No show…just do it…

 No show….just do it…

I like to make lists….” To do lists”, mailing lists, birthday lists, packing lists, traveling needs lists, gift lists…I am not obsessed with them, but, for me, they make life easier….and recently, I received from my accountant, “ the tax list”- information I must gather so that my taxes are done correctly and in order…(it makes his life easier)…

Reading through Matthew and Luke 6, you can almost bullet a list of do’s and dont’s, not in a legalistic way, but heart attitudes that are pleasing to God…when examining motives or attitudes of actions…

There used to be the saying, “ what would Jesus do”…we saw it on bracelets, tee shirts, bumper stickers, etc…but the key is, not only what would Jesus do, but what is His Spirit teaching us to do…what is our heart attitude before God and man…and how does that play out…

Thank YOU…teach me to listen and obey….

 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. 

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. 

Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.

Luke.6.31,Luke.6.36,45,Luke.6.47-48

 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. 

And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

“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? 

For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. 

Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matt.6.3-4,Matt.6.6,Matt.6.17-18,Matt.6.20,Matt.6.21,Matt.6.25,Matt.6.32-34

When we walk with the Lord…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKan7o_d_-A

“

1 When we walk with the Lord

  In the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way;

  While we do His good will,

  He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain Trust and obey,

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus,

  But to trust and obey.

2 Not a shadow can rise,

  Not a cloud in the skies,

But His smile quickly drives it away;

  Not a doubt or a fear,

  Not a sigh or a tear,

Can abide while we trust and obey.

3 Not a burden we bear,

  Not a sorrow we share,

But our toil He doth richly repay;

  Not a grief or a loss,

  Not a frown or a cross,

But is blest if we trust and obey.

4 But we never can prove

  The delights of His love,

Until all on the altar we lay;

  For the favor He shows,

  And the joy He bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

5 Then in fellowship sweet

  We will sit at His feet,

Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;

  What He says we will do;

  Where He sends, we will go,

Never fear, only trust and obey.

A clear conscience…a long ago missed communion….

 

A clear conscience….a long ago missed communion…

 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Matt.5.23-24

The church service was starting, communion was coming…

My hands began to sweat, my heart beat faster…I was soooo troubled…

A friend and I had had words between us and I hadn’t resolved in my heart that everything was clear…I couldn’t sit there in clear conscience and partake of communion…I couldn’t offer my heart as a gift …even though we had parted on good terms, it was still wasn’t right in my spirit…apparently I still held some feelings of guilt, unforgiveness…..

So no communion for me that day…later we met and cleared up everything, going away with a lightened heart, soul and mind…we remained best of friends until her death…I still miss her laughter, encouragement, enthusiasm for life…our talks of faith and families…we could finish each other’s sentences …but I will never forget that missed communion time…hearts  have to right…

I still tear up when I hear her favorite song…

“There’s a sweet sweet spirit in this place…”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjDk7W5jDLQ

 Have mercy on me, O God,according to your steadfast love;according to your abundant mercyblot out my transgressions. 

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,and cleanse me from my sin! 

For I know my transgressions,and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinnedand done what is evil in your sight,so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,and in sin did my mother conceive me. 

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 

Let me hear joy and gladness;let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 

Hide your face from my sins,and blot out all my iniquities. 

Create in me a clean heart, O God,and renew a right spirit within me.

Ps.51.1-10

 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. 

Do this in remembrance of me.” 

In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. 

Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 

Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 

Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 

For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

1Cor.11:23-29

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-is-communion-and-why-is-it-celebrated-differently.html

The beatitudes….

 The beatitudes….

The poor in sprit, the mourning, the meek, those hungry for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted, the reviled…is there ever any hope …

I can see Jesus sitting on that uncomfortable rock on the hillside speaking with these words of hope and encouragement to listening, eager ears…the downhearted, the searching, the seeking, those hungering for truth,  those hungering for a redeemer, a leader, a healer…this man who spoke so kindly, touched their children with love…encouraging them to seek and find…to be a light…to be salt in a tasteless world…

And He still speaks to the same people generations later with the same encouragement…the same redeeming words…through His Word, through His Spirit…the message hasn’t changed, people really haven’t changed…

Listen with your heart, soul and mind…thank YOU….

 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 

And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matt.5.1-16

Photos from the church of the Beatitudes, Israeli…on the hillside looking down on the Sea of Galilee…

My Redeemer

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

Chosen …2…

Chosen…2…

So many people followed Jesus, but he chose 12 to stay with him, to mentor, to befriend in close relationships…

(I have often wondered if these chosen were from 12 tribes…often thought the good size for a small group was 12-not too big, not too small.)

They came with different personalities, different talents, different backgrounds, but they were chosen specifically….

When you look back over your life, are there “12” whom you felt closer to among your friendships…?  I think of mine and have been so blessed in different chapters of the ones that God placed me with for specific seasons of life… those who encouraged, those who held my hand, those who challenged, those who we still pray for one another, those who stay in contact, those who my children still can go to for advice, those who I can count on no matter what…and many more reasons…and I thank God for them all…no matter where they are…

Jesus had these twelve whom he shared life with,  until the end….except for Judas, they went on after him, telling the world of the Savior…giving their lives for the truth of the Gospel. They walked with Jesus…along his path…along their paths… chosen…

 Afterwards he went up into the hills and summoned certain ones he chose, inviting them to come and join him there; and they did.  Then he selected twelve of them to be his regular companions and to go out to preach and to cast out demons.  These are the names of the twelve he chose: Simon (he renamed him “Peter”), James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus called them “Sons of Thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (the son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (a member of a political party advocating violent overthrow of the Roman government), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).

Mark.3.13-19

 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Luke.6.12-16

https://bibleseo.com/gospels/jesus-disciples-names-meaning-occupation/

Thank YOU…

 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Col.3.12-17

Oh Lord, you’re beautiful….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqEa1Uo9UZc

A VBS song about the disciples….fun…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfi3JRR1Nfc

Chosen…

 Chosen….

 “Behold my servant, whom I uphold,my chosen, in whom my soul delights;

I have put my Spirit upon him;

he will bring forth justice to the nations. 

He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,or make it heard in the street; 

a bruised reed he will not break,and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;

he will faithfully bring forth justice. 

He will not grow faint or be discouragedtill he has established justice in the earth;

 and the coastlands wait for his law.”

Isa.42.1-4 ESV

 See my servant, whom I uphold; my Chosen One in whom I delight. 

I have put my Spirit upon him; he will reveal justice to the nations of the world.  

He will be gentle—he will not shout nor quarrel in the streets.  

He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the dimly burning flame. 

He will encourage the fainthearted, those tempted to despair. 

He will see full justice given to all who have been wronged.  

He won’t be satisfied until truth and righteousness prevail throughout the earth, nor until even distant lands beyond the seas have put their trust in him.

Isa.42.1-4TLB

This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet, Isaiah…

 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.

I will put my Spirit upon him,and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. 

He will not quarrel or cry aloud,nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; 

a bruised reed he will not break,and a smoldering wick he will not quench,until he brings justice to victory;     

and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”(in his name the nations will put their hope).

Matt.12:17-21ESV

I began this, thinking it would be about Jesus and his chosen disciples, but it was turned upon reading about the last phase in the selection…”and in his name gentiles will hope”, “in his name the nations will put their hope”, “even distant lands beyond the seas have put their trust in Him”….

Depending on the translation…

He will prevail upon the whole earth…bringing justice to victory…

The Bible continues to be the most translated and transforming book in the World..a year ago, it was estimated that the whole Bible or portions of it had been translated into 3384 languages …and still more to go…heart languages, those people speak in within  their own areas, homes is the continuous focus as it touches their personal lives…many, many organizations are continually helping get the Word out to more and more people…to the ends of the earth…

Imagine receiving a new book, and upon opening it to the first page and finding only blank page after blank page…no words written anywhere…there are people in the world who have no Bible written in their language, so their books are blank…they may be able to hear it via audio or see it via digital movies, but not read it, study it..meditate on each word…

But, even thought they may not have the written word, they still have hope in Christ…He came for the 

World…

Thank YOU…

 …I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John.10.10b

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYu8ZyETnKo

https://www.gmrtranscription.com/blog/most-translated-books-across-world

Value…

 Value…

I was reading a novel about the era of building the “cottages” in Newport, Rhode Island…the competition of people, the desire to outdo one another  in finery, money, reputation, business, etc…and the emptiness found in souls of some…some people relished the high society while others desired to return to the simplicity of life…to values from which they had flourished, God fearing, God honoring…

And I am not saying that one has to be poor to be God centered…God shows no partially…nor should we…God looks on the heart not the outward appearances…

I want to value what He wants me to value…wisdom, people, Him…not try to serve two masters…

Thank YOU….

“Value= 

: relative worth, utility, or importance” Merriam Webster….

 “But where shall wisdom be found?

And where is the place of understanding? 

Man does not know its worth,and it is not found in the land of the living. 

The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’ It cannot be bought for gold,and silver cannot be weighed as its price. 

It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,in precious onyx or sapphire. 

Gold and glass cannot equal it,nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. 

No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal;the price of wisdom is above pearls. 

The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it,nor can it be valued in pure gold. 

And he said to man,‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

Job.28.12-19,28

 “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 nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 

Are you not of more value than they? 

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 

And why are you anxious about clothing? 

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 

For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matt.6.25-34

 He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 

Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 

Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other.

Matt.12.11-13

 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!

Luke.12.7, 24

 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

1Tim.4.8

Photos taken 2019 on tour of one of the “cottages “ in Newport..

https://www.newport-discovery-guide.com/newport-mansion-tours.html

Thoughts…

 Thoughts…

Years and years ago, when one of my children had just turned two, we were with a group of people whose children were like in ages…

My child had yet to throw one of those embarrassing, awful, “I want my way” “terrible twos” tantrums…, but at this gathering another child proceeded to act out full blown tantrum…I watched the poor mother try to placate, admonish and love their way through it, finally giving in to the child…but, I also watched my child observe-I could almost hear the wheels turning , eyes taking in the whole episode, carefully entering this piece of information into their brain, saying , “ Hummmm, they get their way by doing this …”

I wondered when and how would come of this event…their thoughts were so evident…

Within a week, that bit of information came out and was tried in our home…almost an exact replication of the first…”I want my way or else” attitude…when the result was significantly different, it wasn’t repeated…

I will most definitely say, I am not a mind reader…but, God is…

Reading in the gospels, the writers repeatedly say, “Jesus, knowing their thoughts…” He was Jesus, after all…their Creator…

David writes…

 the Lord—knows the thoughts of man,that they are but a breath.

Ps.94.11

 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;you discern my thoughts from afar. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!How vast is the sum of them! Search me, O God, and know my heart!Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting!

Ps.139.2,Ps.139.17,Ps.139.23-24

Solomon writes…

 The thoughts of the righteous are just;the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

Prov.12.5

 Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king,nor in your bedroom curse the rich,for a bird of the air will carry your voice,or some winged creature tell the matter.

Eccl.10.20

Isaiah writes…

 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your waysand my thoughts than your thoughts. 

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heavenand do not return there but water the earth,making it bring forth and sprout,giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;it shall not return to me empty,but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Isa.55.811

Luke writes..as well Mark, Matthew and John…

 But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come and stand here.” And he rose and stood there.

Luke.6.8

Paul writes..

 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? 

So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 

And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

1Cor.2.11-13

 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Heb.4.12-13

But, they are all God breathed to us that we may know…

God knows our thoughts all the time, be they evil or good…He discerns …

Knowing that, convicts me especially to keep my thoughts on good..thinking on good…

Thank YOU…

 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Phil.4.8-9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_m_0V8KTKo