3 John Bible Sketch

Does Jesus love me?

 

How would I know?

 

Wait, what song am I singing?

Experiences of discovery, responsibility, celebration and challenge fill our entire lives from birth until the day we die. Time flies whether fun or frustrating. When have you noticed Jesus trying to get your attention? If you haven’t noticed yet, watch for it; most likely, He’ll try to connect. When you die, He wants you to join Him in heaven in His pure Truth.

Not everyone, yet some children grew up hearing and singing, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. We are weak but He is strong!”. During family devotions, church, Sunday school and vacation Bible school, some of these kids heard the Bible actually backs this up, “Yes, Jesus loves me!”. Excited about what they heard, about what Jesus did for us, they may have told friends who seemed confused or had questions like, “what happens after we die?”. Some people are always hoping someone brings up the topic they love to talk about. 

The simple Truth: God’s gifts of grace in Christ point to His True Love. Messing up, on our part, is what we believe occurred after the fall. Error happens when we corrupt the True Faith. Under the guise of so-called truth, it’s possible to imagine false things such as thinking it’s okay to

• make up a distorted version that twists and misses the fullness of Scripture
  
• take specific things in the Bible out of context
• pick-and-choose only bits and pieces of the Word while ignoring other parts
  
• support a selfish agenda, or that of others
  
• add human opinion to so-called faith which actually suppresses Truth
  
• add the false idea that there’s more needed on our part—as though the Grace-filled gifts of God-given Faith, Word and Christ alone aren’t enough for salvation
  

God is the only Way for us. Possibly by now, most people have heard of Jesus. They’ve noticed a Bible app, a friend’s integrity, a pastor, or a church. Some are curious to receive the Word, yet, for whatever reason, some choose to reject the Church, perhaps thinking only for now and considering, maybe later. Even for those who got the Truth and walked in it, it’s just as possible to believe for a while and fall away, as it is to reject Truth in the first place.

Moms and anyone who tenderly taught us about the faith, compassionately want nothing more than that their children remain and grow in the Truth; or, return to Truth which guarantees the place together with Jesus. Apart from Jesus, the eternal alternative is a fearful and horrible situation.

3 John 4

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
3 John 4

True or False?

People in the faith regularly hear, are inspired to live by, and trust dependable Truth spoken for us with nothing new added and nothing taken away from it. The unchanging all-knowing, all-powerful and ever-present Creator is generous to give faith for us. The faith receives Christ in gifts of perfect love, discernment, mercy, repentance, grace and peace. The moment we’re Baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—the gift of saving faith believes Truth which is the very Word of God for us in the Bible. Entirely undeserved, received by no work of our own, the faith from the Holy Spirit is for all nations—every dependent child. By miraculous powerful adoption into our Creator’s family, the Almighty Father’s beloved children of all ages discover joy in the Truth. Strength to remain in Truth is fed by receiving Jesus at the Lord’s Table whenever and as often as possible. Our Savior’s blessings for the Church extend into unending life with Him. 

Ever since our original free will was lost at the fall, we began to naturally rebel against God. Struggling with pride is a place God never intended for us; yet, before creation, He had a plan to restore us with new liberty in the Gospel. Our Mediator Jesus keeps us in Truth. The Holy Spirit’s power within us repents, stands up for the faith, and resists being mislead. What’s against Christ is promoted by those who, rejecting Jesus, have chosen to have ears plugged to Truth and eyes blinded to Light.

I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true. 3 John 9-12

Evil, wicked nonsense, lies—set us up for separation from the Lord who hates these destructive ways leading to everlasting death. Satan’s deceit aims to pull the faith away. Using shifty schemes to erode Truth, he falsely declares grace as a license to sin. Satan promotes selfishness, slander, blaming, minimizing and denial of error. He wants these behaviors to distract and divide from the Truth. Evil spirits are out to lure, snag us into a confused frame of mind which, purposely, disregards the entire Bible as authoritative Truth. Caught without accountability to Truth, the breath of life is being suffocated. The state of disrespect deposits heaps of hot, heavy, unhealthy energy which drowns people in despair and destruction. Self-inflicted deprivation of the Holy Spirit’s nourishing Word for Life, lack of guidance, depletes minds to put others in danger as well. Twisted-truth rejects God’s presence for believers in the means of grace. Lies are always competing for our bodies and souls, trying to manipulate us in order to prevent or steal away the faith. Betrayal and hypocrisy stoop low, thriving on malicious hostility toward people who are actually walking in Truth. The loser Devil, who fell away from Truth into hell, strategically calls such darkness good. He plots to fool us into following him into trouble and eternal miserable suffering. 

Truth—is Good News for us. To willingly and lovingly save us, Jesus was born, suffered, died, resurrected from the dead and ascended to the Father. The Holy Spirit is always near and is for us. Truth is all about rescue, healing, strength, change, and hope in the Light. Our Helper has purpose for us. Our Savior is waiting in heaven for all who

• trust and humbly seek Him
• receive His discipline
  
• take refuge in Him
• receive His forgiveness 
• are stilled by Him
• receive His encouragement
  
• are stirred by Him
• receive His protection 
  
• sing about Him
  
• receive His patience 
• are sustained by Him
  

Is the Lord showing you something? Is Jesus putting a new song in your mouth?

I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, every one of them. 3 John 14-15

Pray

Dear Jesus, thank you for warning us that the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Patiently hold our hands as you discipline, lead and draw us near. Thank you for the Spirit helping us trust Your wondrous merciful Way through the gate home. When we ask for relief and comfort, You mercifully embrace us in our sadness, pain, and distress. Thank you for reminding us to take refuge in the shadow of your wings. You’re keeping Your children safe, so far. Guard and deliver us from evil. Redirect us away from everything false and haughty. You notice us when we’re walking away from Your Truth. You desire us to turn toward You. You are gentle with correction, always for our good. Thank you for supplying an eagerness to hear Truth. Give us a quiet strength to resist affirmation of every sin, our own and that of others. Remind us how short our time here is, so we may let go of stubbornness and get a heart of wisdom. Thank You for genuine teachers who help us absorb Your Word. Establish our work and capabilities to glorify Your Name. You open up opportunities to connect all people for whom You died. Under Your protection and guidance, let us show our joy and gratitude by doing good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the faith. Set our minds on the beauty and peace that is to come with You. Thank you, Jesus! Amen.

More

• Intro
  
• Radio
• 30 Minutes
• Sing it youth and sing it elder!
  

Galatians Bible Sketch

Where is freedom to be free?

 

Who keeps every promise?

Where does the good we share come from?

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Galatians 1:3-5

God Almighty is pure; the only source of everything trustworthy, good and just. God’s moral perfection—the very goodness of His creation—is His design. The Gospel of Jesus is vital for life eternal. 

God’s commands are extremely helpful in life, yet following His standards perfectly isn’t possible, nor does it earn a ticket out of hell. Explaining sin for what it is, the law portion of the Bible exposes many types of temptations we come up against and defines the magnitude of our failures:

• the good that we fall short of saying, doing and thinking 
• the unhealthy, damaging, prideful things we say, carry out and hold in our minds
  

No fraction of doing it right contributes; it’s not an option. Since we were conceived and born in sin, into a world cursed because of sin, the law was given because of our sin, not the other way around. Scripture serves our just God’s loving purpose to wake us up and give us exactly what we need: escape in Christ. The negative consequences of the curse are hard to bear for all people. Each and every single sin is evil in God’s eyes—He hates evil. The Heavenly Father loves us so much that He designed a Way out from the despair and ruin of being under the weight of everything gone wrong. All who believe, rest in the fact He gave up His Only Son to remove sin, death and the power of the devil.

• Unbelievers, living their best life here and now, later will severely suffer forever. Eternal punishment is real—we can’t ignore hell just because we don’t like the idea of a dark place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Unbelievers don’t confess their sin and ask for forgiveness; they either deny they are sinning or try to make up for it by doing good.
• Believers, redeemed in Christ, have confidence the best is yet to come, eternally. Led by the Spirit, the faith given them is strengthened, as often as they hear the Word, to trust Jesus who lived perfectly, suffered, died in the place of all who cannot be perfect, rose and ascended to heaven; the work God the Father gave His Son in order to lift the curse and free sinners. By grace, undeserving believers can confess their sin, ask for forgiveness and be rewarded life everlasting.

Focusing on the restrictive aspect of the law distorts the Gospel of Jesus. If it were possible we were good enough to earn a relationship with God, which we aren’t, we wouldn’t need Jesus. Saying we have to do something to be saved is like having the audacity to say Jesus didn’t suffer enough.

Who inherits the blessings promised in Christ Jesus? 

The Holy Spirit continually leads those in genuine faith through the Gospel.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”… But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. … for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:13,22, 26-27

How can I confidently believe the Gospel promise?

Being baptized into Christ is to be completely clothed in His righteousness by adoption. The baptismal means of grace through faith that happens to us is the basis for assurance. There’s a unity created in baptism for all sinners. For Christ’s sake the world has been forgiven. Christ justifies by faith through His Word. He bore the curse of the law, in our stead, so that we are free from it. We are certain God deeply loves, knows and sees His baptized children through the lens of His Son Jesus who died to save us. 

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father! Galatians 4:4-6

Everyone’s natural inclination is to resist God or think there is more to being saved than simply receiving the gift. It is not us—it’s the Holy Spirit revealing Truth, faithfully creating hope and continually refreshing the life of believers as they are routinely drawn to read and hear His Word; seeing salvation by tasting and having fellowship in The Lord’s Supper.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. … For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. Galatians 5:1,5

What happens when we belittle or discard the Word of God? 

To drop opportunities to seek, trust and draw near God in worship, puts faith at risk of being lost. To reject and refuse Christ is to declare God’s promises null and void for oneself. There’s an eternal penalty for abusing the faith by rejecting the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

How do we compassionately care about people; stop being petty and argumentative about everything?

But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. Christ’s work on the cross belongs to everyone. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:15-18

Where’s motivation to step into freedom to love which is ours in Christ?

Inspiration is in the Word. Blessings of worshiping together—prayer, listening to sermons, singing meaningful hymns and studying the Bible—bring joy in remembrance that we depend, not on ourselves, but on Jesus who said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14)

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24

Fruit of the Spirit is catered for you by Christ Jesus—the substitute for sinners.

People claim excellent virtues and demand them from others. However, careful inspection of our own fruit, in light of knowing that even one slip-up or inadequacy separates us from God, makes clear we deserve to be cut off and thrown away. We’re desperately in need of a Savior to make us clean and grow toward the Light. 

Jesus taught people about goodness. He knew we can’t live up to His Father’s expectations. He was born to experience the evils of humanity, die by crucifixion and rise from the grave so that we may also. Perfectly, he said “no” to temptation and “yes” to becoming sin, taking our penalty to remove every mark, bruise and scar we’ve ever caused or taken from another. He finished everything needed to redeem all people of all time. Our Creator’s innocence and suffering at the cross is the center point where He atoned for the sin of the world and provides opportunity for new life made right in connection to faith in Him. You could see it like the stem of bananas connected to the stalk that feeds the fruit to grow and share essential nutrients that enhance heart health, help manage blood pressure, and boost a person’s mood. Our Creator supplies saving faith in His Word. Repentance and all the benefits of the Holy Spirit give purpose to the lives of all who believe and share it. Christ loves to hear from us and bless us with grace. He intercedes for us with our Heavenly Father so that we may be delivered from guilt of all our junk—selfish passion for power, greed, jealousy, impure desire and discontent.

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:26

How much do I need to do and how do I know I’ve done enough?

Salvation is 100 percent by faith in Jesus (nothing more, nothing less). Although there’s nothing anyone can do to be saved, the faith doesn’t clear us to indulge in whatever sin we want. Being led by the Spirit, faithful believers want to please God and are grieved over sin. Repentance is the freedom Truth supplies.

Living by faith in Christ is blessed by proper focus on the fruit He serves, by grace, now and forever with Him. Trust in God’s promises carries us past the past and through rough terrain, even death. There’s peace and joy in the walk that receives and appreciates pardon. According to God’s Word, we take in Christ’s body and blood for forgiveness and strength to grow, mature and multiply love. 

Faith in Jesus constantly steers us away from temptation to fall from grace by returning to the slavery of self-trust, wrongfully thinking we must earn God’s favor as the way to salvation. Without faith in Jesus, our insufficient best effort results in doubt, shame and division from freedom. 

As tension and hard times come, faith comforts and trusts Christ’s presence in this life. Hope clings to the patience Christ supplies until the Last Day arrives when everyone will see Jesus face-to-face. He promised to return and—separated from unbelievers—believers will remain with Him in the new creation for a great banquet in a house with many rooms, glorifying God, never again to have tears, sin and death. 

Faith which recognizes God’s sole authority to judge, says “yes” to every ounce of His mercy. 

The taste of bitterness is manipulative, punishing, blaming and grudge-holding; puts self above God. By faith, generous measures of repentance and mercy are supplied for each chaotic annoyance, failure and unrecognized sin. Abundant love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are the fruit received from Jesus and gracefully shared. Gratitude enhances the deliciousness God feeds those who receive the Holy Spirit’s sweet faith in Christ’s work to pick up all who’ve fallen to the ground, spoiled rotten. Opportunities grasped by faith’s strength, forgive and pray for the hurting as well as those who hurt others.

Pray for self-control to not let faith go to your head and escape through carelessness. 

The struggle for personal accountability continues daily; so is need to repent and be reminded of God’s mercy. Arrogantly pointing, comparing and bullying others keep us from contentment. Discontent prevents humbly serving God by loving others unconditionally. Self-isolation by establishing estrangement prevents others from sharing God’s love with us.

For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Galatians 6:3

Justice for sin has fallen on compassionate Jesus. 

Jesus brings undeserved peace. He doesn’t blow-off, trap, complicate, unsettle or hate like people do. By grace, honesty about our own great personal needs invites our Savior to tend and nourish meaningful relationships. Focusing on what Jesus has done for us makes it possible to love, thank and praise God who desires us to be trustworthy and vulnerable about our dependency on Jesus so we can be a light to help others who also struggle. There’s no condemnation for those who cling to Christ. God trains people to gratefully spread their joy which comes from the forgiveness Christ provides.

But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Galatians 6:4-6

The Spirit of Truth supports and gently restores believers in Christ from damage and threat caused by fault and failing. Faith encourages being cautious about falling for Satan’s constant lies and temptations to fall from the grace which trusts Christ. Jesus sees and knows every detail of life as a human in this world. He bears our burdens, hearing prayers of repentance as well as prayers of caring for those who hurt us. To release resentment, Jesus draws us close with forgiveness, comfort, protection and peace. Faith motivates moving forward in Truth—thankfully, lovingly, purposely listening—receiving discernment and opportunities to love one another according to grace given.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10

Everyone needs the kindness of Christ’s simple and gentle freedom. 

The Holy Spirit opens minds to desire Truth. A humble fruitful way of life means responsibly digging into Scripture for growth and learning to wildly love others. Participating in healthy relationships involves willingness to be loved and receive fruit of the Spirit as well as share life loving each other. Trust not self, things, or others—trust Jesus who has all authority deserving praise and glory. Loving God, all things work together for good according to his purpose.

Go to church and sing it!

Almighty Father, bless the Word
Which through Your grace we now have heard.
Oh, may the precious seed take root,
Spring up, and bear abundant fruit!
Lutheran Service Book‎ 923

Juicy, fruity, tasty food for thought

• Freedom in Christ 
• Concerning Christian Freedom
• Galatians Study Part 1 or Playlist
• Radio Talk
• Discussing Issues
  
• 1517 Resources 
• From Women in Mission 
• Overview Video
• Forgiven Therefore Free: Galatians, Full Page Illustrations to Color
  
• Verse of the Day 
• Free Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians by Martin Luther

2 Kings Bible Sketch

Do not be afraid

Abuse of the innocent, injustice, violence, protests, riots, depression, despair and corona-virus are concerns many of us fear

Individuals in  Minneapolis – St. Paul, Minnesota as well as cities throughout the United States and the world are frustrated and confused about addressing all forms of sin and its consequences

…What a baffling, babbling, cacophony of contradictory craziness. … Jesus has something to say just for you, … “Don’t be afraid.”
—Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison

Click and listen to a sermon and interview: Jesus Doesn't Babble: Jesus brings the Word of peace to those who have grown weary of all the babble. 
 

He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:16 ESV
Old Testament Bible verse sketch doodle hand-lettering rubber-stamp art.

“While we live in a world where there are spiritual and other forces of darkness all around us, we nevertheless live confidently as the people of God who are blessed with the ministering of God’s holy angels in our lives. Furthermore, we trust in the triumphant victory of Christ who destroyed the darkness of sin and death in our lives.”
—Rev. Dr. Dennis J. Goff  (read more)


“How do we consider the recent protests sparked by George Floyd’s death in a theological manner? How do we process our own reactions to these events through the lens of the cross?” Listen to Considering Protests for Justice by Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller

Enjoy learning about the Bible with illustrations?

“After David, Solomon leads Israel to a period of greatness, followed by failure and rebellion. Israel splits into two separate kingdoms, and the story traces the slow decline of both, resulting in destruction at the hands of foreign empires. God sends wave of prophets to hold Israel accountable, but Israel ignores them to their peril.” —The Bible Project  Watch illustrated video summarizing Kings

Lord Jesus, in your mercy, hear our prayer

• Forgive us
• Help us trust Jesus (increase faith over fear)
• Draw us to your Word that we may embrace all you have given us
• Guide us to grow by receiving Your gifts along with the community of a church family
• Bless those who are suffering mental anxiety and pain
• Restore what has been torn down
• Protect and deliver us from abusive evil aggression
• Bring truth and justice
• Bring health 
• Bring healing
• Bring wellness and success
• Bring peace
• Bring hope
• Renew and refresh us
• Fill our hearts with the joy of Your plan of salvation and lead us to share the Good News

Amen.

Judges Bible Sketch

Seek Truth. Expose, fight, flee the mean, ugly, emotionally painful, physically harmful evil which stems from lies and temptations to sin.

Creation is impacted by the ugly effects of sin which surround us—corona virus pandemic, natural disaster, fear, broken relationships, doubt, guilt, sadness and more…

• Sin caused death
• What is sin?

People have or may become sick, sadly, many will die even though we wash hands, honor six-feet, use masks, develop treatments and vaccines to battle the corona virus COVOD-19.

Spiritually, we prepare for our earthly death because in the long-term big-picture, our story is not over then. Safe are people who are cleansed in Christ who took our punishment. In quarantine, midst this pandemic nontraditional Holy Week, let’s self-reflect on our lowest state. May we receive an overwhelming awareness of our own individual failures, weaknesses, need for our Creator’s provision for us—daily repent, take refuge in our Savior; then, last but not least, give thanks to Him in all circumstances!

“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:5 ESV Bible verse sketch—an artistic rendition: portrait of the state of humanity since the original fall into sin.

“The Lord provides for the tribe of Levi, and with that, the author proclaims with praise that that the Lord has kept all of His promises. We are not to become attached to the things of this world as though they have lasting value. The Lord provided the Levites with earthy cities that anticipated a better city, a heavenly one (Heb 11:16). Likewise, He promises that as we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness through Christ, He will grant us what we need for this life (Mt 6:33). • Heavenly Father, release us from worries and undue attachment to earthly things, so we might find our true joy in You and the enduring city awaiting us through Christ. Amen.” Luther’s Study Bible, CPH (learn more)

Our spirit may be willing to put God and others first, yet in reality, we are too weak to make it happen. 

• Sins may be
  
  • unrealized
  • known
  • subtle
  • obvious
  • physical
  • mental
  • emotional
  • spiritual
• Sins are deeply damaging to
  
  • ourselves
  • those we love
  • people we don’t know
• No one is immune to
  
  • sinning
  • sins committed against them
  • the effects of all sin
• Sin is difficult to
  
  • own up to
  • confess
  • ask to be forgiven
  • turn from
  • expose
  • correct
  • prevent
  • forgive
  • forget

Arrogance and pride make us blind and deaf to

• to have compassion for others’
  
  • weaknesses
  • needs
  • innocence
  • voice
  • emotions
• our need to take responsibility for our faults, but rather
  
  • blame-shift
  • make excuses
• our need to forgive people, preferring to
  
  • hold grudge
  • stop communicating
  • stop listening
  • isolate self
• the seriousness of
  
  • our own flaws
  • our need for personal confession
• the fact that
  
  • redemption in Christ is necessary
  • earning our own redemption isn’t possible
• blessings available in
  
  • Bible study
  • mental health counsel
  • help for substance abuse
  • receiving forgiveness 

It is possible to blatantly reject God without sorrow.

We aren’t robots—we may resist God’s generous desire for all to be saved. Unbelief causes sin to fester into an infection which desensitizes conscience—turns the cold heart hard. Grace and hope abound until the Day of Judgment when those who are apart from Christ enter eternal separation from God (hell) because of their

• defiance of God’s Law and Gospel
• irresponsibility to change bad behavior
• frigid tendency to lie
• stony refusal to confess sin
• rigid resistance of the Holy Spirit

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. Ephesians 5:11 ESV

Thankfully, God provides The Way to live forever!

God’s Word in the Bible for us to read or hear reveals His purpose of Christ suffering at the cross unto death, His descent to hell and bodily resurrection by which He successfully washed away the sin of the world and defeated all evil. By grace, our Creator supplies victory—eternal life for all who receive the Holy Spirit’s gift of faith which trusts Truth.

“It all rests on Christ…The babe whose birth we celebrate came to give us grace. And He wants us to be completely certain of it, because it rests totally on Him.” — Pastor Harrison (read the post here)

Healthy living is nurtured by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration for us contained in The Bible. In our struggle against temptations, we can rely on Christ’s Word and Spirit to

• discern truth from lies
• maintain, build, strengthen, grow faith
• identify our sin, confess it and do our best to stay clean (even though we cannot do this perfectly as Christ did)
• receive grace to move forward, forgiven
• constantly pray His Word
• give confidence to share the faith
• discover how to help each other
• lead us to do God’s will
• provide a way out of temptation so we can endure it
• put praise for Him in our mouths
• encourage brothers and sisters in Christ
• be free from false guilt as parents to communicate His anger over children’s disobedience
• encourage us to plant “seeds”and pray unbelievers will receive faith
• work faith to bring us to Christ

“Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.’” John 8: 42-47 ESV

Mercy and promises in Christ

• the Light in whom all will be judged when He returns on the Last Day for those living in Truth and the believers who have gone before them
• who sees each heart of repentant believers viewing all sin as repulsive, knowing their Savior bled and bore the horrible punishment they deserve
• who protects, defends and delivers us from evil all who take refuge in Him
• whose sacrifice is finished and made us right
• who forgives—declares not guilty all who repent and trust Him
• in whom believers are never separated
• with whom believers will enjoy an eternal paradise

“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10 ESV

Give God glory for GRACE—God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12 ESV

“It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” Luke 13:19 ESV

Dear Heavenly Father, refine and renew us. Help us let go of selfish grumbling, unhealthy controlling and manipulative manners. Forgive us for each and every sin Jesus took upon Himself in His suffering at the cross, paying the price to buy our salvation. Our faith trusts the certain hope that You will eventually destroy all evil and wipe away our tears. As the Holy Spirit trains us to live in Light and frees us to generously see others as You see them, having great value, fill us with your mighty power to care. Equip us with patience, kindness, and confidence to tell others about the relationship you want with everyone. Show us how we may serve You and others in Truth. Amen.

God is faithful to fulfill His promises. Don’t neglect the Holy Spirit’s nudging that would have you cling to Jesus. Peace ✝︎

If you’re using a phone, move down a bit and tap “view web version” to find a list of links for growth & enjoyment and other info that doesn’t show on the mobile version.

Numbers Bible Sketch

Our heavenly Father’s blessings of a beginning

Sending us forward in protection, mercy, grace, atonement and peace in Jesus

The Benediction, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 ESV Bible verse hand lettering with sketch of how to make the sign of the cross hand gesture—the oldest symbol of Christianity.

A pastoral blessing

1. is like the shining of the sun bringing joy and brightness,
2. gives peace and security in the wake of life’s tragedy and natural disasters,
3. verbally declares a wishing of God’s wishes,
4. calls Christians to love and bless others even in the midst of horrifying situations, 
5. reminds us of who we are as God’s children in the midst of chaos and adversity, 
6. includes a hand gesture to visualize the blessing’s effectiveness in God’s peacemaking on the cross
7. is spoken Word which forgives and strengthens

(reference and more about the benediction)

Explore to listen, watch, sing along

• The Lord Bless You And Keep You - Lutkin - performed live by Octarium
• The Lord Bless You and Keep You - Nidarosdomens Guttekor
• The Lord Bless You and Keep You - HSU Music High school a capella group Half-Step Up

Printable blessings sign of the cross art is available at FreshRetroGallery, Etsy. Learn how to make cards on the computer: tutorial and inspiration for making artistic notes.

Check out The Lutheran Study Bible with extra helpful study resources and prayers.

Smiles, surprises and daily blessings

Funny carrot person is one of the simple things in life that brings joy!

My gardener husband Stan pulled a surprise out of the ground yesterday. As he washed off the soil, he recognized the funny carrot person shown below! Later, I was putting away the groceries and was delighted to find her relaxing in a bowl of veggies. Comically entertained, I grabbed the camera to share this whimsical moment. I posed her on a zucchini bench by my vintage blender.

God is in the details. —Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Funny carrotman relaxing on zucchini bench at Hamilton Beach

The electric mixer in the background of this picture reminds me of the day I wandered into a thrift shop during my lunch break. I found this vintage Hamilton Beach® blender which is exactly like the one Mom had! Memories rushed back to me of kitchen time spent with her and my sisters.

Stan and I keep and use some of the old items we find, others are available at Mud Creek Antique Mall in Abilene, Kansas; and I offer some worldwide at FreshRetroGallery.

Dad and Mom added a couple rooms and remodeled the house the year I was born. Dad built the kitchen cabinets. Their design included a special drawer dedicated to cake; and the mixer was on a spring-loaded retractable shelf that popped up out of a cupboard which hid it when it was’t in use.

Those were good times together in the farm home in Hegbert Township where I grew up in a family of eight.

Count 20 of God’s blessings

1. beauty in nature
2. humor in imagination
3. kindness in friendship
4. accomplishment in work
5. strength in trials
6. expertise in professionals
7. wisdom in elders
8. unity in family
9. inspiration in the arts: visual, performing, music
10. courage in creativity
11. enjoyment in entertainment
12. exploration in travel
13. talent and skill in practice
14. health in exercise
15. flavor and nutrition in foods
16. meditation in quiet times
17. knowledge in books
18. rest in sleep
19. harmony in love
20. humility to renounce sin; forgiveness and peace in Jesus

Focusing on positive things allows you to realize the blessing list goes on and on. Shake off sad. Get rid of mad. Be glad for life itself, today and everyday with thanksgiving!

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

Thanks for reading this blog post. Have a great day!