Colossians 2:16-23 ~ Therefore

How will we Rock the world with God's Love? 

How to bring God's Love to your Loved ones and mine?

Billy Joel famously sang "Only the Good Die Young." It's a concept widely held about Christianity. And one to think about when people are mad at God. Even the Old Church Lady, on "Saturday Night Live", is believed to be a theological statement of fact. Really.

Would you rather laugh with the sinners or cry with the saints? The sinners sound like much more fun!

Colossians 2:16-23

16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.  

18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

One thing is absolutely, for sure, certain - The Roman Empire was not swayed on SNL Church Lady principals. El Greco painted a lot of hair shirts - very depressing. I once left an El Greco painting exhibit very saddened. And in the Bible? Potato sacks. A large distance from self-mortification.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

God is not in the business of pro-sin. We are not in the business of being God's Judgment.
God is about Balance. Because He wants to save - The World. The Light in all of mankind shines given from Jesus.

We have grace, grace, grace, easy grace on one side and the Spanish Inquisition on the other.
Jesus stands in the Center of Love telling us be in this Love. Get in here.
Father God expects Love to welcome and warm. A Personal Father who created gifts, talents to Love in us.


1 John 5:16
If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that.

God sees prayer not as a whim, God says prayer is an effective tool. Approach God in Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.


What about that Laughter and Joy? And even Long Life?
Joy is right after Love in God's hit parade in Galatians 5.
Jesus spoke of Vineyards quite often too. We need to know Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They spoke of the wonder of knowing Jesus. Awe. Not all people know the Bible.

What if... I told you I dreamed of your house and water was pouring and pouring and pouring from the front door? No doubt, no one would say, "Yay!"

GOD Said, " Water, Pours from His House." Many times. Jesus called Himself Living Water - Water Goes in any way it wants. Better than a 600 LB Gorilla. Water covers. Soaks. And in Living Water - Redeems and Renews to Re-Birth.

We have an important call.
We are called to say to the people we Love - "I'm going to Heaven and, by GOD, I'm not going without You. Because I Love You That Much!" ""So, Know the Love God has for You, More Than Mine!" 

Papyrus 46 is 300 pages of Early second to first Scripture. No mistake. This is written in the time of the life of John the Apostle. Matthew walked with Jesus. Matthew had a very complicated and political career.

God is an Abba - a Pappa. He doesn't take Matthew's exciting life and say, in effect, can you improve? Let me add one more task to your to-do-list, you might improve. Matthew records what Jesus said to him, something his heart could hear.

Matthew 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

God is saying, let Me nurture, care and Love you.

Mark wanted to be with godly people. Sometimes he was seen as being the one who was unreliable. And Mark later was adopted by Peter and nurtured Peter at the end of his life. What did Mark see in Jesus for the ups and downs of life not being a charming life all the time?

Mark 12:29
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one."


One?
Life can be pretty confusing. We can hardly know which way to go fast enough some days. Pulled by family, friends, fun, career, house, chores, and the thoughts of our goals. Soon our chin rests on our collarbone. Mark finds God is One. All of our cares are temporary. We are pulled like an airplane flight. From the clouds into the brilliant and nurturing Love God has for us as we burst through the clouds of a regular day and life and discover Light - GOD IS GOOD. God is above. God clears our thoughts and we are lifted far, far above our concerns. God is for us.

Father God calls us to His House on Sundays. We worship and discover - we are Fed. Given a higher thought to remember as the new week comes into our lives. Seeing a higher path. A place to take a deep, clean breathe and renew again. New Fire.

Long life? The early Church calls Mark John - Mark and records he went on to lead a life in Ephesus. Medieval times change this to Mark the Evangelist. Ephesus was a haven. Bishop Ignatius of Antioch to the Ephesians in the early 2nd century AD, that begins with, "Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which is at Ephesus, in Asia, deservedly most happy, being blessed in the greatness and fullness of God the Father, and predestined before the beginning of time, that it should be always for an enduring and unchangeable glory" (Letter to the Ephesians). A legend, which was first mentioned by Epiphanius of Salamis in the 4th century AD, purported that Mary may have spent the last years of her life in Ephesus.

God tends to reward the disciples who stayed to the finish. Like ... Luke.

Luke - died young. Wrong. Luke died in old age. He stayed to the finish with Paul. A physician. A healer.

Luke's take on life is being invited to the homes of the rich and the poor to see their life. Luke saw a variety of life styles. If you look at the website http://www.topverses.com/Bible/Luke, you will see how life flows from privilege to necessity. The Light of the World floods His Creation He calls good - yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Luke 19:9-10
And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham! 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost!”


How does Luke demonstrate you take something as HUGE as Salvation? Luke says there is a response Jesus gave to this Large Salvation.

5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must [Jesus says if we seek Him, He will arrive because He knows and loves us] stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.

Take the normal of today, do your best. Jesus tenderly loves you. God is for you!

Did John die young? Om, NO. John is recorded by several historians as having disciples and gettin' in all these controversies about Jesus being... Love. In old age, in the Second Century. And I, sure as anything, would raise my hand to live in the cave on top of the mountain with the huge rooms and huge Hobbit Door overlooking paradise on Patmos.

Jesus was just not kidding about Abundant Life. No mortgage. None.

If you presented a loved one with doubts to John the Disciple, and asked John to speak to someone you love about God. John walked with Jesus and said,"God is Love." 1 John 4:8.

John would tackle this with Love.

John would tell of Jesus coming to Thomas and grasping exactly what that Loved One needs to know about the Source of Love. Jesus would appear to that Loved One and not let their concerns be unmet.

God would tell of all of the wonderful aspects we all have. God would applaud us for our love.

God applauds our ponder upon the Light of God. God does not want us to suffer wrath. God wants us to receive the free gift of His Son, Jesus. Why? For Love! When we wear that as armor in the slings and arrows of life. Like a breastplate. When we know we can expect God to save us like a good helmet. When we encourage and build each other up. Honor. When we acknowledge hard work. When we care for those who have cared for us. When we hold in High Regard those who have loved us. When we work to live in peace.When encouragement is given to the disheartened, help for the weak - in patience. When we always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

God would thank us for loving His Children.

God himself, the God of peace, sanctifies us through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Father God, who calls you is faithful, and He will do His Good Will.

Brothers and sisters, pray for each other.

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with you and for you. Always.

 ~ from 1 Thessalonians 5









 

Father God, let me be one of Your number, when the Saints Go Marching In.
In Jesus, we plant the seed, and ask Your Blessing on the Soul to Grow towards You.
You are Love and We are honored by Your Love, Father God.
In His Light, we shall be More than Conquerors.
For the Lord your God, is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory!
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My Power is made perfect in weakness.”
With God we shall do valiantly; it is He who will tread down our foes.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved
In Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life."
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly!
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His Might!


Our Hope and Amen is in Jesus Christ the Lord!

 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Luke 1:26-38 ~ Greetings!

Luke 1:26-38

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Every Word of the narrative of Mary is important. Jesus told us we will live on every Word of God and He was quoting a very old Word of God.

Deuteronomy 8:3
And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

God is announcing to Mary she could very well be stoned to death, be put out as Ishmael was, or divorced from Joseph, her betrothed. 

And yet, God is favoring Mary - so she is going to Trust God.

Some Biblical Scholars believe the discrepancies in the Ancestry of Jesus' Gospels between Matthew 1 and Luke 4 are actually historical fact.  Perhaps Mary was also a child of David. Search the complicated names of Jesus' ancestry,  and you are going to find them living in the Bible. The Sanhedrin Council Records, compiling the era's Talmud, are available today from the time of Jesus. These record Mary to be a child of Heli and therefore a child of David from Nathan and not King Solomon. Whereas Joseph is of the Davidic Line of Solomon.

On Joseph's Solomon Side - Matthew 1:4 

Numbers 7:12
He who offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah.

So... Mary might have been quite educated in the principles of God's Willingness to Bless from the Biblical Accounts.

And frankly, this makes Joseph still the Father of Jesus because God Chose Joseph. Just as Important as Always. Jesus told us He could make rocks become Children of Abraham. Joseph is chosen to be the earthly Father of Jesus. And Mary is fruitful with Joseph bearing four brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas (Matthew 13:55). The Bible also tells us that Jesus had sisters, but they are not named or numbered (Matthew 13:56).

So today we are looking at Mary in the sixth month of Elizabeth and Zechariah's miracle. When you look at the chapter of Genesis 21, the birth of Isaac - we are reading that the childless - waiting - childless - waiting - pondering - waiting  Abraham is not only dealing with the miracle of Isaac, but with another child. And provisions for that child when Abraham is actually failing his own child. Abraham is dealing with the fruitfulness of his flocks - so much so that

Genesis 21
22 At that time Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do. 23 Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you now reside as a foreigner the same kindness I have shown to you.”

24 Abraham said, “I swear it.”








 


The Blessings of God are pouring forth.

Isaiah 44:3

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.

Abraham has become so fruitful that Abimelek comes to make peace because Abraham is abounding in fruitful blessings of his flock.

The Gospels tell us of what happens when God acts.
Father God really enjoys these times:

John 5
Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.


[John 5:4 Some manuscripts include here, wholly or in part, paralyzed—and they waited for the moving of the waters. 4 From time to time an angel of the Lord would come down and stir up the waters. The first one into the pool after each such disturbance would be cured of whatever disease they had.] 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 

9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

John 7:38
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.

This Fifth Chapter of John's Gospel is describing the Work of God continuing through many different times, at the Pool of Bethsaida, and Continued by Jesus Himself.



 

Psalm 115:12
The LORD has remembered us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron

God is having a Great Day. This is recipe or list of instructions for God to be continually amongst us. God does not bless one person and move on. We need to see when the Living Water of God is stirred and BE GRATEFUL. Abide in Joy in God's Blessings! God tells us not to quench the Holy Spirit of God! We encourage God to be Emmanuel - God with us by this:


1 Thessalonians 5 -

Put on the breastplate of faith and love

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

We ask you, brothers, to
respect
esteem very highly in love
Be at peace among yourselves.
Brothers, admonish the idle,
encourage the fainthearted,
help the weak,
be patient with them all.

Seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing!
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

25 Brothers, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Father God, You are Living Water, there is no place and no person where You cannot dwell. Jesus Christ wants to save all the world. We, who call upon Jesus as Lord in belief, are one Body. We share in the promises of Christ Jesus. Because of Your Great Love.

Father, Your grace gives us talents and gifts through Your Power. Let us think about the riches of Jesus. The willingness to Love and the times Your Word says "He healed them all." Father, to think upon Your plans is to know we want Your Will. Your will is Hope. Encouragement in Faith. Love allows us to approach you in confidence and in Your Spirit of Freedom. We worship You in Spirit and in Truth.

Father, our knowledge has shown that Your Church, in this generation, will move from a place beloved and searches where the Word is taught. We see the Word grows the Church. Grows the leaders. We see Your Beloved wants to hear from You. Bless those who teach of Your Love. Thank You for Clark and his family for their ideals in Jesus Christ. For Steven and our Pastorate Small Group, providing the place to be in fellowship, love and encouragement. Thank You, Father God, for the people I see adhering to You. Loving You. Desiring to Please You. Thank You, for Your Love there.

Thank You, Father God, this generation is "Servants for Your Gospel." The Pew Report shows people want the Gospel preached and lived as the Word of God. We pray expectantly to You, Father God, for Your will to bring more Hope, Faith and Love as Your Holy Spirit is called. In the Highest Name of Jesus, we are Privileged to Hope. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Exodus 16 ~ Omer

His Mercies Renew Each Day

Exodus 16

16 They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. 2 And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, 3 and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “At evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against the Lord. For what are we, that you grumble against us?” 8 And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.”

9 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, ‘Come near before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’” 10 And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. 11 And the Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’”

13 In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp. 14 And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground. 15 When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat. 16 This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Gather of it, each one of you, as much as he can eat. You shall each take an omer, according to the number of the persons that each of you has in his tent.’” 17 And the people of Israel did so. They gathered, some more, some less. 18 But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat. 19 And Moses said to them, “Let no one leave any of it over till the morning.” 20 But they did not listen to Moses. Some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them. 21 Morning by morning they gathered it, each as much as he could eat; but when the sun grew hot, it melted.

22 On the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers each. And when all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses, 23 he said to them, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord; bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over lay aside to be kept till the morning.’” 24 So they laid it aside till the morning, as Moses commanded them, and it did not stink, and there were no worms in it. 25 Moses said, “Eat it today, for today is a Sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field. 26 Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, which is a Sabbath, there will be none.”

27 On the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, but they found none. 28 And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws? 29 See! The Lord has given you the Sabbath; therefore on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Remain each of you in his place; let no one go out of his place on the seventh day.” 30 So the people rested on the seventh day.

31 Now the house of Israel called its name manna. It was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. 32 Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Let an omer of it be kept throughout your generations, so that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’” 33 And Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar, and put an omer of manna in it, and place it before the Lord to be kept throughout your generations.” 34 As the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron placed it before the testimony to be kept. 35 The people of Israel ate the manna forty years, till they came to a habitable land. They ate the manna till they came to the border of the land of Canaan. 36 (An omer is the tenth part of an ephah.)

Psalm 63
4 So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.


I read the most wonderful article in Norman Vincent Peale's Guidepost Magazine more than thirty years ago. Realistic. About looking for the mercies in each day. In each season of life. This was about waking up earlier in summer - an old man told a young man. The young man laughed, why would anyone want to get up earlier in the lazy days of summer? Because the afternoon is scorching. The mornings are glorious.

Let's be honest January and February drag a little. We are tired of being in the house. The sunset is starting to give us a glow longer in the day. This is the time of year we pay property tax and think about income tax. We think things like how many months we work to pay for Christmas and Tax. Where vacation will be be and how to afford this. This is a practical time of year. Resolutions of not joy.

Winter is like Exodus 16. The earth sleeps and is a wilderness. Renewal is in the sleep. Yet we can become so practical we forget to rely on God who makes and changes plans. We bump up against each other because we are all having some cabin fever. Our gratitude is for warm drinks as we are grateful to have the warmth in our homes.

Think about the Children of God stuck in the Wilderness of Sin for 40 years. Manna. Manna. Manna. And suddenly - the environment changes dramatically and Manna for decades is leaving. Gone.

And we look forward to something new and think of weeks to Spring. And really. Our plans are for the continuation of what was pleasant and the renewal of what we knew. We do not often plan for something radically new.

The summer for those who graduate from High School will be one that my sons recalled this with me - you almost feel as if you are asked to jump off a cliff and told it will be a good adventure in only about 12 weeks. College Graduation feels like a milder echo of this.

Something NEW??? Is "Un-Dis-Comforting." The Children of Israel were in something like winter - blah - meh - the colors are muted dusty and dry. The hope of Glory was in the sunset or sunrise. We become so used to liking beige - the brilliant colors are muted.


We are on a journey. If you are too comfortable. Try something New. Betcha that got a "No" response.



The Omer principle. Gratitude for what God provides. Gratitude for needs met. What will you do weekly, daily or monthly that calls you to do something for someone else?

Omer can can get to be boring. Same ol. Love is not just an emotion. Love is an action.

Something New is Discomforting.

With deliberation and intent - William created changes that move the modern world today. His first steps on English soil was to Bellow, "God had given him England with Both Hands!"

William is a prime example of weaving new and old. The Church has so many columns demonstrating a column as a new entrance or exit. Support the roof and have changes. Old meet variation.

This is the St Paul's Cathedral - William the Conqueror Built to celebrate uniting the Island for the first time. This Church stood for hundreds of years. King William knew he was building something of value in his life. Something solid to show Jesus. One marriage that the widowhood crippled him, permanently - 9 children.

William created a Dynasty lasting more than a thousand years. He might have done something right in life.

William did not come in and do away with all of the old life. His reign in England was marked by the construction of new and enduring buildings. He did not try to integrate his various domains into one empire, but instead continued to administer each part with the understanding this was not one unit but instead each child and each area had unique talents and abilities.

Both Hands. Many Churches. Many Solid Structures we can see today.

The impact on England of William's conquest was profound. Changes in the Church - he brought in new people and kept the old, aristocracy, culture, and language of the country - all have persisted into modern times. William's government blended elements of the English and Norman systems into a new -  putting down the foundations of the later medieval English kingdom. Lasting. Enduring.

Why would we be interested in a History Lesson? God speaks to us of Kings. Why does God do that? We see personalities and generations in our own families.

We are all Eternal beings. All will stand and bow our knees to Jesus as Lord. We are all builders. We just have to take the regular, average day and see with intent and deliberation - Give us this Day.

God was working in the Exodus during the 40 years. Caleb and Joshua were aging. Not much seemed to be happening. Betcha Hope, Faith and Love were the work of belief God calls all of mankind.

If we are a king, if we are a vassel - our Potter is God. These pots are from Jerusalem during the time of Jesus. They have outlasted a Cathedral...

We are Lights of God. We are creating the Eternal Today.

GOD is about Love. Diligence. Loyalty. Give us This Day.

Father God,
Bless my nephew, Johnny. He is building his house today in marriage, surely a New thing. I know that boy right well. Things are going to work out. He has Love. Facing the Unknown. The Eternal begins again.

Jesus answered and said to them: “This is the service of God, that you trust in him whom he has sent.” 1 Timothy 4:10. Timothy is the one who stayed to the end. We work and strive. To create a life of meaning. The intersection of God and Man - this is the Cross. And this is Victory.

Thank You. God. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Psalm 81 ~ Sing aloud to God our Strength

Psalm 81

For the director of music. According to gittith Of Asaph.

1 Sing aloud to God our strength;
shout for joy to the God of Jacob!
2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine,
the sweet lyre with the harp.
3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon,
at the full moon, on our feast day.

4 For it is a statute for Israel,
a rule of the God of Jacob.
5 He made it a decree in Joseph
when he went out over the land of Egypt.
I hear a language I had not known:

6 “I relieved your shoulder of the burden;
your hands were freed from the basket.

7 In distress you called, and I delivered you;
I answered you in the secret place of thunder;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah

8 Hear, O my people, while I admonish you!
O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
9 There shall be no strange god among you;
you shall not bow down to a foreign god.

10 I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

11 “But my people did not listen to my voice;
Israel would not submit to me.
12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,
to follow their own counsels.
13 Oh, that my people would listen to me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
14 I would soon subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes.
15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe toward him,
and their fate would last forever.

16 But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

Sometimes when reading the Psalms when it is a time for trouble and worry - it seems David complains and complains, and as the reader you are agreeing with him! That's right, tell us, tell God about it! Suddenly David does an about face .... when one is "hep up" agreeing with David 

.... and he says..... like in Psalm 108:
10 Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
11 Have you not rejected us, O God?
You do not go out, O God, with our armies.

Some days we feel like David. Like Jesus carrying His cross. Then David throws a curve in a verse latter in the same Psalm 108:

12 Oh grant us help against the foe,
for vain is the salvation of man!
13 With God we shall do valiantly;
it is he who will tread down our foes.

Read Psalm 81 again, or just let a verse jump in your memory....

For me this Psalm hinges on:

I relieved your shoulder of the burden;
your hands were freed from the basket.
In distress you called, and I delivered you

Some days I say, please Father, help me to carry that burden..... and other days the verse puts a little jolt of "Noooo.... I want that..... more...."

Regardless, I reach the verse:

Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it

And I say to Him, "I can think of a whole lot of blessings!!! And I won't bow down to another god!!! Watch me, Father God!!!"



So what about these Davidic turn-around Psalms? David is Not window dressing, thresh David down, shake him around - David trusts God. Even when the Ziphites went to tell Saul where David was, in Psalm 54; David trusts God.

David grew up hearing, then living the mighty works of God. He heard stories about the Heavens long before his descendant Hezekiah would ask God to turn the hands of time back. David knew of Joshua:

Joshua 10:12-14
At that time Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel,

“Sun, stand still at Gibeon,
and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.”
13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,
until the nation took vengeance on their enemies.

Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. 14 There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man, for the Lord fought for Israel.

Genesis 18:14
Is ANYTHING too hard for the LORD?

Jeremiah 32:27
"I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?

Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

David waited expectantly, like Paul did, to see what God would plan. David trusted God. As we can.

Father God, You are one who heeds our voice in Prayer. Thank You God. In Jesus. Thank You. We look to You. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Colossians 2 ~ how great a struggle

 

Papyrus 46 includes Colossians 2.

First or Second Century depending on the way Nomina Sacra is classified - special abbreviations which appear in New Testament texts. Nomina Sacra occurs in the coveted 1st century papyrus. At the present time, most scholars think this is the second or third generation after Christ died and places these Scriptures in the second century. There is a debate, some of the scholars think this is first century. Amazingly clear and whole.

400 pages of early Scripture!!!

Colossians 2

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 

13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities[Probably demonic rulers and authorities] and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him [that is, the cross].

16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.


This Scripture passage tells us- clearly - in Jesus we are free from the law given rules, especially rules doing away with love. There is a contrast of the elemental spirits of the world. Let's compare and contrast. In Three Parts of this Scripture:

As we look at the perfection of HIS goals for us, let's not forget we are forgiven. We are to bring His will to earth.

You are filled in Jesus, who is the head of all rule and authority. You were also raised with Jesus through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised Jesus from the dead.

We are :
to encourage,
knit together in love,
reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding,
proclaim the knowledge of God,
rejoicing Seeing other's good order,
Live the firmness of your faith in Christ.
Abound in finding thanks, to give thanks to God and actions of faith in gratitude.

God made Alive
forgives us all our trespasses,
by canceling the record of debt = stood against us with its legal demands.
This he set aside,
nailing it to the cross.

Completing our Bible Study of this passage; This passage talks about improper behavior.   We are in time period where we are alike in the Roman Empire and different. The Roman Empire was astonished to find people who would live Goodness. The Good News was new.

Today, we are a politically correct nation displaying a word-respect for Christian values, yet giving respect to power, money, rudeness and an elbows out strategy. Is it any surprise so many Roman style buildings are being built?

What are we subjected to in our television shows and music? (We can turn off our televisions not merely castigate them. The incentive to produce the programs would change. That is called being the solution. Not the complainer.) We as a nation have aged just since the 1970 Watergate episodes when the President would resign because it was in the interest for the nation. Say what you would about Mr. Nixon, he did not allow the nation to suffer a trial. We trusted the government.

We are river rocks, being molded by screaming political shows with No Answers, just the joy of screaming about the problems. 

We wonder what marriage is. Surprise. The Romans were establishing the laws of what marriage is - when Jesus Christ was being born. This is not a new question to HIM. Is there anything new under the sun? Solomon asked.

Slavery - being so in debt will we ever clear it.

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you

Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch

A  mind, not holding fast to God.

We should remember this era, the followers of Jesus Christ traveled with a wife. If we were to see an important change in the Roman Catholic Church, it would be the early Church said Peter and the Lord's brothers traveled with their wife. Marriage is encouraged.



Now the other part of this passage is this:

Not according to Christ -
Ss merely human tradition
Elemental spirits of the world - captivity to philosophy
Empty deceit - delude you with plausible arguments.

Let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink - rules

God says study spirits for truth in Him. Spirits of judgement, look at with fairness, but not roll over acceptance. Growth requires correction from Him.

Substance belongs to Christ.

Let no one disqualify you

Insisting on asceticism - the doctrine that a person can attain a high spiritual and moral state by practicing self-denial, self-mortification, and the like.

God is not about hair shirts, masochism. He is not about failure in trying to communicate. Turn the other cheek does not mean constantly accepting judgement. Humility requires seeing we are limited, still having gifts He gave us. To enjoy seeing gifts in others. He is Holy. Whole. Love yourself and love others. Tussles will happen; to dwell on them is not to forgive.  Give and take in gracious generosity.

Deceit frequently revolves the love of money. Which allows the comfort and glorification of self. Not about HIM. False philosophy proclaims self - going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head - God Himself. Listening is a trait of His.


We always see Jesus proclaiming mercy over sacrifice. Jesus tells us again and again the substance of Father God is righteousness, holiness and forgiveness. Jesus fights for tolerance. Not of the sin, but of social injustice. Jesus corrects people, Jesus is about the Golden Rule.

In Jesus Christ, we are part of the Vine - The LORD God Almighty. Who wants HIS whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

God help me to do that too. In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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