I added two new programs to the list of Books, Shows, & Sites on the homepage here at ThereYouAreJesus.com. They are: (1) Fox Nation’s First Look, and (2) God Friended Me. Both of these shows are highly recommended by TYAJesus and links are provided for each.
Welcome and thank you for visiting ThereYouAreJesus.com, I’m John Levay.
Today is Halloween (10/31/2018) which has roots as a Scottish festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The annual festival was used as a time to remember all who had died. People would light bonfires and wear scary costumes to keep evil spirits away.
In more modern times Halloween has evolved into costumes, candy, trick or treating, and decorations. Most children and some adults get dressed up in costumes to visit many of the homes that display outdoor decorations. It’s a fun, wholesome, family type of celebration. Over time, Halloween has spread to several other countries – but not many from a global perspective.
Which, by the way – is one of the challenges for a writer here on TYAJesus, which now has readers in 41 countries (Google Analytics 2018). But one thing is for sure, people in many countries around the world love our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
One of my goals for TYAJesus.com is to reach Non-believers around the world with an introduction to Jesus Christ. So they too can have a chance to live their eternal lives right where they are going to want to be, which is heaven.
Alright, so back to the post – and in honor of Halloween – let’s take a refreshed look at the famous number “13.” We all know how this number is sometimes associated with bad luck. But why is that? Here’s what I found:
- There were 13 people at the Last Supper. And tradition has held that the 13th to take their seat was either Judas or Jesus himself.
- Traditionally, there were 13 Steps to the Gallows. Gallows actually varied wildly, but even then, the number was often brought up to 13 – 12 up, and one down.
- Superstition has even made Friday the 13th difficult for businesses. Estimates are that millions of dollars are not spent on Friday the 13th that otherwise would be, because a significant number of people prefer not to do any business whatsoever on Friday the 13th.
Contrary to the norm, I’m going to show some love for this lonely number, 13. How? By bringing God into the picture.
God Almighty is one ( 1 ), which consists of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit which is three ( 3 ). Bring them both together as one to find a whole new meaning. What do you think of the number 13 n-o-w 😉 see?
How to Pray More Effectively
The word prayer can be somewhat confusing for people, depending on where they are in terms of having a relationship with God.
For many of us, prayers are something we read from a prayer book, but not something we write ourselves.
Yes, those pre-written prayers are a critically-important-part of our relationship with God. But they are not more important to God than the prayers we feel in our hearts, with emotion.
One easy way to make your prayers more conversational is to add a photo of Jesus where you pray the most. Having a picture of the person you are praying-to helps you make your prayers more conversational and genuine. Which in turn will evolve into a more open-line-of-communication with God.
As you know there are endless images of Jesus online. Find one you really like, print it, and put it up where you can see it in a place where you find yourself spending most of your time. And when you pray, take each of your thoughts and think about them as if you are talking to a friend. Your friend’s name just happens to be Jesus.
He’s real, he is seriously listening, and he will respond to you. Maybe not at first if you don’t already have a relationship with him, and maybe not the way you expect.
When you begin relationship-building with Jesus, look for coincidences to start happening.
Springboard & Handoff Into God’s Love
Today’s Springboard comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 and is followed with an immediate Handoff to you.
Here is your springboard.
14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,[c] encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
And this is the handoff to you.
Enter Into God’s Love
Thank you Jesus, amen.
Today’s post is dedicated to the memory of Ed Cole, Harold Willard, Jo Ryan, and Jamal Khashoggi, as well as everyone who is heavy on your mind and in your heart. I pray for God to bless them – and you – with his love, forgiveness, healing, and beautiful eternal life.
Language Translation is available for all information posted on ThereYouAreJesus.com – except for “pictures of words.” Therefore I will type the words in this next photograph so readers of all languages can understand the full meaning.
The words in this next picture read as follows: “A dog trusts you with his life. You’re his whole world. Never abuse that trust.” Full CREDIT for this image goes to ShakePaws.com
Please care for all of God’s creatures with food, water, shelter, comfort, and companionship along with your unconditional love and your unbreakable loyalty. We all live in God’s creation. Let us treat all life with the respect it deserves. Please.
Amen.
John Levay, founder of TYAJesus.com
john.thereyouarejesus@gmail.com, or john.levay@yahoo.com
