Psalm 87 ~ My fountains are in you

Living in the internet age is a blessing, when I am not able to put my finger on the Word, I look through pages on sermons & commentaries for the meaning I am looking to express.

St. Patrick drove the snakes from Ireland, the human snakes inciting war & human sacrifice. He did this without a-how-to-book, without a phone call to a spiritual guidance counselor, without visual aids. Patrick had his faith and the word of God. Led by the Holy Spirit of God, his life made a huge impact.

Patrick loved witnessing for Jesus. God equipped him for this work. He went back to Ireland, willingly, like Peter and like Paul. Patrick had Joy in his work God gave him.






St. Patrick ~ Thomas Cahill, Catholic author of the best-selling book How the Irish Saved Civilization ~ "Some 1,500 years ago a teenage boy from what is now Great Britain was kidnapped and enslaved by marauders from a neighboring country. Not since Paris absconded with Helen of Troy has a kidnapping so changed the course of history.

The invading marauders came from fifth-century Ireland. The teenager they captured eventually escaped, but returned voluntarily some years later. In the meantime, he had become convinced that he was handpicked by God to convert the entire country to Christianity.

Apparently, he was right.

In the process of converting the primitive people of Ireland, however, the former slave experienced a conversion, too. In the years that followed, he not only shared God with the people of Ireland, but also grew in his understanding of God through them. Cahill says, "The early Irish Christianity planted in Ireland by Patrick is much more joyful and celebratory [than its Roman predecessor] in the way it approaches the natural world. It is really not a theology of sin but of the goodness of creation, and it really is intensely incarnational." His use of biblical quotations, Cahill says, "is far more accurate and appropriate than many of the Fathers of the Church."

It's hard to grasp just what an accomplishment that was, says Cahill. When Patrick decided to "willingly go back to the barbarians with the gospel," Cahill explains, "he had to figure out how to bring the values of the gospel he loved to such people. These were people who still practiced human sacrifice, who warred with each other constantly and who were renowned as the great slave traders of the day.

"That was not a simple thing. This was before courses were given to missionaries in what is now called inculturation—how to plant the gospel in such a culture," Cahill says. "No one had ever even thought about how to do it; Patrick had to work his way through it himself.

These two brief documents, Patrick's Confession and his "Letter to Coroticus," are the basis for all we know of the historical Patrick. The uncontested, if somewhat unspecific, biographical facts about Patrick are as follows:

Patrick was born Patricius somewhere in Roman Britain to a relatively wealthy family. He was not religious as a youth and, in fact, claims to have practically renounced the faith of his family.

When Patrick looked back at the end of his life on his service to Ireland, Cahill says, he must have been pleased with his accomplishments. By the time of his death, or shortly thereafter, "the Irish stopped slave trading and they never took it up again." Human sacrifice had become unthinkable. And although the Irish never stopped warring on one another, "war became much more confined and limited by what we might call the 'rules of warfare.'

"I think he probably died knowing that he had succeeded in his mission," Cahill adds, "he also died hoping that success would be permanent and not temporary."

In fact, Patrick's success couldn't have been more permanent. Not only had he accomplished what he'd set out to do—convert the nation to Christ—but in the process he'd retrieved from obscurity the primary objective set by Christ for his apostles: the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth.

And so it was that a young Briton named Patricius died an Irishman named Patrick. And neither Ireland nor Christianity was ever quite the same."

Psalm 87

1 On the holy mount stands the city he founded; 
2 the Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. 

3 Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. Selah 

4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush — “This one was born there,” they say. 5 And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; for the Most High himself will establish her. 6 The Lord records as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” Selah

 7 Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.”  Selah

John 7:38 
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.



Father God, Thank You, You equip us with all good things to do Your work. 90 Minutes in Heaven  assures us You could have immediately placed the Children of the Exodus out of Egypt - instead - You give processes and Joy in each day.

Father God, we willingly and with expectation of Joy, Peace, Love and Patience place our cares and the ones we Love and the People You've given us in Your hands. We are hopeful in You of our Nation trusting in You. Let all the world - where people love and seek You Have Your Many Blessings to Accomplish Your Work. We always ask Your Will in Jesus Christ the Lord.

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, 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

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

1 Corinthians 16:10-24 ~ For they refreshed my spirit as well

1 Corinthians 16:10-24

When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. 11 So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.

12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.

13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

14 Let all that you do be done in love.

15 Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— 16 be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. 17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, 18 for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.

19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. 20 All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

These people are trustworthy.

Real emotions, real responses.

Real opinions, real generosity for differences.

Effort is required for communication and factors of trust and reliability.

Effort to encourage and affirm.

Availability.

The goal is Loving Jesus. Not just authority and not power.

A place to share who you are, with the understanding that as Jesus made a path for you,
you make this path for others.

Rare in this world! Where people have unmet needs and seek to take from others to help bolster themselves in power of respect, likability, honor, materialism and human resources.

Jesus teaches us to behave with more regard to completing the circle of relationship.

Put at ease, work God would have us do, stopping angry arguments and manipulation. Finding Peace. Refreshing each other.

Visiting.

Sticking to the Faith God has given us.

Let all that you do be done in love.



Father God, let me be one of the number when the saints come marching in. Help me to do the work and, with You, correct me in Your mercy and teachings of the Faith - to be a God pleaser and a man pleaser second. To know to say 'no' to some fellowship and 'yes' to what is pleasing to You. To prioritize what You have given me first. And not to stray from the Work You willingly give me to do.

Father God, enfold and love those I love. Warm our hearts to please You. Help me upbuild just the People You would give me. You are God, I am not. Let us build so well this Nation is calm and has Good News again. Let this joy spread to the nations who love You.

We ask for this Renewal in Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

3 John 1-8 ~ Workers for the truth.

3 John 1-8

1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

Love has rocked the Church and cradled Christ's Bride for 2,000 years.

Romans 16

16 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. 5 Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11 Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Colossians 1:1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father

1 Colossians 7
7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.

9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

The Scriptures are real. We learn of seasons in Ecclesiastes. And there are seasons in Scriptures when Jesus asked this cup be taken from Him. Mayo Clinic reports Jesus died so quickly on the Cross because His Heart was broken as this generation knows literally happens from pain. John and Mary alone stayed with Him.

The Scriptures are real. Paul has seasons when he mourns the loss of the people closest to him. And rejoices Timothy and Luke remain to the end.

The Scriptures are real. Peter speaks of few of his fellow believers at the end. And rejoices Mark has become his son in the Spirit.  Mark and Silvanus remain with Peter.

 

Lydia tells us of what we truly need to know.


Acts 16
One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond 




Father God loves to repeat the Scriptures and we remember.

Luke 24:32
They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

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

Father God, we fully take Your Love and enfold the People we Love. The People You have given us and we enfold them in Jesus. We rest secure knowing this is Your Delight, Your Love and Your Faithfulness. We rest in Jesus. The Highest Name for all. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Mark 1:21-45 ~ His Teaching

 

 

Mark 1:21-45

21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 


23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 




28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.


 
35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

 


40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 

45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

When God decided to bring His Only Son here - God planned carefully.

And what God used other than climbing onto our Death Bed and taking Death from us - with Mercy and Love - Father God used - WORDS.

He knew we need to communicate to clearly understand all things.

Jesus could talk about Father God. You probably talk sometimes. Are you willing to talk about Father God? We should never share our faith. Ever. Until we want to say, "I love Jesus. I have found comfort in hard times. I have found joy in difficulty. I have seen affliction melt away. I know what I know what I know - Heaven and Jesus are for real and for my hope and my future. Why don't you come with me? Forever."

Sharing Love. God would tell us WHY He would choose to Run to us. What HE sees in us. The pleasure of Creating us. Billy Graham says, "I've seen the last chapter, This is going to turn out WELL."

Amen and Amen and Amen.

We cannot aspire to be Father GOD, we can REJOICE - Father God comes to us. He is trust worthy. His 12 Open Gates of Heaven - echo His Prayer Policy.

Prayer is always answered.
Yes
No.
You're Kidding.
Gosh, no.
Not today.
Oh, you thought?
And... SURPRISE!

Jesus called this - Our Father.







So... what's holding you up here? 


 You know you need your life to have more put-together-factor going on with higher general conduct?  Peter ditched Jesus. Paul consented to Christian murder without trial. Moses killed a man. Jacob cheated his father and brother. Eli, Samuel and Hezekiah were poor fathers. God has one set of goals - Save the World in His Grace - Jesus Christ. We are ALL Sinners. God says so.



We have to make this repartee a bit more jazzy than normal. 
Readability.

You don't want to be a missionary? Usually God uses our talents and we LIKE to use our Talents.

We have other plans. Right. So where and WHOM gave you the desire for those plans? Peter's mother found having Jesus going her way - was beneficial.

Oh, I'm not religious. Stunning. God had the Temple built and HE used HIS Greatest Works - Outside the Temple. You might have something in common with Father God!

Would you like to hear a little bit about Father God? Ok, if it doesn't take much time. That right there - that door is OPEN. The best invitation I ever heard was used in "Walk Across the Room." True love said, "I'm going to Heaven forever. I can't bear the thought of you not being there with me." (I see this " " that is wonderful in you.) This worked for my father-in-law - his grandmother told him he had to trust Jesus to be able to do this for him.

I don't believe the Bible is the Authority of the Holy Spirit.
Thomas Jefferson - looked for the Truth that warmed his heart, like the Disciples felt their heart strangely warmed as Jesus came to them.

The Bible. What about the History of the World. How for 400 years the World's Largest Empire trembled in fear for the Victory of Jesus as King of Kings over death. Emperors in 16 years were in fear. They sent legions across the Mediterranean to slay more boys and grown men in Nazareth for having the gall, sheer gall, to die for the belief - "Uncle" Jesus IS GOD. The Roman Emperor sent his nephew. Constantine. Constantine slaughtered all the descendants of Mary and Joseph he could find after torturing them for a week. Constantine had to - he'd have died not to. Those men and boys died so bravely - Constantine began a journey with Jesus and Christianity we have the sheer gall to debate 1,700 years later. Yep, Herod was not the only king to attack.

Oh the Bible is too old to matter and written about 400 A.D.
No. 300 Chapters of the Bible are available today - - -  From the first or second century and INTACT. Papyrus 46. That Bible in your hand can at ENORMOUS COST.






When Jesus died, Claudius was Emperor of Rome. It was Claudius who imprisoned Paul, the first time. In the remote, far away country of Judea, the name of Jesus Christ and His promises and His word, created unease for Claudius. Imagine this could occur in the time there were no mass methods of communication. It is historical fact.

Claudius – Imprisoned Christians. Reigned 25 -54 AD. Emperor during the death and resurrection of Jesus. Imprisoned Paul, for his first imprisonment, house arrest.

Nero – Tortured, burned and vilified Christians. Blamed them for burning Rome . 54- 68 AD

Galba – Put St. Paul and others to death. 69 AD

Otho & Vittelius– only 4 months as Emperor

Vespasian – Sent Titus to destroy Jerusalem in 70 AD, it was the natural end time of Jesus’ life. It is said it is the prophecies Jesus spoke of, His forgiveness was given to the people of His generation. In that destruction, the Temple of the Jews has not been built in 2,000 years. (In 300 A.D, a third temple had the materials gathered, but earthquake, war and fire put an end to that.) Jewish Sacrifice has not been practiced for 2,000 years, it is forsaken. The Jews don’t even know why. God said Jesus was the sacrifice for you.

Titus – See Arch of Titus, still standing, in Rome today. The Temple Tools minus the Ark of the Covenant, is carved in the marble. The profit from the sack of Jerusalem is used for the Coliseum. The Coliseum was used to burn Christians until Constantine naively adopted Christianity thinking Christians would be model citizens. Still a triumph for the 1,100 Bishops, Priests, Christians proclaiming Jesus Christ for 300 years even if they would be burned alive for it.

Domitian – Hauled St. John from Ephesus and exiled him to Patmos. Continued to be fearful of Christians. Conducted one of the fiercest battles against Christians. Under Domitan, the Church split in half. Domitan Heresy - the Church is only for saints. Domitan tortured until Christians surrendered every fragment of the Gospels and New Testament he could find. 81-96. Because of Domitan – we have the word traitor . Part of the Church wanted to forever exile anyone who lied to get out of torture or gave up Scripture. Forgiveness is the business of the Church and Jesus Christ.

Because of Domitan, we only have 15 fragments of the Gospel before 96 AD. But these portions exist and date to 30 AD.

ARE YOU GOING TO TELL ME THESE MEN WERE AFRAID of the scaries? No, the name of Jesus Christ opening His arms to slaves, lepers, women, the poor, the wife of the steward of Herod’s household, Nicodemus of the Sanhedrin Council and Josephus. Jesus converted thousands, leaving Jewish rabbi letters saying it would be the end of Judaism because of the incredible miracles of healing, restoration, life transformation and complete hope. These are letters confirming the Gospels where the Rabbi is extremely unhappy. Josephus, the Israeli General turned traitor, turned Historian says Jesus was the Christ and his brother James formed the later Christian Church until martyred in 62 AD.

Trajan (c. 53 - 117) Philosopher Pliny the Younger's letter to Trajan on the subject of the Christians and the response of Trajan to Pliny the Younger. On Early Christian Writings. How to torture Christians to discredit the claims of Jesus Christ.

Hadrian (c. 76 - 138) Foxe's Book of Martyrs -- Persecution Under Trajen...... The forenamed authors, Antoninus and Equilius

Antoninus Pius (c. 86 - 161) Instead of stirring up persecution against the Christians, he extended to them the strong hand of his protection throughout the empire. Rather than give occasion to that oppression which he regarded as inseparable from an emperor's progress through his dominions, he was content to spend all the years of his reign in Rome, or its neighborhood. Under his patronage the science of jurisprudence was cultivated by men of high ability, and a number of humane and equitable enactments were passed in his name. 161 – 180

166 Christian persecution returned - The period was one of ever-increasing calamities. The earthquakes which had alarmed Asia under Antoninus were but the prelude to more serious convulsions. The Tiber rose to an unprecedented height and swept away the public granaries. This was followed by a famine, and that by a pestilence, which spread from Egypt and Ethiopia westward. Everywhere on the frontiers there were murmurs of insurrection or invasion. The year 166 was long known as the "annus calamitosus," and it was in that year that the persecution broke out and that Justin suffered. These calamities roused the superstition of the great mass of the people, and a wild fanaticism succeeded to an epicurean atheism. The gods were wrath, and what had roused their anger but the presence of those who denied them?

Marcus Aurelius (c. 121 - 180) The Thundering Legion incident (174)


During the war with the Quadi in 174 there took place the famous incident of the Thundering Legion (Legio Fulminatrix, Fulminea, Fulminata) which has been a cause of frequent controversy between Christian and non-Christian writers. The Roman army was surrounded by enemies with no chance of escape, when a storm burst. The rain poured down in refreshing showers on the Romans, while the enemy were scattered with lightning and hail. The parched and famishing Romans received the saving drops first on their faces and parched throats, and afterwards in their helmets and shields, to refresh their horses. Marcus obtained a glorious victory as a result of this extraordinary event, and his enemies were hopelessly overthrown.

That such an event did really happen is attested both by pagan and Christian writers. The former attribute the occurrence either to magic (Dion Cassius, LXXI, 8-10) or to the prayers of the emperor (Capitolinus, "Vita Marci", XXIV; Themistius, "Orat. XV ad Theod"; Claudian, "De Sext. Cons. Hon.", V, 340 sqq.; "Sibyl. Orac.", ed. Alezandre, XII, 196 sqq. Cf. Bellori, "La Colonne Antonine", and Eckhel, "Doctrina Nummorum", III, 64). The Christian writers attributed the fact to the prayers of the Christians who were in the army (Claudius Apollinaris in Eusebius, Church History V.5; Tertullian, "Apol.", v; ad Seap. c. iv), and soon there grew up a legend to the effect that in consequence of this miracle the emperor put a stop to the persecution of the Christians (cf. Euseb. and Tert. opp cit.). It must be conceded that the testimony of Claudius s the most valuable of all that we possess, as he wrote within a few years of the event, and that all credit must be given to the prayers of the Christians, though it does not necessarily follow that we should accept the elaborate detail of the story as given by Tertullian and later writers 161 - 169

Lucius Verus (co-emperor) (c. 130 - 169) with Marcus Aurelius

180 - 192

Commodus (c. 161 - 192) All these who failed to follow the decree were brought to the senate and were tried. This decree was a forceful attempt to put down Christians completely. But the followers who believed in Jesus Christ refused to accept this and many were ready to face the trial. "The Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs" written.

Persecution slows down -

Pertinax (193)

Didius Julianus (193) .

Septimius Severus (193-211) Edict makes it illegal to convert to Christianity; persecution especially in North Africa

ca. 203: Perpetua & Felicity martyred in Carthage (North Africa)

Caracalla (211-217)

Macrinus (217-218)

Elagabalus (218-222)

Severus Alexander (222-235)

Maximinus (235-238)

Gordian I and II (238)

Balbinus (238)

Pupienus (238)

Gordian III (238-244)

Philip the Arab (244-249) .

Trajanus Decius (249-251) 250: Major Empire-Wide Persecution; Christians required to participate in Emperor Worship

Bishop Fabian of Rome martyred; Bishop Cyprian of Carthage exiled; Origen of Alexandria tortured to death

Trebonianus Gallus (251-253)

Aemilian (253) .

Valerian (253-260) ca. 258: Bishop Cyprian of Carthage martyred

Gallienus (253-268)

Claudius Gothicus (268-270) .

Aurelian (270-275) some persecutions

Tacitus (275-276)

Probus (276-282)

Carus (282-283)

Carinus (283-284)

Numerian (283-284) .

Diocletian (284-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders. + + + Personally sends troops (Constantine) to Nazareth, the Bishop of Caesarea Eusibius records Diocletian offering clemency to the nephews carefully recording their ancestry to Jesus Christ. All refuse and are tortured and put to death. Diocletian sends troops to Turkey to place the Bishop Nicholas in prison.

& Maximian (286-305) Major Empire-Wide Persecution begins ca. 303; confiscation of Christian Churches and books; arrest, torture, and execution of many Christian leaders

Constantius Chlorus (305-306)

Maxentius (306-312) .

Galerius (305-311)

Licinius (311-323) 311: Edict of Galerius: toleration for Christians, allowing them to worship openly

Constantine (307-337) 313: Edict of Constantine (Edict of Milan): toleration for all religions, including Christianity; ends persecutions

Constantine's position on the religions traditionally practiced in Rome evolved during his reign. At first he prohibited the construction of new temples and tolerated traditional sacrifices; by the end of his reign, he had begun to order the pillaging and tearing down of Roman temples

The triumph of Christianity is actually a very remarkable historical phenomenon (A GOD THING) ... We begin with a small group from the backwaters of the Roman Empire and after two, three centuries go by, lo and behold that same group and its descendants have somehow taken over the Roman Empire and have become the official religion when it was people believing in Jesus Christ and having life transformations in hope in the life of Jesus Christ and the promises He brought.





John 1:35-42 ~ He said to them, “Come and you will see.”

Father God, 

So many people praise You. We join their voices in Salvation. And Gratitude.

We lift up our concerns to Your able hands. Knowing You hear all of our prayers. We lift up the ones we Love in peace. You give rest and comfort. Especially for the weary. Your Goodness and Your Plans will carry us along this journey of Life. We can trust in You, Jesus. We rest this Nation in Your hands as well.

In the Strong Name of Jesus. We Pray. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 97 ~ For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth

Mount Nebo, view Moses saw last of the Children of Israel going forth. Where Maccabees 6 records Jeremiah obtained authority and manpower to hide the Ark of the Covenant. Then had Celestial help to hide the Ark. The Temple Tools list of the Chaldean Babylonians does not list the Ark of the Covenant.

Psalm 97

1 The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.


3 Fire goes before him
and burns up his adversaries all around.
4 His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols;
worship him, all you gods!

8 Zion hears and is glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O Lord.
9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.

10 O you who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the lives of his saints;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sowna for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!

We are so used to our lives, we've forgotten the width and depth life has changed. This generation has seen amazing advances and wonders.

Bethlehem was vastly unchanged for 2 millenniums and even 3. This is Bethlehem by photo of 1880 A.D. About the same as David's era. Notice the barns are built into the hills!

David sat and thought of all the histories of Israel and knew this to be our Father God. If David wanted to hear music, he'd have to learn to play and instrument. Music was usually humming. David brought many, many songs especially music that created thoughts to ascend to God. David would have delighted in radio.




For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth

Our great-grandparents might have flown in a plane and then again, depending on your age or financial situation. Maybe not. They did not see views that only Father God had seen before.

We've all seen two rivers merge, but few have seen the amazing confluence of bodies of water - which eventually do mingle - but our generation can see this.

Alaska' Pacific meets Glacier Water. Eventually mingle.

Jialing and Yangtze River China

Ohio and Mississippi Rivers in Illinois

Mosel and Rhine Rivers Germany.

Danube in Germany

The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.


And we have to recall why the world was more amazed with Father God in prior centuries.
We watch movies of outer space to recall the enormous universe. Before street lights, the night sky wondrously filled the species John's Gospel says all of mankind is Lighted with the Light of God.

This is still the Night Sky of Southern Africa.

Routinely the Continent Africa, with the least lights, looks like this:

His lightnings light up the world !!!

In these last two years only, we have found lightning, is from solar flairs and pulls the magnetosphere of the whole earth when one bolt strikes. The Temple of Jerusalem was positioned where the sun set. The Ascents on the Stairs, were done in front of the setting sun.

 You are exalted far above all gods

The Scriptures reveal more and more wisdom for those who want to have eyes to see this.
The earth continues to reveal more and more of the Biblical Archaeology!


SOME OF THE TOP BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY


A Common Flood Story. Not just the Hebrews (Genesis 6–8), but Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Greeks, Sumerian  and Babylonians all report a flood in primordial times. A Sumerian king list from c. 2100 BC divides itself into two categories: those kings who ruled before a great flood and those who ruled after it. One of the earliest examples of Sumero-Akkadian-Babylonian literature, the Gilgamesh Epic, describes a great flood sent as punishment by the gods, with humanity saved only when the pious Utnapishtim (AKA, “the Mesopotamian Noah”) builds a ship and saves the animal world thereon. A later Greek counterpart, the story of Deucalion and Phyrra, tells of a couple who survived a great flood sent by an angry Zeus.

The Code of Hammurabi. This seven-foot black diorite stele, presently located in the Louvre museum, contains 282 engraved laws of Babylonian King Hammurabi ( 1750 BC). The common basis, a common Semitic law of retribution in the ancient Near East, equals the Pentateuch. Exodus 21:23–25:: “But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot…”


The Existence of Hittites. Genesis 23

The Merneptah Stele. “Israel — his seed c. 1230 BC, the Hebrews were already living in the Promised Land.

Biblical Cities Attested Archaeologically. In addition to Jericho, places such as Haran, Hazor, Dan, Megiddo, Shechem, Samaria, Shiloh, Gezer, Gibeah, Beth Shemesh, Beth Shean, Beersheba, Lachish, and many other urban sites have been excavated, quite apart from such larger and obvious locations as Jerusalem or Babylon. Such geographical markers are extremely significant in demonstrating that fact, not fantasy.

Israel’s enemies in the Hebrew Bible likewise are not contrived but solidly historical.

Shishak’s Invasion of Judah. First Kings 14 and 2 Chronicles 12 tell of Pharaoh Shishak’s conquest of Judah in the fifth year of the reign of King Rehoboam.

The Moabite Stone. Second Kings 3

Obelisk of Shalmaneser III. In 2 Kings 9–10

Burial Plaque of King Uzziah.  Judah, ruled from 792 to 740 BC, a contemporary of Amos, Hosea, and Isaiah He ended badly. In 2 Chronicles 26 his sin is recorded, which resulted in his being struck with leprosy. Uzziah died, interred in a “field of burial that belonged to the kings.” His stone burial plaque has been discovered on the Mount of Olives, and it reads: “Here, the bones of Uzziah, King of Judah, were brought. Do not open.”

Hezekiah’s Siloam Tunnel Inscription. King Hezekiah of Judah ruled from 721 to 686 BC. Fearing a siege by the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, Hezekiah preserved Jerusalem’s water supply by cutting a tunnel through 1,750 feet of solid rock from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam inside the city walls (2 Kings 20; 2 Chron. 32)

The Sennacherib Prism.
Prophet Isaiah,  told Hezekiah God would protect Judah and Jerusalem against Sennacherib (2 Chron. 32; Isa. 36–37). Assyrian records virtually confirm this. The cuneiform on a hexagonal, 15-inch baked clay prism found at the Assyrian capital of Nineveh describes Sennacherib’s invasion of Judah in 701 BC


The lists continue:

Top 20 Biblical Archaeology Events and Discoveries of 2012

VERDICT: NOT GUILTY: Two Remaining Defendants Cleared of Forgery Charges After 5-year Trial for the burial sarcophagus lid of James, brother of Jesus, son of Joseph. Louvre Antiquities and the head of the FBI testify to the authenticity. 

Scorched Wheat May Provide Answers on the Destruction of Canaanite Tel Hazor

City of David Archaeologists Unearth Late Bronze Age Egyptian Scarab

First Temple Period ‘Matanyahu’ Seal Discovered in Jerusalem

Book of Nehemiah Found Among the Scrolls:Scroll scholars find first fragment of Nehemiah

Archaeologists Discover “New” Ancient Language from the Eighth-Century B.C.

Bilingual Boundary Stone Discovered at Tel Gezer

Yeshiva University Project Shines a Colorful Digital Light on the Arch of Titus



Ancient Reservoir Provided Water for First Temple Period Jerusalem


First Temple Period Ritual Structure Discovered Near Jerusalem

Bountiful Hoard Discovered Near Kiryat Gat: Gold, Silver and Jewelry Hidden During the Bar Kokhba Revolt


Archaeologists Expose Israel’s Largest Hellenistic Harbor






Biblical Archaeology's Top Ten Discoveries of 2013

1. The Egyptian Scarab of Khirbet el-Maqatir
Joshua 8.

2. Jezreel Winepress
Ancient winepresses are found all over Israel. The fact that this winepress is one of the largest, and is located near one of the most famous vineyards of the Bible, makes it of interest.

3. The Wine Cellar of Tel Kabri
The ingredients detected in the wine residues discovered inside the jars are similar to the ingredients described in cuneiform tablets excavated in the 1930s in the ruins of Mari, a Sumerian and Amorite city on the Euphrates River.

4. Royal Buildings at Khirbet Qeiyafa the time of King David.
Overlooking the Elah Valley, where David famously confronted Goliath, Khirbet Qeiyafa was clearly constructed to help protect Jerusalem and the Judean highlands from the lowland Philistines.




Top 10 Biblical Archaeology Discoveries in 2014

The Animals Went in Two by Two, According to Babylonian Ark Tablet
An Old Babylonian flood tablet translated by British Museum scholar Irving Finkel

Qumran Phylacteries Reveal Nine New Dead Sea Scrolls
Yonatan Adler’s work revealed new phylacteries containing unopened tefillin Dead Sea Scrolls texts,

Canaanite Fortress Discovered in the City of David
An enormous 18th-century B.C. structure that isolates and protects the Gihon Spring  perhaps the fortress described in Samuel - King David later conquered.

Huqoq 2014: excavation a new mosaic depicts the legendary meeting between Alexander the Great and the Jewish high priest. My son Alexander was part of this dig team and found a 4th century coin (!), he did not work on the Synagogue of the mosaic. The team had no idea of the mosaic, this was in the Sea of Galilee region. My Alexander went with Baylor and NC Universities working for Prof. Nathan Elkins (has a new book on antique coinage to be published soon!)

My Alexander looks rather like this Famous Alexander!

Monumental Entryway to King Herod’s Palace at Herodium Excavated

Coins Celebrating the Great Revolt Against the Romans Unearthed near Jerusalem  (69/70 A.D.).

The discovery of a 7,000-year-old copper awl at Tel Tsaf  metal was used several hundred years earlier than thought.

Early Bronze Age: Megiddo’s Great Temple   “has proven to be the most monumental single edifice so far uncovered and ranks among the largest structures of its time in the Near East.”

Skilled Craftsmen, Not Slaves, Smelted Copper at Timna



Father God, the faithful are encouraged with all of the new facts supporting the Scriptures. Yet people do not want to know just of the facts - people long to know - You hold them in Your Heart. That Your Book of Days is written with Love and not ink.

Father God, that is indeed You. You engrave our names on Your hands. You know all of our days. Your Throne described in Revelation - is timeless. You have unique Angels even Steven Spielburg would be pleased to know. Your Throne sounds more like a Rock Opera than a quartet. You inhale our prayers. Your Word tells us You are Orderly. And You well know more Science than Einstein. And in the middle of all the beauty that earth could boast You tell us Your Throne has a bright and shining river just beside You.

Your Home has 12 Open Gates. And this is never dark or away from Love. The ones so blessed to see You tell us - Light flows from You and clothes You. Surely Your garments tell us You are the Comforter. You are the Father who runs to his homecoming child. Your Word tells us - You have named us. We are Your Beloved. Thank You Father God, that while we will never be equipped to build a Universe, create life - only using Your tools - You are the God who chose to arrive to walk this life and know and see and feel and taste and touch and love and die and worry and hurt - just as we do. You are Love. And You will never leave or forsake us.

In that Great Day, we will see those 12 Open Gates and we will see all of Your Wisdom and Love - because - You have invited us for - Eternity. Heaven is at Hand, we dwell with You - Today. In Jesus we lift up to You - those we Love.

Thank You, Father. In Jesus, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †