Psalms 37, is full of directions and promises, to each of us. Standards, we should live by.

There is a blessing tied to each command. If you do this, the Lord promises that.

I am interested to see if anyone will read through, and connect, which directive and promise, comforts you most.

I invite you to leave a comment, such as:  Trust in the Lord. –  you will dwell in the land…

It will show, I believe where our hearts are.

Please just choose the most important one, for your life today.

Fret not
Trust in the Lord
do good
Delight thyself also in the Lord
Commit thy way unto the Lord
trust also in him
Rest in the Lord
wait patiently for him
fret not
Cease from anger,
forsake wrath:
fret not
Depart from evil
do good
dwell for evermore.
Wait on the Lord
keep his way
Mark the perfect man,
behold the upright

Thanks….  Blessings, I look forward to your input.  

Jesus visits His home town.  He could do no mighty works,  because of their  unbelief.

Mark 6:1-6  (KJV)  Matthew 13:54-58 (KJV)

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Jesus returns to His home town, preaches in the Synagogue.  They were astonished.  Where did He learn this?

They remembered Him growing up, full of energy and mischief like any other young man.

What happened to Him?  We know His brothers and sisters,  He is different.  He does mighty works, He speaks with power and authority.

“A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.”

What happened to Jesus?   He was baptized in water and by the Spirit.    He was  full of the Spirit, lead by the Spirit, walked in THE POWER,  of the Holy Spirit.

He was a changed man.  As we are sanctified, (set apart), after accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior.   People look at us differently, act and think differently, about us.

“What wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?”

They were astonished,  by His speech, they were astonished by His Mighty Works. 

Yet we find Jesus: “Marvelled because of their unbelief.  He could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.”

I believe He looks down at His Church, His people and MARVELS TODAY, BECAUSE OF OUR UNBELIEF. 

We see a few colds healed, maybe even someone slain in the Spirit.  We are astonished by this Power.

Meanwhile, He is in heaven, saying, “If only you believed,  the works I do and more would you do.  Signs, wonders and miracles would follow you.  People would be healed by your shadow, by simply touching your clothing.”

So He continues going from place to place, seeking today’s Abraham, David, Peter, Paul or Mary.
“And he went round about the villages, teaching.”

The Lord is seeking those who will be FULL OF, LEAD BY, AND WILL WALK IN, THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOW, FOR TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.  

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND. 

Will it be anyone we know?  Only time will tell.

Amen

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Mark 6:1-6. (KJV)

“And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.
2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things?  and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
4 But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.”

Matthew 13:54-58  (KJV)

54 “And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”

Matthew 9:27-36

The Healing of two blind men and one possessed with a devil. Then healing every sickness and disease.
Matthew 9:27-36 (KJV)

27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.
28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
32 As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

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The stories here are much like the other healings of Jesus.

People cry out to Jesus, to get His attention.

Jesus reaches out to touch and heal the afflicted.

According to their faith, so be it.

Jesus sees the measure of our faith, by the amount of effort we put into calling out to Him.

How important is it to us?  Have we fasted, prayed, humbled ourselves.  Have you asked more than once?

Are your prayers, effectual, fervent are we groaning, hardly able to express ourselves.   Is our faith visible?

There is a crowd of prayers, a multitude,  surrounding Jesus.

Our prayer, needs to push through and touch Him.  This kind comes by prayer and fasting.

He ordered them to be quiet about being healed.   Why?

So He could continue to travel among the needy, doing good.  They weren’t.

They brought a man possessed with a devil.  He was dumb, could not speak.  Jesus, cast out the devil, the man spoke. (Again immediately), and the people marvelled.

They had never seen this display of power and authority.   The Religious, said, He casteth out devils, by the Power of the devil. 

The Religious today, still, “Know not the Scriptures and deny the power of God.”

Jesus went about teaching and preaching the  Gospel of the Kingdom.

That the Kingdom is at hand.

Here, now available to whosoever will.   Salvation, Comfort, Peace, Joy, Forgiveness Healing every sickness and every disease, among the people.

Do you have a need?   Only Believe.  The Kingdom of God is at hand. 

Jesus saw the multitudes He was moved with compassion.   That compassion is still in Him, today.

He still longs to be our Shepherd.  When He is, we shall not want.

Are you in want?

Allow Jesus Christ to be your Shepherd,  your Savior, your Lord.   Reach out, push through to the Holy of Holies, receive the mercy and grace you need for this time of trouble. 

Amen

James 1:12-16King James Version (KJV)

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

The problem in my life is I do not Endureth Temptation.   I enjoy Temptation. 

Since  I enjoy the Temptation,  I tend to enjoy the sin.  When we enjoy any sin, we begin a downward spiral. 

Lust of the flesh…  Lust of the eye….  Pride of life.

Who among us isn’t tempted in one of these areas?   The same is a perfect man.

That man is not me.

Sometimes, I look on a woman with lust.

Sometimes, I look at my neighbors stuff, yup,I am jealous, he has more than me.

Sometimes, I see others doing things, and I think to myself, I could do that so much better.

My life is full of choices. 

I often choose wrong.  

My only consolation is, the Lord promised to forgive if we repent.   

I must learn to Submit myself to God, resist the devil, so that he flees.  To often, I submit to the devil and resist God.

Lord, save me from myself.  It is no one else’s fault, that I find myself, repenting once sgain.

Lord, help….  May I  be a Holy, Sanctified, Worthy vessel, of Your Love.  

Help me to walk with You, to be obedient, trustworthy, and faithful.

Amen 

In Psalms 34, we find David, victorious, singing God’s Praise.  Encouraging us all to join him.  

Telling us why we should.

Psalm: 34:1-3.
“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.”

David loved the Lord, and was a great example of how to love and praise the Lord,  and why we should love and praise Him also.

Deliverance 

Psalm: 34. 4

“I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” 

If we will seek Him, He hears and saves us.

Psalm: 34. 6. 

“This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” 

If we fear Him, hold Him in awe, in reverence, He will encampeth, all around us, He will hear our cry and Deliverer us out of our troubles. 

Psalm: 34. 7. 

“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

Psalm: 34. 17. 

“The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.”

He draws close to the brokenhearted,  saves those who are repentant.  If we are afflicted, sick, concerned, troubled, He delivers us from all.

When we trust Him, we will not want.

Psalm: 34. 18. 

“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

Psalm: 34. 19. 

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”

We that love Him, can look on Him, with no shame, and receive His light.

Psalm: 34. 5. 

“They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.”

Psalm: 34. 22. 

“The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.”
Psalm: 34. 8. 

“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”

Those who have tasted of His Salvation and Love, are blessed and never in want.

Psalm: 34. 9. 

“O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.”

Psalm: 34. 10b  “but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.”

Psalm: 34. 15. 

“The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.”

The Lords eyes and ears, see and hear our cries, He will deliver us from our troubles. 

Psalm: 34. 17. 

“The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.”

Psalm: 34. 18. 

“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

Psalm: 34. 19. 

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”

Psalm: 34. 22. 

“The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.”

Are His promises, are truth and life…  We must seek Him, love Him, trust Him, rely on Him…

He is God, and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.   Amen

There is much the Lord does, and will do,so that we will know, He is God.

Moses reminding the people of the Exodus.  

Deuteronomy 4:34-35. (KJV)
“Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?

Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God; there is none else beside him.”

If You have a need, physical, mental or spiritual?   There is nothing the Lord won’t do, for those who love Him.

 Amen

Psalm: 33:18-19
“Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.”

The eyes of the Lord is upon those of us that fear Him, who hope for His mercy.

To deliver our souls from death and to supply our need in times of famine.

Psalm: 33:1-5 

“Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.  Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.  

Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.  

For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.  He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.   

Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.”

We need to learn to Rejoice, Praise, with your voice and instruments. 

Sing, play skilfully, with a loud noise.

His Word is right, His Works are done in truth.

“He has shown thee oh man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of thee.   But to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God.”

He  loves righteousness and judgment, the earth is FULL OF HIS GOODNESS.

My soul waits for the Lord.  He is my help and my shield.    Amen

Mark 5:21-24;35-43
Matthew 9:18-19;23-26
Luke 8:41-42;49-56

Our CALLING-BE NOT AFRAID, ONLY BELIEVE. 

Mark 5:21-24 (KJV)

21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.
22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

Mark 5:35-43 (KJV)

35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.  (Luke. her spirit came again,)
42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

The story of Jairus, a Ruler in the Synagogue. His daughter lay dying.  He sought out Jesus.

Jesus, once again out among the people, teaching, preaching, healing everywhere, to all who had need.  As usual in a crowd of people.

Jairus, found Him, fell at His feet.    A Ruler, a big shot, when in need,  forgot his pride, and social  standing.

Bows and worships the Lord.  Besought Him greatly, (cried out, pleaded,..  with effectual,  fervent, prayer….please come and lay hands on and heal my daughter).

Jesus answered, by going with him.

Imagine,  how Jairus felt, when interrupted by the woman with the issue of blood.

Hurry, hurry, she is sick,  dying….

Yet, Jesus, knowing the end, from the beginning,  heals the woman with the issue of blood.  “Thy faith hath made thee whole, go in peace.”

Then the news arrived,  your daughter is dead.

Jairus, heartbroken, maybe upset that Jesus had taken a moment to help another, while he had such a great, immediate need.

Jesus, having heard,  replied:  “Be not afraid, only believe.”

Taking with Him, only Peter, James and John, He arrived at the house of Jairus.

He found weeping, gnashing of teeth, despair, grief. He spoke life.

“The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.”

Speaking that which isn’t, into existence. “Let there be light.”   “And there was light. And it was good.”

God, Jesus spoke, and it was so.

Romans 10:9 (KJV)

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Confess Jesus, and believe….  Which came first?   Why?

We must build up ourselves on our most Holy Faith, by Praying in the Holy Spirit. (Jude)

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  (Romans 10)

You hear me, recite certain verses, faith verses, I speak them confess them out loud.  To remind me what God said.

Because God spoke, it was done, it was good.

We should speak what God spoke.  We should know what God spoke.  We need to know it, before we can believe.

Jesus said: “The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.”

All who were gathered, laughed Him to scorn.

He sent the unbelieving out, took with Him, the three Disciples, and the girls parents.

Took her hand and said:  “Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.“

Her spirit returned to her, she rose up, and walked… immediately, straightway… no long recovery time…  Jesus, a Fix-it Shop-Filling Station kind of guy.

Heal them, fill with the Spirit… send them forth.

The people, “were astonished with a great astonishment.”

He charged them to tell no man. 

People flocked to hear Him, to be touched by Him, to be changed by Him.

Folks, if we allowed Him into our Services, people would flock to them also…

Make room for Him in your Church  Services.

Allow Him room to show Himself Strong, by meeting your needs.  Amen

Matthew 9:18-19 (KJV)

18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain

Matthew 9:23-26 (KJV)

23 And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

Luke 8:41-42 (KJV)

41 And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:
42 For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.

Luke 8:49-56 (KJV)

49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.
50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.
52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.
53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.
55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
56 And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

 

While writing my post “They limited the Holy One”, I realized, I have not heard the Ask, Seek and Knock, scriptures taught in the seven years I have been at this UMC.

Why?    The same reason the miracles of Jesus aren’t being taught.   These things are relegated to children’s church. 

Along with the stories of Noah and Jonah, the Exodus. The miraculous, supernatural, unbelievable. 

  The things, as adults, we believe must be parables or stories,  the could not possibly be true.

We are too intelligent to believe these Bible stories, really happened. 

Why then, do we believe in Salvation?   To me that is the most unbelievable story told.

Yet, I believe.  

I also believe Noah, Jonah, Moses, Abraham and their stories are real and did happen.

Just as they are recorded.   I must, and do,  believe and act on the rest of His Word.

So let us look at these scriptures, we find them recorded in:

Matthew 7:7-11 and Luke 11:9-13

If you will take a moment to read both accounts,  you will see how similar they are.

  Two different writers,  yet, almost identical. 

Matthew 7:7-11 (KJV)

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Luke 11:9-13 (KJV)

9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Luke adds an egg and serpent,  and more importantly, the Holy Spirit, while  Matthew, speaks of good things.

Matthew 

“Your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

GOOD THINGS

Luke

“Your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”

THE HOLY SPIRIT 

Saints the Holy Spirit is a good thing,  He was promised to those who believe.   He was given on the Day of Pentecost. 

Both Peter and Paul asked new believers, “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?“

Saints if you are Saved, Ask, for the Baptism  of Holy Spirit. 

It is an additional Blessing,  He is real, alive and desirous to lead, Guide, teach and comfort us. 

 To teach us truth.  To bless us with all Spiritual Blessings in Christ Jesus.   If only, we could believe. 

Do you believe? 

Will you believe? 

Will you ask?  

Notice, we may have to Seek and Knock for other desires.   Somethings must be captured. 

TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT?    ONLY ASK!!!

Amen

We limit the Holy One:

Do we realize how we limit God?  Do we even believe, we can, and do, limit God?

How often do we think or hear, God speaks to man through the Bible, He doesn’t speak to us personally any longer. 

Signs and wonders stopped with the death of the Apostles, or Disciples….  

We are living in the silent years, like the 400 years between the Old Testament and New.

Many believe this.  Many teach this.  Many are GRIEVING THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

This scripture,  Psalms 78:41.
“Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.”

Psalms 78 talks of how the Hebrews, verse 40:
“How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!”

This Psalm recites all the miracles they were witness to and benefited from.  

     >Deliverance from slavery

     >Crossing the Red Sea on dry land

     >Angels food from heaven

     >Water from a rock

And many, many more miraculous acts.  What was it that GRIEVED THE HOLY SPIRIT? 

“They turned back and tempted God.”

They didn’t believe God, to go in and take the land.

The author of Hebrews called it:
Hebrews 3:12
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”

An evil heart of unbelief. 

The Church is plagued with unbelief. 

How often did Jesus ask, where is your faith?  According to your faith….  only believe. 

Fear not, only believe….

The problem with the Church today?

WE DO NOT BELIEVE. 

We have limited the Holy One of Israel.

Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness? 

Do you long to serve a LIVING GOD?

Set your face like flint to SEEK AND SERVE THE LORD.

“Believe God is and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

Ask, Seek, and Knock….  Then be ready to receive. Amen