Revelation 1 ~ John, your brother and partner

Revelation 1

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.

Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."





9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day,
and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying,
"Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.

But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not."

Nothing about The Book of Revelation is very comfortable. Not our experience. Not our understanding. God's Revelation. And we are completely agreeing with John's Revelation - John being in Heaven every time Protestants pray the Lord's Prayer. Revelation 4:9,10 is the witness of "Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory."

Every time we get to this portion - we are agreeing with the First Council of Nicaea, John is an eyewitness of the Crucifixion, Jesus Risen in Victory over death, Jesus ascends to Heaven, and John His Disciple has been to God's Kingdom. We agree The Book of Revelation is John's true eyewitness to the Glory of God.


Yet, when we wind down and get to the Lord's Prayer's finish: "Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory." I feel extreme comfort. Like a High Five. John has - been there - and Jesus has comforted John. I can relax in Jesus. I believe with Jesus and John. This is Jesus. Our Jesus. Wonderful Jesus.

John's cave on Patmos has a wonderful view.

And a history of time we can see. Jesus died about 33 A.D. Emperor Domitian ruled until 81 to 96 A.D. John was seeing Jesus one Sunday afternoon about 63 years later. Surprise!!!

And when Jesus spoke to John - personally - we can draw up the comfort of Jesus.

A shoe to fit anyone:

A comfort for 'your internal Hearth':

A place of eternity called Home:

Where you are seen by Jesus completely:

Where you can be all you all the time:

All your days are known - from beginning to this very day:

Where Jesus would comfort and cover you:

And you are with Jesus.

"For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory."


And Jesus says, "Fear not." Jesus lives were all hearts are revealed, all secrets known, no desire is hidden. Where the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart is well known to Jesus, our Wonderful Jesus.



Abba,

When we see Jesus - we have seen You.

Jesus, whom You appointed the heir of all things,
through whom also Abba created the world.

Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God
and the exact imprint of our Father God's nature

Jesus upholds the universe by the Word of Your power.

After making purification for sins,
Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
having become as much superior to angels
as the name Jesus has inherited

Son of God, Jesus, more excellent than all others.

For to which of the angels did Father God ever say,
“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”?

Or again,
“I will be to Jesus a Father,
and Jesus shall be to Me a Son”? Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God.

And again, when Abba brings the firstborn into the world, He says,
“Let all God’s angels worship Him.”



Jesus, You encourage us
to make our words strengthen us with integrity and honesty
to make our words give us peace
Jesus encourage us
to make each day right.

We pray this for ourselves,
for the ones we Love,
the people You have given us.
Your Light reaching to all, this Nation, the World.

We give You, Thanks. In Jesus.
Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Revelation 1 ~ John, your brother and partner

Revelation 1

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.

Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."





9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day,
and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying,
"Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.

But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not."

Nothing about The Book of Revelation is very comfortable. Not our experience. Not our understanding. God's Revelation. And we are completely agreeing with John's Revelation - John being in Heaven every time Protestants pray the Lord's Prayer. Revelation 4:9,10 is the witness of "Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory."

Every time we get to this portion - we are agreeing with the First Council of Nicaea, John is an eyewitness of the Crucifixion, Jesus Risen in Victory over death, Jesus ascends to Heaven, and John His Disciple has been to God's Kingdom. We agree The Book of Revelation is John's true eyewitness to the Glory of God.


Yet, when we wind down and get to the Lord's Prayer's finish: "Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory." I feel extreme comfort. Like a High Five. John has - been there - and Jesus has comforted John. I can relax in Jesus. I believe with Jesus and John. This is Jesus. Our Jesus. Wonderful Jesus.

John's cave on Patmos has a wonderful view.

And a history of time we can see. Jesus died about 33 A.D. Emperor Domitian ruled until 81 to 96 A.D. John was seeing Jesus one Sunday afternoon about 63 years later. Surprise!!!

And when Jesus spoke to John - personally - we can draw up the comfort of Jesus.

A shoe to fit anyone:

A comfort for 'your internal Hearth':

A place of eternity called Home:

Where you are seen by Jesus completely:

Where you can be all you all the time:

All your days are known - from beginning to this very day:

Where Jesus would comfort and cover you:

And you are with Jesus.

"For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory."


And Jesus says, "Fear not." Jesus lives were all hearts are revealed, all secrets known, no desire is hidden. Where the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart is well known to Jesus, our Wonderful Jesus.



Abba,

When we see Jesus - we have seen You.

Jesus, whom You appointed the heir of all things,
through whom also Abba created the world.

Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God
and the exact imprint of our Father God's nature

Jesus upholds the universe by the Word of Your power.

After making purification for sins,
Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
having become as much superior to angels
as the name Jesus has inherited

Son of God, Jesus, more excellent than all others.

For to which of the angels did Father God ever say,
“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”?

Or again,
“I will be to Jesus a Father,
and Jesus shall be to Me a Son”? Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God.

And again, when Abba brings the firstborn into the world, He says,
“Let all God’s angels worship Him.”



Jesus, You encourage us
to make our words strengthen us with integrity and honesty
to make our words give us peace
Jesus encourage us
to make each day right.

We pray this for ourselves,
for the ones we Love,
the people You have given us.
Your Light reaching to all, this Nation, the World.

We give You, Thanks. In Jesus.
Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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 †