Matthew 2 ~ When he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee

Jerusalem - the Land Allotted to the Tribe of Judah

Matthew 2

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 

9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. 

And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 

14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 

17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead.” 

21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 

23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Finding Joseph

We know Mary was from Nazareth in Luke 1. And we know Joseph had not married Mary when Jesus was born.

We know Joseph went up from Nazareth to Bethlehem (Luke 2:4), but we do not 'know' Joseph was from Nazareth. Maybe Joseph felt Mary would have more support near her family.

In this passage, going to Nazareth was a surprise to him - verse 22. Apparently, Joseph had set his sights on the tribe of Judah land - Jerusalem.

God wanted us to know the economic conditions of Jesus.

Isaiah 7

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. 17 The Lord will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria!”

18 In that day the Lord will whistle for the fly that is at the end of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

19 And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines, and in the clefts of the rocks, and on all the thornbushes, and on all the pastures.

20 In that day the Lord will shave with a razor that is hired beyond the River—with the king of Assyria—the head and the hair of the feet, and it will sweep away the beard also.

21 In that day a man will keep alive a young cow and two sheep, 22 and because of the abundance of milk that they give, he will eat curds, for everyone who is left in the land will eat curds and honey.

23 In that day every place where there used to be a thousand vines, worth a thousand shekels of silver, will become briers and thorns. 24 With bow and arrows a man will come there, for all the land will be briers and thorns. 25 And as for all the hills that used to be hoed with a hoe, you will not come there for fear of briers and thorns, but they will become a place where cattle are let loose and where sheep tread.



We do know Joseph was honored to be Davidic, when Mary's family were not the kings (David's minor son Nathan) and her family was not very honored according to Luke 1. Repeated in the Sadducean Council records.

We are told by Isaiah, Joseph had farming and , later in the Gospels, carpentry too. He had enough confidence and talent to head to Egypt to support his new family. Isaiah says he has a home, some flocks and is wealthy enough to have cattle. And donkeys. Perhaps a horse. Because it appears here to be a surprise to be in Nazareth, we assume Joseph sold his home to be in Egypt and Nazareth. Really, Joseph thought to live in Jerusalem. The Prophet Samuel farmed outside of Jerusalem.

Farms in Israel are typically the grain crops on the flat land and the figs,  olives and grapes on the hills. Article reference from MD Harris Institute.

~ Yes he went up from Nazareth to Bethlehem - means merely he collected Mary for the trip.
~ This does not mean he reports in to Bethlehem as a Nazareth man
~ Joseph travels with pregnant Mary from her hometown
This passage says how he picks Nazareth for Jesus to grow up there -fulfilling Scripture about Jesus as a Nazarene.
~ Joseph is reported as being a just man, Joseph is not written to be a Nazarene.

Funding the change in nationality - Joseph could have had funds when he sold the family house and livestock and go to Egypt. A manager, or family member would do this.This would be difficult if he had living aged parents and siblings. He might have been an only child. It could say he is interested in the marriage betrothal because he is alone.

However, we could all certainly believe this is a matter of Heart . God has a certain "style" and the matter is Love. Usually God puzzles the people involved in the process to a certain extent, or the people 'seeking' the answers. Wonder is a very strong motivator to learn. God giving the Mother of Jesus to a man she wouldn't just adore and love. The Gospels record Joseph's family was one solid family unit twice.



All the facts do not necessarily indicate Joseph was old. Or odd. Joseph dreams, he does not see visions. Yet Joseph is not a Levi descendant, he is from the Tribe of Judah. The family needs a man who can work his flocks, his livestock and lift and build. These are not old man tasks. Look at the buildings in Nazareth - these are rock - not just tables and chairs.

 We all have a good idea Joseph built houses. The Betrothal time was house building time.

 If he had children, this would be bad parenting not to report they all went to Bethlehem.


The details are interesting. Consider curds.

This had to be a process of work. This is a busy household. Curds indicates a level of industry and involvement within the family. This takes time.

Collecting honey? This is a process of faith. There is no Benadryl. You have to believe God is going to help.

Donkeys and carpentry when the city is made all of stone. There is a Real Level of Youth at work here. We don't here Joseph is retired. Stone Masons and Carpenters make these buildings together in columns and beams and wall bearings.

Hoes, Vines, Briars, crops. Jesus is busy as a young child - getting the bucket. Get a ladle of water. Briars? Weeding the food. Mary is busy. Jude, Simon, Joses. The sisters of Jesus. Joseph too.

Cows eat a lot to produce milk and curds. Grass is harvested. Flocks are tended. Birthing. Watering. Joseph is also a Shepherd. Teaching the long range mission of Shepherding to the Lord God, Father of All. His Son - Jesus.


Isaiah 7
19 And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines, and in the clefts of the rocks, and on all the thornbushes, and on all the pastures.



Not to mention, bow/arrow and fishing rod. Capernaum fished - so did Jesus!!! Isaiah thought - you and I should know!!!

What would we have in common with Joseph?

He was fulfilling God's plan in his life in small incremental steps. Living daily. And in this daily living - Joseph creates a Holy Family. With two incredible mentions of his family. Few of us have the chance to save God Himself - Joseph did this in not having Mary stoned. In believing God this was of God. Going to Egypt. Moving to Nazareth. Joseph is very incredible - just as we can be. Doing small things each day honoring God in our lives. Joseph is a very 'today' concept for living each day.

This family well understood Shepherds Abide - in the field. Jesus knew about Shepherding in many different levels - thanks to Joseph.

Our Father, our Abba,

Guide us well in Your Family. We trust in Thee.

Surround, embolden, embrace, lead, protect and guide us and our loved ones. We trust in You to do this for all families named in earth and in Heaven, this day and always. In Jesus! Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Acts 1:1-14 ~ It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority

God is God. The Good News.

Acts 1:1-14

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.


God's Will. The best way to end a prayer. Thy Will be done. Or start a prayer.

Jeremiah understood God's will.

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."




Do we trust God's Will? Honestly, we would all have to lean to "we want to." Yet when the chips are really important, we might whine like small children to God.






And Jesus replies in the New Testament outside of the Gospels.
Alive.
Warm.
Available.
Acts Chapter 1 abuts John's Gospel and the 21st Chapter - where the Disciples felt cozy enough to argue with the Victorious Son of God. Whew, good to know, whiners unite in feeling abashed and not destroyed.

Perhaps even God gets pushed and doesn't want to be conversational with prayer whiners, too. Jesus is not forthcoming to the question of getting the Roman Empire out. The Jews thought Jesus was going to be Solomon, Hezekiah and Genghis Khan rolled into Merlin. We can all say to the prophets and the Magi, again, .... Isaiah was how well understood when the Magi went to see Herod to see the new King?

People.

It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority


And going back to the point, Jesus does not reply directly to being asked about the Roman Empire. This encounter with the Disciples, 40 days after the John 21 squabble,  Jesus is more politely asked if He failed to measure up as the Messiah/Solomon/Hezekiah/Genghis Khan/Merlin King. "Hey? What about the Roman Empire???"

Wow, "What if"! What if the Disciples had behaved Loyally during the Trial and Death of Jesus.

What if the Disciples had not started asking about how long John would live. What if they had not all hidden (minus John).What if men, not women, had intended to bring the spices to Jesus' body? What if the Brothers and Sisters of Jesus were there to see the tomb was empty.  If it was the tomb of the Disciples' families tomb and, therefore, they could have held Vigil the night of His Death near His tomb?

 The sight of what they could have seen! Another Transfiguration - The Light of the World. The Body of Christ's becoming Victory over DEATH.

Maybe whining about our own way isn't such a good idea. Or not going with God, when we can.



So, if ...
we had gone like Jeremiah did to God's Will - during the time of the Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Only Son of God - and Jesus had felt like being emphatic about the Will and Plan of God instead of listening, all the time, to our complaints...

What would Jesus have said about failing to conquer the Roman Empire?

(Can YOU BELIEVE THEY WANTED TO SAY TO JESUS - HEY! Om our Government? Our Glory? Your Mission?)

What could Jesus have Said???

Ephesians 3
20 Now to Him who is able to do infinitely more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, 21 to Him be the glory.

Jesus could have said, "Have Faith. The Roman Empire is going to start becoming unglued about a man's death (we know God's Son) in Judea, suburb of Syria - where no good Roman wants to be the Governor. And days will come - that will be difficult. The faith of the world will begin to rise. The love Christians have for one another will increase, the difficulty of the times will increase the desire to assist each other, fellowship will increase. Goodness will increase to speak of the comfort of Gods' Son."

"Remember that Church I told you about that doesn't exist? I told you in Caesarea. Well, when Emperor Nero burns down Rome, that area of the fire, Christians are falsely accused of killing Romans in the fire, this will eventually become The Vatican. This is where Peter is below the altar by 80 feet. His bones will exist because his grave was covered by a rock. And upon this rock, above where the Emperor will install Peter in a Church above his grave. Upon this Rock I will build my Church. Love."

And what happens to the Romans? Another -  if  - the Disciples had stayed with Jesus and could ask?




Jesus could reply something like this:

Solomon would have known.

Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

The Magi knew. They had this completely right.

Isaiah 60:3
And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Micah the Minor Prophet knew:

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?

The Disciples would come to understand.

Matthew 5:
43 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Jesus knew
Luke 12:14
But Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed Me judge or executor between you?"

Abba, our Father,

Day by day, to see Thee more clearly,
love Thee more dearly, day by day.

~ To know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,
that we may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now we see again Jesus is able to do infinitely more than all we ask or imagine,
according to His power
that is at work within us.

What is the Glory of God? Where we want to dwell.

To Jesus Christ, Son of God to Him be the glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus,
His body we pray to dwell in and Jesus is us, to our loved ones,
throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen we boldly and confidently ask as we approach Your Throne because of
The Love and Glory of Jesus Christ God.
Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

John 1 ~ In the beginning

John 1


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 mankind.


 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.

15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) 

16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 

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

18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”


22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”


24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” 28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.



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!”


37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”


They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”


So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 

41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).



43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”


44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”


46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.


47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”


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


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


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


50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 

51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

Isaiah 45

I am the Lord, and there is no other;

apart from me there is no God.

I will strengthen you,

though you have not acknowledged me,

6 so that from the rising of the sun

to the place of its setting

people may know there is none besides me.

I am the Lord, and there is no other.

7 I form the light and create darkness,

I bring prosperity and create disaster;

I, the Lord, do all these things.

8 “You heavens above, rain down my righteousness;

let the clouds shower it down.

Let the earth open wide,

let salvation spring up,

let righteousness flourish with it;

I, the Lord, have created it.

Mark 1:10
Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him


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




Isaiah 60
“Rise up and shine, for your light has come. The shining-greatness of the Lord has risen upon you. 2 For see, darkness will cover the earth. Much darkness will cover the people. But the Lord will rise upon you, and His shining-greatness will be seen upon you.

Nations will come to your light. And kings will see the shining-greatness of the Lord on you.

“Lift up your eyes and look around you, and see. They all gather together. They come to you. Your sons will come from far away, and your daughters will be carried in the arms.

Then you will see and shine with joy. Your heart will be glad and full of joy, because the riches of the sea will be turned to you. And the riches of the nations will come to you.

Father God,

Help us each day to see the Goodness of God. Seeing what You are providing. Building the events we will shape our soul to bring to You.

Help us each day, we know to ask boldly with confidence.

And in Jesus we place all our cares and the ones we love. Casting our cares upon You, for You care so deeply and compassionately for us.

To our Father, who wants to save the World in Jesus Christ. In this His Heart, and His goal - we are assured of His Kingdom, Power and Glory. Wonderful Jesus reflecting the Father. Our Father. Our Jesus. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Revelation 6 ~ Jesus came out conquering, and to conquer. +

Revelation 6

Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.

3 When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 4 And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword.

5 When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!”

7 When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 8 And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.

9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. 10 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

12 When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. 14 The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”


Peter agrees with Jesus, and John, about the end of this earth. Fire.


2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.


This is pretty clear. The rest is not. Isaiah was prophetically understood by all. Particularly the Magi, who knocked upon Herod's door looking for the new King.

One thing to be sure of, the Bible is written for you and your life. All people are all on the same destination. All bow before Jesus Christ. Reading Revelation,  seeing Father God's love for His creation and His Children - all the world -  He has great sorrow not all will be with Him in Heaven by their own choices.

If we look at possible interpretations of Revelation Chapter 6, let's see what is found. This is not just the cosmic events of the end of life on the planet  - this is the progression of a journey of a body of flesh and death, God's fair and worthy judgment and what follows. This is the journey of life to Life.






Here is one possible interpretation:

1 Corinthians 15:55-57

55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus is King of Kings, Lord of Lords. Jesus is the Conquering God.

This life is, according to Jesus, going to have suffering. Far above experiences in this life - is God's Will - all suffering - the good part is overcoming suffering and rejoicing in the slings and perils being tossed down. The horrid suffering - where people just suffer and suffer -  remember - God is Above and in Front and rise up with great Hope. When Jesus' cousin died, Jesus recognized He had responsibilities. He fed the thousands with only His Word, He prayed hearing His Father and,,, probably, Jesus walked on water remembering the earth was begun with water. This was when Jesus delighted in His Father's master workmanship and in mankind. Proverbs 8. Jesus would help Peter walk with Him, securely.

I believe Jesus is saying, come hell or high water - God is God. Lord of Lords. Finding God's Will is good.





In History, there are times where the end of the world seems to be at hand. For the Essenes - they said the world would end and for them in 70 A.D., yes, they were slain. All of them.

The Jews who perished in the Nazi concentration camps. The Killing Fields of the Khmer Rouge. People like Corrie Ten Boom, have been left utterly alone. And they have found the only hope is in Romans 8. What Desmond Tutu found in South Africa. When there is no where to turn - Jesus Christ has the relevant answers and hope.

There are times people have almost all their family killed in airplanes. By fire. By accidents, by illness. And Jesus will provide a path to having a life that is blessed and goes forth. Jesus said to His Disciples, "Rise, let us go from here." And Jesus certainly means this. He expected His Disciples to get up, having abandoned someone like Jesus, and continue. To find Grace, to look Jesus - again  - in the eyes.

This applies to us in all situations life can bring.

What generation has seen more murders? So stop. Turn off the Television. More and more people are doing this. If we need constant bad news and bad situations to entertain us, we have set our minds on problems. Not peace and solutions. Jesus said look to what is Noble. See peace. God says we have health and healing in Praise God music. Christian music instead.

Poverty.

All different types. All different economic areas.

Recently I heard a statistic - one of the few pieces of good news for our culture is - 20 to 25% of people in Extreme Poverty have the ability to leave poverty in their lifetime, with work!!!

You do not see this in the news - the bad ol' news today. We have to be able to know in our Churches and in our handbags and in our wallets - where our community services offer their services. Have a list ready with the ability to tell the services of the community.

Be rich in Good News. Be poor in repeating the woes of Life.

Be rich in participating in your opportunities. We all need to participate in the people around us - to offer our help, our listening. Our hands. Our talents. We need to bring compassion to the poverty stricken. Their is hope for them. Looking down our snoots at the people who cannot afford the $75 for a wedding license is not helpful. Knowing which Churches in your county will provide a complete wedding  Grace Baptist Church in Conroe, Texas. God bless you.

Substance abuse happens more in poverty. Ashamed people need assistance to find AA or Celebration Recovery. Know where these are. This is the ladder of success. The stairs of Jesus to full and abundant life. Jesus cried. Tears are never fatal, being able to see tears and help people is part of life.

Leaving the poverty of shame!
We do not need to be ashamed as Christians, we do not earn Salvation.
When we are trying to please God - we do.
Just speak up when you have the opportunity. We earn the right to be heard by being merciful.
Forgiving.
Or turning the other cheek, going a different direction and forgiving.
Rich in forgiveness.

I was recently told by someone in the 8th decade, suddenly life looks a lot like the 1500's A.D. of Bubonic Plague. There could be five funerals a week to go too. The problem is natural death. My mother has experienced this in her 6,000 person Church. She said she has been there for 50 years and if she threw a bowling ball through the crowded Church, it would never hit someone she knew - suddenly.

This person has grieved the losses. And has found friends of friends to go with. This is a person of Faith. Jesus is God. Not that mean ol' horrible God who just shuffles on. In her faith, she believes life is for living - now. She finds more in life. With positive attitudes and reality.

The Fifth Seal is interesting. Very memorable. The bitterness of the faithful. None of us,, in the faith community, know about grousing - cough, cough. The BIBLE is REAL. Raw deal - What do the Saints of God do? They honestly tell God. And God is putting them directly into His Heaven? Like Jesus? No. God is putting them in the 1,000 year rest. God knows best.

I prefer to be honest, make changes I see need to be addressed and not shlump along. And I complain. In fact, people tell me sometimes - stop. And I do, when I am able. Surely I am not going to participate with bitter complainers of injustice. And expect the same from others. St. Francis of Assisi said have courage and find courage and change what needs to be changed. James, Brother of Jesus, said ask for Wisdom - to know the difference.Surely Revelation 6 is about being forgiving in injustice. And vocal to God. Skipping the asking for vengeance part.

Jesus tells the crowd of merely the curious, they came for the free food. No Sign will be given. And everything surrounding Jesus is a sign. Everything. All points to Father God.

Jesus tells us the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. That tells us events are surprising. The surprise that all arrive at the Day of the Lord is definitely planned. Prepare. Daily.

We prepare our entire lives for the return of Eternal Life!
The prodigal child - us - goes to the Father. Who can stand on the Day of the Lord? Those who have covered themselves in belief, heart, words, deeds believing in Jesus to be our Righteousness. Stand firm in faith of Jesus' goodness. Covered in the Name of Jesus.

Abba,
Thank You for Jesus. The Way, the Truth, the Life.

Amen in Jesus for us and those we love. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †