1 Kings 17:8-16 ~ The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” †

 

 

Zarephath 

The earliest occupation dates in the Late Bronze Age, c.1600 B.C.,

 is mentioned in Papyrus Anastasi I from the reign of Ramses II

Papyrus found at Stanford University

Description Archive/Manuscript — 8 lithographs ; 29 x 52.5 cm. Summary Facsimiles of a portion of the Anastasi Papyrus, a satirical letter written between two scribes, most likely during the reign of Ramses II. 

The British Museum offers a photograph of Papyrus Anastasi II in the series of Papyrus.

The condition of reading History from 1600 BC? 

Party like it's 1999 AD.

1 Kings 17:8-16

Then the word of the Lord came to him, 

9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.”

10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.”

12 And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.”

13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’”

15 And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. 

16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

I always love the Bible Jesus has commented upon. 

Luke 4:26. Jesus loved this portion so much, He spoke the Word about His opinion.


For us today, this miracle indicates that God is still at work. 

In difficult situations He provides assurance. On the horizon, the hope of a new fulfillment in Him. This is also the miracle of Hanukkah.  This portion of the Scriptures is called the Apocrypha and was recognized by the following scholars and saints: 

Recognized as canonical by the Council of Hippo (in 393), the Councils of Carthage of 397 and 417, it is referred to by Church Fathers, Eusebius, Tertullian and Clement of Alexandria.  Jerome, 420, declared the Apocrypha had obscure origins and gave the books the name, "Apocrypha." Jerome approved of some Apocrypha. 

And the Council of Florence (in 1442), and confirmed in the Counter-Reformation by the Council of Trent (1546). Many Anglicans, Lutherans, and Methodists have it in their canon of Scripture.

Additional Approval has been given:

The Council of Rome (A.D. 382),  the Council of Hippo (A.D. 393), the Council of Carthage (397)and (A.D. 419), the Council of Florence (1442) and finally the Council of Trent (1546), and is part of the canon of both the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Churches. Catholics refer to it as deuterocanonical. Augustine (c. A.D. 397) and Pope Innocent I  (A.D. 405). Athanasius (A.D. 367) mentioned that certain other books, including the book of Tobit, while not being part of the Canon, "were appointed by the Fathers to be read". According to Rufinus of Aquileia (c. A.D. 400) the book of Tobit and other deuterocanonical books were not called Canonical but Ecclesiastical (books written for the Church). 

Books written for the Church. Other Cultures and Eastern Religions completely understand and relate to the Apocrypha. The Apocrypha isn't written in Hebrew, but is written in smatterings of Greek and Aramaic. The New Testament is written in Greek. 

The Hasmonean Reign began when (Herod's wife was Hasmonean ruling Judea)

The dynasty was established under the leadership of Simon Thassi, two decades after his brother Judas Maccabeus (יהודה המכבי Yehudah HaMakabi) defeated the Seleucid army during the Maccabean Revolt. According to 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, and the first book of The Jewish War by Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. The invaders were going to put Zeus worship, sacrifices and all into the Temple. Judas Maccabeus sprang up and provided war of such magnitude the Roman Empire and the Seleucid Empires were repelled for generations. Judas Maccabeus and farmers sent Antiochus packing.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes "God Manifest"; (215 BC – November/December 164 BC)

Was a Hellenistic king of the Seleucid Empire from 175 BC until his death in 164 BC. He had invaded Egypt. The Egypt. And won. The Roman Empire made him desist and Antiochus IV headed off to capture Judea. The farmers of Judea were enraged and fought off this man and the Romans. During this time the miracle of Hanukkah occurred.

Why is dusty, dry

History Important?

History records peace, warfare, conflict, prosperity and the decision-making not only of the world governments and leaders, kings and nobles but the influence of mankind in all situations.

We find Scripture is leading, shaping guiding us to Eternal Life and the Soul Father God has given us and Jesus Christ fought and died to save mankind.

If we change our Histories, we set ourselves adrift from wisdom. 

The Scriptures are for the wisdom and guidance of mankind. 

So many times today we hear of about mankind disdaining the Church. The Scriptures include this sentiment and the Scriptures do not shrink from telling and teaching us even outside the Church, we are not absolved of our duty to grow as a Spiritual Human Being connecting to the Eternal where our lives matter distinctly and individually. We are to discover our Father in Heaven and the nature of God in Jesus Christ. To find the relevance and importance of knowing our individual lives matter to one so Incredibly Almighty, He upholds the Universe with His Word. The Nature of God given in Jesus  Speaks Light and Life and Love. He healed them all is wonderfully explained about the multitudes in the miracles of "He Healed the entire crowd." 

There is a reason, a profound reason,  Roman Empire early Historians, outside the Church, know Pontus Pilate wrote Emperor Claudius about the events of Good Friday and Easter when multitudes invaded the 36 acre Temple of Jerusalem. The letter is lost to History and fakes exist. Emperor Claudius who received the news of Good Friday and Easter began to persecute Christians within 16 years of Jesus came back to Life. History emphatically records the persecution of those following this terrifying and persuasive power in Jesus Christ, His Sacrifice and the Hope, Love and miracles of God. History records the Roman Empire nationwide miracles of weather and armies routed. The Empire became Christian, not on a whim but of 325 years of prayer, miracles, hope and Love.  Yes, the Power of God is at work today. Christians can all point to something they believe connects them to our Living and Working Jesus.

David spent much of his life, Loving his Father God, and in mercenary work. Gun for hire. Spear, slingshot, sword, horses, gang of 400 angry men. David worked wih all kinds of people. Kings and thugs, priests and mere women. And when it came time for Peace, David wanted the pure worship of God to uplift and create a firm culture for the work, prosperity of family and individual growing into a Nation for personal enrichment of each of us leading to the whole.

The History of the Scriptures is extreme and significant, an essential portion of us all. Jeremiah in Jeremiah 16 and 23 was most concerned for the spiraling down of mankind to lose and change their histories. Moses wrote and feared the same situation in Deuteronomy 8. Pride of vanities away from Father God. Marx wrote if we confuse the populace in upsetting and loose morality, they will become so confused they will be easier to control. 

Luke 18:1

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them 

that they should always pray 

and not give up.

Abba, Father God,

 Now,

May the God of Peace Himself 

sanctify you completely, 

and may your whole spirit and soul and body 

be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

He who calls you is faithful

 He will surely do it!

We ask in the Highest Name of Jesus,

we seek and find God first.

And in Jesus, to bless, seal and protect

those we Love and for our Churches, Communities

and Employments to have this Jesus Blessing.

We give You our cares,

Your Steadfast Love assures us

You care for us.

Corrie Ten Baum witnessed to Your Steadfast Love

and need for Prayer.

Corrie Ten Baum saw the need for hope of such magnitude even the fleas

could be relied upon for Your Good Purpose.

The Exodus also declares the Impossibility You display.

The King James Version of the Bible calls the 

Impossibility and Improbability of God, "Vouchsafe"

Acts 7:17

As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, 

the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased.

Jesus, being Your Son, went in a more unbelievable direction

603,550 in Numbers 1:46 

The Exodus people God was to feed and water in the absolute desert.

Jesus said such impossible goals of God Himself

He went from 72 Disciples to 70 Disciples and then 

explained to 12 Disciples they would form His Church. 

 Father, Please give us Health in all aspects.

For Elliott Healing and for Janet. And their families.

For all the Children of God who have suffered and call out

to You, Father, in the Highest Name of Jesus Christ.

Our God is working. His Son, 

Jesus is working.

And we say Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

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Psalm 84 ~ Behold our shield, O God

Psalm 84

How lovely is your dwelling place,

    O Lord of hosts!

2 My soul longs, yes, faints

    for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and flesh sing for joy

    to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home,

    and the swallow a nest for herself,

    where she may lay her young,

at your altars, O Lord of hosts,

    my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house,

    ever singing your praise! 

Selah

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

    in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 

6 As they go through the Valley of Baca

    they make it a place of springs;

    the early rain also covers it with pools.

7 They go from strength to strength;

    each one appears before God in Zion.

8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;

    give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah

9 Behold our shield, O God;

    look on the face of your anointed!

10 For a day in your courts is better

    than a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

    than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;

    the Lord bestows favor and honor.

No good thing does he withhold

    from those who walk uprightly.

12 O Lord of hosts,

    blessed is the one who trusts in you!

When I was in third grade, we began to learn about St. Francis of Assisi. 

One of the joys in Francis life was to help others feed the birds. The birds would land on St. Francis as he prayed. And if you were with St. Francis, then you could also feed the birds. I went home to study our backyard and wondered if this happened a lot and found this was rare. Finally, on a trip to San Antonio when I had two small sons, we went to a Starbucks on the rivers surrounding the city and everyone gets to hand feed the birds. And locally, a restaurant leaves food on the plates, the birds are so used to sitting on the tables to clear up before the staff comes, the sparrows have nests on the porch. And my family always orders a loaf of bread to feed the birds by hand. This is so unique, the restaurant allows this.

This is evangelism. The desire to say God is willing. 

Whatever condition life has saddened, angered, bored, delighted, thrilled you to find. Proverbs 8 tells us God looks into mankind with the Holy Spirit and Jesus and delights. Of course, God sometimes tells us generations of mankind aren't that delightful. Yet never once does God say, this generation is so burdened and troublesome, I'm going to withhold Jesus and go out later to save the world in Jesus Christ.

I was listening to the Pew Report numbers of believers in the USA.  Honestly, the number has dropped 6% during the Pandemic. That's pretty wonderful. It was a horrible time. Our youth say they are separated from Religion. That's not the best thing I've ever heard. However, in my lifetime of 5 decades, the average age of Church attendance is age 55.

God tells us Heaven is open gates 24 hours a day and the dark never overcomes the Gates of Heaven. God is Light. At whatever age we decide to sample God's House and fly in. God will leave the Light on.

Abba, Father God,

In Your Abundant Willingness, Dwell in my heart, mind, body and soul.

Let my soul, be comfort for Jesus. Help me to see the Heaven you have surrounded

us on this earth with daily. Open my eyes to Your Goodness daily.

Help me to see Your Mercies Renew Daily.

Help me to be Your Heaven on this earth and help me to

renew Your mercies daily.

Psalm 84 is a Psalm David and Solomon chose to have read and sung in Worship.

This is transparent and easily understood.

As we are to our Father God.

Selah is when we assess life

and pause to find Wonder and Pleasure in You.

As we take our lives, help us to see and live our Blessings.

When the wild winds of life howl

we will find in Love, Faith and Hope

we endure, persevere, hope and then thrive

as we Believe You.

Bless this Nation, this Republic, Please, Father.

The World needing Your Love and Salvation,

Your Creation You call Good.

This feels like a New Season.

Bless those starting out in life.

Bless those with children to provide for, when joy

and concern runs more swiftly.

Bless those with an empty nest. To fill

our hearts and time with Your Plans.

Our God has Willingly thrown open His Heart

we ask for Your Abundant Willingness Father God.

Not pleading for meager prayers answered

but the Joy and Strength of seeing You Triumph.

We pray for Elliott to be healed.

And for Janet.

Their families.

For Families adjusting to

being newly re-made and sometimes

with loss during the Pandemic.

That this Easter will

be altered but filled with

Love and Joy.

God has answered many prayers.

Blessings on all who Pray

and Pray often for others.

Let earth and Heaven have 

time and season

to 

Rejoice

Again.

In Jesus Christ He is

our Eternal Life

and He is willing.

Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

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Matthew 10:24-33 ~ Do not be afraid

 

Matthew 10:24-33

"A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!

26 "So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

32 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.



We want to protect our little flock. Give them every advantage.

We don't want dark or scary things to happen.

Jesus gave us the seed parable. 

He expected talents, seeds to germinate and bear fruit. He expected Life to test us. The Lord's Prayer tells us.

Job 23:8-10

If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot perceive Him. 

9 When He is at work to the north, I cannot see Him; when He turns south,

 I cannot find Him. 

10 Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, 

I will emerge as pure gold.

James 1

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trial, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

1 Thessalonians 2:4

Just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, 

so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

Therefore - Life is a test of our basic - soul.


And...
The next part is up to us. What do we expect of God? What we would rely upon Him for.

Jesus tells us God is our Father. 

Jesus tells Mary Magdalene on Easter, "Your Father and Mine." He adopts John on the way to the Cross and His first conversation upon Victory over Death is the adoption of Mary Magdalene.

What do we expect from our Father?

Do we truly believe ~ 'He has so many Children. He can't notice me.' How is the Universe you "Created"? Does God have limits? God - your Father - called you by name - He planned your days.

Where are you headed?

Jeremiah 1:5a

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you...

Romans 12

be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect

Acts 2

you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.

Mark 16:15

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel 

to the whole 

creation."

This is daunting. God told us more about that.

1. Baker (Genesis 40:5)
2. Cupbearer - Pharmacist, Maid, Butler, Waiter(Nehemiah 1:11; compare Genesis 40:21)
3. Cooks, moms, food workers (1 Samuel 9:23-24)
4. Fishermen (Isaiah 19:8; Matthew 4:18)
5. Hunters (Jeremiah 16:16)
6. Shepherds (Luke 2:8)
7. Farmer (Genesis 4:2)
8. Harvester (Isaiah 17:5)
9. Plow  -Equipment (Psalm 129:3)
10. Judge (Luke 18:2)
11. Doctor - Health Care Luke 1
12. King (1 Samuel 8:5)
13. Governor (Genesis 42:6)
14. Government worker - Matthew
15. Deputy (Acts 13:7)
16. Centurion (Judges 9:54)
17. Scribe (Matthew 5:2)
18. Carpenter (2 Samuel 5:11)
19. Smiths (1 Samuel 13:19)
20. Merchant (Genesis 23:16)
21. Potter (Jeremiah 18:2; Romans 9:21)

God is using people in their lives. 

The lives He gave us. Using conversations. God is having us develop relationships.

Surely, God gives us lives, talents, people. God changes people, events, timing - for His Plan.


Continue to develop your talent. Your voice. Your way to be in hearts for His Good. 

God helps us be doing His Plan, He is not the abandoning God.  Gently Pray and care for people. Even the people you briefly meet.  If you are being confided in, and the time is right, pray for people, gently. God in His Willingness of being a Good Father will assist!

Hebrews 13

Now the God of peace, 

Who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep 

through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord

Equip you in every good thing to do His will, 

working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, 

Through Jesus Christ, 

To whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

God does His promises. In His timing. Jesus loved the Word, "Immediately."

God says Life is in the Blood. When God of All things brings up Blood, His opinion

is saying this is serious and this is Love. Love is Life.

Luke 12:32

“Fear not, little flock, 

for it is your Father's good pleasure 

to give 

you the Kingdom."

Matthew 23:37

How often have I longed to

gather your children together,

as a hen gathers her chicks 

under her wings.

Matthew 25:40 

 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, 

as you did it to one of the least 

of these my brothers, 

you did it to Me.’

Abba, Father God,

Help us to seek and find You First.

We will have the eyes of our hearts opened

and hear more of Heaven.

With Jesus, we will see today what is true, whatever is noble,

right, pure, lovely, admirable, and find what is

excellent and praiseworthy

and here we find

Your Mercies Renew

and this is where we renew our minds

refresh our Will in Jesus Christ

and renew again in Your Willingness.

Just as we have been approved by God 

to be entrusted with the Gospel, 

so we speak, 

not to please man, 

but to please God who tests our hearts.

Live in me,

Live in All of us

Jesus Christ Savior of Your Father's good creation.

Son of Father God

begotten not made

Light of Light

True God of True God

Light of the world

Light of mankind.

Bless and fill those I love

and we will be in Recovery

and dwell in Love, faith and hope.

For all those I know

and all those who are part of our wide circle

growing closer

to Jesus Christ

we pray Your Good Will and Willing

Blessings.

For our Republic

and our Freedoms

so hard fought and hard won.

May God Himself Bless us.

Please bless especially Elliott and his family

and Janet and her family for Healing

Jesus Heals us All.

Amen for all of us

in the Highest N

ame of Jesus Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †  

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