Acts 1
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, 11 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.”
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,
“‘May his camp become desolate,
and let there be no one to dwell in it’;
and “‘Let another take his office.’
21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said,
“You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
We have the Pandemic to look to see the recovery of Claude Monet.
Lava lamps are a strong contrast in color. They stay in the lines and bob peacefully within the boundaries. Just as all would be as it should be in the garden of creativity and life.
However, once shaken, a Lava Lamp is not even the same result of stirred.
We face a Precipice. Together.
As we bustle about making the traffic what it once was, the sky is very, very blue. And some statistics from 2020, are enough to make anyone blue.
Statistics also point to some beautiful Strength calling upon the Lord, Who Loves us.
The Precipice we face is how to build ourselves. Build our families. Be strong emotionally to bring Light to the ones we love and the people we are given. And remain Genuine to maintain strength in Jesus and His Love. We see Bold and Amazing Numbers, hearts and souls looking to Jesus, to Abba, and He has helped us to get past sometimes overwhelming difficulties.
Do we have something to look forward to?
The Scriptures see an astonishing growth after the Exodus and Exile to Babylon. The Holy Spirit moves in those hoping in God to be their Hope and Future. Historically, yes, even the events of history.
The Great Movement of the Holy Spirit
Jesus saw the Great Movement of the Holy Spirit within His own grace upon grace ministry. And yet, Jesus had 70 Disciples leave. And other Translations say 72 Disciples left. John's Gospel decided to say, “many.” John was wisely ecumenical.
Choosing wisely is a great and fortuitous good.
“Indian Jones and The Last Crusade” Grail Knight is a nod at John 21. The Apostles thought John, the Beloved Disciple, would live forever on earth. And probably hoped there would be more literature on the idea. Jesus did not say this was impossible for God. Jesus told the Disciples several times in John 21 and Acts 1 to spend time wondering. And the First Council of Nicaea chose to put John's Gospel and Luke's Acts of the Apostles together. Jesus loves when our minds set their abilities based on God's Strength and His Purpose.
God is the Great and Fortuitous Good.
The lesser of 72 Disciples, or wish washy 70, or the many, from the 11 Disciples decided when Jesus explained the New Covenant and Communion, they walked away. If Jesus Christ could heal the blind, lame, leper and deaf and not make sense, then they quit. If Jesus could raise up Jairus' daughter to Life and the Widow of Nain's son to Life, and not make sense to them - then never mind. They quit. God better act according to their expectations.
Yet, with a big nod at understanding, we all assume the wish washy 72 to 70 Disciples made it late to Easter Week. When the Multitudes arrived at the Temple, the First Easter Week, those 72-70-many made it to Celebrate Jesus.
Lot. Casting Lots.
Lots, the times we don't know the Word God is Doing Specifically.
Julius Caesar, known to say, “Let the dice roll.”
David, in the Holy Spirit, said the same.
Psalm 16:1.8
Preserve me, O God, for in You I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from You.”
As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me;
because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Psalm 40:5-17
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told.
6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”
9 I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.
11 As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain
your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
ever preserve me!
12 For evils have encompassed me
beyond number;
my iniquities have overtaken me,
and I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head;
my heart fails me.
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me!
O Lord, make haste to help me!
14 Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
who delight in my hurt!
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame
who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”
16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
Say continually,
“Great is the Lord!”
17 As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God!
God tells us every day He renews His mercies to us
Abba, Father God,
We Give You Thanks for Your Willing Blessings Daily.
Dwell in us. Help us to seek You First.
In Your Health, to finish well.
Bless our families to be stronger in Jesus.
Help us to see our Blessings more clearly. Daily.
We pray for all nurses and doctors their gifts and talents blessing Your Beloved. All those who worked on the Vaccine.
We ask in the Highest Name of Jesus
for complete healing and lasting healing relief.
Thank You so much this has been a blessing for Elliott. We pray all healing upon Elliott and peace and joy continuing for Elliott and Harby.
We remember with Great Joy the Blessings You've Willingly Provided.
Thank You so much this has been a blessing for Elliott. We pray all healing upon Elliott and peace and joy continuing for Elliott and Harby.
We remember with Great Joy the Blessings You've Willingly Provided.
And give You Thanks for the many Years and Eternity where You will Continually Bless us.
Thank You, Father God for the amazing ways we have all witnessed Healing. Your Word upholds the Universe. Thank You.
We give You thanks for Your Word telling us You Delight to bring Your Good Will and more of Heaven upon earth.
Amen in Jesus.
Thank You, Father God for the amazing ways we have all witnessed Healing. Your Word upholds the Universe. Thank You.
We give You thanks for Your Word telling us You Delight to bring Your Good Will and more of Heaven upon earth.
Amen in Jesus.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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