Psalm 130 ~ 2 O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
2 O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.


The Scriptures are unique. Thought to be Sunday School lessons of saccharine - instead we find real people. Real flaws. Mess. Trauma.

Genesis - God oddly enough puts horns on His altar. The point being, in times of trouble, hang on, God is something real to hold on to. This is one of the first stories in the Bible.

Abraham suffers infertility.

Isaac suffers twin sons who fight endlessly.

Jacob suffers heart-sick love and too many women and children fighting.

The Bible sees - alcoholism, incest, prostitution, the loss of family, jealousy, Christians who argue. Those who long for love and feel forsaken.

Through out Scripture we see families having generational gaps. The Scriptures see longing to be united in good circumstance, in Heaven, with all walls removed - the Spirit open.

Ephesians 2:14
For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall

Ephesians 2:17
He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

Corinthians 1:3-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

The Scriptures said what we expect from God - we will receive. If we expect Him to be remote and unknowable - that is what we find. If we draw near and seek - He will draw near. He promises when we reach to Him, He is there for us.

God has an open hands policy.

An open ear policy to prayer. In the name of His Son. Jesus.

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

God wants to save - the whole world.

1 John 4:9
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

You have to be God to aim that High. Blessed be the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen. Our all in all.

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Mark 10:18 ~ "No one is good--except God alone."

Mark 10:18
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone."

God has Mercy and God has Reason. ALL THE TIME.

And that Covers That. All the time.

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Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8 ~ Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father

Gibon Springs, redirected by Hezekiah, these are his tunnels for water.

It was Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the Gihon spring and channeled the water down to the west side of the City of David. He succeeded in everything he undertook. 2 Chronicles 32:30

Faith is not a wish to believe or a will to believe something contrary to reason. Faith is not living as if something were true. Faith is the acceptance of a truth based on the authority of God's revelation, as in Scripture.

- Fulton J. Sheen

The purpose of life is to grow up. To develop our core, our soul, into something we can hope would be pleasing to our Father God. The destination is Home - His eternal Kingdom. At hand now. Faith is unseen. He says so. God did not whisk the Children of Israel into the Promised Land. Of course this was possible for Him. He expected the Children of Israel to grow up. God wants us to pray, be grateful, give Him our hearts, and do some heavy lifting. Not handing Him the broom to clean up our unrepentant messes. Or treating Him as our waiter. Instead as our Hero, our Savior. Choosing Life, just as He sees it - as Good. Knowing to be the good Samaritan. Going the extra mile, because He does this for us. The destination is Home. His Home.

Jesus desires holy. And gives healing. Asking each time something from the recipient - His beloved. 

• Mark 5:24-29  The woman healed from bleeding - reached out - in faith.

• Matthew 9: 1-8, Mark 2:1-12, and Luke 5:17-26 - The paralyzed man - had friends to help do an action. Today we pray for people and offer to help them. Jesus told the healed man to pull his weight and rise. Knowing Jesus, we can say, He would want to see the man give back. Let the healed man give back. Creating a cycle of love, care, a meaningful life. Worth living... Rise.

²³ Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?

• Luke 17:11-13 10 Lepers were healed. Told not to sit and collect their own naval lint. Move on. Seek holiness, not stay in self-pity.

14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.

One was wise and sought out Jesus. Better than mere busyness. Jesus told him to do work too. The man seeking Jesus was affirmed on His path... Rise.

19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

• Matthew 9:27-31

Jesus heals two blind men. And gives them the task of discretion. A Light under a basket? Our God is about relationship, not glam. A life knowing the miracle was personal.

30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.”

• Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10. The Centurion's servant is healed in Capernaum. Capernaum, the beautiful city by the sea - where He said He had not seen such faith in all of Israel. Jesus was so impressed by the foreigner's understanding of the power in the Word of God, the Centurion was not asked for any further action. However, Jesus chose this place as His dwelling.

“I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

The Old Testament is still the Word of God, unity is found in God. Aaron's sons are more safe in the New Testament. ~ Alleluia. Good News! God's favor rests on those who seek His Good Will - usually.

Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8

Isaiah 38:1-6
1 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.” 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 and said, “Please, O Lord, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

4 Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: 5 “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. 6 I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and will defend this city.

Isaiah 38:21-22
21 Now Isaiah had said, “Let them take a cake of figs and apply it to the boil, that he may recover.” 22 Hezekiah also had said, “What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the Lord?”

Isaiah 38:7-8
7 “This shall be the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he has promised: 8 Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the ten steps by which it had declined.




Father God, Be with us in the days ahead and Today. Getting out of our routine - to find the gratitude You give us making the day sufficient. Expecting You to show up, seeing where You are working all things together for our good, in Faith. When we don't, letting eyes of faith be Your's.

Blessing upon the people who reach far into themselves to share. Speaking up, when opening themselves is difficult. May the God of all Heaven, all Heavenly Host, bless those who speak up even when their voice squeaks. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Using what they've got to broaden, deepen, and soothe the faith and the lives of those God gives them to touch. Let Hearts be untroubled. Let Joys be multiplied. Let families live in peace. With God we shall do valiantly. We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Give thanks to Him; bless His name!

The Old Testament and the New Testament are Your story in Oneness. Jesus, His sacrifice - His death - His Victory over death. We commit to You the upbuilding of the ones we love and pray for. Jesus is Your Son, Our Lord God and we praise You for Your redemptive Power. And Your Love.

May the our God fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may abound in hope.

In the Highest name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

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Numbers 29 ~ also one male goat for a sin offering, besides the sin offering of atonement, and the regular burnt offering and its grain offering, and their drink offerings.

Numbers 29

“On the first day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work. It is a day for you to blow the trumpets, 2 and you shall offer a burnt offering, for a pleasing aroma to the Lord: one bull from the herd, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without blemish; 3 also their grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, three tenths of an ephah[a] for the bull, two tenths for the ram, 4 and one tenth for each of the seven lambs; 5 with one male goat for a sin offering, to make atonement for you; 6 besides the burnt offering of the new moon, and its grain offering, and the regular burnt offering and its grain offering, and their drink offering, according to the rule for them, for a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the Lord.

7 “On the tenth day of this seventh month you shall have a holy convocation and afflict yourselves. You shall do no work, 8 but you shall offer a burnt offering to the Lord, a pleasing aroma: one bull from the herd, one ram, seven male lambs a year old: see that they are without blemish. 9 And their grain offering shall be of fine flour mixed with oil, three tenths of an ephah for the bull, two tenths for the one ram, 10 a tenth for each of the seven lambs: 11 also one male goat for a sin offering, besides the sin offering of atonement, and the regular burnt offering and its grain offering, and their drink offerings.

12 “On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work, and you shall keep a feast to the Lord seven days. 13 And you shall offer a burnt offering, a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the Lord, thirteen bulls from the herd, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old; they shall be without blemish; 14 and their grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, three tenths of an ephah for each of the thirteen bulls, two tenths for each of the two rams, 15 and a tenth for each of the fourteen lambs; 16 also one male goat for a sin offering, besides the regular burnt offering, its grain offering and its drink offering.

17 “On the second day twelve bulls from the herd, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish, 18 with the grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, in the prescribed quantities; 19 also one male goat for a sin offering, besides the regular burnt offering and its grain offering, and their drink offerings.

20 “On the third day eleven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish, 21 with the grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, in the prescribed quantities; 22 also one male goat for a sin offering, besides the regular burnt offering and its grain offering and its drink offering.

23 “On the fourth day ten bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish, 24 with the grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, in the prescribed quantities; 25 also one male goat for a sin offering, besides the regular burnt offering, its grain offering and its drink offering.

26 “On the fifth day nine bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish, 27 with the grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, in the prescribed quantities; 28 also one male goat for a sin offering; besides the regular burnt offering and its grain offering and its drink offering.

29 “On the sixth day eight bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish, 30 with the grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, in the prescribed quantities; 31 also one male goat for a sin offering; besides the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and its drink offerings.

32 “On the seventh day seven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish, 33 with the grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, in the prescribed quantities; 34 also one male goat for a sin offering; besides the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and its drink offering.

35 “On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly. You shall not do any ordinary work, 36 but you shall offer a burnt offering, a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the Lord: one bull, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without blemish, 37 and the grain offering and the drink offerings for the bull, for the ram, and for the lambs, in the prescribed quantities; 38 also one male goat for a sin offering; besides the regular burnt offering and its grain offering and its drink offering.

39 “These you shall offer to the Lord at your appointed feasts, in addition to your vow offerings and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your grain offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.”

40 So Moses told the people of Israel everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses

Hebrews 9 ~ According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper (why Jesus became our Savior)

We have been told so many times, because of the 3 centuries of persecution - coining the word traitor - men were tortured to death to give up Scripture to be destroyed. And we have things like the Ryland Papyrus - not only the words assuring us this was written before the sacrifices (70 A D the natural death of Jesus in the destruction of Jerusalem) but the carbon dating.

We all would like to be the eyes who have beheld the wonders of the Bible. In the Arch of Titus we see the carved mosaics of the Temple Tools (minus the Ark which Jeremiah hid on Mt. Nebo in Macabees). This is the closest thing we have to a photo of the Second Temple during the time of Jesus Christ.


Hebrews 9


9 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 2 For a tent^[tabernacle] was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, 4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, 7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.


11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.


The last time we looked at the ninth chapter of Hebrews, it was a detailed look at the whole chapter.

Hebrews 9:26 ~ He has put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself - once and for all

We begin at the top (the Heavens and worship), a God Plan and move to the most holy objects. Judeo-Christians today and at the time Hebrews was written - have something in common - we all would like nothing more than to find Benjamin Netanyahu was right in asking the Vatican - does the Vatican hold one of the Temple Tools from the First Temple. (And it is not going to be the Ark because Maccabees tells us Jeremiah hid the Ark at Mount Nebo and the Arch of Titus does not record the Ark being recovered.)

During the first Exodus, The LORD, The Almighty invited Aaron into the Holy of Holies for the first time when his sons died imperfectly and selfishly offering sacrifices. God invited Aaron in to sprinkle blood around for the first time. Why? To say we can come into God's home and we will never be as Holy as He is. And yet He gives us the invitation to be in relationship with Him.


The Table you see here is the Bread of the Presence

There is an interesting story about the Ark written in one of the ancient Talmuds. The Talmud is not the Word of God - it is the Sanhedrin Council and their musings of God. Going back to the time when it wasn't even called the Sanhedrin Council. That the Ark Cherubim moved to face each other when times were good and moved away from each other when Israel fell from His grace. Yet we miss the point and it is a good point - God told David He did not dwell in a Temple - but the Ark is a Mercy Seat. Meaning God is so comfortable and at home in His Temple that He has a seat there. It tells us about God.

Then the next paragraph is about the day to day dealing of the Priests who get so comfortable in the Temple - like John the Baptist's father Zechariah - when the Angel Gabriel appeared, in Luke 1, Zechariah decides to question Gabriel rather than grab hold of the horns of the altar for mercy. Now. Doesn't the second paragraph bring home an analogy to us. We all get so caught up in the life we see and hear - we forget to be in awe of what God brings us.

Which brings us to the 3rd paragraph. Jesus Christ Unblemished as our LORD and Savior. We get to turning on the television at night and reading liberal far out things forgetting the absolute Holiness of GOD. Would you turn on that program if you Know Jesus is sitting with you?

Which brings you to the fourth paragraph. If you believe Jesus died for you - a sinner - you believe in the New Covenant. Which means you believe the Holy Spirit of God dwells in you.

And the fifth paragraph.

1 Corinthians 6:20
For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Sixth paragraph

1 Timothy 1:15
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

Rejoice, Rejoice. The Scriptures use this word over 200 hundred times.


Isaiah 55:3
Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.


Hebrews 6:18-20
so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.


Today, Lord Jesus, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In our lives. In our families. In our Churches. In our workplaces. In our cities. In the Nation. Bless us as we begin the season of Lent. So very somber. Good Friday is coming. But we are the Easter People. And because of You we are redeemed.  Amen.

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Hebrews 12 ~ the perfecter of our faith

Hebrews 12

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,

and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus,
the founder and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame,
and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.


There will be days.
Edward and I were so very grateful for the message of Hope.

Dear Father God,
This is the day that You have created! We choose to rejoice and be glad in it. Let not hearts be troubled. There may be challenges, but we, as Your Bride, choose to believe that You are always working in our life for our benefit.

For You know the plans You have for us, You declare, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give us a future and a hope.

Help us not to have a bad attitude, to take our heart, our earnest prayers from that heart and place them with You, Father God, who cares so much for us.

In the name of Jesus.
Amen.

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Psalm 148 ~ for His Name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

People in the Temple - Heart shaped

Psalm 148

1 Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord from the heavens;

praise him in the heights above.

2 Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for at his command they were created,

6 and he established them for ever and ever—

he issued a decree that will never pass away.

 7 Praise the Lord from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,

stormy winds that do his bidding,

9 you mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars,

10 wild animals and all cattle,

small creatures and flying birds,

11 kings of the earth and all nations,

you princes and all rulers on earth,

12 young men and women,

old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for his name alone is exalted;

his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

14 And he has raised up for his people a horn,

the praise of all his faithful servants,

of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the Lord.

Thank you, Jesus, Your Holy Spirit dwells in us. And in Your Body the Church. Thank you when You look upon us, You see our highest potential in righteousness, worthiness, holiness, and purity. Thank you for Your gift, Jesus cancelled all our guilt and shame on the cross. Renew us in you and our families, friends, neighborhoods, cities, workplaces, states, Nation to the World. In the highest name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

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Romans 15:13 ~ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing

Edward was the tall man in this (re-done) skit at Church in 2010

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Psalm 16:9
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.


Isaiah 55:12
For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands


Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 4:7
You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.


Colossians 1:11
May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.

Psalm 33:21
For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.

Romans 15:32
So that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.


Romans 3:1-9:33
Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say?


Proverbs 2:1-5
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.


Psalm 7
17 I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness;
I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.


Father God we ask for Your Blessings of Honest Communication. We ask motivations be corrected to the up building of Your Glory.

We pray for what feels weak to be strengthened, talk is proven trustworthy, for Trust to increase. And Encouragement and Honor. We ask the Body of Christ would effectively walk away from what is wrong, and strengthen individuals in His ways, create a harbor for marriage, and to include families blending the parts of the Body to be a whole. And we cover our prayer with the strong name of Jesus - Love. Amen.

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