A timely and memorable passage of Scripture.
If you have been reading my Blog then you know that I have had a life
threatening experience this week (http://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/01/what-week-glad-its-over.html) and have mentioned more than
once that even though we love our new home perhaps it would be prudent to sell
it and move to a place where I won’t be gasping for breath every day and
looking into the face of the grim reaper every other month. But that simply is
not feasible … we cannot now sell our remodeled home for less than we purchased
it for in June 2017 and kiss off the massive amount of $$$$’s we put into it to make it livable: yanking carpets and replacing with wood floors to help it
healthy for weak lungs … and then the whole water leak episode (http://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/09/water-damage.html)/(http://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/09/what-difference-day-makes.html)/(http://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/09/happy-new-year.html)/(http://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/10/3-week-house-review.html) … as well as the necessary and long overdue roofing that needed
to be done before the rainy season which the seller refused to do or help fund (http://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/09/2-state-hop.html);
bottom line is that we cannot undersell. We’re into this home for double what
we bought it for and the realtor wants us to list it for below what we paid for it in the first place! Not happening; we are not
frivolous stewards of the $$$$ Elohim blesses us with. We are
far from rich, but we are not foolhardy either, and we would be fools indeed to
undersell and allow someone else to reap the benefits of Hubs hard earned, hard
won, and wisely spent monies and Chris’ crews' hard work to get our home
finished in the short time frame they did it in: the realtor’s quote really was
ridiculous; and I let her know that.
I say all that to say this: selling our last
home and buying this one was a true miracle (http://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/06/new-home-d.html)
– house just don’t sell overnight, and people just don’t buy new houses in a
matter of hours … but ours did – and we did ;-) For sure Elohim was in the
details. So given the miraculous background behind moving here and the spendy speedy remodeling
as well as the ridiculously lowball selling quote, we’re staying despite the severe environmental & allergic asthma attacks and are
reminded yet again of Job’s story which bring to mind that though we are now currently
experiencing a Job-like-moment in our own lives where everything looks dismal,
we are assured that if we hang tight and
hang tough and hold on to Him, Who is our support, our only help in times of need,
and our all in all … we are assured a breakthrough
that will benefit greater than we can ever imagine.
What a reminder! Not only about our current medical situation, but also concerning our daughter and grandson's present circumstances in which they are once again being placed in protective custody to keep them out of harms' way. We all could really use a breakthrough that would benefit greater than anything we can ever imagine - our little prince deserves a life free from stress and fear. And they both need salvation - perhaps THAT is the silver lining in this oppressive and overhanging black cloud on their lives that keeps us from enjoying what most families take for granted Our daughter was raised in a Christian home - NOT a religious home ... a Christian home ... and she knows better than the life she rebelliously chose to experience: her children, especially her toddler son, deserve better. Fearful living is not living.
And today’s Bible Study adds strength to that
reminder :-D
**********
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW ~ Chapter 14
Chapter 1: At that time King Herod
heard reports about Yeshua. He said to his servants, ‘This must be John the Baptist.
He has risen from the dead. That is why miracles are performed by him.’ For
Herod had taken John and bound him and put him in prison on account of
Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. Because John had said to him, “It is
unlawful for you to have her.” He really wanted to kill him, but he feared for
the people, for they believed that he was a prophet. Then, as Herod was
celebrating his birthday, Herodias’ daughter danced at the party and delighted Herod.
He then promised her an oath that he would give her anything she might ask.
Urged by her mother, she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist on a
platter.’ The king was shocked, but because of his oath and his dinner guests,
he so ordered it. He sent word and had John beheaded in prison. And his head
was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her
mother. John’s disciples went and took the body and buried it. Then they came
and told it to Yeshua.
And when Yeshua heard it, He went by boat to
a desert place by Himself. But people heard of it, and a crowd from the towns
followed Him in foot. When Yeshua reached the place, He saw a great throng of
people, and He felt sympathy for them and healed their sick. Toward nightfall,
His disciples came to Him and said, ‘This is a desert and it is late. Dismiss
the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy themselves food.’ “There
is no need for them to go away,” said Yeshua to them. “Give them something to
eat.” They said to Him, ‘Why we do not have mush here – only 5 loaves and 2
fishes.’ Then He said to them. “Give them to Me.” Having then the 5 loaves and
2 fishes, and looking up to heaven, He asked a blessing, broke the loaves, gave
them to His disciples, and the disciples in turn served the people. Then they
all ate and were satisfied, and when they picked up what was left over, they
still had 12 baskets full. About 5000 mean had eaten, besides women and
children.
Thereupon Yeshua made the disciples get into
the boat and cross over to the other side before Him, while He stayed on to
dismiss the crowd. When he had sent the people away, He went up into the
mountain by Himself to pray. Night had come. He was there all alone. The boat
was by this time in the middle of the lake, tossed about by the waves, for the
wind was strong. Then towards daybreak, Yeshua went out to them, walking on the
sea. The disciples were terrified when they saw Him walking on the sea, and
they shouted, ‘It is a ghost!’ They cried out with fear. Then Yeshua at once
said to them, “Take courage. Do not be afraid! It is I.” Simon (called Peter),
answering, exclaimed, ‘Adonai, if it is You, tell me to come to You on the
water!’ Yeshua answered, “Come!” and Simon stepped out of the boat and walked
on the water on his way to Yeshua. But when he noted the fury of the wind he
became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Save me, Adonai!’
Yeshua immediately stretched out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O
you of little faith! Why did you doubt?” As soon as they reached the boat, the
wind quieted down. Those in the boat then came to Him in worship, saying, ‘Truly
You are ben Elohei (the Son of God)!’
Now having come across the lake, they were in
the land of Gennesaret. The men there recognized Him and sent word to the whole
neighborhood, and they brought Him everyone who was sick. They begged Him that
they might touch only the edge of His garment, and as many as did so were made
well.
