Luke 23:33-35 ~ "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."

 

Luke 23:33-35


When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.

But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."

And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.

 And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One."


 

Let's be very serious. Is God re-inventing Himself in the New Testament?

Some people consider the God of the Old Testament to be Very Different from the New Testament. 


Instead of the reinvention of God,  

let's see Jesus and forgiveness. 

Because


Hear O Israel, the Lord Thy GOD is One.

What did Jesus show in His Forgiveness - what is His Model?









 

Sincere Forgiveness came from the Innocent Son of God. 

Our goodness in forgiveness doesn't necessarily have an immediate payback.

What happened as Jesus Forgave?

1. They cast lots for what they could put their hands upon, to take further. 
They disregarded His forgiveness.
2. Others just looked on.
3. Rulers sneered.





What Difference did the Forgiveness of God Give? Was there an impact? Was that amazing Forgiveness pointless?

1. The people saw the Dead walk.
2. 500 people saw Jesus alive and teaching.

A new Heaven and a new earth. 

And the new earth was formed as a progression of miracles and ripples. 
Allowing the Rock to make Living Water keep moving.


This Lavish Love had Very Old Testament Wonders.

Forgiveness is the Deep Breathe of allowing God to have what we cannot heal. 
Forgiveness is the giving up of retaliation.
Forgiveness is not blaming ourselves to not obtain perfection.
Forgiveness is not taking this on and on, it is rest.
Forgiveness is saying, with sincerity, "My best and foremost step is conversation with God."

Forgiveness is not a magic eraser.  It is a bridge to His Path forward. 

Forgiveness is being at peace even if there are flaws.

Forgiveness has Boundaries.
Places where we don't have to bang our head over and over.
Forgiveness is a Deep, Clean Breathe.
Take that breathe and give Him the Lord's Prayer. 
Letting God have what we can't redo, can't renew, can't be more than human.

What?

We do not see Jesus stand in front of the Holy of Holies and make the Temple repair as HE stands to Proclaim Himself.

Jesus kept on Blazing His Path. For us. 

What?

Jesus does not appear in front of the Sanhedrin Council and destroy their Talmud records (we can read today in Scotland). The Sanhedrin Council cannot let go of the harm they did to God's Son and for years they discuss complete falsehoods to make themselves feel better. History records the real evidence. The Council takes their forgiveness and spin for themselves a way to keep doing the status quo. 

The rulers don't have enough remorse to have anything but excuses.  Old paths and circles. Old values, traditions.  Jesus provided forgiveness and we do not see evidence of any change.

Forgiveness was given.

The Status Quo of Power, died, in 70 A.D., the natural death Jesus would have had.

God was ending the powers that had ended His Son. A consequence to not opening a heart to forgiveness.  God didn't just go gooey. 

This is the Same God. Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.

 










 

What? Only the people who would crucify Jesus?   
Even those who loved Him.

Matthew 20
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. 21And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left."

Jesus also told Peter.  Self before help. Peter moved into fear and betrayal. The cost of not being with the multitude of women and people who mourned Jesus on Good Friday brought a cost. They would give up their lives for Jesus. And this - they - chose to do.

Peter made a mistake to the Lamb of God, complete Innocence and Goodness.
Peter continued to Grow with Love towards Jesus. 
Jesus taught Peter not to walk on his own self-righteousness. 

What? 
God was interweaving their failings to comfort us. We all fail. Those who walked with Jesus failed. God weaves all things to good for those who love Him and work to His purpose. Jesus promised many comforts to those who would continue in Him. 


Just like the Kings and Chronicles of The Old Testament we see, sin has consequences, and God is Raising us up again in Him. 






The largest concentration of Blessings surround the Boundaries God gives us.
 
Jesus said to Love.

John, Luke, Timothy, Mark - the loved ones who stayed to help the dying - lived to be old.  THEY LOVED! Mark stayed on in hardship and trouble for Peter. Peter declared Mark to be his son. Mark had failed Paul once before. 

Forgiveness has given mercy.  There is fruit in Forgiveness.

(Proving long life - God seeing His Creation as Good - God sees as a blessing!  Forget the good die young.)

What? 
               The Bible isn't just a book of martyrs with long robes. 

 In this Life, God rewarded "Beloved, let us Love one another - Love is of God."

The Old Testament isn't without processes, doesn't contort.

Forgiveness doesn't require lack of consequence or amnesia. 

The New Testament does not say magic beans and all cuddles, not no consequences.

Forgiveness is not a contortion.  This is a process. As the Father ran to the Prodigal Son, we read all through the paragraph - this has taken time. Luke 15. 

We forgive immediately as a start by saying, "I want to forgive, I will forgive, God help me each day as the Prodigal Father had time to forgive."  Push back the dark. Forgive.


Jesus told us about this as well.


Matthew 7
"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit."


This is usually a good rule to be cautious. 
And is Scripture. God says Mercy is shown to the Merciful. A good point to remember in our discernment.

Centered like the Old Testament.

NOW. Jesus told Joshua in the Holy Spirit to be "Centered". We must be real and sincere in our Soul to Our Father who Loves us best.

Matthew 18
21 Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 

Joshua kept working the process.

Jesus did not take vengeance. 
Yet, in the physical body - HE did not chose to attend the Sadduceen Council.





1 Corinthians 7 15 
But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? 


Peace is important. 

Fighting for the Peace is important.

Peace usually is not slid into, we have to work or fight for peace.  Nicey will fall apart like kleenex on a rainy day. Let the people who have ears, hear.  Work to communication with respect.

We did this Today in this household. We had heated and loud words, I was overlooked and I refused to be the back of the bus for no apparent reason. I refused to quit. My husband said,  'cool off time.'  We did.  I sent an email saying my point of view and why POLITE with a constant communication Heard - Was IMPORTANT. 

Because Peace is Work in Progress - Our communication was completed. Misunderstandings were explained. The one flaw was admitted and forgiveness was completely exchanged. Nicey without apology and communication would have left this unresolved.  This peace was loudly fought for. And had a referee to say - stop - pause. Think. Someone cared enough to say - I'm also involved.  Love found a path with Words. 

Like Jesus - Our Hero, Savior, Beloved - we will not have all apparent victories. 

Our steps hope to follow those who love Jesus. Peter, Paul, Timothy, Barnabas, Mark - they all had times to leave. Changes and relationships ended. Towns said no. 

No Portion of the Bible discussing this transient Life had Huge and Continual Spike the Football.

A Boundary - An Important Boundary? !!!

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."


How is the OLD TESTAMENT LIKE THE NEW TESTAMENT?

And the same joy in the old Testament of Nehemiah....

GOD tells us about Heaven 346 Times in the Old Testament.
Compassion of GOD! And still telling us of Heaven in the New Testament!
 
To what can we compare the Joy of forgiveness?


Philippians 2:2
Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.


Build up the Body of Christ in Love. We ask Jesus for the Encouragement and Miracles You provided to Daniel. Fathers return to sons and hearts encouraged to Love.  Family. Your Will be Done. Amen!!!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Luke 6:12-16 ~ Jesus went out

Hawaii? Sea of Galilee Palm Farm

Luke 6:12-16

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Luke 10:1
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.


Footnotes:

Luke 10:1 Some manuscripts seventy; also in verse 17

Church of 12 Apostles in Capernaum

Psalm 97

1 The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad!
let the distant shores rejoice!

2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all peoples see his glory.

7 All who worship images are put to shame,
those who boast in idols—
worship him, all you gods!

8 Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments, Lord.
9 For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the Lord hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light shines on the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.

Truly marvelous. Great knowing Jesus in the paradise of the greens of Galilee. Jesus picked joy in this life! God's creation is beautiful in Israel. We may have and share Jesus' determination to live in Beauty with people of faith. Jesus was knocked over to see the Centurion's faith. And determined Capernaum to be His Hometown.

And...
Nestle’s Novum Testamentum Graece - the Greek word “hebdomekonta” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible) is trans­lated “seventy.”Immediately following this word, is the Greek word “duo” -  translated “two."

And important fact - easy to remember.
Apostles are the circle of 12. And when John saw Heaven, these were not the faces on the Thrones he wrote of. Surely, an interesting thought.

So, Apostles are 12 and Disciples are 72. 70. What happened in the other two? Aw, cmon, don't you remember this?

Two of the disciples asked Jesus to call down fire on their detractors, to show power. Poooooof. No more two disciples! Now you know, the Paul Harvey, Rest of the Story!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

 

 

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Psalm 135 ~ Thank You Father God for Jesus. Amen

We had a wonderful view of the moon rising and felt the Wind of the Spirit in the peace

Psalm 135  ~ New American Standard Bible

1 Praise the LORD!

Praise the name of the LORD;

Praise Him, O servants of the LORD,

2 You who stand in the house of the LORD,

In the courts of the house of our God!

3 Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;

Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.

4 For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself,

Israel for His own possession.

5 For I know that the LORD is great

And that our Lord is above all gods.

6 Whatever the LORD pleases, He does,

In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.

7 He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth;

Who makes lightnings for the rain,

Who brings forth the wind from His treasuries.

8 He smote the firstborn of Egypt,

Both of man and beast.

9 He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt,

Upon Pharaoh and all his servants.

10 He smote many nations

And slew mighty kings,

11 Sihon, king of the Amorites,

And Og, king of Bashan,

And all the kingdoms of Canaan;

12 And He gave their land as a heritage,

A heritage to Israel His people.

13 Your name, O LORD, is everlasting,

Your remembrance, O LORD, throughout all generations.

14 For the LORD will judge His people

And will have compassion on His servants.

15 The idols of the nations are but silver and gold,

The work of man’s hands.

16 They have mouths, but they do not speak;

They have eyes, but they do not see;

17 They have ears, but they do not hear,

Nor is there any breath at all in their mouths.

18 Those who make them will be like them,

Yes, everyone who trusts in them.

19 O house of Israel, bless the LORD;

O house of Aaron, bless the LORD;

20 O house of Levi, bless the LORD;

You who revere the LORD, bless the LORD.

21 Blessed be the LORD from Zion,

Who dwells in Jerusalem.

Praise the LORD!

~ For I know that the LORD is great

And that our Lord is above all gods.

Exodus 34:6,7
"The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.

Psalm 16:2
I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."

Psalm 104:31
May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works -

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.


Psalm 8

O LORD, our Lord,
You have set your glory
above the heavens.

When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him

Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Luke 19:38
"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"
 "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

Father God, so vast, so gentle, so loving, believing in us. Our gifts You've given us to accomplish Your plans for our lives. Your Creation gives us glimpses of the Glory you have in Your Acts.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

 

 

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Genesis 27:1-45 ~ bless you before the Lord

Genesis 27:1-45


When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son”; and he answered, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Behold, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me, 4 and prepare for me delicious food, such as I love, and bring it to me so that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.”

5 Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it, 6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, 7 ‘Bring me game and prepare for me delicious food, that I may eat it and bless you before the Lord before I die.’ 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice as I command you. 9 Go to the flock and bring me two good young goats, so that I may prepare from them delicious food for your father, such as he loves. 10 And you shall bring it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.” 11 But Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Behold, my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. 12 Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him and bring a curse upon myself and not a blessing.” 13 His mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, bring them to me.”

14 So he went and took them and brought them to his mother, and his mother prepared delicious food, such as his father loved. 15 Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her older son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son. 16 And the skins of the young goats she put on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. 17 And she put the delicious food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

18 So he went in to his father and said, “My father.” And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?” 19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.” 20 But Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?” He answered, “Because the Lord your God granted me success.” 21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, to know whether you are really my son Esau or not.” 22 So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, who felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau's hands. So he blessed him. 24 He said, “Are you really my son Esau?” He answered, “I am.” 25 Then he said, “Bring it near to me, that I may eat of my son's game and bless you.” So he brought it near to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank.

26 Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come near and kiss me, my son.” 27 So he came near and kissed him. And Isaac smelled the smell of his garments and blessed him and said,

“See, the smell of my son
is as the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed!
28 May God give you of the dew of heaven
and of the fatness of the earth
and plenty of grain and wine.
29 Let peoples serve you,
and nations bow down to you.
Be lord over your brothers,
and may your mother's sons bow down to you.
Cursed be everyone who curses you,
and blessed be everyone who blesses you!”

30 As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, when Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting. 31 He also prepared delicious food and brought it to his father. And he said to his father, “Let my father arise and eat of his son's game, that you may bless me.” 32 His father Isaac said to him, “Who are you?” He answered, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.” 33 Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, “Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.” 34 As soon as Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me, even me also, O my father!” 35 But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully, and he has taken away your blessing.” 36 Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.” Then he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?” 37 Isaac answered and said to Esau, “Behold, I have made him lord over you, and all his brothers I have given to him for servants, and with grain and wine I have sustained him. What then can I do for you, my son?” 38 Esau said to his father, “Have you but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father.” And Esau lifted up his voice and wept.

39 Then Isaac his father answered and said to him:

“Behold, away from the fatness of the earth shall your dwelling be,
and away from the dew of heaven on high.
40 By your sword you shall live,
and you shall serve your brother;
but when you grow restless
you shall break his yoke from your neck.”

41 Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” 42 But the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, “Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you. 43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban my brother in Haran 44 and stay with him a while, until your brother's fury turns away— 45 until your brother's anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send and bring you from there. Why should I be bereft of you both in one day?”

John 2:25
He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.


Yin and yang, a Chinese philosophical idea explaining opposite forces are interconnected and interdependent of each other. In other words, good follows evil.

Psalm 23

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life

David says in the presence of his enemies, he is determined his life will still give goodness and mercy.

If life is problem solving, Isaac is having a heck of a time. He knows and believes he is the Keeper of Abraham's Blessing "Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you." And he knows he is surrounded by Rebecca, who is his love, yet is a self-interested, chess player. And Jacob, the shifty son who already has Esau's birthright for a bowl of stew. You'd think Isaac would have put a caveat saying if you're Jacob, no dice on the blessing. However, Isaac did think he was dying, but held on for Jacob to grow up and return with his 12 sons. And Rebecca did herself in, that daughter in law was a long time in coming and then, oi vay, the bickering of two of them. More sibling rivalry.

I once heard a very interesting sermon by a Catholic Priest (he'd been a married Episcopal Priest, but brought his wife and the entire congregation to the Catholic faith) on yin and yang in Christianity. Every time there is great good, evil is going to show up, because evil is, by nature, jealous of goodness. Isaac has a great blessing and he wants to decide God's will. Rebekah wants to decide God's will and improve her own life by controlling Jacob's. Jacob wants all the goods all the time and is smart enough to take a blessing of God's. Esau is going to get tired of everybody.

You would think the Scriptures would be more like Dick and Jane go to summer camp, meet and marry. Instead you see life does strange things to families trying to get by. The one thing you can say for this Biblical family, they are still together after Lamon gets finished decades later working out his own issues on his son-in-law.

Romans 8:38
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us

Ephesians 3:19
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

1 Corinthians 15:58
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Mark 12:1-11 ~ The Lord has done this

St. Stanislaus, affectionately called St. Stan in Modesto, California

Mark 12:1-11

1 Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed.

6 "He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, 'They will respect my son.'

7 "But the tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' 8 So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

9 "What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Haven't you read this passage of Scripture:
" 'The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
11 the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes' "

Jesus did not give us the Beatitudes from a Tower. Jesus just might have given this parable from a Vineyard. Jesus spoke of Abba as the Vinedresser.

And Jesus knew something of Holy.


Psalm 122
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
2 Our feet have been standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3 Jerusalem—built as a city
that is bound firmly together,
4 to which the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.

5 There thrones for judgment were set,
the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“May they be secure who love you!
7 Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!”
8 For my brothers and companions' sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.

Our Beloved Hero, Jesus Christ, Son of God, moved among His people. Visiting the Centurion until He was stopped for humility.  Jesus visited fishermen at work. Jesus would pause to go to a funeral where the widow was broken hearted.

Jesus told us we couldn't serve God and money, but Jesus never refrained from the work place. Instead Jesus was asked about money and power quite a bit. He always expected His people to endeavor. Even in Genesis, when God looked forward to talking and walking in the Garden with Adam, this was in the cool of the evening, when Adam had worked the Garden.

Jesus was telling us about attitudes and priorities. God expects us to include Him, all day long actually. Like Jesus being part of life, going across the Sea of Galilee, 16 miles three times in one day - to meet someone He planned to see on the other side of the Sea. Jesus was working for His Father.

God was teaching us to be like St. Paul, being all things to all people to bring Jesus in our daily lives.

1 Corinthians 9
20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

When looking up the word 'persuade' in the Scripture, I was surprised to find many times persuasion is not of the good sort.

In fact, this is the only two New Testament 'persuasion' quotes are about good:

Romans 14:14
I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.

2 Corinthians 5:11
[ The Ministry of Reconciliation ] Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.

Most of persuasion runs like this - "Let's kill Paul!"

God does not want us largely to persuade people. He wants their inner Spirit to awaken and stir relationship with Jesus.

We could extrapolate St. Francis' famous quote misstated as "Preach the Gospel and if necessary, use words." Instead let's use that old reformed, rogue, St. Augustine.

Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.
Saint Augustine

Grapevines usually take three years. What a coincidence! Several of God's works do that as well!

Work in me, Father God, as well. I ask in the Name of Jesus! Amen!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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1 Corinthians 13:8 ~ Love never ends

1 Corinthians 13:8
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.


Are we there yet?

Not exactly. Jesus loved analogies. Scripture is searched and asked about a lot on the internet. What the Disciples were really proclaiming is still the Good News. The Word of God.

God is still looking at His Creation with Joy. With Love. Still looking for ways to win us to Him. His Love continues.


A Word of God fitly spoken still does this Today -

Luke 24:32
They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

We know God still reaches us.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

John 5:17
But Jesus responded to them, "My Father is still working, and I am working also."

Proverbs 25:11
Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances.

Matthew 18:20
"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."


Blessed are You, Lord Jesus Christ. Live within me. Guide me, please , lead me, know all my depths and ways. Lead me in Your Paths of Righteousness for Your Glory and Your Namesake. Thank You, Father. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Acts 2:1-21 ~ each one was hearing them speak in his own language

Acts 2:1-21 


When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 

And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 

But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day  ^{[9 A.M.]} 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants ^{[bondservants]} and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

The gift of these tongues is called Xenoglossia, the Church records Xenoglossia helping convert people through all the centuries. Hearing God's mighty works in one's own language, when the person speaking has never been instructed in the language, is a work of the Spirit. It is a sign and a work of God. It is one of many.

We can picture the French hear French when Lazarus,  Mary and Martha arrived to live on the French coast. Lazarus became the first bishop and had three tombs. One left empty in Israel upon a visit from Jesus; and one in a Church near Mary and Martha until Lazarus was moved to an altar in Spain. His dust was found in the last sixty years with an ancient sign reading "Lazarus, Friend to Jesus." 

An entire Church in Scotland suddenly could speak in different languages in the late 1800s. 

We see language seen as a gift of God's to communicate and wonder why God said this:

1 Corinthians 13:8
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.


We see John gives us prophecy the burdens of the Church rise and fall. Exactly parallel to Scripture repeats and shows human error again and again. The Kings of Israel were told not to run after foreign gods. God said there are gods in Psalms and we are told there are such powers. The Kings, including Solomon, quickly fell into error seeking other gods to answer prayer. 






Why did Tongues largely cease? Let's look at one example of many we could give.

History meets Faith.

Germanic tribes received fleeing missionaries during Roman persecutions. As in old Scripture, people fled back to old practices seeking answers immediately... Failure to Love and trust.

4th Century and 6th Century Arianism cried Jesus is not the Son of God, God of God, rather that he was a god of His. In the polytheistic Germanic tradition, "If Odin failed, one absolutely could try it with Christ for once." The original Good News had weakened, requiring a new relationship with Jesus to be understood again. Crosses had Thor's hammer etched on them until Jesus was understood to be The Son of God and Savior to the World.

Just like the gods of Scripture God told us not to follow, every ninth year, Oden followrs had  people assembled from all over to sacrifice male slaves and males of each species. Men were sacrificed and hung from branches. A ghastly parallel to druid sacrifice. 

Arianism can also be extrapolated to worship not exactly the priorities of Jesus. Calling a detour path the holy path of God. Rather a repeat. God never called for mankind and babies to be killed as a spectacular worship drama.

John was telling us why tongues would cease. It's the Trust of Faith, Hope and Love creating relationship. Wonder is for believers.  Jesus feeds us, He is the Bread of Life. Jesus is Living Water. Wonders do not cease for believers, yet this is the detail, the relationship is the key.

I can tell modern day stories of people being told in Arabic, not knowing Arabic, proclaiming Jesus is the Son of God.  And belief happens. Just as Jesus explained brain healing to a blind man - personal relationship. Wonders are created to begin relationships. Relationship with Jesus sustain and deepen us in Jesus. 

Love never ends. Let us Love on another, Love is of God. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

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Other Scripture for Today Blogspot Posts on Acts 2

Acts 2:1-11 ~ A sound like a mighty rushing wind

 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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