Acts 1:1-11
1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said:
“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?
This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven,
will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Psalm 19
A psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
and
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
It's a little startling this century has so many parallels to the Book of Acts in the First and Second Century.
Lightning strikes are up to a record high. Flooding, Fires, Droughts. Arson. War. Violence. In third world nations, death by Lightning strike due to lack of cover is an incredible ongoing weather map on Weather Underground. This was the same in the first and second Centuries. Even today the Roman History lists the bizarre deaths by Lightning.
Violent Crime was up. Marriage Laws were recreated. Families inherited businesses for stability and, in these centuries, the Roman Empire was as vast in wealth as the USA today - this really only compares additionally to the Renaissance. Trade suddenly had war and violence to deal with. Everyone just felt uncomfortable in general and this was the beginning of walled city states. A general distrust of one another like Halloween candy. People wondered if the end of the world was at hand, this is very Historically accurate.
Gradually, times changed. The Good Sunday School Answer never failing is - Jesus. And the action we find changing the world in the Book of Acts is what occurred to me on Sunday at Church. "May I pray for you now?" A huge hug and an amazing prayer.From someone in their own emotional pain from a recently departed sibling. Few of us live with Ozzie and Harriet families. The culture of life intersects the brokenness of the world. And real hope comes from the real life events brave people share with one another.
What brought about another 1,000 years of Roman Empire? The Expectation of Jesus.
Prayer with belief. Faith. Overcoming what is inadequate. Less than warm. Overcoming what life brings you, to what your soul will willingly expect from God. Doing our best to avoid the abyss potholes to bring Love and Hope. The Book of Acts records ' Prayer. To pray and believe in all answers of prayer - God has answered. Even to say - wait or - no.
Paul is not recorded standing on a pulpit and castigating the culture which was less than perfect. Paul gave Love and parental Love and concern. Paul expected God to bring forth what we could not and for us to Trust God. When we flip through the Paul written with the Holy Spirit pages - we find Paul had an overwhelming Love for the people he spoke of Salvation in Jesus.
Matthew 17:5
He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
Colossians 3:12
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience
Ephesians 1:6
To the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
Romans 1:7
To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Consider the Brothers of Jesus, sons of Mary and Joseph
Jude 1:3
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
James 2:5
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
Abba,
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Jesus to the praise of Your glorious grace, with which You have blessed us in the Beloved.
Beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
We pray and ask Jesus, as in John 17, to pray with us that we will contend for the Faith and remain God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Beloved Jesus, thank You, I am well pleased; we will listen to Jesus.
And ask Jesus to Bless those we Love with all Your Willing Blessings.
And ask Your Steadfast, Scripture Solutions, immovable, always abounding work of Jesus to Bless the Nation Trusting in You. And have Your Light and Love shine to the Nations, blessing Your Good Creation.
We lift up Dee for healing for her back and shoulder and neck. Jim for his biopsy to be good. And all those asking for prayer. Thanking God for Elliott's Healing.
Thank You, Jesus, Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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