Revelation 6 ~ Jesus came out conquering, and to conquer. +

Revelation 6

Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.

3 When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 4 And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword.

5 When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!”

7 When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 8 And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.

9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. 10 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

12 When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. 14 The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”


Peter agrees with Jesus, and John, about the end of this earth. Fire.


2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.


This is pretty clear. The rest is not. Isaiah was prophetically understood by all. Particularly the Magi, who knocked upon Herod's door looking for the new King.

One thing to be sure of, the Bible is written for you and your life. All people are all on the same destination. All bow before Jesus Christ. Reading Revelation,  seeing Father God's love for His creation and His Children - all the world -  He has great sorrow not all will be with Him in Heaven by their own choices.

If we look at possible interpretations of Revelation Chapter 6, let's see what is found. This is not just the cosmic events of the end of life on the planet  - this is the progression of a journey of a body of flesh and death, God's fair and worthy judgment and what follows. This is the journey of life to Life.






Here is one possible interpretation:

1 Corinthians 15:55-57

55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus is King of Kings, Lord of Lords. Jesus is the Conquering God.

This life is, according to Jesus, going to have suffering. Far above experiences in this life - is God's Will - all suffering - the good part is overcoming suffering and rejoicing in the slings and perils being tossed down. The horrid suffering - where people just suffer and suffer -  remember - God is Above and in Front and rise up with great Hope. When Jesus' cousin died, Jesus recognized He had responsibilities. He fed the thousands with only His Word, He prayed hearing His Father and,,, probably, Jesus walked on water remembering the earth was begun with water. This was when Jesus delighted in His Father's master workmanship and in mankind. Proverbs 8. Jesus would help Peter walk with Him, securely.

I believe Jesus is saying, come hell or high water - God is God. Lord of Lords. Finding God's Will is good.





In History, there are times where the end of the world seems to be at hand. For the Essenes - they said the world would end and for them in 70 A.D., yes, they were slain. All of them.

The Jews who perished in the Nazi concentration camps. The Killing Fields of the Khmer Rouge. People like Corrie Ten Boom, have been left utterly alone. And they have found the only hope is in Romans 8. What Desmond Tutu found in South Africa. When there is no where to turn - Jesus Christ has the relevant answers and hope.

There are times people have almost all their family killed in airplanes. By fire. By accidents, by illness. And Jesus will provide a path to having a life that is blessed and goes forth. Jesus said to His Disciples, "Rise, let us go from here." And Jesus certainly means this. He expected His Disciples to get up, having abandoned someone like Jesus, and continue. To find Grace, to look Jesus - again  - in the eyes.

This applies to us in all situations life can bring.

What generation has seen more murders? So stop. Turn off the Television. More and more people are doing this. If we need constant bad news and bad situations to entertain us, we have set our minds on problems. Not peace and solutions. Jesus said look to what is Noble. See peace. God says we have health and healing in Praise God music. Christian music instead.

Poverty.

All different types. All different economic areas.

Recently I heard a statistic - one of the few pieces of good news for our culture is - 20 to 25% of people in Extreme Poverty have the ability to leave poverty in their lifetime, with work!!!

You do not see this in the news - the bad ol' news today. We have to be able to know in our Churches and in our handbags and in our wallets - where our community services offer their services. Have a list ready with the ability to tell the services of the community.

Be rich in Good News. Be poor in repeating the woes of Life.

Be rich in participating in your opportunities. We all need to participate in the people around us - to offer our help, our listening. Our hands. Our talents. We need to bring compassion to the poverty stricken. Their is hope for them. Looking down our snoots at the people who cannot afford the $75 for a wedding license is not helpful. Knowing which Churches in your county will provide a complete wedding  Grace Baptist Church in Conroe, Texas. God bless you.

Substance abuse happens more in poverty. Ashamed people need assistance to find AA or Celebration Recovery. Know where these are. This is the ladder of success. The stairs of Jesus to full and abundant life. Jesus cried. Tears are never fatal, being able to see tears and help people is part of life.

Leaving the poverty of shame!
We do not need to be ashamed as Christians, we do not earn Salvation.
When we are trying to please God - we do.
Just speak up when you have the opportunity. We earn the right to be heard by being merciful.
Forgiving.
Or turning the other cheek, going a different direction and forgiving.
Rich in forgiveness.

I was recently told by someone in the 8th decade, suddenly life looks a lot like the 1500's A.D. of Bubonic Plague. There could be five funerals a week to go too. The problem is natural death. My mother has experienced this in her 6,000 person Church. She said she has been there for 50 years and if she threw a bowling ball through the crowded Church, it would never hit someone she knew - suddenly.

This person has grieved the losses. And has found friends of friends to go with. This is a person of Faith. Jesus is God. Not that mean ol' horrible God who just shuffles on. In her faith, she believes life is for living - now. She finds more in life. With positive attitudes and reality.

The Fifth Seal is interesting. Very memorable. The bitterness of the faithful. None of us,, in the faith community, know about grousing - cough, cough. The BIBLE is REAL. Raw deal - What do the Saints of God do? They honestly tell God. And God is putting them directly into His Heaven? Like Jesus? No. God is putting them in the 1,000 year rest. God knows best.

I prefer to be honest, make changes I see need to be addressed and not shlump along. And I complain. In fact, people tell me sometimes - stop. And I do, when I am able. Surely I am not going to participate with bitter complainers of injustice. And expect the same from others. St. Francis of Assisi said have courage and find courage and change what needs to be changed. James, Brother of Jesus, said ask for Wisdom - to know the difference.Surely Revelation 6 is about being forgiving in injustice. And vocal to God. Skipping the asking for vengeance part.

Jesus tells the crowd of merely the curious, they came for the free food. No Sign will be given. And everything surrounding Jesus is a sign. Everything. All points to Father God.

Jesus tells us the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. That tells us events are surprising. The surprise that all arrive at the Day of the Lord is definitely planned. Prepare. Daily.

We prepare our entire lives for the return of Eternal Life!
The prodigal child - us - goes to the Father. Who can stand on the Day of the Lord? Those who have covered themselves in belief, heart, words, deeds believing in Jesus to be our Righteousness. Stand firm in faith of Jesus' goodness. Covered in the Name of Jesus.

Abba,
Thank You for Jesus. The Way, the Truth, the Life.

Amen in Jesus for us and those we love. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Revelation 3:5 ~ Book of Life

Following the shining water through the hills and highways of Heaven to find the green throne of God.

We have all experienced getting up in the morning, finding that rare perfect morning. God is in His Heaven and all is right in our world.

Imagine how the earth appeared to Jesus the first Easter morning. His sacrifice complete. Knowing all the Life ahead of Jesus. Picturing His Father running to Him.

What Jesus has brought our new earth:

Revelation 3:5-8

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.



Consider praying with your mind completely open to what God would say to you. Usually when this request falls on me, I draw a blank. And today I started to do that again. Except this time I felt very peaceful. So very peaceful - I tried to remember peace connected to a peaceful time - 2014. And I thought of a very rainy spring day. Looking out was so very, very beautifully green after an unusually grey and overcast winter. The incredible green, the gentle and persistent rain blessing us all. Watering Father God's earth lushly and abundantly. All of our family was home. All were quiet and occupied with something, all were almost humming they were so happy and at peace.

A friend of ours was once on an oil rig outside of Norway. He said he was so very, very cold. He tried all methods to warm up and finally he decided he needed a shower to be warm. And finally he was warm to his depths. In his prayer life, his very faithful prayer life, he told people - when you have done all you know to please God. When you are weary. Or when you have tried all your opportunities. And you need to be lifted up. Sit and be as earnest as possible to Father God. Completely open. And let God soak you with His Love. Let Jesus love you. Be nourished, be washed, be soaked. The Love of Jesus streaming down. Renewal. Replenish. Loved.



Genesis 1:2
The Spirit of God over the waters

Nehemiah 1:5
LORD,
the God of heaven,
the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments

Psalm 42:8
a prayer to the God of my life -
8 By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me

Psalm 50
God of Justice

Romans 15:33
The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

2 Corinthians 1:3
The Father of compassion and the
God of all comfort

2 Corinthians 13:11
The God of love and peace will be with you

Ephesians 1:17
I keep asking that
the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,
may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

1 Peter 5:10
God of all grace



Abba, Beloved Father of all,

Bless Tom for his completion of the joys and work you provided him - he has been faithful.

Bless his companions, seeking the will of God working the cause of the Gospel. Their names are also in the Book of Life.

This blessing of his loved ones, they will be dressed in white. Jesus will acknowledge them as the Beloved of Father God, naming them before our Father and His angels. Ephesians 3 calls these families in Heaven.

Their names are in the Book of Life, Jesus, who takes away the sin of the world. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! Jesus our God is worthy. Jesus has washed the feet of sinners with Love. He opens and unties the Word of God. He opens the Book of Life forevermore.


Father God, You provided a cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. You declare Your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, in this amazing peace - we offer - lifting up our faith. Lifting up our cares. To You, Abba, in our wonderful Jesus Christ, trusting our cares, lives, thanksgivings of health, expectations of Your Love and Joy - our Loved ones. Those who make life meaningful in the riches of Your Holy Spirit. And will know all Christians carry their prayers to Jesus and we unite the Lights shining in us as Lights of God, giving the earth of God's expectation of Eternal Love.

In these miracles, we trust all to You. In Jesus. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Luke 16 ~ God knows your hearts.

Jesus and His Disciples, James Tissot

Luke 16

16 He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 2 And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ 3 And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ 5 So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.

10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him.

15 And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

16 “The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it. 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void.

18 “Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.

19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 

25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 

30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

A pretty exciting day when you feel as if you have seen something brand new in the Bible. And your eyes look back to the verse quickly!

And our grand-dog, a Husky, had a great day discovering what it is to be wild. He ran near, he ran far. Swam with the ducks scooting out of his way. This is his second time this week. He is 9 years old and can go about 2 hours of swimming and evading. He is a delight. He is running free. Tail High. Up to the dogs behind the fences. Around the 4 neighbors and 3 of us positioned around the 3 acre pond. He has this. Then the other duck flies and he changes his stately and grinning course. All dogs want days like this. They really, really do.

And having 4 neighbors all around the pond, truly is a blessing. It was a long time and we had one who stayed with us until finally he slowed down and my 25 year old son caught him.

Running wild.

Luke 16

16 “The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it. 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void.


Matthew 11:12
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it.

John 3: 7
Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”


Force and violence.

Running wild. A man working at a Church I visit,  for Disc Golf, told me the most violent of parking lots is the Church crowd leaving a peaceful service. Why? We force our way into God.

We see we are failures before God of the Universe and Jesus. And we deal with God exactly like we deal with a competing employee. Being born again is like birth, an awaking. A difficulty, a need for Light and Life.

Do not be like the Gentiles who lord over other people. And yet, we maintain the abomination (verse 15) of what God would see in this. Forcing our way into the Kingdom. Voiding the law - Love one another. We have to be honest about the Pew Report. 2%.

Born again - newborns are gentle.The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

This worked for my grandmother Anita. She lived with her son who vehemently hated Christian women. (He was adopted and damaged at birth, having about 95 IQ, unable to work.) She lead a 42 year Bible Study on Sunday mornings and paraded over no one. She was not worried about his salvation. She intended to love him and pray for him and not bemoan over him. He was saved in his 7th decade. Her quote on this was emphatic. "I will never cease to pray for my son."

Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him
Jesus the Lord.

Sometimes it's time to come back into the gentleness of the every day.

Matthew 23:37
How often I have longed to gather you, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.

Fortunately, our Husky was regathered and has returned home to show us how the gate can be pried open.

James 4:5
Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

And our dog spends the rest of the day with a smile. His day is full, the sun is bright, the adventures will continue, the many people look so funny chasing him, and the treats are plentiful. He is loved earnestly and loves in return.



Our Abba,

In our narrow gate, we find eventually we need someone to rush into the water to get us. Like Jesus did for Peter when Peter fell into the waters. (Thank You this time it was not me.) We bless those who give us direction. And as our love for You increases, we find Peter jumps in the water for Jesus. He has to see Jesus. Jesus has prepared him a breakfast.

Thank You for the knowledge Jesus had lost His cousin, John the Baptist, and really probably did not feel in the mood for being a life saver. We say with gratitude, Thank You God for never quitting. Thank You for reaching for me.

Help us to stay on Your path. Having your guidance, mercy, wisdom and Joy. And help us to stay in the swim of things - moving in the direction pleasing to you. Seeing blessings of the spring and of the family working together to make a home.

Pray for us, we are going to be a family of four again after a number of years. The oldest son is going to law school to do maritime law and is waiting to see what (The Lord) provides. My heart palpitations have ceased again. Started in 2005 and I have all the hope the Lord will heal this. Giving thanks for balance/ears and eyes. Give us the day! These have been joy. Blessings for Edward's DG as he won more in the last week than last year and is delighted. Alexander is still studying.

We lift UP our cares to You, Father. Knowing You know, before we do, what we need. Thank You for Your great Love and Care. We lift UP our loved ones to You. And sleep in peace, renewed for the next day. To stay where we are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of His love, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God in Jesus Christ.

Thank You Jesus is Lord. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 31 ~ Into His Hand

Psalm 31

31 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me!

2 Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me!
3 For you are my rock and my fortress;
and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;
4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.

5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
6 I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols,
but I trust in the Lord.

7 I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love,
because you have seen my affliction;
you have known the distress of my soul,
8 and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;
you have set my feet in a broad place.

9 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
my eye is wasted from grief;
my soul and my body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow,
and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my iniquity,
and my bones waste away.
11 Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach,
especially to my neighbors,
and an object of dread to my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have been forgotten like one who is dead;
I have become like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the whispering of many—
terror on every side!—
as they scheme together against me,
as they plot to take my life.

14 But I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”

15 My times are in your hand;
rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!

16 Make your face shine on your servant;
save me in your steadfast love!
17 O Lord, let me not be put to shame,
for I call upon you;
let the wicked be put to shame;
let them go silently to Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be mute,
which speak insolently against the righteous
in pride and contempt.

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!
20 In the cover of your presence you hide them
from the plots of men;
you store them in your shelter
from the strife of tongues.


21 Blessed be the Lord,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was in a besieged city.

22 I had said in my alarm,
“I am cut off from your sight.”
But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy
when I cried to you for help.

23 Love the Lord, all you his saints!
The Lord preserves the faithful
but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the Lord!

We saw The Case for Christ movie about Rev. Lee Strobel. A very amazing book, I read about a decade ago. Lee Strobel was determined to win his wife back from her obsession with a dead myth. He missed the birth of his son, during his award winning journalist determination to debunk the Christ of God.

If we just could have gotten him to drive his red Camaro faster to the birth of his son. Maybe we could get it classified as an Action Event Movie.

We all thought in our Tuesday night crowded movie theater this was - truly - amazingly - frank - honest - warm - truthful and touching to make memories to remember the movie for a lifetime. A must see. Every interview was intelligent, interesting and new facts were seen with each expert. Rotten Tomatoes show 84% of the Audience Loves this Film. We should all pray for this movie to be shown every Easter weekend. The movie audience applauded the film as the credits rolled.

It's so well done, if we could get a few more Camaro shots, we'd have to ask General Lew Wallace to move over. Lee Strobel is on the adventure Lew Wallace knew to be true. Lewis "Lew" Wallace (1827 – 1905) Union general in the American Civil War, Governor of the New Mexico Territory. Wallace is best known for his historical adventure story, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1880), a bestselling novel called "the most influential Christian book of the nineteenth century". Written when Wallace traced the footsteps of the Apostle Paul in great disillusionment. Finding Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life.

I got the book from my dentist, my Church Family, about 16 years ago. And found more historical Jesus than I ever knew existed.

Why isn't this published about the truth of Historical Jesus? Why don't we know that the recent James sarcophagus - dropped and cracked forever in a Washington airport - was studied by the Head of Antiquities of the Louvre - Was declared patina correct and dates correctly and is James, Brother of Jesus. Same verification by the Historical artifacts of the FBI. 5 years of trials in Israel bringing their most senior Judge to tears declaring we must all decide for ourselves.

Because as Lee Strobel correctly said, "Faith is a leap."

Father God,

We give You Great Thanks for the 85% of the USA who pray and know a Loving Father God will help. We pray we are all encouraged in our daily journey to bring our soul to Jesus the Lord of Lords. Knowing our loved ones will know and have the blessing of the Encouragement of God of Love, Steadfast God, God of encouragement. God of Hope. We will all have our hearts warmed knowing Jesus, just like His Disciples on the Road to Emmaus.

We pray for more of the Christian movies, particularly this one, to be part of Holy Week showing good TV. Open the eyes of the Television Schedulers we pray.

The Mission of God is Love to save the world knowing Jesus. This Alleluia is in Jesus Christ. Amen.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Mark 8:1-10 ~ In those days

Consider the photo of the Sea of Galilee and the district of Dalmanutha. Before 1903 and the Wright Brothers, our grandparents probably would never have seen Dalmanutha, or the Sea of Galilee, from this height. It was unheard of. Israel had not been in existence for 2,000 years.  (Jesus, of course, would have seen this view in the Ascension.)

And Jesus chose this area of beauty to be His adult home. Today, we see God knew of what He spoke 3,000 years ago,  irrigation would make Israel a land of milk and honey. The hills are formed with deep, sudden valleys and can make Hurricane conditions with wind sheer on the Sea of Galilee, like the storm Jesus commanded to be stilled.

Mark 8:1-10

In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, 2 “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. 3 And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.”

4 And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?”

5 And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?”

They said, “Seven.”

6 And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. 7 And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them.

8 And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. 9 And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. 10 And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.

This is the way the disciples experienced, this viewpoint of life.

Jesus feeds the great crowd of 4,000. People say Jesus was the great communicator.
Yes and No. Jesus was not coaxing food from pockets to join the herd. Jesus fully explains they have nothing to eat. Like He knows names and situations, blind are seeing, deaf are now hearing. Jesus explains, something like this," I know future generations will try to say about rabbit in a hat, but no, I have told the Truth about how and why."

This truth is wonderful. Jesus takes time to say the conditions and the reason - with the miracle - this is mercy.

He says families are named and live on earth and in Heaven. Ephesians 3. Then they do. Jesus said so. Jesus said this is not made known to the sons of men in other generations, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Know the Scriptures, know the Power of God.


Our Abba,

To all who did receive Jesus, who believed in His name, Jesus gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Jesus blesses us:

He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

Then he took you, His beloved child, in His arms and placed His hands on your head and blessed you.

We love the Lord our Abba and Jesus. Thanks be unto God. Amen in Jesus, we are the Easter people and Alleluia is our Song.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

1 John 4:7-10 ~ whoever loves has been born of God and knows God +

1 John 4:7-10

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.




Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.


Seeds in life. We hardly know what life's seasons will bring us. And we don't know about each other well enough to know the season - or where a person will stay - or move on. God tells us in Proverbs we know ourselves and God knows us.






Edward enjoys looking at You Tube give the important scenes of a movie. If this is a movie you've watched before, watching the important scenes again adds strength to the framework of the movie's dynamics.

Tonight we watched the series "John Adams". The scenes we watched John Adams and his unusual pattern - taking his wife across the fierce ocean to take an Ambassadorship of the brand new nation. John Adams was actually instructed by Thomas Jefferson not to be accompanied by his wife - it looked provincial. When our Vice-President did not heed Jefferson's request, Benjamin Franklin was much more frank and rude and told him he was a fool who would fail. These letters actually had one reach him before the journey and Franklin's letter reached Adams in London. Competent men rarely like rude letters. And while John Adams would work as a Christian to restore his friendship with Jefferson, because of their warm shared past. Adams would be shocked at the looseness of Franklin. And their relationship would never repair. Franklin was married, but appeared in the French Court with any woman of his choice. When in France, do as the French.

Jefferson also pointed out to Adams he would risk Abigail's life to cross the ocean. Abigail had missed years with John and they decided if they perished, they would take this time together and perish if they must. Adams had abhorred George III because they had fought his injustices to have freedom. Jefferson and Adams had discussed the real possibility George III would kill the first Ambassador to England on the ability to kill a subject of King George III's for treason. Abigail and Adams did not think Abigail would be killed, but discussed how her passage home would go.

John Adams was loyal to his nation. And loyal to Law. John and his son Quincy had represented the defense of men who had killed five Boston residents during the Boston Massacre in 1770. Seeking law and justice. Hence - John would be the First Ambassador. A stepping stone to being the 1st Vice President and the 2nd President of our nation.

It was abhorrent to learn to bow to George III. The pomp and the ceremony of all of England was something a freeman like Adams feeling as if he had discovered the stench of hell. As he approached the monarch, John Adams felt fear. He felt that if he were to be killed, this would be the day, or he would live. John Adams truthfully said he was the man for the job that both nations had been kindred with a common language and shared a common faith. He was glad to represent the new nation as a proud new nation to address as hopeful common allies. Adams hoped to unite the countries as help to both nations.

The King did not speak for a long time and, finally, congratulated Adams as being a sincere man. George III went on to say of all the men on the planet, he was the last to accept the separation. And the first to hope for the new nation to go forth to do great and meaningful things for the citizens. George III expressed his approval of Adams for the desire for his nation for greatness. He then asked Adams what he thought of the French. Adams correctly said he only represented his own nation with great care. The King said exactly, an honest man only represents his own nation. Both men found warmth and sincerity in the conversation. Adams was greatly surprised. Adams had done very well.


Jefferson asked for Adams to come to the French Court. Under no circumstance was Abigail to even put foot in France. He and Benjamin Franklin were part of Court, but had achieved nothing. A few ships would help, but not create safety. Adams was laughed out of the court for not speaking French. King Louis XVI spoke English perfectly, but King Louis preferred to be in double entendre with Franklin - Franklin seemed to have changed personality. Later in the day, Adams was to scream and yell, almost to the point of stroke with the Ambassador of France to the United States. Franklin and Adams had now become completely estranged. Jefferson was aghast. And found with Adams ability to scream and yell over no assistance being provided, that the French worried the scene would become the loss of the new nation. Adams was to display his truthful disdain over complete disregard for the cares of the many. Jefferson was to discover the lack of diplomacy had found the path to command the attention of the disinterested government. Adams again succeeded. Being honest.



Now look at the Seed Parable.


John Adams was willing to take his distinguished career and represent fair Justice to the English Soldiers killing during the Boston Massacre. And he had no real diplomacy except the truth. Which made him the Second President. He would spend his last years talking to Jefferson and Jefferson began to read the Bible. They died on the same day.  John Adams entered Heaven seeing a living Thomas Jefferson, who had been unknown to have died earlier that day. Both men were better men to have repaired public damage.


Thomas Jefferson, is a fascinating man. He studied a Bible he had pushed aside until his old age and found pure Truth. Jefferson had changed during his time in France. It was hard for him to become provincial again after being in the city of Paris which had delighted all of Jefferson. And he then planned for Washington D.C. for the new world to have a real city. Jefferson was an entertainer and usually had 40 guests for lunch and dinner. Thomas Jefferson would show all his collections and every meal had French wines. What did this mean? Each bottle of wine - back in the day - cost an astonishing $75 per bottle. Most French wines aboard American ships had one destination - Monticello. Jefferson constantly re-arranged Monticello. If slavery had a break, it was the slaves rested during non-harvest seasons. Winter was vacation. Except at Monticello. Jefferson would die broke. So broke he was one million dollars in debt. His family would leave Monticello the day after his death. No son would be alive from Jefferson. He had long ago promised never to remarry. Daughters were not important enough to work to leave a legacy.

And the truth is Thomas Jefferson was very lovable.

So Seed Parables are not for us to Judge.

And yet History paints a picture.


During the Presidency of George Washington - scant years - the French Crown had been held from 987 to 1793. The reign of self interested family to an indulgent court with hardly any interest in the welfare of the people. Warned 200 years earlier by the Russian Czar about the lack of care for the citizens.

Acts 1 tells us Judas 'turned aside to his own interests'. End of French Crowned heads.

And George III was to be the King who failed and yet his government remains today. He cared for his people.

Benjamin Franklin July 1784, Franklin met with Mirabeau and contributed anonymous materials that the Frenchman used in his first signed work: Considerations sur l'ordre de Cincinnatus. The publication was critical of the Society of the Cincinnati, established in the United States. Franklin and Mirabeau thought of it as a "noble order", inconsistent with the egalitarian ideals of the new republic. Franklin was with the King and the New Republic. Franklin would rise to be Governor of Pennsylvania, but never at the Federal level of Adams and Jefferson.

George Washington is loved by our Nation. The Nation he gave the Whiskey Tax and he primarily paid. His family did not mind his slaves were to serve him, but not Martha and her children, upon his death. Let's be real as we look even at this issue. He would be debunked for his interest in a nation and not heart from a New York pulpit by the relative of mine, Rev. Byrd Wilson. Who had known him through his father, James Wilson. Not really what you'd hope to have happen. Not really what you'd want your relative to have done. Let us love one another.

Interesting, a king has a son. And therefore he is not going to let go of a nation. Washington and Jefferson had no son. John Adams did and Quincy was raised to rise up - in what was truly important. Both Adams, father and son, were committed to a community of justice and opportunity for all. Adams told George III's concern for the nation not having a monarch, that they would both pray the new nation was directed to please God.



1 John 4:7-10

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.


Our Abba,

John told us of the God of Love.
Paul told us God is Steadfast and encouragement.

And once more, Isaiah says: “The root of Jesse will appear, One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles; in Him the Gentiles will put their hope.”

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

With God in us as Love, the Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, and God's presence in our souls. We will let His mercies renew in us each day. And have His presence as we trust our lives, cares, loved ones to His Love and Mercy.

With God's help, we will do what God has given us to do. Following God's Will and Way.

In Jesus Christ. Always. Our Amen in Jesus.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Matthew 18:1-10 ~ become like a child

Better Than A Hallelujah Amy Grant

Matthew 18:1-10

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 

2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.

Yes, the child of God who seeks Him earnestly, draws His attention. Loving earnestly. Loving God first.


We all have a Sermon we heard we remember the rest of our lives. I remember Father Ted Nelson said his own son would ask him all the time casually for this that. For salt to tennis shoes. When a certain tone was applied, Father Ted would stop in his tracks to fully hear. Knowing the necessity. The urgency. Isn't God the same? God has created this life to teach us we are bringing our essence to Father God.

We choose where we put our time. We pick where we will put our hearts with earnestness and sincerity as God would want. Why wouldn't God have every right to choose who will enter Eternity - the Home of God Himself.

Salvation is deep and broad. A world sized mission of Father God. Why wouldn't God be allowed the privilege we give ourselves - too choose where we put our hearts and where we invite people in.




Look at this passage as prayer.

1 Chronicles 4

1The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal. 2Reaiah the son of Shobal fathered Jahath, and Jahath fathered Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the Zorathites. 3These were the sonsa of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazzelelponi, 4and Penuel fathered Gedor, and Ezer fathered Hushah. These were the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephrathah, the father of Bethlehem. 5Ashhur, the father of Tekoa, had two wives, Helah and Naarah; 6Naarah bore him Ahuzzam, Hepher, Temeni, and Haahashtari. These were the sons of Naarah. 7The sons of Helah: Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan. 8Koz fathered Anub, Zobebah, and the clans of Aharhel, the son of Harum. 9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”b 10Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harmc so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.


What part of this passage as prayer is going to draw the Heart of God. The list of credentials and names. Or. The loving and needing portion - perhaps of a child praying to God.

The Second part of the Scripture today:

Matthew 18
5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

7 “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!

You never know when someone is praying.

Because a day to God is thousands of years, consider who is a Child of God.

John 1:12
To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

As long as life offers tests, there will be prayer. In school, on a chair, over here, over there. 85% of the USA prays believing God is caring and loving them during prayer.

Matthew 25:40
‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’



Abba,

You have taught us earnestness is the most important with Love as we pray. And Jesus knew sometimes tongues and minds go still in urgent need. Jesus gave us Words to Pray. The Lord's Prayer.

We never go wrong to simply tell You. And ask You to Live in us.


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

In His Eternal Home according to the riches of his glory
he may grant you to be strengthened with power
through his Spirit in your inner being,

For Jesus Christ to dwell in your hearts through faith

God of Love Steadfast Encouragement
—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,

Knowing the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,

Being filled with all the fullness of God.

Our God,
Father,
Almighty,
Shepherd of our Souls,
The Prodigal Father running to us.
He is able to do far more abundantly
than all that we ask or think,
according to the power at work within us,

To Jesus Christ
Displaying God the Father as
healer of the blind
freeing and healing the deaf
the lame rise up and walk
the leper is cleansed
the dead have life and are returned to their loved ones
To this Jesus at work, living, dwelling within
To Jesus be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.
Amen!

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †