Matthew 4:13-25 ~ A Light has dawned +

Capernaum

Matthew 4:13-25

13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

Capernaum

Psalm 96


Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

4 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.

5 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 6 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.

9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.

10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”

The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. 11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. 12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. 13 Let all creation rejoice before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Capernaum

Mechanics
Long Decisions
Present your soul

Yesterday I watched a television program "Longmire" about dealing with Dementia. Right now I know 7 people with Dementia.

The University of Pittsburgh study reveals exercise every day - we have a greater chance of removing Dementia. Dementia, no joke, exhibits itself like a tar pit. We believe aggression in careers and people 'situations' helps clean the path off. Power, power, power brings respect with fear; creating an easier life for the person employing their nasty ways to be more comfortable.

Of course, good people get Dementia and illness occurs. Of course. But if you eat a bucket of fried chicken, 9 gallons of ice cream, and cake for every meal you can count on Diabetes, stroke, blindness, heart attack, cancer and unhappiness.

Capernaum

The truth is this - if you go to school to be a mechanic or a doctor. People ask free advice, constantly.  Unless you are a Proctologist. Of course, this is annoying. We all get annoyed and we are all in the same boat of life. And I have seen written manuals giving advice to mechanics and doctors about making every, every cent. And ethics. Yes, really we are all in the same boat. A happier life? Being an #*^$&&**, but you never know the path less taken. And if you had the ability to look from on High - you'd find trouble with each path. If you pursue the path of helping, within boundaries of self - healthy love, you are going to find a more fulfilling soul and with the soul being nourished - you are able to go far farther. Ecclesiastes house is the Biblical story of age and decay. The Gospel of John and 1, 2, 3 John present us with hope to overcome the natural order of decay.

Lately, I have been pressed on a number of fronts to feel a mMean joke, pressure to be in servitude for no good cause, questionable advice given with the best of intentions, asked to judge who is more worthy, less dishonest and read between the lines for meaning.

This also places us in the same boat. We always have a pause of uncertainty when we face a decision or a 'situation.' We want to feel we walked away from all situations having handled them effectively, wisely and if we are really wise - with compassion. God values mercy over sacrifice.

The Bible assures us - Jesus did not walk away from all situations as the apparent Victor. The Book of Acts says not ever thing is a fast win-win.

I had a loved family member, long departed for Heaven, who was known to be very, very upstanding. She loved to chew people out. She was known to chew out a rancher at the State Fair of Texas once because he couldn't get his panicked horse out of the trailer. She stepped up, threw her cardigan over the horse's eyes, patted the horse and led him out of the trailer with eyes blindfolded. True story. And the man had been cussing out the horse in public. And we Love this family story. She never, ever, ever got Dementia, but she became lonely in old age for her willingness to be so right, chewing people out was her privilege.

Hence the next generations was too polite. There is a balance of moxy and mercy. The ability to say 'please' and 'thank you' actually has great effect to those who are hungry for a little respect in the world and to those who would never employ the words for fear of appearing weak. Strength exists in the ability to tell the truth. Strength exists in the mercy of not demanding our intestines to hang out. Who would the Archangel Michael owe respect to under God the Father? Well, interestingly enough, Enoch was never recovered in the Bible. Like Jesus. Like Moses. The Archangel Michael was sent to get Moses' body. Evidently Moses was unique to die and then be collected by the Lord. Satan decided not to let Michael have an easy time of collecting the body of Moses. Michael, who had Amazing Back Up, collected the body of Moses by being polite in the face of injustice.

Lately, I have heard many stories of Traffic. Intense time taken in traffic. We have to take the facts of our lives and find nourishment and ... prayer. I heard a quiet explosion in Church, about 35 years ago, of a man who said he did believe, but all his prayers bounce off and he was tired of hearing yada, yada, yada, yada, yada Prayer.

Seriously. A man had a quiet temper tantrum in a very large Church sitting behind me over Prayer. So I turned around and I said, "Do you really Believe Jesus is Who He said He is?" Grim-faced, the man said, "I Really Believe. Jesus is God of all things." I said do your parents live nearby? He replied they were across the Continent. I asked him if he called them. He grinned in the middle of the conversation and said, "That made sense."

Just like we trust God more if we are having serious fox hole problems or medical tests, we have to Trust God that our prayers are having an effect. We have to trust being communicative over 'situations' is good for all. Loving ourselves with health is good. And being polite is good. All the studies on prayer say there is a tremendous effect.

We have to trust, if we are a mechanic or a doctor in any situation, that good advice is good. We have to be able to say, "That's enough now." Doing the right thing - nourishes - your soul - your soul is the only part of you where you have real estate in eternity. Your brain is not going to survive death and go on. It's told to us our soul and our mind connect.

Luke 10

26“What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28“You have answered correctly,” Jesus said. “Do this and you will live.”


Maybe... You've read the Text before? Who said, "Love the Lord your God connecting, heart, soul, strength and mind?' Jesus had overwhelming, immense, astonishing, life changing = desire - to have conversation - with US. Jesus knew well and good we connect in our responses to negativity, in being uplifted, in being downtrodden, in ego, in overcoming - to explain where we attain and sustain our TRUTH.

When we place ourselves on Christ the Solid Rock I stand - Truth on the Rock of Jesus - the rest of the sinking sand is not so important!!!

As I wrote earlier, Lately, I have been pressed on a number of fronts to feel a mean joke, pressure to be in servitude for no good cause, questionable advice given with the best of intentions, asked to judge who is more worthy, less dishonest and read between the lines for meaning.


STOP. I don't have to accept the noise and the upset. I have to respond with kindness, mercy, wisdom and love myself. I don't have to accept 'the noise.' You don't either. The Battle is God's. We believe, we do our small part every day. We let God do God's Tremendous works and we have gratitude.


The Narrow Path. Where the noise leaves and the goodness of a still quiet voice is what is needed - filled with love.


Make your bottom line - Love. Jesus makes a Good Foundation.



Abba,

Help us to stay on Your Path. On Your Path we know Jesus is with us. We ask for ourselves and the ones we love. Guide us and lead us.
Empower and protect us. Encourage and sustain us. Let us have Your Joy within us. To place our Hope in You. To be glad for Your protection.

Bless our neighborhoods, jobs, Churches. Our nation and the people of faith around the World. Help us to know Jesus is our Good Foundation. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †