Jonah 3:1-5, 10 ~ Journey †

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Then the Word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 

“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” 

3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the Word of the Lord. 

Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth. 

4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 

5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.

Jonah 3:10

When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

The Scripture Reading from the Liturgy is pleasing today!

We had been doing Posts on National Prayer being answered. And King Hezekiah of Judea, having God plan his life, before Hezekiah's birth and reign, to have help when the Assyrians, who formed from Nineveh, to have their alliance, allegiance and sympathy.  And Hezekiah's father, King Ahaz, had been trying to teach his son Hezekiah, to tear up the Temple and give the gold to the Assyrian Empire, to allow Hezekiah to live, to be a puppet king, to have peace - to wait to break free another day. Fight again another day from faux peace.

God planned both a way, a narrow path to real freedom. 

And a huge highway of capitulation, Hezekiah's father prepared Hezekiah for.  Hezekiah decided, seeing the Nation of Israel wiped out, he would take the narrow path to real freedom. And exactly as the people of Nineveh could suddenly grasp the narrow path of salvation - the offhand, unlikely idea, the people would understand.

The people of Nineveh could have said, build a gold calf and pray to it for comfort and protection. They did not.

The people of Hezekiah could have said, this is hopeless, build a gold calf and worship it. Have a party, get wasted and act badly.

And just as the people of Hezekiah turned themselves inside out to build fortification, Hezekiah and the Nation of Judea, underground passages, underground aqueducts for water during siege. And overwhelmingly give tithes to the Temple of the Lord in glad adoration for their physical, mental and spiritual salvation.

Then the people of Nineveh understood the magnitude and majesty of the Lord. Their inner being had been called to Salvation, just as The Acts of the Disciples suddenly filled the entire Temple in Jerusalem, when the Nation could have been home, hiding as the Disciples did after Good Friday. An Act of God, The Almighty. Light of mankind. Light of Nations. And the people of Nineveh, turned, and believed the Lord God Almighty.

Jonah 3:10

When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

And God Himself, relented. He spoke into the Book of Life and with His mercy and compassion, He helped His people. He helped Hezekiah as He helped Nineveh.

Isaiah 38:1-20

In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.” 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 and said, “Please, O Lord, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

4 Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: 5 “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. 6 I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and will defend this city.

7 “This shall be the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he has promised: 8 Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the ten steps by which it had declined.

The Lord was kind, we hear directly from Hezekiah, today, 
what Hezekiah lived and thought:

9 A writing of Hezekiah 
king of Judah, after he had been sick and had recovered from his sickness:

10 I said, In the middle of my days
    I must depart;
I am consigned to the gates of Sheol
    for the rest of my years.
11 I said, I shall not see the Lord,
    the Lord in the land of the living;
I shall look on man no more
    among the inhabitants of the world.

12 My dwelling is plucked up and removed from me
    like a shepherd's tent;
like a weaver I have rolled up my life;
    he cuts me off from the loom;
from day to night you bring me to an end;
13     I calmed myself until morning;
like a lion he breaks all my bones;
    from day to night you bring me to an end.

14 Like a swallow or a crane I chirp;
    I moan like a dove.
My eyes are weary with looking upward.
    O Lord, I am oppressed; be my pledge of safety!

15 What shall I say? 

For he has spoken to me,
    and he himself has done it.

I walk slowly all my years
    because of the bitterness of my soul.
16 O Lord, by these things men live,
    and in all these is the life of my spirit.

    Oh restore me to health and make me live!

17 Behold, it was for my welfare
    that I had great bitterness;
but in love you have delivered my life
    from the pit of destruction,
for you have cast all my sins
    behind Your back.

18 For Sheol does not thank you;
    death does not praise you;
those who go down to the pit do not hope
    for your faithfulness.

19 The living, the living, he thanks you,
    as I do this day;
the father makes known to the children
    Your faithfulness.

20 The Lord will save me,
    and 

we will play my music on stringed instruments
all the days of our lives,
  at the House of the Lord.

Hebrews 1:3

The Son is the radiance of God's glory
 and the exact representation of His Being,

 sustaining 

all 

things by His Powerful Word.

The Scriptures repeat and repeat to tell His Story. Hezekiah had a huge city to protect. So did Nineveh. Both Hezekiah and Nineveh were going to have to pray and act differently than the wide highway laid down for them. Both would have to find the narrow path of faith. And had a different journey than they planned.

Nineveh and Hezekiah and their people understood God's Powerful Word and did not turn away.

And in their faithfulness, God modified His Plans and found His Love and Mercy would carry them through.

So unlikely, and yet, God's Wonders Never Cease. He is still working and His Son, Only Son, Jesus Christ is Lord and working with Him.

Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God,

    and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.

2 Day to day pours out speech,

    and night to night reveals knowledge.

3 There is no speech, nor are there words,

    whose voice is not heard.

4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,

    and their words to the end of the world.

In them he has set a tent for the sun,

5     which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,

    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.

6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,

    and its circuit to the end of them,

    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,

    reviving the soul;

the testimony of the Lord is sure,

    making wise the simple;

8 the precepts of the Lord are right,

    rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the Lord is pure,

    enlightening the eyes;

9 the fear of the Lord is clean,

    enduring forever;

the rules of the Lord are true,

    and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold,

    even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey

    and drippings of the honeycomb.

11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;

    in keeping them there is great reward.

We can point to Hezekiah's people's underground aqueducts and artifacts found from their prosperity in Egypt and surrounding nations.

And then we can trace the works of Cyrus

Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Achaemenian Empire in the 2nd Exile to Babylon, his human compassion to those powerless back to the kindness of Nebuchadnezzar II and the  Babylonian Chaldean Assyrian Empire. 

Nebuchadnezzar II was trying to be a benevolent ruler to his interest in the God of the Jews. Raided Judah 3 times trying to get the new nation to be obedient and instead ran into the uncle of the late king giving up his King Nephew to be enslaved. We can read this in the perfect cuneiform of Babylon in the British Museum.  Nebuchadnezzar II did the unheard of, housing of the Rabbi, freedom to worship for the slaves, calling them exiles instead of slaves and trying to incorporate them into his worldwide collective of the Best of the Best.

Nebuchadnezzar had a Chaldean wife, whom he greatly loved and left papyrus of his love for her. His father was the beginning of the Babylonian Empire, his father had begun in the Assyrian Empire. The Assyrian Empire had sprung from the city state of Nineveh. 

We see the works of Hezekiah's faith, we can reach out and touch today. We have the Bible. The Cuneiform. And of Jonah? We have the love the people of Nineveh have for God worshiped in Jerusalem. The Light of The Holy Spirit of God the Almighty.  And we can see the Light shine from the brief working of Jonah opening the heart of the people to God. The Light shines in the darkness, the Gospel of John declares, and the darkness has not overcome it!

Matthew 9:36

When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, 
because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Hebrews 7

24 But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. 
25Therefore He is able to save 

completely 

those who draw near to God through Him, 

since He always lives to intercede for them.

As we start to pray, I'd like to tell you about what I will be grateful for and filled with Thanksgiving for the Love God has.  As Edward was literally bleeding out, nude, in the ER surrounded by 3 nurses, I was afraid, but for the other 3 days, I felt Edward would be healed and not suffer. 

Then 3,4 days after leaving the Hospital, Edward had Covid.  Edward called me checking out at the grocery store, I was masked, and his fever suddenly shot up to 103'. I was concerned, but still felt the Lord telling me he would be ok. And before I could get home, Edward had a 99' fever and felt better. Then on day 4, Edward was back up to 101' and refusing all the food I brought, which the Doctor's office had recommended. Not eating. I was now quite concerned and it had been a terrible day.

Our Neighbors began the block wide texting because several had seen a pair of Coyotes. And I told them about all of Edward's sudden and fairly traumatic health concerns. And they texted they would pray for him. Within the next hour, Edward's 101' fever had become normal. Edward began to eat after his fever was normal.  Prayers were definitely answered and the next morning, I asked if anyone had prayer requests, definitely the waters were stirred.

I am so grateful for your prayers and our neighbors. Edward has been tired for a day, but is doing very well.

Thank You, Father. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You, Holy Spirit.  And I have not had Covid, we pray!!!

Abba, Father,

Father, please dwell in me.

Please, Father, dwell in those I love.

Help us to seek You first.

And in Jesus Christ, we will finish well.

Help us to see more Heaven on earth

be more Heaven on earth

and find more Heaven on earth

by being faithfully living daily to You.

Father, we hope for Your grace and favor in Your sight, 

Bless us when we carry and proclaim 

the Light of Jesus in all mankind, 

we are pleasing to You.

We believe You are the Living God. 

We believe, no good thing do You withhold from those who walk uprightly. 

We believe daily in the Glory of Your Word 

and Will.

We will long for Your counsel and Your Will, 

to have those we love - praise Your Glory!

We believe, Your Word of Truth,

We are sealed with the Promises of the Holy Spirit.

With Your Help, we will believe, daily keeping Your Light in us.

With Your Help, we will rejoice in the Light of Life.

Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God,

    and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.

2 Day to day pours out speech,

    and night to night reveals knowledge.

3 There is no speech, nor are there words,

    whose voice is not heard.

4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,

    and their words to the end of the world.

In them He has set a tent for the sun

Luke 1

Because of the tender mercy of our God,

    whereby the sunrise shall visit us 

from on high

to give light 

to those who sit in darkness 

and in the shadow of death,

    to guide our feet 

into the way of peace

With Your Help, 

we will look to the Windows of Heaven in our life 

and see a blessing overflow 

believing all things work together 

for those who Love You.

With Your Help for ourselves and the ones we love, 

our prayer concerns. 

We will act justly

 and to love mercy

 and to walk humbly with You, our God.

You are our guarantee. 

For ourselves and the ones we Love. 

In the Highest Name of Jesus, we are covered. 

Amen to Your Glory!

Our God is working. His Son, 

Jesus is working.

In Jesus,

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

The Lord God is Good

Acts 26 ~ I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today †

 

Paul before Agrippa, by Nikolai Bodarevsky

Some days we live, we will never forget.

A day to live in infamy to eternity and remembrance.

This morning I asked the Lord, if we pray, "Give us this day, what do we do with, staying home with Edward and Covid to "Give us the day."  My, my, my the day presented itself and the evening began to go far better.  

Edward has been quite ill, in the hospital and then suddenly with Covid. Not wanting to eat. A right tango. With presented food, the doctor ordered, to his meh. We texted and Edward was prayed for. An improvement. Edward in bed, me far enough away in the hallway, to have coffee and Edward has coffee with me.  Conversation surpasses loud arguments over food and wellness. Love still wins.

Acts 26

 

26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”

So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: 2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

4 “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. 6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

9 “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”

24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”

25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”

32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

I am Thankful for...

Agrippa was the last of the Herods. 

Bernice and Agrippa, all the children and grandchildren of Herod the Great were sent to Rome for a time to understand their future and allegiance would be to ingratiate themselves with Rome. Completely the opposite of Hezekiah. (In God's favor, even before Ahaz, Hezekiah's father, God was aligning events to give Hezekiah a way, truth and life path to peace. Because the line of David was for peace and for prosperity.) Herods didn't look for peace and prosperity, except in their leavings and wake, but then again, Herods were distant descendants of polytomy, the house of Egypt.  And educated fully in the manner of Rome.

And campaigned with Rome when Rome struck Judah. In 66 AD, before Titus destroyed Jerusalem, at the time Jesus would have died of old age, Agrippa was comfortably in Rome later joined by his good friend the Historian, Josephus. Josephus and Agrippa discussed and wrote a lot of history together and Josephus kept two of Agrippa's letters, available to be seen today.

Agrippa, like all the Herods, was well-educated in Rome. He was housed in comfort to die childless at age 70 - as Roman Praetor - a title granted to men acting in one of two official capacities. This Agrippa was not in power when Jesus was alive.

Now remember with me, Agrippa and Josephus thought there was something to - JESUS. They both thought that if Jesus remained a power after His Death - one should pay attention.


Paul spun his wheels, giving his witness to Agrippa? Hmmmm. No, letters were left. Christian Ideas exchanged.  Paul did well.
How was Paul able to testify so well in this trouble?

We Know. 

Bernice.

Fascinating. Bernice is not speaking a word. Is not addressed, although she co ruled with Agrippa, her brother. Both were the grandchildren of Herod the Great. 

We know and believe and hold in our hearts, The Word of God teaches us 

"Do unto others as you would have done to you."  And really, those who have carried this out in the Bible clearly are few. Abraham spoke with God about expecting His Mercy for others. Fought to rescue others from peril. As did David. Hezekiah fought for his Nation with all his might and rivals the works of Solomon in his selfless regard for God's people. Hezekiah has left mighty works we can see in Israel today. Solomon, not as much. More in History than seen today. Solomon's direct descendant, split Israel and Judah. So many, many artifacts of the Blessing God gave Hezekiah in his life to bless His Nation, Israel.  Hezekiah lived in 722 BC. And we can put our hands upon his works, today.

Bernice. Her life story is her not speaking to Paul, but knowing they have entrapped Paul. Perhaps, maybe, she felt joy in having a very tidy and neat solution not involving the beheading of Jesus' own cousin, John the Baptist. Herod didn't end up well for having hurt the cousin of John the Baptist. History records Herod suffered an illness and died. Why not proclaim the illness of Herod? Perhaps there was fear to publish what an aroma and horror the death was. Or that the people noted this so clearly after Herod bragged he was god and had thwarted god. No good Jew would believe mankind could thwart the Almighty God, who upholds His Good Creation with the power of His Word. 

Bernice certainly knew she had entangled Paul's very life to never have freedom again to proclaim Jesus is God and not Caesar in the belief structure of the temples of Rome.

And what happened to Bernice to have laid this trap? James tells us the prayers of a righteous man availeth much.  Abraham assures us the Word of God's Promise says, The children of Abraham, the true children of Abraham, have His Blessing. To bless those who bless the man of God's promise, to curse those who curse the man of God in Abraham's Word of God Blessing.

Bernice sent Paul to his death and entangled his life in ministry in terminal velocity. Bernice could have been the woman at the well.  None of her marriages or affairs brought her love or joy. And in fact..... Bernice became entangled with Emperor Titus, later, after Jerusalem was destroyed, and this would not be her salvation or bring her lasting joy or happiness, nor Love. Bernice does not speak to Paul or in the Word of God, and her path does not move her higher in Heaven.  This was a day that Bernice should have spoken.

Bernice became known for her many liaisons, affairs, divorces, abandonments in her wake. And she took up with the Emperor Titus. And as he sought to bring her forth, like Herod, he suddenly fell in death.

Bernice had a time in her life to make a pivotal decision for mercy. History records Agrippa fully knew the events and privately decided in favor of Jesus Christ and his own brother, James. Bernice let others do the work she was given to do for mercy, and chose her method of political expediency.

Bernice could be regarded as the Poster Child of,

"Do unto others as you would have done to you."  

And what Paul did - was plant a powerful seed carried to Josephus and regardless if you feel kind about Josephus saying what is what in history about Christians - there is no doubt Josephus spoke three times and one was the idea that Jesus supporters keep going. The other one was clearly that the death of James was the death of Jesus' brother and a saint. Jesus was honored by these men and their voice resonates today.


This was not fruitless Christian Witness. Thank you, Paul.

We see in archeology and in pilgrimage,  when people travel the footsteps of Paul's journeys, they will find Paul. Monasteries and churches are built to remember his renewal, Paul's profound conversion to Jesus Christ, his heart, the overwhelming love his words gave by the Holy Spirit to give Jesus and Life to those who heard him.  Jesus changes hearts and lives. Paul leaves a footprint of Churches witnessing to Jesus Christ, God's Only Son, Salvation, Love Peace, Hope,  Strength and Joy. Today, we can put our hands upon the works of Paul, his footsteps left goodness and mercy.

Comforts Given

How did Paul do so well with prison and death and Caesar and his testimony.

And of course, we can say the Holy Spirit aided him. Yes. I agree. Thank Jesus.

And this, Jesus did not lead Paul to this moment like an impossible leap off the cliff job. Paul wrote us about his comforts - so that today - we could take comfort in our lives that Jesus cares very deeply about. Telling us if we have seen Jesus in action, and believe Scripture - we know our Father God and the comfort and interest HE has in our lives.

Paul was not building a Cathedral. Paul was building a relationship with Father God - the light that lights all mankind. Paul was putting relationship ideas there.

And Paul told us again and again and again and again and again - Paul genuinely cared for and loved the people he told about Jesus.

Romans 12:14-16

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 

16 Be of the same mind toward one another; 

do not be haughty in mind

I adore the movie "Zombieland." 

And the set of rules he keeps towards staying alive. This rule could be critically important, like keeping limber. Thanksgiving Rule Number Three - rejoice with rejoicers. Weep with those who weep. Thanksgiving Rule Number Four - when they call you names and yell at you - don't yell back - there is no ANGER AND RAGE WITH THE RAGERS!!!

Good points to know in dealing with Zombies of all types. God help those who need your Help, Helper, Comfort and Comforter. 

How did Paul get to the point where he loved the people he told Jesus about?
Good question. The Bible is very real. People really did a number on Paul. He was beaten and destroyed and chased by the good people.

Life had revealed to Paul - situations change fast.
Paul realized this very important Rule in Life. You could call this Rule Number Two, if you like:

1 Timothy 6:6-7

6 But godliness actually is 

a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 

7 For we have brought nothing into the world, 

so we cannot take anything out of it either.

Paul has been seasoned to do the Life Paul clearly understood.
Paul has had many, many trials and has overcome. He is a little proud as he tells us:

2 Corinthians 11

24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 

25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, 

three times I was shipwrecked, 

a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 

26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, 

dangers among false brethren

Now, you might be like me and say "Oh, no. God Forbid." Correct, I don't want these things either. Give me the life of Billy Graham, and I rejoice. Hezekiah!!! But I have noticed in 5 decades of life - God is teaching me to do my life. He is building abilities, aptitude, endurance, overcoming, and glee at overcoming.

Romans 5

3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, 

because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 

4 perseverance, character; 

and character, 

hope.

 5 And hope does not put us to shame, 

because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts 

through the Holy Spirit, 

who has been given to us.

So if you have difficulty with this season and our Thanksgiving... Paul had worse.
If not, call the police.

If you survived?!!

He that fights and runs away, May turn and fight another day, But he that is in battle slain, Will never rise to fight again. ~Tacitus

You just did like the Amazing Paul. You have learned to survive and to sharpen up in love and wisdom.

1. Survival - actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment!

2. Perseverance - let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

3. Love - the greatest of all things in letting you know you LIVE and Live Abundantly - is to Love. Love those around you. God sees all hearts and says Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow HE has decided to save us through His only Son. God will pour love into open hearts.

4. Character - having dodged bullets and found ways to zig zag! We can relate to life and pass our opportunities, wisdom and rejoicings along to others.


There actually is great contentment with godliness. When we believe the Father, Author of Life, Creator of All things, Loves you - your heart will be warm. When our soul is the only surviving part of us - we had better make that a good place to dwell. In contentment - we will find our first Spiritual fruit - Love and Joy.

Bloom where you are planted, find Thanks. And Giving.

Abba, Father,

Father, You have said

All these blessings will come on you 

and accompany you 

if you obey the Lord your God.

The Lord will send a blessing on your barns 

and on everything you put your hand to.

 The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.

You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

The Lord will establish you as His holy people, as He promised you on oath,

 if you keep the commands of the Lord your God 

and walk in obedience to Him.

We believe Your blessing Father God,

 for ourselves, 

the ones we Love, 

the People You have given us. 

We believe Your Blessing for Our Jesus and Scripture believing Churches. 

We believe this for Your people around the world. 

We will believe this for Our Nation. 

And the Nations of the world,

Your Good Creation,

Calling upon You.

And in Jesus - this Hope, 

Faith and Love - we will rise up believing Jesus. 

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †