January 29, 2017

Save Us ALL, God.  Give Us Hope!

Acts 15: 12-18

Acts 

There was no further discussion, and everyone listened as Barnabas and Paul told about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 

When they had finished, James stood and said, "Brothers, listen to me.  Peter has told you about the time God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for himself.  And this conversion of Gentiles agrees with what the prophets predicted, for instance, it is written: 'Afterward I will return, and I will restore the fallen kingdom of David.  From the ruins I will rebuild it, and I will restore it, so that the rest of humanity might find the Lord, including the Gentiles - all those I have called to be mine.  This is what the Lord says, he who made these things known long ago.'

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  Thoughts....

Before I say anything about todays Scripture references, I MUST address what is going on in the world as a result of an/many ill thought(s) the U.S. President, Donald Trump, has set in motion.  In NO WAY am I in support of such an atrocity as the ban he has placed on certain countries, and on Muslims.  Everything I know about God, God's ways, his thoughts, his heart, his Son's ways, his thoughts, his heart, and Holy Spirit's ways, his thoughts, his heart....does NOT....in any way, suppport, define, or come close to any action President Donald Trump has taken thus far in his 9 days in office, nor can I support his choices for the majority of  his cabinet.  If there has been any question that this man is a supremicist, there can be no question now.  And I suspect Senior Counselor to the President Stephen Bannon is leading the fight even more than the President. The President may even be getting supremist militia directives from him.  

Strong words.....strong words that need to be said.  I am appalled by the choices the U.S. President is making, purportedly on behalf of America, that seems, in all reality, to merely support his supremist, narcisistic, delusional, paranoid, subversive, and the list goes on.....interests. 

Did anyone pick up on his comment about owning property in Russia?  He said he did not have a major investment.  Does he have a minor invesment?  I vote yes on that one.  And shame on the folks auditing his tax returns who could have prevented us from being exposed to such anarchy by merely coming forth with exposure of the president's tax records.  Could they have thought they would be creating treason?  Wouldn't that have been equal to what the Director of the FBI, James Comey, did when he ranted about innocuous information with intent to kill any possible path to the presidency by Secretary of State, Hilllary Clinton?  He seems to be faring rather well under the circumstances.  Surely the Treasury Department, or an employee within, could take a note from his playbook.   Hek, at this point, anyone exposing Trump's taxes and giving the world some TRUTH would be hailed a hero!  

Family in the world....Muslim, Islam, Jewish, Christian and everyone in between.....recall the words to We Are The World....and hang on, pray earnestly, and believe.  Whoever your God is, whoever your Savior, PRAY....and sing together with me....

There comes a time when we heed a certain call

When the world must come together as one

There are people dying

Oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life

The greatest gift of all.

We can't go on pretending day by day

That someone, somehow will soon make a change

We're all a part of God's great big family

And the truth

You know love is all we need.

We are the world, we are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day so let's start giving

There's a choice we're making we're saving our own lives

It's true we'll make a better day just you and me.

Well, send'em you your heart so they know that someone cares

And their lives will be stronger and free

As God has shown us by turning stone to bread

And so we all must lend a helping hand.

We are the world, we are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day so let's start giving

There's a choice we're making we're saving our own lives

It's true we'll make a better day just you and me.

When you're down and out there seems no hope at all

But if you just believe there's no way we can fall

Well, well, well, let's realize that a change can only come

When we

stand together as one.

We are the world, we are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day so let's start giving

There's a choice we're making we're saving our own lives

It's true we'll make a better day just you and me.

We Are the World was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and co produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian for the album We Are the World for African famine relief where the idea came from activist Harry Belafonte, and fundraiser Ken Kragen who were instrumental in bringing the vision to reality.  The song was released on March 7, 1985, having had a final recording session on January 28, 1985.  NOTE the date of the recording session.  (Info taken directly from www.last.fm/music/USA+for+Africa/_/We+Are+the+World) 

U.S. President Donald Trump may have signed his Immigration Ban on January 27, 2017, but 32 years ago, almost to the date, a group of people came together believing 'we are the world'.  We still are....WE ARE the WORLD.  Let us all reach out in solidarity of brotherhood and sisterhood and rise up in peace against a few people who are terrorists on American soil perpretrating one of many evil acts in the name of betterment for the Americans, that is all but, not only for America, but for the world.  Sign me, ashamed to be an American under the leadership of one of those people.  And forgive us, please, as a nation under God.  Although those of us in America have been raised to believe, and pledge, we are 'one nation under God, indivisible', there are many of us in the U.S.A. who see, and are experiencing divisiveness, both in America and the world, as the result of our American President, Donald Trump and his assigns, and know that divisiveness is wrong, and, do absolutely believe WE are ONE NATION UNDER GOD,  and stand shoulder to shoulder with everyone in America....and the world....through this awful, horrible, painful, shameful, time.   I bow my head in prayer, "God help and save us ALL."

Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists."

And may we always recall....that which was written in the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776....'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.'   

On to todays 'Thoughts'....

I am most often amazed at God's timeliness.  I wrote todays 'Thoughts' a few weeks ago, but God knew what would be going on today.  And so he shared, through me, yet more 'Thoughts'.

Miraculous signs and wonders.  Truly, we need that in American and the world today.  Barnabas and Paul told about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done THROUGH them among the Gentiles.  What that means is WE have work to do, folks.  God used folks like you and I to work miracles and wonders THROUGH them.  If all you can do is pray, then pray....that's HUGE.  If you will just open yourself to God's leading as to what he would like you to do, he will guide you through.  Miracles and wonders will be done THROUGH you, as you allow yourself to be used by God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  There is no better time to start, or open yourself up, or restart your faith walk than right now, especialy in light of the state of the world.

Everyone in America....the WORLD....needs to rise up and make their VOICE heard again.  Note I said VOICE.  We must choose between the (out)spoken word and the written word to make our voices heard.

We must NOT choose violence, for that only puts one in league with the enemy, and, most assuredly, anyone who is NOT FOR GOD, is THE, if not AN enemy of God and his people.  I must clarify that there are many who have a different God, Savior, leader who are NOT an enemy of MY God, Savior, Holy Spirit, whom I believe to be THE God of the universe, but who are people of faith of other religions, and are faith filled believers as myself.

We must also pray, have faith, hope, and believe in God's promises.  Even if the Devil incarnate has his way, God's promises remain.  Look what James shared from what God told the Prophets Amos and Isaiah:  'Afterward I WILL return, and I WILL restore the fallen kingdom of David.  From the ruins I WILL restore it, so that the rest of humanity might find the Lord, including the Gentiles  [ALL PEOPLES] - ALL THOSE I have called to be mine.  This is what the Lord says, he who made these things known long ago.'   

So, folks, if God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, then this promise is still for us.  We have not only hope, but promise!  No matter what the Devil Satan, or himself incarnate, or his assigns attempt to do or achieve, hang on.   God WILL restore us ALL.

As the song goes....Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow [for ALL].  Praise Him all Creatures [ALL of us, humans and non-humans] here below.  Praise all of the Heavenly Hosts.  Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

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  Let Us Pray

Oh, Heavenly Father God, Jesus SAVIOR, Holy Spirit Comforter, you've got your hands full now.  And I do not envy you one bit.  But I earnestly pray, and choose to believe, that we are all able to affect miracles and wonders, as a result of opening ourselves up to you, so we can be vessels by which you work.  Yes, you can do it all by yourself, but your intent is to insure we all come together as one, helping one another, so you must utilize us, all those whom you have made, to truly become one with you....and one another.  So I open myself to you now, and pray all others will do the same.  I realize we do not all have the same Savior in the world.  And in some cases, God, people may not know you, have not accepted you, if they have heard of you.  But I know that there are many who are faith filled, regardless of to whom they pray, and I hope earnestly they will reach out to whomever, and that in solidarity you, and their gods, saviors, leaders, whomever, will also all come together to restore and achieve peace, unity, love in the world once again.  And, if you possibly can, will, choose to, PLEASE get Donald Trump and his whole team OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE, Presidency, and every level associated with such.   Let information come to light to prove his presidency is NOT legitimate and place into office Hillary Clinton who's presidency should stand as a result of the votes of the American people.  And for heaven's sake, and all in America, please dissolve the Electoral College, who, by it's nature, is dehumanizing, prejudiced, inequalizing, discrimanatory, having been placed into position in case someone, or someones, believed that they should decide who should be in office regardless of what the people decide, because the people may be mindless or ill thought.  Apparently the PEOPLE got this one right and the Electoral College did not.  Praise for the dissenters of the Electoral College.  At least someone had reality and rightness in their loins.  Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, there are a lot of people in the world who are scared.  Not just the ones trapped and being tossed aside.  Myself....I'm scared, too.  I know enough about history, and law, to terrify me right now.  I do not want to see the writing on the wall.  I want it to change.  You can change that.  Please change that....not just for myself, but for all my brothers and sisters in the world, whatever faith, whatever country they are from.  Help us ALL.  Save us ALL....from this fate that is worse than death.  Let not anyone experience any more genocide.  Not in our hearts, our souls, our minds, our bodies, nor belonging to any specific ethnic, racial, national or religious group.  WE ARE the WORLD.   We want to live, and give, and love, and grow, and know we are safe.  Stop the chaos that can only come from Satan and his assigns.  Please God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, please intervene to stop the madness.  I beg of you on bended knee, sitting from a chair, on my face flat out, with raised arms in battle, bowing my head, raising it up to search for you, on my back gazing up.  Embrace us all, give us a new life in you and with you.  Even if not with you,  open your arms wide....please.  Embrace everyone like only you can.  Help the other gods and saviors, leaders, whomever....let them see who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are.  It's time, now is the time, for everyone to see....you.  And be grateful for all you have done, are about to orchestrate, will have done....and be congenially accepting of others working with you, the gods, saviors, leaders of those who don't know you and don't believe in you.  I beg your forgiveness for anything I have done.  Forgive me please, so that I will be a cleansed vesssel with room for only you, not even me, so together, you through me, can indeed create miracles and wonders.  We need you now....I need you now....come.  Keep everyone in the world safe.  I pray this to you, dear Heavenly Father God, in Jesus' name, by and with the power of THE Holy Spirit.  Amen.  I praise you.  I thank you.  I love you.  Amen.

Emma Lazarus wrote a sonnet to raise money for the pedestal upon which the Statue of Liberty now sits.  That sonnet now adorns a plaque inside the pedestal of the statue.  It reads, in part:  "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the [people that other (?) countries believe are] the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.  Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"   

Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I believe you call to ALL of us through this sonnet.  Help us to come home in your heart today, so we may become one in the world as a better people and create a better tomorrow for ALL.  And for heaven's sake, and that of many, help us all open our doors and shores, and arms to all who suffer.  Thank you.  Amen.  

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More love.... 

  Benediction....Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

  It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!

Teach tolerance....reach in acceptance....worship as one!

Embrace....Respect....Encourage!

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It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, animals, the earth, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you ! 

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  One last thing....

Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!

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