+ Luke 23:33-35 ~ "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."

Luke 23:33-35

When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.

But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."

And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.

 And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One."

 

Let's be very serious. Is God re-inventing Himself in the New Testament?

Some people consider the God of the Old Testament to be Very Different from the New Testament. 


Instead of the reinvention of God, let's see Jesus and forgiveness. 

Because


Hear O Israel, the Lord Thy GOD is One.

Luke 18
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’”

And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7
And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.

Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”


God is the Judge of faith and depth of soul. The Father who would put Himself on the Cross. A terrible thing.

Not us as we arm chair and give justice. With limited vision. We all Need His Compassion. Just not to treat that forgiveness as if it's like throw away plates.









 

Sincere Forgiveness came from the Innocent Son of God. 

Our goodness in forgiveness doesn't necessarily have an immediate payback.

1. They cast lots for what they could put their hands upon, to take further. 
They disregarded His forgiveness.
2. Others just looked on.
3. Rulers sneered.

What did God give us for a Real example of Forgiveness next?

1. The people saw the Dead walk.
2. 500 people saw Jesus alive and teaching.

A new Heaven and a new earth. And the new earth was formed as a progression of miracles and ripples. Death and the Troubles of Life were overcome.

Forgiveness has Boundaries.
Places where we don't have to bang our head over and over.
Forgiveness is a Deep, Clean Breathe.
Letting God have what we can't redo, can't renew, can't be more than human.

What?

We do not see Jesus stand in front of the Holy of Holies and make the Temple repair as HE stands to Proclaim Himself.

Jesus kept on Blazing His Path. For us. 

What?

Jesus does not appear in front of the Sanhedrin Council and destroy their Talmud records (we can read today in Scotland). The Sanhedrin Council cannot let go of the harm they did to God's Son and for years they discuss complete falsehoods to make themselves feel better. History records the real evidence. The Council takes their forgiveness and spin for themselves a way to keep doing the status quo. 

The rulers don't have enough remorse to have anything but excuses.  Old paths and circles. Old values, traditions.  Jesus provided forgiveness and we do not see evidence of any change.

Forgiveness was given.

The Status Quo of Power, died, in 70 A.D., the natural death Jesus would have had.

God was ending the powers that had ended His Son. A consequence to not opening a heart to forgiveness.  God didn't just go gooey.

 










 

What? Only the people who would crucify Jesus?   
Even those who loved Him.

Matthew 20
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. 21And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said to Him, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left."

Jesus also told Peter.  Self before help. Peter moved into fear and betrayal. The cost of not being with the multitude of women and people who mourned Jesus on Good Friday brought a cost. They would give up their lives for Jesus. And this - they - chose to do.

Peter made a mistake to the Lamb of God, complete Innocence and Goodness.
Peter continued to Grow with Love towards Jesus. 
Jesus taught Peter not to walk on his own self-righteousness. 

 What? 
God was interweaving their failings to comfort us. We all fail. Those who walked with Jesus failed. God weaves all things to good for those who love Him and work to His purpose. Jesus promised many comforts to those who would continue in Him.







God tells us most about blessings when He says follow the Law.
The largest concentration of Blessings surround the Boundaries God gives us.
Jesus told us do unto others as the Law. Love ourselves, Love  others.

John, Luke, Timothy, Mark - the loved ones who stayed to help the dying - lived to be old.  THEY LOVED! Mark stayed and Peter declared him to be his son. Mark had failed Paul once before.

(Proving long life - God seeing His Creation as Good - God sees as a blessing!  Forget the good die young.)

What? The Bible isn't just a book of martyrs with long robes. 

 In this Life, God rewarded "Beloved, let us Love one another - Love is of God."

God provides Forgiveness and yet doesn't require lack of consequence or amnesia. Forgiveness is not a contortion.  This is a process. As the Father ran to the Prodigal Son, we read all through the paragraph - this has taken time. Luke 15. 

We forgive immediately as a start by saying, "I want to forgive, I will forgive, God help me each day as the Prodigal Father had time to forgive."


Jesus told us about this as well.


Matthew 7
"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit."


This is usually a good rule to be cautious. 
And is Scripture. God says Mercy is shown to the Merciful. A good point to remember in our discernment.

NOW. Jesus told Joshua in the Holy Spirit to be "Centered". Surely this heart is not centered in the Photo.  And yet we must be real and sincere in our Soul to Our Father who Loves us best.

Matthew 18
21 Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 

Jesus did not take vengeance. 
Yet, in the physical body - HE did not chose to attend the Sadduceen Council.

Rick Warren explained this Very Well in his brother-in-law's book "40 Days of Love". Divorced people forgive, they don't have to go back to abuse or being forsaken.

Our Father God wants the best for our upward Path. Peace.

1 Timothy 2:5
who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all.


1 Corinthians 7 15 
But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? 


Peace is important.  Peace usually is not slid into, we have to work or fight for peace.  Nicey will fall apart like kleenex on a rainy day. Let the people who have ears, hear.  Work to communication with respect.

We did this Today in this household. We had heated and loud words, I was overlooked and I refused to be the back of the bus for no apparent reason. I refused to quit. My husband said,  'cool off time.'  We did.  I sent an email saying my point of view and why POLITE with a constant communication Heard - Was IMPORTANT. 

Because Peace is Work in Progress - Our communication was completed. Misunderstandings were explained. The one flaw was admitted and forgiveness was completely exchanged. Nicey without apology and communication would have left this unresolved.  This peace was loudly fought for. And had a referee to say - stop - pause. Think. Someone cared enough to say - I'm also involved.  Love found a path with Words. 

Like Jesus - Our Hero, Savior, Beloved - we will not have all apparent victories. 

Our steps hope to follow those who love Jesus. Peter, Paul, Timothy, Barnabas, Mark - they all had times to leave. Changes and relationships ended. Towns said no. 

No Portion of the Bible discussing this transient Life had Huge and Continual Spike the Football.

God would never require a Pedophile to be housed with the Child of Abuse. Jesus would not do that. Release being provoked to anger.

A Boundary - An Important Boundary? !!!

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."


Matthew 5:24
Leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

To what can we compare the Joy of forgiveness?

John 16
A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 

So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 

In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.






Philippians 2:2
Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.


Build up the Body of Christ in Love. We ask Jesus for the Encouragement and Miracles You provided to Daniel. Fathers return to sons and hearts encouraged to Love.  Family. Your Will be Done. Amen!!!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Ephesians 3 ~ He may grant you to be strengthened

Why read the Word of God???

Is there a reward?

We look to God  - saying teach us what life (God) is teaching us. Seeing beyond what our eyes see.

Ask and Seek - we just have to read His Words to us.

1. God says we will be strengthened with Power in His Holy Spirit - where - in our Soul. - where we actually exist. We are only temporarily physical bodies. Like a tootsie roll lollipop. One, two, three.

2. Jesus will LIVE in us, in our Faith, helping us to become the mustard tree. A seed of faith and we are roots to treetop built up in LOVE.

3. More wisdom.

4. Seeing that being centered on Jesus, we understand how truly Vast God is. 

5. Miracles exist on the breadth, length, height, depth, surpassing our small brains - that IS the fullness of God bringing forth all things with His Word.

6. Seeing how Vast our Father God is - we want His works within our lives. Using His Words to propel us to Love. To touch our generations Forever and Ever to His Glory. Going to Church, seeing beyond ourselves. The Purpose of the Church is to Worship God. His Love spills out the doors and makes our lives have meaning in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3
He may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 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.

Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Mark 7 ~ do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders

Mark 7

Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4 and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) 5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” 6 And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,

“‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
7 in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”

9 And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 11 But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)— 12 then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, 13 thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”


14 And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” 

 And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”


24 And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. 

But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs.” 29 And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” 30 And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.


31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 

 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36 And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 

And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

What's the First Response? Call Abba. Eyes on Him. Tell HIM how you really are and expect Him to want your best. And expect the Prodigal Father He is going to run to you when it's really a mess - and - even if you made the mess.

Jesus gives us the example of prayer many times and being quiet with God.

Father God, life surely requires prayer now. And I feel sad for the changes in my life and the times I've given pain.

Edward is ill. My mom is older. Family quarrels. Being asked to be better than I can possibly be. We pray for healing and restoration. To Jesus the Lord. Jesus, be our center.

Only the Gift Jesus gives us. Redemption from Jesus. That's the most important thing in the world. Loving God and bringing His Light forth.

Praise to God for Blessings Given. My son Cal has moved home to work from home. The joy of just looking at Cal. God Bless Kyle for unloading a truck. God prepare a path for Kyle. For friends who give comfort and conversation.

God's profound blessings of Cal giving Alexander the car the wonderful little red 1996 SC Lexus two door to his brother Alexander. Cal earned doing RA work in college. God's blessings on those two brothers who Love each other.  Alexander spending the family week with Cal packing his belongings, lifting, driving, getting home at 4 in the morning and helping again. Some.

For Xander chipping in to repair the red car. Thank You God to see Fruit of our lives. Thank You for bringing that. Good to see the heart of a Father enriched by his sons.

How can we understand the Works of God? 
We read the Works of God to understand the working of our lives.
We actually don't always understand. Because He is that Vast.



We Learn to Trust God.


Imagine going to the rooted and grounded Church of God in a small town. And you have to announce that you don't like their practices of cleanliness and piety.  And next, picture the proven medical fact this cleanliness keeps the generations alive to enjoy the innocence of the young - very refreshing. And the beauty of wisdom of the faithful aged.

And you just tell them - 'Forget that'.

Jesus was acting upon His own Authority to announce Kosher was finished. Made the faithful angry. Kosher was proven in the Bronze Age and before. Iron Age and after. We use aspects of Kosher today. To have survival in childbirth, relief from infection, removal of bacteria and increases the immunity system to upbuild the entire community.

And Jesus said "That done, it's only a man-made ritual now."

Jesus was saying He had strengthened the Body to rely upon God. Stripped of cleanliness? God would sustain them. Can you even imagine how this changed life-long habits? To not trust cleanliness of hands and to say God Protect me. Because that would be a frightening step.

The point for us, today, God knows what God is doing better than we do.
God understood what He was saying to Isaiah. Better than the Magi.
Jesus understood what He was saying to the Children of Israel.

This isn't murky. This is saying God wants us to seek the next step. And trust HIM that He is the Light of our path, pleasing Him by seeking out His will in our lives.




God as done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.

Thank you Father God for hearing and answering our prayers in Jesus. Amen.  

 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Ephesians 6 ~ Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Does the hat really look like that?

Ephesians 6

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

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

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

When God decided Moses was ready for a visit, He used a calling card - FIRE!

When Jesus decided HE was heading to Home Paradise - He sent a calling card - FIRE!

This life will give us trial by - - - - !


Hebrews 12
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

Regular Fire finishes. You have to maintain just about everything in life. The Fire of God is not covered, hidden, dormant, subject to decay. Is Sovereign.

Jesus told us about HIS WORD. He said days may come.

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.


Isaiah 55
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. 12 "For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands."





Why do we have trouble between parents, in work, what does most trouble come from?

James 4
What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?

John said God is Love.

James said we are selfish.

 




What to do with Trouble?

Pray.

Sounds namby pamby?
Psalm 38
O Lord, all my longing is before you;
my sighing is not hidden from you.

Psalm 43
Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling!
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy

We want the Light and the Truth of God. That is Joy. 








Matthew 21:22
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.

Add that to the Lord's Prayer about believing His Will should be done - and you have Faith.

Do we have powerful allies?

Ephesians 2:18
For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

How close to God are we?

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Does God know we make messes and appear one way and do another? God called Aaron, who is like us. People.

Hebrews 10:19
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus

By the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.









Once I was in Geometry Class (with Scott Verplank of the PGA). I made a great grade because my High School Teacher read from the book. Then she closed the book and looked expectantly at us. The lesson generally took ten to fifteen minutes. And for the rest of the hour we complained as we tried to do homework. I found if I read the chapter ahead of time I knew how to explain to her what I didn't know and the lesson would continue another twenty minutes. And sometimes then someone else would have a question and she would repeat over and over "I don't understand your question." So Sometimes, I would jump in and provide what they meant and she would work a problem we set up.

The system worked for about 7/8ths of the year. Until I could understand simply from reading the book and her 15 minute discussions.

The Word of God works like that a little too. When you get to the point Your Really Grasp the Promises HE makes and the Ease of His WORD. The Burden is easy, if you will, the fire to understand and explain  - needs a teacher.

The equation is easy really.

We are promised Trouble. We shall receive in abundance.

Life is here to test our metal. Who we would be. Who we would be proud to be.

What pride we have directs us - where.

We are set in this vast rushing wind or water of Life.

There is a rudder in calm water and in white water.

Truth. Love. Joy. Given to us by a Father who calls us Home.











 


In White Water, you have to hang on to Truth. Because the Winds of Life will Howl.
God says merely by the preparation of reading His Word, we are assured of something unseen in our very present troubles.

Something Better. And when we go out of our way to make this - we are making a meaningful life.

This Chapter assures us, you get Trouble you didn't ask for. And there is a key to survival with love incorruptible.












God sees all of our thinking. All of that. And says - "I think I will save them all." Will we let HIM?


Father God, when anger raises up schemes, power and darkness. Be the Ray of Light we Know, Believe, Trust, Hope, and are Assured of. In the Name of Jesus we Trust. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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2 Samuel 10 ~ War No More

2 Samuel 10


After this the king of the Ammonites died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place. 2 And David said, “I will deal loyally with Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father dealt loyally with me.” So David sent by his servants to console him concerning his father. And David's servants came into the land of the Ammonites.

But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Do you think, because David has sent comforters to you, that he is honoring your father? Has not David sent his servants to you to search the city and to spy it out and to overthrow it?” 4 So Hanun took David's servants and shaved off half the beard of each and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away. 

When it was told David, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, “Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown and then return.”

6 When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David, 
the Ammonites sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with 1,000 men, and the men of Tob, 12,000 men. 7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the host of the mighty men. 

And the Ammonites came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the gate, and the Syrians of Zobah and of Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country.

9 When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians. 

The rest of his men he put in the charge of Abishai his brother, and he arrayed them against the Ammonites. 11 And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. 

Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.” 

So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him. 14 And when the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.

15 But when the Syrians saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together. 16 And Hadadezer sent and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the Euphrates. They came to Helam, with Shobach the commander of the army of Hadadezer at their head.

And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan and came to Helam. The Syrians arrayed themselves against David and fought with him. 18 And the Syrians fled before Israel, and David killed of the Syrians the men of 700 chariots, and 40,000 horsemen, and wounded Shobach the commander of their army, so that he died there. 

And when all the kings who were servants of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became subject to them. So the Syrians were afraid to save the Ammonites anymore.

James Taylor makes an interesting analogy today in the words about Truth.

People can be quick to point out a lie or accuse someone of back stabbing. This works with apparent goodness. Apparent goodness can be very showy. It's the mercy that speaks more quietly.

Wikipedia points to public speculation about the song "Fire and Ice". James Taylor has publicly explained "Fire and Ice" three times and his explanation was greeted with suspicion he lied. When you run the stories together - did we really want him to explain to a rock concert ...? Did he lie at the Madrid Concert? Doubt it. Taylor was explaining a sad song, with a humorous reference to recovery and truth.

James Taylor's full explanation went like this -
Taylor explained to host Scott Simon that the song was written in three parts: [A Work In Progress.]

The first part was indeed about Taylor's friend Suzanne, who died while Taylor was in London working on his first album after being signed to Apple Records. Friends at home, concerned that it might distract Taylor from his big break, kept the tragic news from him, and he only found out six months later.

The second part details Taylor's struggle to overcome drug addiction and depression.

The third part deals with coming to grips with fame and fortune, looking back at the road that got him there. It includes a reference to James Taylor and The Flying Machine, a band he briefly worked with before his big break with Paul McCartney, Peter Asher, and Apple Records.

Waiting for a Rush to Judgment

Jesus wasn't one to stand up on a rock and Say, "I'M THE SON OF GOD". Which leads people to discuss their feelings of His Supremacy in deep thoughts on soul deep issues without something very important -

Something Very Important

The Source

How can we debate Jesus is the Christ without knowing what the Word is? Our largest History of Jesus is the Word of God.

How can we discern what to trust and what to believe?

We are built to respond to God and truth. We are told to seek and to find. To see a sign of a miracle is Good. This encourages us. To stop is not to stop God. To refuse an invitation to Wonder isn't fatal.

Yet... why wouldn't we take our Wonder to the Word of God?


Look at Jeremiah 15, look at 2 Samuel 10 today.

Not one of mankind spikes the football and remains in Victory.

Look at the 2 Samuel 10. David has found Victory!!! He is KING. It's good to be King. Except. A war has started - because - David sent off hand condolences.

And Then. Bam! One unleashing of unkindness has started a whip cord backlash. And WAR erupts.

What we don't see King David of God do - he does Not say

1. "Well, I never really wanted to be King."
2. "I Quit."
3. "Nothing never good Ever happens to me."
4. "Why does Everything Always Go Wrong."
5. "Ruddy Ol God, Dammit."
6. "Let's dig out the old gods and try them."
7. "WHAT! PANIC!!!"
8. "IT"S THE END OF THE WORLD!!!"

David instead is going to do his best with what is at hand. And he is not going to sit sweating out the fact that what kicked this off was a kindness from a loving heart in the days of poor travel.

However, when you read the Psalms of David - you have reached the Source - and we JUST KNOW that David is going to pour out his heart to GOD. David is going to whine and complain and cry to - the Source. God.

And how does Father GOD react to the One who Relies upon GOD?

Oh. Look. God explained that - in the Source.

John 16:33

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Let us pray together - 

Father God for Peace! Jesus Delivers us and is our strong defender. We will Trust in Jesus, blessed redeemer. The Holy ONE. When we have a "time" the One we look to is the Rock. The foundation of our Wonder and Joy. Father GOD You alone kept David rolling - I'm throwing myself in with You! Deliver me for the Holiness of Your Name.

Father God !

In times of peace - I say Jesus is God. When I am torn down by the tremendous of events life has the possibility to unleash - I know You will restore my soul. When I need a direction - I pray for You , Abba to lead me in the paths of righteousness for blessings.

When death arrives for a funeral or my own, I will only look to You. You are with me. 

In faith, I proclaim You anoint my head with oil. I will look to what is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- With You I Will Think about such things.

When I take time to remember what I have learned, what I have experienced, I will let my cup of gratitude overflow. You are teaching me. I Thank You. 

In Jesus, Goodness and Mercy will be the footprints I leave.  All the days of my life. 

Jesus, You Love me. Yes, Jesus loves me. I shall dwell in the House of the Lord. Forever.

In Jesus is our Alleluia! Amen!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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