and guidelines to buy for my family. Part of the Christmas guidelines, no buying for myself, to ask and consider what someone else would enjoy. I remember the first guideline, she explained to me my mother would not enjoy a doll.

This tremendous gift of giving has been one of the largest blessings in my life. If you are a grandparent, please take your grandkids Christmas shopping for others. It is the greatest gift. Please do it each year. If you are a grandparent of means, your grandchildren shopping on your budget could be the best thing you give.

For the first 14 years of our marriage, we lived in a two bedroom house as a family of four. Christmas can be memorable, even on a shoe string. It can be so very sad as a parent with financial worries, but putting off Christmas planning and shopping is not going to make Christmas better. It's better to look at what can be afforded and begin to look in resale, garage and estate sales. We are better off today, but our church has a tremendous rummage sale going on today & everyone (the might & the meek) was getting in on the sales. C'mon looking through piles of s-t-u-f-f when the pressure isn't on high is f-u-n. Find that treasure. Maybe you'll be lucky like I am, I bought my son the upholstered chair he casually asked for in July. Oh yes! It was $15 - it looks like new and it matches his bedspread! It is treasure, it is fabric a famous departed member of our family used to use. It was meant to be.

Proverbs 2:3-5
3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 24:4
through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

Isaiah 33:6
He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.

Colossians 2:2-4
2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Acts 20:35,36
35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

36 When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.

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Romans 14:7-12 ~ Christ died and lived again

Romans 14:7-12

7 We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

10 Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God (or Christ). 11 For it is written,
‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall give praise to God.’
12 So then, each of us will be accountable to God.

Romans 8:28

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

Gossip? Be you for it or agin it? The good news is not frequently in the newspaper, but the Dallas Morning News had an interesting article on gossip. 10 years ago or more, so you know I found it interesting. The article said that gossip is good because it helps us determine how people perceive each other & just like reading a book from another's perspective, we learn what irritates people and how to react. It continued, this was simply like talking to a psychologist and not having to pay for it. A problem shared has half the weight. Sharing it and talking it over releases it. Gossip is just social interaction given a bad name.

True and false. Not everyone is truthful and not everyone's perception should be a role model. Just because there is smoke, it isn't necessarily fire. I have walked on both sides of the fence of gossip and sat on it a lot. I've been lined up at the fence and fired at, justly and unjustly, because of gossip. I'll bet you have too.

I'll bet you'll relate to this: I've been labelled falsely as a gossip. I've been honored falsely as non-gossip. I've deserved both and neither. I do not bear false witness, but I've opened my mouth when it should be shut and shut it when I should have spoken.

There are times when we must share. The bible says to share one another' s burdens - knowing people can be a burden. If we must share, we should find someone who honors our trust and find someone willing to tell us; yes that is hurtful - or yes, you should have said something. Or you are being wrong and self-centered. Find someone who is willing to say the truth in love. Saying yes, I heard you say that before and it is time to let it go, forgive and move on. Sharing means determining the least amount of times repeating it and making sure it is non-invasive.

To live in community is what God planned. Proverbs tells us man sharpens man. I love the teenage language of a fist and the other hand circling it: it isn't all about us. It is especially important in Christian community, even if people are different types of people, to clearly see the bond in knowing Father God loves us.

The bible says the tongue is like a ship, we can head ourselves in two different directions

James 3:3-7

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

The other interpretation and another direction for our ship:

Romans 8:28
works together with those who love him to bring about what is good.

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Jeremiah 33 ~ there shall again be habitations of shepherds resting their flocks

Israel 2009

Jeremiah 33 - Listen


1 The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard: 2 “Thus says the Lord who made the earth, [1] the Lord who formed it to establish it—the Lord is his name: 3 Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. 4 For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city and the houses of the kings of Judah that were torn down to make a defense against the siege mounds and against the sword: 5 They are coming in to fight against the Chaldeans and to fill them [2] with the dead bodies of men whom I shall strike down in my anger and my wrath, for I have hidden my face from this city because of all their evil. 6 Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. 7 I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and rebuild them as they were at first. 8 I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. 9 And this city [3] shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it.

10 “Thus says the Lord: In this place of which you say, ‘It is a waste without man or beast,’ in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man or inhabitant or beast, there shall be heard again 11 the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord:

“‘Give thanks to the Lord of hosts,
for the Lord is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!’

For I will restore the fortunes of the land as at first, says the Lord.

12 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: In this place that is waste, without man or beast, and in all of its cities, there shall again be habitations of shepherds resting their flocks. 13 In the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the Shephelah, and in the cities of the Negeb, in the land of Benjamin, the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, flocks shall again pass under the hands of the one who counts them, says the Lord.

14 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

17 “For thus says the Lord: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, 18 and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man in my presence to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to make sacrifices forever.”

19 The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 20 “Thus says the Lord: If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night will not come at their appointed time, 21 then also my covenant with David my servant may be broken, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne, and my covenant with the Levitical priests my ministers. 22 As the host of heaven cannot be numbered and the sands of the sea cannot be measured, so I will multiply the offspring of David my servant, and the Levitical priests who minister to me.”

23 The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 24 “Have you not observed that these people are saying, ‘The Lord has rejected the two clans that he chose’? Thus they have despised my people so that they are no longer a nation in their sight. 25 Thus says the Lord: If I have not established my covenant with day and night and the fixed order of heaven and earth, 26 then I will reject the offspring of Jacob and David my servant and will not choose one of his offspring to rule over the offspring of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them.”

Footnotes
[1] 33:2 Septuagint; Hebrew it
[2] 33:5 That is, the torn-down houses
[3] 33:9 Hebrew And it

Christians have wondered for the last 2 decades, especially, if God's covenant with Israel is over. I've heard people say the Jews today do not deserve Israel. This comes from different theological and personal reasons. Just as the children of Israel have never deserved Israel, we do not deserve a covenant of salvation with the Lord God Almighty. When we read Scripture, we can substitute our personal name when Israel is written. Just as God loves a mighty nation filled with people, He understands, loves and forgives us.

As Paul traveled through Galatia, Macedonia, Achaia and Asia and began to travel on to Rome, he wrote to Roman Christians, not just of their salvation, but of the children of Israel. But all through the Scripture we are taught, we are the children of Israel. Jesus Christ said we are; God could turn stones into the children of Israel.

Luke 3:8

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham

Romans 9:14-18
14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses,
"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 16 It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

Romans 11:25-32
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
"The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27And this is my covenant with them
when I take away their sins."

28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you. 32 For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

Revelation 7:9
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

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Luke 14:15-24 ~ there is still room

Luke 14:15-24


15 When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” 16 But Jesus said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 17 And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ 20 And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’

21 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ 22 And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ 23 And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’”

~ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’

I heard a good quote from a minister in Anderson, South Carolina this weekend, "God has called us to be fishers of men, not keepers of the fish tank." There are times we sit with our friends and talk about how awful television has become or politics. Or "the world". God has probably heard this conversation for millenniums.

The Good News is we all have an invitation to this great banquet. Unless we can feel the gratitude and begin dwelling on that blessing - You are included - we cannot taste the banquet.

Psalm 72:11
All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him.

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Psalm 24:1-6 ~ Pure heart

Psalms 24: 1 - 6
1	The earth is the LORD's and the fulness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein;
2	for he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers.
3	Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?
4	He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully.
5	He will receive blessing from the LORD, and vindication from the God of his salvation.
6	Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. [Selah]

1 Timothy 1:4,5
⁴ nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work—which is by faith. ⁵ The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith

Today we are finishing the book "The Relationship Principles of Jesus" by Tom Holladay. It's been a wonderful book to follow up the "Purpose Driven Life" written by Tom's Associate Pastor and brother-in-law, Rick Warren. I really felt so excited to read the book. I will read the "Relationship Principals of Jesus" again and again. It is very Biblical and arranges the Bible in new and thought provoking ways. The pure heart receiving the blessing is us, the faithful. We don't deserve it, can't earn it, and we will set our goal on becoming like God, but we can't do it. Jesus Christ yesterday, today and tomorrow is what we must trust in.

Matthew 28:19
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.


Hebrews 13:5
God has said,
"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."



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Luke 14:1-6 ~ Jesus responded

Luke 14:1-6

1 One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. 2 And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” 4 But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. 5 And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?” 6 And they could not reply to these things.

~ Jesus responded

When we really expect the Holy Spirit to show up, there is great joy and expectation. Our Lead Pastor was a graduate student & his priest invited the congregation to come for a Wednesday Prayer Service, the Priest said he'd been praying about the service and felt the Holy Spirit nudge him to have the Wednesday Prayer Service. The Priest said he hoped some people would attend. Our Pastor felt nudged himself & he showed up. He'd expected a small service and 500 attended. Even the Priest was surprised.

Our Minister said everyone felt very excited and people were literally looking around. The Priest prayed for people for different needs and everyone could tell prayers were being answered. It was exciting and low key. A Catholic priest leading 500 people in prayer and the people being prayed for stepped into the main aisle and everyone prayed for that one person, one at a time.

Several Wednesdays went by and still 500 people came for a Wednesday Prayer Service. About the third Wednesday service, a 2 year old boy was presented for prayer. One leg was significantly shorter than the other leg, by 4 or 5 inches, the boy had been born that way. The Priest prayed for the boy and carried him up and down the aisle for all the praying congregation to be able to see the toddler boy. The Priest explained the leg was so different the boy wasn't learning to walk well and boy's mother feared for the baby's future life. The mother stood at the aisle and wept.

The congregation was pleased to pray for the toddler boy. It was the first Wednesday the congregation felt their prayer had not been answered. People were disappointed and left pretty quietly.

The next Wednesday, our minister guessed wouldn't be so crowded. But it was. Several new people, several new prayers, the air of expectancy for the Holy Spirit to be in the church was high. Prayers were joyfully given and received. The boy's mother presented her son for his leg to be healed. The Priest walked him up and down the aisle and showed the congregation and beseechingly asked the Lord to heal the baby boy. It was fervent prayer. An answer was not seen.

Several more Wednesday passed; still about 500 people and expectation for the Lord God Almighty to reach out to all of them in love. They had experienced His presence, received a blessing and all of them wanted the toddler boy to have normal legs. The whole congregation wanted so much for Father God to let this innocent baby experience a normal life, it was one desire.

That Wednesday, 500 people saw a miracle. The toddler's leg grew inches in front of all of them. The love and power of God healed. Both legs were the same. A significant change took place, all at once, after several weeks of prayer. Another change took place, too, Our minister decided, and knew, the only thing to do was to quit law school and serve God. Any other effort was wasting time.

Decades later, our minister has also been blessed with a healing in both arms. An MRI showed the pain in both arms was a total degeneration of his rotator cuffs and a double surgery was scheduled. He had been in pretty bad pain for 2 years. He was in Dallas for a Mission event in January of 2008, when the speaker called for people to come up for prayer at the end of his sermon. Our minister had an unknown person, reach behind him to pray for him. Our minister felt heat surge into his arms and prayed hard with the person behind him. When the prayer ended,  he was healed. Another MRI confirmed what he already knew Jesus had done for him.

Today, let's remember we have a Living God filled with mercy.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

¹⁶Rejoice evermore.
¹⁷Pray without ceasing.
¹⁸In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.


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