Psalm 91:4 ~ His faithfulness is a shield and buckler

Psalm 91:4

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


When we trust the Lord, we are braver.


Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

The Opportunities - taken - when Trusting the Lord.

2 KINGS 18:5
He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.

We can put a good Bible Study guess who this is.

Psalm 22:8
Commit yourself to the LORD; let Him deliver him; Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.

Psalm 91:14
Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.

Psalm 37:5
Commit your way to the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Psalm 55:22
Cast your burden on the LORD, and he shall sustain you

Proverbs 16:3
Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts shall be established.


This Trust parallels this:

Matthew 21:22
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.


Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.



Who Trusted the Lord?

Exodus 14

3 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
15 The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. 16 Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground."



Hebrews 11

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.


Father God,

Today we ask of You a Blessing and Receive.

We will place our Trust in You.

Jesus with the people we Love. Jesus with our cares and concerns. Jesus with the people You have given us. To You, Our Father, Who can do more than we ask or imagine.

Jesus is God and that is a Blessing.

Amen.

John 1 ~ After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me

John 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.

4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'")

16 And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"

20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."

21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?"

He said, "I am not."

"Are you the Prophet?"

And he answered, "No."

22 So they said to him, "Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"

23 He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said."

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"

26 John answered them, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie."

28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.' 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel." 32 And John bore witness: "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'

34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."


35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!"

37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, "What are you seeking?"

And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"

39 He said to them, "Come and you will see."

So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter).

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me."

44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

46 Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"

Philip said to him, "Come and see."

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!"

48 Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?"

Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."

49 Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"

50 Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these." 51 And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

John 8


57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and You have seen Abraham?”

58“Truly, truly, I tell you, Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

59 At this, they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple area

The Temple Jesus walks out of - hidden - is 36 acres.


Think of the Impossibility - Father God turns to fact.

1. Jesus is the incarnate Word of God.

2. All life of mankind comes from Jesus.

3. Jesus is the undefeatable Light of God.

4. We are born of the Will of God. The validation of all life is from God Himself.

5. We will all receive the Grace, Abundant Grace of God.

6. Jesus is taking all sins away. The Wrath of God is satisfied.

9. Son of God, Jesus is Lord.

10. We will see Jesus.

The Temple Jesus could freely walk from - was 36 acres.




Why would Jesus want to speak of Abraham? Certainly, the Jews loved to speak of the Abraham tradition.


What did Jesus see in Abraham?


Abraham went where God told him.

Abraham believed God and was held as righteous and as a Friend of God.

Abraham argued with the Lord God when Lives should be saved.


Genesis 14

1 The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. 12 They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.

13 A man who had escaped came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshkol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.


Lot had separated from Abraham for prosperity. Most would let Lot figure out how to save Lot. Abraham went up against 4 kings. Trouble could have been life-long.


And God reacted to these actions.

Genesis 15

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:
“Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,
your very great reward."


Abraham immediately felt he must assist God and falls.


And as Scripture becomes 3 millenniums later - with all the sins and flaws of Abraham - Jesus remembers Abraham.


Jesus is not just speaking of the Majesty of God and all of His Wonders, Jesus is noting mankind is still in need of salvation. Abraham impressed God. God saved Abraham. God continued to save Abraham all of his up and down life. Abraham was less confused before he was truly trying to impress God! And God still saw something in Abraham.

Abraham failed so many times - and in the days of Jesus  - Abrham sill living was still considered a friend of God.

Our Father, Abba,

You bless us continually.

Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us.
There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.

How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust.

Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired. You tell us: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

For though the LORD is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly, But the haughty He knows from afar. O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

O LORD of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You!

Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You.

Giving thanks for allergies not afflicting to pain. For ears not ringing. For shoulders without pain. For walking pain free. Thanking for healing from cysts and tumors. Thanking for eyes that are healing. Thanking God for prayers the Life Giving Holy Spirit of God answers. For dreams we remember for decades inspiring us when we need to remember God.

Remembering all of our Father's mercies to Abraham. Jesus would remember a man of flawed humanity and give His Life and we might Live.

Our God is Good. Our God is God. Our God has given us the ability to be called Children of God. Our God has given us His Son and we will bring our Father and Jesus our Love. And Profound Thanks.

We will have every hope God would give those we Love surrounded by our God of wonders and mercy.

Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. Alleluia and Amen.

Mark 6:30-46 ~ Go and see

Mark 6:30-46

30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught.

31 And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while."

For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.

34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.

And he began to teach them many things. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat."

37 But he answered them, "You give them something to eat."

And they said to him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?"

38 And he said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see."

And when they had found out, they said, "Five, and two fish."

39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied.

43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.



Jesus is worn out. He has not even had time to eat.

And instead of putting Himself as God first - Jesus feeds the multitudes and us for millenniums.

With a very important detail. As soon as Jesus has Abundantly fed His Beloved - Jesus departs to rest.

Our Jesus has taken the Holy Spirit from Abiding above the waters and placing the Holy Spirit in believers. Our Jesus will come again. And He has given us His open heart, open ear, open 12 Gates of Heaven - always here - Prayer Policy.

Because we know Jesus is God - we have a place to rest our cares and our heart. Comfortably and with faith.

Father God, our Abba,

We ask Your Blessing as we pray. This day and always.

You have shown us the immeasurable riches of Your grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

By grace we are saved through faith. The gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 1

Help us to stay where You would have us. With Your Love, guidance, encouragement and protection that we should walk in Your Plan, Path and Good Works.

Putting our prayers together for our deepest needs and longings before our Father.

Having access in one Spirit to the Father. With the saints and members of the household of God, Christ Jesus himself being the our rock and foundation.

In Your Love, the whole structure, our prayers, the communion of Saints, grow into The Holy Temple of our Lord Father Almighty.

Praying in the Holy Spirit for the people we Love, our souls - a dwelling place for God in the Spirit.

Come Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ our God. Amen.

Genesis 45:16-28 ~ I will go and see him

Genesis 45:16-28

16 When the report was heard in Pharaoh's house, "Joseph's brothers have come," it pleased Pharaoh and his servants.

17 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Say to your brothers, 'Do this: load your beasts and go back to the land of Canaan, 18 and take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat the fat of the land.' 19 And you, Joseph, are commanded to say, 'Do this: take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. 20 Have no concern for your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.'"

21 The sons of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the command of Pharaoh, and gave them provisions for the journey. 22 To each and all of them he gave a change of clothes, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five changes of clothes.

23 To his father he sent as follows: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and provision for his father on the journey.

24 Then he sent his brothers away, and as they departed, he said to them, "Do not quarrel on the way."

25 So they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob. 26 And they told him, "Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt."

And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them. 27 But when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived.

28 And Israel said, "It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die."





Given everything Israel would ever hope for - doubts came upon Israel.





1. Genesis 3:15.....Seed of a woman (virgin birth).....Luke 1:35, Matthew 1:18-20
2. Genesis 3:15.....He will bruise Satan's head.....Hebrews 2:14, 1 John 3:8
3. Genesis 5:24....The bodily ascension to heaven illustrated....Mark 6:19
4. Genesis 9:26-27...The God of Shem will be the Son of Shem...Luke 3:36
5. Genesis 12:3...As Abraham's seed, will bless all nations...Acts 3:25,26
6. Genesis 12:7...The The Promise made made to Abraham's Seed...Galatians 3:16
7. Genesis 14:18...A priest after Melchizedek...Hebrews 6:20
8. Genesis 14:18........A King also........Hebrews 7:2
9. Genesis 14:18...The Last Supper foreshadowed...Matthew 26:26-29
10. Genesis 17:19.......The Seed of Isaac.......Romans. 9:7
11. Genesis 21:12 …Seed of Isaac…Romans 9:7, Hebrews 11:18
12. Genesis 22:8...The Lamb of God promised...John 1:29
13. Genesis 22:18...As Isaac's seed, will bless all nations...Galatians 3:16
14. Genesis26:2-5..The Seed of Isaac promised as the Redeemer..Hebrews11:18
15. Genesis 49:10...The time of His coming...Luke 2:1-7; Galatians 4:4
16. Genesis 49:10.......The Seed of Judah.......Luke 3:33
17. Genesis 49:10......Called Shiloh or One Sent......John 17:3
18. Genesis 49:10...To come before Judah lost identity...John 11:47-52
19. Genesis 49:10...To Him shall the obedience of the people be...John 10:16
20. Exodus 3:13,14........The Great "I Am".......John 4:26
21. Exodus 12:5...A Lamb without blemish...1 Pet. 1:19
22. Exodus 12:13...The blood of the Lamb saves Romans wrath...Romans. 5:8
23. Exodus 12:21-27...Christ is our Passover...1 Corinthians 5;7
24. Exodus 12:46...Not a bone of the Lamb to be broken...John 19:31-36
25. Exodus 13:2…Blessing to first born son…Luke 2:23
26. Exodus 15:2...His exaltation predicted as Yeshua...Acts 7:55,56
27. Exodus 15:11...His Character-Holiness...Luke 1:35; Acts 4:27
28. Exodus 17:6...The Spiritual Rock of Israel...1 Corinthians 10;4
29. Exodus 33:19...His Character-Merciful...Luke 1:72
30. Leviticus 14:11...The leper cleansed-Sign to priesthood..Luke5:12-14; Acts 6:7
31. Leviticus 16:15-17...Prefigures Christ's once-for-all death...Hebrews 9:7-14
32. Leviticus 16:27...Suffering outside the Camp...Matthew 27:33; Hebrews 13:11, 12
33. Leviticus 17:11...The Blood-the life of the flesh...Matthew 26;28; Mark 10:45
34. Leviticus 17:11...It is the blood that makes atonement...1 John 3:14-18
35. Leviticus 23:36-37...The Drink-offering: "If any man thirst." ..John 19:31-36
36. Numbers 9:12...Not a bone of Him broken...John 19:31-36
37. Numbers 21:9...The serpent on a pole-Christ lifted up...John 3:14-18
38. Numbers 24:8… Flight to Egypt…Matthew 2:14
39. Numbers 24:17...Time: "I shall see him, but not now."...Galatians 4:4
40. Numbers 24:17-19…A star out of Jacob…Matthew 2:2, Luke 1:33,78, Revelation 22:16
41. Deuteronomy 18:15..."This is of a truth that prophet."...John 6:14
42. Deuteronomy 18:15-16..."Had ye believed Moses, ye would believe me."...John 5:45-47
43. Deuteronomy 18:18...Sent by the Father to speak His word...John 8:28, 29
44. Deuteronomy 18:19...Whoever will not hear must bear his sin...John 12:15
45. Deuteronomy 21:13-23…As a prophet…John 6:14; 7:40, Acts 3:22,23
46. Deuteronomy 21:23...Cursed is he that hangs on a tree...Galatians 3:10-13




Our doubts worry us.

Our Father, our Abba,

Each day we seek Your Blessing.

Help us to remember the truthful Word of God. The forward of Life, the fail, the re-group, the Victory of God.

Remembering the Prodigal Father had Joy.

And we place the ones we love in Your Hand and Love.

Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God
and the exact imprint of His nature,
and He upholds the universe by the Word of His Power

We will rest with trust in our prayer requests. God is God.

And for all our prayers, we Rest in Jesus. Amen.

John 1 ~ The Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen His Glory + † +

Max McLean as C. S. Lewis
in C. S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/esv/John.1

John 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.


19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.


29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”


35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).


43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”




What is more pleasing than our favorite Scripture.

This is coming home.




And one of my favorite things is to hear about our relationships with Jesus.

Tonight, we went to Houston to the George Theater to hear Max McLean (see audio link) tell of C.S. Lewis becoming a reluctant convert of Jesus Christ.

And in warm theatre, we saw windows of the soul inviting relationship to Jesus.

How would we link ourselves, Scout - aka Nell Harper Lee of To Kill a Mockingbird and C.S. 'Jack' Lewis. We'd have the difficulty of time, culture and character. We might even invite Truman Capote. Jem needed his neighbor and he wanted so to tell his sister about the world - how life appeared to him, in danger, seeking help from others he'd feared. The world was turned in a new direction standing on the porch of Boo. Old vistas are suddenly seen in a new opportunity. Expanded. Broadened. Warmed.

Jesus provides us these Windows of the soul. And we would find windows of the soul including Jesus - do this :






Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen





C.S. Lewis had been let down by the Lord. His mother had died. His direction of Oxford Don was not smooth. His faith had fled, gladly, because 1930's Oxford was not looking for fierce faith. A man now of English Literature and, always, of books, the men in these windows of the soul had led him to ask the unwanted questions.

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

We might not have the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien, if not for Jack Lewis.
But then again we would not have so much of Jack Lewis, if not for the willing words of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Yes, Jack Lewis read and was influenced - yet many of his most convicting moments came from those who Love Jesus Christ.

In fact, for Max McLean, Theater of Jesus Christ is for all. And inviting all - we all invite risk.
For brothers and sisters in Christ - supporting each other and making a path for Conversation - helps us all and the least to the greatest among us all.

One would see deep, sincere and convincing analytical thought. However, if you addressed JRR Tolkien, wouldn't you expect something of the supernatural?

The Lord our God is not a Tame Lion. He is, however, very good.

John 3:8
The wind blows wherever it pleases.
You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.
So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

Our Father God took C.S. "Jack" Lewis on a few journeys we would volunteer to stay home from. And in the there and back again, Jack Lewis had to ask himself what he was experiencing. Seeing. Finding. Our Living Father God.


C.S. Lewis was not setting out to be God's, but C.S. Lewis'.

We all know if we seek God with all we have we will find God. God is God the Almighty, and if God desires His Child. God will have the communion of hearts. C.S. Lewis didn't seek the Lord God, and was found. For the greatness of God is warm and good. Steadfast and enduring:

And this is what our God has done:


1 John 4

9 This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. 10 And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Our Father,

We find as we learn each other's deep, earnest prayers - as we are asked to pray for others - the successes of prayers answered
are fuel and fire - even double burners - for future prayer answered.

Your Success in Jesus is my success in Jesus and we have learned Philippians 2.

Wncouragement in Christ, comfort from love, participation in the Spirit, affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

We are Blessed asking Your Blessing Together.

Philippians 2:2
Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

John 16:24
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

We lift our cares to You, Father God - rejoicing in deliverance.

We lift our loved ones to You, Father God - rejoicing in Steadfast Love and Salvation.

We lift all those we do not know - knowing they pray and Love Jesus Christ. Rejoicing in the millenniums of multitudes fed by You.

And Let All God's Beloved say,
Amen, So be this in Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Matthew 2:1-6 ~ will shepherd my people Israel

Mary and Joseph set out in expectation. As we all do.

We've only just begun to Live.





Not even a kiss for luck and we're on our way. Only God can create life so we all have a portion we can fully understand.

Pretty soon white lace and promises. I love God bends down to our real lives.  We have to love God giving Jesus His birth with Mary and her Fiancé.  What would we do if we had no hope God loves us in our real and difficult tiny human life stages.












Whatever year your anniversary is - typically - we start out with ideas.

Would Father God do less for His Only Son? Delight of His in Genesis 1 and 2?

We Know God would say, "Oh, I am this."

Matthew 2:1-6

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:


“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”


And I'd bet everyone starting out is thrilled at the prospect of Shepherding. Lots of memories are made.

Not of Terrific Successes - more like the banana pudding where sugar was forgotten and it became a real 'think piece'. On the edibility of Southern Wallpaper in Vicksburg during the Waaaar of Noooorthern Aggggggression. Bet you couldn't tell my great-great grandmother ate her Vicksburg cat at age four and ended up ... "hideously pissed." Shelby Foote {Foote, Mississippi - proudly not born at Mount Holly born in the 'modern' hospital at Greenville, Mississippi} recorded a Southerner saying after being about to be killed by a Northern Army man,

"Why ARE you shooting at us?"

"Because you are on my land and YOU ARE SHOOTING AT ME!!!"

How can we tell everyone not to remember the Civil War. It's when our nation had prodigious communications about profound thoughts on the Lord, hideous temper and circumstance in the Nation. With disastrous murder and the call to duty and arms to prevent your loved ones from experiencing war. And we sounded like Jeff Foxworthy. Without good oral hygiene. It was an Exodus. The Pharaohs didn't want to let the people go - but the horrible murders happened to the you and the me of life - called to war.




Live, love, laugh, fight, find, grow with Jesus.


Things happen. Life happens. But if you forget eating dinner on the floor as newlyweds in front of the TV because no adult tells you not to - you've forgotten youth. It's important to remember when the car was stolen from the driveway and we all jump up and down screaming, "Did you leave the car at the Grocery Store?"

Or when your husband goes past the Living Room window in the VW Jetta going 45 mph and you have a 2 and 4-year-old. You have to go yell out the front door at your husband, "Do NOT drive through the front yard. We Have CHILDREN." And the woman in the driveway explains she just knocked him with her car into the front yard and he did a not-bang-up job missing the Giant Pecan Tree. And he says, "WHAT SHE SAID!"

Flan causes severe food poison when left on the counter after a dinner party. This one is not on me. And Memorial Weekend is broke time so you paint a room. You put your garbage can on the dryer because the Spencer dog and the children have some idea - it's a new toy bin. Again. The second kitchen wallpaper makes you wonder what you were thinking on the first wallpaper. Did you have Margaritas? We won't tell the pig story that goes on for 15 minutes.

And then forget if worrying is a sin... Is complaining?  Is Complaining a Sin? Because learning to adult has a curve. Frankly. Are we there yet?

Christmas - when you realize some of the family has gone Home to Jesus, but today - you are still here. Better enjoy this.






Saints don't complain. Evah.


The Bible is real. It's living and active. It's... TODAY. Yay.


1 Corinthians 15

15 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.


3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
5 and that he appeared to Cephas,
then to the twelve.
6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time,
most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.

8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

10 But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.



12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.


HERE IS THE BOTTOM LINE. HOLD THE FAITH:


17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

20 But in fact
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.


21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die,
so also in Christ shall all be made alive.


23 But each in his own order:
Christ the first fruits,
then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him

. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him,
that
God may be all in all.

29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?

30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!

32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.



What about the days when you have 'matured some' and you are pleased not to be forlorn. Life has picked up some wisdom, with the help of Jesus and you are a bit more supplied.


And Then.

No Candy Gram. No Pizza Delivery. No John Belushi.

All these things, household, rear up that are broken, you should be able to fix, that happen again and again and take 3 days. And your spouse goes out of town and has a great time. And in fixing, you wonder about the days ahead and you just feel glum and like complaining. Sure you could fixate on the good, but why? And the nine-year-old adopted Husky {MY} grand-dog fell down the stairs due to hips and is crying in Michigan. Wow. And then your face is sad and then - that's when you discover - Zombies.

Dang, you can't even say "God Bless You" because your blesser is BBBrrrrroken.




I Love St. Paul. I really do. Like Jesus, Paul says arise. He worries about Zombies.

The Light shines in the dark and the Light has not been overcome.

Zombies.

The people who see you have a bad day and they are ready with a good oil can and a match.

You know, I truly appreciate The Parable of the Talents. It used to worry me in my younger days - gasp - what if I have 3 talents and I bury them. It's Algebra - clearly. But the truth is even the Zombies have a talent. They are going to Jesus and He loves them. Even the half talent Zombies. They used to be no talent - not Jesus people. Now they have the Jesus talent. There has been a Jesus Miracle and you know this

I learned this - myself. Because some days I am the .5 talent ... non...Zombie.

What's a Zombie? A Zombie is someone with a phone attitude. A very, very interesting phone. Their phone can beat your phone any day of the week. You have something in your teeth. No. No. No. Oh. Never mind.

We need to wake up and smell the coffee why the movie world is interested in Zombies.


My last few days of broken household things that drive you up the tree - I got so angry - I made a Zombie List.

When are Zombies hungry. At weakness. Outside they look orderly. But inside - the Zombie shows. They are looking for people of - divorce. Of the child is ill. Of the elderly. They are looking for a social score to prop up their Zombie hungry ego. And the elbows out Zombies think they are unique. They aren't even Historically unique.

Paul has zombies - Paul calls them, "Beasts of Ephesus".

*** Is a Zombie a Millennial? NO. Zombies happen as we have dissatisfaction in our lives. It's a hopelessness. Not a Virus of age.

Paul has done something from Hebrews 5

14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have
their powers of discernment trained by
constant practice
to distinguish good from evil.

God tells us and Daniel tells us there is a war out there. A war to make you doubt yourself. Break you down. Make you blah and regular rut without Blessing Seeking.  The It will accuse you of false personality traits. It will belittle you. It is called "The Mission Field". Or. Real Life.



Paul is giving us a solid Tool of God.

when you discern evil - rude - harm - cold - chill in the apparent conversation
you have identified the Dark.

God does not treat you like this.

God would enfold you in the Robe of his son returned Home.
when you trust in Jesus, walk in His Path,
His angels remind you - "You are Loved of Father God, do not despair. Let it roll."

God is Your Father - Creator of All Things.
God is not riding on your good works.
God our Father can't wait to Gift His Children internally with
Love Joy Peace Steadfastness Gentleness
Faithfulness Self-Control to remember
who you are in Christ Jesus.
Beloved.
A believer of God is a Friend of God.

A Zombie has not represented Christ. And Jesus is the only Judge of the Righteous Believer of God Himself.



Winston Churchill said this with a Glint in His Eye, Pilgrim.
"If you have those who would detract from you, be proud. You have stood for something."



The Divorced have stood for Love Yourself. The child who is ill is being Shepherded. The Elderly have served. Each has earned human compassion. Not attitude. Not dodgy lack of respect and chilly self-indulgence. Not a lack of responsiveness. Zombies love to travel in groups. Zombies do not like to be confronted by the Light of reveal, especially two by two. Zombies do not like be conformed to kindness. Have you ever walked up to a counter where the elderly 'are not being served?" Zombies look like Buffy the Vampire Slayer has come into the room when someone points out in a louder voice to do the work.

Zombies do not require a wooden stake. Zombies require a parenting Shepherd. We live in a country where 85% pray and Believe. Zombies can become Children of His Most High very quickly just with the correct re-direction.

Will it happen again? Yes. Life has Jesus sweeping up right and left. And unfortunately, I know I have asked Jesus Christ to sweep up after me. The goal is to try to not ask Jesus to be our waiter. To address each other as if we are both Children of God.

Why is there is so much angst? Seasons. We seem to have come past Zombie season. And then they bloom. And when the numbers rise of Zombies - we are worried about being less effective for God's Work. Run down out of the race - not helping us accomplish His Good Will. Not that sounds Mighty Fine - but the truth is - when we are effective for God - we are secure. We are Loved internally. We are protected. We are directed. We are smiling. We have Peace. We are assured. We might not be so effective with gaping Zombie wounds. Sarcasm - to tear the flesh off someone.

When we are on the Plan and Path of God - we have His Strength to continue. With all good hope. We don't want to stop. And Logically - God is going to help us.

Zombie List. Bad Idea? If we never have rain, we can't enjoy the sunshine or the flowers. Realism.

Surfing. We can substitute as an analogy for running today. We have to ride the waves. I'm not sure Zombies surf. God is good. Realizing God is the gentle days of fast travel. God is with us up, up, up the endless wave. In the storm. In the choppy part.  Carrying our 'bored' where things happen. And back down the good part of the ride. And when we are doing the actual plan of God, our Father is our safe and adventurous journey and harbor.

We would be remiss to not think about violence and Zombies. About not overreacting to do our part in the harmony and balance of Abiding in God's Vineyard. Realising the Truth on jumping on a Zombie bandwagon. Paul is talking about Zombies. He really is. We know we have this social problem in our culture. the Word of God assures us Love covers a multitude of sins.

Frankly, I'm not good at this. I'd like to be better. Being an only child for 8 years and having a sibling just beginning to talk when I was 10 years old. I like Thor's Hammer at the will of a wish. Maybe God is going to get better with this in me. We all have our flaws - some Zombie up. I Thor up... Vocabulary does that for you. And God bless us all with some humor. And the next breeze of Hope and a good strong wave with a solid adventure.






Reading Scripture helps us know God's Love. Every Bible verse is written for you. Jesus Christ is all mankind's Light. John 1!


Father God, our Abba,

We have a prayer for You to fulfill this week. Lifting our Expectation in Blessing to You - Today.

We were dead in our transgressions and sins, in which we used to live when we followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts.

Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

Because of Your great love for us, our Father God, who is rich in mercy,
made us alive with Christ
even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace we have been saved.

And Our God raised us up with Christ
and seated us with You in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

In the coming ages, You might show the incomparable riches of Your grace,
expressed in Your kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

For it is by grace of Jesus Christ we have been saved, through faith
—and this is not from ourselves,
This is the gift of God —

not by works, so that no one can boast. Only Jesus Christ as God for us.

We are God’s handiwork,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which You prepared in advance for us to do.


Covered and sealed we pray Your Name Jesus on the people
and upon ourselves
Lifting up our loved ones.
The Grace of Jesus cover our nation and all believers in all ages and places.
We pray asking in the Name of Jesus.
Amen.