Mark 1 ~ Jesus is our Beloved Savior, with HIm we will be well pleased

Second Commandment: Do not worship Graven Images

United Methodist Church, Harvest
Rob Renfroe

Mark 1

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'" 4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."



9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

11 And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."



12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.


14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."



16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men." 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God."

25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!"

26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.




29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.


35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you."

38 And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out." 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.


40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean."

41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean."

42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them." 45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.







Two of the Almighty's Universe were observed by Jesus Christ.



One appeared as the Almighty and said," I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I have others fast twice a week; I am given tithes of all that I get. I am Mighty. Merciful. Let's discuss your sin."

And after many days, the listeners were convinced. And began to get down on their knees to One so Glorious. So filled with knowledge. So filled with Beyond. So Superlative. One they could seek and seek and always be puzzled over. The listeners believed their inferiority. Felt lucky to have someone to be so superior over themselves.

The One who appeared as the Almighty said, "And I will need Your Space Ship, so beam me aboard."

The listeners were, of course, Dr. McCoy and Mr. Spock. And the god was not the Almighty and was Zog. I guess. But the name Zog works pretty well. Sadly, there really is a cult in California - were the god is Zog and he tells his followers what is good and what is evil. Discarding the Bible. Saying Zog will explain right and wrong because the Bible always causes wars and Empires and crusades and we need a new system. And Zog has a catch phrase his clients, om believers, can repeat for the very, very skeptical. "But that was so long ago and we don't relate - think of allll the junked up history. Zog works."



And the other man was present day. Sitting as close to the front as he can. Sinner sure. ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ This is a good system. I get to hit people. Have as much substance as I want. Date in the fashion comfortable to me. After all we have all the antibiotics for this we need. My child is fortunate to have another parent on the times, year or so, I am busy. I am well liked. I don't fuss up with sin - Jesus has covered that. I have no worries that I please God - that's pretty old Testament. And I'm well known to God - I'm Zoggy.'



Now to write this post makes me - uncomfortable. Peter once said I'm a sinner in my past. And Paul said I'm a sinner today. Maybe right this moment I am doing exactly what God has asked of me, but I could coat this in:

Corban - giving lip service to my heart to God and look good doing the right things.
I could decide that I have the wisdom to chunk down systems God has put in place and call them out done Tradition.
I could wear a T-Shirt that proclaims I love Jesus and the Gospel and get caught cussing out my family. Or being unbecoming.

Or out of out of my heart ~
I could plot for my advancement and the downfall of another and come up with evil thoughts. Like Balaam.
I could use my mind and have sexual immorality,
theft of material goods or intellectual property
murder in my heart,
adultery in my television or computer,
coveting - making me miserable,
wickedness like sorcery or calling the dead,
deceit, pretense of being righteous
sensuality, all my thought is for seduction
envy,
slander,
pride,
foolishness in my words and my jokes.
All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.


I could be the prophet who is told not to get off the path in the Old Testament. The prophet who stops to visit with the one who is holy for authority and a meal. To find out I have truly angered the Real God Most Holy and have not followed what a Holy God tells me.

The possibility of error could land us in perpetual upset. We could have dreams, like a friend of mine did. In the dream, God did indeed come back for the Rapture and as that person gets to Wednesday Church - they find the Church and 50% of the population has Risen to Jesus, but not 'you'.





John Paul II gave an excellent, excellent re telling of the GOOD NEWS. We are the Easter People and Alleluia is our song.

Our Song covers The Holy Spirit in Creation being longed for to not just hover over the waters.

Our Song Covers the Righteous Son of God giving His Sacrifice to cover us with a Holy, Holy, Holy Name of Jesus.

Our Song Covers our total inability to buy this Salvation.

Our Song Creates a Joy in us to overcome the troubles God says come to all of us. This Song is of Hope, Faith and Love.

Our Song Creates in us a Desire to Try Goodness again today. Our Song Creates in us a desire to taste and see the Goodness of God Again.

Our Song causes our soul to burst open with Living Water. And in that Living Water to pray Jesus be here now and with me.

Our Song is real and a Way and Truth. When we need Jesus for ourselves and for others, Our Song coaxes the Goodness to be seen. To believe in the Goodness of another. Because the New Covenant says God is placing His Holy Spirit in the people who profess Jesus is God. And we will not say God Lies. We will do as Jesus said and see the Good.

God said that when He places His Holy Spirit in someone you love and know they believe Jesus. We look to see the Good.

We are the Easter People and we need Alleluia to be our Song and Encourage the Good. Repeat Good News. Be Bold.

God has endowed us with gifts. Tell the people you like about the gifts God has given you in Your Life By Your Jesus.

God is God and we allow God to Be God. We trust Him and say "Thank You."

Our Song is real and we see Jesus never stepped away from the ones who loved Him and failed Him. We find in Jesus He forgave His Brothers, Sisters, Mother. He forgave His beloved friends. Our Jesus waited for His Brothers to understand and gave a place for them always. Jesus makes Himself known to the one who needs Him with gifts and know that we know. Our Jesus says even the sparrow is known on the earth to Him. Our Jesus crossed borders where humble women saw their child redeemed. Our Jesus crosses class lines to sit with women. Our Jesus crosses racial lines and the Gospels point to this in the Book of Acts. Our Jesus healed the leper. Our Jesus healed and was reviled. Our Jesus did not Quit. Our Jesus Works Today.

That is Our Jesus. Our Jesus tenderly, tenderly loves you. Our Jesus is so Tender that Jesus and His Father may be this entire Universe. And our Jesus gives us the gifts we give to others. We are able to give Jesus our heart, our worship and our thanks and Love.

That is our Jesus.



Psalm 69

29 But I am afflicted and in pain;
let your salvation, O God, set me on high!
30 I will praise the name of God with a song;
I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the Lord more than an ox
or a bull with horns and hoofs.
32 When the humble see it they will be glad;
you who seek God, let your hearts revive.
33 For the Lord hears the needy
and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.
34 Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and everything that moves in them.
35 For God will save Zion
and build up the cities of Judah,
and people shall dwell there and possess it;
36 the offspring of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall dwell in it

Luke 1

76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins,

78 because of the tender mercy of our God,

whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.




Abba, We thank You for Jesus. Asking Jesus to pray with us


The Old Testament covers the things we'd never wander into. Because God, our God, our Father God was Working! Thank You Father GOD for the Way, Truth and Life You have Shepherded us out of. Alleluia!!!

Father God we give You thanks and real thanks, and real gratitude to be people of our Generation. For steam for infants who are newborn. For pneumonia conquered by antibiotics. For CPR. For Phones bringing us loved ones from far away. For airplanes for the exact reason. For Air Conditioning in Texas in August! For You Tube bringing us Awesome, Wonder filled People of GOD bringing us to tears of Joy. For Social Media bringing us moments of Joy we would never see otherwise.

For Video that decreases injustice and makes paths new in ways pleasing to God.

We give great thanks to the people of God who enable others to stand and Rise to Jesus. We are not the people who proclaim the denominations of the 1960s and 1970s and instead say "I Believe in Jesus Christ. I know Him."

We are the Generation seeing amazing Archaeology telling and revealing and showing and encouraging the love we see all over of People who Love Jesus and Love His Word. We are the Easter People seeing the Bible affirmed as God's Love.

We are the people who believe the Word of God is alive and well. Working God's Good Pleasure. Believing God has the Ability, Desire and Works Today toward Love.

Father God, with my whole heart, I thank You, I lift up those I Love. Knowing Your Capable Hands will tenderly act. I lift up the improbable with this prayer, I lift up all the people who ever asked for prayer from me and you. Our Father God, knows exactly what the One He Loves Needs and Will be Cared and Loved for. And I rejoice knowing some of my improbable prayers are just casually told an impossible miracle and I feel like falling to my knees with the awe of You Working.

We do not pick and choose what You, Father God will answer. And yet Revelations tells us all Prayer is inhaled as sweet aroma to You. And in this Generation - we know suddenly aroma is knowledge. And Your Loving Word tells us this is also Your Love.

I lift up my 5 or 6 benign cysts to You. For healing. I lift up the Good News that Edward's cysts are going to be ok and say Thanks.
I lift up family moving away. I lift up grandchildren unborn. I lift up opportunities unseen. I give You Thanks for Today. Blessings Given and Received with THANKS.

I offer up Blessing prayers for those who have suddenly blessed me.
I offer up Blessing prayers for those who have diligently blessed me.
And I cover Jesus on those who are a little disappointing. Knowing Jesus Loves us All.

May Our Loving Father Bless us with the Joy of Answered Prayer and His Abundant Mercy we ask in Jesus. God sized grace.

In Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

John 1 ~ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome

Top Box Office is Dunkirk.

Has the USA recently had anything remotely similar?

Severe Weather
Over 26 Inches of Rain Triggers Record Flooding in the South, Including the Sabine River

20 Parishes Louisiana

March 18 2016 05:00 PM

And all of this does not Touch the months and months Houston Churches Harris County Churches and Montgomery County Churches did, themselves, to feed all the people in the Astrodome and Reliant Arena for Months and Months. The Civilians who helped during Hurricane Katrina's Recovery in Louisiana and  Mississippi. A vast portion of these meals came from the Churches.  Months of cooking, cleaning and serving for Jesus Christ's people.




Record flooding occurred along a sizable stretch of the Sabine River along the Texas/Louisiana border, due to record releases from Toledo Bend Reservoir, first put in service in 1966.

Aerial view of the Toledo Bend Dam near Burkeville, Texas, on Mar. 10, 2016. At the time, a record release of 207,644 cubic feet per second, or abou 1.5 million gallons per second, was occurring. (Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office Deputy Rusty Bailey)

Aerial view of the Toledo Bend Dam near Burkeville, Texas, on Mar. 10, 2016. At the time, a record release of 207,644 cubic feet per second, or about 1.5 million gallons per second, was occurring.
(Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office Deputy Rusty Bailey)

The river crushed a previous record crest near Burkeville, Texas by over 5 feet, topped a 1913 record east of Bon Wier, Texas, and topped an unofficial record from 1884 in Deweyville, Texas, Monday.



In just six days, the cooperative station outside of Monroe (26.96 inches), picked up half the average annual precipitation of Monroe's Regional Airport (53.71 inches).

Suffice to say, this was one of the heaviest March rain events on record in this area, more reminiscent of a tropical storm or its remnant.

We all know this is a disaster. But where is the Joy in the few number of deaths. The willingness to get in the amazing rain and go out and help one another.

What causes people to risk the weather to help one another?

John 1

4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

9The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.




Philippians 2

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,a 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant

6,900,000,000,000 gallons of rain in one week

The catastrophic Louisiana flood is the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Hurricane Sandy four years ago.

"Thousands of people in Louisiana have lost everything they own and need our help now," said Brad Kieserman, the Red Cross' vice president of disaster services operations and logistics.

"This disaster is the worst to hit the United States since Superstorm Sandy, and we anticipate it will cost at least $30 million -- a number which may grow as we learn more about the scope and magnitude of the devastation."

Tens of thousands without homes is testing local hospitals' operations, especially in light of reduced federal funding for hospital preparedness. The hospital system was full tilt ready from the experience from Hurricane Katrina Triage Hospital experience.

Officials at Medical Center-Baton Rouge, concerned storms might cause them to lose electricity, transferred about 57 critically ill patients to affiliated facilities across the state on Sunday.

1,000 Year Flood.

13 lives were lost.

7,000 Rescued. Civilian Rescues. Volunteers willing to see all situations - in terrible weather.




James 2:21-24

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

The devastating floods in Louisiana stretch over 20 parishes.

What created the pathway to so few deaths?

Obviously, Dunkirk had bullets, missiles and bombs as peril. 

The civilians and the government rescuers face drowning, lightning, snakes and wild creatures. There is always a potential for violence. Seeing death. Trauma to face. Dealing with despair. Hardship. And praying for a good long time for recovery. It was said there were as many rescuers as rescued and some people still waited a day or even two for help.

Knowing this - the massive rescue was a miracle of God Himself.

In our day and time.

Father God,

We need to see, understand, proclaim, and pray knowing this Generation calls in Prayer to be stronger to meet Challenges of Life.

Today.

Remembering Encouragement is to see the Positive.

We need to take the time and say the grace was given in this 1,000 year flood. The rescuers who did not think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

In Louisiana we have seen,

One body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,

They, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Having gifts of faith; service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.


Rescue  time and time again:


Genuine Love. Holding fast to what is good.

Loving one another with brotherly affection.

Let us not forget to outdo one another in showing honor.

Let us have zeal, be fervent in spirit, let us Serve the Lord. Seeing the Good. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. More prayer is needed for recovery.

Let us see them contributing to the needs of the saints and seeking to show hospitality.

We give thanks Father God, this is today and these are Your People. We ask for even more abilities to help people like this in need. And give thanks for the times we helped.

Calling faithfully to Father God, praying with asking Jesus to pray with us - for the people we Love. For all the people we have ever prayed for. For our needs and cares. For cysts to be healed of the cause.  Renewed healing and love provided for by God's Willingness. For our employment and life opportunities. For our Churches. Schools. Jesus covering this Nation. And the World. For Christians covering the world faithfully with prayer - Pleasing our God. Blessing our God. Praising our God.

In Jesus. Amen.

Hacksaw Ridge (2016) - IMDb

92%  Rotten Tomatoes 

The extraordinary true story of conscientious objector Desmond T. Doss

Doss saved 75 men in Okinawa, during the bloodiest battle of WWII, without firing a single shot. Believing the war was just but killing was nevertheless wrong, he was the only American soldier in WWII to fight on the front lines without a weapon. As an army medic Doss single-handedly evacuated the wounded near enemy lines - braving enemy fire and putting his own life on the line.

He was the first conscientious objector to ever win the Congressional Medal of Honor.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

John 21:24-25 ~ the world itself could not contain

The Lord God Almighty is Vast. He may be the entire Universe we live in. How would God build the Universe and Love us. Knows the stars by name. He does Love us. We would not know God, except our Father would delight in us. His Child. His Children. His Beloved.

John 21:24-25

24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.


Ephesians 2:8-9
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.


The Word of God will endure always.

John 17:17
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.


John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

In Creation, The Father and Son placed the Holy Spirit above the waters. And Delight filled our Father. Jesus, God's Son delighted to see the master work and the variety and beauty. Our Father delighted in Jesus. Jesus was the delight of our Father. And our Father saw Jesus delight in...mankind.



And as we consider the Love God is. We realize Jesus has brought our Father a new Heaven and a new earth. To bring the Holy Spirit to dwell in us as we seek Father God. Genesis did not bring the Holy Spirit into mankind. Jesus has brought His Holiness into dwell within our souls where we delight and love and hope and yearn and lean to our Father God's unending and steadfast love.


John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.


We have seen with the eyes of our soul. Jesus would today go to the Pool of Bethsaida. And go back again to the man waiting for healing for 38 years. And Jesus would continue in His Father's Willingness and we would know today the name of Bartimaeus.

The willingness Jesus cried out, "If you have seen me, You have seen the Father."

The Father running to his belabored and brought down child. The widow who would be alone. And God brought her son back to life as he was carried to his tomb.


Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Jesus forgave the thief on the cross with Him. Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery. Jesus forgave the tax collector who was known to take more than owed. Jesus forgave Nicodemus who would not stand with Him. And Peter. Jesus forgave the Synagogue official who was not following Jesus and gave his daughter her life again for her parents.

Jesus Son of God. Jesus Light of the world. Believers see the Light of Christ in one another. Jesus became so filled with Light, He left His accusers. God gave us His Son. Who opened His arms to all the pain and suffering and rejection to be our Salvation. God of Love. God of Encouragement.

10 of the Disciples stood apart. Jesus would not stand apart from them. Jesus would not stand apart from His Beloved Child - you.


What has God Given? Life. Love. Healing. Renewal. Eternity. Because of God's Love. Welcome into His Life and Love and Heaven.




Abba,

You have given us all. And we are able to give You thanks, worship and Love. Only this comes without Your Gift before.

What has God Given -  All of eternity with Love.

Dwell in us, Abba, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that God raised him from the dead, I will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I praise You Father God. Your Love is pervasive. And Your Will is Good. Your Will is triumphant. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Dwell is us. Let us know daily Your Willingness in the Holy Spirit. Let us be like Isaiah saying, "Send me!" And in the Call of Jesus Christ, I place those I love. The people You have given me. Knowing in Your Love, Your care, Your Good Will - we dwell loved, cherished, tenderly listened to, Beloved of God. And in this Goodness we trust in Your answers and in seeing someday, in Your Glory, know all things work together for Good for those who Love You and work according to Your Purpose.

And we will dwell secure. You are Good.

In Jesus we rest these beloved people, their cares, needed prayers for cyst healing or removal, ears, feet, eyes, allergies, and know Thanksgiving for Your answers.We uphold the families of our Churches and Community, for this Nation to be blessed with God's Love. God's Wisdom, Joy and Blessing in His Churches and the Bible Studies.

We ask for provision for needs met and prosperity. Peace in our schools and places of employment. Recalling this joy in Jesus. And His Love and care. Knowing His Love spreads across this Nation and around the world. 

We are upheld in the Power of  His Living Word. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 ~ our God and Father Himself

12/4/14

1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, 
to establish and exhort you in your faith,
that no one be moved by these afflictions. 

For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

11 Now may our God and Father himself,
and our Lord Jesus, 
direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, 
as we do for you,
so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, 
at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

James, the Brother of Jesus. The man who ate dinner with Jesus. Bothered Jesus sibling style. Goaded Jesus in life recorded in His Word. Lived to Love Jesus. James said this Word of God - We ask Father God to give wisdom. The result is - He will.

We want to say to Jesus when we arrived at our Heavenly Home ~ "I stood for Your Great Love, Jesus."

Our standard is Jesus.
He is the one to look for. 
Would Jesus do this?
This is the frame of all reference.

And Easy to Remember.   

1 .Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Our standard agrees with God's Word. God's Word stands very firm. God does not need our belief for God to be God.

2. We want to be in daily relationship with God and read His Word. Expecting His Word to make a difference in your heart. Spiritual roots. Prayer. Small group Bible Study recorded in Book of Acts - encouragement.

3. Open mind to God and His Will. Not our established pride. 

Believing God would want to have a good plan for you. We ask God to be Open to Him. Give HIM time each day to let His truth soak in us and have truth established in our soul. More than emotion. To be like Jesus moving to Capernaum to be near the faithful.

3. Speak the Truth. God's way says follow Him.

4. Solely self or doing God's Will. He gets you out of trouble. He puts you on your path of His.

5. Do what is just and right in integrity. We put forth God's way and let Him decide the fate of the seed. God is sovereign.

6. This would please Jesus as His Child. Jesus called us His Beloved. When we trust God, His plan for for us is good.

7. Bring thoughts to Jesus. Pray constantly, casual conversational prayer, to be centered in Jesus, to please Jesus and in firm expectation that He is going to help.

8. Bitter, hurt, grudge envy and selfish ambition is not from God; creating a cold heart. Let it go. Avoid what isn't good for you. Like bad TV or fuzzy noise. Peace, loving, considerate, impartial and sincerity is from Jesus.  Do the Good Will God has for your life. Work in His Will.

9. Record the truth. Write this down. Not to be choked out by the concerns, glories and riches of life. Be still to know God.

10. Trust God when we don't understand.

Father God,

Please, You are  welcome to dwell in me.  Bless me to cover my transgressions. Bless me with Your Grace. Bless me with all Your willingness. Thank You.

Asking Your blessings. Your forgiveness. Grace to others. God guide our nation, state, city. Our Church leaders. Our family. Our friends and loved ones. Help us best do Your will for our day and lives. Your mercies renew and repeat. Help our open minds see You at work, Father God.

Asking health for Edward and for me as we suddenly both have cysts. Good health for all with health concerns, knowing Your Goodness, Father God.

Open our eyes each day to see Your blessings and remember the blessings. Let us live in love each day saying Give us this day for all we Love. Knowing as we rest this evening - we did please You. In Jesus let Your Will and Word be done. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Luke 6:17-26 ~ He went down with them and stood on a level place

Luke 6:17-26

He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, 19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

20 Looking at his disciples, he said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.

Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.

Blessed are you when people hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of Man.

23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

24“But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.

25 Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.

Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.

Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

This  post is chosen, before finding out the message.  It is apt. My son is going to Law School across continent. My husband has a nuclear brain image showing his Frontal Lobe is in severe damage. And is fine with the move saying our son has moved forever. My husband is doing ok and played 3 locations of disc golf on Saturday. I am happy my husband is doing well, but sad for the lack of depth of emotion.

God's Peace rushes over me to keep enjoying today. Even the parts that were sad.  Blessed to have God who Loves. Blessed to be His.




Take the culmination of our life
To God.
Then take you  as you really are.
What you like that makes you the person you are
What could make you more of that Person to Him.
What you Love.
What you really are forgiven for.
What makes you worry and fret.
What you can do for those you Love
What makes them more of what You Love about them.
And makes something you say as you go to Jesus - I did this.

What is your best and real self
God gives us joy within us for our strength - for our hope and endurance and our compassion.

God allows us to place who we are before Him, be real, be forgiven. Have Gratitude 

And do that with the discipline you have. What God will be with you to do. Thank God.



This passage is like God. Very real.




Father God,



We can look and find passages where Jeremiah complained. Paul died. And David was very sad. We can see Rehoboam mess up Heaven and bring life.

Noah got drunk. People get mad. They don't care what your life is - they want this to be tidy and without feelings of discomfort.. We mistakenly say God to act as if God was running for President.

Not creating Your Son in scandal and being born in a barn from a town were family dwelled. Not seeing brothers rarely got a long in the Bible.

Joel Olsteen said a lot of life feels like life passed you over. And these are the moments that we can actively seek to do pull ourselves up only in belief God is for us. Only God creates in us the goodness to Love and Go Forth in hard circumstance. God is for us.

The message of the Bible is to do our best. Base self worth upon God. God covers offenses not with cheap and easy grace but with Sheer Love and Compassion when we pour our earnestness to Him.

This is why we connect to  You, Father God. God is told to be and is - God of Love. God of Encouragement. God of make a Way, Truth, Life in Jesus.

 God covers us with His Righteousness.

Father God, I ask Your mercy on my family. For help in Your Mercy.  And in sheer gratitude for this family who daily help one another. Thank You for Today. Thank You for what You give me. In Jesus - who is Good.

Thank You for going with us on the Journey and giving us Faith, Hope and Love.  In Jesus Christ. God with us. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †