Mark 7 ~ Jesus called the crowd to Him

Mark 7

8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

9 And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ 11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— 12 then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.”

17 After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. 18 “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? 19 For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)

20 He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”


Psalm 126
A song of ascents.

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.


Romans 9
9 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

Recently, I had a debate about the shape of a heart. It's a very old symbol and it really does not look like a pig organ. I say that a person is a 5 pound soul. A person - for exactly NO physical reason - looses five pounds after they pass on. The heart shape is a perfect symbol for the fact that if you believe with your heart and confess with your soul - Jesus is the Christ - your soul is gathered in the Grace of God and defies being dead. Our essence and memories will live on - what God calls in His Word - our BEING lives on. (I say this a lot - you never know which post pops up on a subject on the internet.)

Now the other part of the debate was - a soul is actually Light. Which does make sense because - God is the Light of all of mankind. The disciple John records this in His Gospel.

The photo says: Where there is humankind there is potential for an act of goodness. Gotta love the expectation - we truly need and some sort of soft fuzziness.

God balances out this by Jesus saying He knows what is in the heart of mankind.

If we look for Blessings in the Word of God this is going to center on the Law.

Mankind has so many layers. With all the layers - God decides the World needs to be saved. And if we look at that twice - God says Saved. As in - needs redemption.

God surrounds His Law and builds His framework on how to build where Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control - will give us our best possible place to become the best soul God sees in us.

And God gives the Law to a mankind saying something so deep and profound you cannot read these Words and push them aside for the rest of Your life:

Exodus 33:19
And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."

God gives His Law for our fulfillment. I was surprised, as an adult, to realize the orderliness of God's Law. He comes first. And this is not to be the gge great goat eater in the sky. This establishes a framework for what is Good - far and away beyond ourselves. God is so - softly spoken - that as HE Commands us to come into His Presence on Sundays - at His House - He is actually feeding us for drawing up the Light - the Love - that God Is to meet the higher and understated purposes in life.

Some days you just keep slogging away at making yourself HAPPY - it's just an amazing RELIEF to realize - OH MY GOD - Thank You that You are Good and Worthy and Love.

And I will tell you a secret, what People say about God - is what they secretly fear HE is saying about them.


So God gives us His Law. And that is good.

Mankind cannot adhere to the Law.

Because even when we do law and frequently spout it and live it - sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly come into this. Jesus says our thoughts - we can be darn glad of as private, define our hearts before God and He tells us a Savior is needed. It's no mistake Jesus called the law abiders and givers the white washed tombs.


Jesus said His people are salt and light. Not the dull.

We have a whole crowd of People who love to spout the rhetoric of safety in their cellophane wrapper ideas of God.

God says when we Love Him very much and Love others - He will forgive sins. He says Love covers a multitude of sins.

Like Jesus telling a chosen friend, follower, one who said "Let's to and die with Jesus." At the time of Lazarus. And then... Thomas ran away at trouble.

Thomas was
sooooo very comfortable saying, "I don't know. It seems improbable. Ya'll saw that there is SOME BIG TROUBLE IN THIS. So. I'm going with the profound safety of "I'm not sure you can really, really, really know this.""

Thomas - we love to say for millenniums - "I'm Thomas." Laugh with me because - really. Really, really. I don't want to put my hands in the side of Jesus. I don't want to see my fingers pass through His Hand.

I want to say, "Please, Jesus, be whole again. Please forgive me for ever having anything to do with what would cause this to happen." I weep to think of what Jesus' feet looked like. I want to sit with Jesus throw my arms around Him and say, "THANK YOU JESUS."

And when I face the realities of this level of Forgiveness - I say with profound gratitude - "You are God. The Lord Jesus Christ. And I do not need to be a Judge of man. Thank You that Your Word never requires me to decide the fate of some many levels of all of mankind. And I will work out my own salvation with understanding the Riches of Your Glory."

My Good is in You, Lord Jesus Christ. My Father the Lord. Amen. And the rest of the prayer - is for my family to make choices of Love. Goodness. For us all to remember to pray the huge prayers of National Sovereignty. For Healthcare. For joy in living the Life that God calls Good yesterday, today and tomorrow. And blessings on the people who pray to live out God's will for them. When we believe we are blessed in all of His blessings for us for today and tomorrow - we are truly blessed. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves † 

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Matthew 11:30 ~ His yoke is easy, His burden is light

Daniel 7

“As I looked,

thrones were placed,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat;
his clothing was white as snow,
and the hair of his head like pure wool;
his throne was fiery flames;
its wheels were burning fire.
10 A stream of fire issued
and came out from before him;
a thousand thousands served him,
and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him;
the court sat in judgment,
and the books were opened.



13 “I saw in the night visions,

and behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
14 And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed.

Jesse Duplantis is an Evangelical Charismatic Christian minister based in New Orleans, Louisiana. I have had Jesse Duplantis recommended to me by a Louisiana cousin about 10 years ago. He said Jesse lifts him up and broadens his views of God and encourages him. Makes him remember when you look up at the sky - Life is given to go much farther. And eyes get misty.

My friend Cindy said she had listened to this for an hour and a half and the Joy of God filled her. Cindy said This Would Bless Me and I want to tell you - This Did!

Many years ago we were puzzled in a Bible Study about Revelation. Matter of fact - the study stopped when we reached this verse.

Revelation 1:15
His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.

(So Jesse had a very important thing to say about this - - - )

We stopped because why - why - why was the verse His feet are like bronze glowing in a furnace. We did decide that no one could interpret Revelation and maybe it was above our pay grade. Isaiah knew Jesus was to be born - and all the people understood Isaiah. Even the Magi who knocked on Herod's door to find baby Prince Jesus.

We stopped the study. And did something we understood.

Sign of the Times

And - I was listening to Jesse, very honest about his life, witty, and very much commented on by very many different opinions. And I was struck, looking at the comments, how much they looked the way Rick Warren's Facebook page looked.

Matthew 16:3
Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?

We live in a time that -

Max Lucado's Survey says:
Four out of five Americans (82 percent) implore God about the needs of their friends and family. Half (54 percent) pray about good things occurring in their lives, and around one-third (36 percent) pray for their own future prosperity. Only 37 percent of Americans pray for their enemies, and 41 percent admitting to praying for those have mistreated them.
12% pray for our government! More please!

Lifeway says
48 percent of Americans pray every day
82 percent who pray typically pray about family or friends
20 percent pray for people of other faiths or no faith
Equal numbers of Americans (7 percent) pray behind the wheel, either for a good parking space or not to get a speeding ticket
About a third of survey respondents say they pray several times a day, according to the survey. About two-thirds (65 percent) of Americans say they pray at least once a month.

Which is great news for the Pray Every Day Crowd - it would appear there are Willing Blessings to be scooped up as the rest of the group lags!!! Run your race To Win.

Ok, back to the point.
Centering on Jesus the Lord, not to the right nor the left.

We live in a time where people are more vocal, especially on social media, about negative opinions. Trying to drown out what is - what Jesus said is - GOOD.

Like "Kelly's Heroes" - Donald Sutherland did you Evah have a better quote!!! - "Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?"

This quote changed the Words we say for a decade. People loosely considered "Righteous." Let's bring that consideration alive.

And Rick Warren commented on his Facebook page where all the man says is about Jesus - and - he said - "Just be nice" to the haters. To the effect - they needed a sign about alligators and swamps. I can tell you my household believes prayer works!

Living Water tells us God is Love.
Living Water tells us we cannot be separated from God.
Living Water believes being born of the Spirit, the armor of God does not ever leave or forsake us
Just a Promise of Jesus.

Matthew 11

27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

 Jesse is telling about a vision of Heaven. That others have shared and support. And Jesse tells us of seeing Jesus and His feet were

Revelation 1:15
His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.

Jesse said that Jesus' feet shone and radiated with Light. And Jesse referred to

John 21
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.

When Jesus chose to wash us clean, make us righteous before God, His feet today are not scarred, the Revelation image says that actually we have no idea what Jesus endured to give us Life. The quote says the nails tore open His feet.

And Jesus is alive and well today - Living in the Kingdom of God. Where there are 12 open Gates and the gates never close.

Jesus goes to great lengths to go where we are - reaches for us. We have to see that with eyes of faith. And ask Him.


I thank you, Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth for Your Gracious Will. We bring our cares to you and rest them with You. As our souls rest in prayer to You, feed our mind, body and drive to be Yours. Give us the wisdom to do Your Will and the Love each day. Root out bitterness and what isn't love. We delight in You, Father God.

You are our Good. Bless You Father to give us wisdom and the Bible says you will give us wisdom as we sleep in Psalms 16. God does not slumber. Be our path of Light and let our fulness be in you. Our help is in You. Forevermore.

Father God, we lift Liza to you for healing and Billy. We ask your blessing on both families who do Your Work. You are God who is willing and loving. We look to you in Expectation for my own family and for all our concerns that our choices please You.

Blessings Jesus, for knowing You love and answer our prayers. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves † 

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Matthew 13:31-35 ~ The Kingdom of Heaven is like

Matthew 13:31-35

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:

“I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.


Psalm 10
16 The Lord is King for ever and ever;
the nations will perish from his land.
17 You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that mere earthly mortals
will never again strike terror.

Jude
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

The idea is -Heaven is at hand.
The people who have returned from death say that the walls fade and that Heaven Really Is At Hand.

That would indicate a list would be very good.

The top of the list is the announcement from - Heaven is at hand.

Matthew 3:2
Saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”





Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit (humble, walk humbly with God) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:19
Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:23-30
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”



Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.





Matthew 10:7
As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near!’

Matthew 21:42-44
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

“‘The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

43 “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.





Parables of Jesus - the Book of James, brother of Jesus, says pray for Wisdom and that is granted:

Mark 4:10-12
When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that,

“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’


Mark 4:26-27

26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how."

God is going to do Works of God. And as we pray Heaven for our loved ones, He is working.

Mark 10:13-15

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

God does not list Jade as one of the stones in Revelation. Jesus did sometimes call the adult Disciples - Children. Seeing the Father - those eyes really did!


What our eyes will see in Heaven - we will see people loving God will all their understanding, strength and love is pervasive.

Mark 12:33-35

33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

Mark 14:24-26
24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Just as the Disciples ate fish for breakfast with Jesus in John 21 - Jesus ate several times He had His Heavenly Body. And in Acts, the Disciples ate meals together.

Matthew 8:11
I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.




The people who met Jesus, know Father God - know this was serious.

Mark 15:43
Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.

Luke 4:42-44
At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” 44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

John 3:5
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit."



We want to tell Father God - we did the work to help Him to be known to the ones we love and the people we encounter. 

We want to tell how Loving God is. We want to encourage people. Draw them up in honor. Praise them as God would.

And speak what is right, not to ever say what is wrong is right. Not to proclaim the sins of others.

To know God looks for hearts. That God is Love.


Father GOD, forgive me a sinner and Thank You that You freely gave me Salvation. Know all of me, my salt, my light, shadows, variations and make the dark Light for You. Be part of what I do each day. And help me be pleasing to You.

Father, let all mankind know the Joy You bring.

Present me before Your glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to You the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!

In Jesus the Lord, Amen.

 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves † 

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Titus 1 ~ To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure.

Still part of Papyrus 46, and not found at all - just part of the list.


Titus 1

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,

4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith:

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

10 For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. 11 They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” 13 This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith 14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

 Crete

Titus is pure, uncorrupted and a believer. He is the second follower of Paul and as a gentile would not be acceptable to the Jews and unlike, Timothy, is never circumcised. Titus is not following the law to be a 'pleaser' of men. The rewards of being a man who pleases God - he lives to be between 95 and 107 years old. Paul finds Titus doing such a good job as Titus appointed himself Bishop of Crete, that Paul appoints Titus to the job Titus has already been doing.

Titus - is apparently - a patron saint of bringing the Gospel to hostile pagans and

Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.


This chapter isn't politically correct. People are spoken of - in not glowing terms. When I was 8 and read the Old Testament for Children for the first time - I felt struck with fear - and embarrassed to be afraid of God - I was taught in parochial school - God is Love.

And as I read the Children's New Testament I had a question. I was fortunate my grandmother Anita was delighted I'd read the whole thing and and asked what I had to ask. I asked, "Grandmother, what God says is good - why do the Prophets tell of Him so badly?"

My Grandmother was outraged, ok, she was indignant. She fussed and had to leave the room. I felt indignant myself. She came back in and told me I had no respect. And left. I felt angrier. And for the first time, I made no reply to an adult, but I'm sure I looked angry. Apparently this was effective, because Grandmother Anita returned to ask why I thought the Prophets of God were poor educators.

I said - Because the people kill them. God makes sense. People belong to God. People should be told of God so well that they don't want to kill the people explaining God.

Grandmother Anita was quiet and then she burst into smiles. And she said, "You need to read the New Testament next."

Christianity in Crete comes from the sizable Jewish population, the basis of the early church there. Ancient historians have evidence that Crete's was a flourishing centers of the Diaspora. The Greeks who came to Jesus to ask about Him. I Macc. 15:23, for example, cites Gortyna as one of the cities to which the Roman Senate sent its proclamation of 139 B.C. warning against the molestation of Jews. Philo counted Crete among those regions of the Empire with important Jewish communities; and Judean General survivor of Masada, Josephus, who married a woman from a Cretan Jewish family, considered the Jews of Crete a large enough force to mention them as supporters of the imposter who sought to succeed Herod the Great.


What did Titus do to be a successful saint in the midst of opposition? And live to a ripe old age?

Blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

God sent messengers in two by two. Titus must have had some support. Spoke honestly. Kindly. Someone who loves good and likes to see good. Holding firmly to the principals of Jesus. An encourager. Refuting what is not good. That's honest too.

Father God, I'd like to be in that number, when the saints go marching in. Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves † 

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2 Timothy 2 ~ pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart

Papyrus 3535b- University of Michigan circa late first or second century. Depends on usage of verbs.

 Papyrus 46, within two generations of Jesus, lists this 2 Timothy 2 as part of the pages, but it's missing. It's interesting Papyrus 46  survived 1900 centuries in remarkable, miraculous condition.  Interesting - very - Papyrus 46 shows larger handwriting when Paul speaks of Paul's larger signature. The art is sometimes beautiful when the titles change and there are florid swirls just to be pretty.  Personality!

This 3535b is 1st or 2nd Century A.D.,still remarkable at this age, and the handwriting is far more relaxed. Where as Papyrus 46 is profoundly scholarly and perfect. The 1st Century saw Christianity widespread and accepted, the 1st Century needed to be precise to be clear.

2 Timothy 2

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.

5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.

6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

11 Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
12 if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
13 if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.


14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.

19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue
righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

The Word of God Stands

When my cousin Maxine died at age 94, she had 23 strokes removing her short term memory and a lot of her long term memory. At her funeral, she had been in the Memory Ward for 12 years. We asked her Pastor, who had been appointed in the interim during these away years, why Maxine had suffered and why God would want or work these years. And instead of quoting 2 Timothy 2, he said he would personally take on the challenge to think about these years. This man of God stood in the rain to give a eulogy for a member of his flock he had never met. He started by saying Maxine had joined his church, way back about 1917 and here was 2010. (Maxine was Methodist and in a Methodist facility.)

The Eulogy said that in Genesis, God's Spirit hovers over the water. His presence is there. In life, the presence of God gives proof to His children even in mist. God is at work, even unseen.

We thought about who we are when we arrive in Heaven, in 2008, when our stillborn daughter, Isabelle, arrived in Heaven, smiling to see Jesus Christ the Lord.

When we arrive in front of Jesus in our Homecoming, we will give account of our choices we made to become who we are.

The Homecoming, of course is - we died with Him,
we will also live with Him.

We will be confessing the name of Christ Jesus as Lord for His grace. Adopted into the Family of God for only what Jesus did for us, for Love.

We have been entrusted with the Gospel and have worked to ensure the people around us have been reliably given Love, Mercy, Grace and Truth in Jesus.

We will be talking with Jesus about our suffering, like He had.

In Jesus, we will receive a victor’s crown for competing according to the rules. Jesus came to fulfill the Law.

We will be talking about our talents and gifts like a hardworking farmer holy, and being useful to our Father God and prepared to do good work.

In Jesus! We will present ourselves confidently in front of God, present ourselves to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of Truth.

We will know who we are. 
Grateful to have our being! The Bible states this beautifully. 
Jesus knows who we are, of course. So really what we are saying is that our brain - is no doubt - dead.

The insight is our souls have thoughts, memories and are rather more important than a brain. We put so much emphasis in our brains in this life.

I prayed recently, and for a couple of years where I volunteer, and in our healing group at HopePointe Church - for a loved one with an injured brain. A few weeks ago I was speaking with my friend Dee and I said - why don't we pray for the brain to be powered by the soul - fed by the soul. And we began to see results. The loved one has returned to being more the essence of the soul. Father Francis MacNutt, says by video, when we have healings, people have anxiety like a new born colt. For a few days the healed person tries out new limbs, seeing if the healing has taken, i.e. if the healing is permanent. We would think that if we have any doubt, the faith required for a healing would fall to ashes. Instead - God has blessed us and as a mother horse with a foul looks with love to see the progress of the process. Just identically, Jesus had compassion on the father who had faith and cried out for more.

What else would we compare the soul feeding and directing us?

Daniel 1:9
Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel

Luke 24:32
They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

Psalm 25:5
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Wouldn't we want God to feed us insight in wisdom. Once we have accepted God to dwell within us - surely the possibilities are limitless.

When...
we call on the Lord out of a pure heart - earnestly, confidently seeking His Will.

 

Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Father God, You are the One who is Good. Your plans for us are for Good. We trust You. Remember us as You would want us to act, guide us and lead us in Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves † 

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Philippians 3 ~ righteousness based on the law, faultless.

Papyrus 46, 2 or 3 generations from Jesus. Near perfect condition for 1,900 years later.

Philippians 3

Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord!


It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision,
we who serve God by his Spirit,
who boast in Christ Jesus,
and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law,
faultless.

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss
because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,
for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow,
attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,
but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.
But one thing I do:
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.

18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.

20 But our citizenship is in heaven.
And we eagerly await a Savior from there,
the Lord Jesus Christ,
21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control,
will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Colossians


3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,
set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears,
then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these:
anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

9 Do not lie to each other,
since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,
but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

14 And over all these virtues put on love,
which binds them all together in perfect unity!

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Romans 8
6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Jesus Christ has power that enables Him to bring everything under His control.

When people confront Colossal things - time has to be taken to register the reaction.

All things are possible to those who believe -  Jesus made Abraham righteous just for believing God.


And yet and yet when we consider our parallel readings we are told - not to hang on for the miraculous.



Abraham counted on the Righteousness of God. And believed his citizenship was Heaven living in a tent under Oak Trees. Abraham was willing to live out what God called him to do.

God is with us always. In the odd places He will go where needed - profound gratitude is felt. Lives change.

In faith, in the Gospel Jesus would go where ever He wanted. Locked rooms, walking on water, Jesus could even suddenly disappear. God took a physical body - the body of Jesus - died - and make Spirit saying, "Don't touch me I have not yet ascended." (A Spirit). And God remakes a physical body again. Jesus takes this miracle to do the Prophet Micah's reminder:

We struggle with this passage as human beings - God puts Himself through death - sacrifice - to bridge our gaps. At great cost. And the triumphant Jesus did not dash into the Temple to proclaim Himself to the Holy of Holies. Jesus was humble, showing Thomas His wounds and private. Jesus made breakfast. And Jesus appeared to 500. Not really the wide highway, even in victory, Jesus was choosing the meaningful path. 500 believers to carry the Light of Jesus to the Nation of Israel and too the world. This is how far the Light of God can travel in Love.


Lord God, help me today to be one of the number of God - You call Child of God in Jesus the Lord. Know me fully and all of my thoughts and aspirations. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves † 

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Hebrews 8 ~ Jesus has Something to Offer

Papyrus 46 has several pages of Hebrews 8, this photo is amazing papyrus that is two or three generations after Jesus.


Hebrews 8

Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being!

3 Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer.

4 If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. 5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

6 But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.

7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. 8 But God found fault with the people and said:

“The days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel
and with the people of Judah.

9 It will not be like the covenant
I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,
and I turned away from them,
declares the Lord.

10 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel
after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
and write them on their hearts.

I will be their God,
and they will be my people.

11 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.

12 For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”

13 By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.

Jesus provides the Holy Spirit in this life to believers. Not after we are part of Heaven. Now. Today.

We can be in the Word of God. And find Peace.

Apply scriptural truth so you won’t drift away from God’s will. God's will is Joy.

Psalm 19:8
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

Psalm 36:9
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

Nehemiah 8:10
The joy of the Lord is our strength

Pay attention to your prayer life to God. Seek to see good. I saw good today and goodness. I was privileged to see a husband finding a way to have healthcare for his wife. Using communication and diligence. Seeing them agree this is not a big deal in three years, but a baby is. I saw a child provide empathy in vast reservoirs, making her life meaningful. I saw a parent provide his time to enrich his two children for an hour. I saw a Bishop, who is busy, counsel two people with great care and kindness. I say a husband really apologize to his wife and forgiveness is given. And he was asked for forgiveness as well from his wife.


John 1
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

Real life provides Circumstances. Circumstances will be difficult. Saw those today too. Talk will circle. God is faithful. I'm resting there. We have a choice sometimes to continue the nit pick or quit and have peace. The Bible tells us not to to become easily unsettled or alarmed. Avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.


Jesus tells us the Word of God is alive today. If He asks us to stretch out our hand for goodness. He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored. We will be restored in providing goodness.

Father God. I'm praying for solutions and peace in my life and in my family. I expect You and we shall see You. I give You thanks. In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves † 

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