Closer 2 Jesus: 2019

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Footprints No Worries Philippians 4:6-7

Many people will walk in and out of your life. But only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

To handle yourself, use your head;

To handle others, use your heart.

Footprints, Philippians 4, Bible verse, No Worries, Closer 2 Jesus,

Anger is only one letter short of danger.

If someone betrays you once, it is his fault;

If he betrays you twice, it is your fault.

Great minds discuss ideas;

Average minds discuss events;

Small minds discuss people.

He, who loses money, loses much;

He, who loses a friend, loses much more;

He, who loses faith, loses all.

Beautiful young people are accidents of nature.

Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.

Friends, you and me......

You brought another friend ....

And then there were 3 .

We started our group .

Our circle of friends....

There is no beginning or end .. ..

Yesterday is history.

Tomorrow is mystery.

Today is a gift.

God says "No Worries" too!

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.

7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 By Grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God 9 not as a result of works, that so no one should boast".

Revelation 3:20

We receive Christ by His personal invitation, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any hears MY voice and opens the door I will come into him."

Closer 2 Jesus

God Bless =)

Monday, December 30, 2019

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Parable of the Good Samaritan, Good Samaritan, Parables, Bible, Holy Bible,

Love Your Neighbor As You Would Love Yourself

Luke 10:25-37

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?

30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever you spend more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

36 Which now of these three, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?

37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do likewise.

The most educated and most religious of the three who saw the man that had been beaten and robbed did not stop to help. Why? We were told the priest did not stop in fear of getting soiled. He would have then had to clean up again before attending services and would probably be late. The Levite likewise would have either been late to his destination or it wasn't in his interest to stop and help.

The Samaritan didn't have much in common with the injured man. He was not from the same culture but had compassion towards the individual. The Samaritan began the man's healing process by dressing his wounds and taking him to an inn enlisting and paying others to complete the hurt man's care. It is good to remember that the Samaritan didn't do it all. Some get overwhelmed trying to do it all. God gave the Samaritan a job (transport and payment), the Samaritan gave the inn keeper a job (lodging and care), the inn keeper likely hired another to administer treatment (like a doctor). Noticing that one person doesn't carry the load is important.

Practical Tips About The Good Samaritan

Closer 2 Jesus

God Bless =)

Sunday, December 29, 2019

Special Hymn Closer 2 Jesus

Closer 2 Jesus, God Bless, God Is like, hymns, Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves The little children, Stephanie Haile, Wavecritter,

Special Hymn

Many years ago, while watching a little TV on Sunday instead of going to church, I watched a church in Atlanta honoring one of its senior pastors who had been retired many years...... He was 92 at that time and I wondered why the Church even bothered to ask the old gentleman to preach at that age.

After a warm welcome and introduction of this speaker, as the applause quieted down he rose from his high back chair and walked slowly, with great effort and a sliding gait to the podium. Without a note or written paper of any kind, he placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself and then quietly and slowly he began to speak......

"When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my 50 odd years preaching. I thought about it for a few days and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials. The one thing that I could always rely on when tears and heart break and pain and fear and sorrow paralyzed me......the only thing that would comfort was this verse...

"Jesus loves me this I know.

For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to him belong,

They are weak but he is strong.....

Yes, Jesus loves me...

The Bible tells me so."

When he finished, the church was quiet. You actually could hear his foot steps as he shuffled back to his chair. I don't believe I will ever forget it.

A pastor once stated, "I always noticed that it was the adults who chose the children's hymn 'Jesus Loves Me' (for the children of course) during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who sang the loudest because I could see they knew it the best."

Senior version of "Jesus Loves Me".

Here is a new version just for us who have white hair, or no hair at all. For us over middle age (or even those almost there) and all you others, check out this newest version of "Jesus Loves Me". It is quite good, so read, sing and enjoy:"

"JESUS LOVES ME"

Jesus loves me, this I know,

Though my hair is white as snow.

Though my sight is growing dim,

Still He bids me trust in Him.

(CHORUS)

YES, JESUS LOVES ME..YES, JESUS LOVES ME...

YES, JESUS LOVES ME, THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

Though my steps are oh, so slow

With my hand in His I'll go

On through life, let come what may,

He'll be there to lead the way.

(CHORUS)

Though I am no longer young,

I have much which He's begun.

Let me serve Christ with a smile,

Go with others the extra mile.

(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,

In my heart He puts a song.

Telling me in words so clear,

"Have no fear, for I am near."

(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done,

And life's victories have been won.

He will take me home above,

Then I'll understand His love.

(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does He know?

Have I ever told Him so?

Jesus loves to hear me say,

That I love Him every day.

He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. - Isaiah 50:4

Closer 2 Jesus

God Bless ;)

Stephanie Haile aka Wavecritter

Saturday, December 28, 2019

Matthew 2:1-12 The Magi Closer 2 Jesus

Matthew, Matthew 2, Bible verse, Closer 2 Jesus, The Magi, Bethlehem, Birth of Jesus, Jesus Christ,

Matthew 2:1-12 The Magi

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem

2 saying Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet (Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans or rulers of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.)

6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah, for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Matthew was the only of the four gospels of Jesus to tell of the Magi or Wise Men or Kings that traveled to visit the newborn Jesus. Although, Mark, Luke, and John offer perspective Matthew does not. Each Gospel or telling of the life of Jesus includes a special something geared toward the individual. Each reader generally having a favorite (if they have to choose), much like one's choice of novels, fiction, or non-fiction books. Each author has a style and each individual has a preference. The telling of the Life of Jesus is such a mighty learning tool that more than these have written of it.

The Magi are also mentioned in verse Matthew 2:16 when Herod realizes the Magi will not be returning and get's extremely angry as if Herod had been slighted to the maximum.

Matthew 2:13-23 accounts a very dark deed that God saved Joseph, Mary, and Jesus through an angels warning in a dream. The history is sad, dark, and despicable. The link is below to read that part.

King James version Matthew 2:1-23

While Matthew does not tell specifics about the Magi, it is thought these men were Balthazar (Babylonian king or scholar), Gaspar or Caspar (Indian king or scholar), and Melchior (Persian king or scholar). There are also teachings that believe one of the Magi was from China.

Where did they come from? Matthew only says from the east and why? To follow the star of the King of the Jews. To see if the prophecy was fulfilled.

The Adoration of the Magi

Just one of the many photos found on Wikipedia under The Adoration of the Magi. This comes from 14th century Flemish miniature found in the National Library of Wales (unknown artist).

Bethlehem, Bible verse, Birth of Jesus, Closer 2 Jesus, Jesus Christ, Matthew, Matthew 2, The Magi,

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is. If you would like a very logical view of learning life lessons through Bible Stories, the video below is a good start. This video shows the Holy Bible having 73,779 hyper-links or back-links or cross-references and just how deep the Bible is.

The Angel, God, and the Flaw

Closer 2 Jesus

God Bless =)

Friday, December 27, 2019

God is Like

A fifth

grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV
commercials and see if they could use them in some way to communicate
ideas about God.

God is like......

BAYER ASPIRIN
He works miracles.

God is like
a FORD
He's got a better idea.

God is like
COKE
He's the real thing.

God is like
HALLMARK CARDS
He cares enough to send His very best.

God is like
TIDE
He gets the stains out that others leave behind.

God is like
GENERAL ELECTRIC
He brings good things to life.

God is like
SEARS
He has everything.

God is like
ALKA-SELTZER
Try Him, you'll like Him

God is like
SCOTCH TAPE
You can't see Him, but you know He's there.

God is like
DELTA
He's ready when you are.

God is like
ALLSTATE
You're in good hands with Him.

God is like
VO-5 Hair Spray
He holds through all kinds of weather..

God is like
DIAL SOAP
Aren't you glad you have Him? Don't you wish everybody did?

God is like
the U.S. POST OFFICE
Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet nor ice will keep Him from His appointed destination.

God is like
Chevrolet. . . .the heart beat of America

God is like

Maxwell house. . .
Good to the last drop

God is like
B o u n t y . . . .

He is the quicker picker upper. .
can handle the tough jobs. . .

and He won't fall apart on you

Closer 2 Jesus
God Bless =)

I Saw Three Ships

This famous Christmas Carol's earliest known publishing was the 17th Century, but the author is unknown. Of the meanings found listed on Internet sites, this one is the description that seems most likely to us (found on Wikipedia and other sites): Camels are often called "Ships of the Desert". The reference to the three ships may be the Three Wise Men , Kings, or Magi that traveled to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus. Tomorrow's post will be on Matthew 2:1-12 The Magi, the only one of the four Gospels of Jesus that mentions them.

I Saw Three Ships

I saw three ships come sailing in