Ephesians 3:20 ~ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us

Ephesians 3:20

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us



What did Mary think this would look like?

Probably not like this...

Sent to see the cousin for 3 months. We will never know what the voyage 70 miles looked like.

Did Mary see this as sent as a "Betrothed" to Bethlehem. Where no room was found at the inn. (Would Jesus think of His Parents and the donkey on Palm Sunday) - No one would ask a woman about to give birth to walk 70 miles.

Luke 2

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Joseph might not have been used to bringing a child into the world - any more than Mary. I really did not realize Mary was not Joseph's wife. Joseph had decided the Child was from God and wanted this to be remembered as God's Child. Joseph marries Mary after Jesus is born. Matthew 1:25

Surely this did not seem to them as a Holy Adventure now. Probably fairly scary. Where were the beaming grandparents? God Himself had given these young people an adventure many, many, many people could relate to through the millenniums. A very ordinary story of responsibility and worry and physical anguish.

God would provide. More abundantly than all they could ask or think.

Suddenly more than Joseph, more than Elizabeth and silent Zechariah - suddenly more people understood what Mary had been telling people about Emmanuel and Gabriel and God.

Suddenly many, many people had shared in what Mary knew of God as Jesus' Father. And as Mary understood how important this was - they knew how vast and impressive and stunning Jesus - a baby - Son of God is to the Salvation of the entire World. Light of Light. God of God.


Luke 2

17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 


20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

In true belief of a real. merciful God of Love - Mary and Joseph boldly and with confidence take Jesus and their betrothed status to the Temple. Where every boy born is seen to be Holy to God and in the Temple of God - Mary and Joseph encounter more people - who fully - understand - Jesus is God.

Simeon cradles the baby Jesus in his arms and proclaims with confidence his eyes have seen Salvation.

Anna began to speak of Jesus within the Temple for the rest of her life. This is, after all, this is, of course, God's Temple.

And this did not stop. Mary had journeyed for 9 months. Sometimes alone. Sometimes far. And suddenly the Wise Men arrived. Bringing gifts. An echo and a repeat of God the Father bringing the Children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt - with the gold and silver - to be used so support God's Temple.



Exodus 11:2
Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry.” 3 And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people.

God had not forgotten speaking to Moses. He had not forgotten His Great Signs. God had not forgotten His Promise of the Messiah. God had not forgotten borders cease and Egypt was His Country as well. Jesus would go to Egypt.

Luke 2

Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”


Father God,

Vast God, Creator of all things, with Whom are You Pleased with?

Those who do their best to keep the commandments and understand the true freedom in Jesus Christ. Those who Do the Will of God. Without faith it is impossible to please You, Father God, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek God.

Those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

By the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

To love God with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength.

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.

I delight to do your will, O my God.

Recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

To know the Word of God is Authoritative. Say the word, and let my servant be healed. When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends.

Blessed be God to Cover Me in The Tender Mercy of Jesus. Blessed be the Lord Jesus to dwell within me. Jesus forgive me of all my wrong doing and Live within me always. I thank You always for Your Salvation. And lift all of my Loved ones and people You have given me into Your reliable Tender Love.

Covering us all in the Name of Jesus in Faith. Son of God. Amen. 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Proverbs 3:12 ~ as a father the son in whom he delights

We are lean to believing Mary told Joseph about Gabriel when she explained about being pregnant. And we all understand from the Bible, Joseph thought he'd move away from this trouble quickly.

The Lord draws near to people who want to be merciful and further away from us when we go our own path with our own ways.

Proverbs 3:12

For the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.


If everyone is moving as fast as they can each day, no real time for deep growth is going to occur. If you sit down to memorize the 10 Commandments, you realized the Commandments are orderly and start with GOD. This is important. We do not serve Google. Or a flowchart. We love a GOD who is interested in creation, in emotion, in the depth of our hearts. We love a God who says, I'm important, too. And that, is very admirable. And honest. And lovable.


So, we are working today our way back up to the top, reverse order. Joseph found mercy and God made sure Joseph was kept safely as the head of his house and family. Tender care from God the Father, to the merciful.

God of the humble, thinking of others.


Galatians 3:6

Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

Jesus, as baby, was swaddled - held snugly. Comforted with blankets. Covered. Numbers 6, the blessing God told to Moses in 1500 B.C. said we are covered to have peace - in the Name of Jesus. Ephesians 6 says when we are covered in the mercy of God, we are actually armed for safety. Saying we Are Strong in His Might. Joseph found God our Father ensured his safety.

Thank You Father God.

We think upon what the life of Joseph saw with his own eyes. 

And the You are the same Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. We rely upon our Father God. Lifting up our cares and loves and worries and work to Jesus and our Abba. Knowing You will cover us in the Name of Your Son Jesus.


As Our Father shows compassion to His children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who reverently Worship Him.

Malachi 3:17
"They will be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him."

 Amen in Jesus the Lord

Nazareth

And Jesus

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Matthew 13:32 ~ the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.

Heaven Invades Earth: Joyful Peace in Uncertainty

December 11, 2016  Double Click the Sermon page

This is an excellent sermon from HopePointe by Father Bryan White. Finding Joy in Difficult Circumstances.

We all have times where we are blue, down or discouraged. We have to be sincere.

Paul was a tent-maker to supplement his Ministry. If you were to ask Paul how to put up a tent, he would say you have to plan carefully. Fabric Pieces are measured. And for the Tent to be shelter, a durable frame would be also measured and sometimes a team of people have to put the tent up and in place.

Our lives are like this - what would be a parallel? The Bible has a very good parallel.

Matthew 13:31-32

31 Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man planted in his field. 32 Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”


What would Jesus say additionally? Be Salt and Light.

1 Thessalonians 5:11
11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.


Philippians 2
19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I learn how you are doing. 20I have nobody else like him who will genuinely care for your needs. 21For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.


God is saying that by building each other up ~ we are building a shelter. We put down our cares to create a shelter. We make meaningful lives. We find Joy.

In certainty, of course, we must be real. Not a happy face with a sad heart.

1 Timothy 1:5
The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Romans 12
8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 9 Love must be sincere!!!



Tonight HopePointe Anglican Church hosted the Community  with Christmas in the Woods. A Spectacular Event pulling in Beautiful Music, Art from the Centuries, the Congregation demonstrated the Art. We heard Jesus is Joy and Jesus is the Reason for Christmas. We joined in singing 'Emmanuel' and "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" we were treated to talented singers of all ages. Jesus was thrilled.


Father God,

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself.

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Our God will give us endurance and encouragement. Grant us eternally and internally to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together we may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And we will welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you and me, for the glory of God.


We know that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that all people might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the people,
and sing to your name.”

We hope to please the heart of Jesus, Abba and Holy Spirit
“Rejoice, O God, with Your People.”

We will Praise the Lord, all People!

We know with Isaiah,

“The root of Jesse has come,
even He who arises to rule the all people and nations;
in Jesus will we all hope.

May Our God of faith, hope and Love fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

We offer to Abba freely with Joy and Expectation the blessings of those we love and the people Jesus has Given us. We offer with Lifting Hearts the Churches, work places, and communities we know. We give great thanks for our Nation and freedom to Praise God. Be pleased with Us, Father God, Shine and lift up Your Face upon us and we are Glad and in Joy. Blessed be the Name of Jesus our Lord this Christmas Season, Now and Always Alleluia and Amen in Jesus Christ - God's Only Son.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Micah 6:8 ~ do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God

Micah 6:8

He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?


Come what may, good Christmas, crying all the time Christmas, excellent Christmas.

We know what Father God wants from us.


Our Abba, Thank You for specifically telling us what You love us to do. Send Your Holy Spirit, please, when we are unable. Thank You for Your Good Will. And for those we love. We lift up all our concerns to You. Celebrating Your Victories Each Day.

Thank You for so many answered prayers. Watch over our family times and help us to continue to please You in the Name of Jesus, Our Righteousness, we rely. Christmas is for Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Colossians 3 ~ If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Colossians 3

3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.

 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones,
holy and beloved, 
compassionate hearts, 
kindness, 
humility,
 meekness, 
and patience, 
13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, 
forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, 
so you also must forgive. 

14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 

 
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 


23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

What happened in that field.

1 Corinthians 15

Those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

40 There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.

46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.


The Shepherds encountered this:

51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

55
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 

57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.



And once the Shepherds were changed and had seen Glory of God in the Highest.

Luke 2

The shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.




Our Abba,

You are the Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

You makes me lie down in green pastures,
You leads me beside quiet waters,

Jesus refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for His name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Uplift those I LOVE and people that are given. Bless them to have Wisdom.

Watch over, lead and guide our Churches, Communities and Nations. We look in Expectation of Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †