I am prewriting for the days I know I will be traveling – a Christmas gift to travel….

There is a wonderful painting on our church wall, Jesus kneeling in the Garden of Gethsemane, a depiction recreated in the 1940’s by a local parishioner,  house painter, inspired from a very famous painting rendition from 1890’s Heinrich Hofmann, titled Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane (or The Agony in the Garden).

The church’s historian mentioned that today, seventy years ago it was dedicated and installed into our church building. Also noteworthy, is that seventy years ago later that same day that the day that would live in infamy, the bombing of Pearl Harbor occurred. This was so important to the collective nation back then – we will forget the past if we do not remind our children about it. And yet, as our church historian pointed out – that we have come a long way and yet that painting is still there – hanging in the church 70 years. 

And I had to think – well, amazing that everything will come and go but the one, ONE, remaining constant is the Lord – never changing – and always loving.

Jesus in the worst of circumstances (as we see it in earthly ways – even the apostles were asleep from sorrow) – was strengthened and continued. Jesus completed His Mission.

In Infamy and Forevermore – the Lord Lives and Lingers and LOVES.

Amen – and Blessed Christmas wishes to you all!

Luke 22:39-46 New King James Version

The Prayer in the Garden

³⁹ Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. ⁴⁰ When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

⁴¹ And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, ⁴² saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” ⁴³ Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. ⁴⁴ And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

⁴⁵ When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. ⁴⁶ Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas day – I’m pre-writing as these are busy days! I’m decompressing from a good slowdown on Christmas. 

It may seem premature – but as people who move very fast, in general, it seems we barely have cooled Christmas day dinners before we are moving on to New Year’s talk. 

I want to savor Christmas more – of course now (writing for the 26th knowing how it goes, then editing just now after a full night sleep) – now I can actually enjoy it – the stress of expectations is done – the gifts – wondering will they like them or think they are enough – or too practical – or you name it for stress… they simply like to open see even if they know what they’re getting… And funny the classic excitement of opening things and then rest of the day they are ignored under the mess of papers until a few days later when new boredom slips in and maybe will look at the presents now… Sorry those are the cynical thoughts that creep in – but SURELY mostly the gift recipients are gracious and thankful. (And we did have a good day, an overload of goodness and goodies, and some time to savor in the glow of Christmas) – (and funny the first gift my youngest grabbed to use? Socks…)

And so for me I’m VERY thankful. I’m also SO thankful that there is another side – opposite side of the Christmas crush – and I’ll get back to Christmas JOY. I’m thankful for the last few days have been good.  And I’ve focused on Christmas Joy best I can,  which is INDEPENDENT of any world stress or personal stress. Christmas JOY is Jesus celebration for we needed a Savior and we got one. 

I’m thankful for waking up. I’m thankful for today. I’m thankful for the adventures coming up.

And thankful we can take this time before the countdown to New Years to talk about Christmas still and see a physical and emotional connection in the countdown to Jesus’s birth from His ancestral line. The people may not have known the “how” but Jesus did.

The last gift I opened Christmas day was one from my Mom – and it was an adorable little nativity scene… It was God’s Way to bring the humbleness back in, the JOY, the life, the light.

So, long way to get here, but how DID Jesus craft His own narrative? I always referred to the old testament like being the home movies for Jesus, He wants us to watch, know, appreciate, and understand their anticipation… We unwrapped this Jesus, let’s enjoy the benefits. 

OK – Adam and Noah are back there before Jesus – but we will start with Matthew’s account (chapter 1 verse 1) – bringing down the “countdown” list from Abraham.

Abraham – Issac – Jacob – Judah (and his brothers who were saved from starvation by their brother Joseph and his amazing coat and his amazing trip to Egypt)

Judah’s relatives lived in Egypt too – and then got out of Egypt from Moses’s leading.

Judah is the father of Perez and Zerah (through Tamar – which is a very INTERESTING story in Genesis 38 – Tamar who married Judah’s sons but got no where with them – then was not given proper due by Judah and yet when she dressed up like a lady of the evening disguised and met up with Judah who later learned and had to acknowledge her – and their sons – twins)

So Tamar and Judah – gave lineage to Perez the father of Hezron, then Ram, Amminadab, Nahshon, Salmon, Boaz, whose mother was Rahab 

(OH Rahab! Remember her? the prostitute that helped Joshua’s people get out of a bind and then was helped because she asked to be set aside? and her family rescued!)

And Boaz – we know him – with Ruth – the Moabite who followed her mother in law  widowed Naomi, after her husband died and she gleaned in the fields then was given favor by Boaz (and by God) – and lived in Bethlehem with Naomi – eventually marrying Boaz…

Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David.

(KING DAVID!!! – oh from the mighty killing of Goliath to the slingshot swinging of protection from God…David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife (that’s Bathsheba)
Solomon the father of Rehoboam –  Abijah – Asa – Jehoshaphat, (Oh Jehoshaphat!!!!  Remember he had to trust God and when a surrounding battle was about to take him and his people, God told him to send out the praises and that God would go ahead – and God did – and won the battle for them)
Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram – Uzziah – Jotham – Ahaz – Hezekiah – Manasseh – Amon – Josiah – Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
(Remember they were exiled in Babylon? a prescribed number of years and they had to trust that the Lord would take care of them! He did! and then they got to move back and restore the temple and read the book of the law which they did not know about)

After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel – Zerubbabel – Abihud – Eliakim – Azor – Zadok – Akim – Elihud – Eleazar – Matthan – Jacob – Joseph

Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.

WHEW! Jesus’s lineage is like a family tree or home movies of an old testament countdown to the Messiah – known only to David and those from him that a Messiah would be born under the house of David.

Whew – I am glad someone kept track of that!

Thanks God – Thanks Jesus, the Word made Flesh, for Your birth. God with us – Immanuel.

Amen

​

——

Matthew 1
New International Version
The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah
This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:

Abraham was the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,

Perez the father of Hezron,

Hezron the father of Ram,

Ram the father of Amminadab,

Amminadab the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,

Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,

Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,

Obed the father of Jesse,

and Jesse the father of King David.

David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,

Solomon the father of Rehoboam,

Rehoboam the father of Abijah,

Abijah the father of Asa,

Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,

Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,

Jehoram the father of Uzziah,

Uzziah the father of Jotham,

Jotham the father of Ahaz,

Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,

Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,

Manasseh the father of Amon,

Amon the father of Josiah,

and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.

After the exile to Babylon:

Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,

Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

Zerubbabel the father of Abihud,

Abihud the father of Eliakim,

Eliakim the father of Azor,

Azor the father of Zadok,

Zadok the father of Akim,

Akim the father of Elihud,

Elihud the father of Eleazar,

Eleazar the father of Matthan,

Matthan the father of Jacob,

and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.

Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.

I am so THANKFUL this Christmas – seems more like I’ve arrived at the life stage of less worrying about expectations (although we moms still inflict this on ourselves) and more appreciative of time together (which is what I have appreciated in the adult kids – and setting aside time to decompress and to be homebodies – if just for a minute) and blessed for remembering the reason for the season  during ALL the season(s). 

God does not change and therefore Jesus was always true and worthy and intending to come save us. May we appreciate that each morning and each moment – a fresh faith filling forever in moment by moment soothing doses.

Around here, Santa came on the firetruck last afternoon and it brought tears to my eyes as Santa’s firefighter helpers have been working very hard these last few days. The rescues of the fire company – they run into the danger. The rescue of the Lord – He came as a baby – and grew in His human form to establish that He understands us – and to fulfill the prophecies – and He came to rescue “when the time was right” – and start His Plan for bringing us safely HOME.

May we remember our blessings – all of them this time of year.

Merry Christmas everyone!

God Bless you for sharing in the JOY of Christmas and the Promise of Jesus. 

Thank You Lord for bringing us HOME and making your home with us – Immanuel – God with us.

AMEN

The volumes of things that I GET to do on a weekend are unparalleled in the Christmas season… Yes I maximize my minutes – [like knowing there was a bell choir concert on my way home Sunday from another event and I slipped in and out enjoying the 1 hour performance and got a couple cookies and snacks too, whew]… Then, there are the little fill-in things, activities, that I am blessedly VOLUNTOLD by God to be an encourager for – OR to be in a place – OR be of a certain personality. Then there are times when we are asked to accept things we can’t change, or maybe we can adapt to…  [My prayers go out to a friend who had a hospital stay over the weekend which both made her nervous and put a crimp in her holiday plans – well, we wonder what blessing the Lord will bring out of that!]

VolunTOLD by God is volunteering/accepting/making-do by being told THIS IS THE ROLE I PICKED FOR YOU – and yes you do it… [I have one friend helping to raise her grandkids right now – and this is labor but a labor of love]… Labors of LOVE are not an uncommon thing to us – and certainly not unusual to God. Voluntold is what “new to Jesus-ers” learn quickly – that the Lord has a mission or many for each of us.

For me this weekend my VOLUNTOLD items included offering to use my personality to encourage or support a situation. I actually get JOY from using my interactive personality to take people’s photos for them when I see them struggling with a selfie-situation – like for the big crowd for a small but beautiful tree in a tree-lighting Friday night – which I knew I would be late for but hey got a good parking spot for 15 minutes of “being there”…  Then later that evening as I wandered down to the town square near the wharf to see the GIANT tree that was lit a few weeks ago – so worth it to go there – and I knew there would be NO crowds – and as I zipped into a parking spot – I didn’t even put my sneakers on and walked over. This is where I knew classically I was being voluntold by God when a great gaggle of jovial citizens were coming out of a restaurant and headed to the tree and one man said as if someone had told him: “oh that is nice you doing this” – to take their photo – I hadn’t said anything to anyone but perhaps someone said to him that they wanted a photo – and I was surprised not surprised to be in “the right place at the right time” to be their photographer – I even snuck in a little video on them of their rabble rousing as they broke ranks leaving the photo – fun – not my camera but yes my scene… Encourager – helper – whateverer – blessed.

Crucially I got the Christmas lights up – which i didn’t get up last year – and my youngest was sad I learned later – it was just so busy with other things last year – but this year I took the time at 40 degrees before it gets colder – and most importantly to me is that I get my neon lighted nativity scene placed outside – now that IS a holy light… Later on Sunday night – which was a full day already – we got our tree and the kids know this is important to me to go together – and honestly who can beat a 3 minute drive to the scouts who fresh cut and even tie the tree to your roof and then we are home and tree up in less than half an hour! I let the kids pick the tree and now my youngest is strong enough to lift it himself off the car – I love that they love this now… took a few years of “really?” to be “ok” to be “yes, mom”… volunTOLD…

The other fun this past weekend of my choosing/blessing was the staying home all day practically Saturday preparing the house and me for Christmas invasion and whatnot – laundry by the bucketloads – and cleaning because my oldest and a friend baked in my kitchen all weekend. Saturday night I knew that my oldest had tickets for us to see the new big movie – so GOOD… and then sunday after church I volunteered at our local historic site selling 50:50 tickets – actually thought I was going to be inside but this was the better choice for me for my personality and skillset – and I walked the crowds outside – chatted with the vendors – made some purchases too – and enjoyed life and the scene. I think my favorite time was seeing God orchestrate a blessing – in that we may draw the lots – but God determines the winner – and the winner of the 50:50 was a vendor whose birthday was that day. COOL… I like that event and those people who are trying to maintain a treasure – all volunteers but likely all voluntold by God to use their skills in that way – blessedly…

WELL, our scripture lesson from the Gospel of Luke is about Mary and her relative Elizabeth VOLUNTOLD to carry the babies of Jesus and John the Baptist. Blessedly voluntold – but also encumbered to raise the children but also to see their untimely deaths and the hard harsh words cast against them for doing what their voluntold mission was. And yet Mary and Elizabeth at two ends of the age spectrum were so blessed to have this Gift from God – they KNEW that. Elizabeth was of old age – “Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.”

REJOICING – YES

Rejoicing is RE-JOY-ING the opportunities that the Lord picks for us – whether being called into service mildly like taking a photo – or severely like taking one for the team as a prophet or missionary… RE-JOY-ING is remembering in our busy lives WHY we are placed where we are.

IT IS the advent season that we celebrate – but remember that God didn’t need our seasons – only HIS TIMING – and WAITED until the fulfilment of time was right for Jesus’s entry. We also can wait – and work while we wait. And like Elizabeth and Mary – be ready to give – and give forth – and be blessed in God’s fulfillment of life.

Let us ALL be looking for this fulfillment of life – in the RE-JOY-ING and in the VOLUNTOLD nature of walking our paths…

AMEN

Luke 1-2 NKJV
Dedication to Theophilus
Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

John’s Birth Announced to Zacharias
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”  And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.

So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth
Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a cityof Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told herfrom the Lord.”
****

The Song of Mary
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proudin the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

And Mary remained with her [Elizabeth] about three months, and returned to her house.
***
Birth of John the Baptist
Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.
***
Circumcision of John the Baptist
So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.” But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Zacharias’ Prophecy
Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people,
And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David,
As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
Who have been since the world began,
That we should be saved from our enemies
And from the hand of all who hate us,
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
And to remember His holy covenant,
The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Christ Born of Mary
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Glory in the Highest
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Circumcision of Jesus
And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Jesus Presented in the Temple
Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Simeon Sees God’s Salvation
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer
Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

The Family Returns to Nazareth
So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars
His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now soit was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”

And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor
Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Mary, you are thee.

A Baby you yet can’t see,

Will grow in you, Heavenly. 

A Savior will come, most definitely, 

You are chosen, so motherly.

All of Israel awaits this Messiah, patiently.

..

Angel Gabriel told you so Eloquently:

“Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you“, yes Mary you, Precisely.

“Blessed are you among women!”, called Blessedly.

The Angel explained “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” , So Assuredly.

“Behold, you will conceive in your womb”, Spiritually

A woman already betrothed would be concerned, Naturally.

.

Mary you DID get to know, 

“Bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.” (A baby DID grow.)

 “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest” (A seed God did sow.)

“The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.”  (Royal, not just show.)

“And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever” (Israel would see His Glow.)

“And of His kingdom there will be no end.”  (Gentiles and Jews, GOOD NEWS does flow!)

.

Mary asked “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” (How can?)

The angel answered: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you” (Holy Spirit IN God’s Command)

The “Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Both God and man)

“Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age.” (Favor DID expand)

“Now the sixth month for her who was called barren.” (John the Baptist, we understand)

“For with God nothing will be impossible.” (YES, GOD CAN!!!)

.
Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! (Mary DID know and served.)

Let it be to me according to your word.”  (God is GOOD on His Word!)

And the angel departed from her. (Garbiel Heavenly spoke, Mary heard.)

(The Messiah birth prophecy needed fulfillment, to Mary it occurred.)

Jesus would grow and flow, so let us ALSO, like Mary, take God for God’s Word.

Spirit and Truth, SERVED and HEARD!

.

AMEN

—

Luke 1-2 NKJV 
Dedication to Theophilus
Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

John’s Birth Announced to Zacharias
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”  And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.

So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth
Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

The Song of Mary
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.

Birth of John the Baptist
Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

Circumcision of John the Baptist
So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”

But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.

And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Zacharias’ Prophecy
Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people,
And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David,
As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
Who have been since the world began,
That we should be saved from our enemies
And from the hand of all who hate us,
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
And to remember His holy covenant,
The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Christ Born of Mary
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Glory in the Highest
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Circumcision of Jesus
And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Jesus Presented in the Temple
Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Simeon Sees God’s Salvation
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer
Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

The Family Returns to Nazareth
So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars
His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”

And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor
Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Luke 1-2 NKJV – Dedication to Theophilus –  Here is a Bible Gateway link listening: https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/bubb/nkjv/Luke.1 or reading:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201-2&version=NKJV

O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

Fear in God’s sovereignty and power and position is smart, but FAITH is even better, as FACING OUR FEAR WITH FAITH means we choose a God Whom we know, Who Loves us, Who only wants the total best for us, collectively and personally, over anything. Follow God in faith and fulfillment, for freedom forevermore. 

We can gently teach others, including the ‘non-Jesus-ers’ of our day, our understanding of Him in this amazing seasonal time of devotion and storytelling,  and always. TEACH REVERENCE. Wouldn’t it be better to risk offending people over ignoring God. God reminds us He is in charge. 

The psalmist would sing “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”

Fear and faith and fulfillment of duty is what motivated Zacharias, who would become father to John the Baptist. Zacharias was a priest born in the lineage of faithful servants since the time of Moses to communicate with and serve God, and be one of the appointed special incense preparers inside the temple. Zacharias was serving God when SURPRISINGLY an angel appeared to him.

As marked with an asterisks in the text below, in Luke’s gospel account of the times of Jesus’s birth, Zacharias was doing his normal best when God called upon him, and shockingly an angel messenger came directly to him to send a message and start a process of prophecy fulfillment, which left Zacharias speechless and then some. Fear fell on him, but the angel comforted by stating the clear message that God hears our prayers. 

“But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard;…”

Later in this chapter we learn how Zacharias and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph become the answered prayers of many by bringing forth the children John and Jesus as divine fulfillment. The prayers answered, the process kept, the possibilities unbelievably amazing. 

Fear and faith of God ,repentance and restoration of man, movement and messages of angels. Christmas and Christ commence. 

Don’t fear FAITH, let it be your heart’s embrace. 

Amen 

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.

—-

Luke 1-2 NKJV 
Dedication to Theophilus
Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

***
John’s Birth Announced to Zacharias
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; *** and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”

And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.

So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth
Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

The Song of Mary
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.

Birth of John the Baptist
Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

Circumcision of John the Baptist
So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”

But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.

And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Zacharias’ Prophecy
Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people,
And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David,
As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
Who have been since the world began,
That we should be saved from our enemies
And from the hand of all who hate us,
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
And to remember His holy covenant,
The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Christ Born of Mary
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Glory in the Highest
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Circumcision of Jesus
And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Jesus Presented in the Temple
Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Simeon Sees God’s Salvation
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer
Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

The Family Returns to Nazareth
So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars
His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”

And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor
Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Luke 1-2 NKJV – Dedication to Theophilus –  Here is a Bible Gateway link listening: https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/bubb/nkjv/Luke.1 or reading:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201-2&version=NKJV

—

Psalm 84 NKJV 

The Blessedness of Dwelling in the House of God

To the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts!

My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the Lord;

My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home,

And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young—

Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools.

They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion.

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah O God, behold our shield, And look upon the face of Your anointed.

For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.

O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

Luke dedicated writing to his teacher and so we must encourage (by writing and speaking, singing and living) – dedicate teachings to students and future teachers… 

And especially allow shepherding for our dearest ‘don’t know Jesus-ers’…

If we know Jesus – let us share Jesus – by sharing His Love!!!

And for this Advent season and for Christmas preparations in our hearts, we study Jesus as prophecy fulfilled – specifically studying in the gospel of Luke, and of his writings. These are teaching tools. Luke was the physician, who is said to have travelled with Paul and been with John and with Mary, Jesus’ mother – and to have interviewed many many. Luke gives us a gospel of revealing Jesus on Earth and the wonder of His coming…

The gospel of Luke, scholars say, was written within the first 20-30 years after Jesus was crucified and arose from death. Luke says in the beginning of his gospel, ch1 from v1-4, of his purpose: “to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus (a person Luke is writing to – but also God uses this text for teaching us and sharing the Good News of Jesus]”, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.”

Luke also contributed to the Book of Acts – with very timely and very dedicated writing about the beginnings of the church to share this news of Jesus being the One Messiah for Jews and Gentiles alike. Luke recorded in Acts of the crucial speech by Peter immediately after receiving the Holy Spirit, on Pentecost, a transformative speech to 3000 and more people gathered in Jerusalem, who came towards the activity because they heard the sounds of fire and wind and something big happening including heard speech in their own languages. Peter spoke then about how God made Jesus Lord and Messiah: Peter said to them and us all: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39

Let us start this special time of year with inspiration, dedication, and appreciation. And attract the 3000 and even the little ones one at a time by praying for Holy Spirit guidance, Who will attract them knowing something big is happening in our midst. The Lord illuminates the Love we share. The Holy Spirit will bring His Flock into His Fold.

Let us share Jesus by sharing LOVE because He is STILL coming to those who have yet to meet Him. To those ‘don’t know Jesus-ers’, let us be His Love, His Hands and Feet, and SHINE HOPE. 

Amen

—

Luke 1-2 NKJV 
Dedication to Theophilus
Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

John’s Birth Announced to Zacharias
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”

And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.

So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth
Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

The Song of Mary
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.

Birth of John the Baptist
Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

Circumcision of John the Baptist
So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”

But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.

And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Zacharias’ Prophecy
Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people,
And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David,
As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
Who have been since the world began,
That we should be saved from our enemies
And from the hand of all who hate us,
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
And to remember His holy covenant,
The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
To give knowledge of salvation to His people
By the remission of their sins,
Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Christ Born of Mary
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Glory in the Highest
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Circumcision of Jesus
And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Jesus Presented in the Temple
Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Simeon Sees God’s Salvation
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer
Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

The Family Returns to Nazareth
So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars
His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”

And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor
Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
—-

Here’s Luke’s first 2 chapters as a link to Bible Gateway:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201-2&version=NKJV

I am thankfully traveling this Thanksgiving long weekend. And so I prewrote these… Happy Thanksgiving!

Recently I was walking and a mental thought started to rise from my questioning doubts. It didn’t even get to the surface of question stage but just formulated a thought, about what often crosses my mind: “what should I be doing right now with my life that makes a difference, how do I use my mental energy, my motivation or lack thereof?” This was not a thought-out sentence like that above – had not even made a question of great concern mentally, it mentally was just a whimper of wonder, barely even formulated. Yet the IMMEDIATE newsflash response, that shook me noticeably, well it was quite mind-focus fueling and doubt-shattering! Yeah!!! It was a gift,  maybe silly, of interacting mentally reconfiguring an image in front of me, of the 999 building address – that I could formulate a vision of it upside down then right side up – that the “999” was the upside down correction for the number “666”, which in the Book of Revelation is said to be the mark of evil. WELL! So not silly but seriously serious for me. So the message I got, not a verbal one but a shake up thought, was that God wants me, wants us, to pursue and upside-down the acts of evil, as we come to them, one act or one response or one prevention at a time. 

Well, YEAH!

Profound and yet we CAN’T do this without Him, Jesus crushed and is crushing the evil. We need to call on Him!

It was a unique mental picture that moment, but truth as God is, that He is saying TRY, telling us try without a checkbox or goal requirement but instead let this be a life path, a direction, a request, to upended the bad with good by relying upon ME to help, to flip the tables and flip the evil into something better. Know that for each of those who do try to push evil pursuits, that God already has “got their number”, and the evil one will never pull the darkness over the light – you can not cover over God’s eyes as He sees the Way for Good. SO our efforts are requested gently and matter of fact-ly from the Lord. 

Enlightening YES, just in a simply walk and view I can see this as a goal for each of us BOTH to RELY UPON JESUS to give us direction and make us aware of the situation where we request JESUS deal with the evil 

God always says to take life ONEDAY AT A TIME, one moment at a time. Therefore take one overturning of the tables, one flip at a time.

I continued my walk and I think the most important flip I had at that very moment was a repeat request for REPURPOSE, to stop doubting and start determining that God wants us each in the mix of meddling and yet let Him handle it.

God says: “start with retraining thoughts” even everyday – and put that devil of doubt down, behind, beneath, and tell him to be gone!

Gone

Going 

Going to 

Good!

Turn that frown (and trials of the real clown) upside down. And don’t stress – this is all by God’s Success.

999

Amen!

—-

 “Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.” – from Revelation 13 

In Genesis 50, Joseph said to his brothers who feared retribution from the evil they had originally inflicted on him – but Joseph at that point knew God meant to bring good out of bad – a great flip, an upside down that took many years and many tears: “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

 Thankful for Today!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here’s another little thanksgiving poem and my favorite book of the bible, James.

I profit from trials like James states – and I try not to be wishy washy in doubt that the Lord is sovereign – so sometimes it may seem that we are fatalistic – but I think that we need to put the work in to help turn the wheels of today and tomorrow and of thankfulness. Let us not be just hearers but doers – and let the Word in us – that is Jesus – give the spiritual fruits that will help the rest of the people see God’s Righteousness.

James 1 in the NKJV: verses 19-20 state: “Qualities Needed in Trials – let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” – and verses 22-25 “be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”

I am thankful for today.

Today’s thanksgiving day.

I am thankful for today.

In a thanks-giving way

.

Tomorrow I do have plans,

Therefore i’m not going to worry about them.

I made them so that I don’t have to worry about them.

I am thankful for today.

Focus on today. 

.

I had a good day yesterday.

I got some work in and I got some family time in, chores too.

And I am grateful, but I won’t dwell in the past, only appreciate it.

And I am grateful that I had a past that allowed me to have a today.

I am thankful for today.

Focus on today.

.

Tomorrow is never promised.

That’s a statement for earth.

Tomorrow is never promised on earth, yet tomorrow IS promised in HEAVEN.

Knowing Tomorrow IS SOMEWHERE allows me TO FOCUS ON TODAY.

I am thankful for today.

Focus on today.

.

Thanksgiving is PRAISE with prayer to continue to see God’s Blessings.

Praise before petition and pride.

Praise because of past promises fulfilled.

Praise because of Grace for what was done and Mercy too – for past and for future – and for today. Focus on today.

.

Praise because the Lord is praiseworthy – He has already done GREAT THINGS. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

,

Thank You Lord, Happy THANKS GIVING.

Amen

---

Thankful & Blessed & Hopeful

James 1-5 NKJV Greeting to the Twelve Tribes 1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. Profiting from Trials 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. The Perspective of Rich and Poor 9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. Loving God Under Trials 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. Qualities Needed in Trials 19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Doers—Not Hearers Only 21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. Beware of Personal Favoritism 2 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Faith Without Works Is Dead 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. The Untamable Tongue 3 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. Heavenly Versus Demonic Wisdom 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Pride Promotes Strife 4 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Humility Cures Worldliness 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. Do Not Judge a Brother 11 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another? Do Not Boast About Tomorrow 13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. Rich Oppressors Will Be Judged 5 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. 4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you. Be Patient and Persevering 7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! 10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. 12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment. Meeting Specific Needs 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. Bring Back the Erring One 19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I hope you all have a wonderful opportunity to be with family and friends and especially know that God is with us all!

Here is my Thanksgiving Poem (early):

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Prayers taste best 

with THANKFULNESS.

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Prayers say we know God is ABLE.

PRAISING HIM puts our prayers right ON the Table.

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Know God is willing to hear,

So what we speak, may it be sincere.

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Know God and respectfully fear,

Hold His counsel dear. 

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Know God knows EVERYTHING, oh He knows, 

That’s how it REALLY goes. 

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And prayers without ceasing, 

Taste best with PRAISE seasoning.

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We praise You Lord, giving thanks.

You hear our every request from our lowly ranks. 

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You bring us into the picture,

Our life with knowing You is more abundant and richer.

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So worthy You are Lord to hear our thankfulness, 

Thank You Lord, for giving us Your Best!

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AMEN

Jesus IS our:

PRINCE OF PEACE

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Jesus is THE Prince of Peace

Passion Pursued

Placed Promised

Promise Planned

Peace Perfect

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Jesus

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Power 

Priceless

Palatable

Pursuer

Place Positioner

Perfector

Peace

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Jesus is our Peace

Jesus is the PRINCE OF PEACE

AMEN

JESUS 

KING OF KINGS 

LORD OF LORDS

Comforter of calamities 

Soother of scenarios

Forgiver of faux-pas

Healer of hurts

Savior of sinfulness

Helper of Hope

Ransomer of repair 

Rescuer of risks 

Negator of negativeness

Relegator of roughness 

Smoother of situations 

Trainer of Trust

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Fruitfulness of favorites

Power of prayer 

Victor of Voice

Beautification of blessings 

Sweet honeycomb to savor

Calm in chaos 

Known in knowledge 

Friend for Forever

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KING OF KINGS 

Jesus, God of All

Lord of Love and Life 

Alpha and Omega

With us Forever 

Amen

Alpha and Omega 

Mercy and Grace 

Waiting and Willing 

Breath and Breadth 

Building and Blessings 

Worthy and Wishful 

Trust and Truth 

Spoken and Silent

Forgive and Forgo

Good and Generous

Light and Lavishness

Just Enough and Joy

Boldness and Beautification

Forgiveness and Fruitfulness 

Humbleness and Hope-full-ness

First and Forever

Rescue and Renewal

Love and Life 

Alpha and Omega and everything in between. 

Thank You Jesus. 

I often feel like it’s God’s intention for us to NOT have the feeling of just surviving, of running on fumes, of crossing the finish line from our own running. JESUS SAVES. We are to live as chosen people, as saved, and focus on work over wallowing. 

Jesus did create a victory for sure to carry us over the threshold. Not running on fumes, but WALK, and rest, in SPIRIT 

A poem for VICTORY over mediocrity:

Absolution over Obsolescence.

Make GOOD over making it up.

RESCUED over running out of steam. 

VICTORY over mediocrity. 

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LIGHT over darkness. 

Aware over ignorance. 

Soothing over sorry.

Addition over omission. 

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LOVE over hate. 

On time over late.

Go forward over falling. 

Look forward over frowning.

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Life is for living best 

SALVATION gives us rest

Jesus welcomes us as family not guests. 

KNOW HIS VICTORY over death.

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Victory is valuable.

Victory is vital.

Fear is forgetfulness.

Jesus frees us to focus.

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Focus.

Victory over mediocrity.

Forever over just now.

Live as saved and live abundant in JOY. 

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Amen 

I was so blessed to be sitting at lunch yesterday and in the pew at the church, not because of the sadness of the passing of my friend, but I felt like I was PREVIEWING HEAVEN, I really did. I felt the comradery of fellowship of fellow believers sitting next to me, they have been faith family 25 years now, plus the table behind me, back to back to back with 3 pastor friends too… like even though we don’t see each other each week, we are bonded, heaven-bound and earth-eager companions – only problem (which is a big problem) is sadness of loss. Our hearts ache for my friend’s husband, her daughter, her grandkids who cried and tried to be brave, especially the littlest, but the truth of emotions is that it IS hard to lose a loved one and see pain, this is OK to experience, and yet we are called to loose the rein of holding them back from Heaven. 

Let them go – OK?!!!

Oh what Heaven’s gain is our friend. Jesus was loaning her to us, she’s pre-positioned for greeting us in Heaven now. Of the photos displayed you could see and knew of her being Mom in the Moment with the Momentum of MUCH LOVE. 

I remember her deepest and first for just loving people – loving the moment to be there for her family and her friends – and just being the open greeter to new people, including us 25 years ago with a new baby in tow, stepping into an unknown church situation, picked only because it was the last latest starting service we could find at 1030am, yeah. She greeted us and walked us around, while another friend took our munchkin 7month old, dressed in St. Patrick’s dress, and we felt instantly to be in church family. She (and God) made that happen. We stepped in OK.

I remember my friend for being the maybe 4th or 5th person I told about this incredible overwhelming THING going on in my head, an awakening I later comprehended, being born again by Jesus, with a few people whom I could confirm my calling with. She walked by the sanctuary, after church right time right place, I still see the scene. It made my sharing feel OK!

I remember her for being REALLY REAL at our woman’s retreat, with announcing her enormous hot flashes, whew… It might have been the first time, in a society which doesn’t talk about menopause and dealing with it, that I actually heard TRUTH about this aging unknown known… That weekend I was educated, and pre-learned that someday they will come, they have, and yet I will be OK. Now I understand and now I worry less about me, because of her open sharing.

Fast forward many years, mid covid recovery to society and her church where she worked needed VBS help, she called me, I learned of the need, I said OK, yeah she taught me it’s OK to say OK, when other people think it’s strange to stretch thin or stretch outside the norm, it’s OK. The Lord leans into His OK.

I can also see her sitting across from me one evening (pre-covid) at a planning meeting for our women’s retreat where she mentioned some memory issues that concerned her. I remember years after that being shocked and surprised about the vascular dementia diagnosis, with fear of quick decline, but at ease with a diagnosis and plan to start – it was a quick “no question” decision to MOVE, a Mom with Momentum Moved to be closer to her daughter and grandkids. No questions needed, no questions asked. We knew it was OK to have a primary priority which put everything else second. OK!

(And I appreciated her honesty when she asked to NOT get my daily emails because she had no time to read, having this refocused focus on her family. I said OK, and was OK with that!)

And then the day just fairly recently where I was amazed to see her in person, at a funeral last year at our home church where we first met, and we reconnected in person (thankfully Facebook fosters the regular news, but in person comes with hugs). My friend greeted me with wide eyes excitement for seeing me – instant knowledge of me – even in the lack of verbal communication, she established her excitement. It was maybe 30 minutes more later that she uttered the most important question that took that much processing time, but was paramount in her being able to ask: “How are your children?” – Yes, the Mom Moment drew up all her Momentum and strength to ask – ask of my now grown kids – children kids teens adults who have been blessed being raised in the church with church family surrounding us in support as a community. What’s funny to me was even with this mental decline, she popped up out of her chair abruptly with SO MUCH ENERGY to go to the kitchen,  wow OK, and surely wanted to help with dishes, as she always helped in the kitchen… yeah… She showed OK even when things weren’t OK.

I remember my amazing friend for being a perfectly placed role model of not perfection but of perseverance and sharing. A role model of “OK”. She was (and is) a woman of faith who taught us all how to be OK in so many real times of living through change. Even of making changes even when fighting back the “Why?” of her disease… She showed being a faith force, a Mom in the Moment with Momentum, a child of God, a loving force for Jesus, a Spirit-moved model of our gain in trusting the Lord. 

And being OK in the time appointed BY the Lord to be back WITH the Lord, she said “OK” to this too… The displays of photos included music scores of “Are you washed in the Blood?” – amen to being more than OK with being blessedly washed in Jesus’s blood, I had to be, we have to be, OK to give in like Naaman and fully be OK to dip deeply in.

I miss you my friend, but it’s OK, I will see you again someday when ALL will be OK. 

In the meantime, we will follow Jesus’s Way, OK!

Amen 

—

Psalm 23 KJV

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

BE CAREFUL – apostle Paul says BE CAREFUL…

‘For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.’

It is for sure that the bible is written for old times and for future times and for NOW…  And the warnings about false idols false teachers false hope and fakeness in the here and now is to be cautioned against…

Paul warned, warns now, and will warn as the Bible will last forever as the Living Word – as Jesus made flesh and able to be spread forever in faith to all corners of the world and every heart here at home.

Jesus is the One True King, fully God, Who was spoken about from Genesis and Who is quoted in Revelation – Alpha and Omega. Apostle Paul knew the newly planted churches had to hear that in word and writing. In those years before and after the time of Jesus on earth, earthly kings were and are asked to bow down to the one true and trustworthy king.

Every new Christian needs to hear that and guard against the devil of doubt, doubt in themselves or their salvation, and doubt in Jesus as Divine and alive. These writings of Paul, warnings, are God-inspired and purposefully placed in the bible for then, now and in the future.

Imagine – we don’t know what the future holds in ways of destruction, confusion and angst – but what we DO know – is that Jesus is already winning and won – and that God grants us His Heavenly HOPE – and we can believe it.

Don’t give the devil any due – give GOD all the GLORY! Jesus will crush the head of the serpent and has already won over sin and death. 

AMEN

Thank you Jesus, Amen.

—

2 Corinthians 10-11 NKJV
The Spiritual War
Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Reality of Paul’s Authority
Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s. For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction, I shall not be ashamed— lest I seem to terrify you by letters. “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present.

Limits of Paul’s Authority
For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you. For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment.

But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

Concern for Their Faithfulness
Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

Paul and False Apostles
For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things.

Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!

But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Reluctant Boasting
I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little. What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast. For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise! For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face. To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also.

Suffering for Christ
Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.

There is a level of forgiveness in our lives which is Heaven-sent – and therefore we being “the fragrance of Christ” – an aroma that either is foreboding or forevering… Paul said: “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.” 

It is commanded of us that we forgive others – and roll off our backs the barbs that hurt us in life because those people either will have moved on or they might get stung by our friendliness – by “kill them with kindness” approach to just letting the Lord deal with them instead – and know that He forgives in greater strength than we do…  

Life is too short to dwell in the past – so just keep moving forward… 

If anything – I am in need of forgiveness – we all are – of not being as perfect as could be – but we can’t be – because we are human – we judge – we over judge ourselves too – we just fail in certain aspects of life even when living near perfect – we just need God to be His Righteousness “righting” making us stand whole again.

Just plain human is the basic bread that is not put together until Jesus brings all His ingredients to us  – His living water – His yeast living organism to work His Spirit in us – His warmth to rise us – and the fire of living in this world to strengthen our faith to those hardpressed walls of the jar of clay that we are…

For Life in Harmony – we read this Letter of Paul to a “T” – and live because of Jesus who gave it all – including life towards the cross and triumph over it – over death.

If we are to live – and live more perfectly – we need Jesus to lead the Way – as He already saved our day…

Amen

——

2 Corinthians 2 NKJV

Paul Urges Forgiveness
But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?

Forgive the Offender
And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.

But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe. This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Triumph in Christ
Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.

“that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”

Wow, Paul’s 2nd letter chapter 5 to the Corinthians is such direct direction for us for living in reconciliation – and reconciling others – WOW!!!

There are bite-sized chunks here which remind us of our walk, our mission, our opportunity, and His Love: “We walk by faith and not by sight”; “be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”; “Be Reconciled to God”; “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. “; and “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”  WOW

To be living IN reconciliation means we have to enter situations ready to forgive as Jesus forgave – we have to approach the strife of situation with hoping to bring it new life – and cast away the old. We certainly have to believe in the forgiveness asked for and the forgiveness given – God wants us to be with HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS – which means to me that He is “Righting” – making something stand up again – live again – be allRIGHT in the new life – because He allowed “it” and He made “it” happen.

So much of our Life in Harmony with the Lord comes from the Lord – our role is to accept it and not flaunt it or sell it – but feel it humbly and shine it unashamedly – our boast is in the Lord – and He IS LORD – so let the LIGHT SHINE!!!

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

We forgive and we live – we believe and we receive – we know and now we go – go with Christ – Jesus SHINE our Way!

Amen

—

2nd Corinthians 5 NKJV
Assurance of the Resurrection
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

The Judgment Seat of Christ
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

Be Reconciled to God
For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

I was looking at the latest business release for my work – and there is that classic fine print: “Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” – that is earthly true, that the past doesn’t always indicate future… The hopes and educated guesses of stock and business performance is still an iffy game. It continued: “This press release includes forward-looking statements… Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “would,” “may,” “estimate,” “plan,” “outlook,” and “project,” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters.”

In business – we have to caution against “forward looking statements” – but IN FAITH??? We LIVE on “forward looking statements” – we know the past and we know the present and we know the future – we do – we know they are all WITH GOD – and we will live, in truth, in His counsel and comfort always…

Paul, the prolific writer and apostle, was writing so many churches that he helped establish and cajoling them to carry on – to improve themselves – to keep going and share the GOOD NEWS. Paul wrote about that some people’s hearts are still veiled – they just can’t see to believe- and God knows that – and yet we are importantly still preaching:  “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

And we get to see the invisible – YES! We get to see the eternal!!!!

“our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

“anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “would,” “may,” “estimate,” “plan,” YES!!!!

We must be FORWARD LOOKING – and preach and share and believe – as there are people being “unveiled” by God all the time – and they are the recipients of our seed planting – God knows – God knows all who will come to Him – and He makes sure they SEE THE LIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!

AMEN

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2 Corinthians 4 NKJV
The Light of Christ’s Gospel
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Cast Down but Unconquered
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you.

And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

Seeing the Invisible
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

It is a great new fridge – beautiful and shiny – but it is the functionality that we like the most – and then after that we like that it is the exact same model as our 22yr old fridge and hopefully as reliable – at least for a few years – hopefully another 20!

I had to clean out the old fridge too many times when it would falter – the dressings and cheeses and long term storage things – got expensive tossing – it was unreliable and getting water leaks all down the floor cracking the wood… It was “sort of” working and in the band-aid approach to life, but after a while I opted for replacement – so that the next 2 to 20 years will be OK… I hope…

It was easy cleaning OUT the fridge – but the pause came when I knew I had to clean OFF the fridge door and sides – oh…  that was emotional and strange and real…

But I knew there would be new – new fridge, new life, new hope, new salads and milk and cheeses inside, and new adventurous things to post outside… 

But for this moment, I knew there was more than a fridge full of magnets and memories – posted things like student of the month and awards, art work, photos from weddings, magnets from trips, and a funny combined double manufacturing error of collection we had – like 2 forks in one bag and 2 covid masks sewn together in manufacturing error – for some reason the “kids” of 5 years ago were amused – and these got posted on the fridge next to the calendar and memories. Oh there was the side of the fridge, with comics and with a photo of “Granny Jane” our then neighbor at 90 to 100 years – she was wearing a fun hat in our photo – my kids and I met her and loved her – everyone loved her. And then there were important lock combinations and a few memos. More memories in the vacation bible school art crafted photos. OH – the values we hold of love and family and friends clung to that fridge as we clung and cling to them…  Cleaning OFF the memories was bittersweet…

but I saved all those memories just as I saved all the stuff…  

and now – I will recreate that – it might take me a while to get back to it – but I plan to recreate the same items in the same places… I took off it in a pattern and have the photos to recreate it – wouldn’t it be funny to simply print a photo of the old magnets and stick that up there…

Why? – because I can – why? – because I care of my own memories – why? – because I never lost the love of most of those moments – and just a few things will be discarded as not needed – most will stay. why? because I love what I love. We love what we love, and save trinkets to save space – and try to give them all space.

Isn’t that life with our Lord – we are cleaned out and rejuvenated on the inside – we have a new self – we have a new step – a new “chill” mentality like a cooling fridge – a new preservation mode of temporary treasures and yet the willingness to shed it all and start fresh…  And isn’t that our Lord’s Life with us – a new shiny exterior that is the cloak of forgiveness and grace that cleans up the view. Paul would write: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2nd Cor 5:17 – and that is inside first and outside next..

And isn’t that the new life we step into everyday – old treasures – and new treasures to experience and only take snippets – fridge magnet sized memories of adventure and loved ones – but don’t try to overload it – but we do… and that is our next step – to make new memories and save a NEW spot on the fridge for those…  take off the old magnets of irrelevance and put on new history.

All in all – be thankful that we are replaced with a new model in Heaven – let life continue in a better style with no energy drain or cost.

And as for legacy? that would be of our values – and when I had the fridge cleaned and my daughter came home, she had that gasp of an empty fridge – not inside because we have been dealing with that for a month of not-cooling – but her gasp was of the memories stripped from the fridge – I quickly told her that I saved them all… Legacy is that we show others and they also learn that we DO care about our past and our loved ones – and that we are willing to make the sacrifices to go forward… out and off with the old – and on with the new – that is what will step us forward…

Remember life, like the items in the fridge are perishable – and the treasures of earth like those ON the fridge will weather and fade – but the LORD lives forever and so will we in Him… 

Amen

Peter (1Peter 1:15-25 NKJV) would write: “…as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. … Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever.”

Amen

Paul would write: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2nd Cor 5:17 NKJV

Jesus would teach: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV

Oh, what gifts do we give?

And how do we live?

Life’s ups and downs we must navigate,

Be responsible and frugal or LIVE EXTRAVAGANT and NOT HESITATE. 

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Maybe we just pray,

To DO SOMETHING today 

That makes someone else’s day.

Maybe we GO not stay,

GIVE A BEST SMILE – and say HEY.

Make OTEHRS feel good in a special way. 

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On Halloween we can dress silly, 

Or an outfit all decked out fancy.

Or have spooky stuff that is fun,

Keep us laughing, not make us run.

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On Halloween it’s about the GIVE, 

It’s about the kid in us ready to LIVE.

It’s the dressing up RIGHT,

Not overt fright or flight.

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Sure, a little scare,

And beware.

But we can make Halloween into a day we show we care.

Laugh, smile, and care.

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Lord, we are uniquely us.

You made us without a fuss.

You gave a spirit into life,

To love you and to love others, even in strife…

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Lord today, help us share.

Help us smile without care.

Help us credit You and make others aware:

That blessings are not spooky spirits – blessings good are from You Magnificent and Mighty, Lord make us aware. 

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And all the while, 

Give us a smile, 

We know we live life here for only a short while.

Laughter and Love never go out of style. 

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Happy Halloween 

Amen