Exodus 37 ~ Gold

Acacia tree and Acacia wood
The Table - made and shown today in Israel by the Temple Institute
The Lampstand made by Temple Institute. Today in Jerusalem Museum for Temple Institute
The Altar of Incense - Temple Institute
Mount Nebo in Jordan overlooking Israel. Where Jeremiah hid the Ark before the Babylonian enslavement of Judah. (Link Scripture for Today 2 Maccabees 2:4-62)
Relief of King Darius of Babylon and slaves (Link to Scripture of the Day)
Gate of Ishtar in Ancient Babylon (Link Scripture for Today)
Rebuilding of the Second Temple went on for centuries, this is a model (Link Scripture for Today). Although the Second Temple was given the listed Temple Treasures back, the Babylonian king could not return the Ark of the Covenant, because it has already been hidden and never was in the Second Temple. It's interesting the First Temple, built by Solomon, simply stood while the Ark was there, but the Second Temple was always being destroyed by war, or remodeled.
Jerusalem falls in 70 A.D. to Titus, this would have been about the end of Jesus' natural life on earth.
Model of the Coliseum, built from the money taken out of Jerusalem by Emperor Titus.
The Arch of Titus in Rome today.
Relief carved on the Arch of Titus showing the Truimph after the destruction of Jerusalem, these are the Temple Tools, but not the Ark of the Covenant. After 1,935 years, Roman Jews proudly walked under the Titus Arch, for the first time, because Israel was again a nation, May 14, 1948.
About the 3rd to 4th century AD, the Jews collected enough money to rebuild the Temple, but the building was destroyed by earthquake while still in construction. Then war.

How the relief appears today - 2,000 years later.
Mount Nebo, were the cross of Jesus Christ is placed with an emblem of Moses overlooking the Holy Lands, while visited by John Paul II.
The Coliseum today, an aerial. About 500,000 people and over a million wild animals died in the Colosseum games. It is damaged by earthquakes and stone robbers. On each Good Friday, the Pope leads a "Way of the Cross" procession around the Colosseum.
Ishtar Gate from Babylon, rebuilt using the actual baked bricks. In Germany (see above).

The Temple Institute Museum in Jerusalem.

Exodus 37

Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. 2 He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it. 3 He cast four gold rings for it and fastened them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. 4 Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 5 And he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.

6 He made the atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 7 Then he made two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 8 He made one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; at the two ends he made them of one piece with the cover. 9 The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover.

The Table

10 They made the table of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high. 11 Then they overlaid it with pure gold and made a gold molding around it. 12 They also made around it a rim a handbreadth wide and put a gold molding on the rim. 13 They cast four gold rings for the table and fastened them to the four corners, where the four legs were. 14 The rings were put close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table. 15 The poles for carrying the table were made of acacia wood and were overlaid with gold. 16 And they made from pure gold the articles for the table—its plates and dishes and bowls and its pitchers for the pouring out of drink offerings.

The Lampstand

17 They made the lampstand of pure gold. They hammered out its base and shaft, and made its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them. 18 Six branches extended from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. 19 Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms were on one branch, three on the next branch and the same for all six branches extending from the lampstand. 20 And on the lampstand were four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. 21 One bud was under the first pair of branches extending from the lampstand, a second bud under the second pair, and a third bud under the third pair—six branches in all. 22 The buds and the branches were all of one piece with the lampstand, hammered out of pure gold.

23 They made its seven lamps, as well as its wick trimmers and trays, of pure gold. 24 They made the lampstand and all its accessories from one talent of pure gold.

The Altar of Incense

25 They made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long and a cubit wide and two cubits high—its horns of one piece with it. 26 They overlaid the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it. 27 They made two gold rings below the molding—two on each of the opposite sides—to hold the poles used to carry it. 28 They made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.

29 They also made the sacred anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense—the work of a perfumer.


Why would God want to have an Exodus for slaves who did not have a Bible. Israel even forgot their Bible,actually the story is taken from Judah, during the time the Temple was used to worship God.

The Father of the Prodigal Son, even in giving out His inheritance, lives in anticipation of the talents innate in the soul of the child - will come into plain sight and fulfillment.

Exodus is an important concept.

Jesus, as He died, brought us His innocence and magnificent goodness to His death as criminal. Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Jesus created a new Heaven and a new Earth.

Our Father God told us about the sin He saw. "Jesus said, “Father, forgive them,
for they know not what they do.”

Hebrews 6:4-6
For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

Can any one of us picture Good Friday, or the movie "Passion of the Christ" showing us a glimpse of what Jesus must have partially felt and say with good conscience that His Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness would cover something we casually do knowing this is a downfall to us?

We all have a good idea Meth is terrible for us. A loved one came to me and said he had something important to ask me. He asked me as he died, if he had killed himself over cigarettes. If I saw that as an object of guilt or shame or desire to die. And he was very serious because he cleared the room to ask. And I could see his level of pain. 
 

Jesus told us the Law brings great blessings. And Jesus said the Law is impossible for man to fulfill. Jesus means for us to strive for the Love God brings us. Jesus comes to fill the desperate gaps. Jesus was not a slave. Jesus is the Word of God. Light of the World. 



One of my favorite people on the planet, went to electric shock treatment for cigarettes traveling cross Continent several times to stop smoking. Proposed to his family a smokeless cigarette.  (Be careful of the vaporless cigarettes many use a petroleum product and you might as well smoke Vaseline). And wore many patches. But having been exposed to cigarettes at the age of 9, could not conquer this life ending addiction. Endured oxygen canisters for 10 years in embarrassment. And explained to the child who loved him, he would go on until he was found to look as skinny as a stick. Being so kind as to prepare that child.

This loved one asked me why he was loved since he wasn't a saint. He witnessed by telephone the vast Kingdom he saw the day he was passing.

Romans 1 explains God tells us personally, because Jesus is the Light and Life in all of mankind what we are to Him.

He had four children, a wife he absolutely profoundly adored. A thriving business keeping him very busy. A profound dislike of a church that would treat God's grace with disrespect. And he found time to move his grandmother closer to him, who was blind and deaf. She led him to Jesus Christ by telling him she was going to Heaven, she loved him too much not to go to Heaven until he knew the Jesus who saves. Because Jesus Loves him that much. His grandmother made sure. He took care of his mother who was always gone and at night, as child, he would hug the clothes in her closet. Every day he called her. And he gave witness to Going Home to God.

Jesus is meant to close our gaps. Not be held up in any form of disrespect. Love should not be disrespected.

Father God, You are Love. Jesus is our Hero. Thank You, Father God. We sometimes forget Your Greatness, Father. Christianity was not honored by the Roman Empire. People with Christ in them, Loved what was real and the environment You gave them. In only the Holy Spirit, lives and hearts are loved and warmed to You. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

Matthew 6:19-24 ~ your heart

Matthew 6:19-24

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Life gets complex for most of us. We work to have security. We have things we do want to own. We want good health. We want to live in the Light of God's pleasure and favor. We have savings accounts, credit and checking accounts. We want to please God Today.

Jesus irons this out for us. Love God. Love Yourself. Love Your neighbor. Love those who give us mercy. Forgive those who do not. Go back to pleasing God.

God is One.  Father, Son, Holy Spirit - the Holy Trinity. God is One - using the Gospel of Love is a clarifier. And knowing your Direction to the God Who is Good, is a good thing. Worthy. In Jesus this is obtainable and we approach the Throne of God with Confidence Jesus gives us. We can rest in being God's.

Father God, for what is confusing  - Jesus. For what is too large - Jesus. For what is in need - Jesus. For what is in joy - Jesus. For what needs Love - Jesus. For rejoicing - Jesus. We rest in You,  for ourselves and our loved ones. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

Psalm 135 ~ Bless the Lord

Psalm 135

 

1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the name of the Lord,
give praise, O servants of the Lord,
2 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 to his name, for it is pleasant! [for he is beautiful]
4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself,
Israel as 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 on earth,
in the seas and all deeps.

7 He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth,
who makes lightnings for the rain
and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

8 He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
both of man and of beast;
9 who in your midst, O Egypt,
sent signs and wonders
against Pharaoh and all his servants;
10 who struck down many nations
and killed mighty kings,
11 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
and Og, king of Bashan,
and all the kingdoms of Canaan,
12 and gave their land as a heritage,
a heritage to his people Israel.

13 Your name, O Lord, endures forever,
your renown, [Or remembrance] O Lord, throughout all ages.

14 For the Lord will vindicate his people
and have compassion on his servants.

15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
16 They have mouths, but do not speak;
they have eyes, but do not see;
17 they have ears, but do not hear,
nor is there any breath in their mouths.

18 Those who make them become like them,
so do all who trust 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 fear the Lord, bless the Lord! 21 Blessed be the Lord from Zion, he who dwells in Jerusalem! Praise the Lord!

Sometimes in Bible Study people ask why are the Psalms mentioned so many times? Well, for the same reason I would choose the photo for today - it reminds me of my son when he was young. See that youth and innocence? It speaks to me.

The Psalms to David (they record he wrote most of them - 73, while some do not say) are different than the books of law or history, - the Psalms capture the aspects - the Nature of God - in His works. The Psalms are God's greatness speaking to David.

These are the Psalms of David, telling not of dry - dusty ancient history, but fresh, warm and alive. These are the stories of his father Jesse, his grandfather Obed and his great-grandfather Boaz, his not-too-distant- fathers. David didn't just hear these stories in the Temple, the written history, but like our family stories - in family moments. Just as Jesus was to become David's family, these are David's family stories.

To David, the Lord is beautiful, good, pleasant & part of the victories. They spoke and sang of these when in the field at night - taking care of family business - watching over the flocks. David doesn't just think about God's mighty acts, he feels in his soul about God's love as the events are told. Not only in David's family, God is part of his nation, his land, God dwells all around Him. God's goodness pours forth.

The awesome, overwhelming righteousness of God dwells not just in the miracle, but in the every day. Blessed be the name of the Lord. David did not suddenly rise up to slay Goliath, David grew up like Jesus. Not just writing the Psalms some day, but living them.

Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Matthew Henry once said the Psalms are a warm place to be. Let us be like David and Jesus - to feel the nature of Your goodness in Your creation. In Jesus, these are our family stories. Abba, we are Yours.

David knew hardship many times as God's anointed. The Psalms echo God's willingness to hear and save. He is well worth knowing always.


Psalm 107:6
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

2 Samuel 22:2
He said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer."

Psalm 50:15
And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

Psalm 40:13
Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me!

Galatians 5:1
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery

2 Peter 2:9a
The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials

John 15:7
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.


David was renewed many times. God has that aspect as we grow in Him. Our prayers are better and we rely more upon Him.

Father God,
Thank You for a new day. We are renewed each day, and the ones we pray for, to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus. You are so faithful to renew Your mercies each day. We rest in You for You are God of Peace.  We center on You. Thank You for our Families and Blessings.

In your refuge and fortress we will trust. We are covered by Your Word. We will pray to You consistently and we are blessed to be heard with Love. We cast our cares up to You and let go.

 Jesus makes intercession and we are saved to utmost. We will delight in You Lord and ride to the height of the earth. We are fed by Your heritage. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. Thanks be unto the Lord Jesus always. Alleluia. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

Ephesians 4 ~ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Ephesians 4

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high,
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”

9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Today, we are going to work on the utility room, think about the wallpaper. Nurture the suffering, rejoice with friends, have Birthday Cake, go to a healing lesson on Binding and Freeing things on Heaven and earth. Just like Dora and I discussed last week. Have Pastorate Small Groups discussing what God calls a Leader to be.

And get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Not to difficult if you can Walk on Water. However, for those of us stuck on solid surfaces (unlike some of the saints with in the last four hundred years with witnesses), this is something rather difficult to do.

The Scriptures are worth reading, God usually gives us a fair idea of how to achieve this. God does say this is possible.

Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Daniel found that his favor, came from the Lord.

This rather sounds like a recipe.

Bond of peace
First, wanting to live a worthy life
2 gentle
3 patient
4 bear with one another with love
5 one Lord for us all
6 consider God to be very able
7 giving gifts to all people
8 build up the Body of Christ
9 believe God equips us all for our work
10 speak the truth
11 desire to be mature in faith
12 wants the entire group to grow in God's Love
13 expects all of us to work to this aim
14 accepts forgiveness for past sins considers a new start in Christ
15 allowed to be in emotions like anger, not loose self control
16 share with those in need
17 be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving

Avoid
deceit - God says be innocent like a dove yet shrewd as a snake (getting out of danger, smell memory, repetition)


How can we do all 17 things and be wise?

God tells us He is One. God is vast as the Universe. Judith MacNutt says God's Mercy is as vast as the Universe.

We can take something very complicated and put God at the top of this. When we Expect in Deep Faith - God is going to help us. We have said God is above and in all things. Created all things.

Also this - people who are happy - want and hope and work to make others happy. This becomes not a tiresome list, instead becomes the joy of Love. We tend not to focus on the negative and life is more gentle and peaceful. Enjoying the work of our hands and not being idle. Grateful for people, opportunity and talents - what God brings into our lives.

God looks for what is noble, pure and good in us. If we assume like the old book, "I'm Okay, You're Okay." People tend to bloom far more.

What to do with the deceit of hidden agenda? Be wise. When the agenda is for this:

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 says flee.

Acts 16 says we are not God and not to try to do this all ourselves. Rest in God.
6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paulc had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Not trying to do this all yourself, leads us back to #9 - We believe God is able. We don't need fifty angry Virginians as an incentive or reward to do His Work.

It takes courage to speak up, but to cultivate the desire to speak truthfully - puts Light on fears and once fear is gone - peace abides.

Ephesians 4 is a very old Scripture going back to the time when the Disciple John was still alive.  This copy of Ephesians 4 is part of Papyrus 46. from the time disciple John was alive. 

And all of this is what psychologists have assembled today to help us to be happier people. Funny. It appears God knew this first. We do better when we feel our lives are appreciated by God and held to a much higher scale. Creating meaning in our own lives and in the lives around us. Wanting the people around us to be blessed and filled with God's Love.

Not focusing on people who hurt us, not giving resentment the opportunity to re-sound. Thinking to the next positive opportunity - gives the bounce in forgiveness.


Psalm 90
17 May the favor[beauty] of the Lord our God rest on us
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

We work to believe God creating less guilt and more peace in Psalm 101 in our responsibility:

I will conduct the affairs of my house
with a blameless heart.
3 I will not look with approval
on anything that is vile.

6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land,
that they may dwell with me;
the one whose walk is blameless
will minister to me.


Father God, these things I will accomplish with Your help in Jesus. In expectation - Amen.

 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><

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 †

<><