John 5:1-24 ~ passed from death to life

John 5:1-24

5 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3

 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 

7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 

8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.

 

Now that day was the Sabbath. 
10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 

11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 

12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 



13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 

15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.  16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 

17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”


18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
The Authority of the Son

19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father[e] does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Jesus' Temple still contains the way, 2,000 years later, to see the place of healing.

A place where the waters were stirred by God and Holy.



When water is prepared for baptism a prayer is said saying Jesus was obedient to His Father and pure. Jesus is so very interesting here - explaining how closely Jesus works with His Abba. Jesus moves because His Father has said the direction. Jesus explains He is not a wonderful man on a path we can all fully understand. Jesus is doing exactly, explicitly what His Father directs Him to do. We read in Scriptures Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee 3 times in a day. Jesus was not surfing the waves to see what the day brought. Jesus was deliberate where He was going and to what child of God Jesus would heal, converse, teach, eat with and tell us about millenniums later. Jesus was like God in the Exodus - God going forth. Like God in the Second Exile - God going forth. A Living Plan.

This explains a lot about Jesus saying abide in the Word of God and He will answer. And for His answers and for our lives, be grateful - this is the Plan of God for you - today. This is huge.

The truth is, we are all going to have times in our lives where we are not sure we will survive or endure well.

Since Genesis 1, Father God looked at His creation - the situations of God's plans, the creation, the people and God has loved us so much to give Jesus. Give Jesus. And what Father God noticed about mankind first is this - we want to judge good and evil and have an equal conversation with God. Father God comes to us - like John 21 - to make breakfast for beloved sinners. And because Zechariah told us this is the Light of the World making baked fish, we think we will whine to God of all.

Jesus is not just the Spirit of God made manifest, this Father God is so gentle, so parental, so forgiving, so loving - we feel willing and able to say what is what and how that needs to flow.





And - yet - and yet. Look at John 5. God is going to do - Exactly - Precisely - Completely - Fulfilling God's Purpose - Plan - Wisdom - of His Own Making.

Why didn't Jesus say, "Pst, I can heal you on Monday, let's set up a time." Or why didn't He say, "Hey, once you're healed, leave the pallet, someone else might need that. Okie Dokie." Ok, sounds soooo reasonable.

The Questions we want to ask God for Working on His Plan His Way

Why didn't Jesus arrive nicely to a married Mary?

Why did the Children of Israel not have God clear the path from the Shore of the Red Sea to Jerusalem?

Why did Moses hold up a serpent made to fit on a pole?

Why did it take David generations later to clear out Jerusalem?

Why couldn't Jesus have been a Senator of the Jews to the Romans and really swept up? We might have 40 Gospels.

When viewing "The Passion of the Christ", I weep to see Jesus whole again and long to say, "Don't Go!" I want to know what John could have written. And that explains being - human. I want to tell God my plan for God's Plans. (And we will know this in Jesus Christ when He presents His Kingdom to us in His manner and His time! God is Good.)


John 5 is a very amazing explanation - of - God being ...God.

… Thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1: 21

  …His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God,
 …The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6

… God hath made that same Jesus… both Lord & Christ Acts 2:36

…Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world! John 1:29

…they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, the song of The Lamb Revelation 15:3

…Behold, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah Revelation 5:5


..and the Bright & Morning Star Revelation 22:16


..and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life 1 John 1:1


…we have and advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ The Righteous 1 John 2:1


…whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us. Luke 1:78


…Before Abraham, I Am. John 8:58


…And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. John 1: 34

…are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25


…We have found the Messiah which, is being interpreted, the Christ. John 1:41


…I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6


…through the knowledge of the Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. II Peter 2: 20

..a name written King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Revelation 19:16

…I am the Light of the World. John 8:12

…The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world… John 1:9

…I am Alpha & Omega the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come

The Almighty Revelation 1:8

Luke 2:10
 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Our Abba,

You told us in Luke 3 to be content with our lives.

You are mighty. The strap of whose sandal we are not worthy to untie. You comfort and love us, guiding us and leading us - You inspire with the Fire of the Holy Spirit. Gathering us like wheat into Your barn. Your Words explain Your nature and our frailties.

When Jesus was obedient to You, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form, like a dove; and a Voice came from Heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

By Your Very Word - we have Life. And join the Family of God. The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand.

Help our Nation to find blessing in Your sight. You are mighty, we are many and frail mortals. Who would ask You to Shine Your Light upon these generations.

Bless our Churches to be supplied with Your Power and Love.

Bless our Communities to have peace and hope, with faith spoken of more easily.

Bless our workplaces to have innovations and reward. Prosper the companies doing pleasing work in Your eyes.

Bless our Neighborhoods to have conversation instead of television. Bless us to have worthy entertainment and to enjoy working with our hands and minds.

We ask You to Lift up the Ones we Love to You. Send Your Love to enrich our lives. We lift up doctor visits, and important decisions that are the cares and concerns of those we Love and pray for. Leaning in Expectation to Jesus who so easily carried Peter. Thanking You for working with sinners, covered in the Name of Jesus. Not treating You as our Waiter and Giving instead Genuine Love. Let the Warmth of Jesus Christ inspire us all again!!! Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Romans 9:14-33 ~ What shall we say then?

Romans 9:14-33

 

We endure increasing violence and bad news. Not the news of the people at the helm of leadership we want for our Nation. Consider the passing of Empires. Consider the magnificence of the Wisdom of the Libraries, not just of Alexandria, but all Libraries burned first in war. Consider the massive slaughters and the hundreds of thousands of slaves made from conquered citizens. Empires are usually built from these.

Remember with me, consider the hundred millions of dollars put in the the First and Second Temple of God.
King Solomon's Empire was built at the exact time of the fall of the Egyptian Empire by un-claimed warriors from the sea, we find today come from the land of Canaan.

14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 

15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 

17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

 

19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 


22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 

24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25 As indeed he says in Hosea,

Probably Nehemiah - Wine Taster to King Artaxerxes

King Darius Tomb - a cross for the return of the Children of Israel.

Nebuchadnezzar II built this for his foreign queen, Amytis of Media

“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’
and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”

“And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’
there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”


The  Second Exodus ended with the return of the gold tools of Moses and of Solomon. Funds were given to build the walls again.

27 And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved, 28 for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.” 29 And as Isaiah predicted,

“If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring,
we would have been like Sodom
and become like Gomorrah.”


30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 as it is written,

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

View from Golgotha to Jerusalem

The stone split in 33 A.D. on top of Golgotha, according to geologists.

There is a very famous man of history, who did not fail to realize his time and civilization were the most sophisticated, glorious, educated and informed people. He looked across the world for wise men and scholars. No uninformed bumpkins for his people. He stood and celebrated his knowledge, his successes, his own search for wisdom.
-Nebuchadnezzar II

The last two millenniums have brought us the Church Jesus told us of in Caesarea. We should not go without realizing the civilizations before us. The insight the millenniums have had in Jesus Christ. God has traveled forth across the globe touching the history that shapes us today. Never forget in reading Genesis, Peter, traveler of Jesus Christ said a Day to God is Millions of Years.

Our troubles today have not compared to what these Empires have seen.

And one man came to the earth and in 16 years the largest Empire of earth trembled. The blind had sight, the lame leaped with joy, the lepers were touched and healed. This man is the Light of the World and has shaped all of our histories.

The Mongols were approached to become Christians and married into the Christian culture. 70 million deaths began to stop as the Mongols saw Christ in their spouses.

Jesus traveled to the Temple, he looked around at the infants proclaiming Him. He saw the crowds and He turned to walk the path His Father gave Him.

What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Hebrews 12:1-2 ~ looking to Jesus

Hebrews 12:1-2

let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus,
the founder and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy that was set
before him endured the cross,
despising the shame,
and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.



In the summer of 2013, our Church had a visit from Anglican Priest Mike Endicott. Mike Endicott is a blind Anglican minister, based at the Well Centre in South Wales, UK. He is the leader of the Order of Jacob's Well. His books are available on Amazon. Mike discovered after years of being an Anglican Priest, he was asking Jesus the incorrect way. He needed to find the abundant willingness of God as Father. Jesus it is written bore our iniquities and illnesses on the cross. He is abundantly God of Love.

We have a loved one who accepted a job in a city far from home. My loved one was depressed, lonely and pressed at work. We were all distressed. So I fasted and prayed and went off to the service with Fr Endicott.

When I approached Mike and his wife, they prayed and Fr Mike said, "Oh you are here about your arm."

I was really, really disappointed. No, my arm was just fine. I said no. Fr Mike replied, "Oh, sometimes that works that way." I was now even more disappointed, but I thought that all prayer is beneficial and we would just pray for my loved one. And we did diligently for about 10 minutes.

Mike's wife asked me, "Do you have history in your family with arms?" I said yes, my stillborn daughter was born without her left hand and we had two distant cousins without left hands. They nodded. I explained these family members had all been born with this. They nodded. I was disappointed.

Father Mike then said to me, "I feel that Jesus will have so much mercy on you because you were not here to pray for yourself and you have prayed in the past for your cousins and their families. Your arm should be fine." I said thank you and was glad for the prayer for the present situation. As I got in the car to go home, I thanked God that my arm was indeed fine.

Summer of 2015, two years later, this was all forgotten as I asked my friend who is a retired doctor and I worked our volunteer positions together for more than 3 years with, "What is this bump on my arm?" He said it was sarcoma. I was annoyed and said no one could diagnose sarcoma by touch. He said wanna bet, doctors do all the time. I was annoyed.

Later he asked and I said it's not really there. He said oh sure. And I said right. Later about November I noticed it again and worried and seemed to vanish. About March of 2016 I noticed I had a tumor of unusual shape and size about the size of 1" x 3" pink eraser. You could say it was indeed back. I tried all types of homeopathic remedies and found I had made open scars on my arm. I found a good surgeon who said when the scars healed, then he could operate. It would be 3 almost 4 months. Sure, sometimes I worried, but not really - for me - much at all. I had remembered what Mike Endicott had said to me. I had remembered what a boy in camp who said he could tell the future and I'd have arm trouble - but God had decided I'd be ok. I remembered praying for another cousin who had said dire arm trouble. And applied all Father Mike Endicott said to me with calm and peace.

Even the day of surgery, the surgeon was not sure, and the thing was removed. The nurse doubted it was ok. However the surgeon said even the initial view was benign as well as the pathology. The scar is well on the way to being gone as well with silicone tape, prayer and splinting.

This could have been very frightening considering all the events in my family. But our Father God had sent reassurance to be believed. God is good, making mountains become straight and trouble to be seen with faith.


God makes His Word complete. His joy in providing for His children. Real gifts of healing. Real gifts of prophetic reassurance. Taking hold of the Word of God with comfort.

 Painting by Ann Hardy

Abide in the Lord.


Father God,

You have said You are the Comforter. I will never again worry this. My grateful thanks, for Your Love and Wisdom. My thanks for Your Word. Your plans are for a Hope and Future.

Thank You Edward does so well. Thank You for my mother's improvement, may this continue. Thank You for assurance of those who love me. Thank You for Your plans of a Hope and Future. Thank You, Jesus, Abba, Holy Spirit. We lift up the ones who have asked for daily prayer in time of distress, knowing You Will Do Good for them.

We will keep our eyes on Jesus and trust Him with our cares. With the very eternity of those we Love. For Him to shine in our Communities, in our Churches, in our work places, in our Nation. Thanking Him for the 1/3rd's of the World praying with the Name of Jesus the Lord and 25% of these Beloved of Your's who are very interested in renewal. We pray with expectation!

And add to pray for those in the path of Hurricane Matthew. Especially for Haiti. For relief and safety. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Proverbs 3 ~ do not loose sight of these

Proverbs 3

21 My son, do not lose sight of these—
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.


23 Then you will walk on your way securely,
and your foot will not stumble.

24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror
or of the ruind of the wicked, when it comes,
26 for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught.

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.

28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.
29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
who dwells trustingly beside you.

30 Do not contend with a man for no reason,
when he has done you no harm.

31 Do not envy a man of violence
and do not choose any of his ways,
32 for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,
but the upright are in his confidence.
33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

34 Toward the scorners he is scornful,
but to the humble he gives favor.

35 The wise will inherit honor,
but fools get disgrace.



Today was a very unusual day.

A friend was tossed from his family's home as he faces a grave crisis. And he wept. And planned upon listening to the godly who told him, 4 separate people, this was God's plan for his life to find a way to use his life lessons to help others. And he explored healthy new paths. Like a newborn colt.

My mother has almost died and has recovered to become far less worried and more exactly like the woman she was during her 20s, 30s and 40s. The sweetness of her nature has returned. It's like the years that followed her 25 year marriage - and 34 years of divorce have faded the bitterness away. A miracle. She is gracious, generous, grateful. Sweet.

And her bills have been forwarded and have not arrived for her neighbor, her daughter-in-law, or her daughter to pay. Her TV almost was turned off and was saved, unfortunately, today her water was turned off and 4 people had trouble getting the water back on. And my mother's attitude was - the water will eventually come back on. With a phone call of gratitude of endurance and diligence and a phone call of do not worry, do not worry, it's ok.

My brother has stresses in his life and he spent the day texting me his upset. And I had heart palpitations.

I found on Facebook a lady Psychologist who volunteered with me and gave me life saving Dr Phil style advice on dealing with dementia and terminal illness and feel her guidance was sent to me like Gabriel to Jesus' Mother. She has made my daily life workable with her 15 minutes of straight facts, talk and hope. This was pure joy.

And a friend from childhood is not longer mine on Facebook probably because she walks a parallel path with me dealing with some angry people.

Then I had a great call from someone in my mother's life she is both blessing and receiving a blessing from a long time friend, and my efforts are blessing a great deal and that call made me feel life is all worthwhile. Plus my mother is BLESSED to have a marvelous boyfriend who calls and helps and is so diligent. And she has the most excellent 7th Day Adventist Lady doing a wonderful work for my mother care giving.

And I cried to Edward who listened and then smiled and said it would be ok. And we had hamburgers and the best Alcoholic Mint Milkshake on the earth today.

I read one day equals 86,400 seconds. Be very sure to see how many seconds we actually see negative reactions before we pick how the day actually went. Today was purely a tennis game.

I suppose this is the shock still of life changing speeds. Becoming the top rung and not the middle.

And as the day was becoming evening I felt I needed the nourishment of the Lord Father God. I prayed, took my shoes off,  opened my hands and heart and delved into the Bible my parents gave me for my 17th Birthday. We will worship our Father God with Every Word He gives us. I propped open the Bible fulling feeling the reassurance of His Love.

And suddenly I felt as if I was cradled as a baby against a bare chested and completely Loving Father God. Who says I was a baby. Our Father God has created all things. The Universe is upheld by the Word of His Mouth. I was cradled in His Words and fully parented as His Beloved child.






Our Abba, our very own Abba,

Let us walk with great Love and Joy the Words You give of Your Great Love.
As steadfast as the sky.

My beloved Child, do not lose sight of these—
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.

The Word of God is our nurture. He gives His Love as Alpha and Omega. Jesus covers us in His name, His Love, His Promises, His invitation to Eternity.


23 Then you will walk on your way securely,
and your foot will not stumble.

Each Day, our Father provides new mercies to have Joy and Strength in God.


24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

We can turn the time of going to sleep, into thanksgiving and of comfort in His Presence.


25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror
or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,
26 for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught.

We do not need to be afraid of emotions. God has created us to subdue mere feelings and to surf the circumstances of the day. We do not need to belittle ourselves for mistakes and for fear. The disciples felt fear and Jesus never fired them, never left them, never forsakes us. Today. We do not need to be our own worst critics. God has told us in this parental Word of God. Jesus tells us fear will pass, fear will pass. We love our Abba and Jesus who would find the fearful disciples and make death conquered and seek them to even make breakfast on the beach.

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.

To refrain from Joy, subdues us. Causes dismay. Display goodness, genuine goodness. Celebrate God. Celebrate goodness.

28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.
29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
who dwells trustingly beside you.

Being a shepherd enables us. We worry we will be caught up, but instead are cast down for refraining.

30 Do not contend with a man for no reason,
when he has done you no harm.

Withhold hasty words.


31 Do not envy a man of violence
and do not choose any of his ways,
32 for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,

These words are for this generation where even the godly wonder if the super confident to the point of verbal cruelty have learned a new wisdom. And have not. Even the commenters has been seen to fall. This is like a rotten apple.

but the upright are in his confidence.
33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

Everything we know of the Father tells us the blessings of Joy, Love, Faith, and Hope.
Light up my soul Abba and those I love. Light the communities, the Churches, the cities and states, the Nation in dismay. Encourage the 2/3rd's of this world who call upon Jesus. We will pray with unceasing hope. God hears our cares and does Love us back.

34 Toward the scorners he is scornful,
but to the humble he gives favor.

The Gospels tell us the prayers of the righteous are heard. We are heard. Thank the tender mercies of God Himself. Abba.

35 The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.

Abba tells us to always have faith, He cares and is the God of Love.

In Jesus we find Joy. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 4:8 ~ in Peace

Psalm 4:8
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.


Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 91:1-16
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, ...

Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Proverbs 11:14
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Proverbs 19:23
The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.

Ezra 8:21
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods.

Romans 14:1-23
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ...

Psalm 5:12
For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 4:18
The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 

We have a family friend who lets her phone answering message say, "Make this a Good Day."

We take into our hands the difficulties and sometimes say rotten ol Life. And the day before and the day after have Beauty. Jesus says Be Light and be Salt. Genuineness. Admitting what is difficult to draw up what is good with deliberation.

Acknowledging the seasons of life. The Octogenarians have a trait in common. They believe that they will surf today and see the interesting way Father God will resolve all situations. Perhaps this is a touch of denial to some. And to others the diligence of character of hope and belief in the Goodness of God's Life Plan.

For me, I willing place the people I love in God's hands and in this draw assurance. Honoring God saying God is GOD. He is Capable, Willing, Abiding, Steadfast, Determined, and Almighty. The day brings goodness and difficulty and we can rest on either position. I will rest with Hope. Faith. Love.


Dear Abba,
I will ask Jesus to pray with me in Your willingness.

And whatever we ask in prayer, we will receive, when we have faith.
The Salvation of God's immeasurable Love for our Loved ones and the people we pray for.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
We pray His blessings on speaking to our souls - the only part of us Father God will call to eternity. To feed our will, intellect, joy, body, soul.

We draw near to God believing Him and that He rewards those who seek Him. For the people we pray for.

And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
We will draw up belief in His solutions and His provision.

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
We will proclaim the goodness of God and live to show His goodness.

For nothing will be impossible with God.
Alleluia in Jesus.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Eternity with Heaven is now at hand.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Thank You what You have done for us. 

We draw up our faith in Jesus and ask for our communities, Churches, states and Nation shine with the Love God has for us. We pray this for all around the World and rest at night to see with our eyes of faith His mercies renew each day. Never tiring of praying with hope and expectation.

Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Mark 16 ~ She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept

The Disciples Peter and John Running to the Sepulcher on the Morning of the Resurrection, by Eugene Burnand, c. 1898

Mark 16

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.


9 Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.


12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.


Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
The fear of most things makes most people mostly stay home. Even just what is uncomfortable causes most people to avoid it. I had a friend in college, Suzanne, she could gather a crowd and make fun happen. She could get people to drive across the state of Texas to bring trucks and equipment so all the people she could gather from our dorm would have a day at Lake Somerville. One day she asked me to come to her dorm room at 2:00 on a Friday and not mention it to anyone. When I arrived she was so embarrassed and began to tell me she is intelligent. I agreed. She said she wanted to go to church, but when people talked they seemed to know all of it. What? The people they talk about. I was puzzled. Suzanne explained some more. I was still puzzled. Finally I had some comprehension. You mean "Matthew, Mark, Luke and John?" Right!

How difficult it is to come to Church and not know what is going on. How many people come to Church & leave because it is uncomfortable? Watching the Church Lady on Saturday Night Live is enough to cause anyone to bolt.

What about the phrase "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" ... it sounds medieval.

The first day of the New Covenant - when God decided to create Heaven and abolish death by giving us His Son, Jesus - no one was feeling peaceful. Easter Sunday had a tremendous amount of fear. All of the Saints were acting very humanly. They were hiding, filled with trembling & astonishment. The embalming of Jesus was left to the women (the disciples were so much in hiding they didn't know the body of Jesus already has 75 pounds of spices) because the men were in fear of their lives. None of the children of God had it remotely figured out.

This first day they had more disbelief than hope. And God didn't take the hope from them or punish them for their less than saintly reactions. They didn't know how to react.

What happened next is known throughout the world. This is the fear of the Lord, it is only the beginning of the wisdom. 

 They did recover from their fear. Not because they became more saintly, but through the gift of God. With their belief, with their courage, with the overwhelming help of God's Spirit, Jesus Christ changed the heavens and the earth.

 

Abba, 
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank You, for Your work of Salvation.

Thank You for creating us as chosen and precious in your sight. We lift up those we Love to You. For Your Great Love. We lift up our concerns and their concerns. With Joy knowing Your Love and tender care. We lift up our communities, state and Nation. Thank God to do this. And lift up the joy of knowing so many who call upon Jesus the Lord. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †