Exodus 2:23-3:15 ~ behold, the cry of the people has come to Me

 Painting by  Henry Ossawa Tanner

Exodus 2:23-3:15

During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.

Exodus 3

Shepherd the Flock, Vance

Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.”

4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!”

And he said, “Here I am.”

5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

7 Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.

10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11

 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?”

14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.

+ The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.

Pie in the Sky? If you Google 'angel' images, you find amazing and some questionable things.

Hebrews 1:12
Like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.

2 Peter 3:8
Do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.


Isaiah 30

5 For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.

18 Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,
and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
blessed are all those who wait for him.

19 For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

22 Then you will defile your carved idols overlaid with silver and your gold-plated metal images. You will scatter them as unclean things. You will say to them, “Be gone!”

23 And he will give rain for the seed with which you sow the ground, and bread, the produce of the ground, which will be rich and plenteous. In that day your livestock will graze in large pastures, 24 and the oxen and the donkeys that work the ground will eat seasoned fodder, which has been winnowed with shovel and fork. 25

And on every lofty mountain and every high hill there will be brooks running with water, in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall. 26

Moreover, the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day when the Lord binds up the brokenness of his people, and heals the wounds inflicted by his blow.

Behold, the name of the Lord comes from afar


Philippians 2
Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth


Blessed Be You Oh Lord, Jesus Christ Our Savior. On You our Hopes Rest and Cling. Amen.

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John 5:31-47 ~ If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true.

John 5:31-47

“If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true.

33 “You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. 35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John.

For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me, has himself testified, concerning me. You have never heard his voice, nor seen his form, 38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent.

You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

41 “I do not accept glory from human beings, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

45 “But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set.

46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. 47 But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?”

Matthew 22:29
Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God."

Mark 4
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.

1 Peter 1:25
"The word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Matthew 16:18
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Thesselonika David Osios House Church 4th Century, Book of Acts Model Church

James 1:18
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

John 11:43
When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.”

Lazarus Tomb site in Israel

Does God need us to give Him glory? Jesus says He does not.


Psalm 50:12
“If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine."

Deuteronomy 6:13
Honor the Lord your God, worship only him, and make your promises in his name alone.

Deuteronomy 10:12
“Now, people of Israel, listen to what the Lord your God demands of you: Worship the Lord and do all that he commands. Love him, serve him with all your heart, 13 and obey all his laws. I am giving them to you today for your benefit.

To the Lord belong even the highest heavens; the earth is his also, and everything on it. 15 But the Lord's love for your ancestors was so strong that he chose you instead of any other people, and you are still his chosen people.

So then, from now on be obedient to the Lord and stop being stubborn. 17 The Lord your God is supreme over all gods and over all powers. He is great and mighty, and he is to be obeyed. He does not show partiality, and he does not accept bribes.

18 He makes sure that orphans and widows are treated fairly; he loves the foreigners who live with our people, and gives them food and clothes. 19 So then, show love for those foreigners, because you were once foreigners in Egypt.

20 Have reverence for the Lord your God and worship only him. Be faithful to him and make your promises in his name alone. 21 Praise him — he is your God, and you have seen with your own eyes the great and astounding things that he has done for you.

22 When your ancestors went to Egypt, there were only seventy of them. But now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.

Psalm 103:2-5

Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.


Daniel 2:20
Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are His.


Lord God strengthen Your people. Help them to walk in Your ways and discern Your path. In Jesus. Your Will be done. Amen. 

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Numbers 17 ~ The Tabernacle of the Lord

Numbers 17

1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel, and get from them staffs, one for each fathers' house, from all their chiefs according to their fathers' houses, twelve staffs. Write each man's name on his staff, 3 and write Aaron's name on the staff of Levi. For there shall be one staff for the head of each fathers' house. 4 Then you shall deposit them in the tent of meeting before the testimony, where I meet with you. 5 And the staff of the man whom I choose shall sprout. Thus I will make to cease from me the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against you.” 6 Moses spoke to the people of Israel. And all their chiefs gave him staffs, one for each chief, according to their fathers' houses, twelve staffs. And the staff of Aaron was among their staffs. 7 And Moses deposited the staffs before the Lord in the tent of the testimony.

8 On the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony, and behold, the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds. 9 Then Moses brought out all the staffs from before the Lord to all the people of Israel. And they looked, and each man took his staff. 10 And the Lord said to Moses, “Put back the staff of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebels, that you may make an end of their grumblings against me, lest they die.” 11 Thus did Moses; as the Lord commanded him, so he did.

12 And the people of Israel said to Moses, “Behold, we perish, we are undone, we are all undone. 13 Everyone who comes near, who comes near to the tabernacle of the Lord, shall die. Are we all to perish?”

Millennial Generation (18-29) young adults do not love the Church, but love the Lord. Numbers 17 would indicate, it's best to stay out of the herd. They just complain and jump to conclusions. The Children of Israel were constantly in knots. They always were in need of something.

The Lord is not telling the Children of Israel to go their own way, to make camp on their own.

The people of God cry out for gifts of the Lord to meet immediate need, yet in all of the books of the Bible, when Father God gives a miracle - a gift - awe of the Lord, need for more instruction occurs. Isaiah saw only the hem of the Lord fit in the Temple. Isaiah realized he was unclean compared to the Lord. Peter, when first meeting Jesus, asked to be left alone because he was just a man.

We seem to be much more comfortable with the fruit of the Spirit, instead of a definite sign of God. Spiritual fruit occurs over a season of time:

Galatians 5:22,23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Aaron could have been given just an Almond branch.
Aaron was given a gift,
 God was with them all - in every seasons. 

The bud, the blossom, the fruit. God was involved with Moses, Aaron, and the needs of the people. The steadfast, enduring love of God for the entire community.

Father God, we pray for the Churches believing in Your son, Jesus Christ. We pray for Your Word to be taught and believed with truthful, tender love. We pray for Your Church to reach out to all your children and to become a Church family. We pray for this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Matthew 11:20-30 ~ And you, Capernaum

Matthew 11:20-30

Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”


25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”


Jesus is pushing a bit here. Challenging. He wants the people seeing mighty acts of God to be doing the work of Him.

John 6:29
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

After having their hearts touched, to complete faith with actions pleasing to Him. Asking each day, hands out, what would you like to discuss with my soul Father? What could I do with Your favor and grace today?


Challenges of Jesus can be daunting. Where is Bethsaida today? Archaeology suggests two sites as possibly Bethsaida: el-Araj and El-Mesydiah. Both of these sites used ground penetrating radar - revealing only a small number of ruins.

And Jesus' adult hometown - Capernaum? A beautiful way to spend time. Views of the Sea of Galilee. Vistas reminding us of this - Capernaum was so prosperous, so removed from Jerusalem - it was to remain intact for another 13 centuries. An amazing blessing for the town Jesus chose as an adult hometown. The Three Jewish Revolts and the destruction of Jerusalem did not touch Capernaum. Peter, Andrew, James and John left a virtual paradise for Jesus. Without much or any... persuasion. Why? They felt something more eternally changing in themselves, being called to walk with Jesus.


Matthew 13
"The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

Peter, Andrew, James, John and the 72 disciples wanted to rest in the shade of Jesus and nestle in His branches.

Capernaum today is a restful place, allowing the visitor to see Israel as a land of milk and honey. The intact archaeology sees Jesus allowed Capernaum and the next four centuries of visitors to see this city yoked to His protection. Capernaum hosted the Church, which Peter's house became, having visitors continued to worship and leave the same Father worshiping remarks in the plaster as near Peter's grave.

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. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Isaiah 32:18
My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.

John 15:7-8
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

John 15:10
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.

1 John 2:17
And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.



One leper returned, out of ten who were healed. Jesus commented the man was on a higher path, going on the good journey. And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” Jesus tells us when we ask Him He will find rest. Find the yoke He asks is light.

Cynics might say this is the prosperity gospel. The healed, formerly leper, knew gratitude. This healed man has some loved ones to rejoice to go to. God tells us something of prayer and life. God tells us life will give tribulation. And He overcomes. This passage is a challenge.

Capernaum is an archaeological viewpoint of prayer answered in this life. Fruit from the tree. Capernaum rose to His challenge. Experiencing life in abundance. This city was created from need of more agriculture during the first Roman occupation of Israel and was established to provide food. Hosting pilgrims wishing to walk with Jesus or at least in His footsteps. This is Jesus blessing Life Abundant. An example perhaps of grace. God's goodness poured in first to this place. It was not earned, but grace flowed forth. God's grace isn't earned, but goes where He would have His will be done.

Psalm 116:9
That I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

Psalm 27:13
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!


Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.


This isn't boot straps, this is faith.

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

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John 5:1-16 ~ the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked

A pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda - Today

John 5:1-16

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 

5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 

7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 

8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 

9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.

Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.”

 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’”

 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 

13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 

14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 

15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath.

How many places have the stones of 70 A.D., God's Temple in Jerusalem,  still available to see two millenniums later?

Mark 13:2

And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

The point being - we are so oblivious to the obvious.

The Works of God are visible - Today.

Seek Him diligently. He is found.

Tell of His Good News and Works of Today. Not everyone has heard God is still working.


Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Jude 1:25
To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

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1 Samuel 16:1-13 ~ you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you

1 Samuel 16:1-13

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” 2 And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you.” 4 Samuel did what the Lord commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” 12 And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

Samuel was having a difficult day. Scriptures record the difficulty. Scriptures are so real. Can we easily picture a High Priest, a Prophet of God say - "Please don't do this. Please don't send me. Please don't endanger me. Please don't change your plan." Nope.

1 Samuel 3:19
And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.

And Samuel - grieved not his words - not the loss of the plan - Samuel grieved over the man Saul. The handsome, tall youth Samuel had been so understanding to allow the Children of Israel pass over his sons for a king. For Saul. Samuel loved the Lord and Samuel had coached and loved Saul. 

Photo of Bethlehem 19th century

Samuel wasn't Isaiah saying, "Here I am send me, Lord!"

The Body of Christ is diverse.

Ephesians 3
4 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.


Exodus 3:14
God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

How Much Does God Love You?

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.

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

When God says He is "I AM", HE is including the believers who...

Romans 10:9
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

1 Corinthians 3:16
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

2 Timothy 1:14
By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.


That is a Bold and Big Statement. John, Jesus' Disciple said more. So did Paul.


Romans 6
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?

The Scriptures are messy. Samuel made Jesse and his sons - stand and wait - to do the will of God for their determination - to complain against a Work of God. Something Samuel might know something about. We are all fallen and short of the Will and Love of God. Yet our work is to believe God and go forth in Him. Pulling up His Grace and Forgiveness to continue to be sent from God forth.

What does the human component of God look like?
According to the little town of Nazareth - Jesus and his brothers and sisters looked like Joseph. Joseph did the work of a Father - a Step-father making a family known as a unit. Joseph looked like Jesus.

Matthew 13:55
"Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?

Mark 6:3
Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?"


Blessed are You Jesus Christ, Son of God. Savior of the world and mine. Let us desire mercy and not sacrifice in our words. Help us to do the will of our Father in heaven and be His brother and sister and mother. In Jesus we expect to be equipped, empowered, and led with compassion on the path and in the Good Works He would have us do. In forgiveness. Amen in Jesus.

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Philippians 4:4-9 ~ the God of peace will be with you

Philippians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

and

Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

There have been times when I've been lonely, afraid & felt cast down. I've lost a loved one in very sad circumstances. And 15 years later, I've lost a child at birth. Like everyone on this planet, we will face "Those Times." My maternal grandmother lost my grandfather during the months she was in an iron lung, fighting pneumonia. She lost him 50 years.

In the end, she found him. In Heaven. My grandmother was the most remarkable woman. So fearful of everything being the next disaster, so joyous to know the Lord. In hindsight, I can tell you, we can skip the fear. I'd love to tell you I do. I will work that problem until a solution is found.... because I am in charge. No.

We can choose. We can believe there is a Plan, it is greater than we are and it involves more than our comfort and our happiness. It does not involve hypocrisy. And a sunny smile. It is intimately connected with this: God is Love. Faith (believing!), Hope (He meant me!) and Love (All there ever was and could ever be, towards you and for you!).

Ephesians 4:14
so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.


Psalm 138

1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
2 I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.
3 On the day I called, you answered me;
my strength of soul you increased.

4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,
for they have heard the words of your mouth,
5 and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
for great is the glory of the Lord.
6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he knows from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands!!!



Blessed be the Lord God Almighty! Who was and Is and Is To Come. Blessed be His son Jesus. And by the power of the Holy Spirit, may we each day live showing those who have never been told of Him- they will see, and those who have never heard - will understand. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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