John 5:28-47 ~ The Will of God

Where The River Flows - Collective Soul

And we are all headed in the Same Direction on the Same River - The Holy Spirit is calling us to Life.


And this is a journey of Spring.

Our oldest son is in Michigan - it's been a blizzard and then 60'. Ice is beginning to thaw in the far north - Michigan seeing rare blue ice. Pennsylvania has already had a thaw called ice jam and then the return of winter.

200+ rivers at flood stage from Great Lakes to Texas. In our yard, the 3 Peach trees have bloomed.

We all know winter and spring showers are bringing us flowers.

John 5:28-47

For an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 
29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved.

35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.

36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.

37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.

39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.

44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father.

There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope.

46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.

47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

Father God tells us something in an Imperial Style. 

He had done this with Nicodemus - visiting at night.


John 6:29
Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”



We all have days where we gather with those we love and we think about our life. 

Our goals, our daily life, our dreams, our childhood, our parents, our grandparents. The good years, the bad years, the decisions past, the decisions of today and the future.

Charles Dickens was a philosopher of human conditions applying just as easily today. Circles of loved ones who will praise God and see His hand blesses and gives "opportunities for a solution". How are we letting the river of life run over our river rocks? How are our conversations going? There was a study completed in the 1970s telling about the offspring of famous preachers. The result of the studies showed that the offspring of preachers "preacher's kids" mostly flow upward in life. Norman Vincent Peale called this learning Positive Thinking.




The Bible says, harshly, believing in Jesus can be divisive. Yes, this is undoubtedly true. Jesus tells us we have to work to believe. A sentence of Scripture to ponder... if we don't place Jesus and His Words and Love first we have settled for a ride down some road. What road? Well, surely, the goodness of mankind is going to lead us in 'humanistically', superlative fashion down the right path. No, according to fiction, history and our lives - we realize agenda can push, pull, turn, destroy, harm and abuse for self glory.



We have to fight for the ability to believe. To say - "I have seen the work of God in my life, and I will believe God is present here today." I've also seen in the belief - like Joseph - accepting mercy towards Mary - in the work of belief - God becomes as apparent as the Road to Emmaus. 

The Scriptures tell us - the disciples were always halves. Half belief this is God and God alone can do these amazing acts of Life. And then they believed the old life, the old every day, the old disappointments would prevail and this Awe and Wonder of the Lord God and His Majesty - would fade off and they should run for the hills. Just like the Children of the Israel in the Exodus. 40 years.

David - believed and saw his anointed dream being given and fade away to be redeemed again - to fulfillment.


If we do not fight to believe daily - we wonder and wander off and down.

God says place Him first above agreeing even with loved ones. God says do the Work He gives. God says Believe. And in this Joy of the Lord God Father of All - we find we will have Joy to give. Endurance to share.
Building a Hope and Future.


Even on the days, this arrives.

I have talked to so many young people who, when asked about the guiding person in their life - it is a grandparent. Not everyone is appreciated all the time - but with diligence - the one who believed God - who cooked the meals and made curtains, cookies. The Grandfather who taught about the car and the mechanics. The Grandfather who guided around the wild parents. The moral compass - this is where adult people see direction today.

The Moral Compass provided what no one else applauded. Framework to say - this is a safe place. This place and this person knows integrity, honor, reliability, diligence and Jesus.

This person is the person I want to be. This is the person I want to present to Jesus. This is the Jesus where I want to place my head on His Chest and have His Love and approval.


Pigpen - this might be your spouse, might be you, might be your parent and you say - we will not go there. This might be your bad example - who changes your course of direction. This might be the grandchild who has been bartered away by parents having a good time. But where Jesus would love - we will go there.

Why? Don't we really Believe God. I do. I want my today to have struggles having meaning, enduring meaning of grit and integrity. I want my life to say, " I believed God."

Because in the end, the one Father - who put me on this mixed up journey called life - is going to call my name and I will go to my Father God. Knowing this life - this long college ride of good, bad, fun and little of both - is going to tell My father what I did to my soul and to help those around me have His Eternal Life because of His Love.




And then, I want to be able to put all this - in more Capable and Loving Hands - the Hands that Gave Life - Jesus' Hands. Jesus who worked to do not His own Will and turn aside. Jesus who works so we know Father God. Jesus our Righteousness. Where Jesus calls us His own.

Abba, Father,

Into Your capable Hands, we place our today and all our cares. With Hope and in safety. With Expectation.

In Jesus, we will believe Your best and Heart is here. In our today and our tomorrow.

In You, Father God we place our loved ones and the Nation. Lifting up Peace around the world.

The hour is coming when bones will rise as Living. I want to be in that Number - with the Saints.

In Jesus. Amen.

Mark 1:14b-15 ~ The Kingdom of God +

Mark 1:14b-15

Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

I was asked some time ago about what Heaven would be like facing Jesus.

This is a question we will all have eventually - what will our time to meet Jesus be like. One to think upon daily.

The Scripture tells us over and over - we will all go to Jesus. Every knee bows and every tongue will confess Jesus is Lord. Revelations tells us multitudes are in Heaven. Nations. Scripture tells us some will sleep for a thousand years. Scripture tells us some will face God immediately in the twinkling of an eye.

Jesus promised us life has problems. A few times God says life is a test.

I know a good woman who cried out to God her life was falling apart and to this woman of God, involved in Bible Studies - He spoke and she affirmed it was God. God said that she would change and admire success and the people of success. We told her decades ago that perhaps she had heard this wrong. She was adamant that this was God. And we found out that this was Psalm 50. God was not playing, He said Scripture to her,  we didn't even know was Scripture. We told her this must be a mistake. This is an extended family member of mine. And of course, this was God and what He spoke was true. Life can pull you way down without faith.

Judgment.

Scared straight. Rarely does this work. Love works far more. Jesus came to save the world and the balance is that no man had to tell Jesus what was in mankind.

God - we are finding out if you travel down the road and listen to the radio - is more thought about. When I grew up people would ask if you were a Christian and you'd reply with your denomination. Which like, all aspects of God, this was good because the television and the movies and books basically believed we believed God is Father and there is Heaven and Hell.

Today if you are asked if you are a Christian, if you say, "Yes, I am." You are thought to want to live this with some degree of determination. Which will annoy some immediately. Sadly, this also cause us to hunker down in our perspective comfort zones.

We seem to believe that we can improve ourselves to offer God reward for His death. That God is sad with us. Or disappointed we don't do more to pacify His death. Not even Mother Theresa could offer God her life of good works to say Jesus' death is warranted.

Jesus said He longs to put us under his wing and comfort us. He says He knows what is in mankind. He says we kill off the bringers of great truth. He says knowing us - He finds reason to want to save us.

Why would God find reason to save what is hateful, wrong or selfish in us? 

All things work together for God for those who Love God and work for His purpose.

God has limitless resources - we are give areas. Then those areas are in constant collision with good and with self, evil, comfort or ease. Attitudes that apparently are goodness and really are just an avenue to cover up. Growth requires effort.

Father God  gave me a story  to read once - He saw a child who was in love with family who gathered to share a meal. And the same child saw harsh conditions and harsh Christian attitudes and found it rather repulsive.  So the child formed attitudes that in her youth were snobbish rather than informed. She was unable to see the Love was the rebound capacity. Her world was rocked terribly and God gave her abilities. She thought material goods would cover the safety net. God gave her family and she spent time teaching material goods. Material goods left and she found harsh attitudes. God sent friends.  She picked harsher attitudes but kept those areas hidden.

We are given lots of resources, troubled resources, low resources, different resources to develop - who we are. 

But eventually we will find a day comes where we will answer to God for the things we have done, said, chosen, nourished and starved.

And I was asked will that hurt.

Why is the Universe so vast? Every word we have spoken will be revealed. Every thought brought to Light.

God tells us what He wears in Revelation - Light. As a garment. So the Light is gentle to God.
Will He condemn some who have called upon Jesus as Lord? He says so. I don't think there will be surprises for the failure to attain Heaven. Romans 1 says we know. Hearts, we are told, are known to us and to God. We know if we are in God's grace.
 

Will Judgment hurt?
Not as much if we begin each day and ask for Him to rest with us, asking God to keep our hearts open to Him. 

Not as much if we are in Constant Conversation with God.
Seeking His leadership and believing He does guide us.
Not so much if we do what we know God gives us the Joy, Privilege and Work to do.
Our own paths open up with forgiveness.
To speak honestly and to be merciful. Actions of Love.
To pray for one another.
To be open to the conversation. To want to study Revelation and the Scripture for what God says in His Word He gives us to understand is our life to God.

To diligently read the Word of God and ask how to apply that to - Today.
Jesus has told us He is the exact nature of God. Jesus came to bring us into God's Family. 
Jesus has never been recorded as sending away those who diligently and earnestly ask Jesus for His mercy, love and salvation. Jesus is about Saving us.

God is not about poses apparently that He likes. God is in earnest relationship. God would not abandon David's Kingdom when it was in success greater than King Solomon knew.  God saw that times and people needed Him.  The Temple? Never looked better. God knows what is what - will Judgment hurt? When we earnestly seek God - God is going to be there.

He Promises.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †

Genesis 40 ~ belong to God

Front, Back and Detail of Isaiah Bulla found at Royal Bakery, Ophel

Dr. Eilat Mazar believes the motif on the Isaiah Bulla is a grazing doe, symbolizing prosperity. (Interestingly,  imagery of this is found in the book of Isaiah— Isaiah 11:6; 13:14 and 35:6.)

3rd Generation, Professor of Archaeology of Israel University - Dr. Eilat Mazar

According to Dr. Mazar, "In archaeology, context matters. When examining an artifact, the material surrounding the item plays a crucial role in determining and verifying its proper identity."

The ruins and artifacts surrounding the Isaiah bulla conclusively date to the First Temple period (in archaeological terms, Iron Age). We can know with certainty the Isaiah who owned this seal lived in Jerusalem between the ninth and seventh centuries B.C. The Prophet Isaiah lived in Jerusalem in the eighth century B.C.

But in this instance, we have even more archaeological context. The Isaiah seal was uncovered at the same time (2009) and in the same assemblage (collection of bullae and other artifacts) as the Hezekiah seal. It was discovered just a few feet from the Hezekiah bulla, and in exactly the same strata of soil.

Dr. Mazar, in her article for Biblical Archaeology Review, noted the discovery of the Isaiah bulla just a few feet from the Hezekiah bulla and asked how likely it is that this bulla could belong to an Isaiah other than Isaiah the prophet. She wrote this is a “surreal scenario.”

Genesis 40

1 Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt.

2 And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. 4 The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody.

5 And one night they both dreamed--the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison--each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. 6 When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled.

7 So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in custody in his master's house, "Why are your faces downcast today?"

8 They said to him, "We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them."

And Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me."

9 So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, "In my dream there was a vine before me, 10 and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand."

12 Then Joseph said to him, "This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. 13 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh's cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer. 14 Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. 15 For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit."

16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, "I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, 17 and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head."

18 And Joseph answered and said, "This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. 19 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head--from you!--and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you."

20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand.

22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.


Bulla, Bulla by Sam for Real and The Pharoahs. Straight from dusty robes and roads.





There are so many, many, many archaeological proofs of Hezekiah. His bulla stamp are very plentiful. Because Hezekiah was a Glory Reign of Israel. His seal is found in items of trade. Like jars of Honey. Not the Royal Official Letter Seal. But items of quality saying something like: "Product of Israel." Even if Hezekiah was King of Judah. Hundreds of seals, seal impressions on jar handles. Trading with Egypt. Many Egyptian Hezekiah Bulla are found.

Because Archaeology is never exact without all the data clearly printed out, we will pray the weight of method of Archaeology and the Experience of Dr. Eilat Mazar will bear Isaiah up.

Now Why - would Isaiah identify himself on his seal as a Prophet. Seems rather presumptuous.

1. Within the text of the Book of Isaiah, Isaiah himself is referred to as "the prophet"


2. Isaiah answers the Call of God. With all his heart.

Isaiah 6:
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

2, Isaiah was in the vicinity, then participates, in the Announcement of the Birth of Christ in 700 years.



Isaiah 7

Then the Lord said to Isaiah, “Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub,
to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field.

4 Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. 5 Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah’s son have plotted your ruin, saying, 6 “Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves, and make the son of Tabeel king over it.” 7 Yet this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“‘It will not take place,
it will not happen,
8 for the head of Aram is Damascus,
and the head of Damascus is only Rezin.
Within sixty-five years
Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people.
9 The head of Ephraim is Samaria,
and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah’s son.

If you do not stand firm in your faith,
you will not stand at all.’”

10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”


Isaiah is so honest as to report, the birth of Jesus is told by God Himself to the House of David. As God has spoken to David.


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

13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also?

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and[ will call him Immanuel.

15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. 17 The Lord will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria.”





Isaiah understood what Zechariah would see. The same understanding 700 years apart.

Isaiah 14:12
How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!


Luke 1

76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,

77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,

78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven

79 to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”


John wrote after calling Jesus God of Love. Just like Genesis 1 - Let there be Light.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

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

2 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.




In the midst of child loss, all his sons in Egypt for food, the darkness,  Jacob could see the Light.

Genesis 46

2 And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.”

And he said, “Here I am.”

3 Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. 4 I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again,
and Joseph's hand shall close your eyes.”




We follow all the Word of God to see the Parallels. Isaiah is found with Hezekiah - Living Bread. Joseph is found with the Living of the King.




Abba,
We ask Your blessing upon ourselves, the ones we Love, the people You have given us. This Nation. Peace for all.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.


Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

2 Corinthians 4:16
So we do not lose heart

Our Amen is in Jesus.

Psalm 46 ~ The Lord of hosts is with us

A Bright, Clear Stream leads from Father God's Throne and runs through Heaven. His Throne is found following the Shining Water.

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.


2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Reported this week from Israel.

Large 1,500-year-old pool and elaborate fountain at the site of an ancient church near Jerusalem. 5th-6th A.D. Byzantine Church and Pools.

The location was a hive of activity between the 4th and 6th centuries B.C. The site is linked to the New Testament account of an Ethiopian Eunuch’s conversion to Christianity by St. Philip the Evangelist. “We believe that some early Christian commentators identified Ein Hanniya as the site where the Ethiopian eunuch was baptized, as described in Acts 8:26–40,” said Jerusalem District Archaeologist Dr. Yuval Baruch, in a statement. “The baptism of the eunuch by St. Philip was one of the key events in the spread of Christianity. Therefore, identifying the place where it occurred occupied scholars for many generations and became a common motif in Christian art.”







Picturing Living Water, Jesus Christ, flowing from the Rock of Living Water the Children of Israel carried to drink from. Continually flowing as The Old Testament. Jesus who can do so much more than we can ask or imagine. We can pray this Living Water flows around us - unceasing spiritual Blessing of God Himself.


Isaiah 55

1 "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.

3 Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.

Two found Archaeologies ~ House of David

4 Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples.

5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.

6 "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;
7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God,
for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there
but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

11 So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

12 "For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall make a name for the LORD,
an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."

Probable Signature of Isaiah.  Found with Hezekiah's Stamp at the Royal Bakery.

A New Discovery.

Isaiah 55:10
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater


The 2,700-year-old stamped clay artifact was found during an excavation at the foot of the southern wall of Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. In ancient times a seal stamp, or bulla, was used to authenticate documents or items.


“We found the eighth-century B.C.E. seal mark that may have been made by the prophet Isaiah himself - - -

_- - - only 10 feet away from where we earlier discovered the highly-publicized bulla of King Hezekiah of Judah,"

said Dr. Eilat Mazar of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

The half-inch wide oval-shaped piece of clay is inscribed with the name Yesha’yah (Isaiah) in ancient Hebrew script. This is followed by the word nvy, the end of which is slightly damaged. As a result, experts do not know whether the word ended with the Hebrew letter aleph. That letter “would have resulted in the Hebrew word for ‘prophet’ and would have definitively identified the seal as the signature of the prophet Isaiah,” explained Dr. Mazar. “The absence of this final letter, however, requires that we leave open the possibility that it could just be the name Navi.”

“The name of Isaiah, however, is clear,” she added.

Hezekiah and Isaiah are extremely close in life too, as described in 2 Kings.




Father God,

We ask for the Blessing of Your Grace and Mercy. In this season of Lent 2018, the Signature of Isaiah has been found next to that of King Hezekiah at the Royal Bakery.

Because of Your Servant Isaiah, we know You are Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Because of Your Servant Isaiah, we know You proclaim good news to the poor. You bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.

Because of Your Servant Isaiah,  we know You are pierced for our transgressions, You were crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on You, and by Your wounds we are healed.


We are Your Beloved Children, who hope in the LORD will renew our strength. We will soar on wings like eagles; we will run and not grow weary, we will walk and not be faint.

Search the book of the LORD, and see what He will do. Not one of these birds and animals will be missing, and none will lack a mate, for the LORD has promised this. His Spirit will make it all come true.

We ask Father God's Blessing upon us. We ask Father God's Blessings on our marriages. Upon our Loved ones. We rejoice in the Goodness of our Good Father, Blessing All of His Children.

Covered in the Name and Glory of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Mark 2:18-22 ~ new wine

Mark 2:18-22 ~

(Today's New International Version)

18 Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, "How is it that John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?"

19 Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. 20 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.

21 "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If they do, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. 22 And people do not pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins."


Charles Spurgeon loved this passage Isaiah 45:22, as his favorite.

This fits in so well with today's reading, we are going to pull from the 25 verses of Isaiah 45:

Isaiah 45:
5 I am the LORD, and there is no other;
apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
though you have not acknowledged me,
6 so that from the rising of the sun
to the place of its setting
men may know there is none besides me.
I am the LORD, and there is no other.

9 "Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker,
to him who is but a potsherd
among the potsherds on the ground.
Does the clay say to the potter,
'What are you making?'
Does your work say, 'He has no hands'?


22 "Turn to me and be saved,
all you ends of the earth; for I am God,
and there is no other.


New wine - being changed by Jesus, seeing our lives as a gift from God and for God, not just another salmon swimming upstream without hope and going through the daily work.

Old wine - what is valued, mellowed, cherished.

What is Jesus telling us? We cannot change, cannot save ourselves. We cannot do it ourselves. With God all things are possible. Every day, we take our old wine - the things we value, the things the world expects, old hurts, the things that concern us. And we put them before God - the new wine of the Holy Spirit. Then we see the blessings and we thank Him.

Blessed be God, who creates light out of darkness.

We are new creatures in Christ Jesus, not controlled by the old values, but placing ourselves in front of Father God as His children.

Isaiah 45:
19 I have not spoken in secret,
from somewhere in a land of darkness;
I have not said to Jacob's descendants,
'Seek me in vain.'
I, the LORD, speak the truth;
I declare what is right.
20 "Gather together and come;
assemble, you fugitives from the nations.
Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood,
who pray to gods that cannot save.
21 Declare what is to be, present it—
let them take counsel together.
Who foretold this long ago,
who declared it from the distant past?
Was it not I, the LORD ?
And there is no God apart from me,
a righteous God and a Savior;
there is none but me.

22 "Turn to me and be saved,
all you ends of the earth;
for I am God, and there is no other.

23 By myself I have sworn,
my mouth has uttered in all integrity
a word that will not be revoked:
Before me every knee will bow;
by me every tongue will swear.
24 They will say of me, 'In the LORD alone
are righteousness and strength.' "
All who have raged against him
will come to him and be put to shame.
25 But in the LORD all the descendants of Israel
will be found righteous and will exult.





Father God,

In all situations, in Joy, in upset, in anger (Your Word tells us anger is not wrong but stay in self-control) in seeking Blessing of Yours - we need Gratitude.

Sometimes we need to think of our favorite Jesus moment in life or in the Word of God. Thinking of Jesus reaching down to make sure Peter is fine, plucking him out of the water. I was thinking in prayer of being on the boat and Proclaiming Christ the Lord when the wind and the waves are calmed by the Word of God.

We pray more gratitude. We pray more comfort of the Holy Spirit.

We pray Healing. We pray Loved One Covered.

We pray Jesus on the Nation. We pray Jesus on the Media and Hollywood. We pray Jesus all over this world. On the believers of today and the Children of God tomorrow.

We say Amen for all this Prayer with Jesus Christ, Son of God. Amen.

Mark 1:14-22 ~ repent and believe

Mark 1:14-22

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

16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 

17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 

18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

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

Isaiah 7 tells us so much about the Birth of Jesus, society and economic conditions. With Ahaz, the king of realism to give up to the Assyrian Empire - using what God says tells us of our treasure and heart - to give up the solid gold Temple to keep power. Even if it's puppet power. Ahaz didn't want to even ask God for a sign, as God was doing what Mike Pence finds a bedrock of our lives today - God was speaking to Ahaz. History would show their conversation bore much fruit.

Jesus arrives in as the Temple is a tool of Herod and Herod a tool of Rome. The Essenes leave to give the world the Dead Sea Scrolls and tell us the Temple is spiritually devoid.

Jesus arrives when people are not expecting much of God. There is enormous wealth and many people line up for sustaining money.

The message of Jesus is this - Repent and Believe. Jesus isn't just speaking of personal flaw, mistake and sin - Jesus is saying repent of thinking God is small and not personally useful in the hunt for sustaining money and life. Of course, Jesus is saying personally examine what removes us from God. Of course. We all deeply know about keeping the path of Love and care and communication to God - our Father - who Loves us.

Jesus was saying He agrees John has prepared His path. Personal repentance. Jesus fully agrees with John the Baptist's God-given message.

Jesus is saying - Believe God is the Almighty.

One of the loveliest aspects of Community Worship - being with the faithful. Our physical bodies God gives us to put all of our brain, all our mind, all our soul into worship of God. We feel God is available. If we need to hold on to the robe of Jesus, we are invited. Yet in Community Worship, we are with the people who feel - in God - we live, move and have our being. God is here. We tell our Father - we Love Him.

God is saying as we recognize how God warms and loves us, God is speaking in warming our hearts.

We are answering the Living Word of God. We are telling Our Loving, Caring, Good Father - we believe. We repent for our self-doubts the war on our faith. We open our hearts again to our Father.

Jesus begins by saying, "Repent and Believe." Is this harsh? Jesus certainly tells us He wades into Life - with all heart. With all Love. Jesus has to fully state- belief. Repent - knock out the tarnish, the dust, the hopelessness of doubt. Jesus is here.

When you are praying - collect and remember God miracles. Your miracles. God is Alive. He is Working.

Praying - Grief over death - when we have recovered from losing someone we love - we can remember God's Grace to us to heal. The prayer looks promising now. We are blessed remembering healing. And healing from sorrow is huge in prayer and in Hope. When most of the young are asked to pray for grief from death recovery - we can do the best we can. Grief transferred to Living Hope - suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

My father lived a wonderful life. Alcoholism causes early death. And as he aged - the depressant took firm hold of all his mind. Daddy left a wake of things to forgive. We worried about him. He had loved Jesus we knew, but he had left all the ones who loved him best. To become comfortable with the death of someone you love - is to fully trust the Goodness of God's Love.

To lose a child is to believe God must know something you have no clue to cover. To contemplate the Heavens and see the Planning of God. And as life unfolds - to realize God's Plan Truly is Good and Truly Exists. Believe God.

Prayer Warrior Skills are with us when we believe in Jesus as Living Hope over Death. We can pray with our own assurance instead of the gloom of 'Oh no grief - horrid' recalling the new vision of Hope and applying this relief in prayer upon the suffering Child of God.

Remember your miracles.

Cancer. One of our family, actually two, have recovered from stage 4 Cancer. We can apply the Works of God to the prayer request.

Hip surgery, knee surgery, back surgery. The name of the person you know God favored so well. The same healing. The same willing Good Father.

For loved ones to know and Love Jesus and His Love. I remember my grandmother saying her hopeless son would never leave her prayers. In his 7th decade, my uncle loved Jesus. My mother and I wept because we knew how important this was to Grandmother. What we can't do - Jesus can. Jesus is willing.

Hope. Job searching. I think of my mother's friend Carolyn. Diligent in her job. Married to a Navy man - who left her. She wasn't sure she felt free of her marriage. Everyone told her to be reasonable. She'd been divorced 10 years - biological clocks. She would shake her head.

One Tuesday, she came home to her apartment to find someone sitting on her door front bent over. She ran to her car. Danger. As she arrived in the car, she looked up and in the almost homeless man, realized this was her husband. He was still in the Navy and in end stages of Brain Cancer. He didn't want his family, he wanted his 10 year divorced wife. She nursed him for just under a year and he died. Carolyn quietly said she knew God had a plan for her.

Carolyn married a man who assured her he was Christian. 5 years of abuse followed. One day she realized God had given her freedom from this. Carolyn boldly divorced. And at the age of 43, realized no children had happened. No lasting marriage. Her job. Steadfast. And then one day her work caused her to meet a fine professional man who offered her a - job - no marriage. And they were blessed with a child. A happy life. Blessed. We ask for jobs - we look for Blessing.

After volunteering with women in crisis, I realized the strength God gives us when we rely on Jesus Christ. And life looked very different. We do not answer prayers. God, Himself, is the Spirit giving Life. We are loved and we can tell our Father again we remember His Glory and Willingness. New stories are being collected as we pray.

We allow God to be God when we Pray. God assembles our heartfelt prayers in His Plan. We believe God is a Loving and Good Father. And His Plan will be Hope and Future. Carolyn waited quite a few years. She believed God.


Jesus said repent from putting God in the same old box. Believe.

James 2:23
Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called a friend of God.


Prayer is like the Gospels. We bring our friends who have had God's Wonders to our prayers. Give thanks. Give wonders of God. Pray and never lose Hope.

Mark 2
4 These men could not get near Jesus because of so many people. They made a hole in the roof of the house over where Jesus stood. Then they let down the bed with the sick man on it.

5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the sick man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”



Abba,

We ask Your Blessings, knowing Goodness of Jesus.

Jesus heals as Sins are Forgiven. We answer, "I have faith, help me to have more."

And in bringing God the Good News of Jesus as Living and Working - we are blessed. And in being Blessed - have blessings, and blessings and blessings in our on-going talking with You, Loving, Father.

We know Scriptures, we know the Power of God. In the name of Jesus, we ask Jesus and Your Holy Spirit prays with us. Interceding, mediating. Drawing us in the Love Jesus has for His Father. The Love our Father has for Jesus. The Love in the Holy Spirit and our Father's Joy in us. And placing the Holy Spirit in us - Abba increase and move us - in Your Love.

Let the Circle be Unbroken. God's Unending Love holding our loved ones. Placing us with Him. Today and Always.

His Love coming boldly to all around the world to increase the awareness of His Love and Glory. Blessing our Nation with peace and those who pray for Peace.

The Love You have for us, directing us, healing us, abundant Life, abundant Hope, encouraging us, teaching us. Enabling us upon the Path and Plan You have for us.

Amen in Jesus.