Luke 17:1-6 ~ faith

Jesus loved figs. Fruitful lives. Love, Joy, Peace, Forbearance, Encouragement, Gentleness, Hope, Faith. We tend our 'garden' God provides the fruit and fruitfulness.

Luke 17:1-6

And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. 3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 

6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like...




So many times I do my Bible study reading for the morning, and I am struck with the wonder - Father God fills each day of the many, many days of this earth with earnest, sincere, on-topic, incredibly useful, needed like dry ground - - - "Word of God" to Live with. Live for. Live with the Comfort of the Holy Spirit.

And frankly some days I have to really read the Scripture to see what God is pointing to.

And today I was feeling 'pressed' as grown sons explore opportunities across continent and across planet. I felt upset with others and family for selfish deeds ... "people". I felt righteously indignant. Justifiably upset. And downright crabby. A stew of "Prodigal Son's Older Brother."


THIS. Is a poor place to meet a Loving God. All this self righteousness of being "right". What do we give to others in all this "being right ourselves". I was ready. Man, hand me that rock, I will git 'em. And really, really, really - we aren't looking for being 'all that'. 'All that' gets you the accolades of fleeting admiration. "All that" awakens... verse 5. "What have you done for me lately?" Or 'What could you do for me?????"

Jesus is doing valor, valient, brave Work. Work lasting... at least 4 millenniums - we know of. Jesus is doing God the Father work. Jesus is Protecting His Children. And explaining if you teach your children fear and low living - you are giving them a millstone. If you teach your children no valor, no integrity, no wisdom - you have tempted them to learn from commercials. Or any ol' source.




This Scripture truly is 4 milleniums old - do THIS. "Ok, easy, we do that," we think. Ok great. Now, God, what are you going to do for me?


It's no wonder Jesus cries out, "You Know Me. Hear with your ears."

Because when we do really hear from Almighty Father God, we are changed. Renewed. Amazed. Confounded. And when we KNOW we have heard from God, the Creator of ALL, how you are struck to the basic core. To your depths - GOD has Forgiven and LOVED you completely as you really are.



And when the Authority of Jesus arrives in your heart. Then you know you are that LOVED. And you see clearly God is providing a road map to His Home, His Kingdom and for Eternity.


The Storm truly calms. You can see clearly the Light of God. Jesus.

Our Abba,

The Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you."

We obey You by keeping the Commandments. By being Loving. By participating in the Law of Liberty and expecting Your Goodness to see us in Spirit and in Truth. And because of the Name of Jesus, Your Will moves mountains. Faith is filled again and again. Alleluia for the Love of God to cover our concerns and the ones we love. Knowing our prayers join others in one accord and being grateful for the prayers God calls the communion of the saints in Acts 1.

The Light of God will be Love and drive out the dark. Jesus heals us. Jesus has forgiven what we asked of Him with our gratitude. Jesus guides us. Jesus, like His Words in the passage, protects us.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for the Blessings You provide to us to bless all. This is the Blessing of God Almighty. Amen in Jesus.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

James 1 ~ Count it all joy

James 1

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:

Greetings.

2 Count it all joy, 
my brothers, 
when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Creation... waits.
With longing for the sons of men. Jesus is Son of Man.

When we are not afraid of loss, of hurt, of ruin. We are more open. We find Joy.

Verse 9

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.


The lowly brother has had to find more than the world offers to find Joy. Church missionaries to 3rd World nations report joy in finding other meanings in life. He is exalted to find Joy.

The humiliation of the rich - we might enjoy that. But instead humility draws God. Not pride.


James 3
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Jesus says Salvation is a work of a camel going through the eye of a needle. Rather impossible, and easy for God.




Mark 10
42 So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those regarded as rulers of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.


We are supposed to trust God so much, we find Joy like Paul did. In all circumstances and not need to draw up a wall of self-righteousness, a wall of works, a wall of needed security to form happiness. Not in being partial. The Perfect Law of Liberty. Jesus said He is giving us a New earth. And the jaded, sophisticated, moneyed, society Roman Empire met new Believer Jews of Jesus.

The first Century did not encounter regular society. They found Hope, Love, Faith, Joy. The Joy Jesus says He finds as God. Proverbs 8 Jesus enjoys and delights in mankind. John 14, 15, 16 Jesus finds Joy. The people trusted God for their needs and did not worry as much.

Finding as we worry in life, God's Plan will be done. Expecting His Plan is Good. Meeting God with sincerity.


Why? Why should we help God? This world is filled with halves. And is imperfect. Causing some to shake their fists and say God is flawed - forget this. This world is a glimpse of the next. How do we know? There are people in the last 10 years who have been dead so long their flesh turned black and all of their body became rigor mortis. And they return from even the beginning of organ donor harvest to tell of a Miracle of Life.

Why should we help God? Having the Joy of Heaven and of God spill over into this life. Presenting our brain to God? Instead, presenting our soul to God. The essence of life, memory, determination of choice, where our Life is. And where we invite God to dwell with us.



Abba,

In this faith we work in all circumstances to find Love, Joy, Peace, forbearance, faith, encouragement, hope, Faith.

Thank You, Father, for the Widow of Nain, the miraculous sign of Life for her son. God is still working and we can believe and trust Jesus with the ones we love. And as we do this, we believe God has all of life, all of this Nation, all of the world in His hands. What gift will we give You, Father, that You have not given us? Thanksgiving. Jesus is God. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Ephesians 2:4-10 ~ Gift of God

Ephesians 2:4-10

God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith.

And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.


John describes his Savior as God of Love. Let's look at God.

When His cousin, John the Baptist, died, Jesus had a unique to God response. He fed 5,000 people with no real amount of food. By God's Word and giving Thanks. A funeral from Jesus to John the Baptist. And then Jesus walked on water, just as the Holy Spirit did in Genesis 1. And when Peter could not walk with Jesus upon the water, immediately Jesus reached down and enabled Peter to have His Strength and help.

Now I am aware we have written this down recently. And yet, this is what I am talking about - Having the Strength of God. Jesus Christ, Son of God, has this.

Most of us know someone who has survived a tremendous illness or accident. Generally, they do not fix breakfast for 11 men. Usually, there is not an argument after victory over death about favoritism - like the Disciples had in John's 21st Chapter. The Disciples took one look at Jesus Christ and decided to let their real personality all hang out. Flap in the breeze. Their Jesus looked strong enough to deal with them as themselves.

What did Jesus do next?

He went for a long, long walk - the Road to Emmaus.

1 Corinthians 15:6
After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.


What was Jesus doing? Acts 1 tells us what the Messiah, Savior, Son of God our Father - is doing. Jesus is teaching. He is not suffering. He is preaching. Jesus is breaking cultural norms. Jesus is appearing and teaching women. Jesus - is - Triumphant.


Now, how would God do even more?

Mark 16:19
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

Abba,

Jesus is Astonishing.

Jesus is Amazing.

Jesus is completely filled with His Father.

And You, have given us... Your Son.

What would Jesus do with me? Jesus would call me His Own. God's Beloved Child.

Will all we have within us - Thank You for Salvation, cover the ones I love with Jesus. And as the Beloved of God pray for this, around this world that belongs to You, Father God, and the fullness of the earth; we know the Holy Spirit covers our world with our prayers and You are pleased.

Holy, Holy, Holy is our Lord God, Jesus Almighty. Alleluia. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

James 3:17-18 ~ make peace

James 3:17-18

The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Jesus Christ, Son of God, tells us in the Gospel, He is open each day to the willingness of God. Jesus' work schedule is determined by the Father and God sends Jesus across the Sea of Galilee 3 times one day with full intentionality.




Acts 8:26-40

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”

This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went.

And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.”

30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”


34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?”

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.




This is a time of year, where many believers have someone they care about, who has gone to Church for Easter Sunday. We have experienced this in my family. The Word of the Lord came to my dear loved one and he heard about many trials would be resolved and he would become a Pastor. He is going off to law school. His friend was told he would be enabled by the Lord to do school quite soon. His friend goes off to Harvard for the MBA Program in the fall. We are in the time of the New Covenant. Those who, with sincerity, proclaim Jesus, are doing His work.

What will we do for those who dabble and wither after Easter? We will think about the advice of men proclaiming the Gospel who had to run for their lives from their 'failures'. Those persecuted for having faith. Those who have the fire of the Holy Spirit and persevered. For those lowly men are recognized today for their faith and their persecutors have vanished.

And what was their Biblical advice? Persevere. Love. Faith. Hope. Joy. See what is good. Rebuke what is wrong, rarely. With courage. Speak the truth and believe Jesus is the Truth. Who is your Neighbor? The one who treats you with mercy. Do not grieve as one with no hope. Persist in prayer. Do not cast pearls before swine. The Seed Parables are the seasons of life. Do not believe in your ability to determine what season will remain. Believe in prayer when fruit is unseen. Go where Jesus is the way, the life and the truth. Whatever is noble, whatever is pure. Set your mind there.

My Grandmother Anita prayed, seemingly unheeded for her son. She saw from Heaven in his 70's "The Purpose Driven Life" would be a key for Jesus to dwell within her son. And my grandmother did not spread copious tears for her son who hated and loathed Christians, instead she believed and stayed in her belief. Anita did not sigh and say what horrors God would have to bring on her son to make him a believer. Did he face horrors? He did not. One Sunday he wanted to hear a message, and the Lord Jesus gave him 'ears to hear'. Grandmother Anita was a worrier and, yet, she just simply believed her son would know the love and salvation of Jesus. And he did.




Abba,

Who sits at the right hand of Jesus God, where John and James argued over? I would venture a guess this would be Mary, Mother of Jesus. She gave strong action to save Jesus. And at the table Joseph, who saved Jesus and made a family that blended as one family.

Mary tells us about the treasures of her heart in the Christmas Gospel of Luke 2. We can just as lovingly place the ones we love in the Treasures of Father God's heart.

Knowing our Abba is God of Love. God of Steadfast Encouragement. And we will will stay with our Jesus in conversation and hopes. And this night smile knowing we have pleased the Father of Jesus, our Father. Lord over all. God of God. King of Kings. And Father God lifts His smile upon us and we have peace being covered with Jesus Christ Victorious

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever

Always Alleluia in Jesus God. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Matthew 11:5 ~ Good News

Mary Magdalene has greeted John and Peter, telling them the body of Jesus is missing - the tomb is open.

The Disciples do not fear Jesus' body is vandalized. And they begin to run to the tomb.


Why would John and Peter believe this of Jesus.

Matthew 11:5
The blind receive sight,

the lame walk,

those who have leprosy are cleansed,

the deaf hear,

the dead are raised,

and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.


These men loved and knew the Son of God. Had seen His Power. They believed Jesus is alive.

John 5:17
Jesus answered them, “My Father is working now, and I am working.




Abba,
In the Love, Joy, Peace, Encouragement, Steadfast Love shown to be You, our Father in Jesus.

You are were we trust to place our loved ones, our cares, the Church, the communities, the Nations.

And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that we may be filled with all the fullness of God. Praise to Jesus who is able to do infinitely more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Boldly we ask in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 133 ~ The LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore

Psalm 133

1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell [together] in unity!

2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!

3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the LORD has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore.






We have spoken so many times about Heaven being the glory we glimpse on earth.

We must speak of the Light of Christ in all of mankind. John 1. We glimpse the glory of God in mankind. Not to be worshiped, yet to understand the goodness God sees in the soul of mankind giving God the response to want to save us. Save the 'world'.

Jesus was beloved of many in Judea. When He was so inhumanely and with injustice condemned to die, multitudes of women showed up to weep for Him.

Luke 23
27 And following Him was a large crowd of the people, and of women who were mourning and lamenting Him. 28 But Jesus turning to them said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 "For behold, the days are coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.'


Jesus sounds stunning in this. Jesus was bearing the sins of mankind, already on the cross. crying out to Father God, not to be separate from Jesus. And Jesus is gathered to Father God. Jesus was going forth to His death, He would not be held in death, Jesus Cries out, "Father Forgive Them, they know not what they do."

And in - this Prayer of Jesus - this generation with eyes blessed to see Jesus - they are saved from destruction. The next generation will see Titus destroy Judea and the Temple. This is, the David knows, this Is FATHER GOD' and HIS Grace upon Grace.

Jesus has Found again the Glory of GOD!  We cannot suppress or disallow Jesus to have His humanity to be broken carrying the Cross. My profound tear-felt sadness for Jesus to carry our cross.

Jesus does not feel He has to be false to His own profound, terminal suffering. He is free. In God to be Himself before Father God. Revealing to us - we are free to be who we are to Jesus Christ, and His Father.



Jesus has said surrounding Father God - hearts are revealed.

Jesus dies. He is beyond the suffering of mankind. The Roman Government says - sure - take down this good man from the cross. We are compelled to feel so impassioned the Glory of God is at rest. Is in our hands. Is entrusted to us.

The Light of mankind steps up in the dark of Good Friday to tenderly, tenderly  take the Son of God down. When allowed, mankind rushes forward to compassionately support. To grieve with all they have, the loss of Love.

This is our Father God caring for His Son, Jesus the Lord.


And in this Glory - we see the Light of Mankind - moving to action when not held back.

You are seeing - the way Father God - His Nature - this is the beginning of our entering the Kingdom of God. Yes, Jesus is without sin. He is preparing the way forward for us. And when we are covered in the Name of Jesus the Lord - this echoes the tender way we are longed for in God's Kingdom. Jesus says we are sojourners here - when we go Home - this is our Homecoming. Life Forevermore.


What does God see in us - humanity - Salvation - just Given.

Father God expects. Is in expectation. Believes. Requires. Sees. Waits for. Receives - Father GOD will see the Cross of Christ. The very cross carried in Thanksgiving. Jesus' Father and Ours - will expect - will see - will rejoice in seeing - that the People who love Jesus - Proclaim His Good News.

Father God Believes  He IS Entrusting the Gospel of His Only Son - to me.

Father God Believes He IS Entrusting the Gospel of His Only Son - to you.

Remember with me, the Disciples - 'failed.' And Jesus is found to be tenderly, tenderly taken care of. Jesus is not abandoned. This bridge in the gap is the Goodness of God.



Because this rejection did happen.
Our sins killed the goodness of Father God apparent.
The Light Father God expected to occur - dawned.
The men who stepped forward had to have the Strong Appreciation of God to go to Pilate.
This gap is reached and filled - God is put first.
And in this tenderness, God's Grace goes forth.
We are the Easter People. Alleluia.

1 Corinthians 13
12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; 
now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 
13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

John 15 ~ Jesus our true vine

John 15

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin,[c] but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.

Isaiah 6:3
And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."


On Good Friday - How can we do less than consider Heaven - God's Gift and Promise to us?

God Displays to us small glimpses of His Glory.

When We Abide in HIM...


Consider a miracle occurring for the last 500 and more years involving Transubstantiation. The Church has been given ,and kept, the consecrated and Holy Host of the Living Bread of God. And in this century, these treasured Hosts of the Body of Christ, have finally been able to be tested. All the samples are AB Blood Type. We live in a unique time in history. Jesus is working and His Father too. And our great-grandparents never thought Israel would exist as a nation again after 2,000 years. We are the  people who are fortunate to live through Good Friday, knowing Jesus triumphant on Easter. We are blessed. Thank God.

Psalm 80:14-15 

Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine,  the stock that your right hand planted, and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.

We pray our  lives hold the actions & power of God. On Good Friday, we consider Jesus and what He has given His Life for - for you.

1. Believe God specifically creates us to live within His plan. 
2. Believes in the success of our godly desires/lives, even with insurmountable circumstances. 
3. Want to give God's love, to shepherd the people around them. Give love and care.


The idea of God Himself having gratitude -  How can we do less than to be cultivators of gratitude. Realizing our lives are gifts.



Revelations tells us God's plan, from beginning to end.

Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God."

Acts 17:28
For “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’


Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.




 Father God, each day, we put our hands out to You. Give us Your love to do the plan for us. Thank You, Father, Jesus intercedes for us and we have God who has lived life to know we need You to guide, give wisdom, encourage, strengthen, increase faith, Love and protect.

Blessed are You, Lord God. You have given us Life and today. In Your Goodness, we see each day have mercies renew. Our wonderful Jesus. We will live through the pain of Good Friday, knowing You provide Easter. We are blessed.

You alone are God. And this Holy Week and always we want to abide in the power, Love and willingness to the glory of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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 †