Philippians 4:4-13 ~ Rejoice in the Lord always

Philippians 4:4-13

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 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.


If we were to condense John 14, 15, 16 and 17 - Jesus tells His Disciples of His Life and Ministry, His Joy in this life. We would find Jesus speaks Philippians 4. The New Covenant.

Many times people feel if they greet the Lord in prayer with true anxiety, they have failed Jesus. Instead, realize Jesus is saying as we grow in relationship with Jesus we can do as Luke 7:1-14. We can believe the Word of God spoken is God's Will. We can believe Proverbs 31 and face the future. We can believe the Widow of Nain - her son lives.

Jesus accepts us in all seasons, in all phases. He tells us of Greater Help. He tells us of His Care. He tells us what I learned in working with women with unplanned pregnancies, with sti and tears. He tells us about those who minister and hear so many, many worries and cares. What God Himself is saying - we have more strength to do our lives, than we know. Not the Humanism of the movies. The daily expectation God will help today. Provided we read His Word, Believe His Word, Trust His Word. Like the Centurion of Luke 7. God works in our lives in very small increments. If we aren't looking with faith, we won't see the improvements.

And if we aren't grateful for improvements, not using eyes of faith, we might not see to take the next improvement God offers.

Jeremiah lived an incredible life. If you'd been given Jeremiah's life, we might all be glad to hide in the King's prison. Instead Jeremiah takes all the Truths he gave and says this about all the trauma, war, killing, slavery, prison sentences, - being rescued by King Nebuchadnezzar's orders (the Babylonian Emperor) - Jeremiah bought land for a house in the middle of the war - why -

Jeremiah believed this of God, just as Jesus does:

Jeremiah 29

I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. 11For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

Blessed Father,
Dwell in us. Let us come to you with health concerns, ears, heart, memory, soul feeding our bodies and mind. All situations in our lives and rest them with You in trust and care. Giving you our loved ones and their concerns. The people we pray for. And our prayers cover the planet, there is not an hour as the planet moves, someone is not praying and You are listening, acting, Loving, giving Forgiveness, Mercy and Grace.

Jesus is God. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

John 3:16 ~ For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life

The Light of the World rises in the East.

Being Holy Week - let's look at 3 statements of God's Word.


John 3:16
For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

This is a huge God sized Mission. And considering the "People" Jesus associated with - man, anyone could confuse "This". The Pharisees really didn't like the Tax Collectors, even if they worked for the same people. Herod picked through the priests to see harmony with Rome was acceptable. And fishermen - not the hob-knobbers of Jerusalem. Not the committees of lawyers for the Jerusalem Temple. Not the Sanhedrin Council. And a Zealot against Rome. Jesus didn't please them with His Crowd.

And today - we do the exact same thing. God's grace is so plentiful to the lousy disciples - we surely can be ok with what we do. Those lousy ol' guys ran out on God's Son. So...

Human Nature only changes so far. Eve was guilty of wanting to be God and decide. Not looking to what God Said - His Word.



And then we can fall back on God's Word to save us. Right? Jesus said this -

Romans 10:13
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

This worked for the apostles - right?

Except Romans 10 and a lot of verses say, "Examine your heart, are you the Light of Christ? Have you brought your soul to being part of God's Mission to bring people to Him eternally?"

1 Thessalonians 4:13
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.


Let's not be uninformed. Let's not sleep in Death. Let's not grieve our Father God to be grieved for our loss of life eternal. Let's not stay in - no hope really.




Romans 10:13 is not 'the' float-the-boat-lifesaver.

There was a godly appearing King of England. He was a warmonger out of necessity. He loved his wife. He conquered lands and houses and castles. What he needed - he took. Rarely did he commit adultery - but every now and then... well. And his wife found out and sent a note for him to meet his lovely barmaid. He did and found his wife had cut off her head and in particular had cut out her tongue and in her hand was a note from him to meet her. Ok. William the Conqueror. A godly King. And yet his real opinion of God's Grace was: talk a lot about God, get your agenda met, get the crowd to believe you are going His direction, take what you want, be the person you want to be, and at the very, very end - make your last confession and say "Ooops, sorry, so sorry, Jesus." At this point, if you are preaching this - you might as well say "Ooopsie so sworrwie Jesthus." These grapes are called - cheap. The King instructed those around him about this "Get out of Jail Free Card." This is - horribly - bitterly - cheap grace - to instruct others this is A Ok.


If William the Conqueror had read all of Romans Chapter 10, he would have seen this:

Romans 10:9
If thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Paul was copying? No, the Holy Spirit was repeating a great eternal truth.

Joel 2:32
And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD Will be delivered; 
For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem There will be those who escape, 

As the LORD has said, Even among the survivors whom the LORD calls.




Jesus tells us the Truth. Jesus says there is wheat and there is chaff. Chaff blows around and creates a lot of stir, but in the end is not edible, is not part of credible food and is to be destroyed.



Now that brings us back to God.

What does God want? If you read Revelation, you will find chapters of God grieving the second death. It is NOT in the nature of God to leave souls in Hell. We can all understand Ted Bundy and Hitler are not going to grace Heaven Jesus has just spent His Blood and Heart and Sweat and Pain and Life to purchase a New Heaven. The second death says that after sleeping and meeting with the Lord - some will die forever.

Acts 1 explains this succinctly. Judas "turned aside to his own interests." Judas was not interested in Jesus being Jesus. Judas was interested in using God's good for Judas being advanced. Judas didn't care what happened to Jesus really. He didn't care what happened to Mary, James, Joseph (Joses), Judas (Jude) and Simon as brothers of Jesus. Judas had stayed in houses of the Lord's family, eaten from the table and seen what Jesus could do. Cash and position were going to happen for Judas.


What about what cannot be undone?

Now what about mistakes of the past?

John saw Jesus and was in awe. Nothing about Jesus was going to let John abandon Jesus. John has something to say for the times we failed and tried. The times where we need a Savior. The times we could not help another child of God. The times we spoke too soon or too harshly. The times we deeply regret.


Who knew these times we just failed to please ourselves and then realized in true sadness we had failed God. Paul. And Paul had this solution and said this is what you can do...

Ephesians 3 - Thank God!

According to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is
able to do far more abundantly
than all that we ask or think,
according to the power at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.



This is for whom?

Ephesians 3

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth


How?

Ephesians 3: 12

In Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 

Actually, if we have faith and call on the Lord Jesus with all our heart - He will be there. He promises if we seek - we will find. Revelations also assures us Jesus is going to sort all of this out - as we have been told in Jesus all our lives. Heart, soul, deeds, words - matter. And what matters more is Jesus.

John lives to be old, old, old having done all he was able to please Jesus. And John is effusive about this. John has a unique viewpoint from being the one who understood fully with words and deeds - Jesus is God.



1 John 3

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

2 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. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

John 3:16

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life

Luke 7
 And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”

Ezekiel 37
5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the LORD.”

Abba, our Abba,

Jesus did not come to abolish the law - every Word of God. Jesus came to fulfill what we could not do. Jesus came to bring the idea to worship in Spirit and Truth. Not what we shrugged and did any way. Not what everyone else does. Jesus is not our waiter. Jesus is the Son of God.

God loves this world. God loves His People - All People. God repeated "God saw that this was good" so many times to remind us to see what is good, what is noble, what is pure. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow the earth and it's fullness belong to God. And His Banner over us is Love.

And because of His Majesty, we can give Him all our concerns and rest all that is dear and important to us in His Care. Jesus is God. 

We Thank You Jesus for what You have done in Your Love - Forgivness, Mercy, Grace, Encouragment, Goodness, Peace. Our Jesus is our Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Matthew 26:53-54 ~ The Scriptures fulfilled

Just as we see Jesus loving His Mother, we have to recognize the gift Jesus gave His Father. A gift only God can give God.

Luke 10
He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven."

And Father God replies:

John 3:18
Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

Jesus did agree to cover the believers as necessary to His Father.

John 6:40
For it is My Father's will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.




Sheol was the place of the dead. The requirement was the separation of the evil and the good by a slim margin. Satan was part of Heaven. When Jesus became the Righteousness of the faithful, evil was not part of the Father's New Kingdom. We will have to see this with faith. And have that inner knowledge Father God sees us. The past of Sheol the joy of Heaven today.

Earth began to see more kindness. Not just sacrifice. Not just rules. Mercy and goodness. The Roman Empire would renew. And then The Byzantine Empire, also referred to as the Eastern Roman Empire would continue for more than a thousand years. To 1453 A.D. The first or Old St. Peter's Basilica was consecrated in 360 A.D. and the St. Peter's of today began on 18 April 1506 A.D. Emperor Constantine's continued Empire (this was called the Constantinian Empire until it fell in 1453) ended just about the time the Vatican began today.

Matthew 26:53-54

53 Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”

Wouldn't God be able to make this bold statement of the Sacrifice Jesus would make?

Psalm 91
When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”








And Jesus waited until The High Priests declared Jesus would die for the sake of the Nation. For the people.

John 10:37-39
Because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” 39 Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.

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

Psalm 104:4
He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.

John 6:38-40
"For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

40 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained. 41 And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” 42 And many believed in him there.

Luke 4
29 And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. 30 But passing through their midst, he went away.

31 And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.


Luke 1
you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Statue in Rio representing Jesus as Light. Light of the world. Light of mankind.

John has told us God is God of Love. And for this reason we have Holy Week.

John 10
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock.

Why would Jesus forgive His Disciples? Thomas had promised to die with Him. Peter had said he was utmost loyalty.

Matthew 26:31
Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: "'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

Matthew 9:36
He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd

Psalm 78:38-39
Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again.

Romans 5:6-9
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.



Father God,

Because of Jesus we are able to say:

Luke 6:36
Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Blessed Redeemer. Jesus is ours. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Luke 19:37-38 ~ “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

God is called Good. And in our hearts we want to know if we are so insignificant the Goodness of God passes us by and we are swept by the wake. The Beauty of Christmas - the promise of Salvation - is the culmination of the intersection of mankind - our doubts - and the mighty Promises of God.

God is again giving. He is giving us a rebirth of incredible promise:


Luke 2
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”



And in giving - this has an enormous cost to Jesus.

This Sunday is His Glory Day. Where the King of Kings sees the Temple built on earth for Him. Seeing


Matthew lived this day with Jesus.

Matthew 21:1-11
21 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5“Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”





John lived this day with Jesus.

John 12:12-19

12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,

15“Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey's colt!”

16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign

19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

2 million people -  Times Square

Luke, the Physician to Paul and Peter till their end - their loyal friend - records 3 chapters of Christmas and sees the circle coming to what God has planned. For us. In Jesus Christ, Eternity.

Luke 19:37-38

This ties to Luke 2


37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives
— the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”



Multitude ...
Josephus records the amount of food and the sacrifices on Holy Days in Jerusalem. The multitude could be as high as 2 million people as the Temple created many services for the pilgrims to attend.

How will we sort out the numbers of the crowd? We want to favor Jesus. Josephus records the logistics of taking care of 2 million people. He was part of the Jewish and Roman Government as a General to both forces. The Gospels record a 'multitude' could be 5 thousand people. Yet... the deciding factor would be the Disciples telling Jesus on the Road to Emmaus - "All of Israel knows this." Weight that in with the 'multitudes' of women who would Grieve Jesus as He carried the cross and died. Women are far less likely to be put to death for witnessing "This". We can surmise the men were at home - probably equally unhappy. Add to this the 300 years of incurring Roman Empire wrath.



The Truth is Jesus has the attention of all of Israel.

What has occurred?

His Love The Love God would show the world and His desire to save in Jesus Christ Lord.

Isaiah records the scattering of miracles. Jesus is a catalyst and a compression of the Power of God the Father. A culmination, a combustion, a cacophony of miracles. John tells us there was so much occurring around Jesus we will never fully understand all that occurred.
Jesus is God.

What Jesus has done in Israel with the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the lame walking, the lepers healed, the dead of the Jewish Official's daughter being raised. The woman of good works being raised. The Widow of Nain's son being raised. Lazarus being raised. Jesus has created no small stir. And on the Road to Emmaus the disciples ask Jesus if He is the only one who has not heard of God's Son, Jesus.

I've always been swept up with the parade we do for "PALM SUNDAY" and then very depressed for remembering the inevitable. And I have thought and considered if "Palm Sunday" should be gloriously separate from Easter. Jesus let this be so to those celebrating. Another Jesus complete and total gift to the crowd.  His Blessing of Joy.

Jesus absolutely knew what was coming. And so it is very meet right and fitting that we should at all times remember in Palm Sunday what Jesus gave His people. The Glory of Calling Jesus King of Kings.

Alleluia, unto us a Son is Given. And He is Christ the Lord. Our Jesus.

REMEMBER

Jesus is God.

What Jesus has done in Israel with the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the lame walking, the lepers healed, the dead of the Jewish Official's daughter being raised. The woman of good works being raised. The Widow of Nain's son being raised. Lazarus being raised. Jesus has created no small stir. And on the Road to Emmaus the disciples ask Jesus if He is the only one who has not heard of God's Son, Jesus.

There are two millennium letters still in history today - the faithful worried Judaism was at an end. The miracles of Jesus would not cease. And The Sanhedrin Council worried too. These events would begin to concern the Roman Empire in just 16 years and for 300 years.


Our Jesus is God. He has had a magnificent day being given Glory. Knowing the eternal Glory to be gained much, much Higher. And with an incredible Cost.

Father, Our Abba,

Jesus is the Light of the world. Jesus is the Light of mankind. Jesus was with you laughing in delight, being Your delight daily, as creation revealed Your master workmanship.

We will not fully grasp the full Goodness of God in this act - giving the faithful Life.

We do know loss of life in those we have loved in this life and from our small vantage point, recognize the loss. The dearly Beloved Son of God would be counted as Loss to bring us a new Heaven and a new earth.

Without Easter - how would we survive Good Friday? Holy Week is very sad. And we will look forward to Easter with all our heart, mind and soul.

Blessed be the Love, Mercy and Goodness of The King of Kings. Jesus is God. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Matthew 12 ~ For the Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath

Matthew 12

12 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” 3 He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

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

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

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

22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”


For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath


So we skate past this - what does this mean "Lord of the Sabbath", with the grain fields?

Simply put, The Goodness of God is Love, Steadfast and Encouragement. Woshiping in Spirit and in Truth.




We are to show mercy as the "Good Samaritan" showed to those who show mercy. This is the message to be kind to our 'House' - to those who show mercy. Where Love lives.

This is a message that is basic. Where we are not to convolute around. We are to do what King Hezekiah did not - we are to do as High Priest Eli - did not. We are to do what the High Priest and Prophet Samuel - did not. We are supposed to realize the Goodness of God goes were Love is. We are to worship primarily in mercy. Where Love dwells and to put our primary concern - where Love is.

The example Jesus gives us - is - where Love dwells. Where healing will 'buck the rules' and go out of the way  - to create Love and Healing.

This is what is important to God. Where we will go past convention to create Love.


Father God,
Praise God for being God who wants Goodness before pleasing the conventions.

God is is more concerned with goodness, healing and love - before the 'rules'.

Our God is Love, Steadfast and Encouragement.

Praise be to God before all else. Praise be to all of Creation for this nature and necessity of God.

Thanks be to Father God for His Mercy and Goodness to the ones we Love. And this love and these prayers circle to globe of the world that God himself and the fullness thereof, God calls "good".

Jesus is God. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Numbers 6:23-27 ~ Being Blessed by God

Numbers 6:23-27

Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,

24
The Lord bless you and keep you;
25
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

27 “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”




When Prince William married his Kate, we witnessed what marriage is. Sharing what you have with complete trust love will continue. Wh'at better example of God than to share a name, life, bed, children, hopes, frustrations, reality, dreams, expectations, complications - than to say I give you my life and you give me yours.

And what happened in the United Kingdom? Marriage increased. Hope and faith in love spreads Love. The Belief we can make the future better together.

I'm not sure there is a better Christian example. Life given. Life shared. New life.

Proverbs 18:22
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

Proverbs 19:14
House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a wise wife is from the Lord.


What is Father God seeking in marriage?


Malachi 2
ecause the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth,

he is your companion and your wife by covenant. Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union

And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.


Psalm 85:10
Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.

Hebrews 13:1-25
Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” .


1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

Ezekiel 16:8
“When I passed by you again and saw you, behold, you were at the age for love, and I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness; I made my vow to you and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Lord God, and you became mine."


Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

Isaiah 62:5
For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.


Song of Solomon 2:4
Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love.

Father God,

Many times from Proverbs, the Gospels and the New Testament, You have given a Blessing. For Love, Marriage and Loving Hearts, We remember Your early Blessings.


Genesis 22:17
I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.

What we put our faith in, is the guiding force of our lives. And in Your Plan, we are blessed.

Help us each day to be in Your Willingness, seeing Jesus is the Light of the World. The Light in all of mankind. And to view our days ahead with hope and vitality.

With the Name of Jesus we cover our cares, our lives, the lives of those we love on up to our prayers circling the globe knowing the Goodness of God.

Amen in Jesus Christ.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Matthew 11 ~ The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them

Both of these videos of The Great Isaiah Scroll show this amazing Scripture to be almost 25 feet long. 2,300 years old. And identical to the Bible in your hand today. The Scriptures convey the Words God has for us are steadfast and filled with Love.

Matthew 11

When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,
“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.

15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,
17“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;

we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

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!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.

27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

We grew up knowing the Hittite Empire was a myth. Pontius Pilate was a myth. Nineveh - the vast 50 mile city -a myth.

And then:

The Governor was found twice in stone work in Israel. And found in the papyrus of the Roman Empire to know the man (who had his wife tell him to leave Jesus alone) was eventually booted out of the Roman Army


The Hittite Empire, in the 1980s was a fable, until the Archaeological digs found the Hittite Empire's Library in Hattusa giving full Biblical agreement. Really this was reported in the newspapers as an "Indiana Jones Style Homerun".  Of course this was then thrown into debate - of which no one can deny  - the Biblical parallels.

  You just can't duck out on this archaeological evidence.  So remember this one! Imagine that - The Bible knew this huge Hittite Empire existed before we did!

There is no such city as Nineveh... except there is...

Significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls

We were also told the best Bible found, historically, was the Bibles first available when Martin Luther began the Protestant Church about 1500 A.D.. "The rest of the Bible was just made up over the years." This is extremely untrue. The Dead Sea Scrolls were recorded by the world's most famous historian Josephus - from Titus' conquest of Israel in 70 A.D. Josephus was a General of Israel who later served 3 Roman Emperors; to write the most famous of all historian articles. Josephus records the Essenes and the religious practices. This is echoed by ... Pliny the Younger. Undoubtable the Disciple of Jesus' Disciple John. This is "The" Beloved Disciple John, living well into old age in the 2nd Century B.C. - who also is found in the papyrus of Roman History. There is a historical interview of John in the 2nd Century. The historian asked John if he did agree with the 3 other Gospels. John did perfectly agree.

The Dead Sea scrolls not only tell us of the World 200 years before Jesus Christ. The Dead Sea Scrolls are "IDENTICAL" to the Bible of 1500 A.D. - so forget, forget, forget inaccuracy in Scripture. This is Identical. The Bible in your hand is astonishing and perfect.

Crosses were not put up as a "known" symbol. Just like Esther's Book of Esther's husband King Xerxes of recent history movies and video games. A "coincidence".  Dead Sea Scroll Cave 4. A shepherd boy threw a rock, heard a clay pot break and the discovery was made of The Dead Sea Scrolls. Jars and jars and jars of Scripture.

What does the Dead Sea Scroll tell us of Jesus?

he blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them

These miracles are told scattered here and there through Isaiah. Matthew, Disciple of Jesus, tells us they are pulled together and displayed clearly. A cataclysm of miracles. Seen with extreme power of God Himself.

The Essenes received visitors. And the Essenes wrote analysis of Bible accounts and their own understanding. In the Essenes writings is The Messianic Apocalypse (4Q521), has a list of miracles very similar to Luke 7:21–22, even though it was written approximately 150 years before Luke’s Gospel. And Matthew's. The Essenes told again and again they expected to die soon. And they did - The Essenes were killed by the Roman's before Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

Is the New Testament written in 400 A.D.?

Absolutely Not. No. There are 300 perfect Chapters of the New Testament owned by the University of Michigan called Papyrus 46.  The debate on this being first or second century A.D. comes down to how the pronouns are printed. The debate goes back and forth like a volleyball game.

Who was alive when all 300 Chapters were in circulation? The Disciple John was alive. The man who records falling to the ground one Sunday afternoon after finding himself in a vision in Heaven with Jesus. Surprise and faint. Jesus told him he did not need to faint and the kind words made John able to retain consciousness. Jesus is Good. Revelation 1.



Our Father,


For Thine is
(John's Revelation Chapter 6)... The Kingdom, The Power and The Glory!

Let us be able to see the Willingness Jesus tells us He traveled in each day.
Help us to "have eyes that see, ears that hear, and jump into" mercy renewing each day and live into Your Willingness. The Adventure of what You provide daily.

And for the ways we have all experienced god, help us not to rush past,
and believe, breathe, rest, rejoice in knowing You, father God,
completely reach out to the hearts who love.

Father God does not reach out to a few, He reaches out to all.
In the Love Jesus is, the hearts He has warmed, we know - Like Disciple John-
God is Love.

Rejoice, rejoice God is steadfast and encouraging. Always with us.

Jesus is God and with Him praying with us, we know we are loved and heard and helped.
  Amen Jesus God.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Mark 4:39 ~ Great Calm

-

Mark 4:39

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.


This Scripture is wonderful news for us. Jesus knew about storms. Even more than the storms of seismic activity out of the Golan Heights, sweeping the Sea of Galilee. Jesus knew about storms we live today.

Jesus knew about the Storm Mary and Joseph would face living in the little town of Nazareth. And after Joseph had passed away, the town of Nazareth was astonished at the boy they said grew in wisdom and stature with God and man sying surely, this is Joseph's son? Jesus was seen as the family blended in to the community. You probably would say Mary and Joseph had some spectacular help. Jesus calms the storm.

Nazareth had not grown much from the last century to the days Jesus lived here as a boy. Israel has seen phenomenal growth as their patents increase to the largest number of patents per person in the world.




When Jesus was brought the news John the Baptist died, His cousin - Jesus fed the 5,000 and then walked upon the water. Similar to the Holy Spirit above the waters during Creation.

And Jesus was helping Peter, and in doing so was living the Joy Jesus told us He finds in life.

Psalm 31:19
Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!



Jesus was living this out:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.




Holy, Father Lord God Almighty.

You alone are Worthy. Consider the thoughts of our heart and turn Your Face Upon us. Speak Your Word and we will see Mountains move like that Storm that fled.

Send Your Holy Spirit over the waters and the land. Renew hearts of love for You.

The Power of this Great Work is Yours Alone.

And we will live, breathe, and know, move and have our being because of the activity of God who makes all things.

For the Glory of God who works in us His will, His Holy Spirit to act in order to fulfill Jesus' good purpose.

In Jesus Christ the Lord, our God, Savior and Advocate.

We thank You for Your answers.  Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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

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

1 Thessalonians 2

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


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



The Bible says generations swing like pendulums - one generation holds fast and the next falls down. The Bible would say this holds truth. 


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

Philippians 3

9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—


12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

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

Jesus sets us free.

Jesus sets us free.

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

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

Jesus sets us free.

 

1 Corinthians 9:23

I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

“Restoration of all things” Acts 3:21 





 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †