Luke 5:27-29 ~ and followed Him

Luke 5:27-29

After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.

29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them.

The Bible tells the same thing over and over. Jesus was born in great blessings. In real life. In real trouble. With love and loyalty and faith.


I'd say the one truth I've learned in the Bible this year is this - Jesus was one with God and every day - every single day - Jesus planned on going where God was directing Him. God Almighty's Son was pleased to be where God placed Him. Doing His Father's Will for Today.


Matthew and Luke are so pleased with the party Matthew gave Jesus - they record the joy of a party given to Jesus. And really the party is a repeat of Jesus' birth. We don't know if the people of Matthew were part of the 500 Victorious Jesus spent time with. We don't know that the Shepherds were not actually part of the 500.

We just know these people were blessed to be part of the life of Jesus Christ, Son of God.


This today says the people we see today - are part of God's plan for your life. You won't know if you know them for another 30 years or for another 30 millenniums. But today - these are the people God is giving you.



The Bible tells us - every page - God intends for us to be given Jesus.

Our response is -
to focus on the sacrifice
to be grateful for Life
to do good works He has prepared for us to walk in
- to Love Him for His Goodness.
- to act like the disciples and ask for the power in prayer.

The Seed Parable would say - all are part of the seasons of life.


And in faith, we know God created all things. The universe. When God called for Light - Jesus became God. And in doing a sincere approach to pleasing God of the Universe - we have pleased God.

The Bible is the Word of God. Jesus was given a blessing of people gathering. And Jesus was very pleased.



Father God,

Today in my efforts of word and deed. In my thoughts - let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart - be pleasing and acceptable to You. Remembering when Jesus had conversations - many times the Love was Father to a Child. My God, Thank You for Your Love. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †
 

Psalm 91 ~ You will not fear

Psalm 91

He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

5You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.





Jesus is the God of Love. Willing. Blessing the world, a God saved mission to save the world, the whole world - Jesus.

Jesus said this of the city on earth He loves so much and wants to see in His Heavenly Kingdom. A new Jerusalem.

Matthew 23:37
Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings

There is, of course, more to this verse. God, Our Abba Father, blots away tears in Heaven and makes all things new.

When the Magi came to announce Herod's threat - Joseph dreamed - his plan of action from God our Father. Did Joseph particularly worry? No. God had told them and told them and told them, God affirmed a very vast, God-sized, Hope and Future. Did Joseph finally believe? Yes. Joseph dreamed in sleep, in slumber, God's plan of action.



Psalm 91:2  
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

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


Luke 2
39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

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


Luke 4
16 And Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,


“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”



Blessed be You, Lord God Father Almighty.

Blessed be Your Son, Jesus Christ, giving to us the Light of mankind, our Holy Spirit within us calling upon the Highest Name of Jesus.

We give You delight looking upon the blessings of 2016 and say to You with wonder, joy and love. We will go forward in Your Path, believing You will guide us in Joy, asking 2017 to be filled each day with Your wonders and willing blessings. Thank You, Father God, for those we love and the people You have given us. We surround them and bless them with Jesus. Praying for the community of saints through all the millenniums - and filling the world through Your Holy Spirit - blessing our Nation and the nations of His Good Creation.

With Expectation of God's Love. Amen in Jesus. Thank You! Joy to the World - Jesus Reigns!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †
 

Psalm 135 ~ Bless the Lord

Psalm 135

 ~ New American Standard Bible

1 Praise the LORD!

Praise the name of the LORD;

Praise Him, O servants of the LORD,

2 You who stand in the house of the LORD,

In the courts of the house of our God!

3 Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;

Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.

4 For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself,

Israel for His own possession.

5 For I know that the LORD is great

And that our Lord is above all gods.

6 Whatever the LORD pleases, He does,

In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.

7 He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth;

Who makes lightnings for the rain,

Who brings forth the wind from His treasuries.

8 He smote the firstborn of Egypt,

Both of man and beast.

9 He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt,

Upon Pharaoh and all his servants.

10 He smote many nations

And slew mighty kings,

11 Sihon, king of the Amorites,

And Og, king of Bashan,

And all the kingdoms of Canaan;

12 And He gave their land as a heritage,

A heritage to Israel His people.

13 Your name, O LORD, is everlasting,

Your remembrance, O LORD, throughout all generations.

14 For the LORD will judge His people

And will have compassion on His servants.

15 The idols of the nations are but silver and gold,

The work of man’s hands.

16 They have mouths, but they do not speak;

They have eyes, but they do not see;

17 They have ears, but they do not hear,

Nor is there any breath at all in their mouths.

18 Those who make them will be like them,

Yes, everyone who trusts in them.

19 O house of Israel, bless the LORD;

O house of Aaron, bless the LORD;

20 O house of Levi, bless the LORD;

You who revere the LORD, bless the LORD.

21 Blessed be the LORD from Zion,

Who dwells in Jerusalem.

Praise the LORD!

~ For I know that the LORD is great

And that our Lord is above all gods.

The Menorah were not table top decorations. These were "The Street Lamps". The Temple of God in Jerusalem, where Jesus was dedicated as Holy as all Jewish male babies were - was never dark.

Zechariah had been in the Temple more than most. Serving as a Priest. As Zechariah began to speak because he was again on the Path of God the Father, he acknowledged what the Temple was going to see during the dedication of Jesus.

Luke 1

before the Lord 
to prepare the way for him,
77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
79 to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.

Abba, our Abba,

Ancient of Days. God and Father. Father of His Only Son Jesus Christ.

Prepare in us daily a place that You are pleased to Dwell.

Keep us in Your Mercy and on Your Will and Path for our lives.

Bless those we Love.

Comfort, Guide and Strengthen us.

Thank You, You draw us to You as Your Beloved.

In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †
 

John 14:1 ~ Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God

John 14:1

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God

Christmas week. The baby Jesus is born. New motherhood and fatherhood. The responsibility God has given them, to their continued astonishment, of Jesus is here. This week is working to believe the unbelievable is true.

Meals to be gathered. Nourishment for this new family. Water is gathered.

Food for breakfast is gathered. A baby is to be fed. The Gospel of Luke tells us the Shepherds are telling people what they have seen this Good News. According to Isaiah - these are the ground roots of the true economy of Judah, minus the great influx of Roman wealth. God has placed them in a barn and the witnesses are the Shepherds.

No coincidence - God has sent His Son first to the Children of Israel. The Shepherds probably want and they tell the story told again and again.

Abba Father,

Live in our hearts each day. Lead us along the Path, the Way Jesus has for us. Guide us, protect us, keep us in Your Wisdom and Love. Give us, again, Your Mercy and Strength to do Your Good Will for our Hope and Future. In Your willingness, let our talents be Light and Salt. Appreciating Your Love and Goodness asking for Your favor for those we Love, for the People You have Given us. We thank You for Your Blessings. And ask for more of Your Blessings. Let us take today and make the most of what You have provided - pleasing You. And sleep sweetly, renewed in Your favor.

Bless You Father for the miracles of this year and of our yesterdays. The miracles of today. And Your delight to Provide for us Tomorrow. This evening, I will rest in sleep, and smile, knowing as I try to please You, Abba. You are pleased. God of Love. Rejoice a Royal Son, a Royal Priest is born with Joy for us. Let us desire His Royal Priesthood and know His Joy in His Creation. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.

We lift up the prayers of the saints and our Nation. The New Year for Your Beloved. The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength in Jesus Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †
 

Luke 2:29-33, 14 ~ You have prepared

Luke 2:29-33, 14

29  “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30  For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32  a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”


33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.




And what would Father God say about this?


“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Father God,

You are our God. When we try to Please You, You are Pleased. You are God over all things. Father of Jesus and, in faith, our Father. Blessed be Jesus, because You Love. Alleluia. Merry Christmas. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †
 

John 1 ~ The Light Shines!

A country Church Christmas

The Church of the Nativity celebrates Christmas Day in Bethlehem - Link

John 1:1-14,17,29-35 ~ (Today's New International Version)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all people. 5 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 testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."

32 Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God's Chosen One."

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"


This is is my favorite chapter of the Bible, John 1. The gospels written by Mark and John are sometimes compared without kindness, at Christmas, to the narrative of Jesus Christ's birth written beautifully in Luke and Matthew. But actually Mark speaks of a wilderness wanting to be tamed and John speaks of light coming out of darkness. Isn't this the deepest desire for Jesus Christ?

Christmas can bring forth all of our deepest longings. Matthew begins with an engagement, the most important choice in life. Luke begins with a barren priest. God addresses all of these concerns by reaching out to hear, to heal, to love and to care. For all of our seasons in life, God is part of them. Just as God watched, with love, each day of Jesus' life on earth, the Light continues to shine for us.

The Peace of God always be with you. Amen, Thank You Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †
 

Mark 5:35-43 ~ Arise

Angel Appears To The Shepherds, painted by Walter Rane

Mark 5:35-43

22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying,

“My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.”

24 And he went with him.

35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”

37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly.

39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.”

40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was.

41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”

42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

How is this a Christmas Story? This is a story of Fathers.

How is Jesus truly the Son of God? Jesus is created in Genesis 1 - Light of Light. True God of True God. Proverbs tells us Jesus was with His Father Laughing in Delight during Creation. So close this Father and Son - They are One Being.

An Angel is generally - a Fearsome Thing. Their first comment is "Fear"; "Fear Not!" No other words are put forth first and said very succinctly. Jairus is so afraid - he throws himself at the feet of Jesus. Not a common occurrence. 

This is a plea a father is not going to refuse. Father to Father. God knows what it is to loose a Son to live on earth. To loose a Son to die. And Jesus is going to make sure - this child lives. This is Christmas. Emmanuel - God with Us. Jesus has said days may come, where the people would long for Jesus to live.

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

The Gospels are Christmas. God with Us. What a warm and good place.  Be pleased with what God brings us Today.



Our Abba, Abba, Abba,

To all who did receive Him, who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become Children of God.

Christmas is Celebration of each day - God with us. For in Christ Jesus, we are all sons of God, through faith.

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Oh, the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

You are God's people; you have received mercy. You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

And in that Love, we lift those we Love. In expectation. We lift the people God has given us. And we delight to seek and work and live and abide and move in His Will. His is the Glory, the Goodness, The Power, The Love, The Mercy, The Kingdom of God. Alpha and Omega. King of Kings. Lord of Lords. Amen Jesus and Christmas - God with Us. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †