Matthew 11 ~ No one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him

Matthew 11

After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.

16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

17 “‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I will tell you a truth we have a hard time with.
Jesus caused the boat in John's Gospel to bend time and get to the shore.

John 6:21
Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

Jesus said his burden to us is light and we can rest in Him.

 

 

Jesus said do not worry, it won't add a cubit to your life.

The truth is, if we worry less, we enjoy His gifts more.

Because if we trust Him, we can rest.


Numbers 23:19-20
God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? 20 "Behold, I have received a command to bless; When He has blessed, then I cannot revoke it."


God the Father is this:
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.

Jesus is, of course, a messenger teaching us of Father God. His Son.

Our generation is blessed to see the archaeology of what Jesus told us of the collective truths about the cities and their faith. Chorazin never really did prosper, the city was cut off from trade and water. The term Korazim block is used to define a geomorphological feature set between the Hula Basin and the Sea of Galilee. It is an elevated pressure-ridge within the Dead Sea Transform (DST) which acted as a barrier towards the waters of the Mediterranean when these flooded the lower-laying part of the DST, between what are now the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea basins, during the Pliocene transgression. The Korazim block as well as the higher elevation of the Hula Basin meant that the latter did not receive any marine water during that process.

Chorizin was left high and dry with a stumbling block.

Bethsaida? One cannot decide from two cities. It was so ruined. Tyre forever ruined. Sydon. The same.

Capernaum where Jesus found the Centurion? Peter and Andrew? It flourished for a millennium until the ruins became so beguiling most pilgrims still want to see the wonderful places archaeology has found of the Adult Hometown of Jesus.

Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. We will come to you weary and burdened. We will rest in You. Your yoke is learned for you are gentle and humble in heart. We find rest for our souls. Your Way makes like easier and our burdens lighter. We pray for those who worry and are in suffering to know this Peace Jesus gives. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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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.

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.

Constant, dedicated, devoted, devout, good, loyal, steady, true, dependable, dutiful, reliable, responsible, solid, tried, tried-and-true, trustworthy, trusty; unfaltering, unhesitating, unwavering; determined, intent, resolute; confirmed, inveterate, sworn, ardent, avid, enthusiastic, fervent, fervid, gung ho, impassioned, passionate, serious, abiding, unflinching, unswerving, allegiant, changeless, constant, dependabl.

Enduring, firm, fixed, immovable, inexorable, never-failing, persevering, sure, unbending, unfaltering
unmovable, wholehearted

What did God do for Adam? Brought him a wife. Adam brought support to his wife in trouble.

What did did Abraham do for Isaac? Prayed for a wife. God did provide.

What did the men of the Old Testament do? Found a wife and established a life. Usually the men who came from polygamy lived in monogamy. And by the time Joseph married Mary, society had found favor with the David and his one lamb analogy.

Jesus worked to improve marriage.

His Gospels open reflecting many marriages to bring forth a destiny for themselves and children.

Usually people in all circumstances improve when they know the person they love and rely upon will work to be there for them. Bringing new meaning to the words "Love and Cherish."

Stanley Marcus famously said give gifts not that you want to give, but that they want to receive.

Some people want Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Gifts, Quality Time and Physical Touch. And we need to know what is needed. To delete any would cause suffering.

Today we see people do not marry for fear the wedding would look skimpy or unloved. Jane Austin, one of the best and most able commentators of life, love and marriage knew better in her 1700's. A wedding could occur after the Church Service. The Wedding Party could be sandwiches, bbq or a Sunday Lunch. The consistent part was the idea the person you marry is your best friend. You are committed; their problems are your concern. Their goals your goals. The idea is to talk and to love. To commit the heart to stay in fair weather and in the waves life would give you.

Jesus spoke of a Narrow Path. Surely He meant, a life of meaning.  Ephesians 5:20-33

Faith, Hope and Love. Faith your words and actions reflect who you aspire to be and are. Hope God will bring blessings. Hope when times are challenging, what is good, noble, pure will be sought to upbuild again - work believing in blessings. Love. To be valued as we are. Love - to be forgiven. Love - to believe we can be more and look up. Love - to be held accountable. Love - to give deeply of yourself out side of your own interests. Love - what makes life worth living to see His mercies renew each day.


Father God, let me rely upon You to bring my life, heart and path to You. And believe You provide guidance, support, Love, Joy and Peace for me and those I love. For the places I work, worship and rejoice. We pray for our nation and those who love Jesus to be able to bring forth this Love for Jesus well. I ask daily in expectation of You. Thank You profoundly, for our blessings. Bless those, we pray, who are a blessing. Amen in Jesus.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †









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Deuteronomy 6:16-25 ~ He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in

"The Ten Commandments" Movie is well worth the time. Cecil B. Demille cast Charlton Heston for his Amazingly, remarkable visage comparison to Michelangelo's Moses.

Deuteronomy 6:16-25

“You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah. 17 You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies and his statutes, which he has commanded you. 

18 And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may go well with you, and that you may go in and take possession of the good land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers 19 by thrusting out all your enemies from before you, as the Lord has promised.

20 “When your son asks you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the Lord our God has commanded you?’ 21 then you shall say to your son, ‘We were Pharaoh's slaves in Egypt. And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 

22 And the Lord showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes. 23 And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers. 

24 And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day. 25 And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us.’



"Why is this night different from all others?" Has been asked for millenniums.

Why would the Lord God Almighty go to all this trouble? To be in relationship. To fellowship with us.

How can we be sure? The Creator of the Universe would again bring the Children of Israel back to their homeland from the second exodus occurring March 16, 597 B.C. How would we know the exact date of the second exodus? In London’s British Museum, there is a baked clay tablet (just under 3¼ inches) with cuneiform writing (wedge-shaped characters) recording important activities of King Nebuchadnezzar between the years 605-594 B.C. 91 times Nebuchadnezzar is mentioned in the Scriptures. King Nebuchadnezzar marched his army the capital city of Judah. On the second day of the month Addaru, [the capture of Jerusalem, dated precisely to March 16, 597 BC.] he captured Jerusalem and its king. He appointed a new ruler [Zedekiah— 2 Kings 24:17] and took heavy tribute and sent it to Babylon [2 Kings 24:13]. Another remarkable archaeological confirmation of biblical record in the last 60 years.

We live in a unique time in His story. Israel exists after 2,000 years. God, has again, brought Israel back from the dead.

His Story points, always, to Jesus Christ the Lord triumphant over death.

As many times as we have been saved by Him, we tend to act like the Children of Israel in the desert. One sign was not enough. Please keep telling us. And He does. Finally, after years of small innocent animals killed to show us the seriousness of sin, the sacrifice no one was pleased to have, was ceased. When did the sacrifice stop? Another amazing coincidence, 70 A.D., the lifespan of Jesus Christ living to his natural old age. Millenniums of sacrifice just ceased.

Jesus, as God, sought us and conquered death. Giving us the promise of relationship over perfection. The law points out we can never be as Holy as He would have us be. Jesus gives us brotherhood and adoption, saying My Father and yours.


What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the Lord our God has commanded?

Zechariah 1:3
Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'and I will return to you,' says the LORD Almighty.

He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in. We are redeemed from the desert. When we earnestly and sincerely say - My Father, I've been wrong. 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.'

1 Timothy 2:8
I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

When John opens His Gospel - we have seen His Glory!
He is telling us the overwhelming nature of Jesus!
Full of grace and truth.
For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace!

John sums up God our Father, Jesus gave us His Father and John called Him - LOVE.

Luke 15:20
“And rising, he came to his father, and while he was still distant, his father saw him and he was moved with compassion for him and he ran and fell on his neck and he kissed him.”

What is the work of Jesus Christ our Savior today?
Preaching good news to the poor, binding up the brokenhearted,proclaiming freedom for the captives, release from darkness, the blind receive sight, lame - walk, lepers - cured, deaf- hear, dead - raised. Jesus gives us life abundant. Always return to Him.

1 Timothy 6
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.

Grace be with you all.

Father God, we return to You. Grant us Your mercy and Love. Be with us now and always. In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Jeremiah 26:1-6 ~ the Lord says

Palace of David, where the courtyard unearthed the Servant of Jeremiah's Seal

Jeremiah 26:1-6

 Early in the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came from the Lord: 2 “This is what the Lord says: Stand in the courtyard of the Lord’s house and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah who come to worship in the house of the Lord. Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word. 

3 Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from their evil ways. Then I will relent and not inflict on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done.

 4 Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: If you do not listen to me and follow my law, which I have set before you, 5 and if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again (though you have not listened), 6 then I will make this house like Shiloh and this city a curse among all the nations of the earth.’”

Jeremiah, was telling about the holiness of God, in His judgement. At the time, they seemed like doomsayers. Their message, while truthful, was unwelcome. A popular set of circumstances in the Scriptures. Man always wants the messages of God to be hopeful. In the middle of all the pending circumstances - Jeremiah at first said - he was an island and therefore exempt. At that point the Lord told Jeremiah then he would share in the judgement of all the people. It was only when Jeremiah would be uncomfortable and be of help to others, that God was willing to promise Jeremiah protection.

To the people of Judah, the falling of a wall was a terrible thing. They took a lot of comfort from the wall around Jerusalem and around the Temple.

For us today, we have the luxury of looking forward to walls of lies being destroyed.

No one goes through life without experiencing a wall. Unemployment. Lack of change. Constant Change. Illness. End of friendship. Time spent apart from a loved one. - You name it - any circumstance that limits us and we feel it will not change soon or there is not much we can do about it.

God says to preach peace when no blessing is in sight is wrong. Yet the whole passage is about the righteousness of God. In adversity or blessing, the correct answer is to trust Him with our prayers, our hopes and to find blessings. He reigns.

Father God, let us always put our trust in You. When life is all we hope, let us praise You. When we have adversity, let us look to You. You reign.

 Help us to look to you in expectation and in hope. In gratitude in all circumstances. In Scriptures, You tell us not to be surprised and dismayed at fiery trials, You are there with us. And to always remember You chose to walk this life where wild winds sometimes howl.

Lord I understand about blessing and unblessing. I would hope always to bring forth blessing and pray for mercy for myself and others. To dwell in sincerity and be pleasing to You. In Jesus, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Revelation 11:1-13 ~ give Glory to God

Revelation 11:1-13

I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.” 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

11 But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.

13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified
 and gave glory to the God of heaven.

The Boy Jesus in the Temple, Painted by William Hole

Isaiah was the subject of many Bible Scholar studies. Perhaps Jesus as a boy pointed out the discrepancy of the Magi fully understanding Isaiah - and going to see the infant Jesus in Herod's Palace. Revelation is probably equally as understood, today. A mystery for Father God to unfold. Not the red herring for us to continually try to decipher and worry about.

God would teach John what to say, to grasp fully by unfolding events in his life, the way Revelation is Scripture and Scripture repeats. John was an eyewitness to Jesus ascending into Heaven.

John 21
24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

The rapture is a repeat of Jesus ascending. Intended to wake the unfaithful of earth to faith again in all things are possible with God.

Early Biblical history is important. We have the documents still. The Gospel of Luke explains in the first paragraph - with the shake up in the Roman Empire occurring 16 years after the Resurrection of Jesus, orderly accounts were being taken in several credible sources and Histories. The world was wondering and finding miracles still seen today.

A Historian, lawyer and married to a Christian wife - Tertullian disliked mysticism and wrote this was fact that John was boiled in oil and unharmed by Emperor Domitian intended the death of a man worshiping Jesus as God. Tertullian's book is The Prescription of Heretics. The precise written event - John was banished to Patmos after being plunged into boiling oil in Rome and suffering nothing from it. Tetullian wrote the whole audience of the Colosseum was converted to Christianity upon witnessing this miracle. This event would have occurred in the late 1st century.

When John saw the vision of The Book of Revelation 11th chapter, John had lived this himself. He was not asked to report something he could not understand on a whim of faith. God wanted him to feel comfortable explaining the Plan of God.

Rather makes you feel good about God as an Employer, doesn't it? John did NOT feel as if he was asked to breathe out magic mushrooms. These events he had seen with his own eyes and was assured God would repeat them again. And God had provided many witnesses to these events. The Bible even says God does not insist people insist on their own Visions. Mary, recall with me, "pondered these things in her heart." God is Not an accountant of "No, no, no, didn't quite precisely tell that perfectly." God is a a tender parent who makes sure Peter has second chances and thirds and fourths. God visits Gideon carefully to assure Gideon. Pharaoh dreamed his dream every night for a year. The baker was forgiven for forgetting Joseph for a few years.

The Prodigal Father is God. Moses was all that, but Moses needed help too. Because Moses made some huge mistakes as well.

God alone is God.

We are faced today with many things like the Authorship of Hebrews. The early Church recorded with certainty that Paul wrote this. Perhaps Paul enjoyed Luke's style writing the Book of Acts. It was during the time Latin was falling away and Church services were conducted in Latin that many Church Histories were improved by redoing History. The time when Michelangelo could write about two Popes, power and war. Jeremiah 23 tells us History is rewritten in terrible times. We should revel and celebrate in early Church history. Hebrews tells us in the body of the book that the companion of the author is Timothy - which agrees with early Church history - Hebrews is the work of Paul in the Holy Spirit. We live in a time where we grew up being told Pontius Pilate had no historical record of existing. And in our lifetime we find Caesar Augustus' census of Bethlehem is found. And the marker in stone of Pontius Pilate in several places and in obscure Roman historical governmental papyrus comes to light.

Remember Historical Early Church History. This serves us well when this upholds the Word of God.


Hebrews 13
20 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.


Father God, Your mercies renew each day. Let us and the ones we love rest in the New Covenant of Your mercy, guidance and way. Equip us with every good thing to do Your will. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, Jesus, my rock and redeemer. To You be the Glory forever and ever. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Matthew 5:45 ~ be sons of your Father who is in heaven

Sooooo. I have a relative who majored in college in Philosophy. Actually, he minored in that.

I think mostly people bump down the road hoping blessings are coming their way for work for effort. Or fall out of the sky. But certainly, if God were a slot machine and you put in your good behavior, you would hope for a good ROI.

The Bible says,

Matthew 5:45
so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

So the play for effort reward is not a sure covenant signed and sealed.

And interestingly enough, I do some Calligraphy and enjoyed having a small spiral notepad with Biblical quotes that warmed my heart. We used to have to interview people in college for my sorority, so a lot of people saw my small notepad. People who knew not a lot about the Bible found the notepad - "Rather nice - can I have one?"


Nihilism the rejection of all religious and moral principles, often in the belief that life is meaningless.

I'm not sure I can even address that. If we believe life is meaningless - you could do unfathomable things. I'm pretty sure that is an illness to think that. I suppose if you were a killer for hire - that works.

Existentialism the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will.

Sounds a lot like the High Schoolers and Junior High Schoolers we used to do Youth Ministry with. We all have to do this. If our beliefs are not thought out, then we merely parrot what we believe. Jimmy Swaggart had his beliefs handed to him. The Prodigal Son needed time. Jesus' brothers needed time.

Why can't we all just determine to be Anarchists and do what feels right? My relative went back to college to his college professor and said Anarchy has been tried. Or perhaps Libertarianism. And that is called the Book of Judges. The Governmental form chosen by God for the Children of Israel after they decided God was a little too powerful and too many unusual things surrounded the Ark of the Covenant.

Judges 17:6
In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Judges 18:1
In those days Israel had no king. And in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking a place of their own where they might settle, because they had not yet come into an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.

Judges 19:1
In those days Israel had no king. Now a Levite who lived in a remote area in the hill country of Ephraim took a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah.

Judges 21:25
In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.

The end of the Book of Judges has an entire tribe disappear. Tribes disappeared under kings as well , however usually as an act of war and that is sometimes unpreventable.

A tribe is an analogy for a brother. And the question is answered for doing purely what suits us. And the consequences.

So why would we pick to be Christians? God loves us first. God calls us.

Are we afraid to disobey? God says, through Jesus in the Bible, that we know that Heaven exists and hell. People say Jesus meek and mild. People say. However, Jesus said be afraid of Him who can cast you into hell. So we are in Fear?

Moses. Moses met God. Moses knew that the Power God holds is something there is no hiding from.

Peter. Peter met God. Peter knew that the Power God holds is something there is no hiding from.

Jeremiah. Jeremiah met God and knew that Power God holds might just listen if he asked not to do the job. Peter asked God to look away too. Both of these men knew God and hoped someone else would have to speak up. Not them.

So why did they speak up eventually? Because God appreciated them. God didn't put out a tazer and zap em. Samuel was told to anoint David as King during the reign of Saul. Samuel - Man of God - asked God -  "Could we do this later? Would you send someone else to anoint him?"

Samuel thought God could be reasoned with. Abraham knew God. They were good speaking companions. Abraham bargained God for lives. God was pleased. Adam spoke with God in the Garden and thought Adam would like to be like God. Adam was willing to endure God's anger - to be like God.

So....People who know God - believe - God is reasonable.

Why do they end up Doing What GOD wants them to do?

God has a way of being Father. There is something Vastly compelling to know God has something for you to do. Something amazing happens when you realize - God is For You.

God not only just knows your name - God gave you your name like - the biggies in the Bible. Ephesians 3 says God names people  And in the mind of Christ - parents say, "Hey, this is a good name for the baby!"


Abraham was flawed. Terribly flawed. His parental skills have left the middle east in trouble as brothers fight brothers over an inheritance still. If only we could go back in time and help Abraham with parenting. God sees this. And says to Abraham - because you have the faith to go where you are called - because you have the faith to believe I speak to you - because you only tried to fix the Words of God to fulfillment - because you tried to bless that unplanned child - because you argued the lives of sinners to God - your faith is credited to you as Righteousness. Love covers a multitude of Sins.

There is something compelling about God. When HE says, "Hey, you want to come with me?" People put down their day to day activities and say, "Yes, I want to see what happens next!"

And when they see what God can do - they walk in awe. And worry. And worry some more. And then and then and then - they see God appreciates them.  A man is told  by His Father "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." And that moment has crystallized a life.

A man is asked, Simon of Cyrene, to help carry the cross of a good man and finds as he travels the Via Dolorosa about Jesus. Simon sees meaning. He sees Mary is given comfort. Women mourn Jesus. Multitudes of women mourn Jesus. He is in despair at the shape of Jesus. To see Jesus suffer. Simon's wife and son are recorded as being helpful to the Body of Christ before the name Christians even exists. Simon might have been like John - who could hardly bear to know the cruelty shown to a man proclaimed to be by His klllers - The Son of God.

Jesus spoke to a rich man and declared as he walked away - Nothing is Impossible for God.

Unlike the Book of Judges - Jesus had hope for that man. His disciples were astonished. Jesus had more faith in God and in that man.

Jesus had a follower who deserted Him. And Jesus believed the man could actually be the basis of His Church.

Jesus had a man who was murdering people to help the Temple of God. Jesus believed that man could write a vast portion of His Word. Jesus saw this priggish, overbearing, goody two shoes, willing to murder and help murders to help a weak God. And Jesus believed that man could go to the Gentiles and explain why they did well.

Jesus told the Gentiles they had figured out how to Love better than the Jews. Jesus has a knack for seeing people have gifts, talents, adventure, joy, courage and endurance - when they don't even see that in themselves.

God did not just See Gideon. God sees us all.

The reward is not riches. The reward is not more fear. The reward is not a larger to do list. The reward is Love. To hear the Words of God for millenniums and to grasp them into your heart. To be grafted into the Family of God.

John. John met God. John knew that the Power God holds is something there is no hiding from. John said with awe walking with Jesus - God is Love.

Peter. Peter met God. Peter knew that the Power God holds is something there is no hiding from. As men chose to walk away. Peter said to the Face of God, "Where would I go? Jesus, You have the Words of Life."

God says there is vanity in many words. The Word of God lives forever.

God says make songs when you hear Him. The Word of God makes the heart sing.

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but The Word of God shall not pass away.

Father God, The Joy in being able to have the Word of God dwell in you richly! We will never be far from the Kingdom of GOD. Child of the Most High God. We ask those precious to us and dear ask God to dwell in them. 

The gift of knowing you understand God is precious. God bless those precious Children of HIS. Be with us every day of our lives. Guide us Father God, love us God, dwell in us and help us make that dwelling a Wonderful place for You and for ourselves.

 Jesus, You Love and Live. In Jesus we pray. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Psalm 90 ~ May Your deeds be shown to Your servants, Your splendor to their children.

Wadi Muses (Moses) flows through Petra

Psalm 90

A prayer of Moses the man of God!

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3 You turn people back to dust,
saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”
4 A thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.
5 Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—
they are like the new grass of the morning:
6 In the morning it springs up new,
but by evening it is dry and withered.

7 We are consumed by your anger
and terrified by your indignation.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.
9 All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.
10 Our days may come to seventy years,
or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
11 If only we knew the power of your anger!
Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
12 Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

13 Relent, Lord! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.

17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

Recently, I was traveling to Church when a car ran a red light and hit me very hard. Both cars were totaled. The EMT, the Police and the 15 volunteers and the witness were very, very kind to the woman driver going by ambulance to determine why she fainted and they were good to me. Especially the Aggie Police Officer who collected the insurance information as we walked away following the ambulance departure.


Cold spring weather can lead to the doldrums and complaining. 
Moses and the Children of Israel were very uncomfortable.

And this is a Prayer of Moses - Very Real and Complaining. His story was very considered even in the Iron Age as the Psalms were being written down. The 8 Qumran Caves almost always contain the works of Moses in Scripture, but not this particular Psalm.

Moses was complaining some. Very possible this Psalm is recorded from the 40 years of wandering in the desert. And Moses knew he had been blessed because he started out this journey at age 80. The Septuagint - 70 scribes recording the Scriptures in Alexandria - also point to the perfectly recorded Scriptures. And the archaeology. Moses was living a very unique life and We AreThe Generation Realizing This In Archaeology - this is true story.

Jeremiah thought about the recorded history of Moses. He said when a culture is falling to upheaval - like many divorces - there are signs in the culture. Like History is suddenly bravely reinterpreted to be enlightened instead of the way the people living the era and recorded.

Jeremiah 23
7“Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when they shall no longer say, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ 8but ‘As the Lord lives who brought up and led the offspring of the house of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where hea had driven them.’ Then they shall dwell in their own land.”

God says very little is new under the sun. Like being Politically Correct to say Holidays instead of Christmas. In order to accommodate whom? We don't even live in a country where people are jumping up and down about freedoms encroached by Christianity. Almost a mythical - "Why isn't this allowed anymore?"  Like a great huge it says - No - No to Nativity Scenes. No to a Bible carved in a Court House. No to prayer at football games. People usually and in a majority - want this to Continue not be eroded and still - why does this happen??? 
Father God in the Holy Spirit - help us. Amen.

There are complains the Ancient Greek Philosophers record about the indiscretions of youth. This is  different. What are we to say that is hopeful?

Jeremiah points out earnestly wanting to know Scriptures - as we are - is a sign of hope. When we admit we are not perfect people and need Jesus to be our righteousness. There is hope. When we see people have changed denominations looking for the Scripture to be preached as an Authoritative Word of God - this is wonderful and this is - This Generation.

Think about this as an idea - if we put all of this to a popular vote. 92% of Congress professes Jesus is Lord. What Changes we could bring to please God. Pray! Why doesn't more effective change happen. Good question. If you could secretly poll the brain of all the congress people - they would all like more positive changes to bring the lasting hope of God to the People of the United States.  They just don't want to be the squeaky geek to lead the charge. Looks ineffective. It's risky to stand up like that in front of your colleagues. Pray for us all to have personal courage. Because really there are good people willing. If they had the Shepherd to pull them together.

Lord Jesus is willing - help us to be willing. In His precious name. Amen.

Our country, has more adoptions per 100 births than any other country on earth. People want to love children. God tells us in the Gospel - this is a good and godly aspect.

When we say that marriage does matter. Loyalty and vows. Covenant is rare, but marriage is covenant. You are rarely asked in Church to stand up and vow your life before God. We put the interests of our Word and Promise to God as something needed. That is important! This is very basic structure to our framework of our existence as a People. People who need God.

We need to make sure we are the generation that doesn't shrug away what the Word of God says. Even as we understand that the Law of Jesus is Spirit to worship in our heart knowing what He says is Love. The Spirit of God is for Peace. The Spirit of God makes a Path to bring forward the way He gave each of us with His Plan and Gifts.

Isn't it great that Moses had a recorded prayer saying what it's like to live uncomfortably? Moses believed with depending on God like Billy Graham. He had seen the last Chapter and knew it was going to turn out ok. 

Let's turn out ok, ourselves, and bring this chapter to a Higher Path for Him. Love is going to be a peacemaker and a blessing for those who call upon Jesus, believe in their hearts and profess with their mouths. Jesus will be our righteousness. Jesus help us take our lives and others to a Higher Path.

So, I could do as I do verbally and draw the car accident into many words and emotions. Instead I will say what I have taken away as a life memory from this accident. As the policeman and Scripture say, 
" In the twinkling of an eye it will be changed."

The flash of color of the car impossibly coming towards me gave my mind a split second to deny what I was seeing. And then the impact. The noise. And I knew Death was near. In the car with me.  So I decided to hold on to the wheel and wrap my toes around the brake through my shoes. And as I Clung - I thought - "Father God, I believe You. I expect You. I go to You. I am Yours." And there was peace.

Even as the car was hit again. During the second hit as I swung over another lane into where oncoming cars or pedestrians could have been - it was clear. And as the car neatly parked over the sidewalk, the grass, resting comfortably next to the iron bar traffic signal - as if I had chosen to park next to it like a parking space. (Those traffic signals do kill people who hit them. I know, I once saw a fatality.)

I realized in my soul - again - God has more for me to do. And coming that close to understanding the impossible color and how it could be there - I got out shaken - but with a clear conviction. God Loves Me. When He wants me I will go. Peace. God is Love.


Deuteronomy 10:12
And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul

Amos 5:15
Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.

Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.

1 Peter 3:21
and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Romans 13:8
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Matthew 7:12
Therefore all things whatever you would that men should do to you

James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.



Thank You, Father God, for the gift of life. Help us to know the peace You provide in times of crisis. Let us continue to call upon You and You are so Good to hear us. I want my life to please You. How Joyful to feel that it does please You. And welcome. Help me to make Life meaningful for me and the ones You have given me. Your love was there for all of our many conversations, Father God. I am still finding the Wonders in Life unfolding around me. Thank You for Your mercy and Your Love as an assurance. Thank You, Father God, for my blessings. Lord Jesus Christ!!! Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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