The car windshield wipers in the rain had me thinking that we are ALWAYS looking past the fast pace of them to see out…see past the wipers onto the road… and this reminded me to think HOW WE ARE TO SEE PAST THE WORLD and it’s worldliness and brokenness to SEE FURTHER… Seeing how fast the wipers fly is just like the crazy times, and yet we can see further past,  even if in glimpses. We might even make the windshield soaked with wiper fluid, temporarily, making the view worse. Clear views are our hope. Same with our eyeglasses or the eyes of our hearts…

God set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

AND, in looking past the windshield (which is thankfully protective like our thick skin), let us pray to SEE PAST THE WORLD unto SEEING THE WONDER well up ahead… see PAST THE WORLD to SEE THE WAY…

SEE JESUS SHINING AND SHOWING US THE WAY. 

These opportunities for thoughtfulness, let them rain on us and reign in us. God ALSO saw to it that I had converging spiritual reminders with the Jesus Calling devotional that day… Sarah Young writes from scripture that if we remember that we reside in a fallen world, where blessings and sorrows intermingle freely, then we need to make sure we KEEP WALKING THROUGH THE DAY, keeping going, focusing on the Lord not the lostness or craze… and we are to keep our minds (sometimes enjoyingly and sometimes tearfully) LOOKING for the LIGHT of JESUS SHINING…

Hold onto the hope which is holding onto you. 

We do live in a fallen world, and even though the rainy weather could be interpreted as gloomy, yet on this day in our current drought, the rain IS what we have prayed for. The rain IS necessary, needed, and productive – especially if we, like farmers, are seeing and seeding the Lord’s HOPE in distant or ever-nearer-coming  views. 

Let us keep wiping away from the worldliness to see the Way!

Let us also keep the clarity of our heart windshields – walk by faith not sight – and keep focus of thought and keep moving forward. Shrug off the rain and feel the LOVE.

Follow Jesus, He knows the Way. 

Amen 

—-

Proverbs 3:5-8

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 also from wise Solomon 

A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

I caught a glimpse of a stylish Santa. The Santa image looked so very knowledgeable about me, about being good or bad, naughty or nice, but I’m sure he couldn’t read my thoughts, or see my actions, or know how whimsy could overtake the most minor thing, turning it into a real faux pas… the oops that ache, the misjudgement moments, the apologetic and yet simple lapses of judgment. No. Santa looked solid and sturdy, and yet surely even Santa can’t lift enough coal for all of those faux pas we do… me too…

And besides this, in my sights this ain’t the real Santa, not even a photo with a “hushing finger to mouth” – this Santa is a plastic photo platter made to hold more cookies than the weight of sins. Santa may give gifts, and so do we, but Santa ain’t no savior. 

The Savior of us, is our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus knows us and so His Love flows out our forgiveness. And with His Spirit energizing our awareness, we remember that we need Him, I surely do.

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Our faith to accept Him and believe in Him, stems from our realization that WE NEED JESUS.  We need His forgiveness AND His guidance. We need to remember to depend on Him and keep moving in Grace. His guidance reminds that the world is crucified to us, and us to the world. There has to be a spiritually healthy separation of our vision away from the world, to not get caught up in worldly stuff nor steps. 

Lord knows that He knows our oops-es, scrambles, and slip ups, even bull in a china shop lives, and yet these actions are still salvageable by His desire to keep us close to God.  His desire is for us to know Him. We can’t waste time knowing we are saved then act flippant like we forgot that or that He couldn’t save us. Our actions, no matter how grave or light, can still be grace-applied into a save.

We need forgiveness and to remember that we need it.

We also need to pray us and others away from the worldliness that gets between us. 

A poem:

Jesus, FORGIVENESS BY THEE,

Merciful Forgiveness for FREE.

Grave Grace for us all, and for me.

May we all make a plea,

Forgiveness, Lord, please shower mercy on me.

And then, help me believe, help me see.

May we separate from worldliness forgivingly. 

May we only boast of Thee. 

Set our loving hopes free.

FORGIVENESS TO FREE

FORGIVENESS BY THEE

FORGIVENESS of others ALSO FROM ME

This is my plea.

Help me to see.

And be saved and still and simply be.

Oh how I live to love Thee. 

Amen 

—

Galatians 6 NIV, A letter from Paul, 

DOING GOOD TO ALL 

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person GENTLY. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Not Circumcision but the NEW CREATION 

See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.

From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.  

Matthew 21:23-32 The Authority of Jesus Questioned

Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

The Parable of the Two Sons

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

“Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

——-

SERMON – WEARING MY PONCHO AND VOLUNTEER HAT…

A couple weekends ago – I loved working the water station at mile 24 of 26 for the marathon. One of my college alumni associations was going to work it together and I thought WHY NOT? I say that a lot – “Hey, why not?!!!”   

We worked the marathon by helping to hand cups out – of water or Gatorade – and of ENCOURAGEMENT – – I loved yelling WORDS OF ENCOURAGMENT:   “You’ve got this. – You’re almost there – just two more miles”                 so close to everyone walking that we could say “JUST WALK IT OUT – FINISH STRONG!”

And I loved seeing smiles. Was it necessary for me to see the reactions – no – I simply was there to help – But encouragement to encouragement? COOL! Fist bumps and thank you’s. But most importantly we got the people the water they needed. why anyone would want to run 26 or 13 plus miles or run any miles is beyond me – but I understand these folks have goals and hopes and the gumption to do it – they had a plan and preparation and did it.

At first I worked the station by raking cups – yeah – not leaves but cups! Clearing the path for runners to get to the cup holders, I raked empty cups towards the trash and out of the way – then halfway thru my shift, I SWITCHED – and served water with a hoop and holler, especially since we were mile 24, just 2 miles away from the finish. At mile 25 the music was blaring (I walked over there to check it out near the end) that water crew to do the macarena and electric slide in encouraging the runners who were still coming in – It was encouraging to see the young volunteers. It was a blessing to yell my heart out.

ESPECIALLY cool that most the runners had their names on their shirts!!! Fabulous.. I had no idea most would have names on their shirts. We could yell their actual names and if there was no name just cheer “you got this”. Catching a glimpse of faces, smiles, etc was really good. 5000 volunteers, 50000 runners.  WE CAN’T ALL RUN, BUT WE CAN BE CUP FILLERS! SPIRIT CUPS!

Yes the names and the words on the t-shirts, they spoke volumes in supporting causes, having those names was great, it became SO personal. And I thought – Thank God that God knows us by name, not just our names but in everything – remember Psalm 139:

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me… Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there;  if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. …    

AND I also thought about the other great scripture: God knows both our earthly given name and a new name reserved for each person in Heaven.

Jesus said to John in Revelation 2:17 “And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” Jesus, calls our names!!! Jesus is already making a spot at the dinner table. and so I thought it was cool that we were calling names and sending messages, all while serving water – .

OH – the WATER team….

I love that we can share the word of God together = and take this knowledge with us – out there into the world.  I know that the Lord wants us, at this point in time of our lives, to be the encouragers.  You know life is a marathon not a sprint. And we all need to keep moving – no matter how slow – and we all need to refill with water – real water and wow Living Water…

Remember the conversation between Jesus and the woman at the well – Jesus said to her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

Isn’t it great to know, from learning about Jesus, that Jesus has got this? Everything we see in the world will fade away and our life with Jesus in eternity will be our focus. And not thirst again! Just like marathon race people, may we find that last energy burst to keep going !

At the marathon, about 90% were running 10% walking when I arrived for the second shift as the stages were staggered at the start. So a bit later that percentage noticeably changed to then two thirds running with one third walking, then half and half, then most walking as darkness fell. We were in Central Park under the street lights by the zoo and museums – we were fine. I would say you are safer in a city of millions than a field of a few. We would consolidate tables as we were winding down, helping clean up as we went.

They instructed us how to hold the cups and the first few were difficult for me, Because my arm wouldn’t give way to let the cup go fast enough. But later it was less water, and more about talking, more encouragement – like some people even stopped to rest and chat. I appreciated the encouragement of the station captain and mirrored her, saying “welcome to the park”. Even if not running it out, they surely could finish. SO CLOSE

SO CLOSE – isn’t that our message to each other and to the world of people now – that our finish with Jesus coming back is SO CLOSE – and of course to each other and others that we are not getting any younger and that we do want to finish strong – and keep our eyes focused on Jesus – Jesus is the prize – that He awarded Himself to us for forgiveness. And we can walk with each other – we must – we should…

There was one particular marathon father I saw supporting his daughter, wow she was distraught but he was determined to help. There were team co-encouragers there. Many times for stragglers, I saw a friend or the whole family come out of the crowd and walk the last two miles, holding up their runner. They pushed on because this was now THEIR marathon – a personal journey – and not just a finish for the books. I saw a man pushing himself in his wheelchair backwards – kicking with his feet – with a team of walkers cheering him on –  this was a slow journey but a real one, his team members weren’t pushing him, he was getting himself going on that road –  backwards sitting but forward movement. I am sure he got there!

And it was getting darker and yet the people were still coming – even after the sweeper truck came – runners who didn’t make it as official finishers – BUT THEY WERE STILL WALKING. people kept coming – walking it home – they kept coming and we kept encouraging them…

AH – walking it home –   

In our TWO part scripture today – there were many questions being asked – and in these times, Jesus found Himself in direct conflict with the rulers and elders of the churches – who not just questioned Jesus –  they also questioned the whole scene when John the Baptist was starting his ministry –  Jesus knew this – That question Jesus asked: – Do you believe that John’s baptism was from human or heaven authority?

To answer a question with a question is an art, as well as a skill, as well as common occurrence for the rabbi teacher in Jesus. Jesus asked back in the form of a question – to be thought provoking, to show thought of His actions, by saying it should be clear He did what He did by GOD’S AUTHORITY, and Jesus came to plant seeds of knowledge that would surely sprout LATER (even in these skeptical rulers), after hearing of Him raised up from dead.

Here the questioners got quizzed themselves!!!.  That perhaps we could think of as a midterm question – and a tricky one if you weren’t studying – studying the prophesies – studying the signs of the times – studying the scenes –JESUS WAS DIRECTLY TALKING ABOUT HOW John the Baptist would tell the people: “I, [JOHN], baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, [john was talking about Jesus], whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

John (by Heaven’s Authority) was “Preparing the Way”, fulfilling scripture.

And Jesus Himself also came to be baptized by John, And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Yet these chief priests and elders were suspicious of Jesus…  and asked Him questions… they would ask: “by what authority do you do these things?’ – probably including healing and talking about God and everything – a question to be accusatory. They wanted to make sure Jesus was not disrupting the status quo – and also not from an evil source of power –    **THEY ASKED QUESTIONS BUT HAD NO IDEA THEY WERE ALREADY LOOKING AT THE ANSWER – they were looking at the answer… JESUS…

* But they said “I don’t know” so not be questioned MORE by the people.

Walking it Home, which we are doing now – Jesus also asks us essentially: “Do you believe in ME?” – “Do you believe I can get you home?” These are like the final exam question of “DO YOU BELIEVE IN ME AS LORD AND SAVIOR?” The Lord wants us to know and accept Him and see us fulfilled with joy.

In the parable of the 2 sons – that Jesus asked, is key:  “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. “Which did what his father wanted?”  “The first,” they answered.

We can get LOTS out of this scripture –understanding God – Jesus brought all the concepts of God’s forgiveness and the basics to the forefront of the conversations. God is clearly as a Father here – and He wants us to come- even if we come late – or straggle in – barely cross that finish line but finish because we believe in Jesus who finished it all for us. that is such the crucial message that Jesus brought time and time again to the people – you hear a consistent theme of us being lost – being defiant – being in sin – but God the Father is loving anyway being forgiving.  He wants us to finish the race.

The Father seeing the son actually enter the vineyard is a basic question about compliance – about not brushing off the situation giving a flippant answer – it is thinking of one’s path – certainly about the doing over the talking – you know WALK THE WALK and not just talk the talk…

Yes, in this parable, the vineyard was a place to work – and also the vineyard was a place to be – and certainly we all could (I certainly should) walk closer with Him, let Him guide our steps – trust Him and worship Him more fully with mind, heart and soul.  “Less of me, more of Him.”

The question using the brothers was then an open book test – love OPEN BOOK TESTS – yet  we study everything to know where to look – we are to know of Jesus AND to know Jesus in us is the saving grace, answering a final exam answer: Jesus.   BECAUSE IN OUR FINAL EXAMINATION, IT IS NOT JUST AN OPEN BOOK TEST, IT’S AN OPEN HEART TEST.

We have a marathon of life, and I found myself at our own city fun run and half marathon – the Italian Stallion ROCKY RUN! – last Saturday –  right at the Art Museum famous steps – cool huh? And actually no traffic at that early hour to get there and it was like divine intervention that I got a great parking spot… SO I grabbed not water cups but my sign encouragement to fill spirits and yell –  “Run Rocky Run” I yelled out – like the Forest Gump movie. I thought with the fun of last week this was cool too with the Rocky music etc… but I decided to move further out – half mile out – where the people were more sparse – and the sign I made to hold? Let me show you – “God Loves You” – Yeah! – I held above my Rocky sign the “God loves you” – and even though I needed no acknowledgement of the sign or my work in the vineyard – I needed and got that Holy Spirit whisper of “yeah – this is a good place – the best place for you to stand – this is a good morning activity in beautiful brilliant sunshine.” And I was not yelling “GOD LOVES YOU” – but I stood as a silent witness this time…

For us doing the work of the Lord is truly a blessing and we certainly can understand why Jesus walked the earth to teach and to bring His sheep to Himself. Jesus also tells us that God wants us to tell others about this GOOD NEWS – the whole plan – of the forgiveness which allows us once again to commune with God – to be forever walking WITH GOD… 

SO yes – at the Rocky Run – there was the walking in of the stragglers once again – what a perfect place to cheer – like a reverse parade where the runners are looking at you. The runners had time to read the simple sign with a sigh – and “yeah” – smiles – a few hands to the sky – a few “YES HE DOES” – and sometimes I thought – well time to wrap this up – or need to sit down – so I did rest and then I got back up to work the side of the race again – and there were more smiles and thank yous and even a couple photos were taken – yeah – and these ladies behind me who ran up and said “The people love your sign – what is on it?” – then they said:  “OH!” when they read it – “God loves you” – classic and true and not hidden…  there is no better sign than that…

I mention this not as a boast of my situation or that great parking spot that morning – but to say we all can find a place at the sideline cheering each other on – and encouraging those who are not sure if they should even join the race…  We need to work this harvest. Yes!  There are so many who say: “I can’t turn to God – I have been so unworthy”  – but we are to say “YOU ARE WORTHY BECAUSE HE IS WORTHY – GOD LOVES YOU”

If we stray, God rakes us in – if we fall, God picks us up, if we are thirsty – Jesus says: LET ME BE YOUR LIVING WATER. Half mile from the finish – that is where we are now… 

How often we are not in the moment – to know there is a race going on in everyone’s lives – how often we should just bring this message to others and give them the boost up.  People need to know: GOD LOVES YOU!

SO – how does this relate to our Jesus Scripture and Parable lesson? Well –  let’s talk about working in that vineyard… and what we still have to do – it is fine and good that we now have entered – but what is left? The harvest…

I leave you with this amazing scripture scene, Jesus and the woman at the well, in John 4. And there’s a small scene where the disciples come back and like from the village comes the woman with the people she told – Jesus would have seen them coming when telling the disciples –  “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true.I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”

As disciples, we can do these things, go out and work in the fields. Be saved and work together to share the Good News.  And keep running the race too –  AMEN…

Please pray with me – thank You Lord for our race and our mission – thank You Lord for our pace and our determination – thank You Lord for teaching and showing us the WAY – THANK YOU LORD FOR YOU.  Amen

It’s not hard to DISLIKE things that some people do. It’s the annoying things, the nitpicking of us or our situation, and vice versa the us to them. The anger takes up our time,  everyone’s time too. Sad. The urge to just be free of dealing with those people is so strong we invent ways to ignore them, get out of town, isolate ourselves. You name it. 

I’m not talking about bad people necessarily, or a certain type of person, but anyone who at that moment gets on our nerves (like a driver in traffic or whatever), or whom we can NOT imagine dealing with long-term (like anyone you name it…) or someone we might love but can’t stay in the room with at times. Yeah.

And then also apply this to really bad people too, those whom we can’t forgive it seems – well would not think to – without Divine Grace of course. And that’s where we see that the lack of being able to deal with people is BOTHof their brokenness AND OF OURS TOO. 

YES, WE ARE BROKE TOO. 

“cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye”

We may be BROKEN by our circumstances (we are broken by birth into an Adam and Eve broken world), and BROKEN by our sinful actions (Lord please forgive us), and BROKEN because we lack the love and grace to the level Jesus has given. Jesus came and suffered so that we COULD forgive and live with broken people around us. 

Who is more broken? The one who breaks or the one who can’t apply the fix? Well, hmmm… well, loving enemies and giving forgiveness is a DIVINE REQUIREMENT, so when we have the mind to forgive, we too can live, less broken. Being broke lacking money is nothing like being broke of love. Us being unable to apply love banked up is where we also run dry. So when you are broke of applying compassion, do ask Jesus to give more to give out to others. Dip into His stockhold of DIVINE POWER. And know LOVE is through us, not just too us.

It would seem impossible to love all our enemies or love everything people do. And so the parade of people who are going to heaven despite their shortcomings is not to rile us, but to inspire us. Jesus is THAT graceful, the Lord is THAT loving, and we are THAT broken to not see wholeness. 

One can not imagine Heaven without knowing Jesus came to save the lost, me too, us too, them too, all who would hear and believe. 

Let us believe we need Jesus for all this. His healing is the LOVE that the world lacks, let us acknowledge we are broken people too and need Jesus all the more. Hope in Him. 

Amen 

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Amen Amen 

—-

Luke 6:6-49

And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. 

And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.

Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.

Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.

For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

I was just about to start complaining about the sensationalized news headline: “drought threatening to ruin Christmas “, because honestly nothing can ruin Christmas and secular stuff ain’t got anything to do with Jesus and God’s Plan, yeah!… 

And then again, the lack of Living Water in one’s life in a droughtful moment of doubtful faith, is so sad. We all need Jesus, Living Water, and the sweetest Christmas gift is His Hope, Love, Presence, and Realness. 

I keep the beautiful card that was handed to me ten years ago now, at a Living Nativity at church, in an awakening time frame where Jesus became real to me. I was in drought and doubt until God’s Will got me to see, to figure it all out.

So, don’t be in droughtful doubt, be REFRESHED in Jesus’s flesh.

Thank you Lord for the reign…

(And please do send some rain too)

Amen

—

1st John 4

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

He loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

We love him, because he first loved us.

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

If life feels wobbly or really coming APART.

Maybe go old-school and live day to day – moment to moment – as an ART.

A Weeble WOBBLES but it won’t fall down, because it’s weighted at the bottom, oh so SMART.

Let us be weighted with, wait with, wait on, the LIFT of the Lord – and hold onto His anchor – remember His famous calming of the seas part.

Live out the wavy life times focusing on the Lord with the eyes of one’s heart. 

Are we wobbly or willfully smart!

Following Jesus is WILLFULLY SMART!

Live life that God carefully crafted FOR YOU – live close to Jesus as your art.

and SMART.

Amen

Today I have many plans in addition to voting. Plans. And things I should do but probably won’t get to. 

What should I know? That not everyone I meet up with will be in agreement with my politics, my religion, my lifestyle, my motivation, my urgency of the day, my point of view.  Not everything will go to plan. 

What should I do? LOVE THE PEOPLE, NOT ALWAYS THE SITUATION. LOVE THEM. Help them. Teach them. Learn them. Lead them. Reach them. LOVE THEM. 

Follow them? Following them is a whole different thing. I’ve been elected to FOLLOW JESUS. Following Jesus above all evil powers that are perverse and keep me from loving my neighbor as myself, keep me from loving my enemies. Following Jesus above all distractions that cloud my view of purpose. Following Jesus above all petty pet peeves too, anything that keeps me from serving His intentions. 

Follow Jesus in serving, in reaching, in knowing purpose of taking up one’s cross to minimize the “it’s all about me” – because it’s all about Jesus. Because Jesus is all about serving us.

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture… 

Elect to know that Jesus elected us first. Jesus selected us first before we had eyes of our hearts opened to know. Jesus chose to serve and He knows the Way. Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

We’ve been called. Follow Jesus always.  We’ve got direction, mission, Salvation and service. 

Jesus our Lord, with God Himself Almighty Father, with God’s Chosen Messenger in HolySpirit, are God’s Three in One.

God’s Three in One = God’s Almighty Sum.

Amen

---

John 10:1-30, Jesus speaking:

Jesus the True Shepherd

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

Jesus the Good Shepherd

Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.  As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. And many of them said, “He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?” Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

The Shepherd Knows His Sheep

Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”

I enjoyed finding the Halloween costumes I made when the kids were toddlers. Crafty creative, I enjoyed the opportunity to make something fun. Little kids are little for a short time. I pulled out the photo albums to see their photos. I have felt the specialness of the memories of traipsing up and down our neighborhood with them trick-r-treating. Those were short years gone by. So special in the moment now this year was being with my grown-up daughter handing out candy this year. We got some, maybe 25 kids only, but the quiet together was priceless. 

The festive feelings are something that I enjoyed in the moment, yes, and was glad to document, but longevity speaking, it’s not the most valuable thing I can show to and teach my children. 

The MOST precious thing is to share LOVE, God’s Love, and share WHERE to TURN, WHOM to REACH OUT to, and HOW to demonstrate FAITH. Knowing and teaching that the Lord saves.

Demonstrating FAITH is both in the failing times and in the fruitful ones. Sharing HOPE and sharing THANKFULNESS are responding to the love poured into us. Knowing that we serve a God Who Saves is key. SHARING that GOD SAVES is an amazing heritage. 

Keep on believing… Keep walking with Him and teaching others…

Amen

—

Joel 2:28-32

God’s Spirit Poured Out

“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

“And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.

And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord SHALL BE SAVED. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the Lord has said, Among the remnant whom the Lord calls.

---

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…” 1st Peter 2:9

---

I was so grateful to have the fire scanner available over the internet when I learned of a brush fire up home, hours away.  It seems it is now contained at 2am, no structures. I drifted in and out of sleep listening. Normally up home and other places are ‘out of sight out of mind’, but since I knew the close proximity of this fire to some of my family’s land I paid very close attention to social newsfeeds. I thought to myself if I didn’t have family there, I would be as concerned. Yes in prayer, but not riveted to the coverage like tonight. Yes, I prayed!

“I am the Lord your God and there is no other.”

Truly it has been a DRY year. And I’ve been in a grassfire in my youth and I know how quickly they do spread. My friend showed me video of a tree fire at her work from a tossed cigarette. WOW! Quickly fire tears thru. It’s the natural restorative force too for some regions and causes new growth. Also seemingly quick is how the ground recovers, the rain returns, life grows and moves forward. 

With this I connect to the hopeful praises of the Lord for when He has and does and still will be reconnecting and regrowing His people Israel, and for all of us. Joel the prophet says marvelous things for the time and certainly is also prophesy for a forevermore time… Jesus the Bridegroom will return for His Bride… HOLD ON TO THE HOPE. There will be trouble, but fear not, for the Lord has overcome. 

The Lord HAS been paying attention, because we are His family.

For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness.

Be glad and rejoice, For the Lord has done marvelous things!

And also in our lives we have seen correction and complete overhauling. We may have seen some of our things and plans burnt to the ground but surely we have seen RECOVERY 

Now, Lord, we are WAITING for the RAIN in right time! FOR US AND FOR YOUR PEOPLE AND FOR THE LAND. Please Lord!!! It is so dry, send Your Loving rain.

We will get there… He will provide…

And rejoice in the Lord your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you…

Good!!! Thank You Lord!!!

Amen

—

Joel 2:12-27

A Call to Repentance

“Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him— A grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God?

Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly; Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room. Let the priests, who minister to the Lord, Weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord, And do not give Your heritage to reproach, That the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ ”

The Land Refreshed

Then the Lord will be zealous for His land, And pity His people. The Lord will answer and say to His people, “Behold, I will send you grain and new wine and oil, And you will be satisfied by them; I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations.

“But I will remove far from you the northern army, And will drive him away into a barren and desolate land, With his face toward the eastern sea And his back toward the western sea; His stench will come up, And his foul odor will rise, Because he has done monstrous things.”

Fear not, O land; Be glad and rejoice, For the Lord has done marvelous things! Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; For the open pastures are springing up, And the tree bears its fruit; The fig tree and the vine yield their strength. Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the Lord your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you – The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.

“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,

The crawling locust,

The consuming locust,

And the chewing locust,

My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame. Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the Lord your God and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame.

You know, there’s something to be said about working at work rather than working from home, and I am not even talking about work work, I’m talking about inspiration encouragement fun festive feelings for many hundred folks.

Remember everywhere we work, we work for the Lord. We are to use our skills to inspire and help. 

Yes, this was blessedly my encouragement (and paper posting and photo-ing and emailing) role on the Activities Committee this time for encouraging the week, a POSITIVITY week cumulative yesterday in Halloween… We had costumes we had candy. We had jocularity. We did purchase candy by work, but the JOY was FREE.

Monday was dress as a particular decade, Tuesday twins, Wednesday wacky Wednesday, Thursday Halloween, Friday (today) is sports day. Also folks sent in photos of pets dressed, decorations at home, etc.

Here is my wrap up poem for the week.

POSITIVITY IN COMMUNITY IS WE AND WHEEEEEE….

What an encouragement to beeeee.

An ENCOURAGER, you see.

I’m BLESSED to be close to my work family.

It’s how we help cheer those who help you and help me.

Encouragement in all aspects of life is also encouragement for Thee,

As we learn to count our blessings freely.

Lord, keep us going in joy and sure some frivolity.

We just can feel blessed to beeee!!!

Amen