2 Samuel 19 ~ For do I not know that I am this day king over Israel

2 Samuel 19

It was told Joab, “Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.”

 2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people, for the people heard that day, “The king is grieving for his son.” 3 And the people stole into the city that day as people steal in who are ashamed when they flee in battle. 4 The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, “O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!” 

5 Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, “You have today covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who have this day saved your life and the lives of your sons and your daughters and the lives of your wives and your concubines, 6 because you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. For you have made it clear today that commanders and servants are nothing to you, for today I know that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased. 7 Now therefore arise, go out and speak kindly to your servants, for I swear by the Lord, if you do not go, not a man will stay with you this night, and this will be worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now.”

 8 Then the king arose and took his seat in the gate. And the people were all told, “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” And all the people came before the king.


 
Now Israel had fled every man to his own home. 9 And all the people were arguing throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies and saved us from the hand of the Philistines, and now he has fled out of the land from Absalom. 10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?”

11 And King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar the priests: “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his house, when the word of all Israel has come to the king? 12 You are my brothers; you are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to bring back the king?’ 13 And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me and more also, if you are not commander of my army from now on in place of Joab.’” 14 And he swayed the heart of all the men of Judah as one man, so that they sent word to the king, “Return, both you and all your servants.” 15 So the king came back to the Jordan, and Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and to bring the king over the Jordan.



16 And Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, from Bahurim, hurried to come down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 And with him were a thousand men from Benjamin. And Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, with his fifteen sons and his twenty servants, rushed down to the Jordan before the king, 18 and they crossed the ford to bring over the king's household and to do his pleasure.

 And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was about to cross the Jordan, 19 and said to the king, “Let not my lord hold me guilty or remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. Do not let the king take it to heart. 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore, behold, I have come this day, the first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.” 21 Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, “Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord's anointed?” 

22 But David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be as an adversary to me? Shall anyone be put to death in Israel this day? For do I not know that I am this day king over Israel?” 23 And the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king gave him his oath.

24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. He had neither taken care of his feet nor trimmed his beard nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came back in safety. 25 And when he came to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?” 

26 He answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me, for your servant said to him, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ For your servant is lame. 27 He has slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like the angel of God; do therefore what seems good to you. 28 For all my father's house were but men doomed to death before my lord the king, but you set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right have I, then, to cry to the king?” 

29 And the king said to him, “Why speak any more of your affairs? I have decided: you and Ziba shall divide the land.” 30 And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Oh, let him take it all, since my lord the king has come safely home.”

31 Now Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim, and he went on with the king to the Jordan, to escort him over the Jordan. 32 Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. He had provided the king with food while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. 33 And the king said to Barzillai, “Come over with me, and I will provide for you with me in Jerusalem.” 34 But Barzillai said to the king, “How many years have I still to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? 35 I am this day eighty years old. Can I discern what is pleasant and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or what he drinks? Can I still listen to the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant will go a little way over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward? 37 Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him go over with my lord the king, and do for him whatever seems good to you.” 

38 And the king answered, “Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do for him whatever seems good to you, and all that you desire of me I will do for you.” 39 Then all the people went over the Jordan, and the king went over. And the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his own home. 40 The king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him. All the people of Judah, and also half the people of Israel, brought the king on his way.

41 Then all the men of Israel came to the king and said to the king, “Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away and brought the king and his household over the Jordan, and all David's men with him?” 42 All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is our close relative. Why then are you angry over this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king's expense? Or has he given us any gift?” 43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king, and in David also we have more than you. Why then did you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of bringing back our king?” But the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.



The Word of God is a powerful thing.

Truthful and warming.

David is so likeable. Of course he cannot act as King this day. But for this he is anointed.

David has been Up, Down, Back Up, and Trod over. Not what you'd think would happen to a King.

And like God - David begins to bestow gifts with perfect wisdom. In reality, this is a tragic day for David and the chapter ends with confrontation. Telling us the Kingdom will end.

But for this day - David will pick up, renew wisdom, endure lies, dispense justice with humor. All the while Trusting God to Do what God Does Best. Fulfill His Word in All Seasons.

And God for David's Willingness to Do God's Will with Hope, Faith and Love - God will find a way to make this right for His Beloved.

This entire chapter comes to this - David trusts God. God sends someone to pull David up to equip David to do God's Will. Trust. And God's Love Provides. God loves David. God is Good.

For us this means - trusting God is a good thing. God answers prayers. And Upon Him we can but our Faith.

Thank You Father God, that You are This. This explains You. And we will put our trust in You. Thank You for Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

 

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Matthew 25:31-46 ~ Truly I tell you, whatever you did

Matthew 25:31-46 ~ (New International Version)

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
 

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
 

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
 

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
 

⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
 

⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
 

⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

When we look at the subtitles used to explain the sections to us, this is typically labeled "Sheep and Goats." We could even subtitle this passage with biblical quotes like
"All Things are Possible with God"
or "Remember, Beloved, a Day to God is a Thousand Years".
 Why? Because God combines an amazing analogy for us in this section.

We can be more creative than that.... we'll call it.... "The Huge and the 'you' ". (There is a ewe joke in there....)

God, the Vast, The All Knowing, The Father and Creator of the Universe says to you - a speck of dust in this vast creation both in time and impact - says all of creation will see God's Glory. All of us. That is enormous. And says to the blessed - take your inheritance. Still God tells us - Nations (Nations!) will belong in Heaven.




THIS IS HUGE:

Joel 3:14
Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

More than multitudes and millions of people, God knows and loves you intimately. 






THIS IS YOU.
 
Psalm 139:1-6

1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.


How does God want to see us?
Not doing whatever we want in impulse and then asking God why He didn't swoop in and fix us.

We cannot point to what everyone else does and say this makes all our attitudes and actions as all ok.
Cultural norm. In with all the people and imperfections.

Conversely, we cannot say that others are worse than we are so we are pure.

What does that mean to you today?
When you believe in your heart, proclaim with your voice that Jesus Christ is Lord. All who believe, trust and call upon the Lord will be saved. 

Matthew 10:7
And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

Maybe because God is God - we should put forth attitudes of working for God.
Giving thanks in all circumstances.
The People I see do this - GO FORTH in the Strength of God.

Keeping our eye on God and opening our hands to Him.


Father God, I cannot do all that is asked of me. I need Your help. I would never presume to wink at what is not good and say let this be ok in the Cheap Grace of Jesus.

I know I am broken and flawed. I know I need Your Help.

I do not want to say that when I walk away from a need in life that this is ok. I do not want to point at myself as falling in with the, "It's all ok crowd." Nor do I want to think You would not rush to offer assistance when assistance from Your child is asked.

Help us always to place Your Grace in the Appropriate Way. We want to be Centered on You, in courage and in determination. In Grace, belief and in our attitudes and actions. Expecting to encourage others to grow and pray for their opportunity and blessings as for our own. We ask in Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

 

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1 John 2 ~ we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One

Kissing the Face of God, painted by Morgan Weistling

1 John 2  ~ (Today's New International Version)

1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Those who say, "I know him," but do not do what he commands are liars, and the truth is not in them. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

9 Those who claim to be in the light but hate a fellow believer are still in the darkness. 10 Those who love their fellow believers live in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But those who hate a fellow believer are in the darkness and walk around in the darkness; they do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

12 I am writing to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young people,
because you have overcome the evil one.

14 I write to you, dear children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young people,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If you love the world, love for the Father is not in you. 16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful people, the lust of their eyes and their boasting about what they have and do—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Messiah. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life.

26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

A Jewish family celebrating Seder, time of Jesus Christ,
Jesus had 4 brothers. James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. This can be found in Matthew 13:55. Looking also in Matthew 13:56, we know that Jesus also has sisters

When Jesus was manifest in the flesh, what did his family do to abide in Him? Here is the Son of God, in His youth found favor both with God and man.

Remember Jesus declared only God is good, so... no family issues there... except... 
the rest of the family is only human.

John 7:1-5, Jesus' brothers want Him to see some trouble
After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

 

Matthew 12:46-50, after Jesus declared the ruling people of the temple to be vile and evil, His brothers want the trouble to die down
While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you."He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

Mark 6:3, Jesus biblically records how his brothers think of Him
"Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor."
 
This is Jesus loving His brother in clear light. He understands the situation, not whitewashing it. So 1 Corinthians 13 tells us love conquers all, why did Jesus give Mary as a son to his disciple John? Wasn't Jesus being less than loving to assume His brothers would do a poor job with Mary? Jesus knew who would be busy with what.





Acts and the later books in the Scriptures tell us about Jesus' brothers after the Resurrection. James,  author of the book of James, Josephus describes him as the brother of Jesus called the Christ. Judas, brother of Christ, is the author Jude.

1 Corinthians 9:5, Paul tells us of Jesus' brothers
Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas [Peter]?

Hebrews 2:10-12, Jesus speaks of us as His brothers, but also His own brothers
In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says,
"I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."

1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.


Father God, help us all to exist in the greatest of these - Love. Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

 

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Matthew 18:1-20 ~ little children

Matthew 18:1-20

 ~ (Today's New International Version)

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

2 He called a little child, whom he placed among them. 3 And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes a humble place—becoming like this child—is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.


6 "If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! 

8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

10-11 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.


12 "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 

14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

15 "If a brother or sister sins, go and point out the fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

18 "Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Having done youth ministry for several years, one of the life events I know -a good teenager with a drug habit - his new friends cleaned out the house during a party. Mostly it was pot with a few chasers of this and that. His new friends when they cleaned out the house - Did Not  do this with Mr. Clean, but took all the valuables and ran off. This happened twice, during two separate parties. He went and got clean and tried to tell people about being clean. He was rejoicing in being clean and thanking God.

Yet, he felt a little alone and daunted for trying to tell about the glories of being clean. Usually when we try to change the world around us - the best place to get comfortable with - is our own good changes.

Wow, the courage of telling and continuing to try.

What does the Scripture say - Jesus is the Word of God incarnate - what does His Wisdom say about Marijuana and Legalization.

I'd add this fact in quickly:
Jesus would Not be surprised there is an old substance compared to alcohol.

 If you have a glass from a vineyard (Jesus loved to refer to vineyards), you are going to have it out of your system in a matter of hours, Marijuana lasts 28 days. Makes me realize - Jesus drank. And loved vineyards enough to speak of them 21 times in the New Testament.




Genesis 1:29-30
And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

AND !

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.


Now many people would say, ok, but what would Jesus Say About This?


Matthew 15:10-16
And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

I've heard the argument hemp makes people only soothed. I'd say that is OVERSTATED. Stoned people can be argumentative. Now if you ask me if I've tried Pot, I'd truthfully say no. However I am alive - go around in many different situations and say I don't see a lot of difference between the words and actions in public behavior of overindulging in alcohol or marijuana. Additionally, I think the decisions made in marijuana tend to fall short of alcohol and see employers with heavy machinery needs agree.

Jesus continues in Matthew 15

Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

So interpreting this:
We shouldn't be offended with facts. Facts tell us knowledge and wisdom. Employers dealing with equipment and marijuana usage say there are more accidents caused by less clear thinking. Root up a plant? Yes, if your life is impeded by a grape vine or a pot plant - root out the plant.






Proverbs tells us that pain causes us to want to dull our pain.

What would God say to this pain life causes?

Luke 12 tells us so many thousands and thousands left their lives to hear what Jesus said they began to trample each other. People have sought Jesus - not for entertainment - but for inspiration and peace. Hope.

Jesus dealt wisely with this multitude:

Luke 6
19 And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.

The eternal words of Jesus say -

John 5:17
In his defense Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working."

Is following Jesus today immediately going to take our pain away?
Yes, for many very first time real believers - yes there is a mountain top experience of tranquility and joy. And then realities will push and shove like the parable of the seeds.  Hmmm. Jesus said not to let the cares of life choke out what is truly good. To let our hearts be open. Matthew 13.

Legalization was the topic of conversation recently. 
Government looking for ways to support the good things government does with a shrinking economy; the suggestion was ending the war on drugs by having more California Colorado type Marijuana Permitted Coffee Type Places to have more taxable dollars, less crime, more money and fund something already going around. After all, reasoning went, marijuana is just Hemp and grows naturally

 Jesus drank.

Here are some facts dealing with this I agree with. And point out the recent studies by University of Texas only involved 100 people.


"A 1988 University of Alaska survey showed that the state's teenagers used marijuana at more than twice the national average for their age group. Alaska's Failed Legalization Experiment In 1975, Alaskans could legally possess marijuana...until they opted to re-criminalize the drug. Alaska's Supreme Court held that under their State Constitution an adult could possess marijuana for personal consumption in the home. The court's ruling became a green light for marijuana use. A 1988 University of Alaska survey showed that the state's teenagers used marijuana at more than twice the national average for their age group. The report also showed a frequency of marijuana use that suggested it wasn't experimental, but a well incorporated practice for teens. Fed up with this dangerous experiment, Alaska's residents voted in 1990 to re-criminalize possession of marijuana. But 15 years of legalization left its mark-increased drug use by a generation of our youth."

Alaska has now gone back to legalization.

A Texas federal judge I spoke with said the establishment currently in Texas feels the highest pot usage is age 19-31 and they feel it impairs judgment in this age group being over indulgent in the usage. The thought is that if people past their life critical early stages were to use pot, the usage is much smaller and life moves smoother.

If you look at Amsterdam and the effects around Needle Park, in 2010, you would find yourself followed down the streets by the black market drug pushers. These characters don't take 'no' for an answer, they will follow people for city blocks. Legalization has led to an increase in drug consumption. This has led to an increase in drug seekers and a continuing problem for the countries surrounding Holland when the tourist are leaving. And curbing the AIDs epidemic? It has resulted in a 2% decline. Cannabis consumption among Dutch teenagers has increased.

California has seen violent crime around the areas growing marihuana to sell for legal usage.

People in the hotel industries and car rental industries in Colorado report they no longer have the necessity to purchase pot - as the tourists leave ounces of the substance as they return to the states with less liberal laws.

Emotion tends to determine the individual's decision on marijuana legalization.

One could quote facts till blue in the face.

Jesus would say protect the children. Even if it is the children with young fathers and mothers. A man I know well tells me frankly he enjoys a bowl frequently and he explains, being previously married to a school teacher and being a tremendous lover of children and their needs, that school teachers should never be pot smokers.

People tend to make up their minds more emotionally than logically on issues, it is important to see what facts are available from real life situations.


Father God let us be lead and guided by Your wisdom, favor and grace in Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 132 ~ For the Lord has chosen

Psalm 132

Remember, O Lord, in David's favor,
all the hardships he endured,
2 how he swore to the Lord
and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,
3 “I will not enter my house
or get into my bed,
4 I will not give sleep to my eyes
or slumber to my eyelids,
5 until I find a place for the Lord,
a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah;
we found it in the fields of Jaar.
7 “Let us go to his dwelling place;
let us worship at his footstool!”

8 Arise, O Lord, and go to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.
9 Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,
and let your saints shout for joy.
10 For the sake of your servant David,
do not turn away the face of your anointed one.

11 The Lord swore to David a sure oath
from which he will not turn back:
“One of the sons of your body
I will set on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant
and my testimonies that I shall teach them,
their sons also forever
shall sit on your throne.”

13 For the Lord has chosen Zion;
he has desired it for his dwelling place:
14 “This is my resting place forever;
here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provisions;
I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 Her priests I will clothe with salvation,
and her saints will shout for joy.
17 There I will make a horn to sprout for David;
I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
18 His enemies I will clothe with shame,
but on him his crown will shine.”

 

This is one of those Psalms we could call a mirror Psalm. It can lead to self-pity or it can cause us to remember:

Psalm 103:12,13
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

Psalm 132 is best when we use it to remember compassion for others.  And the depths of God's amazing forgiveness. Staying well clear of cheap grace. Remembering miracles creating awe when they occurred and still occur today. It would be great if miracles had an accompanying trumpet, but God works within that still small voice as well as His Mighty Acts.

Numbers 6:25
the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you



Job 22:28
You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways.

Job 37:15
Do you know how God lays his command upon them and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?

Psalm 50:2
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.

Psalm 80:3
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Psalm 80:7
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Psalm 80:19
Restore us, O LORD God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Psalm 118:27
The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us.


On David his crown will shine

Where do we get the halo idea? Moses had horns because Michelangelo read incorrectly this was horns. When Moses came from speaking with God “the skin of his face was radiant.” In fact, to protect people and to perhaps to continue his aura, Moses put on a veil. Michelangelo understood the Biblical verse  "karan" to mean Moses had horns. Some antisemitic people have believed all Jews to have horns. 

Ecclesiastes 8:1

Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

Let the Light that Lights every man shine in our hearts -  and May God continue to Bless, Guide and Lead us in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 32 ~ steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord

Psalm 32

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.

Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

Therefore let everyone who is godly
offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters,
they shall not reach him.

You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
or it will not stay near you.

Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!



The Popular Song "Love Stinks" - we all know the cords. Easily. And hugely, the people who believe it is within their grasp to rewrite God's Very Word, tell us, surely, God, a loving God, would never want Jesus to die to save humanity.

Nothing could be more wrong. Love is what makes life worth living. Daily. And eventually, in the work and the attitudes of life, there is That defining moment.  Does Love go forth?  Father God says to His Beloved, in His Own Son - I will go past the gates of hell and I will make Love Eternally Triumph.

We are all building day after day - And this IS up to us to build - well. To take the mundane moments in the narrow path and eventually the fabric becomes richer - like the Velveteen Rabbit. Grace upon Grace makes life what truly is beautiful. We wonder at pick up your cross. Perhaps we understand better - Give us this Day.

God tells us to look for what is good. Our attitudes set us on His Path. His Path tells us we Are gifted talented, able to give back. Able to give our attention. Our time. Our care. Our diligent prayer. Able to spend a weekend painting. Able to help move. Able to take a pie. Able to discern God's Will with the cheerfulness of knowing His Will will work out.

God says for us to have a mind that is renewed in Him. To be alert, to not look just survival mode. To have an attitude of gratitude showing an alert nature. Pleasant. Love one's self not to exclusivity. Politely putting down social media without any gripes or whine to others. Loving one's self in a healthy manner Jesus would approve.

Jesus tells us - My Child! What a blessing! Turning the other cheek can be walking away from a pointless argument or then having that needed discussion in a manner worthy of healthy communicating - honoring His other person's opinion. Being able to say 'no' to the sponge who will always just take service and want more. Only because God wants us to fight the good fight. All of us.  Do not deprive someone else of their ability to do something for themselves.



Sunshine on my shoulders makes me Happy.
Steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.

The Ocean tide makes a noise like a breathe. A good analogy for the steadfast Love of God.
Christians believing God  -Know what they Know - in Knowing Jesus as Lord.

JESUS CHRIST THE LORD

We know in Jesus some big Time KNOWS.
The Good News. All the universe is Planned. Part of God's Plan, created in His Wisdom.

You see God within you, then see GOODNESS.
Daily Amazing Wonders when we take the time to renew.
We need to UNtarnish. Shine Shine.

As we come home and unlock the door - remember, also to unlock Gratitude.

Shine. Shine. Shine! You are a Narnia Lamp. A Lamp of God. Let Love Shine in You. Let Love fill you. The pounding of the waves is the relentlessness of God's Eternity. When we have been there 10,000 years our years will not diminish. And He said That YOU, who believe Jesus, will not be left behind.

He Will Not Let You Be Left. HE Gathers YOU. 
Do not be ok - be assured. 
The Steadfast Love of God is like that ocean. 
Low tide is part of life and where is the water? Well, God has that water, that belongs to Him, on the other side of the planet because He decides.
 God has arranged circles of the deep like Alaska and the Caribbean - the author of the Word did not See. Yet Father God arranged this in His Word.

Father God, help us to Be. Be assured daily of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus. Opening our doors with expectation of Your Continued Goodness in ourselves, in the ones we Love, in the people You bring us, in our Nation, blessing us.

Remembering the Love God brings us Home yesterday, today and tomorrow. His Steadfast Love we bring in our lives. Drawing His Love forth to enrich our lives. May Father God bless us all in Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

John 15 ~ My Father is the vinedresser.

John 15

 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 

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

9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 

11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 

13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 

17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.


18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.

One of my most favorite memories as a child,  when our family ate dinner with my step-grandfather Tate, even before he married my grandmother Bit. Tate would arrive in his usual black pants, black leather belt and white button down. If it was summer, then the button down would be short sleeved.  Tate would wear his white Anglican Priest Collar.  Sometimes that would be removed. And dining tables were like the rest of life a few decades back, more solid.  Tate would contribute to the conversation and if I was very fortunate, he would bang on the table.

Jesus loved to talk to people - how do we know for sure, that indeed indeed, indeed Jesus loved dinner conversation?

The "Gospel" of John tells us all the time Jesus was active, active, active ! Going to see His Beloved Children - sometimes crossing over the Sea of Galilee 3 times to find the Person who needed Him that day. Jesus, we are told, moved, traveled, healed, soothed and gathered His Beloved People. Jesus had compassion on us and He longed to gather us under His protection - His Wing.

This Chapter is unusual - the Action of Jesus is not told.

John writes His life and explained, the "Gospel" of John records 13 14, 15, 16, and 17 were the conversation of that one evening. Before Jesus prays His joy in healing us - Jesus does not run down the planet to near despair - He says cheer up,  He has overcome the World. Jesus overcomes and He prays for us today.

Jesus dealt with people, landscapes, hills, politics and kings which were difficult in life and still expressed the value of His hopes, faith in Him and Love. Telling us keep the faith in Jesus!


Father God, when hopes disappoint us, we trust You will provide. And look to Your provision of new solutions! Lifting up people who handle the set backs in life and then are cheerful, like my son Cal. Bless You for Your wisdom and the joy of seeing Alexander being mature, calm and fun. Seeing my family work together to come together for July 4th. Looking over old troubles, with new clarity and seeing God makes a path. May God bless us all with His unlimited storehouse of blessings which begin with forgiveness and continue to gratitude. Amen in Jesus for ourselves and the Nation.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †