Luke 7:1-23 ~ asking Him to come and heal

Luke 7:1-23

In the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.

2 Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.”

6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”

10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

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

12 As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”

14 Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” 17 And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.

18 The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, 19 calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

20 And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’”

21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight.

22 And he answered them,
“Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. 23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Interesting Times.

Israel is not even 100 years old.

In the 1970's, the Church you were born to, was the one you'd be buried from. Denominations were set like pillars. People would ask, "Are you are Christian?" And the reply was expected to be Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, Episcopalian, Methodist and Presbyterian. So looking at you, one had the idea of political, moral, social codes and maybe how you voted and how you consumed substances.

I remember one particular meal with my father, mother and one set of my 4 every-weekend-godparents. My father said to my very believing and church-going Godfather, with an open gesture, "How is it you are such a good Baptist, but really you'd shock your mother to the core if she knew that locked door is a bar." My godfather laughed and said he would at that. But his mother shouldn't worry Baptists even dance now. His mother lived in fear the family would fall to such ruin that her granddaughter would offer alcohol, of any nature, at her wedding. The dear lady passed on and the bar was open and the wedding was very lovely. When my Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful Godmother passed to Heaven far too early from cancer - she had 2,000 Baptists and others at her funeral. No one had done more wonderful things for Church than my Godmother.


And today we change denominations and the Bible Believing Churches flourish. I believe this is called voting with your feet. My sister-in-law's stepfather was a minister and he joined the Church because all week long, as a child, he loved Church. It was the most peaceful time of his life. He participated in Seminary and joined the Church during Vietnam Draft times.

The Church was the 'engine' for Social Reform. His Church saw reform as the leaders were more interested in social reform than the Divinity of Jesus. The Engine of "Social Reform" was a time of great question. Who could believe in a 'virgin' birth? Ludicrous. The Disciples couldn't even read and the New Testament was printed in 400 A.D. as Constantine needed a new thought for the Roman Empire. That Constantine wasn't even baptized until death.

And divisions in the Church made shocking news. Things like Communion served with graham crackers and honey. The announcements that Paul was not really "IN" the Holy Spirit. Easy Divorce and re-marriage. In the 1970s my step-grandfather was Pounding on the Dining Room Table for Sunday Lunch and talking about the downfall of the Church is completely related to Divorce.

Tate was right.

And then the Society thought what is wrong with the Church to not preach the Bible? And people voted with their feet. Churches with Vietnam Social Engines were being outvoted by the laity. Who the heck would say THAT about Saint Paul? One of the large denominations lost 13 million people and fell to only have 1/14th of the people.

Jesus will tell us one day about the Image from Biblical Archaeology Review looking like Caravaggio. "Forensic experts have pieced together what they perceive to be the real face of Jesus Christ, and it is not the Caucasian man with long hair that is often depicted as the Messiah."

And you consider... Human Nature doesn't Change all that much. Goes like the tide. Rise and ebb. Look at Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi or Amerighi). Caravaggio probably started out as a pimp because his family lost every father figure and male sibling during the plague. You'd think all the knifing, prostitution, violence would have stopped a blooming art career. Instead, Church commissions surrounded the artist genius who left 14,000 pages of arrest and person of interest history from Italian Police.

We find - Caravaggio was part of the transformation from the wooden status images of wooden painted figures without expression - to express Jesus Christ. And Caravaggio loved women. Too much. He used famous prostitutes to portray the Virgin Mary. Why? Caravaggio used models he could afford. And about 40% of the Renaissance world women were prostitutes. Women who were avoiding starvation for themselves and their families. And from time to time Caravaggio truly got in trouble for using famous actress types hookers to pose for the best and most loving, realistic mother-child paintings in Churches in Italy today.

Caravaggio outraged Italian Clerics for painting the saints in dirty clothes and dirty feet. One of the people. The truth was when you look at Caravaggio's history - he was concerned with who the saints were. He didn't want to paint Mary and Elizabeth in Velvet Renaissance Dresses with perfect curls. All these commissions were making the painter think.

Something Proverbs would be glad for a man with 14,000 police reports, a man who defended prostitutes sometimes violently. Jesus would have been interested in Caravaggio.  The Painter presenting the Church with an image of the everyday person as a saint.

Matthew 16 - Who Do you Say that I Am?

But this image of Jesus persists. And in the 1970s we had Jesus in sandals and a work-shirt. Adopting pre-Renaissance art tone and wooden intonations of miracles. Flat. History. Improbable. But be polite. You know, don't you, that Pontius Pilate is a myth? And the Hittite Empire is a fantasy. The Exodus? No historical documents. Hippie Jesus with poverty and improbable stories where we politely go and visit God on Sundays. The children dress up and learn about who Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are. Psalm 23 and John 14 for funerals. 1 Corinthians 13 for weddings.

And then you have our generation.
We voted down the Social Engine. We are surrounded by Divorce and find we adore our Children. And we are consistently telling each other as we watch HBO that the culture has a problem. And yet we find as Game of Thrones goes on - the sex was a filler and now the plot is interesting because the filler is thrown out. Reddit reports a skit of a young actress telling her lines - her friend is shocked and says, "Oh no Porn!" The actress replies, "No HBO!" Her friend is so relieved....The movies are far from R rated as they almost all were in the 1980s. And the checkout counters do not have the magazines in wrappers. We hear that the internet is riddled with Porn but when you really look at research, you find the Pew Report says - ain't no one really gonna tell. So guess what? Porn on the internet is more or less a myth/guess. Look at Game of Thrones.

There was one little shining light of how often the internet is used for answering Biblical and God Questions. A Lot Actually.

I was reading the Amazon reviews today for Water Picks. The best and most favored reply was the one with numbered stages of the Review. And the number 5 answer said you don't have to run cold water in this one because the reviewer was pretty sure he'd felt "his soul leave his body for using cold water on his teeth." He received many, many helpful votes.

We have actors standing up saying please pray. To know God is to know Joy. Our President says Jews and Israel really have something we need to preserve and defend.

We find Boston is telling Martin Luther King, Jr his dream he has is alive and well. The Laity says so.

And the times are completely interesting. Israel is unearthing archaeology daily. The Head of the Louvre and the Head of the FBI testified in Antiquities that the sarcophagus of James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus was true. It was widely mocked but the end of the 5 year trial with Israel's foremost Judge listening to The Museum of Israel broke down in tears and said it was a matter of faith.

And faith is to be treated Reverently as Hope, Faith, Joy, Propelling us all to Rise.

We no longer report the Hittite Nation was a fable. When their intact Library of Papyrus told the Bible again. Pontius Pilate is discovered in carved signs in Israel and in Roman Employment History. In fact, Roman History tells us Jesus existed and was very feared. We know Pontius Pilate wrote to Emperor Claudius of the bizarre and frightening cultural response by the multitudes to the death of Jesus. That letter is lost and is repeated as junk. Two fine historians report the Letter. The earthquake - earthquake seismology history records as well as rocks saved to show the force of the earthquake. 325 years of Empire history against Jesus and His followers.

Papyrus Salt 124 - the art world of Museum Curators has put out a video and is now reporting the lifelong works of Michelangelo, Raphael, Masaccio, Donatello, Leonardo Da Vinci as "Cartoons" as if we would adopt the usage of a questionable word as an official and new artistic word. We need the art world to learn archaeology and like Joy Behar, of the View, to apologize for choking their opinions down the throat of the paying viewer. Art is not a "Social Engine." And Politicizing beauty is very distasteful. Assuming an un-educated public in need of historical and archaeological guidance. Too many museum workers and art historians are proud of the Christian History of their objects. The Leaders of the Museums offend many. The workers see and appreciate the beauty and peace without labeling art as "Cartoon."


Papyrus 46 is 300 Three Hundred Intact Chapters of the New Testament. The debate is on the verbs - are they 1st Century or 2nd Century? Either way, the Disciple John was alive and reporting his view the Gospels were all true.

Which brings us back to the Gospel today.


Jesus is doing things that only the faithful will believe. Son of David. Yes, even the mocking reports available today in Scotland from the actual Sadducean Council Talmud records record - Son of David. They accuse Jesus of sorcery for the signs. Falsely report his night trial as heralded for a month. Letters record with horror the 2 million who showed up after His death in the Temple and report the healing as accurate.

Godspell was cute, but it was far from accurate. The Disciples on the Road to Emmaus report "All of Israel Knows." This is factual from the first day Jesus began His ministry. All 2,000 of Capernaum showed up to hear what a man healing "them all" had to say. Multitudes of women were brave to face Good Friday. The men worried they would be like Simon carrying the cross.

This one portion of Luke 7 explains:
The Jews - the elders - showed up to make a team with Jesus and Roman officials. The political climate is fraught with Isaiah 7 - intense power and money in Rome has swept into Judea and put a non-Davidic on the throne. The Essenes report the Holy Spirit has left the Temple as Herod marries his sister-in-law and puts his own hand-picked into the Temple. Even the small Capernaum is feeling the pull of this.

Speaking of Isaiah 7, we learn the family of Jesus is known to be hardworking land-owners. They will have a cow and work so hard cheese and butter and curds are made. They will grow grapes and make wine. They will have a donkey. In fact, the Gospels show Joseph to be so lucrative - Joseph is able to sell and leave Israel for Egypt to decide like a business man if he will return to Nazareth or Jerusalem. An intelligent foster father looking at the politics of his world. It's Mary who records any resentment of money. And the Sadducean Council confirms her genealogy of Luke 3 as they speculate on the woman who was seen to be the mother of a fine and loving family. This is a family of hard workers. Who have enough to be comfortable and do the work. Eusebius, the bishop of Caesarea is a credible, world renown historian, giving his own eyewitness confirmation of the standing of the Family of Nieces and Nephews  with many family built,-as customary, Jewish Family Dwellings. This faith and hard work has carried the family forth into the 4th Century.

Joseph is a Carpenter.

When you see what was built in Nazareth, you are not speaking of sweet little chairs. Joseph easily would have built stone houses to exist for 500 years and Commercial buildings. This man was in Trade. He is remembered. His family is known. All the way to the Sadducean Council. Immensely wealthy like the Romans? No. Merely a pillar of Judaism. Joseph was such a fine catch, Mary's family is seriously mad at her for showing up pregnant. It's recorded Joseph shows up in Nazareth to take her to Bethlehem - Joseph was very probably from Jerusalem - as the son of kings.

Jesus running around in filthy clothes. Near the Sea of Galilee? And all the women who supported Jesus. Probably not. Do not carry an extra tunic - yes - and the women of Israel turn out in huge numbers of support for the Son of God who routinely includes and talks to women. Rethink this. Jesus is not a hippie. Jesus is Jesus. Kosher is about cleansing. Even Roman guards fight for the clothes of Jesus.

Jesus reports correctly he has no home. His home is in Nazareth. But Jesus is wearing a rare Chifton without seams. Jesus easily finds a rare horse and a donkey for Palm Sunday. Jesus is the Christ. The Son of God. And when Jesus raises the widow of Nain's son - see the Divinity. Jesus is at the gate of Nain. A place of honor. Jesus is with a huge crowd - they are going to remember Jesus has raised the dead from merely touching the bier.

Our Jesus is God and our God has announced with full Godly sized Crowd and Force "THE DEAD LIVE" because Jesus is leading not just the multitudes but the millenniums to the Salvation of God Himself  - He wants to save the World. Because our God reports Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow in Genesis 1, 2 and Proverbs 8 - God sees His Creation as Good and the heart of mankind is seen into and seen as delight.

What about Jesus as a peasant? Doubtful. Jesus was unusual in that He looked at hearts. And when Jesus forms His Disciples He chooses Peter and Andrew as having the best house and prosperous fisherman of Capernaum. Simon a Zealot - a looked down-upon figure for rejecting Romans. John and James - their father is a pillar in the Synagogue. Judas an accountant. And a well-to-do thug accountant as Tax man - Matthew. John the Baptist is a Priest's Son. Jesus is seen as poor because He put God first. But Jesus was well taken care of as He worked incredibly hard at His Ministry. Jesus embraced all the classes. This is our God. God of all.

What is the Cost of the Cross to you? Proclaim the Light of the World - Jesus as God.

Live as the Saved of God helping the people given to you. Live with Truth and Mercy. The Goodness of our Amazing God. Jesus is God. God, Himself is for us. We will live with the Goodness of God for us. In our bones, body, mind and soul.

Amen in Wonderful and Living Jesus Christ.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

James 2:21-24 ~ the Spirit

Nazareth

James 2:21-24

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 

22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Teachable Moments. Mary and Joseph teach through the Millenniums.

Romans 10:17
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

1 Peter 4:10
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

John 17:17
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Matthew 4:4
But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Titus 2:1-15
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine


When we eat out, being from a lesser demonstrative denomination from birth to age 35 - we have a hard time praying at restaurants. And having children in the mid to late 20s - they certainly are not going to enjoy a mom being a mom. And yet, I really want God's blessing and His Love not to be forgotten. They are always within appreciation and enjoy when I say, quietly, "God bless us all and how I love you all." This blessing seems to resonate. Even Tiny Tim's Blessing will work with moderate enthusiasm, "God Bless us - Everyone." And in more button-down environments - a sedate "God Bless us all" - will go with appreciation. Given with upward tone and indications. Rise up. For years, we have all shied away thinking this is too forward. And really I have never once been scolded for the Blessing.

Personally - being in my 50s - I want God's blessing on the meal. I was raised with this food to our bodies. And blessing guests visiting and traveling. People enjoy being prayed over in a private environment. Heartwarming. Always the goal when speaking of God who Loves you and me.

If you love to pray Grace in the Norman Rockwell Grace painting - always remember the man standing praying with the small family. I believe the silent majority pray with us. 85% of the USA prays with faith, believing God hears them. So Beautiful.

May our Father
God of Love and Encouragement,
always know we appreciate Him
and Bless Him as we eat with those we Love
the People You have given us
and always have the Holy Spirit living in us
with Great Love, Joy and Peace

Amen Amen Amen in Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:9 ~ God saved us and called us

Mary, as a young mother, was seeing the fulfillment of God's Word to her.

Luke 2:16-20

16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

19 Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Mary was doing what God had called her being, her soul, her mind and heart to do. God's Plan.

We understand Mary had pleased God all her life.


1 John 4:19

We love because he first loved us.


2 Timothy 1:9
He saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began

Daniel 1:9
Now God had granted Daniel favor and compassion from the chief official

Acts 16:14
One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. 

The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.

Luke 24:45-47
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem."

Luke 24:32
They said to each other, 
“Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road,
 while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

Ephesians 1:18
Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope 
to which he has called you, 
what are the riches 
of his glorious inheritance in the saints

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.








Almighty God,

Since the 11th Century in Latin - Believers around the world have prayed the Leofric Missal:

You are our Almighty Father,
To Whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid -

We ask Thee, our Father, to have cleansed the intent of my heart
With the heartwarming gift of Thy Grace.
That I may perfectly love Thee and worthily Praise Thee.

To the King of the Ages,
Immortal, invisible,
the only God,
be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Day by day Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly day by day

For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father,
From whom every family, in heaven and on earth is named,

According to the riches of Your glory,
we may be given and strengthened with power
through Your Loving and Encouraging Holy Spirit in our inner being

We ask Jesus Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith
for ourselves,
for our Loved Ones,
the people You surround us with,
the people You have given us,
The Nation,
Our employments, schools and communities,
We want to be rooted and grounded in Love.

That Jesus would have us with all Your heart and with all Your soul and with all Your strength
and with all Your mind
strength us to comprehend with all the saints
what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
knowing the love of Christ surpassing knowledge, filling us with all the fullness of You, God.

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
the moon and the stars you set in place—
what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?


To God the Glory - to You, Who is able to do far more
abundantly more than all that we ask or think,
according to the power at work within us

God our Living Father of All Ages,
To Jesus Christ be glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.
In Jesus Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Luke 1:46-56 ~ my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior +†+

Luke 1:46-56

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.


50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in  the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate

53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.



Voyage. We learn life along our voyage and if we are wise we never stop asking questions. Reading the Scriptures teaches us God's deep understanding
to the Journey.

My grandmother Anita used to tell me how she loved school and would swim the Bogue Chito River, in Louisiana, to get to school and arrive with wet hair even in the winter. Her dedication to education was great. And as I heard this story many, many, many times and my grandmother then pointed out where she swam and it had a rope swing - I pointed...

"The Bridge looks well established ... GRAND-MOTHER." And she did admit for the FIRST TIME the teacher never told her mother Anita swam to school in all weather - because Anita liked to swim. And Anita lived in the sub-tropics of Louisiana in Washington Parrish's Richardson and traveled to Franklinton to school.

 Anita and Aunt Eloise traveled 'over home' for the long used-to-be -3 day drive to buy desks/chairs (some were separate) from their school house sale. Together they bought 6 desks and were grieved for decades the glass ink pots were not available.



Enjoying the Journey is so important. Grandmother's story connected me into Mary's travels.

We know Mary left in great haste. An Eighty Mile Journey. We know God traveled with her. And we also know Mary arrived at her cousin's house with "valuable ideas and convictions."

Today - we have studied what Mary did with quiet time.

We find this about the 80-mile journey leaving her home in great haste:

Jordan River

Reminding us - those times when we have time to consider - are still in God's Time - not so incidental.

Mary has considered Gabriel's Words. God has found "Favor" with Mary.

Mary's thoughts were serious for a unwed young woman who had a fiancee bent on divorce. We have always considered Mary's Word as Holy. And this is Holy. Let's think about a young woman about to enter a very adult world and what her journey was.


Mary is discovering Great Optimism in the Favor of God.
This journey made in haste as brought Mary to Rejoice.

Mary has a Savior. Her God.

Traveling along - singing a song.
Judged and found worthy
Rejoicing
Blessed by the Might God
Great Things for Mary
Mercy
The Might of an Almighty God

Scattered the Proud - might that be Heli her father and the glorious match in jeopardy?

Joseph was fairly mighty in an ol' school Judea is the suburb of Syria and these Jews are very quick to know genealogy right into the Sadducean Council . Joseph moved easily between Israel and Egypt and decided where to relocate in a time many knew all their lives would be on the Family land and home. Maybe Mary was irked with Joseph.

Or perhaps deep thinking occurred to a young woman bent on having a very great child. The traditional thought of  Roman Occupation was something a local teenage girl would consider in hasty flight to a family member fairly good distance away.

Mary is Believing, Believing, Believing.  Things are going to turn out well for one spoken to by The Archangel of the Lord God Almighty.

But Mary is educated about the Hope of the Messiah. And the Promise of Redemption.


To see the path of Mary's thoughts continued in the Books of the Bible James and Jude is interesting. And part of our spiritual walk with her.



Consider the Power of God's Word. Optimism carried Mary to the next step and the next step and fairly soon - The Will of God was Accomplished. Taking time to consider the Word of God - changes Lives.

Mary decided God was present and a willing help. She expected all the help of God. And all of this prayer - for the millenniums -  happened in a very uncomfortable situation and time of history for Mary and for Israel.



Father God,

Let us do like Mary - ponder in our heart. See the treasure and Rejoice.

For this for ourselves in Jesus.
For our Loved Ones.
The Nation trusting in God
More Heaven on earth for our prayers
for the Nations Trusting in God.
And all of God's Beloved
to be covered and Blessed in the Name of Jesus.

We will expect our Prayers answered.

Amen!

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Psalm 91:14 ~ because he loves Me

Psalm 91:14

"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name."






God had provided something better for us, that apart from God we should not be made perfect.



And through faith, though these saints died, God still speaks.


By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him.Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.

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

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.

Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.


They desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.
Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.


By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.

By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.

By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.

By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

By faith Rahab (Matthew 1 gggrandmother of David) the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets

Who through faith conquered kingdoms,
enforced justice,
obtained promises,
stopped the mouths of lions,
quenched the power of fire,
escaped the edge of the sword,
were made strong out of weakness,
became mighty in war,
put foreign armies to flight.
Women received back their dead by resurrection.

Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.

Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two,they were killed with the sword.

They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated-- of whom the world was not worthy--wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, though commended through their faith,
did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.


Psalm 91:14

"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name."

Father God,
Let me be one of the number when the Saints go marching in.

Father God,
Let my loved ones be one of the number when the Saints go marching in.

We are traveling in the footsteps
Of those who've gone before
But we'll all be reunited (but if we stand reunited)
On a new and sunlit shore (then a new world is in store)

Oh when the saints go marching in
When the saints go marching in
Oh lord I want the people You give me
to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

On that hallelujah day
On that hallelujah day
Oh lord I want the Nation trusting in You
to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

Oh when the trumpet sounds the call
Oh when the trumpet sounds the call
Oh lord I want to see the number
When the saints go marching in

Some say this world of trouble
Is the only one we need
But I'm waiting for that morning
When the new world is revealed

When the revelation comes
When the revelation comes
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

Let us Bless the Lord Father God,
We thank You for Your Good Will
Plans of a Hope and Future,
Thank You in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Genesis 20:1-9 ~ God said

Genesis 20:1-9

From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and lived between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.”

And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife.”

4 Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, “Lord, will you kill an innocent people? 5 Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.”

6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. 7 Now then, return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”

8 So Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and told them all these things. And the men were very much afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham


Our Father God is:

Ephesians 1:21
Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.


Abraham is chosen for his mercy asking God for lives. And yet he has fear and poor choices. And God calls Abraham His own.

 God is in charge of resolution and has all Authority. We can always hope for Peace. God used this of God's Amazing and Vast Abilities to help Mary as well. We can put all trust in the Lord God Almighty.



Abba,

With Jesus we pray.

To overcome worries, difficulties, health concerns. To be equipped to do Your Good will.

In Jesus for ourselves,
In Jesus for the ones we Love,
In Jesus for the people He gives us.

In Jesus for solutions
and in Jesus for we place our trust.

For the Nation, all believers and the Nations trusting in Father God.

We praise You, Father God, for Your Blessings. Your Wonders. Your His Story.

In Jesus. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Mark 12:18-27 ~ He is God of the living

1 Kings 9

Mark 12:18-27

18 And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, 19 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no offspring. 21 And the second took her, and died, leaving no offspring. And the third likewise. 22 And the seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman also died. 23 In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife.”


24 Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither

the Scriptures and the power of God? 

25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?

 27 He is not God of the dead, but of the living.”



For so many reasons, David was quite wrong. And for so many reasons David made the right choices  - making a reason to see David for his faith.

Boundaries. David made amazing boundaries because he stayed in the boundaries God had given him.





David knew he was anointed and spent 22 years feeling all of the Psalms. Defeat, agony, victory, defeat, victory, defeat, Victory, sin, defeat, defeat, Victory.

And then David after several apparent failures even after Saul died - took Saul's Kingdom - the first map - and in obedience to God made - the second map.

Saul had boundaries. And he refused to believe the Scriptures and the Power of God. He refused to be grateful for today and to let God have tomorrow.

Gratitude is very important.

David had gratitude. And obedience.  To become the actual family of Jesus as Father God would want His Only Son - to be descended of David.


Matthew 12
50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.


David believed God was as good as His Word. And in being obedient to God. God's Will is done - believing in God our Father.

All of the Blessings of God involve - Trusting God so much we will find gratitude and willingness to believe that the Will of God - is Good - Today.


And in seeking to find the good in today - we will have - Joy, Hope, Faith, Love. And Love is the Greatest of All. Creating endurance, character, hope. Lack of Disappointment. Gentleness, Loving oneself as others.

And in believing God will create a framework For His Will. We will find like Israel - the ups and downs of generations.


Psalm 100

5 For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations. 

Father God,

We prayer the prayer of David. Asking Jesus to pray with us.

“Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?

And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord God. You have spoken also of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord God!

You know your children, O Lord Father God! Because of Your promises, and according to Your own heart, You have brought about all this greatness for Your Glory.


And we delight, Your Name will be magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts is God over Israel,’ and the house of Jesus will be established before You.

For you, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made Your revelation to your children, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. "

And now, O Lord God, You are God, and Your Words are true, and You have promised this good thing to your servant.

Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.

But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His Name, Jesus. He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

In Expectation of His Word to our generations, we say, Thank You Father God. In Jesus, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †