Mark 12:28-44 ~ listened to Him with delight

Listened to Him with delight

Mark 12:28-44

28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"

29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

32 "Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

 

35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, 
"Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? 36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared:
" 'The Lord said to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
under your feet." '

37 David himself calls him 'Lord.' How then can he be his son?"

The large crowd listened to him with delight.

38 As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely."

 


41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

Matthew 25:14
For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.


A puzzle.  
Life is filled with opportunities to grow and solve and become more a Child of God.

 
Proverbs 14:10
The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no stranger shares its joy.

The parable is an internal mirror. 

The fruitfulness of our lives is something to pray about. 
We are in His Hands. What I can do with my work, my words, my actions, I shall endeavor for Him. The results of my faith He is who He says He is. My Hope. I understand His promises are for me. And the Love He gives me in my weakness, in forgiveness and He never fails. I Love because HE continues to love me. 

Making Christmas Memories ~
on the Teeter Totter.

The Hap, Happiest Season of All. Yes, it was a Good Christmas. No, Christmas was not, not-at-all perfect.

Interesting - making memories at Christmas - and you have "made" a Memory.
Sharpie Pen Memory.

Take a Christmas where we were all happy. Relaxed, calm and Grateful.

Thursday -  to have my dog (Springer attacked almost to death by a medium sized and returned foster dog) today -  fight our elderly, recently fall down the stairs, Husky - over treats. (Our Grand-dog Husky was a Shelter  Dog 9 years ago.) I'd say this happens once every time the dogs reunite. My husband grabs the dog and throws mine - to the side. Accidently, lands on the counter. Bloody mouth. Apply Hydrogen Peroxide.

My son sees this as death was looming. Anger. Very Angry. (His nose is going to heal from the 3 punctures from his Husky Dog biting my son a week ago as he fell down the stairs and then it bled for over an hour - this will heal.) (Thank God, Thank God. Thank God.)

I calmly argue there was no blood. And my son and husband start talking about legal witness and hearsay and amount of dog fur and over-ruled. I am the only one who witnessed the entire fight and it was loud and unrelenting - however - when our Grand-dog played with a puppy at Law School recently - he bled from the puppy play. This time the Husky did not have one any drop of blood.

So we made a memory.

Are we having a fruitful life? Yes. We had a prior family pet who died of old age (14.2 years of age) who at age 4 drew blood from all of us - minus me. Then - we lost it and people Yelled and Cried and Prayed and Begged and Ordered. That one lasted for two weeks or two months - memories differ.

Fruitful. Let everyone have a reaction. Try not to interfere too much. Stay calm. Don't yell. And the last time was, say, two months. This time about an hour of taking a rest - then discuss this.

Trouble.
We all have this as part of our life experiences. Jesus Promised we would all see trouble. Haggai said scraping out an existence after war - Creating giant blackened Temple stones. Destroying all the fruit trees. Vineyards smashed. Completely starting over with destruction in a complete remodel - we are able to find Joy. Hope. Happiness. Love.

Paul said he had faced stoning, been slipped over a wall in a basket and had Been To Antioch.

Philippians 4
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

We are always supposed to give thanks. This isn't always easy. We want to be genuine. Today I could give thanks for having an Anxiety Attack, then Peace, followed by the dog attack (without blood) bringing the biting dog to blood. The Peace was surely tested and held. For a very logical reason - we had seen this before. And this time - we were able to deal calmly after having all making huge Noises.

I found when we really, very heartily cry to Father God, He hears us. And when I have wept - so many times I feel Peace for having been heard.

The situation is - God has Really Helped.

God helped when Isabelle died and tears flowed for hours and days. Each time, I was calm and happy again. God had heard me. The trouble a child died. The response - God helped. Making a lifelong memory - God helps us in severe trial. No one wants severe trial. Yet, knowing God helps.

2002, our beloved and favorite dog decided to bite 3 of the family. He had Rage. We all debated putting him down. Some stitches. It was very traumatic and we survived training him in time out for two years. God gives us experience, endurance and the chance to sail again much better.

It's astonishing as life progresses to find we are the teeter totter. Finding Faith in trouble makes prayer and prayer makes peace. Hindsight Peace seems easier - by far.

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 12:12

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

John 16:24

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. 

Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Proverbs 17:22

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Psalm 118:24

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 34:8 8 

Taste and see that the Lord is good

blessed is the one who takes refuge in him

Psalm 102:16

The LORD will rebuild Zion; He has appeared in His glory.

Psalm 4:7

You have put more joy in my heart

Revelation 21:11

Shining with the glory of God. 

Its radiance was like a most precious jewel, like a jasper stone, 

clear as crystal.

Abba, Father God, 

Help us to as Your fruitful Children with Your Willing Blessings.

 Keep us faith fighting the good fight. And our hearts to be open to You.

Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

Help the ones I love to remain with me on Your Path. Where we are held in our gifts and talents to please You. In doing so - You are pleased.  

Bless the people You have given me. Bless our Churches, States, Nation and all of Your Beloved all over the World.  

More Heaven on earth says Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Luke 2:8-14 ~ The Glory of the Lord

Luke 2:8-14

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.

Hebrews 1:7

7 Of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels winds,

and his ministers a flame of fire.”

10 And the angel said to them, 

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 

 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 

First Christmas Lights, Light of the World

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a Multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

We have been reading and thinking about:

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.


One would think of the Angels, Shepherds and the Multitude of Heavenly Host as providing Peace.

Usually, when great works, wonders and angels of our Father God Almighty present themselves - there actually is discomfort and fear. The Scriptures go on to say - trembling.


And yet Joshua was told after 40 years of persisting near the Wonders of God Almighty to draw strength and comfort from being near the unrelenting, un-forsaking, enduring Holy Spirit. To be centered, not too far to the emotional right, not to far too the steadfast rules and tradition law left.

This is something we can all be familiar with. Einstein has a famous quote saying if we persist in doing the same thing - we are crazy to think we get new results. Perhaps, but Olympic athletes would say no. And parents teaching children would say no. And people training their household dog would say no. Joshua would say no, after 40 years. A lot of married people would say no!

Let peace transcend us today in Jesus the Lord!

The perfect Season to begin this new year as a brilliant year. A better season in life to feel more joyous. A perfect season to see chores and projects - make the list and check it twice. 

We can make our life a pineapple and swallow this in one bite. Or we can call on Jesus and rest asking His Help and see His mercies renew each day. Believing - today - I will do what Jesus helps me to do today. And - more than probably- again - tomorrow, as He helps.

Psalm 131

A song of ascents. Of David.

My heart is not proud, Lord,

my eyes are not haughty;

I do not concern myself with great matters

or things too wonderful for me.

But I have calmed and quieted myself,

I am like a weaned child with its mother;

like a weaned child I am content.

Israel, put your hope in the Lord

both now and forevermore.

 

The Light of Jesus Lights All Mankind

Father God,

Let me be willing to do Your Plan, You have given to me. Be with me to say Your Good Will be accomplished.

Give me Your Blessing.

Help me, please to help my spirit be a place of rejoicing and oasis for Your Holy Spirit.

Your thoughts are so plentiful about me, they are more than the grains of sand. You are more than mindful of me, You are my Savior.

In the Highest Name of Jesus the Lord we pray for those we Love, for this Nation, the communion in prayer of the believers and as Jesus told us to pray, "More Heaven on earth."

Jesus our God, Son of God. Amen.

Mark 3:1-19 ~ home

Mark 3:1-19

1 Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2 And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” 4 And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.

7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea 8 and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. 

When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. 9 And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, 10 for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. 11 And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” 12 And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.

13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons.

16 He appointed the twelve: 
Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. 20 Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat.

Mark 3 - Jesus has just begun His ministry - and Acts of God are being seen. Israel has been recorded for looking for just these healings and these miracles.

It was a completing and a re-awakening of a message - God's love was proving again - God does not dwell in human buildings - but in the upbuilding of us in Relationship to God. We belong to Father God in Jesus the Lord.

1 Kings 8:27-30

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? 

Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! 

Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant and to his plea, O LORD my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that your servant prays before you this day

29 That your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place.

 30 And listen to the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen in heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.

In the beginning of Jesus' ministry - it is like Genesis. God is about His creation.

Genesis 3:8
And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day

Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God."

At the end of Jesus' earthly life ministry - it is like Revelation. This is our prayers with Jesus heard so well and our Father God is so close - He has the aroma of our prayers.

John 21
9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”

God is about the upbuilding of you, Father God's Child. 
God is about nurturing us. Christmas is about Father God and His willingness to become part of us. Thank You, Jesus.

Abba, Father God, 

Thank You for Your Willing Blessings.

We delight in the solutions You put in us. Finding the Path You would have us walk in. Help us to do Your Good Plan for our lives with mercy and with joy and the verve of salt. In finding the persistence You have given us to see the Blessings of each day. In rock climbing, not really my thing, the smallest place to rest and gain strength is a place You have given to go further. I thank You, I am not called to rock climb but

Philippians 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

In the name of Jesus, we lift up our prayer requests for the ones we love. The People God has given us and the Churches, workplaces, our states and Nation.


For our call to pray more of Your Heaven on earth -  Let Your Good Will be done.

Jesus Christ in our Hearts, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.  Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †