Downcast?….

This one is a hard one to write…I am usually this downcast…I thought of these verses…there are times we are downcast in reality…not with joyful thoughts all the time, when the world moves  in and we have to sort our thoughts, our motives, our actions, things we are reading and absorbing…so here it is…

Psalm 42:5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?�    Why so disturbed within me?�Put your hope in God,�    for I will yet praise him,�    my Savior and my God.

6 My soul is downcast within me;�    therefore I will remember you�from the land of the Jordan,�    the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.�7 Deep calls to deep�    in the roar of your waterfalls;�all your waves and breakers�    have swept over me.

8 By day the Lord directs his love,�    at night his song is with me—�    a prayer to the God of my life.

I have just finished  reading a book, “the Bully Pulpit “, watching the news, reading the Bible as part of my daily times…we have just gone through the arrest, trail and conviction of Jesus in the Book of John…and all of these readings and thoughts just have been rolling around in my mind…

The book has chapters labeled, “the first shall be first, that which shall not be named, a heavy yoke on us, a trail of dead bodies, flipping the script, suffering in silence, and finally, they shall not destroy”….

Think of the news and the world today…there are bullies everywhere, nationwide, worldwide, down the street…think of those chapter titles…they fit the news…

Think of the arrest, trial, the people involved, as well as the life of Jesus…bully’s also fill the pages countered by His life and testimony…His promises…think of those chapter titles…they fit there as well…

Our lives have bullies which may walk in and take over… they come in all forms…those titles fit there as well…

But, we have Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…He is the one that gives victory…he gets rid of the bullies…He overcomes death, a bully…

So, I thank YOU for the bullies…as we are to give thanks in all things so that Your peace may invade our souls….

Thank YOU…

Thank You Lord…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAT8qXn6UrU&list=RDjAT8qXn6UrU&start_radio=1

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Ebu2bakeY/?mibextid=wwXIfr

What is truth?

 “What is truth?….”

Just to read… and think about..time really hasn’t changed this much…people really haven’t changed much, we just change the wording and names, but this still goes on and on…with new slants…

John 18:38 “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him…”

They eventually chose evil over good…

Jesus still remains the same…His Word remains the same…

Jesus Himself provides the answer. He declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

“Pilate was cynical. He thought that all truth was relative. To many government official, truth was whatever the majority of people agreed with or whatever would advance their own personal power and political goals. When there is no basis for truth, there is no basis for moral right and wrong. Justice bec9 es whatever works or whatever helps those in power. In Jesus and his Word we have a standard for truth and our moral behavior.” Bible Study Notes…

https://themeetingtent.com/why-did-pontius-pilate-ask-jesus-what-is-truth-john-18-38/

https://biblehub.com/john/18-38.htm

“Summary

Pilate's question, "What is truth?" reflects a deep skepticism.
This inquiry occurs during the trial of Jesus, as recorded in John 18:38. Pilate, the Roman governor, poses this question after Jesus speaks about truth and his role in testifying to it. The question can be interpreted in several ways:

Philosophical Skepticism

• Pilate's question suggests a cynical or skeptical attitude towards the concept of absolute truth. It reflects a worldview that questions the existence of objective truth, especially in the context of political and social power dynamics

Context of the Trial

• This moment is pivotal as it precedes Pilate's declaration of finding no basis for a charge against Jesus. It highlights the tension between Roman authority and the spiritual claims of Jesus

Relevance Today

• The question remains significant in contemporary discussions about truth, ethics, and morality, prompting reflection on how truth is perceived and defined in various contexts.”AI summary….

Thank YOU…

The Jesus Way…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fhv4arL3yk&list=RD4Fhv4arL3yk&start_radio=1

Olive press…

 Olive press…

It seems fitting that Jesus and his disciples went to Gethsemane to meet the soldiers, officials from the chief priests, when the definition is “olive press”. When you think of the events to follow…the olives are picked  when ripe and ready for harvest…the time was right for Jesus to fulfill his prophecy as well …to be ground into the “pulp” so much he was unrecognizable…beaten, scorned, hung on a cross to die…

The olives really don’t have any way to escape their demise…Jesus did, but chose to  be obedient unto death because he knew His death was turning into victory…the olives give us pure oil for our use…Jesus gives us salvation for life…

There are times when we feel like we are in the Olive press of life…wondering why all the trials, strife, hurt, death are grinding away…slowly, unrelenting one after another, one after another…but at some point and only God knows, the our oil flows…as we are obedient to what God has for us…Joy in the morning….some one has said, “the deeper the “grinding”, the deeper the ministry “ after the time of sorrow,hardship…we have to take heart in that…even though it seems sooooo hard….

Thank YOU…

“Gethsemane refers to a garden located at the foot of the Mount of Olives, just outside Jerusalem. It is significant in the Bible as the place where Jesus prayed and experienced deep anguish before His arrest. This garden symbolizes both the humanity and divinity of Christ, showcasing His struggle and ultimate submission to the Father's will during a pivotal moment in the Passion narrative. Gethsemane is often described as a place of agony and surrender, where Jesus sought strength through prayer while His disciples struggled to stay awake.” AI summary…

“Easton’s Bible Dictionary-Gethsemane

Oil press, the name of an olive yard at the foot of the Mountain of Olives…

“HOW THE TRADITIONAL STONE PRESS WORKED

Traditional stone presses — still visible in ancient ruins and museums across Italy and Greece — operated on a simple mechanical principle. A large stone wheel or millstone sat vertically inside a circular stone basin. Livestock, typically oxen or donkeys, were harnessed to a wooden beam and walked in a circle, rotating the upper stone around the basin. Olives poured into the basin were crushed beneath the rotating stone into a thick paste.

That paste was then scooped into woven baskets called frails or fiscoli. The filled baskets were stacked on top of one another and a heavy stone weight was placed on top, applying downward pressure. A mixture of oil and water slowly dripped out and was collected below. The mixture was left to settle and decant — oil rising naturally to the surface — and then separated by hand.

The process was slow, labor-intensive, and limited in scale. A single press could take hours to process a relatively small amount of fruit. By the time the oil was extracted, the olives had often been sitting long enough for quality to begin declining. But for thousands of years, it was the only method available — and it worked.”https://exauoliveoil.com/products/excelsis-club

John 18:1  When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.

2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”

5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.

8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”

10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

John 18, 19

Heal me…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj-1SmPthQI&list=RDfj-1SmPthQI&start_radio=1

Fire…

 Fire…

In the NIV Bible, fire is found 364 times…from Genesis to Revelations.

Here are a few…I was just thinking about the last few chapters of John at this point…

They brought torches to find Jesus in the garden to light their way,  not realizing that Jesus was the Light of the World…

Peter warmed himself by the fires built to keep the soldiers warm as they awaited the trial and verdict  of Jesus…the one who led the nation out of Egypt in  a pillar of fire….or sent fire to burn up Elijah’s offering…or walked in  a fiery furnace with Danielle and his friends…etc…

Also, I liked the scene of Jesus on the beach with a fire with  fish already cooking as the men fished nearby…provision, he didn’t need their catch to provide, He was/is the Provider…

Fire shows up so many times in scripture….judgement, leading, provision, Holiness, care…from light leading the way in the wilderness to the final judgment, the lake of fire…

Jesus lights our way, help us to follow …

Thank YOU….

John 18: 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

John 18: 18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

John 18: 25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”

John 21: When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 

Genesis 22:6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

Exodus 3:2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”

4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

And Moses said, “Here I am.”

5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. 

Exodus 13:21 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

Deuteronomy 4: 24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

Be my light and guide my way…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dTza1WvQho&list=RD2dTza1WvQho&start_radio=1

Betrayed…

 Betrayed…

When the word “ betrayed” comes to mind, I immediately think of Judas and Jesus, but there are so many more stories of betrayal in the Bible…David and Bathsheba, Joseph and his brothers, Daniel and the other leaders at the time,  Esther for instance….

David and Bathsheba lost their child, but God forgave and blessed him exceedingly….Joseph forgave his brothers with “ 

God used it for good”….the other leaders with Daniel lost their lives…Esther’s uncle was honored while his accuser died… different endings of betrayals….

Jesus betrayal was foretold, it had to happen…for the consequences were for all mankind…Jesus died on the cross for all..to the ends of the earth…so that he could show his power over a horrible death…God was betrayed, but it was forgiveness…Jesus rose that we might have life….

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. 

Thank YOU….

betrayed…

: treacherously abandoned, deserted, or mistreated, entrapped…

“The Bible contains numerous accounts of betrayal, illustrating deep emotional and moral lessons. Here are some notable examples:

Key Betrayals

• Satan and Eve (Genesis 3): The serpent deceives Eve, leading to humanity's fall.

• Cain and Abel (Genesis 4): Cain's jealousy drives him to murder his brother Abel.

• Joseph's Brothers (Genesis 37): Joseph is betrayed by his brothers out of envy, sold into slavery.

• Delilah and Samson (Judges 16): Delilah betrays Samson by revealing the secret of his strength.

• David and Absalom (2 Samuel 15-18): Absalom, David's son, conspires against him to take the throne.

Themes of Betrayal

• Trust and Deception: Many stories highlight the fragility of trust and the consequences of betrayal.

• Forgiveness and Redemption: The narratives often emphasize the importance of forgiveness and the possibility of redemption after betrayal?”AI summary…

https://biblereasons.com/betrayal/

“If there is anyone who can relate to us about betrayal, it is God. Despite all who betrayed Him, He still found it in his heart to help, forgive, and rebuild relationships. Through scripture, we can find the strength to do the same. Use these Bible verses to help you overcome the pain of betrayal and encouragement to forgive.”

https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-betrayal/#google_vignette

Forgiveness…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIbCpy0CQEo&list=RDoIbCpy0CQEo&start_radio=1

 

Sandals…

 Sandals….

I am meeting with a representative from Because International this morning…this ministry has designed shoes/sandals for children in other countries around the world…there are 4 sizes , but each of these sizes can then be adjusted into 5 mores sizes…so they can be handed down and used by several people…they are given out in various countries, added to the  Christmas  boxes, and just partner  ministries who serve around the world. Last year 103,548 pairs were given out…

Reading …

John 18:1 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.

I thought of these shoes…shoes are mentioned throughout the Bible, Moses, Ruth, Amos and just everyday living…having been to Israel, I can’t imagine what having no shoes would be like, it is such rocky soil…

In the Bible times, the most used mode of transportation was feet…some people had wagons, donkeys, the military had some other modes as well…but feet were  the most used…and sandals were the fashion…it is amazing when we think about the abundance of footwear we have to choose from now!….

I would speculate that by the time Jesus was carrying his cross up the hill to his crucifixion, he was barefooted,, adding yet another agony to that event…as his robe was gambled for…

Sometimes we don’t appreciate the little things like shoes that we have , while others would love  to have the luxury of something to protect their feet from parasites, rocks, etc…

I loved the story in Luke 24, the road to Emmaus….the men were walking and along and Jesus joins them for the walk, explaining the scriptures to them…just think what those sandals could tell…

Thank YOU… 

At Your feet…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olujOC2YouA&list=RDolujOC2YouA&start_radio=1

“Sandals apparently were worn in Palestine from the earliest times . . . though ordinary persons are generally represented as barefoot . . . . Shoes were also of symbolic significance, as may be seen from the legal practice of presenting the shoe to confirm publicly the renun- ciation of levirate marriage rights or obligations . . . (Deut. 25:9;2

Ruth 4:7). To be unsandaled was to be dispossessed . . . .

There is no word in Hebrew that connotes wearing shoes, but there is one for being barefoot. "Yahef" is defined in Gesenius' Hebrew Lexicon as fol- lows: "to be without shoes. The ultimate root lies in the syllable chaf, chet, peh, and the primary notion is that of peeling, removing the bark of shell."

This implies that being barefoot was being deprived of normal dress.

There are instances in Scripture where "shoe" comes into some promi- nence. (1) In the customs of levirate marriage (Deut. 25:9, Ruth 4:7); (2)

at Moses' theophany at the Burning Bush (Ex. 3:5); (3) in Amos (2:6).” https://jbq.jewishbible.org/assets/Uploads/351/351_shoe2.pdf

https://www.saxum.org/the-journey-of-jesus-and-his-disciples-from-the-upper-room-to-gethsemane/



Jerusalem…

Hypothetical Reconstruction of the Route taken by Jesus and His Disciples to Gethsemane

250…

 250….. 

Yesterday was a day of remembrance and thanksgiving…the 250 birthday of America…what a delight to be alive for such a birthday…to watch and listen to historical speeches from so many…to remember what our forefathers went through to build this country, to honor those who fought for this country…the rich, the poor, the aspiring, the dreamers, the everyday people who trudged through history not knowing they were even making  history.

This past week I have watched segments about the “State Fair” in our capital, visiting state exhibits showing their stuff with proudness,  plus going to various places and their celebrations with the finale last night at the US a capital, the music, the rain, the interviews of heroes from past wars, interviews of everyday people who wanted to celebrate the nation’s birthday…I heard speeches about people who dreamed of freedom, who built, who designed…the history of our flag and places it has gone…

Then the fireworks…

Reading again in John 17, Jesus praying for us…people who want the truth…who will fight the evil one in their time, who will take the Word throughout the world…unity in the faith…seeing his glory…

Us, whom he planned for, who each have a divine plan given by the Creator of the universe….

We celebrate Jesus who loves us, died for us, rose for us, transforms us…

Thank YOU….

John17:14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Jesus Prays for All Believers

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

Thank YOU for blessing America, but more for blessing those who believe and have put their trust in You…

Countries will rise and fall, but You are my…

Firm Foundation…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFMp8oYkhdw&list=RDaFMp8oYkhdw&start_radio=1