1 Chronicles 20 ~ David did

1 Chronicles 20

20 In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, Joab led out the army and ravaged the country of the Ammonites and came and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. And Joab struck down Rabbah and overthrew it.

2 And David took the crown of their king from his head. He found that it weighed a talent of gold, and in it was a precious stone. And it was placed on David's head. And he brought out the spoil of the city, a very great amount.

3 And he brought out the people who were in it and set them to labor with saws and iron picks and axes. And thus David did to all the cities of the Ammonites.

Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.


4 And after this there arose war with the Philistines at Gezer. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Sippai, who was one of the descendants of the giants, and the Philistines were subdued. 5 And there was again war with the Philistines, and Elhanan the son of Jair struck down Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.

6 And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants.

7 And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David's brother, struck him down.

8 These were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

Spring is going to arrive.

Ok, one more of those stories of war. Except - this is Scripture and this is Living and True. Filled with goodness.

Lions, Tigers and Bears.

Ammonites Philistines Sibbecai Hushathite - why doesn't God want His Children to have fellowship with them? They have a problem. The gods they worship like infant sacrifice for prosperity. Take the infant of your family - slit the throat and shake out blood and baby into the field. If you go to the Hardware store - you find Bone Meal. Excellent for plant growth. Horrid.

We don't see the Phoenician nation listed. They are an Ally. Tyre. Ally.

Recently we watched the Viking Dane invasion of England - the TV program "Last Kingdom". This happened for hundreds of years. And what the Danes began to discover is outraged Goodness Rises up. The Nation of the U.K. became whole. The murdered, the raped, the outrageous violence - cried out for God and the Nation rose up in God to find His Strength. Alfred became The Great. Alfred put the practices of God - "The Real Jesus" - first. World War II was the same. Comfort was second.

Eventually, the Danes wanted to live as the English, with the English, who believe in Jesus Christ. And they were baptized to be allowed to stay.


David is different than Saul. His people loot. Why? I couldn't exactly tell you. I have some guesses with the correct answer - God knows. The English began to look over the Danes and keep their weapons, warfare, ships and clothing. With the idea the Danes had been murderous and this was this. God had never intended Saul to prosper. It could be God wanted the housing to rot, the animals to rot and become natural fertilizer. God has His Good Reasons. Where Ammonites Philistines Sibbecai Hushathite murderous? Yes, as the nomads of Israel lived in the complete wasteland of the desert - the Ammonites Philistines Sibbecai Hushathite wanted them dead. Why? Lots of people and the desert now had shade, cloud, water and warmth. Cloud by day, fire by night. And food. Ammonites Philistines Sibbecai Hushathite provided murder and murderous intent. Probably not the people you'd send your children to play with either.

David - does not kill - David makes work.




Now where is the heartwarming aspect of the God of Love?

David. David has not put emphasis in taking the crown and melting it down and making something new of something old. David merely puts a crown on his head. The movies have David Victorious. David was not - - - Victorious like the movies. David has very small victories which begin to line up. David actually loses the crown place of Israel three times to Saul's grandson and to Saul's concubines sons.

David's entire life has David working to see Faith when Faith is Unseen.

David is going to keep his donkey for loyalty when the Huge Crowning Day arrives. David says "I'm me. I'm God's Child. I like my Donkey and I have done the work. The Crown doesn't have to melted down and made pretty. I'm borrowing from Phoenician culture to build my dream house out of the City Safety Walls. I trust God to keep me safe."

Heartwarming - the crown is - plop - this one will due. It's pretty. The mode of arrival? The Donkey. David's favorite.

Does David make a speech to the crowd (us - the millenniums of God's Believers) about his - this and that - decision making? No, we have to study David to see if he is looking for the heart of all matters - God. The details of David add up. He is pleasing God.




Points of Interest

The Giants. No one will - not - think twice about a Giant. We need Archaeology. We do have Archaeology found in The Israel Museum.

And God has given us a memory device. Bones are not found in Israel. We have not found Giant bones. The Prophets tell us the bones rise. We don't find bones in dry and bone collectible Israel. The bones are Gone. Only 200 bones were found in all of the 1990s and fewer still after that. Ossuaries - yes. Tombs - yes. Bones - no. Prophets tell us bones rebuild and rise up. Like reported in the Gospels.

God is putting the pieces together. Goliath is found in Goliath's hometown and mentioned with David. We can see this today in The Israel Museum.

The Scriptures repeat. Moses took the Children of God safely through the Red Sea by the Power of God. There is Archeological flood evidence of the Jordan flooding from Joshua taking the Children of God safely through to Jericho. A local queen's tomb is found. And in the tomb, found by Princeton Archaeological Studies in early 1960s, the story of the Jordan flowing backwards. This repeated on video in the last 10 years during the blessing of the Jordan with an Orthodox Church. 100's of people witnessed and videoed the Jordan River flow backwards. Actually this is recorded on video several times only during the Blessing Ceremony.

The Giant rears up to say defeat. The Scriptures tell us faith is living daily in the belief God is in control. In the evidence, in the history, in the truth, in the enduring Love of God - we go forth with God in His Love, Glory and Victory.

With God's Love in us, we want to see the upbuilding of our marriage, our family, each other, our nation, our Churches, our schools and universities, our Nation and other Nations to rise in God also.


All things are possible with God.






Abba,

As we pray, we ask the Blessing of Jesus.

James knew Jesus marvelously well as His Brother.

And as we pray with You, we remember what James wanted to say first about Jesus:

We will persevere in the perfect Law of Liberty, with Jesus living within us. We will be a doer of God, who acts as a Child of God because of His Willing Love to us. Blessed to be a doing Child of God.

We will not deceive our hearts, but make our words pure. Worthless talk shows we are merely religious. Remembering as we ask Your Blessing, not to speak unwisely and ask Your curse using Your Name. We will remember, as we see Your Children, to bear with the affliction in the world - visiting widows and orphans. The goal is knowing the world has a stain and we will not swim in this.

Seeing wisely every blessing, seeking to see the Good. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Encouraging others we Love with gentleness. Pointing out to the ones we Love, what we Love and see in them - God sees more of.

All things are possible with You. Fill us, fill our loved ones. Sweep our lives, the lives of all those who pray and we Will notice, with rejoicing, more and more blessings to rejoice in.

To God be the Glory and here we will truly Rejoice.

Amen in Jesus!

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

2 Samuel 7 ~ God Dwells.

Mesha Stele, Telle Dan Stele, Papyrus of 7th Century (only one of 3 of this century) confirm House of David. Apparently David knew God had told David something of History.

2 Samuel 7

1 Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, 2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent."

3 And Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you."

4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, 5 "Go and tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. 7 In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"'

8 Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. 9 And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.

10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies.

Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.'"

17 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.



18 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, "Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 19 And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord GOD. You have spoken also of your servant's house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord GOD!

20 And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord GOD! 21 Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it. 22 Therefore you are great, O LORD God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

23 And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making himself a name and doing for them great and awesome things by driving out before your people, whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, a nation and its gods?

24 And you established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever. And you, O LORD, became their God. 25 And now, O LORD God, confirm forever the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, and do as you have spoken.

26 And your name will be magnified forever, saying, 'The LORD of hosts is God over Israel,' and the house of your servant David will be established before you.

27 For you, O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, 'I will build you a house.' Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you.

28 And now, O Lord GOD, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.

29 Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you.

For you, O Lord GOD, have spoken,
and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever."

2 Samuel 5 encouraged Professor Eilat Mazar - 2nd Generation Professor of Archaeology at the University of Israel - to find David's Phoenician Palace complete with Phoenician elements. David felt safe in God, not needing the walls of the city. And a Bulla of Jeremiah's servant, Baruch, son of Neriah, (displayed in The Museum of Israel) found biblically placed in the prison of David's Palace.



The Bible just keeps telling us God's Word is Wise.

God's Word is Loving.
Glowing. Shining. Candid. Emotional. Expansive. Explanatory. Historic. Open. Plain. Profuse. Tender. Unconstrained. Warm. Warmhearted.

God's Word is True.
Accurate. Appropriate. Authentic. Correct. Genuine. Honest. Perfect. Proper.

God's Word is Good.

Excellent. Exceptional. Great. Gratifying. Marvelous. Positive. Satisfying. Superb. Valuable. Wonderful. Choice. Pleasing. Sound. Superior. Admirable. Commendable. Honorable. Splendid.




Far exceeding the fruitless Fig Tree.

David knew living in caves, crime against his family, living in ditches. Running. David knew Gratitude. Gratitude also kills roots - Roots of Bitterness.

John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Galatians 5:1
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:13
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

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

2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.


Abba,

Blessings of God dwell in me, please in Jesus Christ.

Live, Move, Have Your Being in me. Know every breathe, every thought, every cell. Be my Light.

Thank You Father for Jesus Christ. Live in me.

Thank You Father for Jesus Christ. Live in those I love.

Thank You Father God for Jesus Christ. Live in the Nations of the World - Light of Christ Shine in all of mankind.

Thank You Father God for Grace.

Thank You Father God for the Victorious Promises of Jesus Christ. Build the Temple of God within me.

Thank You Father God for Living Water and Light of Christ - Shine in the world You call Good - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.

Thank You Father God for Your Living Word - let the Word of God dwell in us all Richly - Building Your Body. Building the Church. Building Love. Your Word Living and Active Today.

In the Highest Name we can Praise - Jesus Messiah. Amen.

Thank You Father God for Mercy.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

2 Thessalonians 1 ~ According to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ

2 Thessalonians 1

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering-- 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might

10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

11 To this end we always pray for you,
that our God may make you worthy of his calling
and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,
12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him,
according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.


A Year pleasing to Father God.

New Opportunities and Challenges. In God's Plan - we will find our lives have more bounce and flexibility allowing us to see more of God's Blessings.


Father God,

We ask the Blessings of Jesus with your Grace and peace.

We give You thanks for Your Good Path and Will for our lives. We ask for an increase in faith to have fewer concerns for ourselves and the ones we love. Increasing Love along Your Path and Plan. Churches with Your steadfastness and faith. To have faith endure and overcome affliction.

To live leaning into the Faith and Joy of God's Righteous favor. The Blessing of Your Grace giving us worthiness in the Name of Jesus. Granting us relief from affliction in Peace and Grace. Relying on Your Protection.

We want to each day have daily Living Bread in the Presence of Jesus and Your Glory and Might. To marvel with believers. To approach You in Prayer. In Jesus daily being made worthy of Your Calling, Plan and Path.

To have every day assure us of Heaven filled with Your resolve and equipped to do every good work You have prepared.
Faith seeing us through in the Faith of Your Power.

We will plan on the Glory of Jesus and Your Grace. For ourselves and the ones we Love. For God's Perfect Plan  - where we all pray for His Perfect Blessing in one Accord of Jesus Christ for this year and each day.

Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Acts 1:1-14 ~ with One

Acts 1:1-14

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"

7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.

13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

1925 Jerusalem

Jesus' statue in the Garden of Gethsemane, Mount of Olives

Josephus records after all of Jerusalem destroyed in 70 A.D.(about the time of what would have been the natural death of Jesus, those whom He healed would have passed on) - Groves of Olive trees were allowed to live on The Mount of Olives - spared during the destruction and perhaps living in the Garden of Gethsemane today..

Many times we see in Scripture, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. And here we learn this was within eyesight of Jerusalem, due to the 7 hills, and, yet, has significant travel time. Most of the Bible has undertakings and process. With a precise view as to the Direction of God's Plan.

Acts 1 is a wonderful prayer of God. Mary saw her family scattered during Jesus' ministry. We don't know events occurred before His Ministry. The adult Jesus chose Capernaum and visited Nazareth with His Disciples and Family during the wedding of Canna.

Acts 1 has the glories and pressures of the these Spirit led days of Jesus - reuniting all of the Beloved of Jesus.  A Pinnacle of God's Glory. During this Life - the Risen, Victorious Jesus - God of Love, Hope and Encouragement - God places all of His Beloved back together on the Plan of God on His Path. A prayer of family.

This is a good place to hold on in Scripture. A good place to remind the Living Almighty God of His Fatherhood and love for our family. Our Father Loves us and His Living Word. Prayed - in conversation - His favorite.

Abba,

We read with Your Holy Spirit, Your Living Word. You are One. Our Mighty God.

For by grace you have been saved through faith.

And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.


Now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

For Jesus Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His Flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, Jesus might create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And Jesus came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

For through Jesus we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then we are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Jesus, you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

We open our hearts and hands to You, Abba. Putting our cares in Your Good Will. Seeing expectation, hope and Joy. Believing in Your Good Plan and Path for those we Love. Covering this place, this Nation and all believers with Your Love and Grace.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory Jesus may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being,

Jesus Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that we,

being rooted and grounded in love,
may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,
that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to Jesus who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!

In Jesus, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

John 20:29 ~ Believe

John 20:29

More blessed are the eyes that have not seen, and yet believe.


The Gospels have personality. Each Gospel is indeed written by the Person who declares the authorship. Just as Papyrus 46, all 300 intact chapters of the New Testament were probably in existence during the life of John the Beloved Disciple.

Bishop Papias of Hierapolis interviewed John on Patmos Island and asked him what he thought of the other Gospels. John said he agreed with all of them and saw them as accurate.

The Gospels present Jesus in the way this person came to faith. The orderliness of the events make complete sense to the author of the Gospel in the Power of the Holy Spirit.





Spoiler Alerts.

Having a slight sinus infection, I spent today resting and watching Netflix super series "Last Kingdom." It's powerful. In fact, it's the perfect example of 72,000 ways not to be a Christian in the Middle of the Danes Invading in Rock and Roll gear. Evidently the Bible is right we do repeat! At least in fashion. Christian advocates - Best not to say to the wife in marital distress, "We will hope for the devil to get him." Best not to get your prophetic dreams entwined with the wrong face and make the knight look like the King. It tends to make vicious political upset. Thomas Becket has happened before.

Is this a timely time to watch the Movie Miniseries?
Probably - as this is the official day after Christmas ends - this is the way teens and twenties see the elderly Christians. It is interesting to see what outreach methods are successful. We will all certainly pray for one another - that our families do not look too much like the Danes...!!!

The Christians in this TV Series make you wonder Christianity ever survived. Instead of surviving to building the first hospitals, literacy, feeding the starving, creating enough safety to leave the forts. A few things like that. Proclaiming the Light of Jesus in all of mankind. Light of the world. Jesus.

However, somehow the writers know we are pulling for the Jesus believers and not Mjolnir's (sounds like Odin's) Hammer. In fact, God is being pulled for. In Christianity. The witch kills the child. We can cancel witchery. The Mjolnir Hammer people kill in the Most Appalling Ways Possible. This is the Rise of England and of Alfred the Great. Alfred is truly a man of learning and bravery. Learning what Christianity means to him. Failing. Picking up the faith again. Even Alfred the Great is looking for what we all are - "The Real Jesus, God of Love." Alfred the Great is finding Him.

Now this is Netflix, so it is R rated and things get messy. But a movie of 'historical content' has to make sense. We have to understand why Danes would want to become part of this religious fabric of 890 A.D. England. Where Christ is King. Battles are bloody, horrid and won with men realizing the God of All Gods has given these farmers battle over The Danish Terrible Murdering Pirates of the Real High Seas.

The Largest Dane, wearing his mother's own rib in his hair - has seen the Battle turn. He will not fight against the Kingdom where God is present. He is Baptized and blood thirsty killing becomes his past. Historically accurate.


Now of interest to Christians, the hoard of various Clergy is not leaving Alfred the Great. And Alfred the Great has grown into the wisdom God acts in many different people and they relate poorly to each other. The Clergy has realized - it is up to them to continually be persuasive that Jesus is indeed God. They have fallen from being the knights and generals and have become the encouragers of God. To see the people of God do the healing and Word of God continuing to upbuild the Nation, the civilization and each individual. We come to realize Traumatic Shock Syndrome is far from new. The series is offensive. And people of faith often look very ridiculous - and then you see the people of God - who put their lives into His Faith and do amazing deeds for the Lord.

It is eye opening to see the movie series has to accept a History including Jesus Christ's Church.

A faithful Christian, Alfred was scholarly and lenient man of a generous and reasonable nature who energized training and enhanced his kingdom’s lawful framework, military structure and his nations' personal satisfaction. This war tale is told from the side of a knight who grew up as a Dane slave. He is not a Christian, and watches all of this with a personal priest - who has adored him all his life - being assigned to him.

Makes having a sinus infection worthwhile - hopefully for one day.



God sends us all forth to bring more Light to the world around us.




Abba Father God,

How Blessed we are not to be invaded by butchers. Blessed to have wonderful peace.

Blessed to be the recipients of what our forefathers fought for in our Religious Freedoms.

Blessed what so many have fought for to advance our culture.

Blessings of God are finding the healing and Joy God provides. May we all continue to have and love and enjoy and give more of Your Love in the Holy Spirit.

These Blessings we pray for our Children, our Love Ones and as we celebrate the people who pray with love and faith we know our prayers go around the world God finds Good.

Jesus Bless us this day and always we pray,

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 116 4/17/16

Psalm 116

1 I love the Lord, because he has heard
my voice and my pleas for mercy.
2 Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”

5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
our God is merciful.
6 The Lord preserves the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
7 Return, O my soul, to your rest;
for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

8 For you have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling;
9 I will walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.

10 I believed, even whena I spoke:
“I am greatly afflicted”;
11 I said in my alarm,
“All mankind are liars.”

12 What shall I render to the Lord
for all his benefits to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord,
14 I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his saints.
16 O Lord, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.
You have loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the Lord,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!



Reprint 4.17.16

We live on the Gulf Coast. The weather reports are always inaccurate, because the wind of the vast ocean is unpredictable. So unpredictable the weather might say 100% chance of rain and we might not see rain for 3 weeks. The cities further inland do not have this struggle with weather forecasts.

We cannot say do not take your umbrella. However, we can say with gratitude, Lord God Almighty, Father, if You never do another thing for me, I thank You for Your Salvation provided to me in Jesus Christ the LORD.

Life does give us storms. Anger. Pondering in long nights of sleeplessness. Times when it seems the silence of God is unrelenting.

Yet we have a complete guarantee. God our Father hears us, and in this life, we will see prayers answered. Daily.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 116
I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

Psalm 65:4
Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple

Micah 7:7
But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

Psalm 4:3
Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.


Thank You, Father God, for all of the prayers You have heard of mine. For the Yes, the no, the wait, and the no way. 

Father God, Thank You so much for the disappearance of the tornado Sunday night just vanished during prayer in the Houston suburbs. So many people are saying they are having flooding. Alex is moping out his very elderly parent's house where he diligently cars for his brother in a wheelchair. Roofs have leaks. People are concerned for their businesses. The Tomball Schools are closed. Please help the people who pray to be more diligent in asking God for the impossible with confidence and answer the call to pray with Verve and Belief.

Thank you that the lump in my arm is leaving and my BP will lower. I will diligently do the work of getting rid of problem areas of  weight, caffeine and junky sugar foods.  We pray for Edward to walk into Heaven boldly on the day You have set for us all in Your Book of Life. For His brain to be fed by his soul through You. For his muscle pull to be healed. For good communication.

Thank You for Your Help and Mercy, in Jesus.    Your way for us all. In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Luke 6 ~ Blessed are you

Luke 6

20 And he lifted up his eyes
on his disciples, and said:

"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. 22 "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25 "Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. "Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. 26 "Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.

27 "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. 32 "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

37 "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;
38 give, and it will be given to you.

Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

39 He also told them a parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

Build Your House on the Rock

46 "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? 

We are building Christmas every day.

And soon will end the Christmas season - children are spending time in conversations with family - school hasn't started. The Biblical Magi have yet to appear. We are building something new for Jesus Christ and ourselves  - every day. Building on the Foundation of Jesus Christ.


Jesus has told us in the beginning of Building, we sit down to count the cost. And we will assess how we do as we go. Jesus has told us so many times we do better to travel with Jesus and not worry so very much. Our very lives will increase. If we trust God. God informs us in the Beatitudes - we will have trouble and difficulties. We don't necessarily pick the difficulties. And with Jesus, we hope we don't pick up difficulties to create hazard for our very selves and souls. Jesus is telling us - this is going to happen to us all - we can now stay in the rut or drive out. Drive out by acknowledging all of us will have some similar situations. And by being merciful beyond our merry comfort zone - we increase our lives - not looking solely at our naval.

Remember with me, Jesus sometimes just said it as it was! To cause a remembrance! Instead of always tip toeing around - Jesus could call it as He saw things. Really Jesus was and is refreshing. Are you a Teacher of Israel - we all want to be considered mature to Jesus - and He says then try a little bit more instead of going home and being comfortable. Jesus tells us to be born anew. How? Put some faith in God and move out beyond the naval. A few risks at kindness. A few more obligations. Some real joy - not being the one who finds grouse. Let the Horizon find goodness instead of the people who will - always - comment. Celestial Seasons not duck or grouse seasons.

Doing your best? Then allow yourself to know - you - very much - please God.

And in showing mercy beyond the sacrifice - you find grouse hunting isn't so appealing. When we aren't condemning - we are listening with kindness. When we are commented upon - find someone to comment kindly with in appealing to God ways.

A Child of God has a Judge. I read a Christian Biography of a man who had excelled in all things. And his wife annoyed him as he went to and from Wall Street, in his career among careers. He found a man who was peaceful and serene, among the fast falling in the heavy career hitters. And he was impressed with the zen, self reliance and calm. The man told him, he'd been a Christian for decades. He didn't need the comment - he well and good knew He pleased Father God.

This man's path from God was filled with rewards and perils. And the fruit tells us - this was His Path for this man:

And as they travelled the God Path together - the cold career calculator learned from the self reliant Christian - the calculator found his wife was his warm goodness given to him by God. When the other commenters were snide to climb his career right over him - his wife and his Christian friend correctly pointed out the truth was with God. Put down the grousing. Put down the pride. Put the comment in the right place. Fear folded up and handed to God. The comments - not needed - mercy and kindness were strength.

In truth, this man was learning Luke 6. Forgiveness. Mercy - Who has the opinion who really counts. Jesus. Giving the Celestial Mercy, then God bestows and is raising out of the day to day ewie gooie.

A daily way with Jesus - God of Love.

Finding the view from where God has given you. Being warm. Building where God has given you to find His Mercies Renew. His Blessings endure.

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

8 You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place-- the Most High, who is my refuge-- 10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

14 "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.

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



Wide is the highway to plentiful benefits. With many a shaky turn. Eventually a leading to ennui and distrust of the repetition for reliability.

In fact, all age groups, all men and women, all rich and poor struggle with repetition every day. Our Christian Biography "Walking with Arthur" took place on the subway, each day to the same office, on the same street. For years.

Building anew. How would we build if we did not Believe God would help us? We would become repetitive Ralph. Albert Einstein said repetition is not going to yield - instead Olympians know repetition is to advance. God will go with us when we need diligence. Particularly, in diligence, we can find Bill Murray's "Groundhog Day."

In all Seasons of Building Anew -

Luke 6 - is also not dwelling upon what is in yourself. Luke 6 dwells on being a blessing to others. The view is upward and outward.

Psalm 91 - reverses the look into self past ego and says find peace within. God is here. God is dwelling in you.

Matthew 7

The View from the same Parable of Jesus across the meadow.


1 "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. 6 "Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.


God told us to have wisdom. He didn't say wallpaper the husband, the friend, the parent, the child with grousing. Jesus said He is the Way the Truth the Life. He didn't say plug up the path for someone else to find the path.



7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Leave the Light on. Be someone willing to say and be diligent to pray for others. Show the path of the Light of God. If we are bearing the beauty of the Light of Christ - we will have less time to point out what others do. And the view of Life is better. And feels better to the Light bringer.

12 "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. 13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

By the time we are middle aged, we have seen some victorious souls provide living examples the Path to God is doable as they enter Heaven. We learn that the narrow path is Love. And were all meaning connects.


15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

Jesus is the Good Tree. We are His vines and that fig tree had seen better days. We are most blessed to be the people of the Merciful New Covenant. We need this grace upon grace daily with verve. Help our fruit - Father God and of those who are our narrow path. We need Jesus. Not the river rock wear of culture in our creeks.


21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'

With the help of God Himself in His Son, Jesus:

24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
We pray Jesus when the wild winds of life howl and understanding has not happened.

26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."

Because we know the Name of God we call upon: Jesus Christ.

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.




Abba, Abba, Abba,

We call to bless us in Your Authority.

Heaven and earth are Your's. You are God of Love, Hope and Encouragement.

Fill us this Season and all Holy Seasons to continue in our soul with Your Holy Spirit.

Bless, Bless, Bless - we ask with Jesus - our cares to strengthen and encourage us. Renew us daily with Blessings we have the heart to see and Love. Bless, Bless, Bless those we Love. Strengthen them with Jesus. Bless all those who pray for the people You have given them. And in this prayer - with the Power of Jesus - we cover Your Good Creation.

Amen in Jesus Christ.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †