Faithfulness...

I’m confident of this, that the one who

began a good work in you will complete

it right up to the day when you can view

Sir Jesus Christ (whom God has dubbed replete).


And yet this Jesus, starting a good work

by walking to a “mate” 's house for his kid,

allowed God to way-lay him, didn't shirk

but stopped to clarify some things he did.

And even though the time-plan in their head

was ruined now, this Jesus would not fear.

He probably recalled God's work instead -

from scripture and life - then, between his ears:

The corpse, which when it fell upon the bones

of old Elisha, came right back to lifea!

And much of letting God’s work here be shown

submits itself to God’s timing in strife.

Then warnings to his parents just in timeb,

and food from angels in deserted spotsc,

all helped to build God’s consciousness sublime

within his own imagination, lots.

And that provided his interpreta-

tion key for understanding what came near.

So Jairus heard from him “Don't be afraid”,

shown in his face, “Have faith” (instead of fear)d.

And I would like to live like he did thene

(& Peter said “That’s as it ought to be”f, 

and John said that’s the only option when

we follow one who loves as much as heg).

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I am confident of this, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 (PM Version)

JESUS said "DON'T BE AFRAID- JUST BELIEVE"!!  Mark 5:36 (PM Version)

1. https://bible.com/bible/113/2ki.13.21.NIVUK
2. https://bible.com/bible/113/mat.1.20.NIVUK; https://bible.com/bible/113/mat.2.13-23.NIVUK
3. https://bible.com/bible/113/mat.4.11.NIVUK
4. https://bible.com/bible/113/mrk.5.36.NIVUK
5. https://bible.com/bible/113/1th.1.6.NIVUK
6. https://bible.com/bible/113/1pe.2.21.NIVUK 
7. https://bible.com/bible/113/1jn.2.6.NIVUK

boundless resources

Be strengthened now today with God's boundless
resources, so that you're enabled to
endure with courage and with joy, no less,
in any situation, and pass through,

as did Yeshua, God’s anointed one,
who did not buckle and cave in at last,
for he entrusted to his Dad (as Son),
his very rights, his life - and he held fast!

---

May you be strengthened today with God's boundless resources, so that you will  be able to pass through any situation and endure it with courage and joy. Colossians 1:11 (PM Version)

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.  ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’  When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 

https://bible.com/bible/113/1Pe.2.21-23.NIVUK

you love ...

I praise you Lord with my whole heart. Lord you are my God. I will give glory to your name forever, for your love to me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death and given me life. Psalm 86:12-13 (PM Version)

Amen
Again.
You are
Father,
my friend,
o-pen-
-ly I
state my
desire
that higher
your name
be blamed
for good
as should
be said.
This dead
world needs
those seeds
of life
(in strife)
which see,
a-pre-
ci-ates
good (mates),
but hates
the sham.
"I AM"
you say,
today
I add
my glad
voice small
(this Paul):
YOU LOVE
above
all else
it smells
(says we)
Lovely!

learning to love

Be content to be the blessing you are.
Let yourself long to be like Yeshua.
We're in the process of growing up here
in this old world till new bodies appear.

We've done it before°. He showed that again
a body with more capacity can
grow from what's weaker, because of God's life,
he is our tweaker, and when pain is rife

his love hasn't died (& neither has he),

might be that God’s cried (he’s certainly grieved*).

We either grow up, through our suffering,

as a dog from pup, to finaly see(!),

or else we shrink down to match our small minds,

and be like a clown (persona rewinds)

to live by a script - strait-jacketed still

with wings that are clipped, and that’s not God's will...

---

° We've had a few different "bodies" along the way so far.  We each started inside our mothers as a single-blind organism. Then before birth we had a whole multicellular body - but it used to get it's nutrition, and oxygen, and eliminate waste from it's blood, all via a tube in it's belly, and its gut and lungs were dormant.

*  The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. https://bible.com/bible/116/gen.6.5-6.NLT 

faithful living

Commit all that you do unto The Lord,
and trust Him, who made you, to now provide
the food  and drink and shelter for you stored
along with clothing, and new name inspired.

---

Commit everything you do to The Lord, Trust Him, and He shall bring to pass. Psalm 37:5 (PM Version)

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “And so I tell you not to worry about the food you need to stay alive or about the clothes you need for your body. Life is much more important than food, and the body much more important than clothes. Look at the crows: they don't plant seeds or gather a harvest; they don't have storage rooms or barns; God feeds them! You are worth so much more than birds! Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it? If you can't manage even such a small thing, why worry about the other things? Look how the wild flowers grow: they don't work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers. It is God who clothes the wild grass—grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, burned up in the oven. Won't he be all the more sure to clothe you? What little faith you have!  “So don't be all upset, always concerned about what you will eat and drink. (For the pagans of this world are always concerned about all these things.) Your Father knows that you need these things. Instead, be concerned with his Kingdom, and he will provide you with these things.  “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom. Sell all your belongings and give the money to the poor. Provide for yourselves purses that don't wear out, and save your riches in heaven, where they will never decrease, because no thief can get to them, and no moth can destroy them. For your heart will always be where your riches are. https://bible.com/bible/69/Luk.12.22-34.GNTD

“If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches! “To those who win the victory I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give each of them a white stone on which is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it. https://bible.com/bible/69/Rev.2.17.GNTD

THE GOD of gods

How great is God, our Lord!! There's nothing His

great pow’r cannot afford or accomplish,

for He is wise, with understanding of

all things that were, are done, or to speak of.

The Lord the God of all the gods and lords,

the mighty, great, and awesome God affords

to show no partiality at all

he takes no bribes, no needs to him befall.

But he sees and he loves good, and so my

reflection of above could simply  try

to see good and give thanks unto the God

of gods. His love’s a bank that endures on.

---

How great is our God!! There's nothing His power cannot accomplish and He has understanding of everything. Psalm 147:5 (PM Version)

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of Lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.  https://bible.com/bible/113/Deu.10.17.NIVUK

Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures for ever.
https://bible.com/bible/113/Psa.136.2.NIVUK

imaging love

Oh Lord your love's amazing, reaching high-
er than the heavens, deeper than the seas.
Your faithfulness and mercy reach the sky.
There’s nothing stronger than your love that we

are lavished with, it brings it’s strength and hope,
and faithfulness, and joy, and peace as well,
although it can be grieved, it sure can cope
with sin that has come in to bring more hell.

Oh Lord God be exalted as you soar
throughout the heavens. May this Earth, as yours,
show off your shining glory that is seen
above the earth, in heaven, where it seems

your will and plan is in reality
done, yet new heavens wait, for you and me..
Come to us now, and ever so gently
then draw us out, and help us to live free.

And answer all our prayers for your great love,
your saving reign that pushes back all else.
Come with your might and strength now, from above -
we need you, Lord! When you are... , all is well!

So since you love me more than anyone
(though I have learned in this world to un-love - 
to reimagine all that love has done
as cynical power-guarding kinds of shove-

ing, and manipulation - at its best),
right now I would learn from you in this world
how to en-love it more, with all the rest
and loveliness, your love-flag has unfurled.

---

Lord your love is amazing, it reaches higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness and mercy reaches to the skies. Lord God be exalted as you soar throughout the heavens. May your shining glory be seen high above the earth. Come to us now and gently draw us out. Answer out prayer for your saving help. Come with your might and strength, for we need you Lord!! Psalm 108:4-6 (PM Version)

You are and always will be dearly loved by God.  Colossians3:12a. (PM Version)

..power of your love..

The Lord is the eternal  God, who was,
and is right now, and ever more to come;
creator of the earth & heavens. He 
does not grow weak or weary, and his un-

derstanding no one else can fathom. He
gives power to the weak, and strength to those
who, powerless, are not so very free.
That is his way, his pleasure in repose.

Oh God, I'm so enamoured by the pow'r
that I perceive about me every day.
Help me to see what I look at this hour,
I see your love might be what wins the day!

..........       ..........       ..........

The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Isaiah 40:28-29. (PM Version)

For the love of God...

Please grow me up to love oh God, like you,

that folk I meet today upon your Earth

will get a whiff (in what I say & do)

of your good life, that’s from above here birthed.

In standing (and in listening) in your

good council, as decisions are made there,

and ways & means, & plans, devices for

extending all your love to who would share

it ON to others, just because they're loved

by you who are Creator (of your kids),

I'm learning some of how you've (from above)

done good by coming down, not closing lids.

Well blest are those who trust God, who’s their Lord,
- their confidence, their hope, and too, their ground

of being. He is their greatest reward.

Like trees planted along a river, found

with roots that reach deep into the water,

not bother'd by the heat or dry that comes.

Such trees do not (except as they oughta)

just weep, for there’s en-joy-ment to be done!

For even in a drought their leaves stay green,

their fruit’s produced, and shelter’s  extended.

Such trees, he sees are planted for thriving,

his “shalom” peace’s gift has not ended!

The peace of mind and heart, of that Jesus

(amidst all of the fighting and the fire),

he brings, when troubled fears want to freeze us.

He acts from love, not just his own desire!

..........       ..........       ..........

Blessed are those who trust in The Lord and have made The Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or the dry times. Even in a drought their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. Jeremiah 17:7,8 (PM Version)

Jesus said "I am leaving you with a gift, peace of mind and heart. The peace I give is a gift the world can't give. So do not let your hearts be troubled and do no be afraid. John 14:27 (PM Version)

What Gospel?

Read Isaiah 40:1-55:13 together sometime.. Good news to the hearers of the prophecy/message in Isaiah 52:7. From reading this, it seems that that bit could have been written in the time of exile to Babylon after the destruction of Jerusalem. The people would  (if it were me) have taken heart at the sound of a "Lord Redeemer."... Good news to the hearers of Jesus' words in Mark 1:14 and 15. Jewish people who were in their country again, and yet not free to rule themselves entirely. Leasing their own land, might have been their general feeling and experience. Still, there would be a desire to have God's kingdom there with them, and some might have welcomed Jesus' proclamation of "turn away from your sins, and believe what I am saying!" It might have sounded a bit similar to the sorts of things that prophets used to say, and a possible similarity to what the Lord himself said in 2 Chronicles 7:14  "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." From what I gather, the Israelites may have believed that theirs was the Kingdom of God, God having chosen them to make his temple with, God who chose to lead them out of Israel and into a land which he called them to, a land flowing with milk and honey. so he was their God, and they were His people.

Commit everything you do to The Lord, Trust Him, and He shall bring to pass. Psalm 37:5 (PM Version)

---

Yes... Most of this is true... according to

my understanding of it's use back then...

but still it seems to me we've missed a few

important things they would have "seen"  clear when

at first these "readers" saw (more, "hearers", heard)

the "euangelion", the message, which

was heralded to them by spoken word,

and some responses clearly encouraged!

Responses like that "metanoia" and

then "pistis" which Josephus called for from

that rebel soldier he called on to stand

with him, with new allegiances to come...

thus holding a new view of how this world

would work, and who is shepherd, of what sheep,

and holding faithfull to that, not to shirk,

and keeping wakefull (not to fall asleep).

But still the question's begged: "What did they hear

when first they heard this message right to them?"

The "euangelion" of Christ appeared,

and what was understood by those who ken?

---

Isa 52:7 (LXX)  - ὡς ὥρα ἐπὶ τῶν ὀρέων ὡς πόδες εὐαγγελιζομένου ἀκοὴν εἰρήνης ὡς εὐαγγελιζόμενος ἀγαθά ὅτι ἀκουστὴν ποιήσω τὴν σωτηρίαν σου λέγων Σιων βασιλεύσει σου ὁ θεός

Mark 1:14-15 - μετὰ δὲ τὸ παραδοθῆναι τὸν Ἰωάννην ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν κηρύσσων τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ λέγων ὅτι πεπλήρωται ὁ καιρὸς καὶ ἤγγικεν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ μετανοεῖτε καὶ πιστεύετε ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ

Yup, they talk of blessed messengers who announce the euangelion (εὐαγγελόν - the Gospel, the Good News).

The first two verses speak of this "Good News". The question is what did they think this euangelion that was announced was (was it that Christmas prices in this state have been reduced by their previous added GST?)

It may need further explaining later, but let's get the announcement right.

I feel like the last three verses are explaining some of the many ramifications of the announcement...

Check what is meant by a "gloss". What gloss would you use for the Greek word euangelion, instead of these English words "Gospel", or "Good News", that is likely to fit with the assumptions and experience of First Century hearers or readers of the words from Isaiah and Mark (& a passage like 1Thess 2:1-16)?

The old prophet sang... ... ... about some great plan...

I know that God has a plan for my life. A plan for my good and not for evil, to give me a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11(PM Version)

Amen, and his plan
'sbigger than his boy's
was, for the I AM
is THE source of choice.

He is a god true
and so not constrained
in ways that now do
stop OUR sight and aim.

And we are his kids
or as HE says, "lambs",
though he don't mean "stock",
but we're the "I AM's"

children, that's offspring,
and he is OUR stock,
our root, and our spring -
that gives life "unlocked".

His plans aren't limits,
they're doors to go through,
ways that exhibit
more options to boot...

Futures that shine with
more glory than we
can imag-ine with
a story that he

is still preparing
(through us all) each choice,
and he's still bearing
weights for "girls" & "boys".

come & (taste &) see...

Oh taste and see that God, The Lord, is good!!

There is much joy and blessing for those who

take refuge in Him!! And, what others could

do as he does? - give pleasures like You do?

---

Taste and see that The Lord is good!!
There is much joy and blessing for those who take refuge in Him!!

Psalms 34:8 (PM Version)

..convinced or convicted..

So we're convinced what happens here to us,
and in us too, along with all  the growth
of God's own nature that's come INto us,
a cunning weaving OF love and truth, both,

is now occurring, AND we see glimpses.
This God is raising children, and training
them AS creatives, ruling as princes
(right over his creation) then reigning

in HIS style, loving, freeing it all up,
and bringing good; imagining, speaKING,
and getting then involved, sometimes erupt-
ing, THEN seeing, & appreciating…

etcetera. So don't give up, or be

impatient. Be entwined as one with God.

Be brave, courageous, let hope’s planted seeds

enable you to wait, when hope seems gone.

I pray your heart is flooded with his light

so you can understand the confidence

that he has given us, the riches right

before our noses, His inheritance.

I also pray that you’ll contin-u-’lly

experience great God's power (A to Zed)

available to us. The same mighty

empow’ring that raised Christ up from the dead.

Whatever could then separate us yet

from Love of endless Christ? Nothing at all!
Can troubles, persecutions, threats (of  death)?

Well nothing is so big, or even small!

..........       ..........       ..........

So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God's perfect plan of bringing good into our lives. For we are His People who have been called to fulfil His designed purpose. Romans 8:28 (PM Version)

Don't give up, don't be impatient, be entwined as one with The Lord.
Be brave and courageous and never lose hope.
Yes, keep on waiting- for he will never disappoint you! Psalm 27:14 (PM Version)

(In 2018) I pray that your heart will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to us, the the riches of His glorious inheritance.
              I also pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God's power that he has made available to us. The same mighty power that raised Jesus from the dead.
Ephesians 1: 18-19 (PM Version)

What could ever separate us from the endless Love of Christ? Nothing in the universe has the power to separate us from Christ's Love!!
Can troubles and distress, persecution, or hunger, or being destitute, or threatened with death? No nothing can separate us from the Love of Christ!!
Romans 8:35 (PM Version)

Peace to this household

God's peace be on all those who live within
this household (which is much more than 'this house' -
A household might've chosen tent-livin',
and they can make some orn'ry things look grouse!

B'coz they are creative sparks from him,
who thought up good, then  talkin' to 'imself,
an' talkin' to the thing he was makin',
created this whole world, from 'off the shelf',

- that's as a way of speaking, in 'iz mind,
and then used 'this', to make some more of 'that',
then put them both together, and we find
that we have been made up, with a 'split splat'.

And yet we aren't just sparks, or his robots,
(unless we're bound within that world-view which
we always must interpret what we've got
so that we are machines, though in 'high viz').

He also told our story to us so
we'd know that we are no less than "his kids",
and told us to remember, so we'd grow
up more to be like him until our lids

can open up, and then when we come out
the screaming, and the crying, and the smiles,
the celebrating (with all of God's shouts)
his children have been born after 'a while'

so when a household's made of baby gods,
and 'shalom' means to thrive, as gardens grow,
if they're connected to The God, what odds
'dyou bet against, in saying "that will show"?