John 17:9-23 ~ Love them

John 17:9-23

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible


9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one [from evil]. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them [Set them apart for holy service to God] in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself [I sanctify myself; or I set myself apart for holy service to God], that they also may be sanctified [may be set apart] in truth.

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

Jesus spent a lot of time in prayer. The first time God communicated with mankind was right after our creation - God blessed the male and female He created. Almost immediately Adam and Eve wanted to be God. Then prayer is not mentioned until the 20th Chapter in Genesis when restoration of Abraham's marriage and health in marriage the subject. The 2nd time prayer is mentioned Abraham's servant prayed looking for Isaac's wife. The 3rd, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer.

We love to know Jesus is our mediator. We love knowing Jesus prayed for us. It's so interesting to learn the first 3 times the Scriptures tell us about prayer - it's about marriage. Loving each other as yourself.



Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I read recently in a blog, About the Master's Business, nervousness persists after prayer when we use the Lord as our prayer bellboy. It struck a chord with me.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

And the best advice on supplication prayer:

Matthew 6:5-8
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

How? In expectation, knowing God will hear you. Asking for His will. Talk to Him like your best friend - like your spouse.

1. Eyes open - John 11:41 / John 17:1
2. Tears shed - 1 Samuel 1:7-10/ Psalm 126:5-6
3. Shout/applaud/cheer - Ezra 3:11-14/ Psalm 47:1
4. Sing - Psalm 100:4/ Ephesians 5:19
5. Loud voice - Acts 7:60
6. Unison - rush together making the same noise - Acts 4:24
7. Speak to obstacle - Joshua 10:12 "Sun stand still"
8. Speak with no sound - I Samuel 1:7-10
9. Say "Amen" to others prayers - I Corinthians 14:16
10. Fast - 2 Samuel 12:16/ Isaiah 58:6

11. Stand up - Nehemiah 9:3-5
12. Kneel - Ephesians 3:14/ Philip.2:9-11
13. Lay down on bed - 2 Kings 20:2
14. Lay face on ground - 2 Chronicles 7:3
15. Walk - 2 Kings 4:33-35
16. Squat/bow down - 1 Kings 18:42/ Psalm 95:6
17. Dance - 2 Samuel 6:14-16
18. Walk away be restored - Matthew 5:23-24
19. Sackcloth & ashes - 2 Kings 19:1
20. Sit - Matthew 26:36 / Mark 14:32,37-38

21. Bow head - Isaiah 58:5
22. Raise hands in praise - Psalm 134:2/ Psalm 143:6
23. Raise hands in authority - Exodus 17 8-15/Hebrews 12:11-12
24. With two or more - Matthew 18:19
25. Lift hand in blessing - Luke 24:50
26. Lay hands on (for commissioning) - Hebrews 6:2/ 1 Timothy 4:14
27. Anoint - Mark 6:13/ James 5:13-15
28. Spread it before the Lord - 2 Kings 19:14-15

29. In expectation - Matthew 21:21
30. With persistence - Luke 11:8
31. In hope, always - Luke 18:1

Father God, the one You love has a need. You've asked us always to have hope, to pray in expectation and so I put forth the need, the hope, the desire that You will send Your word forth to help. We ask for Your healing and strength. I earnestly give this to You, praying that Your will be done. I will rest in Your Word. And look forward to Your will accomplished. In Jesus Christ's Highest Name. Amen.

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John 8:21-30 ~ I am

John 8:21-30

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 23 He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” 25 So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. 26 I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.”

27 They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” 30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

Jesus plainly and clearly bore witness to Himself.



Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Jesus repeated what God said to Moses:


Matthew 22:31-32
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."


Matthew 28:22b
Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.


John 5:17
But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I am working."


John 6:35
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.


John 6:51
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."


John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."


John 8:18
I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.


John 10:9
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.


John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.


John 10:14
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.


John 10:38
but if I do them [works], even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.


John 11:25
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."


John 12:32
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.


John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.


John 15:1
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser."


John 17:9
I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.


John 10:30
The Father and I are one.


John 4:26
Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he [Messiah, he who is called Christ].”


Mark 14:62
And Jesus said, "I am [the Christ, the Son of the Most Blessed] , and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."





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Luke 11:1-28 ~ answer from within (The Lord's Prayer)

Luke 11:1-28

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible


Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread,
4 and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”

5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence [persistence] he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for [bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for] a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” 16 while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. 18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22 but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

24 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

27 As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” 28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

We eagerly want to repeat Jesus' prayer. We put this prayer up on walls, we memorize it, we offer it as corporate prayer. Corporate prayer is important, we offer prayers together in harmony.

Perhaps we need to remember this as well. Jesus said:

Matthew 6:7
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

If we offer up prayers just by rote, we are that swept house, put in order, without the Light of Jesus Christ. God is always looking towards the intentional, loving soul. I know in times of sheer trouble I've repeated the Lord's Prayer because I just was completely overwhelmed and almost incoherent. I know Jesus would say, "It's okay, I hear you."

How do I know? Scriptures say this about prayer as well:

Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

The next passage, after the Lord's Prayer tells us more. God Almighty, maker of the Universe, and Jesus Christ His Only Begotten Son, want to be addressed as a friend. A friend. Someone who intends good for you. Your LORD expects you to be impudent, persistent, like a best friend. God isn't looking for the safe prayers - He is looking for those great, late at night gab times when things somehow become clear. He expects you to inconvenience Him like He is your parent. He expects you to put time into your faith - your conversation - your heart. He is looking forward to seeing you live your Life by His way and His truth. Why? Just as John was asked to be Mary's son, you are God's Child.


“Father, hallowed be your name. Father God, You are my parent. Just because You want
to be. Thank You.
Your kingdom come. Today has been a beautiful day. Thank You for spring. Someday I will live with You where we will see each other every day. I wonder if the Cathedrals show us even a glimpse of anything You have in Your Kingdom, since it is Eternity.
Give us each day our daily bread, Father God, I have some real needs I'd like to put before you. I need Your provision.
and forgive us our sins, Father God, today I made mistakes ....
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Help me to be forgiving and not resentful, bitter or full of grudges. Let Your living water flow into the peace of forgiveness I long to give.
And lead us not into temptation.” Abba, we create our own temptations, help us to get out of them. Not trapped like fly paper. Help us to see the exit in temptation.

Deliver us from evil. You've told us there is a spiritual battle greater than me, I trust in You for Your protection.

For thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory. Lord, help me to align what I want for my life to Your Glory and Your plans. I do not do this on my own steam, but I rely upon Your mercy and Your acts. I rest in You. In Jesus' name. Amen.



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Luke 10:25-42 ~ put Him to the test

Luke 10:25-42

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii [denarius was a day's wage for a laborer] and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

People think a lot about what they need and what defines them. Here we have 3 paragraphs on growth/love, need and ease. It reminds me of two things - a movie - the 1942 movie Mrs. Miniver. Nominated for 12 Academy Awards and winning 6. Mrs Miniver won another award in 2006, The American Film Institute's list celebrating the most inspirational films of all time. And in 2009, National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant and will be preserved for all time.

Mrs. Miniver is about the small concerns we have in times of ease and the need for greater care, the grace we rise to, in times of war. I had my own Mrs. Miniver moment about 10 years ago, we moved into our new home and it was time to clean the carpets. I used a friend's Church friend, it was more expensive than I'd ever even considered paying, but my friend assured me of her own experience with the company, high quality, unique cleaning process and Christian need for a new business. When the equipment and men showed up, the vacuum cleaner looked like a 1950's model and the cleaning machine - not much better. I began to feel like hyperventilating over the high cost. I asked numerous questions and began to irritate the senior tech. The junior tech came back down the stairs. I suddenly realized this was one of the Lost Boys of Sudan we had in our area. He realized I had jerked to attention. He was as black as coal and looked like he was 7 feet tall. He looked at me with a lot of compassion. He said, "Madam, be at peace - all will be well." I realized how much he had seen and lived with. How small my concerns were. I replied, "I am sure it will be."

My small concerns had irritated the senior tech, just having another day on the job. I learned a lesson I have never forgotten from the compassion and well chosen words of a man who has seen a lot in his few years, a lost but found young man barely out of his teens from Sudan.

An article in our local paper said the Lost Boys had all returned, one by one to to Sudan to help their fellow man. Our local Churches had provided them with houses of volunteers to live with, help to pay for college and bicycles (we live in an area where this worked and was cost effective). These men (about 50 men and 2 women) had done well in school, had attitudes of gratitude and returned to their homeland to promote loving their neighbor as themselves. These young men left the people they lived with very impressed with their Christian faith and with their desire to better their part of the world.

Father God, we do not hear the continuation of the Samaritan neighbor who was treated with such kindness. You returned again to Mary and Martha, when Lazarus had died, saying how You love them. Martha was treated with such compassion by Jesus, in her petty need, she was the one who went out to greet Jesus. Thank You, Father, for Your compassion even to those at ease. Help us to remember the compassion of the Lost Boys when we feel the root of bitterness creep into our souls where You would have us have an attitude of gratitude.

Jesus, help us us not seek revenge or grudge when we are wronged. Let us be grateful for Grace in our own lives. And let Your living water flow and nourish our compassion to others. Let us be able to give, knowing it is more blessed to give. Let our contemplations of growth and love not be circular, but bless our souls to arrive at wisdom and steadfast love. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be always pleasing to You, Abba. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.


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Mark 16:1-20 ~ they did not believe it

Mark 16:1-20


1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"

4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

6 "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "

8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
12 Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13 These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.

14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

We have known since Sunday School age, you can always spot a disciple / apostle - because they wear robes, halos, beards and have silver saint spoons in their mouth since birth.

What about the phrase "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" ... it sounds medieval.

And did these saints really know Jesus - then bolt when He had trouble? Hide when Our Lord was being prepared for death, then let the women prepare His body in the tomb?

Seems saints were not born with silver saint spoons, rather, they have grown in their faith like spiritual fruit. The kind of real growth that meets drought, cold, heat and flood.

The first day of the New Covenant - when God decided to create Heaven and abolish death by giving us His Son, Jesus - no one was feeling peaceful. Easter Sunday had a tremendous amount of fear. All of the Saints were acting very humanly. They were hiding, filled with trembling & astonishment. The embalming of Jesus was left to the women (the disciples were so hidden they didn't know the body of Jesus already has 75 pounds of spices) because the men were in fear of their lives. None of the children of God had it remotely figured out.

This first day they had more disbelief than hope. And God didn't take the hope from them or punish them for their less than saintly reactions. They didn't know how to react.

What happened next is known throughout the world. This is the fear of the Lord, it is only the beginning of the wisdom. They did recover from their fear. Not because they became more saintly, but through God. With their belief, with their courage, with the overwhelming help of God's Spirit, Jesus Christ changed the heavens and the earth.

1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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John 6:41-51 ~ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Jesus

John 6:41-51

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father.

47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”


Ephesians 1:10
And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

Salvation is a gift from God Almighty.

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.

Belief grows into worship, into action. Man can debate Salvation. Ultimately, finally and completely it is God's Plan.

Matthew 7:13-21
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

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.

And let's ask a difficult question. Why does it say:

Romans 10:13
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Romans 10:13 is repeated in Acts 2:21 and in Joel 2. What is the disparity between wide salvation and the narrow gate? It is was it all comes down to. The ultimate question. Do you believe the Lord will He save you. Belief is part of salvation. Nations, nations will live in the Kingdom of Heaven. But without belief....some day when nations and multitudes come to the valley of decision, there will be a time when you and God are fully known to one another. A glorious day. Jesus, our mediator, will judge.

Where do you stand in your faith?


Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I have done things not pleasing to You. I have lived my life for myself. I am sorry and I repent. I ask you to forgive me. I believe You died on the cross for me, to save me. You did what I could not do for myself. I come to you now and ask You to live in me. I give You my life. Help me to live every day in a way pleasing to You. I love you, Lord, and I thank you that I will spend all eternity with you.

Amen

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Ephesians 6 ~ Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven

Ephesians 6

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

5 Slaves, [bondservants] obey your earthly masters [your masters according to the flesh] with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master [Lord] and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

23 Peace be to the brothers [brothers and sisters], and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

When we look at Ephesians 6, we are reminded there is a spiritual battle. Larger than we are. In God's hands. Our part as children of God is to act with kindness, to be sincere, to work hard at the work God gives us and to pray. To stay in our faith, to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ.

Some days it is difficult. Times change. Parents grow older. Responsibilities increase. The people we work for and with are demanding. It becomes very push and shove instead of a smooth, straight path of the Lord. Ephesians 6 recognizes this. It doesn't say, this parent is too hard to work with. It doesn't say, that boss is a jerk. It says to earnestly put your foot forward to help. To acknowledge this commandment about parents is important enough for the LORD to tie it to a reward.

As a younger person, I put time into memorizing (a rare event for me) the garments described in Ephesians 6. Jesus Christ is our Savior. He is just a prayer breathe away. It is nice to memorize a Scripture, but it isn't knowing these phrases protecting us from the spiritual battle. These are not incantations. Sometimes, when I am hard pressed, I say to myself, I can do all things through Jesus Christ. Knowing it is a prayer, but God is the Almighty. Jesus really cares more about the intent of the soul. It is God Himself. Your utmost self, He created you in His Love and will continue to be the light - regardless of the darkness.

Truth - Live in it
Righteousness - Walk the path of holiness God calls us to
Peace - Work towards it, read the mercy of God in the Scriptures
Faith - believing until you know God loves you and He is for you
Salvation - God didn't take the event lightly, neither should you. You were bought at a price.
The Sword of the Spirit - God's Word - if you don't know it, how will you stand in the faith God calls you toward. Hold on to God's Word.

(Read Scripture to understand God's intentions, His nature, but God answers and hears prayers by asking. Remember Jesus didn't quote Malachi 3:1, He said it, but He declared "it is written" to tell of John the Baptist. Jesus proclaimed God's intentions and words. Yet, really we all learn in different manners and our brain classifies information differently and this is why we use an image - not to worship the daily changing image, but as a tool to think and remember.)

Yes, parents can drive us up a wall. I remember times my mom gave me great support when she was younger. We push at each other, but if we didn't - it wouldn't be honest. Ignoring a parent isn't honoring them. Sort of like Jacob and the angel. Sometimes it is an on-going silence that is more telling. When your read parenting forums on the internet, the largest problems come from silence.

My brother is an excellent parent with two small children. He carefully explains the difference between what is actual situation to the desired situation. He listens patiently to their explanation. He answers their question with what they have said. John explains it again. His tone becomes more firm, not shrill, and he tells them this is the way it. Paul actually wrote of his 3 prayer requests for healing to God. John explains 3 times, the second time he uses the child's concerns. John will firmly carry out a small, measured discipline if his child doesn't listen. And the child will be told to sit and think before the discipline is carried out. I admire this greatly; it takes time to be this deliberate. His children understand his fatherly love, understand the behavior required, understand they are being respected, but know they must do their part.

A Texas Evangelist, Ron Luce, told of growing up in a very dysfunctional home, where his mother was verbally abusive. He and his wife & children decided to just be glad to see her and invite her to their home. It wasn't one person taking it on, it was the family support of going two by two, of the 70 disciples Jesus sent out. Everyone just took some time to be kind. It changed their family. They told her they wanted to love her like God did. Glad to hear from her, to see her. Ignoring her abuse, but accepting her. When Ron Luce's mom accepted the Lord in her life, her life changed to become the loving woman they had put their love towards. That my friends, is an act of God.

Pray. God Listens & always has Great Mercy.

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Ephesians 1 ~ we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory

Covered Gate, painted by Alan Sanborn

Ephesians 1

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful [saints who are also faithful] in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us [Before him in love, having predestined us] for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee [down payment] of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, [until God redeems his possession] to the praise of his glory.

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Sometimes it is overwhelming; so much information put in one place! I wonder if Paul wrote with joy like an engine, well supplied with all its needs taken care of. Like an airplane taking off. Revving up, energy abounds. Moving forward, moving, soaring! Or if he thought about his career at the Temple, going forward to Damascus to persecute those heathen Christians for tampering with the faith of the Temple. Was he overwhelmed at Grace and somewhat teary at the awesome plans and blessings God has?

In this passage, I'd say Paul was more like a brand-new jet engine. "Grace and peace to you, beloved! I've heard of your love and faith, I cannot stop giving thanks!"

How does God love us? Lavishly. God has planned immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe. He planned for us before we were created.

When do God's promises begin?

Today! Continuing in the age to come.

Thank You Father God ~

-Every spiritual blessing

- In love He predestined us

- Blessed to be part of His Beloved

- Redemption, forgiveness because of His mercy

- Uniting all things in Him; not just Heaven but Earth

- I've heard the word of truth, the gospel of my salvation, and believed in Him, and I am sealed with the promised Holy Spirit - not because of my own goodness - but because of God's plan. God's gift of salvation.

- In believing the Father of glory, you are given a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him. Salvation is a gift.

The Hope
1. Riches of His glorious inheritance with the saints. (On that day... we will stand in His Kingdom and see Him .... with nations of His Beloved.)
2. Immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe. (Today. All things are possible with God.)

God is above, far above, all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name. He is the Lord. The God. The Almighty. In Him all things were created. His Words are the Gift of Life. In Him we live, move and have our dwelling. Our very being.

Glory be to You, O Lord. Abba. And Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.

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Romans 7:1-12 ~ bear fruit for God

Romans 7:1-12

1 Or do you not know, brothers [and sisters] —for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? 2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage [law concerning the husband]. 3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.

4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. 12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

There is a direct correlation in society between up-building and destruction in the way society looks at marriage. When two people are to be one, it is working of the Holy Spirit. It affects the fruit - children - and culture in all aspects.

Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus (23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in AD 14.

Paul wrote the Epistle to the Romans somewhere between 51-57 AD. Historically this is about as close as horseshoes and hand grenades. Close.

Augustus was a tidy man, someone who wanted to be a Caesar beyond reproach and his wife, Caesar's wife (whom he proposed to while she was married and pregnant with her other husband's child), as well. Romans had been allowed to marry in different forms and it was all pretty much live and let live as far as marriage went. Augustus decided it needed to be .... Defined and Legal.

1. Confarreatio (divorce almost unheard of)was a traditional patrician form of marriage. Divorce for confarreatio marriages, diffarreatio, was a difficult process and therefore rare. A special type of sacrifice that caused the dissolution of the relationship between the man and woman. She would then pass back into her father's home or family. Originally, the confarreatio was indissoluble. The wife leaves her family and becomes her husband's family, or property = cum manu. Later, divorce was easier the dowry returned with the wife.

2. Coemptio (slavery/service) was in essence a sale of the woman to the husband. Coemptio occurred at any time throughout marriage. This was a process of mancipation (slavery/service). The transaction occurred with a scales-holder and in the presence of at least five witnesses, adult male Roman citizens. Coemptio could occur not only with a husband but also with an outsider. However, this process is deemed for the “sake of trust” not for the “sake of marriage.” Coemptio was only a convenient legal practice. If a wife became cum manu through the process of coemptio divorced, then she became emancipated. By the 2nd century AD, a wife was able to compel her husband to emancipate her, a right not shared by her children.

3. Usus (living together, owned by husband) Cum Manu acquired by usus was simply the cohabitation of the husband and wife for the duration of a year. After a year passed the wife was transferred into the ownership of her partner, she was considered taken by the decree of yearly possession. This process required no ceremonial practices. If the woman was not willing to come into ownership of her husband, manus by usus was easily preventable. As conditioned in the Twelve Tables if the wife absented herself for the total of three days and three nights before the end of the year, each year, the marriage was not cum manu, and she was not under the ownership of her husband. If a woman married cum manu through the process of usus divorced then, she became Emancipated. Subsequently, the law of usus was dissolved by legal enactments presumably because it fell out of use..... so Do Not Spend Your Anniversary Together at all costs....

4. Sine Manu (living together, owned by father instead of husband) the wife legally and ritually remained a member of her father's family, standing under the control of her father's potestas. The bride is not under control of the husband. This form of marriage held no ceremonial formalities led by a public official. Ultimately it involved a husband and wife living together under the intention of a marriage, in conjunction with the legal capacity of marriage under the Roman law. Although no official ceremony was held, it was customary for the bride to be escorted to her bridegrooms house. The children of this union were legally members of the husband’s agnatic kin.

Women faced with the loss of property when entering a cum manu marriage began to only consent to sine manu (father's family property) unions (similar to living together, today, to avoid prenuptial agreements and financial wedding issues.)


So, Augustus was trying to put marriage together better for inheritance when he created these types of marriages, legally. They had been used for centuries. When we read the last paragraph in brown, Augustus' goal was promoting self and not promoting a couple living as one person.

Does it sound like these forms of marriages would help sort out society better and then the playing field is easily understood? It had an effect. A definite effect. The love of many grew colder.

Marriage is a work in progress. Dating or living together leads to a non-committed society - free to abandon hearts and children. Those abandoned hearts hurt others, the cycle goes on and on to the detriment of society.

True, we don't consider women property in most of the world today. But we do consider property, income, commitment instead of Christian marriage for love, honor, obey, cherish in sickness and all circumstances. Confarreatio (devoted love forsaking all other things) began to be a thing of the past.

When we look at the Roman Empire in 235–284 AD called the Imperial Crisis, it is the beginning of the end of the Roman Empire (not Christianity as pop culture tells us). Invasion, civil war, plague, economic depression, hyperinflation caused by years of coinage devaluation. A denarius coin, a day's pay, quit using silver and was devalued. Trade increased during the good years of the Empire, but war created large landowners unable to send their goods abroad. Local city dwellers were trapped and unable to buy what they needed by war and unsafe trade on the highways, pledged themselves to local land barons. The Empire broke up into 3 parts in 258 AD. Large, open cities of Classical antiquity slowly gave way to the smaller, walled cities that were common in the Middle Ages.

Christianity is said to have split the Roman Empire, but really selfishness is probably the downfall. What led people out of the fortified Middle Ages walled cities? The Churches. Most times, as Churches grew, they were built outside the walls because people felt they could trust not to be attacked going in and out of the Churches. When we look at the face of Europe and the UK, the Middle Ages walls are mostly removed, the wooden castles -gone. The stone castles in ruins. Yet the Churches remain - the light leading out of the darkness. Funny how we think of the monks hording the Bible from us and creating these fortified cities - but really the greed of man created the despair. Then the Church was a shining light which began to be corrupted in a world where greed of man invades a whole lot. The monks were kept busy farming, feeding the poor and creating oasis of light. God manages to pull us forward in a fallen world.

In 1937, A. P. Herbert went to the British Parliament newly elected to give his maiden speech about a bill called the A.P. Herbert Marriage Law. He proposed more liberal reasons for divorce like insanity and a marriage irreparably broken allowing divorce. Winston Churchill said, "Call that a maiden speech? It was a brazen hussy of a speech. It was the most painted harlot of a speech that ever presented itself before a modest Parliament."

As a child of divorced parents, I can tell you from experience, divorce can be very one-sided and un-asked for. But there is a direct correlation between Christ and His Church ... and society and marriage laws.

When we look at the problems facing School Boards before 1937 they are ... chewing gum, late to class, talking. Today problems are: drugs, pregnancy, weapons. Much more serious.

The Scriptures, God's Covenants, all involve treating one another with love and respect. When love becomes traded for property, for casual instead of commitment, for anything other than a marriage based on trust - people begin to look out for their own interests. Leading to a distrust all over, hording, materialism instead of affection, trade imbalances. Coveting, war. Trouble. 41% of children born today in the USA, are born outside of legal and spiritual commitment. Easier, emotionally, to walk away from children, when there is no commitment. Where is the pendulum? Scripture and God's plan are for love and peace. For building and upbuilding.

Romans 3:30-4:1-3
29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the [God's] law.

4:1 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

Father God, You are the Shepherd, the Rock. A chosen and precious cornerstone. When we trust in You, we will never be put to shame. In You, Lord, You are the Rock upon a house to be build. When storm comes, You are our Shelter. You are the Mighty One.

In the Old Testament, You asked us to walk in Your ways. In the New Testament, we are asked to walk in Your ways. Help us each day to give justice with mercy and walk humbly with You. Teach us to build up our families for loving marriage. Teach us to make commitments of kindness and care to one another. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Isaiah 51:1-16 ~ The Lord of Hosts is His Name

Here am I and the children the Lord has given me


Isaiah 51:1-16

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible


1 “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness,
you who seek the Lord:
look to the rock from which you were hewn,
and to the quarry from which you were dug.
2 Look to Abraham your father
and to Sarah who bore you;
for he was but one when I called him,
that I might bless him and multiply him.
3 For the Lord comforts Zion;
he comforts all her waste places
and makes her wilderness like Eden,
her desert like the garden of the Lord;
joy and gladness will be found in her,
thanksgiving and the voice of song.

4 “Give attention to me, my people,
and give ear to me, my nation;
for a law [for a teaching] will go out from me,
and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples.
5 My righteousness draws near,
my salvation has gone out,
and my arms will judge the peoples;
the coastlands hope for me,
and for my arm they wait.
6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
and look at the earth beneath;
for the heavens vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear out like a garment,
and they who dwell in it will die in like manner
[will die like gnats];
but my salvation will be forever,
and my righteousness will never be dismayed.

7 “Listen to me, you who know righteousness,
the people in whose heart is my law;
fear not the reproach of man,
nor be dismayed at their revilings.
8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment,
and the worm will eat them like wool;
but my righteousness will be forever,
and my salvation to all generations.”

9 Awake, awake, put on strength,
O arm of the Lord;
awake, as in days of old,
the generations of long ago.
Was it not you who cut Rahab in pieces,
who pierced the dragon?
10 Was it not you who dried up the sea,
the waters of the great deep,
who made the depths of the sea a way
for the redeemed to pass over?
11 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

12 “I, I am he who comforts you;
who are you that you are afraid of man who dies,
of the son of man who is made like grass,
13 and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker,
who stretched out the heavens
and laid the foundations of the earth,
and you fear continually all the day
because of the wrath of the oppressor,
when he sets himself to destroy?
And where is the wrath of the oppressor?
14 He who is bowed down shall speedily be released;
he shall not die and go down to the pit,
neither shall his bread be lacking.
15 I am the Lord your God,
who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—
the Lord of hosts is his name.
16 And I have put my words in your mouth
and covered you in the shadow of my hand,
establishing [planting] the heavens
and laying the foundations of the earth,
and saying to Zion, ‘You are my people.’”


Isaiah 51 is like a Davidic Psalm. Almost all of Isaiah 51 tells hows much we can rely upon the LORD God Almighty. The last paragraph is about the judgment of God. When we accept God's Love, ask Him to live in us, we agree the Lord will provide for us. We agree we are in God's plan. The time of blessing, the time of adversity are in His Hand.

My husband and I were talking about adjusting today. Adjusting to being an empty nester, having sons in college who don't always answer the phone. After years of youth ministry and kids piled all over the carpet. My husband played in a disc golf tournament - he is pretty good - and missed placing by a stroke. I went to help at a Church function and had a moment of pure sarcasm creating big embarrassment from a new person, who later apologized.

I told my husband, I still had a good time at the Church function (if God will help me not to blow on the sparks of resentment this week and not pry my fingers off of forgiveness). We talked about it being a moment of growth - not to seethe with grudge. He said he had enjoyed his disc golf - I had enjoyed my Church function. It was because it doesn't matter as much what people think. Joy comes from within. To be able to say to Father God in our need, ouch - don't like that, please help, but if not I'll be okay.

Our good friend, our previous minister told me - happier people can shake things off - they just aren't as defining. We went to a Pregnancy Assistant Center North Dinner and the speaker was Jeb Bush. Three times, as we were seated in this Gala - I drank from my water glass, once from my ice tea and the ice cubes shifted to soak me with liquid. It wasn't so awful, just puzzling to be sitting in finery at a gala with a soaking blouse. I think everyone at the table was glad the after dinner coffee was uneventful! I didn't care and I know I would have before. TMI today, yes, but the freedom to just be me - flaws and all. I am a Child of the King.

Free to sit, soaking, listing to someone passionate about rights of the unborn, rights of the handicapped. Rights of the elderly. Free to enjoy someone telling of their work with happiness.

It must have worked for my husband as well, after we spoke, he went out to play and had his first hole in one, an eagle. He wasn't even mildly disappointed at not placing. We rest in God's hands.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Father God, in Isaiah 51 You tell us to rest from worry. Trust in You, trust in the name of Jesus Christ. You overcome. You overcome trouble, You overcome the world. Using our eyes of faith to hope in You.

Peace! Not to be timid, to rest in Your powerful spirit. You are Love, You give us the ability to have self-discipline. You use the gifts You gave us to Your glory. Sent me! Sent the gift of Your peace. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.


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