Psalm 139 ~ Lead us in the way of everlasting

Psalm 139

A Psalm of David.

139 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.

13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.

19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
O men of blood, depart from me!
20 They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
22 I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!


David considered God would lead him in the way of God's Everlasting Life. And David considered God to be in every aspect of David's Life. To be enfolded in God as we would consider ourselves to live on this earth, as part of the universe.

Indwelling in the Plan of God. God, larger than we could possibly consider.
Father God concerned with all of us. Very intimately and very loving. Your Father God is shown in the exact nature of Jesus Christ.

David would dwell all of his life living, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

How do we know? All of the Psalms were either of David or sung in the Temple.

Psalm 102:26
They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing, you will change them and they will be discarded.

David knew the earth was God's and temporary.

2 Samuel 7:16
And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.

Since Genesis people of faith have understood God is a Living God and God of the those Living in Eternity.

Genesis 26:24
And that night the LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for the sake of My servant Abraham.”

People of faith have lived enfolded in God. The Power of God and the knowledge of Scripture as Power in His Word.

Isaiah 44:3-5
For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring

Isaiah cries out the love of the generations to follow. This is the Same Holy Spirit from the Psalms to Isaiah.

Jeremiah 3:4,19
Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth


The communion of the saints. Is not limited as God Himself is not limited. Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are advocates in the Power of Prayer.

Abba, our Father God,

Psalm 69 is a Psalm of David and the Holy Spirit writes of the Book of The Living to record the righteous. 

Luke 10 tells us Jesus refers to the names of those written in Heaven. Surely all who are alive in Christ Jesus pray for one another. Love never ends.

Ephesians 3 tells us of families who live in Heaven and live on earth. We consider with awe and joy the idea of the parents holding on to the children and the great grandparents holding on to them. The tremendous circle of Love. And as prayer groups pray for children, parents, grandparents and even unborn children, we know we join together in the Living of Jesus Christ and pray for those we Love.

You are God. As Father, You have highly exalted Jesus and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Peter writes about God's Unity. Father, we have few of Peter's words and this was important to him.

1 Peter 3
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

Seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.

Father, we know Your Good Creation is circled with Prayer. How high and how wide. Is astonishing.

Jesus tells us in Ephesians 3 families live together in Heaven and earth.

Ephesians 3
Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of His love, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

1 Corinthians 13

Love never ends.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Thine

is the Kingdom

and the Power

and the Glory.

We thank You, Your people have known Your Glory always.

Isaiah 58:8
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

Psalm 139
behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high.

Ephesians 6
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. 
To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, 
making supplication for all the saints



1 Timothy 3
You will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household,
which is the church of the living God,
the pillar and foundation of the truth.

By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.


Let us be one in the number of those proclaiming Jesus is God.
All Glory to God the Father. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

Psalm 91 ~ When he calls to me, I will answer Him

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High,
who abides in the shadow of the Almighty,
2 will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust."

3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence;
4 he will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand;
but it will not come near you.

8 You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the LORD your refuge,
the Most High your habitation,
10 no evil shall befall you,
no scourge come near your tent.

11 For he will give his angels charge of you
to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder,
the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.
14 Because he cleaves to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will rescue him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him,
and show him my salvation.



God is a God of the Body of Christ.

Abraham heard God and still had his own difficulties. Gideon heard God and still retired from duty; with God's permission.
David could understand God. Samuel asked God to not let his words fall.

Mary talked to Gabriel and still wondered as Jesus was a boy.

Paul met Jesus being blind and hearing God and never faltered.

Simon Peter walked with Jesus for 3 years and the New Testament in Acts 10, Peter is recorded for opening his mouth and wise and righteous words prevailed and still the Book of Acts records Peter had serious discussions over serious issues.

All of God's people are flawed and sin.

Love covers a multitude of sins. And allowing God in our heart to speak to us - causes us to do as Jesus said, "Rise."

Life is about one situation or another bringing the Prodigal Son to His Father.


Jesus told us what to do:


Abba, You are our Heavenly Father,

Holy, Holy, Holy. You have given us the Name of Jesus as Christ the Lord.

Your amazing and gracious Plan to give us Salvation. Let Your Kingdom and Your Plan be our daily delight.

We would Rejoice to see more of Your Heaven on this earth. And will be blessing seekers of Your Willing Provision of Blessings.

Give us this day. Help us to see how to build our lives and build up others.

Help us to be proper Stewarts of Your Gifts to us. Let us feed our body and souls with Your Blessings.

Forgive me please when the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart is not pleasing to You.

Let me be swept up in Gratitude from Your Love and mercy and give mercy to others.

Lead us far from temptation. Deliver us from evil. Help us to remember seeing Blessings removed is easier to see than seeing Steadfast Blessings. And have hearts of gratitude. Help us to encourage and strengthen our Blessings.

And as we believe, have been told Good News, and shared in the eyewitness of the faithful,
Yours is the Kingdom
Yours is the Power to uphold the Universe and All of Creation with Your Word.
And The Glory be to You, Loving Father.

In Jesus, Your Exact Nature,
We Rejoice Daily.
Jesus our Lord God. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

Ezekiel 18:25-32 ~ a new Heart and a new Spirit

Ezekiel 18:25-32

25 “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’

Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? 26 When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die. 

27 Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. 28 Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

29 Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ O house of Israel, are my ways not just? Is it not your ways that are not just?

30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 

32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.”

Acts 10:34

34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality"

30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour,d and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)

Why does the Text read
" So..... Peter opened his mouth." This is awkward and is vastly translated out to flow well.

We know this: A. Peter was not listening to Cornelius with his mouth open. B. God wants us to know this. C. Peter is not entirely astonished. D. God is have Peter acknowledge the 'goy', the Gentile, the hated Centurion. The soldier daily holding instruments of "peace making" who will not end his career without witnessing life and death. This is a man who does not raise vegetables. E. God is deliberately working with redemption and renewal. F. Peter was known for opening his mouth unwisely. G. Gee, the Lord is going to give Peter ability to answer, probably, beyond his ability.

Why isn't Peter astonished?
 Peter was one of the 500 the Risen, Victorious Jesus taught beyond the Resurrection.  Peter knew Jesus lived in Egypt. Peter knew Jesus healed the Syrophonetician woman's daughter. Jesus was probably known to have traveled to Tyre by way of Phoenicia along the beaches. Peter probably heard of the Magi (probably from Jesus or Mary during the wedding in Cana.)

The Scriptures repeat and repeat telling us the paths of mankind have tendencies. The generations repeat like rows in the vineyard.

The ways of the Lord are not Just. The Serpent told Eve. Eve wanted to be God's equal. "Why does God get the last say and have judgment?"

God is answering mankind. God is not the Grumpy Old Mean Guy in the Old Testament. A father seeing a toddler want to touch the campfire is Yelled at. God didn't want the Children of Israel to play with Baal and blood worship. Abraham is a refuge to the Promised land and is from what is today beautiful Turkey. So are some of the wives of Jacob. God is offering a mix of nationalities.

God tells us in the New Testament,
He will put the Holy Spirit in us. God will not be so surprising.

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant is breathing God's ideas into our soul directing our mind, heart and soul. Peter is experiencing this growth of the Holy Spirit to gentiles from being a very Kosher Jew, living deliberately next door to the Capernaum Synagogue.

 Van Gogh

God fed the Multitudes and the Millenniums.

We can take Ezekiel rising up in Exile of the 2nd Exodus during the Babylonian Captivity,  destruction of the First Temple (Solomon's building work). 600 B.C. Genesis 1 4000 B.C.. Acts - First Century A.D. Now, we need Gospel.

Matthew 20:1-16

20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard."

Jesus deliberately puts the people on the Vine and working for the Vine Dresser of God's Plan. Some will arrive early. Some will arrive late. Heaven does not have a line for the arrived late to sit on the side lines. A great reminder for me to be polite and for us all.

Ezekiel 18:1-4

18 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge’? 

3 As I live, 
declares the Lord God, 
this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel.

 4 Behold, all souls are mine

 the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine

 the soul who sins shall die.

What about the New Testament?

God tells us about Grief. John records Revelation. The Judgement. Surely given the incredible Acts of God we are witnessing - Grief. If someone has not experienced the incredible torrent of Grief from loss of a very loved one. If incredible millstone grief has not been experienced - we could use an analogy. The Highs and lows are echoed in the music of Opera. Usually, you'd have to be a millstone bearer of death and grief to fully understand how low - low can be.

Grief is a millstone. How the one in grief would love to rest the sorrow. This will roll forth until peace has been worked out with, usually, a two year time frame. Tears will rise. We will know the comfort of God's Promise, but the loss has to be worked out with Love. Jesus wept.



Abba, our Father,

Thank You for Your Blessings. We ask for Your willing Blessings.

Thank You for being Father God who has wept. Father God who believes in us to keep going forth. To journey to Him.

Thank You for seeing our Loved ones through spins, curves and turns. And will continue to be the Light of the Path and the Light of the world.

Thank You for seeing our Nation through many storms. Thank You for telling us our Nation prays with such Faith and Love. Be the Light filling mankind of this Nation.

Thank You for being the Light to the Nations. Bring us to Love, Peace and Joy.

Thank You, You are the light in mankind and the children of God cover Your good creation, day and night with prayers pleasing to You. More Heaven on earth. Your good will be done.

Nothing is too difficult for You, You are our God and our Father.

Thank You for Jesus Christ Lord and Savior. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

Mark 8:27-9:1 ~ And Jesus went on

From the Sea of Galilee to Caesarea Philippi, Jesus is walking through some of the greenest portions of Israel.

Augustus Caesar divided Herod's kingdom, giving one half to Archelaus while dividing the other half into two, going to Antipas and Philip. Jesus is going where Tetriarc Philip is the non-Davidic king. Philip married his neice, who was his ex-wife's daughter. Philip married Salome. Salome appears in the Bible in connection with the execution of John the Baptist.

Mark 8:27-9:1

27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi.

And on the way
he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”

28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”

29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”

30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.


 
The Division of Herod's Kingdom:

  Territory under Herod Archelaus, from 6 Iudaea Province

  Territory under Herod Antipas

  Territory under Herod Philip II

  Salome I (cities of Jabneh, Azotas, Phaesalis)

  Roman province of Syria

  Autonomous cities (Decapolis)

31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.

36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

9 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”

Recapping:

We combine Mark's Gospel who wrote down what Peter remembered. Peter answered the same questions over and over and Mark's Gospel records what the First Century asked the most about Jesus.

John, on Patmos Island, was asked if the other Gospel's were accurate and John did agree. John said so many things happened around Jesus, that seeing the day - might differ in opinions. This is what I see and understand - this is my understanding.

Matthew 16:13-

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”  

14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 

15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 

16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Consider all that would encompass the Church of Jesus Christ. For Millenniums.

Jesus tells us:

A wholesome walk through the most beautiful parts of Israel. Discussing, of course, Jesus is God's Messiah. A moment of realization and truth.

Walking into the corrupted Kingdom of Herod. Philip the Tetrarch. The City of Caesarea Philippi is dedicated to Hellenistic worship. The amazing truth of Jesus Christ living - becomes - Jesus died and victorious - the Church of Jesus Christ. Throughout two millennium's people have spoken and wondered what Jesus would have thought of the power of the Pope and Antipope. Crusades. The Dogma. The Victims and Politics.

We find Peter is corrupt in the eyes of God.

Looking at Mark and Matthew's Gospels we find nothing would surprise Jesus. The Beauty. The Fellowship. The Worship. The external difficulties. The internal difficulties.
In these passages we would find:

John 2:24
Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people

1 Kings 8:39
Be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart--for You alone know the hearts of all men--

Acts 1:24
And they prayed, "Lord, You know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen

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

Proverbs 8:30-31
Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, 31rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.


Jesus has placed the beginning in the midst of complexities. Because Jesus is God. And is the exact nature of God. God understands mankind and builds His Goodness regardless of the ideas and plots of mankind. It's amazing.

Father God and Jesus push away today, tomorrow, yesterday and plan for the Goodness of God.


If God is able to deal with the Temple bowing to Herod. God is able to deal with the Empire of Rome. God is able to deal with the local king. God is able to deal with Herodians sitting on David's Throne. God is able to feed the multitudes who arrived to be "Fed." God is able to deal past the Sons of Thunder. God deals past the 72 Disciples. God deals past Judas. God moves on past the man at the Pool of Bethsaida for 38 years. God Plan continues beyond John the Baptist. And to the fulfillment of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit in all of mankind.

God gives us the Light of the world. We will Trust God.



Abba, our Father,

Today is Lent, the preparation for Easter. I will Trust You. It's far easier to see when we Trust You. Thank You, Father, for Your Willing Blessings.

As God of All Things, You bend far down to Love us as Your Own. You call us Beloved.

We will Trust You with the Ones we Love.

We will Trust all of our cares as wide and high as the Nation - to be in Your Capacities. Asking Your Blessing on our Nation Trusting in You.

We will look at the Day You have given and Bless You for what You provide. We are blessing seekers. As all the Children of God pray across all of Your Creation, asking "more Heaven on earth and Your Good Will be done."

May we be so blessed to see Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace among those with whom You are pleased.


Thanking You for Your Creation. Your Mercy. Establishing us as the Blessed of God in the New Covenant. Believing You as God Almighty, Father to the Savior Jesus, saving the world, taking care of the multitudes, the millenniums of people, the nations asking You for Your Steadfast Love. Your Good and Pure Heart, Father God.

In Jesus we are Blessed. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †