Jude ~ through Jesus the Christ, our Lord

Jezreel Valley - Looking up at the Ridge of Nazareth. End of winter, beginning of spring.

The view of Nazareth of Mt Tabor - Transfiguration - and of Jezreel Valley. March - Spring.

The Finish of Summer in September - Nazareth overlooking Jezreel Valley.

And in Winter when the clouds are low and the earth rests.

Jezreel 

Nazareth drew Mary's family out of Bethlehem. 

Higher than other cities, 325 feet above sea level on Mount Precipice, Nazareth dwells having: a view, a breeze, cooler temperatures and the safety to see advancing weather and advancing armies. A splendid place. Nazareth, like all of Israel, was part of Tribal Jews settling. "Nazareth" is one of the Hebrew words for 'branch', from the prophetic, messianic words in the Book of Isaiah 11:1, 'from (Jesse's) roots a Branch will bear fruit'. And toponym might be an example of a tribal name used by resettling groups on their return from exile. Including the name may derive from na·ṣar, נָצַר, "watch, guard, keep," in the sense of "watchtower" or "guard place."

The Gospel of John reveals ancient Jews did not connect the town's name to prophecy.


Maybe... Mary and Joseph had something in common with Nazareth.

Luke 2

47 And all who heard Him were amazed at his understanding and His answers.

48 And when His Parents saw Him, they were astonished. And His mother said to Him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for You in great distress.”

49 And Jesus said to them, “Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father's House?”

50 And they did not understand the saying that He spoke to them.

Regular life - the bells and whistles of God are in the Bible.

One of the Holy Family knew God's arrival and the approach of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Luke 2

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature

 and in favor with God 

and man.

From a Lithograph of 1800s Mount Tabor - easy to climb.

Mount Tabor has become a reflection of God's Promise Israel is a land flowing with milk and honey.

Mt Tabor is not difficult to climb, nor farm.

There is another set of people who wander in and out of faith in God's Plan. One day, Jesus invited them on a local walk.

Matthew 17

Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

An interesting choice from the 12. 

Peter - the Rock, the first Pope - sure. John - His Beloved friend. James - the brother of John - sons of Zebedee - - - why? Maybe to prepare John for an extremely long life and to know James, his brother, is indeed with Jesus in Heaven. Jesus is the Word made Manifest. God's Word Alive. Words matter. We would have to consider the Words of these men of God.

John keeps his oath of secrecy and the great change within John is represented as Jesus as the Light of all mankind and the world of John's Gospel - Chapter 1 for importance.

2 Peter 1:16-21

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the Voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, Whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this Voice that came from Heaven when we were with Him on the sacred mountain.

19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, 

and you will do well to pay attention to it, 

as to a Light shining in a dark place, 

until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 

20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

And we have arrived! THE TRANSFIGURATION.

Except Jesus has understood this for a long, long time. Genesis 1 - Let There Be Light. Jesus was not about to see Himself as newly made. Instead, with those He had lived with in His Father's Kingdom.


God is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow. If anyone could now understand in hindsight - Jesus had known all along about Capernaum, His Ministry, His Sacrifice, His Gift to all of mankind and a new Heaven for His Father. A new earth. Jesus was thinking of you.

Jude, Brother of Christ, records this:

Jude 1:25

To the only God, our Savior, 

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, 

before all time and now and forever. 

Amen.

When Jesus told us He wanted to hold us as a Hen holds her chicks, we see in the Video - this mother hen is not a hug - she is the living, moving, having their being example of a Temple to dwell in - in love, in care and in tenderness.

These chicks are planned and prepared for long before they arrive.  No matter the season, the time, all is Love. Care. Dwelling.

Abba, Father,

Dwell in us, please, Father.

Dwell in those we Love.

Help us to seek You first.

In Jesus Christ, we will finish well.

To see

to bring

to be

more daily

Thy Kingdom come

Thy will be done

on earth

as in Heaven

In Jesus Christ is 

Our Love, Joy and Hope.

Bless those working for

Post Pandemic Healing

and Care.

Bless us all, worldwide

with Healing

Safety

Prosperity and

Peace.

We ask healing

of Your Good Creation

The fullness of the earth is Yours.

The healing of those we pray for

in our heart and soul.

The safety of Your people.

Let evil and practicing evil

depart far from us

and our children.

The safety of Your people.

The Healing

of the Nation.

Wholeness

Holy.

Goodness.

You are the Shepherd of our Souls. 

We always want You to Dwell within us. 

Help us to make our eternal being a good and joyful place 

for Your Holy Spirit.

Help us to stay with You in Faith.

Giving our hearts to You, to tend to us and the ones we love. 

We rest our cares with You.

In Jesus, our Alleluia will be found.

We believe You are the Willing and Good Father.

Thank You for Jesus.

To You, our Father, be the Glory

Amen and Alleluia

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes The Lord Fulfills His Purpose

Thank You Jesus

†

Matthew 6:33 ~ First

14 A.D. Africa, Leptis Manga, Libya. All roads lead to Rome. And medically, all DNA leads to Africa. Eve. Mitochondrial DNA. 

Matthew 6:33

 

 Seek first the Kingdom of God 

and His righteousness, 

and all these things will be added to you.

Being in human form, the disciples, did not find this the vast highway to cruise along.  Their individual journeys would take them exactly like Elijah in 1 Kings 19.  And in fact, all the Kings and Chronicles and all the Scriptures would explain we walk by faith. Some days this is easier than others.

Who had doubts? John the Baptist. Jesus did not hear of the doubts of John the Baptist with any glee. Jesus said Heaven knows of what John the Baptist speaks, and Heaven is strong.  Peter spoke of the gladness of God's will and spoke of the hardships. His Brother Jude did as well.  His Brother James always involved our Father and Heaven in every situation, or famous verse.  Paul said some days are difficult. The narrow path has times we are not patted on the back. But in seeking God, we find the Joy of the Lord is our strength. All spoke of times they forged on, not with a great crowd of witnesses, but a great cloud of witnesses by faith.

This weekend, we heard two sermons. Both spoke of the difficulties we find in life. Real struggles. And both promise life will show us difficulties. Just by being human.

This weekend, Edward and I attended the 1962 movie, "Lawrence of Arabia."  Blazing and unlikely history. The beginning of the formation of the Arabs and, later, with congruity, the reformation of Israel.  As the movie opens, T.E. Lawrence is working on one of his 8 motorcycles with vim and vigor. And he dies on the hills of Dorset, riding his motorcycle too fast on a path too filled with hills to have allowed the speed. For years, suicide, assassination and accident have been debated. But those, who knew him best, claimed he pushed too hard for speed. And had been reckless in battles for speed. 

We are all called both to wisdom and valor.  

Our lives do blaze a path.

According to Psalm 139, the Lord says He will provide us His own Plan. 

Elijah in 1 Kings 19 had been reckless. And yet, in his journey, the Lord gave Him Comfort and Help. No one gave Elijah assistance in this journey.  The narrow path.

No one is given the vast highway of comfort all their lives. 

We will all face times we act in our conscience and heart, our will, or to please others. And with endurance, we will please the Lord and have comfort. If you have lived through a family divorce, people will seek justification. Or entirely devoid of justification. But the trauma is real. No one jumps in to help. Families divide. People who have a very ill child will feel the times are difficult. Speaking about the pressures helps. Financial loss creates a tough road and one path the adult will have to cope with. Usually with the Lord's Help.  Substance Abuse can be helped if the one leaning on substance will go for help. Otherwise, those surrounding this issue, will have to forge ahead with the knowledge seeking help can end the marriage.  People who go for intense therapy about child trauma, will relive the trauma getting the help. We hope the Lord will provide those who want to relive this outside of the therapist. Divisions can happen. Divisions happen in careers, neighborhoods, cultures, entertainment, and even in AA environments. Some groups will decide where their attachments will forge and who will and won't be included.  Even decisions in housing can cause lifelong divisions. Family death and will and asset division. And divisions can happen on sunny days riding the wide, comfortable highway.  Leading us to make choices of the narrow path.

And we walk by faith. Not in Someone without Glory, Love and Mercy.

We read the Scriptures to gain ground when seemingly the ground is giving way. 

To know how to find our Joy and keep our Joy. Not become bitter and angry.

To be someone, we like being. To have the Lord's approval. 

In abundance, we hear the complaints of the churchgoers. Well, what about the Shepherds.

In this Pandemic season, Edward and I have known ten ministers to leave the ministry. 

In 5 Churches. Only 1 Church we attended sank. The others we simply know with family.  One worship leader, not clergy, left a Church on Sunday, telling the congregation, The definitive reason was deception.  Another Church accountant, not clergy, quit after being asked to tell the congregation the Leader did not count up the donations each and every week and assess the appropriate category for attention and planning. The majority of the clergy reached the retirement age of 74, in ministry. Some said the Pandemic had aged them. One quit when told they were retiring, the exact week Justice Stephen Breyer was forced into retirement in the same way. And the forcing minister, was found out by outside Church Authority and asked to retire within a few months. Most quit as in the required age. Another said the prayers for the human situations were overwhelmingly sad.  One changed careers. And wasn't happy after doing so. Some became such fundraisers, ethics were abandoned. Others fell into control issues.  

Everyone is dealing with issues at all levels. Is this new within the Church. Yes. 

We have a cultural problem.  And instead of offering judgement, offer prayers. And mercy. It is rough to bring the Gospel.

Those holding forth, are doing so with stresses themselves. 

Should we give up? God Almighty, no. Fight the Good Fight.  We are there for the Lord Jesus and His worship. His Mercy. His Word. His Goodness. To abide and dwell within His Love. His Communion. Worship. Awe. 

It's a season Rodney Dangerfield would say is rough out there.  There is no reason to suggest we should put our head in the sand and not understand who feels pressure.

I only see one way out. We realize that the Lord is Good.  

His People tell us, "God is Love." God forgave... Ahab. Raise your hand if you want to know Ahab was forgiven. He was a murderer. And so was Paul. And David.  And yet, Jesus didn't wander into the Temple to give out carnations to the happy.

God is God. And that is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

We live, move and have our being because of God. Tomorrow is not given. Today is the day to be merciful. We will not obtain salvation from our career. We will not obtain salvation for trophies for being congenial and being good family members. Brownie points for hard work are not given. The human condition is to obtain Joy in the Strength of the Lord. And even this is a gift. 

The Lord says Fight the Good Fight. To present our lives, hearts, minds and soul to the Lord for His Mercy. And to hear, well done. And each heart knows their heart is known to the Lord. The Joy of the Lord and His Love and Mercy is the way, truth and life. 

Abba, Father,

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the Gospel.

Beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the Love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Dwell in us, please, Father.

Dwell in those we Love.

Help us to seek You first.

In Jesus Christ, we will finish well.

To see

to bring

to be

more daily

Thy Kingdom come

Thy will be done

on earth

as in Heaven

In Jesus Christ is 

Our Love, Joy and Hope.

Bless those working for

Post Pandemic Healing

and Care.

Bless us all, worldwide

with Healing

Safety

Prosperity and

Peace.

We ask healing

of Your Good Creation

The fullness of the earth is Yours.

The healing of those we pray for

in our heart and soul.

The safety of Your people.

Let evil and practicing evil

depart far from us

and our children.

The safety of Your people.

The Healing

of the Nation.

Wholeness

Holy.

Goodness.

Thank You for Jesus.

To You, our Father, be the Glory

Amen and Alleluia

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes The Lord Fulfills His Purpose

Thank You Jesus

†

1 Kings 19 ~ afraid

1 Kings 19

Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” 3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” 8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. 20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21 And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.

When we read the Scriptures, we find our own emotions we experience. The Lord is heard and this Chapter is paired many times with Jesus saying:

  John 6:32-35

  

  32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."

What do we thirst for? The small voice within us that propels us to faith in the Lord. 

Even when you go to the front of the neighborhood to clean up. Hurricane Beryl left, leaving all kinds of limbs and leaves all over the front. Parking your car. Having those driving past going carefully past your car, but not a wave. Then having the next car watching you carry huge limbs to the woods and just watching. Picking up another batch and an annoyed, older and comfortable face says to you, you are blocking the path in.  I replied, I'm moving the car, next, but you could go past.  "No. I don't want to scratch up my wheels".  I replied to this annoyed face, then get out of your car and help me pick up these branches.  And the window is rolled up.

What is a win? Realizing the Chapter of 1 Kings 19 is one of the Chapters, everyone knows. A win is to overcome the days we feel useless.

When we know the Lord. And He has spoken to us.

According to the Pew Report, 2/3rds of praying people have had the Lord tell them, your prayer has been heard and only a miracle could have helped.  And then, we have a quiet day. We know Jesus loved to go to quiet and even desolate places to pray. Yet, we have experiences we relive and wonder what happened and how the outcome could have been better. 

And think upon the bread and thirst. 1 Kings 19 is our thirst in times of endurance and even fear and despair. 

What would Jesus say to Elijah? If we could physically see him talking to the older Elijah? Jesus might see the younger Elijah, rising up in hope and faith.

John 6 

36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 

37 All that the Father gives me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from Heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me. 39 And this is the Will of Him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the Will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise Him up on the last day.”

When we all examine why we have times in our lives with conflict and, then, in helping, are put down, we have to examine the times. People are tired and impatient. Their hopes and longings do not feel fulfilled. To drive through the neighborhoods is to see quiet lives.  This has been a few years of vast prioritizing and sorting, no one wanted to do.  In putting someone down, or in the control issues we see today, they are attempting to feel as if their lives matter. Insulting mouths have lives, existing at the top of the food chain, are important.  Most of the insults are placement insults.  Because... they feel unhappy they are not significant enough to holler enough insults to everyone and feel smug. It is a test of control. The opposite of love.

Patience and honesty will begin to win. The 10 Laws of God are intended to create harmony.

These control issues of top dog have splintered our culture. We should watch what we watch, our entertainment, as being wholesome. Of the Lord. True. Merciful. Loving.

How do we know 

1/3 of the United States is within the substance abuse category. Before the Pandemic, ten percent of the United States had food insecurity. And now, in the last years, it is 16% have food insecurity when Google searching. 1/3 of the United States have no contact between parents and older children. Gift shops have all but disappeared. And weddings are small. College costs do not compare with Canada and Europe in the range from 5 thousand dollars for a year of education to the United States costs of $50,000 per year.  Many people have 2 jobs. 282 million people in 59 countries live in hunger. If everyone in the United States would $11 to $30 sponsor a family, the world would know less hunger.

What should we do with hearts turned away from love?

Speak up. Speak firmly. Speak the kindness of building up one another. Value ourselves as Children of God.  Elijah has help from the Lord. Have faith.  Continue with the good works that God has put in front of us. Do all the Good before us. The most important component of all. Prayer with the Lord. He loves us and listens to our prayers. We can view the opening of the Olympics with despondency. Or we can see, how many wanted more. Wanted the Lord to be Held High in Honor. Many, many, many Love the Lord.

And in the United States, what is the largest voting majority? 

Not class. Not monetary. Not color. Nor ancestry. Doesn't have a job. Doesn't pay your bills

Won't buy you a home in Beverly Hills. Won't fix your life in five easy steps. Ain't the law of the land or the government. But it's all you need. Jesus Christ. And love will hold us together, make us a shelter to weather the storm. And I'll be my brother's keeper. So the whole world will know that we're not alone.

And in the United States, what is the largest voting majority? 

Christians. Not by class. Not monetary. Not color. Nor ancestry. 

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Those who Love the Lord. And call upon Him with Faith.

We are responsible, bringing our culture forth for generations unborn. We are responsible, doing all the good set before us by The Lord to do. We are responsible, by loving invitation, to pray unceasingly.  A man I know was responsible for the traffic leaving his large and successful Church. I don't attend there, but do know one of the ministers. We saved a cow who had recently given birth, by finding the owner and vet, together.  And our friend in the parking lot found sheer bloody mindedness in families and in others leaving the parking lot. And wanted to know WHY? It's difficult to find out that your life isn't as golden as you aspire for the Love to shine. Hang in there and Love the Lord.

Abba, Father,

Dwell in us, please, Father.

Dwell in those we Love.

Help us to seek You first.

In Jesus Christ, we will finish well.

To see

to bring

to be

more daily

Thy Kingdom come

Thy will be done

on earth

as in Heaven

In Jesus Christ is 

Our Love, Joy and Hope.

Bless those working for

Post Pandemic Healing

and Care.

Bless us all, worldwide

with Healing

Safety

Prosperity and

Peace.

We ask healing

of Your Good Creation

The fullness of the earth is Yours.

The healing of those we pray for

in our heart and soul.

The safety of Your people.

Let evil and practicing evil

depart far from us

and our children.

The safety of Your people.

The Healing

of the Nation.

Wholeness

Holy.

Goodness.

Thank You for Jesus.

To You, our Father, be the Glory

Our God is an Awesome God! 

Amen and Alleluia

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes, The Lord Fulfills His Purpose

Thank You, Jesus

†