Philippians 2 ~ yours in Christ Jesus

Philippians 2

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

13 for it is God who works in you,
both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation,

among whom you shine as lights in the world, 1

6 holding fast to the word of life,

so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.







The Word of God is without flaw. And is for the Glory of God - God is Love.

Man will live by Every Word of God.

Paul says he is a drink offering. He is not talking about water. Wine. He speaks of the effort of fruit planned, gathered, utilized. Honored. He speaks of the importance of a substance altering mood and destiny. To be handled with care and enjoyed as a gift of God. Shown in studies of health to be an increase in health and if abused, the decrease of life and life surrounding this.

Paul is talking about being a drink portion poured out. And if we honestly combine this with the Word of God Chapter discussing Paul's end of life Chapter 2 Timothy 4 - we have a very dire and very honest biblical conversation on our hands. Similar to John the Baptist asking Jesus. When someone literally puts all of their life in front of them and confronts the depth of faith.


Evaporation. Not seen to be taken up. Honorable. Not used. Useless. Paul wondered if at the end all was - useless. So many left.

And as Paul confronted all of this. He decided he did belong to Jesus Christ.

Paul visited Greece. And the places Paul visited - even briefly - people want to walk. Monasteries are built. Hospitals are built. Churches are built. The people who struggle in life, who recover from poor choices, who recover from loss, who have life changing - find faith in Paul's walk with the Holy Spirit.

Paul says in frustration of feeling useless - God makes strong. If we handle the emotion as carefully as substance. Make ourselves useful. And in trusting God more than the sure thing - God makes strong. God makes meaningful. Daily. As we build our lives to have meaning.

Man shall live by every Word of God.


How will we please God? To believe God. Believe in the one He has sent. Abraham believed God and God saw him as Righteous.

Abba, Our Father,

We believe You. We believe Jesus prays for us and with us. We believe in the increase of the Holy Spirit.


Titus believed God and lived to be old. On Crete, where the Greeks were asking for Jesus to come with them. You, Father God, are so Good.


Titus 1:2
In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

Hebrews 6:18
So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

Numbers 23:19
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

1 Samuel 15:29
And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret.”


When we believe we are not useful, as Paul did at least twice, if not more when he calls himself - the greatest sinner. And Romans 7, we find You, Father God, are our Father. With Your Support we find faith - just faith - pleases God. Your Works are accomplished - by You.

And in faith, we rest and find joy, giving You, our Father our cares. Varied, and many. Blessed and pressed.

In faith, we hand You the ones we Love. The people You give us. Because You will draw Love to You. You have given us Jesus.

For our jobs, cities, Churches, their prayer requests, Hurricane Harvey. You will raise us up.

Thank You, for allowing us the privilege to see the delight in mankind to You. That help. Thank You.

And we trust You with the Nation, our future and the Children of God all over the world loving and trusting in You.

Jesus is our Grace and Deliverer. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

 

Matthew 10:16 ~ Shrewd innocent

My own Daddy had this on his wall in poster form. There was a major word substitution. His art was camel colored poster with red letters. This was a gift from - a clerical wife to my father for Christmas!

October is great for avoiding horrid movies. So, let's go with Buhwaaaa True Tales of 38 Years of Bible Studies and see what went.

Minus Catholic, cities, clerical names, eras and laity names, Protestant affiliations, residents, shoe sizes, IQs are carefully omitted.

From ghoulies and ghosties and long-legged beasties - GOOD LORD Deliver us.


We will wait upon the Guidance of the Lord God Almighty in Jesus Christ.

Matthew 10:16

"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.

Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."

Mercy is a very powerful Christian Witness.

Doctors in Emergency Rooms found encouraging patients to expect to live - creates a desire to live and a belief in wellness.







I knew a young woman who was caught red handed being a bad mother of one child. She had left a pre-school child alone in her room for months as she did her chores and even left the house to grocery stop and run small errands. The woman who caught her had five children. And for decades, the once poor mother was affirmed in improvement. And because of this friendship and affirmation - there was improvement, the woman Drastically improved. God has said He desires mercy over sacrifice.


During our Youth Group Years, we found a neighbor boy was abusing small animals. The young men had an intervention and a 5th grade boy learned animal consideration not taught to him at home. It was an intervention that happened over an hour. In fact, the leader of the intervention, went on to be Army - who gave his life for this Nation. And another one of his good works was to stop two teenagers who rather terrified their mother by continuing to burn down - in small increments - their wooden fence in the backyard, as their father left town to work. The young man told the teenagers, (his own age) if they would stop terrifying their mother, they could join them in evening summer Commandoes (hide and seek). The Fence remained intact. Commandoes ensued.


One day, we discovered one of our young charges was being driven home by a parent just about too drunk to stand up. And as we tried to determine what to do, other than call authorities and refuse to yield the child, CPS, became involved with a car crash - not from our home. We were extremely, extremely, extremely grateful. Later we had to deal with the step-father engaged in nudity at the computer and absolute trauma. We always were very frank and with frank talks and kindness - we did alright.











The Bible has times - the Disciples of Jesus Christ were not successful.
Our son has his face split open by one child jealous of my son going to camp. And as this (face splitter) child grew up to become one who rarely tells the truth - he would come over in a brand new Lexus and major earring gages telling of college campuses he joined - and had no clue that college was in semester. Offering severe, severe illegal substance. He is not welcome anymore.


Can we do this? Is this allowed? Isn't it bad news to do this? Aren't we biblically obligated?


Bad behavior doesn't stay with the teens and children. I had one woman tell me she has followed me to a lesson I was taking, told me where I parked and slashed my car with razors. I was so shocked, I said, "You wouldn't do that!" Her reply was to hold my wrists. And reply, "Wouldn't I?" The car was slashed. Several times. Where the dog's claws would not reach. And she sent me emails asking me why couldn't we be friends. I declined upon reading about these behaviors - to ever go with her anywhere again. Like having a face split - a car slashed - violence  is requiring professional help.


Can we do this? Is this allowed? Isn't it bad news to do this? Aren't we biblically obligated?









Now, before we continue let's have Clarity and put all this out.

- 38 years of having a Bible Study all the time.

- 35 years in one Church

- 17 years in another Church

- 10 years of leading Bible Studies.

- Seeing 75 kids through Youth Groups.

- Participating in Childhood Churches until now.

- Many, many, many, many, many joyous times.

- Participating still in Bible Study congruently for 17 years.









These are real events to think about.

One time a woman from a Bible Study I enjoyed - we went to a Christmas shopping event had a great time and went to lunch another day. The next time - she behaved as if we were on a date. I resolved to ignore this and not to lunch for a long time to sort this out during Bible Study. Suddenly another new arrival to the group seemed to be the same. Surely not. And then came the day we were left with just the three of us. As they laughed, I wondered. The next woman said - let's include her soon. They roared. I did my best impression of Homer Simpson's neighbor. They thought I was hilarious. We had an event at my house and the ladies were invited. One did not attend because she called drunk out of her brain. Politely saying we would miss her, she chunked the phone receiver down. The next woman arrived. My neighbor's daughter was very shocked and said this woman was known as a 50 year old to engage with teenage girls. So how did this resolve? The Homer Simpson neighbor approach worked fabulously. Eventually the woman who scandalized the neighbor's daughter brought attention to her behavior in public and fled. And all I did was to be polite and breezy.


We had one mother chew us out like tomorrow would not have sunrise for her son's behavior being corrected by us. We simply said the Bible was the guide and this was the place. Her child remained. She hushed.


Anther woman, decades later, invited me to dine publicly.
She arrived ... under the weather. I had no idea how to leave someone to drive home. She started with an hour long conversation we could call Vagina Monologues. We gathered a crowd as she described her period in great, lurid detail. Car keys came out and the conversation improved. When we got to tales about sex in cars and women named "Skankzilla"  the conversation was over for good. Tell the group? Na. Just unfriend on FB from 75 way back likes, in a week, and move, with a bounce, on.









Real Society involved with real people. In Church.

(Then there was the time  - - - my son decided in the middle of the night to have the flu - - -  in a tent during Youth Group. He fogged up one tent and was invited in the middle of the night to leave. He arrived at the younger boy tent, to stand in the middle of the tent and vomit - Little Smokie Weiners  -all over the tent  - as if he was a rotator sprinkle  - of valor. No part of the tent went unblemished. The entire tent of 12 boys began Shrieking from sleep at 3 A.M in the morning - Creating panic among the adults. Then the Waking up all the tents. And then the aroma. Then as I was having hysterical laugher at the picnic table because it was truly horrid - we all ended up rolling on the ground laughing. Swimming for all - sunrise. . And we still laugh to tears all over if we talk about THIS.)


Why Mercy? John Mark was uninvited. Then taken under the wing of love to become John Mark. Saul became Paul. There is a genuine journey going on.









Years ago we had a Church neighbor who was known as an Alcoholic. She would come to our house very inebriated. And she would stay for a few hours with tea, lots of hot tea. And in these times, a woman who was elderly who lived alone - was joyous and we were too. Not all things end badly, that seem to go far off. Those memories hold joy. Lots of joy.



How do we decide. If someone starts talking sorcery - we are Done. If you have the Vagina Monologues of flesh, flesh, flesh - we are Done. Violence is not encouraged - we are Done.


Flee from Sorcery.

Acts 19:16
And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house wounded, bleeding and naked.

Best to move along briskly.


I don't think those immersed in the flesh are going to really listen to the Way until they decide to.


1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee from sexual immorality.
All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.

Not to mention, when you draw a crowd hearing about bodily fluids - it's pretty embarrassing.














1 Corinthians 5:9-13
9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. 12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”


Mercy trumps. All the time.


Emperor Domitian – Hauled St. John from Ephesus and exiled him to Patmos. Continued to be fearful of Christians. Conducted one of the fiercest battles against Christians. Under Domitan, the Church split in half. Half ran - and God used this to the Good of His Plan.

Domitan Heresy - the Church is only for saints. Domitan tortured until Christians surrendered every fragment of the Gospels and New Testament he could find. 81-96. Because of Domitan – we have the word traitor . Part of the Church wanted to forever exile anyone who lied to get out of torture or gave up Scripture. Forgiveness is the business of the Church and Jesus Christ. This is why we have a Bible today. In our casual usage. Amazing.



Be tender hearted. St. Augustine had victory because of his mother's continual mercy and belief in the Goodness of God.

All these stories - have a common denominator.

God was there to help.

Psalms 54:4:

“Behold, God is my helper"

Psalm 34:19

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

There is a conclusion.

Waiting upon the Lord - we have peace.

We give others a chance.

Beth Moore said it is ok to say, "No" to assignments within the Church.

Because someone called to the love event is going to do better.

There are real times to move back and away.

Recently I heard a Sermon about a woman seeing her son was drowning and she screamed for help for someone to save her son!!! He had gone out too far. A fisherman came to the shore with the mother who begged and pleaded the man to save her son. He would not. The mother begged and pleaded. Finally, the fisherman went in. He dragged the young man back to the shore and the young man was resuscitated. The mother asked the fisherman why the son was not revived sooner. The fisherman replied that as the man flailed around with despair - they both would have drowned. The fisherman was waiting to help in God's Timing.









Isaiah 30:18
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

James 2:13
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Luke 6:36
Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.


Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.










Abba,

Life can be pretty sterile. And that's boring. Opera and drama end. Wisdom. with the Help of Jesus Christ. will prevail.

The Joy of the Lord is indeed, indeed, indeed Strength. Jesus pray with us and increase our Holy Spirit.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
And let steadfastness have its full effect,

that you may be fighting the good fight and straining ahead to make the goal.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial,
for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.


Is any of this surprising to You - Father God?

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.


James 1:12
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Blessed be God who does not answer the why all the time. And we find out we do not need the why. We find we can just believe God and rely with Him on faith. The Joy of believing His Promises.

The Joy of the Lord is our strength. You do give us Your Peace.

With all of the Goodness You are - God of Love - we put our cares, anxieties, the ones we Love, their cares, the People Given By God to us. And we believe God is So Good - this is going to work out in His Plan, His Hand and His Timing. Trusting Him with our places of work, our jobs, the communities, our Churches, this state and the Nation. Wrapping Jesus' Love around the entire Planet He calls good yesterday, today and tomorrow and covers us hearing our prayers with all His Compassion.

Thanks be to You, Abba, for Your Son. Making Life possible again and again. Victory in Jesus always - Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 130 ~ Stand

Psalm 130

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!
2 O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
3 If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?

4 But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.

5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.

8 And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.




A decades long friend said the Word of God is so active, when He speaks to you - you never forget. The Truths of the Lord,  God our Father will remain all our days. Margaret told me she was in a Bible Study discussing, "Trust in the Lord." Margaret said she remembered holding the hand of her own Daddy who always, as a child, made her feel as safe and happy as a child could be. Even when he placed her on the back of a Brahma Bull for riding in the parade. Nothing made her feel more secure.

We all have gifts from Father God. Margaret's father was one of the most well respected horse men in Charleston, S.C. And in that capability of soothing and leading, her Daddy taught her a truth knowing she saw Father God - one she holds dearly every day of her life.

What would please Father God more than a daughter seeing the tender love of her Daddy reflected in the Steadfast Love of Father God. What parent wouldn't want to hear that 7 decades later. Margaret's understanding of the tender love Father God has for her - demonstrated in life. That is the highest compliment a child could give a parent.

Margaret is an Episcopal Priest's wife, Father Bill Harris, living in a wonderful valley in Emporium, Pennsylvania. Many, many wedding dresses have been treasured - made by Margaret's hands. And this summer she was a National Judge in a United States competition for Flower Arranging in Philedelphia. Living in what looks like Heaven, Pennsylvania in the summer, there are plenty of flowers to be found in abundance.

The Abundance of God. About 1980, Margaret entered the farm house they were restoring. It was after Church and the floor gave way and Margaret fell 12 feet in high heels to the basement. Landing on her feet and shattering both of her heels. She was told to wear SAS shoes all her life. And adjust to the pain. Through Choir practices. Through Church Services. Through Bible Studies. Through trips to the hospital to pray for others. Through making wedding dresses. Through making Altar Arrangements. Through Wedding Arrangements and Wedding Reception Arrangements. Through Garden Club. Through rewiring her amazing iron stove from 1888 which works today. Through learning to do the plumbing, quite well in her renovated farm house. Through horse back riding.

Sounds like a lot of good deeds for Father God, right? Margaret hated wearing those shoes all the time. And one day, she and Father Bill were going to a wedding and Margaret got out a pair of high heels in the back of the closet. And she was surprised to find 4 hours later - her feet did not hurt a bit and they looked pretty too.


God is Good. All the Time.



About a year and a half ago, Father Bill turned 90 years old. And he had heart failure. Margaret wept and wept. He would never leave the Valley again. He might never leave the house again. The dog was old too. All was changing. All was so very, very sad. And a prayer group, one of many, added Father Bill to their prayers, praying for him to have a miracle of Jesus.

And suddenly, Father Bill was well. So well - Father Bill puts 70 year olds right behind him. Driving into town for groceries by himself. Visiting us for Thanksgiving last year. Those eyes twinkle again. Did you know New England accents can sound surprisingly like English accents, from time to time?


God is good all the Time. And Margaret says Bill has the bluest eyes.




Abba,

Jesus said You are His Father and ours. Easter Sunday. The Holy Spirit covering all of mankind.

We all want to end our lives having given. Having pleased God who gives LIFE and LIFE and LIFE.

God's Plan is built in us. And when we answer HIS Call - the lives around us understand the Love of God.

Thank You Father God - for the Loved ones in our lives. St. Augustine said if we well and with God's Love serve the people You have given us. We have delighted
our Father.

Thank You so much for Your Grace and Mercy. Because of Your Love, the Light of Christ shines and shines and shines. We Thank God for Jesus for our loved ones, the people you've given us. For our Churches, jobs, States to the Nation and surrounding our world. The Awe and Astonishment of Eternal Life with You.

We Give Great Thanks for Today. God has Given. God is Good. Thank You for our Blessings of Health, Love, Provision. Bless those who have been so harmed by the recent Hurricanes. Bless Puerto Rico. We ask for Your Love and Care there.

The Word of God is Astonishing. Thank You for Jesus.

God for all of our days ahead. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Matthew 6:36 ~ He had compassion for them

Matthew 6:36

He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.




I've lived here for 17 years. Chris Tomlin is famous. Ok, yes I've seen him in videos a couple of times.

Chris Tomlin - "Amazing Grace". Oh gosh, that's who this is! Well, that is the extent of I know the songs, I can sing them, but who is the author? Ok, well, that's just me.



Circles - how we get in further with Jesus Christ.

Life circumstance. I know Chris Tomplin's "Amazing Grace" because one of my favorite movies about William Wilberforce and Benedict Cumberland is always, of course, Prime Minister of Good - William Pitt. This movie defines the enduring work of God's ministers. And defines God. When a man loves the Lord, he makes even his enemies at peace with him. The Slave trade ended because big government could make big money on big taxation and keeping slave trade ships - strengthening the navy.

The Slave Trade ended because GOD IS GOD. We all know the bumper sticker saying, "Be Nice or we will bring you Democracy." God definitely proved who is God to end the Slave Trade. Like Zechariah discovered.

I LOVE GOD, man, He is better than the Gipper!!!







Circle?


So we live in the world of what Circle is this? We never, and I mean nevah, evah, thought we'd all live in the age of Jane Jetson. AND we do. We can't relate present circumstance to the past - nope.

YES. WE CAN. This is exactly like being confronted with "He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." And you think - I can't write this Post - how do I do this.

Because God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. We are in this circle.




Circle?

Ok. back to the Chris Tomlin reference. You write music (I am told) knowing the notes. The refrain. The melody. We have to see the bigger picture to move through the piece. And the longer the song becomes melody - becomes art - becomes warm - becomes Love.

Seeing the movement. And for our purposes, the Movement of God Himself.







Circle?

These present times are confusing. We don't know what is what and what will develop and the unrest in the news, less NFL, less TV and more complaining. And weird news. And then and the and then Houston is flooded and Louisiana and Texas watch as all people truly love and care. We realize - We have God. We still have something INCREDIBLE.







Circle?

Incredible Times. Every 500 years we have historically something where we all rejoice at a Movement of God Himself. Why do we like God? HE Fathers us. He Loves us.


Incredible Time.
Circa 1500 B.C. The Exodus is the first, fancy word - Domitan Heresy - the Church is only for saints. If you look at the Exodus you find the Children of Israel are - uninformed. They don't know Who is their God. They don't know His Name. They are just having a really pretty lousy life. And God defines a lot of the 5 Books of Moses as - similar to Pharaoh. Ray Vander Laan does an AMAZING job showing - God reached down to pluck up truly miserable people to Help Them. Astonishing. People wandering around sort of grubby in a pretty messed up culture. Sort of like, om, Woodstock om?



1000 B.C. King David. Wow. David primarily believed he was anointed. God told the truth all the time. Be obedient to God. Believe in the compassion, the overwhelming compassion of God. The Nation of the Tribes finally begins.


500 B.C. Second Exile. Jeremiah, with God, pegged this absolutely. And the Babylonian Chronicles = the Bible.  Cuneiforms - Down to the food the imprisoned King of Judea ate with his sons. Why? The people of Judah were having revisionist history times. They were arguing the Exodus didn't and wouldn't occur. Moses and Jeremiah spoke this saying the people said they were from the North, like Abraham. Not from Egypt, like Joseph. Religion was time to show your piety hour.





Incredible Time.

1 A.D. Christian Era. The Church (the Bible does occasionally refer to the Temple in Jerusalem as Church) is running pretty smoothly next door to a Non-Davidic King married to his sister-in-law putting the polish on the Temple as dictating the message. Eeeeeseeenes. The Essenes run out screaming. And with this we have the Dead Sea Scrolls and and and Jesus Himself. Mary says the History of the nation is so far gone that the Davidic Line gets only a glance. And the Historians tell us so much money rolled in to Judea that only the Renaissance of 1400 A.D. compares. We would have seen Rolls Royces riding the Romans and their employees around.

And this is the Time Isaiah told us Jesus would arrive - and He did. The earthquake is reported in 33 A.D. with Passover. The Eclipse is Reported A.D. 33 at the Passover. Gosh, you know, God is so GOD, that probably December 25th could actually be the birth of Jesus Christ. Wow. Imagine. Almost like the calendar bows to Jesus Christ. Of the world. Hummmm.




And following the Early Church of Jesus Christ (He told us about in Caesarea) we find persecution, incredible weather - earthquakes, bad lightning, flooding, incredible trade across the seas for the first time, Plague recorded for the first time, Marriage laws being redefined by Emperor Augustus. The loss of a dependable family. Increasing violence and unrest. Loss of trade and the beginning of the Middle Ages due to huddle up fortress cities behind walls. God was getting the attention of the people. Times begin to Change in the Roman Empire's 600 years.







1000 A.D. Wow, we have more written History from the edges of the world. Due to the Church establishing more order. Widespread Christianity.

And then we get to the Church inventing feeding the poor daily. Teaching Agriculture. Making sure starvation (which is 1 in 3 people die of starvation when the Church doesn't feed the people) and everyone feels very secure.


1500 A.D. About this time Latin is not spoken all that commonly and Church is read in Latin. The Bible is not handed out. And we are recovering from the Plagues which continue to pop up even to 1600 A.D. Out from behind the Middle Ages wall, due to Church demanding 'Just Behavior'. But the Church has 1 out of 2 clerics living some type of sin that is not Chastity. Beginning of the Bible coming into the hands of people to read of the Glory of God themselves. An amazing change.

Glory of God - His Love has no ending and no beginning. Enduring. Eternal.


Circle.

Which brings us to today. Almost all Christians have changed denominations to explore what Father God is to them. How they will relate to the Almighty. What the Word of God brings to their hearts. An amazing time.

Matthew 6:36

He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.


God said that seeing the Light of Christ is being unable to put a flammable basket onto a Candle.


So I'm going to offer up what I see in this, as a parable. From my life. Getting to hear right this minute Depeche Mode in concert about 2 miles away and hearing this now to share with you:

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When I was in my 20's, I worked for Club Corp. I traveled about 4 days a week and we went to a lot of their 290 Country Clubs. We were in poor Florida - in Tampa. Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club. It was 1985 and the drought was terrible. Concerns were raised about the Everglades. All was crunchy brown beige. It was very sad.

We arrived about 2:30, from a glitch in the airport. And we were offered lunch. As we sat down, we were in the room with about 10 or 15 die hard golfers who just were going to play, even if they were describing the brown dead crunch, crunch of every step on the golf course. The manager was standing and talking to them and he, frankly, looked extremely glum. You bet when you are in this kind of drought - people are not strolling about playing golf. One asked the manager how bad this was to him, personally. The Club Manager said it's like you - it's the dried out future of the everglades and hearing about crunch while strolling on what should be the 'greens'. One of the golfers told the manager he looked like he was going to cry. About that time, we all felt incredibly sorry for the manager.

I said, "Ron, it's raining." The manager looked at me and said, "That's drought - always the clouds - never the rain." I said no - I think that is sprinkles. We all turned to watch the beige greens. And one golfer said, "It is Sprinkles." The Club Manager ran to the glass doors and went to the Porch. He bellowed, "It's NOT SPRINKLES, IT"S A DOWNPOUR!!!" And with this, the Club Manager ran out from under the porch and ran screaming and yelling on to the Green. Jumping and Leaping and Praising God. Two of the Golfers ran with him.

The other men said, "We never had a manager like this one. He likes us. He loves the property. I think he loves us."

And the Club Manager ran in soaking wet, jumping and screaming, with the other two golfers.  Running in circles on the golf green. They were all yelling, "It's a MIRACLE. A MIRACLE OF GOD."

I'm pretty sure we all cried. I said, "God is good." And the other table said, "Yes."

To live the Mercy of God unforeseen by forecast - is to know the Compassion of God. To see the dry bones earth - live. To see God's Hand Move. The next day, everyone said they all stood outside in the rain. They told stories like the entire gas station just stood out in the pouring rain. And for two weeks it rained well, off and on raining, gently and steadily.

For two weeks, everyone discussed the Miracle of The End of the Drought. And we went on home to Texas. But I will never forget seeing the Mercy of GOD. Watching the land turn green again.

Let there be Light. Jesus Christ Messiah. The Fire did not consume the bush. And above their heads were flames of fire. Their hearts were suddenly warm and they perceived Jesus, living and breathing.

And once you have Lived the Goodness of God.

You know How Good God is. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. This is the Joy of seeing people Nourished by Father God's Love. To see the hungry - filled.

This is the Joy of the Body of Jesus Christ, God's Beloved. To live being Cherished of God. He has compassion for us.




Abba!

We praise You for Antioch Lives. For the bravery of the Robert Eagle, age 22, Ushering at the Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in Antioch, Tenn. near Nashville.
Robert Eagle is as a "hero" for making sure a gunman stopped. "He's amazing," she said. "Without him, I think it could be worse."

For May 19, 2016 A church elder, Tony Williams, 57, is being called a hero for his quick action in grabbing the shooter’s gun hand, pointing the weapon away from the victim and the crowd, and disarming her.

We thank You, Father God, in the midst of great changes, we see Your Holy Spirit Shepherd the Beloved of God.

Blessed be the Name of Jesus Christ.

You hear our prayers, You comfort and strengthen us. You nourish and encourage us. You give us amazing things like using steam for pre-term infants. We live in a time of God's Pleasure. You see the world, mankind - Your response is to Delight to Love and Save.

We thank You God for enfolding the ones we love, the people You have given us. To our Nation and the World calling upon Jesus Christ. For the people who do wonderful goodness like buying and giving a cup of coffee. Joy is Jesus.

Amen and Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Matthew 4:11-25 ~ Behold

Matthew 4:11-25

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."

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, epileptics, 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.

We zip to Mark 5:20 - the people were amazed. Lives changed. Jesus, God our Father is now seen. Today. In this age. Lamb of God. Our Jesus.

Matthew 4 - the land of Zebulon and Naphtali

Sons of Jacob
with his wife Leah
and his concubine.

However Zebulon was 6th in the line of sons - and not a big deal. Obscure.

Zebulon - maybe they played together as children, maybe Zebulon had contempt for the child of a slave concubine, his half-brother Naphtali.

Their tribes did not border - so possibly - they did not communicate. They were the children of the shadows. Not favored greatly. In fact, the Tribes were only active in God's Heaven. The tribes were gone since the Babylonian Exile - 700 B.C. - very far gone tribes.

The Scriptures repeat to reach us, hold and enfold us. Ezekiel saw the level of restoration and salvation in faith, hope and Love of Jesus Christ.

And the Light of Jesus - dawned upon them and caused them to Shine. Jesus is explaining, He is the Life.

How incredibly rich the Word of God is. Living, alive, active. Our Father is alive. God of the Living. Ephesians 2 teaches our core, being, eternal soul - families Live in Heaven.





THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND.

And just as the birth of Christ drew the Heavenly Host. And as Jesus' Shining Light begins as angels ministered to Jesus Christ. A new beginning. Life - Jesus Gives us. Jesus -  Light of God. Living Water. Living Bread. Life. Love. God of Love. Jesus heals us all.








Abba,

With Jesus dwelling in our souls and asking to be open to the Holy Spirit, we will go much farther than we know.

Abba, we always want to be warmed up to Your Holy Spirit, ready to be our Father God's child. Alert to the possibilities of warmth and Love in the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the fulfillment of our God-hopes.

We pray this warmth to be within, in the people we Love, the people You've given us. Continuing in the larger circle of our communities, jobs, schools. The circle of our cities and then state. Our regions of the world. Our Nation. And celebrate the circle of God's Love enfolding this planet. Always being held in Your love, without beginning, our days written in the Book of Life continuing to Eternity with You.

In Jesus Christ, we find all of Your Promises are true.

Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 97 ~ Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O Lord.

Psalm 97

The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!

2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire goes before him
and burns up his adversaries all around.
4 His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols;
worship him, all you gods!

8 Zion hears and is glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O Lord.
9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.

10 O you who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the lives of his saints;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown, dawns, for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.

12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!






Jesus created a very important moment for Nathaniel in John 1. Nathaniel knew he had been seen in his inner core. Jesus had seen Nathaniel pray under the fig tree.

Nathaniel was never going to be the same again. Jesus had reached the center of Nathaniel. Recorded for millenniums.



Mark 5
27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”


Jesus creates in us moments where we have touched God, the Almighty, Father. When we pray and we know we have entered His Kingdom, His throne, His home, His heart.


Abraham believed God and in his faith, he was counted as righteous.

James continues the idea Abraham knew daily 3 millenniums ago. To touch the Heart of Abba in prayer. Jesus had talks with His Brother James. Later James would recall and he would tell us of the Law of God. What is the Law? We shall live by every Word of God. God's Word. The Truth. James tells us of living with His Brother Jesus. Walking along the streets of Nazareth. "James, you can always ask for wisdom and this will be given to you." "The Prayers of a Righteous Man, Availeth Much." Recall with me - James was not always very righteous to Jesus. And Jesus knew better.

The woman who reached out across from - her home - to travel to Jesus - reached out and touched Jesus.

This sudden understanding - lasts forever. A fruit of God is - a revelation of God - an Epiphany is - very important to the Beloved of Jesus who receives His Word within them. This knowing - the Truth - is to Rejoice with the Truth. Bears all things. Believes all things. Hopes all things. Endures all things. A gift of God - never ends.


20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat,
and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

And is fully explained by the woman who reached out - from her home - to seek Jesus - to touch Jesus. To be changed by Jesus. To touch God and feel God.


Mark 5

27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, "If I touch even his garments, I will be made well." 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him

Abba,

We always ask Jesus to pray with us and give us His Grace. We ask for the Holy Spirit to be increased around us and in ourselves and the ones we love.

Abba, You nourish, gather and tend the birds - You are our Heavenly Father. And you say we are more excellent than the birds.

Jesus nourishes and cherishes His Church, just as we nurture and care for our own bodies. Jesus makes us one Body of His for the Church. Isaiah 44 tells us You provide, cedars, cypress and the oak, and strengthens for Yourself the trees of the forest. You plants the fir tree, and the rain nourishes it. These mighty trees are in progress and will be used to build the Church. This is the path of the Body of Christ. To be built up for Your Love. To be vessels of Your care and delight in Your creation and mankind. You tells us You, Father God, You see all of mankind and delight in the world, Your creation. God of Encouragement.

Just as we long for and pray over our own Children, we know Jesus often longs to gather our children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and we pray for their hearts to yearn for the Love Jesus is - God of Love.



Creation began with Light. Jesus is the Light of the World. Given for us to Live Eternally.

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ.


You, Abba, are the riches of our inheritance as saints. Glorious to live forever with You in Your Home and Kingdom.


You are the Alpha and Omega. God of all. Your rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. Your body, the fullness of Jesus, who fills all in all.


You are the Word of Truth. Your Gospel is our Salvation. We believe in You. We are sealed in the Holy Spirit. We have our guarantee. We inherit Life forever more from the Counsel of Your will.

We are blessed. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has chosen me and you for His own.

We lift up high our cares with His Love for our hopes.
We lift high our loved ones. We are filled here.
We lift high those struggling with storm, storm recovery, for Mexico city.
For the islands hurt by the Hurricane. For God to speed His Goodness to them.
For those who help with the storm - willingly. For their tireless effort.
We thank You God. We Thank You God. So many have helped one another.
Thank You seeing the help.

In the Name of Jesus we give thanks for all the organizations of Christians - working for His Good and His Glory.

Blessings of Jesus surround us all.

In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Matthew 1:18-24 ~ being a just man

Matthew 1:18-24

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ [the Christ] took place in this way.

When his mother Mary had been betrothed [engaged] to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”  (which means, God with us). (Isaiah 7:14)

24When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife!

Jesus is the Greek version of the Hebrew name Joshua, meaning 'God is salvation'.

Mary had choices, the angel heard Mary agree to God's plan.

Joseph, also, had choices multiplying after looking for compassion.

Jesus had choices as well.

The Pharisees wonder if Jesus will flee - what choices Jesus would make. Jesus was asked for an interview by Greek Jews of Crete - Cretans have a reputation for laziness and gluttony - perhaps they heard Jesus was an eater and drinker - they wanted Jesus on Crete. Jesus was walking a different path. One of Salvation.


(Titus was one of the 70 disciples (2 were taken by fire, recall!) and Titus lived to be quite old according to old Church histories - the age of 94 as Bishop of Crete.)

John 7:30-35
30 At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come. 31 Still, many in the crowd put their faith in him. They said, "When the Christ comes, will he do more miraculous signs than this man?"

32 The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him. 33 Jesus said, "I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me. 34 You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come."

35 The Jews said to one another, "Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? 36 What did he mean when he said, 'You will look for me, but you will not find me,' and 'Where I am, you cannot come'?"

John 12:19-28
19 So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

27 "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!"

Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 

Jesus, being in the world, was presented with options. Jesus, being God, wanted to fulfill God's plan of salvation. Because Jesus is our atonement, He is our Messiah. 

Thank you, Father, for the gift of Your Son. Thank you, Jesus, for your willingness to be grace and truth living among us. Thank you, Holy Spirit, You never depart from us.

Abba,

When You look to our Souls the only eternal aspect of us. What do You hope to see?

You are not that far from us - dwelling within us - yet You are vast we ask to see with Your eyes what You delight in.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Love!!! Affection, appreciation, fondness, friendship, passion, respect, tenderness, yearning, adulation, allegiance, ardor, attachment, cherishing, delight, devotedness, enjoyment, fidelity, involvement, and like.

Joy! Comfort, delight, elation, glee, humor, pride, satisfaction, wonder, exultation, frolic, gladness, gratification, indulgence, merriment, rejoicing, revelry, and good humor.

Peace ~ love, hope, bounce, reconciliation, truce, unity, affability, concord, tranquility, calm, forethought, groundwork, restfulness, reflection, optimism. Generosity.

Forbearance. Fortitude, endurance, moderation, restraint, temperance, easy going. PATIENCE.

Goodness ...the expectation thereof!

Faithfulness - the willingness to do the right action even at a cost.

Knowing you are giving more than what what would have been done for you. Loyalty. Endurance. Recreating a spark. Remembering past gratitude. Adherence. Care. Constancy. Dependability, trustworthy, giving truth.

Gentleness - tenderness and kindness.

Self-control - restraint.

When we turn to the Lord - the Lord is Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

And when we behold the Glory of the Lord we are transformed into the image of His Glory - and we differ in degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is a Holy Spirit.

Father God, You ask us to look for what is pure and good and each day God's mercies renew. It is in loving - we renew.

In Jesus,  we lift to You these qualities in ourselves, our loved ones, our friends, Church family, co-workers, merciful neighbors, and our communities, Churches, State, the Nation and the Nations worshiping You Father God. We ask Your blessings!

Amen in Jesus. Always.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †