Galatians 1 ~ not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father

Galatians 1 


1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man,
but through Jesus Christ and God the Father,
who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age,
according to the will of our God and Father,
to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel.

12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. 

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.

"Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise

Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,

Almighty, victorious, Thy great Name we praise."

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. God said His Creation is good. 

God sent Jesus to save the World.

In the middle of loving us - the people Paul tells about Jesus - Paul says this is an evil age. Does Paul stay there? Paul glorified God.

John never fully recovered from seeing evil take the life of God's Son John said God is Love. And how did this affect his four co-authored Bible Books? He overcame.

John 13:34
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another

New Testament ~  

God is mentioned 1221 times.
Jesus is mentioned, by name, not by titles, 1058 times.
Love is 678 times.

Lord is mentioned 616 times.
391 times Son is mentioned.

Faith is mentioned 296 times.
Righteousness is mentioned 273 times.
Heaven is mentioned 266 times, not including references to the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Righteousness.
263 Believe.

255 times King is mentioned.
238 times Good is mentioned.

Brothers 182.
Heart 175.
168 times pray is mentioned and 61 times prayer is mentioned.

Evil is discussed 70 times in the New Testament, not including the 37 times in the Gospel. 

Love is 678, while Spirit is 370.  Give is 378.  Household is 160. Together is 97. Forgiveness is 74. Honor is mentioned 65 times. 




Why? This is an important question, why didn't the Scripture focus on the evil age?

1 Thessalonians 4:13
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.

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

John, who lived, ate, worked, walked in awe of Jesus mentions evil how many times in his 4 Books of the Bible? 13 times.

We do not focus on evil because - Churches, like the Bible, do not start backwards and work to loving God -

John 1:4-5
In Jesus was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

God sees us - the Beloved of God - as having the Light of Christ.  We are commissioned to bring forth the Light of Christ in all people. 


John 3:19
And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

Galatians 1:4
Lord Jesus Christ
who gave himself
for our sins
to deliver us from
the present evil age,
according to the will of our God and Father

To focus on evil stirs this -
all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice, envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness, gossips, slanderers, haters, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

What Do We Want More of?

Please, Jesus, More!

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

He who is mighty has done great things for me!

His mercy is for me!

He has helped me, in remembrance of His mercy!

He has spoken!

The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe!

Justified by His grace as a gift!

Received by faith, showing God's righteousness!

His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins!


Father God, we know it is You who ran to us in the Prodigal Son. Help us to be the the people who ran to you in Your Gospels - the young man of great wealth, the crowd who ran to Jesus and He had compassion on them, the people who ran to bring the sick from their beds to Him, Zacchaeus, Mary Magdalene, the other Mary, Peter, Philip and John, the people who ran to Solomon's Portico when the lame man walked and the woman who ran to say Peter was alive and at the gate.

You have promised when we earnestly seek You - You are there in our midst.

With man this is impossible, but with You, Father God, all things are possible. Our prayers and cares You take because You care for us. We will leave our cares with You, because You care a hundredfold. In You, Father, we will inherit eternal life. Your Word is fulfilled. You promise us in Your Own Name. Jesus the Lord. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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2 Corinthians 12 ~ keep from becoming conceited

The Papyrus 46 Title Page of 2 Corinthians and the last of three pages of 2 Corinthians 12

Overwhelmed by Big Daddy Weave and Tanzanian Children's Choir - There is No One Else

2 Corinthians 12

I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 

3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 

I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 

Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say,  or because of these surpassingly great revelations. 

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 3
3 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

4 Such confidence we have through Christ before God.

Where Paul traveled, the man who was never Pope, we can fairly well determine because like Capernaum (the adult hometown of Jesus safe for 13 centuries) - areas had peace and prosperity for centuries. However, at great personal cost and the next generation had some troubles as well.

Why do we look at dry, dusty histories? To see the fruit of those who walked and spoke with Jesus. We know they died for Jesus. What of their fruit for Jesus as time passed? Our histories are currently going to be  reevaluating History to reflect modern opinions. What was the fruit of this Love!

What of this man who met Jesus on the Road to murder more Christians for his advancement? What was his life like?

We find Paul saying his authority for Jesus Christ looks like -
Boasting, Gain, Visions, Great Revelations, God's knowledge, Paul's wonder, boasting or foolishness, speaking the truth, refraining from speaking, illness, pleading prayers, weakness and strength.

Finding those severe difficulties Paul faces brings understanding of the sincerity of Paul's belief.

We find Paul in Relationship with Father God.

And still questioned about his veracity.

2 Corinthians 10
For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” 11Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. 12Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

How Confident was Paul?
Paul was absolutely first Heaven confident in God being God. The Word and Power of God fulfilling all of His Word and Promises to we who believe in Christ Jesus.

And yet people asked about Paul's authority.
Paul was not concerned about this, beyond that Jesus is proclaimed as God's Salvation.

2 Corinthians 4
Because of this, since we have this ministry, just as we have been shown mercy, we do not lose heart, 2 but we have renounced shameful hidden things, not behaving with craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but with the open proclamation of the truth commending ourselves to every person’s conscience before God.

Paul, in the Holy Spirit continues with this:

see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord

Was Paul concerned with what?!

1 Corinthians 9:19-23
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

What was the strength of Jesus in His servant Paul!!!

John, in the Holy Spirit, describes Paul:

1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

Paul with the Holy Spirit was busy giving Life ~

2 Corinthians 3
You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

2 Corinthians 12:15
So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well.

2 Corinthians 1
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.a 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

24 we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.

2 Corinthians 4
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 5
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 6
As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says,
“In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.

18 “I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”

2 Corinthians 7
4 I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 14 For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true.

16 I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.

2 Corinthians 8
And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.

Why is Paul an Encourager?

2 Corinthians 13
10 For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.

Paul believes Love is triumphant

1 Corinthians 13
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.


2 Corinthians 13
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.



Father God, You see the Work of Your Hands and call overwhelming - Good. The Sound of Your Voice - Gentle and Thundering - fill our Life with Your Light. Welcome Jesus, Live in me - let my delight in You fill this life. Jesus makes us forgiven and free in You. Give us the Glory of Your Presence. Father God let us run to Your arms as You Love Your prodigal children.

Father God, Your Angel You call Wonderful gives us Your Words of Life. You are Glorious Lord Father God. Our blessings are here and now and we give Thanks to You for Your Word fulfilled. Lord God let Your Joy be our Strength. We are privileged to be asking in the Name, the Highest Name of Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Hebrews 11 ~ worshipped

Papyrus 46 has 104 Scriptures listed in the index this reader chose to keep. It's either two or three generations after Jesus died and is marvelously intact. These three photographs are Hebrews 10 to Hebrews 11 complete and intact - amazing.


Hebrews 11

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

"Love Song"

Head under water
And they tell me to breathe easy for a while
The breathing gets harder, even I know that
Made room for me but it's too soon to see
If I'm happy in your hands
I'm unusually hard to hold on to

Blank stares at blank pages
No easy way to say this
You mean well, but you make this hard on me

...
Babe, I'll walk the seven seas when I believe that there's a reason to write you a love song today, today

  

Writers: Frank Hannon, Jeff Keith, Sara Bareilles

So... Hebrews 11 sounds like a lot of difficulty...

Quelle Surprise... What is interesting about Hebrews 11?

There are no blank pages. Love fills this Chapter of Hebrews 11.     

Quelle Surprise... . A surprising thing about this far flung list of Hebrews 11 including some out of the way people listed in far corners of the Bible... is

is... David isn't here.

You'd think David would be. God thought so much of all the people He created that He chose David to be known as Jesus' forebearer.

What was so unique about David? David expected God to be Good. To be Merciful. David didn't take life lightly. He didn't report he was a chuckle full of monkey laughs. David could be very serious.

Quelle Surprise. What drew each of these people to Father God. What Attribute did He have they loved?

David was willing to live in a ditch as a mercenary having his wife and children stolen. David had a compassionate heart and drew in the people who were only glad to see David when God's Word was Fulfilled.

David anticipated the Goodness and Power of God in his life along side Difficulties.

David clearly understood the Heart of God.

We were privileged to have a healer come in June from the U.K. to HopePointe - Fr. Mike Endicott from Wales. He told about being a Parish Priest for 20 years and begging and pleading and whining and being mad at God for not hearing his prayers.

One day Father Mike reports that he could see the cross of Jesus had taken our sins. And made us white. Jesus had taken our illnesses and our sickness and our brokenness. Father Mike suddenly felt renewal and hope coming alive! Jesus is Alive! He is Working and His Father is Working with Him!

We aren't talking about two millenniums ago.. we are Speaking with LOVE of God who is willing - TODAY.


There are obstacles to healing. Blockages. Feelings of being unworthy. In charge. Small. Mean ol God. Unbelief. Belief in the status quo.

The Holy Spirit arrives with Wind.

John 3:8
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

We need to Trust in the Goodness of God's Will.

Father God, Your Will be done. Today.

Father Francis MacNutt has had a well known healing ministry for sixty years. I'm so privileged to hear him by video in a class led by Sharon Ritze at HopePointe. And Father Francis completely agrees with Fr. Mike Endicott. God wants to take our sins and our sickness and our brokenness.

God agrees with St. Augustine. Be hard on sin and easy on People.

God came to save sinners.

The Nicene Council tried to decide if Jesus was leading us in the story of a woman caught in Adultery. Yes. We know He did. Jesus attitudes are Father God's attitudes. Healing is so exciting. We are Touched By God. We realize again = God Knows we are Here!!!

Empathy. Jesus said quite a few times "He healed them all."

Last week our healing class prayed for a man from New Mexico who had reoccurring mouth cancer. We really did care about the man. It was remote prayer. When the man arrived at M.D. Anderson - no cancer was found.

Father Frances MacNutt says his team has such empathy for sinners. But for the grace of God - goes I. Healing creates empathy. He sees his team is willing to share gifts and praise for His Glory.

Jesus shows us a Father who would run to His Child. Jesus explains God is forgiveness. Jesus didn't castigate the woman at the well - He said go and sin no more.

Father Francis explains how loving God is - God says test the spirits. Father Frances says when he sees healing, the next day people are trying to see if the healing will last. Wobbly like a colt.

Jesus adopts us. Our Father is Gentle and Steadfast

Luke 1:76-79

the Lord to prepare his ways

to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,

because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”


God creates Joy as a Strength.
The Roman Empire saw hope and stood amazed.
The Empire was falling apart with divorce and lack of family and fear of theft killing commerce.
And the people began to have hope and learn to believe.

Tertullian 250 A.D., a Church Father, said that the Miracles of God are far better than gladiator games.
These miracles of God show God is with Us.

We all have to do something to respond to the Mercy of God. Prayer is what God wants most with Thanks.


God is Alive.
God is for us.
The Promise of God in His Word are Fulfilled.


Father GOD thank you - for today. Your mercies renew each day. In Jesus, statistics show we live 7 years longer and the years are filled with hope and expectation of Your Goodness. We say Thank You. And Know You fulfill Your Word to us. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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1 Corinthians 2 ~ a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age

Papyrus 46, 1st or 2nd A.D., 1 Corinthians 2 - 2nd or 3rd generation after Jesus lived and ascended

1 Corinthians 2

2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—

10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for,

“Who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ.

I have to say, as a child, I wasn’t fond of Vacation Bible School, it interfered with my summer vacation. In the 70’s almost everyone was Christian. Just as it is polite to say “fine” when someone asks you how you are, it was polite to reply “yes” and tell your denomination when asked if you believed as a Christian. I think if I’d met someone in the 70’s who said they were atheist, I probably would have thought they were communist. Hey, I was a child in the part of the city that was a lot like the suburbs.

That sound's like it is a put down, but history should be considered for its era. And society was still holding a lot of the media, news and behavior of the Christian Church.

As child and early teen, I prayed, I wondered, but mostly I felt like God wasn’t overly interested in me. One night, I was asked by a priest to really make a commitment in my belief, was I a believer in Jesus Christ or an agnostic? I realized I was a believer. It was a moment in my life, unforgettable moment, of great and overwhelming joy.

Many years after that night, I have been privileged to have seen, heard or taken part in amazing demonstrations of the Spirit’s power. I have had occasions in my life to discuss, matter–of-factly, some of the amazing things I’ve seen God do for people asking Him for mercy and watch the other person’s mouth drop open. As I write Scriptures for Today, or tell someone something of the Lord, I realize, we have to see the Lord and His deeds with faith. Because without faith, it is seems like a tall tale or myth.

Father God, please increase our wisdom not to have the appearance of goodness, instead to look to You, Jesus Christ, in faith to complete us to live in righteousness. We invite You again to dwell in us and know our shadows and variations that Your Light, Mercy and Love will hold us to You.

We will trust in You, Father, to carry our anxieties. You love and care for us. We will remain sober in our expectation of Your Goodness. We will hold firm to our Faith just even resting in the Name of Jesus.

We know that all suffer and we are assured in 1 Peter 5, You will rush to help us. You are a God of grace and dwell in eternal glory in Heaven. We look to you to restore, confirm, strengthen and establish us as Your children as believers of Jesus Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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