Luke 11:1-13 ~ Pray †

 

Luke 11:1-13

11 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 

2 And He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be Your Name.

Your kingdom come.

3 Give us each day our daily bread,

4 and forgive us our trespasses,

    for we ourselves forgive everyone who trespasses against us.

And lead us not into temptation.”

5 And He said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’

And he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 

9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 

10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 

13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

My grandmother Anita was raised with 12 children. Lena, my 100-year-living great-grandmother, was very systematic in all aspects. They had a dry good store and sewing was a huge part of their lives. Each child was assigned to help raise a younger sibling. Anita was the youngest daughter, so she was child 11 and her assigned sibling was my great aunt Eloise. They would spend their lives together for 94 years, just blocks apart and daily seeing one another. Eloise moved to Dallas in 1917 and Anita would arrive to ride the trolleys and meet my grandfather.

Both of these women had the same gift, my mother shared the gift for most of her life.  They woke up in the morning expecting to be blessed. God is Good and the adventure is life.  If Eloise had plenty, then she shared with the dinner delivery to the ill for her Kessler Methodist Church. If Anita had people knocking on the door for a meal during the Depression, she cooked. If the police brought her a young boy and asked her to adopt him away from being beaten, Anita and Ray adopted.

If Eloise's in-law cousins were taken with flu and hospitalized, then the children lived with them. When Anita was in the hospital, before antibiotics, then my mother and her brother lived with Eloise. Eloise's husband was in the Texas Senate for 16 years, then mother's adopted brother had a job in the Texas Congress, as an aid.  If a relative had a dire need, Eloise and Cary would give a car.

Each of the ladies made what they needed, they had been raised to find the solution and work this until something did work.  Anita had a stroke at 89 years old. And during the stroke she could recall each medication, the purpose and the dosage.  My mother made the decision not to burden her brother with Anita's care. And although Anita wanted to go home, she made the nurses happy with her conversation and riding in the covered wagon to see her grandmother life events. Even in the nursing home, Anita would go and see the sun set on the patio, every day.  Can do, will do, find the joy.

1 Chronicles 20:1-3

1 In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, Joab led out the army and ravaged the country of the Ammonites and came and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. And Joab struck down Rabbah and overthrew it. 

2 And David took the crown of their king from his head. He found that it weighed a talent of gold, and in it was a precious stone. And it was placed on David's head. And he brought out the spoil of the city, a very great amount. 3 And he brought out the people who were in it and set them to labor with saws and iron picks and axes. And thus David did to all the cities of the Ammonites.

Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

Do we believe a man who turned to mercenary work when out of man’s political favor would favor and want peace?

1 Kings 12 

 5 “Moreover, you also know what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, how he dealt with the two commanders of the armies of Israel, Abner the son of Ner, and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed, avenging in time of peace for blood that had been shed in war, and putting the blood of war on the belt around his waist and on the sandals on his feet. 6 Act therefore according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.7 But deal loyally with the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for with such loyalty they met me when I fled from Absalom your brother

Thrust into war.

David's life does not reflect the easy choices of any easy life.

Scripture does not pass away, even when difficult.

Thrust into war. Kill or be killed. The Bronze Age. The Romans adapted by having Judean slaves build Caesar's Amphitheater, that today, we call coliseum. Death was ritualized as the glory of Roman right and might religion. And became as the Roman's said, a 'spectacle.' The word spectacle changed and is the gory show, blood lust show we think of when thinking of the coliseum.  Is it coincidence we have "The Hunger Games" publications at this time. Few have been thrust into war. David was many times. The How to List: not letting the world take over his heart, mind and soul. 

Christmas 2023 isn't the easiest, but we can know God is going to see us through. Not being changed by the world. Keeping our heart and soul in Jesus. Finding our core in the Lord lifts life's dirt off.

And in facing the trouble, understanding the Joy of the Lord is our strength and we find His Joy. Trouble may come, and we will overcome. The Joy of the Lord is our Strength.

David had so many situations pressed upon him.  Shepherding, anointing, celebrity warrior of King Saul. Married. Deserted. Living in a cave. Mercenary. Seeing all of his children kidnapped and the families of his mercenary associates kidnapped. Being homeless. By passed in blessings. Doubted. War.

And David would seek the Lord in each difficult situation. 

Christmas 2023 as war considers:  war, invasion, morality, safety.

We are fortunate to be in Peace. Troubled, pressed, but in Peace.

Emmanuel, God with us. Today. Tomorrow. In all Seasons.


The Word of God does not quit. We have seasons we understand one portion of the enormous works of the Bible.  And seasons we have a better understanding of another.


David fought for 22 years for the anointing of God to be shown to be true.  When Saul died, David saw 3 people crowned before David. Little by little, David became King of parts of Israel until he was King of Israel. When he came into his power, David welcomed those who had not helped him during the hard years. David had learned, since childhood, about being a shepherd.

When David came into his city, David did not carefully plan his home - his home was outside the City Walls - David would see over the city and God would keep David safe. Preparations were well thought out.

When David built his great buildings, David asked outside of Israel for supplies, sometimes for laborers, and for designs of Architecture. David was a Shepherd like Jesus; he saw a need to be a light or ally to the Nations. Preparations were well thought out.

When David found a crown, he did not take it and have it melted down and or carefully re-jeweled. The crown was of value, but not the focus of David. It was a value and a symbol, however not the focus. The crown was now of nations. As the Light of Christ Jesus. Father God of all.


David returned to Peace. The City of David is Peace.




Finding the right direction and priority - in The Lord is yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Abba, Father,

We ask Your Blessings. You provide the seasons, challenges and opportunities. 

When opportunities come, we would ask Your Wisdom and rely on You as God.

In this season of Holy Days, we would ask God to direct us. To stay on His Path. For His encouragement, teaching, Love, Mercy, Grace, Joy, and His Renewing Mercy every day. We are renewed daily in His Mercy.

We know this blessing of God's for our Loved ones and ask this to sweep this Nation. To fill the Nations trusting in Him. 

Knowing the comfort of all of His Children praying for more Heaven on earth.

 Being encouraged as the Children of God learn of so many praying every day.

In the Name of Jesus, 

We rejoice in hearing of renewal of Peace, Joy and Love. 

More Heaven on earth! 

Amen

We pray for a 

Time of Healing

for All People

in 
Jesus Christ

Savior 

God's Only Son

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Bless the Lord Jesus

Thank You Jesus

Luke 11:5-13 ~ A Friend

This Post could be titled, "I'll be Home for Christmas." It's like going to the GP for your checkup and your GP says everything is just fine, you have a good health report. And then your GP says, at your age, you probably should have Life Insurance to take care of your family.

Catholics have a wonderful prayer they pray each and every Sunday. We joined the Roman Catholic Church in 1995. We just felt we needed back, to our Church of England roots, as we moved near Houston. We have always loved the Protestant Churches, praying for the Holy Roman Catholic Church. Meaningful.  The holiness of the Catholic Church is always beautiful.

And the prayer is this:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The remarkable thing to remember about this prayer, Catholic Priests go to numerous bedsides to give Last Rites. Last Rites for many faiths encompass several Sacraments, including Penance (confession of sins), Viaticum (Holy Communion given as food for the journey to eternal life) and the Anointing of the Sick. And Catholic Priests will tell you, Catholics have the best deaths. Covered in prayer. Biblically, I think we all know this is true. Prayers, covered and asked, are answered. 

Let's consider the prayer of John 21. A tiff and some demands for answers over Breakfast the Triumphant and Risen Lord Jesus provides.  The prayers of Mary and Martha after Lazarus died, the grief and rather abrupt conversation. The manner in which the Disciples asked Jesus to learn how to pray. Give us. Those prayers are exactly as Jesus said to pray.

Luke 11:5-13

5 And He said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him: 

‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’

And he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 

8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 

9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 

10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 

11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Sam Kinison with Rodney Dangerfield

Samuel Burl Kinison was born in Yakima, Washington, on December 8, 1953, the son of Marie Florence (née Morrow) and Samuel Earl Kinison, a Pentecostal preacher. Kinison began his career in Houston, Texas, where he performed in small clubs. His big break came on HBO's Rodney Dangerfield's Ninth Annual Young Comedians Special in August 1985, when the New York Times gave him a spectacular review. Wikipedia gives Kinison an armload list of magnificent events, films, TV and Late Night TV.

When Kinison was 38 years old, he was in a car crash, six days after his honeymoon. On April 4, 1992, Kinison married Souiri at the Candlelight Chapel in Las Vegas. They honeymooned in Hawaii for five days before returning home to Los Angeles to prepare for more of Kinison's spectacular career. 

After the crash, Kinison appeared fine, with only minor visible facial wounds. He got out of his vehicle, his wife had minor injuries, and sat down on the side of the road. Kinison reportedly said to no one in particular as his last words: "I don't want to die. I don't want to die.", then paused, asked, "But why?", and after another pause said, "Okay, okay, okay." A friend who was with him at the time later recalled, "Whatever voice was talking to him gave him the right answer and he just relaxed with it." Then he soon died from internal injuries.

Ozzy Osbourne:

Apparently when Sam had the accident, I heard he got out of the car and looked up to the heavens and said, 'I don't want to die,' and then just said, 'Oh, okay,' and laid down and died. It sounds crazy and will probably offend a lot of my fans, but I believe there's a higher power. Some people may think Sam Kinison's in one place, but I know where he is. He's upstairs; he's next to God.

We can wonder what is the best gift

to give

and receive for Christmas.

The Best Gift for Christmas

Is Salvation in Jesus Christ.

If you believe with your heart Jesus is the Son of God

and confess with your mouth,

you will be saved.

The Best Gift

is God's Only Son

asking us to 
Live

Love

Have Joy

with Him

in His Kingdom Forever.

The Alleluia's Never Get Old

Let the ALLELUIA

Continue FOREVER AND EVER!

Abba, Father,

We come together to pray 

and ask You to be present, 

hear this prayer, please,

in Jesus Christ.

Dwell in me,

Dwell in us,

Dwell in those we Love,

Help us to seek You first.

And we will finish well, in Jesus Christ. 

Jesus, Son of God, pray for us sinners, 

now and at the hour of our death.

Help us to find and bring

to become

 more Heaven

to this earth.

Your Plan, Your way,

Your Son is best.

Establish us on your path,

help keep us near You

and on the path.

Your Wonderful Plan.

You Include All in Your Plan.

Encourage us in Love

Encourage us with Your Joy.

Jesus, teach us to follow You

more closely in Your Word.

Correct us in Your Love

to remain with You.

Help us when the path isn't seen

Protect us to remain with You.

Your Love is

where I want to be.

Help us with our needs

today

and You will help us tomorrow as well.

Bless Israel with peace,

Bless families with living, loving hearts,

Reawaken God being first.

Bless this Nation.

Bless the Nations who need You.

In Jesus,

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Bless the Lord Jesus

Thank You Jesus

Luke 2:8-14 ~ keeping watch over their flock

Luke 2:8-14

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

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

Hebrews 1:7

7 Of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels winds,

and his ministers a flame of fire.”

10 And the angel said to them, 

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

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

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

First Christmas Lights, Light of the World

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

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

We have been reading and thinking about:

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


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

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


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

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

Let peace transcend us today in Jesus the Lord!

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

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

Psalm 131

A song of ascents. Of David.

My heart is not proud, Lord,

my eyes are not haughty;

I do not concern myself with great matters

or things too wonderful for me.

But I have calmed and quieted myself,

I am like a weaned child with its mother;

like a weaned child I am content.

Israel, put your hope in the Lord

both now and forevermore.

 

The Light of Jesus Lights All Mankind

Abba, Father,

Let me be willing to do Your Plan, You have given to me. 

Be with me to say Your Good Will be accomplished.

Give me Your Blessing.

Help us, please to help our Spirit be a place of rejoicing and oasis 

for Your Holy Spirit.

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

You are more than mindful of me, 

You are my Savior.

In the Highest Name of Jesus the Lord we pray for those we Love,

 for this Nation,

 the communion in prayer of the believers 

and as Jesus told us to pray, "More Heaven on earth."

Jesus our God, Son of God.

 Amen.

We pray for a 

Time of Healing

for All People

in 
Jesus Christ

Savior 

God's Only Son

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Bless the Lord Jesus

Thank You Jesus