† The Book of James 5:11-18 ~ Persevered

 

The Joy of the Lord

John 2 records the Joy of Jesus returning home for a wedding. The Wedding of Cana 

Nazareth, Mary survived their basic Watchfulness. 

The Book of James 5:11-18

James, the Brother of Jesus!

As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered.  You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. 

12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. 

13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the Name of the Lord. 

15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 

16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

 The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

Praying for Healing. I'm for this. Betcha you are too. 

We could look at the Southern Hemisphere during 2022 and find they had rain. And cold. And flu. The Southern Hemisphere is providing us with information we should watch. Forbes magazine did an article on this, 2 years after our post, July 2022 and in Covid Recovery of 2021.

Jeremiah 23:23-24 

Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, 

and not a God far away? 

Can a man hide himself in secret places 

so that I cannot see him? 

Declares the Lord. 

Do I not fill heaven and earth? Declares the Lord.

Healing for every system we know is in need or prayer or healing. Society. Friends. Family. News. Entertainment. Healthcare, making this word meaningful. Weather. Mass Transit instead of carcinogen, hazmat cleanup LED lightbulbs in the wastewater of trash recycling. 

Everything we pray for is largely in the Hands of God. He is moving. God is working. God has His Plan. Beyond all question, without question, great indeed, by common confession. And confessedly, without controversy. And great, we confess, is the mystery of godliness.

We can see reports Christianity is dying. Pew Reports 2022 saying the Born Again Christians, or Evangelicals, have increased 6% in a year. We can see Church attendance is waning. But we ignore the 2020 Reports saying 81% of the Population was praying every day.  Reports during 2020 telling us the primary usage of the Internet was Bible Reading.

Isaiah 41:8-10

But you, Israel, my servant,
    Jacob, whom I have chosen,

    The offspring of Abraham, my friend

You whom I took from the ends of the earth,
    and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are my servant,
    I have chosen you 

and 

not cast you off”

10 fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Ignore the new 2020 reports saying they do not feel God deserted them? No. And this is also a Pew Report. 63% they attend Church, they just don't feel every weekend is necessary. Most go twice a month.  The new report says 55% pray every day. But it's also reported Pew Reports had massive retirements as Covid hit and Pew Reports is considered to lean far left now. We also see to take most news with a grain of large salt and an Aspirin. 

News about Christianity. We find what we hope to find. And grow stronger or weaken.

We all pray for more Jesus, more Heaven on earth and more Healing. More help from our Father for those who have fallen away and are in a lot of terrible hurt.

It's easier to picture God taking care of all these cares, with a world that isn't overwhelming to Him.  The Universe that holds up by the Power of His Word.

Isaiah 43:1

But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, 

He who formed you, O Israel: 

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; 

I have called you by name

you are Mine

2 Timothy 1:2 

 To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy 

and peace from God the Father

 and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jeremiah 23:23-24 

Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? 

Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? 

Declares the Lord.

 Do I not fill heaven and earth? 

Declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 32:17 

Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens 

and the earth by your great power 

and by your outstretched arm! 

Nothing is too hard for you. 

 Psalm 139:7-12

 Where shall I go from your Spirit?

 Or where shall I flee from your presence? 

If I ascend to heaven, You are there! 

If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there! 

If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost 

parts of the sea, 

even there your hand shall lead me, 

and Your Right Hand 

shall hold me. 

 Psalm 90:2 

 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting 

You are God. 

 John 3:16 

For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, 

that whoever believes in Him should not perish 

but have eternal life. 

Healing! Isn't too hard for the Lord.

Matthew 4:24 

So his fame spread throughout all Syria, 

and they brought Him all the sick, 

those afflicted with various diseases and pains, 

those oppressed by demons, 

those having seizures, and paralytics, 

and 

He healed them. 

 Matthew 12:15 

God's Chosen Servant Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there.

 And many followed him, 

and he healed them all 

Luke 4:40 

Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any 

who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, 

and he laid his hands on every one of them 

and healed them. 

Luke 6:19 

And all the crowd sought to touch Him, for power came out from Him 

and healed them all.

John 6:29

Jesus told them, "This is the only work God wants from you.

Believe in the one He has Sent."

Abba, Holy Father,

Help us each day see You and Life around us with Gratitude. 

Strengthen and Guide us to be on the Path 

You have for our hope and future with You.

Help fill us each day with Your Mercy and Goodness. 

Dwell in those we love and in us.

Fill those we Love. 

Fill the people You give us. And our Nation.

Fill us in Jesus:

 Our employments, our schools, our communities. 

Our Nation trusting in You. 

The Nations around the world trusting in You.

 Please bless us and fill us with more Heaven on earth.

When we seek You First

we will finish fine!

We give You Thanks for the Blessings many have fought to give us. 

The Blessings rarely thought of in the First 5 Books of the Bible we don't worry about 

because You Solved. 

The Blessings You provide. Help us to see the Blessings. Thank You.

Amen in Jesus.

Abba, Father

Cover us this day in Your Name. The Highest of All Names and we are Blessed.

We will be still and know You are God the Almighty of All.

Cover us in Jesus Christ and we have a Hope and Future. 

We Believe and trust in You.

Cover those we Love and we Live in Love. 

We see glimpses of Heaven.

Cover us in Jesus and we lift our cares to You.

Cover us in Jesus and we are inspired to Live and Love more.

Cover us in Jesus and we tell the truth with mercy.

Cover us in Jesus and we brush off what would cling to us 

and find Joy in Pleasing You.

Cover us in Jesus 

and we want All to Love Jesus.

Cover us in Jesus 

and we Believe Father God will bring the world to salvation 

in Jesus Christ.

Cover us in Jesus 

and we know Tomorrow and Today are in Your Hands.

Cover us in Jesus

 and we find Joy knowing our prayers join the Saints covering the world 

in Prayers for more

of Your Heaven on earth.

Cover us in Jesus and we Believe the Nation Trusting in You 

will be Blessed.

Always pray daily:Dwell in us, please, Father.

Dwell in those we Love.

Salvation is in Jesus Christ, we ask.

Help us to Seek You First

And we will finish well in Jesus Christ.

Cover us in Jesus 

and we Believe the days to come for ourselves a

nd our children and unborn children will live

in Goodness and Steadfast Love 

in the New Covenant of Jesus.

Cover us in Jesus 

and we Believe You are the God of the Impossible.

We ask the Oceans to give moisture to the skies

and rain to pour over the thirsty and parched 

places of Your Good Creation,

Cover us in Your Word, Jesus Christ, 

God's Word made Manifest.

We thank You to answer our prayers. 

The miracles we know.
We ask to Live in Love, Joy and Peace seeking and 

finding Your Kingdom in Heaven 

and on earth in Jesus Christ.

Blessed be Father God for bringing us Jesus. 

Amen and Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus

Nehemiah 8:10 ~ send portions to them! †

 

Nehemiah 8:10

Then he said unto them, 

Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, 

and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared:

 for this day is 

Holy unto our Lord: 

Neither be ye sorry; 

For the Joy of the Lord 

is your Strength.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We live in an amazing time Historically. Biblically. And in the 500 year mark for 

pretty wild Histories.

And as we prepare for Thanksgiving, we begin our food lists. I try to think of something new to add in. One year we had Asiago biscuits, this was the year I bought molds for the biscuits and the muffins. Later it was voted down as out of tradition. 

As the menu is prepared, I think of the many Thanksgivings I've had. We had Tomato Aspic jello for years. My father loved this. If you haven't had this, it's like Bloody Mary in Jello without alcohol. And Mary from Church told me she added in shrimp and horseradish. The perfect addition!

Edward's famous uncle, opened the door one Thanksgiving while I was a youthful teen, threw open his arms, bear hugged me and told me to call him, "Uncie!" He was completely one of the most entertaining and generous men I've ever met.  A family man without children, who lavished upon his nieces and nephews. Uncie decorated for the famous, and was in their famous books. Everything Uncie touched was Michelangelo. His favorite food to add in was Orange Jello with Mayonnaise and tiny diced carrots to look like carrots. A treat in the middle of serious food.

My grandmother Bit only wanted one thing, other than Turkey, it was a casserole made of Velveeta, Asparagus and green olives. It was really quite good, she shared this passion with my Aunt Margaret in Rosedale, MS.  They would talk and ask if the other had had the casserole. 

Today we would adapt this to more like a Bruschetta Asparagus and have plenty of olives.

Our family friend Margaret, wife of our favorite Pennsylvania Episcopal Priest, taught us over Thanksgivings about her Sour Cream Cranberry Salad with two types of Cranberries slices and pecans. The most unusual color and absolutely wonderful:

Edward's family had two generations of good cooks who lived with the family. Hazel made the best small spoon biscuits. Rarely did they make it to the table. The secret ingredient was Butter Flavored Crisco. And Mayo.  This was only disclosed 3 generations later.  Causing a huge lull in the conversation. And then lots of laughter with memories of the most biscuits eaten at one time.

Edward's mother always tells us of Oyster Stuffing her grandmother made. The recipe is lost to time. Sadly.

My mother won so many awards for Creamed Corn Cornbread with canned, mild Jalapeños, hatch chilies and a secret white, not stringy cheese. Only her black iron skillet could make them!

My brother ate almost all the Pecan Pie, until he got into college and found this was Karo Syrup. He charged me to remake Pecan Pie for all time as something like chocolate cake pie with Chocolate chips that you don't miss the Karo Syrup. Okkk. But I did discover the Homesick Texan combined left over Pecan Pie into Rice Pudding and only God could do better dessert. 

2 Timothy 1:5

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois 

and in your mother Eunice and, 

I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Send Portions to them

Ecclesiastes 11:21

Cast your bread upon the water,

in many days, it will come back to you

1992, One of the reasons I really love holidays is the memories of the ones I love. Treasure in Heaven. One year after Grandmother Anita died, I didn't have more room in the kitchen. Mother and I shopped and bought a beautiful woven basket to put all of Grandmother Anita's barely pink wine glasses from about 1930.  After the dinner week, there was a tremendous crash. Edward said, "OH NO. OH MY GOD." And I knew he had just tossed all of Grandmother Anita's cherished glasses. I cried for a week. 

Mother and I drove to visit my mother's first cousin, later my ward, Maxine, who told us she had spent Thanksgiving alone. Silence. We had nothing to say. Dead quiet. Finally, I burst out, "How did this HAPPEN?"  My mother was angry and said, if you wanted company, all you had to do was make a phone call. I think we shocked Maxine to find our reactions. Maxine assured us this was her wish. Mother said, speaking of what is broken, tell her. I burst into tears and told of Grandmother Anita's glasses. Maxine said, how many did you lose? All but 3. 

Maxine said, "Hold tight, sit here and DO NOT move". 

Gave my mother and me time to rapidly discuss, who didn't find out where Maxine was for Thanksgiving. Maxine surprised us and said, it's what I wanted. I wanted a day to remember. Remember being alone???? No, to remember all the Thanksgivings of many decades. And she said she had a gift for me. 

SUDDENLY, in front of me, 12 identical pink glasses. Maxine came back in and said your grandmother had those glasses for decades!!!!!! More than a lot of people live.  Sad. Assuredly so. Maxine was giving me a Christmas present: Maxine's mother, my Aunt Eloise, had been given by my own Grandmother Anita, about 1931, which were the 2nd set of 12 wines, barely pink, glasses. 

Maxine said, "Now! You have your Grandmother's wine glasses back!"

I cried with joy. Maxine said she'd never given a gift that gave her such joy to give.

A wonderful miracle! I've never forgotten. Edward was completely thrilled and said, 

"This is a Miracle." 

1 Thessalonians 3:6

But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.

There are always new memories to make. Adults usually discuss dishes like we have had, and don't make them. Time passes on and now one is yelling for Jello. I'd wonder why the children didn't all pick out a dish to have. And new memories are made. 

One year at the Holidays, I decided to donate all the food ingredients of these dishes. Making a memory last for others.  The Pecan Pie was probably the best hit with brownies. 

Why do the Holidays always involve food?

Psalm 34

I sought the Lord, and He answered me

    and delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to Him are radiant,

    and their faces shall never be ashamed.

6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him

    and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encamps

    around those who reverence Him, and delivers them.

8 Oh, taste 

and see that the Lord is good!

    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

9 Oh, reverence the Lord, you, His saints,

    for those who yar Him have no lack!

For many, this doesn't seem a season to celebrate with a lot of Joy. 

Even in the Scriptures, people sometimes need the God of Encouragement to have hope.

Nehemiah 8

9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, 

“This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 11 So the Levites calmed all the people

Let God have our deepest cares

 Psalm 50:23

The one who offers thanksgiving 

as his sacrifice glorifies Me;

to one who orders his way rightly

I will show the salvation of God!”

The Only Thing we can give God,

that He did not give us first

is our THANKS

Abba, Father,

Fortunate and Blessed to have 

Antibiotics. Our dog has had weeks of ear infection. 

 Please, Father, the Joy again of Good Health

for All.

Help the flu season to pull out hand sanitizer.

My friend Dee says she has had Flu once in 

her life for keeping her hands washed upon

getting home.

Bless the Children

with Respiratory Illnesses.

TAKE ASPIRIN

for

For Blood Clot

Prevention!!!

NOW

Help us REMEMBER

to do all this!

Abba, Father!

We do not know all You know.

We do not have the omnipotence for a complete prayer.

We can't surround every person

or every issue

to bring the healing we know Jesus does.

You are the Light of Heaven.

Jesus, You are the Light of Nations.

Jesus Christ,

Only Son of the Most High God,

You are the Light 

of mankind.

We have a heart for the difficulties

facing

our own lives,

the lives of those we love,

This Nation,

and Ukraine 

and Poland Helping Ukraine

GOD Bless POLAND

And the plight of the hungry

and this Good Creation of Yours.

For the help and comfort of 

Flooded Pakistan. 

And all those recovering from

Flood and Hurricane.

And in the hearts of mankind

You have delighted in,

we ask Jesus Christ

to be our Blessing,

Teacher,

Healer,

Lord of us all.

God of Love.

God of Encouragement.

We Thank You

for the Blessings

You give us daily.

And ask for You

to dwell in us

and provide

Grace and Mercy

for our trespasses.

To heal us,

the Heal our Loved Ones,

to Heal the Nation,

To Bless Ukraine and Russians

with Peace.

Love.

Joy.

Jesus.

Help us to seek You first

And in Jesus Christ, we will finish well.

Amen in Your Son,

the Highest Name of Jesus,

Amen.

 

God reminds us

Blessing us with prayers for more Heaven on earth,

His Good Will be done.

To You, our Father, be the Glory

Our God is an Awesome God! Amen

and Alleluia

in Jesus Christ and His Glory!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus