Luke 8:4-15 ~ some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold

Luke 8:4-15

4 And when a great crowd came together and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: 5

"A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6

And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8

And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold."

As he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

9 And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, 10 he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. 13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

Proverbs 9:2
Wisdom has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table.

  




Have you ever noticed that each year Thanksgiving is different from the last? New people, places and situations.

Marriage is different one year to the next as well. Just because two people are married doesn't mean they are having the same year. I've been married 28 years. I've been well cared for some years and sorta ignored at times. Some years Edward is on fire, the world adores him. Other years he asks me a lot of advice. Some years I've been a drag.

Life has changes and we appreciate the season we are in.

This parable is about soil and seasons. Different crops. Gratitude for abundance and provision.

One of the reasons people of God want to listen to God is in this parable. God will grow you. And the desire to come to fruition will help you past the listed things in the parable: being walked upon, devoured by the passing comment, unappreciated, barbed, pushed out.

Not one person on the planet gets out of life without some correction, injustice and pain. God gets you back to the balance and make you believe this -

Psalm 40:5
Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.

Job 15:14
What is man, that he can be pure? Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous?

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Titus 2:14
Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Romans 8
These whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. 31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?


God does not act towards us without mercy.

Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

This year may be your year to be merciful. Next, you might be the one asking! God tells us in the Psalms, seasons change. Prayer says we can expect God. And the unexpected. Feel free to pray big prayers and have faith, hope and the greatest of these is Love.

When I can't decide, when I am low, when I feel the Wind of the Holy Spirit lift me - I say the Lord's Prayer. And then say "Beloved, let us love one another, Love is from God." Picture the heart of the loved one and say, "Jesus, please" and in His Hands. I've had about five people tell me when they pray the Lord's Prayer - they are lifted up. This doesn't occur all the time, sometimes we have to do the emotions and work the process. Growing up. We Are Blessed when we love. In our belief in God are lifted beyond the mundane to the meaningful.


Father God, we pray for peace. For our family. For jobs adding meaning to life. For God's vast blessings. For clear solutions pleasing to God, arriving as we pray. For Good Health. Joy. Learning God's lessons with joy and not the one led by the nose. And Gratitude to see family tomorrow and today. Seeing with pleasure the change in the seasons. For diligence and to have a positive outlook. For the upward building up of Jesus and Bible Believing Churches. We ask all the blessings God would bestow. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Matthew 26 ~ to His disciples

Matthew 26

 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” Archeologists have found a 6,500 square foot house with dungeon or pit for prisoners, historical documents agree it is Caphaias' house (below) frequently used for meetings. Located on Mount Zion. Just outside the Old City. Mt Zion and the Mount of Olives are about 2,000 feet apart. 

 

3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”

Caiaphas' Ossuary discovered in the family tombs in Israel in the 1960s. 

  An alabaster flask found in tombs in Israel. Persian era. Museum of Israel. 6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

 

14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

30 shekels from the days Jesus lived on earth

17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

The Last Supper is found by following all of the Churches built upon the site known as the Upper Room, built above David's Tomb. Located in Mount Zion.

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”

Olive trees are at least 2,000 years old in Mount of Olives

33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”

HopePointe Church garden

39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

 

42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.”

Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Jesus  painted by James Tissot

57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward.

At last two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

Peter's Denial, painted by Ron di Cianni

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.”

 And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Isaiah 53:3
 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Luke 18:31  
Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled."  

Isaiah 49:7
This is what the LORD says--the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel--to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: "Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Psalm 111 ~ this generation

Current Solar Flares - Great are the Works of the Lord

Psalm 111:2-10


Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.

4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;
8 they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

9 He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!



Luke 7:31-35
31 "To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the market place and calling to one another, `We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not weep.' 33

For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine; and you say, `He has a demon.' 34 The Son of man has come eating and drinking; and you say, `Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' 35 Yet wisdom is justified by all her children."




Roman Catholic Network has the Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: The Song and Dances of the Prophets by St. Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"'Therefore, wisdom is justified by all her children.' 

“We have piped to you, and you have not danced.” Moses sang a song when he stopped the flow in the Red Sea for the crossing of the Jews (Exodus 15:1-18), and the same waves encircled the horses of the Egyptians and, falling back, drowned their riders. 

Isaiah sang a song of his beloved’s vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7). 

The Hebrews sang a song when the soles of their feet grew moist at the touch of the bedewing flame, and while all burned within and without, the harmless fire caressed them alone and did not scorch (Daniel 3:19-25). 

Habakkuk also learned to assuage universal grief with a song and prophesied that the sweet passion of the Lord would happen for the faithful (Habakkuk 3:13).

The prophets sang songs with spiritual measures, resounding with prophecies of universal salvation. The prophets wept, softening the hard hearts of the Jews with sorrowful lamentations" (Isaiah 46:12)

What is Salvation? How does that occur? Jesus was telling about seeds. He never did finish the story to say if the land was tilled for the seeds to improve in the seasons. However the Psalms like 107 hint changes reveal hearts. Lord, Let Me Be One Of the Number! And you know, when you know that you know, you are a child of God Himself. Peace.


There is a good reason for Jesus not finishing the story.
Salvation just isn't to be taken lightly.

We look at St. Augustine as a saint with warts. We are all called as saints, surely we relate to the true story of Augustine with Verve! And we want to know about people we pray for in their salvation. Like TEENAGERS.

We need to consider the stages of Augustine's conversion. Not just from sin to grace but the steps he took within philosophy. Rejecting the Gospel as meaningless and the Old Testament as a God of ill humor. And becoming part of cult to a change in philosophy again. And again. Eventually meeting ill circumstance and Ambrose, who would encourage him to discussions of the Gospel. Augustine's mother prayed for him and the results were 50 years down the path.

We focus on Augustine as a sexual being. Shakespeare used the word Lightly to mean the trading of Sexual Favors. That's not entirely new this generation, yet we have seen the number of Sexually Transmitted Diseases increase from 3 to 28 and 3 can be lethal of those are quite serious unto death. Really. Diseases lead to Cancers. We pray for God to lead people to discern hearts better and wait for that person who will say I commit my life to love and care for you until you are Home with God. We pray for the Nation to connect more easily to the Person who would be for them in all seasons. In Jesus Amen.

Gently ridiculing people rarely keeps them motivated. They will determinedly move away from ridicule. We just don't see that as a tool Jesus employed. Jesus was willing, not to accept Sin, but to Love the Person. Reverend Ed Young tells of his neighbor coming out of the house shrilly screaming "Ed, you are GOING TO HELL! I've read my Bible and you need to get back to Church.!" Ed reports that he ran in the house. And was converted by his roommate Walter, saying, gently if you believe that God is knowable - then the Eternal Promise of that Love and Beauty is worth putting first. God equips us to do His Will for our lives.


Ambrose was the mentor of St. Augustine. St.Augustine was living his life very Lightly. And Salvation came to ... not the righteous, but a sinner. Ambrose loved Augustine and would have enjoyed being like Timothy to St. Paul. Like Mark to Peter. I once was told with love, the people of God are actually living with the people they worship with from here to eternity.





The Kingdom of Heaven IS AT HAND.

Today I was introduced to People who remind you of others. In appearance, in mannerisms, and the realization of knowing we are connected in God. I was taught this is a working of the Holy Spirit. He reminds us to pray for the people He places in our lives. One person who prayed with me reminded me of someone I like and has moved on. The prayer we prayed echoed the prayer I gave for her.

And today I was overcome reading about the woman with the alabaster flask. How Vast is God's love. And came home to find my college friend who is now a Priest had posted to FB the same verse. We are truly connected in His Spirit.

God is that vast to connect us with people many miles apart. Solar flairs have been proven to be part of the ionosphere connecting the electricity of lightning all over the world. God connects us for eternity. Redemption is so vast in God that Joel, Acts and Romans are millenniums apart and tell us when we Call on the Name of Jesus, we are saved.

God is so vast that our troubles and our blessings are not unknown to Him. We Trust God what we have today is from HIM and not an aberration.

All things work together for Good for those believing in the Lord. We believe so readily God is Good when we say sometimes His circle completes in Heaven. And they do. Yet surely we can say a God this Vast and Loving is capable of bringing solutions of Heaven to Earth.

Is God fussy? Jesus was known to be relaxed and at ease, sitting to teach, eating drinking. Jesus never was recorded jumping in front of people who sought Him Screaming, "What were you thinking!" Only Nicodemus received recompense for coming at night instead of openly.


I've been fortunate to be in a new Bible Study learning about answered prayer from the ministries of Judith and Francis MacNutt. They report prayer works when prayers are longer and specific. Reminding us that the Roman Empire was won with healings and answered prayers. Not pleading with God to answer prayers, but asking a Father for His loving care. His Will.

So let's pray. For our Nation to be guided in good solutions promoting us all to thrive. For our loved ones we want to know the love of Jesus, it's wonderful when our children and our loved ones walk knowing the Lord, and the Scriptures record the families that have ups and downs with faith. We pray for the health, all the good health God would give us. Grandmother Anita prayed we would drop whole into Father God's hand like a Camellia. Fruitful until God takes us Home. With mercy.

For the joy of new generations that will arrive in our families. We know this even when we do not see any evidence. For love in future in-laws. For a Family to be Loving and Whole.

I have a specific prayer about a speeding ticket for a loved one rather determined to be proved right. That peace would ensue quickly.

We open our hands to all the Blessings God would give and in the midst of "discussions" pray large prayers of tremendous blessings. And look expectantly to God for His answer and the fulfilling of His Word. In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Psalm 92 ~ It is good to give thanks to the LORD

Matthew 5:14

Psalm 92 (New American Bible)

1
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praise to your name, Most High,
2
To proclaim your love in the morning, your faithfulness in the night,
3
With the ten-stringed harp, with melody upon the lyre.


4
For you make me jubilant, LORD, by your deeds; at the works of your hands I shout for joy.
5
How great are your works, LORD! How profound your purpose!
6
A senseless person cannot know this; a fool cannot comprehend.


7
Though the wicked flourish like grass and all sinners thrive, They are destined for eternal destruction;
8
for you, LORD, are forever on high.
9
Indeed your enemies, LORD, indeed your enemies shall perish; all sinners shall be scattered.


10
You have given me the strength of a wild bull; you have poured rich oil upon me.
11
My eyes look with glee on my wicked enemies; my ears delight in the fall of my foes.
12
The just shall flourish like the palm tree, shall grow like a cedar of Lebanon.


13
2 Planted in the house of the LORD, they shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14
They shall bear fruit even in old age, always vigorous and sturdy,
15
As they proclaim: "The LORD is just; our rock, in whom there is no wrong."


Footnotes
1 [Psalm 92] A hymn of praise and thanks for God's faithful deeds (Psalm 92:2-5).

2 [14] Planted: the just are likened to trees growing in the sacred precincts of the temple, which is often seen as the source of life and fertility because of God's presence. Cf Psalm 36:9, 10; Ezekiel 47:1-12.


It's good to give Thanks.

Thank You Father God for these Blessings:

Thanks to a son who would get up with you at four a.m. because you need his Bendadryl for a killer sinus headache. Buy you lunch. Argue with you with sincerity. And speak in a foreign language when your husband mildly fusses at you for your sweat pants. Causing you all to laugh and the vwoom sveaks a vwoeign vanguage. For rent that helps from a son and brings a housekeeper.

For the blessing of companionship of Cal to his dad. For Edward for decades of love, work, provision, support and parenting. Thanks for the loud times - sometimes people hear better at a Louder Volume. Seeing his sympathy shine when life inevitably pours out crud. For sustained health.

For going to a new Bible Study at Church on Healing with Judith and Francis MacNutt. If you don't know the name, this is truly a healing ministry where my mother's friend Pat was healed by Jesus from two medical issues that lead to blindness. For the beautiful and warm sharing in the group that required some open hearts and forgiveness. Which is why the Church is two thousand years old.

For Friends who hug you and tell you words of Love. At least three times today. For getting to pray for two best friends of the family who are experiencing a death and the prayers for God's mercy. For hearing about John, Bro-in-Law, who gave up his evening to move furnishings around for their comfort at a time of great trial. For Bill's ever present humor and strength. For New Friends. For Diligent and Loyal Friends. For Diligent Friends who work hard at communication.

For Jesus. Who gives us the Word of God showing, proclaiming that HE believes in us, sustains us, lifts us, encourages us, asks us to be who we are, causes us to want a Higher Path. Jesus who is the One who says I've gone further for you than all others - fully knowing who you are. Jesus to whom nothing is hidden. Jesus who has seen millenniums and still overcomes. Jesus who strengthens the elderly to taking card tables providing comfort to the wife who is in the crisis she feared for years. (Thanks, Mom.) Jesus who bring us new opportunities. Jesus who brings to fruitful - past events. Jesus who gives Words of Comfort that take us into Eternity.

Jesus who tells us Gratitude is needed when we really want to say ow. Because we start to get tunnel vision instead of allowing Gratitude to Lift US going UPWARD. Jesus takes your day of self-pity and when you list out your gratitudes your realize - ommm you should have done that earlier. Jesus who says Remember Your Blessings. Forgive others - their lives are hidden. Jesus is Right. Jesus Loves. Thank God. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Romans 2 ~ They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness

Romans 2

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.

We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.

He will render to each one according to his works: 7
to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8

But for those who are self-seeking [contentious] and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,

but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 

For God shows no partiality.


12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.

14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel,
God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.


17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19
and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind,
a light to those who are in darkness, 20
an instructor of the foolish,
a teacher of children, 
having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21
you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself?!

While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded [counted] as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically[by nature] uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code[the letter] and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29

But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. 

His praise is not from man but from God.

Romans 2 was a friend to me last Thursday afternoon, as I was reading past the required reading. This passage held my hand during a Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday of new situations, judgements, my mother's visit, my husband and son departing for Disc Golf. And a dying friend and grieving wife. And the joy of my Mother-in-law's Birthday.

God is Alive! He is Alive!
Meeting our needs when we need His Hand. God is telling us of Today.


The Holy Spirit Living in Paul spoke of receiving the Praise of God.

! Corinthians 4
1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court.

In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 

For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.


God carries us when life is fraught in need of improvement! Thank You, Father God. Romans 2 tells us when we judge people we put a magnifying glass upon ourselves. Dr. Ed Young, of Houston's 2nd Baptist, completely explained Romans 2 on Sunday. All of Romans 2 Lived!  This was my celebrated hour watching Dr. Young's sermon. God knows our secrets and HE will judge our actions. Joel Olsteen was equally marvelous saying Take the Peace God Gives You, in paraphrase form.

I did go to Church. We always should, I had my mom visiting and we loved the Sunday programing of Churches before we left.




The INCREDIBLE GOOD NEWS is that JESUS takes our Secrets, our Sins and Covers that with His Innocence. We are washed to become White as Jesus says "I took that Sin far from you. I have given you Life." Dr. Young went on to say that the neighbor woman screaming at him over her Bible to clean up or face hell didn't do a thing for him except to go in the house. His college roommate Walter, challenged him gently that Dr. Young - a college man - was living exactly as an atheist. Walter said if you CAN KNOW GOD - that's the most precious and important aspect of Life. Eternal Life. And an atheist changed Dr. Young's life.

Romans 2 tells us we all face our own judgments and our own opinions of ourselves.

What will lift your heart is seeing an embittered heart touched by God.
This will grab your heart and lift you for some time.
Even more lifting when this is - your heart!

A Wonder of God - changes hearts and lives. And God won't stop there.
Stephen had his back prayed for. And healed. Stephen had gone to a specific place to pray, he'd heard another back had been healed.

As he told his wife, Donna, they saw glitter. Gold glitter over Steven and the floor. Gold Glitter. Glitter will cling to you. As they got in the car, the glitter was Gone. But not the Glory. God was so tickled at the Joy of Stephen - he sent him a message of Wonder from his best Pastor Bishop to Stephen's heart. You could tell the Wonder that God Loves Stephen so Much - HE is continuing to speak to Stephen. God Loves the wonder of "HE LOVES ME!" And GOD Loves to See HIS Wonders appreciated with an open heart.I was so blessed to hear of this blessing.

Seeing Kindness move people is restoring. This last week I saw a young woman reach out for the life of her younger brother's baby. When she learned that GED classes were available for free, she did agree that four people would have a GED before the next class started. Numbers were collected for two wedding ceremonies. Lives were changed and a young expectant mom said "This is A Good Place. Can we all see the ultrasound?"

God says HE will judge us on our works. These four lives reached upward to bring life forth. They said to each other - "we will remember this day for all of our lives."

Young people are making decisions to GO FORTH UPWARD in God's Plan.

Boast in God and know His will and approve what is Excellent.

Kindness moves people.

Seeing Love, a Very Devoted Wife caring for her terminally ill husband, doing all she can, hearing of their good run. Wishing they'd had more years. The Good Fight has been fought. Glory ahead. Tears today.

Seeing kindness in the Tailor, at Church, having a kind woman leap to get a door.

Having a friend come fix our 3 light switches and now they have a new skill. Thank God.

A Mother-in-Law asking for travel for a Birthday Meal. My time with my mom and her Kindnesses to me. Seeing faces of concern and care. Seeing Edward enjoy his life and talking to our son Cal. Watching Cal get out of his one room apartment. Having my mom help clean his room and get new window coverings - Surprising and pleasing Cal. Watching my son reconnect with his old friends. Having Kyle dog sit for love and seeing new maturity create peace. Getting to talk to my younger son for continuous days at college. Seeing the Gastroenteritis progressing around our area didn't eat him. He asked me for counsel to mend a disagreement. Knowing a disagreement is mended.

Seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life!

Delve into God's Goodness with Gratitude. Make lists, take names of what IS good. Jesus and Joel Olsteen will tell you.

People who are encouragers. The man at Church who said, "I'm behind you. Not to the right or the left!" Hearing God's Word held in Love will lift you for a year. Thank you.

God knew my mom was having difficulty. In a business situation. And my mother's friend Jan used to work in this area. Jan stepped in and mediated a solution. The other side of the table sent a sister. Results were found. Now, we hope Jan, to continue her blessing to my mother's very wonderful boyfriend, Jack. This was a Perfect Solution and the Timing was God's. Thank You God for Jan.

Thank You, God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray for the ones we love. Thank you for the results of Your love. We know to Expect you to strengthen our lives for Your glory. Bless us as we go forth in Jesus Christ. Let Your will and plan for our lives be instructed through Wonders and Mercy. Let us be led by you to be effective and pleasing to You. We want to always Hear from You Father God. Blessings to YOU for Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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