Matthew 17 ~ Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours

Matthew 17

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

14 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

17 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” [21] [a]
Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time

22 When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. 23 They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief.

24 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

25 “Yes, he does,” he replied.

When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”

26 “From others,” Peter answered.

“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 27 “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”


This passage amazed me when I discovered it the first time. I had to read it again. God meeting Jesus' financial need. And Jesus needed money. A really prime example of Jesus as a man. It wasn't until many years later I saw Jesus sharing what He received with Peter. Rarely done in the world of taxation! It has to be right up there with the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

Isaiah 29:18
In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.

So, Peter was saved financial expense. It wasn't what kept Peter's heart.

Peter ran from Jesus during His time of greatest need. And Peter hid himself for days thereafter.

When Peter saw Jesus several times after His Resurrection, Peter was the first one (not to walk on water to Jesus, Peter was done trusting in his own righteousness) to swim to Jesus. Why? Jesus was willing to forgive Peter. Peter knew he would be forgiven.

Forgiveness expands our lives in all directions. And possibilities. God works all things towards good.

John 21:7
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

Father God, We open our hearts to You to dwell in us. Help us to make this place where You delight to Dwell. We ask Your blessings upon us, the ones we Love, our friends, neighbors, coworkers and Church. Be with us as we travel and play an "A" tier tournament. Please be with Jacks, Dee, Mary, Fred, Edward, Cal, Xander and me. Blessings upon us and this State and Nation. For my cataract surgery on Monday. All things are possible in Jesus. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

1 Kings 21:17-29 ~ Go

1 Kings 21:17-29

Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying: Go down to meet King Ahab of Israel, who rules in Samaria; he is now in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession. You shall say to him, "Thus says the Lord: Have you killed, and also taken possession?" You shall say to him, "Thus says the Lord: In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, dogs will also lick up your blood."

Ahab said to Elijah, "Have you found me, O my enemy?" He answered, "I have found you. Because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord, I will bring disaster on you; I will consume you, and will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel; and I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked me to anger and have caused Israel to sin. Also concerning Jezebel the Lord said, 'The dogs shall eat Jezebel within the bounds of Jezreel.' Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city the dogs shall eat; and anyone of his who dies in the open country the birds of the air shall eat."

(Indeed, there was no one like Ahab, who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord, urged on by his wife Jezebel. He acted most abominably in going after idols, as the Amorites had done, whom the Lord drove out before the Israelites.)

When Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth over his bare flesh; he fasted, lay in the sackcloth, and went about dejectedly. Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: "Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son's days I will bring the disaster on his house."


Ahab is remembered for being an evil man and king. Elijah brought him The Word of the Lord, but Ahab didn't like Elijah and thought of Elijah as his enemy. The Lord was more impressed Ahab reached beyond the messenger to hear The Word. We can be glad that the Lord hears our prayers, even sinners have the Lord's compassion. Good news for all of us!

However, we can always hope not to just have one encounter with compassion, but to foster the way of our lives bringing more Heaven to earth.  Finding ways to tell someone of their gifts and abilities their Father God loves and admires in them. A Father Jesus proclaims 100 times is "Our Father.."

Ahab down. Compassion forward. With this willing of a heart, makes you wonder what Ahab would have done with meeting Jesus. Lord, if You will - Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I will".


Father God, You have said You Equip us with all good things to do Your Will. Help us to encourage the people You have brought us to see their Talents, Gifts, Abilities, the aspects You have given them as our Father to melt Your heart. Father God, You are a God who runs to us as we saunter on. Father God, You tell us to be encouraging and honoring to each other. Father God Thank You for not being a finger shaker. Instead You are the God of Love John proclaims You to be. You are the warmer of hearts - Your disciples said who walked with You.

Help us to bring Your Love forth to those who miss this. We ask Your blessings upon ourselves, our loved ones, coworkers, loved ones, Church and friends. In Jesus we pray for new students and teachers, Jacks, Dee, Hope, Mary, Fred, and my cataract surgery the 24th. For this State and for our Nation- In Jesus. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Luke 17:5-10 ~ have faith

Luke 17:5-10

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

7 “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

Lamentations 3:19-26

I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
20 I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”

25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.




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

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

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


Adversity, adversity is a learning tool. We learn installing an oven in 1,200 parts. Putting in floor joists.  We become a working knowledge with hope. Our daily bread - is like manna - daily. And the circle to give back stretches us more.

Adversity. Faith. Trusting God knows our heart. Our pain. Sufferings. And we can say to Him one of the most important aspects of Working to Believe God  -  Your will be done. Not in giving up, shrugging shoulders, but the servant going a little further. Dad, 

Father God, I trust You. I have aspirations, hope, needs, but I know You are my port. You slept in the storm. Knowing the winds blow and we don't always see where, but You do. In Jesus, Amen for our loved ones, friends, neighbors, co-workers, Church. Amen.

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

God is our Port. Our refuge. We trust HIM with our deepest desires. God knows ..... anyway. When we ask in faith, we are answered. No. Yes. Maybe. Maybe later. He is - always - going to say have faith. Faith the Way is forward and the Truth will be learning. And the Life, sometimes head before heart. However the soul asking with hope,faith, love is where HIS Heart is.

And the wind in the sail, stirring hope is that - all things - With God, all things are possible.

Your Will be Done.

Give us the Day.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Nehimiah 2 ~ The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.

Painting by Edwin Longsden Long

Nehemiah 2

In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, 2 so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”

I was very much afraid, 3 but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”

4 The king said to me, “What is it you want?”

Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5 and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”

6 Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.

7 I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? 8 And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests.

9 So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.

10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.  

The ruins were charred with fire.

11 I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days 12 I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.
 

13 By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. 

14 Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; 15 so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate.

  16 The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.



17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” 


18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.

They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. “What is this you are doing?” they asked. “Are you rebelling against the king?”

20 I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.”


God's Work. An unusual way to begin. One man started asking around and gathering up the idea to begin. Jeremiah had said this would happen in 70 years, and he was correct.

 The Archaeological Reliefs depict the return of the Jews to Israel in the Babylonian Kingdom.

Moses began by talking to Father God. Imagine what our prayers can still do.

John 5:17
But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

Father God, We thank you for the rain in Padre Island. The wonderful smell of rain in the King Ranch. Our rain today. Texas is blessed with Your provision. Father God we ask for more as areas are very dry. 

Father, in Nehemiah's time - the ruined walls were black. Thank You in Jesus, You make us clean and white as in the Book of Revelation.

We lift to You our loved ones for Your mercy and Love, friends, co-workers, neighbors, the community, the encouraging signs on our roads about Father God, our State and Nation. We earnestly look to You, to build us up to lean to You. And Thank You Father, You delight in us. In Jesus. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Luke 2 ~ Good News of Great Joy

 

 

Luke 2

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.


41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

When the song of the angels is stilled.
When the star in the sky is gone.
When the kinds and princes are home.
When the shepherds are back with their flock.
The work of Christ(mas) begins:

The find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among brothers,
To make music in the heart.

Alleluia! Unto us a child is born. ~Author Unknown


All of these people lived and believed the Good News Jesus Christ is the Lord.

In historical records we find Mary and Joseph were both from Bethlehem and no room was found for them in their ancient home town. God provided for them. Provision was found.

Shepherds overcame their fear and angels sang.


God's favor was found.
Shepherds went to find God. They spoke up to praise God.

Mary created memories to treasure and to grow from.

Good news of great joy.

Looking to what is noble, good - their son was consecrated - lifted to God.

Surrounding the event:
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21

Sovereign Lord, as you have promised!
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation!
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations!
a light for revelation to the Gentiles!
and the glory of your people Israel!

Simeon blessed them. The hearts of many will be revealed.

Coming up to them at that very moment,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required
and the child grew and became strong;
 he was filled with wisdom,
and the grace of God was on him.

Looking
Searching
Being in His Father's House

His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

In all Seasons knowing Change will happen.

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.


Father God, in our hearts reveal what You would want us to do. Relationship is not all receiving and is about giving. Teach us to Give to You.

 We lift up the ones we love for Your Goodness, our friends, Church, co-workers, neighbors, States and Nation. Let the Love and Light of Jesus Christ the Lord renew, resound, reestablish and resonant us to the completion of our souls to You, Our Father's Delight and Love. In Jesus! Amen. 



 

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

John 4:43-54 ~ Doing what Jesus says

John 4:43-54

After the two days he left for Galilee. 44 (Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) 45 When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, for they also had been there.

46 Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.

48 “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”

49 The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.”

The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52 When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.”

53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.

54 This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.

The royal official had one exact choice. To go. Jesus was not coming to see his child. In clear vision,  as the royal official looked at Jesus, he had a belief Jesus was with him and the Word of God has power.

In Matthew 14, Herod asks his servants about news of Jesus. we also read of Chuza, Herod's Stewart, had a wife named Joanna and Acts 13:1 "Manaen, Herod's foster brother." All of these officials knew of Jesus or loved Him. We have no way of knowing who the Official was exactly.

Jesus as our Teacher gives us the same example today. We are going on our path - it really is up to our attitudes of belief how the journey will go.

Jesus did give a List To Do. Matthew was pleased to write the list down for us today:

1 Worship the Lord and serve him only. Matthew 4:10

2 Repent. Matthew 4:17

3 Follow me. Matthew 4:19

4 Shine your light before me and do good deeds. Matthew 5:16

5 Your righteousness must surpass the Pharisees Matthew 5:20

6 Settle matters quickly. Matthew 5:25

7 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow from you. Matthew 5:42.

8 Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44

9 Give to the needy. Matthew 6:2

10 Pray. Matthew 6:5

11 Forgive people who sin against you. Matthew. 6:14 Matthew 18:35

12 Fast from food once in awhile. Matthew 6:16

13 Treat people the way you’d like to be treated. Matthew 7:12

14 Enter through the narrow gate. Matthew 7:13

15 Do God’s will. Matthew 7:21

16 Acknowledge Jesus before men. Matthew 10:32

17 Honor your father and mother. Matthew 15:4 Matthew 19:19

18 Be humble. Matthew 18:4

19 Confront the person you have a conflict with. Matthew 18:15

20 Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 19:19 Matthew 22:39

21 Serve everyone. Matthew 20:26-28 Matthew 23:11

22 Love God with all your heart, soul and mind. Matthew 22:37

23 Feed, clothes, visit and invite in the poor and needy. Matthew 25:35

24 Make disciples of Jesus and baptize them. Matthew 28:19

For me and my house - we will serve the Lord Jesus. Father God, I give the Ones I love to You, friends, neighbors, co-workers, for our Nation and rest my cares with You. In Jesus. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Matthew 12:1-32 ~ For the Son of Man, Jesus is Lord

Matthew 12:1-32

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” 3 He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? 

6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

9 He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”— so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.

15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
20 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.”

 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 

29 Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

We are in an age. A very unusual age. Our grandparents paid for their houses before they moved in. We accept the way our culture works, sometimes without thought.  When you look at the School Board problems in America from 100 years ago, you might have seen the simple things, but you would have seen truancy & child labor left off of the list. The golf links lie so near the fence, the little children can see the men at play. 

Another part of our culture we don't look at clearly, many of the people who have experienced substance abuse and have faced up to it, remain in programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and their lives are healed because their addictions are being treated for what they were, soul weariness.  These people begin to clearly understand the soul, the actions, the physical are clearly connected.  As they become tuned into hope for their souls, their lives are changes and grow as they begin to take care of others. Like sponsoring others. And helping people who are unable to help their own children. These people are brave people.

We used to whisper adoption or condemn it and we used to whisper cancer. Yes, we have increasingly seen younger children being involved in STDs and pregnancy, but we also see young people thrilled at the chance to be parents, to love. Willing to ask for help.  

It is only in rejecting the people willing to step forward, we tie up the Holy Spirit in God's willingness to use the weak to shame the strong. Always pray.

John 5:17

But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Philippians 2:13

for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Philippians 1:4

Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy


We come from several small towns. Calvert, Texas is one where my husband's two great-grandfather was the doctor in Calvert. We located the house and my children were in awe of the history where there ggggrandfather would have kept his horse and ridden out in the night to go to the ones he cared for. And as we left Calvert, there is a painted wall that has a Flag and says We the People in the font of the Declaration of Independence. I said to my small sons, We should reclaim the innovations of those days and Go Forth In the Power of God!  Cal said, "Well it's your idea, you should do that!"

Ok, we should try. Going forth with God. In the name of Jesus Christ.

Dear We the People,

Did you know that going to the dentist twice a year is a great idea. Yes you did. Of Course. Smile. I have two dentists I really like Dr. Bill and Libby (always joyous in God) Wambaugh and Dr. Troy Bonin. All love and follow Jesus Christ.

No one with teeth should do without a water pick Dr Troy says. And even an inexpensive electric toothbrush. Dr. Bill says all your toothpaste should have a fluoride, and tartar control before considering whitening.

There are recent innovations to consider in the many dollars of dental health.
If you have played football, you know how to take boiling water, cool and make a self-fitted tooth guard. Then dot with OPALESCENCE PF 35% Carbamide Peroxide Teeth Whitening Gel. Start with 10% if you are sensitive.

Every other day, use Magic Mud available on Amazon. This is ground charcoal. It will make your former one hour teeth cleaning sessions into five minutes of good health. Edward has not had to have the deep cleaning called plaining since he uses Magic Mud.

Next is a product from Amazon that gets great reviews. Tanda. $100 and you have blue light teeth cleaning ability. Not only that this helps sinus infections and acne. Edward recently had an ear skin cancer removed from kind Dr. Brent Shook's office, his co-workers are great too and they said Blue Light Products improve skin conditions for more than half of the people who try them. I think the percentage was 70%.

My friend Jeanette said her dental implants were going to be $16,000 a tooth for lower loose teeth, plural. Her dentist in the Inwood area of Houston feels his dentistry is a mission to the less prosperous people in the city. He is Jeanette's neighbor and he travels to work a fair distance to be of service. He placed an old fashioned retainer wire on her lower teeth and cemented in her teeth to the wire and she is out $500 for his wisdom and service. Her dentist told her it will hold for five years.

My family also comes from 80 miles north of New Orleans were the metropolis of Franklinton, LA has encroached on the small town of Richardson, LA where all my Richardsons hail from. The water in Louisiana must make people friendly. My son Alexander is working on his building degree from LSU and in 3 years he will have a Master's in Engineering with Building Construction. Louisiana is the Great State of Louisiana. And in the beauty of the great pine forest sweeping from Houston to the Atlantic Ocean, Louisiana is missing out on Beach Tourism due to low lands.

In 1982, I was getting my degree from Texas A & M and a Petroleum Engineer friend of mine Brent Smallic, Aggie Class of 1983, told me the levies of New Orleans were fragile and weak and Class 2 Hurricane would wipe out the city. He had spent the summer working for the Corps of Engineers. I'm also from Rosedale, Mississippi where my great-grandfather James Lawrence Wilson was major of Rosedale for 35 years. Pop made sure his county was protected by 75 foot levees. He thought it was the greatest safety he could give the county.

The Chinese moved the Yangtze River. In Texas we did have done an amazing awesome job around Buffalo, Texas to extract aluminum and coal. The landscape is put back and reforested. Well, honestly, they should plant more trees. We have learned not to destroy mountains for coal. I am saying Louisiana should have a lottery system Laissez les bons temps rouler! And provide sand dredged from the shore to make a 75' sand dune and make Louisiana beaches a vacation destination. And in this dredging create better levees for the city of New Orleans and Baton Rouge again. The British Petroleum recovery was nothing short of miraculous, Thank God. When we dredge built areas for the fish. (Alaska never saw the miraculous level of healing from their oil spill. And we will continue to thank God for His mercies!)

Centralia County of Pennsylvania has been condemned for decades for sink holes resulting from an ongoing coal mine for decades. If the Susquhanna River had a 40 foot dam placed at the counties' edge at the east and west county edge for 12 years, another powerball lottery, and then exploded  first the east lake side dam and 3 week later the unused west side dam- the county would have an end to the sink holes and the fires would be extinguished.  The Susquahanna would need levees to slowly break the west dam. The lottery would pay for the levee removal. Pennsylvania, the great friendly state of Cameron County, Emporium and St. Mary's Elk County would repopulate another amazingly beautiful entire County

Continue to pray for the Nation. We have so many, many people who love Jesus. We need the Churches to open the doors every morning with Morning Prayer and just expect the Holy Spirit to lead us to tell people that the Love of God is so great - His Mission is to Save the World. The Amazing intricate photos from the Hubble tell us that God is large enough to fill the universe and intimate enough to dwell in us to create life.

May God Bless and favor this Nation to bring forth the Love and Grace of Jesus Christ.

Father God, we pray for our schools as they begin again this month. We pray for the new students and the experiences You hold for them. We lift up opportunities and the educators. We lift up our Nation for more education that continues for civilians and for our military - stationed where this education only benefits and promotes our Nation. Not just standard education, but manufacturing and trade education. 

We lift up new solutions and innovations to make life filled with Your Goodness in this life. We ask blessings on ourselves, our loved ones, friends, Church, State and Nation. In the Highest name of Jesus. Thanking You for Your Work in our lives.  Texas, Houston area thanks You for the 4 recent rains really needed in August! Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †