Matthew 11:4-5 ~ Good News is preached to the poor

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."

Emma Lazarus gave us words of dignity, strength and compassion.

Enduring words. Jesus would have us retain these words.

Matthew 11:4-5

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
5The blind receive sight,
the lame walk,
the lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear,
the dead are raised,
and good news is preached to the poor.


Jesus did see the blind, the lame, the deaf and the dead. And in the multitudes who followed Jesus from the beginning of His Ministry.  We probably should see the poor most of all. In fact, the poor surrounded Jesus. The Poor of Spirit.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3.

The people following Jesus, the multitude of His life and after Jesus' Victory over Death, had some spiritual poverty. This caused them to travel wanting Jesus. Looking to complete their soul.

We don't always arrive at prayer completely nourished. We arrive in need. We have concerns, we have 'situations', we have loneliness, frustration with the people around us, financial constraints, health concerns, anything we could name - actually. We are the Poor in Spirit. Seeking Abba. Knowing Jesus as our mediator. Having confidence to approach Father God in Jesus Himself. His Grace.

Jesus saw more need in us than all of the regular illnesses surrounding Him. He saw people in need of faith for the Lord God Almighty and aware of the need in themselves.

We are the people who are preached to - when we hear the poor have Good News preached to them.



The Word of God is alive and active. Jesus tells us He is working today.



Genesis 15:6
Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

This was why the people had gone to see Jesus. This is us today. Doing the work of mankind - to believe Jesus.


Mark 9:24
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”


Matthew 8:13
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.

Matthew 9:28
When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied.

Matthew 21:22
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Mark 5:36
Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Mark 9:23
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Mark 11:23
“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them."






Poor in Spirit - is a belief call for prayer a need to greet Abba, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in communion of prayer. Zechariah was Priest.

Luke 1:20
"And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”


John 1:50
Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.”






Poor in Spirit, Kingdom of Heaven at hand - to need prayer. To be filled with God to have Prayer.


John 3:15
Everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Matthew 9:36 ►
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
►




John 2:11
What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

John 2:22
After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.


The before and after stages of Prayer.

John 2:23
Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.

John 1:7
He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.


John 4:21
“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
Worship in the Spirit of Truth."

John 4:41
And because of his words many more became believers.

John 4:53
Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.


John 5:24
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.






We cross over to the Word of God Living and Working in us.

John 5:24
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life."

John 5:44
How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

John 5:46
If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.




Jesus Nourishes and Redeems the Poor in Spirit.

John 6:35
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.






John 6:29
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”


John 1:12
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

Abba, our Abba,

We remember together Zechariah standing in the Temple of God, meeting Gabriel. And wondering - leading to doubt. Zechariah enduring doubt and seeing the Gracious Goodness of Your always planned Will and Salvation.

Remembering Abraham and his family living in tents in purchased land believing themselves Infinitely Blessed of God.

And in the Vast Goodness of Your Will we say this:

Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints,
this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God,
who created all things

Through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Belief of Jesus reached the Palace of Herod and Caesar's household quickly.

This was according to the eternal purpose we have realized in Christ Jesus our Lord

And because of Jesus
we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

Because of this invitation to be held to Abba as we pray:
I ask you not to lose heart over what suffers us, which God will bring to His Glory.

The Light of the World is Jesus Christ
Jesus please - for our loved ones, the people You give us, the prayers we ask.
Covering us inside our souls, surrounding our families with love, our Churches.
The Light, the Word of God, shining in our work places, communities. Going forth to our Nation and world.

We ask in Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Exodus 3:1-12 ~ Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law

Mount Horeb ~ 40 years of Shepherding

Exodus 3:1-12

Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 

3 And Moses said, "I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned." 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!"

And he said, "Here I am." 

5 Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." 

6 And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

7 Then the LORD said, "I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 

10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt." 

11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" 

12 He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."





~ the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire

People react differently to the Holy Spirit. Judas is also quoted as saying he turned aside.

When Jesus recognized the awe, amazement and worship from the followers who understood His Abba,  and Jesus said:

Matthew 13:16
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.

Moses recognized how large the challenge and how small he was. Isaiah saw it differently.





We all see the Vastness of God differently:

Isaiah 6:5
"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."

And Isaiah 6:8
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"

And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"





No matter what the reaction, the Lord’s Plan is put into place!





Father God uses fire in the New Testament as well:

Acts 2:1-4
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit






Just as Moses could not believe because of the enormity of the accomplishment, or like the analogy of the burning fragile bush, he wondered for his own safety. Jesus provides for the those in process of the journey. God isn't putting us on a cliff to survive - God is For Us.

John 20:29
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Acts 13:36-42
"For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.

"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:

" 'Look, you scoffers,
wonder and perish,
for I am going to do something in your days
that you would never believe,
even if someone told you.



The Word of God is living and active. When we live in faith - His goodness occurs - His Goodness will still do what God wants accomplished. God says He gives faith as work to mankind. Every day. Everyday work for faith in faith. This is a process of every day - even the everyday of doing the daily chores of the flock.





God is doing something between Moses in 1600 B.C. and in the First Century A.D. and Today. God takes us just where we dwell with Him - in all different lives and conditions - reaches to us - to our souls and makes relationship within us to Father God.

Pappa is working with people who have the fire of youth, energy and moxie.
God reaches to people fragile and in need.
Father God is like Fire - there is no stopping Fire. 
And Father God is like Living Water - there is no escaping where Living Water will go.
God makes us His in Jesus Christ.






Mount Nebo - A Destination Plan of God's - still dry in the summer, yet Mt. Horeb never was the destination.

Abba, Our Abba, Pappa,

We want the Process of Your Good Will, Abba,

Now the God of peace,
who brought up from the dead
the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord,
equip you in every good thing to do His will,
working in us that which is pleasing in His sight,
through Jesus Christ,
to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Written 2/22/15

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Matthew 4:13-25 ~ A Light has dawned +

Capernaum

Matthew 4:13-25

13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

Capernaum

Psalm 96


Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

4 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 6 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.

9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.

10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”

The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. 11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. 12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. 13 Let all creation rejoice before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Capernaum

Mechanics
Long Decisions
Present your soul

Yesterday I watched a television program "Longmire" about dealing with Dementia. Right now I know 7 people with Dementia.

The University of Pittsburgh study reveals exercise every day - we have a greater chance of removing Dementia. Dementia, no joke, exhibits itself like a tar pit. We believe aggression in careers and people 'situations' helps clean the path off. Power, power, power brings respect with fear; creating an easier life for the person employing their nasty ways to be more comfortable.

Of course, good people get Dementia and illness occurs. Of course. But if you eat a bucket of fried chicken, 9 gallons of ice cream, and cake for every meal you can count on Diabetes, stroke, blindness, heart attack, cancer and unhappiness.

Capernaum

The truth is this - if you go to school to be a mechanic or a doctor. People ask free advice, constantly.  Unless you are a Proctologist. Of course, this is annoying. We all get annoyed and we are all in the same boat of life. And I have seen written manuals giving advice to mechanics and doctors about making every, every cent. And ethics. Yes, really we are all in the same boat. A happier life? Being an #*^$&&**, but you never know the path less taken. And if you had the ability to look from on High - you'd find trouble with each path. If you pursue the path of helping, within boundaries of self - healthy love, you are going to find a more fulfilling soul and with the soul being nourished - you are able to go far farther. Ecclesiastes house is the Biblical story of age and decay. The Gospel of John and 1, 2, 3 John present us with hope to overcome the natural order of decay.

Lately, I have been pressed on a number of fronts to feel a mMean joke, pressure to be in servitude for no good cause, questionable advice given with the best of intentions, asked to judge who is more worthy, less dishonest and read between the lines for meaning.

This also places us in the same boat. We always have a pause of uncertainty when we face a decision or a 'situation.' We want to feel we walked away from all situations having handled them effectively, wisely and if we are really wise - with compassion. God values mercy over sacrifice.

The Bible assures us - Jesus did not walk away from all situations as the apparent Victor. The Book of Acts says not ever thing is a fast win-win.

I had a loved family member, long departed for Heaven, who was known to be very, very upstanding. She loved to chew people out. She was known to chew out a rancher at the State Fair of Texas once because he couldn't get his panicked horse out of the trailer. She stepped up, threw her cardigan over the horse's eyes, patted the horse and led him out of the trailer with eyes blindfolded. True story. And the man had been cussing out the horse in public. And we Love this family story. She never, ever, ever got Dementia, but she became lonely in old age for her willingness to be so right, chewing people out was her privilege.

Hence the next generations was too polite. There is a balance of moxy and mercy. The ability to say 'please' and 'thank you' actually has great effect to those who are hungry for a little respect in the world and to those who would never employ the words for fear of appearing weak. Strength exists in the ability to tell the truth. Strength exists in the mercy of not demanding our intestines to hang out. Who would the Archangel Michael owe respect to under God the Father? Well, interestingly enough, Enoch was never recovered in the Bible. Like Jesus. Like Moses. The Archangel Michael was sent to get Moses' body. Evidently Moses was unique to die and then be collected by the Lord. Satan decided not to let Michael have an easy time of collecting the body of Moses. Michael, who had Amazing Back Up, collected the body of Moses by being polite in the face of injustice.

Lately, I have heard many stories of Traffic. Intense time taken in traffic. We have to take the facts of our lives and find nourishment and ... prayer. I heard a quiet explosion in Church, about 35 years ago, of a man who said he did believe, but all his prayers bounce off and he was tired of hearing yada, yada, yada, yada, yada Prayer.

Seriously. A man had a quiet temper tantrum in a very large Church sitting behind me over Prayer. So I turned around and I said, "Do you really Believe Jesus is Who He said He is?" Grim-faced, the man said, "I Really Believe. Jesus is God of all things." I said do your parents live nearby? He replied they were across the Continent. I asked him if he called them. He grinned in the middle of the conversation and said, "That made sense."

Just like we trust God more if we are having serious fox hole problems or medical tests, we have to Trust God that our prayers are having an effect. We have to trust being communicative over 'situations' is good for all. Loving ourselves with health is good. And being polite is good. All the studies on prayer say there is a tremendous effect.

We have to trust, if we are a mechanic or a doctor in any situation, that good advice is good. We have to be able to say, "That's enough now." Doing the right thing - nourishes - your soul - your soul is the only part of you where you have real estate in eternity. Your brain is not going to survive death and go on. It's told to us our soul and our mind connect.

Luke 10

26“What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28“You have answered correctly,” Jesus said. “Do this and you will live.”


Maybe... You've read the Text before? Who said, "Love the Lord your God connecting, heart, soul, strength and mind?' Jesus had overwhelming, immense, astonishing, life changing = desire - to have conversation - with US. Jesus knew well and good we connect in our responses to negativity, in being uplifted, in being downtrodden, in ego, in overcoming - to explain where we attain and sustain our TRUTH.

When we place ourselves on Christ the Solid Rock I stand - Truth on the Rock of Jesus - the rest of the sinking sand is not so important!!!

As I wrote earlier, Lately, I have been pressed on a number of fronts to feel a mean joke, pressure to be in servitude for no good cause, questionable advice given with the best of intentions, asked to judge who is more worthy, less dishonest and read between the lines for meaning.


STOP. I don't have to accept the noise and the upset. I have to respond with kindness, mercy, wisdom and love myself. I don't have to accept 'the noise.' You don't either. The Battle is God's. We believe, we do our small part every day. We let God do God's Tremendous works and we have gratitude.


The Narrow Path. Where the noise leaves and the goodness of a still quiet voice is what is needed - filled with love.


Make your bottom line - Love. Jesus makes a Good Foundation.



Abba,

Help us to stay on Your Path. On Your Path we know Jesus is with us. We ask for ourselves and the ones we love. Guide us and lead us.
Empower and protect us. Encourage and sustain us. Let us have Your Joy within us. To place our Hope in You. To be glad for Your protection.

Bless our neighborhoods, jobs, Churches. Our nation and the people of faith around the World. Help us to know Jesus is our Good Foundation. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Matthew 1:1-17 ~ The book

Matthew 1:1-17

1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram,
4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon,
5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,
6 and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah,
7 and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Re Anhoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph,
8 and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah,
9 and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
10 and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah,
11 and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
13 and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor,
14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud,
15 and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob,
16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.


My Step Grandfather was an Episcopalian Orthodox Priest for 50 years. He used to say the definition of hell was going in a small car, on a long vacation, with the ones you Love.

When we speak of Romans 5 we have this:

3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.


Indeed, indeed, indeed I am being flippant.

And yet when you read Luke 3, we find the Talmud which is combined with the Sadducean Council Records tells us Luke 3 is Mary's genealogy. Joseph was the catch, being descended from the Kings of the Davidic Line and Mary's family descended through Solomon's younger brother, Nathan.

We find Jesus did give wisdom from God and the Nazareth family blended in. And yet, we learn nothing of the grandparents of the Holy family. Not very auspicious of the grandparents. When Kosher allowed them to have the possibility of long life. And we learn about Sibling Rivalry goading Jesus forth. And Sibling Loyalty under Mom's direction to get Jesus home in the midst of Trouble. And running away during Good Friday.

Acts 1 Happens and the family reunites. Ok, pretty standard typical fare - from our posts.

And yet... we discover by hanging in there. By being sincere and real. By giving mercy. By enduring - Families reunite.

The Gospels tell us don't go one mile - go two.

The Gospels tell us to encourage, to hope, to be diligent. The Gospels tell us to expect the best. Give the best. The Gospels are bold enough to say only accept the best.




Abba, our Father, Who is Almighty God Himself,

1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
The Gospels tell us to fill our mind and soul with Hope.

Let us also recall to Love ourselves. Not as best, not as first, but in wisdom Jesus said let the dead bury their dead. Jesus said there is Chaff in the world.

Jesus said to present Hope and expect God to warm hearts.

Jesus said turn the other cheek. He might have meant walk away from petty fights.

It is in being Sincere with what is possible, that we find ourselves transcending and finding God doing the Impossible when we ourselves present Mercy.

Abba, it is no coincidence we find the Holidays begin and the long daylight quits. We find Jesus is the Light of the World. And in our love for Jesus and His love for us, we find a lot of love for the Wonderful Holidays. Sincerity brings enjoyment, Peace, Love and Joy.

We find ourselves blessed of God this Thanksgiving and pray you find yourself as well.

May Jesus bless our Loved ones with His love. Blessings of the Christ for the People He has given us. The Love of Christ prevail and triumph finding Faith is greater than difficulty. Joy is renewing each day.

God's Blessings upon us, in Jesus we pray. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Matthew 5 ~ Jesus opened His Mouth and Taught

Jesus had 72 Disciples. Luke 10:1

Matthew 5

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.


2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.


13 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.






17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.


21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go.

First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

31 "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

33 "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.

38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.




43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?

Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Why would Matthew 5 say verse 2? "Jesus opened His mouth and taught"?


If you'd been Matthew - the high rising, Roman abiding, able to extort expert of money collection - you might be so astounded to be Levy who threw a party for Jesus knowing the people he would invite would be sinners. And given the beauty of The Sermon on the Mount and the following of multitudes - Jesus would know how to be the Life of the party.


Luke 10
23Then Jesus turned to the disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

My inclination would be Matthew wanted to record - Matthew heard the voice of Jesus Christ - Savior of Mankind. And not cause sadness for the generations to come.

When you look at the Creator, the Shepherd of our Souls, Jesus would not be afraid of mankind. Seeing further in space, in time, in millenniums, in events, in intuition, with more Love. Many times - if you are pressed or stressed - the Scripture will encompass the major points. Christians are not to Lord over the Gentiles. To walk with Grace and Truth. Jesus did this easily being Lord of All and seeing all one could ever see in each of us. And in not being afraid, we can believe God - lean to our Father - and build up all of us. Faith enables us not to take the short cuts - hurting our selves, our souls and the culture.

Speaking from experience, when we have regular old anxieties, becoming 'the same old event', we tend to become downtrodden. And in this boredom, this frustration, this mounting lack of faith called pain and sadness, we tend to slip slide away.

Matthew. He utterly was born again. Verse 48.  Matthew knew to hold on to Faith from being in the fire from the crucifixion. Levy Matthew rose again - because - the Forgiveness of Jesus. Not the Law. The Grace upon Grace of Jesus. The 12 Open Gates of Heaven. The always available to us in Jesus - our prayers - reaching Father God. Learning to be like Paul, we will "see how it goes with me." And lean into the adventure of believing ~

Romans 8:28 ~
We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Now doubts will wriggle in if you do not firmly grasp the Truth of the Grace of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3

13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

See, hold, believe every Word of God holds true.
God gives us very important footholds not to let go of in Faith to prevent, ward of doubt and strengthen Faith.

Feeling faint hearted?


1. Work for mankind and faith ~

Look again. Work. Do the work of faith given to mankind. Work. Work. Work. This is not a magical, mysterious carpet ride. Like the Exodus where all things worked immediately out. Minus Moses 40 years in the desert of Midian learning the Shepherd of his soul, in his thoughts. Minus Joshua waiting 40 years for the Children of Israel to attain faith to enter the promised land. 40 years surrounded by doubters who had walked the Red Sea floor. Diligent work.


2. Therefore work all things for good is a ... process.

Just like the Prodigal Son is a Process. Just like the Exodus was a spectacular process. 80 plus years and the land was not fully claimed for the ever important Tribe of Judah until 500 years later David took the City of David - Jerusalem for the first time for the Tribe of Judah. Work. Process. This important difference is the meat of maturity in Christ Jesus.


3. Gasp. What if... what if I have no special significance in God's eyes. Regular Joe.

To be called to work the purpose of God is something spectacular. This is the ... narrow path. Matthew 22:14 14 "For many are invited, but few are chosen." The Bible - assures us, the wide highway is there. The narrow path is available for those who believe and will do the choice of being like Joseph who believed a mere dream. For being Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and Joseph who merely believed they were blessed of God and sufficient to pass on His Amazing Blessings. These men lived in tents when others did not. And they lived believing themselves blessed and the reality of Faith proves them correct from Genesis to Hebrews 11 to the last page of the last chapter of the Word of God. The Word of God, the Will of God, assures us Faith is better and more True.


4. Why?

Why is this Work? Why? Because in the Garden of Eden mankind wanted to be God, and decide for themselves what was right and wrong. I'd bet, Father God said, "Show me. Show me your narrow path. Show me what you do with the acreage of eternity called, 'your soul.'" Mankind proves "we" are work even in the Exodus. Ohh. Awe and Wonder of God. And then ~ oh no, God will desert us! I'm hungry ~ therefore we can assume God will desert us this time. I'm thirsty ~ God will desert us this time. Small wonder this occurs in the Desert. No wonder Father God puts the Children of Israel under His Care. When the Desert has a Cloud by Day - eventually there is rain. When the Desert has a Pillar of Fire by Night - then there is comfort and comfort is not a wasteland Desert. Preparing the Children of God to enable them to do the Will of God. By pass Jericho - going the direction of God. He is a Good, Good Father.


5. The Upward Call of Jesus Christ.

David lived giving all of mankind the Grace to show the Upward Call of Jesus Christ. David - the inner secret of David - to Believe in the Compassion of God. Strive Forward. Again. The Reflection of Jesus Christ, Only Son and Savior of Almighty God, our Father.


6. Run the Race to Win.

Every Word, every single Word of God holds True.

Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

The key helping Word here is 'only'. Have the Purpose. Know the direction. Stay with the direction for one reason - Love.




Abba, our Father,

Today, may our God of Faith, Hope and Love fill us with all joy and peace as we believe in Jesus Christ Lord God.

Father, in the Power of Jesus' Name, pour out a Blessing. The Holy Spirit overflowing by the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory of Jesus Christ our Savior.

Let us take our Spiritual acreage and convince with our deeds, life and word - showing our all seeing Father God, our words and works are full of Goodness of God. Brimming with His Love and able to fill up our soul to run to bring to our Father.

May the Words of my mouth, the meditations of my heart, be pleasing and acceptable to You, Father God, bringing Jesus and the Holy Spirit's Love to live in me, the ones I love, increasing to the people You have given me. God of Creation, Loving Father, cover all over this world. The Joy of God covers us! We ask in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Exodus 33:14 ~ He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest"

Exodus 33:14
And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”



When Joseph decided to give Mary mercy, he was able to rest. We do not know he did not rest during the conflict, we know he slept in the decision to be merciful. And in this mercy, God spoke to Joseph telling him this was of God. Joseph had a decision, would he believe the dream?

Joseph believed for life.

Joseph put all in faith. And returned from Egypt.

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him

Amazing what Joseph did not see and yet believed.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Joseph is not recorded in meeting Gabriel, who stands in the Presence of God. Joseph probably met Zechariah.

1 Kings 20. We take it for granted. If you have a Godly thing happen - then you act honorably.  Everyone who meets God - does well - some. Ahab - we given all of God's help. He had Acts of God around him. He had prophecies helping him with armies - wars - battles. Twice. Ahab acted upon this with faith. And Ahab became... Ahab. Like Judas - he turned to his own directions.

Acts 1:25
Judas turned aside to go to his own interests.

Ahab wanted a woman. He wanted his own answers. He wanted glory. Ahab wanted a vineyard. Ahab wanted to punish God's Prophet having experienced Prophecy of God. Judas wanted power and position with the highest up - self glory. Judas wanted to punish God's Prophet, Jesus, called Messiah where the lame walked and the blind could see and the deaf could hear. Judas wanted his own answers. He wanted glory. Judas wanted some land.

Saul wanted his own answers. He wanted glory. Saul wanted to punish God's anointed. Having experienced the Prophecy of God. Saul is notorious for not sleeping and requiring David to play music to soothe Saul to sleep. 1 Samuel 16:23

Genesis 18:12
So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?"

Joseph lived.

Luke 1:37
For nothing will be impossible with God.

James 5:11
Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.




Abba, God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

We thank You for Your Grace and peace.

Thank you and continually for listening to our prayers.

For your Love and your endurance and Your Works, for giving us our Lord Jesus Christ.

For Your gospel is not simply words but also power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You have lived among Your People as Truth and Grace.

You are in the midst of us and here when we suffer. You work with the Fruits of the Spirit. Love, Joy and Peace. You are the Lord Most High, our Father. You are everywhere.

And in Your salvation, we place our cares, the ones we Love and their deepest cares and needs. We place the prayer requests of the people who pray with us. Knowing in faith, You hear our prayers. Covering us in the Holy Spirit, knowing the earth and all the fills it is Your's.

In Jesus we will rest because of Your Mercy. Blessed Be God who fulfills His Word in all of Your Goodness. Thank You, Abba. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †