Philippians 4 ~ To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

University of Michigan owns Papyrus 46. Dated late first or early 2nd Century. These two pages are Philippians 4. Easy to read. Very probably the Disciple John was still alive. The Bible is truth. http://earlybible.com/manuscripts/p46.html

Philippians 4

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.


4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.





8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.


14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.


21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.


23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.



We know this passage. We know the verse well, "I can do all things in God , Who strengthens me."

James wrote many times not to show partiality to rich or poor. And here is Paul traveling all over. Speaking to the lame and the blind. And in verse 22 we find Paul has met many, many saint - even in the Household of Caesar.


The letter is placed about 62 AD, about 10 years after Paul's first visit to Philippi. A Caesarean imprisonment (Acts 23-26). Caesar would be - Nerō Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. Generally, this would not be where Christians would seek employment. And to be this high up - would lead to the death of Paul. Emperor Nero, allowed the Jews back into Rome, but then, after the Great Fire of Rome of 64, Christians were persecuted.


How is Paul doing, being in the Lion's Den - Caesar's Household ?

• Stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved
•  
• Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
•  
• Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God
•  
• The God of peace will be with you.
•  
• The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
•  
• The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Paul writes of the beloved of Jesus, in the Holy Spirit:

Hebrews 12:2
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Psalm 29:11
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

John 14
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Jesus.

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Paul did have anxieties sometimes. And God would not have us apart from the rest of mankind. Paul is saying God has enabled him to walk the Plan and Path God has chosen for Paul. Just as God would do this for us as we walk in His Plan and Path.


Why would Paul do this?

God has shown Paul His Love.

Colossians 2:14
By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Astonishing to be at peace in what Paul calls Caesar's Household.

2 Corinthians 13:14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Titus 3:5-7
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.



Abba,

You promise us life. And tell us in Ephesians families live in Heaven together. Generations.

Because You've given us faith, He gave us the Right to become Children of God. So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Eternal Life - the kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. 

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, with Love. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.


So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Father, You know we are not asked to do Good Works every day. And yet we can. We are invited to pray.

Father God, Catholic priests tell us Catholics routinely pray to end well. To have death as a friend and not a worry, a lingering suffering. We pray preemptively for good health and to live abundantly healthily during our days. Loving good health. Saying thank You for times of rest. Asking for health for Paul, Diane, Edward, myself for ears and sinuses.

Giving thanks for my mom's and Jackson's health. For the pleasant passing of my cat. For the blessing of having people to love each day. For the elderly we pray for each day. For the Nation and the up building of marriages, family, Churches, our Nation and the entire the Body of Christ world wide.

We come to You, Father, in prayer it is not that I have already taken hold of faith, or have already attained perfect faith abilities, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess Christ Jesus, since Christ Jesus dwells in my soul. In God's blessing and forgiveness, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, to God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus , we pray. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

1 Kings 19:4-8 ~ went in the strength

1 Kings 19:4-8

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and he asked that he might die, saying, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am no better than my fathers."

5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree; and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, "Arise and eat."

6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank, and lay down again.

7 And the angel of the LORD came again a second time, and touched him, and said, "Arise and eat, else the journey will be too great for you."

8 And he arose, and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.


This might have been like the Disciples felt during the seismic type storm on the Sea of Galilee. About to die. Jesus is asleep in the boat. And then to Live!



08/09/09
My oldest son was traveling home from Houston on I-45. It hasn't rained in a long, long time, we are in a stage 4 drought. At about 10 a.m. he slid, on new tires, across 4 lanes of traffic with cars all around him. During the slide his car rotated 540'. He narrowly missed a concrete barrier. When he came to a halt, he was facing oncoming traffic. All the cars and all the objects had been missed and he was not harmed. Thank God for His mercy.


We have prayed for my ears. This is tied to my Thyroid and some days my ears are better and some days not as good. Not too bad for the yellow car covered pollen times of spring.

We are praying right now for a lady who is 101 years old and her recovery is pretty typical for elder recovery 2 steps forward, a detour, a recovery and a new thing and still a recovery.

Not all prayers are answered in a linear fashion. The storm the disciples encountered is very much like wind sheer rushing from the Golan Heights that could push a plane from the sky. A storm fishermen would want very much to avoid.

Jesus Slept? Yes. Jesus Slept.


And to tie these points together like a mosiac with a repeat pattern - recently I watched the Spike Lee movie, "Do the Right Thing." All of the people were experiencing distress. Poverty, family loss, heat wave, angry sons fortunate to have a job, unhappy to be part of the family business - facing life in the pizzeria. Angry people inflicting hurt on antique cars. Angry demands instead of wisdom. Handicapped people as seen as unhealed and unhappy. A struggling pizzeria man, struggling to support a son and wife, put down for his color. A man running his business unhappy to see one son unwinding in racism, hateful and ungrateful at all turns. A boycott planned just to show jealousy. Peace is found in - - - convenience. Finally instead of turning a polite answer - instead of turning off the lights. A victory becomes a tragedy for the self-righteous anger of a victory, a momentary peace - denied. And explosion that lead through the whole area.


Not all prayers are answered in a linear fashion.

Jesus knew something about this - the week of the Transfiguration - coming down from His momentary Victory - the Disciples are upset they could not heal a young boy.

And being Jesus - He did not throw up His Arms and Yell - He just needed time and space and let Him alone.

The father who professed doubts about all the healing and the seriousness of his son's terrible, terrible problem - Jesus said emphatically, "Yes you can trust me, yes do not doubt." The father didn't start screaming life had been hard for him too. Instead the father finds the way, the life, the truth - and tells the truth. "I have faith! Help me to have more faith!"

Amazing, holding on with hope, faith and Love. What Truth will bring. One more calm reply. One more picking up the tempo. One more apology. One more healing. One more Miracle.

Gives Jesus and Life so many more times that Mercy will bring a new path, a new plan, and a whole new path - for the boy who was healed by Jesus instantly.

And for us? Jesus did not say to the Disciples like a Rock Star, "Wow lucky I was here for that boy. Wow!"

Jesus knows what He is about - Ministry. Jesus gives Life. Words of Life.

"This one requires Prayer."

Jesus told the Parable about not being a corrupt Judge. Having prayer with the idea Jesus is Willing. And Good.



For Lent? what will we bring? Maybe something more meaningful than the loss of Chocolate.

Something Meaningful. Life provides opportunities. For good health, exercise - the Temple of God - our bodies.
Helping with multiplication tables. Listening to a litany of health concerns. Less alcohol. More prayer for a sick friend and a suffering wife. Remembering the day of an operation. One more errand to make someone's day. Give someone some Light.

Our Father, Father who gives us Jesus.

Finally and always, in the Goodness of God, rejoice in the Lord. He has given us Jesus.

Worship by the Spirit of God!

And glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. The surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Thanks be to God for the righteousness coming from You, depending on the Faith You have given — that I may know Jesus and the power of His Eternal Life, and may share in becoming like Him. From today on - Life everlasting. Trusting You for Good in all circumstances.

Thanks be to You Father God, who alone is Good. With You, I will press on to make the Life of Christ Jesus my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. In GOD, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

With His Help, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

In Jesus we will hold true to what we have attained.

We will place the ones we love in God's vast framework where You, Father God, will find the path and the hope for those we love. We will rejoice in the day You have brought. We will lift up those we pray for with Expectation of Your Goodness. We will pray with Hope for the Nation and the concerns of all the people You have given us. And By God, We Will Find the Joy. Today.

Jesus is Lord. This Lent help us to be Light Bringers. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

John 8 ~ And He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.

Temple Ascent Steps outside The Woman's Court

John 8

Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple.

All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 

5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 

9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 
 
11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” 

14 Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 17 In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. 18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” 

19 They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?”

Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 

20 These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 23 He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” 25 So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. 26 I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” 27 They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. 

28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” 30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him.


31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”

34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 

 
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 

37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”


39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 

43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 

44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 

45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 

47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 

49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” 

52 The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” 

54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. 

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 

57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”

58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 

 
59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.




We know the Gospel of John and we know the 8th Chapter. Almost too well. Nothing is new.

Really? Why did John put these two events in the Life of Wonderful Jesus together? We read at the end of John's Gospel, Jesus' life was so involved with so many events happening that is was perpetually confusing.

And in the Second Century John was asked by Bishop Papias of Hierapolis if John approved of the other Gospels and if he found them to be conflicting. John replied, having lived with Jesus for all of his ministry, the other Gospels were indeed Gospel and to be believed. John was confirming many, many aspects of the day surrounded Jesus all the time.

Why did John place Jesus with the adulterous woman and with the stoning event? Jesus protects the woman and says she is free to go. Jesus displays being God and this chapter gives witness to John Chapter 20 - God's Sacrifice for the world.

Luke 10:27
He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"



Why wasn't this Good Friday? Jesus clearly demonstrates He wants Life. And Jesus is capable of saving Himself. So why wasn't this Good Friday? To demonstrate Jesus is God. Because the High Priests have not told the Sanhedrin Council yet Jesus' death is for the sake of the Nation. They have not shamed themselves yet with a false trial leaving fair judges uncalled.

And Jesus has just shown us - Love yourself - do justice for yourself - is as important as doing justice for a neighbor.

John has very correctly placed Jesus in this Chapter.


Blessed are You, Lord Father God,

Giving us this Good Shepherd.

Jesus the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His Life for the sheep. Jesus teaches us Abundant Life.

Jesus restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name's Sake.

This Good Shepherd cares for the sheep, sees the wolf coming and stays. He does not leave or forsake us. Jesus does not let the wolf snatch them nor scatters them. Jesus tells us, "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me."

Jesus shows us our Father. Jesus has compassion for us, because we are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Scriptures tell us when a man loves the Lord, even his enemies are at peace with Him. Jesus says, I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.

In His Name we place our cares, our gratitude (for my mother's healed hearing, her insights and prayers today - surviving and overcoming Pneumonia and that hearing loss from antibiotics), our loved ones peacefully knowing how much Jesus cares for us. And the flock - from the Churches to the States, the Nation and the believers uniting the world in His care. Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Acts 1 ~ Hearts of all

Acts 1

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 

9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 

10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? 

This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.


15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,
“‘May his camp become desolate,
and let there be no one to dwell in it’;
and “‘Let another take his office.’

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 

24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

What would Combine the Ascension with the Exodus?

Many people teach Ancient Egypt History has taught the slaves and impacted Yahweh Jehovah and the Bible into the New Testament to the Ascension.

Should we avoid the topic when scholars say the Psalms echo some of Egypt's polytheistic gods worship?

Wisdom - what Proverbs and James records Wisdom is preferred.

We should have an answer if this is thrown in for debunk God.

Dominion

Dominion of God is Our Rock.

Daniel 7:14

"And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.

Daniel 7:27
The Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.

Genesis 11
8 So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth

Matthew 2:15
This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my Son."

Isaiah 19:25
The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance."



And the Pharaohs were supposed to be seen to ascend. And Mary Mother of God. Sincerely, we count Pharaohs ascending with Mary - as besides the point. For a good reason. Horus is one of the most significant ancient Egyptian deities - worshiped from late prehistoric Egypt until the Ptolemaic Kingdom during the Roman Egypt. Horus is seen as the god's son of Isis and Osiris, and he plays a key role in the Osiris myth as Osiris's heir. Like Moses, he comes from the marshes of the Nile. As "god's" son - he rules the nation of gods.

Historians say the Hebrew Alphabet is based upon Egyptian Hieroglyphics.

John Walton. Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College, PhD in Hebrew and Cognate Studies, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He author of Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary Set–Old Testament.

Another parallel to this three-part division comes from Egyptian reliefs depicting the military encampment of Ramesses II during the battle of Qadesh .4 The main entrance to the Israelite tabernacle (the courtyard area) lay on the east side, one of the shorter sides of the tabernacle. The main entrance to the Egyptian army’s camp was also on the east side, one of the short sides of the rectangular-shaped camp. If one followed a basically straight line from this entrance westward into the center of the camp, one eventually entered the king’s reception tent, which contained, at the west end, the pharaoh’s private area and throne room. This reception tent, like the Holy Place in the tabernacle, was three times as long as it was wide. Moreover, the pharaoh’s throne had falcon wings on either side, reminiscent of the winged cherubim in the tabernacle’s Most Holy Place. As the divine commander of the Egyptian military, Pharaoh was deserving of this specialized tent-shrine for his travels. For the Israelites, the tabernacle was the tent-shrine for Yahweh, their commander and the one who was to lead them to their


The purpose? God was making the Children of Israel comfortable through the desert.

An Echo of the New Covenant

Isaiah 54

10 Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Is this all an adaptation?

Why wouldn't life, angels, rulers, things present, things past, things to come, powers, height, depth, - in all creation - - -All will be able to point, emphasize, encourage, teach, rebuke, strengthen us in the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Emmanuel God with 'us'. The Highest Name of Jesus.

Scriptures repeat to teach. Why not the stories God wants His Children to know?

The New Covenant is important? This is certainly not contained in mere national borders.

Jeremiah 31
33"But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34"They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," declares the LORD, "for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."…

Hebrews 10:16
"This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."

Jesus prepares His People

He gave us the widow of Nain's son. Jairus' daughter. Lazarus. Jesus prepares His People. Why not the stories God wants His Children to know?

When Nebuchadnezzar II had three round-ups of Judah and finally destroyed God's Temple put in place by Solomon, Nebuchadnezzar had been prepared in his own life by the Assyrian Empire learning about the Majesty of Jehovah God of All from Jonah - whom Jesus recognized in the New Testament.

Nebuchadnezzar was fascinated by Isaiah 13th's Chapter he believed fulfilled his own life prophetically.

Ezekiel 1:3 t
The word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians.


Nebuchadnezzar honored the faith of Jehovah and gave Ezekiel a house - that the captives might continue to gather and honor God. Nebuchadnezzar said the exiles, not slaves anymore, would one day return to a redeemed Israel. Nebuchadnezzar saw Noah and Babylonian Gilgamesh Flood story as the same.













When God says we worship Him in Spirit and Truth, He is talking about a vast Universe and Histories we only today see glimpses of. God is reaching out not to just us, but to the millenniums and cultures of the world.

Nebuchadnezzar honored the Lord. And the Babylonian Chronicles in museums today tell us exactly the same History the Bible tells us of the Exile in Babylon.

John Walton is Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College. He has a PhD in Hebrew and Cognate Studies, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He writes for BioLogos Forum and is the author of Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary Set–Old Testament.

Another parallel comes from Egyptian reliefs depicting the military encampment of Ramesses II during the battle of Qadesh. The main entrance to the Israelite tabernacle (the courtyard area) lay on the east side, one of the shorter sides of the tabernacle. The main entrance to the Egyptian army’s camp was also on the east side, one of the short sides of the rectangular-shaped camp. If one followed a basically straight line from this entrance westward into the center of the camp, one eventually entered the king’s reception tent, which contained, at the west end, the pharaoh’s private area and throne room. 

This reception tent, like the Holy Place in the tabernacle, was three times as long as it was wide. Moreover, the pharaoh’s throne had falcon wings on either side, reminiscent of the winged cherubim in the tabernacle’s Most Holy Place. As the divine commander of the Egyptian military, Pharaoh was deserving of this specialized tent-shrine for his travels. For the Israelites, the tabernacle was the tent-shrine for Yahweh, their commander and the one who was to lead them to their ultimate destination.


Remember with me, God's Word was recorded in The Pentateuch -- the first five books of the Bible - written by literate Prince of Egypt - Moses.
The Children of Israel did not know the Name of God, merely that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - were the promised Patriarchs who loved and followd the One True God.

God has done many, many things to make mankind understand His Glory. And Hebrews 11 records for us - today - the Children of Israel had some great measure of faith to walk through the Parted Red Sea the 19th Dynasty Ipuwer Papyrus records,

A Surprise from The Anno Domini. Era

The Roman Stoa build by Herod in the Second Temple exactly copies the Vatican of the 4th Century.




Fragment left by the 70 AD destruction by later Emperor Titus. 70 AD would have been Jesus' natural lifespan.



ere is a picture of the first St. Peter's Basilica built by Emperor Constantine from 326 -333 AD. It was of typical basilica architecture. Romans were famous for the architecture. Domes, Arches, Concrete, Columns - there were many forms this building could have taken. Typical basilica (basilica - Roman public building) architecture was the Royal Stoa beside the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem. Herod had built a Roman basilica on the 36 acres of the Temple. 103.6 metres (340 ft) Emperor Constantine (who naively believed Christian citizens would be more controllable) built a very similar basilica upon Peter's tomb:


There are no coincidences, just works of God.

What can we say to comfort ourselves for these cross cultural references of the Lord?

1 Kings 8:27
But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!

Acts 7:49
Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or what will be My place of repose?

Acts 17:24
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands.

2 Chronicles 2:6
"But who is able to build a house for Him, for the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain Him? So who am I, that I should build a house for Him, except to burn incense before Him?"

The Rock of our Foundation. Is Jesus Christ the Lord.

1 Timothy 2

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the mana Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

ALL THINGS WORK FOR GOOD FOR THOSE WHO LOVE THE LORD AND WORK ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSES

Thank God, Father Almighty,

We ask in the Name of Jesus to have Your Help as we live our lives, and pray.

When we lift up prayer (like my ears) You Work Your Wonders for Your Glory.
We lift up Edward, P and D and we pray for their healing and comfort.
We pray for our lives today to please You and the years to come -
we skip the geriatric years and come into Your Kingdom having been taking from the Good Works You have prepared - in there midst.

We pray to end well.
A soul must be like a brain. As well as Light. We enter into the Promises Land - Heaven - The House of God - Your Kingdom intact with our memories, our gifts, our talents, as the people who bring their soul to You.

We pray as we live this adventure, You are Gracious and Merciful to us, in Your Tender, Tender Love
for the condition of our soul - we all will journey to bring to Jesus God Almighty.

Thank You for Your Help, every day. Bless the ones we Love.
We will rest and be glad, Trusting You with their care! Praising God to be New Testament living.

You are Good and we lift up our hopes and the people You have given to us.
This Nation. The concerns and needs of the Church and Saints. And the continued dialog of Biblical Archaeology, faith, the Historical Communion of the Saints past and present - quick and dead - for the tender and merciful Love of Jesus to be seen in the souls of the world Jesus longs to hold dearly in His Loving arms.

Let Your Great Will be seen on earth, bringing more encouragement to Love and Joy. We want to see this so very much as we fulfill bringing our soul to Jesus and see all things work together for Good for those who Love the Lord and Word According to His Purpose.

Let Your Tender Love, Father, be our goal joined with You, we Pray with Joy. Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Psalm 73 ~ 1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are

So the Bible is Real. We see Peter fuss and Paul fuss and James the Lesser with his long-living brother John have a dust up. How much more real can you get than a John Chapter 21 people fuss.

Recently I saw the Spike Lee Movie "Do the Right Thing".

Did Jesus ever say to His Disciples, "Today I am going to rest, sit this one out, stay home, be quiet, chill out, sit on the eating couch all day."

And did Jesus ever do like Asaph - who knew the miracles of God through living with King David and Solomon?

Psalm 73

1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.
3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. 5 They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. 6 Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment.

7 Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. 8 They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression. 9 They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.

10 Therefore his people turn back to them, and find no fault in them. 11 And they say, "How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?"

12 Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.

13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. 14 For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning.

15 If I had said, "I will speak thus," I would have betrayed the generation of your children.

16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, 17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. 18 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. 19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!

20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.21 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, 22 I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.

23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.

28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

We see right away the answer is No. Verse 1 God is Good to the Pure of Heart. Asaph quickly makes the point, Asaph is weary, tired.

Jesus Was Not Offended By Questions. Although He answered Nicodemus so tartly, Nicodemus loved Jesus all his days.

If we draw near for asking a real question... we see Jesus more clearly and we see Him More With Love.

The Psalmist Asaph makes a correlation right away to Genesis 1. Father God knows rest. A point we don't take easily. God did not say time out - God said rest. Relax.

Did Jesus do this?

John 2

11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. 12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

Asaph makes the point that enviable people are well fed and at rest.

Was Jesus this?

Matthew 11

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’


Jesus dealt with surly people. John 5 The 38 year invalid man Healed at the Pool of Bethesda didn't really thank Jesus, instead he did tell the Temple officials  Jesus healed him after Jesus told him specifically not to sin. And Jesus kept following the Will of God. Jesus kept doing Good regardless of the thoughts of others.Mark 10:46-52 - Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight. Thank Father God, for Jesus.


God tells us this about Himself:

Exodus 34:14
you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God

Jesus certainly did not let the Disciples talk Him into casting fire on the Samaritans.

Luke 9:54
When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?"

Jesus DID NOT. He had revealed He was Messiah in His Words first to the Samaritan Woman.

Lets look at Exodus 34, again....

…13"But rather, you are to tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and cut down their Asherim 14for you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God-

The Truth of Jesus childhood is this:

Luke 2
49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?”[h] 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Asaph proclaims he does not want to be a jealous man because, it affects the generations. Psalm 73:15







Jesus has waded in into the messiness of Life. He did not stay in His Heaven. He reached far down to bring us His Grace. The intersection of real life, real mess, real sin, real hope, real Glory. Real God and REAL Jesus Christ God. Our Grace was hard won. We need to have the Appreciation as we begin Lent towards Easter.

Because this was what Jesus displayed all His Life.


Exodus 34

1The Lord said to Moses, “Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. 2Be ready by the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to me on the top of the mountain. 3No one shall come up with you, and let no one be seen throughout all the mountain. Let no flocks or herds graze opposite that mountain.” 4So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first. And he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and took in his hand two tablets of stone. 5The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 6The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7keeping steadfast love for thousands,a forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”


God is so interesting even the way the New Testament is arranged. The Gospels of Jesus are first, of course. Then Paul, basically, and as the list goes further down - James the Brother of Christ is honored above Peter - Keeper of the Keys to the Gates of Heaven. I think this is heartwarming. Paul - we read - is like us - he will work, not having walked with Jesus in this life. And God is going to see our lives saying He blesses us for seeing Him with eyes of faith. I love the placing of Paul writing in the Holy Spirit. The forgiveness of Paul.

We surely Need This Jesus. Every day.

Father God,

We Bless You for Jesus. He enables us to have a Hope and Future. Covering us in His Righteousness. When we believe Jesus, He gives us this immeasurable Gift.

Father, we will Trust in the Lord with all our heart, and do not lean on our own understanding. In all our ways acknowledge God, and He will make straight your paths.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, Jesus, Himself, likewise partook of the same things, that through death Jesus might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.

Knowing we were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from our forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a Lamb without blemish or spot.

We give You thanks for the Lavish Love of Jesus, especially on the Sabbath. Realizing the Magnitude of Jesus. And giving thanks knowing our sincerity in Thanking Him, is our Joy and is pleasing to Him. God who bends so far that we might Live forever with God in His Kingdom.

Abba, Thank You. And for the ones I love, the People You have given me and we pray for. Thank You for helping me with my ears. For Helping Edward. For P and for D. For their complete recoveries. Thank God, Truly, my experience in life testifies when you rejoice with the chances of others and ask with joy the storehouses of God do not grow small - Abba loves and provides.

Thank God for His Goodness, covering us with the Grace we need. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †