Mark 12:1-12 ~ Have you not read this Scripture

Mark 12:1-12

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

 And he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and leased it to tenants and went into another country. ² When the season came, he sent a bondservant to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. ³  And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. ⁴  Again he sent to them another servant, and they struck him on the head and treated him shamefully. ⁵  And he sent another, and him they killed. And so with many others: some they beat, and some they killed. ⁶ He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ ⁷ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ ⁸ And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. ⁹ What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. ¹⁰  Have you not read this Scripture:

“‘The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone ^{[Psalm 118:22]};
¹¹ this was the Lord's doing,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

¹² And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away.

One Solitary Life, by James A. Francis

Nearly two thousand years ago in an obscure village, a child was born of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village where He worked as a carpenter until He was thirty. Then for three years He became an itinerant preacher. 

This man never went to college or seminary. He never wrote a book. He never held a public office. He never had a family nor owned a home. He never put His foot inside a big city nor traveled even 200 miles from His birthplace. And though He never did any of the things that usually accompany greatness, throngs of people followed Him. He had no credentials but Himself. 


While He was still young, the tide of public opinion turned against Him. His followers ran away. He was turned over to His enemies and sentenced to death on a cross between two thieves. While He was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – the simple coat He had worn. His body was laid in a borrowed grave provided by a compassionate friend. 

But three days later this Man arose from the dead – living proof that He was, as He had claimed, the Savior whom God had sent, the Incarnate Son of God.
Nineteen centuries have come and gone and today the risen Lord Jesus Christ is the central figure of the human race. On our calendars His birth divides history into two eras. One day of every week is set aside in remembrance of Him. And our two most important holidays celebrate His birth and resurrection. On church steeples around the world, His cross has become the symbol of victory over sin and death. 


This one Man’s life has furnished the theme for more songs, books, poems and paintings than any other person or event in history. Thousands of colleges, hospitals, orphanages and other institutions have been founded in honor of this One who gave His life for us.

All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the governments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned have not changed the course of history as much as this One Solitary Life.


 

John 1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 

"One Solitary Life" has beautiful truth in it. And it touches us. While Jesus was a Man, He was God. Let's take a minute & look together at this in Scripture. So many times the written word has a tone, but unless we are clear, it can be misinterpreted. So this is done gently. With love, looking in the Scriptures. We'll add another Scripture to set a tone to adding to "One Solitary Life."

Psalm 131

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;

my eyes are not raised too high;

I do not occupy myself with things

too great and too marvelous for me.

2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,

like a weaned child with its mother;

like a weaned child is my soul within me.

3 O Israel, hope in the Lord

from this time forth and forevermore.

Nearly two thousand years ago in an obscure village, a child was born of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village where He worked as a carpenter until He was thirty. Then for three years He became an itinerant preacher.

Mary was recorded by Isaiah ~ 700 years before ~ the birth of Jesus. Just as we really cannot understand the Book of Revelation, people looked for 700 years for Jesus to be born a King. Records today exist of Caesar Augustus' census.

Believers believe Mary stood with Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God.

Jesus, like many today, came from a blended family. His parents did hard work going back to Nazareth and facing down an unusual marriage.  The community saw them as a complete family. Joseph integrated Jesus into his family.

Matthew 13:54-56
and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? ⁵⁵  Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? ⁵⁶ And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”

This man never went to college or seminary. He never wrote a book. He never held a public office. He never had a family nor owned a home. He never put His foot inside a big city nor traveled even 200 miles from His birthplace. And though He never did any of the things that usually accompany greatness, throngs of people followed Him. He had no credentials but Himself.

Jesus did something we rarely think about. Mark 12:10 records Jesus ~ read. He came from David's Line. This young Man was literate.

Isaiah told us about Jesus' public office.

 Isaiah 9:6
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
     Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Jesus was acknowledged, during Good Friday, as King, in three languages. And by the man placed there by the Roman Government, as their representative.  John 19:22.

Each day Jesus stood facing down the establishment proclaiming mercy over power. At great risk to Himself. Suffocation was really the cause of death in most crucifixions because the way the government has placed their shoulders on the cross. 

Jesus did indeed write a Book.

2 Peter 1:21
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.

Many believers believe in the Big Bang Theory of Creation. Creation is the Word of God spoken. In the Beginning was the Word - with God. John 1.

Proverbs 8:27 and on....


I was there when he set the heavens in place,
    when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
²⁸ when he established the clouds above
    and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
²⁹ when he gave the sea its boundary
    so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
³⁰     Then I was constantly at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
    rejoicing always in his presence,
³¹ rejoicing in his whole world
    and delighting in mankind.

John the Baptist bore witness in John's Gospel; known as the eye witness Gospel, the Gospel of John's First Chapter, (Beloved Disciple): among you stands one you do not know.  He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.

He never had a family nor owned a home.

Yes, Jesus had a family. Not just as Son of God, but a family God provided for Him. Just like us. And Jesus, in well-known Scripture, did not always get along with them. When Jesus adopted John, on Good Friday, Jesus increased His Family. Mary was given to John as John's responsibility, in part, because Jesus knew His Family would be coming to Him.

 
Mark 3:31-35 
And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. 32 And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” 33 And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother."

Acts 1:13-14
And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 

1 Corinthians 9:5

Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?

a big city ~ nor traveled even 200 miles from His birthplace

 
Yes and no. Jesus' Israel was called Judea by the Roman government. It was a suburb of the larger county of Syria. Yet Cleopatra and Marc Antony wanted a portion of this country and fought with different Herods. Cleopatra's sister, Arsino's, DNA shows paternity from this area of the world. The Ptolemy family wanted part of this world beginning in 330 B.C.

And Jesus took his disciples to Caesarea, a city made entirely to brown nose the Roman Emperor, to discuss the future of an unborn Church.  Jerusalem, Time magazine reports, had a population of 80,000. The population rose by 250,000 visitors during Holy Days.  The 2nd Temple was a world renown wonder. Rome would have been around 800,000 to 1.2 million  people in population, based upon Caesar Augustus' bread dole census.

While He was still young, the tide of public opinion turned against Him. His followers ran away. He was turned over to His enemies and sentenced to death on a cross between two thieves. While He was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – the simple coat He had worn. His body was laid in a borrowed grave provided by a compassionate friend.

John 19:23
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom

Today, we can still hold Jesus' garment in wonder, in our souls. Not such a simple coat. An article held dear even by his executioners. Perhaps given to Him in love. What do we know in Scripture of this garment?

Matthew 9:20
Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. ²¹ She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

Matthew 14:35-36

And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him ³⁶ and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

And one of His Followers did not run away.


John 21:21-24
When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
²² Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” ²³ Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

²⁴ This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. 

There is plenty of amazing Wonder just in these few verses of John 21. Stand in awe.

The Rylands Library Papyrus P52, also known as the St John's fragment. The front is lines from the Gospel of John 18:31–33, and the back contains lines from verses 37–38. The papyrus was found in Egypt. Recently dated again, the oldest date is 125 AD, not the late part of the 2nd century, as previously thought. During the apostle John's lifetime. Housed at John Rylands University Library, Manchester, UK.

But three days later this Man arose from the dead – living proof that He was, as He had claimed, the Savior whom God had sent, the Incarnate Son of God.

Twenty centuries have come and gone and today the risen Lord Jesus Christ is the central figure of the human race.  His cross has become the symbol of victory over sin and death.

1 Timothy 6:16

who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

1 John 4:9

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

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Today at Church we heard about why the Early Church began. And it is simple, really.

A man saw an elderly woman struggling to remain upright on an icy walk, he hurried to help her. As he did, she said to the man, "I hope you know my Savior, Jesus Christ. He is everything to me. I hope for you to know His Love." It changed the man's life.

1 John 4:16
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

1 John 4:7
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

1 John 2
At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, becausea the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

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2 Chronicles 19 ~ deal courageously, and may the LORD be with the good!

2 Chronicles 19

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. 2 But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord. 3 Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.”

4 Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers. 5 He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment. 7 Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.”

8 Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, to give judgment for the Lord and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem.

9 And he charged them: “Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart: 10 whenever a case comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities, concerning bloodshed, law or commandment, statutes or rules, then you shall warn them, that they may not incur guilt before the Lord and wrath may not come upon you and your brothers. Thus you shall do, and you will not incur guilt.

11 And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the governor of the house of Judah, in all the king's matters, and the Levites will serve you as officers. Deal courageously, and may the Lord be with the upright[the good] !"


When we combine 2 Chronicles 18 and 19, we have a rather rare example of Judah and Israel working together. Ahab was the 7th non-davidic line of Israel, Jehoshophat the 4th Davidic King of Judah. 2 Chronicles 18:9 sees both king arrayed in their robes upon thrones. And we find Jehoshaphat was indeed like his great, great, great grandfather David, and he inquires of Ahab to find a prophet to hear a word from the LORD. Which is rather brave when Ahab is.... Ahab.

Judges 3:7
And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth.

Asheroth is only listed 3 times in the Scriptures. And one of these quotes is in Judges 3 and involves something interesting:

Judges 3:1a
Now these are the nations that the Lord left, to test Israel by them

repeating in:

Judges 3:4
They were for the testing of Israel, to know whether Israel would obey the commandments of the Lord, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.
 
Jehoshaphat has just had his metal, his fiber, tested. And he has been found unworthy. Because he was willing to sit with Ahab. Knowing Ahab is Ahab. And make a marriage alliance.


Psalm 1
Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.


Hebrews 5:1-2
For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.

Displays God's intimate knowledge in Jesus Christ that we are all beset by weakness. And this Scripture also participates in this passage as well:

Proverbs 21:1
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

This is a good passage for all of us: set your heart to seek God

Joel 3 is about all of us facing the valley of Jehoshaphat. Yet it is important to remember before that Day - Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord.


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Psalm 63 ~ my mouth shall praise You

Psalm 63

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;

my soul thirsts for you;

my flesh faints for you,

as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,

beholding your power and glory.

3 Because your steadfast love is better than life,

my lips will praise you.

4 So I will bless you as long as I live;

in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,

and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

6 when I remember you upon my bed,

and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

7 for you have been my help,

and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

8 My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.

9 But those who seek to destroy my life

shall go down into the depths of the earth;

10 they shall be given over to the power of the sword;

they shall be a portion for jackals.

11 But the king shall rejoice in God;

all who swear by him shall exult,

for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

 

Today was a day of Praise because tomorrow is going to be here soon. It was a day to apologize to Father God for being rude to almost everyone, including HIM.  Some days are just like that. And so praise God for not feeling abandoned or condemned for being awful, but instead lifted up to return to another day.

Prayers are appreciated for sons returning home from college, who never met a glass of milk where yogurt couldn't be cultured. Fortunately, the Green Heron baby has decided to learn to fly and is not longer the aggressive baby bird on top of the dryer.  And the chaos of new arguments, old arguments, and OMGosh how much can you put in my garage.  My mom is visiting, which has been lovely, but give me a chance to get upset.....

 

Thank GOD, for HIS Love.

Because your steadfast love is better than life,

my lips will praise you.

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Matthew 10:24-33 ~ It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.

Matthew 10:24-33

 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵ It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.

²⁶ “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. ²⁷ What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. ²⁸ And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. ³⁰ But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. ³²  So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, ³³ but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

It is a joyous obligation for the Christian to look for blessings in all the situations we can be genuine about. And believe the joy! I horned in on an invitation with a long-time friend who is going to be a pilot. And I discovered after we did several tight loops around our house (rather like water going down a drain) and he stalled the engine (twice).... That I would rather repeatedly throw up on just about anything rather than in my new purse.

Eating chocolate bars before flying in a small plane is a ....... poor idea. The back seat of that plane must have been 130' or warmer.  Making the two bottles of water I doused myself with  never even dampened  my clothes, they were dry, almost immediately. Plus the size of the seat was about the size of a small dish rag. I did ask Killian if it came in adult sizes. But I was the one eating the chocolate.  (This is a good time to work it in that I have lost 23 lbs in 10 months.)

When Christians work together towards the joy. There is joy easily. Killian was very concerned with my comfort.  I didn't beg or cry to go home. But Killian told me we were headed that way. (Glad I waited until we were at the home portion of the county, at the tail end.) And with the wind, my son and Kilian didn't know barforama did occur. Blessing there.  And both young men have astronaut type joy in falling planes and stanch odor stamina. Then Killian landed the plane perfectly as usual. As we landed, Killian very kindly addressed me and asked my advice. And in tandem, we hauled the plane to wash the carpet. And in unison, raided the friendly small (red, white and dignified blue of a patriot)  jet owner's kleenex box. And then the whole roll of paper towels from the lady who thought we were burglars.  And then the clorox from the instructor who told us it wouldn't bleach the carpet with this type wipe. And then the large container of mechanic paper towel wipes.  And of course the bottle of carpet cleaner.  

Finally it was funny. Actually I think I began to laugh heartily about the time we landed. (I think it was a survival laugh.) But it felt good. 

And we all realized together as the day closed. Hey, I'd taught Killian a new skill for his talent. How to comfort a barfing passenger, not make them feel foolish, encourage team work and get the barfer to clean it up. Win, Win.  And I think it was the best thing for me - it was funny instead of horrifying to throw up.  A little later. (Oh Killian, I realized today the headphones came in a plastic bag - and uh, yeah, I have your headphones plastic bag in my pristine.... handbag...)

And joy for Killian, his Kiwanis training left the plane in better shape than found. Our appreciation in his supreme gift and skill. God given and appreciated as such!

And joy in finding out, I am invited again after I take emetrol.  And he promises not to make the plane lurch backwards and go beep... beep... beep... beep beep beepepbeepepepepeppepe.  (No, dude, it is Not remotely like a roller coaster.)

Joy for me in finding out how incredibly Beautiful our county is. Last year's drought still looks bad from the roads, but from the sky,,,, you see how we really, really, really are part of the Surviving Pine Forest stretching from South East Texas to the Pacific Ocean.  Planned, beautiful and on-going.

How utterly vast the sky is. Beautiful with the early twilight. 

To realize the blessing of flight. A different perspective on the world. Like God walks beside you.  Knowing hundreds of generations Never Experienced Flight. And we Get To. 

Thank You GOD, for the blessing of perspective and flight. Thank YOU, Father God for the utter and overwhelming Beauty of Your Creation. How fabulous to see the beginning and ending of the day with that Perspective of YOURS. 

Remembering my dad and grandfather for the unique men they were, how they loved to fly. The pristine cleanliness and order of the mechanics of the buildings and the precision of the science it takes to create flight. Creating an awareness of the journey we are on. And the flight from this world to the next. 

The joy in the trust at a small, private airport instead of the suspicion of everyone. Nostalgia for the days when going to the airport - to fly - meant dressing up for an event of safety and adventure.

Utter Beauty. My Thanks, FATHER GOD.  My thanks. Jesus the LORD.


Psalm 19:1-2, 14
A psalm of David.

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.

Ephesians 3:18-19
may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.


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Hebrews 5 ~ a Son

Hebrews 5

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. ²  He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. ³ Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. ⁴ And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

⁵ So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,

“You are my Son,
    today I have begotten you”;

⁶ as he says also in another place,

“You are a priest forever,
    after the order of Melchizedek.”

⁷ In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. ⁸ Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. ⁹ And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, ¹⁰ being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

¹¹ About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. ¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, ¹³ for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

In the book of Leviticus we read about Aaron going into the Holy of Holies to make sacrifices for sin. We learn God would dress us up and call us into His Home and we are still unworthy. Just as Aaron was unworthy making sacrifices for his sons.

Jesus still to this day is our advocate. Helping us to become mature Christians learning about the righteousness of God. He calls us to be Holy. And just as Aaron was not Holy, we are never worthy of Him by ourselves. It is HIS Grace that draws us to Him. His Strength growing us. To give us awe and wonder.


Ephesians 3:17-21
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.


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Psalm 126 ~ restored

Psalm 126

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who dream.

2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,

and our tongue with shouts of joy;

then they said among the nations,

“The Lord has done great things for them.”

3 The Lord has done great things for us;

we are glad.

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,

like streams in the Negeb!

5 Those who sow in tears

shall reap with shouts of joy!

6 He who goes out weeping,

bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home with shouts of joy,

bringing his sheaves with him.


When we've looked at Psalm 126 in the past, our reoccurring joy is God's storehouse of blessings never is depleted. Restoration of our loved ones, knowing good-byes are temporary. Restoration of our joy. Restoration of friendships, even just in good will. Restoration of the next generation. Restoration in our living loved ones.

The joy in Christianity is in the strength God gives us in endurance, certainly, but dwells so much in the renewal and redemption of the every day. In Jesus Christ, our LORD, we have the duty, the obligation and the joy to Give Us the Day!

Always remember 10 lepers were cleansed and only one came back in gratitude.

Blessed are You, OH LORD. OUR ROCK AND REDEEMER!!!!!!!!!!!

We had the most wonderful Pentecost at our Church on Sunday. We are a smallish Church,   So! The blessings of the day continued in our atrium - we had a mended friendship from someone I have always admired their Joy of the LORD spirit. Which led to more good will!  A renewal of our willingness to be a Church. A confession of weariness and meanness of spirit in me, during the be prayed for part of the service. And a Forgiveness. A remembrance of blessings. And it was WONDERFUL!!! It was all so wonderful that we applauded the LORD several times. God loves spontaneous worship.  And it was WONDERFUL!!!

I love the LORD. And I am so glad to be part of my family. Even the ones I'd like to thump on the head.  Blessings of Psalm 126.

I love the LORD. Come let us think of our blessings and bless HIM!

The Joy of the LORD is my Strength!!!

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Matthew 21:33-46 ~ the tenants

Matthew 21:33-46

“Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.”

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

“‘The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone;

this was the Lord's doing,

and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.

My mom is a Realtor. And we've had some rental property since I was in the 7th grade. So tenants are part of our life. We've had a Park Cities Baptist Minister, a Dallas Cowboy former owner,  a long named jewelry store owner in Dallas, a police man, and some restauranteurs who - I wish they knew where the garbage can had been placed. A stewardess homeschooling her kids who painted around the furniture and doors as was convenient.

Tenants means rolling stone. Just a season. Not in ownership. 

And then we have something that is more permanent. 

Tenants of our faith. A minister friend of ours told us - you have to prepare for those times when life floods you. Overwhelms you. You have to know what you believe and what you will cling to. Accountability of your faith. Because we are not here forever. We have to have a cornerstone. 

 When we rejoice in the LORD, more things are marvelous to our eyes. We learn to look for things to rejoice in.

Gratitude for what God planned to do for us. Gratitude for His Eternal Promises. Just for you. As if you were the only person who exists.

Acts 14:10
said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking.


Romans 11:20
That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.


Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Ephesians 2:20-22
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.


2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.




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Psalm 101 ~ I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me

Psalm 101

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

I will sing of steadfast love and justice;
to you, O Lord, I will make music.
2 I will ponder the way that is blameless.
Oh when will you come to me?
I will walk with integrity of heart
within my house;
3 I will not set before my eyes
anything that is worthless.
I hate the work of those who fall away;
it shall not cling to me.
4 A perverse heart shall be far from me;
I will know nothing of evil.

5 Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly
I will destroy.
Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart
I will not endure.

6 I will look with favor on the faithful in the land,
that they may dwell with me;
he who walks in the way that is blameless
shall minister to me.

7 No one who practices deceit
shall dwell in my house;
no one who utters lies
shall continue before my eyes.

8 Morning by morning I will destroy
all the wicked in the land,
cutting off all the evildoers
from the city of the Lord.


What a Blessing it is thinking upon Jesus - being the feet who walked this life - to Save us.  To remember with joy in our hearts - there is one who is Good. And He Loves us and advocates for us. To know we cannot fail to do God's will because - it is His Plan. And just as GOD never lies, His work and His words never fail. 


Jesus Christ the LORD. Our Savior. His Story. His Love.




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Psalm 68 ~ O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, Selah

Psalm 68

God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered;
and those who hate him shall flee before him!
2 As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away;
as wax melts before fire,
so the wicked shall perish before God!
3 But the righteous shall be glad;
they shall exult before God;
they shall be jubilant with joy!

4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;
his name is the Lord;
exult before him!
5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
is God in his holy habitation.
6 God settles the solitary in a home;
he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

7 O God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness, Selah
8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai,
before God, the God of Israel.
9 Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;
you restored your inheritance as it languished;
10 your flock found a dwelling in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.

11 The Lord gives the word;
the women who announce the news are a great host:
12 “The kings of the armies—they flee, they flee!”
The women at home divide the spoil—
13 though you men lie among the sheepfolds—
the wings of a dove covered with silver,
its pinions with shimmering gold.
14 When the Almighty scatters kings there,
let snow fall on Zalmon.

15 O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan;
O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan!
16 Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain,
at the mount that God desired for his abode,
yes, where the Lord will dwell forever?
17 The chariots of God are twice ten thousand,
thousands upon thousands;
the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary.
18 You ascended on high,
leading a host of captives in your train
and receiving gifts among men,
even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.

19 Blessed be the Lord,
who daily bears us up;
God is our salvation. Selah
20 Our God is a God of salvation,
and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.
21 But God will strike the heads of his enemies,
the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways.
22 The Lord said,
“I will bring them back from Bashan,
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,
23 that you may strike your feet in their blood,
that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe.”

24 Your procession is seen, O God,
the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—
25 the singers in front, the musicians last,
between them virgins playing tambourines:
26 “Bless God in the great congregation,
the Lord, O you who are of Israel's fountain!”
27 There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead,
the princes of Judah in their throng,
the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

28 Summon your power, O God,
the power, O God, by which you have worked for us.
29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem
kings shall bear gifts to you.
30 Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds,
the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples.
Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute;
scatter the peoples who delight in war.
31 Nobles shall come from Egypt;
Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God.

32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;
sing praises to the Lord, Selah
33 to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
34 Ascribe power to God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
and whose power is in the skies.
35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary;
the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!

It has always seemed to me, as vacation ends, something happens to bring us back to our regular life. Usually something not very endearing. And a loved one commented sourly, God has a terrible sense of humor. Look what He did to Job. 

I doubt Job still complains. 

Deuteronomy 1:33
who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go.

We always tend to think of God as removed. Yet the Scriptures tell us again and again - GOD Almighty goes before us. Existing before us. Creating before us. Writing the Book of Life. Loving us before we were created, seeing us grow, fall back, trying again in His Strength. Remembering Jesus' first sign - He cared for a mere woman who wanted Him to change His mind and help. Not something the Roman Empire saw a lot of!

John 2:4
And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”

Some days it is an effort to struggle forward. Yet is is God who gives one power and strength to His People.  Blessed be GOD!!  It is only in the power of HIS Love we claim Psalm 68 is for us. 

Read it, claim it, love it. His promises are for us. His beloved. 

Deuteronomy 31:8

It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

John 10:4

When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

So we know God goes before us. Outside of time, yet the nature of God is to be everywhere.

Luke 17:20,21
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

It would be the modern equivalent of God saying, He's got us covered.

Psalm 77:19
Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.

Isaiah 43:16
This is what the LORD says--he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters

Daniel 5:23b
God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.

It is up to us to Honor the LORD. To be grateful, to be mindful, to be reverent. To seize the day, by remembering we work for the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.


Job 12:10
In his hand is the life of every living thing
and the breath of all mankind.

Isaiah 49:16
Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.

2 Corinthians 1:3 
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort



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When away from home and internet

Our Heavenly Father, Holy. Let Your Will be done on Earth and in Heaven. Give us this Day! Our daily Bread. Remembering You are the Bread of Life. Forgive me my many sins. As I need and rely upon Your Grace to forgive those who sin against me. Lead me not into Temptation. Deliver me from evil. For, Father God, it is Your Kingdom, Your Power and Your Glory - Forever!!



Hello, my fellow followers of Jesus Christ. I enjoyed a vacation with prayer, scripture, fellowship, a great meal, lots of Padre Island views and margaritas. How disappointed I was when our vacation spot did not have internet this year. However, it was wonderful to get Edward away from his laptop! I tried for an hour and a half to post just a blurb on my phone. Recalling the comedian who says we are all just Terrible because we don't allow the satellite circling the earth time to provide us with phone service. Well, after an hour and a half - I feel I was patient. And it is a good thing that Jesus understands rash words better than Moses had it. My friend loaned me her phone and whoa - hold the phone - it started showing me Google from hotmail to hot teens gone wild. What a strange world we live in. I am happy to report the x at the top of the page did work as I encouraged the phone to "whoa!"

I am looking forward to my Bible Study at HopePointe today on David and Needlepoint. I look forward - as I do just about every single day - I get to!! Write the Blog.

We will wait to see what Father God brings us in Scripture to think about. May the blessing of seizing the day be yours. I had the blessing of my 23 year old scrubbing my kitchen upon our return and discovering 4 young people in 4 days can turn a kitchen into an "I Love Lucy" Disaster. Praise the LORD for their willing hands to amend it.

Blessings until later!

Anne Laurel

Luke 24:44-53 ~ continually in the Temple blessing God

Luke 24:44-53

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” ⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, ⁴⁶ and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, ⁴⁷ and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸  You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

⁵⁰ Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. ⁵¹ While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. ⁵² And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, ⁵³ and were continually in the temple blessing God.

So many times, people love Jesus, but don't love the Scriptures. Or love Jesus and don't belong to or love the Church. The disciples give us a model. Jesus is recorded in the Gospels as going to the Temple 26 times and Synagogues 13 times. Jesus is the Son of God. The disciples, who loved Jesus from living with HIM, seeing His mercy, began going to the Temple continually blessing God in worship. 

When we believe the promises of God the Father, we are called to do as the disciples. To go to our Church and give God the only gift He has not given us - Thanks and Worship.

With God's blessings upon us - we should worship Him with great joy and continually to find and give genuine Thanks to our Creator. 

This has been one of my favorite Psalms since I was a young child, going to Parochial School and enjoying Morning Prayer.

Psalm 100

 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
²      Serve the Lord with gladness!
     Come into his presence with singing!

³ Know that the Lord, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴  Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

⁵  For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.

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Revelation 1:12-15 ~ His voice was like the sound of rushing waters

The angelic image seen on Presbyterian Hospital of Charlotte, NC's security camera and tape in the doorway of Chelsea Barton's room. A lot of the family and hospital staff saw the image and identified as an angel. The angel appeared before her family prayfully removed her from a ventilator and placed her in the Lord's hands. Chelsea Barton had a recovery the hospital spokesperson said could only be explained as a miracle.

There were a lot of comments on the photo image, positive and negative from Scripture for Today on December 27th . Please look closely at the hand on the door and the shape of the wings.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,472288,00.html -

Revelation 1:12-15 (Today's New International Version)

12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, [a] dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters

a. like Daniel 7:13.

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John 3:16 ~ Spirit of Truth

John 16:12-15

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.


Jesus Christ our LORD was more than a teacher. He is the Word of God spoken. He is Truth.

Pontius Pilate ran full and head on into TRUTH. Placed suddenly in the Judgment Seat, where he longed to be. His wife sent a message, in Matthew 27:19, warning him to deal with Jesus as a righteous man.

John 18:37-39
Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world— to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in ³⁹  But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”

Many people were uncomfortable with Jesus, usually, because His ways were not their ways. When you read the 16th Chapter of John, it is apparent Jesus felt for Pilate. He wanted Pilate to recognize him.  For Pilate to know. And apparently Pilate did know. Pilate wrote the sign.

John 19:19-22
Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”

Isaiah 55:9

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Our Scripture passage is important.  Jesus longs for us. Not to scold us and improve us.

1 John 4:19
We love because he first loved us.

Jesus wants His Truth to be merciful.


Luke 15:20
And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

Psalm 137:5
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!

 Matthew 23:37
 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!
 
Hosea 2:19
And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy.


John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?



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Luke 12:22-31 ~ why are you anxious about the rest

Luke 12:22-31

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. ²³ For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. ²⁴  Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! ²⁵ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? ²⁶ If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? ²⁷ Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ²⁸ But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! ²⁹ And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. ³⁰ For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹ Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

Centenarian documentation agrees with this philosophy. The Discovery Channel interviewed the people living to be 100 or more years old and found centenarians felt their troubles did not come to stay, but would eventually work out. This faith led them to look over their lives and agree trouble had a way of working itself out.

Proverbs 8:32
"Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways."

Proverbs 19:16
He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die.

Luke 8:21
He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice."

John 20:29
Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”




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Acts 16:22-34 ~ having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks

Acts 16:22-34

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

²² The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. ²³ And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. ²⁴ Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

²⁵  About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, ²⁶ and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. ²⁷ When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸ But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” ²⁹ And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” ³¹ And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” ³² And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. ³³ And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. ³⁴ Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

We all face times in our lives where we feel we cannot move forward. We feel we are stuck. And we wonder if God hears us.  Yet we will go forward. And sometimes then we feel unforgiven or stuck again. Christians are, according to marketing surveys, more likely to feel guilty.  Paul was good at not feeling guilty by helping the others around him. He had to be somewhat angry with the jailer for locking him up. He wasn't sure how long he'd be detained. 

Paul could have run off and been like most prisoners we see in movies. Instead, Paul recruits the others to stay and help. Because he stayed, the entire household - in relief, in joy, in the caring - they believed and were saved. 

The Scriptures tell us of the most unlikely things to happen, yet they touch us when we take the time to to look at them in wonder.  We are responsible for the people God gives us. Sometimes at the forfeit of our own rights, but in caring for others, we care for Jesus and we care for ourselves. 

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