Luke 7:11-17 ~ He had compassion on her

Luke 7:11-17 

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

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

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

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

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

Oh. Nain. One of those miracles. Something about a kid. And why get so excited about Lazarus - when this Nain thing was, rarely talked of.

Suppose you are on a tour of Israel. Nain. Tuesday so - Nain. 

Let's walk this together.

Who is there with Jesus in the great crowd? 
Jesus is the Lamb of God in the wilderness.
The people have left their flock, the work, their family to go and seek and find Jesus. These are the diligent.

Instead of a teaching, they are led on a walk.
Now, that can't have been much fun. They couldn't all walk beside Jesus. So the very big crowd is just ambling along.

Suddenly, a funeral. This generation all can understand the horror of a widow losing a child. Especially if that child was going to be her old age support and joy. End of just a summer day, joy, walk.

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

And they have sensory overload perception going on.
Some of the crowd was from Nain and knew this was not a joke or a play.

These are the people who didn't know how to save Jesus at the time of His death.

A Very Important Thing.

When the reports come to them of the dead being seen walking in Jerusalem and THEIR JESUS was shamefully killed. This Large Crowd, they all have an idea about resurrection.

This Crowd, they are going to rise up. Because. An important because. If you heard that your local area had the dead walking around - you would brush that off. And if more people told you - you might think - Jesus the Christ of God is Working.

The faithful have seen with their own eyes, the widow of Nain was blessed.

And there was no way Lazarus was a fake miracle of Astonishing, Awe inspiring Jesus.  Lazarus, we are told, had - an aroma.

Jesus is in the business of telling people how to contribute to their healing.

Jesus Healed Death - with His Word. Jesus is constantly telling people - go show the Rabbi.  Keep this quiet - this was just you and Me. Avoid the village. Let me take you away from the crowd and explain in a way a deaf man can understand what happens.

Jesus provided this miracle - that - when the time came - they would have a foothold on the path to "Believe Jesus."  And they were going to make so much NOISE, Roman Emperors were going to shake and tremble for the next 325 years.

Acts 2:6
And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.

Acts 5:12 -15
Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. [The Temple past the guards all of that.] 


Acts 13:45
But when the Jews saw the multitudes

Acts 8:6
And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.


Joel 3:14
Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

Your God, My God, Our Father, Jesus His Son and the Holy Spirit are Working today.
No situation will remove or worry Our God.

He is All Powerful.

This is a Facebook of Janice. A very dear friend of mine from High School. She was in my wedding and I was in her's. Janice inspires people all the time for Jesus. She Loves Jesus. And I will include 3 of her Recent Facebook Posts. ENJOY. THIS is Our Janice in the Body of Christ Celebrating A Jesus Miracle straight to Janice.


FACEBOOK.
Janice Swesey Schatz shared her post.
January 29 at 7:54pm ·

And... NO BIOPSY NEEDED! Praise God!
When I got there the Tech told me they WERE doing it today under mammogram but then when they took the first images to locate the spot and started looking at them, they took some more from different angle and more squeezing 😂 and then announced - today's your lucky day, we don't need to biopsy it seems to have disappeared looking at it again! Come back in 6 months for a follow up to be safe. I know it's not luck
- it's God
and I am thankful
beyond words
for Him
answering
our prayers!!!


We have an Awesome and Wonderful Jesus, Son of God. Merciful. Good. Our God.

Devoted Three
Father
Son
Holy Spirit
to His Beloved Child.

And I will add a Bible Verse to this:

Matthew 10:32
Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.

Our Jesus God.

Luke 1

"Because of the tender mercy of our God!
Whereby the Sunrise shall visit us from on high.

79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”







Abba, Abba, Abba,

We ask You as we see Your Willingness to share in Your Blessings.

Many times we see the news and the circumstances in our lives. We Believe it is overwhelming.

We are sorry. You are The Almighty God and Father. Your Son is the Light of the World. Your Mercy renews daily.

Help us to be mindful how Merciful You Are. And Your Mighty Works.

Jesus did not live in Egypt to show this is "Old Testament". Jesus tells us the Word of God is Living and Loving and filled with
Daily Graces and Merciful Workings of Miracles.

Praise God from Whom All BLESSINGS Flow.

Praise the Name of Jesus.

Praise God, His Goodness and Willingness for Jesus.

The Name of Jesus cover us and our Loved Ones.

The Mercy and Love of Jesus Christ fill us and fill us with all Joy and Love.

His Goodness continually Flows.

In Jesus Christ, God's Son, Our Savior, Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

1 Corinthians 12:12-26 ~ All Rejoice Together +

1 Corinthians 12:12-26

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many.

15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
26 If one member suffers, all suffer together;
if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

[***** Psalm 103:5
Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's {{ Rejoice with those who Rejoice :) }}]

+ PS Congratulations to the Patriots on the amazing game scores of Tom Brady. Wow to the Team as well!!!

We had such a good Radiance Class at The Woodlands United Methodist Church with Susan Kent and Kimberly. We heard about being sealed and uplifted in the Holy Spirit.

The Way the pages of the Bible are build absolutely agree. The Chapters continue together, in God's Word, providing us insight in Growing the Body of Christ.

A great summary would be tucked in and borrowed from:

Ephesians 4

Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head. 16From Him the whole body is fitted and held together by every supporting ligament. And as each individual part does its work, the body grows and builds itself up in love.


So we find we all have unique aspects of the Holy Spirit. Unique Gifts. Unique perspective to Bring Forth the Great Love and Amazing Grace of Jesus Christ. Seeing all of the Body of Christ have part of Jesus Himself.

1 Corinthians 13

13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three;
but the greatest of these
is Love.




1 John 4:19
We love because he first loved us.


Abba,

We are Blessed to have Your Word.

John has lived knowing Jesus Christ. A long life.

Telling us for He who is in you, is greater than he who is in the world.

You have sent Your only Son Jesus into the world, so that we might live through him to be the propitiation for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. Father God, You abides in us and Your love gives us Hope, Faith and Love.

Confidently we pray in Jesus, letting You have our every prayer. With loving and Sincere Hearts.



Praying for the end of aches and pains for flu season. Rest and healing for all in need.

An increase of Joy and Thanksgiving for the Blessings of Each Day - Renewed. Looking for this as if for Easter Eggs. The joy of being God's own, given gifts and Blessings. And seeing God's Gifts and Blessings in other's for His Goodness.

What we could not even know to ask, God would ask in the Holy Spirit. Let His Continual Love Pour Forth over those we love. The communion of the Believers joining with Jesus all over the world. We ask for an increase of God's Love helping us all to give greater hope and Love to all of His Children.

Amen in Jesus!

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Romans 8:24-39 ~ He who searches hearts

Romans 8:24-39

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit,
because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.


31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

38 For I am sure that neither death nor life,
nor angels
nor rulers,
nor things present
nor things to come,
nor powers,
nor height
nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.



My Take on The State of the Spirit.



50 Years ago Salt Papyrus 124 was displayed as "Mose" a consideration of the Exodus with Seti II Pharaoh. At The British Museum. 30 years ago it was displayed as not "Moses". Today Salt Papyrus is not shown to the public. 1250 B.C.


30 Years ago Ipuwer Papyrus was displayed as The Parallel of the Ten Plagues. Now it is not. 1250 B.C.


Pharaoh Ramses III Mummy toured the USA about 1990, the draw and the question was - is this "The Pharaoh of Moses" and the tour guides were asked this question the MOST. One Dallas Tour Guide told me she wanted to wear a badge that said, "We Don't Know if this is the Moses Pharaoh. Honestly." She said the other Museum Docents wanted that badge too.

We have a population of 83% of the USA Population believes Jesus is the Son of God and prays regularly. A huge Church going crowd of the Northeast quit going to Church during the wonderful Papacy of John Paul II over abuse. And we thought we had lost these good people from Church. Instead, forgiveness occurred and the people returned to Church seeing abuses were publicly to be spoken of and forgiven. A Miracle. And Unexpected by many.

Now the Pew Report shows a 2% decline - not in Bible-based Churches - but in systematic dogmatic Churches. In troubled times, like Acts 1, we see people want to see the Love of Christ Jesus. When we are in times where 50% has been reported children in no marriage. Good News this is recovering. But if... recovering due to the Morning After Horror Pill and RU486.

Is it an error to say the Morning After Horror Pill and RU486. When do you decide your personal policy on the barn is on fire? During Crisis. Have the plan. When do you decide on marital infidelity as a child, teen, and upcoming marriage or at the bar with the colleagues? The planning phase is now. The mother of small children. The mother of teens. The Singles Groups. The Sororities. The High Schools. God help us, nationally.

Now here is a thought. The Nations God wanted His Children to leave - kill the innocent.

Am I hateful? No. I have sat 3.5 years of my life with women in crisis. Helping the abortion-minded, the post-abortion shock, the decision makers. The triumphant. I have been told I was good at this. I'm not being hateful, I'm pointing out how to help the Nation.










Good News.

In Troubled Times, people want to know their unmarried children would be loved to come to Church and see God's Love.

In Troubled Times, as witnessed by the huge decline in Episcopalians - Falling from 13 million in attendance to below 800,000 - people want to know the Bible is where the Church Will Stand.

In Troubled Times, people will slowly leave Dogma  paralleling the world for uppity muckity muck - is a 2% decline.

In Troubled Times, will the Church be kind to the sinner (me - you) and uphold the amazing Love of God and not fail to represent every Word of God. Like the welcome of an innocent, illegitimate Grandchild.




When Billy Graham held up the Light of Christ in a Football Stadium to show us the Light is still Seen. People fell on their souls, to their knees and want Jesus.





We truly face some difficult things.



In Houston, the Economy is booming. And yet not as it was. Houston, Harris County, is changing laws the Governor does not agree with. And the way warranted people are collected.

We have a Flu causing people to remember the Flu before the Great Depression.

Was World War II a Religious War?


Matthew 11:12
From the days of John the Baptist until now
the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,
and the violent take it by force.



You Decide. The people were told what was right and who was of God. The pigs got to wear a Yellow Star. There is "one" opinion. Even the loyal can lose a child - a handicapped child - a useless eater. That was Right. Reich.

Don't like the Yellow Star for the Jews? Shut up. Hitler told the Churches.

USSR. One Opinion. You like God and Church? Siberia.






Have you seen Canada? Today?


Bill C-16 moves to add gender identity and gender expression to the list of prohibited grounds of discrimination. Its critics detect something more sinister under the surface of the bill. Much to the dismay of many, the bill passed without amendment. Here are five things to know about the passing of bill C-16 entails.

1. The bill sets a precedent for compelled speech, posing a major threat to free speech.

2. There is evidence the transgender community doesn’t even want the bill.

3. The bill sets up a path to imprisonment.
The penalty for not using a tragically confused person’s preferred pronouns is a fine. If the fine is not paid to the Canadian government, they have the right to imprison the offender.

4. Some researchers have lost research funding for the first time.
Though the timing could be coincidental, researchers who have been conducting research regarding the relationship between proclivities toward politically correct behavior and personality traits are no longer funded Nationally.






SNL and Pat. Where is this transgender landslide?

If you do not use genderless pronouns — xe, xem, xyr — you could face Breaking Bill C-16.

I am unaware of a transgender landslide. This is Majority ignore and minority oppress. Oppression. If people are forced to accept 'one' opinion - what we truly are looking at is "Animal Farm". We will certainly mourn the loss of freedom to have thought. Freedom of Religion. Freedom of Speech.

Animal Farm - we want freedoms for our Children and Children's Children.

Jesus did not fail to Give Thanks to His Father.

Jesus did not fail to Pray Sincerely His Heart.

Jesus did not stay awake worrying.
Jesus took comfort God was in control.
Jesus took a nap during the great storm and woke up to Heal the Land.

Jesus did not cast stones at Sinners.
I for one am profoundly grateful to Live in the Mercy of God Himself.

Jesus was not routinely unkind.
And Jesus spoke harshly to Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night. Notice with me, Nicodemus wasn't called upon in the critical hour to help the Jewish Ruling Council or be of help to Jesus.
Jesus calls us to speak up, which Nicodemus actually did.

Jesus did not keep those He healed as the low or the high.
Jesus healed. Jesus spoke up to those who sat on the Law and did not live Mercy. Jesus healed the children of those who Sat on the Law.

Jesus did not go to crowds where rhetoric and Roman Demonstrations was their 24 7 entertainment.

Jesus did not even mention the Romans in the Beatitudes.
Jesus meant our lives to go to Heaven saying I was grateful for God's goodness, I sought His Goodness, I looked for His Blessings, I gave His Blessings, I knew God's Love. I gave God's Love. I demonstrated Kindness and I spoke up against sitting on prosperity as total comfort. I gave more Heaven on earth as gratitude for Jesus. I Lived the adventure of belonging to Jesus Christ. Because I am a Child of Father God. My Savior is Jesus Christ.

Jesus did not make the Great Commission one of pointing fingers and discussing how bad today is. Slavery, Taxation, Trade Agreements, Roman Occupation, Teenage attitudes on Sex, the state of the world today and our hopelessness.

Jesus did not stay at home. Jesus said, "Go and heal the sick, give the Good News." Today, Doctors routinely give hope because medical studies have shown hope and care (Love) will bless the patient. Doctors tell the Truth about recovery. All tests on prayer show amazing results.

Jesus did not give up on Prayer. What we can't do, Jesus can.


Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.




Psalm 134

1 Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD,
who stand by night in the house of the LORD!

2 Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the LORD!
3 May the LORD bless you from Zion,
he who made heaven and earth!

Abba,

Thank You for our Blessings. Thank You for Love, peace, comfort, home, family, and Freedom.
We are so grateful.

We ask Blessings upon Your Faithful. We ask Blessings where we would place the Love Jesus has.

This little Light of mine, I'm going to make it Shine.

With the cross of Jesus Going on before.

You've Got the Whole World in Your Hands.
You've got the whole world in Your hands
You've got you and my brother in Your Hands
You've got you and my sister in Your Hands

We Know You are Still Working to this Day,
We Know Jesus is Still Working to this Day,


You've got Your Plan In Your Heart.
We can Trust You God in our Heart.
We can Trust You God, with our Loved Ones, in Your Heart.
We Will Trust You God with Our Prayers.
You've Got the Whole World in Your Hands.

You've Got Ill Health and Flu Season in Your Hand.
And all the Bad News we can overdose on - in Your Hand.

You've Got the Whole World in Your Hands.
You've Got the Whole World in Your Hands.

We Know You are Still Working to this Day,
We Know Jesus is Still Working to this Day.

We Say Help Us All Lord Jesus!!!

We will Rest with the Name of Jesus.
We will See Your Mercies Renew tomorrow.

In Jesus, Always. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

1 Samuel 17:32-37 ~ Let no one lose heart +

1 Samuel 17:32-37

32 David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him."

33 Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth."

34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine."

Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you."


David fought and conquered a lion. Solomon used several of them along his throne. When Solomon's kingdom was divided, lions came out for the first time in a long time and devoured men for harming David's Line.

And C.S. Lewis created a beautiful story in Narnia about Aslan. I've been partial to lions since I was quite small and dreamed of Africa so many times.


Now did David really do this? Evidently so.

No one would want to fight Goliath. And David did. Based upon his faith, God protects him.

On Display in the Museum of Israel - Goliath and David

The story of David slaying the giant Goliath isn't a myth written down, because thousands of years later, Dr Aren Maeir of Bar-Ilan University in Israel, excavation director said, :finding the scraps gave credence to the biblical story."

The shard dates to about 950BC, within 70 years of when biblical chronology says David squared off against Goliath, making it the oldest Philistine inscription found. It was at Tel es-Safi in southern Israel, thought to be the site of the Philistine city of Gath.



We see what gave David courage to fight Goliath. His faith in the Lord God Almighty and the Holy Spirit residing in David.

Solomon built his throne to celebrate David's victory.

Jesus is called Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Solomon put a gold lion for each of the 12 tribes, to depict their protection with the David's lineage.  We can all clearly recognize in the title, "Jesus, Lion of the Tribe of Judah" Jesus is a profound mediator for you and for me. Just as Solomon was saying he protects the Tribes of Jacob's Son - of Israel.



Abba,

We rest sinus headache and this flu season, so serious, to You for total healing.

Lift up all of Life and our selves and Loved ones to You. Around the world, held in Your Love.

Blessed be our Jesus, Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

Amen in Jesus.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Isaiah 40:3-5 ~ The Glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all shall see together

When we think of Father God pouring out a blessing -
Do you think of Niagara Falls as in the Old Testament -
God's Love Flows and Flows.

We know, certainly, we want to avoid Limbo!!!

How far can we take all of this back - Seeing The New Testament and Old Testament as new?
God's Living Word!

Isaiah 40:3-5 

A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Every valley shall be lifted up,
and 
every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.

And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

When would God speak tenderly to His People?

When would Father God comfort His people?

In the Vast Love our God of Hope, God of Love, God of Encouragement - we find out. Days would come. We read the news.

When everything is in question. So many changes. To destabilize the world - nothing is comfortable. When we are all uncomfortable - then we are easily scattered. Fake News?  Less likely to work for our families and pull for all their future. Hezekiah became so concerned with how huge Assyria and the future was - he just gave up and shrugged when it came time for his children's futures. And Hezekiah was Quite a Saint. Hezekiah was raised to give up Judea to the Assyrians - to become a puppet king to the powers that be. Instead, Hezekiah fought bravely. But we can't give up on our children as easily as Hezekiah did.

We will Give the Comfort of God.

We will Seek the Comfort of God - for our Families and the people He has given us.

We Will. In Jesus Christ.

Days would come.

God spoke so tenderly to His Beloved People - after Jesus died. Brings tears to my eyes. Jesus said not to weep for Him, weep for us.

Father God knew the vast changes coming. In 16 years religious persecution was really upping the ante. At 70 A.D. For 325 years. Father God knew the sheep would come forward looking for our Jesus. They were like sheep going astray, but now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. Can you fathom it - His Son was Killed. God our Father would comfort us.

To Father God, a day is like thousands of years.

Comfort, Comfort My People

This is what the probable, 2 million people, flooding the 36 acres in the Temple right- after the First Easter - Saw:

Colonnade left from King Solomon's Portico. Could be from the First Temple used in the Second Temple. John 10:23. A portion of the Temple, according to Josephus History of the Jews. 5:5, section 1; Ant. 20:9, section 7, remained from Solomon's time. It rose from a great depth, occupying part of the valley, and supported by a wall 400 cubits high, formed of immense stones, some 20 cubits long. The Chaldeans spared it, for the strength and beauty. This is where the Remnant left from the Babylonian Exile worshiped.

Jesus the Lord walked in the Colonnade left from King Solomon's Portico. 

God's Plan is so far back - as the people gathered to find Jesus - this comfort of Solomon, of David holding the material, of Jesus - The Portico was there for the multitudes after Jesus died.

Acts 2:6       
And at this sound, the multitude came together, and they were bewildered because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.  

Acts 5:12 -15      
Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.     
        
Joel 3:14 
Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

 A very active time after Jesus was crucified.



 

We can see this today. Our Grandparents wouldn't have. But Technology has allowed your eyes to see part of Solomon's Portico.





In Crisis. People prayed.

Acts 1:14
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Mary and her children were with the believers.
 Unified in God's Care.

And Antioch. This is where the Church went to be planned and develop. 

Acts 13:1-5

Now there were in
the Church at Antioch
prophets and teachers,

Barnabas,
Simeon who was called Niger,
Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch,
and Saul.

2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.

Archaeology.

Something you sift through to find meaningful analysis. Like Historical evidence. And God's Word.

God Word, 1 John 4, tells us never be afraid to examine what we know for truth.

Dang. Don't you wish the Disciples had been literate?

Dang. Wouldn't it be great if the Bible had been written before 400 A.D. and we hadn't had to deal with these dirty, illiterate, yutzes that "God" mistakenly chose?  SO WRONG  >!!!

SO WRONG >!!! SO WRONG >!!!

 When God said the creation was good, how many times?

11 times.

God rarely repeats Himself -  maybe God was supporting 11 Disciples.

Saying these 11 men were wonderful. Chosen, special, loved.

Reading this - we discover how wonderful and united these very diverse men - loved - those in need.

Let's explode for all time some pop culture and look at Archaeology.

God has built Archaeology to be a clue for the faithful.

A tool of seeing with wonder what God has done.

It will be rare when something of Archaeology brings Salvation.

And yet, why would we ignore what others have found?

And so we leave Jerusalem, where 16 years after the death of Jesus, 340 years of Roman Emperor terror about Jesus Christ.  History of Emperor fears. And 340 years later was still being investigated about 'that' Jesus as God.

Syria. Unlike little Judea, which came to be known as Jesus' area. We leave and head to Syria - which was considered a Post worth having as a Roman Official.

And we look at  

ANTIOCH

You have your little Judea, your better Syria, but ahhhhhhhh Antioch. You've arrived. This is the Place. Beautiful Antioch. Twenty-one times the New Testament says 'Antiahhhhhhoch'.

Who was here?

1. Barnabas, Cousin to John Mark, Mark's gospel, with Peter to the end. Barnabas took some of the oldest Scripture to India.

2. Simeon who was called Niger, This is the Gospel. This is the first Civil Rights Movement. This man took the Gospel to Alexandria.

3. Lucius of Cyrene, Simeon probably traveled with Mr. Libya. They are taking the Gospel to the Next Continent.

4. Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch  You are "Absolutely" in trouble for running around with Christian infidels if you are a pal of Herod. This Herod is Herod is Herod Antipas. A lesser-known Herod? Oh noooo. This Herod is put on the throne by Census taking Emperor Augustus. Nephew of Caesar. King since 4 B.C. Married to his sister-in-law Herodias, this Herod is rather Touchy. One is in Danger traveling with the Christ Disciples

Giving a whole new meaning to - "Men the Roman Empire is upset who is running around Proclaiming Jesus as God."

5. Saul. Believe me, they were not grubbing around in Antioch. Paul was one of the best educated at the Temple by Gamaliel - himself. Paul had the best credentials.

Later...

6. John - This is the first man adopted by the incredible Sacrifice of Jesus. He is now the son of Mary, Mother of God. Plenty of courage. John stayed to the last breath of Jesus Christ.

These tile Mosaics - are they found in Judea - yes, thanks for thinking of this - yes, they are found in Caiaphas - High Priest Home. "Worship no 'Image'".

Antioch tells us - Living was not just hand- to- mouth.

Not desperate times and desperate measures to worship "Something". Telling us just like Paul's superior education. Peter's superior style of living and gracious house.  Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch - not just the men who could squeak under the prosecution wire. Not just the outsiders.  The Light of Jesus Christ was reaching across Impossible Borders and Boundaries. Not just Susanna, wife to Herod's Steward.

Antioch, northern Syria near the Turkish border. 300 B.C., Antioch was a very important political and cultural center of the Hellenistic East and one of the great metropolises of the Roman Empire.

Howard Crosby Butler, Princeton professor of Art and Archaeology and the founder of the School of Architecture, led a series of archaeological expeditions to Syria (1899-1900, 1904-5, and 1909). The collective aim was to record the remains of ancient buildings and settlements. The results of those expeditions were published in several volumes that remain standard research tools for the study of late antique architecture in Syria. Some of the buildings are from 200 A.D. He discovered a city blended from 200 A.D. to 500 A.D.

Although Antioch was mentioned in many literary sources, very little was known about the physical city until 1932, when a consortium of institutions led by Princeton University conducted the first of seven seasons of excavations that would eventually uncover a remarkable wealth of finds, expanding our knowledge of the metropolis and its culture. Despite the challenges posed by the fact that much of the ancient city had been buried by up to 10 meters of soil washed down from the slopes of Mount Silpios, which towers above the town at the east, the excavations there and in the surrounding area were able to uncover the remains of more than:

80 buildings,
including two theaters,
six public baths,
a hippodrome,
and two major churches.

In addition to these public buildings, some of the portico-ed streets for which Antioch was famous in antiquity, were unearthed, along with numerous residential structures.

200 A. D.

Butler deemed this suburban residence a villa of a well-to-do family from nearby Bostra. The huge residence, measuring ca. 80 x 60 meters in the plan, was later transformed into a village. Symmetrically organized around a central courtyard, the entire complex, including the residential wing, was enclosed by a high stone wall. The focus of the residential wing was a large (10 x 10 meters) two-story room, internally divided by a large arch resting on massive engaged piers. Probably introduced for structural reasons, internal transversal arches of this type became ubiquitous features of residential buildings in Syria.

These houses still had walls, 1700 years later. You can bet in Antioch, these visitors were not taken in lightly.

Now

Let's be real and frank. This is the statue of Minerva. Found as decoration for one of the Baths. 200 A.D. Just as archaeology does not create believers, not all people adored Jesus and flocked to Christ. What's the point in bringing this up? This relates to today.

We see the Gospel and Acts of the Apostles have amazing, spectacular miracles. And many people think - well, God has gone to sleep. No matter the time, no matter the season, no matter the Disciple, Prophet, Preacher or Teacher - Jesus God told us, we will always have difficulties in this life. Jesus told us to expect some are wheat - some are weeds.

And with Love - bring forth the God of Love. The God of Encouragement. Our Father God Lives. Abba is working, Jesus, too, and His Word is the power upholding the universe, the galaxy, this planet and our very lives.

Our Abba,

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

2 Chronicles 15:7
But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.

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

 Prayer is the force changing hearts in the Power of the Holy Spirit.

Abba,  Your Great Love and Tender Mercy.
God of Love and Encouragement,
we tenderly place our cares for our loved ones,
the people You have given us,
our own concerns, our hearts and souls,
the things we think are dire today and maybe not in a year.

We give a moment of thought of Thanks for Your answers we have experienced.

Gratitude for answers we will come to know.
Your Love around our workplaces, Schools, Churches, Cities, States, this Nation and cover the Creation with Your Love.

Knowing Your Tender Love for Edward, Steve, Wayne, Mother, ears.

We Entrust All this to Your Loving, Capable and Willing Hands

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction

With the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

I will fear no evil, for You are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

We will rest today and tonight. See Your Mercies Renew Tomorrow.

Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Our Father God, searches hearts - knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

And we will come to know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His Purpose.

Jesus covers us all. Blessed Gift of God. Jesus is Love. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †