Powerful and Very Kind for Friend

Psalm 62:3 I feel like a shaky fence or a sagging wall. How long will all of you attack and assault me?  11-12 I heard God say two things: "I am powerful,and I am very kind."

Finding the right words for the right situation can be elusive. Our resolve is tested through resistance to ideals and actions. Our strength is strained through working to do the right thing for the right people at the right time. Even the people we seek to serve turn and attack believing we are not moving fast enough.

Familiar?

Then God says two things.

I am powerful. God is full of strength to get it done. God is full of endurance to hold our ground.

I am very kind. He is not just kind, Friend, He is very kind. He is gracious and full of mercy.

So when you get frustrated with friends and foes attacking and assaulting, remember.

God says two things. "I am powerful, and I am very kind."

Prayer:

Father, there is so much we must face every day. No task is too tough. No path is too long. But, they sure seem like it when attack and assault coming looking for us.

Let us hear Your voice. Let us feel your breath.

"I am powerful and I am very kind."

You are powerful for Friend.

You are very kind for Friend.

Phil Larson 405-388-8037 Add:508 Tumbleweed Dr. Yukon, Ok 73099
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Commissioning for Friend.

Mark 16: 1-20 After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Salome, and Mary the mother of James bought some spices to put on Jesus' body. Very early on Sunday morning, just as the sun was coming up, they went to the tomb. On their way, they were asking one another, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance for us?" But when they looked, they saw that the stone had already been rolled away. And it was a huge stone!

The women went into the tomb, and on the right side they saw a young man in a white robe sitting there. They were alarmed.

The man said, "Don't be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus from Nazareth, who was nailed to a cross. God has raised him to life, and he isn't here. You can see the place where they put his body.Now go and tell his disciples, and especially Peter, that he will go ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you."

When the women ran from the tomb, they were confused and shaking all over. They were too afraid to tell anyone what had happened.

(Matthew 28.9,10; John 20.11-18)

Very early on the first day of the week, after Jesus had risen to life, he appeared to Mary Magdalene. Earlier he had forced seven demons out of her. She left and told his friends, who were crying and mourning. Even though they heard that Jesus was alive and that Mary had seen him, they would not believe it.

(Luke 24.13-35)

Later, Jesus appeared in another form to two disciples, as they were on their way out of the city. But when these disciples told what had happened, the others would not believe.

(Matthew 28.16-20; Luke 24.36-49; John 20.19-23; Acts 1.6-8)

Afterwards, Jesus appeared to his eleven disciples as they were eating. He scolded them because they were too stubborn to believe the ones who had seen him after he had been raised to life. Then he told them:

Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world. Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned. Everyone who believes me will be able to do wonderful things. By using my name they will force out demons, and they will speak new languages. They will handle snakes and will drink poison and not be hurt. They will also heal sick people by placing their hands on them.

(Luke 24.50-53; Acts 1.9-11)

After the Lord Jesus had said these things to the disciples, he was taken back up to heaven where he sat down at the right side of God.Then the disciples left and preached everywhere. The Lord was with them, and the miracles they worked proved that their message was true.

Commissioning

As Jesus ascended into the heavens, His last and current and ongoing directive was clear. Go and preach the good news of peace with God and redemption from sin and separation and mistakes. Pray for those around you that they might be healed body, soul, spirit, and relationships. His promise to work with us and cause miraculous results is fulfilled daily.

Running

This week's schedule provided some adventure. Wednesday night a friend and I ministered at an old line Pentecostal Latino congregation. What great people. What a sweet presence of God and encouragement. Thursday night we visited a new pastor in town and welcomed him. Friday was a wedding rehearsal. Saturday was an outdoor wedding melding Latino and Anglo families. Sunday became an explosive service ministering in a Black Baptist large congregation.

Encouraging

As a businessman/pastor life is an adventure day to day carrying the Good News that God is committed to love and encourage. Somewhere in the middle of all of that one of my coworkers hit a hard wall and just needed a hug and affirmation that life would be okay. Somewhere another friend needed a comforting ear. Somewhere I played with my grandchild. Somewhere I sat and listened to a son and a daughter. Our lives are so often connected and can bring an intersection of peace for those in need. And they bring a peace and fulfillment to us as we receive as much as give.

As Jesus prepared to rise into heaven, He charged us. Go and preach the good news. Go and bring hope and healing and encouragement. Go and declare freedom of heart and mind and emotion.

　

So, today, I speak to Friend.

Be free.

Be encouraged.

Be full of hope.

Be touched with a sense of His presence and commitment to Friend.

He loves Friend.

He is for Friend.

Phil Larson 405-388-8037 Add:508 Tumbleweed Dr. Yukon, Ok 73099
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A Prayer For Willing-Hearted Relations, Friend.

Hmmmm: The 47th Psalm has an interesting conclusion. " Their leaders come together and are now the people of Abraham's God. All rulers on earth surrender their weapons (CEV) (for the shields of the earth belong unto God KJV) and God is greatly praised.".... ( For all the kings of the earth belong to God. He is highly honored everywhere. NLT) (9The willing-hearted of the peoples have gathered together, [with] the people of the God of Abraham. For unto God [belong] the shields of the earth: he is greatly exalted. Darby)

Variety of Thought: There certainly is a variety of interpretation of those verses. Some claim it gives the people of Hebraic faith territorial claim to the entire earth. Some claim it speaks of Christian faith inheriting the earth through influence of the faith of Abraham extended through Jesus, the Christ (the annointed or messiah). Some believe that Hebrew, Christian, and Muslim will congeal. Who knows?

The Conclusion of Inclusion: Irregardless of interpretation, it certainly expresses hope for agreement and joint concern among disagreeing groups of people. It certainly gives the Creator of Earth and Creator of all the inhabitants and Creator of accepting relationship ultimate honor and acknowledgement. He offers to the people of the earth a relationship of peaceful acceptance of differences and diversities where discussion can be civil and dignified and no anger or violence or weapons or positioning of rights is necessary.

At least, that is how I read this verse in light of the entire book.

Willing Hearted People Plus Rulers: As Darby puts it "the willing-hearted of the peoples" walk the same earth, belong to the same human race and cling to faith in better days ahead. They place hope in the ability of humanity plus Our Creator to get down the road another day at a time. They understand there is provision in life for every need. There is a map to be discovered that takes us there.

Let's Pray

Father, my friend, Friend, has strong beliefs in what is needful in the state and this United States of America in which they serve.

Father, others have differing opinons on the same matters just as strong.

Bring Your source of mutual dignity and respect.  Let the vaunting of being acknowledged and winning be replaced with the dignity of discourse and inclusion. Let this happen among the willing-hearted that serve alongside Friend.

Help Friend find moments of agreement even with those least likely. Let those moments shine as guides and build bridges that bring joint decisions of clarity and provision for the people.

Even in moments of strong opposing ideals give Friend confidence and hope there is a different day ahead.

Be blessed. Be strong. Be healthy. Be content in what you do.

Phil Larson 405-388-8037 Add:508 Tumbleweed Dr. Yukon, Ok 73099
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Have a light path, Friend.

 I pray for you this morning, Friend.

In the dark before dawn the stars are bright in the black, clear sky.

I pray any darkness in your life simply allows you to see bright spots brighter.

From the fire in my chiminea on the patio I am warmed against the cold.

I pray you are warmed by the love of God and family and friends.

The sun rises and brings day.

I pray your path is light and choices are clear.

Birds wake with singing.

I pray your heart is full of joy.

Have a blessed day, Friend.

God creates just for you.

Phil Larson 405-388-8037 Add:508 Tumbleweed Dr. Yukon, Ok 73099
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Sufficient Grace for Friend

His grace is sufficient.

Walking Wounded: Over the last two weeks, I've watched many faithful team workers straining under sickness. Seasonal flu and cold and infections have been crudely ruthless. On any given day our team has been running on 80% of staff and many of them working sick. Some customers are understanding. Some are pressuring. Somehow, this amazing group has continued to perform for so many. It is amazing to watch and a joy to serve alongside them.

The Press: Pressing issues remind me of the sufficient empowerment of God to get the job done. Goals waiting to be met loom and ask for attention. There is sufficient empowerment and time. There is grace. A missed deadline is not the end of the opportunity.

Missed Appointment: Sure, some appointments are hard to get again. Some actions have deadlines that only come infrequently. Yet, they can be made up in different ways.

Utter Failure: Then there are utter failures. The deadline is gone and not coming back. The goal is missed and not reachable again in my lifetime. Grace apply's there also and a little mercy. There is enough forgiveness and strength in God to get back up and find a new goal to go forward. There is enough mercy to forgive myself and go again. Failure is an event not a person.

Prayer: What a wonderful Father You are. Cause the breath of Your most Holy Spirit to fill our hearts and minds. Cause the strength and endurance that carried Christ to the cross and beyond to well up inside of us. We have not yet resisted to the point of blood and giving our lives in complete sacrifice. Teach us to give our lives fully every day. Give us loving-kindness that helps us get up when we fail. Give us laughter to realize the temporary slips are just temporary. In testing moments, allow us to be fully encased in Your sufficiency.

Phil Larson 405-388-8037 Add:508 Tumbleweed Dr. Yukon, Ok 73099
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Laughing

Victims are inactive.
Survivors are reactive.
Dreamers are preactive.
Winners are proactive.   Dennis Waitley

Consider the position of communications and messaging in our world.  Facebook for me spans connections that include physicians, polititians, homemakers, ministers, students, teens, elderly, and business men and women.   There are community and industry and friend and family connections.  The same is true of my linkedin connections.  With little overlap, there are over 1000 people.  I have more connections than that.  My regular email postings go to over 3000.  Without these tools I would never be able to communicate with them.

Does that make me a LION or a celeb or just a friendly person?  Actually I am concerned about others.  I care to know more about you than your name and gender.  And that brings communication and connection.

Sometimes teen friends in Mexico use text babble in Spanish.  It is as hard to translate as English text babble.  I may not catch all the drift, but I grow and laugh.

Sometimes my marketing friends go into jargon that pushes me to read and research.  I grow and laugh.

Sometimes my preacher friends run on and on and on.  I grow and laugh.

Sometimes people assume we all believe as they do and take vitriolic digs at other people and other ideas.  I grow and I don't laugh.

There are jokes and shared beauties and exposed emotions and new realities and deep thoughts expressed in real time.  The front porch of my Mayberry spans the globe, cultures, generations, and languages.  I enjoy and I laugh.

I laugh in joy to be able to engage so many wonderful expressions of people living in this blessed world.

Laugh.

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