King Alexander to his brother Jonathan, greeting: We have heard of you, that you are a mighty man of valor, and meet to be our friend. And now we have appointed you this day to be high priest of your nation, and to be called the king's friend (and he sent him a purple robe and a crown of gold), and to take our part and to keep friendship with us. And Jonathan put on the holy garments in the seventh month of the hundred and sixtieth year, at the feast of the tabernacles..
- 1 Maccabees 10:18-21
After the fall/death of his brother Judas, Jonathan fought many battles to preserve the people of Jerusalem.
The ways and habits of righteous people always anger and annoy the ungodly. We discomfort their conscience which long ago they choose to silence. The righteous man or woman are the only physical reminders of innate morality ( good vs. bad based on God's ways).
Despite the relentless mocking and pushback, the meek will inherit the earth. Remain steadfast in faith and trust the living God. Father God, we thank you and praise you this
31st day of the sixth month.
Observe the sunrise this morning, see position it rises from. Tomorrow observe the sunrise and note if there is a change in the position the sun rises from. There will be a change, the sun is beginning a new month and will rise from a different gate/position visible to our eyes. Watch for the change.
Wisdom 1:15 For righteousness is immortal. This is a wonderful nugget to memorize. God credits us with righteousness when we believe in his son Jesus and seek forgiveness; this righteousness is the great reward that gets us eternal life with God.
Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who has heard of such a thing? or who has seen such things.
-Isaiah 66:7-9
I include a video discussion for this post. Please watch and listen.
Change, new beginnings, are brought forth after a period of personal travail or suffering...that's God's way. (Anything else is a clear sign of this not being God's work. Fast, pray; dedicate this suffering to God to give you the breakthrough and to reveal what/ who is meddling in God's plan, and how to restore to God's joyous outcome).
As you reflect on the happenings of the past week, I share this passage in video. What fellowship would the wolf have with the lamb? So is the sinner to the godly. Wild donkeys are the prey of lions; likewise, poor men are feeding grounds for the rich. Listen to the video below I am reading from Sirach 13: 15-26.
Today 4th day of the 7th month. Grace of the Lord be with you
Let's look at the second verse.
John 18:36
..My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, the would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews...
AND
JOHN 20:17
..Touch me not for I am not yet ascended to my Father....I ascend into my Father, and your Father, ant to my God, and your God...
My reflections
Stop living in a dream. See the world before you as God tells you it is. Disregard and set aside all other theories. See the world as God tells you it is. The holy Spirit will help you break through those boundaries of lies and deciept for firmly set up in this world. Jesus make it clear his kingdom is not of this world. He will ascend ( into the heavens, where is kingdom is and his servants are) Do not expect the world to be a godly place or lay your faith in people being "good people". Jesus came into this world because our Father who created us would not abandon us or forsake us from his love. Though this world have become wretched, lost, rejecting God, ...
In John18 I am reading the crucifixion of Jesus and these 3 verses stand out to me:
John 18 vs 11.
Put up thy sword into the sheath..the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink?
My reflections: Are we facing challenges - health diagnosis, financial, disappointment, trials - that God has put in our way? When Jesus faced the mob that came to seize him, many wanted to fight back. Jesus says no. He knew beforehand that this would happen and that's the path God set him on. Not all challenges are like, but I pray that in like manner God will let us know through the Spirit of Truth, when we are on a path set by him. How do you persevere in such times? Recall vividly in details the many miracles and wonders of God, how he blessed you and adorn you in his grace. Keep your mind locked on his goodness in saving us from sin and eternal life. Prayerfully proceed through each day. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
The other two verses are John 18 vs 36 and John 20:17.
I will share...
