John 3:3-8 ~ Born of the Spirit †

John 3:3-8

3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 

3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 

4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 

5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 

8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. 

So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

It's very nifty when an analogy fits with superior locksmith ability. Nighttime. A meeting of minds. Stretching. Learning. Helping.  The Reverend Mother is confronted by her sisters, her charge of God's Children of her own flock. In the dark of night, a visit to confess and to learn. How to do perfect good and live in the world, struggling constantly with good and ... wrong.  

1 John 4:13-21 

By this we know that we abide in Him:

 and He in us, 

because He has given us of his Spirit. 

14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son 

to be the Savior of the world. 

15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, 

God abides in him, 

and he in God. 

16 So we have come to know and to believe 

the love that God has for us! 

God is love!

And whoever abides in love abides in God! 

And God abides in him! 

17 By this is love perfected with us, 

so that we may have confidence 

for the day of judgment, 

because as He is 

so also are we, in this world. 

18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. 

For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 

19 We love because He first loved us. 

20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, 

he is a liar

For he who does not love his brother 

whom he has seen

 cannot love God 

whom he has not seen. 

21 And this commandment we have from Him: 

whoever loves God 

must 

also love 

his brother

We know the Disciples of God, the Almighty, the forever companions of Jesus

The Christ of God.

LOVE YOUR BROTHER. If you've had restaurant lunch in the last 40 years, you probably know some tables are consumed with what she said was so terrible, and we all know this is bad, horrible, terrible and, most likely, the worst part of all of this year.  Be this career, school, church, gym, sports, club meetings, home or family.  LOVE YOUR BROTHER if you are of GOD. We see every day that some actions: are unlovable and never ask to be loved.

Was the Reverend Mother going to be harsh? Didn't they believe they should obey the proper authorities given by God. Didn't they endanger the Mission, the Nuns, the work of God. Wasn't that Hans, the child of the best lay person or the nephew of Reverend Mother. What if Hans is blamed? Didn't they think this through, the consequences could be the very worst life has to offer. This is grave and quite serious. Take this opportunity to reflect on sin. One can't tell what the SS will do to nuns. Their own vows have been corrupted by placing their whim above obedience.

Now the Bishop will need a visitation.  One knows the proper calling by the proper obedience to the opinions of their betters. Adherence to the proper calling, while never dare to express an option out of strict adherence. Endangering the future of all. 

Would Jesus do this? Or this?

“You know how Sister Berthe always makes me kiss the floor after we've had a disagreement? Well, lately I've taken to kissing the floor whenever I see her coming, just to save time.” —Maria (Julie Andrews)

Instead, we all know the Reverend Mother had been helping the Von Trapp family escape. We feel deeply, in sincere conviction,  these women of God share Love and would work, outside the Sanhedrin, to understand how to best fill the Spirit of Jesus with Joy. The Wind of the Spirit Hope, Joy and Love. A fulfillment of the Dove landing on Jesus. The warmth of the Real Spirit of God. His Love.

We have to have faith, for the whole process. 

Once I told a new friend, my parents had really had a wonderful honeymoon. Europe, I was asked? No, of course not, this was the 1950s in Texas. Commercial airlines weren't even a thing. Then what? Florida, seeing the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in their lives, My mother screaming sharks were attacking, causing a stampede from the ocean. And finding out from the angry crowd of beach goers, this was Dolphins.

Later, being asked what my childhood home looked like. Oh, a gorgeous, stunning beauty of a Williamsburg Colonial. (Sometimes referred to as Constipated Colonial, kidding.) Except, ours was very special and we had many wonderful comments. How was it special?  My parents had fallen in love with Williamsburg and spent time examining the houses, to have my father later draw up the plans for our house from their honeymoon. Oh, your father was an architect? No, but he did draw up the plans. 

So, I was thought to be a 'storyteller' or liar. And instead, the explanation really was it was a two-week honeymoon with two destinations. Not only, or just because the dolphins did happen.

Learning to find sincerity and honesty. Daily. To see the Love of God warm us all.

We can believe God Himself would deserve to have a Heavenly Throne.

But how are we going to love our enemies, do sincerity, and have Jesus want to know us? Pray for our enemies, love them.

We think God wants this:

And we are thudding along, with this inside of us:

Even though we know this in our hearts:

We would, who are eager for our Lord, all want the hope our Christian soul, remembering all the events our brain will have fall away to dust, will have God say, "Well done good and faithful servant. My beloved. My friend."

Instead of being asked, at the Pearly Gate, if we have watched the movie, "Beautiful Life, circa 1997" about skating through a Nazi camp with a tender heart.

How will we pull off sincerity, honesty and prayer with earnest hearts?

Jesus would know. Do you, in your heart, think Jesus wanted His children, to let the Romans beat in cheeks? In the middle of Lion, Colosseum war after this began with Nero Claudius circa 50 A.D?  

Jesus would actually have some humor. Look for articles on the humor of Jesus. Life is Joy to the Lord. He is looking for us to seek God, earnestly. Turn the other cheek and move past Gaul to Estonia, between Latvia and Russia. Turn the other cheek doesn't mean one has to stay insulted and harmed. Jesus is Living with His Words. Active. Filled with a Hope and Future.

And does this 'always' say move to comfort? No. We definitely are to pick up our cross bravely and seek God's Love in a world that has serious injustice. When you pray for the one who bullies you, this might be the perfect opportunity to tell about your personal experiences with Jesus. Evil will flee.  And we have, Good News! We don't have to always be seen as the wet blanket witness. We can certainly employ exorcism, which is to proclaim the Name of Jesus. And get to the point pretty quickly why you love Jesus, your personal experience.

You can't tell that someone within hearing, will see the real Light of Jesus, overcoming darkness. Being earnest and feeling God has our back. 

I will add a personal experience. I was once with a large group of earnest Christians. One lady decided she would offer up some very deliberate prayers for me. As she progressed, she told me she kept an altar in her house for her need to be reminded to pray. And she began to pray prayers so strong, 2 of the 3 women in the room realized the praying woman was earnestly trying to exorcise me. I decided this wasn't actually a deliberate insult, it was earnest and seeking Jesus. And being one of the 2, who were genuinely startled, I smiled at the other woman. She began to say a few minutes later, she would begin to target specific areas. 

The atmosphere was still determined, but now the Light of God was providing humility with understanding beginning. And I spoke up and said, "If you don't mind, I'd like to direct the specific areas of prayer because I know my own life and needs, and you can certainly do this strong prayer with me. And if you'd like to begin your prayers, as mine complete, we will agree to go there in prayer with you."

As we concluded, this caring woman realized she was incorrect, and she said, to both of us, we did know how to pray earnestly, and we are very strong in Jesus Christ. A woman of seeking and of discernment, with bravery for the Lord, and misinformed for a few minutes.

Jesus tells us, when He speaks of Solomon, to see wisdom. Not shrewdness, but to have Joy.

As a teenager, who really loved Jesus, I met adults who told me because I didn't speak in tongues, I wasn't with Jesus. We have to see Christians as the Children of God. Well meaning, but not placed on God's Throne to halt us on the way to Loving Jesus.

The Lord declares, be sincere in our love.  Love explains the Hope of Jesus. Real love would use the time, while having the right to be heard. Yes, this is sincere. And the desire to flee evil is, also, a sincere need to place before Jesus at all times.

How will we pray for the violent, for the determined to bully and have illness?

 I told my neighbor and she laughed with Joy. We will pray for the Lord to open another opportunity, where the doors of Christians have more gracious opportunity to broaden the lives of this violent and ill couple. That God would provide a path to Him, far, far, far away where the Holy Spirit has more room to move and have His Being with their lives. Far, far, far, far away to have peace here in 1 Corinthians 7, the goal of Peace. God would continue to call them earnestly and soon to the other side of the Continent. 

The joy in praying for the opportunity to be Gracious. 

The opportunity for Mercy to find fertile ground, fruitful ground. The opportunity for Joy. The strength to have hope in wellness and sincere affection. A Blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I had a loved one pass on, who had become lewd, disoriented, thefts and acting a little like Gollum in JRR Tolkien's books. A loved one who had led the Fellowship of the Ring for the Lord. The comfort came later, dreaming of them in the Hospital of God, telling me with a gentle facial expression,  "I'm in the Lord's Hospital and He is taking good, good, good care of me. I am feeling better and more like myself. How God is Helping Me!!!"

God hopes for us to find opportunities to see His Help. And because the Light overcomes the darkness... we will find these in Jesus Christ!

Abba, Father,

God, You are so Good,

You want us to Rejoice

and find

God's will done on earth

as in Heaven.

Opportunity to give:

We pray for relief to help and reach Syria

and Turkey. Ukraine. Our Nation.

We pray this angry recovery will cease and heal. 

Lord, Your mercy upon this land and 

Your people.

We pray Amazon puts back Amazon Smile,

philanthropy is needed today and this program

was wonderful. Many will feel the clip if Amazon Smile doesn't

continue. Please Lord.

Your Words are Living and Active, when we long for Your Words, 

You are there.

Help us and encourage us to see, what this season teaches us. 

With Your Spirit, we will be Brave, filled with Valor, and Diligent. 

You have taught us, when we wander away and have fallen, 

You will search for us. 

Help us in those moments to be found by Jesus, 

wonderful Jesus.

Help us to see the Blessings in each day and in finding Your Blessings, 

the day is blessed. 

The times of refreshing, more enduring. 

Meaningful Life. Abundant Life to Look Up and Find 

the benefits You daily give and load us with

. If we don't see our blessings, we cannot live our Blessings.

In Your Enduring and Prevailing Love, 

Grace and Mercy we Live.

We are Blessed to seek You First. 

Blessed to be finding the High Way of Your Heaven today. 

Blessed to ask to see more Heaven upon earth. 

Blessed to have You as our Daily Bread. 

Blessed to ask to Live Love, Joy and Peace.

Blessed to pray in expectation of Your Love and Willingness. 

Blessed to say Thank You , 

we have seen the Glimpse of Your Glory 

working to heal the fullness of the earth, Yours.

We have had problems in our neighborhood, 

acts of violence.

 Pray for peace, please. 

Let all the nations of the world,

including those without guns

and mass killings, to find Peace.

We know solutions arrive. Good News. Thank You.

Even during the rainy season.

We pray Jesus for those worried about flooding.

A proactive plan with the fellowship of Help.

In Jesus, we Live and ask this for those we Love. 

We pray for our own strength, 

Love and ask Jesus to cover this Nation, those who lead this Nation 

and all other nations in this good fight. 

The Light of mankind to shine with Jesus Christ.

The Expectation of His Help and His Wonders.

Dwell in us.
Dwell in those we live near and we have in relationship far away

Dwell in those we Love.

Help us to live Pleasing You.

Help our opportunities be brighter.

Father God, Please Help us all to seek You first.

And we will finish well in Jesus Christ.

Bless those

All

who did receive Him, 

who believed in His Name, 

He gave the right to become children of God, 

who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh 

nor of the will of man, but of God.

In the Highest Name 

of Jesus Christ,

 Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Romans 1 ~ 5:6-=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.

 

Of all the Gin joints in all the towns of the world, why did God decide on the Roman Empire for Jesus to say all this in Caesarea. 

Julius Caesar and King David had a few markers in life with similarities. Julius Caesar had a prophecy of his greatness as a child, causing fright in the men in power.  The men in power sought power to end this prophecy. David was thrown on the road and asked help from Priests. Caesar was next named High Priest of Jupiter, to cause the end of any rise to power. Called Flamen Dialis, High Priest of Jupiter. 

Caesar, at the beginning of his path to leading Rome, tried to placate the criticisms and barbs. Later, Caesar would say of the gods, he really believed in, Alea iacta est. The dice is thrown, cast, Throw the Dice! As life progressed, Julius Caesar felt enabled by his faith to handle what life would bring.

Before we become upset to consider pagans and Jesus, remember, Caesar did not know Jesus and there were only rumors of the Temple in Jerusalem. Caesar's son-in-law, General Pompeii, traveled to Jerusalem in his desire to see the Holy of Holies for himself.  Fought to stride into the Temple and realize, something far greater than a Roman General was in the Temple of Jerusalem. Pompeii reconsidered, and left Jerusalem, abandoned the Temple before seeing anything close to the Holy of Holies and abruptly for Rome. Pompeii knew he would face Roman contempt for not completing the viewing of the Holy of Holies. Caesar reportedly chided him, and Pompeii said he had made the right choice.

David lived facing wars and death around him in military battles. 

Psalm 28 

 The LORD is my strength and my shield; 

my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

 My heart leaps for joy 

and I will give thanks to him in song. 

The LORD is the strength of his people, 

a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. 

Save your people and bless your inheritance; 

be their shepherd and carry them forever.

What is the most quoted bar song in Sermons? You probably know.

Making your way in the world today 

Takes everything you've got 

Taking a break from all your worries

 Sure would help a lot

Cheers to you!

Worries and worries and worries.

Both David and Caesar had faith. God was going to be present, care, listen, help and advise. One of the differing markers, Caesar, is rid of his bodyguard. It's not Roman Dignity to keep bodyguards.  David fights with his son Absalom, but not unwisely. Proverbs is all about finding wisdom and losing shrewd, unkindness.

The Roman gods are fickle. Busy. Self invested. gods and gods and beauty gods more.

Jesus, the exact nature of God says:

Matthew 28:30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

How can we say this applies? Roman gods do not care for the failures of mankind in their weakness. If perfection isn't generated, the gods have small empathy. All should stand tall and present themselves perfectly.

Jesus tells us Salvation is beyond our capabilities. Yes, Jesus tells the woman touching the fringe of His robe, her faith has healed her. Yet, Jesus never goes on the Road pointing at the Roman Centurion, the healed woman, the deaf, the blind, the lame as being self-sufficient to be considered the gods of healing. Jesus assures us, we need the Son of God.  Good News, our perfection of faith isn't god, nor do we drive the Will of God.  Jesus Christ is the Savior.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; 

I shall not want. 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: 

He leadeth me

 beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: 

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness 

for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil: 

for Thou art with me; 

Thy rod and Thy staff 

they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me

 in the presence of mine enemies: 

thou anointest my head with oil; 

my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy 

shall follow me all the days of my life: 

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord 

forever

Abba, Father,

All fall short of the Glory of God.

All sin.

We are flowers of the field.

In Your Word, You uphold the Universe.

In Your Word we Hope.

Romans 15:5-13

May the God of endurance and encouragement 

grant you to live in such harmony with one another, 

in accord with Christ Jesus, 

that together you may with one voice glorify the God 

and 

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, 

for the glory of God.

For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised 

to show God's truthfulness, 

in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 

and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God 

for his mercy. 

As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,

    and sing to your name.”

And again it is said,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”

And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,

    and let all the peoples extol him.”

And again Isaiah says,

“The root of Jesse will come,

    even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;

in him will the Gentiles hope.”

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.

Dwell in us, Father,

Dwell in those I love, Jesus Lord God,

We will want help to Seek You First

knowing

we will finish well in Jesus Christ.

Amen, JESUS.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus

Mark 5 ~ Healed

Mark 5

1 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit.

3 He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, 4 for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. 7 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.”

8 For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 9 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10 And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 12 and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” 

13 So He gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the pigs, and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and were drowned in the sea.

14 The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. 15 And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed [elsewhere rendered oppressed by demons] man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 16 And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. 17 And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region. 18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. 

19 And He did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 

20 And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.

21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.”

24 And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 

29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, 

and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 

30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 

32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth.

 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing [ignoring] what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the 

synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 

37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. 

But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”

 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.

 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

When you ride in an airplane at night seeing so many lights, representing so many people, it's difficult to understand how the LORD would care for so many.

The next chapter in Mark, Mark 6, contains the phrase "He healed them all." Yet today's passage, Jesus spent a lot of time going 8-13 miles, 13-21 km, in a sail/row fishing boat. Twice. It wasn't as if Jesus was going in search of crowds, or someone to teach. Jesus was going to Gerasenes. Just like Paul and the other disciples, in the Books of the Bible and early Church, listened to the Holy Spirit, Jesus had someone to see. Twice. And along the way, a woman reached out for Jesus - to touch just His garment.

Does it matter if we are the person Jesus planned to see today in our prayer life? No, Jesus would stop for the one reaching out to Him.

Luke 18:1

And he told them a parable to the effect 

that they ought always to pray 

and not lose heart.

John 5:17

Jesus said to them, 

"My Father is always at his work to this very day, 

and I, too, am working."

Father, Abba,

On the days we do not appreciate all of our blessings, help infuse our blessings into our heart, minds and soul. Let every blood cell carry gratitude in us to our Joy 

And the Joy of Jesus Christ.

Help us to gather wisdom without shrewdness. Let us have the joy of gladness in our fellowship without the endless gathering of resources and funds.

Lord, in Your mercy, send help, in these days of gloom and unhappiness. Let those of us having a good season shine the Light of Jesus Christ so gently and brightly the world is eager for Jesus Christ. Let those of us having a season of stress and sorrow, believe gently and bring the Light of Jesus Christ for all of us.

In the Great Love of Jesus, 

we all be saved as we put our trust in Him.

Bless You, Father, for Jesus Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus