2 Peter 1:12-21 ~ The Morning Star rises in your hearts

Rome at Christmas Time , a rare snow.

1 Peter 1:1
In 66 AD, Peter writes from Rome to the Jewish believers in the Roman provinces of Asia Minor – in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia.

2 Peter. 1:14-15
In 67 AD, Peter writes again from Rome, where he has been imprisoned and is about to be executed.

Christmas and the New Testament. The New Testament  at the end of James, Peter and John. These - touchingly - are the long road traveled.

Peter is not at home in his fine home on the Sea of Galilee where a house church has formed for the next 300 years. Peter is not thinking he will be Home for Christmas.

C. 1960  Peter's home was found under a byzantine Church and was recovered. He lived here with his wife and his brother Andrew and his mother-in-law. Peter never saw the aeral view of Capernaum - we are one of 5 generations to know aerial views.

Peter moved to Capernaum from Bethsaida near the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Hometown of the Apostles Simon Peter, his brother Andrew, and Philip. A blind man was healed during a journey to their hometown.

What does Peter have to say for the man who came back to Life ~ after 34 years? 
The Son of God -Jesus.

2 Peter 1:12-21

12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 

13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body,to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 

15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.


16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 

19 And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 

20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 

21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Abba,

For all generations - You have been our Blessing.

When we are looking over our city, our lives, our years - You are always there.

And in this safekeeping, we are assured of Your Blessings and ability to have Hope and in overcomimg.

And in this joy, we place our Loved ones in Your care. Knowing You inhale our prayers, You are so close. A Revelation.


We entrust our Faith knowing more Heaven on earth will be seen. Peter never forgot seeing more Heaven on earth.
Giving us, in the Power of the Holy Spirit, our Nation and many others trusting in You.

We pray for Peace, Love, Joy and coughing to be kicked out of the house forever. Healed.

You are the Light of the World, Jesus Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Matthew 12:14-21 ~ until He brings justice to victory, and in His Name the gentiles will hope

God would choose His Son to be born to an unwed mother in harsh conditions. To live this life.

When Christmas is not the Happiest Season of All.

We look in the Bible to find God walking the realities of this life. Jesus tells us life is Joy and gives us situations to know and remember when life is in difficulty.

The King of Kings has seen trouble and lived to overcome.


Matthew 12:14-21

14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah [42:1-3]:

18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
20 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Let's open our Bibles and find the time Jesus said, "Not today - you don't count - come back tomorrow - not Youuu, oh gosh, no."

Jesus wasn't a sidewalk hack or a temperamental star.

And Jesus could be relied upon to be unique. God's  Exact Nature. Yes, He healed them all.

And yet. And yet. And yet. One day.

Jesus said - you don't really count.
Another day - Jesus was too busy to go to a friend.

I remember a lot of miracles, the ones written about in more than a few sentences. Yet that small phrase "healed them all". Sometimes Scripture says they sought to touch Him & not just Jesus reaching out. Sometimes He physically touched them, and it also says merely, "He healed them all."

The age: slavery, war, destruction, highway robbery, people born blind & the parable of the Good Samaritan - this was a difficult time.

 Not just the people who were deaf, blind, ill, but the sorrow of the people who had seen difficult things happen to loved ones. Children who died, loved ones who died in child birth, people who were well and suddenly died of fever. There are a lot of stipulations in the Bible for the fatherless and the widow.

The hopeless, the fearful, the lonely & the cut to the quick.

These people who found Jesus had put aside the every day of life, they sought Him. Jesus didn't stay to quarrel, debate the Pharisees, shock, anger, and create a stir - - -

Jesus - from time to time - said, "No."

No? Surely Jesus repaired the bruised reed. Jesus rekindled the flickering flame, the light became a torch. Jesus gave hope & mercy to the word - justice. Jesus didn't select a few, the light of Jesus Christ is for all.

Jesus stood and was asked by the disciples to get rid of the woman to whom He said, "No."










Matthew 15
22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”


23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

God being God says what God would understand the best.

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”






 

The disciples came from, largely, Capernaum. A city created rather recently due to the need for food and goods by the Roman Empire. The Disciples knew gentiles and had argued for the Capernaum Centurion. NO WONDER why the disciples wanted the Canaanite woman swept past.

Aren't we glad the Holy Spirit never swept past us and left us wondering. 
Nasty ol Goy. Om. That's us. 
Shabbas goy. Gentile — goy·ish adjective, sometimes disparaging.

Funny of God when HIS mission statement is to save the World. 

What is Jesus doing saying "NO." God doesn't need to prove all the time that He is good. He is a Monarch. 

The woman Expected Jesus to do Good. She expected Him to be the "Helper."

The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

This is justice to the Gentiles - who never did help Israel. Jesus does Not owe her.

She does not retreat from seeing Jesus as merciful.

“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”





This Canaanite woman might have read about David. David routinely got into trouble. And the less loving prophets like Gad would come in to predict something Terrible. David would say, "Let me fall into the hands of God. He is merciful."



Mostly no parent in the world, wants their children to have to beg them. Unless, That Parent knows a valuable lesson will be learned. He expects their heart to teach others. Jesus is returning the favor of her trust.





 

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” 

And her daughter was healed at that moment.

We learn. Jesus intended us to.

1. Jesus does not owe us.

2. He feels free to say, "No.".

3. Jesus trusts people.

4. Jesus especially trusts people who trust Him for solutions and miracles.

5, Jesus, just like His Father, wants His People to Expect Good from Him.

6. Jesus once told us the story of the persistent woman with the Judge. Jesus expects to answer those who keep asking. Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

7. Jesus doesn't expect us to treat Him as a waiter. The woman of faith knew Him to be Sovereign.


Thank You, Jesus Christ Lord. For answering our prayers. We will Trust in You. Amen. 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Psalm 113 ~ Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore!

Psalm 113

Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD!

Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore!

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!

The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens!

Cathedrals crowded daily with seeing the Light of The Lord

Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high,
who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap,

to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.

He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children.

James, Jude, Joses, Simon

The Sisters of Jesus, daughters of Mary and Joseph

The Children of God not born of man, but of the Will of the Father.

Praise the LORD!

Abba, Holy Father,

4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name, and rejoice before him.

5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.

11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.

19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.


Abba, with Your Twenty Thousand Chariots, we look to Tomorrow to see the herds of Your horses in Your Kingdom.

The Beauty and Majesty of Your Plan.

Bless us and enfold us with the Blessings You load upon us.

Lavish those we Love.

Bless the Nation trusting in You during the Holidays. Let all of earth have more Heaven upon us.

Remove all Christmas colds and cares.

You save the world in Jesus Christ.

Amen

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Matthew 25:1-13 ~ The Kingdom of Heaven will

The Kingdom

The Power and

the Glory

 Jesus' Gift To His Father

Enfolding

His Hope and Future

His Goodness

and His Plan

Encompassing
Ages
and Nations

Saving All the World in Jesus Christ

Matthew 25:1-13

1 "Then the kingdom of heaven will be

Like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 


Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 

The wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 

 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 

7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 

 But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' 

10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.

12 But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 

13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.





When we think of Public Opinion, it's good to find what Success and Sales would say:


Charles Dickens didn't feel the world fell into right and wrong and cultural divisions. Dickens believed in Shepherds and flocks. Dickens believed in small circles of people who behave alike together. And because of his own experiences of poverty, work house father, child labor, success, struggle, worry and stress - Dickens felt we had to work hard to keep our Lamp Going.

Dickens believed what we think we see in others can change. His mother did not want him taken out of child labor as the family prospered. His sister in law, so beloved, died in his arms. His brother embezzled from him. And his insights into human beings have long been regarded.

Jesus said

Matthew 7: 14
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way

Does not conflict with with God wants to save all the world in Jesus Christ. We are to find Jesus and find our Path in Jesus. Finding in Matthew 25 next to the Lamps Burning, we find this:


Matthew 25 Continuing the Burning Lamp - The Light of the world - Jesus -

15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.


Why did the Master go away? The Father is the Father of the prodigal son. God has given us a purpose to run Home to our Father.


Ephesians 4:13
Continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son
we will be mature in the Lord,
measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.


Colossians 2 As the Lamps are lit

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,
which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness

God made you alive with Christ.
He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

Rejoice and again I say, Rejoice. 

The Compassion of God is at Hand. Love and Care are Seen.

The Fruit of the Spirit is tending the Flame of God's Love within us:

Love

action

appreciation

belief

devotion

emotion

intention

tenderness

cherishing

curiosity

delight

devotedness

duty

enjoyment

fidelity

flame

wonder

Joy

Blessing

Good Cheer

comfort

delight

hope

humor

satisfaction

wonder

exulting

felicity

festivity

frolic

fruition

gladness

gratification

hilarity

merriment

mirth

rejoicing

renewal

Peace

Hope - broadening our circle

Goodness

friendship

Love

reconciliation

forgiveness

And the Greatest of These is Love.

Abba,

Give us Your Blessing!!!

Let the Conversation Continue between us, Father God, for all days unto Eternity. Thank You!

You will indeed, indeed, indeed continue with us, with more than we can ask or imagine.

In Jesus strong Love, We will keep Christmas in our heart.

Rejoicing in the Spirit - for the Love and Care not just given but received. In times Past, Present and Future.

Believing in the Power of Prayer to our Willing Father.
In Rejoicing with the Believers of God asking for more Heaven on earth.

Lifting High this Nation trusting in God. Lifting Prayers with Hope, Faith and Love for our Loved ones and God's Great Plan of Hope and a Future.

Believing God saying His Creation is Good, yesterday, today and tomorrow. Seeing the Good.

Always in Jesus Christ, the Highest Name.

 Amen and Amen and Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †