John 21 ~ Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”

John 21

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.


The Scriptures are living and active about real human beings in real situations. The disciples knew Jesus was alive. They had no clue what to do next. Instead of sitting and praying, The Book of Acts records Mary gathering each day to pray with her sons and the disciples,


Acts 12:12
When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.

So the disciples were undecided. They had not decided to do what they knew. Live the life they knew. They wanted Jesus and He arrived in their daily life. Like us they put out their hands and said "Send me, Lord." Jesus knew they did.



4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.



The Light of God was rising. By sight, the disciples did not recognize Jesus, yet the wonder of God was telling them. Peter did not rely upon his own righteousness to walk to Jesus, but threw himself into reaching Jesus.


9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.


The Disciple John said God is Love. Peter might have said Jesus is "Come and have breakfast!" A beloved friend. And his Savior.


15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”


Peter was telling Jesus, he gave Philo love. He loved Jesus as a friend. Jesus was asking for Agape love. Complete love. This is a struggle we have today. To live in the world and not be of the world.


20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers [brothers and sisters] that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

People. Jesus was there to say Love and they squabbled over blessings. Ghandi said," I like your Christ, not your Christians." Jesus would say Ghandi needs a Savior as well. Jesus knew what was in man, no one needed to tell him (that's Scripture).  Church is filled with people. So many people leave one Church not even to try another. Jesus did not give up on us, just as Jesus did not give up on Peter. Not when Peter was faithless, Jesus was there "immediately" to lift him when he cried out for Jesus. Not when Peter ran away. Not when Peter denied him. Jesus would call to Peter to have breakfast, fellowship and love.

24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

Eye witness. John is doing his best to tell us he lived, moved and saw All of the Wonder. This Scripture was written for you. Just as Jesus gave His life for you, this Scripture tells you God has written this for you.


25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

John says something important here. He says all of Scripture is about Jesus. And what we call past, history, is HIS Story.

(About 99% of the time the message fits the day before and this is not planned, but is a Godincidence. Thank You, Father God. To You be the glory. Amen)

<><

Ezekiel 39:21-40:4 ~ I will set my glory among the nations

One of the clay tablets revealing the presence of the Judean royal house as prisoners in Babylon. Excavated from an arched building near the Ishtar Gate of ancient Babylon. The cuneiform texts, 595 - 570 B.C., contain lists of rations of barley and oil issued to the captive princes and artisans, including "Yaukin, king of the land of Yahud." This is a direct reference to Jehoiachin (or Jeconiah). The other tablets mention his 5 sons accompanying him to Babylon. Staatliche Museum, Berlin

Ezekiel 39:21-40:4

Listen - click for new tab

21 “And I will set my glory among the nations, and all the nations shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid on them. 22 The house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God, from that day forward. 23 And the nations shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity, because they dealt so treacherously with me that I hid my face from them and gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they all fell by the sword. 24 I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their transgressions, and hid my face from them.

25 “Therefore thus says the Lord God: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for my holy name. 26 They shall forget their shame and all the treachery they have practiced against me, when they dwell securely in their land with none to make them afraid, 27 when I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them from their enemies' lands, and through them have vindicated my holiness in the sight of many nations. 28 Then they shall know that I am the Lord their God, because I sent them into exile among the nations and then assembled them into their own land. I will leave none of them remaining among the nations anymore. 29 And I will not hide my face anymore from them, when I pour out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, declares the Lord God.”


1 In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was struck down, on that very day, the hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me to the city. [brought me there] 2 In visions of God he brought me to the land of Israel, and set me down on a very high mountain, on which was a structure like a city to the south. 3 When he brought me there, behold, there was a man whose appearance was like bronze, with a linen cord and a measuring reed in his hand. And he was standing in the gateway. 4 And the man said to me, “Son of man, look with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you, for you were brought here in order that I might show it to you. Declare all that you see to the house of Israel.”


Ezekiel was in captivity with the King of Judah, Jeconiah, eleven years before Jerusalem was destroyed. Ezekiel never mentions Jeconiah's uncle, the successor Nebuchadnezzar put up as puppet king, Zedekiah. This is the 25th year of captivity for the first group of captives, they will not be released for 34 more years. 57 years from the 2nd Temple being built.

It is utterly astonishing the Babylonian Emperor, Darius, would give directions to free the slaves and build the Temple. Build with his funds and the original Temple tools, held in waiting through 3 different emperors. It defies anything else on earth. And, recently historically, the world saw this happen again - 1947 - Israel was re-established. Imagine a country not only in ruins, but obliterated - the people scattered & yet they return to their homeland. Does Archaeology agree this occurred. Yes. Scholars debate the timing by six months.

If we know Israel came back from being annihilated, several times; these amazing events set a pattern to believe God's Son would rise from the dead.

Blessed be the Lord God, our Redeemer. Amen.

<><

Psalm 67 ~ that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.

Psalm 67


May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

6 The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!



Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
Holy is Your Name,
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done,
on earth as on Heaven.

Give me this day, thy daily Bread.

Forgive me my sins, as I forgive those who
sin against me. 
Lead  me not into temptation.
But deliver me from evil.

For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.


Part of God's blessings is the ability to say, Your Will Be Done.  And rest in Him.






<><

Luke 12:8-12 ~ do not be anxious

Luke 12:8-12


8 “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, 9 but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 

11 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”


We all face times when we want to speak up for the LORD. Yet we are tied. How to speak in honesty, love and to touch someone's soul.

And how seriously should we take this. One of my favorite Catholic priests says the second part is very much part of the HOLY SPIRIT. We are given chances, not with a trumpet blast, but with an inner nudge. To take advantage of the times we are prompted. We are not the Savior, we just honor Him.

We never know what door we open to tell of Jesus. A door for ourselves or a door for someone else. Or both.

Yet that does not relieve us of the necessary need to tell about Jesus.

Matthew 25:14-30

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 

19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 

29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

We should never fail to give our talents to God's service.

Not for the fear of the LORD . But the joy He brings us in HIS  LOVE.

<><

Psalm 136 ~ His steadfast love endures forever

Psalm 136

¹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
² Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

⁴ to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁵ to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁶ to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁷ to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁸ the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁹ the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

¹⁰ to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹¹ and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹² with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹³ to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁴ and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁵ but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁶ to him who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

¹⁷ to him who struck down great kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁸ and killed mighty kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁹ Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁰ and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
²¹ and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
²² a heritage to Israel his servant,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

²³ It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁴ and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁵ he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

²⁶ Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 136 is one of my favorite Bible Remembrances. We were on a Padre Island beach vacation with our sons when they were small. On our vacation Sunday, we were not going to Church and so we decided to read Psalm 136 with them responding "His steadfast love endures forever". Being very young, this just struck them as hysterical. They laughed all the way through and created a Moment. A life moment held within me forever. Overwhelming, Strong Love for them. How great to have these people as my children. Flaws, perfection, youth, innocence and their Joy. That emotion that wells up of profound, momentous love is how much God our Father loves us.

Never forget ~ you are God's Beloved.

Isaiah 58 ~ Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet

Isaiah 58

“Cry aloud; do not hold back;
lift up your voice like a trumpet;
declare to my people their transgression,
to the house of Jacob their sins.
2 Yet they seek me daily
and delight to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that did righteousness
and did not forsake the judgment of their God;
they ask of me righteous judgments;
they delight to draw near to God.

3 ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not?
Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’
Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,
and oppress all your workers.
4 Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to hit with a wicked fist.
Fasting like yours this day
will not make your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is such the fast that I choose,
a day for a person to humble himself?
Is it to bow down his head like a reed,
and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?
Will you call this a fast,
and a day acceptable to the Lord?

6 “Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
 
9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’

If you take away the yoke from your midst,
the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness
and your gloom be as the noonday.
11 And the Lord will guide you continually
and satisfy your desire in scorched places
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail.
12 And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to dwell in.

13 “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath,
from doing your pleasure on my holy day,
and call the Sabbath a delight
and the holy day of the Lord honorable;
if you honor it, not going your own ways,
or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly;
14 then you shall take delight in the Lord,
and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth;
I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

As a child, growing up in Texas, Sundays were different than all the other days. We had what we called Blue Laws. Stores were closed. If you were to have entertainment, the items were gathered on Saturday. Other cultures have similar events. To read about the wonderful entertainment the Orthodox Jews experience in Russia, is to learn they celebrate almost a Christmas or Easter holiday each Sabbath. The day before is an intense labor, so the Sabbath can be enjoyed with huge, elaborate meals and guests.

We also celebrate the Sabbath when we attend Church. Yet surely if Father God rests, we can do the same. 

Unfortunately, or fortunately, this passage points out the LORD is not looking for a Sunday Matinee. He seeks us. Each day. How can we relate Isaiah's 58th Chapter


shall your light break forth like the dawn

to the words of Jesus?

John 4:23-26
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

Jesus told us the same things Isaiah says:

Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’

John 14:12-14
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

and still the 14th Chapter of John

23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.

25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

We answer Jesus, when we say like, Isaiah:

Isaiah 6:8 
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

James, the Lord's brother, tells us not to just be hearers of the Word but doers. However, we must listen to HIM.

Psalm 85:8
I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints--but let them not return to folly.

1 John 5:3 
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome

Matthew 11:29-30
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.


<><

1 Thessalonians 3 ~ we have been comforted about you through your faith

1 Thessalonians 3


Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker^[servant]  in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers,^{[brothers and sisters]} in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.


All the joy we feel, for your sake, before our God, praying earnestly. Now. That is excellent Scripture. The Joy of the Lord is our Strength. 

The Holy Spirit is seeking to establish and strengthen us. Good news of faith, love and kindly longing to spend time with us. To comfort us. Knowing, like my grandmother Anita, life can afflict us. We will stand fast knowing, God directs us to establish our hearts in holiness and we should increase and abound in love for one another.

People. People are both easy and hard to love.  Easy in regular times and more difficult to love when we are being jealous, or being looked down upon.  Difficult when we or the ones we love go through difficult times. Pushed out for lack of effort. In our larger colleges and cities, we can decide to move on the next person, with ease. Some of our richest friendships, and most lasting, come from disagreements worked out. The ability to understand where the other person is coming from.  People in smaller communities know, the endurance, the determination not to pass by creates the most loving of communities. To apologize when we offend. To push instead of agree silkily. 

One of the nicest things about Christian Community, people will tell you what they think. One of the worst things is the same. The determination to allow ourselves to not become so self-important to not be corrected. Bounce. Filter. Do we deserve what was said, yes, improve and be glad. No, then make allowances for forgiveness ~ we Know we are Freely Given Forgiveness for flaws, sins and mistakes. Making room in the community for new faces and old friends.

Recently I mended an old quarrel just with (help from the Holy Spirit, I am thin skinned) continued determination to be kind. And that rebounded. I was miffed indeed. Only to go forward, almost with an inner grit to discover that in giving more, enabled that person to feel loved and to bloom. The forgiveness did flower. To see people work past difficulties is actually sweeter fruit than the easy, smeezy highway.


in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly

<><

Philemon ~ sending my very heart

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn's painting of Philemon


Philemon 1


1 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our beloved fellow worker 2 and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus,^{[Onesimus means useful or beneficial]}, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 

13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.



Paul has been portrayed as so many things. And here is a fine example of God's heart portrayed in Paul. We discussed yesterday the parental qualities of God.

1 Corinthians 4:17
That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

Sometimes listening with our heart involves looking at the very word God gives us.


Apphia our sister

the church in your house Grace to you and peace

I remember you in my prayers

knowledge of every good thing 

joy and comfort from your love

hearts of the saints have been refreshed

I prefer to appeal to you

sending my very heart

your goodness

as a beloved brother

knowing that you will do even more

Paul is sending his very heart. God HIS heart  for you to have -

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.


Thank You, Father God, for revealing your heart for us in these words. Thank You, Father.  Help us each day to teach Jesus Christ, the qualities of Jesus in every place we go. Amen.

<><

1 Thessalonians 2 ~ we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the Word of God

1 Thessalonians 2

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.

6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.


'I'm nobody! Who are you?" wrote Emily Dickinson. Clark remarked today in his sermon God choose 12 nobodies to change the world. They couldn't have accomplished what they did without the power of the Holy Spirit. Each day we put out our hands to ask Father God what He would like of us.

1 Thessalonians 2 is a very special letter to you from Father God. Written just to you. Just as Jesus died for you. How will you respond.

the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict

We all have conflict in our lives.  Even the people who seem to live what we call the good life.


we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God 

The call to please God is yours in the Body of Jesus Christ, all believers are entrusted with the Gospel.  This letter is all that you'd want from the ones you care and love.


never words of flattery, as  a pretext for greed—gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her own children affectionately desirous of you, we sharing the gospel of God and our lives, care, time and effort, because you had become very dear. 

As a father with his children,  we encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

The word of God, what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

Endeavoring eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.

So taking this beautiful letter, remembering the eagerness of the prodigal son's Father, our Father, you are asked.

To avoid false flattery

Be as gentle as a mother

Share the Gospel of God knowing the Word of God is at work in believers

Endeavor eagerly to help others, desire to share your life, see others.

Let others become dear to you.

Be fatherly, encourage others and set an example of a life lived with love.

Allow others to have glory and joy, be thankful for the ones you love.


<><

1 Thessalonians 1 ~ an example

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace.


2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

4 For we know, brothers[refers to siblings in a family. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, adelphoi may refer either to men or to both men and women who are siblings (brothers and sisters) in God's family, the church] loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.

You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.


Isaiah 40:31
but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Psalm 37:9
For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.

Jeremiah 14:22
Are there any among the false gods of the nations that can bring rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Are you not he, O LORD our God? We set our hope on you, for you do all these things.


Isaiah 8:17
I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him.


Texas is experiencing the winds of changing seasons, once again we can tell we need rain. Prayer is appreciated.  Thank you.

<><

Isaiah 40 ~ they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles

Isaiah 40

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that her warfare is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the Lord's hand
double for all her sins.

3 A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

6 A voice says, “Cry!”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass,
and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers, the flower fades
when the breath of the Lord blows on it;
surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.

9 Go on up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good news;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
lift it up, fear not;
say to the cities of Judah,
“Behold your God!”
10 Behold, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.

12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
and marked off the heavens with a span,
enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure
and weighed the mountains in scales
and the hills in a balance?
13 Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord,
or what man shows him his counsel?
14 Whom did he consult,
and who made him understand?
Who taught him the path of justice,
and taught him knowledge,
and showed him the way of understanding?
15 Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket,
and are accounted as the dust on the scales;
behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust.
16 Lebanon would not suffice for fuel,
nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering.
17 All the nations are as nothing before him,
they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.

18 To whom then will you liken God,
or what likeness compare with him?
19 An idol! A craftsman casts it,
and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
and casts for it silver chains.
20 He who is too impoverished for an offering
chooses wood that will not rot;
he seeks out a skillful craftsman
to set up an idol that will not move.

21 Do you not know? Do you not hear?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;
23 who brings princes to nothing,
and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.

24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,
scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,
when he blows on them, and they wither,
and the tempest carries them off like stubble.

25 To whom then will you compare me,
that I should be like him? says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high and see:
who created these?
He who brings out their host by number,
calling them all by name,
by the greatness of his might,
and because he is strong in power
not one is missing.

27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
and my right is disregarded by my God”?
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.


Verses 1 & 2

Luke 13:34
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!

Verses 3 to 5

2 Peter 1:17
For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,”

Verses 6, 7 & 8

Psalm 102:26
They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded.

Psalm 1:1-2
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.


Verses 9 to 11

Matthew 28:20
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Verses 12 to 24

Proverbs 8:23b-33
Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 before he had made the earth with its fields,
or the first of the dust of the world.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there;
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above,
when he established[d] the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 then I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his[e] delight,
rejoicing before him always,
31 rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man.

32 “And now, O sons, listen to me:
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction and be wise,
and do not neglect it.

Verses 25 to 26

Psalm 145:18
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Romans 10:13
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”


Verses 27 to 31

Matthew 11:30
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light
 

<><

Isaiah 34:15-17 ~ There the owl nests and lays and hatches and gathers her young in her shadow; indeed, there the hawks are gathered, each one with her mate.

Isaiah 34:15-17

There the owl nests and lays
and hatches and gathers her young in her shadow;
indeed, there the hawks are gathered,
each one with her mate.

16 Seek and read from the book of the Lord:
Not one of these shall be missing;
none shall be without her mate.
For the mouth of the Lord has commanded,
and his Spirit has gathered them.

17 He has cast the lot for them;
his hand has portioned it out to them with the line;
they shall possess it forever;
from generation to generation they shall dwell in it.




Psalm 139:12
even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.


Psalm 16:5-8
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.



Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

2 Peter 1:21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.





<><

Isaiah 35 ~ The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus

Isaiah 35


The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;
2 it shall blossom abundantly
and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
the majesty of our God.

3 Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
4 Say to those who have an anxious heart,
“Be strong; fear not!
Behold, your God
will come with vengeance,
with the recompense of God.
He will come and save you.”

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.
For waters break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
7 the burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down,
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

8 And a highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Way of Holiness;
the unclean shall not pass over it.
It shall belong to those who walk on the way;
even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.



For the people who have loved ones pass on, this passage is Eternal comfort.


<><