Matthew 4 ~ Follow Jesus

  

Matthew 4

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.


12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

15“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people dwelling in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
on them a light has dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”


18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”[b] 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 
22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.


23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.

 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 

25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

A Great Sermon at HopePointe Anglican Church
Oxford University's
The Rev'd Dr Simon Vibert  - Sermon Link
Director of the School of Preaching at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford
A joy and privilege to have him with us! He has a strong interest in training the next generation of Preachers. https://www.amazon.com/Simon-Vibert/e/B00DXKAMPC/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1


The Bible is Living and Active. And when we concentrate on Jesus, we are going to read a Scripture verse or chapter and see something different. We are all part of the Body of Christ and will have a different Purpose in Jesus Christ. This enables us to have conversation and reach out to the entire Body. This will provide a different viewpoint on Scripture - The Word of God is Nurture and Nourishment.

Why Matthew 4 During Lent?

Good point. Jesus was fulfilling the Word of God. When a ministry is begun - all of us will do something God does as well - Proverbs tells us - count the cost.

Lent is a season of preparing for the jolt of Holy Week. Remembering again the Terrible Cost of Amazing Grace. Jesus died for me. We are thinking of the absolute Gift of Jesus.

Jesus Servant King as a very auspicious presence in counting the cost. Someone who very dearly wants Jesus to count the cost as too high, too dear, too tragic, too messy, too uncomfortable, too ignoble, too insignificant for God, too inconspicuous, too ill advised, very un-glamorous.

God wants Jesus to be fully informed. The presence will use God in Deuteronomy to try for the path of good intentions.

What is the Cost to Minister Jesus

Jesus is - fully, completely informed of the cost. The Cost. Jesus has seen Nations and Glamor and Power. Jesus has Chosen to be - My Redeemer. Your Redeemer. The Redemption of your children. The Redemption of your grandchildren.

This is Truly the Son of God. A man fully - who has given wellness, healing, hope, encouragement and Love. His Blood will flow, His Heart will break - causing the murders to cry out, "This Truly is The Son of God."

What we Need to Represent God

Evil knows that to represent God - we are not sufficient. And Evil begins to plot what to ask Jesus to do. Tell us Your Strength. Tell us What You Can Do for Us.

Evil is not terribly creative. Evil repeats and repeats. Turn stones to bread. Feed The People. Give them something they will WANT you for. There are variations. Evil would say you deserve to be 'stoned'. You deserve the adultery - you hurt. You deserve to overspend. You deserve to be selfish. Evil starts out by saying "Give them something they Want."

Jesus - could do this. In fact Jesus rebukes the massive crowd fed after John the Baptist died and Jesus fed them to look beyond the visible. Jesus refuses to put on - a show.

Jesus The Lord -  is going with Truth. We will go with Jesus.

What We Think We Need to Represent God

Evil tries again. Be Spectacular. And reveals how Spectacular Spectacular can be. Jesus knows He is not a Rock Star, Jesus is the Foundation of God. The hope of mankind - our very Light and Life.

Jesus is our Righteousness. Jesus Tells us Be Confident and Bold before God Himself.

Hebrews 10:19
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus


1 Corinthians 1:26-30

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.

27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus,
who became to us wisdom from God,
righteousness
and sanctification
and redemption,
31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

The Response - The Word of God

Luke 10

18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”


Jesus did not want evil to be part of His Father's House. Jesus said rejoice your names are written in "Heaven" and plan on excluding what is not God's. Jesus was giving His Father. Giving. A new Heaven and a new earth. Giving.

Lent would be a good time to refrain from many things not pleasing to God.

The Deeds of God

Jesus did not plan on His Rise to Power. Jesus did not plot to take down Herod or Herod's children. Jesus did not plot to take over the Temple. Jesus did not say, "Set up tent here, lads." In fact, Jesus had a different response to the Treasury of the Temple.

Jesus frequently asked for privacy. Jesus frequently healed taking the dear beloved one privately and using gestures that the deaf could understand or the blind would have sensation to be involved.

Jesus frequently spoke in the wilderness. Jesus did not ask for money - Jesus asked for hearts. For lives of ministry. Sadly, Jesus rarely received gratitude outrageously. And Jesus received the gratitude after the Cost was given. Telling us, our fathers and our children and grandchildren "You will want to see the Days of Jesus."

Pleasing God Himself in Jesus Christ Our Righteous Lord

Father God, We want more of You.

Dwell within us, help us bring more Heaven to earth. We count on Your Righteousness to be our life. Help us to see Your Willingness daily. Send us there. We want to be pleasing to You as we work daily to be Loving, Mercy, Justice, humility, Hope, Faith, Joy, Peace, Goodness. Enable us and strengthen us to put You First, Jesus Christ.

Remind us to have Gratitude for Your Blessings. Call us to see Your Mercies Renew each Day.

We are not sufficient and call upon Your Mercy for those we Love and the people You have given us. Help us to lift Your Face to Shine and Smile. Give us the Joy Jesus tells us is His. Cover us in the Name of Jesus, Abba. And we will have Peace. Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

1 John 4 ~ whoever loves God must

1 John 4

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them,
for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us.

By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God,
because God is love.

9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

This morning I woke up and was very busy. I wanted breakfast and thought of many breakfasts, fast, sleepy, unaware - with people I love. Some are asleep in the Lord, some are Home with the Lord. Some I spoke with today at home and on the phone.

We moved 2,000 lbs of rocks and 800 lbs of dirt on a project for the yard and this will create a flower bed and better drainage in the back yard. Hard day? I Love to Garden and this was pure Joy. I surely bought small flowers and herbs living in the sub-tropics and seeing spring emerge on the new-leaf green tress.

I gathered my family and we headed out to arrive at a crowded restaurant - bone deep tired and hungry - this would not do. We traveled on to quieter Crisp - where they had their weekend Brunch going. Perfect. I was as happy as Bilbo Baggins, Hobbit before Long Lake arrival. Food has never tasted as good as anticipated and surprised with Joy and accompanied by Love.

View from John's residence, Patmos, Greece.

What we want to come Home to. The Scriptures tell us of our destination. Father of The House. Father God's Kingdom.

Quite a view.

John, the Beloved Disciple had lived seeing Jesus. Infused, soaked, satiated with the ability and loving understanding to stay with Jesus. Remain with Jesus. Placed by Jesus to care for the only woman to take a group up - several times, in the life of Jesus - to save the life of Jesus.

When we see John's view of Jesus - we have - an eyewitness of God. God's witness. John survived seeing evil kill God's Son. He has a real understanding of evil. Better by far - John begins with Genesis - the Light of the World. Incredibly complex beginning to place the Light of the World feet on the ground. To the 21st Chapter - amazing feet on the ground becoming the Fulfillment of God's Word.

John can take a complex story and make Solomon's Hubble Cloud in the Temple alive and seem as if we can see Jesus this day.

When we read John, we see Jesus. Merciful. Good. Where we want to be. God's Love. And in the warmth of God's love, we want more.


Blessed Father,

Bringing us Jesus - to be able to see You.

Let us have more of God.

Jesus our Wonder, Joy, Love and Savior. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Luke 18:9-14 ~ God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

Luke 18:9-14

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’

13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”




Habakkuk 3

Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, 18 Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. "

The book "Rich Father" deals with growing up with great attitudes of hard work, self confidence, correct spending, correct saving. Most of us will have some seasonality.

I was told by a family friend, when I was in High School, to prepare for the future. I really thought my future would be made and was astonished to find out we had to learn solutions and have a different life than our parents. And finding the solutions was the joy. Finding good reason Habakkuk has joy. Truly, we have had season of being impoverished and I'd say - that is a terrible way to have to learn. Poverty is boring. Self depreciating.

When we find we have a needle and thread to our life and we are willing to work with what God's Blessing and woe provides - the beginning - begin not to be defeated. Find true hope, faith and Love.

And usually, the people who are willing to work with respect within Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" - people who give reassurance, polite responses, diligent respect - are not going to end up with a life so clean - that sterile looks dire. Human warmth. Diligently applied. Sincerely. God is right - treat people with respect - find a path in God.



How is your Lent going? I was mildly gastro ill and tired. I have not done my exercises, I have not done all I planned. Things on the to do list pile up. And then I had compassion on a pressing chore from my son and friend. And this was a result of not going on excursion planned due to gastric illness. I'd say God has blessed me with several jaw dropping kindnesses and I am in the position of receiving kindness. What a wonderful feeling.

I have not fasted. I have fallen in all I hoped to do.

And I will say this to kindness given to me today, this week, in abundance:

Philippians 4 ~ To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

And I hope that next Easter time, I rediscover this Lenten Post and remember how very touching this is. To re experience Gratitude for this week.

My family has had some true failings, but one of our successes has always been humor. To finally laugh at ill humor. To see the humor in being a jerk. We have always called that "Whoa. Stop. Anderson Do Over Day." And we begin again.


1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Isaiah 43:18
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Internal change. Your mood for the day.

Your ability to have faith for the large issues in life.
Your ability to have faith for the pressing and scary issues in life.

The important portion here is - your soul and your belief in Change with wisdom. Believe in this Change yourself. Love God. Love Yourself.

Rejoice in the Mercy of God. 

Romans 8:27
And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

The Grace of God in Salvation



1 Kings 8
38 whatever prayer or supplication is made by any man or by all Your people Israel, each knowing the affliction of his own heart, and spreading his hands toward this house; 39 then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive and act and render to each according to all his ways, whose heart You know, for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men

Deuteronomy 4:31
For the LORD your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 

Jesus prayed to find God's Willingness. Jesus wanted to go where Father God would take Him.

We live in a world with calendars and events and lists. Jesus went where God placed Him.

Jesus healed at the waters of the Pool of Bethesda, The Pool of Siloam, using His saliva. In His Willingness to continue healing even when He was told this was evil - lives changed longing for more of Jesus.

Matthew 6:10
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven

1 Thessalonians 5:18
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 6:2
For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

Gideon, Jonah, Peter - God kept helping them. God is not going to quit or drop you on your head.

John 16:33
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”


Our Father,

Thank You, You hear prayers and Your Glory answers. We will have our Amen in Jesus with Joy. This is where we want to be. Almighty Father God.

Jesus the Lord!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Philippians 4 ~ To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

University of Michigan owns Papyrus 46. Dated late first or early 2nd Century. These two pages are Philippians 4. Easy to read. Very probably the Disciple John was still alive. The Bible is truth. http://earlybible.com/manuscripts/p46.html

Philippians 4

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.


4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.





8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.


14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.


21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.


23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.



We know this passage. We know the verse well, "I can do all things in God , Who strengthens me."

James wrote many times not to show partiality to rich or poor. And here is Paul traveling all over. Speaking to the lame and the blind. And in verse 22 we find Paul has met many, many saint - even in the Household of Caesar.


The letter is placed about 62 AD, about 10 years after Paul's first visit to Philippi. A Caesarean imprisonment (Acts 23-26). Caesar would be - Nerō Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. Generally, this would not be where Christians would seek employment. And to be this high up - would lead to the death of Paul. Emperor Nero, allowed the Jews back into Rome, but then, after the Great Fire of Rome of 64, Christians were persecuted.


How is Paul doing, being in the Lion's Den - Caesar's Household ?

• Stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved
•  
• Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
•  
• Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God
•  
• The God of peace will be with you.
•  
• The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
•  
• The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Paul writes of the beloved of Jesus, in the Holy Spirit:

Hebrews 12:2
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.

Psalm 29:11
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

John 14
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Jesus.

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Paul did have anxieties sometimes. And God would not have us apart from the rest of mankind. Paul is saying God has enabled him to walk the Plan and Path God has chosen for Paul. Just as God would do this for us as we walk in His Plan and Path.


Why would Paul do this?

God has shown Paul His Love.

Colossians 2:14
By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Astonishing to be at peace in what Paul calls Caesar's Household.

2 Corinthians 13:14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Titus 3:5-7
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.



Abba,

You promise us life. And tell us in Ephesians families live in Heaven together. Generations.

Because You've given us faith, He gave us the Right to become Children of God. So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

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

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, with Love. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.


So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Father, You know we are not asked to do Good Works every day. And yet we can. We are invited to pray.

Father God, Catholic priests tell us Catholics routinely pray to end well. To have death as a friend and not a worry, a lingering suffering. We pray preemptively for good health and to live abundantly healthily during our days. Loving good health. Saying thank You for times of rest. Asking for health for Paul, Diane, Edward, myself for ears and sinuses.

Giving thanks for my mom's and Jackson's health. For the pleasant passing of my cat. For the blessing of having people to love each day. For the elderly we pray for each day. For the Nation and the up building of marriages, family, Churches, our Nation and the entire the Body of Christ world wide.

We come to You, Father, in prayer it is not that I have already taken hold of faith, or have already attained perfect faith abilities, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess Christ Jesus, since Christ Jesus dwells in my soul. In God's blessing and forgiveness, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, to God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus , we pray. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

1 Kings 19:4-8 ~ went in the strength

1 Kings 19:4-8

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and he asked that he might die, saying, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am no better than my fathers."

5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree; and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, "Arise and eat."

6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank, and lay down again.

7 And the angel of the LORD came again a second time, and touched him, and said, "Arise and eat, else the journey will be too great for you."

8 And he arose, and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.


This might have been like the Disciples felt during the seismic type storm on the Sea of Galilee. About to die. Jesus is asleep in the boat. And then to Live!



08/09/09
My oldest son was traveling home from Houston on I-45. It hasn't rained in a long, long time, we are in a stage 4 drought. At about 10 a.m. he slid, on new tires, across 4 lanes of traffic with cars all around him. During the slide his car rotated 540'. He narrowly missed a concrete barrier. When he came to a halt, he was facing oncoming traffic. All the cars and all the objects had been missed and he was not harmed. Thank God for His mercy.


We have prayed for my ears. This is tied to my Thyroid and some days my ears are better and some days not as good. Not too bad for the yellow car covered pollen times of spring.

We are praying right now for a lady who is 101 years old and her recovery is pretty typical for elder recovery 2 steps forward, a detour, a recovery and a new thing and still a recovery.

Not all prayers are answered in a linear fashion. The storm the disciples encountered is very much like wind sheer rushing from the Golan Heights that could push a plane from the sky. A storm fishermen would want very much to avoid.

Jesus Slept? Yes. Jesus Slept.


And to tie these points together like a mosiac with a repeat pattern - recently I watched the Spike Lee movie, "Do the Right Thing." All of the people were experiencing distress. Poverty, family loss, heat wave, angry sons fortunate to have a job, unhappy to be part of the family business - facing life in the pizzeria. Angry people inflicting hurt on antique cars. Angry demands instead of wisdom. Handicapped people as seen as unhealed and unhappy. A struggling pizzeria man, struggling to support a son and wife, put down for his color. A man running his business unhappy to see one son unwinding in racism, hateful and ungrateful at all turns. A boycott planned just to show jealousy. Peace is found in - - - convenience. Finally instead of turning a polite answer - instead of turning off the lights. A victory becomes a tragedy for the self-righteous anger of a victory, a momentary peace - denied. And explosion that lead through the whole area.


Not all prayers are answered in a linear fashion.

Jesus knew something about this - the week of the Transfiguration - coming down from His momentary Victory - the Disciples are upset they could not heal a young boy.

And being Jesus - He did not throw up His Arms and Yell - He just needed time and space and let Him alone.

The father who professed doubts about all the healing and the seriousness of his son's terrible, terrible problem - Jesus said emphatically, "Yes you can trust me, yes do not doubt." The father didn't start screaming life had been hard for him too. Instead the father finds the way, the life, the truth - and tells the truth. "I have faith! Help me to have more faith!"

Amazing, holding on with hope, faith and Love. What Truth will bring. One more calm reply. One more picking up the tempo. One more apology. One more healing. One more Miracle.

Gives Jesus and Life so many more times that Mercy will bring a new path, a new plan, and a whole new path - for the boy who was healed by Jesus instantly.

And for us? Jesus did not say to the Disciples like a Rock Star, "Wow lucky I was here for that boy. Wow!"

Jesus knows what He is about - Ministry. Jesus gives Life. Words of Life.

"This one requires Prayer."

Jesus told the Parable about not being a corrupt Judge. Having prayer with the idea Jesus is Willing. And Good.



For Lent? what will we bring? Maybe something more meaningful than the loss of Chocolate.

Something Meaningful. Life provides opportunities. For good health, exercise - the Temple of God - our bodies.
Helping with multiplication tables. Listening to a litany of health concerns. Less alcohol. More prayer for a sick friend and a suffering wife. Remembering the day of an operation. One more errand to make someone's day. Give someone some Light.

Our Father, Father who gives us Jesus.

Finally and always, in the Goodness of God, rejoice in the Lord. He has given us Jesus.

Worship by the Spirit of God!

And glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. The surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Thanks be to God for the righteousness coming from You, depending on the Faith You have given — that I may know Jesus and the power of His Eternal Life, and may share in becoming like Him. From today on - Life everlasting. Trusting You for Good in all circumstances.

Thanks be to You Father God, who alone is Good. With You, I will press on to make the Life of Christ Jesus my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. In GOD, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

With His Help, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

In Jesus we will hold true to what we have attained.

We will place the ones we love in God's vast framework where You, Father God, will find the path and the hope for those we love. We will rejoice in the day You have brought. We will lift up those we pray for with Expectation of Your Goodness. We will pray with Hope for the Nation and the concerns of all the people You have given us. And By God, We Will Find the Joy. Today.

Jesus is Lord. This Lent help us to be Light Bringers. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

John 8 ~ And He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.

Temple Ascent Steps outside The Woman's Court

John 8

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple.

All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 

5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 

9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 
 
11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” 

14 Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 17 In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. 18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” 

19 They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?”

Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 

20 These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 23 He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” 25 So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. 26 I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” 27 They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. 

28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” 30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him.


31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”

34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 

 
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 

37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”


39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 

43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 

44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 

45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 

47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 

49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” 

52 The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” 

54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. 

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 

57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”

58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 

 
59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.




We know the Gospel of John and we know the 8th Chapter. Almost too well. Nothing is new.

Really? Why did John put these two events in the Life of Wonderful Jesus together? We read at the end of John's Gospel, Jesus' life was so involved with so many events happening that is was perpetually confusing.

And in the Second Century John was asked by Bishop Papias of Hierapolis if John approved of the other Gospels and if he found them to be conflicting. John replied, having lived with Jesus for all of his ministry, the other Gospels were indeed Gospel and to be believed. John was confirming many, many aspects of the day surrounded Jesus all the time.

Why did John place Jesus with the adulterous woman and with the stoning event? Jesus protects the woman and says she is free to go. Jesus displays being God and this chapter gives witness to John Chapter 20 - God's Sacrifice for the world.

Luke 10:27
He answered, "'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, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"



Why wasn't this Good Friday? Jesus clearly demonstrates He wants Life. And Jesus is capable of saving Himself. So why wasn't this Good Friday? To demonstrate Jesus is God. Because the High Priests have not told the Sanhedrin Council yet Jesus' death is for the sake of the Nation. They have not shamed themselves yet with a false trial leaving fair judges uncalled.

And Jesus has just shown us - Love yourself - do justice for yourself - is as important as doing justice for a neighbor.

John has very correctly placed Jesus in this Chapter.


Blessed are You, Lord Father God,

Giving us this Good Shepherd.

Jesus the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His Life for the sheep. Jesus teaches us Abundant Life.

Jesus restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name's Sake.

This Good Shepherd cares for the sheep, sees the wolf coming and stays. He does not leave or forsake us. Jesus does not let the wolf snatch them nor scatters them. Jesus tells us, "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me."

Jesus shows us our Father. Jesus has compassion for us, because we are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Scriptures tell us when a man loves the Lord, even his enemies are at peace with Him. Jesus says, I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.

In His Name we place our cares, our gratitude (for my mother's healed hearing, her insights and prayers today - surviving and overcoming Pneumonia and that hearing loss from antibiotics), our loved ones peacefully knowing how much Jesus cares for us. And the flock - from the Churches to the States, the Nation and the believers uniting the world in His care. Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †