Acts 17:22-31 ~ our being

Revelation 21:22 

 And I saw no temple in the city, for its Temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 

Acts 17:22-31

22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you."

24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything,

 since He Himself gives to all mankind 

life and breath and everything. 

And He made from one man 

every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, 

having determined allotted periods 

and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 

that they should seek God, 

and perhaps

 feel their way toward Him and find Him. 

Yet He is actually not far from each one of us,

“‘In Him 

we live and move and have our being’;

as even some of your own poets have said,

“‘For we are indeed His offspring.’"

29 Being then God's offspring, 

we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold 

or silver or stone, 

an image formed 

by the art and imagination of man. 

The times of ignorance God overlooked, 

but now 

He commands all people everywhere to repent, 

because He has fixed a day 

on which He will judge the world in righteousness 

by a Man Whom He has appointed; 

and of this 

He has given assurance to all 

by raising Him 

from the dead.”

In these days, we run a little parallel to the first 2 centuries A.D.  The Roman Empire faced many of the challenges we see today. Weather, trade, marriage, force, power, destitute people wandering. Trafficking. People simply disappeared. Shipwrecks or satellite orbits, supply chains in question. Housing. Wars. 

And when we look at our entertainment, we find an increased interest in gods. Be it Viking gods or Roman Greek gods. Pets are being named god names. And Emperor names. Meow zeus.  One Netflix show examines why the gods disappeared.  Our entertainment looks at life-changing challenges. The gods were dying.  Christianity was at first highjacked. Misanthropes tried to look at Christian sacraments and see if it couldn't be repackaged as Caesar worship and pack in the gods and goddesses with secret rites and ceremonies. Repackaging Christianity did not work, but the Roman soldiers tried to appease the bosses in the military up to Caesar.

Why were the gods dying? Chaos. According to the legends at the time, the gods were not fulfilling any promises, including Sheol as a real place for the dead. If a man returned from Sheol, then the gods would die.  

Enter in the Man called Jesus of Nazareth. 

What would Jesus want of them?

God so loved the world, 

Romans 10:9-11

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” 

and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, 

you will be saved. 

For with your heart you believe and are justified, 

and with your mouth you confess and are saved. 

It is just as the Scripture says: 

“Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”

The aspect of world-changing and up building, the Gifts of God, in Jesus Christ for the people of God. 

John and Paul and Peter define God as: God of Love, God of mercy, God of encouragement.

Historically, the ancient historians refer to a letter about Good Friday from Pontius Pilate to Emperor Claudius. The letter is lost. But in 16 years, all of the Roman Empire knew about Jesus and the His Miracles. 

Jesus was offering Hope, Faith and Love.  The world changed.  Upbuilding for All.  God did not need us, but we all need Jesus Christ. His Salvation is a Gift of God.

Ephesians 2:8-10

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Matthew 5:16-18

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished."

Big Life. Small life. Living Large. Making ends meet. All lives are His. His Heart is open, prayer as an invitation is always there. Jesus told us the Gates of Heaven never close. 

Amen and Amen

Abba, Father,

Forget not all His benefits -

Who forgives all your sins

and 

heals all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you 

with love and compassion

We remember 9 11, Father. 

With Your Help, 

believing Jesus walks on water.

With Your Help

We will act justly

 and to love mercy

 and to walk humbly with You, our God.

Dwell in me,

Dwell in us,

Dwell in those we Love,

Help us to seek You first.

And we will finish well, in Jesus Christ. 

And the Nations of the world,

Your Good Creation,

Calling upon You.

Lord Jesus Christ,

Bless those working for

Post Pandemic Healing

and Care.

We pray 

for the

highly offensive

and not defensible word

"Cartoon" to be removed

from museum Religious Works and Art jargon.

Gross.

Ghoulies and Ghosties

and long-legged ridiculous jargon,

God Lord Deliver Us All.

AMEN

The Healing of our friend Will.

Will is 92 and has been

incredibly spry. 

Now, Will is having intense lower back, leg pain.

I have had this twice and it is just terrible.

Edward's Uncle recovered from this when he was 92.

No one thought he would recover at 92 and he surely did.

Thanks to the Lord.

We ask Jesus to speak the Word of Healing

for Will, who has cared for his family

for decades.

Lord Jesus.

Thank You, for hearing us.

And the end of this lingering cough and cold

prayer for me, Father.

The healing and safety of Your people.

The safety of those

helping the earth 

to heal.

Let evil and practicing evil

depart far from us

and our children.

Worldwide Peace

Prosperity and

Peace.

Worldwide

Peace!

HEAL OUR NATION

We have 54 days

until 

our National Election.

Please Vote 

and Vote Responsibly.

For Children in their Schools, all safety.

For those who protect and defend the USA,

protect us from arsonists.

Keep our food supply safe.

Support the Police.

For Worldwide Peace.

And the Peace of Israel. 

Those who protect

and defend

All The Word of God.

Freedom in our Churches.

Wholeness

Holy.

Goodness.

And in Jesus - this Hope, 

Faith and Love - we will rise up believing Jesus. 

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes The Lord Fulfills His Purpose

Thank You, Jesus

†