Shepherds….

Our family has been pastored by many kinds of pastors…some missions oriented, legalists, others-social issues, while others were more knowledge driven and a few more…I appreciate all of them for their gifting, but I appreciate the ones who are shepherding the most…those who like Barnabas stayed behind and helped people grow in their faith….we can’t forget  the others though…we have looked for good teaching, care and encourage missions or are involved with the community and its issues. So I guess we have looked for well rounded people…

 Good shepherds care for the people and follow after God, desiring that his flock do the same…

Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding (Jeremiah 3:15 NIV).

Genesis 29: 3 When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone away from the well’s mouth and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well.

Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Psalm 78: 72 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart;

    with skillful hands he led them.

Micah 5: 4 He will stand and shepherd his flock

    in the strength of the Lord,

    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.

And they will live securely, for then his greatness

    will reach to the ends of the earth.

Hebrews 13: 20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelations 7: 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne

    will be their shepherd;

‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’

    ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

What a Shepherd we have…

Thank YOU….

Shepherd of my soul…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sv3e2cFcj4

 

Anger…

Once upon a time, I was angry…at the world, at church, at my family, at everything….I didn’t know I was so angry…and I really don’t remember the reason why now…but things were not going my may….

One Sunday, I walked into church, sat through the songs and then the sermon and I realized I was just plain mad at God…I can remember where I sat that day and how the realization hit me hard…I wasn’t trusting God’s goodness even through the trials or circumstances…I thought I had a better plan…and I was mad…angry…and everyone around me was suffering because of it…

That verse about seeing someone’s splinter in one’s eye while ignoring the plank in your own was so evident…

I was so humbled and asked for forgiveness….

It didn’t change the circumstances, but my heart was changed and I could look at what was happening with God’s light rather than my own…so much peace came, that I was startled by the amount of anger I had held onto, cherished…joy returned…

I have so far to go to learn all that God wants to teach….and the lessons are frequent…both with discipline and goodness…

Thank YOU…

Proverbs 3: 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight.

Isaiah 42:8 “I am the Lord; that is my name!

    I will not yield my glory to another

    or my praise to idols…

Isaiah 54:10 Though the mountains be shaken

    and the hills be removed,

yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken

    nor my covenant of peace be removed,”

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Again I say rejoice…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvWYDuinMTg

 

Do not be anxious….lady bugs…

Going to my overgrown garden boxes, yesterday I was picking dried milkweed pods for flower arrangements….some still had seeds, some hadn’t popped yet and others were totally empty of seeds… But, low and behold I found a whole miniature world of ladybugs…🐞 

The adult bugs were crawling around…then upon further observation, there were all the life cycles of the lady bugs, from eggs to nymphs to adults…then upon  further searching, their food source, aphids, was in some plants while the ladybug colonies were on other plants…

Their homes, their food were all provided.

It brought to mind the verses in Matthew….how God provides and anxiousness…here was a miniature world, going about their business without a care in the world and God was providing…their needs…how much more are we, created in His image, cared for…

Thank YOU….

therefore I tell you , do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on, is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing…look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap or gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  Matthew 6:25-26

Jehovah Jireh….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCsH_TtZReY

 More joy….

“To infuse more joy Into your day, seek to increase your awareness that I am with you…an easy way to do this is to say; Thank You, Jesus, for your presence.”  Sarah Young…

Don’t we all want joy, that deep sense of thankfulness, peace that runs through our soul? In the hard times as well as the parking spot in just the right place…knowing that we are cared for….that we are a vessel of God’s grace…a vessel prepared…a vessel of the promised Holy Spirit…

Thank  YOU Jesus, for your presence…..

Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life;

    you will fill me with joy in your presence,

    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;

    let them ever sing for joy.

Spread your protection over them,

    that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Psalm 7: 17 I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness;

    I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;

    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.

My heart leaps for joy,

    and with my song I praise him.

Acts 17: 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

John 1: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

2 Corinthians 4: 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation

    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

 Your presence…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGDsreB1CyQ

 A rock…

I need to go back to this last weekend and one of my grandsons….

A rock poking out of the water saved him…that rock was created by the spoken Word of God at creation…was it planned just for my grandson to find rescue…a solid perch on which to wait…if God has a plan for each of our lives, it was…He knows the beginning… He is the first and last…He knows our thoughts before we perceive them…

Our whole family is very aware of rocks…my husband was a geologist…the rocks God made put food on our table, clothes on our backs, shelter ….allowed us to give…rocks are personal to us…and they became more personal this last weekend…they became another saving force to our family…

I look at the video of the rescue and see God’s hand of care and salvation….what you don’t see in the pictures is rescuers downstream as backup to the one in the water …another picture of God desiring that none should perish…He wants us to live…he wants us to come to Him…

We depend upon the Rock as well…Jesus is our rock…our refuge…

Thank you…

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you (Isaiah 26:3 NIV).

 Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his works are perfect,

    and all his ways are just.

Psalm 71: 3 Be my rock of refuge,

    to which I can always go;

give the command to save me,

    for you are my rock and my fortress.

Jesus is my rock….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M88ItKnXlrI

 New lines…

Our neighborhood and town is getting new underground lines….day after day of huge trucks grinding away underground…Pulling lines, cutting holes in our driveways, lawns..backing up traffic, etc so that we can get “better service”…”faster service”…

This is the second time around in six months…

Pretty soon, the salespeople will be knocking at our doors with their sales pitch for subscriptions to their new services. Then , if we bite, they will come around and hook up the individual homes to the lines going down the streets…more trucks and equipment…

Talking to God requires none of these inconveniences…He is there, waiting… no trucks, no salespeople, no ruined yards, no waiting in traffic, no cost…no subscriptions…and a much better advisor and listener, plus a relationship with the Creator of the universe…he hears us when words are too deep to speak, he teaches us truth, counsels us, and so much more….

Thank YOU…

Romans 8: 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Matthew 6: 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’

John 14: 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Our Father…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRg2kZcg9q4

 

Comfort verses…??

Not sure where I am anymore on my lists of comfort verses…there are so many….

My grandson is well, now needs to overcome the trauma and face water again. It will come…he is the adventurer. Thank you for your prayers, concerns, care…blessings to you all….

I’m pleading with you, Yahweh, help me! Don’t close your ears to my cry, for you’re my defender (Psalm 28:1 TPT). PM

So as for you, return to your God, Maintain kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually (Hosea 12:6 NASB).

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4 NIV).

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted (Isaiah 12:4 NIV).

Yes, he did mighty miracles and we are overjoyed! Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again (Psalm 126:3-4 TPT).

They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord (Psalm 112:7 NIV).

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles (Psalm 34:17 NIV).

I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122:1 NIV).

Thank YOU….

Through it all….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfAj_l1bLlQ

 Flood waters…

Some verses get really personal really fast…not that they all aren’t…but circumstances bring different ones to mind and heart at different times…

 The following got really personal last night…one of my grandsons, 12 years, went on an adventure with a friend, crossing a shallow creek for part of it…when they came back to return, it was a torrent from flash flooding in the area..the friend made it across, but my grandson was swept downstream…catching a boulder, he climbed on and sat until rescued late last night…it gives my chills and tears just thinking about it…had prayed that he would sit and stay until help came and he did…thank YOU…

Psalm 68:9 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,

    who daily bears our burdens.

20 Our God is a God who saves;

    from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.

Palm 69:2 I sink in the miry depths,

    where there is no foothold.

I have come into the deep waters;

    the floods engulf me.

15 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
    or the depths swallow me up
    or the pit close its mouth over me.

16 Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love;
    in your great mercy turn to me.

Palm 91: 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

Isaiah 43:1 but now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

4a Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you,

I watched this grandson being born and wasn’t quite ready to let him go…God has such a great plan for him as he does for us all…but, he has lessons for us to learn along the way as well…

Thank YOU….

You are my hiding place….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElVC6rfX3Z8

 25 years…

When I awoke this morning, I thought of 25 years ago as I am sure many did…what was I doing, what were my plans, what did the day ahead look like…etc…

We were all getting ready for a day…some were planning evil, some were planning good, some were getting their children read for school, some getting ready for work or getting off of work…

My daughter and her husband were planning on flying to Asia, we had talked the night before….breakfasts were served, people out the door for their day…I went walking as usual on my three mile trek…

My neighbor caught me half way through my walk…”have you heard….?” That question changed the world…we watched the scenes over and over as more information filtered through…we cried and prayed for the victims. We waited, not fully comprehending…and we were three thousand miles away from the terror attack…

Our daughter and her husband didn’t make it to Asia that day…nor did many air travelers make it to their destinations …

This week has been times of memories, memorials…while we go on with our lives…today at least one tv channel will have all day coverage of events …for those almost 3000 victims as well as thousands who have died from working at ground zero. It wasn’t just one day in infamy, it is an ongoing bad memory for so many who were affected personally….

I don’t understand evil, but I know that it exists in so many facets…and he will be around til God draws the line in time…

We are to be alert, the Bible says…God has defeated and overcome…we have peace in God…

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. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,

1 Peter 5: 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

John 16: 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I know we are supposed to give thanks in all things, but realistically, there are times that it is hard…not just 911, but other times as well…but, that is the way to experience God’s peace that surpasses our understanding …

Thank YOU…

I will praise you in the storm…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgpaULjZOl8

 25 years ago….

25 years ago…evilness was working just as it has since the garden of Eden….

Tempting , Lying, deceiving, planning…only a few knew what was going to happen the following day…

Others, meanwhile, were packing, laughing with family / friends, anticipating their work or trips on the plane the next day…maybe going on a special vacation or visiting someone special…

Evil was still at work, really no caring one whit what the passengers or workers were doing that day…theirs was one of murder, confusion, chaos and rewards….

It can happen any time, any where…darkness, evil lurks in the shadows, works in the night…can’t standing the light of day…to be exposed….

God exposes those…He is the light…knowing good from evil, opposing the evil…Victorious over evil…

Thank YOU…

Job 12: 22 He reveals the deep things of darkness

    and brings utter darkness into the light.

Psalm 18: 28 You, Lord, keep my lamp burning;

    my God turns my darkness into light.

Psalm 112:4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.

Proverbs 4: 19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;

    they do not know what makes them stumble.

Ecclesiastes 2: 14aThe wise have eyes in their heads,

    while the fool walks in the darkness;….

Isaiah 5: 20 Woe to those who call evil good

    and good evil,

who put darkness for light

    and light for darkness,

who put bitter for sweet

    and sweet for bitter.

Isaiah 29:15 woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?”

John 8: 12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Our God Reigns…..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usc6-WjJwZg

 Oblivious….

25 years ago, we were doing daily things…oblivious of the horrors that were coming within days…when evil against our country raised its ugly head inside our borders…

Last month, I went to the Washington coast for a delightful wedding … but we did a bit of touring as well…hidden in the trees and overgrown brush along the coast were bunkers built with a massive amount of cement and steel, rock and finally, the camouflage of trees and natural plantings…the WW2 Coastal Defensive System… I wasn’t around then, but it was defend our American soil from the enemy…probably most people did not know it existed…but a war was raging then on other shores…

Since then there have been others wars, but, fought in other lands…

 25 years ago it was coming to ours…and we didn’t know it…

We personally don’t realize when battles are coming for us…rebellious teens, death in the family , the words-cancer, heart disease, inoperable, etc are uttered from our doctors’ mouths, bankrupt, etc…..battles we have to face…and we are oblivious that they are going to hit…we aren’t ready…

But, as Christians we have a burden bearer, a refuge giver, a comforter and so much more…Jesus…

 Psalm 9:9 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,

    a stronghold in times of trouble.

Psalm 17: 7 Show me the wonders of your great love,

    you who save by your right hand

    those who take refuge in you from their foes.

Psalm 25: 20 Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

 Psalm 61:3 For you have been my refuge,

    a strong tower against the foe.

Thank YOU…

Refuge…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB_dPMXmFLw

 

 The search….

We have been searching for my husband’s Bible for an event coming up soon…I know it is in a box with other books, which we have lots of, I thought it was with his journals, of which there are also many…

So, getting into storage bins, one after another… then going through bookshelves in everyone’s homes…just in case…

The Funny and delightful thing is, we all know exactly what we really looking for…

“dad’s black Bible, you know, the one he always read…”

Psalm 139:23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

Proverbs 2: 1 My son, if you accept my words
    and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
    and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
    and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
    he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
    and protects the way of his faithful ones.

9 Then you will understand what is right and just
    and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
    and understanding will guard you.

12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,

But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:8-9 ESV). 

We search and search for truth…and it is right before us in the Word…

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds;and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

We are planning on finding the “lost Bible”… it is somewhere, but, more importantly, we also want to seek the Word of God, to teach, admonish, challenge us….

Thank YOU…

Your Word…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9NEYy71lcU

 

Names of God…

These are just a few references to read about the names of God…there are Bible studies, books, sermons, YouTube classes, lifestreams, podcasts, etc. about this subject…

I was just thinking about it this morning as I prayed..what name or characteristic did this person or that person need right now that would make God  personal to him or her…if we believe that God  makes himself known to us, he does it in a personal way…knowing our needs , thoughts, words…He is there for us…

Thank YOU….

https://www.gotquestions.org/names-of-God.html

https://bibleislife.com/100-names-of-god-with-bible-verses-explained/

https://christiananswers.net/dictionary/namesofgod.html

https://www.scripturalgrace.com/post/names-of-god

Names of God…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU2MLVrTc8k

 No more straw…

Several years ago, my husband and I were privileged to go to western China to “teach” English to Chinese teenagers…I use “teach” loosely ….they knew English very well, but the pronunciation was a bit off…so basically we had lots of conversations with them…about a lot of subjects…lots of questions…they watched reruns of old western movies or when they were allowed, games shows, anything they could watch about the West…we had classroom time with them or just wandered around their city…

One of the main manufacturing plants there was for making bricks…the buildings were built out bricks,the sidewalks , the walls around buildings, fences…all brick…would have liked going through a brick factory, but was not able to…

I took lots of pictures of old buildings, but the people would rather show you all the new stuff as it was finished much better…there was a decided difference…”no, no, look at new”, they would say…

The Israelites were making bricks for Pharaoh and his task masters during their captivity…what a hard job…

And then Pharaoh gets mad at the audacity of the Israelite leaders asking for “time-off”…then he says, don’t supply the straw, let them find their own…spiteful, anger, controlling…lets make them work harder…”are you sure God will rescue us?”…

Sometimes, Just when you think events are as hard as it will get, it gets harder….but, God has a bigger plan…we think the events are just about us, but He deals with a lot, maybe nations, maybe individuals…but they all meld together working for good those who love Him…he does it do it out of spite for us…He loves us…and we can learn from His teaching…in His timing….his path…

Thank YOU…

These are days of Elijah…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j63-J0GBG5c

Bits and pieces I found along the walks we took in the city, working with teens…

Pharaoh’s brick makers…

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-egypt/pharaohs-brick-makers/

The history of brick making…

https://brickarchitecture.com/about-brick/why-brick/the-history-of-bricks-brickmaking

Terra cotta soldiers…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terracotta_Army

 Divine ground or interruption….

Yesterday, I was dutifully getting ready for the women’s Bible study, checking the house, making sure I turned off the stove,lights out, etc…ready to pick up my purse and walk out the door….the phone rang…

“If I answer, I will be late…” but as I looked at the name, I knew I had to answer…and listen, encourage…their pain is deep and they needed a listening ear….

20 minutes later, we finished and I thought   “I will only be 15 minutes late”, so headed for the door again and there was a knock at my front door….doesn’t happen that often in the morning , so I better check….another one who needed to talk as recent widowhood is painful as well….

Needless to say I didn’t make it to Bible study…God had other plans…

But, it was a study in itself… 

Moses, whom I had just read about,  was “interrupted “ in the desert by a burning bush…holy ground, divine appointment…a call that changed his life’s direction…

We mostly likely don’t get such dramatic calls or interruptions…but, we still have to heed them…

Thank YOU…

Exodus 3 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.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.

“When people bare their souls to you, you are on holy ground, your responsibility is to listen and love ….”Sarah Young…

Psalm 143: 8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

    for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

    for to you I entrust my life.

John7:38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Teaching my heart to listen…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOeDg1K7z98

 

Treasured possession….

The Word speaks repeatedly about the Israelites being his treasured possession…as a New Testament believer in Christ, not an Israelite,…I wonder , “well, what about me?, where do we fit?”

We are chosen…set apart…for God’s purposes just as well…

I like the explanation in the quote from Bible hub…

Exodus 19:5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

Deuteronomy 7: 6 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

Deuteronomy 14: , 2 for you are a people holy to the Lord your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession.

 Deuteronomy 26:18 And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands.

Malachi 3:

17 “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him.

“In the New Testament, the concept of God's treasured possession is expanded to include all who are in Christ, transcending ethnic and national boundaries. The Apostle Peter, drawing on Old Testament language, writes in 1 Peter 2:9 , "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." Here, the Church is identified as God's treasured possession, called to declare His praises and live out His purposes in the world…..

The theme of God's treasured possession is a testament to the intimate and covenantal relationship between God and His people, both in the Old and New Testaments. It underscores the privilege and responsibility of being set apart for God's purposes, inviting believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling as His cherished and valued possession…” 

https://biblehub.com/topical/g/god%27s_treasured_possession.htm

I liked this Matthew verse about treasures….when you look at the big picture, God’s heart is with his treasures…which include those followers of Christ…

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Thank YOU…

Christ our treasure….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojGdgYHwxyU

 Dwelling….

Dwell…to remain for a time, to live as a resident, exist, to keep the attention directed…Merriam Webster…

I know I have touched this topic before, but it keeps coming up…where do our minds dwell…

There are those whose minds are constantly dwelling on past hurts….they not only remain there for a time, but they live there, they have taken up residence in the negative,  hurtful thoughts…thinking of only the bad or past hurts they have either perceived or endured….they are stuck in the mud, sucked into the slimy gunk…

Oh, I have been there…the pit…of hurt….it feeds on itself, getting deeper into the mud…I can hear the sound of the camp song we used to sing about tromping through the swamp or deep mud…it feeds on itself, clawing at the heart strings, anxious thoughts, the “ if only”, the “what ifs”, the “shoulda”, the “could of…” as the acid of our stomach only increases…burning…

There comes a time when we need to make a decision….do we want to continue to live in that mind set or reach out to change residences…exist in another place…do we want anger, hurt, jealousy, greed, etc. to continue to overpower or do we want peace…joy…

Psalm 40:2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

    out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock

    and gave me a firm place to stand.

3 He put a new song in my mouth,

Philippians 4: 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9b….And the God of peace will be with you.

Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation

    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Thank YOU…

Heal me…

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

Teach my heart to listen…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOeDg1K7z98&list=RDfj-1SmPthQI&index=9

 

Hands…

My husband used to hold my hands…a connection that has been broken through his passing…and after his death I envied others who were still holding hands or I wanted to tell others who walked together to be sure and hold hands with one another…you never know when they won’t be there to hold your hand..

But, now I have God’s…a bit different…

Isaiah 49:16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;

    your walls are ever before me.

I was reading about the positive things that are in the Word about God’s hand…

It is…

Mighty…

Satisfying…

Gracious…

Healing…

Shaped and made us….

Holds life and breath of all mankind…

Victorious…

Powerful….

Upholds…

Achieves awesome deeds…

Exalted…

Strong….

Righteous….

Comforts…

Holds our times …..

Nailed, but victorious…

Saves….

And these are some of the positives….there is power in the opposites as well…as He holds everything…

What hands to be held by…to be connected to…to be loved by…

Thank You…

God’s  hands..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lOBChuuaZ4

 Caregivers….

Hearing about our latest music icon’s death…one thought that struck me was the  caregiving of her husband to the extent she let her own health care fall behind…

This happens over and over again and has for centuries…we are so reeled in on our family’s care, that we let our own go by the wayside…

One article, I read years ago was about caregivers who actually died before their patient did because they were so diligent in their care giving…the percentage was actually pretty high…

Having been there, caregiving takes all of your emotional and physical strength…the care is tied to their relationship with one another and their relationships with others…once the visitors go home, the nights begin…lack of sleep, anxiety, mental and physical strength are worn thin…there is no time to take care of yourself or we tell ourselves that…and in reality there isn’t enough ….that is when we need to call in reinforcements if they are available or we actually trust someone else to do “our” work/care…the nights are long as well as the days…we suffer along with our loved one’s, feel their pain …our empathy pour us over in abundance….we pray with them, for them from the depths of our souls and many times we leave the prayers to the Holy Spirit as we have no words….

Psalm 119: 28 My soul is weary with sorrow;

    strengthen me according to your word.

Isaiah 40 : 29 He gives strength to the weary

    and increases the power of the weak.

Jeremiah 31 : 25 I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Romans 8: 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

Many times it is hard just to concentrate on “easy” daily tasks, let alone anything “big”…… 

I pray for you my friends who are walking this path…there is hope, there is a burden bearer….there is Jesus…

Thank YOU…

Thank you Jesus….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Sq3f8idcCI

Jesus takes my burdens away…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HsDaGlzAq4

 By land, by sea, by air…back home…

My dove chocolate had the little sayin, “celebrate the little things”….

I don’t have dove chocolates very often, so I do celebrate those little bites when I do…but this one was a reminder to do it anyway…

Other small sayings…

Rejoice in the Lord always again it rejoice…

Give thanks in all things…

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved…

It is finished…

He wept…

And He had compassion….

We drove, ferried, flew home yesterday…each a small part of the whole journey…it was a short trip all together, but we celebrated it…the happy family, the happy new couple, the fresh air, the mountains, the forests….

When you think of the creation from the small minute pieces to the gigantic that our Creator spoke into existence…he celebrated…He saw that it was good…he celebrated the man and woman…he celebrates in us as the angels rejoice when they see us… 

Luke 15: ’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Thank YOU….

God saw it was good…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaWr_z9Nz1c

  By air, by sea, by land…trip 3….

About three weeks ago, I begged/asked one of my daughters if I could attend one of the weddings they had scheduled this summer.   I was getting cabin fever from the summer heat and smoke we were experiencing…we couldn’t go out because the smoke was so bad and the heat so high day after day…

I know that sounds flimsy, but it is true…and I appreciate the firefighters who have and are working so diligently through this summer with so many fires…

Anyway, back to the wedding…it is in Port Angeles, Washington…sea breezes…fresh sea air, out of the house, cooler,blue sky-maybe…and so here I am…for three days…a break…

First, fly to Seattle…then ferry to an island, then drive to the town on the northwest corner of the Olympic Peninsula …a town where logging prospered, trade abounds, tourism remains, fishing boats fill the bay…deer roam the yards, otter play on the docks, mountains rise with their snowcapped peaks, fresh seafood for you choosing, quiet streets to walk, forests welcome, marine life to view, wild blackberries to pick on most strolls…quite the change from the sweltering heat and 24 hour smoke to breathe…I am so thankful…

God has provided so much.  What a creation we live in…even the smoke and heat has its purpose, it makes me appreciate the abundance we have…

The song this all reminds me of is an old song…this land is your land…not a hymn, or something spiritual…just a Song of thankfulness…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q7PULELvok

Thank YOU for your provision for our enjoyment….your care…your love….

 The    blessings…

The sun was rising, the air clean, the temperature just right….

Walking to the nearby school to walk ….

This song came up…wanted to stop and just sing with it,   Too many witnesses…so sang in my heart…

Praise….

The Blessing…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnC7z03QkEM&list=OLAK5uy_lOIw3NO90pYeKvM6ZVOeaTIxagE3S1XDA&index=6

 Where did the time go?!….

I awoke this morning, checked my watch to check the time, (too early of course)…the date is right under the time and it said tomorrow’s date and day!

Shock, is it really the next day, was I off…no, yesterday was Tuesday and today is Wednesday…oh, well…maybe it will right itself…it hasn’t so far…

Time seems to be flying anyway….getting those graduation or wedding invites from young people who were just babies…or seeing your grandchildren marry and have children of their own…is does  seem that time does fly…

The Word speaks of “time” over 800 times…

A few…

Genesis 1:14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years,

Psalm 9:9 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,

    a stronghold in times of trouble.

Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of your strength,

    in the morning I will sing of your love;

for you are my fortress,

    my refuge in times of trouble.

Ecclesiastes 3

Isaiah 9: 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace

    there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

    and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

    with justice and righteousness

    from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

    will accomplish this.

1 Peter 5: 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

 2Peter 3:8 but do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day

I glad he is control of the time…times…he is not one day early or late…nor does time surprise Him…

Thank YOU…

God is always on time…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1L6zv_ilzY

 Traffic Jam….

Yesterday I volunteered to take my neighbor to our main bus terminal which is on the other side of our valley, about 30-45 minutes away…

We doubled the time it usually takes, giving us plenty of time to spare… about  3 miles into the journey, we hit a wall of stalled traffic …not a good sign… our time was swiftly ticking away…the traff kept moving slowly, slowly on the freeway (a misnomer, it wasn’t freely moving and was more of a parkway, more descriptive)…

Our time of departure was coming soon, so she called the bus information about getting a refund or credit on her unused ticket…no such thing…then she specifically prayed that the bus would be late for some reason…

The traffic thinned about two miles from the bus stop, four minutes to go…we buzzed down the freeway, staying within the speed limit, drove into  the airport, zoomed to the stop…one bus standing, waiting-wrong bus…people milling round, another bus pulls in behind us-the right bus…stops and starts taking on passengers…God had delayed that bus!  Praise all around…a good faith start for the morning….

Now , I realize He could have said no, as well. But, it was fun to get a yes…i

1 Samuel 12: 24 But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.

Psalm 40:11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;

    may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

Thank YOU…

You are faithful….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GpsOoMPLrA

 Jesus , keep me…2

In your presence…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IaMAnYdA0M

 Here I am….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GkNY89jt6I

In the garden…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgCdiSutvxc

Thank YOU…

 

Jesus, keep me…

I read a Sentence this morning before my walk in some fresh air…I say that with emphasis because it has been so smoky we couldn’t walk outside…

Back to the sentence…”Jesus keep me aware of your presence “….

Then as I walked, these songs came up on my play list, I had never heard them before, but they went with the sentence…the 7 word prayer….

I know that I am supposed to share them for someone today….

Blessings to all…

Thank YOU,

When God lifted what I couldn’t carry …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7ISjAzZcrY

Jesus , find me here….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1ePXpblsvg

Jesus don’t let the light in me die…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb3Sc_sv3ig

 Buying a Phone, iPad…

The other day, I spent a chunk of time replacing my IPad…I use my iPad all the time…so my former iPad was getting slower and slower…and I would impatiently wait for  various programs to load, taking longer and longer to write each morning, answering mail, etc…oh, I have. Big computer on which I do business with, but it is not portable…and I have an iPhone as well, but the iPad is a mainstay…

My first iPad was purchased with points from my husband’s accounts that I closed down after his death…those points, which he never used, were spread far and wide. I was able to give a bunch to Make a Wish, some were actually transferred to my accounts…others given away to various charities, etc…it was like spending someone else’s money…which it was…I knew he would have had fun doing it…

But, back to buying  a new one…it takes a lot of time doing it…waiting time…like buying a car…paperwork, signatures, basic instruction, transfer of more information, etc…this world information, nothing eternal, except the Bible programs included, which I didn’t want to lose!

For simple things, our lives seem complicated…but, the Gospel is simple….thank YOU for that…

 Acts 16: . 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

The Apostle Paul was good at instructing…he wrote letters of instructions , he visited many places and taught…he relied on the Holy Spirit to further instruct …so that people were fully engaged in The Word…Jesus…

Much better than buying a car or an iPad…the opportunity of living eternity with the Creator….

1 Thessalonians 4: As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

Thank YOU…

Your Words…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqaA8XBI15o

Lavish….

 Lavish…

1

: expending or bestowing profusely 

2

a

: expended or produced in abundance

b

: marked by profusion or excess

Merriam Webster online Dictionary….

I thought of this word this morning as I was taking my shower…in wonderful hot water…pouring down on sore muscles…. was sooooo thankful…and later reading about the hundreds of firefighters struggling day after hot day to get some control of the fires we are having.   Wouldn’t they love to lavish in a shower to wash the grime and sweat away…a huge SHOUT OUT TO THEM….

But the word appears in the Word as well…the riches of God’s grace…lavished on us….his love lavished on us…doesn’t that  just warm your heart…thrill your soul…

Think YOU….

Ephesians 1: 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he-made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

1John 3:1See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

God of every grace…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5SARNm0M8A

Overcomer

 Overcomer….

I opened my devotional ….first sentence-“ I am teaching you to be an overcomer, to find joy in the midst of circumstances that previously would defeat you” Sarah Young…

I guess I didn’t know I wanted to learn that lesson…

Psalm 46: 1 God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Psalm 145:18 18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
    he hears their cry and saves them.
20 The Lord watches over all who love him,
    but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
    Let every creature praise his holy name
    for ever and ever.

Numbers 6:24 24 “‘“The Lord bless you

    and keep you;

25 the Lord make his face shine on you

    and be gracious to you;

26 the Lord turn his face toward you

    and give you peace…

Thank YOU, you know what I need…

The blessing…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ55mDL7dA0

R

A. Place….

 

A place….

Is there a place that just seems like home…a place that you go to get yourself centered again with God? I realize that God is everywhere that we can talk with him anytime night or day…but, some have a special place that is just comfortable…

I was reading about Mount Moriah…its history goes from Genesis to now…

Abraham was told to sacrifice Isaac there…

David built an alter there…

Solomon built his temple there…

The temple was destroyed…

The Jews built a temple again…

Herod expanded the temple…

Jesus confronted the money “makers” there…

Roman armies destroyed it again…

Then in the 600’s, the Muslims built another temple, which stands today awaiting the end times…while the Jews use the West wall as their place for prayer, the Wailing Wall…

THe meaning of the word,Moriah, is provision…God provided a ram to sacrifice instead of Isaac…testing both Abraham and Isaac’s faith…a place they could look at and say “God provided… “, He kept his promises…

There are places in my life, I can stand upon and say “ God did this or this here” in my life…He proved himself faithful…

Thank YOU…

Everyday Relevance of Moriah

“The significance of the name Moriah extends beyond its historical and scriptural references; it has practical implications in the lives of believers today. The call to faith exemplified by Abraham serves as an encouragement for individuals facing their own trials and challenges. When confronted with uncertainty, believers can draw inspiration from the story of Moriah, reminding themselves that God is aware of their struggles and is capable of providing solutions and guidance.

Moreover, the concept of Moriah as a place of divine revelation encourages  spiritual seekers to remain attentive to God's voice. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, taking moments to pause, reflect, and seek God's guidance can lead to profound insights and clarity. The meaning of the name Moriah in the Bible serves as a reminder that God desires a personal relationship with His followers, inviting them to trust in His provision and timing.”

https://bibledictionarytoday.com

Faithful…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSy4zC2_ztg

 Provision…

I wonder at these scenes of Jesus taking the bread and giving it out to others, if the disciples ever thought of the manna that God provided for the Israelites in the  desert, daily….enough that everyone was provided for…and were satisfied….and then in the last supper he gave them bread as a symbol of his body…He was enough …Jesus was what they/we need…and He is enough for us as well on a daily basis…He is our bread…and we should be satisfied with him…

Matthew 15:36Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.

37 They all ate and were satisfied.

Mathew 26:26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

John 6:11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”

John 21:3 we’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.

6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.fn

9 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.

Exodus 16:15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat…

Thank YOU….

The Lord will Provide..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-29gTlsdCZ8

 Picky eaters..

I had a friend several years ago who, when feeding her children, would say, “you won’t like this, but you have to eat it anyway “…

Lo and behold, this family were all picky eaters…to which this mother, later bemoaned the fact that her children were such picky eaters she hated taking them anywhere because they complained so much…

Talk about a double whammy….

When my husband and I or our family travelled, the highlight is tasting new foods…trying new recipes…the Mediterranean  shakshuka, the Chinese foods, the Uruguayan barbecue beef, the Mongolian dishes…or even various American regional delicacies. They may not be my favorites, but they are worth trying…

I thought of God providing the manna in the dessert…or the quail…the locusts for John the Baptist, fresh cooked  fish waiting the disciples cooked by Jesus..or the small fish and loaves given to Jesus by the little boy…fresh grain in the  fields….feasts at various homes… even the liquid given to Jesus on the cross…all “choice foods” for which people were thankful..

Fresh veggies and fruits are now available at the local farmers markets….it is fun the peruse the food venders to,see what they are selling…fresh melons, corn, beans, honey, breads, peaches, plums, etc…

Here God is such a wonderful provider…food for the body and through his Word, food for the soul…

Thank YOU…

Exodus 16: 21 Each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away.

Mark 1: 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey

Thank YOU…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdPcSXnsZ-I

 Take heart…courage…

There are times when we just loose courage….times when things are really rough, times when our heart just fails us, our souls are down and depressed and nothing is going “right”….

We are told to wait…be strong…listen…let  go of our sin…be faithful …not be afraid…take heart …take courage…and the Acts verse says that the Lord stood by Paul…and those who believe have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit with us….

Just because we are down doesn’t mean that God isn’t standing near or that he is finished with us…he has lots of life lessons …

Psalm 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Psalm 31:24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD

Ezekiel 3:10 And he said to me, “Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you

Matthew 9:2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

14:27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Acts 23:11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Thank YOU….

Take courage…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwvkLYJkOkk

Rescue mission….

 Rescue mission….

Yesterday I had the privilege of having tea with a representative of a rescue mission here in the northwest…Our family has had friends in the rescue missions for over 50 years, at least in the administrative part…one year we got to serve Christmas dinner…amazing…

Statistics for  this one..

Meals served in a year…263,654

Nights of care…70,135

Plus  educational service,  sobriety care, mothers and children’s care…and a whole lot more…

We have at least four in this valley that I know of, and there are probably more…selflessly serving…in God’s name…sometimes overlooked and always overworked…..

It makes me think of the statue outside the Capernaum gate,  of a person lying on a bench covered with his cloak…the sign saying something like, “and He has nowhere to lay his head”.

Matthew 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Jeremiah 19:7 The poor are shunned by all their relatives—
    how much more do their friends avoid them!
Though the poor pursue them with pleading,
    they are nowhere to be found.

Thank YOU…

For the least of these…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyIN5QjTyRs

 Comfort verses #?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John‬ 3:16 NIV‬). 

In His time…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3A5-89pY9

“I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted. You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples” (Psalm 77:1-2, 14 NIV).

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV). 

You came near when I called you, and you said, ‘Do not fear’” (Lamentations 3:57 NIV).

“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17 NIV).

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18 NIV).

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6 NIV)

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8)

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18 NIV). 

“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” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

“‘Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will’” (Mark 14:36 NIV).

“Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23a NIV)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV).

God of all my days…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYkZE8AogDE&list=RDZYkZE8AogDE&start_radio=1&pp=ygUhZ29kIG9mIGFsbCBteSBkYXlzIGNhc3RpbmcgY3Jvd25zoAcB

Pain management…

 Pain management….

After spending some time with doctor the other day discussing pain management, I was a bit discouraged…”same ol, same ol”…we have discussed before, but this was the final discussion…unless wanting to progress to opiates…there are so many ads about the best pain meds on tv….am finding out why my parents medicine cabinet had so many kinds of medications that they tried for their ailments…

 Was encouraged reading by Reading Max Lucado’s book, “ what happens next, a traveler’s guide through the end of this age”…one more thing we can look forward to is not more pain…a small thing in the grand scheme of his plans for the believers…I knew that, just needed reminding…

He talks of the “ pearly gates”…”all other precious gems are metal or stones, but a Pearl is a gem formed within an oyster….the only one formed by living flesh. The humble oyster receives an irritation or wound, and around the offending article that has penetrated or hurt it, the oyster builds a Pearl.  The Pearl …the answer of the oyster to that which injured it….the Pearl is born out of pain…”

Job 6:2 “If only my anguish could be weighed
    and all my misery be placed on the scales!
3 It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas—
    no wonder my words have been impetuous.
4 The arrows of the Almighty are in me,
    my spirit drinks in their poison;
    God’s terrors are marshaled against me.
5 Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass,
    or an ox bellow when it has fodder?
6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt,
    or is there flavor in the sap of the mallow?
7 I refuse to touch it;
    such food makes me ill.

8 “Oh, that I might have my request,
    that God would grant what I hope for,
9 that God would be willing to crush me,
    to let loose his hand and cut off my life!
10 Then I would still have this consolation—
    my joy in unrelenting pain—
    that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.

David…

Psalm 38: 5 My wounds fester and are loathsome
    because of my sinful folly.
6 I am bowed down and brought very low;
    all day long I go about mourning.
7 My back is filled with searing pain;
    there is no health in my body.
8 I am feeble and utterly crushed;
    I groan in anguish of heart.

Isaiah …

Isaiah 21: 3 At this my body is racked with pain,
    pangs seize me, like those of a woman in labor;
I am staggered by what I hear,
    I am bewildered by what I see.

Isaiah 53: 3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,
    a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
    he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

4 Surely he took up our pain
    and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
    stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.

Romans 8:22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

Revelations 21: . 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Thank YOU…

Heaven is a wonderful place…..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_u1rGs7sLA

 Cancer center…various views…

The first time i had to go to the cancer center for an infusion, I was shaking, I was so filled with anxiety…then all of the sudden such a peace settled in around and in me, that I was okay and faced those various needles, plastic packages of meds, sat down in the recliner and let them do their thing…the after effects weren’t so hot, but, we were fighting cancer…for that instance the phrase “ no pain , no gain” was applicable…

Each time I go there I observe the people…we sit the required distance between us, hoping not to get another bug, so visiting is hard…I would love to hear their stories, bit for reason we don’t share much…but we probably all view the center differently…

I was reading a short summary of the comparison of the four gospels this morning…all of them center on Jesus, but they see him through their own eyes, experiences….and how God want them to write…

Jesus is…

Matthew-the promised King..

Mark-the Servant oof God..

Luke-the Son of Man…

John-the Son of God…

Themes….

Matthew-Jesus is the Messiah …

Mark-Jesus backed up his words with action…

Luke-Jesus was God but also fully human…

John-Belief in Jesus was required for salvation l..

Emphasis…

Matthew-Jesus’ sermons and words…

Mark-Jesus’ miracles and actions…

Luke-Jesus’ humanity…

John-the principles of Jesus’ teaching…

Bible study notes…

Those disciples were no different from us…they viewed Jesus from different angles…I have a favorite book, favorite verses because they speak particularly to me…I am drawn to various people for various reasons, not that I don’t see others or am against others, but, certain traits speak to my own heart…

But, the whole Bible, the whole group of Gospels is put there for all of us to feed upon…

Thank YOU….

God of my days..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYkZE8AogDE

 

Weddings…

 Weddings

There are so many weddings this summer and fall for some of my family to attend… all those friends and family who are reaching marriageable age…( another 2-3 years, there will be a plethora of baby showers😊)…

I was reading “Jesus Always” by Sarah Young this morning and she was writing about the brides getting ready for their weddings…how much prep work there is to do…

 When you think that Christians as Christ’s bride, are we doing as much prep work? Are we excited each day thinking of the groom?Are we getting ready as much as an earthly bride does? Checking off our lists…

The thing is , He is preparing for us, a feast, an eternal home with joy, even a wedding garment…are we as joyful in our preparations? Are we growing everyday to be more conformed to His image…are we waiting, keeping our lamps burning for his appearance? Are we ready to sing and praise?

What thoughts…it puts a smile on my face…just thinking about that concept…that reality…

Isaiah 62:5 As a young man marries a young woman,
    so will your Builder marry you;
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
    so will your God rejoice over you.

Matthew 25: 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Revelations 19:7 Let us rejoice and be glad
    and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
    and his bride has made herself ready.
8 Fine linen, bright and clean,
    was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

Thank YOU…

Bridal music…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QgaTQ5-XfMM&list=PLjWbcvsmNv07czv1lNufh3Sb2OroNIi_l&index=1&pp=iAQB8AUB

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pccyrZ0Wp_4&list=RDpccyrZ0Wp_4&start_radio=1&pp=ygUWY2hyaXN0aWFuIGJyaWRhbCBtdXNpY6AHAQ%3D%3D

What is right…

 What is right…

Elections are always a source of news…who will run, who will not run…what are their beliefs, what are their backgrounds, what do they stand for…etc…and while this is important as we want people who do the right things…

What is our personal stand? What is our reputation, what do we stand for? Who do we stand for? 

These questions guide our everyday lives, personal, business, family…what are we known for? 

I have asked these questions when looking for a church body, a neighborhood, a business…you can find  the demographics of neighborhoods that are safe or not…you can look up a business to see their ratings by others or even a product to see if it works well or not…

What ratings would we get? Where do we stand???

Exodus 18:9 Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 He said, “Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.”

1 Peter 2:2Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.

1 Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us….. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 

1 Peter 3: 3 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Suffering for Doing Good

8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,

“Whoever would love life
    and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
    and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
    they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
    and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Esther 9: 4 Mordecai was prominent in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces…

1 Timothy3:7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

Matthew 25:21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Thank YOU…

Well done…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZu7mfYS_VY&list=RDlZu7mfYS_VY&start_radio=1

What about him?….

 What about him?….

Comparisons…ugh…they rob us of our joy…when we see others living their lives and it is different from what we think we should be doing, acquiring, etc…there we sit, wondering why they get to do that and we don’t….

Maybe you haven’t done that…look at others and wonder why…why do they have it so good…or I really want what they have, etc…

Toddlers do it, a lot of social media is based on it, adults do it…

Lack of contentment with what we have..and we see it in Peter in these verses….”Lord, what about him?”…

Jesus said in no uncertain terms, it really wasn’t Peter’s business…

We are to do what we are called to do and don’t worry about what others are doing…don’t compare…be available to our calling…

Thank YOU….

John 21:19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 

23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

2 Corinthians 10:13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. 

Psalm 37:1 Do not fret because of those who are evil
    or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
    like green plants they will soon die away.

3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
    your vindication like the noonday sun.

Exodus 20: 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

I will follow…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFna4pEF7M8

https://vividmaps.com/apostles/

https://bibleask.org/how-did-the-twelve-disciples-die/i

Thank YOU…comfort verses…

 

Thank YOU….comfort verses…

Two years ago I was in a hospital bed after 4 or 5 abdominal surgeries and a doctor came in and said, “ I think we’ve finally  turned a corner”. Lying there, no hair, weak , in pain, I was glad to hear that …then the work started…rehab living for almost 4 months, open wounds to change every 3-4 days, beginning to walk again, exercise to build up again…first a wheelchair, then a walker, then steps on my own, holding onto the wall…slowly making progress, another surgery and home…I felt so blessed to sleep in my own bed, shower in my own shower, wear different  clothes…

God’s Word sustained me…family and friends didn’t forget me..

Thank YOU

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NIV).

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV).

“He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6 ASV).

We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19 NIV).

“My soul yearns, yes, even pines and is homesick for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out and sing for joy to the living God” (Psalm 84:2 AMPC).

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3 NIV). 

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's” (Psalm 103:1-5 ESV).

I will comfort you…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2r4mwab5O8

Building strength…

 

Building strength …

Trying to build back some strength, I have been trying to walk early every morning, slowing increasing my steps from 2…two years ago…this is the second time to work on this project…this time I added a class at the local Y specifically for cancer patients…

Most of the time it is silent outside except the birds and an occasional car..

This morning I listened this selection of songs…a nice beat to walk 

To, but more important soul touching songs ….

Thank YOU…

Morning songs for meditation…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=kS0VgDaIS6Y&ra=m

Blessings on each of your steps…

Words..

 Words….

It is interesting that the book of John begins with the Word…the Word was God…not just words on paper….

John ends his book with books of words about Jesus…the world cannot hold all the books about Jesus in everything he did…we are still writing books about Jesus or about his Word…

No matter how many times we read His Word, a new lesson is learned, so we read it over and over…again and again…wanting to be conformed to his Word…learning more about the Christian 

Iife…no other book that I have read do I want to continue to read it over and over again….

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it……

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

John 21:24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Romans 15: 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

Acts 17: 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.

2 Timothy 3: 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Thank YOU…

Forever faithful…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-D0KzJy_mE

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_books

https://publishingstate.com/history-of-libraries/2025/

Breathe…

 

Breathed…

The thunder started this morning and went on and on…it was a slow moving storm…usually they blow through quickly and then are finished, this one could heard from a long way off both coming and going…a soft rain this time, the smell of wet dry summer grass…the sky turning a brilliant gold  as the sun was trying to appear in the east…

 I love the smell after the storm…sage in high desert of Nevada/Oregon/Idaho, fir in Oregon, pine in the  camps at which we have been, the Redwoods, the ocean…smells ….breathing….a gift from God…

Genesis 2: . 7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

John 20: 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 

2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

With God’s breath, he gave us life, then truth, His holy Word….

Thank YOU…

Breathe…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1O4anyhAjc

 

I have seen the Lord…

John 20:16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

Thank YOU…

Selection of songs….

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fJPikVGQ6lo&start_radio=1&pp=QAFIAg%3D%3D&ra=m

 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