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Thank you for your prayerful kindness towards me. As it happens, I did have trouble sleeping the night you spoke of , so I thank you again. God bless you, dear friend and of course your family as well.
good day to you. i am reading in little russian philokalia on having a humble heartpsalom 56 verse 17. in brokenness of spirit of man and repentance we can avoid the snares of devil it says.the snares of devil of no effect on a humble man because he is in peace of god. psalm 75 verse3
Father I lift up the intentions of my family and the lady we are praying for and I lift up the intentions of my brothers and sisters Lord from last night's prayer meeting. I thank You Lord for each of them. Lord I thank You for all my friends on CAF each one of them has a wonderful beauty in You Lord. It is You that have put that beauty and grace there Lord and I pray that You would strengthen each one of them in the ministries You have called them to. They are wonderful inspirations of the work You do in the human heart. I see love for You, kindness, and love for others in all of them. And as I reflect on each one of them I see You moving God and it is a blessing to see this. Father some of them are not well in body I pray that Your loving and merciful hand would be upon them and that You would heal them. May they gain strength in You Lord and have peace in the Hope You have given us all. This I pray In Jesus Name. Amen
Wednesday, September 30th, Anno Domini 2009
A Devotion out of the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 6 verses 14-29 Herod and Jesus
King Herod had heard about him, since by now his name was well known. Some were saying, 'John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.' Others said, 'He is Elijah,' others again, 'He is a prophet, like the prophets we used to have.' But when Herod heard this he said, 'It is John whose head I cut off; he has risen from the dead.' John the Baptist beheaded
Now it was this same Herod who had sent to have John arrested, and had had him chained up in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife whom he had married. For John had told Herod, 'It is against the law for you to have your brother's wife.' As for Herodias, she was furious with him and wanted to kill him, but she was not able to do so, because Herod was in awe of John, knowing him to be a good and upright man, and gave him his protection. When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him. An opportunity came on Herod's birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army officers and for the leading figures in Galilee. When the daughter of this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the king said to the girl, 'Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.' And he swore her an oath, 'I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.' She went out and said to her mother, 'What shall I ask for?' She replied, 'The head of John the Baptist.' The girl at once rushed back to the king and made her request, 'I want you to give me John the Baptist's head, immediately, on a dish.' The king was deeply distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he was reluctant to break his word to her. At once the king sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John's head. The man went off and beheaded him in the prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When John's disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
Challenge:
Merely telling the truth has brought many a man and woman to the gallows and telling the true story of God's Love's, the ultimate truth, can put one there as well - but yet it is God's still great commission to us. Fear not man but be motivated by God's love who will make us brave to stand up & speak out when the days are evil. Thoughts & Prayers:
We have the juxtaposition of two men. Herod, who didn't necessary disbelieve in God but did not obey Him and subjugated God & His will beneath his own worldly position, and John, who was sold out for God and called everyone to repent for the Lord's kingdom was drawing near. John who obeyed the law and his king of course knew the king was under the law, and when the king was in an adulterous relationship he called it what it was 'a sin'. He did so , I'm sure, knowing this would put him in peril but I believe John seriously desired Herod to repent. I also think Herod initially did nothing because in his heart he knew John was right. But Herod was a weak man and a people pleaser. Instead of living a life that would be pleasing to God he chose to live a hedonistic life of debauchery & surrounded himself with others who loved this lifestyle as well. John was locked up in order to silence him from further embarrassing Herod's unlawful wife. But we also have the implication that Herod feared him because he also knew John was a man of God, as the prophets of old. But when he swore a sinful oath probably in drunkenness in front of his friends it is plainly obvious that Herodias knew well Herod's weakness and saw her opportunity to get rid of John once and for all. So faced with the choice of doing what was right or losing face Herod chose his pride and murdered John the Baptist. That his conscience continued to bother Herod is apparent for when he heard of the miracles all around him he thought that perhaps John the Baptist had risen. And what shall we say of John who knew his whole life was in God and saw his purpose in God. John's Gospel is the most revealing:
After this Jesus and His disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison). Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to Him.” John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before Him.’ “The one who has the bride is the Bridegroom. The friend of the Bridegroom, who stands and hears Him, rejoices greatly at the Bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Father I pray that we would tell of Your Truth & tell of Your Love both in season and out of season, when it is convenient and inconvenient for me to do so. I see how brave Your Word made John and he rejoiced to see Your day Lord Jesus. Make us brave I pray. Are we not in the same time and position as John for You have told us You are coming back for Your bride, the Church. Help us Father to be about Your business and telling others about the Love of Your Son whom You sent to save us, this I pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Tuesday, September 29th, Anno Domini 2009
A Devotion out of the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 6 verses 1-13
A visit to Nazareth
Leaving that district, He went to His home town, and His disciples accompanied Him. With the coming of the Sabbath He began teaching in the synagogue, and most of them were astonished when they heard Him. They said, 'Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted Him, and these miracles that are worked through Him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?' And they would not accept Him. And Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is despised only in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house'; and He could work no miracle there, except that He cured a few sick people by laying His hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
The mission of the Twelve
He made a tour round the villages, teaching. Then He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs, giving them authority over unclean spirits. And He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff-no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses. They were to wear sandals but, He added, 'Don't take a spare tunic.' And He said to them, 'If you enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district. And if any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, as you walk away shake off the dust under your feet as evidence to them.' So they set off to proclaim repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.
Challenge:
Rejection sometimes is part of Love if we are committed to the Truth in love. Jesus certainly was depised and rejected by many, even in His hometown. Longsuffering love may eventurally win hearts back. Just look at James attitude before and after the death and resurrection of Jesus as one example. He became a pillar in the Jerusalen church. If we have nothing but the love of God and the Truth of His Word we are indeed rich and have much to dispense to others - and so the Lord sent them out this way without staff or purse but dependent on what God would provide them. I would say God was teaching them to walk in faith and be dependent on God's provision not their own.
Thoughts/Prayers:
The hometown of Jesus rejected Him. In one of the Gospel accounts they even tried to throw Him off a cliff & He slipped through their midst. If this is how they treated the Lord of glory - what of His mere servants? I recall that St. Francis' father rejected him as well, thinking him a fool. And many other servants of the Lord experienced rejection of former friends, even family members. This is most likely a pattern at least initially. It just may be the ones we love the most may reject us for our faith, thinking we've gone over the top with our love for Jesus. It may be true that those we love most may not only reject us but may also reject the Christian faith, even become hostile to it. But a servant of God must put the service of God before all else trusting in the Lord if we are broken by this, for we know God is true & without truth we have nothing. It may just come about that when we put God first in our lives that God's blessings may become manifest and eventually bring our loved ones to Him, then God will add joy to our joys in Him. This I also read of the saints. Persitance in the love of God is a great gift - one I need to keep praying for. And Jesus commissioned His apostles to works of good. Sometimes some of my brothers are fond of quoting Ephesians 2:8-9 but just quoting those 2 versed does not complete the context. It is Ephesians 2:8-10 that completes the thought and anything less than a complete context is a pretext. Eph 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. These apostles and disciples did just that and we, though disciples and not apostles, are to let His light, which He gives to us, shine outwardly before men and thus reflect the glory of Him who has now come to live in our hearts. We look up as we walk with God because "He is above all our troubles, more present than any danger, more grand than gold or silver." - (Charlie Hall) The wonder of God that He would come to save sinners and come to redeem man and come to live in our hearts. J.S. Bach wrothe 'Jesu Joy of Man's desiring and isn't it true for every generation that preceeded us and in our own. He is God! and that brings to mind all the goodness, joy, perserverence, strength encompassed in our Lord and Savior.
"You’re the joy of man’s desiring – You are Father – satisfier! We are stunned with wide wide eyed wonder – You are God! – Your are God. You fill our hearts with love & faith. You fight for us! You make us brave! You are God! You are God! You walk with us. You lead us on! Faith, Hope & Love wakes up with Dawn – You are God! " - (Charlie Hall). Father I thank You for who You are and that You are ever patient to teach us so much. We so often put our faith in the things of this world when faith in You is all that is required. You do not let us down Lord and when I read of all the saints throughout history I see how You bless faith. Help my faith Lord for I do desire to grow in You as does my family. Make us bold for You and unafraid to step out in faith. Lead us in Your will O Lord in however You would have us serve I pray. Prepare our hearts I pray. We love You Lord. Father so many are in need of Your help and guidance - those in my own family, my extended family, here on CAF Lord I pray for these intentions and lift their needs up to You. Most of all Lord I pray that You would draw us all ever closer in Jesus Name. Amen And life flows from God. It flows from God!
SING THIS TRUTH! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDPcatg5SUA
These are good words http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpBLoSp9dnY
Monday, September 28th, Anno Domini 2009
A Devotion out of the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 5 verses 20 through 43
Cure of the woman with a haemorrhage
The daughter of Jairus raised to life
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered round Him and He stayed by the lake. Then the president of the synagogue came up, named Jairus, and seeing Him, fell at His feet and begged him earnestly, saying, 'My little daughter is desperately sick. Do come and lay your hands on her that she may be saved and may live.' Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round Him. Now there was a woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years; after long and painful treatment under various doctors, she had spent all she had without being any the better for it; in fact, she was getting worse. She had heard about Jesus, and she came up through the crowd and touched His cloak from behind, thinking, 'If I can just touch his clothes, I shall be saved.' And at once the source of the bleeding dried up, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint. And at once aware of the power that had gone out from Him, Jesus turned round in the crowd and said, 'Who touched my clothes?' His disciples said to him, 'You see how the crowd is pressing round You; how can You ask, "Who touched me?" ' But He continued to look all round to see who had done it. Then the woman came forward, frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her, and she fell at His feet and told Him the whole truth. 'My daughter,' He said, 'your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free of your complaint.' While He was still speaking some people arrived from the house of the president of the synagogue to say, 'Your daughter is dead; why put the Master to any further trouble?' But Jesus overheard what they said and He said to the president of the synagogue, 'Do not be afraid; only have faith.' And He allowed no one to go with Him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. So they came to the house of the president of the synagogue, and Jesus noticed all the commotion, with people weeping and wailing unrestrainedly. He went in and said to them, 'Why all this commotion and crying? The child is not dead, but asleep.' But they ridiculed Him. So He turned them all out and, taking with Him the child's father and mother and his own companions, He went into the place where the child lay. And taking the child by the hand He said to her, 'Talitha kum!' which means, 'Little girl, I tell you to get up.' The little girl got up at once and began to walk about, for she was twelve years old. At once they were overcome with astonishment, and He gave them strict orders not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.
Challenge:
The raising of Jarius' daughter is my favorite miracle of Jesus and always makes me feel like I am there. Perhaps because I know in my heart what Jairus must have been feeling, going from the very bottom of despair to the joy of seeing her brought to life by the Lord. The goodness of the Lord is overwheming to me and they are good to remember in both joyous times and dark times. I keep His sweet mercies ever before me and call to rememberance His loving kindness. Thoughts and Prayers:
There is nothing hidden from the Lord and all effectual grace must be accounted for in the light. Just as we don't hide the light under a bushel basket, His miracles and all answers to our prayers should naturally bring praise to our lips. This woman's fear was grounded in the social protocol of her day. She had touched a respected Rabbi and by Jewish law she had done so when she was unclean. But Jesus did not care what others thought He only desired that the light of God and the works of God be brought out face and center. When she did in good conscience speak the truth it was in the fear of God that she did so and this superceded her fear of man. So there were two miracles for her for not only did her bleeding stopped but she learned that she should first obey God rather than man and this pleased the Lord, 'My daughter,' He said, 'your faith has restored you to health; go in peace and be free of your complaint.'
Being the father of daughters and a son has been a precious lifelong experience. God has wired parents to be protectors and providers for them and when we cannot that is a sinking feeling. Jairus would have given his whole world for his daughter's life, this I know. As her life slipped away he must have been at the point of complete despair and yet then his ears must have perked in hope as he heard that the Savior was near. We don't know how he perceived Jesus, prophet, preacher, or true Messiah. Chances are he had heard it all both the good and the bad and the true and the false but he at least knew that wherever Jesus went tremendous healing took place and now this woman had been healed right in front of him. What did that do for his faith? For even when those of his household came to say it was too late that she had died He again did not despair but trusted Jesus when He told him, 'Do not be afraid; only have faith.' Perhaps the barest threads of faith but nonetheless Jairus clung to his faith. He being a synagogue ruler had an esteemed social position and be sure that those who mocked Jesus and looked down at Him and these two lower class fishermen also thought that Jairus had really lost it inviting the likes of 'these' into their domain. Jesus ordered these mockers out of His presence. There would be nothing of unbelief allowed here just as He scattered the dark forces at Geresene they were gone. I've always wondered what He said to them. And there Jairus' wife and he stood over their dearest daughter and watch as the light of life returned to her eyes, 'little girl arise' and I know that both of them could not contain their joy. This is beautiful beyond all measure and this is a most wonderful account of the Lord love and compassion and goodness. Father I thank You this morning for my daughters and son. They are precious to me Lord. Gifts You have given me to care for and hold in the deepest part of my heart. Father I cannot always protect them but I take such peace that I can put their lives and more importantly their souls into your hands with my most fervent prayers. Lord I pray for the woman's recovery whom was hurt in the accident and her family may she be restored to her family Lord. I also do not know her faith Lord but even as this has brought Tara's faith to a centerpoint let it also be true for her Lord. Lord I lift up the many people who are sick and hurting and in need of prayer here and on CAF. Lord may Your presence guide and direct them as well as us in our prayers. This I pray in Jesus Name. Amen
Hi Erchomai,
Yesterday I was in a lot of pain, so I sat during the mass. But, one thing that never
fails to gladden my heart are the children at mass. I don't know if you've ever been
to a mass but all children are present, from those fresh from the chute to teenagers.
They don't have a Sunday school system. They do have events at times designed
for older children like a skating party.
I told a friend about Jesus' longest prayer . She said she was interested in it and
would look it up when she got home.
For some reason my emotions are on the fragile side. It doesn't take much for me
to cry.
Blessings on you Erchomai and your family.
Lorraine
When he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink cried out, "Lord, save me."
Jesus immediately reached out His hand & grasped him, saying, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
When he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink cried out, "Lord, save me." 
