Hebrews 10:11-25 ~ Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Creation is said to Groan for the revealing of the Sons of Men. We think of the earth in creation. And John records Jesus telling about this from  life on earth point of view.

John 9:4
As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me.
Night is coming, when no one can work.

Hebrews 10:11-25

11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 

12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.

 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,

16
“This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws on their hearts,
and write them on their minds,”

17 then he adds,

“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.


19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 

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

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Creation waits for the revealing of the Sons of Men. This happens on the Side of Heaven, God's Eternal Kingdom.

~ encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near


Have you ever thought of Father God waiting for us, glad for His Book of Life and we are greeted as the Prodigal Son. Jesus and Father God long for us.


Let's take this further back to the old Testament. In the Book of Job, we read about the Old Heaven - Sheol - the Hades equivalent - a place for all that have died. Including Satan. In Job, Satan is death and has a right to the place of the Dead. He just asks God for favors and because God shows equal, equal, equal mercy to all - Satan is in overcompensation - bold as can be.

Judgement. We are asked not to be Judgmental. Yet, we all need judgments and opinions and wisdom to proceed with our lives. God had opted for mercy without sacrifice. All have sinned - all in Sheol - the Old Testament.

There is one bright spot in this gray Sheol - Jesus is Life. In the place of the dead, Sheol - Jesus has laughed while in creation the deep had circles drawn upon the waters.

In this grey equality - where black and white blend - is Jesus. LIGHT OF GOD.

The true Light that gives Light to all of mankind was coming into the world.

In Him was Life, and that Life was the Light of all mankind. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Jesus was bringing HIS Light forth to Honor God.

Jesus tells us He if filled with Joy and He speaks right to His Father and ours. This is how Jesus sacrifice changed Heaven and the earth.


Luke 10
18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

A new Heaven and a new earth. We can tell this did happen on earth - the name of Jesus caused Roman Emperors to make wars for almost 400 years. Jesus did not count equality as something to be grasped, Jesus became obedient to God to show Love. Earth changed.

And in this Great Love, Jesus cleared up Heaven. Heaven was new. 
His Father's House was new. 

The Holy Trinity? Jesus was working and  today is working. And doing HIS Father's Purpose. 

Jesus being God - His Promises and His Word are faithful. Jesus' effective change for Heaven is for us -

Once

and for

ALL. 

When we believe God's Promises - Change happens.


Hebrews 10:10
And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

The balance is - we want to Please Father God.

We encourage each other in truth. Old truth is useful and is truth. We do not change what is wrong to be good or what is acceptable to be dire. We encourage each other to do Good Works for God. And we see what is Good and we applaud that and encourage more Goodness. Build up Goodness.

Jesus told us to be centered, to be salt - to be frank and honest and earnest. Let Love be Genuine.
And to be Light - bring forth news that is Joy, Peace, Love, Hope.

God works to overcome Darkness. We try to do all we can to encourage places were Light is looked for and appreciated, noticed and Encouraged.



Father God,
We Thank You. As a result of Your Works and Your Promises, You have compassion on Your faithful followers.

We will keep from being discouraged, in Trust and Faith. And You will be Glad.

We will apologize for wrongs that are not in keeping with Pleasing God. And in confidence fully anticipate and belong in Jesus' Profound Grace. Never trying to treat Father God and His Beloved Son, Jesus, as our waiter.

In the Joy, you have declared You have, we lift up our loved ones and the People You have given us. This Nation in Renewal and New Hope in Jesus. And the people of the world. Because the Kingdom, the Glory and the Power - are Yours. Your Works are for All. We encourage ourselves and others to see the Light of Jesus.

In Jesus, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Luke 1:45-56 ~ And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.

1 Timothy 2: 3-5

This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 
5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men,
 the man Christ Jesus

What Blessing closes the millenniums of these Holy Days before God? What draws us near to our Abba God? Knowing His tremendous purpose is to gather our hearts to Him.



The Blessing of God's Living Word. Living and Active.

Jeremiah 23:29
29"Is not My word like fire?" declares the LORD.

2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.





God Blesses us and  His Words Live

Luke 1:45-56

45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

Luke 8
19 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. 20 And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” 21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”






 

The Blessing of Faith.


Acts 16:31
And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Romans 10:17
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

In the Beginning

The Blessing of Jesus arriving as Grace and Truth to this life is described by Jesus as being filled with Joy. This blessing begins where? The Temple where God remembers His Sabbath day of worship, gratitude, peace and Joy.

Luke 2
27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30
for my eyes have seen your salvation
31
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

And with His beloved John the Baptist - telling us set the path straight for God.Like Joshua, The taming of the wilderness, subduing the earth just like Genesis.








Today
How close are our Prayers to Father God in this Joy? Jesus tells us - the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
How close does God make us? Families live together in Heaven and on earth.

Father God, help me not to be a hearer of Your Word, but let me have actions pleasing to You.

We pray this for our loved ones and the People You have given us. Our Churches in Jesus Christ. For our Nation and all the people of Your earth who want to please You, Father GOD.

In the Highest Name of Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Genesis 27 ~ He said, “Are you really my son Esau?” He answered, “I am.”

Jacob Deceives Isaac,  painted by James Tissot

Genesis 27

When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son”; and he answered, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Behold, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me, 4 and prepare for me delicious food, such as I love, and bring it to me so that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.”

5 Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it, 6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, 7 ‘Bring me game and prepare for me delicious food, that I may eat it and bless you before the Lord before I die.’ 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice as I command you. 9 Go to the flock and bring me two good young goats, so that I may prepare from them delicious food for your father, such as he loves. 10 And you shall bring it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.” 11 But Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Behold, my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. 12 Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him and bring a curse upon myself and not a blessing.” 13 His mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, bring them to me.”

14 So he went and took them and brought them to his mother, and his mother prepared delicious food, such as his father loved. 15 Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her older son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son. 16 And the skins of the young goats she put on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. 17 And she put the delicious food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

18 So he went in to his father and said, “My father.” And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?” 19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.” 20 But Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?” He answered, “Because the Lord your God granted me success.” 21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, to know whether you are really my son Esau or not.” 22 So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, who felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau's hands. So he blessed him. 24 He said, “Are you really my son Esau?” He answered, “I am.” 25 Then he said, “Bring it near to me, that I may eat of my son's game and bless you.” So he brought it near to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank.

26 Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come near and kiss me, my son.” 27 So he came near and kissed him. And Isaac smelled the smell of his garments and blessed him and said,

“See, the smell of my son
is as the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed!
28 May God give you of the dew of heaven
and of the fatness of the earth
and plenty of grain and wine.
29 Let peoples serve you,
and nations bow down to you.
Be lord over your brothers,
and may your mother's sons bow down to you.
Cursed be everyone who curses you,
and blessed be everyone who blesses you!”

30 As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, when Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting. 31 He also prepared delicious food and brought it to his father. And he said to his father, “Let my father arise and eat of his son's game, that you may bless me.” 32 His father Isaac said to him, “Who are you?” He answered, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.” 33 Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, “Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.” 34 As soon as Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me, even me also, O my father!” 35 But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully, and he has taken away your blessing.” 36 Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob?[a] For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.” Then he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?” 37 Isaac answered and said to Esau, “Behold, I have made him lord over you, and all his brothers I have given to him for servants, and with grain and wine I have sustained him. What then can I do for you, my son?” 38 Esau said to his father, “Have you but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father.” And Esau lifted up his voice and wept.

39 Then Isaac his father answered and said to him:

“Behold, away from the fatness of the earth shall your dwelling be,
and away from the dew of heaven on high.
40 By your sword you shall live,
and you shall serve your brother;
but when you grow restless
you shall break his yoke from your neck.”

41 Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” 42 But the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, “Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you. 43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban my brother in Haran 44 and stay with him a while, until your brother's fury turns away— 45 until your brother's anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send and bring you from there. Why should I be bereft of you both in one day?”

46 Then Rebekah said to Isaac, “I loathe my life because of the Hittite women.^{[daughters of Heth]} If Jacob marries one of the Hittite women like these, one of the women of the land, what good will my life be to me?”




Jesus said:

John 2:25
He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.


David says in the presence of his enemies, he is determined his life will still give goodness and mercy.

If life is problem solving, 
Isaac is having a heck of a time.

 He knows and believes he is the Keeper of Abraham's Blessing "Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you." And he knows he is surrounded by Rebecca, who is his love, yet is a self-interested, chess player. And Jacob, the shifty son who already has Esau's birthright for a bowl of stew. You'd think Isaac would have put a caveat saying if you're Jacob, no dice on the blessing. However, Isaac did think he was dying, but held on for Jacob to grow up and return with his 12 sons. And Rebecca did herself in, that daughter in law was a long time in coming and then, oi vay, the bickering of two of them. More sibling rivalry. 

We know from the Scriptures Rebekah and Isaac will have troubles in life; the Scriptures tell us are part of life. In the midst of signs, births, prosperity, betrayal, all trouble and stages of life; we learn from Isaac’s life, forgiveness allows the Holy Spirit to help Isaac to end well. We can almost hear Father God say to Isaac, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Is this a love story? Yes, we know it. We all root for Rebekah to complete the sign and become Isaac’s wife. We all want the signs of God’s approval in our life. We know Rebekah will place her son’s prosperity over her husband’s peaceful illness and anticipated death. We know Isaac will still have Rebekah as his wife when a life-time of years pass before the family is reunited in forgiveness. We know this miracle only can come from God.

Just as we know what Rebekah’s human nature will cause and allow, God knew what was in Rebekah’s heart and chose her to be part of His plan in fulfilling His promise to Abraham. In Jesus, we are heirs of Abraham, we are grafted into God’s tree of life. God chose Rebekah and God chooses us, asks us, wants us to be part of His plan in this life and heirs to His eternal kingdom.




You would think the Scriptures would be more like Dick and Jane go to summer camp, meet and marry. Instead you see life does strange things to families trying to get by. The one thing you can say for this Biblical family, they are still together after Lamon gets finished decades later working out his own issues on his son-in-law.

Romans 8:38
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us

Ephesians 3:19
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

1 Corinthians 15:58
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.



Today we are kidding ourselves about Christian persecution. 80% of Americans pray and they are thrilled if they have a need and you say, "I'm going to pray for you." We just hunker down and hide. EIGHTY PERCENT OF AMERICANS PRAY BELIEVING GOD WILL HEAR THEM.

If you are told not to have a Christmas tree in your office, and others have menorahs and things like that. You are not valued. But the law supports you. You can write HR and the people in the company around you. You will win. That Law Suit is going to smell badly. Stand up for what you believe. I've seen that done in Corporate America. The truth is a boss who brings a law suit like that to the company over a Christmas Tree - is going to be fired.

I once told a man bragging in a corporate office meeting about his sister banging a famous singer while he was in town. I said that man is married. Not when in this town. I said it's called Adultery and it's not called banging. The boss said, "Let's start this meeting, now we are all uncomfortable."

10 people came in later and thanked me. People want their ability to speak up. This is why the cemetery in Arlington is filled.

The thing is, we have to speak up when the ability comes upon us to speak up.

Father God, help us to have the ability to speak up for one another. Help us to speak up courageously when we understand how to. Give us ability and heart. Let us celebrate what is still really good today and have the wisdom to be grateful for the blessings of today.

Let us not suffer what we need not suffer. Let us be in God's Plan and ask Him each day to live in our heart. Let us love what we can love, help what we can help and let us help others help themselves to strengthen them. Let us believe that a stronger body of believers is good, let us build each other up.

Father, I am trusting You for what I cannot do. For the people I love. For the people in my life You've given me. In Jesus. I am grateful. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

1 Samuel 2:1-10 ~ The Lord

1 Samuel 2:1-10

And Hannah prayed and said,

“My heart exults in the Lord;
my horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.

2
“There is none holy like the Lord:
for there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.
3
Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.
4
The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble bind on strength.
5
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.
6
The Lord kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7
The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low and he exalts.
8
He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's,
and on them he has set the world.

9
“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,
for not by might shall a man prevail.
10
The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces;
against them he will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed.”

Hannah and the Good News are still there in the Holy Spirit, because Jesus is LORD.

In Jesus, Hannah cried out, was heard and had new life. Life abundant. Her story is not just a story of long ago. Her story is today. For us to know the exact nature of Father God..

Her son, Samuel had many times in life with our Father.

Father God, continue to speak to the hearts of those who look to You, we hear and we act for You, Father God.

You are the Lord, we trust those we love to You in Your mercy and goodness. Praying their hearts know Your goodness and Love to comfort and help their days. That You will remain with us and we celebrate Your Glory.

You will be with us and never forsake us. In Jesus we will be strong and courageous, we will not turn to the right nor the left, we will not be frightened or dismayed and will keep reading the Word of God, Your Good News in Jesus Christ the Lord.

We ask You to cover us in the name of Jesus and Your mercy when we sin and fall in error. We ask You anoint the people who would follow Jesus to know His Word and live and move and have their being in Jesus and His Promises and Blessings. Help our attitudes, words and opinions be witness to You, Jesus.

We do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all our heart. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. We will not cease to pray for you, and give us hearts turned to You and You will instruct us in the good and the right way. We will Love the Lord and serve him faithfully with all our heart. For consider what great things You, Father God, has done for us.

Thank You, Father God, in Jesus the Lord. You Will is Good. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Luke 1 ~ An account of the things that have been fulfilled among us

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, painted by Liz Swindle

Luke 1

1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.


5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion

. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”


 


26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[b] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”




46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
47
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.




57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”

61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”

62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?”

For the Lord’s hand was with him.





67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

68
“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
69
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David
70
(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
71
salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us—
72
to show mercy to our ancestors
and to remember his holy covenant,
73
the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
74
to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
and to enable us to serve him without fear
75
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

76
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
77
to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
78
because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
79
to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Psalm 104:4
He makes His messengers winds, His ministers a flaming fire.

Cellphones and hall monitors caught the picture of this Angel when Chelsea Barton was healed at Christmas time in North Carolina. The hospital saw so clearly that a dying teenager Immediately lived - they went on National News to say an Angel had come to their hospital.

Hebrews 1:7
In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire."

My family and I saw this most enormous cloud stay exactly in one place, for almost 2 hours over Lake Texoma in 1988. This did not dissipate, this fill-the-sky Angel vanished.

Ezekiel 1:13
The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it.

Psalm 148:8
lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do His bidding


What would possibly make this season, 6 Sundays from now is Christmas week, the Happiest Season on Earth? The Most Wonderful Season of All? Joy to the World the Lord has Come?


Jesus did not drag Himself to this Life.

Jesus did not force Himself to dwell among mankind.

Jesus did not force Himself to be the Light lighting all of mankind.

John 16:13
I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

Father God,
We thank You most wonderfully for Your mercies renew each day. You Lift us. Father God, some of Your Beloved struggle because they have been told their bodies live and their minds will not. Father God, be merciful to sustain us all or our days and take us quickly to Live in Paradise with You.

Let peace rule in our hearts. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

You are God and by Your Word alone Life is sustained. We lift up those we love in Expectation of Your Goodness and Hope soars like Eagles. We lift up the People You have given us, with Glad Hearts. We look to You as Salvation of Your Beloved and this Nation. And all people of the world - Your creation - You find Good.

We lift up our children for Your many blessings! To shine, to rise, to trust Jesus all of our days You have blessed us with. To be strong and courageous in all circumstances, even with Wild Winds of Life.

We look to You. Your Forgiveness is needed and great. Let Your Face shine upon us. We look for Your Graciousness and Your Peace. We lift up these Holy Days ahead. We go forward in faith. In the Highest Name of Jesus. Amen. 

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †