1 Corinthians 13 ~ Love never ends

 

1 Corinthians 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect; but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away.

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love!

 



So many people tell me today they watch the Hallmark Channel.

Don't we live in an interesting entertainment age. Different from before. Like the politics of this Nation looking ling historical politics. A different flavor.

Really we see more positive trends in the movie industry people pay to see:

The movies are less disgusting. Unless you went to see "Deadpool" rather over the top ommm. The movies are not as crowded. Fewer movies make it from production to the large cinemas. They end up on the Hallmark Channel and have even very famous actors and good plots.

But also the Movies run in themes. Zombies. Right after Ebola rises again.

Election year? Batman against Superman. Space Aliens from Independence Day are coming back. And the Avengers are in a huge argument.

Cartoon movies tend to do well and there is not the stigma to go to one of those as an adult as they have some zingers. 98% Rotten Tomatoes.

Oddly enough the movie theaters now cater to Christian movie goers who are loyal and willing to arrive to see the movie. God's Not Dead 2 was good. Especially the credits listing the actual trials. And I'd bet a lot of those trials went in Christian favor.

Television at home. Now the shows are rather crass and we avoid a lot of them. But watch a movie? Wow some of those movies we have seen more than some of our family. 400 Channels show the same 15 things.


Now the Hallmark Channel. Is nice. But not all of real life is as pretty. Or as real. Or meaningful."

One of the greatest love stories in my life is my paternal grandmother. This isn't a Hallmark card or movie. One of my favorite movies has a scene, Peggy Sue Got Married, the main character goes back 20 years to high school, the most meaningful scene, she goes to see her living grandparents. Tears me up, tears me up. What a privilege.

My grandmother has 4 great-grandchildren. 3 are named after her. My husband loves to recall my Mississippi Grandmother and her beautiful, gentle voice and aristocratic talk and ways. Such a gentle woman, believing life should be accomplished with a lot of Christian ethics.  Having wonderful supportive, loving parents. Her love for her house - being one of the few not burned down "in the War of Northern Aggression." The Waaaaaarrrr of Noooorthrn Aggggresssionnnn, say it with me, there is no twang in this.

Grandmother was born in the Mississippi Delta, in the era of Eudora Weldy, and she never belonged to or joined the popular racist club. She adored Veelma, her maid, for over 30 years. Veelma was the underprivileged, unacknowledged, illegitimate, half black, daughter of one of Oxford's doctors. She and grandmother stood and swept, yet all of Grandmother's old antebellum house looked a lot like Miss Haversham's, minus the wedding cake.

Her perfect childhood, her grandmothers she loved - living with her parents, her father's affluence, her loved remembered, discussed childhood home, her brothers she loved, her sister who annoyed her, her father saving from her from her mother's wrath when she ruined the car bumper and Pop secretly paid for the $16 ruined bumper.

 Falling in love with her brother's roommate from College; meeting the most handsome man in the world and marrying the man you can't live without. He was from a family with another fine house. He writes his aunt Hattie to say he is giving up alcohol to marry her. 

Alcoholism can take many years to sink you down.
Alcoholism and alcoholic families have several courses; beat it, join it, enable it or leave it. Grandmother, being the gentle soul she was, joined it. 

We had a Thanksgiving one year, she became angered - this from the most dignified, gentle loving woman in the world - and took off her wig and threw it on the table & thundered about her new marriage (my grandfather had been dead for 15 years) to her new husband, an Episcopal priest. Robin Williams would say we were pretty Southern Episcopalian.

So.

This being said. When the great Chapter of Love is read or said, I never forget my Grandmother. 

When I grow old, I want to be the example of love she was to us. She found in us, absolute delight. Every time we saw her, she made sure to say, "I love you and I am so proud of you." Sincerity rang out. Sometimes she did without, to make sure we had something she wanted to give us. Grandmother knew we were parented, so she didn't parent us; she asked us what we thought and she would honestly discuss it. 

Grandmother wanted to know what interested us and she never encouraged us to be lawyers or doctors. Grandmother was interested in friendships and boyfriends. Her message was to forgive unkindness and to always remember the people the people who have been kind and loving to you and never to push them down. My Grandmother paid for my college education when my father scorned it. Grandmother was always astonished I had a job and flew all over the country. We grinned about it a lot.

At our Rehearsal Dinner, my Grandmother began her blessing of my marriage by saying she was, "As old as God". Really, Grandmother's love was a dress rehearsal for God's love.

What do you do with the "commenter" the one who never knew your birthday. Never thought that your talent was that great, always said, "You should try harder. Do more extra credit and just present this to the teacher. Worked for me." The one when you say, "It might be cancer" does not skip a beat.

Or what do you do when some in your life says a family member is "just disgraceful" or "Pathetic". I have news for us all, even the President's had brothers who didn't smell pretty.

Mostly, you cannot change people. You can change engaging in their mess at their emotional temperature.

Really difficult to do when life isn't rosy.  This is our complain point. Walk on with Joy with the desire to bring peace. Easier to pick up the argument when you need something to slam at. We can put the argument down. Easier to do when we feel happier.

We need to be real. Have sincerity and say not all people are going to be right on the line. God says we pretend to be right on the line. Even when we think we have all our lives wrapped up neatly to please even Father God, we have to realize the law condemns us. Our attitudes of revenge, or pride, or jealousy. Pettiness.

Does the person who is the "commenter" deserve loyalty. In family, to a certain extent, yes. We are supposed to pick up our cross. We are supposed to unite the people at the edges. Now are we supposed to not gossip? Get real, if someone is telling you what an awful person you are, you need someone to pray for you and support you. If you lie to tell the story, well that is really wrong and a different occurrence is happening. If the story is a string of petty events, oh man that is boring.

Truth telling is sharing life.

Do we need a Bible verse telling us that we share stories of Life?

Mary tells us something memorable in Luke 1 about the rich and their unkindness. Mary was obviously stung as a child. Except Isaiah said the wealth of the country would be horribly divided. Her son James continues the telling of life events about the cruelty of wealthy people. They have talked. A few times.

James goes on to say, value all people. Not to use them, but to let them know we are the Body of Christ. James tells us of his process. Growing up a descendant of David and becoming a Brother of Jesus in completion.

John tells his coming to Jesus with much thought, he is prolific. John begins by telling us of the Light of Christ in all of mankind.

Still, among ourselves in our daily lives, are we to be so loyal as to be silent? Telling the truth, is not a bad thing. Lives are formed with truth telling.

If the offender is a friend after years of refusing to do unto others - Jesus tells us to speak honestly and not invite them to dinner. Jesus did not run around sniping about old stories when He was Victorious. He moved with what was good. Jesus forgave many, many people and appeared to 500. Multitudes found Him later.

Love one another is a Joy. A Burden. Something to divide out goats and sheep. Not designed to ruin us. One of my cousins was telling me she was almost killed with constantly caring for her invalid mother. But she chose to not re-adjust finances to get help to care for her. That massive house, on the hill quit blessing them. We have to strive for the balance. Joshua did. Hard to see the balance when we are physically, mentally, and spiritually pressed. Hard to sell home, when home is what is left of the people passed on.

My experience is seeing in my Church, we are the Church of parents living to be in their 90s. Like the man who made a fortune finding Christians to insure, far less claims and he was financially made. This framework - works. And seeing their parents live independent lives well into their mid 90s. Framework of God - is astonishing.

Love one another is a Responsibility. You have to love yourself. Not accept what is not acceptable. If this eequires pressing charges for being beaten and abused. To affect positive change, then this should happen. This is still putting Jesus first. And requires bravery. Jesus told people, "NO."

Jesus told us we have to love God first. Because if we do not look to the Lord to be the Head of our lives, eventually the water running over the rocks has changed the direction away from Jesus. The Way, the Truth and the Life. We have to keep Jesus as God in our lives and avoid the push away from His Goodness. With prayer and honesty. Going in the true direction Jesus grows us to be. His Good Plan.

We cannot push our values upon people, but to stand for our values when they are needed, if they are too dusty and unused causes us to make excuses instead of staying in the Body of Christ.

All the Bible is really about making life work with brokenness. Reality.  Abraham was broken, we all are. Lead a responsible life. The Gospels start out like this:

Mark 1:3 Isaiah 40, Proverbs 3, Matthew 3, Mark 3, John 1
"A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"

Sometimes the difficulty is being polite, to be unable to work the connection from goodness to polite to goodness. Completing the the thought requires some diligence. We have to not just to the platitudes, but the work of the Scriptures why sometimes we say, "No."

Keeping Jesus in charge, doing things His Way, Truth, Life keeps us from raising children who beat their wives. Do terrible drugs. Keeping our children from abusing their siblings keeps our children compassionate and able to raise their own family.

Speaking up, making each other accountable.

We need a realistic balance. Today our Minister Craig Heenan's Sermon was on the ship sinking during training in the Navy. With a realistic balance, we learn from our mistakes and help others. Speaking of our mistakes to make life reliable and real. We gain the strength to tell our family, "No" so that they are able to rise up in their own Jesus Strength. Polite yes just to keep the peace isn't always what is needed. But Grandmother surely told the truth when she said, "Look for the goodness in all of us." Find reasons to be proud of the character of one another. Encourage, Pray, Rejoice.

Jesus loved to fish.
John started by saying all of mankind has the light of Jesus Christ.

Jesus believes He has given us fortitude to do our lives. We can find good in all people.

Fishing - diligence, endurance, hope. Lag times. Days where the catch is slim.

When you fish with Jesus, suddenly the net is full. And there are people with you in the journey to help pull up the net. Jesus provides.

Fishing can be solitary. Time to think. Jesus loved these quiet times. And made a path to find these times.












Hello Father God,

I am praying for my arm today. I had a lump in September that looked like a mosquito bite. And it went away. And was gone in January, I remembered to look. Now the lump is back and was 2 inches by 1 inch. The Lord is Good, the next thing I knew I had a spider bite right on the lump. Today the lump is 1 inch by an inch. Isabelle was born and her arm stopped right at this point. My son realized his arm has a place at this point too. My cousins in Baton Rouge have an arm that quit like Isabelle's. A child was born to them without a left hand as well.

My son and I both had Ganglions on the wrist that were troublesome. People have witnessed Ganglions move like Diplomas.

I believe all things are possible in Father God, and I am hoping for a complete healing. The thing went away before.

We lift up Edward, that he might have all his facilities, and end very well. Like Isabelle did with her beautiful, "I see Jesus" smile. We all have a day in the Book of Life called the Day of the Lord, our day to have eternal life and go Home. I pray for Edward that he gets to see Heaven not as an invalid, but as a man blessed to have his brain fed from his soul.

We pray for the people we Love to have the joy of this coming Life. God's framework feeding them on this journey, helping us to understand when the winds of life howl, when life has lag times calling for endurance - the framework of God is like the Exodus, we have to have the faith and do the work of presenting our soul back to God. Father God, cover those I love with Your name and Your guidance. That Mississippi River of Life is steady and reliable, and then is not. Help us to have loving, wisdom inside of us.

Bless the people You have given us. Let us communicate with diligence and joy.

Bless our work places to become meaningful life opportunities where God is loved and goodness happens daily. Bless our children's school with the same Joy. Let our light for Christ Shine.

We pray for Your willing favor and direction. For our Churches, communities, neighborhoods, city, counties and states. The Light of God be welcomed. Come Lord Jesus. And give You thanks for the strength You give Your people to do their lives.

Thank You God we do not beg for You to act, we know that Your Will and wisdom are amazing. In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 110 ~ The Lord has sworn and will not change His Mind

Live your life entrusted to return your soul to Father God.
 

Psalm 110

The Lord says to my lord:

“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”

2
The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying,
“Rule in the midst of your enemies!”
3
Your troops will be willing
on your day of battle.
Arrayed in holy splendor,
your young men will come to you
like dew from the morning’s womb.

4
The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind:
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”

5
The Lord is at your right hand;
he will crush kings on the day of his wrath.
6
He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead
and crushing the rulers of the whole earth.
7
He will drink from a brook along the way,
and so he will lift his head high.

1 Thessalonians 2
3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others


The People who love the Lord Father God are not perfect. However there should be sincerity. A desire to please God more than man. A sincerity witnessed at all times and in all situations and with all types of people. Will mistakes be made? The Bible would say so.



The Bible says generations swing like pendulums - one generation holds fast and the next falls down. Our generations like balance and if we go to Heaven, then we descent to physical or riches. This is the fallen nature of us all. The Bible would say this holds truth. 








John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free

1 Corinthians 15:52
in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Revelation 22
22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month



The Bible's wisdom is without depth or end. Generational curses have been spoken of since Moses. And Jesus came to set us free from our sins. Jesus is our freedom. 

Jesus sets us free.

Jesus sets us free.

When Jesus offers us Salvation, we should know this is paid for with a Cost.

What have we done with ourselves?
We are offered Salvation. 
We cannot purchase this. We can not redeem ourselves again, saying what Jesus did is unimportant. We can look at our purchased and wiped clean souls,
our two hands and be like formerly blind Bartimaeus, who wanted to walk with His Savior.

Jesus sets us free.

 

When my soul's eyes see Jesus - I surely know I will need His Grace.

 I hope Jesus and Father God will tell me they like what I did with my soul and the souls He has placed near or in my care. Because the fine day will come, where I want to see Jesus and Father God looking for me in the distance - knowing He is smiling - the Prodigal Child has come HOME!

What can we know of Heaven?

Here is what my heart speaks to me of going Home to Jesus the Lord:
We will be with Christ

Luke 23:43
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

It will be better than being on earth
2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

We will be eating and drinking like Jesus Resurrected and eating with the disciples. John 21.

“Restoration of all things” Acts 3:21 





Revelation 1 

2 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me.

17 Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!"

Therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery

 

Revelation 2 

You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent

I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!

to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.

These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

 


Revelation 3

These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.


Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

 

21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.








Revelation 4

And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.

We will greet new loved ones in Heaven knowing their news.

We will see the most magnificent Throne of Father God and understand His Holiness.


Revelation 5

We will see the multitudes of Heaven being cared for. And see how worthy Jesus is doing this. We will begin to understand the height and depth of His Love. And understand why this worship is so Good.

Our weeping and the care we have given others, will see fulfillment.



Revelation 6

We will understand better the days of wrath on earth. God's Plan is more understood by us.




Revelation 7

The days of sorrow are eclipsed to see the multitudes who have Joy in Father God.

15
and he who sits on the throne
will shelter them with his presence.
16
‘Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’
nor any scorching heat.
17
For the Lamb at the center of the throne
will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”




Revelation 8

He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.

We will see that God rules the earth and the fulfillment of the earth is His.




Revelation 9

We will know the earth exists only during God's timing.



Revelation 10

We will know God has been for us for generations and generations.
Father God is working to this day.



Revelation 11

Time is merely a cage on earth. In Heaven we will see things like the time of the Temple in Jerusalem.
God will begin to show us the reclamation of all things to Father God.

9 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. 



Revelation 12

We will see some terrible and fierce things of the earth we would not wish to see. Learning
dark is not dark to Father God - He is Light - there is no darkness in Him.


Revelation 13

Father God will assure us HE was not absent when horrible and dire things occurred.
In His wisdom and holiness, this is to be rewoven, renewed and set completely right.


Revelation 14

We understand the building of Father God's Kingdom is like the wedding feast Jesus told us of.
We see the glories of His Love and what the People who have Loved God have brought forth into this life
love and care in time and ages and in generations. We understand with eyes that see and ears that hear, why God would so love the world to send His ONLY Begotten SON to make sure we did not perish, but have everlasting life.


Revelation 15

We see illness on earth like the plagues and know we lost loved ones to illnesses and see that this mattered profoundly to Father God. A grain must fall into the ground to find new life. Jesus wept with Lazarus and His Beloved.


Revelation 16

The wrath for those who would not profoundly care for this work of illness and suffering. The earth shaking and shattering time. God calls this giving others blood to drink.


Revelation 17

The basis of all evil is the love of money. We see how we can become lost to ourselves if we pursuit this shelter instead of Father God and His Love.



Revelation 18

Lament for the loss of any of God's precious children. He is the Father of us all.



Revelation 19

19 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:

“Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2
for true and just are his judgments.


6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
7
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
8
Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”


Revelation 20

The pendulum of time. The wonder of the Acts of those who Love Father God.

4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.


Revelation 21

The Good News

21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

The fire of evil will die, this is the merciful second death.

Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.


Revelation 22

Rejoice we will see what is comfortable and beautiful. Familiar from Father God, the Creator of All Things.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

Father God,
We surely and without doubt know the mystery to Faith is Yours. The people who read Isaiah knocked upon Herod's door to see the King of Kings.

Yet in the Love of Jesus Christ, You provide us with some insight to the Glories of Jesus in Father God.

For all of us The Book of Revelation will be different. Because You have told us we all have a different place and gift, talent, ability of faith, hope and Love. 

We all are part of the Body of Jesus and see aspects to You. The Father who Fills All of the Heavens and is the Light in all of Mankind.

Your Word is living and active. We can look past to the millenniums and know when Abraham went forth to please You, You were pleased. Abraham believed You and You credited Abraham with the Righteousness of Jesus. In You we are Covered Mightily. 

Abraham pressed You for Goodness and You made Abraham the Father of Nations because You love to be expected to Do Good as David knew so well.

Father God, this life tests us and perplexes us, be our Light, our Path and our Strong Deliverer. We lift up the ones we Love knowing that You Love more. We lift up the People You have given us in our lives and ask Your help and comfort and joy for them. We lift up leaders who call forth Your Mercy and Profound Love. 

We say In God We Trust and we shall not be ashamed. We ask the Light of Jesus Christ to shine in all of mankind and the Glorious Love of Jesus - The Holy One of God - is to bring forth more Heaven to this earth in the Love You told us is the New Commandment.

In Expectation, we look to the Future, knowing You hear all our prayers and Your Love is always present. Heaven's 12 Open Gates. Father God, we give You thanks for Love enduring in perseverance, joy, for Love opens minds, hearts and lives. JESUS, YOU ARE THE LORD MOST HIGH. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Isaiah 29:22-24 ~ The Work of MY Hands

Isaiah was 700 years before Jesus and knew the atmosphere of the generation of Jesus.

Jesus came to this life with joy. Eating and drinking. Enjoying people. Healing.

Isaiah ends the message well!!! 
Still in Chapter 29, Jesus flooding His light in all of mankind. His Glory grace and truth filling the generation blessed to see Him. His Word Fulfilled!

Isaiah 29:22-24

22 Therefore this is what the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, says to the descendants of Jacob:

“No longer will Jacob be ashamed;
no longer will their faces grow pale.
23 When they see among them their children,
the work of my hands,
they will keep my name holy;
they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob,
and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
24 Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding;
those who complain will accept instruction.”

Acts 3 has Peter on the Temple grounds in Solomon's Portico. God IS filling His Word.

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

16 And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Acts 5:12-16
The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.





Egad even Wall Street Worries! 
Worriers out there - Unite!
We wonder about this generation. We worry about the news.

My son had a virus mimicking arthritis of the hip when he was five years old. A type of paralysis. The referred doctor said he would get the illness twice before his little body would recognize the illness as a virus. He did and is fine 20 years later.

We prayed for Cal so hard - Edward and I saw a bumper sticker that said, "He knows your faith." I told Edward, I feel like God has spoken to us and we returned home to find Cal was much better. My mom said she thought it was miraculous of God.  God even answers prayers in the car on the way to the grocery store.






Speaking of brains...we were today -

The Independent out of the UK reports the largest-ever study provides evidence that 'out of body' and 'near-death' experiences actually have real findings. Speaking about the evidence provided by a 57-year-old social worker Southampton, Dr Parnia said: “We know the brain can’t function when the heart has stopped beating." And yet...

2,060 patients from 15 hospitals in the UK, US and Austria, and has been published in the journal Resuscitation

Experts currently believe that the brain shuts down within 20 to 30 seconds of the heart stopping beating – and that it is not possible to be aware of anything at all once that has happened.

But scientists in the new study heard said they heard compelling evidence that patients experienced real events for up to three minutes after this had happened – and could recall them accurately once they had been resuscitated.

Dr Sam Parnia, an assistant professor at the State University of New York and a former research fellow at the University of Southampton who led the research, said that he previously that patients who described near-death experiences were only relating hallucinatory events.

One man, however, gave a “very credible” account of what was going on while doctors and nurses tried to bring him back to life – and says that he felt he was observing his resuscitation from the corner of the room.

Speaking to The Telegraph about the evidence provided by a 57-year-old social worker Southampton, Dr Parnia said: “We know the brain can’t function when the heart has stopped beating.

“But in this case, conscious awareness appears to have continued for up to three minutes.

“The man described everything that had happened in the room, but importantly, he heard two bleeps from a machine that makes a noise at three minute intervals. So we could time how long the experienced lasted for.

“He seemed very credible and everything that he said had happened to him had actually happened.”

Of those who survived, 46 per cent experienced a broad range of mental recollections, nine per cent had experiences compatible with traditional definitions of a near-death experience and two per cent exhibited full awareness with explicit recall of “seeing” and “hearing” events – or out-of-body experiences.

Dr Parnia said that the findings of the study as a whole suggested that “the recalled experience surrounding death now merits further genuine investigation without prejudice”.

Dr Jerry Nolan, editor-in-chief of the journal which published the research, said: “The researchers are to be congratulated on the completion of a fascinating study that will open the door to more extensive research into what happens when we die.”

Inexplicably the article concludes with the following quote


Jesus knew about storms in life. 


When a physical human body dies, suddenly and inexplicably, no medical reason is specifically known, the body suddenly is five pounds lighter.  I believe this is our soul's energy, our Light going Home. Life guarantees us very little. What we make of our lives is our metal. Or to put this more aptly - our life's work - a shining Light of His, we hope.

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow God is the same. Jesus tells us He is still working. See this with faith.


Luke 8
24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”






When a physical human body dies, suddenly and inexplicably, no medical reason is specifically known, the body suddenly is five pounds lighter.  I believe this is our soul's energy, our Light going Home. Life guarantees us very little. What we make of our lives is our metal. Or to put this more aptly - our life's work - a shining Light of His, we hope.

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow God is the same. Jesus tells us He is still working. See this with faith.





Snopes: http://www.snopes.com/religion/soulweight.asp



Claim: A physician once placed dying patients upon a scale in order to measure the weight of the human soul.

Snopes found this: TRUE

Example: [Evans, 1946]

Those who believe that the body becomes lighter [at the moment of death] seem to think that the soul has weight, weight that must of necessity depart with it, and — with that brisk disregard of strict veracity which so frequenly marks discussions of this nature — have claimed that dying men, at the very moment of their decease, have been placed on delicate scales that have recorded their mortuary degravitation. But these persons have never been able to specify in just what ghoulish laboratory this took place, or what private home was so interestingly equipped, or the names and addresses of the relatives who so commendably placed scientific and religious curiosity before sentimental concern for the patient's comfort.


 1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.


Father God, thank You for being Love. If we fear, You heal. If we cry out, You answer. Life tests us, and multitudes will all be with You in the Valley of Decision. Decide for us in Love, Mercy and the Fulfillment of Your Word in Jesus Christ the Lord we pray. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Acts 5:12 -15 ~ in Solomon's Portico

Colonnade left from King Solomon's Portico. Could be from the First Temple used in the Second Temple. John 10:23. A portion of the Temple,  according to JosephusB. J. 5:5, section 1; Ant. 20:9, section 7, remained from Solomon's time. It rose from a great depth, occupying part of the valley, and supported by a wall 400 cubits high, formed of immense stones, some 20 cubits long. The Chaldeans spared it,  for the strength and beauty.  This is where the Remnant left from the Babylonian Exile worshiped. Jesus the Lord walked in its shelter.

Acts 2:6       
And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.  

Acts 5:12 -15      
Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.         
Joel 3:14 
Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

This is the time after Jesus was found to be alive, resurrected. A very active time after Jesus was crucified.


 Acts, Chapter 2, say about the time when the wood becomes dry?   
 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel ^{[2nd Chapter of Joel]}:  
 

¹⁷  “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,          
and your young men shall see visions,          
and your old men shall dream dreams;    
¹⁸ even on my male servants and female servants        
in those days I will pour out my Spirit,  and they shall prophesy.      
¹⁹ And I will show wonders in the heavens above        
and signs on the earth below,                    
 blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;   
²⁰  the sun shall be turned to darkness        
and the moon to blood,        
before the day of the Lord comes,     
the great and magnificent day.

  ²¹ And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’  
 

Acts 11:26
and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.


This is the birth of the Bride of Christ - the Church.


How many times are the Disciples in and around the Temple? And Synagogues.

The Bible records 27 times. For the ministry of the saints - to Christians.

1 Corinthians 9
9 Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, 2 for I know your readiness






Acts 2:46
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

Acts 3:1
[ The Lame Beggar Healed ] Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

Acts 3:2
And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.

Acts 3:3
Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.

Acts 3:8
And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

Acts 3:10
and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Acts 4:1
[ Peter and John Before the Council ] And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,

Acts 5:20
“Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”

Acts 5:21
And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

Acts 5:24
Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to.

Acts 5:25
And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.”

Acts 5:42
And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

Acts 14:13
And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.

Acts 17:24
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,

Acts 19:27
And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”

Acts 19:35
And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky?

Acts 21:26
Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them.

Acts 21:27
[ Paul Arrested in the Temple ] When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,

Acts 21:28
crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”

Acts 21:29
For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

Acts 21:30
Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.

Acts 22:17
“When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance

Acts 24:6
He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.

Acts 24:12
and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city.

Acts 24:18
While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia—

Thessaloniki , Greece, 4th Century, Church of David.

The first Churches, like Peter's house, were House Churches.



Acts 1:14
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Mary and her children were with the believers.



Father God, The true Tithe is Love.

Ezekiel 11 gives us a prophecy to pray.

When we come to You, we will remove all its detestable things and all its abominations from them.

And You will give us one heart, and put a new spirit within us.

Father God will take the heart of stone out of our flesh and give us a heart of flesh, that we may walk in Your statutes and do them. Then we will be The people and Beloved of Jesus, and You shall be our Father God.

In the Name of Jesus the Christ, our Hero. You are the Font of every Blessing. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †