Hebrews 7 ~ we draw near to God.

Hebrews 7

7 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.

4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.


11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him,

“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”

18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:

“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
‘You are a priest forever.’”

22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.

23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.






And this is wildly exciting. Like Deuteronomy.

Actually. Yes.

If we condense this. This is very like John Paul II announcing to the bureaucracy; "Yes this is the way things have always been done. And, now... I am Pope!"

Just like Jesus. Now, we will worship in Spirit and in Truth!

Matthew 7:12
In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the prophets.

Is this regular and ordinary? Not exactly. This is how miracles are. This is the story of Jesus interceding for us.

One day the Samaritan woman was doing her regular life. Frankly, that did not sound as if racing around was fun to her, in her regular life. And Jesus sat with her, and her life was never the same again. Jesus picked the Samaritan woman to be the first person - on the earth - to disclose Jesus as Messiah. Forever.

Is Jesus loud? No. The Officials were not great fans of Jesus. However, an Official - part of the Herod affiliation - came to Him from Capernaum and said his child was dying. Jesus replied, "Go and find your child healed." The Official believed him and departed. Why wasn't the Official recognized like the Roman Centurion was??? We will have to guess. I'd guess the Official asked Jesus to be very low key and private about this miracle.


Hebrews 6
13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 

18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which
 it is impossible for God to lie, 
we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 

19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. 

It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.
He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.


When you combine Hebrews 6 telling us all of the Promises of God are backed by God Himself. This is God saying, God does things the way God wants to do them. Do not count entirely on past performance indicating all His Wonders. Jesus could have said something splashy like, "You haven't seen anything yet." Instead Jesus decided to show us for 2,000 years - the world was never, ever the same.


This could be you saying, "Jesus might have something planned for Jesus and me." This is a journey. Life.

Be transformed by the renewal of your mind. The University of Michigan owns Papyrus 46 of Hebrews 7. And this is marked  "Hebrews 7, written by St. Paul." This particular papyrus was written in the end of the 1st Century or the beginning of the 2nd Century. John the Disciple was still alive. (And you see how intact this is!!!)

If your minister, pastor, youth worker, priest or Dr. told you that you needed purple shag carpet in your living room with bright red and dark green streaks and gold twinkles - I'd hope you'd say, "No, thanks."

Current silliness knowledge says Hebrews was not written by St. Paul. Ok. Suuuuuuure. And who traveled the most with Timothy... If you know the answer is Paul. See Hebrews 12. Then, I don't care if Paul used different word patterns than usual, Timothy and Paul were Ministers sent Two by Two. And for Two Thou Thooooooooousand years - no one had any difficulty saying this was written by Paul.

So who killed JFK? Don't we all know that this was "Jet Black Heart" having an unfortunate hair day? Why do we think we are capable to change theological determination for 2,000 years - now?
This is just - unbelievable.

Give cheerfully - 2,000 years of Jesus believing and completely committed Christians knew this was Paul and the Holy Spirit. This is a belief held strongly and with durability by names like St. Augustine. St. John. St. Eusebius. And by your believing grandparents.

God says He will fulfill His Promises and Go Any Direction that Suits The Lord God.

This is pretty exciting. Miracles are a sudden Change.

Why are all these people in the Bible mostly born in marriage and yet the Son of God had this difficulty? Hebrews 7 is - the perfect time to ask the question.

God is saying, frankly, to this Generation today - we can make life so planned and sterile - our lives are devoid of the invention of Jesus Christ.

How easy - the Morning After Pill. You might be - minus a sibling. A child. No cousin you know today. No niece, no nephew. No :

Confucious
Leonardo da Vinci painting, sculpting, architecture, science, music, mathematics, engineering, literature, anatomy, geology, astronomy, botany, writing, history, and cartography. Father of paleontology, ichnology, and architecture.

William the Conqueror
Thomas Paine
T. E. Lawrence
Oprah Winfrey
Fidel Castro
Sophia Loren
Eric Clapton
John James Audabon
Giovanni Boccacio
Giovanni Casanova
Paul Cezanne
Pope Clement VII
Macauley Culkin
Bobby Darin
Frederick Douglass
Alexander Dumas
George Foreman
Jean Genet
James Kier Hardie
Billie Holliday
Bo Jackson
Jesse Jackson
Jack London
Anna Magnani
Tobey Maguirre
Rod McKuen
Maria Montessori
Shaquille O'Neal
Evita Peron
Fransisco Pizzaro
August Strindberg
Richard Wagner
Booker T Washington
Reggie White

This list does not touch how vastly different our lives would be.

Or what the birth rate looks like for our future.


God fought against the people of the Old Testament who sacrificed infants. God fought for the Children of Israel to have good lives. He cares for our concerns for the quality of life.

RU486
ends a life of a human being. The Morning After Pill will leave a question mark - perhaps forever.

Father God is for life. Celebrate Life with God. Celebrate Jesus Abundantly.




Father God,

Jesus was not meek and flat on the page. Jesus is vibrant and filled with humor, compassion and Joy.

We celebrate Jesus the Lord and remember.

28 Then Jesus spoke with a loud voice as He taught in the house of God. He said, “You know Me. You know where I came from. I have not come on My own. The One Who sent Me is true but you do not know Him. 29 I know Him because I am from Him and He sent Me.”

We Thank You. Abba, You have sent Jesus and hear our prayers.

Thanks Be to Abba for Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Matthew 18:1-14 ~ He said, "Truly I tell you,"

Jesus is.

 

Matthew 18:1-14

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.


10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

The Blessing goes back to 1400 B.C. Aaron, Brother of Moses.

And the Graciousness of God is sought.

And Willingly Bestowed.

Not like the Litmus test of far right and far left with agenda, agenda, agenda.

The Centeredness of Joshua and the Lord God Almighty, maker of Heaven and earth. All things are His.



If you could sit down to speak with Jesus and being overcome with awe, wonder and some reverent fear - like the Disciples were for years. You might revert to the discussion of the news, to have some groundwork for deeper conversations. Rather human, rather like Nicodemus. Jesus would go with the conversation. St. Paul would as well. Peter too.


And in our wildest dreams, do we believe Jesus is going to unload any fault of Mohammad Ali with someone other than Mohammad Ali? Disparage? Jesus did not specify Caiaphas or Ananias. Jesus once referred, as a regular human, to the fact his John the Baptist killer was a wily fox. And that was His Family. He did not spew and was not ungracious.

Jesus might be very interested in a man like Mohammad Ali as he was the Centurion. A man of faith. Promoting solutions of faith. Without a doubt, I believe Jesus is the one path to God's Salvation. And I know ‎Cassius Marcellus Clay was raised by a Methodist father and Baptist mother. And I believe Salvation is a work of God.

The traits Jesus might proclaim to us, about this child of His, would be: optimism, unabashed faith, good works, endurance, unwillingness to pour down negativity for his own choices. An encourager of others. A believer in his faith and determination; he would have courage, perseverance, hope, character and faith.

Jesus is gracious. Always was the most gracious of us. Son of God.

Luke 4:27
26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to the widow of Zarephath in Sidon. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”

Jesus expands borders. Encompasses healthy goodness. Is Inclusive. Loving.

Now, perhaps, the conversation with Jesus would ask about the murder of singer Christina Grimmie. A hate crime. Jesus might weep. Particularly for the separation. The emotional pain. Christina adjusts to Paradise with Jesus. Today.

Matthew 11:12
From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

Jesus understands. This is not new to Him. Sin is part of this life, defining our choices. To join haters and fearers. To Trust God. To believe we will live Life Abundantly.

Every Chapter of the Book of Revelation is about Jesus adjusting to violence in the world yesterday, today and tomorrow. Several chapters are on the pain of Father God to have a child who takes the lives of others as if that person were God. God shows hurt in these Chapters and He Creates the Universe. Something we do not.

One would hope that the reader did not zip down to this portion when there are 3,000 pages in the Bible.

What did Jesus say?

The widow of Nain had one son.

Jesus Lives. Jesus went to Weddings. His first miracle was making wine. The Jesus People? God only picks one variety. Sinners. God discusses living this life with Grace upon Grace when not one of the Children of God, minus John, fully try to walk all of the Life of Jesus. Jesus prized the people who put the feelings of others in deep concern with mercy.

Philippians 2:20
I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.









 

What would Jesus say is the most conspicuous thing here? The most difficult thing of all. Words brought forth by the tongue. The bravery of speaking up does not always win favor. And yet Mohammad Ali found favor by being diligent. If your child (husband, cousin, neighbor) wants to be God and kill people, keep telling people until help is found.

Words.
Goodness.
Bravery.
Diligence.
Compassion.
Graciousness.
Wisdom.
Understanding.
Jesus.
Christ.

God's Scripture is the Word of God.

Words matter.



Father God,

You have created people. Not in the image of each other, to be clones. We are created in Your Vast Attributes to be made in the Image of God. Jesus died for sinners. That gives us inalienable rights. To all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His Name, Jesus, He gave the right to become children of God. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

We readily fall into lines in politics, even in the Grocery Store.

In Prayer, in peace, joy, hope, faith and Love:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

In Christ Jesus:

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the Power of God that brings Salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Words.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word about Christ.

God is Love.

Lord Jesus the Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Matthew 18:21-19:2 ~ forgive your brother from your heart +

Matthew 18:21-19:2

 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 


²² Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

²³ “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.^{[a monetary unit worth 20 years' salary]  25}  And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. ²⁶ So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’  


²⁷ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.  

²⁸ But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii,^{[a day wage]} and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ ²⁹ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ ³⁰ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 

 ³¹ When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. ³² Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ³³  And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ ³⁴  And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,^[torturers] until he should pay all his debt.  

³⁵  So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you,
if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

19 Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. ² And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

And He healed them there

The true feeling of forgiveness is exactly the same as the one we all experienced as a child, when we would swim underwater 
and 
come up gasping for air. 

The true feeling of being forgiven is the same.

Alleluia, Alleluia.  Alleluia, Alleluia. 
Alleluia, Alleluia. 
Alleluia, Alleluia. 

Alleluia, Alleluia !!!


Given a choice. Are you in peace? Please stop reading.

With the understanding,  the Book of Acts,  tells how easy Faith is. Daily many believed in the Salvation of Jesus Christ and were saved. The truth is reading the Scriptures is easy and once belief and gratitude are professed and held on to - Salvation - Free Gift of Jesus is a free gift - easily attained - eternally, amazingly, appreciated and held with Joy, Faith, and Love.

Thus ended the Lesson.

In Great Heart Ache? In Sorrow of Suffering? In Trauma and confusion? Taken advantage of?


Forgiveness is a Process with discernible steps and reasoning. Prayer. Process. Peace. Joy. Forgiveness.


1 Thessalonians 3

11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows, 13 so that He may establish your hearts in blamelessness and holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.


God tells us not to weary of doing Good. The Joy of God is our Strength.

He is a very Present Help in times of Trouble.

He will not leave nor forsake those who Cry out for Him!

He reminds us we are bought at a Price. We will hold on to Jesus and be confident in times of Trouble to Approach the Throne of Grace.

We do not want Him to deny this for others.
I am told not to quit
I believe in the Wheat Field. I believe in the umbrella of Grace
I believe in Salvation in Jesus.
I am too flawed to do this alone.
God only works with sinners, because this is what we are.

The Word of God is our Way.
A Light to our Feet.
Understanding Life from the Vast Knowledge of a Living and Powerful, Compassionate Father who knows when a sparrow falls.

We cannot build a Universe. We are mortal. God will help us. Not by an example of you are wrong to hurt. Not by saying our hurt causes God to fail. Prayer and help received. Laying down the right to revenge. Learning. Becoming stronger instead of festering. Realizing our Savior, our God always is good to be at our level and we do not obtain His.


Begin knowing God is Father of us all.

Father God being Father of All and Creator of All Things puts the light of Jesus in all of mankind.


This Light is in and available to Judas, Caiaphas, and Ananias. Caiaphas had a beautiful sarcophagus and in his sarcophagus were found only two things - two crucifixion used nails. Not even dust.

The Light of Christ is found in the multitude of women who turned out to mourn the passing of - The Greatest Man to Walk This Planet. Jesus the Christ of God. The Light of God is found in Mary, Mother of God. His Aunt. Mary Magdalene. And John.

Jacob gave us the example in forgiving his sons, without apology from them, for conspiring against him to grieve the loss of his son, Joseph. Reuben carried his innocence to guilt and, then much guiltier. Jacob acknowledged this. Jacob dealt honestly with forgiveness in his blessings.

Jesus was honest in His Forgiveness. The process of forgiveness in the Prodigal Son has time. Time to sell the land, time to waste the inheritance, time to have and experience the loss, time to flounder, time to travel home. Time for the Father to miss the son, to see the son in the distance. The whole process is God's. And ours. And is really about process time given.

Jesus tells us there is wheat and weed. And we are not responsible to judge, but are responsible to forgive.

Now let's be more frank. Be real. Be honest.

God dwells here. The Truth.





Judas died. He probably committed suicide and Judas probably hung there until he fell over. This encompasses both parts of the Word of God. Frankly, I worry about people who defend that man. There is nothing good about doing this thing to anyone and even completely worse to the Lamb of God. This Jesus is the unblemished Lamb of God. Jesus did Acts of God continuously. Judas was not uninformed.

And Judas was one of the forgiven from the Cross of Jesus Christ. How Father God deals with this is the business of - God Himself.

Judas saw he preferred power, influence, money and position over Jesus. Forget Love that travels to heal, nourish, comfort.  Forget Acts and Wonders of Love = God.  Sin - shove off God I'm in.  Judas also demonstrated he was not going to change. This was the path.




Caiaphas and Ananias. The plotters and malcontents of the Talmud writers and the Sanhedrin Council who were called that Friday Night (omitting those who would not help their plan to sacrifice Jesus for the sake of the Nation). Jesus appeared to 500. And yet, Jesus is not one who, when the Prophets rose from the Tombs and returned to Jerusalem to proclaim His Victory over Death. Jesus the Lord did not return to them, nor to the Temple, to say This Is HIS Temple and Jesus the Messiah.

Jesus Is Victorious.

Instead we learn in the Book of Acts the multitude explained by Josephus, Josephus tells us is between 1 and 2 million population in High Festival - the Multitude takes over the Temple to Witness to the Victory of Jesus the Christ of God.


Caiaphas leaves a statement that was opened in 1960 A. D. Death and punishment. Two used crcrucifixion nails. Justice without mercy.  Personal power.

 

Jesus took a step of Faith. Jesus said,  "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." "

Jesus trusted God would Forgive.






The Disciples. 10 of them died proclaiming Jesus as God and were martyred. Paul died and he persecuted the people of Jesus. Forgiveness was Given. Appreciated. Needed. They are not recorded as going to Jesus to ask. Probably because this was so very horrendous and they felt they deserved no forgiveness. And the Grace upon Grace of the True God willingly gave. This is, of course, an unusual case as this - Jesus is the Son of God.

Relationship. This importantly says something about the cost of brokeness and the true path of reconciliation in going forward in relationship. This assumes we are the sinner. The Work of Redemption.  This does away with the concept of Cheap Grace. Jesus as our waiter. Boundaries are put up. Stop. Look. Listen. If the cost of damage is going to cost - do not damage. If the cost to recovery is great - keep going.

The Disciple legacy is of Love.  Empowering Love changes a World. God's Will. 




The multitude. The people who yelled "Crucify Him." The people who were healed, fed, nourished and failed to show up to help. The people who would not gather to mourn with Jesus at this dire time. This generation did not perish. Jerusalem was not sacked until 70 A.D. - Jesus would have been gone about then of natural old age. God protected the generation Jesus worked so hard for. Forgiven. Father God honors His Son's request for forgiveness. Thank Jesus Christ, God Almighty - for me and for you.

And in Victory of Forgiveness - we will discuss this more. This is Wonderful.

 

John. Wow. The Beloved Disciple kept Mary the Mother of God out of the fray. Simeon told us of her heart ache to happen.

John spends the rest of his life proclaiming the Victory of Love. And fully sees as he is in life - there is evil in the world. There is Joy.

John is fully recorded in reliable history to be alive and in vibrant life in the beginning of the 100 A.D. era. Blessings for treating the Son of God - as He should be treated and Loved. Steadfast Love.




The honest part is these are levels we can relate to in our heart aches.

This is given to us for our learning.

Seeing we can leaning upon God and learning His Great Mercies.

Health.


Joshua is told to said be centered on God. Not to far to the right, not to far to the left. Joshua had to forgive the men who in fear failed to do the Will of God. For years? For 40 years and cost Joshua much of his life loafing around in the Desert with people who failed. He had spent time with people who fear. And this can be contagious. He arrives in a new season, being told to trust, and told not to fear. Beautiful. Trust again.



Matthew 18:22
Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times."

Was Jesus, Son of God kidding? No. Not at all. Be forgiving. And then stop. Forget this situation. God says leave one town, go on to the next.

Jesus and the Disciples did not keep trying with Caiaphas. Father God has never asked us to help Him Judge another or to spend time sweating their final outcome except in prayer. But God certainly said understand fruit and be innocent as doves and wise as a serpent. No one tried to stand in front of the pigs running to their death.

Turn the other cheek. Many time the Bible and Jesus did use humor. Not to be crass. To lighten the load, the burden, the struggle. I am sure God meant, walk away from the ridiculous, unending battle. Turn the other cheek and walk.

Joel Olsteen is so truthful and humorous. He says Pray for your enemy. And ask them to be blessed in abundance - Way Over There. I can see that Jesus would find this really refreshing and completely honest.

We can safely place our burdens with Jesus.

We tighten into knots, worry, have anxiety. So many boundaries are placed by God. The Hand of Blessing and the Hand of Woe. Solomon says God offers us both. We have to have the humility to say Life is a Work in Progress and I want to bring Jesus my soul and say oops with please help. Thank You for forgiveness. We will be given far more in eternity than we could ever come close to earning. A free gift of Salvation.


Father God tells us we all have gifts and abilities. We all have our place in the Body of Christ. This is grand acknowledgement - God loves who we are - TODAY.


Let go of grudge space and let the Light of Jesus Christ enfold you - as the process allows. God will help us forgive and be at peace - we just have to ask and want the Peace of God. A process of God in the Journey He Gives us. Homecoming - to get back to our Father - Who runs to see us - coming - Home.

Luke 15:201
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."

We all need the Grace of God.

Cost of sin. Cost of recovery. Boundaries. Clarity in the vision of the relationship. The Goal of God's Love.

 +

Forgiving God our troubles. Solomon said our troubles and blessings come from God. Intentionally to have us grow. Find the Narrow Path.


John 21. Jesus Victorious returns from the ...grave. What is defeated? Death. A new Heaven and a new earth. At tremendous cost of the Unblemished Lamb of God. Breakfast with the Lord of Lords. King of Kings and ... people. A squabble over the eternal life of John. People are going to be people and Jesus is not surprised. Or horribly offended.


Now Jesus gave humor a lot in the Gospels. Love is going to bounce. But we have to keep picking up the precious Jewels of God. The Pearl without blemish - worthy.

Jesus says the True Abundant Life is narrow.

72 Disciples. 2 asked for fire. 70 Disciples. Now that is humor. But then again, one Gospel records 72 and 2 asked for fire of Judgment and another Gospel records 70. Beware of asking for fire. Seriously.

Jesus says Communion is eating His Body and Blood. And 70 disciples basically depart. This is gross and uncomfortable, Jesus looks off center. (The Son of Man with blind seeing, deaf hearing... wow good judgment call there, huh.)

And then 11 Disciples depart. Salome and the Brothers of Christ Depart.

And we are left with John, Mary, two more Mary's and an Aunt of Jesus through Mary. That is a narrow gate. And multitudes of women who are very, very sorrowful.

The path has narrowed indeed, indeed, indeed.

We are all working on the effort of building. Unless we just sit and bemoan life. Fritter away.

Relationship has effort, cost and determination.

Jesus was rebuilding.

Jesus chose his Disciples again. As they really are. He expected work of them. Jesus is known to have taken back some of the 70. We call them Mark, Luke, Titus, and others. Jesus added in - Brothers of Christ Jesus. 500 included those who were willing to go back and give thanks like that one leper out of 10.

Jesus chose Forgiveness. Some were regathered. And multitudes chose to storm the Temple, the Outer Temple and the dispersion began. The world saw radical change without a system of media in 16 years - to the top - the Emperor of Rome was shaken. (Just like Luke 3 - Miracles happen - people want stability - Herods start grabbing power and position).(We call this the nature of mankind and the response of God to all this mess is God sees inside and determines to save those professing and having relationship with Jesus Christ.)



And in flawed mankind, the Disciples start having management issues. Paul and Barnabas (Son of Encouragement) fight over that lazy John Mark. Barnabas urges Forgiveness. And in Forgiveness - People have renewal.

David was not welcomed in as God's anointed - until God said tada. When David was to be crowned. But even that set or circumstances had hitches and glitches. David was beloved of God. David welcomed those who had been chilly. And in Renewal of Love, The Nation of Israel Rose.

The business of God is Salvation. Salvation is a Work of GOD. God calls this Forgiveness.

Thanks be to God for the Salvation of Jesus Christ. We were bought with a price and we will go forth in the Joy of Jesus Christ. Jesus is our Righteousness. God is God. We let God be God. And we trust in Him. And pray and live, move and have our dwelling in His Love and Goodness. Celebrate Jesus.

Father God,

Your Grace upon Grace. We rely on Jesus' Righteousness. This is our Hope. Jesus Christ. For us, for the people we love. For our Nation. For the news we mourn and cheer of the world. This is where Jesus wants to Save.

We lift up our sins to Jesus and we lift up the sins of others and we trust God to be God and we work in His Grace. Looking to the Joy of Jesus as our strength for ourselves and for others. Taking in deep breaths of forgiveness and being merciful and gracious to others.

For the process He has placed, Help us Father, we call on Jesus. Today and Tomorrow. Jesus will not fail us.

We don't have to rest on knowledge. God provides Himself. God is Love. Lift up Your Countenance Father God and we will be Saved!

Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †