Acts 4:23-31
The Believers Pray for Boldness
23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant,
said by the Holy Spirit,
“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’ —
27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
We have talked about being able to say "God bless you", "I will pray for you" and "Merry Christmas."
We have forgotten something. Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist. Jesus feeds the thousands in the next breath after hearing His Cousin John the Baptist died. A funeral meal. And we find Jesus prays that night, walks on water - and our Peter - is lifted up out of the water. A good thing. Very immediately a very good thing. The Rock is the Church. We need our Jesus-told-us-in-Caesarea this Church would be born.
Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, does something. He always has a 2nd. He had John the Baptist. Ok, yes, loosely. But then the day after John the Baptist died, Peter is raised up.
If we want to say "God Bless you" we might be further encouraged to have assistance. It's not complicated, this is Biblical. We learn this in one of the few organizations held together for 2,000 Years. With a very, very clear history. The first leading mankind out of huddling in city/state/fortresses. Church - planting outside the city walls deliberately; increasing trade. Promoting communication. Church - the first to feed the starving around the world. On many levels. The first to have hospitals during the-why-help-them-they-are-really-going-to-kill-you plagues. The first to bring aid. The first to bring reading. The first to bring education.
How unfortunate that 2,000 years of amazing Acts of Jesus have been beaten down by this phrase, "The Crusades."
Yes. Human beings. Flawed.
Governments with the same problems are 'history'. Not the Church. Relevant fact. Important. Forgiveness. Redemption. Restoration. Mercy.
Matthew 11:12
12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
Pirate of the Caribbean
"A missionary is the story. What I heard, was he got captured in a raid. The rest on the ship got killed, but not him. First Mate wouldn't let it happen, on account his premier standing with the Lord."
― Jack Sparrow and Scrum concerning Philip Swift
"You are different."
"Different?"
"Are you not? You protect."
― Syrena and Philip Swift
Routinely, Historically - people have found Joy in having Jesus Christ.
Astonishingly like a Parent. Completely informed as you, the real you. Parents sometimes thunder. It's called relationship. But if the parent wants your cringing, your guilt, you star-ship, then you have not discovered Jesus and His Abba.
Jesus Christ, Abba, the Holy Spirit and the Amazing Incredible Wonder of God miracle - the Bible - in your hand into - thou shalt not Preach. Every Word of God - is - valid. The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament. The Old Testament is preaching the Ten Commandments. God does not sanction the killing of human beings. Which the false gods do.
If we considered all the potential Children of God as Believers - we should see a St. Augustine.
His mother told the party-goer, prostitute-loving, a good evening of wine, "I cannot go to Heaven without you. It would not be Heaven without the unique person you are. You must find Jesus loves you and know His Love."
The closest we can come to telling someone how loved they are in Jesus Christ and His Father to tell them of their virtues, their compassion, their tender moments.
The closest we can come to telling someone how loved they are in Jesus Christ and His Father to tell them of their virtues, their compassion, their tender moments.
Speak of their heart-felt desires of Life.
The Light they bring to Life. The Magnificent Forgiveness exists because we Love and Trust this person to display their goodness. We believe with them, they are worthy in God's eyes. We believe they should Love our Jesus because our Jesus assures us He lives in their lives now - merely unknown.
This is the depth of Love and Forgiveness we need to have explained in our Jesus characters. Not limiting real relationship and real opinion and not assuming there is one opinion. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Why? Because not all can understand a Father's Love.
A Son who seeks all His Ministry to find the lost lamb we all have in us.
The Holy Spirit who has wanted to live closer - an essence of God - a mystery - a desire of God - some need the glimmer of God to understand first the Presence of our Father God Almighty. Even Father God says between Timothy and Paul Letters that faith is a mystery. We don't have to understand all the Holy Spirit to allow others to look and find the Beauty and Mystery of God and His Presence in our lives.
We know in the early Church some ran far to bring the Gospel further, but bravely they went with the Word of God, knowing this would be a danger for being killed. We know some stayed and died bravely. Both were led by God and brave.
We know in the early Church some ran far to bring the Gospel further, but bravely they went with the Word of God, knowing this would be a danger for being killed. We know some stayed and died bravely. Both were led by God and brave.
Our Father, Abba,
We cover in and all our needs with an urgent plea for "Jesus."
Dwell in us. Help us to Seek You First.
And Live Your Words to us.
Jesus bless and heal Elliott.
Your Mercy on those in need of Your Strong Mercy in our lives.
More Love and Joy in our daily lives
and those we Love.
Our Father, Who is in Heaven,
Holy is Your Name, Jesus,
Your Kingdom comes
We want Your will to be done
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day,
our Daily Living Bread.
Forgive us our sin,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation.
Deliver us from evil.
As John saw,
For thine is the Kingdom,
thine is the Power,
thine is the Glory.
Forever and ever, in Jesus' Name
we pray. Amen.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment