John 14:27-28 ~ Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful

John 14:27-28

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.

Ye heard how I said to you, I go away, and I come unto you.

If ye loved me, ye would have rejoiced, because I go unto the Father: for the Father is greater than I."




This is the perfect time to consider Peace. A time of great trouble, when people are still working and suffering. Where Facebook shows people of Florida are praying and closing until next Wednesday. A time to really Pray.


The Disciples rarely experienced Peace. They had awe. Political ambition. Love. Loyalty. Fear.

Mark 10:32
They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him.




Jesus never fired the Disciples.

Jesus never stood up and said, don't have fear. Now, from time to time. Jesus said, with stern voice, "Have Faith."

Jesus is not known to flout Peace. Jesus never, never, never ever said, "I have Peace, where is yours?"




Jesus had something to say for castigating others.

Matthew 23:27
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean."

It's not a good idea to add on to what Jesus says and make Peace a Spiritual Litmus Test.

During a time of Spiritual perfection - Acts of the Apostles - the newly devoted Christians were told to share the meal. To make sure all were fed and not overfed. To make sure people did not go home hungry from the meal.












When we really examine the lives of those Closest to God represented by His Son - we find they had fear. We find they fell down in the water looking at God. We find Peter never tried to walk on water again. We find they told Jesus to hush about fearful death. We find they chased off children to make Jesus' time more scheduled cleanly and effectively. We find them questioning each other on basic logistics in the face of Jesus Christ God - feeding the multitudes. We find them, cowering, not wanting to ask Jesus about the bread, for fear this amount of Godly perfection was going to turn to them and say, "YOU FORGOT THE BREAD??? PETER, MATTHEW, JOHN, JAMES?"



We find the man healed by the Pool of Bethsaida, after 38 years, used his healing as an opportunity to rub elbows with the higher ups. We find the 10 lepers were healed and one gave thanks. These are people who fell down on the job of real Peace. Lack of gratitude for prior events. Lord Jesus help us!!!



We cannot say if we are well employed, in health, blessed, well housed, have an inheritance, were always parented well, well educated and covered in life - "I have peace... where is your's?" We are not walking in that person's shoes. Instead we are cutting off their process of Peace. God's incredible Peace. We need to affirm and sponsor what Peace is. Mercy. God has always said He desires Mercy over sacrifice.

We cannot say to those with chronic Anxiety - buck up. You ain't got Jesus.

In the face of flood and hurricane and recovery. Jesus would not preach mandatory Peace.



And if you look at Peter and at Paul - as their life got ready to close - with suffering. They said people ran out on them. And people stayed and they were hurt about who ran out. The Bible is very, very honest and Father God has us discuss personal flaws a lot. A great deal. And at their death, these men discover - The Narrow Path. Peace.











Which entirely and completely brings us back to John 14. Where Jesus says clearly that if He says something is true - in the first few verses of John 14 - then really - what we have is the True Word of God. What is Jesus saying here?

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.

Ye heard how I said to you, I go away, and I come unto you.

If ye loved me, ye would have rejoiced, because I go unto the Father: for the Father is greater than I."

 Time and Processing Life

John never recovered from discussing evil in the world after seeing the Son of God die. Mary was told, and we know this is the truth, that a sword would piece her soul. John would come to preach, not the anger of God at human flaws, but the incredible riches of God's Vast Mercy. John lived finding Peace. In John's long life, we see his later Bible of God is about The Incredible Graciousness of God to the human condition. The Jesus who looks at us - you and me - and has compassion on His Lambs in need of Jesus.

So - in these verses - what is Jesus preaching about Jesus' Peace?

Jesus is saying something of vast worth - we need to hold on to. Hold on to your truths. Jesus is saying this - when we lose someone we Love - we will have grief. And probably for two years of fierce grief. Jesus is saying - when life is dark, bleak, sad, the stories around you are sad, when problems reoccur, when we feel pressed flat to the earth, - we have a portion of the Holy Spirit telling us - we are going to survive.

When we lose someone we love - we - KNOW - they do not want us to suffer. Jesus is telling us to find that part - that glimpse of Light - telling us - this is surmountable.

Isaiah 40:31
Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Father, we pray Jesus to lead us here.

Jesus is telling us that glimmer of Hope is Peace. This is the Peace of God  This glimmer of peace is the Father seeing you at a distance and beginning to run to you.  And when we are Able - CLING to that Peace. God is Helping is.

This is Him Advocating for you.

Remember the Prodigal Son.

~Time the Father had to swallow his pride and sell what was of value to him. Time to arrange the sale. Suffering.

~ Time to watch the son walk off - knowing this was not good.

~ Time to wonder where the son was - knowing this was not good. And yet rejoicing the older son is with him and shares all that is with the Father.

~ Time while the son was working a poor job and starving. The Father was doing life - and probably praying a lot. Time.

~ Time to see the son in the distance and know rejoicing was at hand.

~ Time. Finding Peace. The Way, the Truth, The Life with Jesus Christ.


Jesus knew the disciples were not going to be overjoyed Jesus was dead, alive and taken to Heaven in front of them. Jesus was telling them they would be allowed to have Peace.

What does this PEACE enable, strengthen, establish, build in us?

To hope. To get over events like loosing a still born daughter. Many will tell you - you never recover. You do when you have Peace to believe she is alive in Heaven. You will know her and the hills and highways of Heaven. Isaiah 49.

To believe. On the days we have too much to do and no energy. Small hope. To have the Peace to decide we can do a few things today and wait for tomorrow and renewed mercies to strengthen us to do more - tomorrow.

In days where our mood just won't be brightened. No reason. Life was good yesterday. Is horrible today. And back to being good tomorrow. Then we have the Peace to know not to make major decisions today. Same as when you have the Flu or Strep Throat. The Peace to decide God will decide and we will Rest on His Peace and His timing and His Love.

Sometimes Peace is allowing this day to be the less wonderful day. Rest in God more good days will be another day.

Is God's Peace Miraculous. YES. Sometimes. YES.

Peace. When we see loved ones in Jesus Christ go on to Heaven. With utter and complete Peace. We are seeing the work of God in Heavenly Proportions. They are teaching us Belief in a Major Capacity. Life Changing Witness of Jesus Christ and His Peace and Faith. Utter God Given Peace. The Peace that passes understanding. Taught by those we love most. Profound witness to Jesus. God blessing us in the Narrow Gate.

Even if we employ God's Peace in small, minute times. We find Father God has really built a steel frame bridge covering troubled waters and, in small steps, we find the Bridge holds. Life is sustained. We can believe this today.

And at the end of our life - we will look back - astonished, amazed, awed Father God has carried us so many, many times over troubled waters in a ho-hum day, Because we found a small, little bit of Peace of God creating a Marvelous, Huge, Bridge of our Lives Carrying Us Over Trouble Waters. Because that day, we just held on the Holy Spirit and let the Holy Spirit be Comforter to us.

The Peace of God is exactly like the Light of Jesus Christ. The Light shines over the darkness and the darkness did not overcome and we - hardly knew - The Comforter, The Teacher was urging us on and giving us Hope, Faith and LOVE.

You say, "Do I know the Peace of God? "

Yes, you will be Thanking God for the times your little faith was flamed on in God's Tender Grace. We have to look at with eyes of Faith.

The things we will see -
with our eyes enlightened by Jesus Christ - in His Heavenly Kingdom
- we will laugh with delight for the times Jesus held our hand
- and enabled us to have Hope, Faith and Love.






Abba, our Abba,

You are Daddy. You are filled with tender Love for us.

When You cover us in the Name of Jesus our prayers go amazingly far. When we ask Jesus to go with us in prayer as our Mediator and Advocate.

We pray for families of Jesus Christ to be filled with Love. We pray for our Loved ones to have the Comfort You bring every day. We thank You for Your mercies Daily.

We come fully with confidence and honestly for the things we need.

We with abundant and filled Thanks Bless You for Your Answers all our Life.

We pray not only for the people You have given us - but for the people we are hearing about in the news - in some very difficult troubles. Please carry burdens for them. Help us to Help Others. We ask for Your miracles over these things under Your feet.

We fully and with Love thank You that Your Plans are for a Hope and Future. We ask for the fulfilling of Your Word bringing Good News. Praying to see soon how all things work together for Good for those who Love the Lord God and work according to His Purpose.

Jesus be praised for His Mercy, Grace, Forgiveness, Wisdom and Joy. You are a God we can look to with Great Pleasure in Your Love and Goodness.

Thank You Jesus. Thank You Abba. Amen and Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Luke 7:11-17 ~ Arise

Luke 7:11-17

11 Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him.

12 As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. 

13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."
14 Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."

15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!"

17 And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.

We will just not know until we are in Heaven, if the widow's son was a child or an adult.



But Jesus came to tell us this:

Romans 12

15b Weep with those who weep.

16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but

give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.




Jesus never said there was no crying in baseball. Jesus is tender. Jesus meets us where we really are. We come before Jesus just as we truly are. And we learn that mankind delights God as He sees us. There is no wonder after watching the Cajun Navy and all of Texas work  - to help those flooded out.

When we can't, God will comfort us. We know. We can put ourselves on our Jesus and our Father when life is tough.

Psalm 131

1 My heart is not proud, Lord,
    my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
    or things too wonderful for me.

2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
    I am like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child I am content.

3 Israel, put your hope in the Lord
    both now and forevermore


Tell people the truth of your struggles.





And in the truth, Jesus tells us this:

Standing up is important. When we are able. When we feel His mercies renew. Stand up when we pray - this is fine, Gabriel tells us he stands in the Presence of God. Luke 1.

Stand when you are able.


Ephesians 6

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes,
you may be able to stand your ground,

and after you have done everything, to stand.

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.




Joshua 7:10
10 The LORD said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face?

God tells us He is God of Encouragement.


Nehemiah 9:5
5 And the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah—said:

“Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. ”
“Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.



Job 11:15
15 then, free of fault, you will lift up your face;
you will stand firm
and without fear.


Psalm 3:1-6
"O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God.

Selah But you, O Lord,
are a shield about me,
my glory,
and the lifter of my head.

I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me."



When we can stand and let God lift up our face.

The Joy of the Lord is our Strength.

Mark 12:30
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.


Matthew 22:37
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."





Abba, our Abba,

Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and we want to hold on to Jesus. We will stand with Jesus.

In good times, You are our Joy and Strength.

In bad times, You are our Comforter and Helper.

In times we are afraid, You slept calmly in the boat. And then stood. Matthew told us in His 8th Gospel, Jesus stood to rebuke the wind and the water.

Father God, You rested. We must rest.

And we will be different this time next year.

Abba will remain the same. He has carried us for many years. He will lead us Home. We will expect His Goodness and Love. And for those we Love to live knowing the Joy of Jesus.

We will Live Praying Jesus' Love on our Nation. Blessing all Christians praying His Love bringing more Heaven to earth.

We thank You Father Puerto Rico was spared. We pray Barbuda will be helped and Irma will stall before hitting land. We pray more blessings like those of Puerto Rico. 

Jesus Christ over us all.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 116 ~ What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?

Psalm 116

1 I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.

2 Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

3 The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. 4 Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!"

5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful.

6 The LORD preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. 7 Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. 8 For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling;

9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

10 I believed, even when I spoke, "I am greatly afflicted"; 11 I said in my alarm, "All mankind are liars."

12 What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD, 14 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

16 O LORD, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds.

17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.

18 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people, 19 in the courts of the house of the LORD, in your midst, O Jerusalem.

Praise the LORD!






Harvey was supposed to rain another week. The storm passed by. The winds were supposed to cause major tree damage with sustained winds. We did not see the winds. The flood was supposed to last 3 weeks. And did not.


My mother was told to us, last year, she was dying 4 times. Hospice came to call to collect her 3 times. She enjoys her life today.




When we are told God will be with us. Let us be glad. And not fear the worst. Like Peter did and cried out, "I'm a sinful man Lord God. Look from me and depart!"



Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord,
who daily loadeth us with benefits,
even the God of our salvation. Selah.

His mercies renew.


Psalm 8

4 What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?


Why would the God of the Universe care to know my name?


Psalm 8
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; 4 What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? 5 Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty!


The moments of our lives we do not relive often.

Your longed for birthday as a child. You were loved and honored.

Your first pet. Given for you. To broaden you.

Your first day of school.

Your first set of friends.

Your first day of High School. The Big Time.

Graduating from High School almost feels like you have dropped off a cliff - where are you going?

Suddenly finding out - you are considered to be an adult and live like an adult.

A good accomplishment.

Deciding to get married.

Your wedding day. Your honeymoon.

Finding out you are expecting a child. Going through the changes of pregnancy.

Childbirth.

Bring home a child and finding out parenting.

A job loss. Worry.

A job found. Great Day.

Your child asks you things of precious worth.

You worry for your child.

Blessings.

Finding time passes.

Wondering what happens next.

Times of trouble.

Wondering what happens next.




Being told, "God is with you."



Rejoice. Rejoice. Emmanuel shall come to Thee
Oh Israel.
Beloved of God Rejoice.



Romans 2:7
To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life.




Abba Father,

We are invited. Invited. We will See Jesus. We will see His Glory, Honor. God Himself gives us Jesus' Immortality. Invited.

This is quite an Invitation.


Father God, will we find that the Streams of Life leading to Your Throne, the Tree of Life will look like a Sequoia.

Will we find that Angels and Archangels stood beside us as mighty, mighty Giants.


Will we be able to remain standing when we see the Heavenly Host and hear their Praises of You.

Will the best of all of Your earthly creation rush beside us as we recognize Heaven.

We will know Home. We will want to see You run to us with Your favor.


In these days:
Help us Father God to speak as You'd have us speak. Help us to listen when You'd have us Listen.

Let us do the Good Works You have put before us to do.
Rejoicing we are not God and are the sheep of Your Hand and Heart and someday of Your Hearth.

Steady us when we are frail.
Encourage us when we feel so small.
Strengthen us as You are God and we would be a Lion of God with Jesus.
Forgive us, please, when we are wrong.

Keep us on Your Path.
We Believe Your Plan is for Good. You are Good.
You are our Hope and Future.

Please hold our soul and heart and keep us in Your Heart.
O Lord God, My Rock and My Redeemer.
May the words of my mouth
and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Thy Sight,
Jesus Lord God, Rock and Redeemer.

To You we entrust those we Love.
To You we dwell secure.

And for Your many given blessings surrounding our very lives - We give You Thanks and Praise.
Holding up this Nation under God
and the people trusting in You.

Your Beloved People, Thank You Father.
Great I am. Jesus our God.

Praise You Father, being part of the Free.

Able to Pray knowing You alone are God.

Rejoicing - Knowing - You are God.

Your Word is Good. Jesus God Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 84 ~ Blessed are those whose strength is in You

Psalm 84

To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!

2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

6 As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.

8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah

9 Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed!

10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor.

No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!

We have seen the fires of Los Angeles get better and still have some concern. Montana fires are on our prayer list. And Hurricane Irma Category 4.

Hurricane Harvey is being called the 1,000 year flood. We had the 1,000 fires in 2011.


Weather concerns are not new to the planet. About 246 A.D. the weather was so severe the Roman Empire was worried the calendar change signaled the end of the world. Historians record panic. Lightning fires, very frequent earthquakes and terrible storms. Diocletian was set to begin the rehash of terrible Christian persecution and massive reforms fundamentally changed the structure of Roman imperial government and helped stabilize the empire economically and militarily, enabling the empire to remain essentially intact for another 150 years despite being near the brink of collapse in Diocletian's youth. His nephew was well known as - Constantine the Great. This was a time of very great changes.




I know the story of a very successful attorney.

He had 8 years of college - he just didn't seem to be working out well in higher education. And he entered the work force to find out - he really did want that college degree. When he graduated, all the success had begun to build to make higher education seem possible. He went on to Law School.

He found something enabled him to make Law School enjoyable.

There were a tremendous number of brilliant people in Law School and  he found he was going to be able to do these 3 years. This was a cause for concern for him at first. So many extremely gifted people in Law School - would he survive? He found that he didn't have to have the top grade. And he began to coach himself. He made a B on the exam. Well that was really good. He knew other people were higher in class rank, but he was pleased with his own grades.

And as he graduated he saw many go to very high-end firms. He joined a small town District Attorney. Doors opened. Doors opened. Doors opened. Doors opened. He has done very well. By wanting to improve a community for 'the good guys' - he found more work and more opportunities. And has done very, very well. With positive affirmation.


This actually is Biblical. This man did not sweat what others were doing. He was grateful. And in having good motives, he found a career.






The news is about to become rougher.

Two hurricanes, fires and North Korea. News likes to be sensational and we are hitting a fast pace stride.

This does not mean we will be facing this same news - next year. I watched our local water utility gear up for storms based upon NOAA forecasts this spring. We had new drainage dug and the drains were tested. We can prepare ourselves and be grateful Father God has put us in this time of antibiotics, where our we have every expectation to live to be old and out live our children. Technology and advances sometimes makes us edgy about too much new.

We are blessed. I've seen the Local Houston News Reporter Ted Oberg of ABC 13 say the Cajun Navy prompted more and more Texans to join them in recovery. We are the people who have lived an example I can't remember other than Dunkirk. We are seeing more and more people rise up to help.






Spiritually what does this mean?

Rise up. Take time to pray - ask Jesus to join you. Expect the Goodness of God. The Lord's Prayer. Search the morning to find when your gratitude rises. We live the adventure of finding His Mercies Renew. We will Rise.

Christian Obligation. St. Augustine was asked and he said something real and beneficial - to hold on. I'm going to paraphrase. We want to live the Book of Acts. To see God act dramatically. St. Augustine said if we are really trying to care for just the few people God gives us and tell them God Loves them the way St. Augustine's mother believed Augustine would learn and love and know and dwell in God's Love - then we are pleasing God. If we can do one small thing for our community - our neighbors - our children - were we speak up - ONLY a LITTLE - we have done something marvelous every single day.

It's not ram down God. It's find ways to let that person know God is the Father - who is Pleased and Loves them - as they are.

How can we know? Look at the story of the man who could not stay in college. He decided he'd keep trying. And he gave himself permission to enjoy his talents. And in being honest with his goals - being calm - wanting goodness - he didn't see the whole Path look like The Oscars. Time Man of the Year. Each day - a little step. And in this goodness - God has blessed him and blessed him and blessed him.




When our small children ask - what will we do?

We will tell of our blessings of wisdom - knowledge around the situation. We will say each day we will do a little. We will keep trying and find good days ahead. We will with God find our blessings each day. We will put our hands out in prayer. We will put our hearts open for using the changes life brings us to find good.

We will say with faith, "All Things Work for God, for those who love the Lord and work according to His Purpose." An adventure of belief.

We will tell our children about the Cajun Navy and the Volunteers. We will tell them of the Restaurants that expect to find diapers - all ages. Home building tools and supplies. Dog food. Cat food in baskets put out believing we will continue to care.



And we will remember - we haven't seen this of our nation in a while. And we make the choice to care and love and try. Knowing God is pleased because we try. And we will remember to smile as our head hits the pillow - we tried to please a loving, good, merciful, easily pleased - Father - God - Our's.

Abba, our Abba,



Deuteronomy 20:4
For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies,
to give you the victory.’


We will put down lumping all of this culture as done in.
We will be reasonable.
We will ask You - numerous times
We will look for what is honorable, just
worthy of praise.
Taking off our concern for ourselves.
Find excellence in entertainment
Find what we can praise.

Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope,
be patient in tribulation,
be constant in prayer.


Psalm 39:7
“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in you.

The Certainty of this Good News:

Proverbs 23:18
Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Psalm 71:14
But I will hope continually
and will praise you yet more and more.




We will allow the ebb and flow of time and circumstance.
We will not push out our hopes for those we love and ourselves. We will expect better times ahead.

We will make the effort to listen. We will sent help for the needs of others on a continued basis.


Thank You, Father God, the flood waters have receded quickly. We pray for those near water who are and have taken on water in their homes for the first time. We pray for the weeks ahead hearing about recovery near and far to see this as recovery.

We pray that the Spirits of our neighbors, friends, Loved ones are encouraged in the Holy Spirit. We pray for Montana and Los Angeles as well as Houston. We pray for Hurricane Irma to make a U turn and stall out over water.

We have seen a few Hurricanes just go back out to sea - IRMA - Go Back out to Sea. In the Willingness of God - we put all our trust in Jesus Christ.

We pray as Hope has increased, we will feel encouraged. Please Bless those praying all over the world in Jesus Christ. The prayers surrounding Your good earth. Your arms around those we Love. God bless us in this Nation. God strengthen and encourage the Goodness.

In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Jeremiah 29:11 ~ a future and a hope

(Sound begins about 36 seconds in.)


The Opinions I express here are my own:

To watch the video is to feel sorrow. And the truth is, Houston floods rather frequently. Not usually like this. I'm a 1984 Aggie. And in 1981, I had a friend tell me he'd had a summer job with The Corps of Engineers, learning the Levy system around New Orleans was broken and old and only a mere 17 feet. I didn't believe him. I said Congress would fix that. He said a 2nd Level Hurricane would level New Orleans. Not the USA! Ever. We know this is a fact, Louisiana Senator John Breaux publicly apologized knowing the situation.

Former Governor Kathleen Blanco said she knew that the systems were weak for evacuation and later did agree it was known the levy was too small and old with a budget that flew to the tyranny of the immediate.





What is Houston?

Houston is awakened to the fact we have a system of drainage really needing improvement.

More importantly, we are awakened to the fact of Good News. The struggling up and down oil economy has made Good News. We have discovered a Spirit that is indeed not a lame "spirit of Texas or yada yada". This is deep Spirit of Holiness. Where volunteers wait in line to help. Jesus is here.

Houston. Where our hearts are crying for the people destroyed again.



Today in Church we sang, "GOD Will DO THIS AGAIN!"

We know our Father Will do this. And Our God has given us Engineers everywhere in Houston. People our God has gifted and gifted with talents of mass engineering feats. People who can make little pipes go down 5,000 feet into the earth and extract the fuel of the world - can certainly Yangtze River the canal for Lake Conroe to Lake Houston to the Gulf.

We can  instead of just redo-ing water pipes for drought, we can scrap the roads deep, deep like Venice and allow the roads to flood and the yards be graded from the roads so deep.


Houston planted 6 million dollars in trees to make Houston shine beautifully along the Highways for The Super Bowl. And true life challenges kicked in. We had the 1,000 year drought before the 1,000 year flood and the trees kicked off to Heaven. What did Houston Do. Well, we read the budget was dead. And the trees... were re-planted up here. Honestly, I think they were replanted in Houston. God Almighty, I hope so.


If we can redo the Trees - we need to see the City of Houston to start making plans for streets to flood and people to stay dry.


In reality, The Katrina Evacuees were fed by Houston's Second Baptist Church drawing a Grid of ALL Christian Churches and all the Churches fed the people for months and months. Casseroles. Ask Ed Young, he'd say yes. We won't forget these Guests. We have loved and loved those who need our Christian Spirir of Jesus.

Now we need the Engineers to grapple with making this never happen again. Houston - we have a few Engineers.






And how will we be in a year... we hope to be so carefree we travel along mimicking Sonic commercials and talking about Chris Tomlin. Where our joy is being Footloose - from this incredibly sad set of circumstances. Where we are so Loved by Jesus and so grateful we hum.

And maybe we can talk about searching for Pokemon.

Houston - Solve the Problem.

Jesus would want the employment, the hope, the love, the good use of talent.

We will, with God's help in Jesus Christ - plan on the Goodness of God - putting in motion Good News of Hope and a Future.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD,
plans for welfare and not for evil,
to give you a future and a hope.


Father God,

With the Holy Spirit alive and well. We fight the Good Fight.

Jeremiah 30:10
'Fear not, O Jacob My servant,' declares the LORD, 'And do not be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will save you from afar And your offspring from the land of their captivity. And Jacob will return and will be quiet and at ease, And no one will make him afraid."

Jeremiah 30:18
"Thus says the LORD, 'Behold, I will restore the fortunes of the tents of Jacob And have compassion on his dwelling places; And the city will be rebuilt on its ruin, And the palace will stand on its rightful place."

We will never, never, never give up the Calling of the Holy Spirit. To comfort those in need. And plan to look to our Father God expectantly with Joy for His Goodness. And provide security and protection for our children and grandchildren. Praying Jesus Love for those yet to be born. 

Making this huge city with populations equal to 26 states - a place where Jesus is proud of us. Today and tomorrow! 

Our prayers. Our works. Our words. Our Hope. Our Future. Jesus be in these long range hopes for a plan.

We pray with Los Angeles for rain. Father God bless Los Angeles.

WE are the Easter people. God's New Covenant is Love for one another.

In the Name of Jesus. We Pray. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Hebrews 10:32-34 ~ recall the former days

What we pray for others.

The Shelters filled with Guests.

Hebrews 10:32-34

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened,
you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,
sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction,
and sometimes being partners with those so treated.

For you had compassion on those in prison,
and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property,
since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.






Lanterns on the Levee: Recollections of a Planter's Son  by William Alexander Percy.  This is  a History of life being rearranged and transformed from Acts of God. Well worth reading.

One man was carried from Mississippi down to the bottom of Louisiana and had to walk for two months home as he tried to work to get food. His family had given him up for dead.




Our personal experience 'Real Life',  this is what my family saw as part of life. They lived beside the Mississippi River.

Before there was radio, television, satellite or telephone, floods came and wiped people out. My Grandmother talked about a series of floods along the Mississippi River when she was a teen about 1920. These floods came as a series and were the beginning of the Mississippi River Levy. I've seen the photographs of the floods from their old Brownie camera.

The people swept along the Mississippi River lived on frame house supported by major stilts. Things like hand-crank washers were downstairs. Equipment. A garage, if you'd like to compare eras. They had high ceilings, old houses do and large permanent S hooks from the ceiling to lift furniture and things to the ceiling. And they had rowboats and went to look and help each other.






I've talked to Ministers in the past who feel overwhelmed to talk to people experiencing tragedy. And real grief is enormous work for at least two years. No one really can carry the load - lessons are learned on basics of that soul.  We should never forget the resilience of doing God's Plan. To encourage each other to find how God will renew His mercies each day. Praying for each other helps us all.




Life is stirred up, now, after Hurricane Harvey.

I saw a baby deer run down. And felt sad for the months the mother deer had worked for that baby.  A friend mowed his lawn and found a catfish. 

And something really odd happened in the worst of the flood neighborhoods.  I saw a tragic pile of a household put out. And as I passed by again,  I saw a young family digging through the tragic flow of many things. With a vehicle. When we returned again, the pile was much smaller - many, many, many wooden things had been removed. In fact, as all that block waits for the trash truck - - - the piles are at least half as large.


So what happened to the desk, the wooden shelf, the beautifully carved legs on the huge coffee table?

Maybe it went to a store to be refurbished. Or started a dream store with free trash pile beginnings. Or maybe the young couple had less and now they have more. I wondered what the owner would say to the young woman lifting and examining. She came out with a laundry basket of overflow and waved for them to continue. She did not care. Why? Maybe she has flooded too many times. Maybe she has flood insurance. Maybe she is tired of the antique look.

One thing is for sure. I know people in college who took in wet upholstered furniture and found it hit the dump again the next week. Houston flooded twice last year - where is the person who learns how to deal with wet furniture for big profit???




What we pray for others.

Our Church started praying and fasting in mid August for some rain and for people of the USA to Awaken to the Goodness of the Holy Spirit. I'd say we won the Lottery. Of answered prayers, that is. Houston was a USA leader last year in unemployment. Oil per barrel is pretty low. And we discovered the basic goodness of these smart people. Tonight as we prayed, someone repeated what was said from this Harvey Disaster and the outcome of an outpouring of love to all economic, racial, age and education free burdens,

"I feel such hope for us all, like I have not felt in so very long."

In fact, as we suffer through this loss and bring clothes and diapers and Church and Red Cross donations. And ask to help other Churches - than our own - and applaud the Shelters becoming a little more empty. And Alexander helps a homeowner survive. And we attend prayer meetings - we see on Facebook the plea not to enter into the pundits of hate again. To stop. We see on Facebook people changing their anger away from Joel Olsteen as they see how very flooded his area was. This could have been a disaster as a shelter. And people apologize for going off on Joel Olsteen. Reasonableness. Really Reasonable.





What we pray for others.

God sometimes gives us repeat experiences to learn a little better from them. Sometimes what we hold up to others, we need to see.


We went to pray and were given a prayer card of a child badly brain injured. Edward said he couldn't believe the coincidence. I can. God hopes we really exert effort in our prayers for others and in doing so - are healed ourselves.

Hearing loss? Pray for others with hearing loss.

I prayed for two people I love who now feel the Church just uses people and  they refuse to attend. The prayer card I received said please pray for the people who don't know the joy of a Church Family. For those who are trying to go alone and feel alone in crowds. Like the Shelter.

I was asked today, what has "God" done for you??? I received a prayer card to pray for someone who has had such severe back injury she no longer walks and is wheelchair bound and refuses to speak of Jesus to anyone. I had such bad back pain - for about 5 years I wept and now have been mostly free - ok, about 98% free of back pain for - nine years. I thanked God again and prayed for this person to have this experience. God gave me the card - so He might just do something for her.

I've had eye trauma from a tennis ball. I am thinking I have some severe dry eye since the cataract was removed. And the prayer card said pray for the recovery of eye surgery.





Our prayers for others - bless us.


Sometimes we avoid praying to avoid feeling pain. We all have enough pain.

God wants us to Expect Him to have a Plan. To Trust His Mercy and His willingness to Love and Bless. To Teach. To lift up. To uphold.


I agree. God does NOT want us telling Him how this life is so very terrible. God is the God who said 11 times in Genesis 1 and 2 "Life is Good." God does not want to hear us moan and whine when we are telling a merciful God who is merciful to be merciful. Just like the Mother of three kids who has to spank her kids for making prayer torturous regarding the sins of the siblings.






People, the Lord's Beloved - cry their prayers. Did Father God want that? Sure, you bet. God is for compassionate hearts. He just wants us to EXPECT HE IS GOING TO BE MERCIFUL AND HAS A PLAN.



OUR GOOD ABBA,

We bless You for Your Willingness.

We Bless You for new Life.

We Bless You for Strength for Today.

We Bless You for Strength tomorrow.




We Bless You for the Personal history of pain. We learned and found depths within us. To help others.

We Bless You for the History of national failure. We learned and found depths within us. To help others.

We Bless You for this repeat flooding hardship. We will learn and have found depths within us. To help others.

We Bless You for the Houston Reporters. Their goal is to help us help each other and help ourselves to accept help. And Bless God!




We Bless You for the people who pray with grim resolution to be Strong. They will be. They will be with Your Help.

We Bless You for the people who pray with real tears. To be Compassionate. They will be with Your Help.

Your Willing Help.




We bless those who know to look in the rubbish. They find treasure.

We bless those who do not mind seeing others prosper from their loss. We see in them Treasure.



We Bless You, Abba, You hear our prayers. And You answer. Thank You.



We bless those who are sad to run over Catfish in the grass while mowing after a week of digging other's out and crying. We pray a blessing on the Momma Dear who lost her fawn. We pray New Life. We pray for those in so much pain cut off from Jesus to be brought to Him through the ceiling of these prayers.


We Bless You Father God to bless our Nation in our time of trouble.
We will remember our Blessings. Thank You Boston. Thank You for making this Hurricane less horrible. Thank You Boston.

Father God, thousands held up Kindness in Boston. Making us believe this kindness is not a floating fancy.
Boston You have enlightened us with just former weeks.

And in this rising Hope, we believe You are what You say.

Jesus is Working. Abba is still working.

The work You have given us is to Believe in the One You sent. Jesus Christ is Lord of All.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

1 John 4:7 ~ Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God

1 John 4:7

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

Constant, dedicated, devoted, devout, good, loyal, steady, true, dependable, dutiful, reliable, responsible, solid, tried, tried-and-true, trustworthy, trusty; unfaltering, unhesitating, unwavering; determined, intent, resolute; confirmed, inveterate, sworn, ardent, avid, enthusiastic, fervent, fervid, gung ho, impassioned, passionate, serious, abiding, unflinching, unswerving, allegiant, changeless, constant, dependabl.

Enduring, firm, fixed, immovable, inexorable, never-failing, persevering, sure, unbending, unfaltering
unmovable, wholehearted



God is open to prayer.

God keeps the 12 Gates of Heaven open for us to speak with Him.

God told Isaiah the reason for Jesus is to make scarlet - become white.

God does not change - He welcomes us to join Him.






Jesus spoke of a Narrow Path. Surely He meant, a life of meaning.  Ephesians 5:20-33

Faith, Hope and Love. Faith your words and actions reflect who you aspire to be and are. Hope God will bring blessings. Hope when times are challenging, what is good, noble, pure will be sought to upbuild again - work believing in blessings. Love. To be valued as we are. Love - to be forgiven. Love - to believe we can be more and look up. Love - to be held accountable. Love - to give deeply of yourself out side of your own interests. Love - what makes life worth living to see His mercies renew each day.


Abba, Father God,

We ask Jesus 
to pray with us and increase the Holy Spirit in us all.

Let me rely upon You to bring my life, heart and path to You. And believe You provide guidance, support, Love, Joy and Peace for me and those I love. For the places I work, worship and rejoice. More of Your Holy Spirit and Jesus in our day to day life.

Good health, long life, and a peaceful passing to go Home ot Jesus.

We pray for our Nation  This City and the Gulf coast towns.
And those who love Jesus to be able to bring forth this Love for Jesus and put prayer  surrounding this planet.  I ask daily in expectation of You.   We want to see more of Heaven on earth to stay and the fulfilling of Your Word.

Thank You profoundly, for our blessings. Bless those, we pray, who are a blessing. 

Bless us this Labor Day. This Holy Day. We ask.

 Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Ephesians 6:10-24 ~ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the Strength of His Might

Ephesians 6:10-24

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.





So Hurricane Category 3 Irma.


No, thank you.



What does the Armor of God look like to you?

Friendly and whimsical. Child's Coloring Book.






Strong.

Surely, in The Book of Nahum, we find God does not, and does not need to, take out His enemies twice. Once is quite enough.

The Armor of God does not need to be put on twice. Once is enough. We can remind God we have this on, as if He forgot. Or we can remind Abba like we do tell our Daddy our heart.






Us against this evil world. We need the Armor of God.

God loves the world. He gave His Son because He found in Genesis 1 and 2 man delights Him. We can say there are cultural problems... like the First Century A.D. After Jesus defeated death. The Christian Era.

God tells us when He returns, 50% will have the faith to leave with Jesus. At the time of the Great Plagues, it's estimated 40% died in Europe. And the Light still overcomes the darkness. God says He is God of Love, God of encouragement. Abba. Call upon Him and be saved. Welcome where the 12 Gates of Heaven are always open. Approach Abba with confidence in prayer with Jesus Christ.

God names Himself God of encouragement. And He gives us to be sincere. And Philippians 4 to be one who looks to see Good. Give Life. Words of Life.

Love is the force that rocked the cynical Roman world. God tells us He always loves to pick Mercy over sacrifice. God is quick to call us to Him when we want Goodness. God is equally serious about being wise and not insincere.

Armor of God? The Word of God stands forever. One time prayer.

Once we believe... I'd guess the Armor of God really looks like David.

David - built his Palace outside of the City Walls of safety. David wanted the view and he wanted to show God was his armor.

David decided the Armor of God - is - The Word of God and His Promise.

Enabling David to do all things in Jesus Christ.
















Abba, Daddy, our Abba,

We'd have Jesus with us always. Even and especially when we Pray. We'd ask Abba to increase the Holy Spirit in us and in those we Love. Jesus with the people God has given us. Jesus with the people suffering Hurricane Harvey. Sealed with the Name of Jesus.

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 40:31
They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.

Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Isaiah 12:2
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”



Abba, in Jesus Christ, we have found our Salvation in You.
Thank You for holding us firmly here.
Let us always respond to You with Love and trust.

Lifting Up those we Love and are give - in Jesus Christ.
Lifting Up those we see in the news - in Jesus Christ.
Lifting Up our cares to Jesus Christ.
Being Lifted Up believing Jesus Christ for ourselves, this nation, our cities, our communities, our Church, our schools, this Nation and the believing World. Making us the Communion of Saints in our prayers going around this earth. Held firmly by You. Thank You, Abba. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.


Philippians 2:16
as you hold firmly to the word of life

1 Peter 1:25
"The Word of the Lord remains forever.”
And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †