” As he (Jesus) approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.” Luke 19:41
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, … How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it!” Luke 13:34
How do you feel about your city?
thedailylily.com 
Luke 19: 41-44 footnotes, from my Bible says: “The Jewish leaders had rejected their King (19:47). They had gone too far. They had refused God’s offer of salvation in Jesus Christ when they were visited by God himself, and soon their nation would suffer. God did not turn away from the Jewish people who obeyed him; however, and he continues to offer salvation to the people he loves, both Jews and Gentiles. Eternal life is within your reach; accept it while the opportunity is still offered.”
Lord, draw those to You, who do not know You. Help them understand and accept Your free offering of eternal life. In Jesus name, Amen.
Psalms 122: 6 New Living Translation “Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper.” Peace is Jesus. As Needles writes He offers salvation to the people He loves, both Jews and Gentiles. May you take His peace unto you.
The Lord loves the city of Jerusalem more than any other city in Israel. Glorious things are spoken in you, and of you, City of our God!
And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in herâ€; for the Most High Himself will establish her. When the LORD registers the nations, he will say, “They have all become citizens of Jerusalem.” (selah) Psalm 87
And St. Paul confirms the Psalms that speak of the glorious city of Jerusalem, (Zion) where he writes in Romans 11: 25-26…. “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, (fellow Christian Gentiles) so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say, “The one who rescues will come from JERUSALEM , and HE will turn Israel away from ungodliness.” Praise the Lord. For all Abraham’s descendants there is a Hope in their MESSIAH Who HAS COME from Jerusalem to set them free! It’s Yeshua Ha’Messiah
Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Because Jesus said “I am the Alpha and the Omega–the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come–the Almighty One.” (Rev 1:8)…He knew and knows what was and is to come. If, as He looked out over the city, He saw what is portrayed in the You tube video above, it is no wonder He wept.
Holiday season in Bethlehem:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2011/12/22/flower-mideast-tourism-battle.cnn
Video makes me think that at the time of Jesus birth in Bethlehem it was so busy and crowded there was no room in the inn for Him. It looks like at this Christmas season in Bethlehem it is still crowded and busy and for many they struggle because there is ‘no room’ made for them in the main marketplace.
You are so right Debi. And, when I look around my city in all areas I feel there is no room for Jesus in the Inn…..
When I looked at the eyes of the children, the descendants of Abraham( and Ismael) I only saw terror and fright. Have the latest inhabitants of Israel forgotten the history of the ovens and barbed wire of just seven decades ago when their lives were a terror and a fright and a horror?
God says over and over in the OT lest they forget who has delivered them out of Egypt and they become prosperous and self-sufficient and and forget about ME the Lord God of ALL mankind? in Deuteronomy 4 The Lord God says about the RIGHTEOUS NATION’ S LAWS…….
Obey them God’s Laws) completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!’ One of those laws is..LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF
Psalm 122:6 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.”
At a previous time when intercession was very great for Jerusalem I wrote this song-prayer.
ZION’S PRAYER [mghenry] (c)
I REJOICED WHEN THEY SAID TO ME
LET US GO TO THE HOUSE OF YAHWEH
NOW OUR FEET ARE STANDING HERE
INSIDE YOUR GATES JERUSALEM
JERUSALEM RESTORED, ZION THE CITY OF THE LORD
THE CITY UNITED IN ONE ACCORD…ZION THE CITY OF THE LORD.
BODY OF CHRIST, WE COME TO PRAISE YAHWEH’S NAME AS HE’S SAID
WHERE THE TRIBUNAL OF DAVID RULES
WHERE JUSTICE REIGNS
(chorus)
PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM
FOR WE ARE A PART OF A BUILDING THAT HAS
YESHUA FOR ITS CORNERSTONE
AS EVERY PART IS FITLY JOINED TO CHRIST
SO WE ARE BEING BUILT INTO A HOUSE
WHERE YAHWEH LIVES
BEING BUILT UP BY LOVE
SO YOU ARE MY BROTHER AND FRIEND
SO WE ARE OF ONE HOUSE
I SAY PEACE BE TO YOU AS TO MY OWN BODY
BODY OF CHRIST, HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH
CITY OF GOD
PEACE TO THE BRIDE OF CHRIST.
I heard this on a secular radio news station this morning. After giving the details of the clashes in Bethlehem this morning, the reporter concluded…..
‘THE HOPES AND FEARS OF ALL THE YEARS (ARE MET IN THEE TONIGHT)”.
And, they are in each of us…..
“…no room for Jesus in the Inn…..” Our own desires block His entrance or push Him out of the way. I think James understood and also understood the need and only means of peace.
“Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.” James 4:1 Message
O Mercy! Have Mercy Lord. I think the word for want what is not yours is covetousness?
Looks like it…here is one definition: : “marked by inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or for another’s possessions”.
They want what isn’t even theirs because they think they deserve it more than the one who owns it, legitimately. I see this with some little ones ( they make good study on seeing how some of us act as adults…Not all, but some) who try to confiscate a possession of another child’s or a place in line or insists upon being first in line, first in dismissal. The school rule is ‘no toys ‘brought to school …one reason’s being, “Where do you think all these appalling wars come from? They come about because you want your own way. You want what isn’t yours and risk violence to get your hands on it.” Just like James writes.
If that were all that there was to it we could call it a day. How about one wanting a partner that is married to another. Jealous of another’s position so much so they play against the team instead of for their team.
We that celebrate Christmas know the way to Peace!
I’m sure you have all seen this, but seems “fitting” here:
NO GOD
NO PEACE
KNOW GOD
KNOW PEACE
I don’t remember seeing this little quote but it sure makes a big statement of TRUTH!
It reminds me that on Christmas Day Jesus was born a little baby to show and give to the world Peace. The story may have started in Bethlehem small but it spread to the World and gave perfect peace when our minds are steady on the Prince of Peace!
Hey, does Peace have a feeling?
peace – “freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility” “freedom from or cessation of war or violence”
John 14: 27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
“my peace I give you”…….Did I read this correctly? He gives US…..HIS PEACE.
“Jesus was born a little baby to SHOW and GIVE to the world PEACE.”
That’s the way I read it Needles.
It looks like not just any peace, but a peace that can only come by being reconciled to the Father through what Jesus secured for us on the cross.
Also in Ephesians 2:14-18 it says …”For He Himself is our peace…”,
“…who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.”
But, Needles, don’t forget Jesus’ famous words that make one tremble……
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law–a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.” Wow! Matthew 10:34-38
Then Micah 7 says, “Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with he/him who lies in your embrace be careful of your words…… or put another way…..Put no trust in a neighbor; have no confidence in a friend; guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms ;For the son dishonors the father, the daughter rises up against her mother, ( the mother against the daughter) the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house. But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”
Going through some family affairs at this present time I am seeing from the Word of God that although Jesus IS the Prince of Peace, His message and the path of the cross all true believers must follow does not bode well with some of our relatives and that makes for divergence and strife because the Word of God causes division between light and dark. There is not other way. It’s either black or white., light or darkness…or as Sara says, satan’s language or the Word of God. I have even seen splits between Christian members of a family over doctrine or some other issue of Christianity. Some of us are going thru this right now, especially during the most” wonderful time of the year” as the song goes.
But what does the last part of the Scripture say….”But as for me….as for us who love Christ more than life itself…..As for me, I watch and hope for the Lord…for His appearing; for His coming; for His salvation and my God will hear my prayer of supplication. We must serve the Lord. Debi pointed out today at lunch….even Jesus said…who is My mother or my brothers ( or my nephews)…those who do the will of My Father in Heaven. They are My Mother and My brothers (and my nephews) {added for emphasis and application in a certain case}
The Scriptures about “family ” have greatly helped me in my situation with family. I thank God for Jesus, for the dreams He has given warning me about family relations and relatives and my ties to them. To put my domain that He has given me first. Sara has taught us that it is time to take authority over what God has given me to have government over. That is my field of operation and to keep my emotions out of the situation. Then I can see much more clearly just what I am doing and how to alleviate it. It has opened my eyes, considerably and although it is sort of a rough time, I thank God He is seeing me through this time of revealing and repentance and getting in line with HIS WORD and not my wants and desires.
Ephesians 2: 14 footnotes says: “Christ has destroyed the barriers people build between themselves. Because these walls have been removed, we can have real unity with people who are not like us. This is true reconciliation. Because of Christ’s death, we are all one. (2:14); our hostility against each other has been put to death (2:16); we can all have access to the Father by the Holy Spirit (2:18); we are no longer strangers or foreigners to God (2:19); and we are all being built into a holy temple with Christ as our chief cornerstone (2:20,21)
Matthew 10:42-39 footnotes says: “Christian commitment may separate friends and loved ones. In saying this, Jesus was not encouraging disobedience to parents or conflict at home. Rather, he was showing that his presence demands a decision. Because some will follow Christ and some won’t, conflict will inevitably arise. As we take up our cross and follow him, our different values, morals, and goals will set us apart from others. Christ calls us to a higher mission than to find comfort and tranquility in this life. Love of family is a law of God, but even this love can be self-serving and used as an excuse not to serve God or do his work. Don’t neglect your family, but remember that your commitment to God is even more important. God should be your first priority. To take up our cross and follow Jesus means to be willing to publicly identify with him, to experience certain opposition, and to be willing to face even suffering and death for his sake.”
Thanks for these scripture references, Debi and MG.
Oops, It is Matthew 10: 34-39.
“Because these walls have been removed, we can have real unity with people who are not like us.” Seems to me Needles that that sure gives a lot of freedom and diversity in relationships when we have Christ as a common denominator and focal point. It’s not about building a particular social or business network, but building that ‘holy temple’.
I agree with your footnotes, Needles and your premise of the Scriptures you give, of course. Sara pointed out to me that taking dominion over my own plot of governance ,so to speak, does not mean that I do not or can not or must not love my family. When that was getting in the way and seemed to be “building a different wall” between what Christ has called me to concentrate and focus on…taking my emotions with it, I am learning to break down THAT wall of partition, lasso my emotions and …what Micah writes and Joshua writes…’as for me and my household we will serve the Lord.” And I might add, if I find my household does not desire to serve the Lord, (yet), still I MUST.
“It’s not about building a particular social or business network, but building that ‘holy temple'”. “And we are all being built into a holy temple with Christ as our chief cornerstone.” Debi, I guess if we want our holy temple to be built….. to completion, we’ve got to have Christ as the “chief cornerstone”, don’t we?
“I am learning to break down THAT wall of partition, lasso my emotions”. “Lasso my emotions”…..interesting thought MG! I can see a cowboy/girl now, on a horse just trying to lasso a calf. That calf is running all over the place, just like our emotions can? Seems to me….to lasso, one might need a LOT of practice? Yikes!
Yes, Needles, you have a good point about needing the cornerstone…”if we want our holy temple to be built…” Defined a cornerstone means “a stone placed to bind two walls together; essential part of something”. If He’s not there at that critical point in building, eventually the building will crack, crumble and fall.
Lasso my emotions? I am wondering if we need to lasso our negative emotions or just let them go so they will return to the wild and hopefully never return.
“The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength” Nehemiah 8-9 Why do we need His strength or why have we run out of strength and dealing with negative emotions so often? Nehemiah 9:36, “But see, we are slaves today, slaves in the land God gave our forefathers so they could eat its fruit and the other good things it produces. Because of our sins, its abundant harvest goes to the kings you have placed over us. They rule over our bodies and our cattle as they please. We are in great distress.”
Notice as you read the Israelites had finished rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, but their lives were in shambles. They have spent seventy years in Babylonian captivity and they have finished the walls but their distress continued. Their condition was revealed in the (above) words of Nehemiah, because of YOUR SINS!!!! What had they forgotten? They had forgotten their Spiritual heritage and they had forgotten God!
Let’s forget about reigning in our emotions and return to, ‘The Joy of Their Salvation.” Isaiah 26:1says, “…We are surrounded by the walls of God’s salvation.”
Isaiah 12:1 In that day you will say: “I will praise you, O LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.”
Walls of salvation. Isaiah 60: 17-18 says, “Instead of bronze I will bring gold, And instead of iron I will bring silver, And instead of wood, bronze, And instead of stones, iron.
“And I will make peace your administrators And righteousness your overseers.
“No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your Walls Salvation and your Gates Praise.”
“They had forgotten their Spiritual heritage and they had forgotten God!”.
In thinking about what Sara wrote it would seem that if we are losing our strength and joy it is probably because we are not on God’s insurance plan. We are out of line. Instead of putting our trust in and operating according to His plan, we must be wrapped up in our own efforts and gains. That’s when the bottom falls out and we lose.
“Because you have trusted in your wealth and skill, you will be taken captive.” Jeremiah 48″7