Psalm 39 ~ when I was silent and still, not even saying anything good, my anguish increased.

Peter had an auspicious beginning, saying, "Jesus - I'm just a simple man - Jesus, look away from me, that I might have peace."

Peter proclaimed Jesus to be the Son of God. Was given the Keys to Heaven (12 Open Gates in Heaven! OH Father GOD!) and spoke deep from the heart saying Jesus' words were The Gift of Life! No other place, would Peter wished to be. Being so comfortable with Our Risen Savior - as to argue what would happen to John for his good behavior. People.

This is a Psalm of King David, but I bet we all have things to say - and how to say them to help others? Or just to we kind, yet explain?

Psalm 39

I said, "I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
as long as the wicked are in my presence."

2 But when I was silent and still,
not even saying anything good,
my anguish increased.

3 My heart grew hot within me,
and as I meditated, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:

4 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.

5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Selah!

6 Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.

7 "But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.

8 Save me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools.

9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth,
for you are the one who has done this.

10 Remove your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

11 You rebuke and discipline men for their sin;
you consume their wealth like a moth—
each man is but a breath.
Selah

12 "Hear my prayer, O LORD,
listen to my cry for help;
be not deaf to my weeping.
For I dwell with you as an alien,
a stranger, as all my fathers were.

13 Look away from me, that I may rejoice again
before I depart and am not more."

Jesus did not slay Peter for being honest enough to say, "What happens to John now?" God uses the weak to tell His Story. 

Thank you, Father God , that even today there are blessings everywhere. People seek to instruct, to guide, to give advice, prayers. There are Blessings for giving guidance blessing others . We give thanks for times praying together, even silently, for Blessings to overflow.

When we consider our Bodies, a Place we want to have God live, perhaps those visions in God's Word - the Living Water flowing from the Temple are also the healing of tears. We could all be more peaceful, when we witness tears.

Give Me Jesus-Jeremy Camp
 

We hesitate to speak up to worried about giving offense. Miscommunication was something Jesus worked against and spoke with honesty.

Matthew 15
15 Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”

16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them.

This is honest communication, a request for information - and a request for more attention. These people are comfortable together. Jesus sat while teaching us on the Mount of Olives. (We hear Him today in Scriptures.)

Matthew 14:
25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

30 But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Mark 10:32
They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him.

God loves faith - and God loves us - so much so - Emotion does Not Offend Him.


Mark 4: 37
 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

41 They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

Painted by Liz L. Swindle

Jesus lived this life comfortably. Happily.

Jesus begins the Gospel of John - laughing with Nathanael. Matthew's Gospel has a determined father naming Him - Jesus.  Mark tells us John the Baptist begins in the wilderness, making paths straight.  Luke's Gospel tells us of Gabriel, who stands in the Presence of God,  having been sent to speak to us and to tell us good news...

Jesus Christ gave us an example of Life Lived Abundantly and Jesus gave Victory over sin and death. From everlasting to everlasting You are God. Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever


The words of the Lord are flawless,
like silver purified in a crucible,
like gold refined seven times.

Who can proclaim the mighty Acts of the Lord
or fully declare His praise?

Peter knows Jesus. He fully comprehended the fullness of God in Jesus.  

Peter wants us to unfold His Words - giving Light; Imparting simple understanding. 
Making our ears attentive to wisdom and inclining our hearts to understanding; 
calling out for insight and voices raised for understanding.
Seek this like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures.


1 Peter 2:25a
Now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 2:2a
Long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation —

1 Peter 1:13a
Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9a
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession

1 Peter 3: 9-12a
Bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer."



Philippians 2
So that at the name of Jesus
EVERY KNEE WILL BOW,
of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

AMEN.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.


Father GOD we lift our lives, hopes, fears, dreams to Thee. Please Jesus always be here. Your beloved one so asks for this family to be Built in Your good favor always. Amen.

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Matthew 13:43-44 ~ the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father

Psalm 33:6

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

 

Matthew 13:43-44

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

Whoever has ears, let them hear.

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."

Heaven evokes a response!

Joy!

Putting oneself completely - forward!

Investment of all one has!

Shining with Joy!



Why would Jesus say a field...

These are Churches and Abbeys, Senanque Abbey is a Restored from ruin by owners (middle photo) and back to Christian ownership. 

Another field might be a Prayer Virgil, after an act of violence

Vigil in Aurora, Colorado 2012

Angelic shape appeared in the clouds above Sunday’s prayer vigil for the victims of the “Dark Knight” massacre.Crystal Fuller says she sees the holy shape in a photo she took of the sky above the site after the service was over.

“I noticed it afterwards. I had it posted and … one of my friends, Barbara Masias, said, "It's an angel and I saw it!" Fuller wrote. Fuller said the shape of the angel appeared directly above the Century 16 theater complex in Aurora, Colo., where crazed gunman had acted. Thousands attended the candlelight vigil at the Aurora Municipal Center Sunday evening, a day of prayer and remembrance for the 70 involved in the massacre.

Ephesians 4
Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Jesus told us to rely upon our Father, mentioning another field.

Luke 12
22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Lilies grown in Israel.

The apostle Matthew spent three years with Jesus and he wrote, "Jesus came, enjoying life" (Matthew 11:19 Eating and drinking with friends He defended).

Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

1 Corinthians 10:26
The earth and all that is in it belong to the Lord!

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John 6:60-69 ~ “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”

John 6:60-69

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 

61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 

63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 

65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

 What God tears apart according to the first Chapter of Nahum, He tends to leave undone. A 22 second film of the Second Temple.

If you want to see the Temple built in Jerusalem, simply look at the Temple Mount. Those stones are there today. Only the Mount of Olive side has been cleaned up.

This post is large and complicated. A grand slam - if you will. Then we tend to discuss things again in small circles.

God Grosses Us Out - A Circle of Time!

If you belong to one Bible study, you are missing out! Really Christians give us some expectations and doubts. A real Christian gives thought provoking conversation. However, the way Christians think is an education too. Consider what we really are looking for. A View of Jesus Christ.

What do we expect, what are we here to learn, what do we need for this day?

Sweet wonderful you
You make me happy with the things you do
Oh, can it be so?
This feeling follows me wherever I go

I never did believe in miracles
But I've a feeling it's time to try
I never did believe in the ways of magic
But I'm beginning to wonder why

I never did believe in miracles
But I've a feeling it's time to try
I never did believe in the ways of magic

But I'm beginning to wonder why

GOD, The Lord God Almighty - IS - giving us conversations. If you aren't being prodded, check your pulse.

Is God Magic? He spoke the Word and Life came into being. C.S. Lewis calls this a very old magic.

This Scripture Passage deals with mankind, Jesus' own disciples saying, " Ew, about Communion."

And Jesus replies - "Some day - I'm so Out of here." Eschatology.

We Judge God for asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.

God Gives Us His Own Life.
His Own Blood.
His Own Son.


And this all takes place at the Temple Rock, Mount Moriah - ordained/considered by the LORD. And our circles have begun. God's boundaries are - expanding.

Is God having a conversation? Wudaboutdis - Okay they were killing people - so they deserved a killing themselves. Fugetabodit - that's saying what is Right Trumps what is Good? We Judge God for Killing His Children. We judge God for His Boundaries - of enslavers. Of Hebrew baby-killers, saying this is unfair.

Moses, was so Upset - about his Adoption - he kills an Egyptian Overseer. And Runs Off because the killing was done in rage.

Then.
God uses Moses to save His Children. Saying God is Concerned with Life. God - the author - (of guilt we like to think) - uses a redeemed man.

Judging?
Because.
We want to blame God for not fixing - earth - ourselves - each other. Secretly telling God - we would do a better Job.

The Temple?

It began to decay. God said this was a Spiritual Show. Declaring He is the Temple.

He offers to adopt us and dwell within us. If we ask Him to and believe He will.

Jesus is a unique and wonderful personality in His Word.

He certainly was not giving humility - speaking of ascending. 

Jesus also said harsh things (another day) about Mary. Jesus then planned for her care upon His death. Jesus was a prophet and could see Temple decay returning. Jesus saw the worship of The Queen of Heaven, in the Old Testament, as a return of powers and principalities in His Church. Jesus was also making a way for the physical person He loved, His mother, and his siblings in The Book of Acts Chapter 2.

The second chapter is clear, again, Mary was a wife, a mother many times over and was so human as to wade into God's business to try to save her child. God created physical union and clearly, clearly said marriage is good enough for the Mother of God. A mere human  - Jesus had to correct and love. Right and wrong collide and interweave. Helping us understand - all things interweave to the good of those who Love God.

These are not platitudes covered by a subtitle and taught in Sunday School. Jesus and the Word of God are messy, asking us to really delve Richly into His Word to see how God would sit with us, and help us to go forth in Life Abundant.

Proving God is Love. He cares and is part of our conversations.
Not a Deist. Our Father is not a too frail and far away parent to be addressed in times of need, suffering, want and indecision.

God does not shadow box with lies. His Path is Straight. His Message Strong - as deep as His Mercy. God does not box with Guilt. He says what is Right and What is Wrong and then would sit with us - to help us up. God promises He does not leave us. He does not declare what is wrong as good - He asks us to Go His Path.

James told us of his Brother - Jesus Christ.

James Chapter One says do not just be a hearer of the Word. God didn't just declare the Temple as filled with corruption and leave that as His representation. Time was given. Do we believe in Justice on Earth?

God does.

Justice on Earth.
70 A.D. Jerusalem - Israel was sacked too. Jesus' natural death.
Sacrifice Ends
Temple Ends

Nahum 1
6 Who can stand before his indignation?
Who can endure the heat of his anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire,
and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.
7 The Lord is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in him.
8 But with an overflowing flood
he will make a complete end of the adversaries,
and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
9 What do you plot against the Lord?
He will make a complete end;
trouble will not rise up a second time.

There are the Temple stones in the photos and videos above. How many 2,000 year old stones are still where they fell?

Job 12:2
Doubtless you are the people, and wisdom will die with you

More and more archaeology and uncovered history says this is True. And then you hear a man wailing Jesus was  all wrong because the Mount of Olive side is cleaned up. What?


Matthew 11
"But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, 17 "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'

19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."

So what Time is it?

The Season is always steadfast in turning to the Lord God Almighty.

Only God knows what is Today. And what season you are in. 

The Scriptures are a Letter of God written personally to you. When we live, move and have our being in Him. Delving into the Word - we find:

Jesus didn't endure Life - HE moved to meet people in their lives.

In compassion! Absolutely for the humility of the higher ranking Syrian woman.

In Zest and sarcasm to a member of the Sadduceean Council, Nicodemus. Sneaking in at night to find redemption. For himself.

In celebration of Life! Which He created and defended at Matthew's Party - a Celebration for Jesus.

In humility and awe of a Roman Centurion. A boundary crossing.

Our Sacrifice - Ends boundaries. Jesus, our Hero.

Uses the weak, to make His Plan strong.

Takes down a show - to dwell within us.

Displays His Majesty, making, by His Word and proving His Righteousness.

What do we expect from God?


A Strict Judge?

Our Friend who would arrive at night to help ?

John 14

14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

John 16
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”


1 John 5:13
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

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Exodus 40 ~ the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle

Exodus 40


The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “On the first day of the first month you shall erect the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. 3 And you shall put in it the ark of the testimony, and you shall screen the ark with the veil. 4 And you shall bring in the table and arrange it, and you shall bring in the lampstand and set up its lamps. 5 And you shall put the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and set up the screen for the door of the tabernacle. 6 You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, 7 and place the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it. 8 And you shall set up the court all around, and hang up the screen for the gate of the court.

9 “Then you shall take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and consecrate it and all its furniture, so that it may become holy. 10 You shall also anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and consecrate the altar, so that the altar may become most holy. 11 You shall also anoint the basin and its stand, and consecrate it. 12 Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and shall wash them with water 13 and put on Aaron the holy garments. And you shall anoint him and consecrate him, that he may serve me as priest. 14 You shall bring his sons also and put coats on them, 15 and anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may serve me as priests. And their anointing shall admit them to a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations.”

16 This Moses did; according to all that the Lord commanded him, so he did. 17 In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was erected. 18 Moses erected the tabernacle. He laid its bases, and set up its frames, and put in its poles, and raised up its pillars. 19 And he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent over it, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 20 He took the testimony and put it into the ark, and put the poles on the ark and set the mercy seat above on the ark. 21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 22 He put the table in the tent of meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil, 23 and arranged the bread on it before the Lord, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 24 He put the lampstand in the tent of meeting, opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle, 25 and set up the lamps before the Lord, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 26 He put the golden altar in the tent of meeting before the veil, 27 and burned fragrant incense on it, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 28 He put in place the screen for the door of the tabernacle. 29 And he set the altar of burnt offering at the entrance of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the grain offering, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 30 He set the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it for washing, 31 with which Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet. 32 When they went into the tent of meeting, and when they approached the altar, they washed, as the Lord commanded Moses. 33 And he erected the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court.

 So Moses finished the work.


34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36 Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.


If you look to see a summation of Exodus and The Book of Numbers:

[The first three plagues seemed to affect "all the land of Egypt," the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 9th did not affect the children of Israel. The slaves were only spared from the final plague by sacrificing the Paschal lamb, marking the place directly above the doors with the lamb's blood, and eating the roasted sacrifice together.

Chapter 16, 17, 18 discusses problems, Chapters 19 and 20 are about fear.  The Governing Disputes Discussed and the Temple . Complaining begins again as soon as God's business concludes for the Tabernacle in Exodus 32.  Sadness Chapter 33. Fear in Chapter 34.  Blessing in 39 for the last few Chapters of Building the Tabernacle. Glory follows the Blessing in Exodus 40.

 Numbers 9 Describes the Pillar  Numbers 11 ends the setting up of Government and Tabernacle to see complaining again. The pattern is of work or complaints. Numbers 12 is Aaron and Miriam oppose Moses. 13 is the refusal to participate in the promises of God.  14 is more rebellion. 15 Work. 16 Complain. 17 is really sad with miracles and complaints. Numbers 20 is a return back to every day life with Moses having rash words over Water and being provoked with the people again. 21 is deliverance in war and grumbling. 22 Is the surround countries getting worried about this crowd. Numbers 25 Moab Seduces Israel and a plague. Numbers 26 The Second Census. Numbers 27 Zelophehad’s Daughters certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them. 30 is Holy days and vows. Numbers 31 war against the Midianites. 32 is Land is subdued before the Lord, you may return and be free from your obligation to the Lord and to Israel. And this land will be your possession before the Lord. 33 Here are the stages in the journey of the Israelites when they came out of Egypt by divisions under the leadership of Moses and Aaron.

Numbers 34 is the land that will be allotted to you as an inheritance is to have these boundaries. Numbers 35 have towns to live in and pasturelands. Numbers 36 the Lord commands for Zelophehad’s daughters: They may marry anyone they please as long as they marry within their father’s tribal clan.

Deuteronomy continues in the Exodus we have learned.]

Okay, what the mussing develops into - this is like the beginnings of great logistics. When people think of themselves - they fuss. If building and being a Team - then peace. This is sometimes like Newlyweds. And Corporate Unions.

Poor Moses. Even his father-in-law Jethro is oh-my-gosh-we-have-to-get-the-people-off-your-back-logistics. You have to like Jethro. There is joy in Moses setting up the Tabernacle.  Moses is Worshiping.

Worship even- Today - evokes this.

We are called away from the push and pull - even of the week end to be part of something larger than ourselves.  Have your weekly gratitude list at hand.

This is pleasing to God. And that - Father God - when He is pleased - He pleases back. Go and be nourished. We are only a soul - wrapped by a body.

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