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