Joy Today

A while ago, when they were still in Galilee (100+ miles north of Jerusalem) Jesus told His disciples:"The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and scribes, and be put to death, and be raised on the third day."(Luke 9:22) Now, they are in Jerusalem, and, behind the scenes, what Jesus said WOULD happen, IS happening. Luke 19:47-48, reports, "...the chief priests and scribes sought to destroy Jesus. But, because all the people listened eagerly to Jesus, they were puzzled as to what they could do." " At that time, Satan got into the mind of Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples. And Judas went to the chief priests, offering to betray Jesus to them. They were very pleased. They offered him money. And Judas promised to lead them to Jesus when he was not with the crowds." We are strictly WARNED in the Word of God to beware of Satan, the enemy of God. He "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devou...

Holy Week! The triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the cleansing of the temple, in keeping with the Word of the Lord to Isaiah (56:7) " My house shall be a House of Prayer for all people." What will Jesus see/do/say next, my "walking with Jesus" friend? It's Tuesday of Holy Week for us, it was the time of the Feast of the Passover for Jesus and the Jewish community. That meant, among other things, bringing an offering to the temple. Jesus watched as people put in their offerings. A man in rich clothing held up a fat bag, waved it conspicuously, then opened it and let fall into the offering box, many silver coins. (We can be sure he wanted people to notice.)Jesus keeps watching. Now, coming quietly and quickly (probably hoping no one notices)Jesus sees a poor widow come to the offering box, quickly drop in two coins, then disappear into the crowd. And Jesus said: " For sure, this poor widow has put in MORE than all the rest, for they put in from abundance, but ...

Let's move forward into "Holy Week" from yesterday's Palm Sunday triumphal entry by Jesus into Jerusalem, my "walking with Jesus" friend. Since the second century AD, Christians have celebrated the historic events of Jesus between Palm Sunday and the Resurrection. Today, let's think: PURPOSE. What is the intended PURPOSE of the building/ of the place you call HOME? Right! It's purpose is to be a safe place to live. You protect your home so that it fulfills its purpose. Would you turn your home into a chicken coop? That's ridiculous! Of course NOT! Well, Jesus comes into the temple on Monday of Holy Week and finds the temple courtyard busy with money changers ripping off the people who buy doves for temple sacrifice. How would YOU and I react to that scenario? How did Jesus react? Jesus took a whip, overturned the tables of the money changers and drove them out of the temple. The high PURPOSE of the temple of God is that it "IS A HOUSE OF PR...

Here we are, my "walking with Jesus" friend, in the sunshine on the Mount of Olives. It overlooks Jerusalem, a few miles to the west. Jesus instructed the disciples to get a colt. He mounted the colt, and rode toward Jerusalem. People gathered and shouted," Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord." They waved palm branches and laid their coats on the road for him to ride over. (Mark 11:1-9) And Luke 19:41, notes that Jesus "wept over Jerusalem," sorrowful at their rejection of the prophets of God. Jesus wants to be accepted into each heart and to redeem each soul from worldliness to godliness. How many understood that THEN? How many understand that NOW? What can EACH of US do to help others understand that Jesus comseees offering to be to each one who will receive Him: The Wonderful Counsellor, The Prince of Peace, (Isaiah 9:6) Savior, Redeemer, The Living Word of God, the Author of New Life. "If any man be IN CHRIST, he IS a new cre...

Good Morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend, hope you are keeping well today and having many reasons to rejoice in the Lord God Almighty. Today, we come to Luke 9: 22. Jesus is gathered with His disciples, who have just openly acknowledged that Jesus IS the Christ, the Son of the Living God...Now, Jesus tells them what is ahead...Wait a minute, WHO can accurately tell what the future holds? Who can tell "the big picture"? We KNOW who can, God can, and Jesus is God. So, we listen very carefully. Here is what Jesus told His disciples: "The Son of Man [that is how Jesus refers to Himself] must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be put to death, AND be raised on the third day." As a disciple, listening to this description by Jesus, of things to come, what would we be thinking? All these difficult things are going to happen to the Master, the Christ? He will be put to dealth? BUT, He will come alive again? He...

Good Morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend, hope you are keeping well today and having many reasons to rejoice in the Lord God Almighty. Today, we come to Luke 9: 22. Jesus is gathered with His disciples, who have just openly acknowledged that Jesus IS the Christ, the Son of the Living God...Now, Jesus tells them what is ahead...Wait a minute, WHO can accurately tell what the future holds? Who can tell "the big picture"? We KNOW who can, God can, and Jesus is God. So, we listen very carefully. Here is what Jesus told His disciples: "The Son of Man [that is how Jesus refers to Himself] must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be put to death, AND be raised on the third day." As a disciple, listening to this description by Jesus, of things to come, what would we be thinking? All these difficult things are going to happen to the Master, the Christ? He will be put to dealth? BUT, He will come alive again? He...

What do you and I MOST need, my "walking with Jesus" friend, after a time of demanding relationships such as Jesus experienced in teaching, then feeding the multitude? MOST needed: yes, some solitude and prayer. So, next, in Luke 9:18-21, we read: "And it came to pass, Jesus was alone, praying. And his disciples came to him: and Jesus asked them: ' Who do people say that I am?' The disciples told him: Some people say you are John the Baptist, others say you are Elijah, or one of the other prophets of old that has risen. Then Jesus asked them: 'But who do you, my disciples, say that I am?' Right away Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." At that response, Jesus firmly instructed his disciples NOT to tell that to anyone.' " OK, my friend, let's think about that...why not tell everyone? What do YOU think? Here's what I think: Then, and now, each of us must discern/must figure out for ourselves: Who IS Je...

Answers, my "walking with Jesus" friend. Where are True answers to life's questions clearly found? Yes, you are right: found in the Word of God, the Holy Bible. For example, there is the question: Who does the earth belong to? Psalm 24:1, answers: " The earth is THE LORD's, and the fulness thereof, the world and they who dwell thereon, for He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the floods." NEXT question: What does it take to be close with the Lord? How are we answering that question? How does Psalm 24:3-5, ask and answer that question, and with what outcome? "Who may ascend unto the Hill of the Lord? Or, Who may stand in His Holy Place? [The answer] He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not worshipped idols, who has not sworn deceitfully. [THAT is whose heart is prepared for the Presence of the Lord. ] And he shall receive the blessing of the Lord, and righteousness from the God of His salvation." Let us pray to have...

In the New Testament of the Holy Bible we find four Gospels that recount the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We are presently "walking" through the Gospel of Luke. Having arrived at Luke 9:10, we find Luke's account of the same event that we found in Matthew 14, Mark 6 and John 6. It's the only one of the 37 miracles of Jesus that is recorded in all four Gospels: the feeding of the 5,000, with just 5 loaves and 2 fish. How did Jesus DO THAT?!?! You know, my "walking with Jesus" friend, the Bible does not tell us HOW he did that. But, think with me about it: Jesus embodied the Fulness of God. God is all-powerful. So, don't you think He did it how ever He decided to do it! The fact that all the people got fed, and there were left-overs, can we agree? THAT is the most important thing! Remembering that God is soverign/"God is king of all the earth."(Psalm 47:3) keeps our thinking straight. To respond to this text message, reply ...

So glad to "see" you again this morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend. "When the apostles returned from preaching and healing the sick, Jesus took them aside privately to a deserted place near the town of Bethsaida. BUT when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him, and He received them and spoke to them about the Kingdom of God, and He healed all who had need."(Luke 9:10-11) Now, we understand in Scripture that "The Kingdom of God" is where the will of God rules. In teaching the disciples how to pray, Jesus instructed: Pray , "Our Father in Heaven. Holy is Your Name. May Your Kingdom come, on earth, as it IS in Heaven.. "(Matthew 6:9) And in Luke 17:21, Jesus taught:" The Kingdom of God is WITHIN you." When is "the Kingdom of God" within you/me? It IS within you/me, WHEN the spirit of God comes to dwell in you when you receive Jesus into your life...and, as we follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit of God in o...

It's a new day, my "walking with Jesus" friend. Good Morning. All Praise to God the Father, our Creator. God is holy and He dwells in the PRAISE of His people, declares Psalm 22:3. How will you and I praise God today? Now, Luke 9:7-9, tells us, "Herod, the research <provincial Roman ruler under Caesar > heard of all the doings of Jesus: and he was perplexed because some people were telling him that the prophet John the baptist, whom Herod had beheaded, had risen from the dead. And some said that Elijah of old had reappeared. Herod was puzzled. He asked: 'Just WHO is this Jesus that I hear about SO much? I would like to SEE him." What do you and I think about the marvellous, amazing doings of Jesus? When asked what he thought about Jesus, the disciple Peter responded: " Jesus YOU ARE THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD." (Matthew 16:16) and John 1:12 declares:" And as many as received Jesus, to THEM God gave power to become children ...

Amazing sunrise today, my "walking with Jesus" friend. Together, let's praise the Lord for His faithfulness, day follows night and spring always follows winter! Do we learn from and reflect the faithfulness of our Creator? Since the disciples have listened to Jesus for some length of time now, "Jesus called them together, gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure all diseases. Then He sent them out to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. "And He told them, 'Take nothing for the journey, no staff, no bag, no bread nor money, and only one coat. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And whoever will not receive you, when you leave that city, shake off its dust from your feet, as a testimony against them.' So they departed and went everywhere preaching the Gospel and healing the sick."(Luke 9:1-6) Listev first. Then carry to others the message of the love of God, His forgiveness of sin, and His Holy Spi...

Yes, you are right, my "walking with Jesus" friend, after listening to Jairus plead with him to heal his gravely ill, 12 year old daughter, Jesus got interrupted...Now, "messengers came from Jairus' house. 'Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Master.' Jesus heard them. "Fear not," he said, "only BELIEVE, and she shall be made whole. And as he went into Jairus' house, he took only Peter, James &John and the father and mother. People outside were weeping and wailing. "Do NOT weep," Jesus told them, "She is not dead, just asleep." They laughed at him. But he put them all out. Then took the daughter by her hand and said:" Maiden, arise." And her spirit returned to her, and she got up. "Give her something to eat," Jesus told the parents, and, he charged them that they should tell no one what was done."(Luke 8:49-56)Here, may we understand that: when we ask Jesus into our "situation,...

PTL I have my first vaccine shot. No problem at all. Weather is bright. Sunny. 50's. Thank you for your prayers. The Lord provided a close parking spot. My regular doctor was there, and my favorite nurse from my doctor's office. Everything was very well organized and friendly. I am so blessed to live in this community of caring people! Praising God, and trusting that everything is good with you. Love you YOUR ACCOUNT HELP CENTER HELP FORUM This email was sent to you because you indicated that you'd like to receive email notifications for text messages. If you don't want to receive such emails in the future, please update your email notification settings . Google LLC 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy Mountain View CA 94043 USA

Don't we find that "Walking with Jesus," is always interesting, my friend? "When Jesus sailed back to Capernaum, [Luke 8:40-48] the people gladly received him, in fact, a crowded had been waiting for him." Now, two things happened, almost at the same time...[has that EVER happened to YOU? How do you and I keep our priorities straight?] "And behold, there came a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue: he fell down at Jesus'feet, begging him to come to his house: for he had only one daughter, about 12 years old and she lay dying. Now, at the very same time, a woman who had suffered for 12 years hemnoraging blood,(and had spent all she had on physicians without relief) came up behind Jesus and TOUCHED the hem of his garment. IMMEDIATELY her hemorrhaging stopped. And JESUS said, 'Who touched me?' Big crowd. Who can tell? But Jesus said, 'I KNOW that someone touched me because strength went out of me.' The woman came forward, trembling...

Good Morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend. Oh my goodness, do you "see" what is happening? Even though the Gadarene people want Jesus to leave, here comes the the Gadarene man out of whom Jesus cast many devils. "And he pleaded with Jesus, 'Let me come WITH You and Your disciples. I want to follow You.' But Jesus told him:' Return to your home and show everyone what great things God has done for you.' So the man went on his way, and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great and wonderful things Jesus had done for him."(Luke 8:38-39) Here we are reminded that the call of God on our life may be to "bloom where we are planted," to live the Word of God among our own family, friends, and immediate community. Jesus taught:" Let your Light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify Your Father in Heaven."( Matthew 5:16) Let's pray for each other, my friend, that the Light of the Lord will s...

Marvellous that Jesus calmed the storm, my "walking with Jesus" friend. So they reached the other shore, "arriving in the country of the Gadarenes, which is on the opposite side from Galilee. And when Jesus went forth onto the land, there met him out if the city a man which had been held by devil's for a long time. He wore no clothes, and did not live in a house, but lived in the tombs. [ how scary and strange would THAT be?] When the man saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before Jesus, saying, 'What have I to do with YOU, you are the Son if God Mist High? Please, do not torment me.' (For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.) And Jesus asked the man, 'What is your name?' And the man replied"'My name is Legion," because many devil's had entered into him....Jesus cast out the devil's, sending them into a herd of pigs nearby. And the pigs suddenly ran violently down a steep place, into the lake and were...

Have you been in a boat, on a lake recently, my "walking with Jesus" friend? Sometimes the fastest way to get to the other side of a lake is by boat...and, we know that many of Jesus'disciples were fishermen, well acquainted with boats. So, when Luke 8:22-26, reports that "Jesus went into a boat with his disciples and said, let's go over to the other side of the lake. (Lake Genesaret, aka the Sea of Galilee, which is 30 miles around). But, as they sailed, Jesus fell asleep; and there came up a windstorm on the lake; and the waves were high, and the boat started to take on water. And the men were afraid. They wokeJesus, saying Master! Master! We are about to drown! Then Jesus arose. He rebuked the wind and told the waves:' Peace! Be still!' And immediately there was calm. And He said to the disciples: Where is your faith? And the men thought to themselves: Who IS this man that can commands, and the wind and waves obey Him? Do you and I know Him? Do WE cal...

Wonderful sandals you have on,my "walking with Jesus" friend. Good thing that we like to walk,because Jesus went everywhere throughout all the villages and cities, proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God and we continue to love to go with Him. Now we are with a crowd that has gathered at the home in Capernaum where Jesus is. Oh look who has JUST come: "Then the mother and brothers of Jesus came, but could not get to Jesus because of the great crowd. So, someone TOLD Jesus, 'Your mother and brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.' [ What would you or I do or say? What did Jesus say or do?] Jesus answered with a question: 'Who ARE my mother and my brothers?' Answering His own question, Jesus said, 'My mother and My brothers are those who hear the Word of God and do it.' "(Luke 8:19-21) Jesus has said: "Come unto Me..." (Matthew 11:28) inviting US to become His mother and brothers...Let's hear His Word, DO IT, ...

What shall we do today, my "walking with Jesus" friend? Psalm 100, has great answers to that question: "MAKE a JOYFUL noise unto the Lord, everyone. SERVE the Lord with gladness. COME before His Presence with singing. KNOW < be sure in your heart > that The Lord, He is God. It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves. We ARE His people and the sheep of His pasture. ENTER into His gates with Thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. BE THANKFUL unto Him and bless His Name. For the Lord IS good. His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations."(Psalm 100, all five verses) Confidence in the Lord. Joy in His Presence. Faith in His goodness. ARE we letting these blessings that flow to us from His Holy Word, and inspire our thoughts and actions? To respond to this text message, reply to this email or visit Google Voice. YOUR ACCOUNT HELP CENTER HELP FORUM This email was sent to you because you indicated that you'd like to receive email...

Jesus is continuing to speak to the crowd, let's listen, my " walking with Jesus" friend. " No man, when he lights a candle, covers it with a bowl, or puts it under a bed; but he sets the candle on a candle-stand so everyone who comes in may see the light. Also, know this: Nothing is secret, that shall not be made known; neither is anything hidden now that shall not come to be made known. Therefore, pay attention, and listen carefully. Whoever HAS, to him MORE will be given. But to whosoever has not, even what he seems to have, he may lose."(Luke 8:16-18) We have to keep listening and learning and applying what we learn, otherwise, what we think we have will drift away. We are counselled: "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman who does his work so well that he is not ashamed, but is capable of rightly understanding the Word of God." (2 Timothy 2:15) To respond to this text message, reply to this email or visit Google Voice. YOUR ACCOUNT ...

Yes, my "walking with Jesus" friend, the disciples asked Jesus to explain the meaning of the parable of the Sower. You remember what He said to them first: "Unto you, my disciples, it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God...Now, the parable is this: the seed is the Word of God. Those by the wayside are they that hear, but then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts. He dies not want them to believe and be saved. The rocky ground is they who hear, receive the word with joy, but have no root. They believe for a while, but in a time of temptation, they fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they who have heard, but are choked by the cares, riches and pleasures of this world, so they bear no fruit for the Kingdom. BUT, the seed that fell on GOOD ground is those who have an honest and good heart. Having heard the Word, THEY keep it, and bring forth/produce fruit with patience for the Kingdom," Jesus told his disciples.(Luke 8...

Good Morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend. Here, there's shade by this tree. We can listen from here.(Luke 8:4-10) "And when many people had gathered together our of every city, Jesus spoke by a parable [a story with a moral message]. A SOWER went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some seed fell by the way side; and was walked over and eaten by the birds. And some fell on rocky ground, and as soon as it sprouted, it withered, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns: and the thorns grew up and choked the seed. And other seed fell on good ground, grew up, and yielded an hundredfold. And when Jesus had said the parable, He said, 'He who has ears to hear, let him hear."(In other words: If you are listening, may you receive understanding of the message in the parable.) "His disciples asked Jesus to explain the meaning of the parable. Jesus started by saying, 'To you, my disciples,it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of ...

Glad to see you this morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend. Strap on your sandals! Luke 8 begins by telling us: "Now Jesus went throughout EVERY city and village preaching and declaring the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him. And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirimities, including Mary Magdalene, out of whom Jesus had cast seven devils, And Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's servant, and Susanna and many others gave generously to support the work of Jesus." Scripture honors women. From the beginning of the Bible in Genesis 1:27&5:1-2, when God created BOTH men and women "in His image," the Word of God "acknowledges and celebrates the priceless value of a virtuous woman."(Proverbs 12:4,&31:10.Luke 8:3, 1 Corinthians 11:7 etc.) The New Testament teaches the husband to honor and protect the wife; teaches the wife to harmonize with the leadership of the husband. God instructs u...

The beautiful gestures of love, the washing of his feet and the anointing the feet with ointment promoted Jesus to forgive the many sins of "the woman of the city." Oh, my "walking with Jesus" friend, how clean and fresh and excited to have a new beginning that woman must have felt. Forgiveness is amazing in its power to cleanse and renew. Harboring hate, resentment, bitterness and malice hurts the soul, damages the emotions, distorts our view of life. The Word of God, in 1 John 4:7-9, counsels: " If we walk in the Light, as Christ is in the Light, we have fellowship with INE another and the blood of Christ cleanses us from all iniquity. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to FORGIVE our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness." Luke 7:49-50, records:" Those at the dinner with Jesus began to say within themselves:'Just WHO IS this man who can forgive sins?' And Jesus said to the woman: 'Your faith has saved you. Go in pea...