1 Corinthians 13 ~ Abide

1 Corinthians 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[b] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

When we fully know Jesus - we know the greatest of all hopes - He is Love.


Jesus is beyond what men say and further than what the Angels themselves have to say. Jesus is Love.

The Word of God manifest and laughing with delight with Father God as Creation was Spoken. Jesus the Christ was there to see prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, mountains moved.


To be grace and truth.

God's Only Son, The Word of God 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.


Jesus gave away all He had, and He delivered up His body to be destroyed - for Love. To gain you, to gain me, to gain Heaven.


With us, Jesus is patient and kind. Jesus is love and does not envy or boast. Jesus is not arrogant or rude. Jesus as Father God, with the Prodigal son - does not insist on His own way; He is not irritable or resentful.

Jesus the Lord God, Christ does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but to save the world.

Love never ends.

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; 
but the greatest of these is love.






In Christ Jesus you are all sons and daughters of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And in Christ’s love, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.




We are under obligation to have a response to the Love God has for us.


The Holy Spirit who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.


We shall not make Jesus Christ and His glory - as nothing. We will not count our comforts by treating His body to be burned and not to love, then we gain nothing.


No one has ever seen God, yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Jesus loving us as Father God.

The one who looks at Jesus, is seeing Father God, who sent our Jesus.
Anyone who has seen our Jesus, has seen Father God.


Father God

Please fill us with all joy and peace in believing, 

we will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 We pray this upon the ones we Love, our Church, our co-workers, our neighbors and our Nation. 

In Jesus the Lord! Amen!

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 ~ Let all you do be done in love

For Jesus. This is wisdom. And comes with Biblical advice. The Exodus was like the circumstances of Jesus, John recorded so many amazing circumstances surrounded Jesus, the world could not hold all the books of His days. And the advice given to Joshua, was, of course, "Not to the right or the left, be confident and trust in God." 

Jesus gave similar advice, He said, "Be Salt. Be Light." Jesus was not an advocate of extremism. Jesus said be welcoming, say yes, follow the Words of God in the Spirit of truth, mercy and love. Father God rejoices more in Thanksgiving, Gratitude than sacrifice.

What did Jesus look for in the "LIFE" He gave His Disciples?

Unfortunately... only sinners were available... for Jesus' service.





John is known for his love and loyalty.

Jesus' Brothers  - James, Joses, Simon, and Judas were given time to journey to spiritual maturity. Seen for potential, and the diligence of traveling far places to bring Jesus glory.

James would climb mountains to be with Jesus. Jesus called this going the second mile.

Salome stood with Jesus, Jesus' mother, aunt, and John bravely in front of dire governing officials. She comforted and upheld. Going bravely to Jesus' Tomb with spices. Her bravery was rewarded, she was one of the first to know Jesus lives.

Open and warm-hearted. Matthew was a dreaded tax collector. And Matthew couldn't wait to give Jesus a party.

Zacchaeus couldn't wait to clean up his life for Jesus. Repentant with Joy. And open his home.

Lazarus was very welcoming and hospitable. Peter was the same.

John and James were sincere. And bold to be honest bringing forth their true personalities to ask Jesus about their ambitions. Even their mother has a biblical mention for being transparent.

Thomas was going to cling to God. Where Jesus was going, Thomas was going.

Peter's mother-in-law was grateful and serving.

The Syrophoenician woman had humility and knew where she was held in position, counting on Jesus' compassion, just as David did.

The 72 disciples were obedient to God.

Andrew was wise and discerning of goodness and love.

Nathaniel knew when God was speaking to Him and was abundant with Love and praise.

Nicodemus was careful and loyal, he was brave to be honorable away from the herd. A dangerous herd of law bringers.

Bartimaeus would not leave Jesus, gratitude, love and loyalty. One of the few. Steadfast.


Simon of Cyrene would diligently help Jesus in dire adversity, his sons' lives were changed.

The woman at the well found bravery and forgiveness.

The boy with the fish was generous and adventuresome.

The Holy Spirit told Joshua about balance. The answer to our prayers is not always yes, and this is God's blessing answer.

God says No. Doing away with balance.



Galatians 5:19-21
Evident:
sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.



James the Brother of Christ told us when to say No.

In the Third Chapter.  
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice
I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

1 Timothy 6
senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 

11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things.


Paul's letter to the Romans

29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. 
They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

What does God's Word say?

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

 Be watchful, 

stand firm in the faith, 

act like men, 

be strong. 

Let all 

you do 

be done in love.

Peter told us God's Words are Life. Jesus tells us He is the Way, Truth and Life.




Father God,

We ask for Jesus in this prayer.

To do righteousness and justice Is desired by You, the LORD, more than sacrifice.

You have told us, mankind, what is good!
and what You, the Lord, require of us

We will do justice,
We will love kindness,
We will walk humbly with you, our God.

We will declare with our mouths, "Jesus is Lord."
We Will believe in our hearts  God raised Jesus from the dead,
We will be saved.


Isaiah 56
Thus says our Lord:
“Keep justice, and do righteousness,
for soon my salvation will come,
and my righteousness is revealed.

Blessed is the man who does this,
and the son of man who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it,
and keeps his hand from doing any evil

I will give in My House and within My Walls
a monument and a name

“And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,
to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord,
and to be his servants,
everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it,
and holds fast my covenant—

These I will bring to my Holy Mountain, the New Jerusalem,
The Mountain of the House of the LORD
and make them joyful in my house of prayer!



We thank You, Father God, "Jesus is Lord."


We ask this Name of Jesus the Lord to cover us.
We ask this Name of Jesus the Lord to cover our prayers, concerns, flaws.
We ask this Name of Jesus the Lord to cover our loved ones.
We ask this Name of Jesus the Lord to cover our communities, neighborhoods, jobs, cities, Nation.
We ask this Name of Jesus the Lord to cover all the people of the world who do and will call on Jesus the Lord.

Jesus gives us the right to become children of Father God,
Amen Lord Jesus.






Psalm 4:6
Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O LORD!

1 John 1 ~ we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands

We have an idea Jesus cried for Lazarus and mostly was Joyful. True. John 14, 15, 16 is Jesus telling us as the Son of God, He believes Life is Joyful and Good - yesterday, today and tomorrow. A firm and bold statement from our Savior who dies for you and me.

John 7 is an interesting Chapter. Jesus is sibling picked on by James, Jude and Joses. Perhaps even Jesus' sisters who receive so much anonymity. Don't we all need to know Jesus had frustrations?


Jesus goes to the Feast of Booths (which I think would make Excellent Vacation Bible Study for all ages) after brushing off sibling Bothering.

Jesus says this to the crowd looking for him:

John 7
28 So Jesus cried out, as he taught in the temple, “You know me,
and you know where I come from.

But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. 29 I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.”


We live in the New Covenant. Just as we see the Disciples have glimpses of understanding and Heaven, we are the Easter People who know Jesus. We who innately Love Jesus - want to hear more and more and more about God's Love. We want to stand and be strengthened by God who says His Mission is to save the world in Jesus Christ.

We fully understand life has costs. And there are hard choices to make, but each day don't we long for Father God to pat us. I know I do.


And I want to think of John - the Loyal Disciple having the incredible view from Patmos. Having done the hard work - to hear of Tertullian's testimony (De praescript., xxxvi), John had been thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil before the Porta Latina at Rome without suffering injury. John was fortunate to be banished. Even if he was just utterly ruined. Yet... Instead history records him as alive and vital. Fighting Gnostics in the 2nd Century. Explaining Jesus to unruly Jews. Irenaeus, bishop of Lyon c. 180 writes of John's very long life into the 2nd Century.


Revelation 1:9 states:
"I, John, both your brother and companion in tribulation... was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."

And just as interesting is:

1 John 1

John's Life and what he has amazingly seen:

1 That which was from the beginning,
which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes,
which we looked upon and have touched with our hands,
concerning the word of life—

2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life,

which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—

3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our
joy may be complete.


5 This is the message we have heard from him
and proclaim to you,
that God is light,
 and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Father, Abba, Lord God,

We want to walk in the Hope and Future You have for us. Your Plan and Path.

Walking as Jesus did. To see rain in the right season. To know fruitful crops and the fruit You have given. To have the Nourishment You'd have us want and to know peace and safety in our souls.

To live as boldly as Your Son. Granted peace internally. Lie down to sleep. Rise without fear. To know enemies are within our habits and thoughts we create. And have this fall away in Your Peace. All of our iniquities and sins, flaws and worries to fall away.

We want Your favor. Your fruitful gifts. Increase our numbers of Hope and Love. Knowing Your New Covenant covers in the Name of Jesus and Blesses us. The Abundance of Your Steadfast Love endures forever.

Remembering Jesus Walking among us. He is our God and we are His People. You are the Lord Father God, bringing Your people out of bondage in Egypt. With God, our burden is Light and our yoke easy. With You, You have enabled us to walk with heads held high.

Blessed by the Lord God Almighty.
His Son Jesus.
The Blessing of the Holy Spirit to be upon us this day and always.
To Have the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory to dwell in our Loved ones.
To know the Name of Jesus lives in and covers the people You have given us.

Blessing the Nation Trusting in You.
Giving us Your employments, Churches, Schools and Communities.
Asking Your Favor on all the Nations trusting in You.
Your Blessing upon the prayers of the faithful today.
The Works of God displayed increasing the faith, Joy and Love of Your Beloved.

In Jesus Always,
Amen.

Mark 8 ~ and were satisfied

Mark 8

8 In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them,

2 “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. 3 And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.”

4 And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?”

5 And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.”

6 And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd.

7 And they had a few small fish. And having blessed them, he said that these also should be set before them.


8 And they ate and were satisfied.


And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. 9 And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away. 10 And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.

11 The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. 12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 13 And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.




14 Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15 And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

16 And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread.

17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” 20 “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.”

21 And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”


22 And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”


27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”

28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.





31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life[d] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

If we are going to memorably study the Chapter today, let's fill in some background.

Jesus has shown us in the Chapters of Mark, Jesus has just sparred with the Pharisees and has returned to the 13-mile diameter Sea of Galilee. Jesus sails across this water sometimes 4 times a day. Something to think about during rush hour - just about every single day.

And Jesus has 12 men willing to ride with Him daily. Why? Because Jesus bolted out of the gate - healing all the sick of Capernaum and when Jesus did His first Sermon - the - entire - town - arrived to find out what the news about Jesus would include. This immediately takes us out of traveling in the rush hour realm.

Now, why are the Disciples there? The Disciples of Jesus have found something Psalm 91 has told us about the Messiah and God's Nature


Psalm 91

15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.

16 With long life, I will

satisfy him and show him my salvation."


Mark 8

8 And they ate and were satisfied.



Jesus tells us about Father God - seek the Lord with All Your Heart - and He Will Be Found. This is not

'Cause wishin' and hopin' and thinkin' and prayin'
Plannin' and dreamin' his kisses will start
That won't get you into his heart
So if you're thinkin' of how great true love is…


12 men did not leave careers, jobs and life for a song. Which is Utterly Terrifying to the Christian Newbie. Like being Ob-sorbed. What is real - God - does not ask you to be fake. God is God the Almighty. He has created part of creation - called this by name - endowed you with talents and gifts - made you - you. No Tibetan yellow robe and razor will arrive. No tonsure kit will be sent. No clerical collar will be fitted. This is about understanding the God who has created the wonders of the earth - has built the universe. He is Your Father and someday when your mortal body has finished - you will bring your only eternal acreage to His Kingdom (the God who created DNA, gravity, water, mist and ice) and will find out what you did with yourself to be you.

And just like we want our future in-laws of our children to be in the area of good apple - God Himself is going to see if He thinks you'd be an asset in Heaven - His Home. The Horrible God of the Old Testament told His people 'No Human Sacrifice" and Don't go there. No hair shirt is required, but if we make sure our house guest is reputable - surely we can allow God the Almighty to see some work done before the Eternal Ticket is handed over. We let Willy Wonka do this.

Let's think about Satisfaction and the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus had a very certain Job. To let us know the exact nature of God.

And instead of getting on a Great Lake and sailing away - or the Mediterranean. The Atlantic. Jesus is in a giant lake that can indeed, indeed, indeed become as weather laden as any ocean.

The Sea of Galilee is so transparent back even in the robe wearing days - the Crowds could ride around a little and find Jesus. Jesus Wanted to Be Found. Today! Jesus is Humble. He is not bowing and waving and kissing babies. Jesus is telling the Truth and dealing with difficulty. Jesus is living a life not to inflict others, a life that when we live the Great Howling Winds of Life we see Jesus is not living in an Ivory Tower - not married and Prince of Princes and King of Kings. Jesus has dealt with taxes - profound medical problems and angry people. Jesus displays loving behavior when profound gratitude comes His way. Not going soppy to wet toast.

Jesus, like Father God, being 'One', deals with us all having Glimpses of Heaven. The Disciples are there expecting long-range benefits. But Jesus has so far and a 'Way' left the Disciples behind - they are thinking they are going to blow up and not obtain the long-range benefits. Most of the time the disciples are in awe and confused what they do that makes them necessary. Making them more human and giving us a relief - we might have had our ideas a little more together. The Disciples are really us. What will we do requiring God to need us? Instead, we find the Fatherly Jesus has His Disciples as adopted Children. In fact, the later letters of Loyal Beloved Disciple John - address us as His Children.

And in a society really having heart-warming aspects to still make God adore us - God the Father adores us - adoring our families and children. We see Jesus finds us His Beloved.

Jesus even displays humor to tell the man, "Don't even go into the Village!" Jesus really understands real life. Telling us we can have 'Satisfaction' with God Himself and, especially, God having enjoyment of us without fake means to impress a chilly God who is hidden and remote with a demeanor of unhappiness.




Jesus has compassion on us.

“I have compassion." Jesus has enjoyment in having us have satisfaction.






Abba, Father God,

With great pleasure, we ask Your Blessings Daily. You are our Father and we will have Victories and Blessings in our Prayers and Conversations with You.

With Great Satisfaction to pray and have so much hope and encouragement to cover those around us with Jesus. Increasing Life.

Luke 12

31 But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added unto you. 32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.

King Louis was a Saint. St. Augustine was a Saint. All of the Saints tell us of God who knows we cannot complete all 3,000 pages of the Bible. Jesus is our Savior who has completed every dot and every iota of God's Word. His Law. His Word is Law and His Word and Love and Works will be accomplished. We can always say to You, Father God, Thank You for Your Great Will and Purpose. A Hope and Future.

Father of Love. Father of Encouragement. Thank You for Blessing us to hear us. Thank You for the gift of those we Love. Fill them with Your Love and Encouragement. Bless the People You have Given us.

We lift up this Nation to You and Your Living Water. Your Spirit gives Life and gives more than we can ask or imagine. And in filling this Nation - we pray Your blessings on our Churches, communities, employments and states. Asking Your Holy Spirit to Bless all the Nations Trusting in You. Supporting Your Beloved around the earth You call Good yesterday, today and tomorrow.

And in Jesus, we can all say the Amen.

Isaiah 45:8-10 ~ And righteousness spring up with it. I, the LORD, have created it

Isaiah 45:8-10

Let the earth open up and salvation bear fruit,

And righteousness spring up with it. I, the LORD, have created it.

9"Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker-- An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, 'What are you doing?' Or the thing you are making say, 'He has no hands '? 10"Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you begetting?'



How will we reconcile the 10 times the Lord, our Father Almighty God, found His creation good in Genesis 1 and 2 with 1 John 5 - overcoming the world and the power of evil of the world? We have to fully be aware no Word of God is void or out-of-date.


Psalm 24:1
The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein

Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts,
he is the King of glory! Selah


Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always; 
again I will say,
         Rejoice.



1 Corinthians 10:26
For the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.


Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.


One aspect of God's Good News -
there is no expiration date to the Promises of God.

God gave His Only Son, Jesus, for the world to be saved in Jesus Christ.

Lamentations 3:22-23

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end
they are new every morning
great is Your faithfulness.





How will we reconcile John telling us God overcomes the world and the world is evil.


Romans 12 is one of the Strongholds the Holy Spirit has given us through God's Paul.


Romans 12

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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.


John was one of the most personal witnesses to the sacrifice of the blind see, the lame walk and the deaf hear. John saw the Transfiguration. John witnessed the spear going into Jesus lifeless. John watched as if a sword had pierced the Mother of Jesus' soul. John would never again conform to the world. Discerning all John's life the miracles of Jesus.



3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.


The measure of faith given to one man to stand all the terror surrounding Good Friday and the Son of God. John's gifts and his generosity. The cheerfulness leading John to be alive from the exile on Patmos to the timing of Revelation 1 - mathematically 63 years. John had to have incredible proportion of faith from witnessing the sacrifice of God to the Goodness of Father God.


9 Let love be genuine.
Abhor what is evil;
hold fast to what is good.

10 Love one another with brotherly affection.
Outdo one another in showing honor. 1

11 Do not be slothful in zeal,
be fervent in spirit,
serve the Lord.

12 Rejoice in hope,
be patient in tribulation,
be constant in prayer.


13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.



To comprehend John's witness and to understand his discernment, we truly must:

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.




16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20 To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."


John's long life example for the first century A.D. and the beginning of the 2nd century A.D.:

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Father God,

We grow toward Jesus. The fire of Your Presence in us.

The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought,
 but the Spirit himself intercedes for us 
with groanings too deep for words.

And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, 
because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

And we know that for those who love God 
all things work together 
for good, 
for those who are called according to his purpose.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?


Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. for I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.


Blessed be The Lord God Almighty!!! You are the Song within us.

We pray this blessing upon ourselves, our families, our friends, the People God has given. We pray for the health of those who pray for this. We pray for an easier Christmas and for things around us to halt in their brokenness and put on the harmony of Love.

We pray for the Nation. We rejoice around us in those in Good News. And believe God is in control of all things. We are covered in His mercy as we believe and put our lives in His Grace, Love and Mercy. We will look to Jesus, with hope. 

Amen. And Amen and Amen.