Matthew 25:31-46 ~ when did we see You

Matthew 25:31-46 ~ (New International Version)

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³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

When we look at the subtitles used to explain the sections to us, this is typically labeled "Sheep and Goats." We could even subtitle it with biblical quotes like "All Things are Possible with God" or "Remember, Beloved, a Day to God is a Thousand Years". Why? Because God combines an amazing analogy for us in this section.

We can be more creative than that.... we'll call it.... "The Huge and the you". (There is a ewe joke in there....)

God, the Vast, The All Knowing, The Father and Creator of the Universe says that you - a speck of dust in this vast creation both in time and impact - says all of creation will see God's Glory. All of us. That is enormous. And says to the blessed - take your inheritance. Still God tells us - Nations (Nations!) will belong in Heaven.

The answer to the question, "When did we see You?" Is we all definitely will. And ....we all should.

Joel 3:14
Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

More than multitudes and millions of people, God knows and loves you intimately.

Psalm 139:1-6
1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.

How does God want to see us? In attitudes and actions of love.

‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’


Psalm 126:2-3
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!

What does that mean to you today? When you believe in your heart, proclaim with your voice that Jesus Christ is Lord. All who believe, trust and call upon the Lord will be saved.

Matthew 10:7
And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

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Isaiah 6:1-4 ~ the earth is full of His glory

Hospital hall security monitor camera sees this image of an angel with wings.


December 2008 ~ Remembering a Christmas Miracle. For those of us who've experience the neonatal intensive care and children born still, this is a wonderful story. All Christmases have a Christmas miracle, hospitals get to be very quiet at Christmas, everyone who can go home, will. All things are possible with God.


Mom, of dying child, goes out into the hall to use her cell phone to take this picture.

Fox News Video - link of Television News Interview ~ Christmas Miracle for Chelsea Barton!

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,472288,00.html - news article, written interview with Chelsea's mom


Isaiah 6:1-4 ~ (American Standard Version)

1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.


Revelation 1:12-14 ~ (Today's New International Version)

12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.



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1 John 2 ~ we have come to know Him

Kissing the Face of God, painted by Morgan Weistling

John 1:9
The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

1 John 2 ~ (Today's New International Version)

1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Those who say, "I know him," but do not do what he commands are liars, and the truth is not in them. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

9 Those who claim to be in the light but hate a fellow believer are still in the darkness. 10 Those who love their fellow believers live in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But those who hate a fellow believer are in the darkness and walk around in the darkness; they do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

12 I am writing to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young people,
because you have overcome the evil one.

14 I write to you, dear children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young people,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If you love the world, love for the Father is not in you. 16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful people, the lust of their eyes and their boasting about what they have and do—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Messiah. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life.

26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

Christmas is a time of family. The joys of love and the trepidation of personality and communication. When Jesus was manifest in the flesh, what did his family do to abide in Him? Here is the Son of God, in His youth found favor both with God and man. Jesus asks we keep the commandments, love each other in clear bright light, put away the darkness of envy and self-centeredness.

Remember Jesus declared only God is good, so... no family issues there... except... the rest of the family is only human.

John 7:1-5, Jesus' brothers want Him to see some trouble.
After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

Matthew 12:46-50, after Jesus declared the ruling people of the temple to be vile and evil, His brothers want the trouble to die down.
While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you."He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

Mark 6:3, Jesus biblically records how his brothers think of Him; Jesus' family is seen by others as a very loving, all of a kind, family.
"Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor."

This is Jesus loving His brother in clear light. He understands the situation, not whitewashing it. So 1 Corinthians 13 tells us love conquers all, why did Jesus give Mary as a son to his disciple John? Wasn't Jesus being less than loving to assume His brothers would do a poor job with Mary? Jesus knew love conquers all. He waited patiently for His brothers James, Joseph, Judas and Simon (and his sisters) to grow into the potential He saw in them.

Jesus' brothers didn't return to Nazareth, the Scriptures record their desire - not to go home and mourn or sweep it away - to spread the Word of God to all. They are recorded as going out of Judea and becoming evangelists. The Early Church records in the 3rd century, the Emperor Diocletian's ordered troops, swept into Nazareth to martyr the brother's of Jesus' families. Jesus' family were given the chance to say Jesus was never the Son of God, but refused. Their trial and death were recorded by the Bishop of their Church.

Acts and the later books in the Scriptures tell us about Jesus' brothers after the Resurrection. James is the author of the book of James, Josephus describes him as the brother of Jesus called the Christ. Judas, brother of Christ, is the author Jude.

1 Corinthians 9:5, Paul tells us of Jesus' brothers.
Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas [Peter]?

Hebrews 2:10-12, Jesus speaks of us as His brothers, but also His own brothers.
In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says,
"I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."

1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Father God, You see us as the best soul we can be. You waited patiently for Jesus' brothers and sisters to grow, James, Joses, Simon, Judas, and Salome. Just as You saw greatness in Gideon, to treat Gideon with such patience. I thank you with profound gratitude for Your love and mercy to me. Thank You for the gift of salvation You give us in Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Psalm 127 ~ He gives to His beloved

Art by Frank Adams, celebrated author and illustrator of childrens' books c. 1912


Psalm 127

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Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children [sons] of one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Although today's art is from a child's book, the situation is very human - for all ages. We let our fears chase each other. Until we worry continuously. In vain, we believe if we worry diligently, our minds will discover the solution.

God gives to His beloved.

Ecclesiastes 5:19
Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil — this is the gift of God.

John 4:10
Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water."

Acts 8:13-15, 20b
Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit
20 -gift of God.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God

Ephesians 3:7
Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power

2 Timothy 1:6
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands

Psalm 94:14
For the LORD will not forsake his people;he will not abandon his heritage

Isaiah 54:17
no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.

Isaiah 58:14
then you shall take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

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Matthew 3 ~ Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance

Matthew 3 ~ (Revised Standard Version)


In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea (and) saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"

It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: "A voice of one crying out in the desert, 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'"

John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.

And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?"

Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him.

After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."


CNN has lately run segments asking shoppers to be more courteous of each other. They even quoted, "it is better to give than receive." They suggested when dealing with rude people, consider giving the parking space stolen from you as a gift to an unknown, harassed person. A Christmas gift given to an anonymous person.

Why are people unkind during the High Holy Days? They've heard this is the best season of all, and feel so undernourished, unloved and pressed themselves to give these attributes to others. It's best to realize what is unseen is permanent. We live in the world stressing worldly values, but it is the eternal that makes life meaningful.

Jesus, as the Son of God, was baptized by John. Jesus sought out John. In Jesus Christ, the words, " This is my beloved Child, with whom I am well pleased" apply to us. Forever.


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Isaiah 35 ~ Be strong, fear not. Your God will come. He will come & save you.

Isaiah 35 ~ (American Standard Version)


The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon: they shall see the glory of Jehovah, the excellency of our God.

Strengthen the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; he will come and save you."

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a deer, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the glowing sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water: in the habitation of jackals, where they lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for the redeemed: the wayfaring men, if they are fools, shall not stray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come upon it; they shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.


Imagine the joy of being Isaiah. Isaiah Lived 700 years before Jesus Christ, yet he sees the Way of Holiness.

Hosanna, Jesus Christ, the way, the truth and the light. He is our redemption. Hallelujah!

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

And He shall reign
And He shall reign
And He shall reign
He shall reign
And He shall reign forever and ever

King of Kings forever and ever
and Lord of Lords hallelujah hallelujah
And He shall reign forever and ever

King of Kings and Lord of Lords
King of Kings and Lord of Lords
And He shall reign forever and ever

Forever and ever and ever and ever
King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
Halleeeeeeluuujahhhhhhhhh!




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Pdalm 31 ~ I trust in You

Psalm 31

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In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me!
2 Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me!

3 For you are my rock and my fortress;
and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;
4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

6 I hate [You hate] those who pay regard to worthless idols,
but I trust in the Lord.
7 I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have known the distress of my soul,
8 and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
you have set my feet in a broad place.

9 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
my eye is wasted from grief;
my soul and my body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my iniquity,
and my bones waste away.

11 Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach,
especially to my neighbors,
and an object of dread to my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have been forgotten like one who is dead;
I have become like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the whispering of many—
terror on every side!—
as they scheme together against me,
as they plot to take my life.

14 But I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in your hand;
rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
16 Make your face shine on your servant;
save me in your steadfast love!
17 O Lord, let me not be put to shame,
for I call upon you;
let the wicked be put to shame;
let them go silently to Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be mute,
which speak insolently against the righteous
in pride and contempt.

19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you
and worked for those who take refuge in you,
in the sight of the children of mankind!
20 In the cover of your presence you hide them
from the plots of men;
you store them in your shelter
from the strife of tongues.

22 1 Blessed be the Lord,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was in a besieged city.
22 I had said in my alarm, [in my haste]
“I am cut off from your sight.”
But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy
when I cried to you for help.

23 Love the Lord, all you his saints!
The Lord preserves the faithful
but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the Lord!

Today, was one of those days. Someone hit the car of my eldest son on the extreme early morning of October 13th, the police were called and the woman who hit his car gave her insurance. It is still not fixed, the auto mechanic has not been diligent. Several adults are working on this problem, prayers would appreciated. So with today's news of more car problems, we were juggling two sons being picked up from two different colleges.

The sunset was magnificent, one of the most wonderful I've ever seen. We were traveling in beautiful country, near Groesbeck and Buffalo, Texas, and there were deer on the side of the road. I remembered a night we were driving in Virginia, we were all extremely concerned by the deer jumping all over the road. My husband asked us to pray for our safety and for the deer. We didn't have an accident. So - seeing the deer - I prayed for our safety. About 15 minutes later, a deer ran at us. My husband said it was poised exactly to hit our front passenger tire and flip through the windshield. Instead, it paused, before slightly changing direction and where it ended up hitting the rear tire cover, only leaving a mild dent and scratch. We stopped to see the damage, it was minimal and the deer spun on the concrete, to never even hesitate to run away.

You are my God.
My times are in your hand;
rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
Make your face shine on your servant;
save me in your steadfast love!

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Jude ~ judgment of the great day

Jude 1

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1 Jude, a servant [bondservant] of Jesus Christ and brother of James,

To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for [by] Jesus Christ:

2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

5 Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, [other flesh] serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. 9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” 10 But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. 11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion. 12 These are hidden reefs [are blemishes] at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.

14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment [chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin] stained by the flesh.

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

I'm not inclined to be a sycophant, overt/apparent/sinner by nature, so for much of my younger years, I've always viewed this passage with a certain amount of complacency, if not downright self-satisfaction. Yaa-yaa, it's you and not me. Yet really.... aren't we all somewhat sycophants to Father God. We are so interested in blessings, we are sure adversity has slipped under His radar net. We think with a groan and a sigh, "He doesn't see. Or He doesn't care." And then, when we get very discouraged, we think "He is far away and doesn't even care for this planet." We are unreasoning animals, grumblers, malcontents, following our own sinful desires; loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

Our faith becomes - false love feasts, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.....

HOW are YOUR "HOliday" Parties??

Who else gets this deep profound dissatisfaction? The angels! Felt salvation was wasted on human beings. Angels do not see the heart, soul of mankind, God sees. Angels, without faith in God's greater plan, felt sure we, mankind, are all unworthy. Angels were so displeased, they were willing to flee Heaven.

What is your situation with your Christmas holiday? Are you surrounded by the goodness God does see in mankind, offering them His only Son - having a great Christmas - with the best of mankind?

Yes, we forget sometimes - while this passage deals with false, easy grace. God Loves us.

Or are you like me - favoritism shown to me is only going to be rewarded by good will. It seems I am the most likely to encounter the brash, rude comments of those who are hurting themselves. Perhaps you will join me, I am new at praying for people to, receive with joy, God's complete love. God is the One Who is Good. My prayers are sometimes offered with "Sound of Music" innocence and joy, sometimes tiredly, sometimes crossly, and sometimes with a downright lie and gritted teeth.

In these Holy Days:

Beloved in God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ! May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Remember, remember, remember our common salvation in God's grace. I appeal to you to contend for the faith - the hope of what is unseen. While we can never rely upon our own righteousness to save (ourselves, our family, our friends), we cannot live lives with words and actions taking advantage of God's mercy - as if God was our servant.

As Christians, we are not to become part of the hurt-you, eye-for-an-eye fray. Even if we are bothered, warm, itchy, irritated and down-right malcontent.

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

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Psalm 98 ~ sing for joy together

Psalm 98

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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.


Sing to the Lord a new song.

Lots of Christmases past have no permanent marker. My husband remarked to me as I cleaned our 3rd grader son's room for days and bagged up the remnants, "There goes at least 3 Christmases."

Our Pastor's, Clark Lowenfield's, last sermon was about Re-Shaping Christmas. He made a good point. The thrill of material gain lasts for less than a week. More than we need a shirt, a sweater - we need to be loved. What would be lasting - a letter of love. No one needs an enumerated list of good qualities, but even a few lines of gratitude for treasured time. Wouldn't we keep a message of love? We could all do with more joyful noise.

The Littlest Angel and the Drummer Boy have the similar themes, what pleases the Lord ? John described God as Love; what pleases Him most? Our gifts of talent, gratitude and love.




Sharing the "Littlest Angel" with young kids, a movie to watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpRUBu2tyIA


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Daniel 9 ~ He has confirmed his words, which he spoke

Angel Gabriel, painted by Francesco De Mura c. 1782.

And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. Luke 1:19

Daniel 9

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1 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. 

3 Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.  

4 I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7 To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. 

8 To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you.  

9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him 10 and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.  

11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. 12 He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, [our judges who judged us] by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem.  

13 As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. 14 Therefore the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice.  

15 And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

16 “O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, [for the Lord's sake] make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. 

18 O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.

 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”

20 While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the Lord my God for the holy hill of my God, 21 while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. 23 At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.

24 “Seventy weeks [sevens] are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. 25 Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. 

Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. 26 And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. 

And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its [His] end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. 27 And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”

Awesome prayer from a soul greatly loved by God. Written for you.

“O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments

We have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from Your commandments

We have not listened to Your servants, the prophets

To You, O Lord, belongs righteousness

To us, open shame, because we have sinned against You

To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness

We have rebelled against Him and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets.

Yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by Your truth.

O Lord, according to all Your righteous acts, let Your anger and Your wrath turn away

O our God, listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for Your Own Sake, O Lord, make Your face to shine

O my God, incline Your ear and hear. Open Your eyes

For we do not present our pleas before You because of our righteousness, but because of Your great mercy.

O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for Your own sake, O my God"

~ At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

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Matthew 22:23-33 ~ after them

Nativity Angels by Brian Kershirsnik

Matthew 22:23-33

23 The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him a question, 24 saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.’ 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother. 26 So too the second and third, down to the seventh. 27 After them all, the woman died. 28 In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her.”

29 But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31 And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” 33 And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

Today, we don't spend a lot of time wondering what happens to a woman married to 7 brothers. Perhaps we don't even spend time wondering if the people around us will be given Heaven. We, fortunately, live in an age of increasing medical knowledge and antibiotics. More & more people wonder if God would be so cruel as to have a Hell and place His creation in Hell if we don't believe Jesus Christ is His Son. I've had two people say this to me just recently.

The Sadducees believed in no resurrection. The Pharisees believed in religious appearances, and all were told by Jesus daily - He believed more in mercy than sacrifice.

We, this generation, are more like Genesis 2 & 3.

We are vastly different from God - God looked upon emptiness and -

God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

God called the expanse Heaven. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. And God saw that it was good.

God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.

So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

And God blessed them.

God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.

And God blessed them.

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.

At least the Sadducees were astonished at His teaching... God sees emptiness and gives, gives, gives and creates. He sees His Creation with gratitude. He blesses His creation. We - look upon our Spiritual ingratitude - and feel full.

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Can mankind really feel comfortable judging the LORD? In our ease, we de-bunk the validity of Scriptures, usually without being informed. Relying instead on our own limited time and intuition on earth. The conversation continues today:

3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “ 'Did God actually say', ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”

(Emphasis color change added to represent the seed of doubt sown prolifically.)

But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

We invite the LORD into our conversations about Jesus being the only way into Heaven. We invite Him to be part of the "how can God be so unjust"... conversations.

But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God."

Romans 11:15-23
For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?

16 If the dough offered as first fruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.

21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.

Notice this passage!! The saved are not to be arrogant or proud. We cannot judge God's plan of salvation for the unsaved. We shine as lights, not as wet blankets. We do not allow Jesus to be pulled from His Divinity, but we are not placed to judge God's plan of salvation for the weak.

Romans 15:1
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

What do we say to the lost, the wondering, the pensive? .... Ask them if they don't limit God by the limitations of human weakness.... they will find answers for themselves if they will seek, knock, but the first step should begin.

God has the power to graft them in again.

Jesus spoke on salvation - Who gives us salvation?

Matthew 19:25-26
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Luke 18:1b
they ought always to pray and not lose heart

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Ezekiel 47 ~ where the River flows everything will live

For $18, you can remember a loved one by planting a tree in Israel. http://www.jnf.org/support/tree-planting-center/
http://www.jnf.org/get-involved/ Jewish National Fund

Ezekiel 47
Max McLean Audio Bible, English Standard Version

¹ The man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. ² He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was flowing from the south side.

³ As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits [1,500 feet about 450 meters] and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. ⁴ He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. ⁵ He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. ⁶ He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?”

Then he led me back to the bank of the river. ⁷ When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river. ⁸ He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah [Jordan Valley], where it enters the [Dead] Sea. When it empties into the [Dead] Sea, the water there becomes fresh. ⁹ Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. ¹⁰ Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Great Sea [Mediterranean; also in verses 15, 19 and 20 ]. ¹¹ But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. ¹² Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”

¹³ This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “These are the boundaries by which you are to divide the land for an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel, with two portions for Joseph. ¹⁴ You are to divide it equally among them. Because I swore with uplifted hand to give it to your forefathers, this land will become your inheritance.

¹⁵ “This is to be the boundary of the land:

“On the north side it will run from the Great Sea by the Hethlon road past Lebo [past the entrance to] Hamath to Zedad, ¹⁶ Berothah [Hebrew road to go into Zedad, Hamath, Berothah] and Sibraim (which lies on the border between Damascus and Hamath), as far as Hazer Hatticon, which is on the border of Hauran. ¹⁷ The boundary will extend from the sea to Hazar [Enan], along the northern border of Damascus, with the border of Hamath to the north. This will be the north boundary.

¹⁸ “On the east side the boundary will run between Hauran and Damascus, along the Jordan between Gilead and the land of Israel, to the eastern sea and as far as Tamar [Hebrew Israel, You will measure to the eastern sea]. This will be the east boundary.

¹⁹ “On the south side it will run from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribah Kadesh, then along the Wadi of Egypt to the Great Sea. This will be the south boundary.

²⁰ “On the west side, the Great Sea will be the boundary to a point opposite Lebo [opposite the entrance to] Hamath. This will be the west boundary.

²¹ “You are to distribute this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. ²² You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the aliens who have settled among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. ²³ In whatever tribe the alien settles, there you are to give him his inheritance,” declares the Sovereign LORD.

Ezekiel is a large book, in the Scriptures, with 48 Chapters. God's vision of hope for people in bondage. The bondage of sin. It written for us. This does not describe the state of Israel during the 2nd Temple.

Notice verse 22. It is not Exodus 33:3
Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.

God intends His Holy Land to encompass His favored people & the people living in the land. In a land flowing with milk and honey.

What is the significance of the Water?

John 7:38-39
38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Let these words breathe hope into our souls.

Psalm 122

A song of ascents. Of David. A climb or walk to the summit of a mountain or hill.

¹ I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
² Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem.

³ Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
⁴ That is where the tribes go up—
the tribes of the LORD—
to praise the name of the LORD
according to the statute given to Israel.
⁵ There stand the thrones for judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.

⁶ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
⁷ May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
⁸ For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
⁹ For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your prosperity.

Father God, we See!! The land flowing with milk and honey You've proclaimed! Your Word is always accomplished! Receive us into your household. In our lifetime, we are privileged to live while Israel exists as a Nation. We confess the faith - Jesus Christ crucified, Jesus Christ Raised! His resurrection is eternal, and we share with Jesus in His eternal priesthood.

May the peace of God Almighty reign in our hearts always. Amen.

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Matthew 7:21, 24-27 ~ build His house

Matthew 7:21

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 7:24-27

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

It's odd the things we remember clearly, like a conversation between my godmother, my mom and me long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away. :) My mother and godmother were grousing about putting up Christmas decorations. Momma paused, looked at my godmother to say, the children had really helped and wanted to help. My godmother laughed - all the ornaments go on waist high until the kids grow up and then they don't want to help. I said well at least we wanted to help. My godmother suggested next year I could help her. I retorted next year I planned to be so grownup, I wouldn't want to help. It was light-hearted, so everyone laughed.

It's that time of year.... the first time in 10 years I've had to build our artificial tree without the help of my sons, who are now in college. Yes... that project took me 3 days... I was calm the first 5 hours. By the 6th hour, I was like Moses, saying some pretty rash things; I even took a hammer to the metal inserts.

So...thinking back, back.... there were some years the Christmas gear went on happily and easily. First there was music planned to play in the background. There was part of the Christmas story read from Matthew 2. The time taken to say these decorations are to honor the Lord, not just to put up fuss. The focus is determined.

Houses are built with plans. First the Foundation - the rock of Jesus Christ. Even David, mighty King David told the Lord, His Father, in trust - I need Your help. And Solomon asked for help. Build His house. When You believe the Lord's promises to You, that open door allows God's Holy Spirit to dwell in You. You are His House, walking His plan.



Charles Schultz knew what he was writing about. I loved this program when it ran each year. Take it from me (sinner!), plan ahead, build your Christmas with Jesus as your rock. Reward your efforts with a planned relaxation to enjoy the fruit of your labors with your loved ones, in the true Spirit of Christmas.

Be Blessed.

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John 1:1-14,17,29-35 ~ the Light shines

12/23/09

A country Church Christmas

The Church of the Nativity celebrates Christmas Day in Bethlehem - Link


John 1:1-14,17,29-35 ~ (Today's New International Version)

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 all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all 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 everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."

32 Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God's Chosen One."

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"


This is is my favorite chapter of the Bible, John 1. The gospels written by Mark and John are sometimes compared without kindness, at Christmas, to the narrative of Jesus Christ's birth written beautifully in Luke and Matthew. But actually Mark speaks of a wilderness wanting to be tamed and John speaks of light coming out of darkness. Isn't this the deepest desire for Jesus Christ?

Christmas can bring forth all of our deepest longings. Matthew begins with an engagement, the most important choice in life. Luke begins with a barren priest. God addresses all of these concerns by reaching out to hear, to heal, to love and to care. For all of our seasons in life, God is part of them. Just as God watched, with love, each day of Jesus' life on earth, the Light continues to shine for us.

The Peace of God always be with you.

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