A cherry blossom time

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”
(Luke 2:29-32)

A neighbor has a cherry blossom tree. Ever since I’ve lived in here in Georgia, I’ve thought it the ugliest of trees. All summer its small nondistinctive leaves dissatisfy. Finally dropping in early Fall, it leaves a sad-looking trunk with barren branches. But early Spring it is beautiful. It is one of the first signs that Winter’s gloom is over, and for a few short weeks its lovely blossoms brighten our world.

Simeon had his cherry blossom time. Lead by Spirit, Simeon goes to The Temple. He is a witness, to the world of his day and to our world today, of something extraordinary.

The following is from GotQuestions. com.

“Simeon spoke to Mary, Jesus’s mother. Simeon said, ‘This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too’ (Luke 2:34). In this prophecy, Simeon said that 1) some of the Jewish people would believe that Jesus is the “consolation of Israel,” and some would not, 2) there would be much opposition to Jesus in the future, 3) Jesus would reveal the truth, and 4) Jesus’s suffering would cause Mary much pain, personally.

“Simeon stands as a testimony of how we, too, should anticipate the arrival of the Messiah. Simeon looked forward to Christ’s first coming, and we anticipate His second coming (see Acts 1:11 and Titus 2:13).

“Jesus, the “consolation of Israel,” is the comfort of all those who believe in Him, and Simeon is a beacon of faith in an unbelieving world and a positive assurance that “hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5, NASB).

LORD Bless, Keep, Shine…

Set your hope. . .

Three wooden crosses on a rocky hill in a dry valley with bright sun and clouds

You have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for:

“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.

The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord remains forever. (1)”

And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:23-25

The Apostle Peter has told us we are exiles and sojourners on Earth. Where ever we’ve come from, or where ever we are staying, this place isn’t our real home. Don’t look back. Look ahead. We are to look ahead to a time when we will see Jesus face to face. The Revelation of Jesus our Messiah. That’s where our true Home is, though we aren’t there yet, and we don’t remember having been there. Being with Jesus is Home.

The apostle said there’ll be a few bumps, maybe a whole lot of bumps, in the path to that Forever Home. He also said, “Rejoice!” We are to rejoice despite the difficulties, regardless of the length of the journey. We rejoice even if our sojourn on Earth seems too brief. No matter how long we stay on Earth, in bodies of flesh and bone, it is like the flower that blooms and dies in a single day. Eternity is like infinity, pretty hard to wrap our minds around.

Furthermore, we are instructed by the apostle: “preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (v13)

One of the biggest issues today is the lack of hope, or at least perceived hope. Technological “advances” are overwhelming. Employment isn’t secure. Conflict seems pandemic. Prices rise and rise, seemingly endlessly. People are angry all the time, ever where. There are too many problems, few if any solutions. And summer isn’t in full swing yet; riot season awaits us. Feels like chaos reigns.

Believe not the lies. Our GOD reigns! Walk by faith, not by the way or the sight of the nations, its governments, and social media “influencers” and fear mongers. We are called to set our hope on Jesus Messiah.

Note: 1. Peter references Isaiah 40: 6-8

LORD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

The Great Reveal

A bearded man in ancient robes writing a scroll on the beach at sunset with an eagle flying above and waves crashing nearby

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His servants the things that must soon take place.
Revelation 1:1

GOD gives Jesus a message for His servants through an angel to John. John faithfully records what he sees. A blessing is promised to all who read, hear, and obey because the time is near. (Berean Bible Comment)

Jesus’s Apostle John wrote (v9,10): “I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance that are in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of GOD and my testimony about Jesus. On the LORD’s day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet. . .”

Patmos is a small, rocky island in the Aegean Sea. According to commentary in the Berean Bible, “Roman records show it was used for political exiles,” and that “archaeology reveals first-century marble quarries on Patmos; exilees often labored in them.”

It’s the LORD’s day!

Apostle John doesn’t mince his words when, in his salutation, he clearly states from whom his letter comes: “Grace and peace to you from. . . Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.”

The Apostle is about to report events that might well require one of those movie warnings that caution, “The following may be disturbing, containing violence, etc.” But the exiled Apostle doesn’t wait until the end of his letter to give the GOOD NEWS, for he proclaims up front (1:7), “Behold, He [JESUS] is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him,” which references the prophecies of Daniel (7:13) and Zechariah (12:10).

JESUS RETURNS. Think, The Return of the King. This is the same Jesus that was put on trial for no crime except an offended religious leadership and Roman appeasement. Found guilty though innocent, Jesus was abused, ridiculed, hung on a Roman cross until dead. Jesus’s dead body was laid in a tomb until He arose, alive in his flesh body, to be seen by and spoken to by many people, for 40 days.

But wait, there’s more!

Luke reports Jesus’s disciples were gathered with Jesus, and “as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’ ” (Luke 1:9-11)

Here am I, LORD!
I await You.
I long for You.
I watch for You.
You are The King of the universe.
I await Your return.
I want to be staring in utter rapture,
gazing into Heaven,
watching You come.
Maran Ata! Come LORD!

LORD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Blessed is Another Word for. . .

ESV uses the word Bless. “Blessed is the man. . .” The Hebrew word is generally translated fortunate.

“One who is fortunate,” has the traits* we read in the Psalm:
Fears GOD; Delights in GOD’s commandments; Has mighty offspring; Is among a blessed generation; Is wealthy; Has an enduring righteousness; Light dawns in the darkness; Is gracious, merciful, and righteous; Deals generously and lends; Conducts affairs justly; Is never be moved; Will be remembered forever; Is not afraid of bad news; Has a firm heart; Trusts in LORD; Has a Steady heart; Has no fear; Triumphs over adversaries; Distributes freely in giving to the poor; Is exalted in honor.

Traits makes me thing of something we are born with, like blue eyes or blond hair. But as I thought about it, perhaps we ARE born with traits that enable us to fear GOD and at least somewhat fulfill the list. Or perhaps we inherit those traits when we come to Fear GOD.

A Gentile Believer, coming to know Jesus, is born again. Perhaps then those traits are inherited—granted.

Just a Thought.

Then maybe being blessed is just another word for: Saved and being Sanctified.

We are blessed by GOD’s freely-given salvation. A salvation not earned, not merited, but given by blood sacrifice.

We turn from our old lives, turn to GOD: repentance. We are delivered from ourselves, to start over for GOD: born again. We’re given new traits, and we start a life-long journey learning to use them for the esteem of GOD—that GOD may be held in esteem throughout this world.

I pray we can walk exhibiting all those traits, generously, in the strength and power of GOD Spirit.

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine upon and though you all.

* Traits is the word used in a commentary on iTorah.com.

First Thought on Psalm 112

1 a Praise the LORD!

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,

who greatly delights in his commandments!

2His offspring will be mighty in the land;

the generation of the upright will be blessed.

3Wealth and riches are in his house,

and his righteousness endures forever.

4Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;

he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.

5It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;

who conducts his affairs with justice.

6For the righteous will never be moved;

he will be remembered forever.

7He is not afraid of bad news;

his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.

8His heart is steady;b he will not be afraid,

until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.

9He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;

his righteousness endures forever;

his horn is exalted in honor.

10The wicked man sees it and is angry;

he gnashes his teeth and melts away;

the desire of the wicked will perish!

What does it mean to be blessed? Occasionally, I’ll hear someone say something like “Have a blessed day!” Or when asked casually ”How are you?” might respond “Blessed!” While it’s nice, it might just be a sort of automated response, without a lot of thought given to it, or an expectation of a response or a reaction.

I wonder what would happen if I looked closely into the person’s eyes and asked “What would be a blessed day for me?” I would not, though. It might not go well. It might inhibit the person from ever blessing another person, a person craving some Word to come into his or her life and soul.

I remember Cindy, whom I met while working on a wildfire. She shared with me that she was in a horrible situation, trapped, desperate. Yet she simply didn’t believe she was worth helping out of it. Cindy told me an older woman approached her one day and said “GOD loves you!” Nothing more. Nothing more needed. Cindy’s soul was pierced that day. It wasn’t long before our LORD rescued her, getting her into a Christian shelter. She gave her soul to Jesus.

No, it is a lovely thing for GOD’s True Believers to bless brethren and the Worldly with a Word. Just one is enough if Spirit pierces the armor of the soul.

But my question persists. What does it mean to be Blessed?

Stay Tuned! Lord willin’ I’ll be allowed a part two.

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine . . . And give you His Word to pass on to a lost and quietly desperate generation.

Friday Notes: Living Quietly and Abundantly

The Apostles, in their letters, wrote both doctrine and practical instructions. Many instructions were to counter problems within a newly established group of believers.

These new believers were coming out of a hedonistic, idolatrous, pagan social structure and, while doing fairly well, needed some further encouragement in various matters, both spiritual and physical.

“The basic desire for each of us should be to please God. That’s the key to the Christian life,” wrote Pastor Chuck Smith in a sermon on this chapter (1 Thessalonians 4) of Paul’s epistle. This overarching principle provides a wonderful framework for all believers. It was taught to the believers directly by Apostle Paul in his first visit there. It was reemphasized in his letter to them. Pastor Smith said it’s “the key to the Christian life.” Not just a key. It is “the key.”

One could ask: “What exactly is the Christian life? What does it look like?” The way Apostle Paul puts it: we are to “. . .aspire to live quietly, and to mind” our “own affairs, and to work with” our “hands so that” we “may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.” —1 Thessalonians 4:11.12.

Pastor Smith put it this way: “Now this means to live sort of a quiet life. You know, with some people everything is a crisis, and they live from one crisis to the next. But he says, ‘Study to be . . . just live a quiet life.’ And that really is a simple life, and we need to learn to just live a simple life, a quiet life.”

Jesus spoke about living an abundant life, for which He came to give those who would believe in Him. When I think of abundance, I think first off of having more than enough of something. Food comes to mind immediately. I like food, mostly. Brussel sprouts might be an exception, but with enough hot sauce . . .

That’s as far as I got. It’s not from a scrap of paper; it’s from an unfinished post I’d saved to a flash drive a few years ago. Calmer times, those were. I hardly recall now, as things had not yet fallen apart; there was a “center” holding together this world. It was but a short time ago, yet like a dream those days fade into oblivion.

The other day I listened to a sermon by David Wilkerson given at Times Square Church a few years after America’s 911 wake up call. He spoke of more, and worse, disasters coming upon America. One of the things he reiterated is that our focus in times such as these should not be on physical preparations, for the answer is Spiritual.

Our quiet and abundant life isn’t necessarily in the physical world in which we live. It is in our right standing with our Father in Heaven through our Savior Jesus, Son of GOD and Son of Man. Proven through history, recorded to show us, GOD saves His People. Those who have their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. That Life is the life that will be calm and filled abundantly. We partake in it today, amid pending chaos in America, in a very unique Spiritual way, by the power of GOD’s Spirit dwelling within us in fullness.

John the Immerser called us to repentance; now the Living GOD calls us to a Baptism of His Spirit through which we may lead that quiet and abundant life despite storms that devastate, plagues that sicken, and conflicts that wound. . . or kill.

LORD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Faith and Hope as Lifestyle

The other day, at Daily Tehillem, it was Psalm 23. While I’ve read the psalm many times, and various comentaries, the last two verses struck me as wonderful prayer:

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

A prayer not only for me, but to be directed toward others, on the behalf of others. For in this prayer I see first the victory G-d blesses us Continue reading “Faith and Hope as Lifestyle” →