Romans 8:28 ~ His Purpose

Have you ever looked through your papers you keep as important papers, and found a document from long ago? Held it in your hand and remembered the day, the time. I came across my father's birth certificate. He has been gone 24 years. The document had been typed on an old fashioned type writer and had the physician's signature. People had attended his birth and been so busy they were not sure if he was born late on the 11th of January or the brand new 12th. They had listed the 11th. My father had not enjoyed the lack of precision. He wanted to know. My grandmother, Bit, had not known this would be her first and last child - she hemorrhaged within a few minutes and was fortunate to have survived my father's birth. A little yellowing piece of paper and people and discussions are recalled.

The paper has outlasted my grandmother and father. Fragile, fragile piece of paper, old style type writer where papers routinely were torn getting them out of the machine. Outlasted a male baby human being and a young woman in her early twenties. I'd gladly trade the piece of paper for the people alive and with me again.



What would it be like to hold something King David and Solomon spoke of, planned for and blessed their own lives and the lives of their Nation and believers from 1000 B.C. to 546 B.C. The First Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem upon the Rock of Abraham. The beautiful piece of carved rock is from Solomon's Portico in the Second Temple. Which actually stood during the First Temple. When Jesus walked in Solomon's Portico, he was with pieces of the First Temple. The Chaldeans had thought the Portico was too beautiful. It had been very damaged and left.


Colonnade left from King Solomon's Portico. Could be from the First Temple used in the Second Temple. John 10:23. A portion of the Temple according to Josephus Antiquity of the Jews J. 5:5, section 1; Ant. 20:9, section 7, remained from Solomon's time. It rose from a great depth, occupying part of the valley, and supported by a wall 400 cubits high, formed of immense stones, some 20 cubits long. The Chaldeans spared it,  for the strength and beauty.  This is where the Remnant left from the Babylonian Exile worshiped. Jesus the Lord walked in its shelter.


Your eyes witness something King David and Solomon worked on for The Lord. You have seen Solomon's Portico where Jesus loved to be when He was in the Temple. And the Colonnade.

What if we could find something that told of Paul's Ministry? We really can.

No Foreigners - the Sign that Kicked off the Ministry of Paul

Paul was accused and this kick started his ministry. A fuss was needed so the Jews of the Temple of Jerusalem accused Paul of bringing Gentiles into the Temple. Paul would never have done this. And Paul ended up gaining an audience with Caesar. We find in Philippians 4, member's of Caesar's household became part of The Way of Jesus Christ.

God is so very, very interesting. Paul is falsely accused of bringing Gentiles into the Temple. And instead is credited with bringing the Gentile world to know about Jesus Christ, Savior of the world. God. Only God could do something like that. Acts 21 and 22. Jesus told Paul he would send him far away to the Gentiles. Jesus was right. And Paul was given the attention of the Jews to tell them what Jesus had said would happen. God brought that about - very, very nicely.

And Jesus sent Paul on his path with fanfare. Jesus is very interesting Himself. Very Interesting.

Acts 22

"17 “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw Jesus saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly"

Horses were sent for Elijah. What would Jesus send for Paul to move with haste?

Acts 23
23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” 25 And he wrote a letter to this effect.

470 men and a good horse for Paul.In Heaven, Elijah will probably ask Paul about that.

Because of the work God commissioned in Paul through the Holy Spirit, The Roman Empire from 500 B.C. to the Eastern Roman Empire of 1475 A.D. knew Jesus Christ as Savior of Mankind. And thanks to the speech before the Temple, we know Jesus was the fear of Roman Emperors just 16 years after Jesus died.


1 Corinthians 2:7
we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.



The mysteries we will learn in Heaven of God's Plan. His amazing, amazing plans.

Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 11:29
For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable.


Romans 8:30
And those He predestined He also called, those He called He also justified, those He justified He also glorified.







Our Abba,

We remember Psalm 1 as we think of Paul. Paul regretted his sense of Justice over Mercy. Paul never forgot his own mercy need.

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

We know God delights in those whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

And we recall Paul and the early Church Acts 5 had prison, Acts 14 dealt with Zeus, Acts 19 fight with the Temple Artemis. Acts 21 Paul is arrested. Through out Acts, the crowd is stirred up. We know the Words of God are indeed fulfilled. And this is the Prosperity of God having His Word fulfilled. Faith to see God's Will and His Delight all the way through.

We ask You for Your Blessings and protection each day. And see Your Will with eyes of faith. Seeing the Joy of Jesus with His creation from Genesis 1 to Revelation. Rejoicing with the Living Word in the Gospels, Jesus makes time to be with His Beloved. Jesus makes time to heal. Jesus makes time to teach. The Word exists for just that Child of God. You are that Child of God and we pray for all who believe in Jesus Christ to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

We pray for all of God's Church to have an increase of the Holy Spirit. And we will rest and rejoice for God fills the ones we love with His Spirit. God fills the ones God gives us with His Spirit. God fill our bodies with long life and good health. God to fill our places of employment. God to fill our computers and devices. God to fill our city. Our State and Our Nation. God to fill all the Believers who call upon Jesus. Seeing Your Word fulfilled - the people who call upon Jesus.

We thank you for the parents of Charlie Gard for Your help in helping their boy. We pray the blessing of the Holy Spirit and we would bring and see the fathers support the sons. And in our actions, choices and deeds to see more of Your Heaven on earth. And all the people of God pray for the peace of God to reach us all and bring more of His Love daily part of our everyday life. In Jesus we pray, remembering the joy Jesus had in healing people individually. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

John 14:1-3,13-17 ~ ask Me anything in My Name, I will do it

John 14:1-3,13-17

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”


Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.



Peace. To meet four medical concerns in two people. Another person to take on tremendous change and a move. And this is our family on Saturday July 22nd. To be part of a prayer answered in one of the people. To be part of God's plan for another. To have concern about the move.

The last time I had a Lipoma concern, my son was changing cities. And prayer was being answered. And now I have another Lipoma, while placing this in the same prayer category of answered prayer. I've had one we named Vanished and that Lipoma did utterly vanish. I am praying for this again - Vanished. Edward has had a testicular issue since he was 28 and it was never supposed to change and he has found 3 additional lumps - could be the same benign vein. My son is changing cities and we are puzzled about the debt for his Graduate School.



John 14 suits this part of life perfectly!

Abba,

We will not be troubled. We will pray for God's House to be pleased. You, God will arrange this to be placed to please You, Our Father. And we know the direction of Jesus is Good. A Hope and a Future.

We will ask Jesus for continued healing and the healing not to require surgery. We will ask my son to plan his life with the Blessing of God. We will keep His Commandments and recall His Blessings that at times have been so astonishing we have cried with gratitude for the Lord God Almighty, Our Father, to answer with such Mercy. 

We will ask for more of Father God's mercy over the coming years. And rely upon His Goodness. And when we are not sure what to pray, know God will bless us with the intervention of the Holy Spirit going deeply into our souls and dwelling there to return the prayers to Father God in His Home of Emerald Green. 

Blessings of mediation from Jesus Christ our God and Lord. The Willingness of Father God's goodness. We have the assurance of our prayers heard in the Kingdom of God by You, Father.  Blessings of Your Steadfast Mercy.

Jesus with us each day. Jesus with our loved ones each day. The Holy Spirit dwell in us richly and find the Joy Jesus has each day. Welcome Holy Spirit of God, Welcome. We pray for our Nation and for the believers around the world. More Heaven on earth. Jesus in the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.

We pray to stretch out each day to being of Your Joy and service. Gratitude for today, long life good health, a Jesus and Revelation Chapter One close.

Philippians 4

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.

14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.




Father Abba, Thank You, In Jesus' Name as Lord God. Your Will is so Good. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Luke 2:13-14 ~ Glory to God

Luke 2:13-14

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”


Pretty familiar words. Words to remember and rejoice.

And this is familiar:


Isaiah 6

I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”

4And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

Lord Jesus always cover us with Your Righteousness.
So many things today are understood more clearly. So many archaeological discoveries in the last years. The man healed of blindness is healed by Jesus in the way we know today of brain injury recovery. The boat immediately at the other side - quantum physics. The Hubble Telescope explains smoke in the Temple and Heaven.

Surely we must see the Throne of God in new understanding. With glee - God is about the beauty of the earth we know and the magnificence of the Universe. Glory that man mimics in things like fireworks and rock operas and Heavenly Choirs. God fully understands why we would turn the radio up as loud as we could to be shaken by sound.

Heaven might be baffling to the chariot and covered wagon people - yet we have an understanding of the Roar of Magnificence.

One of the Twelve Open Gates of Heaven

Ezekiel 43
Then he led me to the gate, the gate facing east. 2 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. 3 And the vision I saw was just like the vision that I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and just like the vision that I had seen by the Chebar canal. And I fell on my face. 4 As the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east, 5 the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple.

6 While the man was standing beside me, I heard one speaking to me out of the temple, 7 and he said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the people of Israel forever.

Matthew 17
2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.

These are passages of Scripture that begin to reflect the Glory of God. From Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah and Paul - these men of Scripture have been this close to Our Father God Almighty in His Kingdom. John reports in Revelation the Father shone with His face not seen to John.

We read Father God has dotted Heaven with objects we readily understand like trees and bright, shining water running right by His Throne.

Revelation 22
Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Not just the resplendence of the Seraphim above our Lord Father God. And the awe of the Universe bring forth stars - we learn of the importance of all our senses.

Revelation 8
And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

We know today our magnetosphere connects all the earth's lightning and the sun's flairs are intact to our lightning.

Revelation 4 has an amazing, brilliant splendor - spectacular, exaltedness of our God.

John sees a door standing and open to Heaven. The people our Father God has returned from Heaven tell us not just a door - indeed a door - a dimension falls away.

After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven!

And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

This is a familiar voice - the voice of Jesus saying breakfast is fixed on the beach after Jesus has Triumphed over Crucifixion. A Voice of Love. Come up here!

Like the journey of Paul, who was "caught up to the third heaven" and "heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell" 2 Corinthians 12:2

At once I was in the Spirit, and behold!

A throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.

And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.

From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder,
and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire,
which are the seven spirits of God,
and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.

These God asked of Solomon to place on the Temple Curtain.


And around the throne, on each side of the throne,
are four living creatures,
full of eyes in front and behind:
the first living creature like a lion,
the second living creature like an ox,
the third living creature with the face of a man,
and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight.


And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,

who was and is and is to come!”

Creation - chosen, created, special, with a purpose of God. All of creation waits. Birds, flowers, fish, trees, animals - great and small. For the revealing of the Sons of God.

Romans 8
This present time - not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing all of creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.

God answers us - if life is a test to reveal our hearts - God has subjected us to hope.

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope.

Life is sufficient each day when we look to the blessings. And still, each day has mundane aspects to maintain a regular life - this is when faith and hope call to us, unseen. We build a life in the small moments.



Father God, I want to be in that number!
And with each day, draw our hearts to 
be
a pleasing, inviting, favorable place
for Your Holy Spirit to dwell!!!

 Faith, hope, Love, Joy. In Jesus, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

 

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Nahum 1:3 ~ the clouds are the dust of His Feet

The Drawing of the Dove is a Symbol of Christ and His Baptism to bring us to His Life. And also of Noah and seeking Life.

I went on a walk on two separate nights and saw a huge bird in the clouds. Both birds had a clearly defined beak and both had angular wings. The walk was about 4 days apart due to storms. Both sunsets were particularly vibrant. I was the one who took the pictures and was astonished at the similarity.

Nahum 1:3
The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

Is this comforting? Yes. God desires to save the world. God has a large God sized task. And God is always finding a way to bring life. Life Abundant.


1 Corinthians 7
14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband.

Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.



Yesterday we looked at Mary. Mary was very swept along in life. She is the only person in the Bible to decide to rescue God Himself. Charging in to bring Jesus home and away from trouble. This has probably, very probably earned a human being, who teaches us about the variables of living a life of faith and being unsure in some moments - the right to sit on the Right Hand of Jesus. And this still makes Mary very human. And very elevated by God.


Who else was swept up by Life? Paul.

Acts 27

27 And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for. 4 And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. 5 And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7 We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. 8 Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.

9 Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.

13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. 15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship's boat. 17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along. 18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19 And on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.

21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.”

27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms. 29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship's boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it go.

33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.

39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.





The chapter is concise. A very truthful event is narrated. And in the narration of the truth is an analogy of passing from life to Life. Paul understands the direction he is going. And Paul has help along the way. Paul fully understands the end of his journey. And in the storm, Paul is calm. This is very fearful. God is in charge. The events unfold as Paul has explained in the Holy Spirit.

CS Lewis does the work God gives mankind - to believe upon the one God has sent. Changing events to make the realities more clear. A new vantage point. The journey all knees will bow before Jesus the Lord God.

And Acts 27 does parallel something John the Disciple discovered.


1 John 2

7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.

John always writes of what he has been eyewitness to.

John 19:
35 The one who saw it has testified to this, and his testimony is true. He knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. 36 Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.

John is telling us of Revelation 1. One Sunday John was sitting, having an ordinary Sunday. This would have been after 95 A.D., when Emperor Domition had exiled John to Patmos. Tertullian the secular historian records John's exile. John has not seen Jesus in about 63 years. John records falling to the ground in fear as his home melted away and suddenly he is with Jesus in His Kingdom. And our wonderful Jesus is very busy reassuring John his voyage is safely in the capable hands of Jesus.

Paul tells us in his voyage, he knew there would be no loss of life.

With confidence, we can put our faith in Jesus Christ.


Abba, our Abba,

I give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
Your name, Jesus Lord God, and Your Word.

On the day I called, You answered me;
my strength of soul You increased.

All the kings of the earth shall give You thanks, O Lord,
for they have heard the words of Your Mouth,
and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
for great is the glory of the Lord.

For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he knows from afar.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
You preserve my life;
You stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and Your right hand delivers me.

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Thank You, God!
You give us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Word of God is Power. Jesus tells us,
"My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."

Father, we pray each day at our home for marvelous life and gratitude for the blessings You give us each day. We ask wisely as Catholics due every Sunday, to bless us with an easy departure in Jesus Christ - bringing us swiftly to Your Home. In Jesus we pray You are the Father who sees us coming Home from far away. 

We welcome and bless You to dwell in us.

We will live by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Jesus is the Lord and God's only Son. Our Salvation. Jesus Christ. Thank you and Alleluia. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Isaiah 7 ~ Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel

We have an idea what Jesus looked like because the Shroud of Turin allows 3 D images. Jesus has even been forensically studied to see Jesus as a teen and as a child. No one has applied this to maternal images. Mary is always beloved as the Mother of God. Italy had a blockbuster television series in 2012 about Mary.


Do we know Mary? Does the Bible identify Mary? Do we really know when God planned to have Jesus arrive as our sole and soul Salvation?

Genesis tells us as Father God said, "Let there be Light." Jesus Christ Light of the World was Created. Father God delighted daily in Jesus and Jesus delighted in the master workmanship of all Creation, laughing with His Joy. Father God, said in Genesis, He would place the Holy Spirit over the waters. This meant everywhere because the water of the earth was very different in Creation. At this point, the Holy Spirit is still above and not within. God wants His People to be saved and the plan is made for the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, therefore we are purchased for an exceedingly high price of God's Son.

Mary is part of the plan, she is announced in Isaiah 7 to King Ahaz, grandson to the long lived King Uzziah. This is 700 years before Mary and Jesus are born.

Isaiah 7

When the house of David was told, “Syria is in league with Ephraim,” the heart of Ahaz and the heart of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind.

And the Lord said to Isaiah, “Go out to meet Ahaz, you and Shear-jashub your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer's Field. And say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah. Because Syria, with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has devised evil against you, saying, “Let us go up against Judah and terrify it, and let us conquer it for ourselves, and set up the son of Tabeel as king in the midst of it,” thus says the Lord God:

“‘It shall not stand,
and it shall not come to pass.
For the head of Syria is Damascus,
and the head of Damascus is Rezin.
And within sixty-five years
Ephraim will be shattered from being a people.
And the head of Ephraim is Samaria,
and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah.
If you are not firm in faith,
you will not be firm at all.’”

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” 

But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” 

And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. The Lord will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria!”

In that day the Lord will whistle for the fly that is at the end of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines, and in the clefts of the rocks, and on all the thornbushes, and on all the pastures.

In that day the Lord will shave with a razor that is hired beyond the River—with the king of Assyria—the head and the hair of the feet, and it will sweep away the beard also.

In that day a man will keep alive a young cow and two sheep, and because of the abundance of milk that they give, he will eat curds, for everyone who is left in the land will eat curds and honey.

In that day every place where there used to be a thousand vines, worth a thousand shekels of silver, will become briers and thorns. With bow and arrows a man will come there, for all the land will be briers and thorns. And as for all the hills that used to be hoed with a hoe, you will not come there for fear of briers and thorns, but they will become a place where cattle are let loose and where sheep tread.





This is astonishingly to the point of the era of Jesus Christ. Apparently, God has an idea, being Creator of All Things, Alpha and Omega, Ancient of Days about His Plan. Life is pleasant, work is part of life, they will cultivate the land. Curds indicate diligent householder work. Razor hair cuts. We see trade is incredibly abundant for products that keep like honey and wine. And trouble is coming as part of this abundance.


Mary is introduced as a virgin, a moral woman, a moral mother, a hard working woman in her household. Luke begins with the Song of Mary on these thoughts.

What other words tell us of Mary?

In probability of family, Mary knew of Elizabeth and Zechariah and the visit of the angel with a son on the way. She knew of Zechariah being mute. And Gabriel arrives. One who stands in the presence of God. Mary was surrounded by events so much larger than herself. An undertaking of the Holy Spirit. Extreme Magnitude of God.

God has placed words for us to hold on to - to know Mary and understand this woman of Nazareth.
We can know Mary.

~ She was greatly troubled
~ Tried to discern
~ “Do not be afraid, Mary"

~ For nothing will be impossible with God.”And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

My soul magnifies the Lord.

This sounds like it's a positive. What if she had said God is so in my thoughts, I believe His Good News. He is indwelling and the Joy bursts from my Soul. Ok, one is concise and God understands, but the other explains, not an explosion, but an intensely, brilliant clarity.

This is good for us to know. Jesus tells us about the seeds parable - not the loss of salvation, but stages of the journey. At this point, Mary is clear on the Truth of the Good News. She is prepared.

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

Mary has Joy. She really does. And the peace that passes understanding. Mary is a perfect display of a human being coming in contact with what is far, far beyond mortal mankind. She is not a bad person, we are fully aware and we find she is going to progress and leave this joy. She has all kinds of emotions - why? To live. To grow. To make choices. To have conversations with God. For us to see mankind progresses and has questions and God does not leave His Love for us as we figure life out. Mary displays the seed parables because she is human and very, very loved by God. He allows life to wash over her and some questioning. Alleluia for Mary. And Alleluia for God.

~He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”


This applies to Israel, the nation, being His Child, Mary and to us. God will remember His mercy when we feel afraid, alone, upset, flummoxed. God is here. God's nature is Steadfast.








~ wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

No unwed mother, no mother of any child, wants her child in a barn. This had to really strike to the core of the promises meeting the reality of God's Plan. Hurt.

The shepherds arrive to tell of - we heard this - No. The Shepherds arrive to tell of Heavenly Host. Angelic Visitation never recorded before.

~ Shepherds made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

~ Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.


Mary gives us an idea she is saying, "HOLD ON TO WHAT GOD TELLS YOU AND MAKE THIS SOMETHING YOU CAN GO BACK TO AND RELY UPON. HOLD ON TO WHAT GOD TELLS YOU."

Mary does something very positive about now. Mary is sitting beside Jesus, who is worshiped by the Magi. She proves she is far more able than King Herod and does not claim her authority, nor take away any worship from Her Son. Mary is content to be Jesus' Mother. Her lack of demand for worship continues as Joseph dreams and directs their safety upon his decision to move them to Egypt.










Mary shows up with Joseph to show God, indeed, Jesus is a first born male and Holy to the Lord. Word gets around. This started in the Temple with Zechariah and they are cousins.

Mary is pushed by forces too great for her. Way above her. Gabriel of God. God Himself. Even her parents. Joseph and then from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. The first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Mary is being swept along.

People of the Holy Spirit nourished and encouraged her. Simeon. And Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.

~ and a sword will pierce through your own soul also, so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”












~ and a sword will pierce through your own soul also, so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Yes. We have to examine this. The Word is Living and Active. Hearts revealed. Mary has revealed her life to be very, very involved with events to change Heaven and earth. God is displaying her heart. She has shown us what it is to be a person of faith. She is going to try with God as things look grim. Mary has a lot of questions. And God Himself is going to make sure she is cared for all the days of her life. Jesus' last thoughts are for His Mother.

Mary is revealing what is like to be human before God.

~ when his parents saw Him, they were astonished.

~ His mother said to him, “Son, why...

~ And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.

~ And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

Mary is indeed sure of What God Himself is Doing!!!

Luke 2:52
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Twice in the "GOSPELS", Jesus is referred to as being Joseph's son and blends in perfectly with all the other children of Mary and Joseph. You betcha Jesus is helping blend this rock Nazareth scandal back together. You betcha.

This is a pattern of God's! He points the direction and makes a path and fully expects like a Parent sending a child off to college that we are equipped to go the distance. And just as Jesus went to see Mary after He was an adult for the Wedding in Cana - God as Father expects to welcome us to the 12 open Gates of Heaven - Running to Greet us.

~ When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

~ 12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

Mary is calm and confident of God.

Mary has no clue what God is doing and she is not happy.

Mary charges in to rescue her son.

Matthew 12

46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him.a 48 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 4 9And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”


Kindly, Jesus did not say, "Get behind me Satan."  We are very clear Jesus understands His Mother is trying to rescue him. And Jesus is saying we keep the perspective Mary is fully human:

Blessed are the breasts that nourished you."

"More Blessed is the one doing the Will of God."








Jesus owned a garment we are all aware of His seamless Chiton, a coat. Seamless, made carefully with a stitch called circular knitting. Rare.

We can be sure Jesus was worthy of this goodness. And see that God has not left Mary out. Her children all come to understand the Light of the World has arrived and stayed with the Word of God. The events bring all of this full circle. Love.

Mary has done well. Her children know Jesus. Jesus waited for His Brothers. They have come fully with Jesus. Acts 1 and 2. Ephesians 3:20 ~ 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. Jesus has brought to mankind the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to all who believe in Jesus.<

Mary will spend her days with Love. Jesus has made sure.

And one Sunday afternoon John, the Beloved Disciple, will fall to his face because the Lord Jesus is giving John the glory to see the Kingdom of God. Jesus has paid John a very Heavenly visit. One we can be sure - Blesses God. And we say Amen.


Abba, You are our Father,

We invite Jesus to dwell within us and pray with us,

Our soul magnifies the Lord,
and our spirit rejoices in God our Savior,
for he has looked on the humble and the needs of all of mankind for salvation.
For behold, from now on all generations will call Mary blessed;
for You who are mighty have done great things for Mary, and for all who believe in Jesus Christ.
and holy is the Name of Jesus.

And Your mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
Your have shown strength with Your arm;
You have scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
You have brought down the mighty from their thrones

You have filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich you have sent away empty.
You have helped Your Beloved Israel,
in remembrance of Your mercy,
as You spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”


You are the Most Magnificent God! Our Salvation is from Your Good Will.

We give You our cares. You comfort us dwelling within us. We ask this for our Loved Ones.
For the people, You have given us. For the Nation. Our employment. Our Churches. Our Schools.
We ask for all Your Protection, Love and Guidance.

In You we will Believe. Jesus is Lord. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Luke 1 ~ “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Luke 1:26-38 ~ Greetings!

Luke 1:35-45 ~ The Most High +

Ephesians 3:20 ~ 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. Jesus has paid the price. He began a good work and has filled us with His Grace upon Grace.

Luke 1:26 ~ And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren