Psalm 99 ~ Thou hast established

Psalm 99

[1] The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!

[2] The LORD is great in Zion;
he is exalted over all the peoples.

[3] Let them praise thy great and terrible name!
Holy is he!

[4] Mighty King, lover of justice,
thou hast established equity;
thou hast executed justice
and righteousness in Jacob.

[5] Extol the LORD our God;
worship at his footstool!
Holy is he!

[6] Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel also was among those who called on his name.
They cried to the LORD, and he answered them.

[7] He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud;
they kept his testimonies,
and the statutes that he gave them.

[8] O LORD our God, thou didst answer them;
thou wast a forgiving God to them,
but an avenger of their wrongdoings.

[9] Extol the LORD our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for the LORD our God is holy!

It looked on Good Friday as if God's Son had been killed.
Jesus said this about the Psalms explaining the Messiah so clearly:

Luke 24:44 
Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.

David tells us in the Psalms he wrote about his life and what life taught him about the nature of God. God Himself wrote through David; Jesus told his disciples many of the Psalms are written for Jesus ten centuries before Jesus lived on earth.  In Truth archeology tells us David existed in the Bible, as written, David explained Jesus. Why does the Gospel hold out in the Psalms? David did completely know Jesus.


[1] The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!

Matthew 27:51-54

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"

[2] The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.

Matthew 28:5  
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

[3] Let them praise thy great and terrible name! Holy is he!

Acts 1:3 
After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

[4] Mighty King, lover of justice, thou hast established equity; thou hast executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

In Jesus Christ, God's salvation is not for only one country, He grafts us into His Family:

Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

[5] Extol the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!

John 20:28,29
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

[6] Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called on his name. They cried to the LORD, and he answered them.

Matthew 14:27  
But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

[7] He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; they kept his testimonies, and the statutes that he gave them.

Luke 24:36-48  
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." 

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." 

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. 

He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." 

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

[8] O LORD our God, thou didst answer them; thou wast a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.


John 21:14-19
This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me more than these?" [Agape - Godly, encompassing love] "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love (philo) you." [Philo- brotherly love] Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 

Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love (philo) you."
 

Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love (agape) you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!" 

[9] Extol the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy!

Acts 3:11-21  
¹¹ While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. ¹² When Peter saw this, he said to them: "People of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? ¹³ The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus.

You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. ¹⁴ You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. ¹⁵ You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. ¹⁶ By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

¹⁷ "Now, brothers and sisters, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. ¹⁸ But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. ¹⁹ Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰ and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 

 ²¹ Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.



Why? Why would God want this level of suffering for Jesus?
To tell us we do not shed blood in life, not even for God.
God can truly say He has walked life. Lived life.

This has been God's plan for a long time. To draw us to Him in Strength.

Micah 4:4
“But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.”

John 1
48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

Why this change to lean up on the Power of God?

Psalm 37:39
“But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in time of trouble.”

Why would God want us strengthened?

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

Jeremiah 23:6
In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior.

Psalm 33:11
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.


Father God, help us to lean upon You. To draw our comfort and our goodness from Your's. Help us when we are wrong and in need of You, Father God. We ask and know Your help. We seek this Glorious help - from God. For ourselves, our loved ones, the people You give us, our work, our Church, our State and our Nation. Knowing Jesus resolves all things in His Word, in His time. The Victory is Jesus. We are His, Good News, Jesus shares this victory with us. Amen in the Name of Jesus the Lord.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Luke 7:11-17 ~ The dead man sat up and began to talk

Luke 7:11-17

Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain.

And his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.

When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still.

 He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!”

The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 

This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

"That is - impossible". If you heard that story from a person at work, if you were in a hurry and they were telling you, you might be very, very frank.

And your day progresses busily - yet the co-worker comes back and says,"Look here is Stan and he saw this too. With his own eyes." Stan glowingly tells the same impossible story.  Well, they have never, ever told you a story like this, but they look too gleeful. Could be a scam. (Hey, Stan, Got him!) You are now busy and uncertain and annoyed, " Ok, wow, thanks - "you reply and you say, "I am very, very busy."

And the deadline is met, but you missed.............

Actually, in Oklahoma a teen-age boy was brain dead from a head on collision.  the machines and the doctors and the family knew to be dead for hours - he had checked he was an organ donor. The medical people came in with the tools - to break his skin - he had Rigor mortis. And the tech screamed because this teenager clamped her hand and said, "No." He had just his mom there? No, his extended family. The whole small town in Oklahoma prayed for this teen - who recovered. Every Church in town asked for prayer.

Man makes "miraculous" recovery from brain death after ...
www.catholicnewsagency.com › News › US
Catholic News Agency
Mar 27, 2008 - ... Liturgical Calendar · Liturgy · Mary · Politics · Pope Francis · Prayers ... Oklahoma authorities were informed of his death, while friends and family were ... Forty-eight days after being declared dead, Dunlap returned home, where Dan Coffin presented him with the pocketknife that proved he was still alive.

And the woman in New Jersey who had cancer and died. She was turning black with Rigor mortis when she was wheeled into the hospital morgue. Fortunately a heart attack had finished her off. You can't find her on Google now either. Or her oncologist. But she was perfectly well even after the nurse described how her whole body turned black and stiff as her skin died and she held on. And she dreamed Jesus said, "I will heal you." And He did. She was perfect. Way, way, way back in 2010.

Mom prays, dead son comes back to life - USA Today
www.usatoday.com/story/news/...prays-son.../22883985/

USA Today
Feb 4, 2015 - A Missouri mother is saying the power of prayer brought her son back to life after he was dead for 45 minutes. But, the teen didn't just survive, his brain is normal ...

Meet 'Lazarus tot' whose heart stopped for 1 hour - Today.com
www.today.com/.../meet-lazarus-tot-whose-heart-stopped-hour/
Sep 17, 2010 - Gore Otteson, 2, was underwater for 25 minutes, but he's OK today.

Wadena, Minnesota in July 2009. Every wall remaining from an F4 Tornado- had a Cross on the wall.

What if you had been alive and attended the real and factual funeral of that widow and her only living son? And you spoke of this your entire life - telling people Jesus Christ the Lord didn't even touch that living young man or use His Hands - He merely touched the bier from afar and spoke - to make Life.

And all your life you've rejoiced Jesus Christ has defeated death.

Suddenly

Life can change. Multitudes came to mourn Jesus as He died. Multitudes came to say we Know Jesus Lives. And people will say in their lives exactly as Martha did to Jesus - "Where were You when we needed You?" The reply is always the same through the millenniums. Jesus is on God's Plan. He has not wavered.

We cry out like the Psalms David and Solomon chose and Asaph wrote:

Psalm 74
1 O God, why have you rejected us forever?
Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?
2 Remember the nation you purchased long ago,
the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed—
Mount Zion, where you dwelt.
3 Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins

These days do not surprise Jesus:

Luke 17:22
Then he said to his disciples, "The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it."

I lost my daughter. My daughter had been my plan from about the time I realized I could have children of my own some day. This was utterly devastating to me. I have lost my dad - Daddy - twice. I have lost people when the wild winds of life - rage and howl.

The choice - we can surely be like Job's wife - cuss God and die.

Or we can be honest, struggle through the times far from good and read Elijah. Who knew what it was to stand up, take a stand and feel as if you'd like to die later. And Elijah discovered the still voice of God compels us to love ourselves, to Hope in God and struggle to fight the Good Fight to the Gates of Heaven. Elijah ended well.

David fought the good fight and ended well. Nathan helped.

Solomon, it's rather unknown, spent many years in the high places begging God to do things Solomon's way and eventually Solomon rediscovered God has a Plan and Solomon ended well.

Hezekiah fought the good fight - and ended well.

Jeremiah fought the good fight - and ended well.

John fought the good fight and - ended well.

Titus fought the good fight - and ended well.

Luke fought the good fight and ended well.

Mark fought the good fight and ended well. Abraham,.. Isaac... Jacob... JESUS!

Give us this day.


Mark 12:27
He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. 



 

Isaiah was a visitor of Almight Father God's Eternal Kingdom unto His Throne. Isaiah 49 tells us there are Highways, Hills and Nations. God tells us in Revelation of His Love of Color. Nations and Nations in Heaven.

The Creator of Heaven and Earth are the Same. The Earth displays His Majesty in New Zealand and across China

Not all roads in Heaven need gravity

Father God, in Your Scriptures and in Your Power every one of us will bow at the Name of Jesus.
Jesus, You appeared in the Power of the Grace of God offering Salvation to us all. In every Nation. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Jesus tells us Your eternal Kingdom is Paradise. And this is Your free gift to us.

Father, You want all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. Faith calls us to Trust in You.

You have planned eternal life, we will know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

We have a hope in You, there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. Father God will render to each one of us according to patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, You will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given higher than Jesus.

We pray that as we face eternity we have told with great effect the name of Jesus - that our families in Heaven not only include our blood families - but include the nobility - the true nobility is those who look to Father God knowing He Loves us and will be for us in Jesus Christ. For all nations and may God bless the peaceful and the Nations who call upon Him. For healing and for guidance we ask in Jesus. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Titus 2 ~ Encourage

Papyrus 32 is from 200 A.D.- legible on front to back. This is Paul's Letter to Titus Chapters 1 and 2.

Titus 2

You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 

4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

This is very, very sound doctrine.

Temperate - not prone to outbursts of anger or self.
Worthy of respect. Pure.
Self-controlled.
Sound in faith.
Love.
Endurance.
Reverent to God.
Not too much wine.
Love Husbands and Children.
Be Busy at Home.
Kind.
Do not Malign the Word of God.
Integrity
Seriousness
Soundness of Speech
Be able to be trusted.
Making God Attractive.
Because: Salvation from God is for All People.


The part that is a little surprising is teach, encourage and rebuke with authority.
Let now one despise you.

This indicates a "Love One's Self" manner we all need. Letting our self esteem come from God.

The Song "He Knows My Name" by Francesca Battistelli - the lyrics were written specifically because so many people have opinions of each of us. Uninformed, judgmental, fond, loving, respectful and what is the important aspect of this - The Truth - we are redeemed and known by God the Father. Then we have the fruit of the Holy Spirit telling us - we are Saved by God in Jesus Christ.

Special, Loved, Chosen by Father God Lord God Almighty. Who knows us completely.

Then in God - Jesus carries us forth in His Righteousness. And with God - we will go Far.



Father God, we lift up to You, some of Your attributes:

God has the power to create anything from nothing (Psalm 33:6-9)
God has power to deliver (Exodus 13:3)
God’s creative power is beyond our comprehension (Job 38:1-11)
God speaks and these events happen (Psalm 29:3-9)
His resurrection power is immeasurably great (Ephesians 1:19-20)
His creation reflects His power (Psalm 19:1-4)
His powerful word sustains everything (Hebrews 1:3)
He has power over death (Revelation 1:18)
No one can challenge what God does (Daniel 4:35)
Reveals Himself as the Almighty God (Genesis 17:1)

Father God, You are in all places.

All creation is dependent upon His presence (Colossians 1:17)
God’s continual presence brings contentment (Hebrews 13:5)
God is everywhere and no one can escape Him (Psalm 139:7-12)
No task is too large or too difficult for Him (Jeremiah 32:17, 27)
One cannot hide from God (Jeremiah 23:23-24)

Father God, You are Sovereign and In Charge:

God controls time and seasons (Daniel 2:21)
God powerfully delivered His people from Egypt (Exodus 12:29-32; 13:13-31)
God has dominion over the affairs of people (Job 12:13-25)
God controls nature for His purposes (Job 37:2-13)
God chose His people to become like Christ (Romans 8:28-30)

God chose His people before He made the world (Ephesians 1:4)

God’s eternal purpose is to make His wisdom known (Ephesians 3:10-11)

He raises and removes rulers (Daniel 2:21)
The powerful Creator reduces human rulers to nothing (Isaiah 40:21-26)

He has a plan for His people and will carry it out (Ephesians 1:5, 11)
He chose His people to save and purify them (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

God is the only Sovereign (1 Timothy 1:17; 6:15)
Father God is The Creator, looks after His creation (Psalm 104:3-32)

Relationship with God requires worship (John 4:24)


Father God is True. Truth is Jesus is for us and died for us.

Believers know that God is true (John 3:33)
Eternal life is knowing the only true God (John 17:3)
Even if all humanity lies, God remains true (Romans 3:4)
God is the Truth (John 14:6)
God follows through on His promises (Numbers 11:22-23; 31-34)
God’s words are true and completely righteous (Psalm 19:9)
God’s truth is everlasting (Psalm 117:2)
God’s word is truth (John 17:17)
God’s words are faithful and true (Revelation 21:5; 22:6)

Father God is Just.

God judges all people with justice (Psalm 9:7-8)
God rightly judges heart, mind and deeds (Jeremiah 17:10)
Jesus, our righteous defender before the Father (1 John 2:1)


Father God, we offer to You the one thing we can give that You have not first given to us - we lift up our thanks in Thanksgiving for at least one of these attributes for today. We give Thanks for Your Nature of Mercy for ourselves and those we love. We ask for healing, joy, love and goodness in each day.

We continually lift up the peace we want in our lives and for our Nation to be a Blessing from You - to arrive gently. We ask to be the People You lead with Mercy and Wisdom. And look to You in Expectation as we open the doors each time of our homes and in our Worship Days. We pray for our offices. And we will pray continually. Knowing You Are Present in Our Prayers.

Thank You Father for what You have given to us - Jesus.

We lift up all we Love to You. In Jesus. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Colossians 1:9-14 ~ we have not ceased to pray for you

Colossians 1:9-14

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰ so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

 ¹¹ May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, ¹² giving thanks [patience, with joy giving thanks] to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 

 ¹³ He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  

One of the striking things about the New Testament is the fervor the disciples prayed for the people they met in their travels. Of course, Jesus tells us that He is working and His Father is working today. The Holy Spirit bares witness that the sighs of our spirit are the unceasing prayer of our advocate, God's Son.

Pray for family and friends. Usually it is one word will do and an image. Jesus holding the person - the light from their soul radiates. Really God understands this prayer. The name of Jesus is better than all words put together.

- to know God’s will (verse 9)
- to do God’s will (verse 10)
- grow in the knowledge of God (verse 10)
- experience God’s power (verse 11)
- persevere as Christians (verse 11)
- thankful for all that God has done for them (verse 12)

This is also the parable of the seeds Jesus gave us. That we might be the good seeds falling on good soil. Not judging others in their journey, but offering the prayer of encouragement. The Steadfast Love of Jesus. Holding us. Let us always be the one of the ten, cleansed, healed and ready to give thanks to our Father. 


How could we grow presence of God - His Holy Spirit
- to give thanks.
- not be carried away by the error of being unprincipled and fall from your own steadfastness
- in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mostly - The Lord will rescue us from every evil and will bring us safely to His Heavenly Kingdom. For His glory for ever and ever. Amen.




What shall we pray for not to be unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Father God,

We give you great Thanks for Your overwhelming Forgiveness.

We pray for baby pre-born Jackson to be healed and not suffer. We ask the video's of Planned Parenthood with baby parts and dry ice won't be used on people unknowingly. We ask umbilical cord stem cells become widely affordable - especially since refrigeration isn't amazing or high priced.

We pray peace efforts are not met with criticism. We pray the entertainment industry does not protect what will be revealed as criminal when the star is old and elderly and really not a cash generator. Like Bing Crosby. Help the entertainment industry to hold and encourage high standards even when youthful and profitable entertainers are involved.

We hold up our Nation and her Churches - that as doors are unlocked each day - expectation happens that God Is Willing and Able to Renew, Direct and Give Joy, Delight, Love and Peace. When we ask God each day - YOU WILL bless us for asking honestly and diligently. For our Loved ones to the the joy in the Great Love of Jesus as inspiration and comfort, continual support in His Love. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 126 ~ The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.

Jesus Laughing

 

Psalm 126

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.

Where are the verses about God laughing?

John the Beloved Disciple explained about Jesus, using the narrative of
Jesus' cousin John the Baptist.

John 1:29
9 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’

Proverbs 8:23-31
 
Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 before he had made the earth with its fields,
or the first of the dust of the world.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there;
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above,
when he established the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

30 then I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing before him always,
31 rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man.



Luke 15:4-6
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’

Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Job 8:20-21
“Behold, God will not reject a blameless man,
nor take the hand of evildoers.
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter,
and your lips with shouting.


Psalm 19:8
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes

2 Samuel 6:14
David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might!

1 Kings 1:39-41
There Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!” 40 And all the people went up after him, playing on pipes, and rejoicing with great joy, so that the earth was split by their noise.

41 Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished feasting. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, “What does this uproar in the city mean?”

Matthew 12:18
Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

88 Times Joy is used in the New Testament.

Matthew 13:20
The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.

Matthew 13:44
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

Luke 2:10
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people."

Luke 10:17
The seventy-two returned with joy

Luke 10:21
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do."

Luke 19:37
When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen.

Luke 24:41
And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”

Luke 24:52
Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

John 16:20
Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

 


Colossians 2:5
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.

Revelation 19:1
After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out:
“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God!

John 16:24
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.


Father God,
We praise You for Your goodness and delight. We ask for the blessing of more of the fruit of Your Holy Spirit and the increase of Joy and Love and Peace. In Jesus. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

John 1 ~ One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

John 1


In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 
He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,  who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 1

5 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.





19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 

23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 

30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.

33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”


35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 

37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 

41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 

48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”

Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

There is only one way we can take this beautiful Chapter in John's Gospel and make our lives part of this wonder.

We speak of Jesus to the ones God gives us.

And then we have told about the One who loves us most.

This is not a clang, this is a symphony. God chose His moments. Prophets and Kings wanted to see Jesus. Even my grandmother Anita wanted to see Jesus before she died - He made that path beautiful for the earnestness Grandmother Anita had for Jesus.

Luke 10
22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

23 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! 24For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

The symphony of the moment is an open heart. Telling your loved one what they have done to please God in their ways He treasures. Telling them heaven needs them because you do as well. And they need Jesus. This passage is alive and well today.




Father God, 
Be our salvation and let us see each day what Love is in gratitude and be able to communicate that love. In Jesus, Amen. 



 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †