Psalm 91 ~ noonday

Psalm 91

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.



The other day my family was famished and we headed to one of our favorite restaurants, The Republic Grille. The ladies very close to us were discussing their genealogy of death. One was very frank about the number of deaths due directly to alcoholism. There is a lot of alcoholism in the USA. And in alcoholism, the chances for all types of death increase exponentially. This was someone who had really considered health and she began discussing cancer is more curable therefore, we see rampant Alzheimer's - we all used to call Senility.

Personally, I pray each day to enjoy the day, live life to the fullest and to go Home to Heaven well and to have suffering be a minimum.

If you want to start a conversation, one of the best starters is - "What is the best path to old age?"

Some people feel with animal die offs, we are headed to a plague. This is all in God's hands. Science has discovered God's Plan in the last plagues. English towns can track DNA records from the last Plagues and see God made the survivors DNA not to be able to receive the Plague. All in God's Hands. Yes.

An acquaintance of year's back, told me she knew her knee job was botched the day she had her 3rd knee operation. And that day the BBC Headline said, "Science has discovered a new part of the knee." Just like being blessed to be part of the New Testament where God fills in our gaps with His Magnificent Grace, we are blessed to be in a day of vastly increased learning.

With Edward's diagnosis of brain lobe damage due to childhood bicycle accident where no adult knew he was concussed. Severe, severe childhood asthma - he missed his own birthday parties, combined with an allergy to barbiturate based anesthesia - we look into medical things regarding damaged brain lobes. What Good, Good News to hear of the University of Pittsburgh's study on exercise being part of good brain health. I like to walk 2 - 4 miles a day. Edward walks the same in Disc Golf. Football players record memory games are vital to memory improvement. And I tell you what, I ask the Lord to bless my brain with good health. I believe prayer is answered, especially the prayers we continue to pray. Edward is in the miraculous level for his diagnosis.

My 19 year old beloved cat was prayed for every day with the dog and my wonderful cat lived fully and one day sat with me next to me on the sofa and died. When I really examined the beloved cat, he had a tumor in his colon. Something a 19 year old cat is not going to survive. He was in his nineties, if you compare cat to human years. Beloved 'Scoop' was the recipient of many, many years of prayer. He arrived when my youngest son was in kindergarten. Vital and significant, always in the midst of us even when the 80 lb Husky Grand-dog - Scoop was moving with and among us. What we all want to be ~ vital and significant.

  Scoop learned all his life - learned to love the first dog - a life time of dogs and loved this puppy at age 14.

God answers prayers.

When I plant, which I tend to do a lot - I love my garden and live in sub-tropics in Texas - I use worm castings - which don't really rank highly in plant nutrition scales, but the plants do amazing things with this. So I'd say we are always learning. Always in need of observations. We have most people, who don't like to admit nutrition (hello), because nutrition truly is important and we all get bored with nutrition - most people are eating fast food twice a week. Worth noting in that Alzheimer think along. - Edward cut out eating packaged salty things and has seen an improvement there.

I love the Study done by Wake Forest. Beets every day seem to improve heart health - linked to brain health. Why not? I added Beets to my Vitamin list. I like to read the actual studies. Dr. Eric Z is vitally interested in what study is real about available vitamins. Why not? I like the studies and I take the vitamins and read Web MD to see for adverse effects and dosages. No pharmaceutical ingredient comes from Mars or Pluto, yet, so, why not read what the medical tests say. Consult your doctor and pharmacist. Some meds conflict. Really.

What does the Bible say about Long Life?

Genesis - Chapter One. God rested. He knew to Rest. Sleep appropriately. And just rest.

Revelations 21 - Jesus came to earth and said He saw a new Heaven and a new earth. The Lord's Prayer says help us to bring more Heaven to earth. This entirely fits Centenarian opinion God will triumph. We want to be aligned with what is good and positive - what God calls us to be. I volunteered and had the good fortune to sit with a retired Ob-Gyn who believes our DNA is actually the Book of Life written into our lives. Preparing us to do the Good Works God would have us do. Marvelous. Expect good ... the Centenarians do.

See Love, be love, spread love. Good living.

Psalm 91:16
With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation !!!



Jesus lived His life doing something all these years of Scripture reading finally - I saw this - Jesus got up saying "What direction would God want Him to go that day?" Leaning into God's Will and so many activities - walking, walking walking. Sailing requires work too. Enjoying the voyage. Not just sticking music on the radio in the car. The Scriptures tell us singing and hearing God's Will make us far happier people.


My cat would agree with being active - he was ill at age 15 and had been a pleasingly plump critter. He lost lots of weight and his life continued full speed. My mother's 88 year old phenomenal boyfriend believes in a good breakfast and then smaller meals. Hobbies and chores all the time, moderate- moderate eating, a positive outlook and early to bed. His older brother recently married his college sweetheart!

Observing the habits of Jesus should make us joyful. This goodness of this God is for us.


Genesis 48:15
And he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day."

Looking to what is noble, believing the Good.

Numbers 22:30
And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day?

If a donkey can find reasons for gratitude - what blessings do we see for our lives in what God has given?


Mary tells us in Luke 1, the proud are scattered in their imaginings. Being someone with quite an active imagination - I look to the Lord for His guidance and do see possibilities and ask for His Blessings here. With this important point - being a person who speaks truthfully makes straight paths of self esteem. Important internal guidance.

Deuteronomy 32:47
For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.


God always, always tells us to take care of our parents to have long life. Doing good - makes a meaningful life - and, and, and teaches our children good habits of looking beyond just the selfie-selfie-selfie of unhappiness. Teaching our children good habits from living those ideals.


Proverbs 3:16
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

What is this? Wisdom. Being interested in what is around you. Without sobriety, we are not going to continue to grow and find solutions in clear thought. We continue to improve with sobriety. Mature and help the next generations.




Joy. Looking for the day to have God's Mercies renew. Look till you see this. Be honest, sincere.

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in ------
the Son of God,
who -----
loved me and gave himself for me.


Put your faith upon the Rock. Have a good Foundation - Jesus Christ is where to look.

Job 11:13-19

13“If you prepare your heart,
you will stretch out your hands toward him.


14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,
and let not injustice dwell in your tents.
15 Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish;
you will be secure and will not fear.


16 You will forget your misery;
you will remember it as waters that have passed away.

17 And your life will be brighter than the noonday;
its darkness will be like the morning.
18 And you will feel secure, because there is hope;
you will look around and take your rest in security.
19 You will lie down, and none will make you afraid



Abba, Our Dear Father,
We invite and Draw You into us.
Blessed Be Jesus, Your Son, Who covers us in His Holy, Righteous Name of Jesus the Christ of God - Our Lord and God of Love.
Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Luke 12:1-7 ~ you are of more value than many sparrows

 

Luke 12:1-7

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? 

And not one of them is forgotten before God. 

7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 

Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.



Charles Dickens was a profound writer  A philanthropist, interested in his culture, restoring women in harsh circumstances back to their feet to marriage and family. A non-traditionalist- traditionalist Dickens was praised by Leo Tolstoy and others as a great Christian writer.

Dickens has a philosophy the Scriptures agree with. He believed people are found in circles of people reflecting personal choices and also requiring guidance of an uplifting nature. People in Spiritual beliefs are to be the Light of Christ. His books believe lower acting people have circles as well encouraging what God would say are poor choices.

Dickens believed mankind could improve, by improving surroundings with Christian people. Dickens believed in Goodness.

Jesus would agree, He says He saw His people with compassion, seeing they need Him. They were sheep and required Him as Shepherd.




When I was a child, I had the best little neighborhood school. The motto of the School was,  "A student is not a vessel to be filled, but a lamp to be lighted."

We had Peacocks, Crabapple and Pear trees with fruit, chickens, a hill to stampede up and down. Later a pony and a barn. We had a hayloft and that was tremendously fun.

Ms. Sandy was our Principal and she delighted in the children. She was a frequent visitor to the classes. A large woman with joy in her eyes. A visit from Ms. Sandy was indeed entertaining. She was a very, very gifted and amusing educator. One day, in our 1st grade class, she asked us if we knew Beatle Mania. And the reply was all the first graders assuring Ms. Sandy - yes we knew "Beatle Mania." She brought in a 2nd grade boy, Andrew, and asked us if he was just like Paul McCartney. We yelled until our teacher, Ms. Reineke, held her ears. Andrew Loved the Attention. And to add to the screams - Andrew's 5th grade brother was the larger identical Andrew, and about 2 feet taller. More shrieking.

Miss Sandy would appear at the entrance and she would yell "Good Day... Ladies!!!" She would then pull in Andrew and we would Shhhhhhrrrriek. Ms. Reineke and the other teachers complained at the shrieking in Car Pool as Andrew and his brother would arrive from the car. The children loved that and we thought that was very funny.

About half way through the year, the teachers asked Ms. Sandy to get us to calm down. She came in and explained the teachers didn't want shrieking during classes. She asked us if we remembered she had started this with "Beetle Mania". Ms Sandy was always asking for discussion. We somehow managed to tell her, through her prompting, this was like a Rally. We enjoyed this soooo much. Ms. Sandy said yes, but life was about getting along and if the teachers were not happy with the interruption, we needed to respect this as a working place. And fun was to happen, but before classes, lunch and after classes. So we continued, with Ms. Sandy's enthusiasm, to yell for Andrew and his brother. Particularly with a flourish of a car door opening!

Christmas vacation came and we were back to school. Ms Sandy came in and said she had a very sad duty today but she needed to tell all classes about the school family and a very, very sad thing had occurred.  Our parents already knew about. She looked very sad, something we had not seen on Ms. Sandy before. She said we all knew Andrew and his brother. Over Christmas at Andrew's home, the doorbell had rung, the door was answered and the intruder was a home burglar. All four members of Andrew's family had been home and Andrew's parents had been shot with a large rifle and died in front of Andrew and his brother. Ms. Sandy said she had been in education for 40 years and this was the first time something like this had happened. In fact, all the adults did agree this is a very rare and sad thing. She said that Andrew and his brother, of course, wanted the school to know. They were living in their home, with a relative, and the people with the gun had been put in jail.

Ms. Sandy went on to say, don't scream at the boys right now. Don't tell them over and over how sorry you are, the boys know; just say hello. Look them in the eye and say hello. Let the boys lead the conversation. If the boys wanted to lead the conversation, be sure and listen. One child asked if we should pretend we did not know. Ms. Sandy responded, that was a very adult question, but, no, be honest and listen a lot. The child asked, "But we aren't allowed to say we are sorry?" Ms. Sandy said again, a very excellent question, that in the conversation - to say - "I'm sorry" at least once was acceptable. And to say, "This is so hurtful for you." Ms. Sandy said it was fine to say, "Your parents loved you very much." At that, the class wept.

A child in the back just sobbed. Ms. Sandy cried and wiped her eyes. She said, "The most sane reply to this sadness is tears. This was a very, very sad thing." Then she took the questions first graders would ask. Ms. Sandy offered again - this was so rare. And Ms. Reineke would answer the rest of our questions we would have for the next few weeks.


And the school became quieter. During car pool, we sometimes talked about all this.

About a month later, Ms. Sandy returned and asked if we still loved Andrew. Quietly everyone did agree. Ms. Sandy said Andrew might need a little cheering up and did we feel like cheering and yelling in a few minutes. We did agree. She was bringing Andrew back and he needed to know the School still adored him. She'd be back in about 15 minutes. She returned with Andrew. We yelled, more quietly, but still we were enthusiastic. Ms. Sandy told Andrew she'd asked everyone to be more quiet, but he could tell he was loved. He looked very emotional, not the confident, smiling boy of before. Ms. Sandy loved to hug and she hugged Andrew. Andrew looked overcome and Ms. Sandy said this is fine, this is normal, this is what we all understood. This is his school family, be yourself.



I adored Ms. Sandy. We all did. She was one of the most fantastic educators. She was a very large woman and she used her size to be part of her appeal. A good teacher uses all aspects of what is real, to make life better and brighter. She made her circle wider and wider being the Light of Christ.

Salt and Light.

Father God,

In all seasons, for Your reasons - "All things work together for good, for those who love the Lord and work according to His Purposes." We give You great thanks for our blessings. teaching and encouraging us to have the fire and grit and goodness to see us through the challenging times. Thank You, for those years ago, that young boy knew because of the good times, how much he was cared for.

Our Father, a mighty encourager. Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Thank God for His Goodness, providing us the tools to see us through. We will seek the Lord and his strength; seek Father God's presence continually! In the Joy of the Lord God, do not grow weary in doing good.

The one who endures to the end will be saved. You assure us, casting all your anxieties on Our God, because Our God cares for you.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Isaiah 59:17 ~ He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation

My family had a dry goods store for many years 80 miles north of New Orleans. For the young people - this is where Clothes used to come from. The fabric bolts arrived all summer for fall and winter and late in October the containers would be opened to avoid the plague. Yellow Fever - unaware mosquitoes caused Yellow Fever and the germs were not avoided by opening the fabric crates late in the season. Today, mosquitoes kill more people than all other predators.

My family - likes clothes - we have all liked clothes. Changing clothes is a nice thing. I'm not one of the Tattoo fans - many, many are.

Much more effective and permanent ... would be being sealed in the Salvation of Jesus Christ.

Permanent - what is more permanent than the Armor of God put on and sealed forever in Jesus. No need to repeat this passage. Only one time and - BAM - The Power of the Word of GOD - seals you forever in Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 59:17

He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.

Ephesians 6:10-20

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

16 In all circumstances
take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. 

To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

1 Thessalonians 5:8-9

8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 9:17

And this is how I saw the horses in my vision and those who rode them: they wore breastplates the color of fire and of sapphire and of sulfur, and the heads of the horses were like lions' heads, and fire and smoke and sulfur came out of their mouths.



How Powerful is the Word of God? Once we are sealed in Jesus Christ as His Own? The Word of God upholds the Universe by the Word of His Power. Exactly why you need the Armor of God only once.

Hebrews 1:3-9

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

1 Peter 1:25

The word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.


Armor tends to last centuries, if you see the museums this is so. And yet to place the armor of God on - is to have the protection of God forever.

What are the Scriptures telling us of the Strength God gives us?

~ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus

~ His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength

~Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus

~Strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

~Strong, and the Word of God lives in you

~Strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being

~Full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ

~ Riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

~ Redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

The armor of God arrives complete. Filled with the Blessings of God.


Our household has had seasons. We were very quiet during the early years of having children. There were stories and art projects, playing in the backyard and tea parties.  We had elementary years of birthday parties and slumber parties. In High School, this was a loud house with many teenage boys and games with videos, cards and board games.

This last summer my mom survived Pneumonia. And lives with a care giver now. We are blessed. Edward has had a serious diagnosis and still defies the odds making his day filled with stock contests that he does well. Disc Golf - no tattoos. And I see our house is quieter again. Sometimes too quiet. We all have concerns that surround us - and finally we have found - the quiet and time to say - what is difficult in each season - will be addressed and found to be solved.  We are learning in our fifties - to go with the direction of Life - God does give us. We have been brought this far - not to be dropped on our head again! Wearing the Armor of God - and feeling led by His Mercy.


Father God, 

We only look to You.  We know the Glory of Your Word.

You have clothed me and my loved ones with Your Armor. Thank You, Your Strength and Blessings Continue. We continue to place You first and fill those we love to completion - in the Name of Jesus.

Drawing courage and meaning from each day. Changing ourselves, lifting up those prayer needs. Our area is in a fast the first 21 days - praying for the good of our community. On up to the Nation.

I am grateful Edward's skin cancer next to his nose is healing so very, very well. He had good care. We have a some new areas in our lives requiring good prayer for our sons, new good areas.  My mother is doing much better with exercise in Pneumonia healing.  And I have several projects I need to bolster up my drive to complete now that the New Year has settled around us all. 

We look for this year to be a time of mending and this is going on. We are praying for Jack to mend from his cough.

Your very Word has brought forth fruit on fragile Papyrus - how much more You will do with the soul and heart of Your Beloved Children. In You, we put our Hope, Jesus the Lord. And we will rest comfortably!  God is in Charge!  We say all Thanksgiving for the Love and Grace of Father God. Placing all the Glory on Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Luke 1:68-80 ~ Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

 

Luke 1:68-80

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
70as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
72to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

76And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
78because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
79to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.






Why read Luke 1 when Christmas is over? We all walk, mostly, a similar path today and tomorrow and the next day. We need to see something of this day and every day that is meaningful.


Today, I began my day reading Luke 1 and the joy of the strength of the Spirit was Good. The last sentence of Luke 1.

To God be the Glory.

Why?

 Because when you read Revelations - the structure of the Universe - life - death - judgment - wow.  Thank God for His Wisdom and His Goodness and His Intelligence and His Will. Revelation has Chapters showing sorrow in God for choices of Death His children make.. Jesus died and one of His important statements informs us He was forming a new Heaven and new earth to cast out evil. Satan fell from Heaven. Jesus is King of Kings and the earth and the fulfillment thereof is - His Jesus;.

There is some absolute dire-ness in life and death. And we really need to trust the Lord to sort this. I love the honesty of John in Revelation 1 saying John fainted to the ground with fear. This is were Angels tread and with yar - Reverence. This is where God puts His Throne of emerald green - His favorite color. This is where God designs and sits with streams of water from His Throne. Trees of Life lead to His Throne. Where all of His creation will see. And the Cherubim and Seraphim are His Beautiful Creations.

We all have a fear. Be it bad death, meaningless life, being broke, the catastrophic events that happen. Being alone. Being reviled for being yourself. Revelation says God deals with this as God Almighty. Our prayers are breathed by God and He understands. No person creates by Word alone. God does! His Word upholds Life. John says - from his understanding in watching Jesus - God is Love. John found profound awe and all his days were blessed by God. And still he fell down to the ground to see Jesus on His Throne. And Jesus? He reassured John.

We will find Goodness in God's Glory. Eternally. Each day we can find the Light of Christ in mankind. And in that Light of Jesus - we draw strength - to go on in Hope. To comfort others. Anticipating the Goodness of God.

God is our destination. Thank God we are the Easter people - where the gap in us is met by Jesus the Lord.

Abba, our beloved Abba,

With Jesus, the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. The Gospels tell us we can ask for Jesus to pray with us in the Name of Jesus.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

Hebrews 7 tells us, You have raised Jesus up to being our Mediator in Heaven. And Jesus is not of the tribe of Levi, He is Lion of the Tribe of Judah. We can expect God to be in the changes in life as well as the same routine.

We will come before the Throne of You, Father God, with confidence in Jesus. In prayer. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to You, Father God.

Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.


Father God, I lift up my household. Changes are upon us in health and needs. I lift up a path of internal Joy able to give Joy to others. I lift up Life and Health and Anticipation of You. I lift up moving beyond the trudge of the day - to the anticipation of accomplishment. Of the clarity of what is needed for each day. Wisdom to draw up solutions.

I give you thanks for my sons - their encouragement in Love. Their hopes and dreams to be answered by You, Father, as their Father in Hope and with open arms, Your Open Heart and open doors. I thank You tremendously for Your Goodness to them in this season. Thank You, Thank You, Father God.

We bless You for exercise. For holding on to You. For putting up our prayers and in faith knowing You know exactly our hearts and our needs. Help us to lean to Your Plan for this place of renewal, safety and diligent path. All Your works in the Holiness of Scripture show us we need to work and travel in Jesus in Faith. You give us work - the work of belief. I will trust in You. Remember us Father and strengthen and renew us in Your Good purpose.

Bless those who comfort one another. Bless them to draw up strength in their own Encouragement.

Thank You Jesus for the encouragers in my life. We lift up those we Love and the people God has given us. We thank You for Your renewal of mercy for us all. For the blessings we seek, in Your willingness. For the communion of prayer of the saints. For this Nation. The world knowing Jesus Christ and the world learning Jesus Christ. The Path of Christians. Amen and to Jesus to the people we will come to know. To God be the Glory. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Genesis 1:2 ~ The Spirit of God

Jesus must not be enjoying Egyptian bath time. Seems a good time to look at Jesus being young, just as this is still a New Year. Jesus is far, far, far from being a mere god we must always seek. Jesus is God who dwells within - knowing He is invited. And unlike the drawing, Jesus has come far, far to be dwelling among men. Zechariah and John the Beloved Disciple refer to Jesus being the Light of mankind, Light of the world. His Father would agree in Genesis 1.

Our first account of Jesus outside of Genesis 1 is more in line with the favor of God. Jesus is, we know, the exact representation of His Father. Jesus tells us when we see God, we see Jesus.

C'mon think about this.

Genesis 1:2
The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Proverbs 8:23-31 

Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 before he had made the earth with its fields,
or the first of the dust of the world.
27 When he established the heavens, I was there;
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above,
when he established the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

30 then I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing before him always,

31 rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man.

Exodus 34:6,7
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.


And when would the face of God not be as filled with delight. Perhaps when the Prodigal son came asking for what was not his. Wanting separation. When a Father is called up on to set the path straight.


God has gone to amazing lengths to be part of our lives and paths.


Genesis has a quote for something exactly like this ~ the lengths Jesus has gone to to be in God's plan.

Genesis 46

¹ So Israel took his journey with all that he had

 

Jesus is recorded during Baptismal services today with the interactions Jesus has with people and water.

Being obedient to God to be Baptized and the pleasure of His Father announcing "Jesus is His Beloved Son - listen to Him."

Jesus being God knowing how healing the man at the Pool of Bethesda is going to go. The man had not asked to be healed per se, but Jesus was there and 38 years were healed.

Jesus did not quit for the man wanting to be on the side of the questioners at the Temple, Jesus was known to go to the Town of Bethsaida and to heal using His saliva and mud - sending the formerly blind man to the Pool of Siloam - sent - sent to be healed.

Jesus used saliva again and the man who was blind now said he saw trees walking instead of men. Jesus grabbed hold of the man again and the man could see.

Jesus walked on water, once perhaps teasing the disciples that He intended just to pass by, but when Peter needed Him - Jesus immediately helped Peter. Peter probably never forgot what it felt like to walk on water with the help of Jesus. Firmly back in the boat. And seeing Jesus calm the storm by His Word.

Let us all remember to thank Jesus for being sealed by the Name and Grace and Mercy of Jesus.



Father God, Abba,

Take and seal us forever sealed in Jesus Christ, in our souls. Extend Your love and mercy to those we love and our our prayer requests for the people You give us. We trust all of our cares up to You. For those nearby, far away up to the Nation and the prayers of all those around the world.

In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †